Introduction:

Our Planet Earth consists of several resources. There are huge forests which have different species of flora and a variety of animals (fauna) on Earth. In simple words, there is immense biodiversity. All the living creatures depend on each other; mainly human beings. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain ecological balance. However, we humans have become the main cause for disturbance in nature.

Flora and Fauna in India

As you know, Flora is a plant species whereas the term fauna is used for animals. In India, there is extremely large biodiversity due to different geographical locations.

• India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast range of particular types of biological diversity.
• It has nearly 8 percent of the total number of species in the world.
• There are over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora found in our country.
• Out of 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are endemic (Indigenous) to India.
• 10% flora and 20% mammals are on the threatened list.
  • 79 species of mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles and 3 of amphibians are considered endangered.
  • 50% of plants are also considered endangered.
  • Plants and vertebrate animals (animals with backbone) have recently become extinct at more than expected rate.

Vanishing Forests:

• Forests are vanishing due to human activities such as Deforestation.
• In India, the forest and tree cover is estimated at 79.42 million hectares which is 24.16 % of the total geographical area.
• However, the state of Forest Report (2015) says that an increase has been observed in the forest cover due to efforts made by human beings.
  • For instance – conservation measures, management interventions and plantation, etc., by different agencies.

Classification of plants and animal species:

You can observe that different plants and animal species vary in number. Therefore, these species come under different categories based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Normal Species:

• Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival.
• For Example : Cattle, Sal, Pine, Rodents, etc.

Endangered Species:

• These are species which are in danger of extinction. Negative factors can affect their survival rate.
• Example: Black Buck, Crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, Sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc.

Vulnerable Species:

• These species are prone to threat due to declining population. So, a low level of population and negative factors can put them into the category of Endangered species.
• Example: Blue sheep, Asiatic Elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.

Rare Species:

• Since these species are small in number, they may move into Vulnerable or Endangered categories.
• Example: Himalayan Brown Bear, Wild Asiatic Buffalo, desert fox and hornbill, etc.

Endemic Species:

• The species which are found in only some particular areas comes under the category of Endemic species.
• For Example: Andaman Teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, Mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.

Extinct Species:

• These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur.
• For Example: Asiatic Cheetah, pink head duck.

What are the negative factors that cause such fearful depletion of the flora and fauna?

Since we make use of resources carelessly, We ourselves are responsible for the depletion of forests and wildlife. So let us discuss why we are the main reason for creating an ecological imbalance.

• Expansion of Agriculture: One of the major causes of depletion of forest resources is agricultural expansion. It has converted forest areas into cropland. (Mainly slash and burn agriculture – type of shifting cultivation)
• Promotion of a few favored species: The second reason is enrichment plantation in which only a few species are grown and other species are eliminated. (Commercially valuable species)
• Large scale development projects: They have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests.
  • Since 1951, over 5000 sq. km of forest has been cleared for river valley projects.
  • Another project is Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh
• Mining: It is another important factor behind deforestation.
  • For Example: Dolomite mining. It has seriously threatened Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
• Grazing: Many foresters and environmentalists hold the view that the greatest degrading factors behind the depletion of forest resources are grazing and fuel-wood collection.
• Other Factors:
  • Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning and forest fires.
  • Unequal access, inequitable consumption of resources and differential sharing of responsibility.
    • For Example: Developed countries are more responsible than Developing countries, Richest consume more than poorest.

Impact of Depletion

1. Loss of Cultural diversity: Due to biological loss we have been losing cultural diversity as well. It has caused impoverishment for those who were fully dependent on forest resources. Indigenous people and forest dependent communities have been marginalized.
2. Serious Social Implications: In some societies, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel and fodder, water and other basic subsistence needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women increases. This affects her health, creates negligence of home and children.
3. Deforestation-induced floods: The indirect impact of degradation such as severe drought.
4. Causes poverty: Poverty is the direct outcome of environmental destruction. Since natural calamity such as floods hits the poor the hardest, the poor become the main sufferer of depletion.

Therefore, forest and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and environment in the subcontinent. It is imperative to adapt to sound forest and wildlife conservation strategies.

Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife?

• Conservation preserves ecological diversity and our life support systems- water, air and soil.
• It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. For Example: Agriculture and Fisheries.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, conservationists demanded a national wildlife protection program. Finally in 1972, Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented with various provisions for protecting habitats. An all-India list of protected species was also published.

• The main focus was on protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife.
• Central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Central Government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals, which are gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag, three types of crocodiles- freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others.
• Most recently, some animals have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade throughout India.
  • For Example: the Indian elephant, black buck (chinkara), the great Indian bustard (godawan) and the snow leopard, etc.
• Addition of Insects: In the notification under Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, added several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles and one dragonfly to the list of protected species.
• Addition of Plants: Government also added Six species of plants in the list.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Do you know that the Government manages Forest and Wildlife Resources but how?

To conserve our vast forest and wildlife resources, the Forest Department and other government departments are there.

Division of Forest into three types: Reserved Forests, Protected Forests and Unclassed Forests.

(i) Reserved Forests:

• These forests constitute more than half of the total forest land.
• These are most valuable for the conservation of forest and Wildlife.
• These are open to the public however enjoy judicial protection based on the legal system.
  • For Example: Hunting is not allowed unless specific orders are issued.
• Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have the largest percentage of reserved forests.

(ii) Protected Forests:

• Almost one-third of the total forest area comes under protected forests.
• Government has full property rights on these forests.
  • For Example: Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks.
•  Protected forests are forests with some amount of legal and constitutional protection in certain countries
• Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under protected forests.

(iii) Unclassed Forests:

• These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities.
• All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their forests as unclassed forests. (Local communities manage it)

Note: Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce and for protective reasons. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests, constituting 75 percent of its total forest area.

Community and Conservation

Since forests are the home to some of the traditional communities, They have also played a role in conservation.

• In some areas of India, local communities are struggling to conserve these habitats along with Government officials.
  • For Example: In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, Villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• In many areas, villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.
• In some villages, there are some sets of rules and regulations regarding protection of wildlife.
• Local community involvement through the programme of Joint forest management (JFM): Partnership of state forest department and local communities for management and restoration of degraded forest.

Chipko Movement

1. Chipko Movement was a nonviolent social and ecological movement by rural villagers in order to prevent forests from rampant cutting of trees.
2. It resisted deforestation. And encouraged people for community afforestation by planting indigenous species.
3. They tried to revive traditional conservation methods or develop new methods of ecological farming.
4. Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya proved that adequate levels of diversified crop production is possible without the use of synthetic chemicals. And it is economically viable also.

Social Science