Class 9 Geography Chapter 1 HOTS Questions - Contemporary India - I

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

• Our country is one of the twelve mega bio-diversity countries of the world. With about 47,000 plant species India occupies tenth place in the world and fourth in Asia in plant diversity.
• There are about 15,000 flowering plants in India which account for 6 percent in the world’s total number of flowering plants.
• The country has many non-flowering plants such as ferns, algae and fungi.
• India also has approximately 90,000 species of animals as well as rich variety of fish in its fresh and marine waters.
• The country has about 2,000 species of birds and 2,546 species of fish. It shares between 5 and 8 percent of world is amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Q2: The Government of India has taken up many steps to protect the flora and fauna of the country. Mention some of these steps.
Ans: 

• The government of India has set up fourteen biosphere reserves. Four out of these, the Sunderbans in West Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand, the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
• Financial and technical assistance is provided to many Botanical Gardens by the government since 1992.
• Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been introduced.
• 89 National Parks, 490 wild life sanctuaries and zoological gardens are set up to take care of Natural heritage.

Q3: Describe the main objectives of the Project Tiger and the Project Rhino and their effect on the wild life in India.
Ans: The Project Tiger and Project Rhino are two well-known wild life conservation projects. They have been undertaken to protect Indian tiger and one-horned rhino of India.
Their objectives are:

• Protect the endangered species from poaching, hunting and illegal trading.
• Save the natural habitats of these animals so that they can breed naturally and multiply in numbers.
• Maintain a survey of the number of existing tigers and rhinos.
• These projects have played a major role in protecting the endangered animals. The number of tigers has been increased.

Value-based Questions (VBQs)

Why according to you flora and fauna should be conserved?
Ans:

• Bio-diversity describes the whole range of the different varieties of living things and systems on the earth.
• Bio-diversity can be found everywhere. It includes animal species, plant species, genes, ecosystems and landscapes.
• Bio-diversity is very much needed and must be conserved. High biodiversity indicates the richness of a place. They help in maintaining the environment best suited for living. The more plant, insect and animal species there are in one area the greater the biodiversity and the healthier the ecosystem.

Q5: Name some medicinal plants. Describe how they are useful for human beings.
Ans: Sarpagandha, Jamun, Aijun, Babool, Neem, Tulsi and Kachanar.

• Sarpagandha: It is used to treat blood pressure.
• Jamun: The juice from ripe fruit is used to prepare vinegar which is carminative and diuretic and has digestive properties. The powder of the seed is used for controlling diabetes.
• Arjun: The fresh juice of its leaves is a cure for earache. It is also used to regulate blood pressure.
• Babooh Its leaves are used as a cure for eye sores. Its gum is used as a tonic.
• Neem: It has high antibiotic and antibacterial properties.
• Tulsi plant: It is used to cure cough and cold.
• Kachnan It is used to cure asthma and ulcers. The buds and roots are good for digestive problems.

Q6: How are forest useful to us?

How are forests important for human beings?
Ans:

• Forests provide to man food, fibre, fodder, timber, fuel wood and many other essential things.
• They modify the local climate, control soil erosion, regulate stream flow, support a variety of industries.
• They provide humus to the soil and shelter to the wild life.
• They provide livelihood for many communities and offer scenic view for recreation.
• Forests are renewable resources and play a major role in enhancing the quality of environment.