Class 9 SST Life on Earth: Forests, Livelihoods, Biodiversity and Conservation Notes By PW

Forests face growing pressure from deforestation, declining natural resources and human-wildlife conflict. These challenges affect not only wildlife and biodiversity but also communities that depend on forests for food, fuel, medicines and income. Protecting forests therefore requires balancing environmental conservation with the needs and rights of people who rely on them.

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Forests and Livelihood

Many rural and tribal communities depend on forests for their daily needs, income, culture and traditional practices. Forests provide several resources that support their lives and occupations.

These include:

• Food: Wild fruits, roots, mushrooms and nuts.

• Fuel: Firewood for cooking.

• Fodder: Grass and leaves for animals.

• Medicine: Plants used to prepare medicines.

• Building Materials: Timber, wood and bamboo.

• Income: Tendu leaves, mahua flowers, gums and honey.

Non-Timber Forest Products

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are useful products collected from forests other than timber or wood. These products support household needs, provide income and help sustain traditional occupations and local knowledge.

Examples include:

• Honey

• Fruits and nuts

• Medicinal plants

• Tendu leaves

• Mahua flowers

• Lac and gums

Forest Dwellers and Sacred Groves

Forest dwellers are people who live in or around forests and depend substantially on forest resources. For these communities, forests are not just sources of income but also homes, cultural spaces and places connected with traditional knowledge and religious practices.

Forest dwellers contribute to forest protection by preserving local knowledge, maintaining cultural practices and using plants and herbs found in their surroundings. Women also play an important role in collecting forest resources, managing household needs and passing traditional knowledge to younger generations.

Forest Protection Movements

Community participation has played an important role in protecting forests in India. Two well-known examples are:

• Bishnoi Movement: The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is known for protecting trees and wildlife. Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life while protecting trees at Khejarli.

• Chipko Movement: This movement took place in Uttarakhand, where villagers, especially women, hugged trees to prevent them from being cut. It highlighted the role of local communities in forest conservation.

Sacred Groves

Sacred groves are small forest patches protected by communities because of religious and cultural beliefs. They may be associated with ancestors, gods or local traditions.

Sacred groves help to:

• Protect rare plants and medicinal species.

• Provide shelter to birds and wildlife.

• Conserve biodiversity.

• Protect water resources and groundwater.

• Preserve traditional beliefs and practices.

Memory Tip: Think of a sacred grove as a forest patch protected by community beliefs and traditions.

Forest Ecotourism

Ecotourism refers to responsible tourism in natural areas that aims to protect the environment while benefiting local communities. Forest ecotourism allows visitors to learn about plants, animals and local ecosystems while minimising harm to nature.

It helps to:

• Create employment for local people.

• Generate income for forest-dependent communities.

• Increase environmental awareness.

• Support forest and wildlife conservation.

• Promote local culture.

Thenmala Ecotourism

Thenmala, located in Kerala's Kollam district, is recognised as India's first planned ecotourism destination. The project involved Kerala's Tourism Ministry, Forest Ministry and Irrigation Department.

Local people participated as guides, eco-guards and service providers. The initiative aimed to balance tourism, forest conservation and local employment.

Visitors are expected to follow responsible tourism practices, such as avoiding littering, disturbing or feeding animals, damaging plants and ignoring local rules.

Geographical Indication Tag

A Geographical Indication (GI) Tag is given to products that originate from a particular geographical region. It identifies their regional connection, reputation, quality or special characteristics.

A GI tag helps protect traditional products, preserve local knowledge, improve regional recognition and support producers.

Examples include:

• Raban Sulaimani honey — Jammu and Kashmir

• Tezpur litchi — Assam

• Channapatna toys — Karnataka

• Kandhamal turmeric — Odisha

• Nilgiri tea — Nilgiri region

• Tripura Queen pineapple — Tripura

• Khasi Mandarin — Meghalaya

Memory Tip: A GI tag identifies a product's connection with a particular geographical region and its distinctive characteristics.

Challenges Faced by Forest Dwellers

Communities that depend on forests may face several social, economic and environmental challenges. These can affect their access to resources, livelihoods and quality of life.

Some common challenges include:

• Limited access to hospitals, schools and clean water.

• Health problems and inadequate healthcare facilities.

• Loss of traditional livelihoods.

• Deforestation and commercial exploitation.

• Restrictions on collecting forest products.

• Declining availability of forest resources.

• Natural disasters and forest fires.

• Human-wildlife conflict.

• Crop damage caused by elephants, monkeys and wild boars.

• Low income and discrimination.

Addressing these challenges requires better access to healthcare and education, improved markets for forest products, local processing facilities, awareness of legal rights, forest-fire prevention and sustainable resource use.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognises the forest rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who depend on forests. It provides eligible communities with rights related to forest land, habitation and the use of forest resources.

The Act also aims to protect eligible communities from losing their recognised forest rights.

Joint Forest Management

Joint Forest Management involves local communities in forest protection and management. Under this approach, communities participate in conservation activities and share benefits from forest resources.

Other government initiatives associated with tribal welfare and rural development include:

• PESA Act

• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

• PM-JANMAN

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

The Indian Forest Service also plays an important role in forest management and protection. Entry into the service requires qualifying through the relevant UPSC examination.

Mendha Lekha

Mendha Lekha is a tribal village in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, known for community-based forest management and local self-governance. The village is mainly inhabited by the Gond community.

It became the first village to receive rights over its forest resources under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The village follows the principle "Mawa Nate, Mawa Raj," meaning "My village, my rule." Its Gram Sabha makes decisions collectively and involves the community in managing forest resources.

Key activities include:

• Protecting forests.

• Regulating tree cutting.

• Preventing forest fires.

• Managing bamboo harvesting.

• Using forest income for community welfare.

• Supporting education and infrastructure.

Memory Tip: Remember Mendha Lekha through this sequence: community decision-making → forest protection → regulated resource use → community welfare.

The example shows how local participation, recognised rights and responsible resource use can support both forest conservation and community development.

Forests play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods, cultures and traditions of forest-dependent communities. Concepts such as non-timber forest products, sacred groves, ecotourism, GI tags and the Forest Rights Act show how conservation and community welfare are connected. Examples like Mendha Lekha also highlight the role of local participation in managing natural resources.

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