FOREST AND FOREST AND WILDLIFE WILDLIFE RESOURCESRESOURCES

BIO DIVERSITYBIO DIVERSITY We humans along with We humans along with

all living organisms all living organisms form a web of form a web of ecological system in ecological system in which all are which all are interrelated and interrelated and interdependent. Forest interdependent. Forest play key role in the play key role in the ecological system as ecological system as these are also the these are also the primary producers on primary producers on which all living beings which all living beings depend .depend .

Flora and Fauna in Flora and Fauna in IndiaIndia India has vast array of India has vast array of

biological diversity more biological diversity more than 8%of the total no. of than 8%of the total no. of species in the world (1.6 species in the world (1.6 million)million)

Over 81,000 species of Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in India. of flora are found in India. More than 15,000 More than 15,000 flowering species are flowering species are endemic to India endemic to India

Vanishing forests and wild Vanishing forests and wild lifelife

The forest cover in IndiaThe forest cover in India is estimated at is estimated at 637,293 sq km ,which is 19.39% of the total 637,293 sq km ,which is 19.39% of the total area .area .

Some estimates suggest that at least 10% Some estimates suggest that at least 10% India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its mammals are threatened list.mammals are threatened list.

Many of this would now be categorised as Many of this would now be categorised as critical that is on the verge of extinction like the critical that is on the verge of extinction like the cheetah ,pink headed duck mountain quail and cheetah ,pink headed duck mountain quail and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua )mahua )

Classifications Of Classifications Of SpeciesSpecies ( IUCN ) ( IUCN ) Normal species : Normal species :

Species whose Species whose population level are population level are considered to be considered to be normal for their normal for their survival such as survival such as cattle , sal , pine, cattle , sal , pine, rodents etc. rodents etc.

Endangered Endangered SpeciesSpecies

These are species These are species which are in danger which are in danger of extinction.of extinction.

The survival of such The survival of such species is difficult if species is difficult if the negative factors the negative factors that have led a that have led a decline in their decline in their population continue population continue to operate. to operate.

Vulnerable speciesVulnerable species These are species These are species

whose population whose population has declined to level has declined to level from where it is likely from where it is likely to move into the to move into the endangered category endangered category in the near future .in the near future .

The examples of The examples of such species are, such species are, Asiatic elephant, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin etc. Gangetic dolphin etc.

Rare SpeciesRare Species Species with small Species with small

population may move population may move into the endangered into the endangered or vulnerable or vulnerable category if the category if the negative factors negative factors affecting them affecting them continue to operate. continue to operate. Eg. wild buffalo, Eg. wild buffalo, desert fox, himalayan desert fox, himalayan brown bear etc .brown bear etc .

Endemic speciesEndemic species

These are species only These are species only found in some found in some particular areas usually particular areas usually isolated by natural or isolated by natural or geographical barriers. geographical barriers. eg. Andaman teal, eg. Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild Andaman wild pig,mithun in Arunachal pig,mithun in Arunachal Pradesh Pradesh

Extinct speciesExtinct species

A species may be A species may be extinct from a local extinct from a local area ,region, country, area ,region, country, continent or entire continent or entire earth. eg. Asiatic earth. eg. Asiatic cheetah, pink head cheetah, pink head duckduck

Reasons for depletion Reasons for depletion of forest in Indiaof forest in India

Colonial forest policies of expanding railways, Colonial forest policies of expanding railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, mining activities. mining activities.

Over use forest product such as wood, barks, Over use forest product such as wood, barks, medicines, leaves etc.medicines, leaves etc.

Large scale developments such as river valley Large scale developments such as river valley projects. projects.

Grazing and fuel wood collection.Grazing and fuel wood collection. Shifting cultivation in tribal belts. Shifting cultivation in tribal belts.

Himalayan yew in Himalayan yew in troubletrouble

Himalayan yew is a medicinal plant found in Himachal Himalayan yew is a medicinal plant found in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

A chemical compound taxol is extracted from the bark, A chemical compound taxol is extracted from the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree which is used to needles, twigs and roots of this tree which is used to treat cancertreat cancer

These species are under great threat due to over These species are under great threat due to over exploitation. exploitation.

Factors led to decline Factors led to decline biodiversity biodiversity

Hunting, poaching, over Hunting, poaching, over exploitation, exploitation, environmental pollution, environmental pollution, poisoning, and forest poisoning, and forest firesfires

Unequal access, Unequal access, inequitable consumption inequitable consumption of resources and over of resources and over population of third population of third countries countries

Loss of forest and wild Loss of forest and wild life is related to life is related to cultural issuecultural issue

Forest dependent Forest dependent communities who communities who directly depend on directly depend on forest and wild life for forest and wild life for food, drink medicine, food, drink medicine, culture, spirituality culture, spirituality etc.etc.

Drudgery of women Drudgery of women increase will led increase will led serious health serious health problems problems

Conservation of forest Conservation of forest and wild life in Indiaand wild life in India Why do we need to conserve our forest Why do we need to conserve our forest

and wildlife ?and wildlife ? Conservation preserves the ecological Conservation preserves the ecological

diversity and our life support systems-diversity and our life support systems-water, air and soil.water, air and soil.

