Page 131 - ICSE GEOGRAPHY

• Alternative sources of energy, such as Development
biogas, should be used to supplement
fi rewood.
• Forest fi res should be prevented.
• Pests and diseases of the forest trees should
be controlled chemically and biologically.
• Grazing of cattle in forests should be
discouraged.
• Reforestation of the deforested areas
should be undertaken.
• Large aff orestation should be done in
areas unfi t for agriculture.
• Operations for improved and selective
cutting should be adopted in forest
management.
Aff orestation Programmes of the
Government of India
Social Forestry Programme (1976)
Th e trees are grown on public and common
land for the benefi t of the rural community.
Th ese trees are raised for fi rewood, fodder
and fruits. Th e programme was aimed at
reducing the demand on existing forests.
Agro-forestry Programme
It is aimed at reviving an ancient practice
which used the same land for farming,
forestry and animal husbandry.
Reserve Forests
Some important features of this programme
are listed below.
• Trees are grown in ecologically fragile
areas. Felling of trees and grazing of cattle
are prohibited in these forests.
• A special day dedicated to tree plantation,
Van Mahotsava, is held each year in
February and July since 1950 to propagate
the idea of forest conservation.
• Many international agencies like the
World Bank, US Agency for International
(USAID), Canadian
International Development authority
(CIDA) and Swedish International
Development Authority (SIDA) have
provided support for promoting
aff orestation programmes.
• Central Arid Zone Research Institute at
Jodhpur is engaged in checking the spread
of the Rajasthan desert lands.
Wildlife in India
• More than 89,000 animal species and
1,200 species of birds can be found in
India.
Fact Corner
The diff erence between National
Parks and Wildlife/Bird Sanctuaries
is that no human activity is allowed
inside National Parks whereas limited
activities are permitted within Wildlife/
Bird Sanctuaries. In biosphere reserves,
limited economic activity (sand mining
and stone mining) is permitted.
• India has almost fi ve to eight per cent
of the world’s amphibians, reptiles and
mammals.
• Th e one-horned rhinoceros, wild ass, camel,
Indian bison, blue bull, Barasingha along with
diff erent species of deer and several species of
monkeys are found in India.
• India is the only country in the world
that has both tigers and lions. Gir forest
in Gujarat is the natural habitat of lions in
India. Tigers are found in the Sundarbans
of West Bengal, the forests of Madhya
Pradesh and the Himalayan region.
• High altitude regions in India are home to
the yak, the Tibetan antelope, the bharal
and the Kiang.
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