CONSERVATIO

N OF PLANTS
& ANIMALS
 What is
Conservation?

Not allowing something

to be destroyed or
damaged.

Conservation of plants
and animals is the
process of keeping
and protecting them A place or a location where an
in their natural organism lives, resides or exists.
habitats.
 “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it
from our children.” -  Lester Brown,  Global environmental analyst,
author.
 Lester Brown believes that the present population of the earth has no right
to think that the earth is its property.
Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is the diversity of plant
and animal life found in a particular
area.
• It also deals with the inter-relationship
and interaction with their
environment.
• This interaction between biotic and
abiotic components is called
Ecosystem. The study of ecosystem is
called Ecology.
• Biosphere – It is the part of the earth
in which living organisms exists or
support life.
 Degeneration of Biodiversity
What are the causes of degeneration or
declination of biodiversity?
 Biological extinction – loss of old forms of life.
 Natural disasters –
 storms, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides etc.
 Man-made disasters –
 deforestation, habitation of land, population
overgrowth, over exploitation of energy resources,
pollution and introduction of exotic species.
What is the importance of Forests ?
 Deforestation
• It is referred to as clearing of forests
on a large scale to use the land for –
• Cultivation
• Building houses, factories
• Construction of dams
• To obtain wood for making
furniture and using it as fuel.
 Causes of Deforestation
• Man-made causes – where
human beings are responsible
for deforestation.

• Natural causes – cases which

involves nature such as forest
fire, severe floods and severe
droughts.
Effects of Deforestation
Conservation of Forests
 Biosphere Reserve
• Biosphere reserves are the protected areas
meant for the conservation of plants and
animals. It also restores the traditional life
of the tribal living in that vicinity. They
conserve the biodiversity of that area.

• The Biosphere Reserves are identified by

the “Man and Biosphere Reserve
Program” to promote sustainable
development. This program was initiated
by UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) in
1971.
 Structure of Biosphere Reserve
 Core areas : most protected area of a biosphere reserve.
 It may contain endemic plants and animals. It is kept free
from human interference.

 Buffer Zone : The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and

its activities are managed in this area in the ways that help
in the protection of the core zone in its natural condition.
Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.

 Transition Zone :  outermost part of the biosphere

reserve. It is the zone of cooperation where human
ventures and conservation are done in harmony. It includes
settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for
intensive recreation and other economic uses
characteristics of the region.
• There are 18 Biosphere reserves in
India as of 2021, in which 12 are also
part of UNESCO MAB Programme.

• The first Biosphere Reserve in India

is the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that
is a part of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
and Kerala.

• The largest Biosphere reserve in

India is the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat
and the smallest Biosphere Reserve
in India is Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.
Functions of Biosphere Reserve
 National Parks
• National park refers to a territory or region
that is specifically reserved by various
governing bodies for the preservation of
biodiversity and wildlife owing to its cultural,
natural and historical importance.

• The cultivation, plantation, grazing, predating

and hunting of animals, as well as destruction
of flowers are strictly banned.

• Different wild animals like snow leopard,

clouded leopard, marbled cat, panda, black
bear, blue sheep, wild ass, toucan, musk deer
etc., are protected from getting extinct.
 Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Wildlife sanctuaries are the areas which help in
preservation of species of wild plants and animals.

• In wildlife sanctuaries, not a single animal is traded,

nor are they put into use for animal experiments. Also,
no secretions from parts of the animals are used for
commercial purposes including, wool, eggs, or milk.
The residing animals are provided with the opportunity
to act as natural as possible in a secured setting. 

• The hunting and poaching of animals is strictly banned

as well as the trees and plants cannot be cut down for
agriculture or any other application.
 Difference between National parks & Wildlife sanctuaries
National Parks
National park is a protected territory that is
formed by the governing bodies to preserve
wildlife and evolve them.
National parks preserve fauna, flora, historic
objects, landscapes etc.
The aim of national parks is to protect historic
and natural objects as well as wildlife of the
territory.
National park is highly restricted and people
cannot randomly access it.
Official permission is required.
Boundaries are fixed by administration.
Human activity is not permitted at all.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife sanctuary is natural habitat that is run by
governing bodies or private organizations that
protect certain species of animals and birds.
Wildlife sanctuaries preserves birds, animals,
insects, reptiles etc.
The aim of wildlife sanctuaries is to ensure that
the population of the wildlife and their respective
habitats are sustained.
Restrictions are relatively less and it is open to
people.
Official permission is not required.
Boundaries are not fixed.
Human activity is permitted yet to a specific limit.
 National Parks in India
• There are 104 existing national parks in India.

• Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India –

oldest national park in India.
• Newest National Park of India - Great Himalayan
National Park, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

• The central state of Madhya Pradesh had the highest

number of national parks in India as of March 2021.
• The state of Punjab has no national Park.

• South Button National Park in Andaman and

Nicobar islands is the smallest National park in India.
• Hemis National park, Jammu & Kashmir is the
biggest national park in India.
 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
• There are 566 existing wildlife
sanctuaries in India  (National Wildlife
Database, Dec. 2020).

 Some of the Famous Wildlife

Sanctuaries are as Follows:
• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) –
Sambar, porcupine, muntjac, bison, and
gaur.
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) –
Nilgiri Tahr, spotted leopard, panther,
and Indian elephant.
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) –
Flying squirrel, black panther, crocodiles,
and tiger. 
 Quiz Time
1. Wildlife sanctuary is a highly restricted and people cannot
randomly access it. (True/False)

2. Boundaries are not fixed in wildlife sanctuaries. (True/False)

3. India’s 1st National park

• Gir Forest National Park
• Kaziranga national park
• Jim corbett national park
• Ranthambore National Park
4. The first Biosphere Reserve in India
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
• Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat
• Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.

5. What are the three zones of Biosphere reserve?

• Core area, buffer zone and transition zone.

6. What is the full form of UNESCO and MAB programme?

• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization),
MAB (Man and Biosphere programme).

7. The study of ecosystem is called __________________.

8. Total number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India are:
• 100 NP, 500 WS
• 85 NP, 644 WS
• 104 NP, 566 WS
• 566 NP, 104 WS

9. Which state of India has no national parks?

• Punjab

10. Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is in which state of India :

• Kerela
• Karnatka
• Madhya Pradesh
• Gujarat
 Species
• Species is defined as a group of
organisms that consist of similar
individuals capable of interbreeding
or exchanging genes among
themselves.

 How many species are there in the

world?
• An estimated 8.7 million species of
living organisms have been identified
to date. However, this number does
not account for all the organisms that
went extinct.
 Types of Species
 Endemic species : The species of plants
and animals that can be found only in a
specific region are called Endemic
species. They may be endemic to a
zone, state or country. One-horned Rhino Nilgiri Tahr

• For example, Greater One-Horned

Rhinoceros, Nilgiri tahr, Bengal Tigers,
Lion Tailed Macaque, etc. are some of
the endemic animals of India. Lion tailed macaque Bengal tiger
 Endangered Species : The species of
plants and animals whose number is
reducing to a level where they may
no more exist in nature are
called endangered species.
Bengal tiger Blackbuck
• For example, Bengal Tiger, Snow
Leopard, Blackbuck, Indian Bison
(Gaur), etc. are some of the fauna of
India whose number has diminished
to a level after which they may get Snow leopard Indian Bison (Gaur)
extinct.
 Extinct Species : The species of
plants and animals that no more exist
in nature due to unsuitable habitat
are called extinct species.
Indian Aurochs Sivatherium
• For example, Indian
Aurochs, Sivatherium, Sumatran
Rhinoceros, Pink-Headed Duck,
etc. are some of the extinct animals
of India
Sumatran Rhinoceros Pink-Headed Duck
 Red Data Book
• The Red Data Book is a public
database produced to record
endangered and rare species of
plants, animals, fungi, and some local
subspecies present in a given area.
• This book is designed specifically to
recognize and preserve certain species
that are on the brink of extinction.
Black reflects extinct species.
 Red reflects endangered species.
Amber for those species which are
deemed endangered.
Rare species are marked white.
Green for once endangered species
but their numbers have begun to
recover.
Grey colored for species that are
classified as vulnerable, endangered,
or rare but there is not enough
information available for proper
classification.
 Quiz Time
1. What are Endemic species?
• The species of plants and animals that can be found only in a specific region.

