Notes For All Chapters Geography Class 10 CBSE
1. Introduction
- We share the planet with millions of other living beings: micro-organisms, plants, trees, insects, birds, and animals.
- All living organisms, including humans, form a complex ecological system.
- This system provides us with:
- Air to breathe,
- Water to drink,
- Soil to grow food.
- Forests play a key role as they are primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
2. Flora and Fauna in India
- India is one of the richest countries in biodiversity.
- Some plants and animals are unique to certain regions.
- Biodiversity = rich variety of plant and animal life.
- Importance: integrated in daily life, but now under stress due to human activities.
3. Biodiversity (Biological Diversity)
- Meaning: Variety of life forms – wildlife, cultivated species, different plants and animals, integrated in an interdependent system.
- Importance:
- Maintains ecological balance.
- Provides resources like food, medicines, and raw materials.
- Preserves genetic diversity for future use (e.g., in agriculture and fisheries).
4. Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India
Why conservation is necessary?
- To preserve ecological diversity and life-support systems (air, water, soil).
- To preserve genetic diversity of plants and animals.
Steps taken:
1. Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Provided legal protection to species and habitats.
- Hunting was banned.
- Restricted trade in wildlife.
- Published all-India list of protected species.
- Creation of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Special projects launched for endangered animals like tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, hangul, Asiatic lion, crocodiles, etc.
- Recently, species like Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard, and snow leopard have been protected.
5. Project Tiger (1973)
- Launched to save the tiger population, which had fallen to 1,827 in 1973 (from 55,000 in 1900).
- Threats: poaching, shrinking habitats, decline in prey base, growing population.
- Trade in tiger skins and bones for medicines was a big danger.
- India & Nepal together host 2/3 of the world’s tiger population.
- Tiger Reserves: Corbett (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska (Rajasthan), Manas (Assam), Periyar (Kerala).
- Aim: conserve tigers and preserve the whole ecosystem.
6. Types and Distribution of Forests in India
Forests are classified into three categories:
1. Reserved Forests
- More than half of total forest land.
- Most valuable for conservation of forest and wildlife.
2. Protected Forests
- About one-third of total forest area.
- Protected from further depletion.
3. Unclassed Forests
- Includes other forests and wastelands.
- Owned by government, private individuals, or communities.
States with large reserved forest area:
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under reserved forests (75% of its total forest area).
- Other states: J&K, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
States with more protected forests:
- Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan.
Unclassed forests:
- Found mostly in North-Eastern states and Gujarat.
- Managed by local communities.
7. Community and Conservation
- Local communities play an important role in forest and wildlife conservation.
- Examples:
- Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan): Villagers fought against mining.
- Alwar District (Rajasthan): Villagers declared 1,200 hectares as Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, banning hunting and protecting wildlife.
- Chipko Movement (Himalayas): Villagers hugged trees to stop deforestation.
- Beej Bachao Andolan (Tehri, Uttarakhand): Promoted traditional seed conservation.
- Navdanya Movement: Promoted organic farming and biodiversity.
8. Sacred Groves and Traditional Conservation
- Sacred Groves: Virgin forests protected due to religious beliefs.
- Example: Forests worshipped as the abode of gods/goddesses.
- Tribes worship certain trees:
- Mundas & Santhals: Mahua and Kadamba trees.
- Odisha & Bihar Tribes: Tamarind and Mango trees.
- Peepal and Banyan trees are sacred in Hinduism.
- Bishnoi community of Rajasthan protects blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks.
9. Joint Forest Management (JFM)
- Started formally in 1988 (Odisha).
- Local communities protect forests in partnership with the Forest Department.
- Communities receive benefits like:
- Non-timber forest produce.
- Share in timber harvested.
- Aim: restoration of degraded forests and people’s participation in conservation.
10. Lessons from Conservation
- Environmental protection is possible only with community participation.
- Economic and development activities should be:
- People-centric,
- Environment-friendly,
- Economically beneficial.
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