A abampere (aA) The unit of electric current in the CGSeniu system, defined as that current that, if flowing through two parallel conductors of negligible cross section and infinite length, placed 1 cm apart in vacuo, would produce on each conductor a force of 1 dyne per centimeter of length. 1 abampere = 1 abcoulomb/s = r statampere (where c = speed of light in cm/s) = 10 ampere. aberration Imperfect image formation due to geometric imperfections in the optical elements of a system ablation 1 . The wasting of glacier ice by any process (calving, melting, evaporation, etc.). 2. The shedding of molten material from the outer sur- face of a meteorite or tektite during its flight through the atmosphere. absolute age The age of a natural substance, of a fossil or living organism, or of an artifact, obtained by means of an absolute dating method. See absolute dating method. absolute density Density in kg/m' or, more commonly, in g/cm\ both at STP. Cf. density, relative density abso
Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 ncert geography MCQ & SAQ
Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 ncert geography NCERT SOLUTION:
(i) Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna?
(a) Agricultural expansion
(b) Large scale developmental projects
(c) Grazing and fuel wood collection
(d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanization
► (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
► (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
2. Match the following animals with their category of existence.
Answer
3. Match the following.
(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
(i) Biodiversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function, but closely integrated in a system through multiple networks of interdependencies.
It is important for human lives because human beings, along with biodiversity, form a complete web of ecological systems in which we are only a part and are very much dependent on this system for our own existence.
(ii) Several human activities have affected the depletion of flora and fauna and has led to decline in India’s biodiversity. The main factors responsible for this damage are:
→ Habitat destruction, mainly due to overpopulation leading to expansion of agriculture, mining, industrialisation and urbanization and consequent wiping out of large forest areas.
→ Hunting and poaching and illegal trade of animal skin, tusks, bones, teeth, horns, etc have led many species to the verge of extinction.
→ Environmental pollution, poisoning of water bodies due to discharge of industrial effluents, chemicals, wastes, etc. leading to animal deaths.
→ Forest fires are often induced by shifting cultivation, wiping out valuable forests and wildlife.
→ Large scale development projects and destruction of forests.
→ Grazing and fuel wood collection.
→Over-exploitation of forest products
Other important causes of environmental destruction are unequal access, inequitable consumption of forest resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
(i) Indian forests are home to different communities. These communities have a complex relationship with their environment. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chhota Nagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba trees; the tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship the tamarind and mango trees. Similarly, the Bishnois of Rajasthan hold the antelopes in high reverence. For these communities, particular flora and fauna are integral to their identity, so they take a number of steps to protect the same. Villagers around the Sariska Reserve have opposed mining activities in the region as these activities endanger wildlife. Villagers in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have banned hunting and lumbering activities in a 1200 hectare area they have marked as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'. Such activities have helped preserve patches of virgin forest land.
(ii) Good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife are plenty. Nowadays, many non-governmental organizations are working towards creating public awareness for conserving depleting forest cover and vanishing wildlife. Central and state governments in India have set up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect forests and endangered species. A recently developing practice towards conservation is the search for different conservation measures. Biodiversity is the new by-word of good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife. Various communities, especially in tribal areas, who are dependent on forests for their living are now taking an active role in this form of conservation.
Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 ncert geography MCQ
1. What percentage of the total number of species discovered in the world are found in India?
(a) Three percent
(b) Eight percent
(c) Fifteen percent
(d) Thirty percent
► (b) Eight percent
2. Which of the following birds do not fall in the category of ‘critical’ species?
(a) Pink-headed duck
(b) Peacock
(c) Mountain quail
(d) Forest-spotted owl
► (b) Peacock
3. Which of the following plays a key role in the ecological system?
(a) Rocks
(b) Roads
(c) Forests
(d) None of the above
► (c) Forests
4. Biodiversity is very important for which of the following creatures?
(a) Plants
(b) Earthworms
(c) Humans
(d) Aliens
► (c) Humans
5. What percentage of India’s wild flora and mammals are on the threatened list?
(a) 10 percent of recorded wild flora and 20 percent of mammals
(b) 20 percent of recorded wild flora and 10 percent of mammals
(c) 10 percent of cultivated species of flora and 20 percent animals
(d) None of the above.
