CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · Geography: Forest and Wildlife ResourcesDiscuss the major causes of depletion of flora and fauna in India. How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

Introduction to Flora and Fauna Depletion\nAt one time, India's forests and wildlife were rich and abundant. However, over the years, the habitat of wild animals and plant species has been shrinking drastically. Depletion of flora and fauna refers to the reduction in the number, variety, and health of plant and animal species within a region. This degradation has alarming consequences for ecological stability and human survival.

Major Causes of Depletion

• Agricultural Expansion: Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 sq km of forest land was converted into agricultural land all over India. Substantial parts of the tribal belts, especially in the central and northeastern India, have been deforested or degraded by shifting cultivation (jhum), a type of slash-and-burn agriculture.
• Large-scale Development Projects: River valley projects have caused massive destruction of forests. For example, the Sardar Sarovar Project in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat has inundated thousands of hectares of forest. Mining is another major factor contributing to deforestation, such as the dolomite mining threatening the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
• Grazing and Fuelwood Collection: Depletion of forest resources is also caused by excessive grazing by livestock and the heavy collection of fuelwood by rural populations, which prevents natural regeneration of trees.
• Poaching and Illegal Hunting: Hunting for skin, horns, teeth, tusks, and feathers, along with illegal trade in wildlife specimens by commercial poachers, has pushed many species to the brink of extinction.
• Environmental Factors: Habitat destruction, over-population, forest fires, and pollution are continuous threats contributing to the loss of biodiversity.

Impact of Deforestation on Biodiversity\nDeforestation directly destroys the natural homes of countless species of animals and plants. When forests are cut down:

• Loss of Habitat: Species lose their shelter, breeding grounds, and food sources, leading to rapid population decline or extinction.
• Ecological Disruption: Interdependent webs of life, including predators and prey, pollinators and plants, are broken down.
• Soil Erosion and Climate Change: Without tree cover, soil washes away easily, and local climate patterns shift due to reduced transpiration and carbon absorption, making survival even harder for remaining organisms.