AKNOWLEDGEMENT

"I am deeply grateful to Abhishek Sir, our Geography Teacher, as well as Swathi

Mam, our principal, for their exceptional guidance and unwavering support

throughout the course of this project. Their dedication to fostering my

understanding of the subject and their willingness to go above and beyond to assist

me has been truly inspiring. Their insightful feedback and constructive criticism

have not only improved this project but have also enhanced my skills as a writer

and critical thinker. I am fortunate to have had such a dedicated and caring teacher,

and I will always cherish the lessons I have learned under their tutelage. Thank

you, Abhishek S and Swathi Mam, for your invaluable support and for instilling in

me a love for learning and a passion for Geography.”

CERTIFICATE
 CONTENTS

S.NO NAME OF THE CONTENT PAGE

NO
WHAT IS WILDLIF CONSERVATION EFFORTS
1 4

2 OBJECTIVES OF WILDLIFE CONSRVATION 5

3 NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE 6

CONSERVATION

4 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OF INDIA 7

5 PROBLEMS WITH WILDLIFE 22

CONSERVATION AND SOLUTIONS

6 CASE STUDY 25

7 YOUR SUGGESTIVE MEASURES TO 30

PRESERVE THE WILDLIFE

8 CONCLUSION 31

9 REFRENCES 32
 WHAT IS WILDLIF CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and wild animal and their habitats in
order to ensure that the wildlife is preserved and prevented from becoming vanished. In India,
protecting animals and nature is very important. Wildlife helps keep the natural balance of the
earth. It also helps protect different types of plants and animals and is a big part of India’s
culture. But because of more factories, roads, and cities and large infra structures animals are
losing their homes. This is causing climate problems and a drop in the number of wild animals.
To fix this, the Indian government is working hard to save wildlife. These steps are called
wildlife conservation efforts. People are also learning why saving animals and nature is
important for everyone’s future.

What is Wildlife?

As the name "wildlife" implies, it refers to wild animals. It simply means all the plants and
animals that exist in their natural habitats. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972's Section 2(37)
defines the term "wildlife" as well. The section defines wildlife as any animal, whether aquatic or
terrestrial, as well as any flora that makes up our natural ecosystem.

It means that all the creatures that exist in their natural habitat will be regarded as part of our
wildlife. These organisms assist humans in meeting our requirements and are crucial for
preserving the ecological balance.

What are Wildlife Conservation efforts?

The process of protecting wild species and their natural habitat is known as wildlife
conservation. As one the most crucial components of the ecosystem of the earth is wildlife.
Humans are destroying wildlife for food and shelter as a result of the world's growing
population.
 OBJECTIVES OF WILDLIFE CONSRVATION

1. Protecting Endangered Animals:

Save animals and plants that are in danger of disappearing by making laws, saving their
homes, and helping them breed.

2. Keeping Nature Balanced:

Every animal and plant has a role in nature. If one disappears, it can upset the whole
system.

3. Saving Different Kinds of Life:

Having many types of plants and animals helps nature stay strong and handle changes
like climate shifts.

4. Helping People Too:

Nature gives us clean air, water, food, and medicine. Protecting wildlife helps people
live healthy lives.

5. Teaching People:

Helping everyone understand why animals and nature are important can lead to more
people protecting them.

6. Protecting Natural Homes:

Making sure animals have safe places to live by creating parks and nature reserves.

7. Using Nature Wisely:

Use forests, rivers, and other resources carefully so we don’t run out or destroy them.
 NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Ecosystem Harmony
All animals and plants play a role in nature. If one animal’s numbers go down, it can hurt other
animals too. This upsets the natural food chain and harms the environment.

Ecological Stability Protection

Things like droughts (long dry periods) can happen when we damage water sources or destroy
homes of animals and plants. Human actions like cutting down forests also harm nature. But if
we protect plants and animals, nature can stay healthy and balanced.
For example, plants help control the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air, which
keeps the environment healthy.

Improve food, water, and air security

Protecting wild animals and their homes helps people get enough food. It also helps scientists
find new ways to grow crops. When we protect forests and nature, it helps provide clean water,
clean air, and better farming. This means more food and better health for everyone.

