Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
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 7.1
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, 7.2 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
7.1 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 decrease. 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.
Procuring land for cultivation. Recall that plants need carbon
Building houses and factories. dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees
Making furniture or using wood as would mean that less carbon dioxide will
fuel. be used up resulting in its increased
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. Recall from a biosphere reserve for Paheli, Boojho and
Class VII how trees prevent soil erosion. their classmates. He selects a place
Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. named Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. He
Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes knows that the plants and animals found
the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil here are similar to those of the upper
has less humus and is less fertile. Himalayan peaks and to those belonging
Gradually the fertile land gets converted to the lower western ghats. Professor
into deserts. It is called 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
products. Will we face shortage of these their habitats, protected areas
products if we continue cutting trees? called sanctuaries, national parks and
biosphere reserves have been
Activity 7.2 earmarked. Plantation, cultivation,
grazing, felling trees, hunting and
Animal life is also affected by poaching are prohibited there.
deforestation. How? List the points Sanctuary : Areas where animals are
and discuss them in your class. protected from any disturbance to
them and their habitat.
National Park : Areas reserved for
7.3 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
and ask him how forests and wildlife traditional life of the tribals living in
the area.
can be saved.
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agencies also take care of the forests and 7.4 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 7.3 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
7.1. Show these areas in an outline
two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and
map of your state and India.
Pachmarhi (Fig. 7.1).
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
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. 7.2).
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Activity 7.5
Try to identify the flora and fauna
of your area and list them.
I have heard that some of the
endemic species may vanish.
7.6 Endemic Species Is it true?
Soon the group quietly enters the deep
forest. Children are surprised to see a endemic flora of the Pachmarhi
very big squirrel. This squirrel has a big Biosphere Reserve. Bison, Indian giant
fluffy tail. They are very curious to know squirrel [Fig. 7.3 (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. 7.3 (a)] as two examples of the
Activity 7.6
Find out the endemic plants and
animals of the region where you live.
Fig. 7.3 (a) : Wild Mango
CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 81
7.7 Wildlife Sanctuary instead of their natural habitat? In
Soon Paheli sees a board with ëPachmarhi your opinion, will the animals be
Wildlife Sanctuaryí written on it. comfortable in a zoo or in their
Professor Ahmad explains that, like natural habitat?
reserve forests, wildlife sanctuaries
provide protection and suitable living 7.8 National Park
conditions to wild animals. Madhavji On the roadside there was another
further explains that sanctuaries are board on which was written ëSatpura
places where killing (poaching) or National Parkí.
capturing of animals is strictly Children are now eager to go there.
prohibited. Madhavji tells them that these reserves
are large and diverse enough to protect
Some of the threatened wild animals
whole sets of ecosystems. They
like black buck, white eyed buck,
elephant, golden cat, pink headed preserve flora, fauna, landscape and
duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, historic objects of an area. Satpura
python, rhinoceros, etc., are National Park is the first Reserve Forest
protected and preserved in our wild of India. The finest Indian teak is
life sanctuaries. Indian sanctuaries found in this forest.
have unique landscapesóbroad level
forests, mountain forests and bush Rock shelters are also found inside
lands in deltas of big rivers. the Satpura National Park. These are
evidences of prehistoric human life
It is a pity that even protected forests in these jungles. These give us an
are not safe because people living in the idea of the life of primitive people.
neighbourhood encroach upon them Rock paintings are found in these
shelters. A total of 55 rock shelters
and destroy them.
have been identified in Pachmarhi
Children are reminded of their visit
Biosphere Reserve.
to the zoo. They recall that zoos are also Figures of animals and men
places where animals receive protection. fighting, hunting, dancing and
playing musical instruments are
depicted in these paintings. Many
tribals still live in the area.
What is the difference
between a zoo and a As children move ahead, they see a
wildlife sanctuary? board with ëSatpura Tiger Reserveí
written on it. Madhavji explains that
Activity 7.7 Project Tiger was launched by the
Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the government to protect the tigers in the
conditions provided to the animals. country. The objective of this project
Were they suitable for the animals? was to ensure the survival and
Can animals live in artificial setting maintenance of the tiger population in
the country.
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Are tigers still found in
this forest? I hope I can
see a tiger!
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7.12 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.
Exercises
(b) Environment
(e) Earth
5. Answer in brief.
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality?
Make a list of actions to be taken by you.
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.
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.
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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.