CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes - Forest and Wildlife Resources
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gisbhairupa746CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes - Forest and Wildlife Resources
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Powered by AIIndigenous communities play a critical role in the conservation of forests and wildlife in India, as they often have intricate ecological knowledge and spiritual connections to the environment. For instance, in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers invoked the Wildlife Protection Act to prevent mining . In Alwar, Rajasthan, communities declared 1,200 hectares as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri', restricting hunting and protecting wildlife . Additionally, the Chipko Movement demonstrated how grassroots efforts can lead to significant environmental conservation successes. Initiatives like Joint Forest Management (JFM) engage communities in restoring forests, leveraging local knowledge and participation .
The Indian government has enacted several legislative measures to protect vulnerable species, starting with the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which established protected areas and reserves . Additionally, the initiatives under Project Tiger have been effective in stabilizing and even increasing certain tiger populations through habitat protection and anti-poaching laws . However, despite these measures, challenges such as poaching and illegal trade persist, underscoring the need for enhanced implementation and cross-border cooperation to tackle wildlife crime effectively .
India's biodiversity conservation strategies, such as the implementation of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and Project Tiger, play a crucial role in ecological sustainability. The Wildlife Act provided legal protection to many species, contributing to the preservation of genetic diversity and enabling ecosystems to flourish. Project Tiger specifically aimed at saving tigers and their biotypes, resulted in the establishment of numerous tiger reserves, thereby preserving large habitats vital for many species . Furthermore, initiatives like the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program involve local communities in conservation, promoting sustainable use of resources and ensuring continued ecological balance .
The Chipko Movement has profoundly influenced modern environmental conservation strategies in India by emphasizing community involvement and the importance of non-violent activism. It successfully prevented tree felling, promoting the protection of forests as vital resources for local communities . This movement has inspired similar initiatives, like Beej Bachao Andolan, which discourages the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture . The philosophy of the Chipko Movement underpins Joint Forest Management programs by stressing grass-roots participation and management of forest resources, aligning conservation efforts with local livelihood needs .
The IUCN criteria categorize species into normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic, and extinct, guiding conservation priorities and efforts in India. Endangered species, like the lion-tailed macaque, receive urgent conservation measures to prevent extinction . Vulnerable species, such as the Asiatic elephant, are monitored closely to prevent them from becoming endangered. Endemic species require habitat-specific conservation efforts, as seen with the Andaman teal and Nicobar pigeon . These classifications help in allocating resources effectively and focusing efforts on species with the highest risk, thereby optimizing conservation outcomes.
The IUCN plays a critical role in shaping India's wildlife conservation policies by providing a global framework for classifying and prioritizing species for conservation. The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on extinction risk, which guides national efforts to prioritize actions for species identified as threatened or endangered . In India, the categorization into normal, endangered, and vulnerable species helps direct conservation resources and legislative focus toward the most at-risk categories . Alignment with IUCN standards ensures international accountability and access to global conservation resources and knowledge, significantly influencing policy development and implementation.
The primary threats to the tiger population in India include habitat shrinkage due to human population growth, poaching, and the depletion of prey base species. The trade of tiger skins and the use of bones in traditional medicines, particularly in Asia, exacerbate these threats . Conservation efforts, such as Project Tiger, have been implemented to address these issues by establishing protected areas and reserves, like Corbett and Sunderbans, to secure habitats. Legal frameworks under the Wildlife Protection Act also discourage poaching and illegal trade of tiger parts .
Economic development activities have significantly impacted biodiversity in India, often leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. Between 1951 and 1980, over 26,200 sq. km. of forest land was converted into agricultural areas, impacting forest-dwelling species through habitat loss . Mining, such as ongoing dolomite mining, poses a significant threat to protected landscapes like the Buxa Tiger Reserve . River valley projects have cleared large forest areas, as seen with the Narmada Sagar Project, which led to loss of biodiversity-rich habitats. These activities contribute to environmental degradation, necessitating integrated conservation policies that balance development with ecological preservation .
The Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in India faces several challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of cohesive policy implementation across states, and conflicts between local communities and forest departments. Despite being launched to promote community involvement in forest management, variations in local administration and resource allocation often hinder its effectiveness . To address these challenges, enhancing community participation through capacity-building initiatives, securing consistent funding, and fostering transparent management structures can improve program outcomes. Strengthening policy integration and encouraging collaborative efforts between communities and government bodies are crucial for the program's success and sustainability .
Sacred groves and religious beliefs significantly contribute to biodiversity conservation within Indian communities by preserving natural habitats through cultural reverence. These groves, as seen in the traditions of the Mundas, Santhal, and tribes in Odisha and Bihar, maintain biodiversity-rich areas as no-entry zones for exploitation or deforestation . They house rare species that thrive due to their protected status and are often considered abodes of deities, thus integrating conservation into cultural practices . Such cultural conservation efforts supplement formal policies, showing that traditional practices play an essential role in holistic biodiversity management.
