Chapter 2 of the Class 10 Geography textbook, Forest and Wildlife Resources, explains the importance of biodiversity in our country and how the overexploitation of forests and extinction of species is a major concern today. This chapter helps students understand how human activities like mining, deforestation, agriculture, and industrialisation affect natural habitats. It also focuses on the conservation efforts made through national parks, biosphere reserves, and community-based forest protection in India.
I chose to write about this topic because it’s one of the most relevant chapters when we think about environmental awareness. As students, we often learn about endangered species or deforestation in class but don’t connect it with what’s happening outside—like forest fires in Uttarakhand or elephants dying due to shrinking corridors. When I studied this chapter again recently, I felt that everyone should read it not just to score marks but to understand the actual value of our environment. Also, the PDF version of this chapter is handy for making notes on protected areas, conservation acts, and tribal communities involved in saving forests. These are the topics that often come in map-based or application-based questions in exams.
Forest and Wildlife Resources: Key Concepts
What is Biodiversity?
- The variety of flora and fauna in a given area
- India is one of the richest countries in biodiversity
Types of Species
- Normal Species – found in normal numbers
- Endangered Species – close to extinction (like Bengal tiger, Indian rhino)
- Vulnerable Species – under threat but not endangered yet
- Extinct Species – no longer in existence (like the pink-headed duck)
Causes of Depletion of Forest and Wildlife
- Deforestation for farming, mining, and development
- Poaching and illegal trade of animals
- Forest fires and shifting cultivation
- Overgrazing and timber extraction
Conservation Efforts in India
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
- Project Tiger and Project Elephant
- Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Sacred groves protected by local communities in places like Meghalaya and Kerala
Role of Communities
- Bishnoi community of Rajasthan has protected blackbucks for generations
- Joint Forest Management (JFM) has involved people in conserving forests
- Examples from Odisha and Madhya Pradesh where locals protect patches of forest land
Map-Based Learning
Students should practise locating major national parks, biosphere reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in India, which is often asked in Class 10 board map questions.
Download PDF
Click here to download NCERT Class 10 Geography Chapter 2: Forest and Wildlife Resources PDF
