VELAMMAL BODHI CAMPUS – THANJAVUR

GRADE :X SOCIAL SCIENCE

FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION:
Flora and Fauna in India
• India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological
diversity.
• India houses nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world.

Vanishing Forests
• According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN), the different categories of existing plants and animal species can be classified as
follows
• Normal Species and Endangered Species: Endangered species are those that are in danger
of extinction.
• Vulnerable Species: Vulnerable species are those whose population has declined to levels
from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative
factors continue to operate.
• Rare Species: Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable
category if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. Endemic Species: Endemic
species are those which are only found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or
geographical barriers.
• Extinct Species: Species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas
where they may occur are called extinct species.

What are the negative factors that cause such fearful depletion of the flora and fauna?
• During the colonial period due to the expansion of the railways, agriculture, commercial
and scientific forestry and mining activities, the greatest damage was inflicted on the Indian
forests.
• Agricultural expansion continues to be one of the major causes of depletion of forest
resources post-independence too.
• Loss of forests is also due to large-scale development projects like river valley projects
which caused clearing of more than 5,000 sq km of forest, since 1951.
• Deforestation is also caused by mining as in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal
which is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining.
• The greatest degrading factors behind the depletion of forest resources are grazing and
fuel-wood collection, according to many foresters and environmentalists.
• India’s biodiversity has declined due to habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over-
exploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning and forest fires.
• Environmental destruction is also due to unequal access, inequitable consumption of
resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being.
• Another major cause of environmental degradation is over-population in third world
countries.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

• Conservation is essential for preserving the ecological diversity and water, soil and air
which are the life support systems.
• The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions
for protecting habitats and an all-India list of protected species was published.
• The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals,
which were gravely threatened.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

• Forest are classified under the following categories:
• Reserved Forests.
• Protected Forests.
• Unclassed Forests.
• Reserved and protected forests are known as permanent forest estates.
• Unclassed forests managed by local communities are large percentage of forests in all
Northeastern states and parts of Gujarat.

Classification and Distribution of Forest Area:

A. According to the Basis of Administration, forest have been classified into three categories:
1) Reserved forests:It is those forests which comes under the direct supervision of the
government. People are prohibited to collect timber or grazing of cattle in this area. Almost 53
percentage of the total forest falls in this forest category. Reserve forest present in the states of
Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra etc.

2) Protected forests:This types of forests are looked for by the government; and local people are
allowed to collect timbers and grazing of cattle without damaging the forest. About 29% of the
total forests of India, come under this category; bulk of the forest area of Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab covered under this type of forest. Sometimes,
these type of forests are upgraded to wildlife sanctuaries which may further upgrade to national
parks.
3) Unclassified forests:Non-restricted forests are called unclassified forest. Almost 18% of the
total forest of the country comes under this category. Unclassified forests are found in the states
of North-East Indian region, Gujarat etc.
B.On the basis of Annual Rainfall Indian forests have been classified into 5 division:
1. Tropical Ever Green Forest:
Climatic condition of this type of forests are warm and humid. Average annual rainfall 200 cm.
and annual temperature – above 22°C. These forests appear green all the year. This type of
forests are seen in the Western Ghat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and North East region.
Mahogany, Aini, Ebony etc. are the example of tropical evergreen forest.
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests(Monsoon forest):
Climatic condition of these forests are semi humid. Average annual rainfall is 100-200 cm. Trees
of these forests are tall with broad leaves. These forest seen in the foothill of Himalaya, Eastern
slope of western ghat and Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka.
Tendu, Palas, Bel etc.. are the example of tropical deciduous forests.
3. Thorn forests:
Average annual rainfall of the thorn forests region is less than 50 cm. The plants of these region
is leafless most of the year. These types of forests are found in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat. Babla, Ber, Neem, Kokko etc. Trees are the example of thorn forests.
4. Mountain forests:
This type of forests can be found in two different regions:
• Hilly region of Kerala and Tamil Nadu,
• Towards the Eastern Himalayas (88°E longitude) in the hilly area of West Bengal, Sikkim,
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Average annual rainfall is 150 to 200 cm and mean temperature is about 12 °C – 15 °C.
5. Swamp forest:
This forests are very dense. It is found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ganga- Brahmaputra
delta, Mahanadi and Godavari basin. Mangrove trees, palms, bulletwood etc. trees are found in
the swamp forests.
• According to forest census 2019, area of India covered by forest trees is 8,07,276 square
kilometers, which is 24.56 percent of the total area of India.
• Area wise maximum forest density are found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. On the other hand maximum percentage wise forest are found in
Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur.

