20241111225114_IPS_w_CLASS_X_FOREST_AND_WILDLIFE (3)

Forest & Wildlife Resources
Forest & Wildlife Resources in India encompass diverse habitats, plants, and
animals, which are conserved and sustainably utilized.
Depletion of Flora & Fauna
Human activities such as excessive consumption of natural resources like wood, bark, leaves, rubber,
medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, and manure can cause depletion of flora and fauna.
Expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining activities can also
negatively impact the environment.
1.Large-scale development projects and mining activities can contribute to the depletion of natural
resources and damage to flora and fauna.
2.Unequal access to resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being can
also have negative impacts on the environment
Conservation of forest and wildlife:
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972 to safeguard habitats and species.
An all-India list of protected species was published, and the central government launched
various animal protection programs.
The Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986 included hundreds of butterflies, moths, beetles, and on
dragonfly in the list of protected species.
For the first time in 1991, plants were also added to the list, beginning
with six species.
Types & Distribution of Forest
Conservation is essential to maintaining ecological and genetic diversity in lands & animals.
Reserved Forests: These forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest
and wildlife resources are concerned. It covers half of the total forest land.
Protected Forests: This forest land are protected from any further depletion. Almost one-third of the
total forest area is protected forest.
Unclassed Forests: These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private
individuals and communities
Community & Conservation
1.Villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan fought against mining by using the Wildlife Protection Act.
2.Five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav
'Sonchuri' and implemented their own rules and regulations to protect the wildlife from hunting and
outside encroachments.
3.The Chipko movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation in several areas and
resulted in community afforestation. Farmers and citizen's groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri
and Navdanya demonstrated the possibility of adequate levels of diversified.
4. Crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals, which is economically viable.
5.India's Joint Forest Management (JFM) program involves local communities in the management and
restoration of degraded forests.
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna?
Explain.
Ans:
(i) Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life forms on Earth, enclosing variation at
the ecosystem, species, and genetic levels. Tropical regions, which make up
10% of the Earth's surface, are particularly rich in biodiversity, housing 90% of
the world's species.
Contribution of Biodiversity to Human Lives:
 Agriculture
 Business and Industry
 Leisure activities
 Ecological Processes
(ii) Different river valley projects have harmed plant and animal life. Illegal mining
has also reduced the number of plants and animals. Excessive development for
leisure activities in forests has negatively impacted them. Additionally, increased
human activities in forest areas, driven by population growth and lack of space,
have led to conflicts between humans and animals.
2. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and
wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Ans:
(i) Chipko Movement:
The well-known Chipko movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully
stopped deforestation in many areas but also demonstrated that community-led
tree planting with native species can be highly effective.
Certain communities hold particular trees in high regard and have preserved
them for generations. For example, the Mundas and Santhals in the Chota
Nagpur region worship the mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocephalus
cadamba) trees. Tribals in Odisha and Bihar honour the tamarind (Tamarindus
indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. Additionally, many
people consider peepal and banyan trees to be sacred.
In Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers have opposed mining activities by

invoking the Wildlife Protection Act. In many places, villagers are independently
protecting habitats and rejecting government involvement. For instance,
residents of five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, have designated 1,200
hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri,’ setting their own rules that
prohibit hunting and protect wildlife from external threats.
(ii) In India, the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program is a great example of
involving local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests. This
program officially started in 1988 when Odisha was the first state to adopt it. JFM
relies on forming local village groups that protect and manage degraded forest
areas with the forest department's support. In return, these communities receive
benefits such as non-timber forest products and a share of the timber from
successfully protected areas.
The key lesson from India's experience with environmental destruction and
restoration is that local communities need to be involved in managing natural
resources. However, there's still much progress to be made before local
communities have a central role in decision-making. We should support only
those economic or developmental activities that are people-centred,
environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial.

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Forest & Wildlife Resources

animals, which are conserved and sustainably utilized.

Depletion of Flora & Fauna

negatively impact the environment.

Conservation of forest and wildlife:

various animal protection programs.

dragonfly in the list of protected species.

with six species.

Types & Distribution of Forest

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

2. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

In Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers have opposed mining activities by

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