Conservation of Forest and Wild life in India

Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife In India: Conservation of wildlife population and forestry has become essential. It preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems like water, air and soil. It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. Aquatic biodiversity is necessary for maintaining fisheries.

Methods of Conservation: For the conservation of forest and wildlife in India, government has taken many steps. Some of these are discussed below:-

Wildlife Protection Acts: Due to a persistent demand from conservationists, the Government of India has implemented the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which contains various provisions for protection of habitats. An all India list of protected species has been published. The thrust of the programme has been towards protection of the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.

Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986 gave place to many small creatures like butterflies, moths, beetles dragonfly and other insects in conservation strategy. They are important in maintaining the ecological balance and in agricultural productivity. In 1991, plants were added to preservation list and only six plant species were included in first list which is enlarged regularly.

Establishment of Reserves: To protect biodiversity, the Indian Government has established many national parks, wildlife sanctuary, bird sanctuary and some biosphere reserve.Now conservation strategy focus on biodiversity rather than on few species only.

Project for Specific Animals: Central Government and State Government has also announced several projects for protecting gravely threatened species. These include one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag, three types of crocodiles - freshwater crocodile, salt water crocodile and Gharial. Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, black buck,the great Indian bustard (godawan) and snow leopard have been given legal protection against hunting, poaching and illegal trade.

Project Tiger: Project tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country. The major threats to tiger population are poaching for trade of tiger skins and bones which are traditionally used in medicines in Asian Countries (China).

Other threats are shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species and growing human population. India and Nepal became prime targets for poaching and illegal trading because they provide natural habitat for two-thirds of the surviving tiger populations.

Starting from 39 reserve in 1973-74, the number is grown up to 41 in 2013, covering about 1.49 % of the total geographical area of the country. It is administered by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The project initially showed success, but the population of tiger decline gradually to 1706 in 2011 than 4334 in 1989 The project not only save the endangered species, but also help in preserving biotypes of sizeable magnitude.

Major Tiger Reserves of India are

(i) Corbett National Park - Uttarakhand

(ii) Bandhavgarh National Park- Madhya Pradesh

(iii) Sunderbans National Park - West Bengal

(iv) Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary Rajasthan

(v) Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam

(vi) Periyar Tiger Reserve - Kerala

(vii) Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam - Andhra Pradesh (largest in India)

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Corbett National Park is situated in ______________
A. West Bengal	B. Uttar Pradesh	C. Assam	D. Odisha
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 2

The major threats to tiger population are poaching for trade of tiger skins and bones which are traditionally used in ___________________ in Asian Countries (China).
A. Medicines	B. Food	C. Water	D. All of these
Right Option : A
View Explanation