Conservation of Plants and Animals

1.0Introduction

Biological diversity or biodiversity refer to the variety of organisms existing on the earth, their inter-relationships and their relationship with the environment. In forests we see the great diversity. Forest is one of the most useful renewable resources. They are our national wealth. They are the home of several kinds of plants, animals and microorganisms. The number and types of plants and animals found in forest depends on soil and climatic conditions. Forest is an important natural resource and forest are under great threat. The trees are being cut to meet various human needs.

• Deforestation and its causes : The cutting of trees (clearing of forest) and using the cleared land for other purposes is called deforestation.

Various purposes for which trees are cut:

1. Procuring land for agriculture use.
2. Procuring timbers for building houses, roads, railway tracks, dams etc.
3. Procuring land for setting up industries and mining.
4. Using wood as fuel and for making furniture.
5. To obtain forest products like food, rubber, honey, resins etc.

Some natural causes of deforestation are:

(i) Forest fire (ii) Severe drought

Q. How does deforestation affect animal life?

• Explanation Deforestation is the cutting down of trees and clearing of forests. The forests are home to a variety of animals and birds. If forests are cut down, these animals lose their habitats and because of deforestation, these animals become extinct slowly due to loss of habitat.

Consequences of Deforestation

The consequences of deforestation is very serious. Some of the harmful effects are given below.

Increases the temperature and pollution level

Level of in the atmosphere would go up as more trees are cut indiscriminately as less would be used up in photosynthesis. When large area is deforested, there are changes in the climate of that area.

The addition of certain gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFC's increase the temperature of the earth. These gases remain close to the surface of earth, forming an insulating layer. The surface becomes hot due to the solar radiations. These radiations are normally reflected back into the space. However, due to the presence of the insulating layer the heat remains within the earth's atmosphere and increases its temperature. This is called global warming. Global warming results in the melting of polar ice caps which contributes to the rise in the level of water in the oceans.

Floods:

Trees check the flow of rain water. When mountain slopes and uplands are deforested, the water rushes down and cause river to overflow and flood in lower lands. The silt carried by water from denuded slope chokes rivers and aggravates the problem of flooding.

Drought:

Deforestation can lead to droughts as well, when trees are cut down, the water rushes down very fast and upland are deprived of water soon after the rain. Increased temperature on earth would disturb the water cycle and may reduce rainfall due to which drought may occur.

Reducing water table

In the absence of tree cover, rainfall cannot infiltrate into the ground to charge the ground water. It leads to the lowering of ground water level in the absence of replenishment.

Deforestation is the major cause which leads to the change in soil properties.

Land is also a precious resource. It is needed for agriculture and occupation. Land is under pressure due to increasing population. Land for agriculture has to be fertile in order to support a good crop. The fertility of land lies in the quality of the soil. The removal of vegetation exposes the topsoil to water and wind. Water and wind cause the topsoil to be removed.

Soil Erosion:

Soil is formed as a result of weathering of rocks. There are also many living organisms in the soil. Soil is, in fact a product of the interaction of living organisms with rocks. Soil has many layers. The removal of topsoil is called soil erosion.

• Effect of soil erosion Soil erosion results in the loss of soil fertility and makes the land barren. Soil erosion also leads to desertification. Desertification refers to increase of desert areas.
• Causes of soil erosion The main cause of soil erosion is the removal of vegetation. Vegetation removal takes place due to removal of forest covers. Unscientific farming has also led to barren lands.

Q. How does deforestation reduce rainfall on the one hand and lead to flood on the other?

• Explanation Global deforestation could lead to a series of consequences, and one of them is the changing water cycle which results in less rainfall. Trees check the flow of rainwater. When mountain slopes and uplands are deforested, the water rushes down and cause river to overflow and flood in lower lands. The silt carried by water from denuded slope chokes rivers and aggravates the problem of flooding.

2.0Conservation of forest and wildlife:

Biodiversity conservation is the practice of preserving and protecting the wealth and variety of species, habitats, ecosystems and genetic diversity on the earth.

