CBSE Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 PDF Notes – Forest and Wildlife Resources 2026-27

These Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 notes cover Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 as per the rationalised 2026-27 NCERT book: biodiversity, flora and fauna in India, why we need to conserve forests and wildlife, the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Project Tiger, types and distribution of forests, and community-based conservation such as Chipko, Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri, Beej Bachao Andolan, Joint Forest Management and sacred groves.

You also get a forest types table, a list of tiger reserves, a community conservation table, the NCERT match-the-following answers, questions with answers, 10 MCQs and a free PDF with no signup.

Use the table of contents below to jump to the part you need, or read top to bottom for a complete revision of the chapter.

Table of Contents

• Chapter Overview
• Important Topics and Concepts
• Community Conservation Efforts at a Glance
• NCERT Match the Following (Answer)
• Map Work: Tiger Reserves and National Parks
• Classification of Forests in India
• Important Definitions and Terms
• Short Answer Questions
• Long Answer Questions
• MCQs with Answers
• Quick Revision Points
• Chapter Summary
• Exam Tips and PYQ Pattern
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

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Chapter Overview

We share the planet with millions of living beings, from micro-organisms and lichens to banyan trees, elephants and blue whales. Humans are only one part of this complex ecological web and depend on it for clean air, water and fertile soil. Forests are the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.

India is one of the world’s richest countries in biological diversity, but its flora and fauna are under great stress due to insensitivity to the environment. The chapter explains why conservation matters, what the government has done, how forests are classified, and how local communities have protected forests and wildlife.

Important Topics and Concepts

Biodiversity and its importance

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety of wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function but closely linked through networks of interdependence. Plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food, so human survival depends on biodiversity.

Flora and fauna in India

India is one of the world’s richest countries in biological diversity, and possibly twice or thrice the known number of species is yet to be discovered. These diverse plants and animals are so integrated into daily life that we take them for granted, but they are under great stress because of human insensitivity to the environment. The Lepcha folk song in the chapter shows how traditional communities saw nature as sacred.

Why conserve forests and wildlife?

• Conservation preserves ecological diversity and our life support systems: water, air and soil.
• It preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding of species.
• Agriculture still depends on traditional crop varieties, and fisheries depend on aquatic biodiversity.

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• In the 1960s and 1970s, conservationists demanded a national wildlife protection programme, and the Act was implemented in 1972.
• It provided for protecting habitats and published an all-India list of protected species.
• It banned hunting, gave legal protection to habitats and restricted trade in wildlife.
• Central and state governments set up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Special projects protected the tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag (hangul), three types of crocodiles (freshwater, saltwater and gharial), the Asiatic lion and others. More recently, the Indian elephant, blackbuck (chinkara), great Indian bustard (godawan) and snow leopard got full or partial protection.
• Under notifications of 1980 and 1986, hundreds of butterflies, moths, beetles and one dragonfly were added to the protected list; in 1991, plants were added for the first time, starting with six species.

Project Tiger (1973)

• In 1973, the tiger population had fallen to 1,827 from an estimated 55,000 at the turn of the twentieth century.
• Threats: poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey species and growing human population. Tiger skins were traded and bones used in traditional medicines.
• India and Nepal have about two-thirds of the world’s surviving tigers, making them targets for poaching.
• Project Tiger, launched in 1973, is one of the world’s best-known wildlife campaigns. It aims not only to save an endangered species but also to preserve large biotypes.
• Tiger reserves include Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala).
• Conservation now focuses on biodiversity as a whole rather than a few species.

Types and distribution of forests

• Most forest and wildlife resources are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department.
• Reserved forests: more than half of total forest land; regarded as the most valuable for conserving forest and wildlife resources.
• Protected forests: almost one-third of forest area; protected from any further depletion.
• Unclassed forests: other forests and wastelands belonging to the government, private individuals and communities.
• Reserved and protected forests are called permanent forest estates, maintained for timber, other forest produce and protective reasons.
• Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests, 75 per cent of its forest area.
• Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have large shares of reserved forests; Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan have most under protected forests; the North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a high share of unclassed forests managed by local communities.

Community and conservation

• In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, with their own rules banning hunting and protecting wildlife from outside encroachment.
• The Chipko movement in the Himalayas resisted deforestation and showed that community afforestation with indigenous species can be very successful.
• Farmers and citizen groups such as the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya showed that diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals is possible and economically viable.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

• JFM involves local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests.
• It has existed formally since 1988, when Odisha passed the first resolution for joint forest management.
• Local village institutions protect mostly degraded forest land managed by the forest department.
• In return, members get intermediary benefits such as non-timber forest produce and a share in timber harvested through ‘successful protection’.
• The lesson: local communities must be involved in natural resource management, though they are still not at the centre of decision-making.

