Conservation of Plants and Animals PDF

CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS W e saw in Class VII that Some natural causes of deforestation Paheli and Boojho had visited are forest fires and severe droughts. the forest along with Professor Ahmad and Tibu. They were eager to...

CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS W e saw in Class VII that Some natural causes of deforestation Paheli and Boojho had visited are forest fires and severe droughts. the forest along with Professor Ahmad and Tibu. They were eager to Activity 5.1 share their experiences with their Add more causes of deforestation to classmates. Other children in the class your list and classify them into were also eager to share their experiences natural and man-made. as some of them had visited Bharatpur Sanctuary. Some others had heard about Kaziranga National Park, 5.2 Consequences of Lockchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Great Deforestation Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and Tiger Paheli and Boojho recalled the Reserve, etc. consequences of deforestation. They remembered that deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level on What is the purpose of the earth. It increases the level of carbon making national parks, dioxide in the atmosphere. Ground water wildlife sanctuaries and level also gets lowered. They know that biosphere reserves? deforestation disturbs the balance in nature. They were told by Professor 5.1 Deforestation and Its Ahmad that if cutting of trees continues, Causes rainfall and the fertility of the soil will A great variety of plants and animals exist on earth. They are essential for the well-being and survival of mankind. How does deforestation reduce Today, a major threat to survival of these rainfall on the one hand and organisms is deforestation. We know lead to floods on the other? that deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other decr ease. Moreover, there will be purposes. Trees in the forest are cut for increased chances of natural calamities some of the purposes mentioned below: such as floods and droughts. l Procuring land for cultivation. Recall that plants need carbon l Building houses and factories. dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees l Making furniture or using wood as would mean that less carbon dioxide will fuel. be used up resulting in its increased 2024-25 amount in the atmosphere. This will lead Biosphere is that part of the earth in to global warming as carbon dioxide which living organisms exist or which traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. supports life. Biological diversity or The increase in temperature on the earth biodiversity, refers to the variety of disturbs the water cycle and may reduce organisms existing on the earth, their rainfall. This could cause droughts. interrelationships and their Deforestation is a major cause which relationship with the environment. leads to the change in soil properties. Physical properties of the soil get affected Professor Ahmad organises a visit to by plantation and vegetation. Fewer a biosphere reserve for Paheli, Boojho and trees result in more soil erosion. their classmates. He selects a place Removal of the top layer of the soil named Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. He exposes the lower, hard and rocky knows that the plants and animals found layers. This soil has less humus and is here are similar to those of the upper less fertile. Gradually the fertile land Himalayan peaks and to those belonging gets converted into deserts. It is called to the lower western ghats. Professor desertification. Ahmad believes that the biodiversity Deforestation also leads to a decrease found here is unique. He requests in the water holding capacity of the soil. Madhavji, a forest employee, to guide the The movement of water from the soil children inside the biosphere reserve. He explains that preserving areas of such surface into the ground (infiltration rate) biological importance make them a part is reduced. So, there are floods. The of our national heritage. other properties of the soil like nutrient Madhavji explains to the children content, texture etc., also change that apart from our personal efforts and because of deforestation. efforts of the society, government We have studied in Class VII that we get many products from forests. List these To protect our flora and fauna and their products. Will we face shortage of these habitats, protected areas called products if we continue cutting trees? wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves have been Activity 5.2 earmarked. Plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and Animal life is also affected by poaching are prohibited there. deforestation. How? List the points Wildlife Sanctuary : Areas where and discuss them in your class. animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat. National Park : Areas reserved for 5.3 Conservation of Forest wild life where they can freely use the and Wildlife habitats and natural resources. Having become aware of the effects of Biosphere Reserve : Large areas of deforestation, Paheli and Boojho are protected land for conservation of wild worried. They go to Professor Ahmad life, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in and ask him how forests and wildlife the area. can be saved. 