OneTime: Test: Forest & Wildlife Resources- 3 - UPSC MCQ

Forest play a key role in the ecological system as they support a large number of flora and fauna and provide natural habitat to the animals. Forests provide us many useful things for life. Forests have an important ecological function in fixing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The tree roots enhance the soil porosity, reduce compaction, and improve infiltration.

An ecosystem is a complex system composed of organisms living in a given habitat. Plants and animals are the biotic components of the ecosystem, while the subsoil, water, air, light, temperature, the climate, rains are part of the abiotic components. In an ecosystem, the biotic components that inhabit it and the abiotic ones establish a set of relationships with each other that characterise the ecosystem itself and bring it to a temporarily “balanced” state.

The importance of biodiversity to human health Health is our most basic human right. For most people, it does not just mean freedom from illness, but a state of overall social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cultural welfare. Being well, and having the capacity to look after our health and that of our family or community, depends upon a range of factors, including our economic status and ultimately on our environment. Health is therefore one of the most important indicators of sustainable development.

India is just 2 percent of the world land mass but 8 percent of the world’s biodiversity is found in the country.

16 types of forests are found in India including the evergreen tropical rain forests, dry alpine scrub forests, semi evergreen rain forests, deciduous monsoon forests, thorn forests, subtropical pine forests and more.  

India has some of the wettest, driest, hottest and coldest regions in the world.

Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in India so far. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India.

Some estimates suggest that at least 10 per cent of India’s recorded wild flora and 20 per cent of its mammals are on the threatened list. Many of these would now be categorised as ‘critical’, that is on the verge of extinction like the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and hubbardia heptaneuron,(a species of grass).

Many of these would now be categorised as ‘critical’, that is on the verge of extinction like the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and hubbardia heptaneuron,(a species of grass). 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, and education. 

Endangered Species: These are species which are in danger of extinction. The survival of such species is difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to operate. The examples of such species are black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc.

Vulnerable Species: This includes species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future. For examples, blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.

The Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an endangered species. True wild populations still live in Bhutan, India, Nepal and Thailand, while their domesticated counterparts are very widespread.

A century ago, 100,000 cheetahs roamed most of Africa, India and other parts of Asia. Today, fewer than 7,100 remain, and they occupy a mere 9 per cent of their historic range in small pockets of Africa. The Asiatic cheetah became extinct in India in 1952. A handful still exist in Iran, but their numbers are declining so quickly, the Asiatic cheetah might soon be extinct there as well.

They obtain different products directly and indirectly from the forests and wildlife such as wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure, etc. which depleted our forests and wildlife.

Shifting cultivation has been the main source of livelihood for most tribes of North-eastern hills as well as Tripura hills and a sizeable portion of population in the hills of Tripura still depending on jhum cultivation. It is not only the source of livelihood but also has high cultural importance among the people of Tripura. In the comparison of shifting cultivation in north-east India, the tribes of Tripura is having very low ratio among the north-eastern states.

Taxus wallichiana Zucc., known as Himalayan yew, belongs to the family Taxaceae. It is a medium-sized, temperate, Himalayan forest tree of medicinal importance. In India, this evergreen tree is found at altitudes between 1800 and 3300 m above mean sea level (MSL). It has been used by the native populations for treating common cold, cough, fever, and pain. Its uses are described in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. 

Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Since 1951, over 5,000 sq km of forest was cleared for river valley projects. Clearing of forests is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh, which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forest. Mining is another important factor behind deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining. It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species and blocked the migration route of several others, including the great Indian elephant.

The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was introduced in India by the Parliament for the protection of plants and animal species. It was this day in 1972 when the government first enacted this rule for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. The main motive behind introducing this act was to stop illegal poaching & animal hunting, to restrict people from disturbing or damaging the natural habitat of wild birds or reptiles, and to discourage trading of animals or its product, such as its skin, horn, feather, nail, tooth, musk, eggs, and nests.

Project India was launched in 1973. It envisaged the setting up of tiger reserves to help in maintaining the population of tigers. As per estimates, the number of tigers was about 40,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the first tiger census in 1972 showed the number to be 1827 throughout the country.

The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of its components. There is now a more intensive search for different conservation measures. Increasingly, even insects are beginning to find a place in conservation planning. In the notification under Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species. In 1991, for the first time plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.