India’s Forest Cover and Wildlife Conservation
India is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, blessed with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. From the dense evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the mangroves of the Sundarbans, the country’s forest cover plays a vital role in ecological stability, climate regulation, and livelihood sustenance for millions. According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), as of 2023, India’s total forest and tree cover is approximately 24.62% of its geographical area.
Despite urbanization and population growth, India has made consistent efforts to protect its green wealth. The government has introduced several programs such as the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and Green India Mission (GIM) to promote reforestation and conservation. State-level initiatives and involvement of local communities through Joint Forest Management (JFM) have also contributed significantly to these goals.
India is home to nearly 8% of the world’s known animal species. The country boasts a rich wildlife heritage, including iconic species like the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, and Great Indian Bustard. However, many species are under threat due to habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. Wildlife conservation efforts in India gained momentum with the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, which aimed to save the endangered tiger population. Since then, similar projects have followed—Project Elephant, Project Snow Leopard, and more recently, the Cheetah Reintroduction Program in Madhya Pradesh.
Protected areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, and Conservation Reserves are vital to conserving India’s wildlife. As of 2023, there are 106 National Parks and over 560 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The latest Forest Report showed a notable increase in mangrove cover and very dense forests, a positive sign for ecological balance.
The role of indigenous communities and their traditional ecological knowledge is often underestimated. In many tribal belts, forests are not merely resources but sacred entities, and their protection is woven into cultural practices. Conservation success stories like that of the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, which has protected blackbucks for centuries, highlight the need for integrating traditional conservation methods with modern policy.
Despite progress, challenges persist. Illegal mining, deforestation for infrastructure, human-wildlife conflict, and climate anomalies continue to strain ecosystems. Moreover, balancing economic growth with environmental protection remains a pressing concern. Sustainable development models that include community participation, renewable energy use, and eco-tourism may provide long-term solutions.
India's commitment to global environmental goals like the Paris Agreement and the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity reflects its intent to be a global leader in conservation. Yet, success hinges on education, awareness, law enforcement, and people’s participation. Forests and wildlife are not just natural assets—they are lifelines for a sustainable future.
🌿 हिंदी अनुवाद: भारत का वन क्षेत्र और वन्यजीव संरक्षण
भारत दुनिया के सबसे जैव विविध देशों में से एक है, जिसे वनस्पतियों और जीवों की असाधारण विविधता का वरदान प्राप्त है। पश्चिमी घाटों के सघन सदाबहार वनों से लेकर सुंदरबन के मैंग्रोव तक, देश का वन क्षेत्र पारिस्थितिक संतुलन, जलवायु नियंत्रण और लाखों लोगों की आजीविका के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है। 2023 की फॉरेस्ट सर्वे ऑफ इंडिया रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, भारत का कुल वन और वृक्ष आवरण उसके भौगोलिक क्षेत्रफल का लगभग 24.62% है।