Medicinal properties
many medicines come from animals and plants. For example, cobra venom is used to make
medicine for leprosy, and lobsters can be used in antifungal treatments. Protecting wildlife helps
scientists find and make new medicines in the future.

Boosts Tourism
Tourism—when people travel to visit nature—helps many countries make money. Many tourists
visit national parks, forests, and zoos to see animals and enjoy nature. They do things like
camping, hiking, and boating. Protecting wildlife helps keep these places special and boosts the
economy.

Helping Plants Grow

many animals like bees, butterflies, and birds help plants grow by moving pollen from one
flower to another. This process, called pollination, is needed to grow fruits, vegetables, and other
crops. Protecting these animals is very important for growing food.

Opportunities for employment

Wildlife helps create jobs for many people. People work in zoos, national parks, tourism, and
even make movies about nature. Tourists also stay in hotels and cabins near parks, creating jobs
in travel and hospitality. Protecting wildlife helps keep all these jobs.

For the Future Generations

saving animals today means our children and grandchildren can see them in the future. Many
animals like the black rhino, Sumatran elephant, South China tiger, and others are close to
disappearing forever. Conservation can help protect them.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OF INDIA

HOW ARE THEY CONSERVING IT

1. Conducting Surveys:
The government collects information about animals, how many there are, and where they live.
This helps them know which animals are in danger and which are doing well. Then they can
decide which animals need more help.

2. Enacting Laws For Habitat protection:

The government makes rules to keep forests and other natural places safe. This is important so
animals have a good place to live. Saving these areas helps many kinds of animals and keeps
nature healthy.

3. Delimiting Natural Habitat Areas:

The government chooses special places for animals to live. These places have borders, so
animals can live there safely without fighting for food or space. This helps their numbers stay
strong.
4. Protecting Wildlife From Pollution:
The government works to stop pollution that can hurt animals. They control harmful waste and
chemicals and keep nature clean. This helps animals stay healthy and live longer.

TYPES OF CONSERVATIONS

There are two types of conservation which are:

(1) Marine Conservation

(2) Animal Conservation

ANIMAL CONSERVATION

Wildlife conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats. By
conserving wildlife, we're ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the
incredible species that live within it. To help protect wildlife, it's important to understand how
species interact within their ecosystems, and how they're affected by environmental and human
influences.

MARINE CONSERVATION

Marine conservation, also called ocean conservation, means protecting the oceans and the life in
them. It involves taking care of the sea and stopping people from using too many of its resources.
Scientists study ocean animals, plants, and how the ocean works to understand what’s going
wrong. The goal is to stop harm caused by humans, fix damaged parts of the ocean, and protect
sea creatures and places that are in danger.
DIFFRENCE BETWEEN ZOO/NATIONAL PARK/SANCTURIES AND
BIOSPHERE RESERVES

ZOO

A zoo (short for zoological garden; also called an animal park ) is a facility in which animal are
kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes. At first,
zoos were called menageries and were created mainly for the rich to show off exotic animals for
fun and to show power. These animals came from faraway places and were kept as a sign of
wealth. Later, as science grew, some zoos were made for studying animals, like the early zoo in
London, which was first for scientists and then opened to the public. Over time, zoos started
focusing more on teaching people about animals and helping protect endangered species. Now a
days zoos are only give fun and interesting experiences that teach people why it’s important to
take care of nature and protect animals that are in danger of disappearing. By learning about
these things, people start to feel closer to wildlife. This can make them want to help protect
animals and the places they live, both in their own lives and in their communities. Until the early
19th century, zoos often served to symbolize royal power of King. In the 19th century, major
European cities began establishing zoos, often modeled after those in London and Paris. These
institutions transitioned from princely menageries meant to entertain the elite with exotic animals
into public zoological gardens. The new objective was to educate the general public based on
modern scientific principles. Zoos were typically supported by local commercial or scientific
societies.

There are five types of zoos

Safari Park

Public Aquarium

Roadside Zoos

Petting Zoos

Animal Theme Parks

SAFARI PARKS

A safari park, also called a wildlife park, is a place where people can see wild animals living in
large, open spaces. Not like any regular zoo, where animals are usually kept in cages, animals in
a safari park can move around more freely than regular zoos. Visitors can drive their own cars
through the park or ride in special vehicles provided by the park to look at the animals safely.
Safari parks are made to feel more like the animals' natural habitats, and they give people a
chance to see animals up close in a way that feels more like being in the wild. These parks are
also popular tourist attractions and are often used to help protect and care for animals.

In India, we have two safari parks which are:

1. Etawah Safari Park

Etawah Safari Park ( Etawah Lion Safari) is a drive-through safari park in Etawah, Uttar
Pradesh, India. It was opened to the public in November 2019. It includes multiple safaris,
an Asiatic lion breeding centre and a visitor centre.

2. Rajgir Zoo Safari

The Rajgir Zoo Safari or Rajgir Wildlife Safari is a Wildlife safari located in Rajgir, Bihar, India,
that opened to public on 16 February 2022. The main wild animal species
includes Chital, Sambar, Black buck, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Indian
Leopard, Royal Bengal Tiger and Asiatic Lion.
PUBLIC AQUARIUM

A public aquarium, also known as a public water zoo, is a place where people can go to see fish,
sea animals, and water plants. It is like a zoo, but instead of land animals, it has animals that live
in water, such as sharks, jellyfish, turtles, and many types of fish. These animals live in large
tanks that are filled with water to look like their natural homes, such as oceans, rivers, or lakes.

The tanks in public aquariums are much bigger than the ones people usually keep in their homes.
Some aquariums also have smaller tanks for different types of sea life, and many allow people to
get a closer look through touch pools or underwater tunnels.

Public aquariums have been around since the mid-1800s. Since then, they have become more
popular, and many cities around the world now have one. Modern aquariums do more than just
show animals—they also help protect endangered species, care for sick or injured animals, and
teach people how to take care of the ocean and other water environments. They often have fun
and educational activities, like shows, talks, and workshops, to help visitors learn more about sea
life and why it's important to keep our water clean and safe.

There are so many Public Aquarium in India, here is two of them

1. Marine World

Marine World, located in Chavakkad near Thrissur, Kerala, is India's largest public
aquarium. Established in 2007 by the CISO Institute of Oceanic Studies, it offers an
immersive experience into the diverse marine and freshwater ecosystems.

2. Bengaluru Aquarium

Namma Bengaluru Aquarium, also called the Government Aquarium, is the second biggest
aquarium in India. It is located at the entrance of Cubbon Park in Bengaluru and was opened
in 1983. The aquarium has many types of colorful and interesting fishes, including both
freshwater and saltwater ones. It is very close to the Visvesvaraya Museum. The Karnataka
State Government’s Fisheries Department takes care of the aquarium.

ROADSIDE ZOOS

Roadside zoos are animal exhibits set up to attract passing travelers. They may display a
variety of animals sometimes exotic species like lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, or reptiles.
These facilities are usually small-scale and may be run by individuals or families rather than
professional zoological organizations.

Roadside zoos are small, privately owned animal attractions typically located along highways
or in rural areas. Unlike accredited zoos, they often lack proper resources, space, or expertise
to care for animals properly. Here’s a breakdown of what they are, how they differ from
professional zoos, and the concerns surrounding them.

This one of the Roadside Zoos in the world,

1. The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park

One of the most infamous roadside zoos in the United States was the Greater Wynnewood
Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which became widely known after being featured in the
Netflix series “Tiger King.” This zoo was run by Joe Exotic, a private zoo owner who kept a
large number of big cats, including tigers, lions, and other exotic animals. Although it gained
fame through the show, the zoo was often criticized for how it treated the animals.

In 2021, the U.S. government stepped in and removed nearly 70 big cats from the park.
This happened because the zoo was found to be violating the Endangered Species Act, a
law meant to protect rare and at-risk animals. According to the U.S. Department of
Justice, the animals at the park were not given proper food, clean shelter, or medical care.
Many were kept in poor conditions, which caused suffering and put their health at risk.

The zoo has since been shut down, and the animals were sent to better facilities where
they could receive the care they needed. The case brought national attention to the
problems with roadside zoos and the need for stronger animal welfare laws.
 PETTING ZOOS

A petting zoo, also known as a children's zoo, children's farm, or petting farm, is a special kind
of zoo where visitors—especially young children can touch, feed, and play with animals. Unlike
regular zoos, where wild animals are kept behind fences or glass for safety, petting zoos allow
people to get close to the animals in a safe and friendly environment.

The animals in petting zoos are usually calm, gentle, and used to being around people. Most of
them are plant-eating farm animals, such as sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ponies, and donkeys.
These animals are chosen because they are not dangerous and enjoy being petted or fed by hand.
Visitors are often given small bags or cups of food that they can offer to the animals, which
makes the experience fun and interactive.

Petting zoos are often found in parks, farms, amusement areas, and inside larger zoos. They are
very popular with families and school groups because they help children learn about animals in a
hands-on way. Kids can see how animals behave, what they eat, and how to treat them kindly
and with care.

While most petting zoos only have tame animals, a few places—mostly outside of Western
countries—may offer the chance to touch or take photos with more exotic animals, like baby
tigers, monkeys, or snakes. However, this practice is controversial because wild animals may not
enjoy being handled, and it can raise concerns about animal safety and welfare.

Overall, petting zoos are designed to be safe, fun, and educational. They give people a chance to
connect with animals up close, helping build kindness, curiosity, and respect for living creatures.
 ANIMAL THEME PARKS

An animal theme park (also called a zoological theme park) is a place that mixes a zoo and an
amusement park. These parks are mainly made for fun, entertainment, and business. They often
have both live animals on display and rides like roller coasters, shows, and other attractions.

In animal theme parks, visitors can see animals in enclosures, just like in regular zoos, but they
can also enjoy rides, games, and stage shows. Sometimes, live animals are even used in the
shows or rides to make the experience more exciting.

Two well-known examples of animal theme parks are:

 Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida – a huge park that covers about 580 acres.
 Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida – another large park, covering around 335 acres.

These parks are large like safari parks or open-range zoos, but they focus more on fun and
entertainment. They include shows, rides, music, and food, which makes them different from
normal zoos that focus mainly on animals and education.

The term "animal theme park" can also describe places like SeaWorld. SeaWorld is a marine
park that has whales, dolphins, and other sea animals. It also has roller coasters, water rides, and
shows where trained animals perform tricks.

However, these parks have also faced criticism. In 2010, a trainer was killed by an orca (killer
whale) at SeaWorld Orlando. After this incident, many people started to question whether it is
right or safe to keep wild animals in theme parks and make them perform in shows.
NATIONAL PARKS

A national park is a large area of land that is protected by a government because it is very special
in some way. It may have beautiful natural scenery, rare plants and animals, or important
historical or cultural sites. The main goal of a national park is to take care of nature and
important places so that people can enjoy them now and in the future.

National parks are created to:

 Protect wildlife and nature like animals, trees, rivers, and landscapes are kept safe from
damage.
 Give people a place to enjoy nature as hiking, camping, or learning about the
environment.
 Show national pride by protecting some of the country’s most beautiful and important
panimals

Most national parks are open to the public, which means anyone can visit them to enjoy the
outdoors, go sightseeing, or learn more about nature. However, certain rules are in place to make
sure people do not harm the plants, animals, or land inside the park. Activities like hunting,
farming, or building are usually not allowed inside national parks.

Who takes care of national parks?

National parks are usually owned and managed by a country’s national government. But in some
countries, especially those with state or regional governments (like the U.S., India, or Canada),
local or state authorities may help manage them too.

Here these are two National Parks in India

1. Ranthambore National Park

2. Kaziranga National Park
WILD SANCTURIES

A wildlife sanctuary in India is defined as a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or
features of geological or other interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to
provide opportunities for study or research.

Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife Sanctuaries helps to protect endangered animals normally in zoos the faculty will move
animals to new places but it is difficult because the animals can harm the faculty and as well as it
is both time consuming and costly process. Instead of that hard and difficult process, these
animals are frequently kept in safe areas, like sanctuaries, where the animals can live their life
happier, reproduce, and increase their family members. These sanctuaries offer strict protection
while allowing the animals to stay in their natural environment. Researchers can visit these
places to study the behavior and characteristics of the animal. This way, the animals can roam
freely they are not locked up in cages like in zoos. Tourism is not allowed in a wildlife sanctuary,
and people cannot visit wildlife saturies without a guide. The main goal of a sanctuaries is to
teach people how to treat animals properly. The animals are protected and allowed to live
peacefully in their natural homes.

