Forest and Wildlife

Name: Nagul Senthil Raja

Class: X-Ruby
Subject: Biology
Date: 23/11/2022
 Forest and Wildlife
Introduction
Our planet earth is a home to millions of living beings. From micro-organisms
and bacteria, lichens to banyan trees, elephants, and blue whales, there is a vast
multitude of living organisms found on the earth. Sadly, the human beings today
have transformed the nature and wildlife into a resource. We obtain different
products directly and indirectly from the forests and wildlife such as wood,
barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure, etc. which
depleted our forests and wildlife.
Forests are home to over 80 percent of land animals and plants and cover 31
percent of the world’s total land area. About 1.6 billion people around the world
depend on forests for their livelihoods and daily subsistence needs.
Trees are important for creating sustainable cities: in urban areas, they can cool
the air by up to 8 degrees, reducing air conditioning needs by 30 percent. Urban
trees are also excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants and fine
particulates.
Forest products contribute to reducing and replacing polluting and carbon
intensive materials. Certified wood-based fibers used in textile production are
very resource efficient. In comparison, cotton requires on average 130 times
more water and polyester emits on average 170 times more greenhouse gasses.
More than 25 percent of the medicines we use originate in rainforest plants. Yet
only 1 percent of rainforest plants have been studied for medicinal properties.

Classification of Species on
The Basis of Conservation

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Normal species
Normal species are the species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their
survival, such as cattle, Sal, pine, rodents, etc. Thus, they are called Normal Species

Vulnerable species
Vulnerable species is a species which has been categorised by the IUCN as likely to become
endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. It is
therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered species
Endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is
either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. Also it
could mean that due to deforestation there may be a lack of food and/or water. It is therefore
considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. V

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Rare species
Rare species are species with small populations. Many move into the endangered
or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. Examples of rare
species include the Himalayan brown bear, Fennec fox, Wild Asiatic buffalo and Hornbill

Endemic species
Endemic species are plant and animal species that are found in a particular geographical region
and nowhere else in the world.

Extinct species:
Extinct species are those species that are no longer in existence.

Example: - Dinosaurs and Dodo.

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Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Conservation is necessary to preserve the ecological diversity and our life support systems
such as air, water, and soil. In response to the conservationist's demand, The Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act came into action in the year 1972. This act provided several provisions for
protecting habitats.

The primary agenda of the program was to protect the remaining population of certain
endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats, and
restricting trade in wildlife. For this, the central and the state governments established
different national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The central government has also come up with different projects for protecting specific
animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one- horned rhinoceros, and
others. In the year 1973, Government of India, came up with the Project Tiger to save the
endangered species of tiger in the country. Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several
hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected
species. In the year 1991, plants were also added to the list.

What are Forests?

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A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used
throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal
standing, and ecological function. The United Nations defines a forest as, "Land spanning more
than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or
trees able to reach these thresholds. It does not include land that is predominantly under
agricultural or urban use.

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Forests are the predominant terrestrial ecosystem of Earth, and are found around the globe. More
than half of the world's forests are found in only five countries (Brazil, Canada, China, Russia,
and the United States).

Forests account for 75% of the gross primary production of the Earth's biosphere, and contain
80% of the Earth's plant biomass.

What are Wildlife?

-Wildlife refers to undomesticated animal species, but has come to include

all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans.

-While the term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by
human factors, most scientists agree that much wildlife is affected by human activities.

-Humans have historically tended to separate civilization from wildlife in a number of

ways, including the legal, social, and moral senses. Some animals, however,
have adapted to suburban environments. This includes such animals as feral cats, dogs,
mice, and rats. Some religions declare certain animals to be sacred, and in modern times,
concern for the natural environment has provoked activists to protest against the
exploitation of wildlife for human benefit or entertainment.

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 Conclusion
-Wildlife conservation is essential to maintain the balance of the
ecosystem. It is necessary to protect the rare and extinct species of animals.
-Forests provide us with clean air, wood, and other products. Many wild
animals find their natural habitat in forests. They keep soil from eroding
and play a significant role in global warming. Wildlife is dependent on
forests as the food chain involves both plants and animals.

Project Tiger

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Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme launched in April 1973 by
the Government of India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure. The
project aims at ensuring a viable population of the Bengal tiger in its natural
habitats, protecting it from extinction, and preserving areas of biological
importance as a natural heritage that represent the diversity of ecosystems across
the tiger's range in the country.
The project's task force visualised these tiger reserves as breeding nuclei, from
which surplus animals would migrate to adjacent forests. Funds and commitment
were mustered to support the intensive program of habitat protection and
rehabilitation under the project.

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