► (a) 10 percent of recorded wild flora and 20 percent of mammals
6. The black buck belongs to which of the following categories of fauna?
(a) Extinct species
(b) Rare species
(c) Endemic species
(d) Endangered species
► (d) Endangered species
7. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species found in India, about 15,000 flowering species belong to which category?
(a) Endangered species
(b) Extinct species
(c) Endemic species
(d) Vulnerable species
► (c) Endemic species
8. Which one among the following are not a part of the complex web of ecological systems?
(a) Plants
(b) Animals
(c) Computers
(d) Humans
► (c) Computers
9. Determination of the different categories of existing plant and animal species are based on which of the following agencies?
(a) The State Forest Department
(b) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
(c) Forest Survey of India
(d) Earth Summit
► (b) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
10. Which of the following species of animals is a rare species?
(a) Wild Asiatic buffalo
(b) Gangetic dolphin
(c) Indian rhino
(d) Black buck
► (a) Wild Asiatic buffalo
11. Which of the following is a species of grass categorized as a ‘critical’ species among the threatened list of flora and fauna?
(a) Madhuca insignis
(b) Tamarindus indica
(c) Hubbardia heptaneuron
(d) Mangifera indica
► (c) Hubbardia heptaneuron
12. The Gangetic dolphin belongs to which of the following categories of fauna?
(a) Endangered species
(b) Vulnerable species
(c) Rare species
(d) Extinct species
► (b) Vulnerable species
13. In which of the following years was the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act implemented?
(a) 1962
(b) 1972
(c) 1992
(d) 1999
► (b) 1972
14. Which of the following types of agriculture has led to wide scale deforestation and degradation of forests in north-eastern and central India?
(a) Plantations
(b) Intensive Subsistence Farming
(c) Shifting Cultivation
(d) Commercial Agriculture
► (c) Shifting Cultivation
15. Which of the following species was declared extinct in India long back in 1952?
(a) Leopard
(b) Gangetic dolphin
(c) Black buck
(d) Asiatic cheetah
► (d) Asiatic cheetah
16. Cleaning of forests is still continuing in Madhya Pradesh mainly due to which of the following reasons?
(a) Dolomite mining
(b) Commercial plantations
(c) Industrialisation and urbanization
(d) Narmada Sagar (River Valley) Project
► (d) Narmada Sagar (River Valley) Project
17. Who among the following is in charge of management of forests and wildlife resources of India?
(a) World Wildlife Foundation
(b) Geological Survey of India
(c) Forest Department
(d) Non-government organizations
18. What is the Himalayan Yew?
(a) A type of deer
(b) A medicinal plant
(c) A species of bird
(d) A food crop grown in the Himalayas
► (b) A medicinal plant
19. In which of the following years was ‘Project Tiger’ launched?
(a) 1951
(b) 1973
(c) 1993
(d) 2009
► (b) 1973
20. In which of the following states, a very high percentage of its forests is managed by local communities?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Himachal Pradesh
► (b) Arunachal Pradesh
21. Which of the following states has the largest area under permanent forests?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Uttarakhand
(d) Maharashtra
► (b) Madhya Pradesh
22. Which of the following species was included for the first time in the list of protected species in 1991?
(a) Insects
(b) Fishes
(c) Plants
(d) Reptiles
► (c) Plants
23. In which of the following tiger reserves have the local communities fought for conservation of the forests?
(a) Manas Tiger Reserve
(b) Periyar Tiger Reserve
(c) Simlipal Bio Reserve
(d) Sariska Tiger Reserve
► (d) Sariska Tiger Reserve
24. Forests and wastelands belonging to both private individuals and government are known as:
(a) Sacred groves
(b) Reserved forest
(c) Protected forests
(d) Unclassed forests
► (d) Unclassed forests
25. Species that are found in some particular areas, usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers, are known as:
