Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

Forests are inhabited by the largest species of animals, birds, insects and plants. For the protection of wildlife, it is necessary that forest covers on the planet are conserved as they are home to an infinite number of living beings.
An increase in the human population has led to more human activities in the forests,which has led to a drastic reduction in the global forest cover.
The reasons behind the rapid loss of forest cover are—

To obtain wood which is used as fuel, and also in making timber and furniture.
To obtain raw materials for making paper.
To increase agricultural lands as the demand for food rises due to the massive human population.
To vacate land for making buildings, houses, industries, and roads.

The cutting down of trees and clearance of forest cover is called deforestation. The different consequences of deforestation are—

Shortage of wood and other forest products.
Increase in temperature of the earth due to global warming.
- Plants play a significant role in bringing rainfall and absorbing carbon dioxide from the environment.
- Decrease in the forest cover has led to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide, which in turn has altered the temperature of our planet.
- It has happened because carbon dioxide is a heat-absorbing gas.
Increase in soil erosion, which lead to soil infertility and desertification.
- The roots of the plants hold the soil and do not allow the top fertile soil layer to get carried away or washed away by natural forces like wind and water.
- Cutting trees on a large scale makes the fertile topsoil prone to erosion by natural forces like wind and water, thereby decreasing the soil fertility.
It affects the water cycle in the environment and decreases the frequency of occurrence of rainfall. As a result, the groundwater level also decreases gradually.
Extinction of wild animals and plants.
- Wild animals and plants depend on the forests for their survival. Deforestation forces the animals to move to different areas that are near to the human population or are not favourable for their survival. So, they either do not survive or get killed.
- The absence of forest cover decreases the availability of food for animals, due to which they are starved to death.

Biosphere reserves:
- It is a large protected area of land meant for conserving wildlife, biodiversity, and the lifestyle of tribal people living in the forest area.
- The tribal people are an integral part of the biosphere reserves, making them unique.
- A biosphere reserve can be divided into three areas—
  - Core: It is the innermost area, which is completely dedicated to the wildlife, and no human intervention is allowed in this zone.
  - Middle/Buffer zone: It is a specifically marked region where human activities like research and educational tours are allowed.
  - Outermost/transition zone: The area where the tribals live and activities that would not harm the wildlife are allowed.

Some of the famous biosphere reserves of India are as follows—

Name	State
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve	Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Kaziranga Biosphere Reserve	Assam
Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve	West Bengal
Kanha Biosphere Reserve	Madhya Pradesh
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve	Madhya Pradesh

- Helps in the conservation and maintenance of wildlife in that area.
- Assists in research and development related to biodiversity.
- Helps the tribal to preserve their traditions and lifestyle.

Wildlife Sanctuary:

It is a piece of land looked after and protected by the government for the conservation of animals in their natural habitats.
No hunting and poaching are allowed in these areas.
Human activities are banned in these areas.
Some of the threatened species protected in the different wildlife sanctuaries of India are the blackbuck, elephant, golden-headed duck, gharial, python, and rhinoceros.

Some major wildlife sanctuaries of India are as follows—

Name	State
Sanjay Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary	Maharashtra
Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary	Andhra Pradesh
Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary	Rajasthan
Sultanpur Wildlife Sanctuary	Haryana
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary	Karnataka
Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala
Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary	Odisha
Lockchao Wildlife Sanctuary	Manipur
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary	Madhya Pradesh

National Parks:

It is a relatively large protected area that is conserved for its natural beauty and the conservation of animals in their natural habitats.
These areas are open for recreation and tours.
The primary objective of a national park is to provide a safe environment for wildlife. Human activities like hunting, mining, and fishing are not allowed.
India has more than 80 national parks.
Some national parks are famous for their exclusive resources and animal species.

Examples:

Satpura National Park has the finest teak available. Also, the rock paintings at the Satpura National Park are a major source of tourist attraction.

Some famous national parks of India are as follows—

Name	State	Animals protected
Jim Corbett National Park	Uttarakhand	Tiger, Elephants, Crocodile, Deer, Leopards, Gharials
Kanha National Park	Madhya Pradesh	Bengal Tiger, Barasingha, Sloth bear
Ranthambore National Park	Rajasthan	Tiger, Panther, Bear, Sambhar
Gir National Park	Gujarat	Lion, Jackals, Leopards, Deer, Crocodiles
Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian Elephant
Sunderbans National Park	West Bengal	Bengal Tiger, Crocodile, Ganges River Dolphin, Horseshoe crab
Bandipur National Park	Karnataka	Mugger crocodile, Indian rock python, Golden jackal, sloth bear
Dachigam National Park	Jammu Kashmir	Musk Deer, Snow leopard, Kashmir langur, Himalayan black bear
Sariska National Park	Rajasthan	Nilgai, Jungle cat, Hyena, Leopard, Four-horned antelope
Satpura National Park	Madhya Pradesh	Sloth bear, Crocodile, Four-horned antelope, Otters, Langurs

Traditions: These are the customs and beliefs that are transferred from one generation to another.

Threatened species: Species that are vulnerable of getting endangered in the near future.

Erosion: Wearing away of the soil by natural forces like water, wind and ice.

Hemis National Park in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest National Park in India.
Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the highest number of national parks, totalling nine each.
Hailey National Park was the first to be declared a national park of India in 1936, now known as the Jim Corbett National Park.
Kaziranga, Manas, and Keoladeo National Parks are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The First National marine park of India is situated in the Gulf of Kutch, known as Marine National Park.

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