MP Board 10th SST Geography Ch 2: Forest and Wildlife

Forests and wildlife are vital components of India’s rich natural heritage. India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, hosting about 8% of the world’s biodiversity despite having only 2.4% of the global land area. This chapter explores the types of forests and wildlife found in India, the reasons for their depletion, and the various conservation efforts undertaken. For MP Board Class 10 Social Science exams, this chapter carries significant weightage with questions on forest types, conservation projects, and community participation.

🌳 Introduction to Forest and Wildlife Resources

India’s forests cover approximately 21.67% of the total geographical area of the country (as per the India State of Forest Report 2021). The country is home to over 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals, making it one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Forests play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, regulating climate, preventing soil erosion, and supporting the livelihood of millions of people.

Wildlife refers to all non-domesticated animals, plants, and other organisms that live in the wild. In India, wildlife includes majestic animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Indian Rhino, and thousands of bird and reptile species. The conservation of forest and wildlife is not just an environmental necessity but also a cultural and economic imperative.

🌲 Types of Forests in India

Based on the administration and ownership, forests in India are classified into three types:

Classification Based on Vegetation

Based on climate and vegetation, Indian forests can be classified into five major types:

🐅 Wildlife in India

India has an incredibly rich wildlife heritage. The country has over 2,000 species of birds, 500+ species of mammals, and 30,000+ species of insects. Some of the most iconic wildlife species found in India include:

• 🐯 Royal Bengal Tiger — India’s national animal, found mainly in Sunderbans, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Ranthambore
• 🐘 Asiatic Elephant — Found in the forests of Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, and Uttarakhand
• 🦏 One-horned Rhinoceros — Found in Kaziranga National Park, Assam
• 🦚 Indian Peacock — India’s national bird, found across the country
• 🦁 Asiatic Lion — Found only in Gir National Park, Gujarat
• 🐊 Gharial and Crocodiles — Found in rivers of central and eastern India
• 🐆 Leopards — Found in sanctuaries across the country

India has established 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 87 Conservation Reserves to protect its rich biodiversity.

⚠️ Causes of Depletion of Forest and Wildlife

India has lost significant forest cover and wildlife over the past century due to multiple factors:

1. Agricultural Expansion

With the growing population, forests have been cleared for farming. The Green Revolution (1960s onwards) led to large-scale forest clearing for croplands. Between 1951 and 1980, about 26,200 sq km of forest land was converted to agriculture.

2. Industrialization and Urbanization

Setting up industries, building dams, roads, railways, and expanding cities have led to deforestation. The Narmada Sagar project alone submerged over 40,000 hectares of forest land.

3. Mining

Open-cast mining in forest areas (especially in Jharia, Raniganj, and the Western Ghats) has destroyed large forest tracts. Mining operations also pollute nearby water bodies and soil.

4. Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Wild animals are hunted for their skin, bones, tusks, and horns. Tiger skin, elephant ivory, and rhino horn are among the most illegally traded items. Despite the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), poaching remains a serious threat.

5. Deforestation for Fuelwood and Timber

About 40% of India’s total energy needs in rural areas come from fuelwood. Unsustainable logging and timber extraction have degraded large forest areas.

6. Natural Causes

Forest fires (both natural and man-made), floods, cyclones, and climate change also contribute to the loss of forest and wildlife habitat.

🌿 Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

India has enacted several laws and policies to protect its forests and wildlife:

Key Legal Frameworks

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Provides legal protection to endangered species, establishes national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and regulates hunting and wildlife trade
• Forest Conservation Act, 1980 — Requires central government approval for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes
• Environment Protection Act, 1986 — Umbrella legislation for environmental protection, including forest and wildlife
• National Forest Policy, 1988 — Aims to maintain ecological stability, conserve biodiversity, and increase forest cover to 33% of geographical area
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 — Recognizes rights of forest-dwelling communities

Protected Area Network

• Biosphere Reserves — 18 in India (e.g., Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Nanda Devi)
• National Parks — 106 (e.g., Kanha, Kaziranga, Bandhavgarh, Gir)
• Wildlife Sanctuaries — 573 (e.g., Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Periyar)
• Conservation Reserves — 87
• Community Reserves — 60+
• Tiger Reserves — 53 under Project Tiger

🛡️ Key Conservation Projects

👥 Community and Conservation

Local communities have played a crucial role in forest and wildlife conservation across India. Several successful community-led initiatives demonstrate the power of collective action:

The Chipko Movement (1970s)

One of the most famous environmental movements in India, Chipko Andolan (meaning ‘to hug’) was started by villagers in the Garhwal Himalayas. Led by Sunderlal Bahuguna and Gaura Devi, villagers hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down. This movement led to a 15-year ban on tree felling in the Himalayan forests.

The Bishnoi Community (Rajasthan)

The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan has been protecting wildlife and trees for centuries. In 1730, 363 Bishnois led by Amrita Devi sacrificed their lives to save Khejri trees from being cut by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Even today, Bishnois are known for their strict conservation ethic — they protect blackbuck and chinkara deer.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Launched in 1990, JFM involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Village Forest Committees (VFCs) are formed, and benefits from forest produce are shared between the state and the community. JFM now covers over 22 million hectares of forest land across India.

Sacred Groves

Sacred groves are patches of forest preserved by local communities for religious and cultural reasons. Found across India (Dev Vans in Uttarakhand, Sarnas in Jharkhand, Kavus in Kerala), these groves serve as important biodiversity hotspots and gene pool reserves.

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