essay on conservation of natural vegetation and wildlife

• Privacy Policy
• Biodiversity
• Tourist Places

Importance of Natural Vegetation and Conservation

Natural vegetation is a crucial part of nature, playing a role in keeping things in balance. Importance of natural vegetation has a great value, as it regulates water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.

Using sunlight, plants create biomass, which is the foundation for all the food chains in nature. Plants also impact the balance of energy on the Earth’s surface and in the air around it, helping to even out extreme local weather conditions.

Besides these things, natural vegetation release oxygen and store carbon. Over time, they help in the development of soil, making it more productive. Plants are homes and food for wildlife, and they give us things we directly use, like wood, and indirect benefits, such as protecting water sources.

Table of Contents

Importance of Natural Vegetation

Plants are vital for the overall health of the planet , as each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem, ensuring its resilience to changes. When we conserve natural vegetation, we preserve habitats that countless organisms rely on for survival.

Conserving natural vegetation is crucial for many reasons, these ecosystems support a wide variety of plants and animals, creating a balanced and diverse environment.

Here is how natural vegetation is importance for all living on the earth.

The Ecological Importance of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation plays a fundamental role in maintaining ecological balance, fostering biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services that contribute to the overall health of the planet.

 Ecological Role of Natural Vegetation

The ecological role of natural vegetation refers to the functions and contributions of plant life within ecosystems. This includes processes such as nutrient cycling, soil stabilization, and the regulation of water flow.

Natural vegetation acts as the foundation of ecosystems, influencing the physical and chemical properties of the environment. It contributes to the health and stability of ecosystems by providing habitats for various organisms, influencing climate patterns, and participating in nutrient cycles.

Biodiversity and Natural Vegetation

Biodiversity in the context of natural vegetation refers to the variety of plant and animal species present in a particular habitat. It encompasses genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Natural vegetation supports a rich diversity of life, from microorganisms to large mammals. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience, as each species plays a unique role in maintaining ecosystem functions. The loss of natural vegetation can lead to a decline in biodiversity, impacting the overall health of the environment.

Ecosystem Services Provided by Natural Vegetation

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans and other organisms derive from ecosystems. Natural vegetation contributes to various ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.

Ecosystem services provided by natural vegetation include clean air and water, pollination of crops, climate regulation, and the provision of raw materials. These services are essential for human well-being and the functioning of ecosystems.

Environmental Benefits of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation offers a myriad of environmental benefits, from mitigating climate change to sustaining life by producing oxygen and sequestering carbon.

Carbon Sequestration by Natural Vegetation

Carbon sequestration refers to the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Natural vegetation, especially forests, plays a critical role in sequestering carbon through the process of photosynthesis.

Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store carbon in their biomass. This helps mitigate the greenhouse effect, reducing the impact of climate change by regulating atmospheric carbon levels.

Oxygen Production from Natural Vegetation

Oxygen production is the release of oxygen into the atmosphere as a byproduct of photosynthesis, a process carried out by plants and certain microorganisms.

Natural vegetation, particularly forests and phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems, is a primary source of oxygen production. This oxygen is vital for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans.

Climate Change Mitigation and Natural Vegetation

Climate change mitigation involves actions that reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and enhance the capacity of ecosystems to absorb and store carbon.

Natural vegetation plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating temperatures, and preserving biodiversity. Conserving and restoring natural vegetation are essential strategies for addressing climate change.

Also Read: Human Role in Biodiversity Conservation

Economic Significance of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation holds economic value through sustainable resource use, agriculture, forestry, and contributions to local economies.

Economic Value of Natural Vegetation

The economic value of natural vegetation refers to the direct and indirect contributions of plant ecosystems to local and global economies.

Natural vegetation provides resources such as timber, non-timber forest products, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, ecosystems like wetlands and mangroves contribute to fisheries, tourism, and other economic activities.

Sustainable Resource Use from Natural Vegetation

Sustainable resource use involves harvesting natural resources in a manner that allows ecosystems to regenerate and maintain their ecological functions.

Using resources sustainably from natural vegetation includes practices such as selective logging, agroforestry, and the cultivation of non-timber forest products. These practices ensure the long-term viability of natural resources.

Role in Agriculture and Forestry

The role of natural vegetation in agriculture and forestry encompasses the influence of plant ecosystems on food production, soil fertility, and forestry practices.

Natural vegetation provides essential services to agriculture, such as pollination, pest control, and soil fertility. Forests contribute to timber production, watershed protection, and the preservation of biodiversity.

Cultural and Aesthetic Value

Natural vegetation holds cultural significance, aesthetic beauty, and indigenous knowledge that contribute to human well-being and identity.

Cultural Significance of Natural Vegetation

Cultural significance refers to the importance of natural vegetation in shaping the identity, beliefs, and practices of different human cultures.

Many cultures around the world have spiritual, religious, and symbolic connections to natural landscapes. Trees, plants, and ecosystems are often integral to cultural practices and traditions.

Aesthetic Beauty of Natural Vegetation

Aesthetic beauty in natural vegetation pertains to the visual appeal and artistic inspiration derived from the diverse and intricate forms found in plant ecosystems.

Natural vegetation, from lush forests to arid deserts, provides breathtaking scenery that inspires artists, poets, and nature enthusiasts. The aesthetic beauty of landscapes contributes to the well-being of individuals and societies.

Indigenous Knowledge and Natural Vegetation

Indigenous knowledge refers to the traditional ecological knowledge and practices developed by indigenous communities regarding natural vegetation.

Explanation: Indigenous communities often possess profound knowledge about the uses of plants for medicine, food, and materials. Preserving and respecting indigenous knowledge contributes to sustainable resource management.

Wildlife Habitat

Natural vegetation serves as critical habitat for wildlife, supporting diverse fauna and playing a key role in the conservation of natural habitats.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat

Natural vegetation as wildlife habitat refers to the ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a wide variety of animal species.

Different types of natural vegetation, such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands, offer unique habitats for various wildlife species. These habitats are essential for the survival and reproduction of fauna.

Importance of Natural Vegetation for Fauna

The importance of natural vegetation for fauna underscores the reliance of animal species on specific plant ecosystems for their survival.

Animals depend on natural vegetation for food, shelter, and breeding sites. The composition and structure of plant communities influence the diversity and abundance of wildlife in an ecosystem.

Conservation of Natural Habitats for Wildlife

Conservation of natural habitats for wildlife involves efforts to protect and restore ecosystems that provide crucial habitats for a variety of animal species.

Conservation initiatives focus on preserving and restoring natural vegetation to ensure the continuity of wildlife populations. This includes creating wildlife corridors, establishing protected areas, and addressing habitat fragmentation.

Educational Aspects of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation serves as a valuable educational resource, providing opportunities for studying ecology, environmental science, and fostering an understanding of the natural world.

Educational Value of Studying Natural Vegetation

The educational value of studying natural vegetation refers to the opportunities it offers for learning about ecosystems, plant biology, and environmental processes.

Natural vegetation provides real-world examples for studying ecological concepts, plant adaptations, and the interdependence of living organisms. Field studies and observations in natural ecosystems enhance educational experiences.

Role of Natural Vegetation in Environmental Education

The role of natural vegetation in environmental education involves using plant ecosystems as a tool for teaching ecological principles, conservation, and sustainability.

Natural vegetation provides a tangible and relatable context for teaching environmental concepts. It fosters an appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of conservation.

Learning from Natural Ecosystems

Learning from natural ecosystems involves gaining insights and knowledge from the functioning and dynamics of plant communities and their interactions with other components of the environment.

Observing natural ecosystems helps students and researchers understand ecological processes, biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities on the environment. It encourages a holistic approach to environmental science.

Human Well-being

The connection between natural vegetation and human well-being encompasses physical health benefits, psychological well-being, and the recreational value of natural environments.

Connection between Natural Vegetation and Human Well-being

The connection between natural vegetation and human well-being acknowledges the positive impact of green spaces on physical and mental health.

Access to natural vegetation is associated with improved air quality, reduced stress levels, and enhanced overall well-being. Green spaces in urban environments provide respite from the demands of modern life.

Health Benefits of Natural Vegetation

Definition: Health benefits of natural vegetation encompass the positive effects on physical health resulting from exposure to natural environments.

Spending time in nature has been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and improved immune function. Natural vegetation promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

Recreational Value of Natural Vegetation

The recreational value of natural vegetation refers to the enjoyment and leisure activities that individuals can engage in within natural environments.

Natural vegetation provides opportunities for activities such as hiking, birdwatching, camping, and photography. Recreation in natural settings contributes to stress reduction, relaxation, and overall life satisfaction.

Climate Change Resilience

Natural vegetation plays a crucial role in building resilience to climate change, adapting to changing environmental conditions, and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events.

Natural Vegetation and Climate Change Resilience

Natural vegetation contributes to climate change resilience by enhancing the ability of ecosystems to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.

Diverse and healthy ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and mangroves, provide natural buffers against extreme weather events, regulate water flow, and contribute to overall ecosystem stability.

Adapting to Climate Change through Natural Ecosystems

Adapting to climate change through natural ecosystems involves using sustainable land management practices to enhance the resilience of ecosystems and communities.

Protecting and restoring natural vegetation is a key strategy for adapting to the changing climate. Ecosystems with intact vegetation are better equipped to withstand droughts, floods, and temperature extremes.

Mitigating the Impacts of Extreme Weather Events with Natural Vegetation

Mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events with natural vegetation involves utilizing the protective and stabilizing functions of ecosystems to reduce the severity of climate-related disasters.

Coastal vegetation, such as mangroves and dune ecosystems, helps mitigate the impacts of hurricanes and storm surges. Forests play a crucial role in preventing landslides and reducing the risk of flash floods.

Global Perspectives on Natural Vegetation

Understanding the global importance of natural vegetation involves recognizing its role in international conservation efforts and addressing cross-border implications of vegetation loss.

Global Importance of Natural Vegetation

The global importance of natural vegetation acknowledges the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the impact of vegetation loss on a worldwide scale.

Natural vegetation contributes to global biodiversity, climate regulation, and the provision of ecosystem services. Changes in vegetation patterns have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond national borders.

International Efforts for Natural Vegetation Conservation

International efforts for natural vegetation conservation involve collaborative initiatives, agreements, and programs aimed at protecting global biodiversity and ecosystems.

Organizations such as UNESCO and international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity focus on the conservation of natural vegetation at a global scale. Cooperative efforts are essential for addressing transboundary environmental challenges.

Cross-border Implications of Natural Vegetation Loss

Cross-border implications of natural vegetation loss refer to the environmental and socio-economic impacts that extend across political boundaries.

Deforestation, pollution, and climate change-induced vegetation loss can affect neighboring countries. Collaborative strategies are necessary to address shared challenges and promote sustainable land management practices.

Conservation and Preservation of Natural Vegetation

The conservation and preservation of natural vegetation are imperative for maintaining biodiversity, ecological balance, and sustaining essential ecosystem services.

Importance of Preserving Natural Vegetation

Preserving natural vegetation involves protecting and maintaining existing plant communities and ecosystems.

Preserving natural vegetation is essential to safeguard the ecological integrity of habitats, prevent species extinction, and maintain the balance of ecosystems. It contributes to the overall health and resilience of the environment.

Conservation of Biodiversity in Natural Vegetation

Biodiversity conservation within natural vegetation focuses on the protection of diverse plant and animal species within their natural habitats.

Conservation efforts aim to preserve the genetic diversity, species richness, and ecosystem diversity found in natural vegetation. This involves creating protected areas, implementing sustainable land management practices, and addressing threats to biodiversity.

Threats to Natural Vegetation and Conservation Efforts

Threats to natural vegetation encompass human activities such as and natural processes that degrade or destroy plant communities. Conservation efforts involve strategies to mitigate these threats and promote sustainable practices.

Human activities that harm natural vegetation includes cutting down too many trees (deforestation) using too much forest land, not taking care of forests properly, farming, taking over forest land, burning and clearing forests, wildfires, building more cities, taking too much from nature, making the environment worse, and other things can harm the plants and trees.

Natural factors influencing vegetation includes land slope, soil thickness, how wet it is, and how hot or cold it is can affect how plants grow. Out of these, how hot or wet it is are the most important.

Conservation efforts may involve reforestation, habitat restoration, and the establishment of protected areas. Collaborative initiatives are crucial for addressing global threats to natural vegetation.

Conserving natural vegetation is crucial for many reasons. Firstly, these ecosystems support a wide variety of plants and animals, creating a balanced and diverse environment.

Biodiversity is vital for the overall health of the planet, as each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem, ensuring its resilience to changes. When we conserve natural vegetation, we preserve habitats that countless organisms rely on for survival.

Another important aspect is the role of natural vegetation in providing essential services. Trees and plants help purify the air we breathe and regulate local climates. Forests, for instance, act like nature’s filters, trapping pollutants and releasing oxygen.

Conserving natural vegetation is like maintaining the Earth’s life support system, ensuring clean air, stable weather patterns, and fertile soil for agriculture.

For human well-being importance of natural vegetation can’t be denied these ecosystems contribute to our physical and mental health. Green spaces offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle

Recent Posts

Overview of Plant and Animal Diversity

Exploring Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: Flora and Fauna

Understanding the Causes of Global Warming: An Analysis

The Enchanting Wildlife of Jammu and Kashmir

Conserving Earth

Earth’s natural resources include air, water, soil, minerals, plants, and animals. Conservation is the practice of caring for these resources so all living things can benefit from them now and in the future.

Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Geography, Geology, Conservation

Loading ...

Earth ’s natural resources include air , water , soil , minerals , fuels , plants, and animals. Conservation is the practice of caring for these resources so all living things can benefit from them now and in the future. All the things we need to survive , such as food , water, air, and shelter , come from natural resources. Some of these resources, like small plants, can be replaced quickly after they are used. Others, like large trees, take a long time to replace. These are renewable resources . Other resources, such as fossil fuels , cannot be replaced at all. Once they are used up, they are gone f orever . These are nonrenewable resources . People often waste natural resources. Animals are overhunted . Forests are cleared, exposing land to wind and water damage. Fertile soil is exhausted and lost to erosion because of poor farming practices. Fuel supplies are depleted . Water and air are polluted . If resources are carelessly managed, many will be used up. If used wisely and efficiently , however, renewable resources will last much longer. Through conservation, people can reduce waste and manage natural resources wisely. The population of human beings has grown enormously in the past two centuries. Billions of people use up resources quickly as they eat food, build houses, produce goods, and burn fuel for transportation and electricity . The continuation of life as we know it depends on the careful use of natural resources. The need to conserve resources often conflicts with other needs. For some people, a wooded area may be a good place to put a farm. A timber company may want to harvest the area’s trees for construction materials. A business may want to build a factory or shopping mall on the land. All these needs are valid, but sometimes the plants and animals that live in the area are forgotten. The benefits of development need to be weighed against the harm to animals that may be forced to find new habitats , the depletion of resources we may want in the future (such as water or timber), or damage to resources we use today. Development and conservation can coexist in harmony. When we use the environment in ways that ensure we have resources for the future, it is called sustainable development . There are many different resources we need to conserve in order to live sustainably. Forests A forest is a large area covered with trees grouped so their foliage shades the ground. Every continent except Antarctica has forests, from the evergreen -filled boreal forests of the north to mangrove forests in tropical wetlands . Forests are home to more than two-thirds of all known land species . Tropical rainforests are especially rich in biodiversity . Forests provide habitats for animals and plants. They store carbon , helping reduce global warming . They protect soil by reducing runoff . They add nutrients to the soil through leaf litter . They provide people with lumber and firewood. Deforestation is the process of clearing away forests by cutting them down or burning them. People clear forests to use the wood, or to make way for farming or development. Each year, Earth loses about 14.6 million hectares (36 million acres) of forest to deforestation—an area about the size of the U.S. state of New York. Deforestation destroys wildlife habitats and increases soil erosion. It also releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere , contributing to global warming. Deforestation accounts for 15 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation also harms the people who rely on forests for their survival, hunting and gathering, harvesting forest products, or using the timber for firewood. About half of all the forests on Earth are in the tropics —an area that circles the globe near the Equator . Although tropical forests cover fewer than 6 percent of the world’s land area, they are home to about 80 percent of the world’s documented species. For example, more than 500 different species of trees live in the forests on the small U.S. island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. Tropical forests give us many valuable products, including woods like mahogany and teak , rubber , fruits, nuts, and flowers. Many of the medicines we use today come from plants found only in tropical rainforests. These include quinine , a malaria drug; curare , an anesthetic used in surgery; and rosy periwinkle , which is used to treat certain types of cancer . Sustainable forestry practices are critical for ensuring we have these resources well into the future. One of these practices is leaving some trees to die and decay naturally in the forest. This “ deadwood ” builds up soil. Other sustainable forestry methods include using low-impact logging practices, harvesting with natural regeneration in mind, and avoiding certain logging techniques , such as removing all the high-value trees or all the largest trees from a forest. Trees can also be conserved if consumers recycle . People in China and Mexico, for example, reuse much of their wastepaper, including writing paper, wrapping paper, and cardboard. If half the world’s paper were recycled, much of the worldwide demand for new paper would be fulfilled, saving many of Earth’s trees. We can also replace some wood products with alternatives like bamboo , which is actually a type of grass. Soil Soil is vital to food production. We need high-quality soil to grow the crops that we eat and feed to livestock . Soil is also important to plants that grow in the wild. Many other types of conservation efforts, such as plant conservation and animal conservation, depend on soil conservation. Poor farming methods, such as repeatedly planting the same crop in the same place, called monoculture , deplete nutrients in the soil. Soil erosion by water and wind increases when farmers plow up and down hills. One soil conservation method is called contour strip cropping . Several crops, such as corn, wheat, and clover , are planted in alternating strips across a slope or across the path of the prevailing wind . Different crops, with different root systems and leaves, help slow erosion.

Harvesting all the trees from a large area, a practice called clearcutting , increases the chances of losing productive topsoil to wind and water erosion. Selective harvesting —the practice of removing individual trees or small groups of trees—leaves other trees standing to anchor the soil. Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of living things that populate Earth. The products and benefits we get from nature rely on biodiversity. We need a rich mixture of living things to provide foods, building materials, and medicines, as well as to maintain a clean and healthy landscape . When a species becomes extinct , it is lost to the world forever. Scientists estimate that the current rate of extinction is 1,000 times the natural rate. Through hunting, pollution , habitat destruction, and contribution to global warming, people are speeding up the loss of biodiversity at an alarming rate. It’s hard to know how many species are going extinct because the total number of species is unknown. Scientists discover thousands of new species every year. For example, after looking at just 19 trees in Panama, scientists found 1,200 different species of beetles—80 percent of them unknown to science at the time. Based on various estimates of the number of species on Earth, we could be losing anywhere from 200 to 100,000 species each year. We need to protect biodiversity to ensure we have plentiful and varied food sources. This is true even if we don’t eat a species threatened with extinction because something we do eat may depend on that species for survival. Some predators are useful for keeping the populations of other animals at manageable levels. The extinction of a major predator might mean there are more herbivores looking for food in people’s gardens and farms. Biodiversity is important for more than just food. For instance, we use between 50,000 to 70,000 plant species for medicines worldwide. The Great Barrier Reef , a coral reef off the coast of northeastern Australia, contributes about $6 billion to the nation’s economy through commercial fishing , tourism , and other recreational activities. If the coral reef dies, many of the fish, shellfish , marine mammals , and plants will die, too. Some governments have established parks and preserves to protect wildlife and their habitats. They are also working to abolish hunting and fishing practices that may cause the extinction of some species. Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are fuels produced from the remains of ancient plants and animals. They include coal , petroleum (oil), and natural gas . People rely on fossil fuels to power vehicles like cars and airplanes, to produce electricity, and to cook and provide heat. In addition, many of the products we use today are made from petroleum. These include plastics , synthetic rubber, fabrics like nylon , medicines, cosmetics , waxes, cleaning products, medical devices, and even bubblegum.

Fossil fuels formed over millions of years. Once we use them up, we cannot replace them. Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource. We need to conserve fossil fuels so we don’t run out. However, there are other good reasons to limit our fossil fuel use. These fuels pollute the air when they are burned. Burning fossil fuels also releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Global warming is changing ecosystems . The oceans are becoming warmer and more acidic , which threatens sea life. Sea levels are rising, posing risks to coastal communities. Many areas are experiencing more droughts , while others suffer from flooding . Scientists are exploring alternatives to fossil fuels. They are trying to produce renewable biofuels to power cars and trucks. They are looking to produce electricity using the sun, wind, water, and geothermal energy — Earth’s natural heat. Everyone can help conserve fossil fuels by using them carefully. Turn off lights and other electronics when you are not using them. Purchase energy-efficient appliances and weatherproof your home. Walk, ride a bike, carpool , and use public transportation whenever possible. Minerals Earth’s supply of raw mineral resources is in danger. Many mineral deposits that have been located and mapped have been depleted. As the ores for minerals like aluminum and iron become harder to find and extract , their prices skyrocket . This makes tools and machinery more expensive to purchase and operate. Many mining methods, such as mountaintop removal mining (MTR) , devastate the environment. They destroy soil, plants, and animal habitats. Many mining methods also pollute water and air, as toxic chemicals leak into the surrounding ecosystem. Conservation efforts in areas like Chile and the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States often promote more sustainable mining methods. Less wasteful mining methods and the recycling of materials will help conserve mineral resources. In Japan, for example, car manufacturers recycle many raw materials used in making automobiles. In the United States, nearly one-third of the iron produced comes from recycled automobiles. Electronic devices present a big problem for conservation because technology changes so quickly. For example, consumers typically replace their cell phones every 18 months. Computers, televisions, and mp3 players are other products contributing to “ e-waste .” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans generated more than three million tons of e-waste in 2007. Electronic products contain minerals as well as petroleum-based plastics. Many of them also contain hazardous materials that can leach out of landfills into the soil and water supply. Many governments are passing laws requiring manufacturers to recycle used electronics. Recycling not only keeps materials out of landfills, but it also reduces the energy used to produce new products. For instance, recycling aluminum saves 90 percent of the energy that would be required to mine new aluminum.

