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.

India has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species
in the world (estimated to be 1.6
million).
Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are
found in this country so far!
Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000
flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India.
Among the larger animals in India, 79 species of
mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles, and 3 of amphibians
are threatened.



In the United States alone, there are 986 endangered
species (388 animals, 598 plants). Also listed are 276
species which are threatened (129 animals, 147
plants).
In the world, 1072 animal species are considered
endangered or threatened; 748 plant species are
listed as well.
Nearly 1,500 plant species are considered
endangered.
Flowering plants and vertebrate animals have
recently become extinct at a rate estimated to be 50
to 100 times the average expected natural rate.

To maintain ecological balance of nature and maintain food
chain and nature cycles.
It has economic value. Many wild plants provide useful
substances like timber, paper , gums etc. And they also have
wide applications in Ayurveda and other branches
of medicine Wild animals products are tusk, ivory ,leather,
honey etc
Most important contribution of wild life for human progress
is availability of
Large gene pool for the scientists to carry breeding
programmes in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery
Wild life provides a esthetical value to man.
Wildlife of a country is its cultural asset



Forest has been of great importance to mankind
since prehistoric days.
60% of the earth once covered with forest. With the
development of civilization, large areas have been
cleared to make way for farms, mines, towns and
roads.
Today about 30% of earth is still forested.
BENEFITS
TO MAN
BENEFITS TO
ENVIRONMENT
BENEFITS
TO
ANIMALS


They supply many products like wood from trees as
lumber, plywood and fuel wood or charcoal. Timber is
used in furniture making, building houses, ships and
railway sleepers.
Pulp and paper are made from the cellulose of trees.
Processed wood products include cellophane, plastics,

Synthetic fibres like rayon and nylon.
Latex from trees such as the rubber tree goes to
make tyres, tunes and a wide range of rubber
goods.
Other uses; fruits, nuts(balls) and spices are
gathered from the forest.
Many medicinal plants such as camphor,
cinchona, coca (from which the drug cocaine is
extracted) also come from the forests.
Cork from the thick bark of the cork oak is
stripped for making bottling cork.



NORMAL SPECIES
These are species which are in danger of
extinction. The survival of such species is difficult
if the negative factors that have led to a decline in
their population continue to operate. The
examples of such species are black buck,
crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion
tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in), etc.

Lion tailed macaque
Black Buck
Rodents
Cattle and pine
These are species whose population has declined to levels from
where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the
near future if the negative factors continue to operate. The
examples of such species are blue sheep, Asiatic elephant,
Gangetic dolphin, etc.

Species with small population may move into the
endangered or vulnerable category if the negative
factors affecting them continue to operate. The
examples of such species are the Himalayan brown
bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill,
etc.

Hornbill
Himalayan Brown Bear
Gangetic Dolphin
Asiatic Elephant

These are species which are only found in some particular
areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers.
Examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar
pigeon, Andaman wild pig, Mithun in Arunchal Pradesh.

These are species which are not found after searches of
known or
likely areas where they may occur. A species may be
extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the
entire earth.


Andaman Teal
Nicobar Pigeon
Asiatic Cheetah
Pink Head Duck
MAN
Direct
dependence on
forest for wood,
leaves, grazing
of animals
Changes in forest
policy under the
British
Agriculture to
meet the
increasing food
requirements
Developmental
activities-
construction,
infrastructure
Primitive
agricultural
practices like
shifting
agriculture
1. Loss of cultural diversity especially of the
various forest dependent communities
2. Direct effect on women who have the
responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder,
water and other basic subsistence needs
3. Severe droughts
4. Deforestation induced floods
5. Deforestation results in the loss of habitat for
many rare or endangered species,
6. Environmental degradation like air pollution,
lowering of water table, lesser rainfall
7. Fewer forests means larger amounts of
greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere
and increased speed and severity of global
warming.
8. Poverty is a direct outcome of environmental
destruction

Why do we need to CONSERVE?

To ensure sustainable development- using the finite resources in a
judicious manner

Cutting down trees, or deforestation, will cause global warming increase
at a faster rate.

As the earth heats up, oceans expand causing sea levels to rise, flooding
coastal cities. Storms and droughts will become more frequent in places
they were nonexistent
Preserve the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth
and breeding.
To preserve the ecological diversity and our life support system- water,
air, soil
RESERVED
FORESTS

A reserved forest is a specific term for
designating forests and other natural areas which enjoy
judicial and / or constitutional protection under the
legal systems of many countries
a reserved forest is a one where the species are
protected in their natural habitat and no human
interference is allowed any kind of human activity is
strictly prohibited.



