Conservation of Plants and Animals JKBOSE 8th Science Notes

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Introduction

Conservation of plants and animals refers to the protection and management of species and their habitats in order to prevent their extinction. This can involve a variety of activities, such as protecting natural areas, restoring degraded habitats, and regulating the use of natural resources. It can also involve the breeding and reintroduction of threatened or endangered species in order to increase their populations.

Deforestation: Its Causes and Effects

Deforestation is the process of cutting down and removing forests, and it is a major problem that affects the environment and biodiversity. There are many causes of deforestation, including:

Agricultural expansion: Forests are often cleared to make way for agricultural land to grow crops or raise livestock.
Logging: Trees are cut down for their wood, which is used for building materials, paper products, and other products.
Infrastructure development: Forests are sometimes cleared to make way for roads, buildings, and other infrastructure projects.
Mining: Forests are sometimes destroyed to access minerals and other natural resources.
Climate change: As the climate changes, some forests are dying due to drought, heat, and other environmental stresses.

The effects of deforestation can be severe and far-reaching. It can lead to soil erosion, water scarcity, and an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Deforestation also destroys the habitat of many species, leading to a loss of biodiversity. In addition, forests play a vital role in the global carbon cycle, and the loss of forests can disrupt this balance, leading to further environmental problems.

Importance of Forests and Wildlife

Forests are important for many reasons. They provide a habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, including many species that are endangered or threatened. Forests also play a critical role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. In addition, forests provide a number of ecosystem services, such as water filtration and flood control, which are vital for the health and well-being of humans and other species.

Wildlife, including both plants and animals, is also important for the health and well-being of the planet. Many species play critical roles in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and providing a number of benefits to humans, such as pollination and pest control. The loss of wildlife can have serious consequences, both for the environment and for humans, and it is important to take steps to protect and preserve these important species.

Biosphere Reserve

A biosphere reserve is a designated area that is intended to protect and promote biodiversity, as well as to support research, education, and sustainable economic development. Biosphere reserves are often established in areas with unique or representative ecosystems, or with significant cultural or natural resources.

Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was established in 1999 and covers an area of about 524 square kilometers. The reserve is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including many that are endangered or threatened. It is also home to several indigenous communities, who rely on the natural resources of the area for their livelihoods. The reserve is managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India, in collaboration with local communities and other stakeholders. The main goals of the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve are to conserve the area’s biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and support research and education.

National Park

A national park is a protected area of land that is set aside for the conservation of nature and the protection of wildlife. National parks are usually managed by a government agency and are often established to preserve unique or sensitive natural areas, such as forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers.

In India, there are many national parks that are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species. Some major national parks in India include:

Jim Corbett National Park: Located in the state of Uttarakhand, this park is home to a variety of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, leopards, and elephants.
Sundarbans National Park: Located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in West Bengal, this park is home to the Bengal tiger and a number of other threatened species.
Kanha National Park: Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, this park is known for its large population of Bengal tigers and is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including leopards, deer, and antelope.
Kaziranga National Park: Located in the state of Assam, this park is home to the one-horned rhinoceros, as well as a variety of other species, including elephants, buffalo, and deer.
Bandipur National Park: Located in the state of Karnataka, this park is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and elephants.

Some national parks in Jammu and Kashmir include:

Dachigam National Park: Located about 22 km from Srinagar, this park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Kashmir stag, also known as the hangul.

Kishtwar National Park: Located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, this park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and musk deer.

Salim Ali National Park: Located on the island of Dal Lake in Srinagar, this park is named after Dr. Salim Ali, a famous Indian ornithologist. It is home to a variety of bird species, as well as other wildlife.

Hemis National Park: Located in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, this park is the largest national park in India and is home to a variety of wildlife, including the snow leopard, ibex, and blue sheep.

Wild Life Sanctuaries

A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area that is set aside for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. Unlike national parks, which are usually more strictly protected and often have restrictions on human activities, wildlife sanctuaries may allow limited human activities, such as tourism, as long as they do not negatively impact the wildlife or the ecosystem.

India is home to many wildlife sanctuaries, which are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many endangered and threatened species.

Endemic Species

An endemic species is a species that is native to a specific geographic region and is not found naturally anywhere else. These species may be found only in a single location, or they may be distributed across a relatively small area.

India is home to many endemic species, including a number of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Some examples of endemic species in India include:

Indian elephant: This species is native to the forests of India and is found nowhere else in the world.
Indian rhinoceros: This species is found only in the grasslands and forests of northeastern India and is listed as a critically endangered species.
Nilgiri tahr: This species of wild goat is found only in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India and is listed as an endangered species.
Andaman teal: This species of duck is found only on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal and is listed as a vulnerable species.
Nicobar pigeon: This species of pigeon is found only on the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and is listed as a vulnerable species.

Endangered Species

Endangered species are species that are at risk of extinction because their populations have declined to a critically low level. There are many factors that can contribute to the decline of a species, such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overhunting.

India is home to many endangered species, including both plants and animals. Some instances of endangered species in India are:

Bengal tiger: This species is native to the forests of India and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Indian rhinoceros: This species is found only in the grasslands and forests of northeastern India and is listed as critically endangered.
Asiatic lion: This species is found only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Nilgiri tahr: This species of wild goat is found only in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India and is listed as endangered.
Snow leopard: This species is found in the mountains of northern India and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.

In Jammu and Kashmir, some endangered species include:

Kashmir stag: Also known as the hangul, this species of deer is found only in the Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir and is listed as endangered.
Himalayan black bear: This species is found in the mountains of northern India and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.
Snow leopard: This species is found in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.
Musk deer: This species is found in the mountains of northern India and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Red panda: This species is found in the mountains of northern India and is listed as endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.

Red Data Book

The Red Data Book is a publication that lists threatened and endangered species, along with information about their status and distribution. The book is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is intended to serve as a tool for conservation efforts and as a source of information for scientists, policymakers, and the general public.

The Red Data Book is divided into several categories, including critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable. These categories reflect the severity of the threat to the species and are based on a number of factors, including population size, distribution, and population trend.

How Paper Is Recycled and Its Importance for Environment

Paper recycling is the process of turning used paper products into new paper products. It is an important way to conserve natural resources, such as trees, and reduce waste and pollution.

Here is a general overview of how paper is recycled:

Collection: Used paper products, such as newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes, are collected from homes, businesses, and recycling centers.
Sorting: The collected paper is sorted by type and grade. Different grades of paper have different recycling value and are used to make different products.
Pulping: The sorted paper is then mixed with water and chemicals to create a slurry, which is then processed to remove any contaminants, such as staples and glue.
De-inking: If the paper being recycled is printed, it must be de-inked to remove the ink. This is typically done using a flotation process in which the ink is separated from the fibers using air bubbles.
Reforming: The de-inked fibers are then mixed with water and chemicals to form a pulp, which is then poured onto a screen to create a new sheet of paper.
Drying: The newly formed sheet of paper is then pressed and dried to remove any remaining water.
Finishing: The dried paper is then cut and rolled into sheets or reels, or it may be formed into other products, such as boxes or cups.

Paper recycling is important for the environment because it conserves natural resources (i.e. trees) , reduces energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. It is also an important part of the circular economy, in which resources are used and re-used as efficiently as possible.

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