Biodiversity is extremely diverse on earth and works interdependently.

It is a
system of closely knit networks that sustains the ecosystem.

India has world’s largest biodiversity thriving on its land and 10 per cent of the
recorded wild flora and 20 percent of its mammals are on the threatened list.

As the list generated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN), the species can be classified as follows–
1. Normal species: They have population levels normal for survival. Example:
pine, rodents, etc.

2. Endangered Species: They are in danger of extinction and would eventually

decline if the present conditions continue.
Example: crocodile, rhino, lion tailed macaque etc.

3. Vulnerable species: These species are vulnerable to fall into the endangered
category in near future.
Example: Asiatic elephant, dolphin, blue sheep etc.

4. Rare species: They have a small population that can move to an endangered
or vulnerable category in the near future if the present conditions for their survival
sustain itself.
Example: Asiatic buffalo, hornbill etc.

5. Endemic species: These species are only found in a limited geographical

area.
Example: Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, Mithun in
Arunachal Pradesh.

6. Extinct species: These species are not found in the areas they were likely to
be found.
Example: Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck.

Causes of environmental degradation

 ●​ Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, over
26,200 sq. km. of forest area was converted into agricultural land all over
India and substantial parts of the tribal belts, especially in northeastern and
central India were deforested to practice shifting cultivation (jhum), a type
of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.
●​ Around 5,000 sq km of forest lands have been cleared to progress river
valley projects, since 1951. For example: About 40,000 hectares of forests
were cleared for the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh.
●​ Mining also causes large scale deforestation.
●​ The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is threatened by the ongoing
dolomite mining.
●​ There are various factors like poaching, over-exploitation, pollution,
hunting, forest fire etc. that contribute to declining in the vast biodiversity
India harbours.
●​ Overpopulation in third world countries is a prime cause of environmental
degradation.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

●​ Conservation is vital since it will help us to protect our environment and

protect our ecosystem which in turn helps to preserve the genetic diversity
that the ecosystem has.
●​ The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, which made
various provisions for protecting habitats.
●​ The Act prohibited the hunting of endangered species. Scheduled animals
are prohibited from being traded as per the Act's provisions. The Act provides for
licenses for the sale, transfer, and possession of some wildlife species. It
provides for the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks.
●​ The central government also announced several projects for protecting
specific animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the
one horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of
crocodiles – fresh water crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial are
some of the animals.
●​ The government has also provided partial or full legal protection to animals
such as Indian elephants, black buck, snow leopard etc. to protect them
from extinction.
Project Tiger

●​ The tiger population in 1973 declined to 1,827 from the estimated 55,000
and hence forced the authorities to take a serious action towards the
same.
●​ Tigers face the major threats and are on the verge of extinction because of
shrinkage of their habitat due to the growing human population, poaching,
depletion of prey base species etc.
●​ The trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in traditional medicines,
especially in Asian countries has left the tiger population on the verge of
extinction.
●​ “Project Tiger”was launched in 1973 and was not only an effort to save
tigers but also to preserve the biotypes.
●​ Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sunderbans National Park in West
Bengal, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Sariska Wildlife
Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam and Periyar Tiger
Reserve in Kerala are some of the tiger reserves of India.
●​ Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986 added several hundred butterflies, moths,
beetles, and one dragonfly to the list of protected species.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

The forests are classified as follows:
(i) Reserved Forests: These are the most vital for the conservation of forest and
wildlife and about half of the total forest land has been placed under this
category.

(ii) Protected Forests: Forest Department had declared one-third of the total
forest area as protected forest which saves it from further depletion.

(iii) Unclassed Forests: Both private individuals, government and communities

own these lands. They mostly include forests and wasteland.
Reserved and protected forests are also considered as permanent forests which
are managed and maintained to produce time and protect the forest.
Community and Conservation

