CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 2- Forest and Wildlife Resources

In a complex web of the ecosystem, we humans live along with living organisms. Chapter 2 of Class 10 Geography is about the flora and fauna in India. The chapter which follows, discusses the importance of forests in the ecosystem and how we can conserve forests as well as wildlife in India. The chapter comes to an end with an explanation of various steps that can be taken by the people for the conservation of forests and wildlife resources in India. There is a compilation of various topics in the form of CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 2- Forest and Wildlife Resources. Going through the notes in CBSE Class 10 Social Science Notes will give a better and easier understanding.

Forest and Wildlife Resources

CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 2- Forest and Wildlife Resources

Flora and Fauna in India

India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of biological diversity. The world contains a vast variety of species and nearly 8 percent of the total number of species in the world can be found in India. Nonetheless, it has been found that at least 10 percent of India’s recorded wild flora and 20 percent of its mammals are on the threatened list.

On the basis of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) list, the wide varieties of species can be classified as follows: 

1. Normal Species: When the population of the species is considered to be normal for their survival then such kind of species fall into the category of normal species. Examples are cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
2. Endangered Species: When the population of the species is so less that they are considered in danger of extinction, and negative factors continue to decline their population, then they fall into the category of endangered species. Examples are black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, etc.
3. Vulnerable Species: When the population of the species has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future after the continuation of negative factors, then the species fall into the category of vulnerable species. Examples are blue sheep, Asiatic elephants, Gangetic dolphins, etc.
4. Rare Species: When the negative factors continue operating for the species with a small population and there are chances of their moving into the endangered or vulnerable category, then such kind of species fall into the category of rare species. Examples are the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, and hornbill, etc.
5. Endemic Species: When the species are found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers then they are called endemic species. Examples:  Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, Mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.
6. Extinct Species: Species that are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur. Examples: Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck, etc.

What are the negative factors that cause such fearful depletion of the flora and fauna?

1. Colonial Period:  Colonial policies promoted the greatest level of deforestation. For example, their policy of expansion of the railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining activities caused the greatest damage.
2. Agricultural Expansion:  Agriculture continued to be one of the major causes of the depletion of forests. Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, around 26,200 sq. km. of forest cover had been converted to agricultural land all over India. 
3. Agricultural Practices: Agricultural practices such as shifting cultivation in substantial parts of the tribal belts, especially in northeastern and central India, have been deforested or degraded.
4. Developmental Projects and Mining Activities: Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. The reports of 1951 show, over 5,000 sq km of the forest came to be cleared for projects in the river valley. Another factor for deforestation was mining.
5. Grazing and Fuel Wood Collection: Grazing and fuel-wood collection are the greatest degrading factors behind the depletion of forest resources.
6. Others: Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning, and forest fires are also many such factors, which have led to the decline in India’s biodiversity.

Read More: Flora and Fauna

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Conservation is a process that seeks the sustainable use of nature by humans and preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems – water, air, and soil. It helps in preserving the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. Some steps taken by the government in this direction are:

1. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972 for protecting the habitats of wildlife.
2. Several projects were started by the central government for protecting specific animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles – freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others.
3. For the first time in 1991, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.

Read More: Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

These are classified under the following categories.

1. Reserved Forests:  Reserved forests are the forests regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources are concerned and accorded a certain degree of protection.
2. Protected Forests: Almost one-third of the total forest area in India is protected forest, as declared by the Forest Department. 
3. Unclassed Forests: The forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities fall under the category of unclassed forests.

Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons.

Read More: Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Community and Conservation

Conservation of the forests as well as wildlife resources is sought to be very significant and certain steps have been taken by common people for the same:

• Sariska Tiger Reserve which was situated in Rajasthan, villagers came to fight against the mining with the citation of the Wildlife Protection Act.
• The habitats of about five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan had declared around 1,200 hectares of forest lands as Bhairodev Dakav “Sonchuri”. The villages had come up with their own sets of rules as well as regulations to not allow hunting. Protection of wildlife against outside encroachment also came to be sought.
• One of the most famous, the Chipko Movement in the Himalayas, had been a successful attempt to resistance against forest deforestation in many areas, and the movement also resulted in community afforestation.
• Farmers as well as citizen groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehru and Navdanya came to show adequate levels of diversification in terms of crop production without any use of synthetic chemicals as they are economically more viable.
• India’s Joint Forest Management (JFM) program furnished an example of the involvement of local communities in the management as well as restoration of degraded forests.

Read More: Community and Conservation

Important Topics Covered in the Chapter

Some of the important topics which are covered in the CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 2- Forest and Wildlife Resources are as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Flora and Fauna in India
3. Causes of Depleting Flora and Fauna
4. Species Classification
5. Forest and Wildlife Resources- Types and Distribution
6. Conservation of Forests and Wildlife in India
7. Community and Conservation

Conclusion

Geeksforgeeks Class 10 Geography Notes Chapter 2- Forest and Wildlife Resources allows students for revision of the chapter properly and also prepare for their Class 10 board examinations. Students can also find the Class 10 Geography Notes for all other chapters in Geeksforgeeks Website, which are curated with care and important points by the subject matter experts.

FAQs on CBSE Class 10 Geography Notes Chapter 2: Forest and Wildlife Resources

What do you mean by “Topography”?

Topography refers to the study of the forms as well as features of land surfaces.

What are the disadvantages of deforestation?

The disadvantages of deforestation include the following-

1. Climate imbalance
2. Global Warming
3. Wildlife Extinction
4. Acidic Oceans
5. Soil Erosion

Which are the natural resources available on Earth?

Some important natural resources which are available on earth include oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stones. Other natural resources include sunlight, air, soil and water. Some important natural resources also include animals, birds, fish and plants.