NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2

National Forest Policy –that the claims of communities near forests should not override the national interests, It also stated that the forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33 percent of geographical area.

The major threats to tiger population such as poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species, growing human population etc. The trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in traditional medicines, especially in the Asian countries left the tiger population on the verge of extinction.

Some of the important Tiger Reserves are
SuderbansNaitonal Park in West Bengal,
Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam,
Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala.

(i) Normal Species
(ii) Endangered species
(iii) Vulnerable Species
(iv) Rare Species
(v) Endemic Species
(vi) Extinct species

Agricultural expansion, large scale development projects, shifting cultivation or slash and burn cultivation have degraded forest in north-eastern and central belt, mining is another important factor.

Steps taken by the government to conserve forest and wildlife:
Indian Wildlife Protection Act implemented-1972.
Established National parks and Wild life sanctuaries.
Several projects introduced like project Tiger.

The variety of flora and fauna in a given geographical area is called biodiversity of that area. Each species on this earth lives in a system of interdependencies on various biotic and abiotic factors. Human beings also depend on several biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. We may be directly taking some resources from certain species, but we indirectly depend on many other species. Hence, biodiversity is important for human lives.

Various human activities have resulted in a decline of forest cover. Vast tracts of forest had been cleared to make way for farmland and for making new houses, factories and infrastructure. Mining is another human activity which has destroyed forest in a vast area. Thus, human activities have resulted in significant depletion of flora and fauna.

Many local communities have recognized the significance of conservation for their long term survival. Local communities are contributing significantly in conservation at many places. For example; the Bishnois of Rajasthan protect black buck, Chinkara and Peacocks quite zealously. Nature worship is an age old tradition of many tribes. By doing so, they help in conservation of forest. Chipko movement is another example of community initiative in conservation. Joint Forest Management has been practiced in Orissa since 1988 and has bore fruits for conservation.

All the good practices towards conservation of forest and wildlife should include an active participation from all the stakeholders. Government agencies, local inhabitants, industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts are the important stakeholders in forest management. The government should formulate rules and regulations and provide system and machinery to implement conservation programmes. The local inhabitants should always be included in the conservation programme, because their survival depends on it. Industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts should also be taken under the fold of conservation programmes. A coordinated effort by all the stakeholders will give better results.