Lesson 5. Conservation of Plants and Animals

Introduction

Plants-flora and animals-fauna are the most essential components of our environment. They play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature. However, due to the uncontrolled human activities like deforestation, pollution, urbanization, and overexploitation of natural resources, many species are becoming endangered or extinct.

What is conservation

Conservation of plants and animals means protecting and preserving them and their natural habitats to ensure their survival for future generations. It involves sustainable practices, wildlife protection laws, afforestation, creating protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and spreading awareness about the importance of biodiversity. By conserving plants and animals, we also protect the delicate ecosystems that support life on Earth.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the large-scale removal or clearing of forests, usually to make way for human activities such as agriculture, urban development, or mining. It leads to the loss of biodiversity and disrupts the balance of the environment.

Causes of Deforestation

1. Greedy Expansion of Agricultural land where many forests are cleared to grow crops or raise livestock.
2. Rapid urbanization due to the development of many cities, roads, and infrastructure leads to forest cutting.
3. Logging or cutting down trees for timber, clothes, paper, and fuel.
4. Mining destroys many trees as extracting minerals requires clearing large forest areas.
5. Forest Fires because of natural or man-made fires destroy vast forest lands.
6. Infrastructure Development for dams, railways, and industries often require deforestation.

Effects of Deforestation

1. Loss of Biodiversity – Plants and animals lose their natural habitat.
2. Climate Change – Fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide in the air, increasing global warming.
3. Soil Erosion – Roots of trees hold soil together; without them, soil gets washed away.
4. Disturbed Water Cycle – Trees play a role in maintaining rainfall; deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
5. Floods and Droughts – Forests act as natural sponges; without them, these disasters become more common.
6. Desertification – Continuous deforestation can turn fertile land into deserts.

Control and Prevention of Deforestation

1. Afforestation and Reforestation – Plant more trees and restore lost forests.
2. Use of Alternatives – Use eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to wood.
3. Forest Laws and Policies – Enforce strict rules against illegal logging.
4. Educating People – Spread awareness about the importance of forests.
5. Sustainable Agriculture and Development – Use land wisely without harming forests.
6. Create Protected Areas – Set up wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

Desertification

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes dry and barren which makes impossible to grow any crops. It occurs largely in dry areas as a consequence of human activities and natural factors. Desertification does not mean the expansion of deserts, instead, it is the degradation of productive land into desert-like conditions.

Causes of Desertification

1. Deforestation – Unnecessary felling of trees leads to loss of moisture and structure in the topsoil.
2. Overgrazing – occurs due to overpopulation of animals which eat plants faster than they can grow back.
3. Over-cultivation – Growing crops continuously without giving soil time to recover.
4. Poor Irrigation Practices – Excessive use of water can lead to salinization (salt build-up).
5. Climate Change – Rising global temperatures and reduced rainfall can quickly dry out the soil.
6. Urbanization and Mining – These activities disturb the natural balance of the land.

Effects of Desertification

1.  Farming becomes difficult or impossible because of loss of Arable Land.
2.  Less fertile land leads to lower crop production which can be one of the main reasons for food Insecurity.
3. Dry soil cannot hold water, causing drought-like conditions leads to severe shortage of water.
4. Many Plants and animals lose their habitat leading to severe destruction of biodiversity.
5. Repeated desertification causes dust Storms as bare, dry land is more vulnerable to wind.

Prevention and Control of Desertification

1. Afforestation and Tree Plantation – Planting trees to hold soil and retain moisture.
2. Soil Conservation Methods – Use of contour ploughing, terracing, and mulching.
3. Sustainable Farming – Crop rotation and organic farming to maintain soil health.
4. Water Management – Efficient use of irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
5. Controlled Grazing – Rotating grazing areas to allow vegetation to regrow.
6. Awareness and Education – Teaching people the importance of protecting land.