(a) Vulnerable
(b) Endemic
(c) Extinct
(d) Endangered
► (b) Endemic
26. Which of the following is an extinct species?
(a) Blue sheep
(b) Asiatic cheetah
(c) Black buck
(d) Asiatic elephant
► (b) Asiatic cheetah
27. Which of the following is not one of the reasons for depletion of forests?
(a) Mining
(b) Multi-purpose river valley projects
(c) Grazing
(d) Creation of shelter belts
► (d) Creation of shelter belts
28. Which one of the following states has the largest area under permanent forests?
(a) Bihar
(b) Kerala
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Uttar Pradesh
► (c) Madhya Pradesh
29. What was the aim of the Chipko Movement?
(a) Human rights
(b) Political rights
(c) Agriculture expansion
(d) Forest conservation
► (d) Forest conservation
30. Which of the following types of species are known as the extinct species?
(a) Species whose population levels are normal
(b) Whose population has declined
(c) Species with small population
(d) Species which are not found
► (d) Species which are not found
31. In which of the following states is Bandhavgarh National Park located?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Assam
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Kerala
► (c) Madhya Pradesh
32. Which one of the following belongs to vulnerable species?
(a) Black buck
(b) Crocodile
(c) Indian rhino
(d) Blue sheep
► (d) Blue sheep
33. Which of the following is not one of the reasons for depletion of forests?
(a) Mining
(b) Multi-purpose river valley projects
(c) Grazing
(d) Creation of shelter belts
► (d) Creation of shelter belts
34. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is located in which state?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Gujarat
(d) West Bengal
► (a) Rajasthan
35. Sunderban National Park is located in which state?
(a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Tripura
(d) Gujarat
► (b) West Bengal
36. How many species of flora are found in India?
(a) 81000
(b) 47000
(c) 15000
(d) 41000
► (b) 47000
37. Which one of the following movements is not associated with the protection of trees?
(a) Chipko Movement
(b) Navdanya Andolan
(c) Project Tiger
(d) Beej Bachao Andolan
► (c) Project Tiger
38. The Buxa Tiger Reserve is situated in which of the following states?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) West Bengal
(c) Gujarat
(d) Orissa
► (b) West Bengal
39. Which species of fauna are found in an area separated by natural or geographical barriers?
(a) Rare
(b) Extinct
(c) Vulnerable
(d) Endemic
► (d) Endemic
40. When was Asiatic Cheetah declared extinct in India?
(a) in 1958
(b) in 1989
(c) in 1922
(d) in 1952
► (d) in 1952
41. Which one of the following is the example of an endemic species?
(a) Asiatic elephant (b) Gangetic dolphin
(c) Mithun (d) Asiatic Cheetah
Ans. (c)
42. India has nearly ............... percent of total number of species in the world
(a) 5
(b) 10
(c) 8
(d) 2
► (c) 8
43. Which of the following two factors are majorly responsible for depletion of forest resources?
(a) Mining of fuel-wood collection
(b) Mining and grazing
(c) Flood and Grazing
(d) Grazing and fuel-wood collection
► (d) Grazing and fuel-wood collection
44. Which one of the following is not considered a sacred tree in India?
(a) Peepal
(b) Neem
(c) Banyan
(d) Mango
► (b) Neem
Question : The diverse flora and fauna of the planet are under great threat mainly due to :
(a) Global Warming (b) Lack of water availability (c) Insensitivity to our environment (d) Increasing pollution
Answer : C
Question : Which one of the following is an endangered species of Manipur ?
(a) Blue Sheep (b) Asiatic Buffalo (c) Sangai (brow anter deer) (d) Cattle
Answer : C
Question : “The species that are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur” are known as :
(a) Normal species (b) Vulnerable species (c) Extinct species (d) Rare species
Answer : C
Question : Which one of the following is a medicinal plant used to treat some types of cancer ?
