Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about India Forest Resources from Class 10 Social_Science. In this chapter, you will learn about the types of forests in India and their distribution, conservation of forests and methods of conservation, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, and biosphere reserves. Let us begin. The total plant life growing naturally in an area is called forest or natural vegetation. This is influenced by various ecological factors like temperature, rain, land forms, and soil, forming an average of 21.71% of the geographical area. According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, India has 7,13,789 sq.kms of forest area. India is a vast country having various types of natural environment and based on the natural vegetation they can be divided into 6 main types. These are evergreen forests, deciduous monsoon forests, tropical grasslands, mangrove forests, desert vegetation, and alpine forests of the Himalayas. [CHECKPOINT]
First, let us discuss evergreen forests. In India, evergreen forests are found in regions which are not more than 900 meters above sea level and receive an annual rainfall of more than 250 cms. This type of forests are found in the Western Ghats, North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland and Andaman Nicobar islands. Evergreen forests occupy about 2.6 lakh hectares. Since the trees are always green they are called evergreen forests. Next, we will learn about deciduous monsoon forests. This type of forests are more widely distributed in India. They are seen in areas receiving 75 to 250 cms of rainfall. It forms about 65.5% of the total area of forests. Since India has mainly monsoon climate, this type of forest is distributed widely. The trees shed their leaves during the dry winters. As such these are also called deciduous monsoon forests. [CHECKPOINT]
Moving on to tropical grasslands. This type of vegetation are found in the areas receiving 60 to 75 cms of rainfall. These areas have tall grass and small herbs are rarely seen here and there. Central parts of the peninsular plateau, border areas of Thar desert to the west of Aravalli hills have this type of vegetation. Babool, Seesum and Sabhai type of grass are seen in these areas. Fourth, we have mangrove forests. These forests are formed due to tides. The mangrove forests are found along the deltas and coastal regions and estuaries of rivers, that are subjected to tides. River delta of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna have this kind of forests. The Sundari trees are plenty in the Ganga basin and hence these forests are called Sunderbans. The total area of these forests is about 4,992 sq.kms. [CHECKPOINT]
Fifth, let us look at desert forests. This type of vegetation is found in regions receiving less than 50 cms of rain. The Thar desert in Rajasthan and its adjoining areas in Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat have these forests. The plants are deep rooted and consists mainly of thorny shrubs. Sixth, we have the alpine forests of the Himalayas. Different types forests are found in the Himalayas. As the height increases, the tropical type of climate changes into the polar type of climate. According to the changes in climate, various types of plants are found. The important types of trees growing in this type of forest are Sal, Byra, Toon, Silver Spruce, and Laurel. These trees have pointed leaves. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us understand the distribution of forests. Scientists are of the opinion that, for any area to possess a good environment, it should have 33% of its land area under forests. When the forest area is compared to the total area of the country it is very less. India has a very lesser area of forests. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under forests whereas Haryana is in the last position which has the least area under forests. Karnataka state is in the 6th position in terms of area of forests. Let us now discuss the importance of forests. Forest is an important resource to both man and environment. Their importance is as follows. First, pure air, food and fodder is provided. Second, it brings good rainfall. Third, it controls soil erosion. Fourth, it is the shelter house for animals and birds. Fifth, medicinal plants are found in abundance. Sixth, it attracts tourists. Seventh, it provides employment opportunities. Eighth, it controls ecological balance. [CHECKPOINT]
Next, we will learn about the conservation of forests. Protection of forests from human beings, animals and natural disasters are called conservation of forests. Indian forest areas are gradually decreasing, because of expansion of agriculture, animal grazing, construction of roads and rail routes, irrigation projects, forest fires, mining and forest fires. These are the main causes for the destruction of forests. Hence it is very essential to protect forests. Certain measures have to be taken towards this purpose. Let us look at the methods of conservation. These include cutting down dried up and abrasing trees which causes forest fires, protecting the forest trees against diseases, planting saplings, sowing seeds, guarding against illegal cutting of trees, avoiding grazing of domestic animals in forests, motivating people to plant saplings, creating awareness among people about trees and encouraging them to protect them, and implementing the social forestry projects speedily and successfully. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us move on to wildlife sanctuaries. Wildlife sanctuaries have been set up to protect animals in their natural habitat. There are around 567 wildlife sanctuaries in India today. The important ones among them are in Tamil Nadu: Mudumalai and Kanyakumari. In West Bengal: Mahananda and Chapramari. In Rajasthan: Bassi and Sawai Mansingh. In Haryana: Kalesar and Nahar. In Punjab: Birmotibagh and Harike. In Andhra Pradesh: Kolleru and Krishna. Next, we will discuss national parks. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarkhand is the first national park to be established in India. The main national parks in India are Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Sunderbans in Westbengal, Hazaribagh National Park in Jarkhand, Gir National Park in Gujarat, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, and Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us now study biosphere reserves. India has large diversity of flora and fauna. In order to preserve this biodiversity, 18 biosphere reserves have been identified. They are Nilgiri, Nandadevi, Nokrek, Great Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar, Manas, Sunderbans, Similipal, Kanchenjunga, Amarakantaka, cold desert in Himachal Pradesh, Panna and Seshachalam. Nilgiri Biosphere reserve is the first biosphere reserve of India. Here is an interesting fact for you to remember. There are around 567 wildlife sanctuaries in India. There are 106 national parks. There are 122 botanical gardens. There are 525 zoos. Before we proceed to the exercises, please complete this activity. Collect information about the forest grove and environment that existed in the past in your locality through elders and list out the changes that have taken place recently in that place. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us look at the exercises. First, fill in the blanks with suitable words. Question one. The forests found in Assam and Meghalaya are evergreen forests. Question two. The Himalayas have alpine kind of forests. Question three. The Ganga river delta is also called Sunderbans. Question four. Jim Corbett National park is in Uttarkhand state. Question five. According to the National forest policy 33% of forest area is required for a healthy environment. [CHECKPOINT]
Next, answer the following questions in brief. Question six. What is natural vegetation? The total plant life growing naturally in an area is called forest or natural vegetation. Question seven. What is the total forest area of India? According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, India has 7,13,789 sq.kms of forest area. Question eight. What are the types of forests of India? The six main types are evergreen forests, deciduous monsoon forests, tropical grasslands, mangrove forests, desert vegetation, and alpine forests of the Himalayas. Question nine. Explain the characteristics and distribution of deciduous Monsoon forests in India. These forests are widely distributed in areas receiving 75 to 250 cms of rainfall. They form about 65.5% of the total forest area. Due to the monsoon climate, they shed their leaves during dry winters, which is why they are called deciduous monsoon forests. [CHECKPOINT]
Question ten. What are the importance of forests? Forests provide pure air, food and fodder, bring good rainfall, control soil erosion, act as shelter houses for animals and birds, provide abundant medicinal plants, attract tourists, provide employment opportunities, and control ecological balance. Question eleven. List out the reasons for destruction of forests. The main reasons are expansion of agriculture, animal grazing, construction of roads and rail routes, irrigation projects, forest fires, and mining. Question twelve. What is conservation of forests? Protection of forests from human beings, animals and natural disasters are called conservation of forests. Question thirteen. List out your suggestions of conservation of forests in the country. We should cut down dried up and abrasing trees to prevent fires, protect trees against diseases, plant saplings, sow seeds, guard against illegal tree cutting, avoid grazing domestic animals in forests, motivate people to plant trees, create public awareness, and implement social forestry projects successfully. [CHECKPOINT]
Now for the activities. Activity one. Identify and mention the natural vegetation in your region. List the important plant and animal species found there. You should observe your local area, note the dominant trees and grasses, and record the common birds and mammals you see. Activity two. List the names of the different types of trees you have come across. Make a personal list of trees like neem, banyan, peepal, mango, teak, sal, and others you encounter in daily life. For the projects, prepare an album with photographs of animals found in wildlife sanctuaries. You can collect pictures of tigers, elephants, deer, and birds from reliable sources and arrange them in a scrapbook. Second, locate and name the biosphere reserves in the map of India. When you look at the map of India, you will see the Nilgiri reserve in the southern Western Ghats, Nandadevi in the northern Himalayas, Nokrek in the northeast, Great Nicobar in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Gulf of Mannar along the Tamil Nadu coast, Manas in Assam, Sunderbans in West Bengal, Similipal in Odisha, Kanchenjunga in Sikkim, Amarakantaka in central India, cold desert in Himachal Pradesh, Panna in Madhya Pradesh, and Seshachalam in Andhra Pradesh. [CHECKPOINT]
Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]