2. Pink headed duck is the example of endangered species of India. (true/false)

3. Black color in red data book reflects which type of species?

• Extinct species

4. Rare species in red data book is marked by which color?

• White.
 Project Tiger
• Project tiger is a wildlife conservation project initiated in India in 1972 to protect
the Bengal Tigers. It was launched on April 1, 1973 and has become one of the most
successful wild life conservation ventures.

• Project tiger aims at Tiger conservation in specially constituted Tiger reserves

representative of various bio geographical regions through out India. 

• The main achievements of this project are excellent recovery of the habitat and
consequent increase in the tiger population in the reserve areas, from a mere 268
in 7 reserves in 1972 to above one thousand in 28 reserves in 2006.Tigers being at
the apex of the food chain can be considered as the indicator of the integrity of the
eco system.
 Migration of Birds and Animals
• The phenomenon of movement of a species
from its own habitat to some other for a
particular time period every year for a specific
purpose like breeding is known as migration.

• Reason of migration : Birds and animals leave

harsh conditions and look for some different
habitat where they can stay comfortably and
have food to survive. They also migrate to find a
suitable habitat to lay eggs and raise their
young due to improper and inhospitable
conditions in their natural habitat.
 Examples of Migration of Birds

Greater Flamingo Black Tailed Godwit Siberian Crane

Migrates from Southern Russia Migrates from Iceland , Europe Migrates from Eastern Russia to
to Keoladeo National Park, to Keoladeo National Park, Yangtze River and Lake Poyang
Rajasthan (Bharatpur Bird Rajasthan (Bharatpur Bird in China.
Sanctuary) and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary)
Sanctuary, Gujarat
Examples of Migration of Animals

Wildebeest Sea Turtle Monarch Butterfly

Dragon Fly Salmon Bats

 NCERT Questions
1) Fill in the blanks.

(a) A place where animals are protected in their

Wildlife Sanctuary
natural habitat is called _____________.
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known
endemic species
as ____________.
(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of
climatic changes.
________
(2) Differentiate between the following.
(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve
(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
(c) Endangered and Extinct species
(d) Flora and Fauna

(a)  Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

Wildlife sanctuary Biosphere reserve

The area meant for the protection

• The area reserved in a forest for • or conservation of the biodiversity.
the protec­tion of wild animals. It also helps in maintaining the
culture of that area.
(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
Zoo
• A place where animals are
protected in an artificial
habitat, for an exhibition.
• Animals are kept in
artificially constructed
facilities for public exhibition
(c) Endangered and Extinct species
Endangered species
• The species of animals whose
numbers are diminishing to
such a level that they might
face extinction.
• e.g., Bengal tiger
Wildlife sanctuary
• A protected area where animals
live in their natural habitat.
• Wild animals are protected from
external dangers like hunting
Extinct species
• The species of animals whose
number is zero because of changes
in their habitat and other
calamities.
• E.g., pink headed duck
 (d) Flora and Fauna

Flora Fauna
The animals which are found in a
• The plants which are found • particular area;
in a particular area;
• e.g., leopard, cheetah, elephant,
• e.g. Jamun, sal, etc. etc.

3) Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following:

(a) Wild animals
(b) Environment
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
(e) Earth
(f) The next generation
(a) Wild animals: Trees are the habitats as well as sources of food for the
wild animals. Deforestation leads to the destruction of the natural habitats
of wild animals.

(b) Environment: Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution

level of the environment. With the increase in the carbon dioxide level and
a decrease in the oxygen level, it gives rise to global warming. It also
lowers the level of ground water. Moreover, deforestation decreases the
soil fertility and so, increases the chances of natural calamities.

(c) Villages (Rural areas): The decline in rainfall, the decrease in soil
fertility, and the chances of natural disaster affect the village life.
(d) Cities (Urban areas): Deforestation result in global warming. It also results in
the increase in the level of pollution. Hence, deforestation affects the life in
cities.