Water Water is a renewable resource. We will not run out of water the way we might run out of fossil fuels. The amount of water on Earth always remains the same. However, most of the planet’s water is unavailable for human use. While more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is freshwater . Out of that freshwater, almost 70 percent is permanently frozen in the ice caps covering Antarctica and Greenland. Only about 1 percent of the freshwater on Earth is available for people to use for drinking, bathing, and irrigating crops. People in many regions of the world suffer water shortages . These are caused by depletion of underground water sources known as aquifers , a lack of rainfall due to drought, or pollution of water supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.6 billion people lack adequate water sanitation . More than five million people die each year from diseases caused by using polluted water for drinking, cooking, or washing. About one-third of Earth’s population lives in areas that are experiencing water stress . Most of these areas are in developing countries. Polluted water hurts the environment as well as people. For instance, agricultural runoff—the water that runs off of farmland—can contain fertilizers and pesticides . When this water gets into streams , rivers , and oceans, it can harm the organisms that live in or drink from those water sources. People can conserve and protect water supplies in many ways. Individuals can limit water use by fixing leaky faucets, taking shorter showers, planting drought-resistant plants, and buying low-water-use appliances. Governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations can help developing countries build sanitation facilities. Farmers can change some of their practices to reduce polluted runoff. This includes limiting overgrazing , avoiding over-irrigation, and using alternatives to chemical pesticides whenever possible. Conservation Groups Businesses, international organizations , and some governments are involved in conservation efforts. The United Nations (UN) encourages the creation of national parks around the world. The UN also established World Water Day, an event to raise awareness and promote water conservation. Governments enact laws defining how land should be used and which areas should be set aside as parks and wildlife preserves. Governments also enforce laws designed to protect the environment from pollution, such as requiring factories to install pollution-control devices. Finally, governments often provide incentives for conserving resources, using clean technologies, and recycling used goods. Many international organizations are dedicated to conservation. Members support causes such as saving rain forests, protecting threatened animals, and cleaning up the air. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an alliance of governments and private groups founded in 1948. The IUCN works to protect wildlife and habitats. In 1980, the group proposed a world conservation strategy . Many governments have used the IUCN model to develop their own conservation plans. In addition, the IUCN monitors the status of endangered wildlife, threatened national parks and preserves, and other environments around the world. Zoos and botanical gardens also work to protect wildlife. Many zoos raise and breed endangered animals to increase their populations. They conduct research and help educate the public about endangered species . For instance, the San Diego Zoo in the U.S. state of California runs a variety of research programs on topics ranging from disease control in amphibians to heart-healthy diets for gorillas. Scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, England, work to protect plant life around the world. Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank , for example, works with partners in 54 countries to protect biodiversity through seed collection. Kew researchers are also exploring how DNA technology can help restore damaged habitats. Individuals can do many things to help conserve resources. Turning off lights, repairing leaky faucets, and recycling paper, aluminum cans, glass, and plastic are just a few examples. Riding bikes, walking, carpooling, and using public transportation all help conserve fuel and reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment. Individuals can plant trees to create homes for birds and squirrels. At grocery stores, people can bring their own reusable bags. And people can carry reusable water bottles and coffee mugs rather than using disposable containers. If each of us would conserve in small ways, the result would be a major conservation effort.

Tree Huggers The Chipko Movement, which is dedicated to saving trees, was started by villagers in Uttar Pradesh, India. Chipko means hold fast or embrace. The villagers flung their arms around trees to keep loggers from cutting them down. The villagers won, and Uttar Pradesh banned the felling of trees in the Himalayan foothills. The movement has since expanded to other parts of India.

Thirsty Food People require about 2 to 4 liters of drinking water each day. However, a day's worth of food requires 2,000 to 5,000 liters of water to produce. It takes more water to produce meat than to produce plant-based foods.

Tiger, Tiger Tigers are dangerous animals, but they have more to fear from us than we have to fear from them. Today there are only about 3,200 tigers living in the wild. Three tiger subspecies the Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers have gone extinct in the past century. Many organizations are working hard to protect the remaining tigers from illegal hunting and habitat loss.

Articles & Profiles

Media credits.

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Illustrators

Educator reviewer, last updated.

October 19, 2023

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service .

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources

Wildlife Essays

Essay on Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is one of the most critical issues of the 21 st century. With the rapid growth of the human population, pollution caused by industry and the increase in agriculture, and global warming, the issue of wildlife conservation has become a pressing concern among environmentalists, activists, governments and concerned citizens. Many global organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, The Jane Goodall Institute, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Nature Conservancy, Greenpeace and others have set the preservation of biodiversity as a mission and priority. Wildlife conservation is not only about protecting animals and endangered species, but also about protecting the habitats in which they live. The concept of wildlife conservation is about maintaining a flourishing and healthy animal population and ecosystem so that the Earth continues to provide a habitable environment for humans and our vastly biodiverse fellow inhabitants. Wildlife conservation activists and policies aim to protect wildlife and prohibit practices that endanger it.

But what has caused these threats to wildlife? Concern for wildlife conservation has grown since the start of the industrial revolution. While the ability to mass produce food and goods at cheap costs led to human population booms, greater food security and lower levels of poverty globally, it also caused pollution of land and rivers and the destruction of natural habitats, causing an imbalance in the Earth’s delicate ecosystem, eventually also threatening communities and creating circumstances that put populations in vulnerable situations of food and water scarcity. In addition to industrial agriculture and goods production, logging, mining and oil drilling contribute to pollution of the earth’s soil, water systems and oceans, destroying natural habitats and endangering the future survival of many species. In her polemical book Silent Spring , that is now a classic, Rachel Carson foretells the dangers of forging ahead with production on industrial scales without a thought to the devastating consequences to the world’s habitats, animals and resources. At the time, the book was highly criticized, but today her observations and insights into the dangers of industrial farming and other large-scale productions have been proven prescient. In addition to industrialization and the removal of natural resources, wildlife poaching to sell feathers, bones, horns, pelts and other features which are considered valuable commodities on the black market contributes to the decimation of a number of species, to the point of extinction in some cases (National Geographic).

The World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet report from 2018 reveals a rather bleak picture for the planet’s wildlife. In the last 40 years, there has been a 60% decline in the Earth’s mammal, fish, bird, reptile and amphibian populations, contributing to instability in the planet’s biosphere (World Wildlife Fund). If these numbers aren’t reversed, the planet will become increasingly uninhabitable as pollution, eroded soil, soaring temperatures, rising sea levels and the drying up of fresh water sources will not only jeopardize human existence in more vulnerable areas, but also the natural habitats of the Earth’s plants and animals (Moorhouse 7). In addition to enduring less habitable living conditions on our planet, the destruction of habitats and wildlife forces animals to come into closer contact with humans, leading to a higher propensity of contamination and the spread and mutation of dangerous viruses and bacteria, making pandemics such as the global Covid-19 pandemic more frequent and more devastating (Conservation International).

Today there are many organizations dedicated to wildlife preservation. For 60 years, the World Wildlife Fund has supported wildlife conservation and today is present in 100 countries with over 5 million global partnerships and supporters. Working with actors on local and global scales, their organization is dedicated to preserving the Earth’s forests, freshwater, oceans and wildlife as well as human populations (World Wildlife Fund). With a focus on protecting chimpanzees and their habitats, the Jane Goodall Institute has expanded its reach over the years to include partnerships in 130 global communities with a focus on education. Founded in 1969 with the goal of stopping the hunting of whitecoat seals in Canada, the International Fund for Animal Welfare has grown since then, initiating projects all across the globe to support animal welfare. Though in the works since 1915, the Nature Conservancy was officially founded in 1950. Today it has partnerships in over 70 nations with a strong push to influence public policies to protect natural resources, habitats and original communities. Founded in 1971, Greenpeace’s cornerstone is activism, bringing attention and conversation to some of the most pressing issues in global wildlife and habitat conservation. Each of these organizations makes important contributions to raising awareness of wildlife conservation, educating communities and pressuring governments to take action.

In addition to supporting wildlife conservation organizations through donations or volunteering, concerned citizens can incorporate many practices to help preserve wildlife. For example, eating a plant-based, organic diet helps to reduce carbon footprint as large scale, industrialized farming, and cattle farming cause pollution and the devastation of the earth’s soil and natural habitats for wildlife (Lynch 29). Participating in a wildlife training program in organization such as NOLS and the Jane Goodall Institute who focus on education as a powerful tool for conservation advocacy will create a better understanding of how to preserve natural habitats. Additionally, stopping using plastic products such as plastic bags and straws which often end up in landfills or polluting the earth’s oceans and marine life will help preserve wildlife.

Wildlife conservation is essential to maintain a healthy global ecosystem. Threats to wildlife are threats to the planet and to human life as well. Education about wildlife conservation and participation in activities that support conservation efforts can be significant contributions to the preservation of the earth’s biosphere.

Works Cited

Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring, 1962. Print.

Conservation International, Conservation International Statement in Support of Wildlife Conservation 20’s Urgent Message to the G20: Invest in Nature or Face Growing Pandemic Risk , November 20, 2020: https://www.conservation.org/press-releases/2020/11/20/conservation-international-statement-in-support-of-wildlife-conservation-20’s-urgent-message-to-the-g20-invest-in-nature-or-face-growing-pandemic-risk .

Lynch, Peter. Wildlife & Conservation Volunteering: The Complete Guide (Bradt Travel Guide) , 2nd Edition June 19, 2012.

Moorhouse, Tom. The Customer Isn’t Always Right—Conservation and Animal Welfare Implications of the Increasing Demand for Wildlife Tourism , 2015.

World Wildlife Fund, Living Planet Report 2018 : https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/living-planet-report-2018 .

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Essay on Wildlife Conservation

500+ Words Essay on Wildlife Conservation

Going by the importance of climate change and associated topics are garnering importance worldwide, an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English is an expected topic in the English exams. To prepare well in advance Vedantu has brought this essay for you. It is written by experts having expertise in English. Enough data and content are brought to you so that you can recall maximum points in the exam. This will ensure you achieve amazing marks in the English examination.

Let’s Being with the Essay on Wildlife Conservation for Students in English

Like forests, wildlife consisting of animals, birds, insects, etc. living in the forest is a national resource, which not only helps in maintaining the ecological balance but is also beneficial for various economic activities that generate revenue from tourism. The rich flora and fauna also play a major role in maintaining the ecological balance of a region. There was a time when human needs were minimal and there was bare interference in the wildlife. There is no denying the fact that due to urbanization, pollution, and human interventions wildlife is rapidly disappearing from the planet.

Today the biodiversity of the world is threatened due to the extinction of species. There are thirty-five hotspots around the world, which supports 43% of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians as endemic. The IUCN has compiled a list of species and has classified the different species under extinct, critically endangered, less endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, and least concerned. This list is called the Red Data Book. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the number of birds, animals, marine and freshwater creatures has dropped by almost one-third of its earlier population.

Causes for Decline or Threat to Wildlife

One of the major reasons for the constant decline of wildlife is human’s ever-increasing demands and greed that have led to deforestation and habitat destruction. For development and urbanization, man has chopped down trees to build dams, highways, and towns and this has forced the animals to retreat further and further into the receding forests.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization due to the fast growth in population in recent decades have taken a heavy toll on wildlife. Global warming and extensive environmental pollution have largely threatened wildlife as they lead to habitat destruction and rising temperature.

There is a huge demand for animal fur, skin, meat, bone, etc. across the globe that has led to a decrease in the wildlife population. Poachers kill the animals for the illegal trading of their body parts. For example, elephants are massively poached for ivory, rhinoceros are poached in Assam for their horns. The desire to keep animals in captivity or their desire to consume certain animals as exotic food has resulted in the disappearance of many animal species such as tigers and deer.

Forest fires, food shortage, increase in the number of predators, extreme weather conditions and other extraneous reasons have led to the extinction and endangerment of many species. For instance, the recent forest fires in the Amazon (Brazil), Uttarakhand (India), Australia, etc. lead to the death of many animals every year. 

Many types of animals, birds, and fauna are needed to retain the ecological balance. They are considered necessary for scientific research and experiments that will benefit mankind.

Steps to Conserve Wildlife

The protection and conservation of wildlife is the need of the hour. Some conservation efforts which are widely implemented are given below:

Afforestation:

First and most importantly, humans need to have control over their needs. We need to prevent man from felling trees unnecessarily. Trees should be replanted if they are felled.

Pollution is one of the major causes that have led to the destruction of the habitat of animal species. Pollution of the environment like air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution hurts the entire ecosystem. It has become of utmost importance to control environmental pollution.

More campaigns must be launched to raise awareness in humans on the need to keep our environment clean. A man should be responsible to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem so they should be cordial with the environment. More organizations like PETA should be set up to create awareness among people for the protection of wildlife.

Population:

The man should consciously put a check on the rapid growth of the population. The slow growth of population will decrease the rate of urbanization and that will have a major impact on the preservation of wildlife.

Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Wildlife sanctuaries should be made to ensure the protection of the areas of ecological significance. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 various provisions for protecting habitats of wildlife are made by constructing national parks and sanctuaries. These parks and sanctuaries ensure the protection and maintenance of endangered species.

Ban of Illegal Activities:

Illegal activities like hunting, poaching, and killing animals, birds, etc. for collections and illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns, feathers, etc. should be strictly prohibited and severe punishments and fines should be imposed on people who do these kinds of activities.

Community initiatives

Communities come together to take various conservation initiatives such as the establishment of community forests, raising their voice against illegal activities, creating awareness among the masses, raising voice for the rights of the animals, conserving animals of cultural significance, and many more. For example, members of the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan are very vocal against poaching activities in the region.    

Many countries have taken the initiative to help animals by proclaiming various birds and animals either as national animals or as protected species. In India, the government has launched a program of Joint Forest Management to protect the wildlife and their habitat. Under this program, responsibilities have been assigned to the village communities to protect and manage nearby forests and the wildlife in them.  Animal species have the right to live just like humans. Therefore, we should take every step to conserve them and ensure their survival and betterment.

Wildlife is an integral part of our planet. Wildlife plays a significant role in the ecology and the food chain. Disturbing their numbers or in extreme cases, extinction can have wide-ranging effects on ecology and humankind. Valuing and conserving forests and wildlife enhance the relation between man and nature. We want our future generation to be able to hear the lions roar and peacocks dancing with their extravagant feathers and not just see them in picture books. We must take steps today or else it will be too late and we should always remember 

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

FAQs on Essay on Wildlife Conservation

1. How is Wildlife Important for Humankind?

Wildlife comprises animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life forms. They provide us with a number of products, such as milk, meat, hides, and wools. Insects like bees provide us, honey. They help in the pollination of flowers and have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem. The birds act as decomposers by feeding on insects. Birds like vultures are known as scavengers and cleansers of the environment by feeding on dead livestock. Thus, wildlife helps in maintaining ecological balance.

2. Why Should we Conserve Biodiversity?

We should conserve biodiversity because it is very significant for all living organisms and for the environment. We must conserve biodiversity to save it from becoming extinct.

3. Why are Animals Poached?

The animals are hunted and poached for collection and illegal trade of skins, fur, horns, skins, and feathers.

4. Write Two Steps that the Government has Taken to Conserve Wildlife.

The two steps that the government has taken to conserve wildlife are:

In order to conserve wildlife, the government has established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.

Many awareness programs are launched by the government to create awareness of protecting wildlife.

5. What is the importance of essays on Wildlife Conservation for students in English?

Essay on Wildlife Conservation is a topic given to students because it serves many purposes and holds a lot of importance in the present times. Before starting the essay, students will do adequate research to get enough data about the topic. In the process, they will learn a lot about wildlife conservation. While writing this essay they will learn to empathize with the plight of the animals. Also, they will become better at expressing themselves in written words by writing an essay on this topic as it is a very sensitive topic. This essay will not just help them in fetching excellent marks but it will also sensitize them about the current happenings.

6. What message does an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English carry?

Essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English carries a very significant message that emphasizes the importance of the conservation efforts taken and that are needed. The essay talks about the efforts which have already been taken and are under implementation and it also talks about what needs to be done in the future. It also talks about why we need to conserve wildlife and what significance it holds. Overall the central message of the essay is to conserve and protect the wildlife as much as we can.  

7. What important points should be covered while writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English?

As such there are no rigid pointers that you need to cover while writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation, but you may use the following pointers for reference:

Definition of wildlife conservation

Explain the reasons for conserving the wildlife with valid points

Efforts that are taken by international agencies. This should also include various treaties and protocols signed 

Mention the efforts that are taken by the Indian government. Talk about various laws and legislations present.

Mention various provisions on the local level

Talk about various popular civil movements such as efforts undertaken by the Bishnoi Community

What can you do as students to conserve wildlife? Give suggestions and examples.

8. What steps taken by the government should be mentioned in the essay on Wildlife Conservation?

The Indian government has undertaken various measures to conserve wildlife in the country. You can mention some of these in the essay on Wildlife Conservation:

Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972

Schedules involved and protections provided to the animals

Conservation efforts for particular animals like tigers, elephants, etc.

Formation of various protected areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, etc.

Awards and accolades received by India on various international forums

Various international treaties and agreements were signed by India. 

Mention names of international grouping dedicated to conservation efforts whose India is a part of

You may refer to Vedantu’s forum to get more information about steps to conserve wildlife. 

9. In how many words should one write an essay on Wildlife Conservation?

Word count for writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English can vary depending on which standard the student is studying in. it can range from 300 words to 800 words. Accordingly, the level of writing and richness of the content should vary. You can refer to Vedantu’s guide on essays for further understanding the demand of any given topic. If the essay is being written by a student studying in class 10 then the essay should be data and opinion-driven. It should reflect the ideas and thoughts of the student that are substantiated with authentic data and valid reasons.

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• MHT CET 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Advanced Cutoff
• JEE Main Cutoff
• JEE Main Advanced Answer Key
• JEE Advanced Result
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• KCET Result
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Answer Key
• TS ICET 2024 Hall Ticket
• CMAT Result 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• NEET Rank Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Result 2024
• NEET Asnwer Key 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top NLUs Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• NID DAT Syllabus 2025
• NID DAT 2025
• Design Colleges in India
• Top NIFT Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Interior Design Colleges in India
• Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
• NIFT Result 2024
• NIFT Fees Structure
• NIFT Syllabus 2025
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission 2024
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• LPU NEST 2024
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET DU Cut off 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET Mock Test 2024
• CUET Admit card 2024
• CUET Result 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Cut Off 2024
• CUET Exam Analysis 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• CUET PG Counselling 2024
• CUET Answer Key 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Wildlife Conservation Essay

The phrase "wildlife conservation" serves as a reminder to protect the resources that nature has given us as a gift. Animals that have not been domesticated or tamed are represented by wildlife. They are the only wild animals that live in a natural environment. Here are a few sample essays on the topic ‘wildlife conservation’.

100 Words Essay On Wildlife Conservation

Animals, plants, and their habitats are preserved and protected through wildlife conservation. Similar to forests, wildlife is a national resource that contributes to ecological balance and is also valuable from an economic, recreational, and aesthetic standpoint. There was a time when there was no human intervention, there were a lot of wild animals, and there was no issue with protecting or conserving them.

However, as agriculture, settlement, industry, and other developmental activities increased, as well as largely as a result of human greed, the number of wild animals rapidly decreased. As a result, a number of animal species have already gone extinct, and a number more are in danger of doing so. In order to preserve the environment and life on Earth, it is essential that we concentrate on wildlife conservation.

200 Words Essay On Wildlife Conservation

Need for wildlife conservation.

The need for wildlife conservation results from how human beings are altering lifestyles and advancing ways of living. The massive clearing of trees and forests is causing the habitats of wildlife to be destroyed. The mass extinction of wildlife species is the result of human beings' careless actions. Poaching and hunting are illegal activities; no animal may be killed for recreational purposes.

Wild animals and plants crucially maintain the ecological balance. They have to be considered necessary. The threat to wildlife comes from a variety of sources. Significant factors contributing to the decline of animals include rising pollution, climatic changes, resource overuse, irregular hunting and poaching, habitat degradation, etc. The government has created and modified a large number of laws and regulations aimed at protecting animals.

As we know, deforestation is a huge problem when we speak of wildlife conservation. Trees and forests are home to numerous animals and birds. Thus we need to plant more trees and stop cutting them as well. My school has recently decided to plant trees near our school area, which is empty. This might be a small initiative, but we need to have more afforestation so that it can have a significant impact and help us conserve wildlife.

500 Words Essay On Wildlife Conservation

Like trees and animals, wildlife is a domestic resource that helps maintain the natural balance and has aesthetic, recreational, and economic advantages. When humans were not present, there were numerous wild animals and little concern for their protection or conservation.

Importance Of Wildlife Conservation

The wildlife in our ecosystem is a crucial component. Here are a few justifications for protecting wildlife:

Wild plants provide one-third of the world's pharmaceutical needs regarding medicinal value. For medical science and technology research, forests offer a wealth of opportunities. Additionally, it gives an excellent opportunity to produce therapeutic drugs on a vast scale.

Maintains the health of our environment by assisting with global temperature regulation. Additionally, it aids in preventing the greenhouse effect and halting sea level rise.

Helps to maintain ecological harmony - In this regard, the interdependence of plants and animals is crucial.

Forests are important economically because they provide raw materials that support the nation's economic development and raise living standards.

Causes Of Wildlife Depletion

Habitat Loss - The intentional destruction of forests and agricultural land for numerous construction projects, roads, and dams significantly reduce the habitat for various species of creatures and plants. Animals are deprived of their habitat by these practices. As a result, they either need to find a new environment or go extinct.

Overexploitation of Resources - Although resources should be used wisely, they are overused when they are used unnaturally. The usage will contribute to species extinction.

Hunting and poaching - These activities are terrible since they include trapping and killing animals for sport or to gain a particular item. Ivory, skin, horn, and other valuable animal goods are a few examples. They are collected by hunting and killing the animals after extracting the product or holding them captive. As a result, there are more and more mass extinctions; the musk deer is one example.

Using Animals for Research - Many animals are used in research labs of academic institutions to assess outcomes. The mass extinction of the species is the effect of taking in such a significant number of them.

Pollution - Unwanted changes in the environment's condition lead to a polluted one—likewise, air, water, and soil pollution. However, the decline in the diversity of animal and plant species can be directly attributed to changes in the air, water, and soil quality.

Impact on Marine Biodiversity - Contaminated water significantly impacts marine biodiversity because the pollutants disrupt the marine biota's ability to function. The contaminants and temperature variations have a significant impact on the coral reef.

