Chapter 2 :- Forest and wildlife resources

1. Introduction

India is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna due to its vast geographical area, varied climate, and unique ecosystems. These forests and wildlife are vital for maintaining ecological balance, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to the cultural richness of the country. However, over the years, human activities like deforestation, pollution, and industrialization have led to significant depletion of these resources. To address these issues, both governmental and community-based conservation efforts have been initiated to preserve and sustain biodiversity, ensuring long-term environmental security.

KEY TERMS

·        Wildlife:

Wildlife refers to all the undomesticated animals, plants, and other organisms living in their natural habitats. It includes not only animals but also insects, birds, aquatic species, and plants that are not cultivated or tamed by humans. Wildlife plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by participating in food chains and ecosystems.

Example:

• Tigers, deer, and elephants in Indian forests.
• Coral reefs, which are home to a variety of fish, mollusks, and marine plants.

·        Flora:

Flora refers to all the plant life in a particular region or ecosystem. It encompasses trees, shrubs, grasses, algae, fungi, and other plant species. Flora varies significantly depending on the geography, climate, and ecosystem of a region. The term can also be used to refer to a classification of plants found in a specific area, such as forest flora, desert flora, or aquatic flora.

Example:

• The flora of the Amazon Rainforest includes species like orchids, ferns, and the giant kapok tree.
• The desert flora includes drought-resistant plants like cacti, succulents, and sagebrush.

·        Fauna:

Fauna refers to the animal life in a particular region or ecosystem. It includes mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic creatures. Like flora, fauna can vary greatly depending on the region’s climate, geography, and habitat types.

Example:

• The fauna of the African Savanna includes elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and various birds and insects.
• The marine fauna of coral reefs includes species like clownfish, sea turtles, and starfish.

In summary, flora pertains to plants, and fauna pertains to animals, both of which are integral to ecosystems and biodiversity.

·        Ecosystem:

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with each other and their non-living environment (air, water, soil). Ecosystems can vary in size and can be as large as a forest or as small as a pond. They maintain balance through energy flow and nutrient cycles.

Example:

• A forest ecosystem: Comprises trees, shrubs, insects, birds, mammals, and decomposers, all interacting with each other and with the soil, water, and atmosphere.
• A pond ecosystem: Includes aquatic plants, fish, frogs, algae, bacteria, water, and sunlight.

·        Biodiversity:

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all its forms—genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. It includes the range of species, their genetic variations, and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability, resilience, and adaptability to changes.

Example:

• The Amazon Rainforest is known for its vast biodiversity, with millions of plant species, insects, birds, mammals, and aquatic organisms.
• Coral reefs are another example of high biodiversity, housing thousands of species of fish, coral, and invertebrates.

Biodiversity can be found at three levels:

• Genetic diversity: Differences within the same species (e.g., different breeds of dogs).
• Species diversity: Different species in an area (e.g., tigers, lions, and leopards in a forest).
• Ecosystem diversity: Different ecosystems in a region (e.g., deserts, forests, and wetlands).

Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services like pollination, decomposition, water purification, and climate regulation.

2. Classification of Flora and Fauna as per IUCN

3. Causes of Depletion of Flora and Fauna

The depletion of flora and fauna in India can be attributed to several human-induced and natural factors:

• Deforestation: Large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and industrial activities reduces wildlife habitats and destroys plant species.
• Overexploitation: Excessive hunting, poaching, and over-harvesting of forest products for trade or subsistence have led to the depletion of several species.
• Agriculture Expansion: Shifting cultivation, illegal farming, and the growth of monoculture crops contribute to habitat destruction.
• Industrialization: Rapid industrial development and mining activities lead to land degradation, habitat loss, and pollution, threatening local biodiversity.
• Urbanization: The expansion of cities leads to encroachment on forest lands and wildlife habitats.
• Pollution: Industrial effluents, pesticides, and chemical pollutants degrade ecosystems and poison both flora and fauna.
• Climate Change: Changes in weather patterns affect ecosystems, causing species migration or extinction.
• Forest Fires: Both natural and man-made fires destroy vast forest areas, leading to the loss of biodiversity.