●​ In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining

by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
●​ In five villages located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, the inhabitants
have declared 1200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’.
They don’t allow hunting in these regions and hence protect the wildlife
from an outside harm.
●​ Sacred groves do not have religious sentiments attached but also saves a
wealth of rare species. These beliefs have preserved several virgin forests
in pristine form called Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses).
●​ Mahua is worshipped by the the Mundas and the Santhal of Chota Nagpur
region while tamarind and mango are worshipped by the tribes of Odisha
and Bihar during weddings. In Indian Hindu society, peepal trees is
considered sacred.
●​ Blackbuck, peacocks and nilgai are seen as an integral part of the Bishnoi
villages in Rajasthan and aren’t harmed or killed.
●​ The Chipko moment has successful helped in saving the flora but has also
brought people together to save the environment.
●​ Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya has promoted people to stop
using synthetic chemicals as sufficient crop harvest can be produced even
without the use of chemical fertilizers.
●​ Joint forest management (JFM) programme involves local people and
communities to restore forests. It was first started in Odisha in 1988.
Destruction of forests and wildlife affect cultural diversity because:
●​ Tribals and forest communities depend upon forests and forest produce for
their livelihood.
●​ They not only consume forest produce but also sell certain commodities
such as honey and lac.
●​ Deforestation leads to the loss of their livelihood and essential supply of
water.
●​ Many tribal communities still live by hunting small animals. The loss of
wildlife affect their livelihood.
●​
Important Questions and Answers:
1. What was the list of animals that were added to the protected list?
Ans: The central government announced several projects for protecting specific
animals, which were gravely threatened. List includes the tiger, the one horned
rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles – fresh water
crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others.
The government has also provided partial or full legal protection to animals such
as Indian elephants, black buck, snow leopard etc. to protect them from
extinction.
Several butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly was also added to the list
of protected species under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986.

2. What are permanent forests?

Ans: Reserved and protected forests are together called as permanent forests.
They are maintained for timber collection and other natural products.

3. Why is aquatic diversity important for human communities?

Ans: Fisheries are a major source of income for many communities, especially
along the coastline. A rich aquatic diversity will provide a constant income for
them. Everyone depends on water for their daily activities and hence rich water
resources would mean a healthy community and regular food source.

4. What were the impacts of the Chipko Movement?

Ans: The Chipko moment has successful helped in saving the flora but has also
brought people together to save the environment. It also gave rise to many other
programs where the community came together to save the natural resources.
Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya has promoted people to stop using
synthetic chemicals as sufficient crop harvest can be produced even without the
use of chemical fertilizers. Joint forest management (JFM) programme involves
local people and communities to restore forests. It was first started in Odisha in
1988.

Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 Forest and

Wildlife Resources
Flora and Fauna in India
India is considered to be one of the wealthiest countries in terms of biological
diversity. In India, one can find different types of forest and wildlife resources that
are spread all around the country. The existing plants and animals species in the
world are explained well in forest and wildlife resources Class 10 notes and are
classified into the following categories:-

●​ Normal Species
Species who have a normal population level are categorised as normal
species. The normal population level is mandatory for survival. Examples
of such species are cattle, san, pine, rodents, etc.

●​ Endangered Species
Species those who are under the danger of getting extinct are considered
as endangered species. Some examples of this species are black duck,
Indian rhino, crocodile, etc.

●​ Vulnerable Species
These are the species whose population level is decreasing at an alarming
rate, and if not controlled, then this species can become endangered.
Some examples of such species are blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, etc.

●​ Rare Species
These species are in a small population, and if negative factors that
decrease their population keep on affecting them, then they might enter
 into an endangered or vulnerable category. Some examples of these
species are Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill, etc.

●​ Endemic Species
This type of species are only found in particular areas, and nowhere else
such species are Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, etc.

●​ Extinct Species
These are species which are already extinct such as dinosaurs,
mammoths, etc.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 notes give a brief knowledge on how to conserve
the forest and wildlife in India from all the negative factors. Conservation is the
best way for preserving ecological diversity, and it is also responsible for
preserving the genetic diversity of plants and animals. If the students face
confusions in understanding this whole conservation process, then they can take
the help of Geography Chapter 2 Class 10 notes for guidance.

The Indian government in 1972 implemented the Indian Wildlife Protection act for
protecting habitats and different species. The government also launched several
projects for protecting flora and fauna.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

The forest department of India manages the forest and wildlife resources of India.
The management process is correctly explained in Geography Class 10 Chapter
2 notes for students to understand clearly. According to Chapter 2 Geography
Class 10 notes, the forest that is managed by the forest department are classified
into the following categories:

1. Reserved Forest
Almost half of the forest area in India is considered a reserved forest because the
forest department declares it.

2. Protected Forest
A total of one-third of India's forest area is declared as protected forest by the
forest department.

3. Unclassed Forest
These are those forest areas whose ownership rights lie in the hands of both the
government as well as individuals and personal communities.

Community and Conservation

From the Geography Chapter 2 Class 10 notes, students have come to know
how important it is to conserve wildlife and forest resources. Let us discuss some
steps which are taken by different people to conserve forest and wildlife
resources:
●​ In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan villagers have started a fight against
mining by using the terms of the Wildlife Protection Act.
●​ In Alwar district of Rajasthan, inhabitants from five villages have decided to
declare 1200 hectares of forest land as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'. These
are rules imposed by the villagers to safeguard the forest.
●​ The famous Chipko Movement, which started from the Himalayas, was a
great movement to safeguard the trees and decrease the rate of
deforestation. It also helped in increasing the number of afforestation
committees in the country.