Conservation of wildlife

Conserving forests and wildlife is not only the responsibility of governments but of every individual. Protecting nature ensures a healthy planet for current and future generations. A balanced ecosystem supports life, climate stability, and biodiversity. Every small step like planting a tree or saying no to plastic contributes to conservation. With increasing deforestation, poaching, pollution, and climate change, it's crucial to adopt various conservation strategies. Below are detailed methods used to conserve wildlife and forests:

Methods to Conserve Forests

• Afforestation and Reforestation: Afforestation is the planting of trees in areas where there were no previous forests. Reforestation is the replanting of trees in areas where forests have been cut. These methods help restore green cover and prevent soil erosion and desertification.
• Controlled Deforestation: Cutting of trees should be regulated and based on proper planning. "Selective cutting" helps in preserving the forest ecosystem.
• Forest Conservation Acts and Laws: Strict laws like the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (India) help prevent illegal logging and deforestation. Government regulation of forest use ensures sustainability.
• Use of Alternative Resources: Use alternatives like bamboo, recycled wood, or metal instead of cutting trees for timber. Promoting digital communication (paperless offices) can reduce pressure on trees.
• Forest Management: Community-based forest management encourages local people to protect forests. Scientific methods like controlled burning can help prevent large wildfires.
• Promoting Agroforestry: Growing crops along with trees on the same land conserves soil and provides both food and wood.
• Awareness Campaigns: Public campaigns, forest festivals, and eco-clubs in schools help people understand the importance of forests.

Methods to Conserve Wildlife

1. Establishing Protected Areas: Creating national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves protects animals in their natural habitats. These areas are free from hunting, poaching, and human interference.
2. Wildlife Protection Laws: Laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India) help prevent illegal hunting of endangered animals. These laws ensure penalties for poachers and animal traders.
3. Captive Breeding and Rehabilitation: Rare and endangered species are bred in captivity (e.g., in zoos or breeding centres). Once stable, they are released back into the wild.
4. Ban on Hunting and Poaching: Strict enforcement and surveillance (using drones and forest guards) can help prevent illegal hunting for skin, bones, tusks, etc.
5. Habitat Protection: Protecting and restoring wetlands, grasslands, rivers, and forests helps maintain a healthy environment for wildlife. Preventing pollution in these areas is also crucial.
6. Wildlife Corridors: Connecting two or more wildlife habitats allows animals to move freely and safely. This helps maintain genetic diversity among animal populations.
7. Awareness and Participation: Involving communities, NGOs, and schools in wildlife protection activities. Celebrating events like Wildlife Week and broadcasting wildlife documentaries can help raise awareness.

Endemic and Exotic Species

Endemic species are plants or animals that are found only in a specific geographic area and nowhere else in the world. They are naturally adapted to the local environment. Often found in isolated ecosystems like islands, mountain ranges, or specific forests. They are highly sensitive to environmental changes and human disturbances.

Examples:

1. Lion-tailed macaque – Found only in the Western Ghats of India.
2. Nilgiri Tahr – Found only in the Nilgiri Hills of South India.
3. Kangaroo – Endemic to Australia.
4. Galápagos tortoise – Found only in the Galápagos Islands.

Exotic Species or Alien or Introduced

These are species-plants or animals that are introduced into an area where they do not naturally occur. They are brought from other places (intentionally or accidentally). These species may become invasive, competing with native species for resources. Sometimes they are useful (like food crops), but can also cause ecological damage.

Examples:

1. Eucalyptus – Introduced from Australia to India.
2. Water hyacinth – Brought to India from South America, now an invasive weed.
3. Lantana – Introduced from Central America, now spreads rapidly in Indian forests.
4. House sparrow in North America – Introduced from Europe.

Difference Between Endemic and Exotic Species

Feature	Endemic Species	Exotic Species
Found in	Only one specific region	Introduced from other regions
Nature	Native to the ecosystem	Non-native to the ecosystem
Risk of Extinction	High, due to limited range	Usually widespread and adaptable
Examples	Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri Tahr	Eucalyptus, Water Hyacinth

Extinct Species
A species is said to be extinct when there is no individual left alive anywhere in the world. These species have completely disappeared due to various reasons like habitat destruction, hunting, pollution, and climate change. Species die out due to habitat destruction (deforestation, agriculture, urbanization), hunting and poaching, pollution and pesticide use, invasive species and diseases and climate change.

Extinct Species in India

S.No.	Common Name	Scientific Name	Last Sighting	Cause of Extinction
1	Indian Cheetah	Acinonyx jubatus venaticus	1947	Hunting, habitat loss
2	Pink-headed Duck	Rhodonessa caryophyllacea	1949	Habitat destruction, hunting
3	Himalayan Quail	Ophrysia superciliosa	1876	Habitat loss, human interference
4	Indian Javan Rhinoceros	Rhinoceros sondaicus inermis	1920s	Poaching, loss of habitat
5	Sivatherium (prehistoric)	Sivatherium giganteum	Prehistoric era	Natural extinction (prehistoric)