शहरीकरण और जनसंख्या वृद्धि के बावजूद भारत ने अपने हरे-भरे संसाधनों को संरक्षित करने के लिए निरंतर प्रयास किए हैं। राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर नेशनल अफॉरेस्टेशन प्रोग्राम (NAP) और ग्रीन इंडिया मिशन (GIM) जैसे कार्यक्रम चलाए जा रहे हैं। साथ ही, राज्य स्तर पर और स्थानीय समुदायों की सहभागिता से चलने वाले "संयुक्त वन प्रबंधन" (Joint Forest Management - JFM) कार्यक्रमों ने इस दिशा में उल्लेखनीय योगदान दिया है।
भारत विश्व के ज्ञात प्राणी प्रजातियों का लगभग 8% हिस्सा रखता है। बंगाल टाइगर, एशियाई शेर, भारतीय हाथी और ग्रेट इंडियन बस्टर्ड जैसे प्रतिष्ठित प्रजातियों के कारण भारत की वन्यजीव विरासत बेहद समृद्ध है। लेकिन प्राकृतिक आवासों के विनाश, शिकार और जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण कई प्रजातियाँ संकट में हैं। 1973 में शुरू हुआ प्रोजेक्ट टाइगर इस दिशा में एक मील का पत्थर था, जिसका उद्देश्य बाघों की गिरती संख्या को रोकना था। इसके बाद प्रोजेक्ट एलीफेंट, प्रोजेक्ट स्नो लेपर्ड और हाल में मध्यप्रदेश में शुरू किया गया चीता पुनर्स्थापन कार्यक्रम जैसे प्रयास हुए हैं।
राष्ट्रीय उद्यानों, वन्यजीव अभयारण्यों, बायोस्फीयर रिज़र्व और संरक्षण रिज़र्व जैसे संरक्षित क्षेत्र भारत की जैव विविधता की रक्षा में प्रमुख भूमिका निभाते हैं। 2023 तक भारत में 106 राष्ट्रीय उद्यान और 560 से अधिक वन्यजीव अभयारण्य हैं। हालिया वन रिपोर्ट में मैंग्रोव और घने वनों के क्षेत्र में वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है, जो पारिस्थितिक संतुलन के लिए सकारात्मक संकेत है।
देश की आदिवासी और पारंपरिक वन संस्कृति की भूमिका को अक्सर कम आंका जाता है। कई जनजातीय क्षेत्रों में जंगल केवल संसाधन नहीं, बल्कि पूजनीय और सांस्कृतिक रूप से संरक्षित होते हैं। राजस्थान की विश्नोई समुदाय द्वारा काले हिरण की सदियों से की गई रक्षा इस बात का प्रमाण है कि पारंपरिक संरक्षण पद्धतियाँ आधुनिक नीति के साथ मिलकर प्रभावशाली बन सकती हैं।
हालाँकि उपलब्धियाँ हुई हैं, फिर भी चुनौतियाँ बनी हुई हैं। अवैध खनन, बुनियादी ढांचे के लिए जंगलों की कटाई, मानव-वन्यजीव संघर्ष और जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रभाव हमारे पारिस्थितिक तंत्र को कमजोर कर रहे हैं। आर्थिक विकास और पर्यावरणीय संरक्षण के बीच संतुलन बनाना आज भी बड़ी चुनौती है। इसमें सामुदायिक भागीदारी, नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा का उपयोग और इको-टूरिज्म जैसे स्थायी विकास मॉडल मददगार हो सकते हैं।
भारत की पेरिस समझौते और संयुक्त राष्ट्र की जैव विविधता संधि जैसी वैश्विक प्रतिबद्धताएँ यह दिखाती हैं कि देश पर्यावरण संरक्षण में वैश्विक नेतृत्व करना चाहता है। लेकिन यह लक्ष्य शिक्षा, जागरूकता, सख्त कानून और जनता की सहभागिता पर निर्भर करता है। वनों और वन्यजीवों को केवल प्राकृतिक संपत्ति नहीं, बल्कि एक सतत भविष्य के जीवनाधार के रूप में देखा जाना चाहिए।
✍️ English Quiz – India’s Forest and Wildlife Conservation
🟩 Synonyms (1–5):
1. Choose the synonym of "sustenance"
A) Starvation
B) Support
C) Decline
D) Rejection
2. Choose the synonym of "conservation"
A) Destruction
B) Preservation
C) Regulation
D) Celebration
3. Choose the synonym of "heritage"
A) Tradition
B) Novelty
C) Accident
D) None
4. Choose the synonym of "sacred"
A) Holy
B) Wild
C) Deserted
D) Lonely
5. Choose the synonym of "sustainable"
A) Permanent
B) Drastic
C) Manageable
D) Non-renewable
🟥 Antonyms (6–10):
6. Choose the antonym of "urbanization"
A) Industrialization
B) Globalization
C) Ruralization
D) Civilization
7. Choose the antonym of "increase"
A) Multiply
B) Rise
C) Decrease
D) Spread
8. Choose the antonym of "participation"
A) Inclusion
B) Engagement
C) Withdrawal
D) Contribution
9. Choose the antonym of "positive"
A) Favourable
B) Uplifting
C) Negative
D) Confident
10. Choose the antonym of "integration"
A) Combination
B) Separation
C) Coordination
D) Union
🟨 Spot the Error (11–15):
11. India are home to many rare species.
A) India
B) are home
C) to many
D) rare species
12. The mangroves helps in preventing floods.
A) The mangroves
B) helps
C) in preventing
D) floods
13. Climate change have impact wildlife migration.
A) Climate change
B) have
C) impact
D) wildlife migration
14. Forests covers about one-fourth of India.
A) Forests
B) covers
C) about one-fourth
D) of India
15. Many community protect the sacred groves.
A) Many
B) community
C) protect
D) sacred groves
🟦 Narration (16–20):
16. He said, “Forest cover is increasing in India.”
A) He said that forest cover has increased.