Some wild life sanctuaries in India

1. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary located in Rajasthan also called Keoladeo National Park is
famous for the birds in the sanctuary

2. Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

 Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is wildlife sanctuary in Chitrod, Gujarat is famous
for the lions which are living in the sacturies

BIOSPHERE RESERVES

Biosphere reserves are unique places where people can study how to develop in a way that
protects the environment. They are used to test ways to understand and manage the relationship
between people and nature, including how to prevent conflicts and protect different species.
These reserves offer local solutions to global problems. They include land, sea, and coastal
environments. The goal is to find ways to protect wildlife while also using natural resources
responsibly.

The Indian government has created 18 biosphere reserves in areas larger than regular national
parks or wildlife sanctuaries. These reserves often include several national parks or protected
areas, along with buffer zones where people can do activities like farming. The aim is to protect
both nature and culture, while also ensuring that the people living there and their traditions are
respected.

Importance of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are important for the economy and for human survival. They help support
economic, social, and cultural growth. They protect nature and wildlife without harming the
people living nearby

India has 18 designated biosphere reserves, these are some of them

 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: Situated in Uttarakhand.
 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve: Found in Meghalaya.
 Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve: Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve: Located in Tamil Nadu.
 Manas Biosphere Reserve: Situated in Assam.
 Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve: Located in West Bengal.
 MAJOR SANCTUARIES IN INDIA AND THEIR EXOTIC ANIMAL

NAME OF THE LOCATION OF THE EXOTIC ANIMAL OF

SANCTURIES SANCTURIES THE SACTURIES

Sundarbans National Park West Bengal Royal Bengal Tiger

Kaziranga National Park One-horned Rhinoceros

Assam

Gir National Park Gujarat Asiatic Lion

Ranthambore National Park

Rajasthan Royal Bengal Tiger

Jim Corbett National Park

Uttarakhand Bengal Tiger

Periyar National Park Kerala Elephants

Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary Jammu and Kashmir Tibetan antelope (Chiru)

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Royal Bengal Tiger

FEW ENDANGERED SPIECES OF INDIA AND HOW ARE THEY

PROTECTED

1. Bengal Tiger

The Bengal tiger is a population of the Panthera tigris tigris subspecies and the
nominate tiger subspecies. It ranks among the largest wild cats alive today. It is estimated
to have been present in the Indian subcontinent since the Late Pleistocene for about
12,000 to 16,500 years. Its historical range covered the Indus River valley until the early
19th century, almost all of India, southern Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and
southwestern China. Today, it inhabits India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and
southwestern China. It is threatened by poaching, habitat loss and habitat fragmentation.

Tigers in India, Nepal, and China have been decreasing in number because of illegal
poaching, and in 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
declared tigers as an endangered species in India. Efforts to protect tigers began as early
as the 1900s in India. In 1973, the Indian government launched Project Tiger to protect
the shrinking tiger population. Money was raised to protect tigers and help them live in
other areas of India. By 2003, when there were only 1,411 tigers left in the wild, 8 new
tiger reserves were created. In 2008, a special anti-poaching police force was set up to
stop illegal hunting. This team has done a great job in reducing poaching, especially in
Ranthambore National Park. Today, India has 49 tiger reserves.
2. Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic lion is smaller than its African relatives, about 10-20% smaller, and has a
larger tail tuft and a unique belly fold. These lions used to live all across south-west Asia
to eastern India, but now they can only be found in India, specifically in the Gir National
Park in Gujarat. Since 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
has listed the Asiatic lion as an endangered species, with only around 500-650 lions left
in the wild. Even though most of the lions live in the Gir Forest, many farmers still use
illegal electric fences to protect their crops, and lions often get trapped in them.
Additionally, about 20,000 open wells dug by farmers for irrigation have caused many
lions to accidentally drown.

The Asiatic lion is a very important animal in India’s wildlife. A long time ago, these
lions lived in many parts of Asia, but now they are found only in the Gir Forest of
Gujarat, India. There are only about 500 to 650 lions left, so they are called an
endangered species. Because of this, the Asiatic lion plays a big role in protecting nature.

The Gir Forest is the only place where Asiatic lions live, and it is protected as a National
Park and Sanctuary. To keep the lions safe and avoid having too many in one area, some
are being moved to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh through the Kuno
Project. Local people are also helping by joining awareness programs to support lion
protection.