54 SCIENCE 2024-25 agencies also take care of the forests and 5.4 Biosphere Reserve animals. The government lays down rules, methods and policies to protect Children along with Professor Ahmad and conserve them. Wildlife sanctuaries, and Madhavji enter the biosphere national parks, biosphere reserves etc., reserve area. Madhavji explains that are protected areas for conservation biosphere reserves are the areas meant of plants and animals present in for conservation of biodiversity. As you that area. are aware that biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms Activity 5.3 generally found in an area. The biosphere reserves help to maintain the Find out the number of national biodiversity and culture of that area. A parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserve may also contain biosphere reserves in your district, other protected areas in it. The state and country. Record in Table Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of one national park named Satpura and 5.1. Show these areas in an outline two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and map of your state and India. Pachmarhi (Fig. 5.1). Table 5.1 : Protected Areas for Conservation Protected Areas — National Park Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere Reserve In my district In my state In my country ↑N PACHMARHI SANCTUARY TAWA TO PIPARIYA RESERVIOR NEEMGHAN PANARPANI GATE SATPURA NATIONAL PARK CHURNA PACHMARHI DHAIN BORI BORI SANCTUARY Fig. 5.1 : Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 55 2024-25 Activity 5.4 green wealth of the forest. They are very happy to see tall teak trees and List the factors disturbing the animals inside the forest. Suddenly, biodiversity of your area. Some of Paheli finds a rabbit and wants to these factors and human activities catch it. She starts running after it. may disturb the biodiversity P r o f e s s o r A h m a d s t o p s h e r. H e unknowingly. List these human explains that animals are comfortable activities. How can these be checked? and happy in their own habitat. We Discuss in your class and write a should not disturb them. Madhavji brief report in your notebook. explains that some animals and plants typically belong to a particular area. 5.5 Flora and Fauna The plants and animals found in a As the children walk around the particular area are termed flora and biosphere reserve they appreciate the fauna respectively of that area. Sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc., are the flora and chinkara, blue- bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are examples of the fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Fig. 5.2). (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Fig. 5.2 : (a) Wild dog (b) Cheetal (c) Wolf (d) Leopard (e) Fern (f) Jamun tree 56 SCIENCE 2024-25 Activity 5.5 Try to identify the flora and fauna of your area and list them. I have heard that some of the endemic species may vanish. 5.6 Endemic Species Is it true? Soon the group quietly enters the deep endemic flora of the Pachmarhi forest. Children are surprised to see a very big squirrel. This squirrel has a big Biosphere Reserve. Bison, Indian giant fluffy tail. They are very curious to know squirrel [Fig. 5.3 (b)] and flying squirrel about it. Madhavji tells them that this are endemic fauna of this area. Professor is known as the giant squirrel and is Ahmad explains that the destruction of endemic to this area. their habitat, increasing population and Endemic species are those species introduction of new species may affect of plants and animals which are found the natural habitat of endemic species exclusively in a particular area. They are and endanger their existence. not naturally found anywhere else. A particular type of animal or plant may be endemic to a zone, a state or a country. Madhavji shows sal and wild mango (Fig. 5.3 (a)] as two examples of the Fig. 5.3 (b) : Giant squirrel Species is a group of population which are capable of interbreeding. This means that the members of a species can reproduce fertile offspring only with the members of their own species and not with members of other species. Members of a species have common characteristics. Activity 5.6 Find out the endemic plants and animals of the region where you live. Fig. 5.3 (a) : Wild Mango CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 57 2024-25 5.7 Wildlife Sanctuary instead of their natural habitat? In Soon Paheli sees a board with ‘Pachmarhi your opinion, will the animals be Wildlife Sanctuary’ written on it. comfortable in a zoo or in their Professor Ahmad explains that killing natural habitat? (poaching) or capturing animals in general is strictly prohibited and punishable 5.8 National Park by law in all such places. Wildlife On the roadside there was another Sanctuaries like reserve forests provide board on which was written ‘Satpura protection and suitable living conditions National Park’. to wild animals. He also tells them that Children are now eager to go there. people living in wildlife sanctuaries are Madhavji tells them that these reserves allowed to do certain activities such as are large and diverse enough to protect grazing by their livestock, collecting whole sets of ecosystems. They preserve medicinal plants, firewood, etc. flora, fauna, landscape and historic objects of an area. Satpura National Some of the threatened wild animals Park is the first Reserve Forest of India. like black buck, white eyed buck, elephant, golden cat, pink headed The finest Indian teak is found in this duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, forest. There are more than one hundred python, rhinoceros, etc., are National Parks in India. protected and preserved in our wild life sanctuaries. Indian sanctuaries Rock shelters are also found inside have unique landscapes—broad level the Satpura National Park. These are forests, mountain