In 1970's many national, international and governmental agencies became more active in the conservation of biodiversity.

The world-wide fund for nature (WWF) is one of the many international organizations that aim at conservation of nature.

Wildlife:

Wildlife refers to all plants, animals and other microorganisms that are non-domesticated i.e. any living organism found in its natural habitat. The term refers to animals and plants that are undisturbed by human beings.

Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Desert, rainforest, plains and other areas including the most developed urban areas all have distinct form of wildlife.

Wildlife conservation mostly involves the protection of wildlife habitats. Large scale killing of animals by man cutting down the trees cause a serious threat to wildlife, both plants and animals. This may affect the food chain of that ecosystem in which these plants and animals present.

• In 1971 the UNESCO began the Man and Biosphere programme to establish at least one biosphere reserve in each of the earth's 193 bio-geographical zones.
• The total forest area in India is of total geographical area but according to national forest policy it should be .

Q. What is Shahtoosh?

• Explanation The Tibetan antelope, also known as Chiru is mainly killed for its fine fleece, which is popularly known as Shahtoosh. Shahtoosh shawls are very expensive and considered a fashion statement by many people. To check the population of the Tibetan antelope, a ban has been declared in India on the sale and usage of Shahtoosh shawls.

3.0Uses of forest

(i) They are the main sources of food to all living beings. (ii) They also provide us wood, fuel, clothing (fibre), shelter, medicines, paper, rubber, vegetable oil and many other useful things. (iii) They provide home and protection to wildlife. (iv) They regulate earth's temperature and water cycle. (v) Forests help in bringing good rainfall. (vi) They help in regulating the balance of and in the atmosphere and check global warming. (vii) They check air pollution and contribute to purification of air. (viii) They prevent erosion of soil by water and wind. (ix) They reduce the intensity of floods. (x) Forests also control the noise pollution.

4.0Protected areas

In order to conserve wildlife, some remedial measures or strategies can be adapted. One such measure is to develop protected areas. These are the areas developed to protect and maintain biodiversity. Plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and pouching are prohibited here. The lands are allotted by government through legal processes. They include - (1) Biosphere reserve. (2) Wildlife Sanctuaries. (3) National Park.

Biosphere Reserve

Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area. It helps to maintain the biodiversity of that area. A biosphere reserve may also contain other protected areas in it. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (M.P.) consists of one national park named Satpura National Park and wildlife sanctuary named Bori and Pachmarhi sanctuary.

Some biosphere reserves are - (i) Nilgiri biosphere reserve (Tamil Nadu) (ii) Nanda Devi biosphere reserve (Uttaranchal) (iii) Sundarbans biosphere reserve (West Bengal) (iv) Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve (Tamil Nadu) (v) Great Nicobar biosphere reserve (Andaman and Nicobar) (vi) Manas biosphere reserve (Assam) (vii) Similipal biosphere reserve (Odisha)

Major objectives of establishing Biosphere reserves are

(i) To conserve diversity (ii) To promote ecological conservation efforts and (iii) To educate people i.e. to create awareness about environmental aspect.

Flora and fauna

Plants of all the species found in a particular habitat or region are collectively referred to as 'flora' similarly the term 'fauna' refers to animals. We depend greatly on the flora and fauna of a natural habitat, as they constitute an important natural resource. Evergreen forest have different ecosystem sheltering unique forms of plants and animals. The diversity of India's climate and topography is reflected in its rich flora and fauna.

Sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc., are the flora and chinkara, bluebull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are examples of the fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Endemic species : Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. They are naturally not found anywhere else. A particular type of animal or plant may be endemic to a zone, a state or a country. E.g. Nilgiris langur, Lion tailed macaque (south India), Nepenthes khasiana (Pitcher plant) and Spider lily are some of the endemic species of India.

Sal and wild mango are the endemic flora whereas Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are the endemic fauna of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Destruction of endemic species

(i) Deforestation: It has been the first act of man which has destroyed many life forms. Many organisms are supported by forests. Forests being cut and destroyed forever are causing the disappearance of many plant and animal species from the face of the earth.

