NCERT Summary: Forest & Wildlife Resources

Our country is home to millions of living beings, from micro-organisms and bacteria to lichens, herbs, trees, mammals and marine life. Forests and wildlife form an important part of this biological wealth. Conserving them is essential for ecological balance, livelihood security and long-term survival of human societies.

Flora and Fauna in India

• Biological diversity: India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biological diversity, hosting nearly 8 per cent of the global species count (about 1.6 million recorded species).
• Threat status: At least 10 per cent of recorded wild plants and about 20 per cent of mammals are considered threatened. Several species are close to extinction; examples include the cheetah and the pink-headed duck (historically considered critical).
• Endemic species: Many species occur only in particular regions of India (endemic). These species are especially vulnerable to habitat loss because they have limited geographic ranges.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Wildlife Conservation

Why conserve?

• Ecological services: Forests and wildlife maintain systems that supply fresh water, clean air, fertile soil and pollination services.
• Economic and social value: Many communities depend directly on forests for fuel, fodder, food, medicinal plants and livelihoods.
• Scientific and cultural value: Biodiversity is a storehouse of genes, medicines and knowledge; many species are part of cultural traditions.

Legal and institutional framework

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Enacted to protect wildlife species and their habitats; it created lists of protected species and provisions against hunting and illegal trade.
• Following the Act, notifications in later years widened the list of protected taxa; several insects (butterflies, moths, beetles and a dragonfly) were added in the 1980s, and plants were included for the first time in 1991.
• Forest management: Central and state governments, through forest departments and related agencies, manage most forest lands and implement protection measures, policies and programmes.

Major conservation programmes and projects

• Project Tiger (1973): Launched to conserve the tiger and its habitat. It was initiated after the realisation that tiger numbers had declined drastically-from estimates of roughly 55,000 at the beginning of the 20th century to about 1,827 at a later point-requiring urgent action.
• Other focused projects were started to protect highly endangered species, such as the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag (hangul), three kinds of crocodiles (freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the gharial), and the Asiatic lion.
• Protected areas network: The central and state governments notified national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and later biosphere reserves to conserve representative ecosystems and species.

Threats to forests and wildlife

• Habitat loss and fragmentation: Conversion of forests for agriculture, infrastructure, mining and urban growth reduces available habitat and isolates populations.
• Poaching and illegal trade: Illegal killing and trafficking of wildlife for skins, trophies, body parts and medicines.
• Over-exploitation: Unsustainable extraction of timber, fuelwood and non-timber forest products.
• Invasive species, pollution and climate change: These alter ecosystem function and threaten native species.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

• Most forest and wildlife resources in India are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other public agencies.
• Forests in India are classified into the following categories:
• Reserved Forests: These are regarded as the most strictly protected forests. Legal restrictions on human activities are the strongest in reserved forests. Reserved forests constitute about half of the total recorded forest area.
• Protected Forests: These forests are protected from major depletion but are not as strictly regulated as reserved forests; they account for roughly one-third of the recorded forest area.
• Unclassed Forests: These include remaining forest areas and wastelands that may belong to government, local bodies or private individuals and communities; management and protection vary widely.

Distribution patterns

• Forest types and wildlife vary with climate, topography and soil. Tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests occur in the Western Ghats and Northeast; dry deciduous forests are common in central India; thorn forests occur in drier regions; alpine vegetation is found at high altitudes in the Himalayas.
• Wildlife distribution follows habitat availability; for example, tigers and elephants are concentrated in tall forest tracts and large protected areas, while many endemic plant species are restricted to specific mountain ranges or islands.

Community and Conservation

Community Conservation

• Forests are home to many traditional and tribal communities whose livelihoods are linked to forest goods and services.
• Local communities often act as custodians of biodiversity. Their knowledge of ecological relations and sustainable practices is important for conservation.
• Communities and citizens have taken successful conservation actions: in the Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) villagers used provisions of wildlife law to resist destructive mining; the Chipko movement in the Himalayas successfully opposed deforestation and promoted community afforestation with native species.
• Farmers' and citizens' movements such as the Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya have demonstrated that diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals can be ecologically sustainable and economically viable.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM): Initiated in 1988 (reported example from Odisha), JFM programmes involve local communities in the protection, regeneration and management of degraded forestlands by sharing responsibilities and benefits with forest departments.

Protected Areas: Types and Purpose

• National Parks: Areas notified for the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity. Activities such as grazing, forestry operations and resource extraction are generally prohibited.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Areas established for the protection of particular species or habitats; some regulated human activities may be permitted subject to management plans.
• Biosphere Reserves: Larger areas combining core protected zones with buffer and transition zones to promote conservation alongside sustainable development and scientific research.
• Conservation purpose: Protected areas aim to conserve representative ecosystems, protect endangered species, maintain ecological processes and provide space for scientific study and ecotourism under management controls.