Difference Between Biosphere Reserve, National Park, Sanctuary, and Zoo

Feature	Biosphere Reserve	National Park	Wildlife Sanctuary	Zoo
Purpose	Conservation of biodiversity, research, and education	Protect natural habitat, flora, and fauna	Protect specific animals or habitats	Education, entertainment, and conservation of animals
Size	Largest among all	Smaller than biosphere reserves	Smaller than national parks	Small, enclosed area
Human Activity	Limited human activity allowed in buffer zones	Strictly prohibited	Limited human activity like grazing may be allowed	Animals are kept in enclosures
Legal Status	Recognized under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program	Declared by the government under Wildlife Act	Declared under Wildlife Protection Act	Controlled by local authorities or zoological boards
Examples in India	Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi	Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, Ranthambore	Bharatpur, Periyar, Chilika Lake	Mysore Zoo, Delhi Zoo
Ownership of Land	Government-owned	Government-owned	May be government or private	Managed by zoo authorities or forest departments
Species Protection	Both wild flora and fauna including humans	Protection of entire ecosystem	Mostly protection of animals	Ex-situ conservation (outside natural habitat)

Major Biosphere Reserves in India

Type	Name	Location (State)	Key Features / Known For
Biosphere Reserve	Nilgiri	Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka	First biosphere reserve in India; rich biodiversity
	Sundarbans	West Bengal	Mangrove forests; Royal Bengal Tiger
	Nanda Devi	Uttarakhand	Himalayan flora and fauna; UNESCO site
	Gulf of Mannar	Tamil Nadu	Coral reefs and marine biodiversity
	Great Nicobar	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Coastal rainforests and marine life
	Pachmarhi	Madhya Pradesh	Mixed forest types and rare species

Major National Parks in India

S.No.	National Park	State	Famous For
1	Jim Corbett National Park	Uttarakhand	First national park of India; Bengal tigers
2	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	One-horned rhinoceros
3	Ranthambore National Park	Rajasthan	Royal Bengal tigers, Ranthambore Fort
4	Gir National Park	Gujarat	Only habitat of Asiatic lions
5	Kanha National Park	Madhya Pradesh	Barasingha (swamp deer); inspiration for Jungle Book
6	Bandipur National Park	Karnataka	Tigers, elephants; part of Nilgiri Biosphere
7	Sundarbans National Park	West Bengal	Mangrove forests; Royal Bengal Tiger
8	Periyar National Park	Kerala	Elephants, tigers, and Periyar Lake
9	Silent Valley National Park	Kerala	Rare and endangered species of flora & fauna
10	Bandhavgarh National Park	Madhya Pradesh	High density of tigers
11	Dachigam National Park	Jammu & Kashmir	Hangul (Kashmir stag), Himalayan wildlife

Major Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

S.No.	Sanctuary Name	State	Famous For
1	Bharatpur (Keoladeo) Sanctuary	Rajasthan	Migratory birds like Siberian cranes (UNESCO site)
2	Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala	Elephants, tigers, Periyar Lake
3	Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary	Odisha	Flamingos, dolphins, brackish water lagoon
4	Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	Tigers, elephants, UNESCO World Heritage Site
5	Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary	Karnataka	Tigers, leopards, elephants
6	Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary	Karnataka	Black panthers, hornbills, river rafting
7	Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary	Gujarat	Flamingos, desert species
8	Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary	Andhra Pradesh / Tamil Nadu	Pelicans, storks, coastal ecosystem
9	Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary	Karnataka	Migratory birds, river habitat
10	Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary	Andhra Pradesh	Indian bustard, blackbuck
11	Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala	Elephants, deer, part of Nilgiri Biosphere
12	Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary	Odisha	Crocodiles, mangrove forests
13	Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary	Rajasthan	Tigers, leopards, dry deciduous forests
14	Govind Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttarakhand	Snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan landscape
15	Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary	Uttar Pradesh	Migratory birds, wetlands

Red Data Book

The Red Data Book is a record book or catalogue maintained to keep information about endangered and extinct species of plants and animals. It provides data to scientists, conservationists, and governments to take action to protect species that are in danger of disappearing. They identify and document species that are under threat. Red data book helps to raise awareness about endangered plants and animals and also to track to track the population trends of rare species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the global Red List. India also has its own Red Data Book published by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

Migration of Birds and Animals

Migration is the seasonal movement of animals and birds from one place to another in search of food, better climate, or breeding grounds. Migration is usually temporary, and the animals return to their original place after some time.

Why birds Migrate?

