Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife Overview

Conservation Of Forest And Wildlife Overview

Aug 03, 2023, 16:45 IST

If you are looking for a conservation of forest and wildlife overview, you have come to the right place!

Forests are extensively exploited in the name of urbanization and development despite their enormous ecological, commercial, economic, and aesthetic importance. The globe benefits greatly from forests, but the amount of forest cover on Earth quickly declines due to civilization's exploitation of forests worldwide. As a result, it is now essential to conserve forests and the species that inhabit them, which we will discuss in this article.

Introduction

If we glance around, we may see a variety of forests and fauna. The term "flora" refers to the number of plants, whereas "fauna" refers to the population of animals. India is one of the richest and strongest countries in the world for forest and animal conservation in terms of biological variety. This might be two or three times the number that has been investigated. Because they are so seamlessly incorporated into our daily lives, we take this diverse flora and animals for granted.

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Wildlife Conservation

A significant and essential component of our environment is wildlife.

• The protection of varied wildlife in the forest is referred to as wildlife conservation. Animals and birds that dwell in the wild and were not domesticated by humans are referred to as wildlife.
• These creatures need wood as their natural habitat. Hence the clearing of forests makes them homeless. These animals can subsequently visit the settlements and eat the products because they don't have a set location to live.
• Species extinction is currently threatening the world's biodiversity. There are 35 hotspots worldwide that are home to 43% of endemic animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

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Steps to Conserve Wildlife

Humans need to control their needs first and foremost. We need to stop individuals from cutting down trees needlessly. Trees that are cut down should be planted again.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Establishing wildlife sanctuaries is necessary to safeguard environmentally essential places. The development of national parks and sanctuaries is just one of the mechanisms for protecting wildlife habitats established under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The protection of these sanctuaries and parks ensures the survival of threatened species.
• Pollution: One of the main factors causing animal species to go extinct is pollution. The entire ecosystem is negatively impacted by environmental pollution, which includes soil, water, and air pollution. It is now crucial to reduce environmental contamination.
• Migration: Birds migrate seasonally from icy areas to warm climates (where food is abundant and breeding is easier). Birds follow the same flying path year after year.
• Zoo: Zoos also offer animal protection. However, the animals there are mostly imported from abroad. They are fed and given artificial enclosures. Zoos have started breeding programs to boost the number of species.
• The Red Data Book: Important data about endangered species can be found in the Red Data Book.. Animals and plants have distinct Red Data Books.

Importance of Wildlife

The value of wildlife is illustrated by the following points:

• Animals are used in the production process even though plants are the main source of medicines. For instance, lobsters can be used as antifungals, while cobra venom is a critical component of leprosy medicines.
• Wildlife microbes take part in nitrogen fixation, increasing soil fertility as a result.
• Preservation of history and traditional culture is necessary for wildlife conservation. If the environment is not preserved, some locations well-known for their flora and fauna concerning local traditions and ways of life will lose their land and indigenous heritage.
• Preservation of the natural world's wildlife and flora advances ecological balance and stability. By balancing the quantities of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, plants, for instance, contribute to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
• If conservation efforts aren't made, some of the wild species that live today won't be around for future generations to observe.
• Among the many wild animals that are becoming extinct due to human activities are the Amur leopard, Hawksbill turtle, Black and Javan rhinoceros, Cross River gorilla, South China tiger, pangolin, and Sumatran elephant.

Forest Conservation

To ensure the sustainability of forested regions for future generations, more trees are planted and forests are preserved.

• A valuable natural resource, forests have several advantages for people.
• To create more space for cattle, agriculture, and other uses, forests must be permanently destroyed or lost. This practice is known as deforestation. Shifting cultivation is clearing forests to provide more space for agriculture.
• Another cause of deforestation is forest fires. There must be the implementation of forest fire prevention measures.
• Old wood must be removed as it can catch fire from lightning. Preparation and execution for putting out forest fires must be set up.
• Exploitation of forest products must be stopped. People who use the forest's bounty must be subject to strict restrictions and regulations.
• Departments in forest management should ensure that hunting and poaching are not permitted and that forests are growing sustainably.
• By maintaining biosphere reserves, wildlife refuges, national parks, zoological parks, and botanical gardens, forests can be conserved.

