Natural Vegetation

Correct Option: (b) Deciduous forest

Sandalwood (*Santalum album*) is a well-known tree found in tropical moist and dry deciduous forests of India, particularly in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Deciduous forests shed their leaves during the dry season, and sandalwood is a classic example of a commercially valuable deciduous tree species.

Correct Option: (c) to protect tigers from illegal hunting

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the main objective of ensuring the maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to protect them from poaching and illegal hunting. It is not aimed at captivity or any commercial purpose.

Correct Option: (c) Uttarakhand

The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in the state of Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh before the state was carved out in 2000). It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 18 Biosphere Reserves of India recognised internationally.

Correct Option: (c) Twelve

India has 18 Biosphere Reserves in total. Out of these, twelve have been recognised by UNESCO under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) within the framework of the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Correct Option: (a) 33

The National Forest Policy of India (1952, revised in 1988) recommends that at least 33 per cent of the total geographical area of the country should be under forest cover to maintain ecological balance. For hilly and mountainous regions, this target is set at 67 per cent.

What is Natural Vegetation?

Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. It is also called virgin vegetation. The cultivated crops and fruits, orchards, etc., are not included in natural vegetation.

Climatic Conditions for Tropical Evergreen Forests:

Tropical evergreen forests develop under the following climatic conditions:
- Rainfall: Heavy and well-distributed rainfall, generally more than 200 cm per annum.
- Temperature: High temperatures throughout the year, generally above 22°C.
- Humidity: High relative humidity (above 70%).
- Season: No distinct dry season; rainfall occurs almost throughout the year.

These forests are found along the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the north-eastern states of India.

Social Forestry:

Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests and afforestation of barren and deforested lands with the active participation of local communities, with the aim of providing environmental, social and rural development benefits.

Key features:
- It involves planting trees on community lands, roadsides, railway lines, river and canal banks, and village common lands.
- It aims to meet the local needs of fuel wood, fodder, timber and non-timber forest produce.
- It reduces pressure on natural forests by involving people in tree plantation.
- The National Commission on Agriculture (1976) classified social forestry into three categories: urban forestry, rural forestry, and farm forestry.

Biosphere Reserves:

A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and/or coastal areas that are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Key points:
- They aim to conserve biodiversity, promote research, education and monitoring.
- They have three zones: the Core Zone (strictly protected), the Buffer Zone (limited human activity), and the Transition/Manipulation Zone (human settlements and economic activities are allowed).
- India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which 12 are recognised by UNESCO on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
- Examples: Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Nanda Devi, Gulf of Mannar, etc.

Difference between Forest Area and Forest Cover:

| Basis | Forest Area | Forest Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to the area recorded as forest in government records (revenue and forest department records). | It refers to all lands with a tree canopy density of more than 10%, irrespective of ownership or legal status. |
| Basis | Based on legal/administrative classification. | Based on actual ground survey and remote sensing data. |
| Recorded by | State revenue and forest departments. | Forest Survey of India (FSI) through biennial surveys. |
| Area | Generally larger in extent as it includes all legally notified forest land. | May be smaller as it counts only land actually covered with trees. |

In simple terms, forest area is a legal/administrative concept, while forest cover is a physical/ground reality concept.

Steps Taken to Conserve Forests in India:

The Government of India and various agencies have taken several important steps to conserve forests:

1. Legislative Measures:
- The Indian Forest Act (1927) and the Forest Conservation Act (1980) were enacted to regulate the use of forests and prevent their diversion for non-forest purposes without prior approval of the Central Government.
- The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) provides legal protection to wildlife and their habitats.

2. National Forest Policy (1988):
- It set a target of maintaining 33% of the geographical area under forest cover.
- It emphasised ecological stability, environmental conservation and meeting the needs of local communities.

3. Establishment of Protected Areas:
- A network of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves has been established across the country to protect natural ecosystems.
- India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, numerous national parks and over 500 wildlife sanctuaries.

4. Special Conservation Projects:
- Project Tiger (1973): Launched to protect tigers and their habitat. Tiger population has increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,682 in 2023.
- Project Elephant (1992): Launched to protect wild elephants and their corridors in 18 states.
- Crocodile Breeding Project and conservation of Himalayan Musk Deer and Project Hangul have also been launched.

5. Social Forestry and Afforestation:
- Programmes like Van Mahotsav, social forestry, and farm forestry encourage tree plantation on community and private lands.
- The National Afforestation Programme supports afforestation of degraded forest lands.