Stopping poachers and taking care of the forest, like grasslands and open areas, is very
important. The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project also gives medical care to the lions and
helps prevent diseases. Lions are tracked with GPS collars to watch their movements and
keep them safe. Breeding programs help grow a backup group of lions. Strong buildings
and equipment have also been made to protect them. Researchers continue to study lion
behavior to find better ways to save them.
 3. One-horned Rhinoceros

The one-horned rhinoceros, also called the Indian rhinoceros, is mostly found in India and the
lower areas of the Himalayas. For many years, these rhinos were hunted for their horns, which
some people believe have medicinal uses. They were also killed because they were seen as pests
by farmers.

Flooding during the rainy season also affects them, as it forces rhinos to move to higher areas
and leave the safety of national parks. This increases the chances of problems between people
and rhinos. Because of all these reasons, their numbers dropped to only around 200 by the early
1900s, and they were close to extinction.

However, thanks to strong and focused conservation efforts, the rhino population has grown
again. Now, there are about 3,700 one-horned rhinos in northeastern India and the grasslands of
Nepal. This is considered one of the most successful conservation stories in history.

Rhino conservation experts and the state government are working together to make wildlife laws
stronger and make sure they are followed. They also provide money and support for anti-
poaching teams in protected areas.

One strict and debated step has been taken in Kaziranga National Park in Assam, where forest
guards are allowed to shoot poachers if needed to protect the rhinos.

The Indian Rhino Vision 2020, a conservation project, aimed to increase the greater one-horned
rhino population in Assam to 3,000 individuals by 2020

4. Nilgiri Tahr
 The Nilgiri tahr is an endangered mountain goat with only about 2,500 to 3,000 left in the
wild. Like many other animals, it has lost much of its habitat and has been hunted, so
now it is only found in small areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which is less than 10% of
where it used to live.

A bigger threat for the Nilgiri tahr in the future is climate change. These goats live in the
high mountains and grasslands of the Western Ghats. But as global temperatures rise,
these areas may no longer be suitable for them to live in.

Places like Eravikulam National Park and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve are safe homes
for the Tahr and other animals that are in danger of disappearing. These protected areas
give the animals a natural space to live and grow without being disturbed. They also help
to reduce problems between people and wild animals by keeping human activities, like
farming and construction, away from the Tahr’s natural home by keeping globalwarming
away from the Thars .This way, both animals and humans can stay safe.

5. Indian Bison (Gaur)

The Indian bison, also called the gaur, is the biggest and tallest animal in the wild cattle
family. It lives in South Asia and South-East Asia. Sadly, its numbers are going down because
people hunt it for its meat, horns, and use in traditional medicine. It also loses its home and food
because grasslands are being destroyed. The Indian bison even inspired the logo for the famous
energy drink Red Bull. In many areas, over 70% of its population has disappeared. The gaur is
listed as a “vulnerable” animal by the IUCN, which means it is at risk of becoming endangered.
In India, it is protected by the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act. This law also encourages planting
native plants again and controlling how much cattle graze near places where gaurs live.

PROBLEMS WITH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND SOLUTIONS

PROBLEMS

1. Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation

One of the biggest problems is the destruction of animal homes (called habitats). This happens
when forests, grasslands, and wetlands are cut down or changed for farming, cities, and roads.

 Cutting Down Forests: Forests are home to many animals. When trees are cut for wood,
farming, or building, animals like orangutans and jaguars lose their homes.
 Cities and Roads: Building cities, roads, and dams breaks large habitats into small
pieces. This makes it hard for animals to move, find food, or meet other animals to mate.
 Farming: As people need more food, forests and grasslands are turned into farms. This
pushes out wild animals and reduces plant variety.

When animals lose their homes, many cannot survive or move to new areas. This can lead to
fewer animals and even extinction.

2 Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Poaching is the illegal killing of animals for their body parts or to sell as pets. This is a huge
problem for many species.

 Hunting for Money: Some animals are killed for ivory (elephants), horns (rhinos), or
skins (tigers). These parts are used in traditional medicine, jewelry, or as trophies.
 Ecosystem Damage: Killing certain animals, like top predators, can mess up the balance
of nature. For example, if tigers disappear, prey animals increase and overeat plants.
 Weak Law Enforcement: Even though laws exist, they are often not strongly enforced.
Corruption, lack of money, and poor coordination make things worse.