B) He said that forest cover was increasing.
C) He said that forest cover is increasing.
D) He said that forest cover had been increased.
17. The expert said, “Poaching is a major threat.”
A) The expert said that poaching was a major threat.
B) The expert said poaching is a threat.
C) The expert says poaching was a threat.
D) The expert said that poaching had be threat.
18. She said, “I support Project Tiger.”
A) She said she supports Project Tiger.
B) She said that she supported Project Tiger.
C) She said she is supporting the project.
D) She told Project Tiger is supported.
19. They said, “Cheetahs were reintroduced recently.”
A) They said that cheetahs are reintroduced recently.
B) They said that cheetahs were reintroduced recently.
C) They said cheetahs had been reintroduce.
D) They says that cheetahs was reintroduced.
20. The teacher said, “Forest conservation needs public support.”
A) The teacher said forest needs to be supported.
B) The teacher said that forest conservation needed public support.
C) The teacher said forests support the public.
D) The teacher said that forest conservation is need of public.
🟧 Voice Change (21–25):
21. The government launched Project Tiger.
A) Project Tiger is launching by government.
B) Project Tiger was launched by the government.
C) The government is launched Project Tiger.
D) Project Tiger launched the government.
22. Communities protect sacred groves.
A) Sacred groves protect by communities.
B) Sacred groves are protected by communities.
C) Sacred groves is protected by communities.
D) Sacred groves were being protect.
23. The forest department will monitor the new reserves.
A) The new reserves were monitored by forest department.
B) The forest department is monitoring the reserves.
C) The new reserves will be monitored by the forest department.
D) The reserves has monitored by department.
24. Experts had warned about deforestation.
A) About deforestation has been warned.
B) Deforestation had warned experts.
C) About deforestation was warning.
D) Deforestation had been warned about by experts.
25. They conserve endangered species.
A) Endangered species are being conserved by them.
B) Endangered species are conserved by them.
C) Endangered species were conserve by them.
D) They are conserving species endangered.
🟪 Para Jumble (26–30):
Choose the correct sequence:
26.
A) Deforestation causes global warming
B) Greenhouse gases increase
C) Trees are cut down
D) Carbon dioxide rises
Options:
A) C-D-B-A
B) A-C-D-B
C) C-A-D-B
D) B-C-D-A
27.
A) India protects wildlife
B) With sanctuaries and parks
C) Conservation efforts are increasing
D) Laws are being enforced
Options:
A) A-B-C-D
B) C-A-B-D
C) D-C-B-A
D) B-C-A-D
28.
A) Mangroves thrive in saline waters
B) They prevent coastal erosion
C) They are home to many species
D) They support fishermen
Options:
A) A-C-B-D
B) B-A-C-D
C) A-B-C-D
D) C-B-A-D
29.
A) Government launched Green India Mission
B) Trees were planted across India
C) Schools were also involved
D) Campaigns created awareness
Options:
A) A-B-C-D
B) B-A-D-C
C) A-D-B-C
D) D-C-B-A
30.
A) Wildlife tourism is rising
B) It creates income
C) Also raises awareness
D) Needs careful regulation
Options:
A) A-B-C-D
B) B-A-D-C
C) A-C-B-D
D) C-A-B-D
✅ Answers & Bilingual Explanations
1. B) Support
EN: "Sustenance" means maintaining life or support.
HI: "Sustenance" का अर्थ है जीवन यापन या सहारा देना।
2. B) Preservation
EN: "Conservation" is the act of preserving and protecting.
HI: "Conservation" का अर्थ है संरक्षण करना या सुरक्षित रखना।
3. A) Tradition
EN: "Heritage" refers to cultural tradition or inheritance.
HI: "Heritage" का अर्थ है विरासत या परंपरा।
4. A) Holy
EN: "Sacred" means religiously respected → "Holy" is synonym.
HI: "Sacred" (पवित्र) का समानार्थी "Holy" है।
5. C) Manageable
EN: "Sustainable" means manageable for long-term use.