There are different categories of existing plants and animal species. According to the
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), we can classify
plants and animals as follows:
1)Normal Species:population levels of those Species which are considered to be normal for their
survival is called normal species. Example- Cattle, Sal, Pine, Rodents, etc.
2)Endangered Species:Species which are in danger of extinction is called endangered species. It
is difficult to survive of such species if the negative factors continue to operate that have led to a
decline in their population. Examples- Indian rhino, lion tailed macaques, black buck, crocodile,
Indian wild ass, etc.
3)Vulnerable Species:Population of the Vulnerable Species have declined to levels if the factors
responsible for its decline are not checked and it moves into the endangered category in the near
future. It happens if the negative factors continue to operate. Example- Asiatic elephant, blue
sheep, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
4)Rare Species:Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable
category, is called Rare Species. It happens if the negative factors affecting them continue to
operate. Example – wild Asiatic buffalo, the Himalayan brown bear, desert fox and hornbill, etc.
5)Endemic Species:These are species which are only found in some particular isolated areas bin
natural or geographical barriers. Example- Gayal in Arunachal Pradesh, the Andaman teal,
Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, etc.
6)Extinct Species:The species where they may occur, are not found after searches, known as
Extinct Species.A species may be extinct from the local area or from the region, continent or the
entire earth. Example- pink head duck, the Asiatic cheetah, etc.

Initiatives to Save Forests and Wildlife:

To protect the forests and wildlife resources, Government of India has provided some
constitutional & Parliamentarian safeguards. These are:
• Article 51Cof the Indian constitution helps to implement theInternational Environmental
Agreements such as Stockholm decorations which held in 1972.
• Article 253of the Indian constitution gives power to the Parliament to enact Air Act 1981,
and Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• Article 48-Aof the Indian constitution says that the states shall make safeguard and protect
forest and wildlife.
• Article 51-A(g)says about the duties of every Indian to protect and promote the natural
environment.
• Environmental Protection Act 1986, gives the power to the central to protect the quality of
environment, to reduces all pollution related sources.
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972,provides the protection of birds, wild animals and plants to
ecological and environmental security of the country.
• Wildlife protection act 2013, prohibits any type of selling or purchasing of animals
without permission.
• Forest conservation Act 1980gives the power to the states to control the deforestation
rates.
Almost 5% of the total area of the country are declared as National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, and
Biosphere reserve. There are some species which are extinct such as Asiatic lions, Rhino,
Vultures etc. To increase the number of endangered animals government of India has launched
some projects such asTiger project (1972), Rhino project(1981) Snow Leopard project
(1988)etc.
Community and Conservation
• Villagers have fought against mining in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, by citing the
Wildlife Protection Act.
• 1,200 hectares of forest have been declared as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ by the
inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan.
• The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas is evidence that community afforestation
with indigenous species can be enormously successful.
• Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya are farmers and citizen’s groups that have
shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals
are possible and economically viable.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme in India is evident of involving local
communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
 Question and Answers
1.What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, or on an entire
planet. There are millions of living organisms on planet earth. All these living organisms,
including man, are interdependent on each other.

2.How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Cutting down of forests for agricultural expansion, large scale developmental projects, grazing
and fuel wood collection and for urbanization has led to the depletion of flora and fauna.

3.Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
In India many traditional communities still live in the forests and depend on their livelihood for
forest produce. These communities are working hand in hand with the government to conserve
forests.
In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining activities. In Alwar district
of Rajasthan, local communities belonging to five villages have set their own rules and
regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest land. They have named it as the Bhairodev Dakav
‘Sonchuri’. Hunting is not allowed in these lands and outside encroachments are prohibited.
The famous Chipko movement was started in the Himalayan region to stop deforestation. People
belonging to the local community took to afforestation in a big way. Indigenous species were
cultivated and protected.
Involving local communities in protecting the environment, and stopping degradation of forests
has reaped many benefits.

4.Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

In 1972, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented. It made protecting specific
habitats a law. A list of wildlife species that had to be protected was published and hunting these
animals was against the law.
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were set up in many states to protect endangered
species.
Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several insects have also been included in the list of
protected species. Butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies and even certain plants are included in
the protected list.
“Project Tiger” was initiated in 1973 by the government of India to protect tigers. It is one of the
most well publicized wildlife campaigns in the world.
Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct one