(a) Himalayan Yew (b) Himalayan Oak (c) Madhuca insignis (d) Hubbardia heptaneuron
Answer : A
Question : In which year, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented ?
(a) 1970 (b) 1971 (c) 1972 (d) 1974
Answer : A
Question : Which one of the following was launched in 1973 ?
(a) Project Tiger (b) Indian Wildlife Act
(c) Wildlife Act (d) Indian Wildlife Protection Act
Answer : A
Question : Which one of the following is located in West Bengal ?
(a) Corbett National Park (b) Sundarbans National Park
(c) Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (d) Bandhavgarh National Park
Answer : B
Question : In which one of the following states is Periyar Tiger Reserves Located ?
(a) Rajasthan (b) Assam
(c) Uttranchal (d) Kerala
Answer : D
Question : Which one of the following States has the largest area under permanent forest ?
(a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Jammu & Kashmir
(c) Punjab (d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer : D
Question : Which one of the following is a great achievement of the Chipko Movement ?
(a) More trees are planted
(b) Development in Himalayan region
(c) Successfully resisted deforestation
(d) Soil erosion has declined.
Answer : C
Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 ncert geography SAQ
What is IUCN ? [CBSE 2013]
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
What are normal species ? [CBSE.2014]
Ans. Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival are classified as normal species.
Name any two states which have a large percentage of reserved forests of its forest area. [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.
Name the state which was first to pass the JFM resolution. [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Odisha
What is biodiversity ? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans. Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and microorganisms living on the earth. It also includes the habitat in which they live. Some scientists estimate that more than 10 million species live on our earth and some believe that this number can be more than 100 million.
What is the importance of forests ?
Or
“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our life. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India ? [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) Many forest dependent communities directly depend on them for food, drink, medicine, culture, spirituality etc.
(iii) Forests provide us with timber.
(iv) Forests also provide bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers, etc.
What are Vulnerable species ? Give four examples. [CBSE Sept.‘2012]
Ans. These are the species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate such species. Examples of such species are Blue sheep, Asiatic elephants, Gangetic dolphins, etc.
What are Rare species ? Give four examples. [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans. Species with a small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. The examples of such species are the Himalayan brown bear, Wild Asiatic buffalo, Desert fox and hornbill, etc.
“Grazing and fuel-wood collection are not responsible for deforestation in India.” Support the statement with suitable reasons. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Overgrazing destroys the saplings and plants are tom out by the roots by animals.
(ii) Overgrazing also leads to soil erosion. Soil erosion is one of the important factors for deforestation.
(iii) While collecting fuel wood the locals also destroy the trees, which leads to deforestation.
Define the following :
(i) Reserved forests
(ii) Protected forests
(iii) Unclassed forests
Or
How many types of forests are classified in India ? Explain. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Ans. (i) Reserved forests : These are forests which are permanently earmarked either to the production of timber or other forest produce and in which the right of grazing and cultivation is seldom allowed.
(ii) Protected forests : These are forests in which the right of grazing and cultivation are allowed subject to a few minor restrictions.
(iii) Unclassed forests : These consist largely of inaccessible forests or unoccupied wastes.
What are the main objectives of JFM ? [CBSE Sept. 2012, 2014]
Ans. (i) Under the Joint Forest Management programme, local communities are involved in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
(ii) The major purpose of the JFM is to protect the forests from encroachments, grazing, theft and fire and also to improve the forests in accordance with an approved Joint Forest Management plan.
(iii) In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produces
What has been the contribution of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act in protecting habitats in India ? Explain. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Ans. (i) An all-India list of protected species was published. The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife.
(ii) The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals, which were greatly threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles—freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others.
(iii) Many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and bio reserves were established to protect and conserve the wildlife.
How does biological loss of forest and wildlife correlate with loss of cultural diversity? [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Ans. (i) Biological loss of forest and wildlife has increasingly marginalized and impoverished many indigenous and other forest dependent communities, who directly depend on various components of the forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, culture, spirituality, etc.
