FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

• NATURAL VEGETATION:- The naturally grown trees,plants and shrubs in an area.

• BIODIVERSITY:- The existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment.

• IMPORTANCE OF BIO DIVERSITY:- • 1. The plants, animals and microorganisms recreate the

quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produce our food without which we cannot survive.

• 2. Forests also play a key role in the ecological system as there are also the primary producers on which all other living being depend.

FLORA AND FAUNA IN INDIA:- 1. India is one of the world's richest countries in

terms of its biological diversity.2.Diverse flora and fauna are well integrated in our

daily life.3. Some estimates suggest 10% of India's recorded

wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on threatened list.

4. Some animals on the verge of extinction are CHEETAH,PINK-HEADED DUCK, MOUNTAIN QUAIL, forest spotted OWLET and plants like MAHUA.

5. Besides, certain a maller animals and insects are also getting extinct.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES ON THE BASIS OF ITS CONSERVATION BY (IUCN)

1. NORMAL SPECIES:- Population levels are normal Ex-CATTLE, SAL, PINE, RODENTS.

2. ENDANGERED SPECIES:- Which are in danger of extinction. Negative forests have led to their decline Ex-BLACK BUCKS, CROCODILE, Indian wild ASSES, Indian RHINO, LION, tailed MACAQUE, SANGAI.

3. VULNERABLE SPECIES:- Population has declined to the level from where it is likely to move into endangered category Ex-BLUE SHEEP, ASIATIC ELEPHANT, GANGETIC DOLPHIN.

4. RARE SPECIES:- Small population may move into endangered or vulnerable category Ex-Himalayan BROWN BEAR, wild Asiatic BUFFALLO, DESERT FOX and HORNBILL.

5. ENDEMIC SPECIES:- These are found only in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers Ex-Andaman TEAL, Wild PIG, Nicobar PIGEON, Arunachal Pradesh MITHUN.

6. EXTINCT SPECIES:- These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas Ex-Asiatic CHEETAH, PINKHEAD DUCK.

VANISHING FORESTS

The dimensions of deforestation in India are staggering. The forest cover in the country is estimated at 637,293 sq km, which is 19.39 per cent of the total geographical area.(dense forest 11.48 %, open forest 7.76 %, and mangrove 0.15 %). According to the state of Forest report (1999), the denser forest cover has increased by 10,098 sq km since 1997.

FACTORS THAT CAUSES DEPLETION OF FLORA AND FAUNA

Greatest damage during colonial period due to expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry and mining activities.

Agricultural expansion continued, forest areas were cut for that.

Northeastern India deforested and degraded by shifting cultivation.

Large-scale development projects. Forests cleared for river valley projects. Mining is another factor for deforestation. Depletion due to grazing and fuel wood collection.

SHIFTING CULTIVATION

CONSERVATION OF FOREST AND WILDLIFE IN INDIA

1.1960s-70s conservationists demanded a national wildlife protection program.

2. Indian wildlife Act, 1972 implemented.3. To protect the remaining population by banning

hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats.4. Govt. established national parks and wildlife

sanctuaries.5. Several projects launched for endangered species-

TIGER, ONE HORNED RHINOCEROS, Kashmir STAG and three types of CROCODILES.

HIMAYALAYAN YEWThe Himalayan Yew (Taxus Wallachiana) is a medicinal

plant found in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. A Chemical compound called ‘taxol’ is extracted from the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree, and it has been successfully used to treat some cancers – the drug is now the biggest selling anti-cancer drug in the world.

TYPES AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST AND WILDLIFE

• 1. RESERVED FOREST- More then half of the total forest land has been declared reserved forest -( J&K, AP, UTTARAKHAND, KERALA, TAMILNADU, WEST BENGAL and MAHARASTRA have reserved forests).

• 2. PROTECTED FORESTS- Almost one-third of the total forest area is protected forest -(BIHAR, HARYANA, PANJAB, HIMACHAL, ORISHA and RAJASTHAN).

• 3. UNCLASSED FOREST- These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both Govt. and Private individuals and Communities -(NORTHEASTERN states and part of GUJARAT have unclassed forest).

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

1. Forest are to save traditional communities.2. Local communities are struggling to conserve these

habitats.3. In some areas they are conserving forest with the

help of govt.4. In Sarika Tiger Reserve, villagers have fought against

mining.5. Inhabitants of five villagers in ALWAR district of

RAJASTHAN have formed " BHAIRODEV DAKAV SONCHURI" for protecting wildlife and forests.

CONSERVATION MOVEMENT

• 1. Famous " CHIPKO MOVEMENT " in Himalayas to resist deforestation in several areas.

2." BEEJ BACHAO AANDOLAN" in Tehri and Navdanya-for diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals.

3. "JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT" (JFM) program for management and restoration of degraded forests. In 1988, State of Orissa passed the first resolution for (JFM).

Made By - Naresh Chand TGT (SST)