2. Forest and wildlife resources

NCERT questions:

1. Multiple choice questions.

 (i) Which of these statements is not a valid reason for depletion of flora and fauna?

a) Agricultural expansion

b) Large scale development projects

c) Grazing and fuel wood collection

d) Rapid industrialization and urbanization

Ans. c) Grazing and fuel wood collection.

(ii) Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?

a) Joint forest management.

b) Beej bachao andolan

c) Chipko movement

d) Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries

Ans. d) Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries

2. Match the following animals with their category of existence.

Ans.

3. Match the following:

Ans.

4. Answer the following question in about 30 words:

(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?

Ans. Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem or on an entire planet. There are millions of living organisms on planet earth. All these living organisms, including man, are interdependent on each other.

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

Ans. Cutting down of forest for agricultural expansion, large scale developmental projects. Grazing and fuel wood collection and for urbanisation has led to the depletion of flora and fauna.

5. Answer the following questions in about 120 words:

(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.

Ans.  In India, many traditional communities still live in forest. And depend on their livelihood for forest produce. These communities are working hand in hand with the government to conserve forests:

a) In Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan villagers fought against mining activities. In Alwar district of Rajasthan local communities belonging to 5 villages have set their own rules and regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest land. They have named it as. The ‘Bhairovdev Dakav Sochturi’. Hunting is not allowed in these lands and outside encroachments are prohibited.

b) The famous Chipko Movement was started in the Himalayan region to stop deforestation. People belonging to the local community took to afforestation in a big way. Indigenous species were cultivated and protected. Involving local communities in protecting the environment and stopping degradation of forest has reached many benefits.

(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

In 1972, the Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented. It made protecting specific habitats a law. A list of wildlife species that had to be protected was published and hunting these animals was against the law. National Parks and Wildlife centuries were set up in many states to protect endangered species.

Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several insects have also been included in the list of protected species. Butterflies, moths, beetles, dragon flies, and even certain plants are included in the protected list.

Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 by the Government of India to protect tigers. It is one of the most well publicised wildlife campaigns in the world.

1. Multiple choice questions:

(i) Which one of the following is not considered as sacred tree by the people of India?

a) Khair

b) Banyan

c) Mango

d) Neem

Ans. d) Neem

Neem is a medicinal herb. It is used to reduce tooth plaque and to treat lice. Neem contains chemical that might help blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in the digestive tract, prevent pregnancy, kill bectaria and prevent plaque from forming in mouth.

(ii) What was the aim of ‘Chipko Movement’?

a) Human rights

b) Political rights

c) Agricultural expansion

d) Forest conservation

Ans. d) Forest conservation

It was a dedicated non-violent movement to conserve the natural forest in India. The movement began in 1970s in a village in Chamoli district of Gharwal in response to the increasing destruction of forests for commerce and industries. The original ‘Chipko Movement’ was started by Bishnoi community in Rajasthan in early 18^th century.

(iii)  Which one of the following is an example of endemic species?

a) Nicobar pigeon

b) Asiatic, Buffalo

c) Hornbill

d) Blackbuck

Ans.  a) Nicobar pigeon

It is a native to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

CBSE Questions:

(From the previous year board papers)

1. Explain any three factors responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna in India.

Here are the factors responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna in India:

Loss of natural habitats:

Changes in the climatic conditions, human activities such as overgrazing, urban expansion, agricultural expansion, mining, construction activities and deforestation has led to destruction of natural habitats, which leads to the migration of animals and depletion of species.

Excessive hunting and poaching:

Several animals such as tiger, lion, elephant, rhinoceros etc. are posed for their hides, skin tusk, teeth etc. As a result, several species of wildlife have become endangered and many others are extinct.

Pollution:

Pollution of air, water and soil due to human activities such as industrialisation is wiping out many plant and animal species.

Natural factors

Natural factors such as wildfires are one of the most devastating hazardous activities that can lead to a great loss of forest and species of plants.

2. Describe any five measures taken by the government to conserve forest and wildlife resources in India with special reference to gravely threatened species.

Some of the measures taken by the Government of India to protect the valuable forest and wildlife resources are:

a) In 1972, the Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented this has various provisions for protecting habitats. An All India List of protected species was also published to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting, restricting trade and providing them legal protection.

b) Many central and state governments established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves for protecting the endangered species. Eg Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas Tiger Reserve etc.

c) Various projects have been initiated by the central government such as Project Tiger, Project Rhino and Project Elephant etc. for protecting the gravely threatened species of wildlife.

d) The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of its components. There is now a more intensive search for different conservation measures increasingly. Even insects are beginning to find a place in conservation list of Wildlife Act 1980 and 1986. Several 100 butterflies, moths, Beatles and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species.

e) In 1991, for the first time, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.

f) Many forests, more than half of the total forests are declared as reserved and protected forest by the government for the purpose of protection by preventing the human activities.

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