CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources 2026–27

Forest and Wildlife Resources explains India’s biodiversity and the need to conserve forests, plants, animals and natural habitats. CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 covers flora and fauna, threatened species, Project Tiger, forest types and community conservation.

Forest and Wildlife Resources explains how humans, plants, animals and microorganisms are connected through the ecological system. Forests play a key role in this system because they are primary producers and support other living beings.

Use these CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 2 for the 2026–27 academic year to revise biodiversity, flora and fauna, IUCN species categories, causes of depletion, conservation measures, Project Tiger, reserved forests, protected forests, unclassed forests, sacred groves and Joint Forest Management.

Key Takeaways

• Biodiversity: Biodiversity means the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms in an area.
• Flora and fauna: Flora means plant life, while fauna means animal life.
• Conservation: Forest and wildlife conservation protects ecological balance, genetic diversity, water, air and soil.
• Community role: Chipko Movement, sacred groves and Joint Forest Management show how people protect forests and wildlife.

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CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 2 on Forest and Wildlife Resources

Forest and wildlife resources are important parts of the natural environment. Forests provide habitats to animals, birds, insects and microorganisms. They also support soil, water and air systems.

Human beings are only one part of the ecological system. Plants, animals and microorganisms help recreate the quality of air, water and soil. Without these natural systems, human survival becomes difficult.

Forests also support livelihoods, medicines, food, fuelwood, timber, fibres, dyes and recreation. This makes biodiversity important both for nature and for human life.

India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of biological diversity. However, many species are under stress because of human activities and environmental degradation.

Important Topics in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes

Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes focus on biodiversity, species decline and conservation.

This chapter is example-based. Species names, conservation projects, forest categories and community movements are important for revision.

Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes: Biodiversity and Ecological Balance

Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the variety of wildlife and cultivated species. These species are diverse in form and function, but they remain connected through a network of interdependence.

Forests are important because they are primary producers. Other living beings depend on them directly or indirectly.

For example, plants produce food, release oxygen and provide shelter. Animals depend on plants and other animals for survival. Microorganisms help decompose dead matter and return nutrients to the soil.

When forests are destroyed, this balance is disturbed. Loss of one species can affect many other species connected to it.

Flora and Fauna in India in Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes

Flora refers to plant life. Fauna refers to animal life.

India has a wide variety of flora and fauna because of its different climates, landforms, forests and habitats. The Himalayas, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, coastal areas and tropical forests all support different species.

Many plants and animals are unique to certain regions. Some are found only in limited areas because of natural or geographical barriers.

However, several species are now threatened. This means their population has declined and they may face extinction if present conditions continue.

Examples of critical or threatened species include the forest spotted owlet, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, Asiatic cheetah and Madhuca insignis.

IUCN Classification of Species in Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, or IUCN, classifies species according to their population status and risk of extinction.

This classification helps identify which species need urgent protection.

Normal Species

Normal species have population levels that are considered normal for survival.

Examples include cattle, sal, pine and rodents.

Endangered Species

Endangered species are in danger of extinction. Their survival becomes difficult if the factors causing decline continue.

Examples include black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque and sangai.

Vulnerable Species

Vulnerable species may become endangered if present conditions continue.

Examples include blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin and Asiatic wild ass.

Rare Species

Rare species have a small population. They may move into endangered or vulnerable categories if the negative conditions affecting them continue.

Examples include the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill.

Endemic Species

Endemic species are found only in a particular geographical area.

Examples include the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig and Mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.

Extinct Species

Extinct species are no longer found in areas where they were once expected to live.

Examples include the Asiatic cheetah and pink-headed duck.

Difference Between Species Categories

These categories show that all species do not face the same level of threat. Some need immediate protection, while others need preventive conservation.

Why Are Forest and Wildlife Resources Depleting in India?

Forest and wildlife resources are declining because of both direct and indirect human activities.

Agricultural expansion has cleared large forest areas. In many tribal belts, especially in north-eastern and central India, forests were cut for shifting cultivation.

River valley projects have also led to forest loss. Large areas of forest land have been cleared for dams, reservoirs and related development works.

Mining is another major cause of deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been threatened by dolomite mining.

Poaching, hunting, forest fires, pollution and over-exploitation of forest products have also reduced biodiversity.

Major Causes of Forest and Wildlife Depletion

These causes affect both forests and wildlife. When habitats shrink, animals lose food, shelter and breeding spaces.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Conservation means protection and careful management of natural resources. Forest and wildlife conservation has become essential because of the rapid decline in wildlife population and forest cover.

Conservation protects ecological diversity. It also preserves life-support systems such as water, air and soil. It protects genetic diversity of plants and animals, which is important for better growth and breeding.

In agriculture, people still depend on traditional crop varieties. Fisheries also depend on aquatic biodiversity. This shows that conservation is connected with food, livelihood and future resource security.

The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972. It provided legal protection to habitats and banned hunting of protected species. An all-India list of protected species was also published.

The central and state governments later established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Several projects were also started for threatened species such as tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag, freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile, gharial and Asiatic lion.

Animals such as the Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard and snow leopard have also received full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade.

Conservation projects now focus on biodiversity, not only a few animals. Insects and plants have also been added to protection lists over time.

Project Tiger in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes

The tiger is one of the key wildlife species in the faunal web. In 1973, it was found that the tiger population had declined sharply.

Major threats to tigers include poaching, trade in skins and bones, shrinking habitat, loss of prey and growing human population.

Project Tiger was launched in 1973. It is one of the most well-known wildlife conservation campaigns in the world.

The aim was not only to save tigers but also to preserve large biotypes. This means tiger conservation also protects forests, prey animals and other species living in the same ecosystem.

Important Tiger Reserves in India

Project Tiger shows that protecting one key species can help conserve a wider habitat.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Forests and wildlife resources in India are mostly owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other government departments.

They are classified into three main categories:

• Reserved forests
• Protected forests
• Unclassed forests

Reserved Forests

Reserved forests are considered the most valuable forests for the conservation of forest and wildlife resources.

More than half of India’s total forest land has been declared reserved forest.

These forests receive the highest level of protection. They are important for wildlife habitats, biodiversity and long-term ecological balance.

Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have large percentages of reserved forests.

Protected Forests

Protected forests are forest lands protected from further depletion. Almost one-third of the total forest area is protected forest, as declared by the Forest Department.

Reserved and protected forests are also called permanent forest estates. They are maintained for producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons.

Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan have a large share of protected forests.

Unclassed Forests

Unclassed forests include other forests and wastelands belonging to the government, private individuals and communities.

These forests do not fall under reserved or protected categories.

All north-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a high percentage of unclassed forests managed by local communities.

Reserved, Protected and Unclassed Forests Difference Table

Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests, forming about 75% of its total forest area.

Community and Conservation in Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

Community participation is an important part of forest and wildlife conservation. Many traditional communities live close to forests and depend on them for livelihood, culture and survival.

In several areas, local communities protect habitats because they understand that conservation protects their own future.

Sariska Tiger Reserve Example

In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining by using the Wildlife Protection Act.

This shows how legal awareness and local action can protect forest habitats.

Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri

In Alwar district of Rajasthan, people from five villages declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri.

They made their own rules to prevent hunting and protect wildlife from outside encroachment.

This is an important example of community-led conservation without complete dependence on government action.

Chipko Movement

The Chipko Movement in the Himalayas resisted deforestation. People protected trees by embracing them and preventing commercial cutting.

The movement also showed that community afforestation using indigenous species can be successful.

Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya

Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya promoted traditional seeds and ecological farming.

These movements showed that diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals can be possible and economically viable.

Sacred Groves

Sacred groves are forest patches protected by local communities because of religious and cultural beliefs.

Nature worship has preserved many virgin forests in their natural form. These forests are often called the forests of gods and goddesses.

Certain communities worship specific trees. The Mundas and Santhal of Chota Nagpur worship mahua and kadamba trees. Tribes of Odisha and Bihar worship tamarind and mango trees during weddings. Peepal and banyan trees are also considered sacred by many people.

Sacred groves protect rare and endemic species. They also show how cultural practices can support conservation.

Bishnoi Community in Rajasthan

In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai and peacocks are protected as part of community belief.

These animals are treated as part of the community and are not harmed.

Joint Forest Management in Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes

Joint Forest Management, or JFM, is a programme that involves local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests.

The programme has been formally active since 1988, when Odisha passed the first resolution for Joint Forest Management.

JFM depends on local village institutions. These institutions protect degraded forest land managed by the Forest Department.

In return, community members receive benefits such as non-timber forest produce and a share in timber harvested after successful protection.

JFM shows that forest conservation works better when local people are included in decision-making and benefit-sharing.

Important Movements and Examples in CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes

These examples show that conservation is not only a government activity. Communities, farmers and local groups also protect forests and wildlife.

Important Terms in CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 2

Important Points of Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

• Forests and wildlife are interdependent parts of the ecological system.
• Biodiversity includes plants, animals, microorganisms and their habitats.
• Forests are primary producers and support other living beings.
• India has rich flora and fauna, but many species are under stress.
• IUCN classifies species as normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic and extinct.
• Forest and wildlife depletion is caused by agricultural expansion, mining, river valley projects, poaching, hunting, pollution and forest fires.
• The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972.
• Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect tigers and their habitats.
• Forests are classified as reserved, protected and unclassed forests.
• Reserved forests are the most valuable for forest and wildlife conservation.
• Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests.
• Sacred groves preserve rare and diverse species through community beliefs.
• Joint Forest Management formally began in Odisha in 1988.
• Conservation is most effective when local communities are involved.

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