(ii) The indirect impact of degradation such as severe drought or deforestation-induced floods, etc., also hits the poor the hardest. Poverty in these cases is a direct outcome of environmental destruction.
(iii) Due to biological loss of forest and wildlife many tribal communities have disappeared.
“Nature-worship is an old age belief”. Explain how it has helped in the conservation of forests and wildlife. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Ans. (i) Nature-worship is an age old tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of nature have to be protected. Such beliefs have preserved several virgin forests in pristine form called Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses}. These patches of forest or partsof large forests have been left untouched by the local people and any interference with them is banned.
(ii) The Mundas and the Santhal of Chota Nagpur region worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) trees, and the tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings.
(iii) Peepal and banyan trees are also considered sacred and worshiped in most parts of India.
(iv) Sacred qualities are often ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants and animals which are closely protected.
(v) In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community and nobody harms them.
. What is Himalayan Yew ? Why is it under great threat at present ? [CBSE 2012]
Ans. The Himalayan Yew is a medicinal plant which is found in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
(i) It is under great threat due to over-exploitation.
(ii) A chemical compound called ‘taxol’ is extracted from the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree.
(iii) So, it is now the biggest selling anti-cancer drug in the world.
Which values do the wildlife sanctuaries of any country promote ? [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Wildlife sanctuaries have been formed to conserve and maintain the diversity and integrity of natural heritage.
(ii) They help to preserve the natural ecosystem.
(iii) They teach us the value of sharing because we humans along with all living organisms form a complex web of ecological system
in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence.
List any three examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Polluted air and water : Industries and vehicles release harmful gasses and chemicals which are responsible for degradation of water and air.
(ii) Land degradation : Overuse of fertilizers and chemicals have resulted in land degradation.
(iii) Loss of biodiversity: Habitat destruction, hunting, and poaching have led to the decline in biodiversity.
Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 ncert geography long QUESTION
Conservation of the rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become essential.” Explain.
Or
Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife resources ? Explain any two steps taken by the communities to protect our forest and wildlife resources. [CBSE 2013]
Or
Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary ? In what ways have conservation projects changed in recent years ? [CBSE 2010]
Or
Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India. [CBSE 2012]
Ans. (i) Loss of cultural diversity : The loss of forest and wildlife is not just a biological issue but it is also correlated with cultural diversity. There are many forests-dependent communities, which directly depend on various components of the forests and wildlife for food, drinks, medicines, etc. Many tribal communities like Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Batras, etc. have lost their habitat because of the destruction of forests.
(ii) Complex web of living organisms : We humans along with all living organisms form a complex web ecological system in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and microorganisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produce our food without which we cannot survive.
(iii) Large scale destruction of forests : Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 sq. km of forest areas were converted into agricultural lands all over India.
Describe the different types of plant and animal species found in India. [CBSE 2013]
Or
Explain any five different categories of existing plants and animal species based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources with examples. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Normal species : These include those whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents etc.
(ii) Endangered species : These include those species which are in danger of extinction. Several of such species are difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to operate. For example, black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, etc.
(iii) Vulnerable species : These include the species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate. For example, blue sheep, gangetic dolphins etc.
(iv) Rare species : They may move into the endangered or vulnerable category for example, blue bear, wild Asiatic buffalo.
(v) Endemic species : These are found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. For example, Andaman teal, Nicobar prigo.
What steps have been taken by the government for the conservation of forest and wildlife in India ? Explain. [CBSE 2014]
Or
Write any three effective practices towards conserving forests and wildlife. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Or
Explain any three measures taken by the Indian Government to protect wildlife. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Ans. (i) National parks, biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries : To protect the biodiversity, the Indian government has established 100 national parks, 515 sanctuaries and 17 biosphere reserves.
(ii) The Indian Wildlife Protection Act :
The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions for protecting habitats. An all India list of protected species was also published. The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
(iii) Projects for protecting specific animals : The central government has also announced several projects for protecting specific animals which were greatly threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, the three types of crocodiles – the freshwater crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion and others.