It also preserves the genetic diversity of It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding species and breeding

Measures taken by Measures taken by government to protect government to protect

forest and wild lifeforest and wild life The Indian wild life act was implemented The Indian wild life act was implemented

in1972.in1972. An all India list of protected species also An all India list of protected species also

published.published. Banned hunting, given legal protection to Banned hunting, given legal protection to

habitat to endangered species and restricting habitat to endangered species and restricting trade in wildlife.trade in wildlife.

Established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries Established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and started projects for tiger, one horned and started projects for tiger, one horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag etc. rhinoceros, Kashmir stag etc.

Types and distribution of Types and distribution of forest and wildlife forest and wildlife

resourcesresources In India much of its In India much of its

forest and wildlife forest and wildlife resources are either resources are either owned or managed owned or managed by the government by the government through forest through forest departments or other departments or other government government department . department .

CLASSIFICATIONS OF CLASSIFICATIONS OF FOREST UNDER FOREST FOREST UNDER FOREST

DEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTS RESERVED FORESTRESERVED FOREST : :

More than half of the total forest land has More than half of the total forest land has

been declared as reserved forestbeen declared as reserved forest Reserved forests are regarded as the most Reserved forests are regarded as the most

valuable as far as the conservation of forest valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wild resources are concerned. and wild resources are concerned.

Protected forestProtected forest

Almost one third of the total forest area is Almost one third of the total forest area is protected forest as declared by the forest protected forest as declared by the forest department.department.

This forest land are protected from any further This forest land are protected from any further depletion.depletion.

Reserved and protected forest also referred as Reserved and protected forest also referred as permanent forest maintained for the purpose permanent forest maintained for the purpose producing timber and other forest produce. producing timber and other forest produce.

Un classed forestsUn classed forests

These are the other forest and wastelands These are the other forest and wastelands belonging to both government and belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. private individuals and communities.

Distribution of forest Distribution of forest in statesin states

Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forest nearly 75%of its total forest permanent forest nearly 75%of its total forest area.area.

Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have large% of reserved forest.Maharashtra have large% of reserved forest.

Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Orissa and Rajasthan Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Orissa and Rajasthan have bulk of it under protected forests.have bulk of it under protected forests.

All north-eastern states and parts of Gujarat All north-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have un classed forest . have un classed forest .

Role of Community to Role of Community to conserve forest and conserve forest and

wildlifewildlife In In Sariska Tiger ReserveSariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers , Rajasthan, villagers

have fought against mining by citing the have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.Wildlife Protection Act.

In many areas, villagers are themselves are In many areas, villagers are themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.government involvement.

The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared some forest district of Rajasthan have declared some forest areas as areas as Bhairodev Dakav SonchuryBhairodev Dakav Sonchury, declaring , declaring their own set of rules and regulations. their own set of rules and regulations.

Nature worshipNature worship

Nature worship is an age old tribal belief based Nature worship is an age old tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of nature on the premise that all creations of nature have to be protected.have to be protected.

such belief have protected many virgin forests.such belief have protected many virgin forests. The mundas and santhals of chhota nagpur The mundas and santhals of chhota nagpur

region mahua and kadamba trees, tribals region mahua and kadamba trees, tribals orissa and bihar worship the tamarind and orissa and bihar worship the tamarind and mango trees during their weddings.mango trees during their weddings.

Sacred qualities are often ascribed to springs, Sacred qualities are often ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants and animals which are mountain peaks, plants and animals which are closely protected. closely protected.

Sacred grovesSacred groves

Movements associated Movements associated with forest and wildlifewith forest and wildlife

Chipko movement in the himalayas has not Chipko movement in the himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in only successfully resisted deforestation in several areas but has also shown that several areas but has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful.species can be enormously successful.

Farmers and citizens groups like the beej Farmers and citizens groups like the beej bachao andolan in tehri and navdanya have bachao andolan in tehri and navdanya have shown that diversified crop production is shown that diversified crop production is possible without the use of synthetic possible without the use of synthetic chemicals. chemicals.

Chipko movementChipko movement

Sunderlal BahugunaSunderlal Bahuguna (born 9 (born 9 January 1927) is a noted January 1927) is a noted GarhwaliGarhwali environmentalist, environmentalist, Chipko movementChipko movement leader. leader.

•The modern Chipko movement started in the early 1970s in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand,with growing awareness towards rapid deforestation. It was a non-violent resistance, through the act of hugging trees to protect them from falling.

Joint Forest Joint Forest Management (JFM)Management (JFM)

The programmed has been in formal existence The programmed has been in formal existence after when state of Orissa passed resolution for after when state of Orissa passed resolution for joint forest management.joint forest management.

It was a good example for involving local It was a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.of degraded forests.

In return, members of this communities are In return, members of this communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produces and share in the timber harvested forest produces and share in the timber harvested by successful protection. by successful protection.

Leaflet making on Leaflet making on Project Tiger Project Tiger

How to make a How to make a leaflet ?leaflet ?

Need A4 size paper, Need A4 size paper, colour pencil, pen, colour pencil, pen, collection of pictures collection of pictures and details about and details about ‘‘Project Tiger’. Project Tiger’.