With the CBSE Class 10th board exams 2026 starting from 17 February and the Social Science paper scheduled on 7 March 2026, students must revise all Geography chapters thoroughly. Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Notes help learners understand the importance of forests and wildlife as natural resources, their classification, threats, and conservation strategies. Aligned with the CBSE Class 10 syllabus, these notes are structured for quick revision and focus on concepts frequently asked in the CBSE 10th Social Science board exam.
What are Forest and Wildlife Resources?
Forest and Wildlife Resources introduces the wide range of plant and animal species found in India. It explains how these resources are classified and the threats they face. The notes also detail efforts to conserve forests and wildlife, emphasizing their importance for ecological balance and human well-being.
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:
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Normal Species: Populations are at healthy levels for survival. Examples include cattle, sal trees, and pine.
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Endangered Species: Face a high risk of extinction. Examples include black buck, Indian rhino, and lion-tailed macaque.
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Vulnerable Species: Their population has declined to levels where they are likely to become endangered soon. Examples are blue sheep and Gangetic dolphin.
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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.
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Endemic Species: Found only in specific geographical areas, often isolated by natural barriers. Examples are Andaman teal and Nicobar pigeon.
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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:
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Excessive Resource Use: Over-consumption of wood, bark, leaves, and other forest products for human needs.
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Agricultural Expansion: Conversion of forest land into agricultural areas.
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Development Projects: Large-scale infrastructure and mining operations cause habitat destruction.
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Commercial Forestry: Extensive tree felling for commercial purposes.
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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.
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Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972): This act was enacted to safeguard habitats and listed protected species across India.
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Project Specific Conservation: The central government initiated projects for protecting specific endangered animals.
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Protected Species Expansion: Under the Wildlife Acts of 1980 and 1986, insects like butterflies, moths, and a dragonfly were added to the protected list.
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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:
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Reserved Forests: These cover over half of India's total forest land. They are the most protected category.
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Protected Forests: About one-third of the total forest area falls under this category, offering a degree of protection from further depletion.
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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.
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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:
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Sariska Tiger Reserve: Villagers in Rajasthan resisted mining activities by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
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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.
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Chipko Movement: This famous movement in the Himalayas successfully prevented deforestation and promoted community afforestation.
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Beej Bachao Andolan: Farmers and citizen groups demonstrated the viability of diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals.
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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.
Forest and Wildlife Resources Important Points for CBSE 10th Exam
Forest and Wildlife Resources is a scoring chapter in Class 10 Geography, frequently asked in the CBSE 10th Social Science board exam. Clear understanding of definitions, categories, causes of depletion, and conservation measures helps in answering both short and long questions.
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Importance of Forests and Wildlife: Support biodiversity, ecological balance, and human livelihoods.
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Flora and Fauna Classification:
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Normal species (e.g., sal, pine, cattle)
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Endangered species (e.g., black buck, Indian rhino)
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Vulnerable species (e.g., Gangetic dolphin
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Rare species (e.g., Himalayan brown bear)
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Endemic species (e.g., Andaman teal)
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Extinct species (e.g., Asiatic cheetah)
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Causes of Depletion: Overuse of resources, agricultural expansion, development projects, commercial forestry, and unequal access.
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Conservation Efforts in India: Wildlife Protection Act 1972, species-specific projects, plant and insect protection.
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Types of Forests: Reserved, Protected, Unclassed, Permanent; state-wise management.
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Community Initiatives: Chipko Movement, Beej Bachao Andolan, JFM, village-led sanctuaries (e.g., Sariska, Bhairodev Dakav).
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Key Mechanisms: Legal protections, regulation of hunting/trade, and sustainable forest management under Joint Forest Management (JFM).