Types of forests, wildlife conservation, biodiversity threats, and community conservation
Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living organisms — plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms — and the ecosystems they form. India is one of the world's 12 mega-biodiversity countries.
India has: ~47,000 plant species, ~90,000 animal species
Forests are vital — they maintain soil fertility, regulate climate, store carbon, and provide habitat for millions of species.
| Category | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Normal species | Species whose population is considered normal for their survival | Cattle, sal, pine, rodents |
| Endangered species | Facing danger of extinction; numbers have reduced critically | Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque |
| Vulnerable species | Likely to become endangered if adverse conditions continue | Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin |
| Rare species | Small populations; may move to endangered if conditions worsen | Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox |
| Endemic species | Found only in specific geographic region; nowhere else in world | Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig |
| Extinct species | Have already disappeared from locality, region, or world | Asiatic cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail |
| Type | Area | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved Forests | More than half of total forest land | Most valuable forests; most restricted access; commercial forestry forbidden |
| Protected Forests | About 1/3 of total forest land | Government-protected from further depletion; some human use permitted |
| Unclassed Forests | Remaining forest area | Owned by individuals, communities or state; minimal government control |
Project Tiger (1973): India's most famous wildlife conservation programme. Started with 9 tiger reserves; now has 50+. Tiger population has recovered significantly.
Project Elephant: For conservation of Asian elephants and their habitat corridors.
Biosphere Reserves: Special areas for conserving biodiversity and natural resources (16 in India — Sundarbans, Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar etc.)
National Parks: No human activity permitted (Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, Kanha etc.)
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Human activities allowed to some extent (Bharatpur, Dachigam)
In many parts of India, communities have traditionally protected forests near sacred sites (temples, shrines). These sacred groves are untouched and have preserved unique biodiversity for centuries:
• Dev vans in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
• Sarna forests in tribal areas of Jharkhand
• Deorai in Maharashtra
Modern conservation could learn from these ancient community-based models!
In 1973, in Gopeshwar village (Uttarakhand), women hugged trees (Chipko = "to stick/hug") to prevent contractors from cutting them. Led by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna.
It spread across Uttarakhand and influenced national forest policy. The government eventually banned commercial felling in Himalayan forests — a landmark victory for community conservation!