MP Board · Class 10 · Social Science · Geography: Forest and Wildlife ResourcesDescribe the major factors that have led to the depletion of flora and fauna in India. How does human activity impact forest and wildlife resources?

Major Factors Leading to Depletion of Flora and Fauna in India

\nIndia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of its vast array of biological diversity. However, this immense biodiversity is under severe threat. Numerous anthropogenic and natural factors have contributed to the rapid depletion of our flora and fauna. Below is a detailed discussion of the major factors:

• Agricultural Expansion:

  • Post-independence, agricultural expansion has been one of the major drivers of forest depletion. 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 tribal belts, especially in the central and northeastern India, have been deforested or degraded for shifting agriculture (jhum), a type of slash-and-burn agriculture.

• Large-scale Development Projects:

  • River valley projects have had a massive impact on forests. For instance, the clearing of forests for the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh has inundated thousands of hectares of forest. Mining is another major factor responsible for deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by dolomite mining. Mining dislocates wildlife and blocks their migration routes.

• Grazing and Fuelwood Collection:

  • While there are differing views, livestock grazing and fuelwood collection are often cited as important factors causing environmental degradation. Depletion of forest cover due to overgrazing by domestic cattle and indiscriminate felling of trees for firewood degrades the habitat of wild animals and destroys plant species.

• Poaching and Hunting:

  • Illegal hunting and poaching for skins, tusks, horns, bones, and teeth have pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Commercial poaching to meet international demands for wildlife products is a severe threat to animals like tigers, rhinoceros, leopards, and elephants.

• Environmental Pollution and Forest Fires:

  • Air pollution, water pollution, and the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers harm both plants and animals. Furthermore, regular forest fires, often initiated by human negligence or shifting cultivation practices, destroy vast tracts of valuable forests, killing countless young plants, animals, and microorganisms. \nIn summary, habitat destruction, hunting, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, and population growth are collectively responsible for the severe decline in India's rich natural wealth.