Sacred groves and traditional conservation

• Nature worship is an old tribal belief that all creations of nature must be protected. It has preserved virgin forests called sacred groves (forests of gods and goddesses), where interference is banned.
• The Mundas and Santhals of Chota Nagpur worship mahua and kadamba trees; tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship tamarind and mango trees during weddings; many people consider peepal and banyan sacred.
• Macaques and langurs are fed daily around many temples.
• Around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, blackbuck (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks live as part of the community and nobody harms them.

Community Conservation Efforts at a Glance

Use these examples in long answers.

NCERT Match the Following (Answer)

A direct NCERT exercise question.

Map Work: Tiger Reserves and National Parks

Practise locating these on an outline map of India.

• Corbett National Park – Uttarakhand
• Sunderbans National Park – West Bengal
• Bandhavgarh National Park – Madhya Pradesh
• Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary – Rajasthan
• Manas Tiger Reserve – Assam
• Periyar Tiger Reserve – Kerala
• Kaziranga National Park – Assam (one-horned rhinoceros)

Classification of Forests in India

Important Definitions and Terms

Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is biodiversity? Why is it important for human lives?

Biodiversity is the variety of wildlife and cultivated species, closely linked through interdependencies. It is important because plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the air, water and soil we need; agriculture depends on crop varieties and fisheries on aquatic biodiversity.

Q2. How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna?

Expansion of agriculture, mining, industries, large development projects and settlements has cleared forests; poaching and illegal trade, overgrazing and pollution have also destroyed habitats. As a result, many species like the tiger have been pushed close to extinction.

Q3. Why do we need to conserve forests and wildlife?

Conservation preserves ecological diversity and life support systems such as water, air and soil. It also preserves genetic diversity for the growth and breeding of species, which agriculture and fisheries depend on.

Q4. What were the main provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?

It protected habitats, published an all-India list of protected species, banned hunting, gave legal protection to habitats and restricted trade in wildlife. National parks and sanctuaries were set up after it.

Q5. Why was Project Tiger launched?

By 1973 the tiger population had fallen to 1,827 from about 55,000 at the start of the century because of poaching, shrinking habitat, loss of prey and growing population. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to save the tiger and preserve large ecosystems.

Q6. Which conservation strategy does not directly involve community participation?

Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries does not directly involve community participation. Joint Forest Management, Beej Bachao Andolan and the Chipko movement all involve local communities.

Q7. What is Joint Forest Management?

JFM, formally in existence since 1988 when Odisha passed the first resolution, involves village institutions in protecting degraded forest land managed by the forest department. In return, villagers get non-timber forest produce and a share of timber.

Q8. What are sacred groves?

Sacred groves are patches of forest left untouched by local people because of the belief that all creations of nature must be protected. Interference in them is banned, so they preserve rare and diverse species.

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.

In Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers fought mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.

Five villages of Alwar district declared 1,200 hectares as the Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri with their own rules banning hunting.

The Chipko movement in the Himalayas resisted deforestation and promoted community afforestation with indigenous species.

Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya promoted chemical-free diversified farming.

Under Joint Forest Management, since 1988, villages protect degraded forests and share benefits.

Sacred groves, worship of trees such as mahua, kadamba, tamarind and mango, and the Bishnoi community’s protection of blackbuck show traditional conservation.

Q2. Write a note on good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife.

Strict enforcement of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and creation of national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves.

Special species projects such as Project Tiger, and including insects and plants in protected lists.

Involving local communities through Joint Forest Management and respecting community initiatives.

Afforestation with indigenous species, as shown by the Chipko movement.

Ecological farming without synthetic chemicals, as promoted by Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya.

Respecting traditional practices like sacred groves, and accepting only development that is people-centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.

Q3. Explain the classification of forests in India.

Most forests are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department.

Reserved forests make up more than half of forest land and are most valuable for conservation.

Protected forests are almost one-third of forest area and are protected from further depletion.

Unclassed forests are other forests and wastelands owned by government, individuals and communities.

Reserved and protected forests form permanent forest estates; Madhya Pradesh has the largest area (75% of its forests). The North-east and parts of Gujarat have mostly unclassed forests managed by communities.

MCQs with Answers

1. Which conservation strategy does not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management (b) Beej Bachao Andolan (c) Chipko Movement (d) Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries
Answer: (d) Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries

2. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in
(a) 1952 (b) 1972 (c) 1973 (d) 1988
Answer: (b) 1972

3. In 1973, the tiger population in India had fallen to
(a) 1,827 (b) 5,500 (c) 18,270 (d) 55,000
Answer: (a) 1,827

4. Which state has the largest area under permanent forests?
(a) Odisha (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Kerala (d) Assam
Answer: (b) Madhya Pradesh

5. Forests regarded as most valuable for conservation are
(a) Protected forests (b) Unclassed forests (c) Reserved forests (d) Sacred groves
Answer: (c) Reserved forests

6. Joint Forest Management first began in which state in 1988?
(a) Rajasthan (b) Uttarakhand (c) Odisha (d) Kerala
Answer: (c) Odisha

7. Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri is located in
(a) Alwar, Rajasthan (b) Tehri, Uttarakhand (c) Chota Nagpur (d) Sundarbans
Answer: (a) Alwar, Rajasthan

8. Beej Bachao Andolan is associated with
(a) Tehri (b) Alwar (c) Sariska (d) Periyar
Answer: (a) Tehri

9. Periyar Tiger Reserve is in
(a) Karnataka (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Kerala (d) Assam
Answer: (c) Kerala

10. Plants were first added to the list of protected species in
(a) 1972 (b) 1980 (c) 1986 (d) 1991
Answer: (d) 1991

Quick Revision Points

• Biodiversity: variety of interdependent species; forests are primary producers.
• India is among the richest countries in biodiversity.
• Conservation preserves life support systems and genetic diversity.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: hunting banned, habitats protected, trade restricted.
• Protected animals: tiger, rhino, hangul, three crocodiles, Asiatic lion, elephant, blackbuck, great Indian bustard, snow leopard.
• Insects added (1980, 1986); plants added in 1991.
• Project Tiger 1973: tigers fell from 55,000 to 1,827.
• Tiger reserves: Corbett, Sunderbans, Bandhavgarh, Sariska, Manas, Periyar.
• Reserved > half; protected about one-third; unclassed rest.
• MP: 75% permanent forests.
• Communities: Sariska, Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri, Chipko, Beej Bachao Andolan, Navdanya.
• JFM since 1988 (Odisha).
• Sacred groves; Mundas and Santhals worship mahua and kadamba; Bishnois protect blackbuck.

Chapter Summary

India is one of the world’s richest countries in biodiversity, and forests are the primary producers on which all life depends. Conservation preserves ecological diversity, life support systems and genetic diversity. The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and projects such as Project Tiger (1973) protected endangered species through national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves.

Forests are classified as reserved, protected and unclassed. Local communities have played a vital role in conservation through the Chipko movement, Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri, Beej Bachao Andolan, Joint Forest Management and traditional practices like sacred groves. The key lesson is that local communities must be involved in managing natural resources.

Exam Tips and PYQ Pattern

• This chapter was rationalised; do not study deleted topics such as IUCN species categories from old notes.
• Learn the NCERT match-the-following and the MCQ on wildlife sanctuaries.
• Long questions often ask how communities conserve forests; quote at least four examples.
• Map work: locate tiger reserves and national parks.
• Use numbers like 1972, 1973, 1,827, 55,000, 1988 and 1,200 hectares for precise answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of forests in India?

Reserved forests, protected forests and unclassed forests.

When was Project Tiger launched?

Project Tiger was launched in 1973, when the tiger population had fallen to 1,827.

What is the Chipko movement?

A Himalayan movement that resisted deforestation and showed the success of community afforestation with indigenous species.

Is this chapter in the 2026-27 syllabus?

Yes, in its rationalised form. Some older topics such as IUCN categories are no longer in the NCERT book.

Can I download these notes as a PDF?

Yes. Use the free PDF link at the top of this page. No signup is required.

Conclusion

Forest and Wildlife Resources shows that conservation succeeds when laws, government projects and local communities work together. Revise the forest classification table, Project Tiger facts and community conservation examples, and you will be ready for every question on this chapter.

More Notes: Class 10 Geography Chapter 1: Resources and Development notes | Class 10 Geography Chapter 3: Water Resources notes | Class 10 Geography Chapter 1: Resources and Development notes | Class 10 Geography Chapter 3: Water Resources notes | All Class 10 Social Science notes

Author Bio: Written and reviewed by the Nextoper Editorial Team, a group of CBSE social science educators who build chapter notes directly from the NCERT textbook and past board paper patterns.

Freshness Note: These notes follow the NCERT Class 10 Geography textbook, Contemporary India – II (Reprint 2026-27), and the CBSE syllabus for the 2026-27 session. Last checked on 8 November 2026.