Ch-2, Geography, Grade-X

GEOGRAPHY
Chapter-2(Forest and Wildlife Resources)
INTRODUCTION
Whenever the term forest and wildlife come into consideration

there is also the follow-up of two major component of environment
i.e., biosphere and ecosystem.
Biosphere Ecosystem
Part of the Integrated unit
earth which is consisting of
covered by the community
living of living
organisms organisms and
both plants the physical
and animals. environment.
So, in other words we can say, biodiversity is extremely diverse on

earth and works interdependently. It is a system of closely knit
networks that sustains the ecosystem.
Interesting Fact: India has world’s largest biodiversity thriving on
its land and 10 per cent of the recorded wild flora and 20 per cent of
its mammals are on the threatened list.
CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES
As the list generated by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the species can be classified
as follows–
Normal Endangered Vulnerable

Species Species species
They are in danger of These species are
They have population extinction and would vulnerable to fall into
levels normal for eventually decline if the endangered
survival the present conditions category in near
continue. future.
Example: crocodile, Example: Asiatic

Example: pine,
rhino, lion tale elephant, dolphin,
rodents, etc.
macaque etc. blue sheep etc.
Endemic Extinct
Rare species
species species
They have a small
population that can These species are not
move to an These species are
found in the areas
endangered or only found in a limited
they were likely to be
vulnerable category in geographical area.
found.
the near future if the
present conditions for
their survival sustain
itself.
Example: Andaman
teal, Nicobar pigeon, Example: Asiatic
Example: Asiatic Andaman wild pig, cheetah, pink head
buffalo, hornbill etc. Mithun in Arunachal duck.
Pradesh.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Environmental degradation refers to the decline of the environment
due to the depletion of resources like air, water, and soil, along with
the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. It is
characterized by any environmental change or disturbance that is
considered harmful or undesirable.
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 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.
TYPES OF FOREST
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.
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.

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GEOGRAPHY

Chapter-2(Forest and Wildlife Resources)

Whenever the term forest and wildlife come into consideration

So, in other words we can say, biodiversity is extremely diverse on

Normal Endangered Vulnerable

Example: crocodile, Example: Asiatic

• Around 5,000 sq km of forest lands have been cleared to

• Mining also causes large scale deforestation.

• The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is threatened by the

• There are various factors like poaching, over-exploitation,

• Overpopulation in third world countries is a prime cause of

(ii) Protected Forests: Forest Department had declared one-third of

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

COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION

• In five villages located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, the

• Sacred groves do not have religious sentiments attached but

• Mahua is worshipped by the the Mundas and the Santhal of

• Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya has promoted people

• Joint forest management (JFM) programme involves local people

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