Question

The communities in India depend on the forest and its products for their well-being. The total forest cover in India is just 21.71% of the land area and various initiatives of government and non-government organisation are being taken to improve the forest cover. People from all walk of lives are engaging themselves at individual level to make others aware of the benefits of trees and making an effort to plant trees in open space, parks, roads, urban and sub urban and rural areas.

1. What is the reason for the low percentage of forest over in India?
2. Briefly discuss a successful community-based conservation initiative in India focused on preserving natural vegetation.
3. Along the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, mangroves protect the ecology of the coastal areas. Mention the characteristic features of mangrove vegetation.
4. How does the environment determine the natural vegetation of a place?

Answer 1

1. The low percentage of forest cover in India is primarily due to extensive deforestation caused by factors such as infrastructure development, expansion of agriculture, establishment of Special Economic Zones, shifting cultivation, grazing pressure, and forest fires. These activities lead to degradation and loss of forest areas over time.
2. The Chipko Movement is a notable example. Started in 1973 by Sunderlal Bahuguna, villagers hugged trees to prevent their cutting, showing peaceful protest. It emphasised protection and conservation of forests with community participation. Another initiative is Joint Forest Management, where village committees cooperate with forest departments to protect and regenerate degraded forests in exchange for benefits like non-timber forest products and a share in revenue from timber sales.
3. Characteristic features of mangrove vegetation along coastal Andhra Pradesh:
   • Found in tidal, saline, and marshy coastal areas
   • Roots are specialized (pneumatophores) to obtain oxygen in waterlogged conditions
   • Trees are salt-tolerant and have viviparous seeds (seeds germinate while attached to parent)
   • Dense growth with tangled roots that protect against coastal erosion and storms
   • Important ecological role in protecting coastal biodiversity and stabilising shorelines.
4. Natural vegetation is influenced primarily by climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity, as well as soil type and altitude. These environmental conditions determine the type of plants that can survive and flourish in a region. For example, evergreen forests develop in warm and moist conditions, while thorny bushes and cacti grow in arid deserts. Changes in environment cause variations in vegetation types.