(iv) Forest Policy : India is one of the few countries which has had a forest policy since 1894. It was revised in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the forest policy is protection, conservation and development of forests.
(v) Forest Research Institutes : The Indian government has created many forest Research Institutes for the research, protection and development of the forests. IFS Dehradun is the oldest research institution of the country.
Distinguish between Reserved forests, Protected forests and Unclassed forests.
Or
Classify the forests into three categories. [CBSE 2014]
“Conservation projects have changed their focus in recent years.” Explain. [CBSE 2014]
Or
In what ways has the conservation project changed in recent years ?
Ans. 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 planning. In the notification under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species. In 1991, for the first time plants were also added to the list, starting with six species. The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management.
“Maintenance of the ecological system is of utmost importance.” How can you contribute to conserve it and what values are developed through this activity ? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. (i) We humans, along with all living organisms, form a complex web of ecological systems in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms re-create the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive. Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) We should save our environment by switching to green technology and by contributing less to the emission of carbon dioxide.
(iii) We should plant more and more trees, say no to plastic bags, travel by public transport, etc.
(iv) It will improve the quality of our lives as well as our children and will save our money to switch to alternate sources for power.
Give three reasons why we need to save the biodiversity of our planet. How can you contribute to the cause? [CBSE Sept. 2012, 2013]
Or
Explain the importance of biodiversity for human beings. [CBSE 2010, 14]
Ans. (i) We humans, along with all living organisms, form a complex web of ecological systems in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and microorganisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive.
(ii) The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just a biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity.
(iii) It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.
Our contribution :
(i) Minimizing wastage of resources.
(ii) Use Jute bags.
(iii) Planting more trees.
Mention any four major threats to the tiger population of tiger ? Explain the efforts made by the government to protect them. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Poaching for trade
(ii) Shrinking habitat
(iii) Depletion of prey base species
(iv) Growing human population
(v) The trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in transitional medicines, especially in the Asian countries, has left the tiger population on the verge of extinction.
Efforts made by the government to protect them are as under :
(i) Project Tiger, one of the well-publicized wildlife campaigns in the world, was launched in 1973.
(ii) There are 42 tiger reserves in India covering an area of 37,761 sq km.
(iii) Tiger conservation had been viewed not only as an effort to save an endangered species, but with equal importance as a means of preserving bio-types of sizeable magnitude.
(iv) Some of the tiger reserves of India are Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal etc.
Explain the social impacts of loss of forests.
Or
“Forest and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and environment in the subcontinent.” Explain. [CBSE 2012, 2013]
Ans. (i) Loss of cultural diversity : The loss of forest and wildlife is not just a biological issue but it is also correlated with cultural diversity. There are many forests-dependent communities, which directly depend on various components of the forests and wildlife for food, drinks, medicines, etc. Many tribal communities like Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Batras, etc., have lost their habitat because of the destruction of forests.
(ii) Impact on women : Even among the poor, women are affected more than men. In many societies, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder, water and other basic needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women increases. Most of the time they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect the basic necessities. This causes serious health problems for women in the negligence of home and children because of the increased hours of work, which often has serious social implications.
(iii) Poverty : Deforestation is also responsible for poverty. It is considered as a direct outcome of environmental destruction. Most of the poor people or tribal people depend on forests for their basic needs. Now if the forests are destroyed, these poor people will be deprived of the basic necessities.
Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India. What moral lessons have you learned from this ? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. (i) In Sariska Tiger Reserve : Rajasthani villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. In many areas, villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.
(ii) The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared about 1,200 hectares of forest area as the ‘Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri. The community has declared their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
(iii) Many states have launched the Joint Forest Management programme to involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Odisha was the first state to launch this programme.
(iv) Improper farming techniques, defective methods of farming are also responsible for depletion of our biodiversity. So many farmers and citizen groups support the Bee) Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have developed or are using various crop production methods which do not use synthetic chemicals for growing crops.
