Natural resources are the gifts of nature. They are of two types – exhaustible (coal, petroleum, natural gas, forests, wildlife) and inexhaustible (air, water, sunlight). Forests are very important natural resources because they provide wood, medicines, gum, fruits and also purify air. They also prevent soil erosion, floods and help bring rainfall. Forests are classified into different types in India.

Deciduous forests shed their leaves in the dry season. Evergreen forests remain green throughout the year. Coniferous forests are found in cold mountains and have cone-shaped trees like pine. Thorny forests are found in dry areas like Rajasthan and have few trees like babul and keekar. Mangrove forests grow in swampy coastal regions like the Sundarbans and the famous tree is Sundari.

Forests are home to wildlife – animals, birds and reptiles. Deforestation, i.e. cutting trees, causes serious problems like floods, drought, loss of soil fertility and extinction of animals. To protect wildlife, the government has created sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves. Gir National Park in Gujarat is famous for lions, and Kaziranga in Assam is known for rhinos.

Afforestation (planting new trees) and programs like Van Mahotsav help to save forests. Conservation of forests and wildlife is important for maintaining ecological balance. Forests give us oxygen and keep our environment healthy. Without forests and wildlife, human life cannot survive. Therefore, it is our duty to protect and conserve them for future generations.

प्राकृतिक संसाधन प्रकृति के उपहार हैं। ये दो प्रकार के होते हैं – क्षयशील (Exhaustible) जैसे कोयला, पेट्रोलियम, प्राकृतिक गैस, जंगल और वन्यजीव तथा अक्षय (Inexhaustible) जैसे हवा, पानी और सूर्य की रोशनी। जंगल हमारे लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं क्योंकि ये हमें लकड़ी, दवाइयाँ, फल, गोंद और ऑक्सीजन देते हैं। ये मिट्टी का कटाव रोकते हैं, बाढ़ से बचाते हैं और वर्षा लाने में मदद करते हैं।

भारत में जंगलों के विभिन्न प्रकार हैं। पर्णपाती जंगल सूखे मौसम में अपने पत्ते गिरा देते हैं। सदैव हरे जंगल सालभर हरे रहते हैं। शंकुधारी जंगल ठंडे पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में पाए जाते हैं और इनमें चीड़ जैसे शंकु आकार के पेड़ होते हैं। काँटेदार जंगल शुष्क क्षेत्रों में पाए जाते हैं और इनमें बबूल व कीकर जैसे पेड़ होते हैं। मैंग्रोव जंगल दलदली तटीय क्षेत्रों में उगते हैं और सुंदरबन का सुंदरी पेड़ प्रसिद्ध है।

जंगलों में अनेक प्रकार के जंगली जीव रहते हैं। जंगल काटना यानी वनों की कटाई (Deforestation) गंभीर समस्याएँ लाता है जैसे – बाढ़, सूखा, मिट्टी की उर्वरता का नुकसान और पशु-पक्षियों का लुप्त होना। इसलिए सरकार ने वन्यजीव अभयारण्य, राष्ट्रीय उद्यान और जैवमंडल संरक्षित क्षेत्र बनाए हैं। गिर राष्ट्रीय उद्यान शेरों के लिए प्रसिद्ध है और काजीरंगा गैंडे के लिए।

वृक्षारोपण (Afforestation) और वन महोत्सव जैसे कार्यक्रम वनों को बचाने में मदद करते हैं। जंगल और वन्यजीव हमारे पर्यावरण का संतुलन बनाए रखते हैं। इनके बिना मानव जीवन संभव नहीं है। इसलिए वनों और वन्यजीवों का संरक्षण करना हमारी जिम्मेदारी है।

1. Air is – Renewable resource
2. Season when deciduous trees shed leaves – Dry season
3. Type of keekar tree – Thorny tree
4. Tree of mangrove forest – Sundari
5. Purpose of wildlife sanctuaries – Protect animals
6. Exhaustible resource example – Coal
7. Inexhaustible resource example – Sunlight
8. National park in Gujarat – Gir
9. Programme to plant more trees – Van Mahotsav
10. Cutting of trees is – Deforestation

1) Why are coal and petroleum non-renewable resources?

They take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly once used up.

2) What are forests? Why useful?

Large areas covered with trees. They give us oxygen, wood, medicines, food, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife.

3) What are evergreen forests?

Forests that remain green throughout the year with dense trees and rainfall.

4) What problems are caused by deforestation?

Floods, droughts, loss of soil fertility, less rainfall, extinction of animals.

5) Why wildlife sanctuaries?

To protect animals and birds from hunting, extinction and to conserve biodiversity.

6) What is afforestation?

Planting new trees to increase forest cover and restore balance.

7) What is Van Mahotsav?

A tree plantation festival celebrated in India to encourage afforestation.

8) Which trees are found in thorny forests?

Babul, keekar and cactus are common in thorny forests of Rajasthan.

9) Name a famous mangrove forest.

The Sundarbans in West Bengal.

10) Which national park protects lions?

Gir National Park in Gujarat.

1) Why are coal and petroleum called non-renewable?

Because they take millions of years to form and once used up, cannot be replaced quickly.

2) What are forests? How useful?

Forests are large areas with trees. They give wood, medicines, fruits, oxygen, rainfall and home to wildlife.

3) What are evergreen forests?

Forests that remain green throughout the year, dense with tall trees.

4) Problems by deforestation?

Floods, droughts, soil erosion, less rainfall, extinction of species.

5) Why wildlife sanctuaries set up?

To protect animals and birds, stop hunting, and preserve endangered species.