Question

How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.

Answer 1

Depletion of flora and fauna

Several human activities have affected the depletion of flora and fauna and have led to declining in India’s biodiversity. The main factors responsible for this damage are:

1. Habitat destruction, mainly due to overpopulation leading to expansion of agriculture, mining, industrialization, and urbanization and consequent wiping out of large forest areas.
2. Hunting and poaching and illegal trade of animal skin, tusks, bones, teeth, horns, etc have led many species to the verge of extinction.
3. Environmental pollution, poisoning of water bodies due to the discharge of industrial effluents, chemicals, wastes, etc. leading to animal deaths.
4. Forest fires are often induced by shifting cultivation wiping out valuable forests and wildlife.
5. Large-scale development projects and destruction of forests.
6. Grazing and fuel wood collection. Over-exploitation of forest products
7. The activities of human such as housing plans, factories infrastructure, and mining is mainly responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna. The construction of the dam has also led to a massive decline in forest cover and also migration of species from their habitats.