NCERT Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 : Forest and Wildlife Resources PDF

Conservation of Flora and Fauna
Forest and Wildlife Resources explores the rich biodiversity of India, which is home to nearly 8% of the world’s total number of species. This chapter is a wake-up call regarding the depletion of flora and fauna, categorized by the IUCN into normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, and endemic species. It examines the historical and colonial causes of deforestation, including the expansion of railways, agriculture, and mining activities.
The core focus is on Conservation Strategies. Students learn about the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and major government initiatives like Project Tiger. The chapter uniquely highlights the role of communities in conservation, detailing movements like the Chipko Movement in the Himalayas and the Beej Bachao Andolan. It explains the classification of forests into Reserved, Protected, and Unclassed forests, helping students understand the administrative framework of India’s green cover. This section emphasizes that effective conservation is impossible without the active participation of local communities who depend on these forests for their livelihood.