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To our presentation of group 2WELCOME

Based onFOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

INTRODUCTIONThe entire habitat we live in have immense biodiversity.Biodiversity or biological diversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species ,diverse in form and function but closely integrated in a system through multiple network of interdependencies. Humans along with all others form a complex web of ecological system.

Humans are only a part of it and very much dependent on it for our own survival.The plants animals and micro-organisms recreate the quality of air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that produces our food.Forests are utmost important as they are the primary consumers on which all others depend.

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FLORA & FAUNA

FLORA"Flora" comes from the Latin name of Flora, the goddess of plants, flowers, and fertility in Roman mythology Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenousnative plant life.

Human beings are completely dependent upon plants. Directly or indirectly, plants provide food, clothing, fuel, shelter, and many other necessities of life. Humankind's dependence on crops such as wheat and corn (maize) is obvious, but without grass and grain the livestock that provide people with food and other animal products could not survive either.

Plants are essential parts of ecosystems. Without them, all organisms would soon run out of food. Plants absorb minerals, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, from the soil. These are stored in plant tissues and are an essential part of the diet of animals that eat plants.

Plants help form, enrich, and stabilize soil. Mosses help break down and crumble rock into soil. The roots of herbs and trees also contribute to this process.Decaying leaves and other plant material increase the fertility of soil. Plant roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

Flora (plants) are classified as follows:

FAUNAFauna comes from the Latin names Fauna, a Roman goddess of earth and fertility, the Roman god Faunus, and the related forest spirits called Fauns.The term was first used by Carlous Linnaeus in 1745 Fauna is all of the animal life of any particular region or time.The largest kingdom is the Animalia(animals). Its members range from very simple invertebrates, such as sponges, to highly complex mammals, such as whales, monkeys, and humans.

Animals as the consumers, play a key role balancing the ecology .Animals display some key differences that distinguish them from other living things. For example, what is the difference between a cow and grass? A cow moves around in the pasture eating grass. It trots toward you when you offer it a bunch of leaves and shows pleasure when you stroke its head. The grass, however, is rooted to one place. It does not respond behaviorally to people or to the cow in any way.

Fauna (animals) are classified as follows:

Flora & fauna in India

India is one of the worlds richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity, and has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world (estimated to be 1.6 million).

Flora &Fauna in IndiaFaunaMore than 81,000 speciesFloraMore than 47,000 speciesIndigenous flowering plantsAbout 15,000 speciesEndangered wild floraAbout 10%Endangered mammalsAbout 20%

FAUNA OF INDIAIndia has some of the world's most biodiverse regions. The political boundaries of India encompass a wide range of ecozonesdesert, high mountains, highlands, tropical and temperate forests, swamplands, plains, grasslands, areas surrounding rivers, as well as island archipelago. It hosts 3 biodiversity hotspots: the Western Ghats, the Himalayas and the Indo-Burma region. These hotspots have numerous endemic species.

India is home to several well-known large mammals, including the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard and Indian rhinoceros. Some of these animals are engrained in culture, often being associated with deities. These large mammals are important for wildlife tourism in India, and several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries cater to these needs. The popularity of these charismatic animals have helped greatly in conservation efforts in India.

The tiger has been particularly important, and Project Tiger, started in 1972, was a major effort to conserve the tiger and its habitats.Project Elephant, though less known, started in 1992 and works for elephant protection.Most of India's rhinos today survive in the Kaziranga National Park. Some other well-known large Indian mammals are: ungulates such as the water buffalo, nilgai, gaur and several species of deer and antelope

FLORA OF INDIAThe flora of India is one of the richest in the world due to the wide range of climate, topology and habitat in the country. There are estimated to be over 16,000 species of flowering plants in India, which constitute some 6-7 percent of the total plant species in the world. India is home to more than 45,000 species of plants, including a variety of endemics.

