WILDLIFEWILDLIFEA large area of land on A large area of land on which trees and other which trees and other plants grow naturally is plants grow naturally is called a called a forestforest, and the , and the wild animals (like lion, wild animals (like lion, tiger, elephant, deer, tiger, elephant, deer, snakes, etc.) and birds snakes, etc.) and birds which live in forest, are which live in forest, are called called wildlifewildlife..

IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFEWILDLIFE

It provides a It provides a great biological diversity.great biological diversity.

Many Many valuable productsvaluable products such as silk such as silk feathers, musk, honey, etc. are obtained feathers, musk, honey, etc. are obtained from wildlifefrom wildlifeWildlife maintain an Wildlife maintain an eco logical balanceeco logical balance in in nature.nature.

WILDLIFE IN INDIAWILDLIFE IN INDIA Indian forests are the adobe of various kind of Indian forests are the adobe of various kind of

animals and birds. The most important among the animals and birds. The most important among the animals are animals are tigers, elephant, leopard,tigers, elephant, leopard, rhinocerosrhinoceros and and the lionsthe lions. Like its flora, India is also rich in . Like its flora, India is also rich in fauna. It has more than 89,000 of animal species. fauna. It has more than 89,000 of animal species. The country has more than 1200 species of birds. The country has more than 1200 species of birds. They constitute of 13% of the world’s total. There They constitute of 13% of the world’s total. There are 2500 species of fish, which account for nearly are 2500 species of fish, which account for nearly 12% of the world’s stock. It also shares between 5 12% of the world’s stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 per cent of the world’s amphibians, reptiles and 8 per cent of the world’s amphibians, reptiles and mammals.and mammals.

DO YOU KNOW?DO YOU KNOW?

The Gir Forest is The Gir Forest is the the

last remaining last remaining habitat habitat

of the Asiatic lion.of the Asiatic lion.

AFRICAN WILDLIFEAFRICAN WILDLIFE No other continent matches the wealth of wildlife found No other continent matches the wealth of wildlife found

in Africa. Covering the full climate spectrum from in Africa. Covering the full climate spectrum from intense heat to bitter cold, its varied vegetation has intense heat to bitter cold, its varied vegetation has given rise to a wide range of animals, including given rise to a wide range of animals, including mammals birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. Among them mammals birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. Among them are more than 40 species of primate, ranging from tiny are more than 40 species of primate, ranging from tiny galagos to huge gorillas, a great variety of antelopes, galagos to huge gorillas, a great variety of antelopes, gazelles, and other hoofed animals, and 70 species of gazelles, and other hoofed animals, and 70 species of carnivore. Bird life, too, is extraordinary rich; more than carnivore. Bird life, too, is extraordinary rich; more than 1,500 species live south of the Sahara. In addition, 1,500 species live south of the Sahara. In addition, Africa is inhabited by the world’s fastest land animal, Africa is inhabited by the world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah; the biggest bird, the ostrich; and the the cheetah; the biggest bird, the ostrich; and the largest land animal, the elephant. largest land animal, the elephant.

ASIAN WILDLIFEASIAN WILDLIFE Asia stretches from the frozen Arctic in the north to the warm Asia stretches from the frozen Arctic in the north to the warm

tropics in the south. Although much of Asia is undulating tropics in the south. Although much of Asia is undulating plain, it also boasts the awesome mountain range of the plain, it also boasts the awesome mountain range of the Himalayas. Much of the interior receives little rain, but parts Himalayas. Much of the interior receives little rain, but parts of India hold the world record for annual rainfall. This of India hold the world record for annual rainfall. This continent of contrasts provides many habitats, each with its continent of contrasts provides many habitats, each with its own characteristics plants and animals. Many of the world’s own characteristics plants and animals. Many of the world’s best known endangered species, such as giant pandas and best known endangered species, such as giant pandas and tigers, live in Asia. But many less publicized, smaller animals tigers, live in Asia. But many less publicized, smaller animals and plants are also threatened by the steady spread of and plants are also threatened by the steady spread of human populations.human populations.

AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFEAUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE

Australia has been isolated by water for more than Australia has been isolated by water for more than 30 million years, resulting in the evolution of many 30 million years, resulting in the evolution of many unique animals and plants. Half of all marsupials, unique animals and plants. Half of all marsupials, such as the koala and kangaroo, live only in such as the koala and kangaroo, live only in Australia, along with the platypus and echidna, the Australia, along with the platypus and echidna, the world’s only egg-laying mammals, or monotremes. world’s only egg-laying mammals, or monotremes. Much of Australia is desert or scrub. The animals Much of Australia is desert or scrub. The animals and plants that live here are adapted to the hot, dry and plants that live here are adapted to the hot, dry conditions. There are also areas of tropical and conditions. There are also areas of tropical and temperate forests, which contain the greatest temperate forests, which contain the greatest diversity of life in Australia. diversity of life in Australia.

EUROPEAN WILDLIFEEUROPEAN WILDLIFEEurope is a landmass that contains many different Europe is a landmass that contains many different habitats, ranging from the Arctic tundra, through habitats, ranging from the Arctic tundra, through broad leaved forests, and mountainous areas, to broad leaved forests, and mountainous areas, to dry, hot regions around the Mediterranean. Only dry, hot regions around the Mediterranean. Only deserts and tropical forests are missing from the deserts and tropical forests are missing from the list. European wildlife is not as rich as it once was; list. European wildlife is not as rich as it once was; human intervention in the form of agriculture and human intervention in the form of agriculture and forest clearance, as well as the sheer size of the forest clearance, as well as the sheer size of the human population, has diminished the number of human population, has diminished the number of plants and animals. Yet in undisturbed forests and plants and animals. Yet in undisturbed forests and wetlands, a large diversity of wildlife remains. wetlands, a large diversity of wildlife remains.

DESERT WILDLIFEDESERT WILDLIFEThe driest places on Earth are The driest places on Earth are known as deserts. Food is scarce, known as deserts. Food is scarce, and there is little shelter from the and there is little shelter from the sun and wind. Deserts are among sun and wind. Deserts are among the most inhospitable of all places the most inhospitable of all places in which to live. In spite of this, in which to live. In spite of this, many remarkable animals survive many remarkable animals survive and even thrive in these hostile and even thrive in these hostile surroundings. Birds, mammals, surroundings. Birds, mammals, insects, arachnids, amphibians, and insects, arachnids, amphibians, and reptiles are all represented, reptiles are all represented, together with some equally together with some equally remarkable plants.remarkable plants.

Camel (SHIP OF THE DESRT)

ISLAND WILDLIFEISLAND WILDLIFEIsolated locations and the lack of Isolated locations and the lack of large predators, competitors, and large predators, competitors, and disease has allowed the evolution disease has allowed the evolution of a unique range of wildlife on of a unique range of wildlife on many islands. Island habitats vary many islands. Island habitats vary greatly, from the ice and rock of greatly, from the ice and rock of Greenland to the tropical Greenland to the tropical rainforests of Borneo. Island floras rainforests of Borneo. Island floras faunas are fragile ecosystems, faunas are fragile ecosystems, easily upset by foreign invaders easily upset by foreign invaders and freak weather conditions. and freak weather conditions. Some islands posses unique Some islands posses unique species found nowhere else species found nowhere else (endemics); other remote islands (endemics); other remote islands are inhabited by species from are inhabited by species from otherwise extinct groups (relicts).otherwise extinct groups (relicts).

Dense vegetation cover provides homes for many animals.

LAKE AND RIVER WILDLIFELAKE AND RIVER WILDLIFEThe freshwater habitats on land may The freshwater habitats on land may be tiny in volume compared with the be tiny in volume compared with the oceans, but the many lakes, ponds, oceans, but the many lakes, ponds, and rivers are home to a huge and rivers are home to a huge variety of wildlife. Plants take root in variety of wildlife. Plants take root in the soft soil and provide food and the soft soil and provide food and shelter for many different animals. shelter for many different animals. These include air-breathing that These include air-breathing that enter the water froe the enter the water froe the surroundings as well as truly aquatic surroundings as well as truly aquatic creatures, which spend all their time creatures, which spend all their time in water. Together, they show all in water. Together, they show all manner of adaptations to manner of adaptations to underwater life, including ways of underwater life, including ways of making shelters and of copying with making shelters and of copying with fast currents or murky conditions. fast currents or murky conditions. Lake contains cold, clear water

