NCERT Solutions Class 10th Social Science Geography Chapter – 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources Notes In this lesson, we will learn about forest and wildlife resources, biodiversity, natural vegetation, indigenous plant species, wildlife, ecosystem flora and fauna, flora and fauna of India, endangered species in India which are at critical stage, threatened species, classification of species, common species, endangered species, vulnerable species, threatened species, rare species, endemic species, social impact of depleting resources due to depletion of flora and fauna, etc.
NCERT Solutions Class 10th Social Science Geography Chapter – 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources
Chapter – 2
Forest and Wildlife Resources
Notes
Natural vegetation – The part of the plant which grows on its own without the help of man and does not have human influence for a long time is called natural vegetation.
Indigenous plant species – That vegetation which is basically indigenous we call that vegetation as indigenous vegetation. They are found entirely in the same country.
Ecosystem – Plants and animals of a region are interdependent and interconnected in their physical environment. It creates an ecosystem. Humans are also an important part of this system.
Wildlife – A wild animal is any animal, plant, or tree that is not domesticated by humans. Wild animals are found in all ecosystems of the world, including deserts, forests, grasslands, plains, mountains, and urban areas.
Flora – All the plants and trees found in a particular area or season are collectively called Flora.
Fauna – Fauna includes all the animals and birds found in a particular region or season.
Endangered – species in India that are in critical condition – Cheetah, pink headed duck, mountain cuckoo and wild spotted owl and Madhuca insignis (wild variety of Mahua) and Huberdia heptaneuron (grass species) etc.
Species at risk of extinction – Among the large animals in India 79 species of mammals, 44 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles and 3 species of amphibians are facing the danger of extinction. About 1500 plant species are also at risk of extinction.
Flora and fauna of India –
Fauna
More than 81,000 species
flora
More than 47,000 species
Native species of flowering plants
15,000
Plants in danger of extinction
About 10%
Mammals at risk of extinction
About 20%
Classification of species – According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they can be divided into the following categories
The common tribes – These are those species whose numbers are considered normal for survival, like animals, sal, pine and rodents etc.
The lost species – These are those species which have been found absent on searching in their living habitats. For example, Asian cheetah, pink-headed duck.
The different castes – These are the castes whose numbers have increased. Due to the adverse circumstances, if the circumstances that adversely affect their numbers are not changed and their numbers continue to decrease, then it will be included in the category of endangered castes. For example – blue sheep, Asian elephant, river Ganga etc.
Endangered species – Endangered species These are those species which are in danger of extinction. Due to the adverse conditions due to which their number has decreased, if they continue then it is difficult for these castes to survive. Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, rhinoceros, lion, sangai (Manipuri deer) etc. are examples of such species.
Rare species – Those races whose number is very less in the world. These species are found only in limited areas. For example – Himalayan bear, panda etc.
The local tribes – Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. Naturally, they cannot be found anywhere else. A particular type of animal or plant may be endemic to a region, state, or country.
Expansion in agriculture – According to the Forest Survey of India data, more than 262,00 sq km of forest area was converted into agricultural land between 1951 and 1980. Most of the tribal areas, especially in the North-East and Central India, have suffered deforestation or degradation due to shifting cultivation or slash and burn.
Cultivation of trees – When a plant of one species of commercial importance is planted, it is called a plantation. Enrichment plantations were carried out in many parts of India to promote a few select species. This led to the extinction of other species.
Development projects – Since independence, many large-scale development projects have been materialized. This caused extensive damage to the forest. Since 1952, more than 5,000 sq km of forests have been wiped out due to river valley projects.
Mining – Mining has caused severe damage to biological diversity in many areas. For example, dolomite mining in Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
Unequal distribution of resources – There is an unequal distribution of resources between the rich and the poor. This leads to rich people exploiting resources and causing more damage to the environment.
Himalayan Yew Pine – Himalayan yaw (pine type evergreen tree) is a medicinal plant found in many areas of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
The social impact of depleting resources –
• Lack of resources has an adverse effect on society. women have a greater burden to collect certain things; Like fuel, fodder, drinking water and other basic things.
• Women have to work more due to the lack of these resources. In some villages, women have to walk several kilometres to fetch drinking water.
• Deforestation increases natural disasters such as floods and droughts, causing great suffering to the poor.
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – This Act was enacted for the protection of plant and animal species. This Act extends to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. Before this law, there were only five designated national parks in India. At present, there are 101 national parks in India.
The benefits of conservation – There are many benefits of conservation. This will save the diversity of the environment. It also preserves the basic necessities of life (water, air, soil).
Classification of Forests by Forest Department –
Reserved Forest – Reserved forest or protected forest in India refers to those forests which are targeted to be protected to some extent. The term was first used in the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The first reserve forest of India was Satpura National Park.
Protected Forest – This is an area where both humans and animals are allowed to live with certain conditions. The protected forest area will be declared by the state authority. Activities such as logging, grazing, and hunting are allowed in these areas.
Unclassified Forest – Unclassified forest means forest which does not fall under any reserved or protected category. Such forests which have not yet been determined by the government that they should be kept in the category of forest reserve forest or should be kept in the category of protected forest. Such forests are called unclassified forests.
Tiger Project (Project Tiger) –
• Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to save tigers from extinction. • The total tiger population in the early twentieth century was 55,000 which declined to 1,827 in 1973.
Threat to tiger population –
• Hunting for trade • Shrinking habitats • Declining numbers of wild subspecies needed for food, etc.
Important Tiger Reserves – Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala are examples of tiger conservation projects in India.
NCERT Solution Class 10th Geography All Chapters Notes