HI: "Sustainable" का अर्थ है दीर्घकाल तक संभालने योग्य।
6. C) Ruralization
EN: Opposite of urbanization (city growth) is ruralization (village focus).
HI: "Urbanization" (शहरीकरण) का विलोम "Ruralization" (ग्रामीणकरण) है।
7. C) Decrease
EN: Opposite of "increase" is "decrease".
HI: "Increase" (वृद्धि) का विलोम "Decrease" (कमी) है।
8. C) Withdrawal
EN: "Participation" (involvement) → Opposite is "Withdrawal" (backing out).
HI: "Participation" (भागीदारी) का विलोम "Withdrawal" (पीछे हटना) है।
9. C) Negative
EN: "Positive" (सकारात्मक) ↔ "Negative" (नकारात्मक)
HI: "Positive" का विलोम "Negative" होता है।
10. B) Separation
EN: "Integration" (समेकन) ↔ "Separation" (विभाजन)
HI: "Integration" का विलोम "Separation" है।
11. B) are home → is home
EN: India is singular → use "is", not "are"
HI: "India" एकवचन है, इसलिए "is home" होना चाहिए।
12. B) helps → help
EN: "Mangroves" is plural → verb should be "help"
HI: "Mangroves" बहुवचन है, इसलिए "help" होना चाहिए।
13. B) have → has
EN: "Climate change" is singular → use "has"
HI: "Climate change" एकवचन है, इसलिए "has" होगा।
14. B) covers → cover
EN: "Forests" is plural → verb should be "cover"
HI: "Forests" बहुवचन है, इसलिए "cover" होना चाहिए।
15. B) community → communities
EN: "Many" takes plural noun → "communities"
HI: "Many" के साथ "community" का बहुवचन "communities" होगा।
16. B) He said that forest cover was increasing.
EN: Present continuous → Past continuous in indirect
HI: "is increasing" → "was increasing" होता है।
17. A) The expert said that poaching was a major threat.
EN: Simple present → Simple past in indirect
HI: "is" → "was" होना चाहिए।
18. B) She said that she supported Project Tiger.
EN: Present simple → Past simple
HI: "support" → "supported" बदलता है।
19. B) They said that cheetahs were reintroduced recently.
EN: Correct indirect narration
HI: वाक्य पहले से past में है, इसलिए "were reintroduced" सही है।
20. B) The teacher said that forest conservation needed public support.
EN: Present → Past in indirect
HI: "needs" → "needed" होगा।
21. B) Project Tiger was launched by the government.
EN: Passive voice: was + V3 (launched)
HI: Passive structure = "was launched"
22. B) Sacred groves are protected by communities.
EN: Passive of present simple → are protected
HI: Passive में present simple = "are + V3"
23. C) The new reserves will be monitored by the forest department.
EN: Future passive → will be + V3
HI: Passive में "will be monitored" सही है।
24. D) Deforestation had been warned about by experts.
EN: Passive of past perfect → had been + V3
HI: "Had warned" → Passive = "had been warned about"
25. B) Endangered species are conserved by them.
EN: Present simple passive
HI: Passive में present = "are conserved"
26. C) C-A-D-B
EN: Trees are cut → CO₂ rises → greenhouse gases ↑ → warming
HI: पेड़ कटे → कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड बढ़ा → गैसें बढ़ीं → गर्मी बढ़ी।
27. B) C-A-B-D
EN: Efforts ↑ → India protects → through parks → with laws
HI: प्रयास बढ़े → भारत सुरक्षा करता है → पार्क द्वारा → कानून से।
28. A) A-C-B-D
EN: Mangroves grow → species live → prevent erosion → help fishermen
HI: मैंग्रोव पनपे → प्रजातियाँ बसीं → कटाव रोका → मछुआरों को सहायता।
29. C) A-D-B-C
EN: Govt mission → awareness → trees planted → schools helped
HI: मिशन शुरू → जागरूकता → पेड़ लगे → स्कूल जुड़े।
30. A) A-B-C-D
EN: Tourism rises → income ↑ → awareness ↑ → but needs regulation
HI: पर्यटन बढ़ा → आय बढ़ी → जागरूकता बढ़ी → पर नियंत्रण जरूरी।
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