(ii) Growth in human population: Human population has tremendously affected the wildlife on the earth. There has been great reduction in forest cover, grassland and pastures which were supporting many of the wildlives. Exploitation of natural resources for human use has directly resulted in the disappearance of wild varieties of organisms.

(iii) Introduction of new species Replacing indigenous varieties of plants and animals with new breeds and these new varieties are resulting in the loss of certain indigenous varieties.

Note: The Great Indian Bustard endemic to India and possibly Pakistan has been classified as endangered because of its declining population. The existence of this bird has been threatened mainly due to poaching and destruction of habitat.

Q. Why some of the endemic species may vanish?

• Explanation Because of destruction of natural habitat, indiscriminate hunting and introduction of exotic species of interest, such species compete with the native species for food and space. This results in the disappearance of some endemic species.

Wildlife Sanctuary

Areas where animals are protected from disturbance to them in their habitat. It sanctuary is a protected environment where wild animals are brought to live and enjoy protection for the rest of their lives. Wildlife sanctuaries provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. Indian sanctuaries have unique landscapes, broad level forests, mountain forests and bush land in deltas of big river.

People living wildlife sanctuaries are allowed to do some activities like grazing of livestock, collecting firewood and medicinal plants. The sanctuaries aim at preserving animal life in their natural habitat. They are allowed to breed and multiply with the basic aim of increasing their number. Cutting down trees and hunting animals in these areas are strictly prohibited. It is pity that even sanctuaries are not safe because some people living in neighbourhood still hunt and kill animals, sometimes for fun, money and for selling the body parts of the killed animals. Some of the threatened wild animals like black buck, white eyed duck, elephant, golden cat, pinkheaded duck, gharials, marsh crocodile, python, rhinoceros etc are protected in wildlife sanctuaries.

Some wildlife sanctuary in India are

(i) Bharatpur bird sanctuary. (ii) Sanjay Gandhi wildlife sanctuary. (iii) Bori wildlife sanctuary.

National Park

The National park is the area reserved for wildlife where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources. It is a reserve of land, declared and owned by a national government, it is protected from most human development and pollution. It is an area which is strictly reserved for the protection of wildlife. National parks preserve flora, fauna, landscape and historic objects of an area. Human activities like grazing, cultivation, poaching, hunting, capturing of animals or collection of firewood are not allowed in national park.

Satpura National Park is the first Reserve Forest of India. The finest Indian teak is found in this forest. Rock shelters and rock paintings are found in this park. A total of 55 rock has been identified in this reserve. Figures of animals hunting, playing and man with musical instruments and paintings are also depicted in the reserve. There are more than 100 almost 106 national parks in India.

Zoological parks: refer to any park, building, cage enclosure or a premise in which animals are kept for public exhibition. These are the places where animals receive protection.

Botanical garden: is a garden dedicated to the collection, cultivation and display of a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names. These can be called as the zoo of plants where rare and threatened species of plants are reared and conserved.

5.0Project tiger

Project Tiger is one of the successful operations launched by Government of India to protect tiger in the country. The objective of the project was to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in the country.

There were about 40,000 Bengal Tigers in 1910. There was a sharp decline in their numbers to 1827 in 1972. The main reasons for the extinction of tiger were hunting, deforestation and taming of rivers for human needs. Realising this decline, a project named "Project Tiger" was initiated on 1st April 1973 by the government of India during Prime minister Indira Gandhi's tenure. The project was funded by WWF.

'Satpura Tiger Reserve' is unique in the sense that it has shown a significant increase in the population of tiger. Animals like lions, elephant, wild buffalo and Barahsingha were also found in this reserve. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is 54th tiger reserve of India.

