Chapter 5: Conservation of Plants and Animals

1. Introduction to Conservation of Plants and Animals

These notes  of Conservation of Plants and Animals cover the entire chapter as per latest CBSE Class 8 NCERT textbook (2024–25). Use diagrams of biosphere reserve zones, food chain, and locations of national parks/sanctuaries in your notebook for better marks. Revise endangered animals list and difference between Sanctuary, National Park and Biosphere Reserve thoroughly — these are most commonly asked in exams.

• Earth has a huge variety of plants, animals and microorganisms → this variety is called Biodiversity.
• India is one of the 12 mega-biodiversity countries of the world.
• Biodiversity is important because:
  • Plants give us oxygen, food, medicines, timber, fibres etc.
  • Animals maintain ecological balance (food chain, pollination, seed dispersal).
  • Microorganisms help in decomposition, nitrogen fixation, making curd, bread etc.

2. Deforestation and Its Causes

Deforestation = Large-scale cutting of forests.

Causes of deforestation:

• Procuring land for agriculture and housing
• Setting up industries
• Obtaining wood for timber and fuel
• Making roads, railways, dams, mining
• Forest fires (natural or man-made)
• Overgrazing by cattle

3. Consequences of Deforestation

1. Drought → Less rainfall because trees help in cloud formation.
2. Soil erosion → Topsoil is washed away → desertification.
3. Global warming → Increase in CO₂ level → greenhouse effect.
4. Loss of biodiversity → Many species become extinct.
5. Disturbance in water cycle → Less transpiration → less rain.
6. Floods → No trees to hold soil and absorb water.
7. Loss of livelihood for forest-dependent communities.

4. Conservation of Plants and Animals

Conservation = Protection and wise management of natural resources so that future generations can also enjoy them.

5. Flora and Fauna

• Flora → All plant life in a particular area.
• Fauna → All animal life in a particular area. Example: Rajasthan → Cactus (flora), Camel (fauna); Kerala → Coconut trees (flora), Elephant (fauna).

6. Endemic Species

Species found only in a particular area and nowhere else in the world are called endemic species. Examples:

• Lion-tailed macaque → Western Ghats
• Sangai deer → Manipur
• Wild ass → Rann of Kutch
• Kashmir stag (Hangul) → Kashmir

Endemic species are more prone to extinction because their habitat is limited.

7. Wildlife Sanctuary

• Areas where animals are protected from hunting, poaching and disturbance.
• Human activities like collection of firewood, timber etc. are allowed to some extent allowed. Examples: Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Periyar (Kerala).

8. National Park

• Areas reserved for wildlife where animals live in natural surroundings.
• No human activity is allowed (no grazing, cultivation, firewood collection etc.).
• Gives stricter protection than sanctuary. Examples: Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Gir (Gujarat).

9. Biosphere Reserve

• Large protected areas meant for conservation of biodiversity (plants, animals and microorganisms) along with tribal culture.
• It has three zones:
  1. Core zone → No human activity.
  2. Buffer zone → Limited human activity.
  3. Manipulation/Transition zone → Settlement, cropping, recreation allowed.
• India has 18 biosphere reserves. Examples: Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Sunderbans, Great Nicobar, Pachmarhi.

10. Endangered and Extinct Species

• Extinct species: Species that no longer exist on earth. Examples: Dodo, Passenger pigeon, Dinosaur, Pink-headed duck, Cheetah (in India).
• Endangered species: Species whose numbers are very low and may become extinct soon if not protected. Examples: Tiger, Snow leopard, Rhino, Asiatic lion, Black buck, Gangetic dolphin, Red panda.
• Vulnerable species: Likely to move into endangered category if threats continue.
• Rare species: Very few in number but not endangered yet endangered.

11. Red Data Book

• A book maintained by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) that contains list of all endangered plants and animals.
• It helps in planning conservation strategies.

12. Ecosystem and Food Chain

• All plants, animals and microorganisms in an area together with non-living components form an ecosystem.
• A series of organisms feeding on one another is called food chain.
• Deforestation breaks food chains and destroys ecosystems.

13. Migration

• Seasonal movement of animals from one place to another for food, breeding or climate is called migration. Example: Siberian crane comes to India (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) in winter.

14. Recycling of Paper

• One tonne of paper needs about 17 full-grown trees.
• Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves 17 trees, 26,000 litres of water, 4000 kW electricity and reduces pollution.
• Steps to save paper:
  • Use both sides of paper
  • Reuse notebooks
  • Recycle old newspapers and notebooks

15. Reforestation

• Restoring destroyed forests by planting new trees is called reforestation.
• It can be natural (seeds already present in soil grow) or artificial (by man).
• Helps in preventing soil erosion, maintaining water cycle and reducing CO₂.

16. Protected Areas in India (Quick List)

• National Parks: 106 (as of 2024–25)
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: 573
• Biosphere Reserves: 18
• Project Tiger: Started in 1973 by Govt. of India. Tiger population has increased from 268 in 1972 to around 3167 (2022 census).
• Project Elephant: Started in 1992.

17. Important Points to Remember

• Deforestation → Desertification → Drought → Global warming → Loss of biodiversity → Extinction.
• We should not disturb natural habitats of animals.
• Hunting and poaching are banned under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Ecotourism: Responsible tourism that helps in conservation and provides income to local people.

18. Key Definitions

• Species: Group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
• Biodiversity hotspot: Area rich in species diversity but threatened.
• Refugee species: Animals that move to protected areas when natural habitat is destroyed.
• Reserved forest: Forests with highest degree of protection.
• Protected forest: Some human activities allowed under control.

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Chapter 6: Reproduction in Animals

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