(v) The famous Chipko Movement was launched by the women of Chamoli in northern India, and saved more than 12,000 sq. km. area of forests just by hugging the trees when the lumberjacks attempted to cut them
Moral lessons :
• Conservation strategies can be successful only with the participation of local people.
• The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management. But there is still a long way to go before local communities are at the center-stage in decision making. Accept only those economic or developmental activities that are people centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.
Mention the negative factors which since pre-independence to the present period have contributed significantly to the fearful depletion of flora and fauna in India.
The negative factors which since pre-independence to the present period have contributed significantly to the fearful depletion of flora and fauna in India can be outlined as follows:
The expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry and mining activities during the colonial period have inflicted the greatest damage on Indian forests.
‘Enrichment plantation’ promoting a few favored species and eliminating other species, for example, teak monoculture in South India and chir pine plantation in the Himalayan region, have damaged the natural forests.
Even after independence, agricultural expansion to meet the food requirement of a huge and growing population continues to be one of the major causes for the depletion of forests.
Natural and Wildlife Resources
Shifting cultivation or jhumming in the tribal belts especially in the northeast and central India have led to deforestation or degradation of forests.
Large scale development projects like the river valley projects have contributed significantly to the loss of valuable forests.
Mining causes deforestation and disturbs the natural habitats of many animals and blocks the migration route of several other species.
Grazing and fuel wood collection leads to depletion of forest resources according to many environmentalists. However, a substantial part of the fuel and fodder demand is met by lopping rather than the felling of entire trees; thus they do not cause total deforestation.
Habitat destruction and over-exploitation.
Hunting and poaching.
Environmental pollution and water poisoning.
Forest fires.
Q2. The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just a biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity. Elucidate.
The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just a biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity. Many indigenous and other forest-dependent communities have been increasingly marginalized and impoverished by such losses as they directly depend on various components of the forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, culture, spirituality, etc.
Wildlife Conservation
In many societies women bear the major responsibility of the collection of fuel, fodder, water and other basic subsistence needs. Depletion of these resources increases the drudgery of women affecting their health as well as leading to negligence of home and family due to long hours required to acquire the resources. This often has serious social implications.
The indirect impact of degradation is severe drought or deforestation induced floods or dust storms due to soil erosion, etc. These hit the poor the hardest. Poverty in these cases is a direct outcome of environmental destruction. The indigenous culture of these forest-dependent communities is severely affected as a result.
Why was Project Tiger launched? What are its objectives? What are its effects on the conservation of wildlife?
Tiger is one of the key wildlife species in the faunal web. In 1973, government authorities realized that the tiger population had dwindled to 1827 from an estimated 55,000 at the turn of the century. The major threat to the tiger population includes poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey based species, growing human population and deforestation. Among these poaching for the trade of skins and bones is the primary reason behind the dwindling of the tiger population to such an extent that it is on the verge of extinction. Since India and Nepal provide habitat to about two-thirds of the surviving tiger population in the world, these two countries became prime targets for poaching of tigers and illegal trading. Thus, the central government announced the Project Tiger with the objective of protecting this species which was gravely threatened.
‘Project Tiger’ , one of the well-publicized wildlife campaigns in the world, was launched in India in 1973.
The objectives of Project Tiger are as follows:
Banning hunting and poaching of tigers.
Restricting trade of tiger skin, bones. etc.
Giving legal protection to their habitats by creating tiger reserves, e.g., Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and Sunderbans in West Bengal. There are 27 tiger reserves in India covering an area of 37,761 sq. km.
To increase the tiger population through natural breeding within the reserves.
To conduct periodic censuses of the tiger population.
Initially, the Project Tiger showed success as the tiger population rose to 4002 in 1985 and 4334 in 1989. But in 1993, the population of the tiger had dropped to 3600. Presently, their number has further dwindled at an alarming figure.
Tiger conservation has been viewed not only as an effort to save an endangered species but with equal importance as a means of preserving biotypes of sizeable magnitude.
