Question 5: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Answer:
i) In Indian forest & are close contact with the traditional communities. They depend on the forest produce. Indian forests are home to different communities such local communities are contributing significantly in conservation of the forest land for eg:
Villagers around the Sariska Reserve have opposed mining activities and fought against it. Villagers of Alwar district of Rajasthan, set their own roles and regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest land to stop hounding and lumbering. The Bishnois of Rajasthan protect black buck, chinkara and peacocks quite fervently. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chhota Nagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba trees, the tribals of orissa and Bihar worship the tamarind and mango trees. Nature worship is an age old tradition for many local communities, Chipko movement is another example of community initiative that resisted deforestation in several areas.
(ii) Central and state governments in India have set up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect forests and endangered species in wildlife, In India many governmental and non-governmental organisations are working towards creating public awareness for conserving forests and wildlife. Many laws had been passed in the past to protect the wildlife. In 1972, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented. It released a list of wildlife species that had to be protected. Hunting these animals was considered as a criminal act. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to save Tigers in the country. Biodiversity is the new by word of good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife. The Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme in India furnishes a good example of involving local Communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests, Various communities, especially in tribal areas, who are dependent on forests for their living are now taking an active role in this form of conservation.
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