• To escape harsh weather conditions (like winter)
• To find food and water
• To reach safe breeding places
• To escape from deforestation
• To protect from hunting and poaching
• Examples of Migratory Birds:

Bird	From	To (India)
Siberian Crane	Siberia	Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
Amur Falcon	Siberia, China	Nagaland
Flamingos	Iran, Africa	Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)
Bar-headed Goose	Central Asia	Ganga Basin, Assam, Bharatpur

 Why Do Animals Migrate?

• For better grazing lands
• To escape extreme climates
• For mating and giving birth

Examples of Migratory Animals:

Animal Migration Patterns

Animal	Migration Pattern
Arctic Tern (bird)	Travels from Arctic to Antarctic – longest migration on Earth
Wildebeest	Migrates across Africa in search of grasslands
Caribou (Reindeer)	Moves across Arctic tundra during seasons
Monarch Butterfly	Migrates from Canada to Mexico
Salmon (fish)	Moves from ocean to freshwater to lay eggs

Recycling of paper

Recycling of paper means converting used or waste paper into new usable paper. It helps reduce the cutting of trees and minimizes waste, making it an eco-friendly process.

?? Importance of recycling

1. Saves trees and forests

1. Reduces water and air pollution
2. Saves energy used in making new paper
3. Reduces waste and landfill space
4. Conserves natural resources

Steps in the Paper Recycling Process

Steps of Paper Recycling

Step	Description
1. Collection	Used paper is collected from schools, offices, homes, etc.
2. Sorting	Papers are sorted by type and quality (e.g., newspaper, cardboard, office paper)
3. Shredding	Paper is cut into small pieces using shredders
4. Pulping	Shredded paper is mixed with water and chemicals to form a slurry (pulp)
5. Cleaning	The pulp is filtered to remove staples, plastics, and inks
6. Pressing	The clean pulp is spread out, dried, and pressed into new sheets of paper
7. Rolling	The dried sheets are rolled into large reels and cut into new paper products

Question answers

Question 1. Fill in the blanks.

Answers:

1. Biosphere reserves
2. Endemic
3. Climatic

Question 2. Differentiate between the following:

(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary

(c) Endangered and extinct species

(d) Flora and fauna

Answer:

(a) Difference between a wildlife sanctuary and a biosphere reserve is:

Wildlife sanctuary	Biosphere reserve
The wildlife sanctuary is the area where wild animals are protected and preserved. These are places where killing (poaching) or capturing any animal is strictly prohibited. They provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. e.g., Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.	Biosphere reserves are the areas meant for the conservation of biodiversity. They help to maintain the biodiversity and culture of that area. e.g., Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

(b) Difference between zoo and wildlife sanctuary is:

Zoo	Wildlife sanctuary
1. Zoos are places where animals are protected in artificial settings.	1. Wildlife sanctuaries are places where wild animals are protected in their natural habitat.
2. Animals are not free to move anywhere in the zoo.	2. Animals are free to move anywhere in the wildlife sanctuaries.
3. Animals in zoos are fed by human beings.	3. Animals find their food themselves from the forests in which they live.
4. People can easily visit zoos.	4. People have to take special care and protection while visiting wildlife sanctuaries.

(c) Difference between endangered and extinct species is:

Endangered species	Extinct species
These are the species whose population has decreased drastically. They are posed with the immediate danger of extinction. e.g., Great Indian Bustard, tiger, musk deer, blue whale, etc.	These are species that have lost or are extinct (not surviving today, but were existing on the earth previously). e.g., Cheetah, Dodo.

(d) Difference between flora and fauna is:

Flora	Fauna
Flora means all types of plant species, including wild and domesticated, living in a natural habitat of an area, a region, a state, or a country.	Fauna means all types of animals, including wild and domesticated animals, living in a natural habitat of an area, a region, a state, or a country.

Question 3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following:

(a) Wild animals

(b) Environment

(c) Villages (Rural areas)

(d) Cities (Urban areas)

(e) Earth

(f) The next generation

Answer:

(a) Deforestation will lead to a decrease in the population of wild animals. The wild animals will die when they will have no food to eat and a place to live. Some wild animals may come to the cities where they will be killed by human beings.

(b) Deforestation will affect the environment very badly. There will be an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide due to fewer plants. This will increase the temperature of the atmosphere. Rainfall will be reduced. Soil fertility would decrease.