The use of plants as a source of medicines has been an integral part of life in India from the earliest times. There are more than 3000 Indian plant species officially documented as possessing great medicinal potential. India is divided into eight main floristic regions: Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Indus plain, Ganges plain, the Deccan, Malabar and the Andaman Islands.

Classification is based on: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN):

Normal Species: If the population level of species is within normal range for their survival, it is called normal species, e.g. cattle, pine, sal, rodents, etc.

Endangered Species: Species which are in danger of extinction are called endangered species, e.g. black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc.

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Vulnerable Species: If the population of a species has declined to such a level that it is likely to become endangered; it is called vulnerable species, e.g. blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.

Rare Species: If the population of a species so small that it can become vulnerable or endangered, it is called rare species, e.g. Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill, etc.

Endemic Species: A species which found only in a particular geographical area is called an endemic species, e.g. Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh, etc.

Extinct Species: A species which no longer exists is called an extinct species. A species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the entire earth. Examples: Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck, etc.

Causes of depletion of flora and fauna During colonial period, due to expansion of: - Railways - Agriculture - Commercial and scientific forestry - Mining activities

After independence:Agricultural expansionShifting cultivation(jhum)Large scale developmental projectsMiningGrazing and fuelwood collection.

Habitat destruction Hunting and poachingOver exploitationEnvironmental pollutionForest firesOver population

Who were affected the most?Indigenous &forest based communit ies -They depend on various components of forest and wildlife for food,drink,medicine,spirituality,culture,etcWomen -Women bear the responsibility to collect the basic subsistence need such as fuel,fodder,water,etc

The poor, -the indirect impact of degradation such as severe drought or deforestation induced floods.

How are the flora and fauna distributed in India?Reserved forests: -More than half of total forest area. -Most valuable as far as conservation of Flora & Fauna are concerned DISTRIBUTION - madhya pradesh has the largest are under permanent forest i.e about 75% of total area of forests. Jammu &kashmir,andra pradesh,uttarakhand,kerala,Tamil Nadu,West Bengal,&Maharashtra

Protected forests: - Almost one third of total forest area -Under forest protection -Protected from any other depletion. DISTRIBUTION - bihar,haryana,punjab,himachal pradesh,odisha,Rajasthan

Unclassed forests: -remaining forest area and wastelands. -Under the govt,private individuals &community. DISTRIBUTION -All north eastern states &parts of Gujarat.

Conservation of Forests and Wildlife

Importance of CONSERVATIONConservation preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems.It preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.

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The Indian wildlife (protection) act was implemented in 1972.The thrust of the programme was towards: -Protecting habitats -Protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species -Banning of hunting -Giving legal protection to the habitats -Restricting trade in wildlife

The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals,which were gravely threatenedFor example:tiger ,one horned rhinocerous,the kashmir stag,asiatic lion,three types of crocodiles-the freshwater,salt water,& gharialsMost recently,the indian elephant,black buck,the great indian bustard&the snow leopard, etc..Have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting &trade.Even insects are finding a place in conservation planning

The central and many state government established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries:

Reserved Forests

Conservation and community in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan villagers have fought against mining by citing the wildlife protection act.In Alwar district,Rajasthan,inhibitants have declared 1200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakhav Sonchuri,with their own rules & regulation.

Chipko movement in Himalayas resisted deforestation&promoted community afforestation.Beej Bachavo Andolan in Tehri& Navdanya have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the usage of chemicals are possible & econimally viable.

Joint Forest Management (JFM) started in 1988 in Odisha . In which ,villagers undertake protection activities and in return they are entitled to intermediary benefits like non timber food produces

CONCLUSIONWe are not the only species in the biodiversity web. There are thousands of other species. They too are the owners of this earth. We should conserve them.Community should be involved in conservationAccept only those developmental activities that are people centric, eco friendly and economically rewarding.

TEAM MEMBERSVaishnav Sankar.kAshwin.p Anjana.p.DamodaranAditya.kGargi.m.v

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