3. Climate Change and Its Impact on Wildlife

Climate change is making it harder for many species to survive.

 Changing Weather: Rising temperatures are shifting habitats. Some animals move to
cooler places, but roads and cities often block their way.
  Oceans in Trouble: Too much carbon dioxide is making oceans more acidic, hurting
marine life like corals and shellfish.
 Extreme Weather: Floods, droughts, and storms destroy animal homes and reduce food.
For example, droughts in Africa hurt elephants by drying up water sources.
 Struggle to Adapt: While some species can adjust, many can't keep up with the fast
changes and are at risk of disappearing.

4. Pollution and Its Impact on Wildlife

Pollution harms animals on land, in water, and in the air.

 Chemicals: Pesticides and fertilizers poison animals and pollute water.

 Plastic Waste: Plastic in the oceans is deadly for turtles, fish, and birds, who may eat it
or get tangled in it.
 Air Pollution: Dirty air from factories and cars can hurt animals’ lungs and weaken their
immune systems.
 Light and Noise: Too much light at night confuses animals like sea turtles. Noise from
cities and boats disturbs whales, birds, and bats.

5. Lack of Awareness and Funding

Many people do not understand how important it is to protect wildlife.

 Public Knowledge: If people don’t know why wildlife matters, they won’t support
conservation.
 Not Enough Money: Protecting nature costs money, but many countries don’t have
enough funds. Most of the money goes to health, education, or buildings instead.
 Politics: Governments may not make protecting wildlife a top priority. In some places,
corruption or poor planning slows progress.

SOLUTION
1. Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation

Shouldn’t destruct the homes of animal (called habitats), when forests, grasslands are cut down
for construction of roads, cities, IT Sectors etc and peoples are cutting down forests for farming
as well.

2 Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Stop Poaching it is an illegal act and big crime, killing the animals for their body parts should be
stop and government should needed take action on this

3. Climate Change and Its Impact on Wildlife

Climate change is making it harder for many species to survive. The main rason of climate
change is global warming and to reduce it people has to be aware of global warming to make
people aware conducting awareness programs are the best way.

4. Pollution and Its Impact on Wildlife

Pollution harms animals on land, in water, and in the air. To reduce pollution, the citizens of the
country should don’t use the vehicles a lot instead use public transports and shouldn’t litter toxic
substances to any waterbodies. And the other main problem is plastic we shouldn’t use it more

5. Lack of Awareness and Funding

Many people do not understand how important it is to protect wildlife, to make people
understand how important conservations is conducting awareness programs in every village town
and make people to give funds.

CASE STUDY

INDIAN PROJECTS TO SAVE WILDLIFE

 A. PROJECT TIGER

Project Tiger is a major effort by the Indian government to save tigers from extinction. It started
in 1973 and is run by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Its goal is to
protect Bengal tigers and their natural homes (habitats).

As of March 2025, there are 58 tiger reserves across India. India now has 3,682 wild tigers,
which is about 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.

Why Was Project Tiger Started?

The number of tigers in India was dropping fast because of hunting, loss of forests, and lack of
protection. To stop this, the government created special tiger reserves—protected areas where
tigers can live and breed safely.

According to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, state governments must make plans to protect
these tiger reserves. They also need to hire trained staff and make sure tigers, other big animals
(like leopards), and prey animals (like deer) are safe.

Tiger Reserves – Core and Buffer Zones

Each tiger reserve has two parts:

 Core Area: The main protected area where human activities are not allowed.
 Buffer Zone: The surrounding area where people and animals live more closely, and
human activities are controlled.

The goal is to protect tigers in the core and help both people and animals live in balance in the
buffer zone.

In 2006, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was created to manage Project
Tiger and provide funding to tiger reserves.

Growth of Tiger Reserves Over Time

  In 1973, there were 9 tiger reserves.
 By the 1980s, there were 15 reserves.
 By 1997, this grew to 23 reserves.
 As of December 2024, there are 57 reserves, and it’s now 58 in 2025.Tiger Numbers
Over the Year

 2006: About 1,411 tigers

 2010: About 1,706 tigers
 2014: About 2,226 tigers
 2018: About 2,967 tigers
 2022: 3,682 tigers

India’s success has helped the global tiger population grow as well.

