Test: Forest & Wildlife Resources- 1 - UPSC MCQ

• Agricultural Expansion: The clearing of forests for agriculture leads to habitat loss for many plant and animal species, resulting in their depletion.



• Large-scale Developmental Projects: Infrastructure projects like dams, roads, and mines can disrupt ecosystems and lead to the decline of flora and fauna in the affected areas.



• Grazing and Fuel Wood Collection: Overgrazing by livestock and excessive fuel wood collection can damage vegetation and disrupt food chains, impacting the survival of various species.



• Rapid Industrialisation and Urbanisation: The expansion of industries and cities often results in pollution, habitat destruction, and fragmentation, which are detrimental to the biodiversity of an area.

• Grazing and Fuel Wood Collection: While grazing and fuel wood collection can contribute to habitat degradation, they are not considered the primary reasons for the depletion of flora and fauna compared to agricultural expansion, large-scale developmental projects, and rapid industrialization and urbanization.

It is important to address all these factors and implement sustainable practices to conserve and protect the flora and fauna for the future generations.

• Sacred Groves: These are several virgin forests preserved in their pristine form to protect the biodiversity and cultural significance associated with them.


• Preservation: Sacred groves are protected from any human interference or exploitation to maintain their natural state.


• Cultural Importance: These forests hold religious and spiritual significance for local communities, who consider them sacred and protect them as a cultural heritage.


• Biodiversity: Sacred groves are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, some of which may be rare or endangered, making them crucial for conservation efforts.


• Sustainability: By preserving these virgin forests, we ensure the sustainability of ecosystems and the well-being of future generations.

• Sun: While the sun provides energy for photosynthesis to occur, it is not considered a primary producer in an ecological system.



• Animals: Animals cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis, so they are not primary producers.



• Forest: Forests contain plants that are capable of photosynthesis, making them primary producers in an ecological system. These plants convert sunlight into energy, which is then consumed by other organisms in the ecosystem.



• Humans: Humans are not primary producers as they do not produce their own food through photosynthesis. They rely on consuming other organisms for energy.

In conclusion, primary producers in an ecological system are organisms such as plants in a forest that are capable of photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy that sustains the ecosystem.

Alipurduar (West-Bengal)

Buxa Tiger Reserve lies in Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Its northern boundary runs along the international border with Bhutan. The Sinchula hill range lies all along the northern side of BTR and the eastern boundary touches that of the Assam state.

• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh has a significant area under Permanent Forests, making it one of the states with the largest forest cover in India.


• Assam: Assam also has a considerable forest area, but it may not be as large as Madhya Pradesh in terms of Permanent Forests.


• Nagaland: Nagaland is known for its lush green forests, but its total forest area may not be as extensive as Madhya Pradesh.


• Kerala: Kerala is famous for its dense forests, but it may not have the largest area under Permanent Forests compared to Madhya Pradesh.

Based on the analysis, Madhya Pradesh is likely to have the largest area under Permanent Forests among the states listed. Therefore, the correct answer is Madhya Pradesh (Option A).

• State: Kerala

• Periyar Tiger Reserve: Located in Thekkady, Kerala, Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in India.


• Geographical Location: The reserve is situated in the Western Ghats and is spread across the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala.


• Flora and Fauna: The reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife including tigers, elephants, leopards, and several species of birds and reptiles.


• Periyar Lake: One of the main attractions of the reserve is the Periyar Lake, where visitors can enjoy boat rides and witness the stunning beauty of the surroundings.


• Conservation Efforts: The Periyar Tiger Reserve is known for its successful conservation efforts and eco-tourism initiatives, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

• Sangai: The Sangai, also known as the Manipur brow-antlered deer, is an endangered species of deer found only in Manipur, India. It is the state animal of Manipur and is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.

• The Sangai is facing threats such as habitat loss due to agriculture, human settlement, and development projects.


• Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and protection, are being carried out to save the Sangai from extinction.


• It is important to raise awareness about the plight of the Sangai and take steps to protect its habitat to ensure its survival for future generations.

• Shifting Cultivation: One of the primary reasons for deforestation in tribal belts in north-eastern India is shifting cultivation. This traditional agricultural practice involves clearing land by cutting down trees and burning them to create space for cultivation. As a result, large areas of forests are cleared, leading to deforestation.



• Mining: Mining activities in tribal belts have also contributed significantly to deforestation. The extraction of minerals and resources requires the clearing of forests, leading to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, mining activities can pollute water sources and have adverse effects on the environment.



• Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects in tribal areas has also led to deforestation. These projects require the clearing of forests to make way for buildings, roads, and other structures. As a result, large tracts of forest land are lost, impacting the local ecosystem and wildlife.

In conclusion, the combined impact of shifting cultivation, mining, and infrastructure development has resulted in substantial deforestation in tribal belts in north-eastern India. It is essential to implement sustainable land use practices and conservation efforts to protect the remaining forests and biodiversity in these regions.

• Forest conservation: The primary aim of the Chipko movement was to protect the forests from deforestation and the exploitation of natural resources.


• Environmental preservation: The movement aimed to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment and the need to protect it for future generations.


• Sustainable living: Chipko movement promoted sustainable living practices and advocated for the use of natural resources in a responsible manner.


• Community empowerment: The movement empowered local communities to take control of their resources and actively participate in the decision-making process regarding the management of forests.


• Social justice: Chipko movement also focused on social justice issues, including the rights of indigenous communities and marginalized groups who depended on forests for their livelihoods.

• Year of implementation: 1972

• Background: The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972 to provide a legal framework for the protection and conservation of wildlife in India.



• Objectives: The main objectives of the Wildlife Protection Act include protecting endangered species, regulating wildlife trade, and promoting conservation efforts.



• Provisions: The Act prohibits hunting of certain species, regulates possession and trade of wildlife and their products, and establishes protected areas for conservation purposes.



• Amendments: Over the years, the Wildlife Protection Act has been amended to strengthen conservation efforts and address emerging threats to wildlife.