PROTECTED
FORESTS
A protected forest is one in which human intervention
is not prohibited but hunting and poaching of animals
is against the law.
They are protected from any further depletion
Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa,
UNCLASSED
FORESTS
These are other forests and wastelands belonging to
both government and private individuals or
communities
All north eastern states have unclassed forests managed
by local communities
TYPES OF FORESTS
Typically, such groves are associated with the concept of a
"presiding deity
Sacred groves of India are forest fragments of varying sizes,
which are communally protected, and which usually have a
significant religious connotation for the protecting community.
Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these
patches. Other forms of forest usage like honey collection
and deadwood collection are sometimes allowed on a sustainable
basis.
Sacred groves did not enjoy protection via federal
legislation in India.
Some NGOs work with local villagers to protect such
groves.
Traditionally, and in some cases even today, members of
the community take turns to protect the grove.
However, the introduction of the protected area
category community reserves under the Wildlife
(Protection) Amendment Act of 2002 has introduced
legislation for providing government protection to
community held lands, which could include sacred groves.

CHIPKO MOVEMENT
The Chipko movement or Chipko
Andolan is a movement that
practised the Gandhi an methods
of satyagraha and non-
violent resistance, through the act
of hugging trees to protect them
from being felled.
The modern Chipko movement
started in the early 1970s in
the Garhwal Himalayas of
Uttarakhand and then in Uttar
Pradesh with growing awareness
towards rapid deforestation.
The landmark event in this struggle
took place on March 26, 1974, when
a group of peasant women in Reni
village, Hemwalghati, in Chamoli
district, Uttarakhand,
BEEJ BACHAO AANDOLAN
The Beej Bachao Andolan, or Save the Seeds movement began in the late 1980s as
a group of activists from the Henwal River Valley in Tehri district (Uttarakhand,
India).
Led by farmer and social activist Vijay Jardhari, the 'Andolan' has made village
Jardhargaon of district Tehri in Uttaranchal state (India) famous for its unique
movement to save the traditional seeds of the hills.
The Bachao Andolan' is not only a crusade to conserve traditional seeds but also
to promote agricultural biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and local traditions.
The hallmark of this movement is that it is a people's campaign and flourishing
without any government financial assistance or help.
NAVDANYA
Navdanya is an Indian-based non-governmental organization which
promotes biodiversity conservation, biodiversity, organic farming,
the rights of farmers, and the process of seed saving.
Navdanya began in 1984
Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread
across 16 states in India.
Navdanya has helped set up 54 community seed banks across the
country, trained over 500,000 farmers in seed sovereignty, food
sovereignty and sustainable agriculture over the past two decades,
and helped set up the largest direct marketing, fair trade organic
network in the country.

CONSERVATION
PROJECTS
GOVERNMENT
PROJECT TIGER
PROJECT SAVE
THE RIDLEY
TURTLE
PROJECT
RHINO
SAVE THE
GHARIAL
COMMUNITY
SACRED
GROVES
BEEJ BACHAO
AANDOLAN
CHIPKO
AANDOLAN
NAVDANYA
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in India.
The project aims at ensuring a viable population of tigers in their
natural habitats and preserving areas of biological importance as a
natural heritage for the people.
The selection of areas for the reserves represented as close as possible
the diversity of ecosystems across the tiger's distribution in the
country.
Various tiger reserves were created in the country based on a 'core-
buffer' strategy. For each tiger reserve, management plans were
drawn up based on the following principles:
Elimination of all forms of human exploitation and biotic
disturbance from the core area and rationalization of activities in the
buffer zone.

SAVE THE GHARIAL

Located on the eastern coast of India, the state of Orissa is known
to host the worlds largest olive ridley sea turtle nesting site.
Every year, between the months of December and April,
thousands of olive ridleys emerge from the cool, clear waters of
the Bay of Bengal for their famed mass nesting.
In India, the rapid pace of development has had serious
environmental consequences. Orissa is no exception.

Development along and close to the shore of the Bay
of Bengal includes several ports, shipbuilding yards,
petro-chemical manufacturing hubs and a Special
Investment Region (SIR) meant to spur urbanization.
Rise in sea levels have caused entire beaches to get
submerged thus leading to the loss of the turtles
natural nesting grounds
The government can formulate laws and policies, put
various Conservation Projects into place but the
success of these projects lies with the people. It is the
community that is responsible for the effective
implementation of these initiatives.
As members of a community it is our duty to conserve
and protect the Natural Vegetation and Wildlife not
just for our present but for the future generation as
well.
It also ensures sustainable development.