Chapter 2 Forest And Wildlife Resources

Overview

This chapter highlights India's rich biodiversity and the critical importance of forests and wildlife as resources. It categorizes flora and fauna based on their conservation status—normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic, and extinct—and discusses the threats leading to their decline, including habitat destruction, over-exploitation, and environmental pollution, with a particular focus on the impact of colonial policies. The chapter also details India's conservation efforts, such as wildlife protection acts and projects like 'Project Tiger,' and emphasizes the role of community participation and traditional practices in forest and wildlife conservation.

Flora And Fauna In India

India is one of the world's mega-biodiverse countries, hosting a vast array of flora (plant species) and fauna (animal species). The country ranks high globally in plant diversity and has a rich variety of wildlife, including numerous bird and fish species. This biodiversity is intricately linked to ecological systems, providing essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil.

• Normal Species: Populations are stable and considered safe (e.g., cattle, sal, pine).
• Endangered Species: Face a high risk of extinction if threats continue (e.g., black buck, crocodile, Indian rhino, Asiatic lion).
• Vulnerable Species: Populations have declined significantly, likely moving towards endangerment if negative factors persist (e.g., blue sheep, elephants).
• Rare Species: Have small populations and may become endangered if threats continue (e.g., Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo).
• Endemic Species: Found only in specific geographical areas, often isolated (e.g., Andaman teal, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh).
• Extinct Species: No longer found anywhere on Earth (e.g., Asiatic cheetah, pink-headed duck).

Vanishing Forests

Deforestation has been a significant issue, historically accelerated during the colonial period. Causes include agricultural expansion to meet growing food demands and commercial crop production for export, conversion of forests to agriculture for revenue generation, and the demand for timber for railways (sleepers) and shipbuilding. Plantation agriculture (tea, coffee, rubber) also contributed to forest loss. Mining activities and large development projects like river valley projects further degrade forest cover.

Are Colonial Forest Policies To Be Blamed?

Colonial forest policies are largely responsible for systematic and extensive deforestation. The promotion of a few commercially valuable species ('scientific forestry') replaced diverse natural forests. Practices like shifting cultivation were banned, displacing communities. Hunting of large animals was encouraged as a sport, leading to the endangerment and near extinction of species like tigers and cheetahs, while local communities were restricted from accessing forest resources they depended on.

Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife In India

Recognizing the severe depletion of flora and fauna, India has implemented conservation strategies:

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Provides legal protection to habitats and bans hunting and trade in endangered species.
• Projects for Specific Animals: Various projects have been launched to protect critically threatened species, notably 'Project Tiger' (1973), which aims to conserve tigers and their habitats, along with projects for rhinos, elephants, and crocodiles.
• Protected Areas: National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries have been established across the country to safeguard wildlife and their habitats.
• Bio-reserves: 18 biosphere reserves have been set up, with ten recognized internationally, to protect biodiversity and traditional human lifestyles.

Conservation efforts are increasingly focusing on biodiversity as a whole and exploring various conservation methods, including the inclusion of insects and plants in protection plans.

Project Tiger

Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is a significant conservation initiative aimed at protecting the tiger population and its habitat, recognizing its crucial role in the faunal web and the threats posed by poaching and habitat loss.

Types And Distribution Of Forest And Wildlife Resources

Forests in India are categorized into Reserved Forests (most valuable, heavily protected), Protected Forests (partially protected with some rights for villagers), and Unclassed Forests (managed by local communities or privately owned). Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under reserved forests, while northeastern states and Gujarat have a high proportion of unclassed forests.

Community And Conservation

Conservation is not new to India; traditional beliefs often revered nature, leading to the preservation of 'sacred groves' (untouched forest patches). Many local communities actively protect their habitats, sometimes rejecting government involvement. Examples include villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve fighting mining and the Chipko movement in the Himalayas, demonstrating successful community-led conservation. Initiatives like 'Beej Bachao Andolan' promote ecological farming, and Joint Forest Management (JFM) involves local communities in protecting degraded forests in exchange for benefits, showing the importance of people's participation in resource management.