Conservation of Plants and Animals
Science Class Eight
Flora and Fauna
Flora stands for plants or plants life exists in a particular area. And Fauna stands for animal's life exists in a particular area.
For example trees of sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc are the flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
And chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are some examples of the fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
Endemic Species
Species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area are called Endemic Species. Such species are not naturally found anywhere else.
In other words a particular type of animal or plant found in a particular zone, are, a state or a country is called Endemic Species to that very place.
Example: The tree of Sal and wild mango are the Endemic Species to the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
And Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are endemic fauna of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
Increasing population and introduction of new species in a particular area may affect the natural habitat of endemic species and endanger their existence.
Species
A group of population which is capable of interbreeding is termed as Species. 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.
Wildlife Sanctuary
A large forest area specified for the protection and suitable living condition to the wild animals is known as Wildlife Sanctuary. In the wildlife sanctuary killing (poaching) or capturing of animals is strictly prohibited.
Some of the threatened wild animals like black buck, white eyed buck, elephant, golden cat, pink headed duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, python, rhinoceros, etc. are protected and preserved in our wild life sanctuaries.
But it is a pity that even protected forests are not safe because people living in the neighbourhood encroach upon them and destroy them.
Indian sanctuaries have unique landscapes such as broad level forests, mountain forests and bush lands in deltas of big rivers.
National Park
National Park is a type of reserve forest consists of large diverse area which protect whole sets of ecosystems. National Park preserve flora, fauna, landscape and historic objects of an area.
Satpura National Park which is located in the State of Madhya Pradesh is the first Reserve Forest of India. The finest Indian teak is found in this forest.
Rock shelters are also found inside the Satpura National Park. These rock shelters of Satpura National Park are evidences of prehistoric human life. These give us an idea of the life of primitive people. There are figures of animals and men fighting, hunting, dancing and playing musical instruments are depicted in the paintings in the rock shelters of Satpura National Park.
Reference: BSSKrishnaS / CC BY-SA
Project Tiger
To conserve tigers; Government of India launched a program called Project Tiger in April 1973.
The objective of Project Tiger is to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in the country.
From 9 tiger reserves since the formation year, the Project Tiger coverage has increased to 50 at present. This constitutes about 2.21% of the geographical area of our county.
In the State of Madhya Pradesh Satpura Tiger Reserve is situated. In the Satpura Tiger Reserve the population of tigers increased significantly.
Endangered Animals
Animals whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction are known as ENDANGERED ANIMALS.
Example
Tiger, Rhinoceros, Lions, Wild buffaloes, Baransingha, Sea turtle, Orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, Bald Eagle, etc. are some of the animals who are endangered today.
Dinosaurs became extinct a long time ago.
This happens because survival of some animals has become difficult due to disturbance in their natural habitat.
Small animals are much more in danger of becoming extinct.
In fact all of the animals whether they are small or big, are the part of our ecosystem and have equal importance.
All animals play important role in the food chain. In the absence of any of them our ecosystem would be disturbed and this situation would be very dangerous.
Just for example in the late 60s in the country of China, Government starts killing birds especially sparrow. They thought that sparrow used to eat a huge amount of food grain, thus by killing them they could save those part of food grain for use of human. But they forgot that sparrow and other birds eat insects also. After starting of sparrow killing campaign within two years a huge number of sparrows were killed. Because of decreasing of population of birds within two years the population of insects increased resulting in the Great Chinese Famine. In this Great Chinese Famine about 15 to 45 million people died of starvation. And finally Government realized the problem and to restore the population of sparrow about 250000 sparrows were imported.
Thus, it becomes our duty to let survive all of the animals to maintain our ecosystem which is necessary for our survival.
Reference: Utkarsh22december / CC BY-SA
Ecosystem
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, mountain, etc.
Red Data Book
RED DATA BOOK is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants. There are different RED DATA BOOK for animals, plants and other species.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) founded in the year of 1964 to keep the record of all of the threatened species. This record is known as (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species or (IUCN) Red List or Red Data List. This keeps the record of all of the threatened species to ensure their conservation.
Migration
There are many birds fly to far away areas every year during particular time because of climatic changes. They fly for laying eggs as the weather in their natural habitat becomes very cold and inhospitable.
Birds who cover long distances to reach another land are known as Migratory Birds.
In India there are many bird sanctuaries where migratory birds can be seen especially in the season of winter.
Recycling of Paper
Paper is made of trees. About 17 full grown trees are required to make one tone of paper. Thus, paper is one of the major causes of deforestation. Thus we should save paper.
We should not misuse paper. By justified use of paper we could stop deforestation. Along with justified use of paper we should save, reused paper and recycle it. By this we not only save trees but also save energy and water needed for manufacturing of paper. By saving and reuse of used paper, the amount of harmful chemicals used in paper making will also be reduced.
A paper can be recycled at least five to six times. Each of us can save at least one sheet of paper in a day, by this way we can save many trees in a year.
Reforestation
REFORESTATION is the restocking of the destroyed forests by planting new trees. The planted trees should generally be of the same species which are found in that very forest.
Thus at least we should plant as many trees as we cut.
The reforestation can be taken place naturally also if the deforested area is left undisturbed, it re-established itself.
If we have to retain our green wealth for future generations, plantation of more trees is the only option. Without trees survival of human is not possible. As we depend on plants directly or indirectly. Plants give us food and oxygen to be live.
The Forest (Conservation) Act
There is a Forest (Conservation) Act in India as well as in the whole world. This act is aimed at preservation and conservation of natural forests and meeting the basic needs of the pople living in or near the forests.
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