A Study on the Importance of Wild Life

INTRODUCTION

Wildlife plays an important role in balancing the environment. Wild life provides a stability to different natural processes of nature. The importance of wildlife can be categorized as ecological importance, economic importance, investigatory importance, conservation of biological diversities etc.

Wildlife helps in maintaining the balance of nature. Killing of carnivores leads to an increase in the number of herbivores which in turn affect the forest vegetation, thus due to lack of food in the forest they come out from the forest to agriculture land and destroy our crops. Therefore, once the equilibrium is disturbed it leads to many problems.

The wild life can be used to earn money. Wild plant products like food, medicine, timber, fibres, etc. are of economic value and the wild animal products such as meat, medicines, hide, ivory, lac, silk, etc. are of tremendous economic value.

Some wild organisms are used for scientific experiments such as to test effect of medicine. Generally monkey, chimpanzee, etc. are used for scientific experiments.

By conserving wildlife, diversity in the environment can be conserved. According to some scientists an ecosystem with more diversity is more stable.

Group of genes of a population of any particular area is called as gene bank. To produce disease resistant variety diversity in gene bank is necessary.

A visit to the parks and sanctuaries is an enjoyable proposition for children as well as adult. Thus, wildlife is best means of recreation.

The wildlife of India has rooted effects on religion, art, sculpture and literature. Many mythological stories and children's stories are based on wildlife.

Wild organisms are very important for modern agriculture. Importance of wildlife in agriculture field are as follows : 1. Production of new hybrid variety using wild plants. 3. New species of plants and animals can be produced by them.

Certain importance of wildlife as below: 1. Ecological Balance: Wildlife maintains balance of nature through‐ (a) Regulation of population of different species. (b) Food‐chains or passage of food and energy through series of populations comprising producers, consumers and micro‐organisms. (c) Natural cycles or circulation of inorganic nutrients between biotic and abiotic environments. 2. Gene Bank: The Wildlife serves as a gene banks for breeding improved varieties in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery. Plant and animal breeders have been able to produce high‐yielding and disease‐ and‐stress resistant varieties which form the backbone of modern agriculture. Hence, gene bank maintenance is essential. 3. Plant Propagation: Pollination in certain plants is performed by wild animals like birds; insects etc. and thus help in plants propagation, which is very essential. 4. Cleaning of Environment: Scavengers and decomposers wild animals (like vultures, eagles, jackals, hyaenas etc.) as well as micro‐organisms, which feed upon dead animals, convert them into different nutrients and release energy back to the nature increasing fertility of the soil. They do very important work of cleaning the environment; otherwise what the fate of this planet will be, can be assumed. 5. Scientific Importance: For research purposes and studies of anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolutionary aspects. 6. Soil Erosion: It is prevented by plant cover, litter, mixing of litter by movement of wild animals and conversion to spongy humus by micro‐organisms. 7. Economic Importance: Timber, firewood, paper, gum, resins, tannins, several drugs, essential oils, spices, silk, honey, hair, feathers, guano (the dung of sea‐fishes used as manure or the manure made from fish), leather, musk, ivory etc. are obtained from wildlife. Besides these, benefits are also obtained from: Tourists, Exports, Hide, ivory etc. after death of wild animals; though 8. Potential uses: Just as all present day cultivated/domesticated plants and animals are derived from wildlife; new foods, beverages (A beverage is a type of plant product used by everyone daily which contains an alkaloid called caffeine having the stimulative action in the human body e.g. tea, coffee, cocoa etc. It is also fragmented product of the plant), drugs and other useful products may be obtained in future from wildlife.

Wildlife and nature have largely been associated with humans for numerous emotional and social reasons. A simple stroll around the park amidst some birds provides a fresh breath of life and charges our batteries. Apart from a bird feeder in the backyard, we can also take up other active pastimes, such as hiking, hunting, canoeing or wildlife photographing to relieve our parched nerves. Since prehistoric times, animals have been highly useful to us in providing food, clothing and source of income. Studies indicate that woodpeckers are capable of destroying 90% of codling moth larvae residing under the bark of trees. This shows the significance of wildlife and wildlife habitat for preserving genetic diversity. Hence, places where agriculture, forests, and fisheries depend on crops or stocks can ensure that such living resources are enough to withstand the ever‐increasing list of threats. Further, in medicine, development of new drugs and treatments are largely dependent on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Interestingly, most pharmaceutical products are a result of discovering or developing wildlife species and not discoveries through the traditional chemistry principles. Today, most medicinal remedies contain at least one ingredient derived from a wild plant or animal. Biodiversity is the different variety of living beings within an ecosystem or in our planet. It is a measurement on the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity also take part in the function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical areas are rich in species whereas polar areas support lesser species. The conservation of biodiversity is inevitable for the survival of men. Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, and restoration of the endangered species. Wildlife represents all the wild animals and birds living in their natural habitats. We have many rare animals, birds on earth. However, the pressure of increasing population has led to the extinction of them.

that nature will be there for the future generations to live. In addition, another one is to teach the importance of wildlife to human beings. There are many government agencies dedicated for wildlife conservation and they implement policies designed to protect wildlife. Numerous independent organizations also promote the conservation of wildlife. All over the world, many wildlife conservationists work to identify the species, which are in need of help. They often capture animals and breed them in captivity. This is to make the population large and diverse. The need of wildlife conservation is also considered to be balanced with other requirements such as hiking, camping, and hunting etc.

Biodiversity provides basic human needs such as food, shelter, and medicine. It keeps ecosystems. It enriches the soil and purifies water. It also protects us from flood and storm. It regulates climate. It is very important. Is there any need to consider the endangered or threatened species of plants and animals at the expense of human and capital development? As it helps to provide our basic needs, we must consider the endangered or threatened species of plants and animals at the expense of human and capital development. Therefore, we must realize the importance of biodiversity and destined to protect our wild life.

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Assistant Professor, Govt. College, Karauli