WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Soon Paheli sees a board with " Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary " written on it.

Professor Ahmad explains that killing (poaching) or capturing animals, in general, is strictly prohibited and punishable by law in all such places. Wildlife Sanctuaries like reserve forests provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. He also tells them that people living in wildlife sanctuaries are allowed to do certain activities such as grazing by their livestock, collecting medicinal plants, firewood, etc.,

It is a pity that even protected forests are not safe because people living in the neighborhood encroach upon them and destroy them.

Children are reminded of their visit to the zoo. They recall that zoos are also places where animals receive protection.

Some of the threatened wild animals like blackbuck, white-eyed buck, elephant, golden cat, pink-headed duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, python, rhinoceros, etc., are protected and preserved in our wildlife sanctuaries. Indian sanctuaries have unique landscapes—broad-level forests, mountain forests, and bushlands in deltas of big rivers.

Activity 7.7:

Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the conditions provided to the animals. Were they suitable for the animals? Can animals live in artificial setting instead of their natural habitat? In your opinion, will the animals be comfortable in a zoo or in their natural habitat?

Questions

What is the difference between a zoo and a wildlife sanctuary?

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK

NATIONAL PARK

NATIONAL PARKS

On the roadside, there was another board on which was written " Satpura National Park ".

Children are now eager to go there. Madhavji tells them that these reserves are large and diverse enough to protect whole sets of ecosystems. They preserve flora, fauna, landscape, and historic objects of an area. Satpura National Park is the first Reserve Forest of India. The finest Indian teak is found in this forest. There are more than one hundred National Parks in India.

As children move ahead, they see a board with satpura tiger reserve written on it. Madhavji explains that Project Tiger was launched by the government to protect the tigers in the country. The objective of this project was to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in the country.

Tiger (Fig. 7.4) is one of the many species which are slowly disappearing from our forests. But, the satpura tiger reserve is unique in the sense that a significant increase in the population of tigers has been seen here. Once upon a time, animals like lions, elephants, wild buffaloes (Fig. 7.5), and barasingha (Fig. 7.6) were also found in the Satpura National Park. Animals whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction are known as endangered animals. Boojho is reminded of the dinosaurs which became extinct a long time ago. Survival of some animals has become difficult because of disturbances in their natural habitat. Professor Ahmad tells them that in order to protect plants and animals strict rules are imposed in all National Parks. Human activities such as grazing, poaching, hunting, capturing of animals or collection of firewood medicinal plants, etc. are not allowed.

Figure 7.4: Tiger

Figure 7.5: Wild buffalo

Figure 7.6: Barasingha

Madhavji tells Paheli that small animals are much more in danger of becoming extinct than bigger animals. At times, we kill snakes, frogs, lizards, bats, and owls ruthlessly without realizing their importance in the ecosystem. By killing them we are harming ourselves. They might be small in size but their role in the ecosystem cannot be ignored. They form part of food chains and food webs, about which you learned in Class VII.

An ecosystem is made of all the plants, animals, and microorganisms in an area along with non-living components such as climate, soil, river deltas, etc.

Rock shelters are also found inside the Satpura National Park. These are evidences of prehistoric human life in these jungles. These give us an idea of the life of primitive people.

Rock paintings are found in these shelters. A total of 55 rock shelters have been identified in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Figures of animals and men fighting, hunting, dancing, and playing musical instruments are depicted in these paintings. Many tribals still live in the area.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK

RED DATA BOOK

RED DATA BOOK

Professor Ahmad explains about Red Data Book to the children. He tells them that Red Data Book is the sourcebook that keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants. Red Data Book is maintained internationally by an organization. India also maintains Red Data Book for plants and animals found in India.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK

MIGRATION

MIGRATION

The excursion party then enters deeper into the forest under the guidance of Madhavji. They sit near the Tawa. 

Reservoir to relax for some time. Paheli observes some of the birds near the river. Madhavji tells the children that these are migratory birds. These birds have flown here from other parts of the world.

Migratory birds fly to faraway areas every year during a particular time because of climatic changes. They fly for laying eggs as the weather in their natural habitat becomes very cold and inhospitable. Birds who cover long distances to reach another land are known as migratory birds as Paheli learned in Class VII.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK