Conservation:-The process of protection of the natural environment is called conservation.

Importance of Forest Or Why should we conserve the forest:

• Forest provides home to a large variety of animals.
• Trees take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. Thus, trees help in maintaining a balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Forest is an important source of many raw materials for various purposes.
• Forest provides firewood, kendu leaves, lac, timber, etc.; especially to tribal (adivashi) people.
• Forest helps in precipitation (rain).
• Forest helps in preventing soil erosion which may happen due to flood and wind.
• Forest helps in improving soil fertility.
• Forest helps in natural recharge of groundwater.

Deforestation: Clearing of forest for making way for human activities is called deforestation.

Causes of Deforestation:

Procuring land for cultivation	Building houses and factories
Making furniture and using wood for fuel	Grazing cattle
Clearing land for making roads, railway lines, dams, etc.

Effects of Deforestation

Reduced forest cover increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This results in global warming.	Reduces soil fertility.
Reduces groundwater level.	Reduces rainfall.
Can result in droughts or in excess flood.	May also lead to desertification.

Desertification: Conversion of fertile land into desert is called desertification. It happens in following steps:

• Pace of soil erosion increases when forest cover is reduced.
• Hard and rocky layer is exposed once topsoil is removed.
• Soil becomes deficient in humus and thus becomes infertile.
• The land turns into desert in due course of time.
  Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

Biosphere:-         The part of the earth where all living organisms are present is called biosphere. Biosphere is the narrow zone between hydrosphere, troposphere and atmosphere.

Biodiversity:-     Variety of organisms in a given area is called biodiversity in that area.

Flora:-      All the plant species in a given area are collectively called flora of that area.

Fauna:-    All the animals species in a given area are collectively called fauna of that area.

Protected Areas:-        Some areas have been demarcated to protect flora and fauna and their                                                habitat. Such areas are called protected areas.

Various rules, methods and policies to protect and conserve forests and wildlife are formulated by the government. There are of following types of protected areas:

1. Sanctuary (Abhyarany):- The area where animals are protected from any disturbance to          them or their habitat is called sanctuary.

• There are 448 wildlife sanctuaries in India.
• In a wildlife sanctuary; poaching (killing) or capturing an animal is strictly prohibited.

1. National Park:        The area which is reserved for wildlife, and where wildlife can freely use the habitat and natural resources is called national park.

• All human activities such as plantation, cultivation and grazing of animals are prohibited in the national parks so that animals can live freely in their natural habitat.
• There are 90 national parks in India.
• About 21 tiger projects are engaged in the protection of the Indian tiger.
• Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the first reserve forest of India.
• Satpura is very rich in exotic plants such as teak and saal and of animals such as tigers, elephants, lions, Barasingha and buffaloes.

1. Biosphere Reserve:  The large area of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living is called biosphere reserve.

• There are 14 biosphere reserve in India. Ex-   Pachmarhi, Nandadevi, Manas, Sundarbans, Nilgiri Gulf of mannar etc.
• A biosphere reserve encompasses many other protected areas; like wildlife sanctuary and national park. Ex- Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve contains one national park and two wildlife sanctuaries. They are as follows:

Satpura National Park Bori Wildlife Sanctuary                  Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Endemic Species:-       A species found exclusively in a particular area is called endemic         species. Sal, wild mango, bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are endemic to          Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Endemic species are at greater risk of extinction because        they are not found anywhere else.

Species:-   A group of population capable of interbreeding is called species. Capability of                        interbreeding is the most important criteria for species.

Project Tiger:-   Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect and conserve tigers in India.        This project is aimed at protecting the Bengal Tigers. Project Tiger has been successful in       improving the population of tigers in India. As present, there are more than 2,000 tigers in      India.

Endangered Species:-  Species which are under threat of extinction are called endangered                                               species. Examples: Elephants, lions, wild buffalo, etc.

Extinct Species:-          Species which no longer exist on earth are called extinct species, e.g.                               dinosaurs, dodo, etc.

Ecosystem:-A system of interdependencies among all living beings and non-living things                            in a given area is called ecosystem.

Red Data Book:-         The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) first came with the Red Data Book. It is a source book which keeps record of all the endangered plants and animals. Each country publishes its own version of Red Data Book from time to time.

Migration:- Regular and periodic movement of population of animals in large numbers away from their native place to another and back to their place of origin is called migration. Or Long distance travel by animals to escape harsh conditions is called migration.                                                        Human beings also migrate in search of livelihood.                                                                                                    Many birds and many animals migrate due to:-

1. 1. Favourable conditions of temperature, food or water.
   2. Suitable place for reproduction, which may not be available in their native place.                 E.g.:-Humming birds, Tuna (fish), African elephant .                                                             Siberian Crane migrates from Siberia to India during winters to escape harsh conditions in Siberia and to get comfortable conditions and food in India.

Recycling of Paper:-   Paper can be recycled many times. As paper is made from wood pulp                                                so recycling of paper helps in saving trees.

Reforestation:-  Planting trees to recover forests is called reforestation. Reforestation can take                       place naturally as well as by human intervention.

Indian Forest (Conservation) Act:-         The Indian Forest (Conservation) Act came into                     effect in 1927. This Act is aimed at preservation and conservation of natural forests,             and at meeting the basic needs of the people who live in or near the forests.