My Contribution

The organisation under which I work is building some zoos. In these zoos, we will keep the endangered and rare animals near the forest area in our locality. They will be safe and can be taken care of in this manner. Poaching is another reason for the depletion of wildlife. These zoos will also ensure that these endangered species are not killed and can safely continue their race. I am very proud of my organisation and encourage other organisations and the government to take specific steps for the safety of these animals so they can live peacefully.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

Register FREE for ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PW JEE Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for JEE coaching

PW NEET Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for NEET coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• My Account Login
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• Open access
• Published: 28 May 2024

Investigated the role of community based approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia

• Hussein Gena Koricha 1 &
• Mustafa Jemal Adem 2  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  12241 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

• Environmental sciences
• Environmental social sciences

Community based conservation approaches are the holistic way to ensure appropriate biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in many protected areas across the world. However involvement of local community in conservation activities and benefit sharing in many protected areas are not well implemented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of community based conservation approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development. To address the stated objectives, required data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The result of the study revealed that parks provide various benefits for the local communities which are found in and adjacent to the park. Regarding perceived benefits from park, there was significant difference among community based association and non-community based association at (X 2 = 92.071, df = 1, P < 0.05) while no significant difference was observed across kebeles. In spite of variation in perception among local community on park conservation, it was revealed that the communities contribute towards conservation of the park by controlling outbreak of fire and informing wildlife attack. Regarding strengths and weakness of community based conservation approaches as the finding indicated that internal factors out weight the external factors which imply that implementing the approaches is crucial for successful conservation of the park.

Introduction

Human beings depend on biodiversity for their survival and provision of healthy ecosystem. This is even more important for the poor people living in rural areas. For instance, 70% of the world’s poor live in rural areas depend directly on biodiversity for their livelihood. Biodiversity refers to a variety of life forms (genes, species, animals, plants and micro-organisms), ecosystems and the ecological complexes in which these components are interacting 1 . Ethiopia is a biodiversity rich country in the horn of Africa and home to 280 mammals, 861 birds, 201 reptiles, 63 Amphibians, 304 butterflies, 183 freshwater fish and around 7000 plant species 2 . Particularly Bale Eco region in which Bale Mountains National Park located is marked for immense potential of biodiversity and other natural resources 3 . It is a house for a broad-array of endemic specious of plants and animals. The Eco-region is also one of the 34 biodiversity hotspot areas in the world 3 . However, biodiversity loss has been a major concern to mankind, especially during the last quarter of the previous century 4 . During the recent times, extinction rates are ten to hundred times higher than during pre-human times 5 . As different study indicates that the underlying cause for the current decline of biodiversity are human activities such as land use change, overexploitation of species, climate change and spread of diseases which needs immediate and integrated solution like community based conservation approaches 6 .

Community based conservation initiative is a bottom-up activity promising to ensure successful conservation of biodiversity. This approaches reverses top-down and center-driven conservation by focusing on the people who bear the costs of conservation 7 . The principle of community based conservation approach in planning, implementing and evaluating programs are based on the concept that all power of decision-making rests with the people. In this context, people are involved in deciding which direction and actions to take in managing natural resources and generally considered as a people-centered participatory approach to conservation that can provide diverse environmental and socio-economic benefits 8 . Since the 1970s, the top-down exclusionary conservation model has been increasingly questioned on ethical and practical grounds 9 , 10 . The recognition of high administrative and social costs, concerns about long-term success of conservation, as well as an emphasis on participatory development approaches and decentralization, have brought a shift towards more decentralized and inclusive forms of natural resources management 11 , 12 .

Participatory approaches can be viewed as a better way to solve conflicts between local communities and protected areas, to conserve wider wildlife areas outside core protected areas and to merge conservation and development activities 13 . Ethiopia has been made a decentralization system of government reforms recently, which includes local involvement and local decision-making in resource management particularly for local people’s lives in and adjacent to protected areas. But these merely transfer state power from the center to peripheral institutions 14 , 15 . Contribution of community based approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development are not well determined in our country as a whole and particularly to Bale Eco region, therefore to breach these gaps this study was initiated.

Materials and methods

Study area descriptions.

The study was conducted in Bale Mountains National Park which is located 430 km southeast of Addis Ababa in Oromia National Regional State and lies between 6° 29′–7° 10′ N and 39° 28′–39° 57′ E. The park belongs to the Bale-Arsi massif, which forms the western section of the south-eastern Ethiopian highlands covering 2150 km 2 16 , 17 . It is part of Conservation International’s Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot Area 18 , and is one of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) designated in 1974 in Ethiopia. The Park was established by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organization (EWCO) with the primary objective of conserving the wildlife (endemic species like the Mountain Nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni ) and the Ethiopian wolf ( Canis simensis ) and other valuable natural resources in the area 19 . It protects a broad range of habitats from 1500 m asl in moist montane forest and ericaceous shrub land to 4370 m asl in Afro- alpine habitat on the Sanetti plateau 16 . The park is divided into five distinct and unique habitats. These are the Northern Grasslands (Gaysay Valley), Northern Woodlands (Park Headquarters), Afro-alpine Meadows (Sanetti Plateau), Erica Moorlands, and the Harenna Forest 17 . The park is also one of the remarkable ecotourism potential areas in Ethiopia (Fig. 1 ).

Map of the study area.

Methods of the study

In order to achieve the objectives of the study, data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was collected using households survey, focus group discussions and key informant interview with different social group and institutions and direct observation. Whereas as secondary data collection methods were review of information pertaining about community based conservation approaches and Bale Mountain National Park from published materials such as books 16 , journals 17 , 19 , 21 , 22 , and reports 2 , 3 .

Sampling techniques and size

To select sample households for the survey data, the researcher employed a multi-stage sampling procedure combining purposive and random sampling techniques. First the study woredas (Dinsho and Goba) were selected purposively since the park is mainly found in these two Woredas. Hence, the study populations are the local communities living in the two study woredas, and households in these woredas were considered as the survey population.

In the second stage of the sampling procedure, two kebeles from each woredas were purposively selected due to existence of community based associations and more of contact with the park after preliminary survey was conducted. On third stage total households of sampled kebeles were stratified into communities based and non-community based associations and sample households were selected randomly from each stratum. Hence, 187 sample sizes from total household were determined using Yamane, 1986 formula modified by Israel 2012 (Table 1 ).

where n= sample size, N= total population size, e= marginal error, 1=constant number.

Accordingly, from each kebeles proportional sample size at precious level of 7% was calculated as follow;

Methods of data analysis

Data from the household questionnaires was coded and run to statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and responses compared using chi-square (χ 2 ) tests of independence. One way ANOVA test were used for mean comparison. Moreover Strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and challenges of community based conservation association were analyzed by SWOT analysis approach considering strength and weaknesses as internal factors whereas opportunity and challenges as external factors.

Identified community based associations in the study area are community based forest management, different types of community based ecotourism association such tour guiding, horse renting, food cooking, selling hand craft products and cultural event showing which used to generate income and indirectly conserve biodiversity of the park.

Perceived benefits from the park

The result in the Table 2 , indicated that from the total respondents interviewed about 94 (98.9%) community based association members and 30 (32.6%) of non-community based association members which in total 124 (66.4%) respond that they obtain benefit from the park while about 1 (1.1%) of community based association members and 62 (67.4%) of non-community based association members which in total 63 (33.7%) of the respondents confirmed that they didn’t obtain any benefit from the park. There were significant difference among community based association and non-community based association at (X 2 = 92.071, df = 1, P < 0.05) regarding perceived benefits from park. However result of survey revealed that benefits obtained from the park across the kebeles was not significant (X 2 = 3.416, df = 3, P > 0.05).

The result of survey indicated, the most dominant perceived benefits among all items was fire wood and fodder which account 80%, followed by medicinal plant (67%), bee keeping (60%) while the list perceived benefits is employment opportunities which score 13 %, (Table 3 ). When we look a difference of each perceived benefits across community based association, with exception of employment opportunities; all benefits were statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. This indicated members of associations were more benefited almost in all available benefit options provided in the area as compared to non-associations. This may be due to the opportunity that being the member of community based association can provide the chance of obtaining additional benefits. Focus group discussion and key informant result also indicated being a members of association make them so as to get additional benefits particularly from ecotourism activities such as tour guiding, handcraft selling, horse renting and food cooking. As they said that individual who guide tourist receive 500 Ethiopian Birr per day, cookers and horse renters obtain 500 Ethiopian Birr per day and 150 Ethiopian Birr per day respectively. Moreover, they also stated that they get opportunities to participate in different events organized by park communities such as workshop and training.

Contribution of local community towards park conservations

The sampled response indicated that majority (87.2%) of the respondents were agreed that they play great role in conservation of the park’s biodiversity whereas few (12.8%) of them didn’t contribute towards park conservation and their contributions were significantly different across community based association (X 2 = 7.334, df = 1 and P < 05) (Table 4 ).

The result in Fig. 2 indicated that majority (62%) of the respondents contribute towards conservation of the park by controlling outbreak of fire, followed by informing wildlife attack (52.9%). Besides, result from focus group discussion and key informant interviews also supports this finding. They said that know day, even if the relationship between park communities and local peoples were not as such strong, from the beginning they consider the park as their own resource and conserve it. Additionally for a long period of time, before the area considered as park, they protect and conserve as part of their life using own traditional sanction.

Communities roles in park biodiversity conservation.

Perceptions of local community towards park conservation

The result in Table 5 indicates that there is no significant variation across association regarding perception of considering park as the government resource than their own asset at (X 2 = 9.831, df = 4, P > 0.05), similarly no significant variation across association about how the community can better manage the park if full responsibility is given to them (X 2 = 10.114, df = 4, P > 0.05). Hence, about 57.9% of community based association members and about 44.6% of non-community based association members perceive and consider park as their own resource not as the government resource. Despite the similarity in perception there is a percentage difference across two associations. However significant variation was observed across association in terms of relations between park and community is cordial (X 2 = 44.862, df = 4, P < 0.05) and also feeling about the way this park is being managed (X 2 = 68.374, df = 4, P < 0.05). This implies members of association has positive outlook regarding the relationship between park communities and way of park being managed. Result from focus group discussion and key informant interviews also indicated that they have mixed response in terms of perception towards the park conservation activities. It may be depend on perceived benefits and conflicts among communities. They said that the relationship between park community and local peoples was not good. The main reason they stated are when park animal damage our crop they do not compensate balanced payment and also not actively participate in management activities of the park, except few individuals.

SWOT analysis of community based associations

In this study SWOT analysis was conducted to assess suitability of community based conservation association. In this process, the internal factor (weakness and strengthens) and external factor (opportunities and threats) were identified and listed. For evaluation of internal factor estimate matrix (IFEM) and external factor estimate matrix (EFEM) were used. In formulating the matrices, each factor was evaluated by giving a weight between zero (non- important) to1 (most important) such a way that the total point in each matrix was calculated. Further, each factor was scored with a number between one and four (1 = Major weakness; 2 = Minor weakness; 3 = Minor strength; 4 = Major strength, for internal matrices) whereas 1 = Major threats; 2 = Minor threats; 3 = Minor opportunities; 4 = Major opportunities, for external matrices.

After the weighted and score have been determined, the weighed score has been given to each factor which is useful in assessing the priorities/importance of each factor. In IFEM the total of weighted score (importance) with the value of more than 2.5 indicates strength are more than weakness. Similarly, in the case of EFEM the totals weighted score with the value of more than 2.5 means opportunities are more than threats. Weighted score for the strengths and weakness IFEM and opportunities and threats are tabulated in Tables 6 and 7 .

Thus, by comparing internal and external factors in the matrix of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) acceptable strategies were formulated which are as follows; Internal factor estimate matrices regarding strengthens three factors were identified (Table 7 ). The weight allocated for these factors where between 0.195 and 0.259 and score ranged between 3 and 4. When considering weakness four factors were detected with the lowest weight 0.046 and the highest 0.110 with score range between 1 and 2. The final weighed score for strength was 2.521 while that of weakness was 0.602. This implies that strength were more than weakness. External factor estimate matrices; there were five factor pertaining to opportunities with weight between 0.117 and 0.195 and score between 3 and 4, whereas four threats were determined with lowest weight of 0.049 and highest weight of 0.086 with scores between 1 and 2. The final weighted score for opportunity was 2.67 while that of threats was 0.433. This indicates that opportunities more than threats (Tables 8 and 9 ).

Community based conservation approach is a win-win situation in which both conservation and community development are simultaneously achieved 20 . Moreover it plays a great role in bringing effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation in protected areas as well as improving the livelihoods of local communities. To realize these importance’s active community participations in conservation and clear benefits sharing schemes are required. Our finding revealed that more than 94% of community members were benefited from conservation of the park relatively to that of non-community based association. These results agreed with other similar study conducted by Ref. 21 which indicated that many protected areas particularly park has a potential to contribute on the local community livelihood benefit both directly and indirectly. Similar finding was noted by Ref. 22 that local communities have benefited a lot from the park, even if perceived benefits were vary across village depending on their proximity to the park and duration of settlements as well as level of participation in conservation activities. Report of Ref. 20 also indicated that majority of the respondents were received benefits from protected area. Moreover another similar study conducted by Ref. 23 also reflected that communities based conservation initiatives for park associated local peoples have the potential to significantly enhance local development and socio-economic benefits through job creation.

Community participation is the key strategy to current biodiversity conservation and management 24 . If wildlife and protected areas are to survive, it is imperative that conservation activities and communities are in harmony so that it does not constraint community livelihoods. To realize effective conservation of natural resources of the park there is need for integrative management that considers local communities stake in conservation. According to the respondent’s response majority of local peoples are participated in conservation of the park. In support of our findings, similar study conducted by Ref. 25 indicated that, the participation of local community in natural resources management is the integration of local people to mobilize themselves to make decisions, manage their resources and control the activities that affect their lives. Moreover they argue that the local people have been over looked completely in the local community which are supposed to be involved in resource management through the process of gradually handling of harvesting and management activities of their natural resources. Furthermore other study conducted by Ref. 24 also confirm that, even limited levels of awareness existing, local community are proactive in conservation of natural resources by controlling illegal acting towards wildlife.

Inequitable sharing benefits and costs of the conservations is an obvious challenge that needs to be appropriately addressed in the management of protected areas, as it often affects the attitudes of people towards conservation. Attitudinal studies are increasingly being used to evaluate local people’s perceptions towards conservation and enable protected area management to create appropriate strategies 26 . Similarly 27 argue that attitude change is often the only tool available to conservationists when other approaches such as regulations are ineffective. Nonetheless, some studies show that positive attitudes alone may not directly translate into friendly conservation behavior. According to the respondent’s response there is mixed response in terms of perception towards the park conservation activities which may be depend on perceived benefits and costs they incurred. In addition to these, the suit of socio-economic variables influences the attitudes of local communities towards conservation areas. Finding by Ref. 28 reflected that there had been many complaints by local people about the continuing problems related to their restriction of their resource use activity within the area. Similarly study conducted by Ref. 29 , 30 indicated that the relationship between park and peoples were negative due to crop and livestock damage by wildlife, and restrictions imposed by the reserve authorities in collecting forest products. Moreover the pressure and conflict from conservation authorities, grazing fines, and benefits are for government. Since traditional management strategies which using fence and fine principle fail to bring successful conservation of the protected areas, the necessity of community based conservation approaches have no doubt to balance the trade- off between conservation objectives and socio-economic needs of local community living in proximity of protected areas 31 . Our finding regarding analysis of suitability of community based association indicated that organizing local community in the form of benefit sharing schemes and participating them in conservation activities ensure sustainable management of the park and also empowering communities as a resources their own assets. Moreover strength and opportunities out weights the weakness and threats, implementation of the associations are appropriate strategies for successful conservation of park’s biodiversity. Similarly 32 , reported that even though there are certain gaps in implementation of the projects, community based forest management has important role in improving the livelihoods of local communities and for sustainability forest management, if the existed weakness and threats are addressed. Moreover the finding of Ref. 33 in their analysis of suitability of community based conservation projects indicated that there is more of success than failure regarding capacity building in local communities and ecological conservations of the area.

One methods of counteracting the decline and loss of biodiversity overtime is application of community based a conservation approach which is people-centered participatory approach to conservation that can provide diverse environmental and socio-economic benefits. The study revealed that there was a variation in terms of perceived benefit between members of community based association and non- community based association. Peoples in the area contribute towards park biodiversity conservation through control of fire and informing attack of wild animals. The overall perception of local communities towards the park is both positive and negative outlook. This may depends on perceived benefits and conflicts. The SWOT analysis result indicates that internal factor estimate final weighted score for strength was 2.52 while that of weakness was 0.602 whereas external factor estimate final weighted score for opportunity was 2.67 while that of threats was 0.433. Since strength outweighs weakness and opportunity outweighs threats, implementation of community based conservation association is appropriate to ensure successful conservation of the park.

Government’s policy support

One of the priority areas of national action towards the effective conservation, rational development and sustainable utilization of natural recourse is a national commitment through an appropriate government policy (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2008). To this end, the national policy on Biodiversity Conservation and Development is formulated based on the rationale that the conservation of biodiversity is one of the conditions of the overall socio economic development and sustainable environmental management goals. Regarding these, Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD Secretariat, 2003) requires parties to develop national strategies, plans or programmes for conservation and sustainable use, and to integrate these into other relevant sectoral plans. This requirement is partially met by the current Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Ethiopia. There are policies and strategies in place that address biodiversity conservation directly such as National Biodiversity Conservation and Research Policy (Approved in 1998) and the Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia (CSE) (1997) and Regional Conservation Strategies (RCSs) specific to the regions (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, 2008).

Ethics declaration and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Committee of Madda Walabu University, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources with Ref N0 RMU-14/80/2020. Respondents were informed about purpose of the study and oral informed consent was obtained from the study participants and their legal guardians to maintain their confidentiality which is approved by Ethics Committee of Madda Walabu University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources with Ref. N0. RMU-14/80/2020. Respondents were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time with no subsequent harm for refusal of participation. All methods were carried out per relevant guidelines and regulation or declaration of Helsinki.

Data availability

All the data supporting the funding is contained within the manuscript, when there is in need the data set used for the study can be accessible from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Wilfred, P., Madoffe, S. S. & Luoga, E. J. Role of institutions in biodiversity in Northern Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania: The villagers‟ perspective. Discov. Innov. 19 (2), 15–23 (2007).

Google Scholar  

Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). Ethiopian Biodiversity and Tropical Forest Assessment Report, 88 (2008).

Farm Africa. Bale mountains eco-region sustainable development plan report on phase I and II planning workshops in Goba, Bale. Report, 29 (2008).

Leverington, F., Costa, K. L., Pavese, H., Lisle, A. & Hockings, M. A global analysis of protected area management effectiveness. Environ. Manag. 46 , 685–698 (2010).

Article   ADS   Google Scholar  

Sinclair, A. The loss of biodiversity: The sixth great extinction. In Conserving Nature’s Diversity (eds Van, E. H. & Sinclair, A. R. E.) 9–15 (Ashgate, 2000).

Beyer, H. L., Venter, O., Grantham, H. S. & Watson, J. E. M. Substantial losses in ecoregion intactness highlight urgency of globally coordinated action. Conserv. Lett. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12692 (2019).

Western, D. & Wright, R. M. Economic dimensions of community-based conservation. In Natural Connections: Perspectives in Community-based Conservation (eds Western, D. & Wright, R. M.) (Island Press, 1994).

Baird, T. D. & Leslie, P. W. Conservation as disturbance: Upheaval and livelihood diversification near Tarangire National Park, Northern Tanzania. Glob. Environ. Change 2 (3), 1131–1141 (2013).

Article   Google Scholar  

Borrini-Feyerabend, G., Kothari, A. & Oviedo, G. Indigenous and Local Communities and Protected Areas: Towards Equity and Enhanced Conservation Vol. 111 (IUCN, 2004).

Swiderska, K., Roe, D., Siegele, L. and Grieg-Gran, M. The Governance of nature and the Nature of Governance: Policy that works for biodiversity and livelihoods . IIED. https://www.iied.org/14564iied (2020).

Adams, W. M. & Hulme, D. Conservation and communities: Changing narratives, policies and practices in African conservation. In African Wildlife and Livelihoods: The Promise and Performance of Community Conservation (eds Hulme, D. & Murphree, M.) 9–23 (Oxford, James Currey, 2001).

Adams, M. et al. Biodiversity conservation and the eradication of poverty. Science 36 (5), 1146–1149 (2004).

Newmark, W. D. & Hough, J. L. Conserving wildlife in Africa: Integrated conservation and development projects and beyond. BioScience 50 , 585–592 (2000).

Ruiz-Mallén, I., Schunko, C., Corbera, E., Rös, M. & Reyes-García, V. Meanings, drivers, and motivations for community-based conservation in Latin America. Ecol. Soc. 20 (3), 33 (2015).

Alers, M., Bovarnick, A., Boyle, T., Mackinnon, K. & Sobrevila, C. Reducing Threats to Protected Areas: Lessons from the Field Vol. 84 (The World Bank, 2007).

Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA). Bale Mountains National Park: A Traveler’s Guide Book, 80 (2013).

Gashaw, T. Threats of Bale mountains National Park and solutions, Ethiopia. J. Phys. Sci. Environ. Stud. 1 (2), 10–16 (2015).

Williams, S. D. et al. Ethiopian highlands. In Hotspots Revisited: Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Eco-regions (eds Mittermeier, R. A. et al. ) 262–273 (CEMEX, 2004).

Belayneh, A., Yohannes, T. & Worku, A. Recurrent and extensive forest fire incidence in the Bale mountains National Park (BMNP, Ethiopia: Extent, cause and consequences. Int. J. Environ. Sci. 2 (1), 29–39 (2013).

Htay, T. & Røskaf, E. Community dependency and perceptions of a protected area in a threatened ecoregion of Myanmar. Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv. 12 (4), 240–252 (2020).

Teshome, Y., Urgessa, K., Kinahan, A. A., Belay, H. & Assefa, S. An assessment of local community livelihood benefits as a result of Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Nat. Res. 15 (5), 1–8 (2018).

Mamo, Y. Attitudes and perceptions of the local peoples towards benefits and conflicts they get from the conservation of Bale Mountain National Park and Mountain Nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni ), Ethiopia. Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv. 7 (1), 28–40 (2015).

Sizwe, S., Happy, Z. & Suveshnee, M. Opportunities and constraints for community-based conservation: The case of the KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland, South Africa. Afr. Biodivers. Conserv. 46 (2), 1–8 (2016).

Bett, A. Role of Community in the Conservation of Mt. Kenya Biosphere Reserve, Report submitted to UNESCO MAB for the Award of MAB Young Scientists Awards, Kenya (2005).

Umberto, M., Federica, B. & Sandra, N. Community participation, natural resource management and the creation of innovative tourism products: Evidence from Italian networks of reserves in the Alps. Sustainability 9 (12), 2314 (2017).

Arjunana, M., Holmesb, Ch., Puyravaudc, J. P. & Davidar, P. Do developmental initiatives influence local attitudes toward conservation? A case study from the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger reserve, India. J. Environ. Manag. 79 , 188–197 (2006).

