Chapter 2: Forest and Wild Life Resource

i. Forests plays a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all
other living beings depend.
ii. Our country has 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world.
iii. ‘Critical’ species are that which are on the verge of extinction like the cheetah, pink-headed duck,
mountain quail and plants like madhuca insignis.
iv. Plants and animal species are categorized based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources (IUCN).
v. Normal Species population levels are normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
vi. Endangered Species are in danger of extinction such as black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian
rhino, etc.
vii. Vulnerable Species population has declined they are likely to move into the endangered
category such as blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin.
viii. Extinct Species are not found after searches of areas such as Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck.
ix. Endemic Species are only found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical
barriers such as the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon.
x. The greatest damage done on our forests was during the colonial period.
xi. Agricultural expansion is one of the major causes of depletion of forest resources.
xii. Tribal areas have been deforested by shifting cultivation (jhum).
xiii. Large scale river valley projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh would inundate
forests.
xiv. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the dolomite mining.
xv. The depletion of forest resources is also caused by grazing and fuel-wood collection.
xvi. The loss of biodiversity has resulted in the loss of cultural diversity.
xvii. Forest losses have marginalised and impoverished many indigenous and other forest-
dependent communities.
xviii. Within the poor, women are affected more than men by the loss of forests.
xix. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions for protecting
habitats.
xx. In 1980 and 1986 under IWA, Insects such as butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been
added to the list of protected species.
xxi. In 1991, for the first time plants were also added to the protected species list.
xxii. Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates.
xxiii. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests: 75% of its total forest area.
xxiv. Reserve forests have higher degree of protection of species where rights to all activities such as hunting,
cutting, grazing are banned.
xxv. Protected forests have lesser degree of protection of species and grazing is allowed sometimes but with
restrictions.
xxvi. In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife
Protection Act.
xxvii. In Alwar district, Rajasthan villagers have themselves declared forests as the Bhairodev Dakav
‘Sonchuri’, for protecting wildlife.
xxviii. Chipko (Hugging Trees) movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation.
xxix. Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya are for diversification of crops.
xxx. Many societies in our country worship trees known as Sacred Grooves.
xxxi. The Mundas people of Chhota Nagpur worship Mahua trees and the tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship
the Tamarind and Mango trees during weddings. Many of us worship Peepal and Banyan trees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q.1 Define the term biodiversity.
Ans. Large variety of plants and animals diverse in their form and functions and form a complex web
of ecosystem which is interdependent is called biodiversity.
Q.2 “India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity”.
Justify this statement with examples.
Ans.
i. India has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world (estimated to be 1.6 million).
ii. This is possibly twice or thrice the number yet to be discovered.
iii. Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in this country.
iv. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India.
Q.3 Name the species of plant and animals which are categorized as critical or they are on the verge of
extinction.
Ans : It is estimated that at least
a. 10 per cent of India’s recorded wild flora
b. 20 per cent of its mammals are on the threatened list
c. Animals like the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet,
d. Plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and hubbardia heptaneuron,(a species of grass).
Q.4 Classify the different categories of existing plants and animal species of our country according to
IUCN.
Ans: Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), we can
classify as follows –
i. Normal Species: Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as
cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
ii. Endangered Species: These are species which are in danger of extinction. The survival of such species
is difficult if the negative factors continue to operate. The examples of such species are black buck,
crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc.
iii. Vulnerable Species: These are species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to
move into the endangered category in the near future. The examples of such species are blue sheep,
Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
iv. Rare Species: Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if
the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. The examples of such species are the Himalayan
brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill, etc.
v. Endemic Species: These are species which are only found in some particular areas usually isolated by
natural or geographical barriers. Examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon,
Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.
vi. Extinct Species: These are species which are not found after searches of likely areas where they may
occur. A species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the entire earth.
Examples of such species are the Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck.
Q.5 Explain the factors which has caused depletion of the flora and fauna in India.
Ans: Nature has been over exploited by humans to obtain resources and it is the humans who have depleted
the forests and wildlife. Some reasons are:
i. During the colonial period due to the expansion of the railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific
forestry and mining activities our forests and wildlife were damaged.
ii. Agricultural expansion: Forest area has been converted into agricultural land. For example: Forest
areas of tribal belts of the northeastern and central India is under threat due to deforestation by shifting
cultivation (jhum), a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.
iii. Large-scale development projects: Forest area has been cleared for river valley projects. For
example: Clearing of forests is continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya
Pradesh, which would submerge40,000 hectares of forest.
iv. Mining activities: It has disturbed the natural habitat and blocked the migration route of many
species. For example: The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing
dolomite mining. It has blocked the migration route of Indian elephant.
 v. Over grazing and fuel wood collection: Many foresters and environmentalists believe that the
factor behind the depletion of forest resources is grazing and fuel-wood collection.
Q.6 Explain the factors which have led to the decline in India’s biodiversity.
Ans: major causes of environmental degradation or loss of biodiversity are: -
i. We ourselves: we have transformed nature into a resource obtaining directly and indirectly from the
forests and wildlife – wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure, etc. So it
is we ourselves who have depleted our forests and wildlife.
ii. The colonial period: The greatest damage inflicted on Indian forests was during the colonial period due
to the expansion of the railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry and mining activities
i. Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Clearing of
forests is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh, which would
inundate 40,000 hectares of forest.
ii. Agricultural expansion
iii. continues to be one of the major causes of depletion of forest resources. In some parts of India forest
have been deforested or degraded by shifting cultivation (jhum), a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.
iv. Mining is another important factor behind deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is
seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining. It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species
and blocked the migration route of several others, including the great Indian elephant.
Q.7 Explain the adverse effects of loss of biodiversity in India.
OR
“The loss of biodiversity has resulted in the loss of cultural diversity”. Justify this statement with
examples.
Ans. The biodiversity loss is many adverse effects:
i. The loss of biodiversity has resulted in the loss of cultural diversity.
ii. It has marginalized (sidelined) and impoverished (made poor) many indigenous and other forest-
dependent communities, who directly depend on forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, culture,
spirituality, etc.
iii. Women are affected more than men. As the biodiversity is depleted, in some places women have to walk
for long distance to collect fuel, water, food. This causes serious health problems for women.
iv. Basic family set up is affected the most as women has less time to look after the home and children
because of the increased hours of work.
v. The intensity of severe droughts and floods increases which affects the poor the adversely.
vi. As a result, the poverty increases in these areas.
Q.8 Why conservation of forest and wildlife is necessary in India.
Ans. Conservation of wildlife population and forestry is essential.
i. Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems – water, air and soil.
ii. It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.
For example, in agriculture, we are still dependent on traditional crop varieties.
iii. Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.
Q.9 Describe the main measures taken to conserve forests and wildlife in India.
Ans Major steps taken to conserve the forest and wildlife of India are:
i. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions for protecting
habitats.
ii. An all-India list of protected species was also published.
iii. For protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species following steps were taken:
a. Banning hunting,
b. Giving legal protection to their habitats,
c. Restricting trade in wildlife.
iv. Subsequently, central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
v. The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of its components.
There is now a more intensive search for different conservation measures. Increasingly, even insects are
beginning to find a place in conservation planning.
 vi. In the new notification under Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths,
beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species. In 1991, for the first time
plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.
vii. The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals, which were
gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul.
Q.10 Describe types of forest and wildlife resources found in India.
Ans;p These are classified under the following categories.
i. Reserved Forests:
a. These are maintained for the purpose of protecting biodiversity and producing timber and other
forest produce.
b. More than half of the total forest land has been declared reserved forests.
c. Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and
wildlife resources are concerned.
d. Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
and Maharashtra have large percentages of reserved forests.
ii. Protected Forests:
a. These are maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce.
b. Almost one-third of the total forest area is protected forest.
c. These forest lands are protected from any further depletion.
d. Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan have a large area under
protected forests.
iii. Un-classed Forests:
a. These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and
communities.
b. All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of un-classed
forests which is managed by local communities.
Q.11 What is Community conservation technique?
Ans: Community conservation is adopting such conservational strategies which are people centric,
environment-friendly and economically rewarding. Local communities participate in the natural resource
management.
Q.12 Describe the examples of community conservation in India.
Ans. Local communities in India have adopted conservation techniques such as:
a. In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife
Protection Act.
b. In Alwar district, Rajasthan villagers have made Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, for protecting
wildlife and have their own rules and regulations for forests conservation.
c. Chipko (Hugging Trees) movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation.
d. Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya are for diversification of crops.
e. Many societies in our country worship trees known as Sacred Grooves.
f. The Mundas people of Chhota Nagpur worship Mahua trees and the tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship
the Tamarind and Mango trees during weddings. Many of us worship Peepal and Banyan trees.
Q.13 What do you mean by Joint Forest Management Programme?
Ans. JFM programme is a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration
of degraded forests. This programme was started in Orissa in 1988. Under this local (village)
institutions are formed that undertake protection of degraded forests. In return, the members of these
communities get benefits like non-timber forest products and share in the timber harvested.