GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Forest Resources in India | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate Change. (UPSC GS1 Mains )

Answer: 

Forests play an important role in the socio-economic development of a country like India. They are rich sources of energy, housing, firewood, timber and fodder and they provide employment to a large section of the rural population. The recorded forest area in India is about 76.5 million ha (23% of total land mass). 

• The status of forest resources of India According to the 16th India State of Forest Report (ISFR) the total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectare which is 24.56 percent of the geographical area of the country. Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. 
• In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (85.41%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%), Manipur (75.46%) and Nagaland (75.31%).The total mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq. km. An increase of 54 sq. Km in mangrove cover has been observed. 
• Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Gujarat (37 sq. km) followed by Maharashtra (16 sq. km) and Odisha (8 sq. km). The report presents a gloomy picture of the forests in North Eastern States. The forest cover of six states, excluding Assam, has decreased by nearly 18 per cent between 2011 and 2019. 
• But there are regions which are under the brunt of deforestation due to development initiatives like the expansion of the Talabira coal mine in Odisha, requires the cutting of over 130,000 trees. 

Impact on Climate Change 

• Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Cutting down forests will cause a decline in photosynthetic activity which results in the atmosphere retaining higher levels of carbon dioxide. Forests also store an enormous amount of organic carbon which is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide when forests are cleared by burning. Clearly, deforestation contributes to global warming and ocean acidification. 
• Water recycling is the movement of rain from the forest to land masses further inland. When rain falls on forests the water is intercepted by the forest canopy. Some of this intercepted water is returned to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration (release of water vapor into the atmosphere through stomata on tree leaves) while the rest is returned to the ocean as river runoff. 
• In a healthy forest about three fourth of the intercepted water is returned to the atmosphere as moisture laden air masses which move inland, cool and are converted to rain. Land cleared by deforestation returns only about one fourth of the rain water to the atmosphere. This air mass has less moisture and delivers less rain further inland. Deforestation inhibits water recycling and converts inland forest to dry land and potential waste land. 
• Severe flooding is a result of deforestation because removal of the forest leaves little vegetative cover to hold heavy rains. The inability of land void of forest to hold heavy rain water will alsotrigger mudslides. Severe flooding and mudslides are extremely costly because they devastate homes and communities. 
• However, new research from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, shows that a majority of Indian forests are exceptionally resilient to large variations in rainfall and short droughts caused by climate change. The research, which used canopy cover and rainfall changes as criteria to deduce resilience, revealed that forests in wetter regions and scrubs in drier regions would be more resilient to rainfall decline.

Conclusion 
No amount of innovation or technology can replace the life-giving functions that forests provide for people and the planet. It is now established that effectively protecting and restoring forests has the potential to deal with 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, thereby significantly mitigating the effects of climate change. Hence, forests and so their conservation is of essential importance.

Q2: Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India.(UPSC GS1 Mains )

Answer:
India's natural vegetation showcases impressive diversity due to various geographical, climatic, and ecological factors.

Factors Influencing Diversity of Natural Vegetation in India:

1. Geographic Variation: India's extensive and diverse geography, spanning from the Himalayas in the north to the southern coast, creates varied ecosystems and vegetation due to a wide range of climatic conditions.

2. Climatic Variation: The diverse climates across India, ranging from tropical in the south to temperate in the north, directly influence regional vegetation patterns.

3. Monsoon Winds: Monsoon winds bring significant rainfall, leading to the growth of tropical rainforests in certain areas and supporting xerophytic vegetation in arid regions.

4. Altitude: Varied altitudes, from the Himalayas to lower regions, contribute to diverse vegetation, with alpine flora at higher altitudes and temperate forests at lower ones.

5. Soil Types: Diverse soil types, including alluvial, red, laterite, and desert soils, impact plant species and distribution, influencing varied vegetation.

Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in Rainforest Regions of India:

1. Biodiversity Conservation: Wildlife sanctuaries provide protected habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species, including those that may be endangered or endemic.

2. Research and Education: These sanctuaries serve as living laboratories for researchers and conservationists to study and understand complex ecosystems.

3. Tourism and Economic Benefits: Well-managed wildlife sanctuaries can attract ecotourism, bringing economic benefits to local communities.

4. Carbon Sequestration: Rainforests play a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

5. Ecological Balance: Rainforests contribute to ecological balance by providing essential ecosystem services such as water purification, soil fertility, and pollination.

India's diverse natural vegetation is influenced by geography, climate, altitude, soil, and biodiversity, while rainforest wildlife sanctuaries play a vital role in conservation, research, tourism, carbon sequestration, and ecological health.

Q3: Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’. (UPSC GS1 Mains )

Answer: 

Deccan Trap Overview: The Deccan Trap, located in west-central India, is a vast area of dense basaltic rock formed from one of Earth's most massive volcanic eruptions.

Spanning regions in Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat, and extending into parts of Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan, the Deccan Trap is a significant geological feature.

Natural Resources in the Deccan Trap:

• Soil & Rocks:
  

  • Black Soil: Also termed as "Regur" or "Black Cotton Soil", it's rich in minerals like iron, lime, and magnesium but lacks nitrogen and organic matter. This soil type supports the cultivation of crops like cotton, pulses, and sugarcane.

  • Rocks: The Deccan basalts have been utilized for creating ancient cave temples, including the iconic Elephanta Caves near Mumbai.

• Non-Ferrous Minerals: India's bauxite reserves, found in various states, ensure self-sufficiency in this mineral.

• Ferrous Minerals: India boasts vast iron ore reserves, with significant production in Maharashtra and Goa.

• Natural Gas: While natural gas is commonly found with oil, exclusive reserves exist in regions like Tripura, Rajasthan, and parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Deccan region has also shown potential reserves.

• Geothermal Energy: The volcanic regions of the Deccan Trap, particularly the Western Ghats, feature numerous hot springs indicative of geothermal activity.

• Nuclear Energy: India's nuclear energy initiatives rely on minerals like uranium and thorium. Key nuclear projects include those in Tarapur (Maharashtra) and Rawatbhata (Rajasthan).