1. Which one of the following .s not considered a sacred tree in India

(a) Peepal
(b) Neem
(c) Banyan
(d) Mango
2. What was the aim of Chipko movement ?
(a) Human rights
(b) Political rights
(c) Agricultural expansion
(d) Forest conservation
3. Which one of the following is an example of endemic species ?
(a) Nicobar Pigeon
(b) Asiatic Buffalo
(c) Horn Bill
(d) Black buck
4. Which of these statements is not a valid reason for depletion of flora and fauna ?
(a) Agricultural expansion.
(b) Large scale developmental projects.
(c) Grazing and fuelwood collection.
(d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
5. Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community
participation.
(a) Joint Forest Management
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Chipko Movement
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife Sanctuaries
6. The total forest cover in the country is about …………….
(a) 18.1%
(b) 22.1%
(c) 19.3%
(d) 11.5%
7. Most of the forests in the North eastern states belong to the category of …………..
(a) Wastelands
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests
(d) Mangroves
8. Endemic species refers to
(a) Species which are extinct.
(b) Species which are declining.
(c) Species which are confined to specific areas only.
(d) Species which are normal.

9. Periyar Tiger reserve is located in

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Kerala

10. ‘Chipko movement’ is a programme started towards conservation of …………….

(a) Soil
(b) Water
(c) Minerals
(d) Forests

11. IUCN refers to

(a) International Understanding and Convention of Nature
(b) International Unity and Conservation of Nature
(c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(d) Indian Union for Conservation of Natural Beauty

12. Forests play a key role in the ecological system because

(a) it supports a large number of animals
(b) they are important for tourism.
(c) they are the primary producers on which all other living things depend.
(d) they provide us with many useful things.

13. The area of forest converted into agricultural land between 1951 to 1980 is about
(a) 25,000 sq. km.
(b) 20,000 sq. km.
(c) 23,000 sq. km.
(d) 26,200 sq. km.

14. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been threatened about the loss of habitat
of many species due to
(a) Industrial development (b) Agricultural expansion
(c) Port activities (d) Mining
15. Which group of people in India are responsible for maximum ecological destruction ?
(a) richest 5 percent
(b) poorest 25 percent
(c) tribal communities
(d) slum dwellers

16. Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented mainly to

(a) protect certain animals.
(b) protect the remaining population of certain endangered species.
(c) protect the tigers.
(d) protect aquatic animals.

17. The hunting and trade of which animals have been given full or partial legal protection
in India ?
(a) Indian lion
(b) Indian elephant
(c) Black buck (Chinkara)
(d) Great Indian bustard (Godawan)

18. In India, forest and wildlife resources are owned and managed by
(a) Private individuals
(b) Communities
(c) The Government
(d) Others

19. Reserved forests refers to

(a) Forests protected from further depletion
(b) Forests meant for their valuable timber and other forest produce
(c) Conservation of some species
(d) Conservation of animals

20. The forests belonging to both government and private individuals and communities are
called …………..
(a) Protected Forests
(b) Open Forests
(c) Unclassed Forests
(d) Reserved Forests
21. The Mundas and Santhals of Chhota Nagpur region worship which one of the following
trees ?
(a) Mahua
(b) Mango
(c) Peepal
(d) Tamarind

22. Which one of the following is a farmers movement initiated in Tehri ?

(a) Tehri Andolan
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Appease Movement
(d) Green Revolution

23. The main objective of Joint Forest Management programme is

(a) involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
(b) involving rich people in conservation of forests.
(c) involving backward communities to conserve wildlife.
(d) involving the farmers to plant trees.

24. What is the name given to the forests of God and Goddesses?
(a) Sacred Garden
(b) Sacred Groves
(c) Sacred Park
(d) Sacred Orchards

25. Which one of the following statements is not true with regard to depletion of flora and
fauna ?
(a) Land required for housing
(b) Agricultural expansion
(c) Mining activities
(d) Shifting agriculture

26. Which one of the following is not a reason for environmental destruction ?
(a) Global warming
(b) Unequal access
(c) Over population
(d) Inequitable consumption of resources
27. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity because
(a) it has impoverished many indigenous and forest dependent communities.
(b) it has caused serious health problems for women.
(c) it has aggravated many natural hazards that affected the poor.
(d) All of the above

28. Which Wildlife Protection Act has included for the first time the list of protected
species of plants ?
(a) Wildlife Protection Act of 1980
(b) Wildlife Protection Act of 1986
(c) Wildlife Protection Act of 1991
(d) Wildlife Protection Act of 1995

29. What is the position of India in the world in terms of bio-diversity ?

(a) First
(b) Fifth
(c) Tenth
(d) Twelve

30. The present forest cover of India in terms of the total geographical area is
(a) 18 per cent
(b) 19.39 per cent
(c) 22 per cent
(d) 15 per cent

31. In which of the following states has the Joint Forests Management started ?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Orissa
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Arunachal Pradesh

32. Flora refers to

(a) Animal kingdom
(b) Plant kingdom
(c) Insects
(d) Flowers

33. Immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function but
closely integrated in a system is called
(a) Bioreserve
(b) Diversity
(c) Biodiversity
(d) Biome

