Forest and wildlife

Question 1

What is IUCN?

Answer 1

International Union For Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Question 2

What is biodiversity?

Answer 2

Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and micro-organisms 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.

Question 3

What is flora?

Answer 3

Plants of a particular region or period are referred to as flora.

Question 4

What is fauna?

Answer 4

Species of animals of a particular region or period are referred as fauna.

Question 5

“India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity”. Justify.

Answer 5

India has nearly 8% of the total number of species in the world.

Question 6

What are the types of species

Answer 6

the types of species include normal species, endangered species, vulnerable species, rare species, endemic species, extinct species,

Question 7

What are normal species?

Answer 7

Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival are classified as normal species.
Example cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.

Question 8

What are endangered species?

Answer 8

The species, which are in danger of extinction are called endangered species.
Example Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, etc.

Question 9

What are endemic species?

Answer 9

Species that are found in some particular areas are usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers.
Example Nicobar pigeon

Question 10

What are vulnerable species?

Answer 10

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.
The examples of such species are Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.

Question 11

What are extinct species?

Answer 11

The species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur.
Example Wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill, etc

Question 12

Mention any two factors responsible for depleting our forests and wildlife.

Answer 12

(i) Expansion of agriculture
(ii) Mining

Question 13

Name the Tiger Reserve which is seriously threatened by dolomite mining activity.

Answer 13

The Bauxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.

Question 14

Mention a social impact of deforestation.

Answer 14

In many societies, women bear the major responsibility of collecting fuel, fodder, water, and other basic subsistence needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women increases and sometimes they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect these resources.

Question 15

Mention any wildlife protection program.

Answer 15

The Indian Wildlife Act 1972.

Question 16

Mention any one step which was undertaken under Indian Wildlife Act to protect the wildlife.

Answer 16

Trade in wildlife was declared illegal.

Question 17

What are permanent forests?

Answer 17

Reserved and protected forests are known as permanent forests.
Example: Madhya Pradesh

Question 18

What is Chipko Movement?

Answer 18

It was a movement launched by the people of the Himalayas against deforest.

Question 19

Name the place of state where people have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.

Answer 19

Sariska Tiger Reserve – Rajasthan.

Question 20

Name any two farmers/citizens group which have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without use of synthetic chemicals are possible and economically viable.

Answer 20

Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya

Question 21

What is JFM?

Answer 21

JFM (Joint Forest Management) was a movement launched to manage and restore degraded forests by involving the local communities.

Question 22

Name the state which was first to pass the JFM resolution

Answer 22

Odisha

Question 23

Name any four movements which were launched by local communities for the protection of forests or wildlife.

Answer 23

(a) Chipko Movement
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Narmada Bachao Andolan
(d) Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri

Question 24

What is the importance of forests?
Or
“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our lives.
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India?

Answer 24

(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) Forest provide us timber.
(iv) Forests also provide bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers, etc.

Question 25

“The diverse flora and fauna of India is under threat”. Justify by giving reasons.

Answer 25

(i) At least 10% of India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on the threatened list. (ii) The cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and Hubbard heptaneuron (a species of grass) have already been categorized as critical, i.e. they are on the verge of extinction. (iii) Many smaller animals like insects and plants have become extinct.

Question 26

What are Rare species? Give four examples

Answer 26

Species with 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.

Question 27

Large scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Explain.

Answer 27

(i) Since 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forests were cleared for river valley projects. (ii) Clearing of forests is still continuing because of new projects like the Sardar Sarovar Project, the Ranjit Sagar Dam Project, etc. Many wildlife sanctuaries are seriously threatened due to large scale mining activities.

Question 28

(i) Which factor is often cited as the cause of environmental degradation in the third world countries? (ii) Mention any four factors which have led to the decline of India’s biodiversity.

Answer 28

(i) Overpopulation. (ii) (a) Habitat destruction (b) Hunting (c) Poaching (d) Overexploitation (e) Environmental pollution (f) Forest fires.

Question 29

“Developed countries and rich people are considered the major factors for environmental degradation.” Explain.

Answer 29

(i) Developed countries consume more resources than underdeveloped or developing countries. For example an average American consumes 40 times more resources than an average Somalian. (ii) The rich class probably causes more ecological damage than the poor class because energy consumption level of the rich is high as compared to poor. (iii) Rich people use non-renewable resources on a large scale.

Question 30

"Grazing and fuel-wood collection are not responsible for deforestation in India.” Support the statement with suitable reasons.

Answer 30

Overgrazing destroys the saplings and plants are torn out by the roots by animals. (ii) Overgrazing also leads to soil erosion. Soil erosion is one of the important factor for deforestation. (iii) While collecting fuel wood the locals also destroy the trees, which leads to deforestation.

Question 31

‘India has rich flora and fauna.’ Explain.

Answer 31

(i) India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity. (ii) It has nearly 8% of the total number of species in the world. (1.6 million approximately.) (iii) Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are indigenous to India.

Question 32

What are the main objectives of JFM?

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

What is Himalayan Yew? Why is it under great threat at present?

Answer 33

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 biggest selling anti-cancer drug in the world.

Question 34

What are reserved forests?

Answer 34

These are permanently earmarked either for production or other forest produce. More than 50% of the total forest land of India has been declared as reserved forests. These are controlled by the government. The forests of J & K, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra fall in this category.

Question 35

What are protected forests?

Answer 35

These are protected from any further depletion. Almost 1/3rd of the total forest area of India is called the protected forest. These are controlled by the government. The forests of Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan fall under this category.

Question 36

What are Unclassed Forests?

Answer 36

These consist of inaccessible forests or wastelands. These consist of only 16% of the total forest areas of India. These are owned by government and private individuals. The forests of north-eastern states and parts of Gujarat fall under this category.

Question 37

List any three examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.

Answer 37

(i) Polluted air and water : Industries and vehicles release harmful gases and chemicals which are responsible for degradation of water and air. (ii) Land degradation : Overuse of fertilisers and chemicals have resulted in land degradation. (iii) Loss of biodiversity: Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching has led to the decline in biodiversity.