What are Forest and Wildlife Resources?
Forest and Wildlife Resources introduces the wide
range of plant and animal species found in India.
It explains how these resources are classified and
the threats they face. The notes also detail
efforts to conserve forests and wildlife,
emphasizing their importance for ecological
balance and human well-being.
Forest And Wildlife Resources Class 10
Notes
This chapter is included in the CBSE Class 10
syllabus. It covers essential concepts regarding
India's Geography Class 10 Chapter 2 Notes on
Forest and Wildlife Resources. It provides a
structured overview of species classification,
causes of depletion, and conservation strategies.
Flora and Fauna Categories
India possesses immense biological diversity. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies species
into different categories:
Normal Species: Populations are at healthy
levels for survival. Examples include cattle, sal
trees, and pine.
Endangered Species: Face a high risk of
extinction. Examples include black buck,
Indian rhino, and lion-tailed macaque.
Vulnerable Species: Their population has
declined to levels where they are likely to
become endangered soon. Examples are blue
sheep and Gangetic dolphin.
Rare Species: Have small populations and
could move into endangered or vulnerable
categories if negative factors persist.
Examples include the Himalayan brown bear
and desert fox.
Endemic Species: Found only in specific
geographical areas, often isolated by natural
barriers. Examples are Andaman teal and
Nicobar pigeon.
Extinct Species: No longer exist anywhere.
Examples include the Asiatic cheetah and pink-
head duck.
Negative Factors for Depletion
Several human activities lead to the depletion of
flora and fauna:
Excessive Resource Use: Over-consumption of
wood, bark, leaves, and other forest products
for human needs.
Agricultural Expansion: Conversion of forest
land into agricultural areas.
Development Projects: Large-scale
infrastructure and mining operations cause
habitat destruction.
Commercial Forestry: Extensive tree felling for
commercial purposes.
Inequitable Resource Access: Uneven
distribution and consumption of resources,
with varying responsibility for environmental
health.
Conservation Efforts in India
Conservation aims to protect ecological diversity
and genetic variety of plants and animals.
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972): This act
was enacted to safeguard habitats and listed
protected species across India.
Project Specific Conservation: The central
government initiated projects for protecting
specific endangered animals.
Protected Species Expansion: Under the
Wildlife Acts of 1980 and 1986, insects like
butterflies, moths, and a dragonfly were added
to the protected list.
Plant Protection: For the first time in 1991, six
plant species were also added to the
conservation list.
Types and Distribution of Forests
The government manages forest and wildlife
resources in India through the Forest
Department. These are categorized as:
Reserved Forests: These cover over half of
India's total forest land. They are the most
protected category.
Protected Forests: About one-third of the total
forest area falls under this category, offering a
degree of protection from further depletion.
Unclassed Forests: These include forests and
barren lands owned by both the government
and private individuals/communities. North-
eastern states have a high percentage of
unclassed forests.
Permanent Forests: This term refers to both
reserved and protected forests. They are
managed for timber production and protective
functions. Madhya Pradesh has the largest
area under permanent forests.
Community and Conservation
Local communities play a vital role in conserving
forest and wildlife resources:
Sariska Tiger Reserve: Villagers in Rajasthan
resisted mining activities by citing the Wildlife
Protection Act.
Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’: Five villages in
Alwar district declared 1,200 hectares of forest
as their own sanctuary, enforcing strict rules
against hunting and external encroachments.
Chipko Movement: This famous movement in
the Himalayas successfully prevented
deforestation and promoted community
afforestation.
Beej Bachao Andolan: Farmers and citizen
groups demonstrated the viability of
diversified crop production without synthetic
chemicals.
Joint Forest Management (JFM): This program
involves local communities in the management
and restoration of degraded forests, a key
aspect of ch 2 geography class 10 notes.
Key Mechanisms of Forest and Wildlife
Conservation
Effective mechanisms are included in Class 10th
Geography Chapter 2 Notes on biodiversity.
These rules and acts provide the framework for
conservation efforts.
Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
This act was a landmark step in India's
conservation history. It provides legal protection
to endangered species of flora and fauna. The act
establishes protected areas like national parks
and wildlife sanctuaries. It also regulates hunting
and trade of wildlife products, enforcing penalties
for violations.
Joint Forest Management (JFM)
Joint Forest Management is a strategy that
involves local communities in the protection and
management of forests. It acknowledges the
traditional rights of communities over forest
resources. Under JFM, communities receive
benefits like fuelwood, fodder, and minor forest
produce in return for their active participation in
conservation. This approach helps in the
sustainable use and restoration of degraded
forests.
Forest and Wildlife Resources Important
Points for CBSE 10th Exam
Forest and Wildlife Resources is a scoring chapter
in Class 10 Geography, frequently asked in the
CBSE 10th Social Science board exam. Clear
understanding of definitions, categories, causes
of depletion, and conservation measures helps in
answering both short and long questions.
Importance of Forests and
Wildlife: Support biodiversity, ecological
balance, and human livelihoods.
Flora and Fauna Classification:
Normal species (e.g., sal, pine, cattle)
Endangered species (e.g., black buck, Indian
rhino)
Vulnerable species (e.g., Gangetic dolphin
Rare species (e.g., Himalayan brown bear)
Endemic species (e.g., Andaman teal)
Extinct species (e.g., Asiatic cheetah)
Causes of Depletion: Overuse of resources,
agricultural expansion, development projects,
commercial forestry, and unequal access.
Conservation Efforts in India: Wildlife
Protection Act 1972, species-specific projects,
plant and insect protection.
Types of Forests: Reserved, Protected,
Unclassed, Permanent; state-wise
management.
Community Initiatives: Chipko Movement,
Beej Bachao Andolan, JFM, village-led
sanctuaries (e.g., Sariska, Bhairodev Dakav).
Key Mechanisms: Legal protections,
regulation of hunting/trade, and sustainable
forest management under Joint Forest
Management (JFM).