forests and bush evidences of prehistoric human life lands in deltas of big rivers. in these jungles. These give us an idea of the life of primitive people. It is a pity that even protected forests Rock paintings are found in these are not safe because people living in the shelters. A total of 55 rock shelters neighbourhood encroach upon them have been identified in Pachmarhi and destroy them. Biosphere Reserve. Children are reminded of their visit Figures of animals and men fighting, hunting, dancing and to the zoo. They recall that zoos are also playing musical instruments are places where animals receive protection. depicted in these paintings. Many tribals still live in the area. What is the difference between As children move ahead, they see a a zoo and a wildlife sanctuary? board with ‘Satpura Tiger Reserve’ written on it. Madhavji explains that Activity 5.7 Project Tiger was launched by the government to protect the tigers in the Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the country. The objective of this project conditions provided to the animals. was to ensure the survival and Were they suitable for the animals? maintenance of the tiger population in Can animals live in artificial setting the country. 58 SCIENCE 2024-25  Are tigers still found in this forest? I hope I can see a tiger! Tiger (Fig. 5.4) is one of the many species which are slowly disappearing from our forests. But, the Satpura Tiger Reserve is unique in the sense that a significant increase in the population of tigers has been seen here. Once upon a Fig. 5.6 : Barasingha time, animals like lions, elephants, wild animals has become difficult because of disturbances in their natural habitat. Professor Ahmad tells them that in order to protect plants and animals strict rules are imposed in all National Parks. Human activities such as grazing, poaching, hunting, capturing of animals or collection of firewood, mdicinal plants, etc. are not allowed Fig. 5.4 : Tiger Are only big animals buffaloes (Fig. 5.5) and barasingha facing extinction? (Fig. 5.6) were also found in the Satpura National Park. Animals whose numbers Madhavji tells Paheli that small are diminishing to a level that they might animals are much more in danger of face extinction are known as the becoming extinct than the bigger endangered animals. Boojho is animals. At times, we kill snakes, frogs, reminded of the dinosaurs which became lizards, bats and owls ruthlessly without extinct a long time ago. Survival of some realising their importance in the ecosystem. By killing them we are harming ourselves. They might be small in size but their role in the ecosystem cannot be ignored. They form part of food chains and food webs. An ecosystem is made of all the plants, animals and microorganisms in an area along with non-living components such as climate, soil, river deltas etc. Fig. 5.5 : Wild buffalo CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 59 2024-25  Reservoir to relax for some time. Paheli observes some of the birds near the river. Madhavji tells the children that these are migratory birds. These birds I wonder if there is any record of all have flown here from other parts of endangered species! the world. Migratory birds fly to far away areas every year during a particular time because of climatic changes. They fly 5.9 Red Data Book for laying eggs as the weather in their natural habitat becomes very cold and Professor Ahmad explains about Red inhospitable. Birds who cover long Data Book to the children. He tells distances to reach another land are them that Red Data Book is the known as migratory birds. source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and 5.11 Recycling of Paper plants. Red Data Book is maintained internationally by an organisation. Professor Ahmad draws attention of India also maintains Red Data Book the children to another cause of for plants and animals found deforestation. He tells them that it takes 17 full grown trees to make one in India. tonne of paper. Therefore, we should 5.10 Migration save paper. Professor Ahmad also tells that paper can be recycled five to seven The excursion party then enters deeper times for use. If each student saves at into the forest under the guidance of least one sheet of paper in a day, we Madhavji. They sit near the Tawa can save many trees in a year. We should save, reuse used paper and recycle it. By this we not only save trees but also save energy and water needed for manufacturing paper. Moreover, the amount of har mful What would happen if we chemicals used in paper making will had no wood? Is there also be reduced. any alternative available to wood? I know that paper is one of the important products we get from forests. I wonder whether Is there any permanent there are any alternatives solution to the problem available for paper! of deforestation? 