Class 10 Social Science Notes Chapter 2 (Forest and wildlife resources) – Contempory India Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 2 of your 'Contemporary India' textbook: 'Forest and Wildlife Resources'. This is a crucial chapter, not just for your understanding of geography and environment, but also frequently tested in various government examinations. Pay close attention to the details.

Chapter 2: Forest and Wildlife Resources - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Introduction: Biodiversity and its Importance

• Biodiversity (Biological Diversity): Refers to the immense variety of life forms found on Earth. It encompasses different species of plants (flora) and animals (fauna), microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.
• Importance: Humans are intricately dependent on this complex web of life. We derive resources directly (food, fuel, fodder, medicine, timber) and indirectly benefit from ecological services (clean air, water purification, pollination, climate regulation, soil formation).
• India's Biodiversity: India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of biodiversity. It has a significant proportion of the world's species, many of which are endemic (found only in India).

2. Flora and Fauna in India: Status and Concerns

• Estimated Species: India has nearly 8% of the total number of species in the world (estimated to be 1.6 million). Around 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found here.
• Threat Perception: Many species are under threat. Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), species can be classified as:
  • Normal Species: Population levels are considered normal for their survival (e.g., Sal, Pine, Cattle).
  • Endangered Species: In danger of extinction. Survival is difficult if negative factors continue (e.g., Black Buck, Crocodile, Indian Wild Ass, Indian Rhino, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sangai deer).
  • Vulnerable Species: Likely to become endangered in the near future if negative factors persist (e.g., Blue Sheep, Asiatic Elephant, Gangetic Dolphin).
  • Rare Species: Species with small populations, may move into endangered or vulnerable categories if negative factors affect them (e.g., Himalayan Brown Bear, Wild Asiatic Buffalo, Desert Fox, Hornbill).
  • Endemic Species: Found only in particular geographical areas, usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers (e.g., Andaman Teal, Nicobar Pigeon, Andaman Wild Pig, Mithun in Arunachal Pradesh).
  • Extinct Species: Species not found after searches in known or likely habitats. May be extinct locally, regionally, nationally, or globally (e.g., Asiatic Cheetah, Pink Headed Duck).

3. Factors Causing Depletion of Flora and Fauna (Crucial for Exams)

• Colonial Era Exploitation:
  • Expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining activities led to significant forest loss.
  • Promotion of monoculture plantations (single commercially valuable species) damaged biodiversity.
• Post-Independence Agricultural Expansion: Clearing forests for cultivation continues to be a major cause, especially between 1951 and 1980 (over 26,200 sq. km converted).
• Shifting Cultivation (Jhum/Slash-and-Burn): Practiced mainly in tribal belts, especially in the North-East and Central India, leading to deforestation and land degradation.
• Large-Scale Development Projects: River valley projects (dams), mining operations have submerged/destroyed vast forest areas (e.g., Narmada Sagar Project in MP, Buxa Tiger Reserve threatened by dolomite mining).
• Grazing and Fuelwood Collection: Overgrazing and unsustainable collection degrade forests, though often considered less damaging than other factors at a macro level.
• Hunting and Poaching: Illegal trade in wildlife parts (hides, skins, tusks, horns, etc.) for commercial purposes has decimated populations of many species.
• Environmental Pollution & Poisoning: Industrial effluents, pesticides, acid rain affect habitats and organisms.
• Forest Fires: Both natural and human-induced fires destroy vast tracts of forests and wildlife.
• Unequal Access & Consumption: Differential sharing of responsibility and inequitable consumption patterns (rich consuming disproportionately more) put pressure on resources.

4. Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

• Why Conserve?
  • Preserves ecological diversity and our life support systems (water, air, soil).
  • Preserves genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding (e.g., in agriculture and animal husbandry).
• Conservation Measures:
  • Legislation:
    • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: A landmark act.
      • Provided an all-India list of protected species.
      • Banned hunting of endangered species.
      • Gave legal protection to their habitats.
      • Restricted trade in wildlife.
      • Established National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
      • Included several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly in the protected list (added in later amendments, e.g., 1980, 1986). Plants were added first time in 1991 (six species).
  • Specific Projects: Central government announced projects focusing on specific threatened animals (e.g., Project Tiger - launched 1973). Others include projects for rhinos, crocodiles, Asiatic lions, etc.
  • National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves: Areas designated for conservation. (Note: The textbook primarily focuses on National Parks and Sanctuaries in this context).
    • Key Tiger Reserves mentioned: Corbett (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh (MP), Sariska (Rajasthan), Manas (Assam), Periyar (Kerala).

5. Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources (Administrative Classification)

• Reserved Forests:
  • More than half of the total forest land in India.
  • Considered most valuable for conservation.
  • Rights to activities like grazing and cultivation are generally banned unless specifically permitted.
  • Maximum concentration in Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
• Protected Forests:
  • Almost one-third of the total forest area.
  • Protected from further depletion.
  • Local people may have rights to grazing and fuel wood collection, subject to regulations.
  • Maximum concentration in Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan.
• Unclassed Forests:
  • Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals/communities.
  • Often degraded or inaccessible.
  • Maximum concentration in North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat.

6. Community and Conservation

• Conservation cannot succeed without local community involvement.
• Examples:
  • Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan): Villagers fought against mining using the Wildlife Protection Act.
  • Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri' (Alwar, Rajasthan): 5 villages declared 1,200 hectares of forest as sacred, setting their own rules against hunting and encroachment.
  • Sacred Groves: Tracts of forest set aside by communities, often dedicated to deities. All activities are usually prohibited. Found in various parts of India (e.g., Mundas and Santhals worship Mahua and Kadamba trees; Tribals of Odisha/Bihar worship Tamarind and Mango during weddings). These represent traditional conservation practices.
  • Chipko Movement (Himalayas): Famous community movement resisting deforestation and promoting community afforestation. Showed that local communities must be involved in resource management.
  • Beej Bachao Andolan (Tehri) & Navdanya: Demonstrated that traditional crop varieties can be grown economically viable without synthetic chemicals.
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM): Introduced in the 1980s. Involves local communities (village institutions) in managing and restoring degraded forests. In return, communities get benefits like non-timber forest products and a share in timber harvest. Odisha passed the first resolution for JFM in 1988.

7. Conclusion

• Conservation is essential for sustainable development.
• Requires a multi-pronged approach: strong legislation, protected areas, species-specific projects, and most importantly, active participation of local communities.
• Shift needed from preservation of few species to preserving biodiversity at all levels (habitats, ecosystems, genetic diversity).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Practice:

1. Which category under the IUCN classification includes species whose population levels are considered adequate for their survival?
   a) Endangered
   b) Vulnerable
   c) Rare
   d) Normal

2. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in which year?
   a) 1970
   b) 1971
   c) 1972
   d) 1973

3. Project Tiger, a major wildlife conservation project in India, was launched in:
   a) 1972
   b) 1973
   c) 1980
   d) 1986

4. Which type of forest in India constitutes more than half of the total forest land and is considered most valuable for conservation?
   a) Protected Forests
   b) Reserved Forests
   c) Unclassed Forests
   d) Sacred Groves

5. The Chipko Movement, primarily aimed at forest conservation, originated in which region of India?
   a) North-Eastern States
   b) Western Ghats
   c) Eastern Ghats
   d) Himalayas

6. Which of the following is an example of an endemic species mentioned in the NCERT textbook?
   a) Asiatic Cheetah
   b) Black Buck
   c) Nicobar Pigeon
   d) Gangetic Dolphin

7. According to the administrative classification, forests found predominantly in the North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat fall under which category?
   a) Reserved Forests
   b) Protected Forests
   c) Unclassed Forests
   d) Community Forests

8. The Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri is associated with:
   a) Protecting tigers from poaching
   b) Resisting large dam construction
   c) Promoting biodiversity in agriculture without synthetic chemicals
   d) Preventing mining in forest areas

9. Which state passed the first resolution for Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India?
   a) Madhya Pradesh
   b) West Bengal
   c) Odisha
   d) Rajasthan

10. Which of the following was NOT a major factor contributing to forest depletion during the colonial period in India?
    a) Expansion of railways
    b) Promotion of monoculture plantations
    c) Implementation of the Joint Forest Management program
    d) Expansion of agriculture

Answer Key:

1. (d) Normal
2. (c) 1972
3. (b) 1973
4. (b) Reserved Forests
5. (d) Himalayas
6. (c) Nicobar Pigeon
7. (c) Unclassed Forests
8. (c) Promoting biodiversity in agriculture without synthetic chemicals
9. (c) Odisha
10. (c) Implementation of the Joint Forest Management program (This is a conservation measure, not a cause of depletion during colonial times)

Make sure you revise these points thoroughly. Understanding the causes of depletion and the various conservation efforts, including community participation and legislative measures, is key for your exams. Good luck!