Main tiger reserves in India

1. Jim Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal)
2. Periyar National Park (Kerala)
3. Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan)
4. Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
5. Sariska National Park (Rajasthan)
6. Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal)

6.0Red data book

It is a source book which gives a list of all the endangered plants and animals. There are different, Red Data Book for plants, animals and other species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list of threatened species also called the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book was created in 1963. It is considered the world's most comprehensive inventory status of plants and animal species. The head office of IUCN is in Morgues (Switzerland).

Endangered species: An endangered species is a population of plants and animals that are in danger of becoming extinct as it is either few in number or its population has reached a critical level because its habitat has been drastically changed. e.g. Tiger, Blue whale, Asiatic lion.

Balance in nature: For a living thing to survive, it must exist in a certain proportion and allow other living things to exist. Living things cannot afford to exist without any check. For instance, if there are too many lions, they will kill all the deer. On the other hand, if there are too many deer, they will eat too much grass, and not leave any grass for the other animals. Thus, different living organisms must exist to survive.

7.0Migration

Migration refers to regular and systematic movement of a group of organisms in search of suitable temporary shelter till a better one is found.

It is more clearly referred as regular periodic movement of population of animals in large numbers away from their native place to another and back to their place of origin. E.g. Humming birds, Tuna (Fish), African elephant. Migratory birds fly to far away areas every year during a particular time because of changes in climate. The fly for lying as the weather of their natural habitat is not suitable.

The Siberian Crane is endemic to Siberia. They travel large distance and come to India in groups during winters to escape the cold, unfavourable conditions of Siberia.

• The Arctic Tern is a seabird. It breeds abundantly in the arctic and the subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Known to be strongly migratory, this bird spends its winter in the Antarctic (a journey of a whooping 19,000 km).

8.0Recycling of paper

Paper is a part of everyday life. Paper takes up over almost 40% of our waste stream, making it the top material that we throw away. 17 full grown trees are used to make one tonne of paper. If we could recycle one morning newspaper every day, we could save almost 41,000 trees from being cut down. Paper can be recycled 5 to 7 times for use. Paper recycling is the process of using old paper products and turning them into new reusable paper products. There are so many other products that can be made with recycled paper and the best thing about paper recycling is that it uses less chemicals and bleaches, which is safer for the environment. Recycling old paper products uses almost less energy than manufacturing it from new material.

9.0Reforestation

Reforestation is the restocking of the destroyed forest by planting new trees. The planted trees should generally be of the same species which were found in that forest. If the forest is replaced with only one species of trees, then all other vegetation is prevented from growing back, a monoculture forest similar to agriculture crops would be the result.

We should plant at least as many trees as we cut. Reforestation can take place naturally also. Once the forests get deforested, so it is naturally regenerated by wide variety of plant and animal species, in this there is no role of human beings.

Afforestation and reforestation both refer to the establishment of trees on land without trees. Reforestation refers to the establishment of forest on land that had recent tree cover whereas afforestation refers to land that has been without forest from much longer.

We have already caused tremendous damage to our forest. It disturbs the wildlife habitat. It is necessary to retain our green wealth for future generation. Plantation of more trees is the only option. In India, we have the following acts that aim at preservation and conservation of forest. (i) Forest (Conservation) Act - 1980 (ii) Wildlife (Protection) Act - 1972 (amended in 1991)

The government of India passed the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972 under which protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries have been created.

10.0SOME BASIC TERMS

1. Consequence : Something that happens or follows as a result of something else.
2. Timber : Wood that is going to be used for building.
3. Resins: A sticky substance that is produced by some tree.
4. Drought : A long period without rain.
5. Extinct : No longer existing.
6. Intensity : The degree to which something is difficult or strong.
7. Absorber : A thing that soaks up something.
8. Indiscriminate : Done without making judgement or caring about the possible harmful effects.
9. Stability : The state of being steady, not changing.
10. Disappear : To become impossible to see or to find.
11. Exploitation : The act of using resources or treating people unfairly in order to benefit from their efforts or labour.
12. Periodic: Happening regularly.
13. Tremendous: Very large
14. Procuring: Obtain
15. Indigenous : Local