Worksheet Solutions: Forest and Wildlife Resources

Multiple Choice Questions

​Q1: Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna?
(a) Agricultural expansion
(b) Large -scale developmental project
(c) Grazing and fuel wood collection
(d) Rapid industrialisation and Urbanisation
Ans: (c)
Explanation: While grazing and fuel-wood collection do affect local vegetation, they are generally smaller-scale, traditional activities. The major drivers of large-scale depletion are agricultural expansion, large development projects and rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, which lead to permanent loss of habitat on a much larger scale. Thus (c) is considered the least significant of the options given for large-scale depletion.

Q2: Which of the following conservation strategies does not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management
(b) Beti Bachao Andolan
(c) Chipko Movement
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Ans: (d)
Explanation: Joint Forest Management, the Chipko Movement and community-led campaigns such as the Beej Bachao Andolan (listed here as Beti Bachao Andolan, which is a different social campaign) involve direct participation by local people. Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries is mainly a government action to set aside areas for protection and often does not require direct community participation in the decision of demarcation itself.

Q3: The forest cover in our country has recently increased due to :
(a) Increase in natural forest growth
(b) Increase in net sown area
(c) Plantation by different agencies
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The recent rise in recorded forest cover is mainly due to afforestation and plantation drives carried out by government and non-government agencies. These programmes increase tree density in certain areas and are recorded as an increase in forest cover, even if natural, undisturbed forest area has not greatly expanded.

Q4: Substantial parts of the tribal belts in north -eastern India have been deforested by:
(a) Shifting cultivation
(b) Mining
(c) Infrastructure development
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Shifting cultivation (also called jhum) has been practiced by many tribal communities in north-eastern India. Large areas are cleared for cultivation and then left fallow; when practised intensively and without sufficient fallow periods, it leads to substantial deforestation and degradation of the forest.

Q5: Forest and wastelands belonging to both private individuals and government are known as:
(a) Sacred groves
(b) Reserved forests
(c) Protected forest
(d) Unclassed forests
Ans: (d)
Explanation: Unclassed forests include forested and wasteland areas that belong to government, private individuals or communities and are not formally classified as reserved or protected. They may lack the formal protection status given to reserved or protected forests.

Q6: Which one of the following is an endangered species of Manipur?
(a) Blue sheep
(b) Asiatic Buffalo
(c) Sangai
(d) Cattle
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The Sangai, or the brow-antlered deer, is endemic to Manipur and is an endangered species. It is the state animal of Manipur and is conserved in places such as the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Q7: In which year the Indian Wildlife protection Act was implemented?
(a) 1970
(b) 1971
(c) 1972
(d)1974
Ans: (c)
Explanation: The Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972 to provide legal protection to wild animals, birds and plants, to regulate hunting, and to establish national parks and wildlife sanctuaries for conservation.

Q8: In which one the following states Periyar tiger reserves located?
(a) Kerala
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) West Bengal
Ans: (a)
Explanation: The Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Kerala. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is an important protected area in the Western Ghats.

Q9: What was the aim of the Chipko movement?
(a) human right
(b) agriculture expansion
(c) political rights
(d) forest conservation
Ans: (d)
Explanation: The Chipko Movement aimed at conserving forests by preventing tree-felling. Villagers embraced trees to stop loggers and to protect local forest resources, emphasising sustainable use and community responsibility for forests.

Q10: The Buxa tiger reserve is situated in which of the following states?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Goa
Ans: (a)
Explanation: The Buxa (often misspelt in some sources) Tiger Reserve is located in West Bengal, in the Alipurduar region near the Bhutan border.

Very Short Question Answers

Q11: What is the role of forest in ecological system?
Ans: Forests act as the primary producers and life-support systems for many organisms. They provide habitat and food for wildlife, produce oxygen, regulate local climate and rainfall, prevent soil erosion, protect water supplies and support biodiversity on which humans and other species depend.

Q12: Which species are called normal species?
Ans: Normal species are species whose population levels are stable and adequate for their continued survival under existing environmental conditions. Examples include common domestic animals such as cattle and sheep.

Q13: Which species are considered vulnerable?
Ans: Vulnerable species are those whose populations have declined to levels that make them likely to become endangered unless threats are reduced. An example is the Asiatic elephant.

Q14: What is rare species?
Ans: Rare species are species with naturally small populations or restricted ranges. If harmful factors continue, they may move into the endangered category. Example: desert fox (in local contexts where it is uncommon).

Q15: What are endemic species?
Ans: Endemic species are species that are found only in a particular geographic area and nowhere else. Example: the Nicobar pigeon, which is restricted to the Nicobar Islands and nearby regions.

Q16: How were forest depleted by tribal people of India?
Ans: Substantial parts of tribal belts, especially in north-eastern and central India, have been cleared for shifting cultivation (also called jhum). Repeated or intensive jhum without adequate fallow periods leads to forest removal and land degradation.

Q17: Which forest are protected forest?
Ans: Protected forests are areas declared by the forest department to be safeguarded from further depletion. In India, almost one third of recorded forest area is under some form of protection to conserve biodiversity and resources.

Q18: Which forest is categorized as unclassed forest?
Ans: Unclassed forests are those forest lands that belong to government, private individuals or communities and are not formally classified as reserved or protected forests. These often include waste and community-owned forest areas.

Q19: What do you know about Chipko movement?
Ans: The Chipko movement was a forest conservation movement in which people physically embraced trees to prevent felling. It resisted deforestation in several areas and demonstrated that community-led afforestation and protection of indigenous species can succeed.

Q20: What do you understand by joint forest management programme?
Ans: Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a programme where local communities participate with forest departments to manage and restore degraded forests. Communities help protect and regenerate forest, and in return they receive a share of forest produce and benefits.

Short Question Answers

Q21: How are flora and fauna in India under great threat?
Ans: (i) India is among the world's richest countries in flora and fauna; this biodiversity is deeply woven into people's lives.
(ii) They face great stress because of human activities and insensitive use of natural resources.
(iii) Estimates suggest that a significant percentage of India's wild flora and fauna are threatened; for example, many mammals are on threat lists.
(iv) Several species have already moved close to extinction, such as the cheetah and the pink-headed duck; some plant species too have become rare.

Q22: What were the provisions of India wildlife act of 1972?
Ans: (i) The Act provided legal measures to protect wildlife habitats and species.
(ii) It banned hunting of many species, gave legal protection to habitats, restricted trade in wildlife, and provided for the declaration of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Q23: How the villagers of Alwar district of Rajasthan are struggling to conserve their forest and wild life?
Ans: In Alwar district, inhabitants of several villages have taken community action to conserve forest. They have declared around 1,200 hectares of forest as community-protected land, made their own rules prohibiting hunting and unsustainable use, and prevented outside encroachment to protect wildlife and restore degraded areas.

Q24: Grazing and fuel wood collection are not responsible for deforestation in India. Support the statement with suitable reason.
Ans: Many environmentalists note that grazing and fuel-wood collection contribute to local degradation, but the major causes of large-scale deforestation are commercial logging for timber (for furniture and industry), conversion of forest to agriculture and settlements, and clearance for industrial and infrastructure projects. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have increased demand for land and wood, which are principal drivers of large-scale forest loss.

Q25: Nature worship is an age old belief. Explain how it helped in forest and wildlife conservation.
Ans: (i) Nature worship led to the protection of certain trees, groves and forest patches as sacred; these are known as sacred groves.
(ii) Local communities often left these groves untouched and banned interference, preserving virgin forest areas in pristine condition.
(iii) Particular trees such as Mahua, Kadamba, Tamarind, Peepal and Banyan are protected and worshipped in many regions; their protection for religious and cultural reasons helps conserve biodiversity and provides resources for local ceremonies and festivals.

Long Question Answers

Q26: Mention the private and governmental step taken to conserve forest and wildlife.
Ans: (i) Local communities in several areas have organised to conserve forests and wildlife, often working with government officials to secure livelihoods and resources.
(ii) The Chipko Movement mobilised people to prevent tree felling and inspired community afforestation using indigenous species.
(iii) Efforts to revive traditional conservation methods and promote ecological farming have spread to reduce pressure on forests.
(iv) The Joint Forest Management programme involves local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests with shared benefits.
(v) Sacred groves and cultural protection practices by communities preserve pockets of pristine forest.
(vi) Government initiatives include legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), establishment of national parks, sanctuaries, Project Tiger and other species-specific programmes, and large-scale afforestation and plantation drives.

Q27: Explain any five different categories of existing plant and animal species based on the international union for conservation of nature and natural resource with example
Ans: (i) Normal species: Species whose populations are stable and considered adequate for survival. Example: cattle.
(ii) Endangered species: Species facing a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Example: Indian rhinoceros (Indian rhino).
(iii) Vulnerable species: Species whose populations have declined to levels that make them likely to become endangered unless action is taken. Example: Asiatic elephant.
(iv) Rare species: Species with naturally small populations or very restricted distribution; they may become endangered if negative factors continue. Example: Himalayan brown bear (locally rare in parts of its range).
(v) Endemic species: Species found only in a specific geographic area. Example: Nicobar pigeon.
(vi) Extinct species: Species that no longer exist anywhere after searches have failed to find them. Example: pink-headed duck (extinct from the wild).

Important Questions

Q28: What are endemic species?
Ans:  Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. A species can be endemic to a continent, a part of a continent, or to a single island. Because their range is limited, endemic species are often more vulnerable to habitat loss and other threats.

Q29: What is bio-diversity? Why is bio-diversity important for human lives? Analyse.
Ans: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life - the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form. It is important because:
(i) Biodiversity provides essential goods and services: food, fresh water, medicines and raw materials.
(ii) Diverse ecosystems are more productive and resilient; they better withstand disturbances (storms, droughts, pests) and recover faster.
(iii) Many livelihoods, cultural practices and economies depend on a healthy variety of species.
(iv) Loss of biodiversity disrupts ecological balance and makes human survival more difficult by reducing ecosystem services like pollination, soil fertility and water regulation.