34. The total number of plant species in India is

(a) 49000
(b) 47000
(c) 45000
(d) 81000

35. The total number of animal species in India is

(a) 81000
(b) 89000
(c) 98000
(d) 18000

36. Species which are in danger of extinction are called ……………..

(a) Endemic Species
(b) Extinct Species
(c) Vulnerable Species
(d) Endangered Species

37. Species which are no longer found on the earth are called
(a) Normal Species
(b) Vulnerable Species
(c) Rare Species
(d) Extinct Species

38. Which one of the river valley projects has significantly contributed to the loss of forests
?
(a) Nagarjuna Sagar
(b) Narmada Sagar
(c) Nizam Sagar
(d) Rana Pratap Sagar

39. Which state of India has the maximum area under reserved forests ?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Himachal Pradesh
40. The state having highest percentage of protected forests is
(a) Punjab
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Jammu and Kashmir

41. Project Tiger was launched in the year

(a) 1980
(b) 1973
(c) 1974
(d) 1975

42. In which of the following states is the Corbett National Park

(a) West Bengal
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Uttaranchal
(d) Madhya Pradesh

……………………………………………………………………..
 Long Answers

1. “Conservation of rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become essential.”
Explain.
Or
Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife resources? Explain any two steps
taken by the communities to protect our forest and wildlife resources.
Or
Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary? In what way have conservation
projects changed in the recent years?
Or
Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India.

(i) Loss of cultural diversity : The loss of forest and wildlife is not just a biological issue but it is
also correlated with cultural diversity. There are many forests-dependent communities, which
directly depend on various components of the forests and wildlife for food, drinks, medicines,
etc. Many of tribal communities like Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras, etc. have lost their habitat
because of the destruction of forests.
(ii) Complex web of living organisms : We humans along with all living organisms form a
complex web ecological system in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this
system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the
quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produce our food without
which we cannot survive.

(iii) Large scale destruction of forests : Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey
of India, over 26,200 s km of forest areas were converted into agricultural lands all over India.

2. Describe the different types of plant and animal species found in India.
Or
Explain any five different categories of existing plants and animal species based on the
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources with examples.
(i) Normal species : These include those whose population levels are considered to be normal
for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents etc.

(ii) Endangered species : These include those species which are in danger of extinction. The
several of such species is difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their
population continue to operate. For example, black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, etc.

(iii) Vulnerable species : These include the species whose population has declined to levels from
where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors
continue to operate. For example, blue sheep, gangetic dolphin etc.
(iv) Rare species : They may move into the endangered or vulnerable category for example, blue
bear, wild Asiatic buffalo.

(v) Endemic species : These are found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or
geographical barriers. For example, Andaman teal, Nicobar prigo.

3. What steps have been taken by the government for the conservation of forest and
wildlife in India? Explain.
Or
Write any three effective practices towards conserving forests and wildlife.
Or
Explain any three measures taken by the Indian Government to protect wildlife.
(i) National parks, biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries : To protect the biodiversity, the Indian
government has established 100 national parks, 515 sanctuaries and 17 biosphere reserves.
(ii) The Indian Wildlife Protection Act :

The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions for
protecting habitats. An all India list of protected species was also published. The thrust of the
programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by
banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.

(iii) Projects for protecting specific animals : The central government has also announced several
projects for protecting specific animals which were greatly threatened, including the tiger, the
one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, the three types of crocodiles – the freshwater
crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion and others.

(iv) Forest Policy : India is one of the few countries which has a forest policy since 1894. It was
revised in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the forest policy is protection,
conservation and development of forests.

(v) Forest Research Institutes : Indian government has created many forest Research Institutes
for the research, protection and development of the forests. IFS Dehradun is the oldest research
institution of the country.

4. “Conservation projects have changed their focus in the recent years.” Explain.
Or
In what ways the conservation project has changed in the recent years?
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. In the
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. The clear lesson from the dynamics of both
environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have
to be involved in some kind of natural resource management.

5. “Maintenance of ecological system is of utmost importance.” How can you contribute to

conserve it and what values are developed through this activity?

(i) We humans along with all living organisms form a complex web of ecological system in
which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For
example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms re-create the quality of the air we breathe, the
water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive. Forests
play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all
other living beings depend.

(ii) We should save our environment by switching to green technology and by contributing less
to the emission of carbon dioxide.

(iii) We should plant more and more trees, say no to plastic bags, travel by public transport, etc.

(iv) It will improve the quality of our lives as well as our children and will save our money to
switch to alternate sources for power.

…………………………..