(a) Describe the role of communities in the conservation of forests in India.

(i) In India, forests are home to some of the traditional communities.

(ii) The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared $\displaystyle 1200$ hectares of forest as “Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri” declaring their own set of rules and regulations.

(iii) Communities are protecting wildlife against any outside encroachment.

(iv) Movements like Chipko, Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya played an important role in conserving the forests.

(b) Describe any two steps taken by the Government of India to protect forests and wildlife.

(i) The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972.

(ii) An all-India list of protected species was published.

(iii) Hunting was banned.

(iv) In $\displaystyle 1973$, Project Tiger was launched.

(v) Various Tiger reserves were established.

(vi) In $\displaystyle 1988$, Odisha passed the First resolution for ‘Joint Forest Management’.