Conservation Efforts and Management of Forests

Study Notes and Summary

Why Conservation?

    • Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems (water, air, soil).

    • It preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals, which is essential for breeding and for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

  • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

    • Implemented to protect wildlife in India.

    • Created a network of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

    • Banned hunting, provided legal protection to habitats, and restricted trade in wildlife.

  • Conservation Projects:

    • Specific animals (e.g., tiger, one-horned rhino, deer, gharial, blackbuck) and plants (e.g., wild species of wheat) are provided full or partial legal protection.

    • Project Tiger (1973): One of the most significant wildlife conservation ventures in the world.

      • Initiated after a drastic decline in tiger population (from 55,000 to 1,827).

      • Aims: To save the tiger and its habitat.

      • Tiger is a ‘key species’ in the food web. Its extinction would severely impact the ecosystem.

      • Established Tiger Reserves (e.g., Corbett National Park, Sunderbans National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas Tiger Reserve, Periyar Tiger Reserve).

      • Initial success: Tiger population rose to 4,005 in 1989 and 3,682 in 2014.

      • Recent decline (e.g., Sariska Tiger Reserve due to mining), highlighting ongoing challenges.

  • Types of Forests and Wildlife Resources (Based on Management/Ownership):

    • Reserved Forests:

      • More than half of India’s total forest area.

      • Regarded as the most valuable for conservation of forest and wildlife resources.

    • Protected Forests:

      • About one-third of the total forest area.

      • Protected from any further depletion.

    • Unclassed Forests:

      • Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals/communities.

      • Least protected.

  • Distribution of Forests:

    • Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under Reserved Forests.

    • Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra have large percentages of Reserved Forests.

    • Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan have a majority of Protected Forests.

    • All North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of Unclassed Forests managed by local communities.

This MCQ module is based on: Conservation Efforts and Management of Forests

This assessment will be based on: Conservation Efforts and Management of Forests

  • Real-Life Connections & General Knowledge:

    • The distinction between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India and their specific conservation objectives.

    • The challenges of human-wildlife conflict and conservation in densely populated areas.

  • Case-based Scenarios & Reasoning:

    • Scenario: A newly declared tiger reserve faces pressure from nearby villages that traditionally collect minor forest produce. Discuss how authorities can balance conservation goals with local community livelihoods.

    • Scenario: Despite conservation efforts, a specific endangered species continues to decline. Analyze the potential reasons (e.g., habitat fragmentation, poaching) and propose a multi-pronged conservation strategy.

  • Conceptual Application:

    • Explain the concept of a “key species” (like the tiger) and why its conservation is critical for maintaining ecosystem balance.

    • Discuss the legislative framework (e.g., Wildlife Protection Act) and its role in enforcing conservation measures.

  • Comparative & Analytical Points:

    • Compare the objectives and management practices of “Reserved,” “Protected,” and “Unclassed” forests, highlighting the implications for access and human activities.

    • Analyze the effectiveness of Project Tiger as a model for species conservation, considering its successes and failures.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic