CBSE Class 10 Geography Notes Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources

Forest and wildlife resources class 10 notes cover the essential biological diversity found in India and the critical conservation efforts needed to protect it. These materials explain flora, fauna, and the various categories of endangered species. You'll learn how human activities impact ecosystems and explore community-based protection methods to ensure a balanced, sustainable future for our environment.

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Forest And Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

This chapter is included in the CBSE Class 10 syllabus. It covers essential concepts regarding India's Geography Class 10 Chapter 2 Notes on Forest and Wildlife Resources. It provides a structured overview of species classification, causes of depletion, and conservation strategies. 

Flora and Fauna Categories

India possesses immense biological diversity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies species into different categories:

• Normal Species: Populations are at healthy levels for survival. Examples include cattle, sal trees, and pine.

• Endangered Species: Face a high risk of extinction. Examples include black buck, Indian rhino, and lion-tailed macaque.

• Vulnerable Species: Their population has declined to levels where they are likely to become endangered soon. Examples are blue sheep and Gangetic dolphin.

• Rare Species: Have small populations and could move into endangered or vulnerable categories if negative factors persist. Examples include the Himalayan brown bear and desert fox.

• Endemic Species: Found only in specific geographical areas, often isolated by natural barriers. Examples are Andaman teal and Nicobar pigeon.

• Extinct Species: No longer exist anywhere. Examples include the Asiatic cheetah and pink-head duck.

Negative Factors for Depletion

Several human activities lead to the depletion of flora and fauna:

• Excessive Resource Use: Over-consumption of wood, bark, leaves, and other forest products for human needs.

• Agricultural Expansion: Conversion of forest land into agricultural areas.

• Development Projects: Large-scale infrastructure and mining operations cause habitat destruction.

• Commercial Forestry: Extensive tree felling for commercial purposes.

• Inequitable Resource Access: Uneven distribution and consumption of resources, with varying responsibility for environmental health.

Conservation Efforts in India

Conservation aims to protect ecological diversity and genetic variety of plants and animals.

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972): This act was enacted to safeguard habitats and listed protected species across India.

• Project Specific Conservation: The central government initiated projects for protecting specific endangered animals.

• Protected Species Expansion: Under the Wildlife Acts of 1980 and 1986, insects like butterflies, moths, and a dragonfly were added to the protected list.

• Plant Protection: For the first time in 1991, six plant species were also added to the conservation list.

Types and Distribution of Forests

The government manages forest and wildlife resources in India through the Forest Department. These are categorized as:

• Reserved Forests: These cover over half of India's total forest land. They are the most protected category.

• Protected Forests: About one-third of the total forest area falls under this category, offering a degree of protection from further depletion.

• Unclassed Forests: These include forests and barren lands owned by both the government and private individuals/communities. North-eastern states have a high percentage of unclassed forests.

• Permanent Forests: This term refers to both reserved and protected forests. They are managed for timber production and protective functions. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests.

Community and Conservation

Local communities play a vital role in conserving forest and wildlife resources:

• Sariska Tiger Reserve: Villagers in Rajasthan resisted mining activities by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.

• Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’: Five villages in Alwar district declared 1,200 hectares of forest as their own sanctuary, enforcing strict rules against hunting and external encroachments.

• Chipko Movement: This famous movement in the Himalayas successfully prevented deforestation and promoted community afforestation.

• Beej Bachao Andolan: Farmers and citizen groups demonstrated the viability of diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals.

• Joint Forest Management (JFM): This program involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests, a key aspect of ch 2 geography class 10 notes.

Key Mechanisms of Forest and Wildlife Conservation

Effective mechanisms are included in Class 10th Geography Chapter 2 Notes on biodiversity. These rules and acts provide the framework for conservation efforts.

Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

This act was a landmark step in India's conservation history. It provides legal protection to endangered species of flora and fauna. The act establishes protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It also regulates hunting and trade of wildlife products, enforcing penalties for violations.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Joint Forest Management is a strategy that involves local communities in the protection and management of forests. It acknowledges the traditional rights of communities over forest resources. Under JFM, communities receive benefits like fuelwood, fodder, and minor forest produce in return for their active participation in conservation. This approach helps in the sustainable use and restoration of degraded forests.

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1. Variety of Life and Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

Nature is like a big family where every plant and animal has a special job. This huge mix of living things is what we call biodiversity. India is very lucky because it has so many different kinds of animals and plants. But many of these living things are now in trouble because of what people do.

Groups of Animals and Plants

The world experts put living things into groups so we know who needs help:

• Endangered: These are very close to disappearing forever (like the wild ass).

• Vulnerable: Their numbers are going down fast and they might get into big trouble soon.

• Extinct: These are gone forever and we cannot find them anywhere anymore.

• Endemic: These only live in one small place, like a special island.

2. Why We Are Losing Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes PDF

We need to understand why our green woods are going away. The forest and wildlife resources class 10 notes pdf download shows us that making new things for people often hurts the homes of animals.

What is Hurting Nature?

• Taking Too Much: We cut trees for wood to burn or to build houses.

• Big Building Work: Huge walls for water (dams) have drowned many forests since 1951.

• Digging the Ground: Mining for rocks in places like West Bengal breaks the paths where animals walk.

• Farming: In some places, people burn trees to make farm land, which kills the soil.

3. Keeping Nature Safe Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes 2025

Saving nature is very important because trees give us clean air and water to drink. In 1972, the government made a strong law called the Wildlife Protection Act to stop people from hurting animals.

How We Help Animals

• Project Tiger: This plan started in 1973 to save tigers in special parks.

• No Hunting: It is now against the law to kill or sell wild animals.

• Safe Homes: The government set aside big areas where animals can live without fear.

• Helping Small Bugs: Now, even pretty butterflies and small beetles are kept safe by the law.

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4. Managing the Woods Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes Digraj Sir

The people in charge look after the forests so they do not get ruined. If you read the forest and wildlife resources class 10 notes digraj sir talks about, you will see three kinds of forests.

The Three Forest Types

5. Village Help for Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes

Saving the woods works best when people living nearby help out. In India, many groups of people love nature and keep it safe because it is part of their life.

People Power in Nature

• Sacred Groves: These are small forests that people pray to and never cut.

• Tree Hugging: People in the high mountains held onto trees so nobody could cut them down.

• Villagers Fighting Back: In Rajasthan, local people stopped big digging machines to save animal homes.

• Working Together: A plan called JFM lets villagers help save the woods and get fruits and seeds in return.

Beyond the basic classification, it is vital to realize that the destruction of forests is not just a biological issue but a social one as well. Forest loss often hits poor communities the hardest because they depend directly on the environment for food, medicine, and water. When these resources disappear, women often have to walk much further to find fuel and fodder, which increases their workload and hurts their health. Conservation must focus on cultural diversity too. Protecting our natural heritage means safeguarding the traditions of tribal people who have coexisted with the wilderness for centuries. We must ensure that future development plans prioritize the stability of our ecosystem alongside economic growth. Sustainable living is the only way to keep our planet healthy for the next generation of students. Everyone can play a small part in this big mission. When we save a single tree, we are actually saving a home for many birds and bugs. We must learn to use only what we really need from the earth. Recycling paper is a great way to start because it means fewer trees have to be cut down in the woods. If we all work as a team, we can make the world green and happy again. Every child has the power to speak up for the animals who cannot speak for themselves. Let's make sure our forests stay tall and our wild animals stay safe forever.

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Forest and Wildlife Resources Notes FAQs

1. How does the IUCN group animals?

• They put animals into lists like Normal, Endangered, or Extinct based on how many are left and if they are safe.

2. What is the problem in Buxar?

• Digging for rocks has messed up the land and blocked the way for big animals like elephants to move around.

3. Which state has the most safe forest?

• Madhya Pradesh has the biggest area of forest that is kept safe forever.

4. What are 'Permanent Forest Estates'?

• This is a name for Reserved and Protected forests added together because they are meant to stay as forests always.

5. What does JFM do?

It brings together the government and local people to fix old forests and help everyone live better.