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forest and wildlife



Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India



Conservation of forest and wildlife means measures taken to preserve and protect forests and wildlife. 
As we know forests and wildlife are very essential for the existence of mankind and the depletion of 
forests and extinction of wildlife is a cause for concern.


  • Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and natural resources like water, air and soil.
     
  • It preserves the genetic diversity of plants
     
  • Conservation of forest and wildlife help in the growth of animal species and in their breeding.


In the year, 1972, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented. It made protecting specific habitats as law. 
A list of wildlife species that had to be protected was published and hunting these animals was against the law.
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were set up in many states to protect endangered species.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

The Kashmir stag, three types of crocodiles, the Asiatic lion, the Indian elephant, black buck,
 the great Indian bustard and the snow leopard are protected under several projects initiated
 by the Central Government of India. These animals are protected against hunting and trading.

Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several insects have also been included in the list of 
protected species. Butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies and even certain plants are included
 in the protected list.


Project Tiger




Project tiger stamp
The tiger is India’s national animal. It is the key wildlife species in the faunal web. The population of the Indian tigers came down from an estimated number of 55,000 to a mere 1, 827 due to various reasons like poaching for trade, shrinking forests, depletion of prey species and growing human population. Tigers were hunted for their skin and bones. The bones were used to make traditional medicines.


Realizing the gravity of the situation the "Project Tiger" campaign was initiated in the year, 1973 by the government of India. It is one of the most well publicized wildlife campaigns in the world.


  • There are 27 tiger reserves in India covering an area of 37,761 sq km
  • Due to ‘Project Tiger’ the tiger population went up to 4,002 in 1985 and 4,334 in 1989
  • In 1993, the tiger population again dropped to 3,600
  • Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal, Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala are some of the tiger reserves of India.
Project Tiger Reserves


The Himalayan Yew in trouble



Himalayan Yew
The Himalayan Yew is a medicinal plant that is found in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. 
From the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree, a chemical compound called ‘taxol’ is extracted. 
This chemical is used to make drugs that are used to cure certain types of cancers, but the species is 
becoming extinct due to over-exploitation.

Are colonial forest policies to be blamed?


"Enrichment plantation" was carried out during the colonial period in India. When a particular species of trees which are commercial profitable are planted after the removal of other species in the area is called "enrichment plantation".


Examples of "enrichment plantation" are


  • Teak trees planted in South India after cutting down natural forests
  • Chirr Pine plantations which have replaced the Himalayan oak in the Himalayas
Teak Plantation
Chirr Pine plantations


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Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources In India, forest and wildlife resources are owned and looked after by the government of India through its Forest Department. Forests are classified under three categories by the Forest Department Reserved forests The most valuable forests are classified as Reserved forests. These forests are protected under the conservation acts. More than half of the total forest land in India comes under Reserved Forests. Protected Forests Forests that are protected from further destruction are called Protected Forests. One-third of the total forest areas in India are classified as Protected forests. Unclassed forests Forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities are classified as Unclassed Forests. Forest density map Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under  permanent forests . Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and M