Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Conservation means the management of human resources or natural resources of the biosphere for the maximum benefit from the present generation to meet the requirements of the future generation. Conservation of wildlife and forest has mainly three aspects- to maintain ecological process, air, water and soil systems; to preserve the diversity of species, to maintain the long ranging use of species. The conservation of natural resources, living or non- living resources, plants and animals, biotic or abiotic factors which support our environment should be maintained or used in the proper way. Many conservation strategies have been given for the use of living resources like World Conservation Strategy.
Forest conservation and wildlife conservation is the important act for growing trees as a regular crop, also fulfils the requirement of the wood for making wooden houses, villa or for making food etc. forest preserves the soil erosion. Forest provides us various medicines known as jadi- buti in hindi for the various diseases for their cure. Forests are also known as biodiversity hotspots which means that are rich in biodiversity (variety of species) includes bacteria, fungi, birds, animals, lichens, short plants, long trees etc. they are very important factors or species to maintain or for the conservation of forest. Loss of the biodiversity lowers the genetic variability, ecological stability or increase the risk of exploitation of resources, that’s why we should conserve forest where human interference is prohibited. Forest conservation act is given in 1980, to preserve forests. A special function is celebrated each year for the tree plantation during February and July since 1950, i.e, Van Mahotsava. Many international agencies are given for promoting the afforestation programs (afforestation should be done only when the areas are unfit for the agriculture) like World Bank, USAID (US Agency for International Development), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) etc.
Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?
List five things you have done over the last one week to —
(a) conserve our natural resources.
(b) increase the pressure on our natural resources.
Find out the source of water in your region/locality. Is water from this source available to all people living in that area?
How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife, (b) water resources and (c) coal and petroleum?
Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Why do you think that there should be equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?
What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Did Döbereiner’s triads also exist in the columns of Newlands’ Octaves? Compare and find out.
What is a good source of energy?
Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirements of multi-cellular organisms like humans?
What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.
What is the difference between a reflex action and walking?
What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?
If a trait A exists in 10% of a population of an asexually reproducing species and a trait B exists in 60% of the same population, which trait is likely to have arisen earlier?
Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleared before burning in air?
Define the principal focus of a concave mirror.
You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water and the other two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution, respectively. If you are given only red litmus paper, how will you identify the contents of each test tube?
How is oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in human beings?
How are the lungs designed in human beings to maximise the area for exchange of gases?
If a woman is using a copper -T, will it help in protecting her from sexually transmitted diseases?
The xylem in plants are responsible for
(a) transport of water. (c) transport of amino acids.
(b) transport of food. (d) transport of oxygen.
How is the process of pollination different from fertilisation?
How does phototropism occur in plants?
What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? Name some organisms that use the anaerobic mode of respiration.
What is the function of receptors in our body? Think of situations where receptors do not work properly. What problems are likely to arise?
You are given a hammer, a battery, a bulb, wires and a switch.
(a) How could you use them to distinguish between samples of metals and non-metals?
(b) Assess the usefulness of these tests in distinguishing between metals and non-metals.
Can any source of energy be pollution-free? Why or why not?