Class 10 Geo Ch 2 – Forest and Wildlife Resources
NCERT CLASS 10 GEOGRAPHY • DETAILED SOLUTIONS • CHAPTER 2 • FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Forest and Wildlife Resources

Comprehensive Solutions

Short Answer Questions
Question 1
What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Definition: Biodiversity (Biological Diversity) refers to the immense variety of life forms found on Earth. It includes the richness of wildlife (fauna) and cultivated species (flora) in a given area, which are diverse in form and function but closely integrated into a system through multiple networks of interdependencies.
Importance for Human Lives:
  • Ecological Balance: Humans, along with all living organisms, form a complex web of ecological systems. We are only a part of this system and dependent on it for our existence.
  • Essential Resources: Plants, animals, and microorganisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that produces our food, without which we cannot survive.
Question 2
How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Human activities have severely impacted biodiversity. The main causes include:
  • Habitat Destruction: Large-scale development projects like river valley projects (e.g., Narmada Sagar Project) and mining activities (e.g., Buxa Tiger Reserve threatened by dolomite mining) have led to the loss of vast forest tracts.
  • Agricultural Expansion: During the colonial period and after independence, expansion of railways, commercial forestry, and agriculture led to massive deforestation. Shifting cultivation (Jhum) in tribal belts has also degraded forests.
  • Poaching and Hunting: Illegal hunting for skin, tusks, bones, teeth, and horns has decimated the populations of tigers, elephants, and rhinos.
  • Environmental Pollution: Poisoning and pollution from industries reduce the quality of the habitat, leading to the decline of species.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1
Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
In India, forests are home to traditional communities who have played a vital role in conservation:
  • Protection of Habitats: In the Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), villagers have fought against mining activities by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. Many villages now reject government involvement and protect habitats themselves.
  • Sacred Groves (Deities): Many tribes preserve pristine patches of forest known as Sacred Groves. The Mundas and Santhals worship Mahua and Kadamba trees; the tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship Tamarind and Mango trees. This belief system protects these forests from axe and interference.
  • Bishnois of Rajasthan: The Bishnoi community protects blackbuck (chinkara), nilgai, and peacocks aggressively. These animals are considered part of their community and are not harmed.
  • Chipko Movement: Originating in the Himalayas, this movement successfully resisted deforestation by locals hugging trees. It also showed that community afforestation with indigenous species can be successful.
  • Beej Bachao Andolan: Farmers in Tehri demonstrated that diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals is economically viable, helping conserve indigenous seed varieties.
Question 2
Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Conservation requires a blend of legal enforcement, government programs, and community participation:
  • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: This was a landmark act that established a list of protected species, banned hunting, restricting trade in wildlife, and gave legal protection to habitats. It established National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
  • Project Tiger (1973): Launched to save the tiger population, which had dwindled to 1,827. It focused on tiger conservation not just for the species, but to preserve biotypes of significant magnitude (e.g., Corbett, Sundarbans, Bandhavgarh).
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM): Started in Odisha (1988), JFM involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. In exchange for their protection services, village communities receive non-timber forest produce and a share in the timber harvest.
  • Focus on Biodiversity: Modern conservation focuses on biodiversity rather than just a few “mega” species. Even insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, and dragonflies are now included in the list of protected species.
Key Concepts & Classifications
Concept
Classification of Forests in India
The Forest Department classifies forests into three types to manage them effectively:
  • 1. Reserved Forests: These are regarded as the most valuable for the conservation of forest and wildlife resources. More than half of the total forest land in India has been declared reserved forests. (e.g., Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand).
  • 2. Protected Forests: Almost one-third of the total forest area is protected forest. This forest land is protected from any further depletion. (e.g., Bihar, Haryana, Punjab).
  • 3. Unclassed Forests: These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals/communities. These are common in North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat.
Note: Reserved and Protected forests are collectively referred to as Permanent Forest Estates maintained for producing timber and other produce, and for protective reasons. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests.
Concept
IUCN Classification of Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies species based on their risk of extinction:
  • Normal Species: Population levels are normal for survival (e.g., Cattle, Sal, Pine).
  • Endangered Species: In danger of extinction. Survival is difficult if negative factors continue (e.g., Blackbuck, Crocodile, Indian Rhino).
  • Vulnerable Species: Population has declined to levels where it is likely to move into the endangered category soon (e.g., Blue Sheep, Asiatic Elephant).
  • Rare Species: Species with small populations that may move into endangered/vulnerable categories (e.g., Himalayan Brown Bear, Hornbill).
  • Endemic Species: Found only in particular areas, isolated by natural barriers (e.g., Andaman Teal, Nicobar Pigeon).
  • Extinct Species: Not found after searches of known or likely areas (e.g., Asiatic Cheetah, Pink Head Duck).
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