60 SCIENCE 2024-25 5.12 Reforestation retain our green wealth for future generations, plantation of more trees is Professor Ahmad suggests that the the only option. answer to deforestation is reforestation. Professor Ahmad told them that in Reforestation is restocking of the India we have the Forest (Conservation) destroyed forests by planting new trees. Act. This act is aimed at preservation The planted trees should generally be and conservation of natural forests and of the same species which were found meeting the basic needs of the people in that forest. We should plant at least living in or near the forests. as many trees as we cut. Reforestation After some rest Madhavji asks the can take place naturally also. If the children to start heading back because deforested area is left undisturbed, it re- it is not advisable to stay in the establishes itself. In natural reforestation jungle after sunset. On getting back, there is no role of human beings. We Professor Ahmad and the children have already caused tremendous thank Madhavji for guiding them damage to our forests. If we have to through this exciting experience. CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 61 2024-25 KEYWORDS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT BIODIVERSITY Ü Wildlife sanctuary, national park and bio- BIOSPHERE RESERVE sphere reserve are names given to the areas meant for conservation and preservation of DEFORESTATION forest and wild animals. DESERTIFICATION Ü Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a specific area. ECOSYSTEM Ü Plants and animals of a particular area are ENDANGERED known as the flora and fauna of that area. SPECIES Ü Endemic species are found only in a particular area. ENDEMIC SPECIES Ü Endangered species are those which are facing EXTINCT the danger of extinction. Ü Red Data Book contains a record of FAUNA endangered species. FLORA Ü Migration is the phenomenon of movement of MIGRATORY BIRDS a species from its own habitat to some other habitat for a particular time period every year NATIONAL PARK for a specific purpose like breeding. RED DATA BOOK Ü We should save, reuse and recycle paper to save trees, energy and water. REFORESTATION Ü Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed forests by planting new trees. SANCTUARY Exercises 1. Fill in the blanks. (a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called. (b) Species found only in a particular area is known as. (c) Migratory birds fly to far away places because of changes. 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 62 SCIENCE 2024-25  3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following. EXERCISES (a) Wild animals (b) Environment (c) Villages (Rural areas) (d) Cities (Urban areas) (e) Earth (f) The next generation 4. What will happen if. (a) we go on cutting trees. (b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed. (c) the top layer of soil is exposed. 5. Answer in brief. (a) Why should we conserve biodiversity? (b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why? (c) Some tribals 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? 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 and prepare a brief report. 7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you. 8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall. 9. Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India. 10. Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper. CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 63 2024-25  11. Complete the word puzzle. EXERCISES Down 1. Species on the verge of extinction. 2. A book carrying information about endangered species. 5. Consequence of deforestation. Across 1. Species which have vanished. 3. Species found only in a particular habitat. 4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area. Extended Learning - Activities and Projects 1. Plant at least five different plants in your locality during this academic year and ensure their maintenance till they grow. 2. Promise yourself that this year you will gift at least 5 plants to your friends and relatives on their achievements, or on occasions like birthdays. Ask your friends to take proper care of these plants and encourage them to gift plants to their friends on such occasions. At the end of the year count the plants that have been gifted through this chain. 64 SCIENCE 2024-25  3. Is it justified to prevent tribals from staying in the core area of the forest? Discuss the matter in your class and note down the points for and against the motion in your notebook. 4. Study the biodiversity of a park nearby. Prepare a detailed report with photographs and sketches of the flora and fauna. 5. Make a list of the new information you have gathered from this chapter. Which information did you find the most interesting and why? 6. Make a list of various uses of papers. Observe currency notes carefully. Do you find any difference between a currency paper and paper of your notebook? Find out where currency paper is made. 7. Karnataka Government had launched ‘Project Elephant’ to save Asian elephants in the state. Find out about this and other such campaigns launched to protect threatened species. Did You Know? 1. India has more than half of the world’s wild tigers, 65% of the Asian elephants, 85% of the great one-horned rhinoceros and 100% of the Asian lions. 2. India is sixth on a list of 12 mega-biodiversity countries in the world. It contains two of the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world – Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats. These areas are very rich in biodiversity. 3. One of the most important factors that threatens wildlife today is habitat destruction due to encroachment. 4. India contains 172 species of animals considered globally threatened or 2.9% of the world’s total number of threatened species. Eastern Himalayas hotspot has merely 163 globally threatened species including several animal and plant species. India contains globally important population of some of Asia’s rarest animals such as the Bengal fox, Marbled cat, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, Asiatic wild ass, Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Wild asiatic water buffalo, etc. For knowing more, you may contact: l Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi -110003 Website: http://envfor.nic.in CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 65 2024-25