Kideghesho, R., Fyumagwa, D., Robert, H. & Malle, K. Awareness and attitudes of local people toward wildlife conservation in the Rungwa Game reserve in Central Tanzania. Hum. Dimens. Int. J. 23 (6), 39–43 (2018).

Kumssa, T. & Bekele, A. Attitude and perceptions of local residents toward the protected area of Abijata-Shalla lakes National Park (ASLNP), Ethiopia. J. Ecosyst. Ecogr. 4 , 138 (2014).

Studsrod, J. E. & Wegge, P. Park-people relationships: The case of damage caused by park animals around the Royal Bardia National Park, Nepal. Environ. Conserv. 22 , 133–142 (1995).

Shahi, K., Khanal, G., RajJha, R., Bhusal, P. & Silwal, T. What drives local communities’ attitudes toward the protected area? Insights from Bardia National Park, Nepal. Conserv. Sci. Pract. 5 , 1–11 (2023).

Oldekop, J. A., Holmes, G., Harris, W. E. & Evans, K. L. A global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas. Conserv. Biol. 30 , 133–141 (2016).

Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Nzunda, E. F. & Manyanda, B. J. A SWOT analysis of community-based forest management policy as a basis for REDD+ in Tanzania. GSC Adv. Res. Rev. 15 (03), 022–037 (2023).

Brooks, J. S., Waylen, K. A. & Mulder, M. B. Assessing community based conservation projects: A systematic review and multilevel analysis of attitudinal, behavioral, ecological, and economic outcomes. Environ. Evid. 2 (34), 1–34 (2013).

Download references

Acknowledgements

First, we are greatly indebted to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Madd Walabu University, for providing us the chance and funding the designed research proposal. We also wish to extend our thanks to local communities for their full interest, hospitality and valuable support in providing us the data needed for the study. Our appreciation also goes to Districts administrators for their constant support and cooperation during the study period.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism, Madda Walabu University, Bale Robe, Oromia, Ethiopia

Hussein Gena Koricha

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resource Management, Madda Walabu University, Bale Robe, Oromia, Ethiopia

Mustafa Jemal Adem

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors (Hussein Gena Koricha and Mustafa Jemal Adem) take the responsibility for the content of the work submitted for review. The contributions of the authors are study conception and proposal design, securing fund, data collection and analysis, result interpretation up to manuscript preparation. And also we approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hussein Gena Koricha .

Ethics declarations

Competing interests.

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note.

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Koricha, H.G., Jemal Adem, M. Investigated the role of community based approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia. Sci Rep 14 , 12241 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60177-5

Download citation

Received : 27 October 2023

Accepted : 19 April 2024

Published : 28 May 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60177-5

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Association
• Park conservation
• Perceived benefit
• SWOT analysis

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines . If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research, free to your inbox weekly.

Protecting wildlife begins with understanding how best to counter wildlife crimes

Senior Research Assistant, Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Carleton University

Senior Research Scientist, Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Carleton University

Disclosure statement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Carleton University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA.

Carleton University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.

View all partners

Global biodiversity is declining , and human activities are mainly to blame.

Indeed, 96 per cent of the world’s total remaining mammalian biomass — the combined weight, or mass, of mammal organic life — consists of either humans or our domesticated animals .

Every day across the world, conservation organizations, community members, conservation scientists and law enforcement authorities work tirelessly to counter this biodiversity decline. These actions can take the form of community-based patrols or enforcing regulations, such as in the case of preventing illegal harvest or patrolling efforts to deter or arrest poachers .

At the more extreme end, law enforcement officials and investigative journalists have even worked to break-up a global ring of individuals who paid to take part in the torture, and eventual murder, of baby monkeys .

These actions are broadly called counter-wildlife crime interventions .

Read more: Why the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service should be designated as a provincial police service

Given the rapidly narrowing window to reverse dramatic biodiversity declines around the world, and the finite resources available to conduct conservation activities, it is important to know what types of conservation interventions work and which don’t work.

Our work at the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation (CEBC) — in collaboration with staff from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and colleagues with experience in wildlife crime and conservation — uses a mixture of evidence synthesis and “ systematic mapping ” to provide these vital insights.

Our work used a systematic mapping approach to summarize current research addressing the effectiveness of counter-wildlife crime interventions for conserving African, Asian and Latin American wildlife directly threatened by exploitation.

The effectiveness of interventions was viewed in terms of whether they could be linked to biological recovery (such as in increased abundance or biomass) or to threat reduction outcomes (such as fewer poaching incidents). Below we share our findings.

Where are counter-wildlife crime actions taking place?

From our synthesis of 530 studies, we found that most (81 per cent) concerned Africa and Asia, with relatively fewer (13 per cent) in Latin America. This geographical imbalance may be due, in part, to a language bias on our part, as we only considered English language articles, and not Spanish ones.

However, other studies have also noted a lack of funding and data for counter-wildlife crime investigations and interventions in Latin America .

In addition, most studies focused on the most popular and charismatic species, such as African and Asian elephants (16 per cent) and wild cats (14 per cent), followed by turtles and tortoises (11 per cent).

Evaluating interventions

Put simply, the effectiveness of most counter-wildlife crime interventions have not been rigorously evaluated.

We found that around 90 per cent of studies evaluating counter-wildlife crime interventions only measured outcomes after an intervention was implemented. This is realistic, considering the way conservation operates in the real-world with funding often providing for a short time frame to operate. However, it is also largely ineffective in determining a causal relationship.

Read more: Pangolins in Africa: expert unpacks why millions have been traded illegally and what can be done about it

We found several knowledge gaps that would benefit from more attention and research.

More efforts are required to understand the effectiveness of counter-wildlife crime interventions in Latin America. Additionally, we found that current research on the topic is lacking for plants, birds, and reptile species.

Moreover, research into the effectiveness of interventions that aim to protect wildlife before they are exploited, rather than interventions aimed at detecting or disrupting illegal wildlife trade, are sorely needed.

Finally, there are critical gaps in our knowledge on the outcomes of counter-wildlife crime efforts at the population and species level (for example, ultimate conservation targets such as wildlife abundance and biomass).

Why is this research needed?

Our work highlights where current research efforts have been focused. We also show where we need to direct future research attention. The bottom line is that we need to improve testing of what conservation tools are most effective.

Ask yourself, would you swallow a pill if you knew that medicine hadn’t been clinically tested for safety and effectiveness? Probably not! And why should wildlife conservation be any different?

Our findings force us to confront some difficult questions about the assumptions made when investing in a counter-wildlife crime intervention. Chief among these is just how unreliable the evidence is that routinely applied interventions actually work. That is not to say that counter-wildlife crime interventions don’t work, but rather that we’re working off rules of thumb instead of evidence, which risks us investing in ineffective interventions.

Jen Miller, a program officer with the USFWS’ Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program and a co-author on the study , said to the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation:

“These findings are invaluable feedback to donor agencies like USFWS that contribute to projects combating wildlife trafficking. This flashing red light of alarm could lead us to a transformational moment. This isn’t just a call for more research — it’s a wake-up call to roll out a different model of conservation, where we implement interventions while simultaneously testing their effectiveness.”

Our research suggests it’s time we start rigorously testing our conservation tools to ensure we’re responsibly applying solutions that protect wildlife, people and the planet we all call home.

• Climate change
• Conservation
• Biodiversity
• Biodiversity loss
• anti-poaching
• Wildlife Crime

Head, School of Psychology

Senior Lecturer (ED) Ballarat

Senior Research Fellow - Women's Health Services

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer - Marketing

Assistant Editor - 1 year cadetship

• Home keyboard_arrow_right

• CBSE Notes For Class 9
• Class 9 Social Science Notes
• Class 9 Geography Notes
• Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation And Wildlife

CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 5 - Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

India is a vast country having different types of bio-forms and is ranked the 12th mega bio-diversity country in the world. The country has many plant species, flowering plants, nonflowering plants, species of animals and a wide variety of fish in its fresh and marine waters. In CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 5, you will learn about the Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India. Go through these notes and explore them in detail.

• Chapter 1 India Size And Location
• Chapter 2 Physical Features Of India
• Chapter 3 Drainage
• Chapter 4 Climate
• Chapter 6 Population

CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 5 – Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or period. The species of animals are referred to as fauna . This huge diversity in the flora and fauna kingdom is due to the following factors:

Land affects natural vegetation directly and indirectly.

• The fertile level is generally devoted to agriculture.
• The undulating and rough terrains are areas where grassland and woodlands develop and give shelter to a variety of wildlife.

Different types of soils provide a basis for different types of vegetation.

• The sandy soils of the desert support cactus and thorny bushes, while wet, marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves and deltaic vegetation.
• The soil at the hill slopes has conical trees.

Temperature

The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil. The fall in the temperature affects the vegetation and its growth.

Photoperiod (Sunlight)

The variation in the duration of sunlight at different places is due to differences in latitude, altitude, season and duration of the day. Due to the longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in summer.

Precipitation

Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to areas of less rainfall.

Types of Vegetation

In India, the following major types of vegetation are found:

Tropical Evergreen Forests

Tropical deciduous forests.

• Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

Montane Forests

Mangrove forests.

Let’s study them in detail.

These forests are present in the Western Ghats and the island groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu coast.

• These forests grow best in areas having rainfall of more than 200 cm with a short dry season.
• The trees reach great heights, up to 60 metres or even above.
• It has vegetation of all kinds, i.e., trees, shrubs and creepers, giving it a multilayered structure.
• These forests appear green all the year-round.
• Important trees of this forest are ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona.
• Common animals found in these forests are elephants, monkeys, lemurs and deer.

These forests are also called  monsoon forests .

• They are spread over the region, having rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm.
• They shed their leaves about 6 to 8 weeks in the dry summer.
• In these forests, the common animals found are lions, tigers, pigs, deer and elephants.

These forests are further divided into:

• Moist deciduous: These are found in areas having rainfall between 200 and 100 cm. Teak is the most dominant species of this forest. Bamboos, sal, shisham, sandalwood, khair, kusum, arjun and mulberry are other commercially important species.
• Dry deciduous: These are found in areas having rainfall between 100 cm and 70 cm. There are open stretches in which teak, sal, peepal and neem grow.

The Thorn Forests and Scrubs

The natural vegetation consists of thorny trees and bushes. This type of vegetation is found in the north-western part of the country, including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

• Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrating deep into the soil to get moisture.
• The stems are moist to conserve water.
• Leaves are mostly thick and small to minimise evaporation.
• Acacias, palms, euphorbias and cacti are the main plant species.
• Common animals are rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, wild donkeys, horses and camels.

Montane forests are forests which are found in the mountains.

• The wet temperate type of forests is found between a height of 1000 and 2000 metres.
• At high altitudes, generally more than 3,600 metres above sea level, temperate forests and grasslands give way to the Alpine vegetation.
• Alpine grasslands are used for grazing.
• At higher altitudes, mosses and lichens form part of tundra vegetation.
• The common animals found are Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jackrabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, squirrels, shaggy horn wild ibex, bear and rare red panda, sheep and goats.

Mangroves are trees that live along tropical coastlines, rooted in salty sediments, often underwater.

• The mangrove tidal forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides. Mud and silt get accumulate on such coasts.
• Dense mangroves are the common varieties with roots of the plants submerged underwater.
• Sundari trees are found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta and provide hard timber.
• Royal Bengal Tiger is a famous animal in these forests.

