Introduction
• Deforestation : Causes of Deforestation Consequences of Deforestation
• Biodiversity
• Protected areas: Wildlife Sanctuary National Parks
• Biosphere Reserves
• Red Data Book
• Migration
• Recycling of Paper
• Reforestation
Deforestation : Deforestation is the process of clearing of forests in order to use the land for
industrial, agricultural, and other purposes.
Causes of Deforestation
a. Natural causes
b. Forest fire
c. Severe droughts
d. Man-made causes
[Link] land for agricultural purposes
f. Rapid urbanisation
g. Procurement of wood for fuel and furniture
Consequences of Deforestation
a. Increase in the level of carbon dioxide in atmosphere, which leads to global warming
b. Lowering of ground water levels
c. Increase in pollution level and temperature
d. Decrease in fertility of soil and amount of rainfall
e. Increase in frequency of droughts and floods
f. Desertification- conversion of fertile lands into deserts.
Biodiversity : Biodiversity is the species richness of the biosphere. It is defined as the number and
variety of life forms such as plants, animals and microorganisms in an area.
It supports all the essential living resources such as wild life, fisheries and forests.
Forests help in maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
Animals living in forests are called wild animals.
The plants found in a particular area are known as flora of that area.
The animals found in a particular area constitute fauna of that area.
Those species of plants and animals, which are found only in a particular area, are called endemic
species.
Species is a group of organisms in population which are capable of interbreeding.
The animals, whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction, are called
endangered animals.
For example: tiger, lion, and elephants
Project tiger was launched by the government of India to protect endangered tigers in their natural
habitat.
The flora and fauna of a particular habitat can be protected through special protected areas.
Protected areas: A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space which is recognised and
managed by government to achieve the long term conservation of nature, culture and preserve
ecosystem.
Wildlife sanctuary : It is the place where wild animals are protected from hunting and are provided
with suitable living conditions. For example: Madhumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Chilika
bird sanctuary in Orissa, etc.
National parks : These are the areas reserved for wildlife. They are maintained and preserved by the
government for the public to visit. For example: Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Kanha
National Park in Madhya Pradesh, etc.
Satpura National Park is the first reserve forest of India.
Biosphere Reserves
It is a large protected land for conservation of wild life, plant and animals resources, and the
traditional life of the tribal groups living in the area. For example: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in India.
Red Data Book : It is the source book maintained by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural resources). It keeps a track record of various endangered species of plants and
animals.
Migration : It is the movement of birds and animals from their original habitat to other places at a
particular time.
Causes of migration:
a. Migratory birds fly to distant areas every year during a particular time because of climatic changes
their original habitat becomes very cold and inhospitable lack of food availability.
b. Numerous migratory birds including ducks, geese, flamingos, and cranes fly to India every year.
Recycling of paper : Why should we recycle paper
a. One ton of paper is made from about seventeen fully-grown trees.
b. Papers should be recycled and reused to conserve forest.
[Link] paper can be recycled three to seven times.
d. Recycling of paper saves trees, energy and water.
e. It prevents the release of harmful chemicals emitted during paper manufacturing in nature.
Reforestation :
a. Restoring of destroyed forests by planting new trees is called reforestation.
b. It helps in checking environmental degradation.