Discuss the role of local communities in the conservation of forests with the help of examples.
Indian forests are home to some of the traditional communities that are dependent on forests for their livelihood. These local communities are struggling to conserve forests along with government officials in some areas and in many areas, villagers themselves are protecting the habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.
In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining and destruction of forests by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of forest area the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, enforcing their own set of rules and regulations. They do not allow hunting and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments. On account of nature worship prevalent mainly among the tribals, several virgin forests have been preserved in their pristine form as ‘Sacred Groves’.
The Bishnois of Rajasthan are well known for protecting black bucks (chinkara) , an endangered species, and herds of black buck, nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community and nobody harms them.
The famous Chipko Movement in the Himalayas led by local communities, especially women, successfully resisted deforestation in several areas. They have also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful.
Traditional conservation methods are revived through the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya.
The Joint Forest Management programme furnishes a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
What are ‘sacred groves’? Give examples of some species of flora which are worshiped by the tribals. How has the ‘sacredness’ ascribed to plants and animals helped in protecting them?
Nature worship is an age-old tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of nature, i.e., plants, animals, all living things and the surrounding abiotic environment, are sacred and should be protected. On account of nature worship, several virgin forests have been preserved in their pristine form and are called ‘Sacred Groves’ or forests of Gods and Goddesses. These patches of forests or parts of large forests have been left untouched by local communities and any interference with them is banned. These sacred groves have a wealth of diverse and rare species.
Sacred Grooves
Certain tribal societies revere a particular species of flora which they have preserved from time immemorial.
The Mundas and the Santhals of the Chotanagpur region worship Mahua (Bassia Latifolia) and Kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) trees.
The tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings.
On account of the ‘sacredness’ ascribed to them, certain plants and animals have been protected. Peepal and banyan trees and tulsi plants are considered sacred by many of us. These trees themselves or their leaves are part of worship during pujas and rituals. These trees are revered and protected.
Troops of macaques and langur are found around many temples. They are fed daily and treated as a part of temple devotees.
In and around Bishnoi village of Rajasthan herds of black buck (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community. The Bishnois consider these animals as sacred and protect them.
Write a short note on Joint Forest Management. What has been the effect of Beej Bachao Andolan towards conservation of forests?
In India, the Joint Forest Management Programme provides a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Under the Joint Forest Management Programme the local communities form local (village) institutions that undertake protection activity, mostly on degraded forest land managed by the forest department. In return, members of these local communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest products like fruits, nuts, leaf, litter, honey, lac, etc, and share in the timber harvested by ‘successful protection.’
The Joint Forest Management programme has been in formal existence since 1988 when the state of Orissa passed the first resolution for Joint Forest Management. Ecological farming involves attempts to revive traditional conservation methods for developing new methods of farming that will not degrade the land. The Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya are movements towards ecological farming. Farmers and citizen’s groups leading the Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals is possible and economically viable.
Write a note on the programmes accepted for conserving forest and wildlife in India.
Conservation of forest and wildlife is necessary because it preserves ecological diversity and preserves our life support system. The National Forest Policy outlines the following for the protection, conservation and development of forests in India.
Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance.
Substantial increase in forest tree cover through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes.
Steps to meet the requirements of good fuel in form of firewood and leaves, litter, fodder and minor forest products by increasing productivity of forests.
Encouragement of efficient utilization of forest produce and optimum substitution of wood.
Steps to create a massive people’s movement with the involvement of women to achieve the conservation of our national heritage and minimize the pressure on existing forests.
For the conservation of wildlife the following steps have been undertaken in India:
Development of 88 national parks, 490 wildlife sanctuaries and 13 biosphere reserves.
Implementation of Wildlife Protection Act.
Project Rhino
Protection of the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Elephant etc. for protection of threatened species in their natural habitats. 27 tiger reserves have been set up under Project Tiger.
Four coral reefs have been identified for conservation and management. Many wetlands in the country are linked with the river system.
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