4. Conservation Requirements and Government Initiatives

Conservation Requirements:

• Habitat Protection: Ensuring the protection of natural habitats is crucial for the survival of both plants and animals.
• Species-Specific Programs: Focused efforts to conserve endangered species and their habitats.
• Community Involvement: Participation of local communities in conservation efforts ensures sustainable management.

Government Initiatives:

1. Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Enacted to protect species from poaching, hunting, and exploitation. It establishes protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries also classified wildlife into six schedule which signifies their importance.
2. Project Tiger (1973): Aimed at the conservation of tigers and their habitats.
3. Project Elephant (1992): Focuses on the protection of elephants and their migration routes.
4. Biosphere Reserves: Created to conserve ecosystems and promote sustainable development.
5. National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016): Sets the strategy for wildlife conservation, emphasizing habitat restoration and species recovery.
6. CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority): Regulates afforestation programs and ensures the conservation of forests affected by deforestation.

5. Types of Forest and Their Distribution

In India, the management of forest and wildlife resources is primarily handled by the government, particularly through the Forest Department. These forests are categorized as follows:

1. Reserved Forests: Over half of India’s forest land falls under this category. These are considered the most crucial for conserving forest and wildlife resources.
2. Protected Forests: Approximately one-third of the forest area is classified as protected. These areas are safeguarded from further depletion.
3. Unclassed Forests: These include forests and wastelands managed by the government, private individuals, or communities.

Reserved and protected forests are collectively known as permanent forest estates, which are maintained for timber production and conservation purposes. Madhya Pradesh leads with the largest area under permanent forests (75% of its total forest land). States like Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala have a significant percentage of reserved forests, while Bihar, Odisha, and Rajasthan have more protected forests. In the northeastern states and parts of Gujarat, unclassed forests are largely managed by local communities.

Forest are also classified into following categories on the basis of their climatic requirements.

• Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in areas with heavy rainfall, such as the Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Northeast India. Rich in biodiversity with dense canopy cover.
• Tropical Deciduous Forests: Spread across central India, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Trees shed their leaves in dry season, and they are used for timber production.
• Thorn Forests: Found in areas with less than 70 cm of rainfall, such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Haryana. Vegetation includes thorny bushes and shrubs.
• Montane Forests: Located in mountainous regions like the Himalayas. They include temperate forests and alpine vegetation.
• Mangrove Forests: Found in coastal areas, especially in the Sundarbans in West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are crucial for protecting coastal regions from erosion.

6. Joint Community Programmes

• Joint Forest Management (JFM): Launched in 1988, JFM encourages the participation of local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forest areas. Communities share responsibilities and benefits, promoting sustainable development.
• Eco-development Projects: Initiatives that aim to reduce human pressure on protected areas by providing alternative livelihood options to local communities.
• Chipko Movement: A famous example of community involvement in forest conservation, where villagers in Uttarakhand embraced trees to prevent their felling this famous movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in several areas but has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful.
• 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 chemicals are possible and economically viable.

7. Other Important Facts and Tables

| Forest Cover in India (as per Forest Survey of India) |

• Sacred Groves: Areas of forest that are preserved in their natural state due to cultural and religious beliefs, helping in the conservation of biodiversity.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks: India has more than 560 wildlife sanctuaries and over 100 national parks that provide critical habitats for various endangered species.

Sacred Groves: Preserving Nature’s Diversity Through Tradition

Nature worship is an ancient tribal practice based on the belief that all natural creations must be protected. This reverence has led to the preservation of numerous untouched forests, known as Sacred Groves, which are regarded as forests of gods and goddesses. These forest patches have remained undisturbed by local communities, where interference is strictly prohibited.

Following table show the scared groves and community which protect it.

Nature conservation is deeply embedded in Indian traditions, with sacred status often attributed to springs, mountains, plants, and animals. In temples, macaques and langurs are fed and treated as part of the community, while in Bishnoi villages of Rajasthan, animals like blackbuck and peacocks live freely under community protection.