India is rich in its fauna.

• Elephants are found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka and Kerala.
• One-horned rhinoceroses are found in Assam and West Bengal.
• Rann of Kachchh is the habitat for wild donkeys, whereas the Thar Desert is the habitat for camels.
• The natural habitat of the Indian lion is the Gir forest in Gujarat.
• Tigers are found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the Sundarbans of West Bengal and the Himalayan region.
• Ladakh’s freezing high altitudes are home to yak, the shaggy horned wild ox, the Tibetan antelope, the bharal (blue sheep), wild sheep, and the kiang (Tibetan wild donkey).
• In the rivers, lakes and coastal areas, turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found.
• Peacocks, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons are some of the birds inhabiting the forests and wetlands of the country.

Cause of Major Threat to Flora and Fauna

Every species has an important role in the ecosystem. Hence, conservation of flora and fauna is essential. About 1,300 plant species are endangered and 20 species are extinct. The main causes of this major threat to nature are:

• Hunting for commercial purposes
• Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste
• Rapidly cutting of the forests for cultivation and habitation

Government Initiative to Protect Flora and Fauna

The government has taken many steps to protect flora and fauna of our country.

• 18 biosphere reserves have been set up in India to protect flora and fauna. 10 out of these have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
• Financial and technical assistance has been provided to many botanical gardens by the government since 1992.
• Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been introduced by the government.
• 103 National Parks, 535 Wildlife Sanctuaries and Zoological gardens are set up to take care of natural heritage.

We hope CBSE Notes for Class 9 Social Science helped you in your studies. Keep learning and stay tuned for more updates on CBSE and NCERT. Download the BYJU’S App and subscribe to the YouTube channel to access interactive Maths and Science videos.

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

What is ‘virgin vegetation’.

Virgin vegetation is also known as natural vegetation. Hence the vegetation which has been grown naturally without human help is called virgin vegetation.

What are ‘Monsoon forests’?

Monsoon forests are open deciduous or partially deciduous forest of tropical regions that develop in areas with alternating seasons of heavy rainfall and prolonged drought.

What are ‘Montane forests’?

Montane ecosystems refer to any ecosystem found in the mountains. Dense forests are common in areas of moderate elevations.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India and the World

Have you noticed that the plants and animals everywhere are not the same? Some are large leafy green trees, and some are thorny bushes. In the same way, even animals differ from each other depending upon their habitat and other natural factors surrounding them. They have basically adapted to their natural environment around them, so they can survive. This is basically what we mean by natural Vegetation and wildlife in India .

Suggested Videos

Natural vegetation.

Natural vegetation refers to the plant life (flora) that grows in a region according to the climatic conditions and other such factors prevailing in that region. In general, there are about five broad varieties of natural vegetation in the world. Let us take a quick look.

Browse more Topics under Resources Of India And World

• Agriculture of India and World
• Animal Husbandry and Fishery
• Industries of India and World
• Soils of India and World
• Transport and Communication of India and World

Types of Vegetation in the World

• Forests : A forest is a dense area with a lot of trees, so much that they shade the ground below them. But not all forests are same. The trees in the forest largely depend on the climatic conditions of the region. And the forests are generally classified by the kind of trees found in them. Some examples are Evergreen Forests, Temperate Forest, Mixed Forest Rain forests etc
• Grasslands : The name here is self-explanatory. These are flat regions that extend miles, and the primary form of vegetation here is grass. Here also there are types such as temperate grasslands, savannas etc. The Savannas of Africa are the most famous ones. Grasslands are the important source of weeds and crops such as oats which are cattle fodder.
• Desert : As you can imagine due to the dry and arid conditions there is not a lot of vegetation in deserts. The soil too mostly consists of sand and gravel. So the plants that grow in these regions have adapted to such conditions. They have long roots and stems that can store water . Cactus is the most valid example of such vegetation.
• Tundra : This type of vegetation is found in the coldest regions of our planet like the Arctic region. Vegetation is limited to some shrubs and few patches of grass, but mostly moss is found in such regions. There is also permafrost in this region, which is permanently frozen soil-like substance.
• Ice Sheets : Now this is interesting because these are regions absolutely devoid of any form of vegetation. There are only two such places on earth, i.e. Antarctica and Greenland.

Learn more about  Deforestation here in detail 

Vegetation in India

India has a very diverse geography. Due to being in two separate temperature zones, and a very varied landscape it also has a large variety of its natural vegetation. Let us take a look at the different types of vegetation we can find in India and the regions where.

• Tropical Evergreen Rainforests: These grow in regions that receive an excess of 200 cm of rainfall. Here the trees never shed their leaves, hence are known as evergreen. These are dense forests found in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam etc
• Deciduous Forest: These grow in regions with moderate rainfall. The trees will shed their leaves in autumn or the dry season. The trees are usually very valuable as timber. These forests are found in Maharashtra, Bihar, Orissa and some regions of the Himalayas too
• Desert Vegetation: This is the sparse vegetation found in the regions of Thar desert. It mostly consists of bushes, acacia, cacti and date trees. It is found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat and some regions of Punjab.
• Mountain Forests: These are found in the foothills of the Himalayas. The vegetation keeps changing according to the altitude. At the base you will find evergreen tall trees such as bamboo and teak, As you go higher there are conifer trees like the pine. And after a point its just grasslands and moss.

Wildlife  in India

The animals that live in a specific region are what we call the wildlife of the region. Just as vegetation is the flora, wildlife is the fauna of a region. Animals can be found in every time of vegetation and are usually isolated from any human contact. It includes all the animals, birds, insects etc of the region.

The diversity of wildlife in the world is unimaginably large. There are said to be about 1 to 2 million species of animals on the planet! And India in particular boasts of an incredible wildlife presence.

(Source: Pixabay)

Our national animal the tiger is one such rare animal found in India. In fact, the Bengal tiger can be found nowhere else on earth. We also have the Asiatic Lion, the only species of lions found outside Africa. It is home to many such exotic animals such as the Indian Elephant, the rhinoceroses and the leopard.

To preserve these amazing animals and their natural habitats, we have many conservatories, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In recent times to bring down illegal hunting and poaching the government has passed some very strict laws as well.

Solved Examples for You

Question: What are some famous wildlife sanctuaries in India?

Solution: India boasts of some of the most beautiful and diverse wildlife sanctuaries in the world.  Among them, the oldest and by far the most famous is the Corbett National Park in Uttrakhand. It was established to protect the endangered Bengal Tigers from hunters and poachers.

Another important sanctuary is the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. Other than tigers, leopards, hyenas and the wild boar can also be found here. And then there is the Bandipur National Park famous for the elephants that stay there.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Resources of India and World

• Transport and Communication of India and the World
• Soils of India and the World

3 responses to “Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India and the World”

which state has maximum forest cover area

if you ask which state has maximum forest cover area percentage then its Mizoram (86.27%). Hope this helps. PLEASE reply by email.

madhya pradesh

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Letitia James

Attorney general james and dec interim commissioner mahar sue contractor for illegal construction near protected wetlands on long island, anthony labriola and his companies destroyed protected wetland buffer area near the carlls river to use as a parking lot and storage facility, may 24, 2024.

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today filed a lawsuit against Anthony Labriola and his two affiliate companies —ALAC Realty, LLC (ALAC Realty) and ALAC Contracting Corp. (ALAC Contracting)—for illegally building a storage lot to park heavy-duty construction vehicles and store equipment on a protected area along the Carlls River in West Babylon, Suffolk County. Labriola and his companies removed trees and other vegetation from, then graded, a designated “buffer area” adjacent to wetlands of the Carlls River, the fourth longest river on Long Island. These wetlands have DEC’s highest classification for the benefits they offer, including providing wildlife habitats, and flood control and protecting water quality on Long Island. 

Despite a years-long enforcement effort by DEC, Labriola and his companies have refused to remove equipment, restore the site, and pay outstanding penalties. Attorney General James and DEC are seeking to require Labriola to clean up the site, replant it with native vegetation, and for Labriola and his companies to pay at least $591,000 in combined civil penalties.

“New York’s freshwater wetlands are a valuable natural resource, particularly in highly developed areas like western Suffolk County, providing wildlife habitats, flood control, and water quality protection. It is important to protect their benefits for current residents and generations to come,” said Attorney General James . “Anthony Labriola and his companies blatantly violated our environmental laws and continued to evade enforcement efforts, but now we are going to make sure he restores what he has damaged. I want to thank DEC for their continued partnership in defending our natural resources.”

“Freshwater wetlands help protect water quality, provide habitats for wildlife, and promote community resiliency, among many other benefits, and illegal construction and removal of vegetation from regulated areas in and around wetlands can negatively impact the environment and communities long after the initial damage,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar.  “DEC is working closely with Attorney General James to hold Anthony Labriola accountable for his illegal actions and require this contractor to restore damage to these wetlands, which are critical to the sustained protection of Long Island’s sole source aquifer.”

Freshwater wetlands throughout the state control flooding and provide valuable habitats for a diverse array of wildlife, among other benefits. To protect these wetlands and surrounding areas, the New York Freshwater Wetlands Act prohibits removing trees and vegetation, placing fill, or building commercial facilities on designated wetlands and protected adjacent “buffer areas” without a permit from DEC. 

New York’s wetlands are classified on a scale ranging from Class I wetlands, which provide the most environmental benefits, to Class IV wetlands, which provide the least. These benefits refer to the work wetlands do for the surrounding community, such as storing flood and storm surge water. The Carlls River wetlands are Class I wetlands, and particularly valuable to the Long Island environment because of their biological diversity and role in protecting Long Island’s sole source aquifer.

In February 2015, DEC issued a notice of violation to Labriola after discovering that he had illegally cleared trees and vegetation and built a parking lot on top of the protected Carlls River wetlands-adjacent buffer area on a property his company owns at 420 Falmouth Road in West Babylon. Despite DEC’s enforcement efforts and Labriola's agreement to remove the construction equipment from the protected area and revegetate it with native plantings, Labriola repeatedly failed to comply, and instead continued to use the area illegally as parking and storage for his construction business, ALAC Contracting. The DEC estimates that by storing his construction vehicles, equipment, and materials on the illegally utilized area, Labriola and his companies have to date saved nearly $150,000 that they would have had to pay to use commercial space in the vicinity.

   Site at 420 Falmouth Road in 2010, Before Illegal Construction       

Site at 420 Falmouth Road in 2024, After Illegal Construction

For years of violating the consent order with DEC, Attorney General James and DEC Interim Commissioner Mahar are seeking an injunction requiring Labriola and ALAC Realty to completely remove illegally stored vehicles and equipment, revegetate the wetland-adjacent area with native trees and other plantings as previously agreed, and pay civil penalties totaling no less than $371,000. The OAG and DEC also seek to compel ALAC Contracting to pay civil penalties of no less than $220,000 and to remove all of its vehicles and equipment from the regulated area covered by DEC’s consent order with Labriola and ALAC Realty. 

Attorney General James thanks DEC for their continued partnership in protecting New York’s natural resources.

The matter is being handled for DEC by Long Island Regional Attorney Craig Elgut, Regional Manager in the Bureau of Ecosystem Health Kevin Jennings, and Regional Enforcement Coordinator Chris Spies.

This matter is being handled for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by Senior Enforcement Counsel Andrew Gershon and Assistant Attorney General Max Shterngel of the Environmental Protection Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Monica Wagner and Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic. The Environmental Protection Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. 

We Value Your Privacy We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies.