Question.
How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
( Chapter - 2 -Forest and Wildlife Resources, Cass X NCERT Contemporary India -II )
Answer.
After the Industrial Revolution, due to technological advancement and population explosion, human activities have increased the rate of decline of natural flora and fauna. Following are some of the human activities that led to the decline of flora and fauna:
- habitat fragmentation
- big dam construction
- mining
- environmental pollution
- Introduction to Exotic Species
- illegal killing
- overexploitation of resources
As we know that natural flora and wildlife mostly live in the forest and their habitat should not be disturbed for healthy flora and fauna. Some human activities, such as the expansion of railways and highways in forest lands, have fragmented the forest habitat. Fragmented habitat creates three major problems – it increases conflict between humans and wildlife, restricts the free movement of wildlife and blocked the route of migration, and reduces food for survival. Habitat fragmentation is one of the most important factors for the decline of flora and fauna.
Human activities such as the construction of a large dam and mining lead to large-scale deforestation, reducing space for flora and fauna as well as food sources, resulting in the loss of flora and fauna. In India, since 1951, the river valley project alone has destroyed about 5000 sq km of forest. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is critically endangered by dolomite mining.
Industrial waste, agricultural waste, household waste, plastic waste, and radioactive waste are major pollutants in the environment that cause direct harm to flora and fauna. Pollution in the environment causes a reduction in productivity, fertility, and overall life.
The introduction of foreign species into the local ecosystem leads to the loss of local flora and fauna. During the British period, new species of flowers and weeds were introduced from Australia to the Western Ghats, which damaged the flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.
There is a huge demand for traditional medicines from the skins and bones of wild animals in the international market which lead to the illegal killing of animals.
The population explosion of human and technological progress causes the over-exploitation of resources. Rich people cause more damage to the environment than poor people. For example, the average American consumes 40 times more than the average Somalian. This results in a higher rate of loss of flora and fauna as compared to regeneration, which causes the loss of flora and fauna.
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