(i) The variety of flora and fauna in a given geographical area is called biodiversity of that area. Each species on this earth lives in a system of interdependencies on various biotic and abiotic factors. Human beings also depend on several biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. We may be directly taking some resources from certain species, but we indirectly depend on many other species, Hence, biodiversity is important for human lives.
(ii) Various human activities have resulted in a decline of forest cover. Vast tracts of forest had been cleared to make way for farmland and for making new houses, factories, and infrastructure. Mining is another human activity which has destroyed forest in a vast area. Thus, human activities have resulted in significant depletion of flora and fauna.

(I) Communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India. This can be seen through the following points
(i) The Chipko Movement which was conducted in the Himalayas, has successfully resisted deforestation in several areas. It showed community afforestation with indigenous species to be successful.
(ii) The Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri district of Utarakhand conserved local seed diversity and forests, while defending small farmers and promoting traditional agriculture and knowledge systems.
(iii) In the Sariska wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining activities taking place nearby by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
(II) Conservation of forest and wildlife was prevalent as nature worship is common among tribal communities and in villages e.g. tulsi plants and banana leaves. Such cultural beliefs helped preserve the plant and animal species. Large-scale people's movement like che Chipko Movement in Uttarakhand and the Narmada Bachao Andolan in Madhya Pradesh indicate involvement of local communities in conserving forests and wildlife.
Thus, all conservation practices and programmes should be eco-friendly, people friendly and economically acceptable.
Developmental projects undertaken by the government should not be at the cost of destruction of forests and loss of people's livelihoods

Direct effects:
i. Many tribal communities or forest dependent communities are impoverished due to the destruction of forests and wildlife.
ii. Many species of plants and animals became endangered or extinct.
Indirect effects:
i. It destroyed the ecological balance.
ii. It leads to severe droughts in some parts and floods in other areas.
iii. It affected the health of women and negligence of home and children because of their increased hours of work to collect their requirements.

(a) Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Kerala, Tail Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have large percentage of reserved forests.
(b) Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests - 75%
(c) Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, and Rajasthan have the large areas of protected forests.
(d) All north-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high % of unclassed forests.

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), we can classify as follows -
(a) Normal Species: Their population levels are normal for their survival. E.g. Cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
(b) Endangered Species: They are in danger of extinction as their population is fast dwindling. E.g. Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow-antlered in Manipur), etc.
(c) Vulnerable Species: Their population has decreased to the level into endangered category in the near future. E.g. Asiatic elephant, blue sheep, Gangetic dolphin etc.
(d) Rare Species: Species those are very small in number which may become endangered or vulnerable in future. E.g. Hornbill, Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox etc.
(e) Endemic Species: The species that are found only in a particular region and are isolated by natural barriers are called endemic species. E.g. Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig etc.
(f) Extinct Species: These species no longer exist on Earth. The species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the whole earth. E.g. Asiatic cheetah, pink headed duck etc.