Forest and Wildlife Resources — NCERT Solutions

Given: Human activities have caused large-scale destruction of natural flora and fauna.

Key Human Activities Responsible for Depletion:

1. Agricultural expansion: Large tracts of forests have been cleared to bring land under cultivation, destroying natural habitats.
2. Large-scale development projects: Construction of dams, roads, and industries has led to massive deforestation (e.g., Narmada Dam project displaced forests and wildlife).
3. Mining operations: Mining in forest areas destroys vegetation and disturbs wildlife habitats (e.g., Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is threatened by dolomite mining).
4. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock degrades forest land and reduces plant diversity.
5. Hunting and poaching: Illegal hunting for ivory, skin, and bones has pushed many species to the brink of extinction.
6. Firewood and timber collection: Over-exploitation of forests for fuel and commercial timber has reduced forest cover.
7. Pollution and urbanisation: Industrial effluents, pesticides, and urban sprawl have degraded natural ecosystems.

Conclusion: These activities have led to habitat loss, species extinction, and a drastic reduction in India's rich biodiversity.

Introduction: Across India, local communities have played a vital role in conserving forests and wildlife, often more effectively than government agencies.

Examples of Community Conservation:

1. Chipko Movement (Himalayas): In the 1970s, villagers — especially women — in the Garhwal Himalayas hugged trees to prevent contractors from felling them. This grassroots movement successfully halted deforestation in several areas.

2. Beej Bachao Andolan (Tehri, Uttarakhand): Farmers and activists worked to save traditional crop varieties (seeds) without the use of chemical fertilisers, preserving agricultural biodiversity.

3. Joint Forest Management (JFM): Introduced formally in 1988, JFM involves local village communities working together with the Forest Department to protect and manage degraded forests. In return, communities receive a share of forest produce. Odisha was the first state to introduce JFM in 1988.

4. Sacred Groves (Dev Vans): Many communities across India — in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Maharashtra — have traditionally protected patches of forest as sacred. These 'sacred groves' are left untouched and serve as biodiversity refuges. The Mundas and Santals of Jharkhand worship mahua and kadamba trees.

5. Bishnoi Community (Rajasthan): The Bishnoi community has long protected blackbucks, peacocks, and trees around their villages. The famous Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life in 1731 to protect khejri trees.

6. Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan): Villagers of Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri' in Alwar district have declared 1,200 hectares of forest as a wildlife reserve, following traditional rules that ban hunting and outside interference.

Conclusion: These community-led efforts demonstrate that local people, when empowered, are the most effective guardians of biodiversity.

Introduction: Conserving forests and wildlife requires a combination of government policies, community action, and individual responsibility.

Good Practices for Conservation:

1. Establishment of Protected Areas: The government has set up National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves to provide safe habitats for flora and fauna. India has 14 Biosphere Reserves, 90 National Parks, and 448 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

2. Project Tiger and Project Elephant: Launched in 1973, Project Tiger aims to protect tigers from extinction by creating tiger reserves across India. Similar projects exist for elephants, rhinos, and other endangered species.

3. Legal Protection: The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and the Forest Conservation Act (1980) provide a legal framework to prevent poaching, illegal trade, and deforestation.

4. Community Participation through JFM: Involving local communities in forest management ensures sustainable use of resources and reduces pressure on forests.

5. Sacred Groves: Respecting and reviving the tradition of sacred groves helps protect biodiversity at the local level.

6. Afforestation and Social Forestry: Planting trees on degraded lands and involving people in growing trees on community and private lands helps restore forest cover.

7. Reducing Consumption and Pollution: Individuals can contribute by reducing the use of forest products, avoiding single-use plastics, and minimising pollution that harms ecosystems.

8. Awareness and Education: Spreading awareness about the importance of biodiversity among citizens, especially youth, encourages responsible behaviour towards nature.

Conclusion: A combination of strict laws, community involvement, traditional knowledge, and individual responsibility forms the foundation of effective forest and wildlife conservation in India.