Forest and Wildlife Test - 9

• The species which are not found after searching known areas where they may occur is said to have undergone extinction. 
  
• Extinction in biology or ecology means end of organism or group of organisms.
  
• Some of the animals that faced extinction are woolly mammoth, stellar sea cow, dodo etc.
  

• IUCN publishes the "Red Book" every year which consists of classification of plant and animal species according to their conservation status.

'Project Tiger' was launched in the year 1973 by the Government of India during the tenure of Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister. The main goal of this project was to conserve Bengal tigers in their natural habitat and prevent them from extinction. A number of tiger reserves and zones were created for this purpose. These are maintained by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 

• Himalayan Brown bear is a rare species found in Northern India and some parts of Pakistan.
• It is classified as critically endangered species in IUCN Red Book.
• The population of Himalayan brown bear is believed to have increased to 200.
• It is also known as "Dzu-The".
  

• Vulnerable species is a category in IUCN Red Data Book.
• Vulnerable means species are under threat of endangerment.
• Gangetic dolphin lives in fresh water.
• Gangetic dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India.
  

 India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity, and has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world (estimated to be 1.6 million). Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in this country so far. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India.

• The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in several areas but has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful. 
  
• Chipko Movement was initiated by Sunderlal Bahuguna in 1927 and later the movement picked up its pace in 1973.
• Chipko Movement followed Gandhian method of non-violence and Satyagraha.

Over the years, the area under forest cover has decreased steadily, as forests have been cleared for agriculture, industry, housing, and other development activities like the construction of roads, railways, and hydroelectric plants.

• Teak plantation is popular in south India due to dry deciduous climate.
• Teak having commercial value was planted extensively in South India by British during 19th Century. 
• Excessive teak plantation cover has led to destruction of natural forests.