Who Runs Project Tiger?

Project Tiger is managed by a top wildlife official in New Delhi with offices in Bangalore,
Guwahati, and Nagpur. The reserves are grouped by region, such as:

 Shivalik-Terai
 North East
 Sunderbans
 Western and Eastern Ghats
 Central India
 Sariska

Project Tiger focuses on:

 Protecting tiger homes

 Watching tiger movements daily
 Helping local people live better in buffer zones
 Helping people move voluntarily out of core zones
 Stopping poaching
  Building better tools like cameras and wireless systems for forest guards

They also train Special Tiger Protection Forces and give states money and help to fight poachers.

Problems and Challenges

Even though Project Tiger has had success, it still faces problems like:

 Poaching (illegal hunting)

 Deforestation (cutting down forests)
 Construction in forests
 Poor management in some reserves

Another issue is the Forest Rights Act (2006), which gives forest-dwelling people legal rights to
live in the buffer zones. Some experts worry this may cause more human-tiger conflict or allow
poachers easier access. Others believe local people should be part of tiger protection instead of
being forced out of their homes.

B. PROJECT CHEETHA
India's native cheetahs—called Asiatic cheetahs—became extinct in the 1950s. The last
confirmed cheetah in India was seen in 1952, and the last three were killed in 1948. These
cheetahs used to live in open grasslands across India and were often used by royalty for hunting.

Over time, their numbers dropped because of:

 Habitat loss (forests and grasslands were turned into farms and towns)
 Hunting
 Lack of prey animals
 Capturing young cheetahs for hunting by kings

Today, Asiatic cheetahs are found only in Iran, and fewer than 100 remain there.

Cheetah Reintroduction in India

India decided to bring cheetahs back, but since Iran could not give any Asiatic cheetahs, India
planned to bring African cheetahs (a close relative of the Asiatic cheetah) instead.

After many years of planning and legal issues, the Supreme Court of India finally allowed the
government to bring African cheetahs to India on a trial basis in January 2020.

Cheetahs Arrive in India

 On 17 September 2022, 8 cheetahs (5 females and 3 males) from Namibia were flown to
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
 In February 2023, 12 more cheetahs came from South Africa.
 These cheetahs were first kept in quarantine enclosures and then slowly released into
larger areas.

One female cheetah gave birth to 4 cubs in March 2023—the first cheetah birth in India in 70
years.

Breeding and Growth

 By early 2024, cheetahs in India had given birth to 17 cubs.

  Sadly, 5 cubs died, but others survived.
 As of September 2024, there were 12 adult cheetahs and 12 cubs, all kept in protected
enclosures for safety.

Problems and Challenges

 By early 2024, 10 cheetahs had died—from health issues, injuries, and poor monitoring.
 Some cheetahs suffered from radio collar wounds, starvation, and kidney or heart
problems.
 Scientists were worried about the small space in Kuno National Park. Cheetahs need
large territories, and Kuno may not be big enough to support all of them.
 Some cheetahs escaped into nearby villages, causing fear of human-wildlife conflict.
 The Supreme Court asked the government to find another park to keep more cheetahs in
the future.

Mixed Reactions

Some experts supported Project Cheetah:

 They believed India could help protect and grow the endangered cheetah population.

Others were more critical:

 They said India should focus on native animals like Asiatic lions and leopards.
 Some called the project a “publicity stunt” and were worried about space, prey animals,
and saftey

YOUR SUGGESTIVE MEASURES TO PRESERVE THE WILDLIFE

1. Build national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves to protect
animal habitats.
2. Implement laws to stop illegal hunting (Poaching) and selling of animal parts.
3. Plant more trees and it will provide shelter and food for animals.
4. Stop cutting down forests and building in places where wild animals live.
5. Make aware people about the importance of wildlife through campaigns, schools,
and media.
6. Control water, air, and soil pollution to keep ecosystems safe for all living
creatures.
7. Use organic and wildlife-friendly farming practices to reduce habitat destruction.
8. Rescue injured animals and help endangered species through breeding and
rehabilitation centers.
9. Involve local communities in wildlife protection and offer them sustainable
alternatives for livelihood.
10. Properly implement laws like the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and punish
offenders.