Q30: Asiatic cheetah belongs to which of the following types of species?
(a) Endangered species
(b) Rare species
(c) Extinct species
(d) Normal species
Ans: (a)
Explanation: The Asiatic cheetah is classified as an endangered species in many sources; it has experienced severe population decline and is now extremely rare in its former range. (Note that it is extinct in India and survives only in very small numbers elsewhere.)

Q31: 'Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests'.
Ans:(i) Since 1951, over 5,000 sq km of forest was cleared for river valley projects.
(ii) Clearing of forests continues with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh, which would inundate large areas of forest (estimates cited are tens of thousands of hectares).
(iii) Mining, construction of roads and other infrastructure projects also cause large-scale forest clearance and fragmentation, reducing habitat for wildlife.

Q32: Explain the two famous programmes which have resisted deforestation and involved local communities.
Ans:(a) The Chipko Movement is a notable example of community participation in conservation. People hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down. Its roots go back to earlier acts of resistance (such as the Bishnoi resistance in 1730), and it became prominent in the 1970s in the Himalaya region. Chipko showed how grassroots action can halt deforestation and promote sustainable forest use.
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan (Seed Save Movement) began in Jardhargaon, Tehri Garhwal, to conserve indigenous seeds and promote traditional farming methods. Led by Vijay Jardhari, it opposed chemical-dependent modern seeds and promoted the revival of native varieties such as chardhan, helping to protect agricultural biodiversity linked to forest ecosystems.

Q33: How does deforestation affect eco system? Give two reasons.
Ans: (i) Deforestation alters the climate and contributes to climatic change by reducing carbon sequestration and changing local temperature and rainfall patterns.
(ii) It accelerates soil erosion and disrupts groundwater recharge and surface water flow, leading to loss of fertile topsoil and reduced water availability.

Q34: Depletion of forests leads to disappearance of wild life as well as many wild varieties of plants. How is Afforestation helpful in maintaining ecological balance?
Ans: Afforestation helps restore ecological balance by:
(i) Improving air quality and sequestering carbon, which mitigates climate change.
(ii) Reducing soil erosion and stabilising slopes, which preserves soil fertility and protects water resources.
(iii) Providing habitat for wildlife and increasing biodiversity.
(iv) Modifying local climate and enhancing rainfall patterns in some areas.

Q35: What is a National Park? Name any two national parks of India?
Ans: A National Park is a relatively large area where several ecosystems are preserved with minimal human interference; plants and animal species, and habitats are protected for scientific, educational and recreational purposes. Examples of national parks in India include Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand) and Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh).

Q36: What is Wildlife Sanctuary? How is it different from National Park?
Ans: A wildlife sanctuary is an area set aside to protect wildlife and their habitats. The main difference from a national park is that certain regulated human activities (for example, grazing or collection of minor forest produce) may be permitted in a sanctuary, whereas national parks generally have stricter regulations and limit human activities to the minimum necessary to protect ecosystems.

Q37: What are Biosphere Reserves?
Ans: Biosphere Reserves are multipurpose protected areas that combine conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use. They bring together local communities, management agencies, scientists and NGOs to conserve ecosystems, allow regulated human activities such as traditional agriculture, and promote scientific research and eco-tourism to support local livelihoods.

Q38: Why is the Himalayan Yew in trouble?
Ans: The Himalayan Yew (Taxus wallichiana) is a medicinal tree that contains the compound taxol used in anti-cancer drugs. Over the past decades it has been over-exploited for its bark, twigs and needles, causing severe decline and drying up of trees in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. Unsustainable harvesting threatens its survival.

Q39: What steps have been adopted under the Indian Wildlife Act to protect endangered species of animals?
Ans: In response to conservation demands, the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) introduced measures such as banning hunting of many species, granting legal protection to habitats, restricting trade in wildlife products, and providing for the establishment of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to conserve endangered species and their habitats.

Q40: What are the three types of forests as identified by Forest Department?
Ans: Reserved Forests: Permanently earmarked for production of timber or other forest produce and have strict protection.
Protected Forests: Forests declared to be conserved from further depletion and protected by law.
Unclassed Forests: Forests that consist of inaccessible tracts, community-owned forest or unoccupied wastes that are not formally classified as reserved or protected.

Q41: Large scale development projects have significantly to the loss of forests. Give reasons to support this statement.
Ans: Large-scale development projects contribute to forest loss because:
(i) River valley projects and dams have submerged vast forest areas (since 1951 over 5,000 sq km cleared for such projects).
(ii) Projects such as large reservoirs, mines, highways and urban expansion lead to direct clearing of forests and fragmentation of habitats.
(iii) These projects often permanently convert forest land into non-forest uses, reducing biodiversity and displacing wildlife.