NCERT Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources Notes
Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources NCERT Notes, Chapter Summary
Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Social Science Notes PDF
Ecological Importance of Forests and Wildlife : -
⦾ Earth is home to millions of living organisms,
including microorganisms, plants, animals, birds, and insects.
⦾ All living organisms are connected through a complex
ecological system and depend on each other for survival.
⦾ Plants, animals, and microorganisms help maintain the
quality of air, water, and soil.
⦾ Forests are the primary producers in nature and
provide food and habitat for many living organisms.
⦾ Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological
balance and supporting life on Earth.
Flora and Fauna in India : -
⦾ India is one of the richest countries in the world in
terms of biodiversity.
⦾ The country has a wide variety of plants (flora) and
animals (fauna), many of which are unique to different regions.
⦾ India's biodiversity includes thousands of species of
plants, animals, birds, insects, and microorganisms.
⦾ These natural resources are closely linked with our
daily life and provide food, medicine, fuel, timber, and many other products.
⦾ Rapid urbanisation, deforestation, pollution, and
overexploitation have placed India's biodiversity under great stress.
Negative Factors Responsible for the Depletion of Flora and Fauna
: -
⦿ Excessive Use of Forest Resources: Overexploitation
of wood, timber, bark, leaves, and other forest products for human needs has
reduced forest cover and biodiversity.
⦿ Expansion of Agriculture: Large areas of forests have
been cleared to create agricultural land, leading to habitat loss for many
plants and animals.
⦿ Development Projects: Construction of dams, roads,
industries, urban settlements, and mining activities destroy forests and
natural habitats, causing a decline in wildlife.
⦿ Commercial Forestry: Large-scale cutting of trees for
timber, paper, furniture, and other commercial purposes has resulted in rapid
deforestation.
⦿ Unequal Distribution and Overconsumption of
Resources: Excessive and unequal use of natural resources by certain groups has
increased environmental degradation and accelerated the depletion of flora and
fauna.
Types and Distribution of Forests : -
The forests of India are managed by the Forest Department and are classified into different categories based on the level of protection and ownership.
1. Reserved Forests
➣ Reserved forests are the most protected forests in
India.
➣ They cover more than 50% of the total forest area.
➣ Activities like cutting trees, grazing, and hunting
are strictly controlled to conserve biodiversity.
2. Protected Forests
➣ Protected forests account for about one-third of
India's forest area.
➣ These forests receive legal protection to prevent
further depletion.
➣ Limited use of forest resources is allowed under
government regulations.
3. Unclassed Forests
➣ Unclassed forests include forests and barren lands
owned by the government, private individuals, or local communities.
➣ Most of the North-Eastern states have a large
proportion of unclassed forests.
➣ These forests generally have fewer legal restrictions
than reserved and protected forests.
4. Permanent Forests
➣ Permanent forests include both Reserved Forests and
Protected Forests.
➣ They are maintained for timber production, ecological
balance, and environmental protection.
➣ Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent
forests.
Biodiversity : -
⦾ Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants,
animals, and microorganisms found in a particular region.
⦾ The term Biodiversity was first coined by American entomologist and planner Walter G. Rosen in 1985 during the preparation for the National Forum on Biodiversity.
⦾ The father of biodiversity is American biologist Edward O. Wilson. He earned this title because he popularized the concept of biological diversity globally, edited the landmark 1988 book Biodiversity, and spent his life showing how every species—from tiny ants to large mammals—connects to keep Earth's ecosystems alive.
⦾ It includes the diversity of species, their habitats,
and their ecological relationships.
⦾ All organisms are interconnected through food chains
and ecological networks.
⦾ Biodiversity helps maintain ecological balance and
ensures the survival of all living organisms.
Need for Conservation of Forests and Wildlife : -
⦾ Conservation has become essential because forest
cover and wildlife populations are declining rapidly.
⦾ Conservation helps maintain ecological balance by
protecting air, water, and soil.
⦾ It preserves the genetic diversity of plants and
animals.
⦾ Conservation supports agriculture by protecting
traditional crop varieties.
⦾ Fisheries also depend on the conservation of aquatic
biodiversity.
⦾ Protecting forests and wildlife ensures sustainable
use of natural resources for future generations.
Wildlife Protection in India : -
⦾ During the 1960s and 1970s, conservationists demanded
stronger measures to protect wildlife.
