NOTES PREPARED BY
KHURSHEED AHMED
TEACHER SCHOOL
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
CHAPTER NO.2
FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURECES
NEW TERMS:-
2.IUCN: - It stands for international union for conservation of nature and natural resources. It was founded in 1948 and is also called World conservation union
3.Lopping: - It means to cut a branch from the main body of a tree
4. Third world Countries: - Those countries of the world which remained non-aligned during the time of cold war
5.Gharial:- It belongs to crocodile family and eats fish
6. Wildlife Sanctuary/Sonchuri:- It an area where breeding of protected birds or animals is encouraged
1.What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Ans:- Biodiversity is the variety of plants and animals closely interdependent in nature. It is very important for human lives because human beings along with biodiversity form a complete ecological system on which they are dependant for their own existence.
2.How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Ans:- The human activities that have been major cause for the depletion of flora and fauna are as under:-
👉Rapid agricultural expansion led to the clearing of forested areas which resulted in the loss of habitat of wild animals
👉Jhumming cultivation /shifting cultivation/slash and burn agriculture led to large scale deforestation which resulted in loss of habitat of wild animals
👉Large scale developmental projects like hydroelectric power projects led to the submergence of large areas of forests. It resulted in loss of wildlife habitat
👉Mining activities have led to the degradation of forest land which resulted in loss of habitat of wild animals
3.Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
Ans:- Various communities of India have carried out the task of conservation of forests in different parts of India. The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1200 hectares of forests as the Bhairode Dakav Sonchuri and regulating the same according to their own set of rules and regulations. Tribal people in Chamoli district of Uttrakhand resisted deforestation in several areas and showed community afforestation to be successful. This movement of the tribal people is known as Chipko Movement.
The Beej Bachao Andolan launched by farmers and citizen's group in Tehri district of Uttrakhand conserved local seed varieties and forests and defended their traditional agriculture.
4.Write a note on good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife?
Ans:- Forests and wildlife are very important for maintaining ecological balance. Thus it is very important to conserve these resources. Govt, as well as the citizens of the country has to share the responsibility of conserving these resources. Several laws were passed by the parliament to conserve these resources. Citizens in different areas of the country have shown their interest in this regard as well. It can be observed from the fact that several movements were launched in different parts of India for the conservation of forests and wildlife like Chipkko Movement in Chamoli district of Uttrakhand, Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri district of Uttrakhand. The message of the movements is that all conservation practices and programmes should be eco-friendly people, people friendly and economically acceptable. At the same time Developmental projects undertaken by the government should not be at the cost of destruction of forests and loss of people's livelihoods.
5. Explain the IUCN classification of existing plants and animals?
Ans - IUCN has classified the existing plant and animal species into following categories:-
👉Normal Species:- These are those species whose population is considered to be normal for their survival such as cattle, Sal, Pine etc
👉Endangered species:- These are those species which are in danger of becoming extinct if negative factors like hunting, poaching are not checked. The examples are black buck, crocodiles, Indian wild ass etc
👉 Vulnerable species: - These are those species of plants and animals whose population has declined to the extent from where they are likely to move into the endangered category like blue sheep, Asiatic elephant etc.
👉 Rare species: - These are those species of plants and animals which have small population and may move into endangered category if hunting poaching etc. are not controlled. Examples include Himalayan Brown bear, desert fox, hornbill etc.
👉 Endemic species: - These are those species which are only found in some particular areas isolated by natural barriers. Examples include Andaman Teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman pig etc.
👉 Extinct species: - These are those species which are not found in those areas where they may occur. A specie may become extinct from a particular area, region, country, continent or the entire earth e.g. Asiatic Cheeta, pink head duck etc
6. Forests play an important role in the ecology and economy of India?
Ans:- Forests are very important for India and its landscape. A bigger area under forests is an obligation for a self-sufficient economy and proper ecological balance. The role forests play in the ecology and economy of India is briefly discussed as under:-
👉Forests contribute substantially to our economic development
👉They play an important role in enhancing the quality of the environment
👉They modify local climate, control soil erosion and regulate stream flow
👉Forests provide livelihood for many communities and offer opportunities for recreation
👉They regulate temperature and reduce wind force
👉They provide industrial timber, fodder and other Forest produce
👉They provide natural habitat to the wildlife
👉They are very important for maintaining ecological balance
👉They help in local precipitation
👉They add humus to the soil and make it fertile
👉They provide large number of medicinal herbs
👉They help to reduce noise pollution
7. Write a note on project Tiger?
Ans:- In 1973 Government of India felt that the Tiger population has decreased to 1827 from 55000 in 1901. Poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species, increasing human population are the main reasons behind the decline of tiger population. The trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in traditional medicines were also major threats to tiger population
As a result project Tiger was launched in 1973 which shows good positive results as evidenced by their population which rose to 4002 in 198 to 4334 in 1989. Spread over an area of 37761 sqkms there are 27 tiger reserves in India. Corbett National park (Uttrakhand), Sundarbans National park (West Bengal), Baghavgarh National Park (M.P), Sariska Wildlife sanctuary (Rajasthan), Manas tiger reserve (Assam) and Periyar Tiger reserve in Kerela.