(c) Villages (Rural areas) will be destroyed by deforestation because villagers depend upon forests for their daily needs. They get fruits, nuts, medicines, gum, resins, timber, etc. from forests.

(d) Cities (Urban areas) will also be affected by deforestation. There will be more floods and soil erosion. The water level will decrease. The amount of CO will increase. Pollution will increase. The development of cities will stop due to less availability of timber and paper etc.

(e) Earth will be drastically affected by deforestation. Life will slowly get extinct if pollution and C02 keep on increasing. There will be no rainfall. The water level will fall. There will be floods and droughts. The temperature will rise. Soil fertility will be reduced.

(f) The next generation will also be effected by deforestation because there will be a scarcity of water and pure air. There would be no wood for building houses, furniture, and factories. There will be no paper, medicines, fruits, nuts, gum, resins, and other useful products.

Question 4.

What will happen if:

1. We go on cutting trees;
2. The habitat of an animal is disturbed;
3. The top layer of soil is exposed.

Answer:

1. If we go on cutting trees deforestation will happen.
2. If the habitat of an animal is disturbed then that animal may be extinct.
3. If the top layer of the soil is exposed that desertification will happen.

Question 5. Answer in brief:

(?) Why should we conserve biodiversity?

(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?

(c) Some tribes depend on the jungle. How?

(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

(e) What is Red Data Book?

(f) What do you understand by the term migration?

Answer:

(a) We should conserve biodiversity because preserving areas of such biological importance make them a part of our national heritage.

(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals because people living around kill the animals for leather etc. The cutting of trees also effects wild animals.

(c) Some tribes depend on the jungle for food, medicines, fruits, gum, etc. Their cattle feed in these jungles. They get wood and bamboo for building then huts from these jungles.

(d) Causes of deforestation are:

cutting trees for procuring land for cultivation,

cutting trees for building houses and factories,

cutting trees for making furniture,

cutting trees for fuel.

Consequences of deforestation are:

it increases the temperature and pollution level on the earth.

it decreases the level of oxygen in the atmosphere.

it lowers the groundwater level.

it decreases rainfall and the fertility of the soil.

it increases the chances of natural calamities such as floods and drought.

(e) Red Data Book is the sourcebook which keeps a record of all endangered animals and plants.

(f) Migration is the phenomenon of movement of a species from its own habitat to some other habitat for a particular time period every year for a specific purpose like breeding.

Question 6. In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects? Discuss this in your class and prepare a brief report.

Answer:

It is not justified to cut trees for projects instead we should use those sources which are renewable. In case it becomes essential to cut trees than for every single tree cut, two trees should be planted in a planned manner. But, if trees are cut blindly and not trees are planted then the earth will face global warming, no rainfall, climatic change, soil erosion, and desertification, etc. So, cutting trees for any reason at all is not justified.

Question 7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of the green wealth of your locality? Discuss in your class and make a list of actions to be taken by you.

Answer:

The actions taken by us to maintain a green wealth of our locality will be:

We should protect the plants in our locality from insects, pests, and diseases by using suitable pesticides and fungicides.

Plants should be planted in areas which are barren.

A club should be formed, which should take care of plants. Money should be collected from the residents and gardeners should be appointed to take care of plants.

Senior citizens should be involved to take care of plants.

Children should be taught the importance of plants.

Question 8. How does deforestation lead to reduced rainfall? Discuss in your class and find out the causes.

Answer:

The causes of reduced rainfall are:

Deforestation causes soil erosion. Due to this soil becomes barren and incapable of retaining water. This reduces rainfall. Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean less consumption of carbon dioxide and its increased amount in the atmosphere. This leads to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat of sun rays. The increase in temperature on earth disturbs the water cycle and reduces rainfall

Question 9. Find out about national forests in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.

Answer: See Map

Question 10. Think about the need of saving paper. Discuss with your friends, parents, and teachers. Prepare a list of the ways by which you can save paper.

Answer: The ways by which we can save paper are:

Use the blank side of the paper that has already been written or printed on for rough work.

If the same product is available in the same quantity in different paper packets we should choose the one in the smallest paper packet.

We should not throw paper but instead, it should be recycled.

We should use recycled paper.

Instead of letters, we should use e-mails.

We use reuse paper.

Question 11.Complete the word puzzle:

Down

1. Species on the verge of extinction.
2. A book carrying information about extinct species.
3. Consequence of deforestation.

Across

1. Species which have vanished.
2. Species found only in a particular habitat.
3. Variety and variability of a plant, animal, and micro- organsims.