CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes Chapter 2

CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Notes – Forest And Wildlife Resources 

Biodiversity is incredibly varying on Earth, and it operates interdependently. The system works closely as a network in a knit form for sustaining the ecosystem. India has the world’s most extensive known biodiversity, thriving on the land.

Biodiversity has a wide variety of flora and fauna. An ecosystem or an ecological system is the biological community where all the different living organisms interact and are interdependent. Biodiversity is of utmost importance for ecological balance, species coexistence, economic and ecological development, availability of resources, spirits, and recreational pursuits. 

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CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Revision Notes for the Year 2022-23

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Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 Forest And Wildlife Resources

All the species in an ecological system are interdependent for their survival. Forests play a vital role in the ecological system. This is because they are primary producers, on which all other living organisms depend. The human race can access cultural, scientific, and recreational growth through tourism, medicines, and spirituality through biodiversity. It also provides dyes, rubber, wood, and all other products which are helpful to the human race. 

India is known to have one of the richest biodiversity arrays. But unfortunately, due to insensitivity towards the environment, many species are on the threatening list. The species on the verge of extinction are called critical species. However, we must take sustainable measures to save our forest and wildlife resources. 

Flora And Fauna

IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. It is a global authority that surveys the natural world. It also takes the necessary steps to safeguard natural resources. According to the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and the CBSE syllabus,  we can classify the species as follows:

• The Normal Species: they have a population level normal for survival. For example, rodents, pine, and many more. 
• The Endangered Species: Such species are in danger of extinction. They will, however, likely decline if the current circumstances continue to work against them. Some common endangered species include rhinos, lion-tailed macaques, crocodiles, and many more. There are various factors which lead to the decline of the population of these species. The survival rate of species is meagre. 
• The Vulnerable Species: this category of species is vulnerable to falling on the list of endangered species or entering into the vulnerable category shortly if the same conditions prevail for their survival. For example, dolphins, blue sheep, Asiatic elephants, and many more. These species are likely to decline faster if the prevailing conditions are not favourable. 
• The Rare Species: This species category has a small population worldwide. They are also vulnerable to falling on the list of endangered species or entering into the vulnerable category shortly if the same conditions prevail for their survival—for example, hornbills, Asiatic buffalo, and many more. The decline of such a population is due to the unfavourable conditions of the ecosystem for the species. 
• The Endemic Species: This species category is only found in a limited geographical area. Some common examples of Endemic species are Nicobar pigeons, Andaman Teal, Mithun of Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman wild pigs.  Endemic species are isolated from the rest of the world because of natural and geographical barriers. 
• The Extinct Species: Such species are not likely to be found in the areas where they should be. For example, Pink Head duck, Asiatic cheetah, etc. Extinct species have entirely disappeared from their natural habitat. 

Flora And Fauna In India

If you look around, you will find a wide variety of animals and plants. Flora depicts the plant population, while fauna depicts the animal population. India is one of the most diversified countries in terms of its vast arrangements for biological diversity. To summarise your CBSE revision notes, here is what you need to know about flora and fauna diversity. 

1. As such, the healthy integration of flora and fauna into our daily life routines makes us take them for granted. 
2. According to a recent study, around 10% of the flora and 20% of the fauna are on the list of threatened species. This is because, lately, we humans have been creating a lot of pressure and stress on these species. 
3. Many flora and fauna are now on the verge of extinction and are considered critical. Some common examples of these critical species are: forest spotted owlet, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, cheetah, Madhuca insignis and many more. 
4. A variety of organisations on international and national levels are working to keep up with the declining numbers of such critical species. 
5. These organisations also work as conservationists and help in conserving these remarkable species. 
6. Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), National Wildlife Federation, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are a few examples. 

Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife In India 

There are many reasons behind the decline of India’s rich flora and fauna. We should conserve our rich biodiversity because most of our daily routine is interconnected with most of these species. Hence, we must take special care of these organisms’ natural vegetation and habitats. Some significant reasons behind environmental degradation are:

• From 1951 to 1980, around 26,200 sq. km, the land was transformed into agricultural land in India. This report is according to the Forest Survey of India. Many parts of the tribal belts, primarily in northeastern and central India, underwent deforestation. It was done to practise shifting cultivation by the farmers, a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture. 
• Since 1951, around 5,000 sq. km of forests have been cleared for the progression of river valley projects; One of the most prominent examples of such a river valley project is the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh. 
• Consistent mining causes deforestation on a large scale. 
• Also, the ongoing dolomite mining is presently threatening the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. 
• Factors like poaching, over-exploitation, hunting, pollution, forest fires and many more have become significant reasons for the decline of the vast biodiversity prevailing in Indian harbours. 
• Along with this, overpopulation in third-world countries is another significant cause of environmental degradation and forest depletion. 

Conservation is the care and protection of precious natural resources so that they are available for future generations. Conservation helps in preventing excessive exploitation of natural resources by human beings. It also helps promote people’s awareness of the sustainable use of the resources. Along with this, it helps preserve the ecological balance of the environment. Moreover, it helps save plant species and fisheries for breeding in the future. 

• Conservation is essential as it helps in protecting and saving the environment. In turn, this preservation helps protect the ecosystem’s genetic diversity. 
• In 1972, the Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented, which made various provisions to protect habitats. 
• The Central Government has been announcing several projects for the protection of specific animals and plants that are endangered. These species include the one-horned rhino, the Kashmir stag, the freshwater crocodile, and the Gharial. 
• The government also provides partial or complete legal protection to animals like the Black Buck, Indian elephant, snow leopard, and many more, against extinction. 

Project Tiger 

1. In 1957, the tiger population was estimated at around 55,000, further declined by 1827 tigers in the same year. Because of this, the authorities had to take strict action against it. 
2. Tigers are presently facing a significant issue and are on the verge of extinction because of the shrinkage of habitat, consistent growing human population, depletion of prey and poaching. 
3. The trade of tiger skins in traditional medicines has left the tiger population on the verge of extinction.
4. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 as not only an effort to save the tigers but also to preserve the biotypes. 
5. Some famous tiger reserves in India are Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam, and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala. 

Types And Distribution Of Forest And Wildlife Resources

The forest resources can be classified as follows:

• Reserved Forests – An essential part of forest conservation and wildlife. Around half of the total forest land falls under this category of reservation. These forests do not allow humans to hunt, poach, or do any other activity. They are the natural habitats of most wildlife species.
• Protected Forests: The Forest Department has declared one-third of the total forest area a protected forest. It helps in saving the forests from further depletion. Such forests are also known as permanent forests. They help in controlling further degradation. 
• Unclassed Forests: Private individuals, governments, and communities have ownership of these lands. These areas mainly include the forests and wastelands. These forests do not belong to the reserved or protected categories. Such forests are found in parts of the northeastern state of Gujarat, India. 

Community And Conservation 

• The Joint Forest Management programme involves local people and communities restoring the forests. It first originated in Orissa in 1988. 
• The introduction of the Chipko Movement has successfully managed to save the flora. Along with this, it has also brought people under one roof to protect the environment. 
• The Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya has helped people to stop using synthetic chemicals for good crop harvesting without using chemical fertilizers. 
• Blackbuck, Nilgai, and peacocks are an integral part of the Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan. Fortunately, they were not harmed or killed. 
• In the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, the villagers are seen to fight against mining activities by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• The Magus is worshipped by the Mundas and the Santhal of the Chota Nagpur region. On the other hand, tamarind and mangoes are worshipped by the tribes of Odisha and Bihar during wedding rituals. 
• The sacred groves not only have attached religious sentiments but also save wealth for the rare species. These beliefs have protected many virgin forests in their pristine form by the name of Sacred Groves (the forests of gods and goddesses). 

Humans share this planet with many species, including flora and fauna. Unfortunately, due to the enormous wishes of the human race, the forests are undergoing constant depletion and degradation of wildlife. This will eventually affect biodiversity. The forests and the wildlife form a significant part of the ecosystem. However, they are interdependent for their survival too. 

As such, because of human activities, many of such species are coming to an end also. They either belong to the list of endangered species or are entirely extinct. Activities like mining, poaching, hunting, shifting cultivation, and expanding agricultural land are some of the significant reasons behind the depletion of forest and wildlife resources. Hence, we should take the utmost care of it and conserve our rich resources in every possible way.