Chapter 2 - Forest and Wildlife Resources

We humans form a complex ecosystem network together with all living things. Vidyakul Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 begins with an introduction to the flora and fauna of India. This chapter discusses the important role forests play in ecosystems and how forests and wildlife can be protected in India. The chapter ends by describing the various measures humans have taken to protect forests and wildlife resources. Here we have compiled all these topics in the form of Vidyakul CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 – Forest and Wildlife Resources.

Reading these Vidyakul CBSE Class 10 Social Science Notes will help you understand the chapters easily. You can also download these notes in PDF format to study offline.

Flora and Fauna of India

India are one of the richest countries in the world in terms of its wide variety of biodiversity. India has different types of forests and wildlife resources. Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), existing plant and animal species can be classified into different categories: Monkeys, Pines, Rodents, etc.

Endangered Species: These species are in danger of extinction. Species include blackbuck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhinoceros, lion-tailed macaque, and sangria (Manipur brow horn).

Endangered Species: These are species whose populations have declined to levels that are likely to be classified as Vulnerable in the near future if they continue to decline at the same rate. Examples: Blue Sheep, Asian Elephant, Gangetic Dolphin, etc. Examples of such species include the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asian buffalo, desert fox, and hornbill.
Examples of such species are Andaman Teal, Nicobar Pigeon, Andaman Wild Boar, and Mithun from Arunachal Pradesh.

Endangered Species: These species may be extinct in regions, regions, countries, continents, or the entire planet. Examples: Asian cheetah, pink-headed duck.

What are the negative factors causing such abject poverty of plants and animals? Excessive consumption of resources.
Development of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining. Extensive development of projects and mining activities.
Unequal Access, Unfair Use of Resources, and Unequal Sharing of Responsibility for Environmental Well-being.

Conservation of Forests and Wildlife in India

Conservation protects ecological diversity and protects the genetic diversity of flora and fauna.

The Wildlife (Conservation) Act of India was introduced in 1972 to protect habitats and published a list of protected species across India. The central government has also announced several projects to protect certain animals. Under the Wildlife Acts of 1980 and 1986, hundreds of butterflies, moths, beetles, and dragonflies were included on the protected species list.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

In India, forest and wildlife resources are owned and managed by the Government through the Ministry of Forestry or other government departments. These fall into the following categories:

Protected Forests: More than half of India's total forest area has been declared as protected forests.

Forest Conservation Area: The Forest Department declares one-third of the total forest area as a Forest Conservation Area.

Unclassified Forests: These are forests and wastelands owned by individuals and communities as well as by the government. The northeastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high proportion of unclassified forests.

Reserved and protected forests, also known as permanent forests, are maintained for the purpose of harvesting timber and other forest products and for conservation purposes.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forest.

Communities and Conservation

Conservation of forests and wildlife resources are of great importance. 
In Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Sanctuary, villagers have invoked wildlife protection laws to oppose mining. Residents of his five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of forest to be Bairro Dehudakaf "Sonchuri". Villages set their own rules and regulations that do not allow hunting. It also protects wildlife from outside invasions.
The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas was a successful attempt to resist deforestation in some areas. This movement has also led to community tree planting. Farmers and civil society groups such as Beej Bachao Andolan of Tehri and Navdanya have demonstrated that a reasonable level of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals is possible and economically viable. India's Joint Forest Management (JFM) program is a good example of engaging local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 10 

What is the meaning of ‘Topography’?

Topography is the study of the forms and features of land surfaces.

What are the disadvantages of deforestation?

1. Climate Imbalance 2. Global Warming 3. Soil Erosion 4. Wildlife Extinction 5. Acidic Oceans

What are the natural resources available on Earth?

Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil, and water. Animals, birds, fish, and plants are natural resources as well.