Conservation of forests and wildlife
Forests give oxygen, wood and homes for wildlife, and help bring rain. We conserve them by afforestation, protected areas and people's movements like Chipko.
Why forests matter
- They give oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
- They help bring rain and keep the climate cool.
- Their roots hold the soil, preventing soil erosion and floods.
- They give wood, fruits, honey, medicines, gum and fodder.
- They are the home (habitat) of wildlife and protect biodiversity, the variety of living things.
- They recharge groundwater, and many rivers begin in forests.
Deforestation: causes and effects
Ways to conserve forests
- Afforestation and reforestation: planting trees on bare land and replanting cut areas.
- Social forestry: planting trees on common land, roadsides and village land, with people's help.
- Agroforestry: growing trees along with crops on farms.
- Cutting trees only in a planned way, and using LPG or biogas instead of firewood.
- Preventing forest fires and protecting forests by law.
- People's movements: in the Chipko movement (1973) in the Himalayan villages of today's Uttarakhand, villagers hugged trees to stop them being felled. Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt were among its leaders.
Protected areas for wildlife
| Type | Meaning | Tamil Nadu example |
|---|---|---|
| National park | Strictly protected for wildlife; no grazing or private use | Guindy National Park (Chennai); Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park |
| Wildlife sanctuary | Protected for animals and birds; some human activity allowed | Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Chengalpattu district); Point Calimere (Kodiakkarai) |
| Biosphere reserve | A large area protecting whole ecosystems and the ways of life of local people | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India's first, 1986); Gulf of Mannar; Agasthyamalai |
| Tiger reserve | Protected under Project Tiger (1973) | Mudumalai, Anamalai, Kalakad-Mundanthurai |
Ways to conserve wildlife
- In-situ conservation (in the natural home): national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
- Ex-situ conservation (outside the natural home): zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks, such as the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur.
- Laws: the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 bans hunting and trade in wild animals.
- Projects for single species: Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992).
- Stopping poaching (illegal hunting), protecting forest corridors and spreading awareness.
Thousands of migratory birds nest at Vedanthangal every year. Nearby villagers protect them, because the bird droppings enrich the tank water used for their fields.
2 marks: “What is the Chipko movement?” A 1973 movement in the Himalayan villages of today's Uttarakhand, where people hugged trees to stop them being felled. Leaders included Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt.
2 marks: “Distinguish between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary.” National park: strictly protected, no grazing or private use (Guindy). Sanctuary: protected for animals, some human activity allowed (Vedanthangal).
7 marks: “Why should forests and wildlife be conserved? Explain the methods of conservation.” Importance of forests; causes and effects of deforestation; afforestation, social forestry, agroforestry, Chipko; in-situ and ex-situ conservation; Wildlife Protection Act 1972; Project Tiger 1973; Tamil Nadu examples.
In-situ = in the home. Ex-situ = exit the home (zoos, seed banks).