Steps to Conserve Forests

Preventing the exploitation of forestry and forest products is necessary for forest conservation. Numerous tribal settlements are found in woodlands. The majority of these people's means of subsistence also depend on the forests, with their relationship with them being entirely organic. It is crucial to engage their assistance in forest protection.

• National Parks:
  • National parks are vast, varied areas that support the preservation of different ecosystems. These can safeguard the ecosystem's vegetation, animals, and other elements.
  • Among the species that need to be protected are clouded leopards, snow leopards, musk deer, pandas, black bears, blue sheep, wild asses, toucans, marbled cats, and other endangered animals.
  • India has many national parks, including Sanjay National Park, Kanha National Park, Corbett National Park, Periyar National Park, and Bannerghatta National Park.
• Biosphere Reserve:
  • They are enormous tracts of land set aside for the preservation of biodiversity and the preservation of significant natural habitats.
  • Examples include the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
  • For instance, the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve includes the Satpura National Park and the Bori and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries:
  • Animal and plant species native to the wild can be preserved in wildlife sanctuaries.
  • Animal killing and tree cutting are prohibited in wildlife sanctuaries.
  • The blackbuck, white-eyed buck, elephant, python, rhinoceros, marsh crocodile, and golden cat are among the threatened species that are protected in this area.

Importance of Forests

• Forest products, including textiles, raw materials, and medicinal plants, provide jobs for millions of people. All these people will lose their jobs and be unable to live without the forests.
• In forests, a wide variety of creatures find safety. These animals will die if the trees are cut down since they won't have access to their natural habitat. This devastation led to the extinction of numerous threatened plant and animal species.
• To ensure we have adequate oxygen to breathe, woods and wildlife should be preserved. Without trees, it is impossible to produce oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels may rise.
• The majority of the floodwater may be absorbed by forests, halting soil erosion and protecting us from natural disasters.
• Making forest areas into tourism sites and allowing people to see wildlife up close can hugely impact the economy.
• By absorbing CO2 from animals, forests help maintain the carbon cycle.

Actions Taken by Government to Conserve Forests And Wildlife

• The Animals Protection Act of 1972 protects areas designated for wildlife preservation and establishes fines and penalties for hunting and forest destruction.
• The purpose of protected places like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to save wildlife, including threatened or endangered species of plants and animals.
• The National Biological Activity of 2002 was designed to guarantee the preservation of threatened species and their ecosystems.
• Wildlife initiatives like project tiger, project elephant, etc., are formed to preserve these creatures.
• With the federal government's consent, state governments are permitted to declare any forest area non-reserved under the National Forest Policy of 1980. Additionally, the policy forbids the State government from allocating any forest area for uses other than forests.
• 1992 Amended Forest Act created provisions for various non-forest activities to be permitted in forests without requiring the removal of trees, subject to prior Central Government approval. These activities include transmission line installation, seismic surveying, prospecting, drilling, and hydroelectric projects.
• Even if there is no need to cut down trees, exploring or surveying is completely prohibited in wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the conservation of forests and wildlife?

Ans. Wildlife conservation is the practice of preserving wild species and their natural habitats to maintain healthy wildlife populations, species, or species, as well as to restore, protect, or enhance natural ecosystems.

Q2. What is the significance of protecting wildlife and forests?

Ans. From the timber, we use for building to the air we breathe, forests are essential to our ability to thrive. More than just a habitat for animals and a means of subsistence, forests offer both. They protect watersheds, prevent soil erosion, and lessen the effects of climate change.

Q3. What are the top three methods for protecting forests and wildlife?

Ans. Worship of animals and trees. Use of plants and animals for religious purposes. National parks, wildlife refuges, and bio reserves have been established to safeguard endangered species.

Q4. How has wildlife conservation impacted society?

Ans. Improving food security is one of the most fundamental functions of wildlife protection for humans. Preventing the loss of natural habitats and forests would boost the availability of a diverse range of food products.

Q5. What is the purpose of forest and wildlife conservation?

Ans. Because forests are a crucial component of our ecosystem, we must safeguard them for present and future generations, wildlife, and human well-being. We must not take down trees to improve air quality and plant more.