The ways of conserving plants and animals

2. Deforestation
The clearing of forests and using the land for other
purposes is called
The causes for deforestation are
1. Procuring land for cultivation.
2. Building houses and factories.
3. Using wood as fuel or making furniture etc.
The natural causes of deforestation are forest fires and
drought.

3. Consequences of deforestation
The consequences of deforestation are
i) Increase in the temperature and pollution level on the earth.
ii) Increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere leading to global warming.
iii) Lowering of ground water level.
iv) Disturbs the balance in nature.
v) Decrease in rainfall leading to drought.
vi) Soil erosion and decrease in soil fertility leading to
desertification.
vii)Decrease in the water holding capacity of soil leading to
floods.

4. Drought
Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up
resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will
lead to global warming as CO2
traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in
temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce
rainfall. This could cause droughts.

5. Desertification
Removal of top layer of soil exposes the hard and rocky lower
layers, which have very less humus and air. As they are less fertile,
soil becomes like desert. It is termed as

6. Conservation of forest and wildlife
Forest and wildlife can be conserved by
setting up areas like Biosphere reserves
Wildlife sanctuaries, National parks,
etc.
are large areas of
protected land for conservation of
biodiversity and the traditional life of the
tribals living there.
are areas reserved for
wildlife where they can freely use the
habitats and natural resources.
are areas where
animals are protected from any
disturbance to them or their habitat.

7. Biosphere Reserve
Biosphere reserves are large areas of protected land for conservation of
biodiversity and the traditional life of the tribals living there.
Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in the
area.
The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of a National park called Satpura and
two wildlife sanctuaries called Bori and Pachmarhi.

8. Flora and fauna
Flora are the plants found in a particular area.
 Fauna are the animals found in a particular area.
Eg:- The flora of Pachmarhi consists of sal, teak, wild mango, jamun,
silver ferns etc.
The fauna of Pachmarhi consists of wild dog, cheetal, wolf,
leopard, blue bull, barking deer etc.

9. Endemic Species
Endemic species are those species of plants and animals found only
in a particular area and not found anywhere else.
Eg: Sal and wild mango are the endemic flora of Pachmarhi.
Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are the endemic
fauna of this area.

10. Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife sanctuaries are areas where animals are protected from
any disturbance to them or their habitat. The killing or capturing of
animals in wildlife sanctuary is strictly prohibited.

11. National Park
National parks are areas reserved for wildlife where they can freely use
the habitats and natural resources.
Eg:- Satpura National Park is the first Reserve Forest in India.

12. Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched on 1st April 1973 by the government
of India. The projects aims at ensuring a viable population of
Bengal tiger in their natural habitats and also to protect then
from extinction and preserving areas of biological importance as
a natural heritage forever represented as close as possible the
diversity of ecosystems across the tiger's distribution in the
country. The project's task force visualized these tiger reserves as
breeding nuclei, from which surplus animals would migrate to
adjacent forests.

13. Red Data Book
The book provides a central information source in organising
studies and monitoring programs on rare and endangered
species and their habitats. It is regularly consulted when
developing and implementing special measures for the
protection and rehabilitation of such species.

14. Endangered Animals
Endangered animals are those animals whose numbers are
diminishing and might face extinction.
Eg:- Tiger is one of the many animals which are slowly diminishing.
To protect the tigers in our country the government launched the
Project Tiger to ensure the survival of tiger population.
Dinosaurs have already become extinct.
Red Data Books are books which keeps a record of all endangered
plants and animals.

15. Ecosystem
An ecosystem consists of all the plants, animals and microorganisms
living in an area along with the non living components like climate,
water, soil, river deltas etc.

16. Migration
Migration is the movement of animals from its own habitat to some
other habitat for a particular time period every year due to climatic
changes or for breeding.
Birds which fly very long distances to reach another land are called
migratory birds.

17. Recycling of paper
About seventeen full grown trees are required to produce one
tonne of paper. Paper can be recycled about five to seven times for
use. We should save, reuse and recycle paper to save not only trees
but also to save the energy, water and chemicals used to make paper.

18. Reforestation
Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed forests by planting new
trees.
We should plant at least as many trees as we cut. We have already
caused a lot of damage to our forests. If we have to regain our green
wealth, reforestation is the only option.