from mountains streams

MOUNTAIN WILDLIFEMOUNTAIN WILDLIFE

The great mountain chains of the The great mountain chains of the world are very beautiful but they offer world are very beautiful but they offer testing conditions for wildlife. The testing conditions for wildlife. The animals that live there, such as the animals that live there, such as the alpine ibex, are either exceptionally alpine ibex, are either exceptionally hardy to cope with steep and rocky hardy to cope with steep and rocky terrain or, like the Andean condor, terrain or, like the Andean condor, specially adapted to high winds and specially adapted to high winds and cold nights in thin air. In temperate cold nights in thin air. In temperate and cold climates, winter is very harsh and cold climates, winter is very harsh in the mountains, bringing gale force in the mountains, bringing gale force winds and deep snow that drive many winds and deep snow that drive many animals down towards shelter. By animals down towards shelter. By contrast, in summer , the strong contrast, in summer , the strong sunshine of high altitudes gives a real sunshine of high altitudes gives a real boost to life, bringing the buzz of boost to life, bringing the buzz of insects and the songs of nesting birds insects and the songs of nesting birds to mountain slopes.to mountain slopes.

Snow on higher slopes

Tree line – above this level it is too cold and harsh for trees to grow

Dense trees cover and other vegetation on lower slopes

OCEAN WILDLIFEOCEAN WILDLIFEThe ocean covers two-third of the The ocean covers two-third of the Earth’s surface. This vast body of Earth’s surface. This vast body of water is home to a great variety of water is home to a great variety of plants and animals. On the ocean plants and animals. On the ocean floor, there are underwater mountains floor, there are underwater mountains ranges, plains covered with clays and ranges, plains covered with clays and mud-like oozes, deep trenches, and mud-like oozes, deep trenches, and submerged mountains called sea submerged mountains called sea mounts. Animals live in all these mounts. Animals live in all these regions and in all depths of the regions and in all depths of the ocean. Generally, food is scarce in ocean. Generally, food is scarce in the deep because there is no light for the deep because there is no light for photosynthesis , which enables plant photosynthesis , which enables plant growth. Plants are restricted to the growth. Plants are restricted to the sunlit waters near the surface, where sunlit waters near the surface, where they either drift in the sea or float, they either drift in the sea or float, anchored to the seabed. Ocean anchored to the seabed. Ocean wildlife is at its richest in the warm, wildlife is at its richest in the warm, shallow waters of coral reefs.shallow waters of coral reefs.

WILDLIFE IN DANGERWILDLIFE IN DANGERSince life began on Earth, many species of plants and Since life began on Earth, many species of plants and animals have died out- mostly because of human animals have died out- mostly because of human interference. The main threats to wildlife today are interference. The main threats to wildlife today are habitat destruction, hunting and collecting, and habitat destruction, hunting and collecting, and pollution. Many plants and animals are now protected pollution. Many plants and animals are now protected by law. There are some environmental organizations by law. There are some environmental organizations which are dedicated to helping plants and animals in which are dedicated to helping plants and animals in danger and finding solutions to worldwide ecological danger and finding solutions to worldwide ecological problems, for e.g.:- Greenpeace, friends of the Earth, problems, for e.g.:- Greenpeace, friends of the Earth, International Fund for Animal Welfare (International Fund for Animal Welfare ( IFAWIFAW), World ), World Wildlife Fund (Wildlife Fund (WWFWWF) etc.) etc.

Species getting extinctSpecies getting extinct

EAGLEEAGLE

Species getting extinctSpecies getting extinct

Bottle-nose dolphinsBottle-nose dolphins

Species getting extinctSpecies getting extinct

Polar bearPolar bear

Species getting extinctSpecies getting extinct

Two horned rhinocerosTwo horned rhinoceros

Environmental ORGANISATIONEnvironmental ORGANISATION

GREENPEACEGREENPEACE

Friends of the EarthFriends of the Earth26-28 Underwood Street26-28 Underwood StreetLondon N1 7JQLondon N1 7JQwww.foei.orgwww.foei.org

Greenpeace Greenpeace Canonbury VillasCanonbury VillasLondon N1 2PNLondon N1 2PNwww.greenpeace.orgwww.greenpeace.org

Some logos of environmental organization are:-Some logos of environmental organization are:-

Environmental FACTSEnvironmental FACTSIt is estimated that over the next 20 years almost half a It is estimated that over the next 20 years almost half a million species of plants and animals will become extinct.million species of plants and animals will become extinct.The ivory-build woodpecker used to live in forest swamps. It The ivory-build woodpecker used to live in forest swamps. It is one of the world’s rarest birds and is endangered.is one of the world’s rarest birds and is endangered.All species of rhinoceros are now protected by law. Many All species of rhinoceros are now protected by law. Many rhinoceros were killed for their horns, which are reputed to rhinoceros were killed for their horns, which are reputed to have medicinal qualities.have medicinal qualities.The population of the komodo dragon, the largest-living The population of the komodo dragon, the largest-living lizard, is at a dangerously low level because of over-hunting lizard, is at a dangerously low level because of over-hunting by collectors.by collectors.

CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFECONSERVATION OF WILDLIFEThe large scale poaching (killing) of wild animals The large scale poaching (killing) of wild animals residing in the forests by man is a serious threat to residing in the forests by man is a serious threat to the survival of many animal and bird species. This the survival of many animal and bird species. This also disturbs the food chains in which these animals also disturbs the food chains in which these animals occur resulting in undesirable consequences for the occur resulting in undesirable consequences for the whole ecosystem. Now, to make some money, whole ecosystem. Now, to make some money, some people kill the animals indiscriminately in some people kill the animals indiscriminately in large numbers to obtain their skin, horns, teeth, etc. large numbers to obtain their skin, horns, teeth, etc. This large scale killing of animals disrupts the food This large scale killing of animals disrupts the food chains in which snakes occur and creates an chains in which snakes occur and creates an imbalance in nature. imbalance in nature.

SOME STEPS TO CONSERVE SOME STEPS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFEWILDLIFE

It is very important to conserve wildlife to maintain the It is very important to conserve wildlife to maintain the ecological balance in nature and to preserve the gene ecological balance in nature and to preserve the gene pool. Some of the measures (or steps) to be taken for the pool. Some of the measures (or steps) to be taken for the conservation of wildlife are given below :-conservation of wildlife are given below :-Laws should be made to impose a total ban on poaching Laws should be made to impose a total ban on poaching (killing) or capturing of any animal or bird belonging to an (killing) or capturing of any animal or bird belonging to an endangered species. The poaching of an endangered endangered species. The poaching of an endangered species of animals and birds should be made a species of animals and birds should be made a punishable offence.punishable offence.Even if some type of wild animals and birds are in Even if some type of wild animals and birds are in abundance today, their indiscriminate killing should not be abundance today, their indiscriminate killing should not be allowed by the forest authorities. allowed by the forest authorities.

SOME STEPS TO CONSERVE SOME STEPS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFEWILDLIFE

The natural habitats of wild animals and birds should The natural habitats of wild animals and birds should be preserved by establishing National Parks and be preserved by establishing National Parks and Sanctuaries throughout the country.Sanctuaries throughout the country.The Government Department connected with the The Government Department connected with the conservation of wildlife should conduct a periodic conservation of wildlife should conduct a periodic survey in all forests, National Parks and Sanctuaries survey in all forests, National Parks and Sanctuaries to have a knowledge of all species of wild animals and to have a knowledge of all species of wild animals and birds, so that these animals can be helped in the birds, so that these animals can be helped in the times of distress like floods and famines.times of distress like floods and famines.Special attention should be paid to the conservation of Special attention should be paid to the conservation of endangered species of wild animals and birds to endangered species of wild animals and birds to prevent their extinction altogether. prevent their extinction altogether.

ANIMALS AND HUMANS VIE FOR ANIMALS AND HUMANS VIE FOR SPACESPACE

With 2 percent(%) of the world’s land and 16 With 2 percent(%) of the world’s land and 16 percent of its people, India is fast losing its wildlife percent of its people, India is fast losing its wildlife habitat. Sanctuaries such as Nagarahole—where habitat. Sanctuaries such as Nagarahole—where men collects gaur skulls for a study of predator men collects gaur skulls for a study of predator behavior—give scant haven to Indian's embattled behavior—give scant haven to Indian's embattled animal species. Isolation of small groups weakens animal species. Isolation of small groups weakens gene pools, but plans for protected corianders gene pools, but plans for protected corianders between parks are stalled. between parks are stalled.

THANKS FORYOUR KIND

CONSIDERATION

Made by:-

Ashwani Kumar