We humans along with all
living organism form a complex web of ecological system in which we are only a
part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example,
the plants, animals and microorganism recreate the quality of the air we
breathe.
Flora And Fauna in India:
1. India is one of the
world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity
and has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world.
2. This is possibly
twice or twice or thrice the number yet to be discovered.
3. These diverse flora
and fauna are so well integrated into our daily life that we take these for
granted.
4. They are under great
stress mainly due to insensitivity to our environment.
5. That at least 10 per
cent of India’s recorded wild flora and 20 per cent of its mammals are on the
threatened list.
Categorisation of Species
Normal Species: Species whose population levels are considered to be normal
for their survival, such as cattle, Sal, pine, rodents, etc.,
Endangered Species: These are species which are in danger of extinction the
survival of such species is difficult if the negative factor that has led to a
decline in their population continue to operate.
Vulnerable Species: These are species whose population has declined to levels
from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future
if the negative factors continue to operate.
Rare Species: Species
with a small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if
the negative factors affecting them continue to operate.
Endemic Species: These are species which are only found in some particular
areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers.
Extinct Species: These are species which are not found after searches of
known or likely areas where they may occur.
Conservation: Protection
of the natural environment to prevent it from further deterioration.
IUCN: The International
Union for Conservation of nature and natural resources is the worlds oldest and
largest global environmental organisation, founded in1948. it is also called
the world conservation union.
What are the negative factors that cause such fearful depletion of
the flora and fauna:
1. We have transformed
nature into a resource obtaining directly and indirectly from the forest and
wildlife.
2. It is we ourselves
who have depleted our forest and wildlife.
3. The major causes of
depletion of forest resources between 1951 and 1980 accordingly to the forest
survey of India over 26,200sqq.km
4. The Large scale
development project has also contributed significantly to the loss of forest.
5. 1951, over 5,000 sq
km forest was cleared for river valley project.
6. Narmada Sagar project
in Madhya Pradesh which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forest.
7. These protected areas
thus mean different things to different people and therein lies the fertile
ground for conflicts.
8. Habitat destruction,
hunting, poaching over – exploitation, environmental pollution poisoning and
forest fires are factors.
9. Over population in
third world countries is often cited as the cause of environmental degradation.
10. American consumes 40
times more resources than an average Somalian.
11. The richest five per
cent of India society probably cause more ecological damage because of the
amount they consume than the poorest 25 per cent.
12. The biological loss
is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity.
13. Women bear the major
responsibility for collection of fuel, fodder, water and other basic
subsistence needs.
14. Poverty, in this
case, is a direct outcome of environmental destruction.
15. This is imperative
to adapt to sound forest and wildlife conservation strategies.
Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India:
1. Conservation in the
background of a rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become
essential.
2. In the 1960s and
1070s conservation demanded a national wildlife protection programme.
3. The Indian Wildlife Act
was implemented in 1972 with various provision for protecting habitats.
4. The central
government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals
which were gravely threatened, including the tiger.
5. We have been given
full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade throughout India.
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act:
1. An act for the
conservation of biodiversity of India.
2. Passed in 1972.
3. Contains a list of
protected species in the country.
4. The ban on hunting
was imposed.
5. Legal protection was
provided to the habitats of endangered species.
6. Restriction on trade
in wildlife.
7. Established national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country.
8. Projects such as
Project Tiger, Project Elephant etc. that were specific to a particular species
were formulated
9. Project Tiger,
Initiated in 1973.
10. Tiger population has
dwindled to about 1800 from 55000 in the early 20th century.
Project Tiger:
1. It was launched by
the government of India in 1973.
2. To save the
endangered species of tiger in the country.
3. The major threats to
tiger population are poaching for the trade of tiger skins and bones which are
traditionally used in medicines in Asian Countries.
4. Others threats are a)
shrinking habitat b) depletion of prey base species and growing human
population.
5. India and Nepal
Became the prime targets for poaching and illegal trading because they provide
natural habitat for two-thirds of the surviving tiger populations.
Major tiger reserve of India are:
1. Corbett national park
- Uttarakhand
2. Bandhavgarh National
Park - Madhya Pradesh
3. Sunderbans National
Parks - West Bengal
4. Sariska wildlife
sanctuary - Rajasthan
5. Manas tiger reserve -
Assam
6. Periyar tiger reserve
- Kerala
7. Nagarjuna Sagar Srigailam
Andhra Pradesh tiger reserve ( largest in India)
Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources:
Even if we want to
conserve our vast forest and wildlife resources, it is rather difficult to
manage, control and regulate them.
1. Reserved Forest: More than half of the total forest land has declared reserved
forest are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest
and wildlife resources are concerned.
2. Protected forest: Almost one – third of the total forest of the total forest
area is protected forest, as declared by the Forest Department. This land is
protected from any further depletion.
3. Unclassed Forest: These are other forest and waste lands belonging to both
government and private individuals and communities.
Community and Conservation:
1. We often ignore that
in India forests are also home to the traditional communities.
2. In some areas of
India local communities are struggling to conserve these habitats along with
government officials recognizing that only this will secure their own long –
term livelihood.
3. The Alwar district of
Rajasthan has declared 1,200 hectares.
4. The famous Chipko
movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in
several areas.
5. Farmers and citizen's
groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that
adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic.
6. The programme has
been in formal existence since 1988 when the state of Orissa passed the first
resolution for joint forest management.
Chipko Movement
1. Started in the 1970s
in Garhwal in Uttarakhand.
2. Trees were prevented
from being cut by forming a human circle around them.
3. It spread across the
country.
Beej Bachao Andolan
1. Started in the 1980s
in Tehri region of Uttarakhand.
2. Led by the farmer and
social activist Vijay Jardhari.
3. Started in 1988 by
the Government of India.
4. First launched in
Orissa.
5. Involves local
communities for conserving wildlife and restoring degraded forests.
Joint Forest Management:
1. It is launched by
various states government.
2. In this programme,
village communities are entrusted with the protection and management of the
nearby forest.
3. Areas concerned are
usually degraded or even deforested areas.
4. The first state to
start this programme was Odisha in 1988.
5. The communities are
required to organise forest protection committees, development societies etc.
6. Each body has an
executive committee that manages the day to day affairs.
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