(e) Earth: Deforestation decreases the fertility of soil. It changes the physical
properties of soil. All these changes result in desertification.

(f) The next generation: Deforestation will majorly affect the life of next
generation. The next generation will face problems at every step. Climatic
conditions will be adversely affected. There will be scarcity of food and clean
environment. Next generation won’t be able to see most of the animal species
due to habitat loss.
4) What will happen if
(a) we go on cutting trees
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.

a) If we go on cutting trees, then:

– the temperature will increase to a greater extent.
– the chances of natural disaster to occur will increase.
– the water cycle will get disturbed.
(b) If the habitat of an animal is disturbed, then:
– the animals will lose their natural habitat and will reach the level of
being endangered.
– most of the animals may be forced to invade places meant for human
living in search of food and shelter.

(c) If the top layer of soil is exposed, then:

– the exposed layer will lose all its nutrients, especially the hummus.
– the water holding capacity of soil will decrease.
– desertification will take place.
5) Answer in brief.
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?
(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?
(e) What is Red Data Book?
(f) What do you understand by the term migration?

(a) The variety in life existing on the earth, their inter-relationships, and
their relationships with the environment is referred to as biodiversity. We
should conserve biodiversity so as to maintain the food chain. The
disturbance in the food chain may affect the whole ecosystem.
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals : Since capturing and killing of
animals by poachers is still rampant (out of control) in protected forests and areas, so they are not
safe for wild animals.

(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle for the fulfillment of their basic needs of life, such as food,
medicine, clothing, shelter, etc.

(d) The causes of deforestation may be the following:

– Natural causes like forest fires, droughts, etc.
– Building factories and houses.
– Procuring land for cultivation.
– Making furniture and using wood as fuel.

– The consequences of deforestation are:

– Natural calamities like floods, etc.
– Increase in the temperature of the earth.
– Change in the physical properties of soil.
– A decrease in groundwater level.
– Extinction of many flora and fauna.
(e) Red Data Book : Red Data Book is a sourcebook which keeps records of all
endangered plants and animals.

(f) Migration : Migration means the movement of a species from its own
habitat to some other place during a certain period in a year for breeding or
to overcome some climatic conditions.

6) In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter,

trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects?
Discuss and prepare a brief report.
• It’s not justified to cut trees just to fulfill our needs.
Trees are known as ‘the lung of the earth’. They are
the habitat of many living organisms, including
animals. They give us oxygen, and maintain the O2-
CO2 balance as well. They firmly bind the soil and
hence prevent soil erosion. They also reduce the
chances of natural disasters like floods and
droughts. They help conserve our rich biodiversity.
The cutting of trees causes an increase in the
carbon dioxide (CO2) level, which results in global
warming. Moreover, it causes soil erosion, floods,
the greenhouse effect, etc. Hence, trees must be
protected.
7) How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth
of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.

By taking up the following actions, I can contribute to the

maintenance of green wealth of my locality by:
• Planting saplings and trees.
• Not throwing the garbage on the streets.
• Forbidding others to cut trees.
• Making people aware of the significance of a clean and green
environment.
• Watering the plants regularly and taking proper care of them.
• Reusing and recycling paper to save trees, energy, and water.
8) Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
• Trees give out a huge amount of water in the form of water vapour during
transpiration. The reduction of water vapour affects cloud formation and thus,
results in less rainfall.

9) Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
• A large number of trees can be saved by saving paper. This will also save water
that is used to manufacture paper. Moreover, the harmful chemicals used in
papermaking will show their least effects on human beings and other organisms.
Some ways to save paper are the following:
- recycling of paper.
- economical use of paper.
- paper should not be burnt.
• Find out about national parks
in your state. Identify and
show their location on the
outline map of India.
• Complete the word puzzle.
Down
1. Species on the verge of extinction.
2. A book carrying information about
endangered species.
5. Consequence of deforestation.
Across
1. Species which have vanished.
3. Species found only in a particular
habitat.
4. Variety of plants, animals and
microorganisms found in an area.
Solution: