The following Topics and Sub-Topics are covered in this chapter and are available on MSVgo:
The following Topics and Sub-Topics are covered in this chapter and are available on MSVgo:
Introduction
You may have come across frequent news of the distraught state of our planet in the form of wildfires gushing forests and decimating wildlife. It is one of the deforestation causes.
The life on this planet is created in a manner that is interconnected with the environment. It is harmoniously hospitable until it is balanced. But if the natural ecosystem is disturbed due to deforestation and its causes, life on earth would gradually become impossible. Therefore, the conservation of forest and wildlife is significant for the sustainability of the human race.
Deforestation is the process of clearing of forests for using the area for other purposes. A significant point about deforestation and its causes is that it can be natural as well as man-made.
Deforestation has gradual effects on the environment.
So, the consequences of deforestation are grave and long-standing.
Some of the ways of conserving plants and animals are mentioned below –
Wildlife sanctuaries are naturally simulated forest reserves that are protected for the conservation of wildlife of that particular forest. In wildlife sanctuaries, animals are provided with their natural habitat to enable them to sustain, as they would in the wild. These places are built in a manner that no human activity hinders wildlife and threatens their survival.
In India, one can spot wildlife in their natural abode in Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka, Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh, or Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan.
They are large reserves that conserve a whole set of ecosystems. They protect the flora and fauna, landscape, and elements of historical significance in a particular region. Some of the known national parks in India are Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, etc.
It is a set of data that comprises all the endangered species of animals and plants. An international organisation maintains a Red Data Book to record the data of endangered animals and plants across the globe. It helps in keeping track of the endemic species of a particular region.
Some of plants and animals that are endangered around the world are –
It takes 17 fully matured trees to produce one tonne of paper. Due to the rapid destruction of forested resources of the planet, there is a desperate need for recycling of paper and paper products. It is one of the best ways of conservation of forests.
Apart from recycling, substitutes need to be found to produce paper. For example, the company Loving Earth has innovated its packaging to promote conservation and sustainability. They use Econic, a biodegradable film for its packaging needs.
It is the restoration of the destroyed forests by planting new ones. It takes place naturally, as well. It is the only option to retain our wealth of natural resources like forests.
The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, due to more than 17% loss in vegetation and land area in the last 50 years, has taken an urgent measure of reforestation. It is now focused on a 6-year tree planting initiative. It aims to plant around 73 million trees by 2023, making it one of the largest tree planting programs in tropical forests.
There are biosphere reserves as well that are created with the intention of driving solutions to conserve the biodiversity of our ecosystems.
Due to the rampant destruction of forests and wildlife, it is the need of the hour to take measures on a global scale for conservation. In the last couple of decades, the prevalence of wildfires and the extinction of exotic endemic species of animals or birds who tend to undertake migration have become widespread.
Global Government agencies, along with the help of media and other ways of communication, have been working relentlessly to spread awareness about the urgency of the dire situation.
1. Why is the conservation of plants and animals important?
Conservation of plants and animals is essential to create a sustainable life for the present and future generations.
2. What is the meaning of conservation of plants?
Conservation of plants means protecting all the plant species of the planet.
3. How can we protect and conserve plants and animals?
We can conserve plants and animals by –
4. Why do we need plant conservation?
We need plant conservation for a number of reasons including –
5. What is the importance of conservation?
Conservation is critical to address in present times since the destruction of our ecosystem has become rampant, and it calls for immediate action. If ignored, the damages could be irreparable and could threaten life on this planet.
Detailed conceptual explanations about the topic along with real-world examples can be found under the extensive video library of the MSVgo app. It helps in enlightening young minds about the grave impacts and information about deforestation and its causes.