Class 10 Geography: Forest and Wildlife Resources

Introduction

• Lecturer: Dhiraj Singh Rajput
• Subject: Class 10 Geography, Chapter: Forest and Wildlife Resources
• Focus: Complete chapter explanation and clearing confusions, especially around syllabus rationalization for academic year 2023-24.

Chapter Overview

Theme

• Resource Definition: Anything that satisfies human needs (e.g., forests and wildlife are resources as they satisfy various human needs).
• Pattern in Geography: Progression from basic resources to specific types such as forest, wildlife, water, agriculture, minerals, and industries.
• Chapter Focus: Understanding forests and wildlife as resources, their issues, and conservation.

Key Points on Forests and Wildlife

• Biodiversity: Includes diverse species of flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
• Interdependence: Humans and wildlife form an ecological system where all elements are interconnected.
• Human Impact: Overexploitation and insensitivity towards the environment have led to a decline in wildlife populations and forest areas.

Syllabus Rationalization for 2023-24

• Deleted Topics: Some content about specific species (e.g., Asian cheetah) and detailed degradation topics have been removed.
• Current Topics: Focuses on flora and fauna in India, conservation strategies, and community involvement in conservation.

Key Topics Covered in the Chapter

Flora and Fauna in India

• Rich Biodiversity: India has a vast range of biodiversity, rich in both wildlife and cultivated species.
• Importance: Critical for maintaining ecological balance and providing various resources for daily life.
• Threats: Major threats include habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Conservation of Forests and Wildlife in India

Importance of Conservation

• Ecological Balance: Essential to preserve biodiversity and maintain the ecological balance of the system.
• Daily Life Support: Significant for resources like water, soil conservation, and plant and animal breeding.

Government Initiatives

• Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Provided legal framework for wildlife conservation.
• Protected Species List: Identified species that need protection due to dwindling populations.
• Banning Hunting and Trade: Legal protection against hunting and trade in wildlife.
• National Parks and Sanctuaries: Established numerous parks and sanctuaries for wildlife conservation.

Specific Conservation Projects

• Project Tiger (1973): Aimed at conserving the population of tigers and preserving their habitats.
• Other Projects: For species like one-horned rhinoceros, Kashmiri stag, Asian lions, etc.

Community Initiatives

• Local Communities: Playing a vital role in conservation through community initiatives.
• Examples: Sariska Tiger Reserve villagers, Bhairodev Dakav 'Sanctuary', Chipko Movement, Beej Bachao Andolan.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM): Collaboration between government and local communities for forest management and restoration.

Types and Distribution of Forests and Wildlife Resources

Classification of Forests

• Reserved Forests: Most valuable, more than half of the total forest area; strictly protected.
• Protected Forests: Around one-third of total forest area needing protection from further depletion.
• Unclassified Forests: Other forest areas, including government and private ownership.

Major Forested Areas

• Permanent Forests: Includes reserved and protected forests; key areas in states like Madhya Pradesh, J&K, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, etc.
• State-Specific Patterns: Distribution varies with states like Bihar and Haryana focusing more on protected forests.
• Northeast States: High percentage of unclassified forests.

Community in Conservation

Sacred Groves

• Cultural Practices: Reverence towards certain trees, animals considered sacred and thus protected by the community.
• Examples: Sacred groves in Rajasthan, tree worship during weddings in Bihar and Odisha, and protected areas like Blackbuck Reserve by Bishnois.

Joint Initiatives

• Joint Forest Management (JFM): Government and community collaborative efforts in forest conservation and management, initiated in Odisha.
• Implementation: Engages local community in protection and restoration of degraded forest lands.

Conclusion

• Summary: Chapter focuses on the importance and methods of forest and wildlife conservation, the role of government and community in these efforts, and the distribution and management of forest resources.
• Key Learning: Interconnectedness of biodiversity, the significance of conservation, specific conservation projects, and the role of cultural practices in protecting natural resources.

Final Notes

• Resources: Regular updates and interactive sessions are available on Unacademy for continued learning and preparation.
• Engagement: Participation in community and educational initiatives is encouraged for a comprehensive understanding.

Together we can, we will!