8.Write a note on the main objectives of the National Forest Policy?
Ans:- The National Forest Policy is the recommendation on management of forests by the government which is in operation since 1884. This Forest Policy was revised in 1952 and then again in 1988. The main objectives of the National Forest Policy 1988 are as under:-
👉Bringing 33% of the area under forests
👉Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance
👉Conserving the biological diversity of the country
👉Conservation of forests as a natural heritage with vast variety of flora and fauna
👉Control of soil erosion
👉Check on sand dune extension in desert areas of Rajasthan
👉Increasing forest cover through massive Afforestation, Reforestation and social forestry programmes
👉To provide alternatives of fire wood to the tribal people
👉Involvement of people particularly woman in forest management
9. Explain how human activities have led to the depletion of flora and fauna?
Ans:- There are number of human activities which have led to the depletion of flora and fauna which are as under:-
👉Habitat Destruction: - Human beings have been engaged building houses, factories, shopping malls, parks, garbage dumps, roads and other buildings by destroying the wild land. It leads to the destruction of habitat of Wildlife.
👉Over utilization of forests: - In the earlier days man's needs were limited. He was dependent on forests only for few things. Forests are being used to fulfil man's needs directly and indirectly. We obtain wood, bark, leaves, rubber, medicine, dyes, food, fuel etc.
👉Colonial plans:- The greatest damage inflicted on Indian forests was during the colonial periods due to expansion of railways, agricultural, commercial and industrial activities.
👉Agricultural Expansion: -Even after independence, agricultural expansion continues to be one of the major causes of depletion. According to forest survey of India over 26200 sqkms of forests were converted into agricultural land all over India form 1951 to 1980.
👉Multipurpose projects:- These projects have also contributed to the loss of forests. Since 1951 over 5000 sq kms of forests were cleared for river valley projects like Narmada sagar project in M.P which inundated 40000 hectares of forest area.
•ðŸ‘‰ Mining:- It is another important factor behind deforestation . Mining operations need big machines, labour, transport etc. All these led to deforestation.
👉• Grazing and Fuel collection:- Overgrazing of land also leads to soil erosion in many parts
of India. Hill sides have become barren because of overgrazing by animals. By wood collection, deforestation has been caused as laid down by many forest experts.
👉Electricity Generation: - There are number of environmental issues related to generation of hydro power which include habitat destruction, loss of bio diversity.
👉 Nuclear power generation: - Nuclear fuel cycle includes mining, transportation and radioactive fuel waste. Released radio isotopes pose threats to human health, animals and plants as these particles enter their bodies through different transmission routes.
10. What steps have been taken by the government for the conservation of flora and fauna?
Ans:- For conserving forests of the country National Forest Policy was formulated by the government which hold immense importance with regard to the protection, conservation and development of forests in the country has been put in place.
•ðŸ‘‰ Government strives hard for maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance,
👉Afforestation programmes are being encouraged in the areas which are unsuitable for crop cultivation
👉People's participation in the conservation of forests is of vital importance. So the local people are mostly involved in this national task.
👉Van Mahotsava is being celebrated with zeal and vigour throughout the country.
👉The National Environment Awareness Campaign is being launched in every corner of the country
👉Proper planning is needed to check soil erosion, extension of sand dunes, and increase in forest cover.
👉For ensuring growth and survival of wildlife, host of conservation steps have been taken by the government. There are 5 National parks, 14 wild life sanctuaries, 21 conservation Reserves, 14 Wetland reserves and 4 Ramsar sites.
11. What are the various types of forests in India?
Ans:- On the basis of Administration or legality forests in India are classified into following types:-
👉Reserved Forests: - These forests are maintained by the forest department for regular supply of timber and other forest products as well as for ecological reasons, Grazing and cultivation is seldom allowed. More than half of the total forest land has been declared reserved in India. They are most important from conservation point of view.
👉Protected Forests:- These forests are maintained for the same reasons as that of reserved forests. All activities are allowed unless prohibited. These forests cover almost one third of the total forest area of India.
👉Unclassified Forests:- These are those forests and waste lands which do not belong to either of the above categories. These forests are owned and managed by Government, private individuals and communities. They cover about 16% of the total forest area.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
👉India has about 8% of the total number of species of flora and fauna known in the world
👉Asiatic Cheeta was declared extinct in 1952
👉The total forest cover in India in 2017 was 21.54%.
👉Project Tiger was started in 1973
👉Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972
👉Madhya Pradesh has highest forest cover of about 75%.
👉Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Rajasthan
👉Bahirode DakavSonchuri is focated in Alwar district if Rajasthan
👉Beej Bachoo Aandolan was started by the people of Tehri district of Uttrakhand
👉Chipko movement was launched by the women of Chamoli district of Uttrakhand
👉Odisha was the first state to start joint forest management programme in 1988
0 Comments