6. Forest Survey of India (FSI):
- FSI conducts biennial assessments of forest cover using remote sensing and publishes the State of Forest Report to monitor changes in forest cover.

7. Joint Forest Management (JFM):
- Local communities are involved in the protection and management of forests in partnership with the forest department, sharing the benefits of forest produce.

People's Participation in Conserving Forests and Wildlife:

People's participation is considered the most effective and sustainable approach to forest and wildlife conservation. The following ways highlight how it can be made effective:

1. Joint Forest Management (JFM):
- JFM involves local communities, especially those living in and around forests, in the protection and management of forests.
- Village Forest Committees (VFCs) are formed, and communities share the benefits (fuel wood, fodder, minor forest produce) in return for their protection services.
- This creates a sense of ownership and responsibility among local people.

2. Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge:
- Local and tribal communities possess rich traditional knowledge about forest species, medicinal plants and sustainable use of resources.
- Incorporating this knowledge into conservation strategies makes them more effective.
- The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is a classic example of community-based wildlife protection.

3. Awareness and Education:
- Creating awareness among local people about the importance of forests and wildlife through education, campaigns and eco-clubs encourages voluntary participation.
- Schools and colleges can play a major role in sensitising the youth.

4. Eco-tourism:
- Involving local communities in eco-tourism activities around national parks and sanctuaries provides them with alternative livelihoods.
- This reduces their dependence on forests and motivates them to protect wildlife.

5. Chipko Movement — A Role Model:
- The Chipko Movement (1973) in Uttarakhand is a historic example where local villagers, especially women, hugged trees to prevent them from being felled.
- It demonstrated that grassroots participation can be a powerful tool for forest conservation.

6. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs):
- NGOs can bridge the gap between government policies and local communities by mobilising people, providing training and facilitating community-based conservation programmes.

Conclusion: When local communities are made stakeholders in conservation — sharing both responsibilities and benefits — forests and wildlife can be protected far more effectively than through government action alone.

Note: This is a map-based activity. Students should use an outline map of India and mark the following:

(i) Areas having Mangrove Forests:
- Sunderbans — West Bengal (largest mangrove area in the world)
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Gulf of Kutch — Gujarat
- Gulf of Khambhat — Gujarat
- Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery deltas — Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
- Coastal areas of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa (Western Coast)
- Pichavaram — Tamil Nadu

(ii) Biosphere Reserves to be marked:
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve — Uttarakhand (Garhwal Himalayas, approx. 30°N, 80°E)
- Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve — West Bengal (Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, approx. 22°N, 89°E)
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve — Tamil Nadu (south-eastern coast, approx. 9°N, 79°E)
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka (approx. 11°N, 76°E)

(iii) Forest Survey of India (FSI) Headquarters:
- FSI Headquarters is located at Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Mark Dehradun on the map (approx. 30.3°N, 78.0°E) in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India.

*Students should use an atlas for precise locations and mark them neatly with a legend/key.*

Note: This activity is based on local observation and will vary according to the region where the school is located. A sample list (for a school in northern India) is given below as a model:

| S.No. | Scientific Name | Common/Local Name | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | *Ficus benghalensis* | Bargad / Banyan | Shade, medicinal (bark and leaves), sacred tree |
| 2 | *Mangifera indica* | Aam / Mango | Fruit (food), timber, leaves used in religious ceremonies |
| 3 | *Azadirachta indica* | Neem | Medicinal (antibacterial), pesticide, toothbrush (datun), shade |
| 4 | *Dalbergia sissoo* | Shisham / Rosewood | Timber for furniture, fuel wood |
| 5 | *Eucalyptus globulus* | Safeda / Eucalyptus | Timber, paper pulp, medicinal oil, fuel wood |
| 6 | *Lantana camara* | Lantana (shrub) | Ornamental, though an invasive species |
| 7 | *Calotropis procera* | Aak / Madar (shrub) | Medicinal, fibre from stem |
| 8 | *Hibiscus rosa-sinensis* | Gurhal / China Rose (shrub) | Ornamental, medicinal (hair care) |
| 9 | *Bougainvillea* | Bougainvillea (shrub) | Ornamental, used as hedges |
| 10 | *Ocimum sanctum* | Tulsi / Holy Basil | Medicinal, religious/sacred use |

Instructions for students: Walk around your school premises and nearby areas. Observe and note down the trees, bushes and shrubs. Consult your local elders, gardener or a field guide to find their local names and uses. Prepare a neat table as shown above.