Q.1 “Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our life.
Answer
• Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
• It supports diverse flora and fauna which are part of our life.
• It provide us fruits, flowers, medicine, wood etc.
Q.2 What is biological diversity? Why biodiversity is important for human lives?
Answer
Biological diversity means the variety of all living things, plants, animals and microorganisms living on the earth that are dependent on one other.
It is important for human lives because:
• Human beings depend on biodiversity for their very survival.
• The plants, animals and micro-organisms re-create the quality of air, water and soil which human use for their survival.
Q.3. Distinguish between endangered species and extinct species of wild animals. Give one example of each.
Answer
Endangered species:
• These are species which are in danger of extinction.
• The survival of such species is difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to operate.
• Examples are black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino
Extinct:
• These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur.
• A species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the entire earth. As, these species are finished, so they cannot be revived.
• Example – Asiatic cheetah, Pink-head duck.
Q4 Describe the role of the community in forest and wildlife conservation.
Answer
• In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining and destruction of forest by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting, and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
• 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.
• Joint forest management (JFM) is a programme which involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
Q.5 What are the steps taken by Government to conserve flora and fauna of the country?
Answer
• To protect flora and fauna, 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 main aim of the program was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
• Central and many stage governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• The central government announced several projects for protecting specific animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag etc.
• Most recently, the Indian elephant, black buck, the great Indian bustard and the snow leopard, etc. have been full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade throughout India.
Q.6 Write four major reasons for the depletion of forest cover.
Answer:
- Deforestation for agricultural purposes.
- Shifting cultivation which is still practised in substantial parts of tribal belts.
- Large-scale development of river valley projects.
- Mining activities have also resulted in deforestation. For example, the tiger reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining.
- Environmental pollution and forest fires have also led to depletion of forests.
Q.7 Write three adverse impacts of dolomite mining in the Buxar Tiger Reserve on the ecosystem.
Answer:
Adverse effects of dolomite mining in the Buxar Tiger Reserve:
- It has caused ecological damage.
- It has blocked the migration route of several species.
- It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species.
Q.8 What are ‘Permanent Forest Estates’ and why? Which state has maximum forest cover falling under this category? Write its percentage share in the total forest area of this state.
Answer:
Reserved and protected forests are referred to as the Permanent Forest Estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests, constituting 75% of its total forest area.
Q.9 Write the major differences between reserved and protected forests.
Answer:
Difference between Reserved and Protected forests
| Reserved forests | Protected forests |
| 1. They cover more than half of the total forest area. | 1. Almost V3 of the total forest area is protected forest. |
| 2. They are most valuable from the point of view of forest and wildlife conservation. | 2. These forest lands are protected from any further depletion. |
Q.10 33% of area should be under forests’. Justify the statement highlighting the environmental values of forests.
Answer:
Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33% of geographical area, as outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952). Forests are considered essential for maintenance of the ecological balance. The livelihood of millions of people who live on the fringes of these forests depend upon it.
Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all other living beings depend. The forest preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems—water, air and soil. It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. The destruction of forests have marginalised and impoverished many indigenous forest dependent communities. The indirect impact of degradation is severe drought or induced floods. Poverty is a direct outcome of environmental destruction.
Important Link
Quick Revision Notes : Forest and Wildlife Resources
NCERT Solution : Forest and Wildlife Resources
MCQs: Forest and Wildlife Resources
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