Introduction
We share this planet with millions of species.
We humans together with all living organisms and species form a complex web of ecological system in which we are only a part and really much dependent on this system for our own existence.
Without plant, animals and micro-organism we will not survive.
Also forests play a key role in the ecological system as these also are the first producers on which all other living beings depend.
Biodiversity Or Biological Diversity
Immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species,
Diverse in form and function
Closely integrated during a system through multiple network of inter-dependencies.
India is one among the world’s richest countries, in terms of its vast variety of biological diversity,
We have nearly 8% of the entire number of species in the world.
Flora
47000 species
- 15,000 flowering species are endemic
- 15,00 species considered as endangered.
Fauna
81,000 species in which 20% mammals are threatened.
- 79 species of mammals
- 44 species of birds
- 3 of amphibians are threatened
Classification Of Species
Normal : Species whose population level is not concerned for their survival, like cattle, dog, sal, rodents, chicken, pine, palm, cove, etc.
Endangered : Species that are in danger circle of extinction. The instance are black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque etc.
Vulnerable : Species whose population has declined to number from where it is likely to move into the endangered category, if the negative factors continue. The examples are blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
Rare : Species with small population may enter the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them still operate. The instance are, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, the Himalayan brown bear and hornbill, etc.
Endemic : Species which are only found in some specific areas often isolated by natural or geographical barriers. The instance are the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.
Extinct : Which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where were they found or may occur. It means, A species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the whole earth. instance of these type of species are the Asiatic cheetah, pink headed duck.
Negative Factors That Affect Flora And Fauna
We have convert nature into a resource obtaining from the forests and wildlife – wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure, etc.
During the British colonial period - the expansion of the railways, mining, commercial and scientific forestry and agriculture activities.
The northeastern and central India, have been deforested or degraded by shifting cultivation ( Jhumming ), a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture
The type of agriculture in which one commercially valuable species of a plant was extensively planted is known as “Enrichment Plantation”, in this type of practice other species were ignored. For instance :
- Teak monoculture - damage the natural forest in South India.
- Chir Pine - replaced the Himalayan oak (Quercius spp.) and Rhododendron forests.
Agricultural expansion - between 1950 to 1980 over 26,200 sq. km. area converted into agricultural land.
Developmental projects – 5,000 km. area cleared for river valley projects.
Mining – West Bengal – dolomite mining.
Over grazing and fuel-wood collection by local dwellers.
Increasingly marginalized and impoverished many tribal communities, who are directly depend on various component of forest and wildlife.
Drought and deforestation cause floods that leads to erosion soil.
Causes Of Decline In The Biodiversity
- Developmental projects
- Habitat destruction
- Hunting and poaching
- Over exploitation of resources
- Environmental pollution
- Poisoning
- Forest fire
- Over population
- Unequal access
- Differential sharing
Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife
Conservation protects the ecological diversity and our life support systems – water, air and soil
Preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
In 1972 The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented – to protect endangered species – nation parks and sanctuaries.
Special projects – tiger, one horned rhino, Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles – fresh water crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others.
Several hundred species of moths, beetles, butterflies, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species in Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986.
In 1991, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.
Classified Forest Area
Reserved : More than 50% of the entire forest land has been declared as reserved forests and regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources are concerned.
Protected : Almost 1/3rd of the total forest area is protected from any further depletion.
Unclassed : The forests areas and wastelands areas, which belongs to both government and private individuals or communities.
Madhya Pradesh has constituting 75% of its total forest area, this is the largest area under permanent forests,
J&K, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra have large percentages of reserved forests of its total forest area
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under protected forests.
All Northeastern states and Several parts of Gujarat have a really high % of their forests as unclassed forests managed by local communities.
Community And Conservation
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan - By citing the Wildlife Protection Act, villagers have fought against mining.
Five villages in Alwar, Rajasthan - As the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, they preserved 1,200 hectares of forest by declaring their own set of rules and regulations which don't allow hunting, and they are also protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
Chipko movement, Uttarakhand
Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya - crop production without the utilization of synthetic chemicals.
Joint forest management (JFM) – in 1988 by Odisha – activities on degraded forest land management.
NOTE : If you've got any question please allow us to know within the comment section below
0 Comments