The Bio Brief

As the children moved ahead, they saw the board of Satpura National Park. Madhavji explained that national parks are very important protected areas.

 What is a National Park?

A national park is a large protected area where:

• Plants (flora)
• Animals (fauna)
• Landscape
• Historic objects

are fully protected.

Simple meaning:
A strictly protected forest area

 Main Features

• Very large area
• Strict protection
• No human activities allowed
• Whole ecosystem is protected
• Animals live freely in natural habitat

Activities NOT Allowed

In national parks, the following are banned:

• Grazing
• Hunting and poaching
• Cutting trees
• Collecting firewood
• Collecting medicinal plants
• Capturing animals

Rules are stricter than wildlife sanctuaries.

Flow Chart — Role of National Park

National Park created
        ↓
Strict protection of habitat
        ↓
Plants and animals preserved
        ↓
Ecosystem remains balanced

 Special Facts about Satpura

• First reserve forest of India
• Famous for fine teak trees
• Contains prehistoric rock shelters
• Rock paintings show:
  • Hunting scenes
  • Dancing
  • Animals and humans

 These tell us about primitive human life.

 Project Tiger

The government started Project Tiger to save tigers.

 Objective

• Protect tigers
• Increase tiger population
• Maintain ecological balance

The Satpura Tiger Reserve has shown a good increase in tiger numbers.

 Endangered Animals

Animals whose numbers are decreasing and may become extinct are called endangered animals.

Examples

• Tiger
• Lion
• Elephant
• Wild buffalo
• Barasingha

 Flow Chart — How Animals Become Endangered

Habitat destruction / Hunting
            ↓
Population decreases
            ↓
Species becomes endangered
            ↓
Possible extinction

 Important Point — Small Animals Are Also in Danger

Many people think only big animals are at risk. But this is not true.

Small animals often in danger:

• Snakes
• Frogs
• Lizards
• Bats
• Owls

Killing them harms the ecosystem.

 Why Small Animals Are Important

They are part of:

• Food chains
• Food webs
• Pest control
• Ecological balance

Even small creatures play big roles.

 What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem includes:

• All living things (plants, animals, microorganisms)
• Non-living things (soil, climate, water, air)

working together in an area.

 Ecosystem Diagram

Ecosystem
   ├── Living components (biotic)
   │       • Plants
   │       • Animals
   │       • Microorganisms
   │
   └── Non-living components (abiotic)
           • Soil
           • Water
           • Air
           • Climate

 Quick Revision

• National park = strictly protected large area
• No human activities allowed
• Protects whole ecosystem
• Project Tiger saves tigers
• Endangered animals are at risk of extinction
• Small animals are equally important
• Ecosystem = living + non-living components