⦾ The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was introduced to
protect endangered animals and their habitats.
⦾ Hunting of endangered species was banned under this
Act.
⦾ Trade in wildlife products was restricted.
⦾ National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were
established across the country.
⦾ Protected species were officially listed to ensure
legal conservation.
Major Wildlife Conservation Projects : -
The Government of India launched several projects to protect endangered wildlife species.
Some important protected species include:
➣ Tiger
➣ One-horned Rhinoceros
➣ Kashmir Stag (Hangul)
➣ Asiatic Lion
➣ Freshwater Crocodile
➣ Saltwater Crocodile
➣ Gharial
➣ Indian Elephant
➣ Blackbuck (Chinkara)
➣ Great Indian Bustard (Godawan)
➣ Snow Leopard
These species receive full or partial legal protection against hunting
and illegal trade.
Project Tiger : -
⦿ Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect the
rapidly declining tiger population.
⦿ At the beginning of the 20th century, India had
nearly 55,000 tigers, but by 1973 the number had declined to only 1,827.
⦿ Major reasons for tiger decline included:
➣ Poaching for skins and bones
➣ Illegal wildlife trade
➣ Loss of natural habitat
➣ Reduction in prey animals
➣ Increasing human population
⦿ India and Nepal together provide habitat for about
two-thirds of the world's tiger population.
⦿ Project Tiger focuses on protecting both tigers and
their natural habitats.
Major Tiger Reserves in India : - Some important Tiger Reserves are:
➣ Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
➣ Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)
➣ Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
➣ Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
➣ Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam)
➣ Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)
Modern Conservation Approach : -
⦿ Wildlife conservation today focuses on protecting the
entire ecosystem rather than only a few species.
⦿ Conservation programmes now include insects, birds,
reptiles, plants, and microorganisms.
⦿ Under amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act (1980
and 1986), many butterflies, moths, beetles, and a dragonfly were added to the
protected species list.
⦿ In 1991, for the first time, several plant species
were also included under legal protection.
⦿ Modern conservation aims to preserve biodiversity as
a whole for ecological stability and sustainable development.
Community and Conservation : -
➤ Community participation plays a vital role in the conservation of
forests and wildlife in India. Many local communities have protected natural
resources for generations because their livelihood and culture depend on them.
Today, people and the government often work together to conserve forests and
biodiversity.
Importance of Community Participation : -
➣ Local communities help protect forests, wildlife, and
biodiversity.
➣ Community conservation ensures sustainable use of
natural resources.
➣ It also supports the livelihood of people living near
forests.
Examples of Community Conservation : -
⦿ Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan): Villagers opposed
mining activities by using the Wildlife Protection Act to protect forests and
wildlife.
⦿ Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ (Alwar, Rajasthan): Five
villages declared about 1,200 hectares of forest as their own sanctuary and
banned hunting and outside encroachment.
⦿ Chipko Movement: People in the Himalayan region
protected forests by hugging trees and preventing their cutting. The movement
also promoted community afforestation using native tree species.
⦿ Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya: These movements
encouraged traditional farming methods, biodiversity conservation, and crop
production without harmful synthetic chemicals.
Joint Forest Management (JFM) : -
➣ Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a programme started
to involve local communities in protecting and restoring degraded forests.
It officially began in 1988, when Odisha introduced the first JFM
resolution.
➣ Under JFM, village communities protect forests
managed by the Forest Department.
➣ In return, they receive benefits such as non-timber
forest products and a share in the timber harvested after successful forest
protection.
Sacred Groves : -
➣ Sacred Groves are patches of forests protected by
local communities due to religious and cultural beliefs.
➣ These forests are considered sacred, and cutting
trees or harming wildlife is strictly prohibited.
➣ Many tribal communities worship trees like Mahua,
Kadamba, Tamarind, Mango, Peepal, and Banyan.
➣ Around many temples, animals such as monkeys,
langurs, blackbucks, nilgai, and peacocks are protected and cared for by local
people.
Importance of Community Conservation : -
➣ Protects forests and wildlife.
➣ Conserves biodiversity and rare species.
➣ Preserves traditional knowledge and culture.
➣ Promotes sustainable development.
➣ Ensures people's participation in natural resource
management.
➣ Supports environment-friendly and people-centred
development.