Unit Test (Solutions): Forest & Wildlife Resources

Time: 1 hour

M.M. 30

Attempt all questions.

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
• Question numbers  9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
• Question number 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1: Which one of the following is a direct threat to wildlife?  (1 Mark)  
(a) Biodiversity hotspots
(b) Protected areas
(c) Habitat destruction
(d) Ecological succession

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Habitat destruction is a direct threat because it removes or severely alters the places where animals and plants live. Examples include deforestation, conversion of forests to farms or towns, and fragmentation of habitat by roads and projects. When habitats are lost or broken into small patches, species lose food, shelter and breeding sites, which reduces their population sizes and can lead to local extinctions.

Q2: Which of the following is NOT a method of conserving forests?  (1 Mark)  
(a) Afforestation
(b) Reforestation
(c) Deforestation
(d) Social forestry

Ans: (c)

Explanation: Deforestation is the clearing or removal of forest cover for other uses and therefore reduces forest area; it is not a conservation method. In contrast, afforestation (planting trees on lands that were not recently forested), reforestation (replanting trees on deforested land) and social forestry (involving local communities in planting and managing trees) are methods used to conserve and increase forest cover.

Q3: Which one of the following is a biodiversity hotspot in India?  (1 Mark)  
(a) Himalayas
(b) Thar Desert
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Indo-Gangetic Plains

Ans: (c)

Explanation: The Western Ghats is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot because it has very high species richness and many endemic species (species found nowhere else). The region includes a variety of habitats from evergreen forests to shola-grassland mosaics and supports numerous plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that are unique to the area. This high level of endemism and the threat to these habitats make it a hotspot.

Q4: Which statement is true regarding the 'Chipko Movement'?  (1 Mark)  
(a) It aimed at promoting deforestation for economic growth.
(b) It advocated the conservation of forests by hugging trees.
(c) It was a campaign to establish wildlife sanctuaries.
(d) It supported the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture.

Ans: (b)

Explanation: The Chipko Movement was a non-violent grassroots movement in which villagers-especially women-hugged trees to stop them being felled. It began in the Himalayan region and helped raise awareness about the importance of forests, sustainable use of resources and the rights of local communities over forest lands.

Q5: Which one of the following is an example of a national park in India?  (1 Mark) 
(a) Jim Corbett National Park
(b) Sariska Bird Sanctuary
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Gir Forest National Park

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is a well-known national park and is an example of a protected area designated specifically as a national park. (Gir Forest is also a national park in Gujarat, but the classical example often cited here is Jim Corbett.)

Q6: State any two reasons for the depletion of wildlife.  (2 Marks) 
Ans:

• Habitat destruction: Clearing of forests, conversion of land for agriculture, construction and urban expansion reduce and fragment the natural habitats that animals need to survive.
• Overexploitation and poaching: Excessive hunting, illegal capture and trade in wildlife for meat, skins, body parts or pets reduce population sizes and can drive species towards extinction.

Q7: Mention any two advantages of building dams.  (2 Marks) 
Ans: Two advantages of building dams are:

• Hydroelectric Power Generation: Dams convert the energy of flowing water into electricity through hydroelectric power plants. This is a renewable source of energy and helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Irrigation and Water Supply: Dams store water in reservoirs which can be released for irrigating agricultural fields and supplying water for domestic and industrial use. This helps improve crop yields and provides water during dry periods.

Q8: State any two objectives of wildlife sanctuaries.  (2 Marks) 
Ans: Two objectives of wildlife sanctuaries are:

Protection of Wildlife: To provide safe habitats where animals and plants are shielded from hunting, destruction and other human pressures so that populations can recover or remain stable.

Research and Education: To allow scientists to study species and ecosystems in their natural surroundings and to educate visitors and local people about conservation and the importance of biodiversity.

Q9: Explain the causes and consequences of deforestation.  (3 Marks) 
Ans:

Causes:

• Conversion of forest land to agriculture and plantations.
• Logging for timber and paper industries.
• Infrastructure development such as roads, dams and urban expansion.
• Mining and quarrying activities.

Consequences:

• Loss of biodiversity - many plant and animal species lose their habitats and may become endangered or extinct.
• Soil erosion - without tree cover, topsoil is washed away, reducing land fertility.
• Reduced water quality and altered rainfall patterns - forests help regulate the water cycle and their loss affects stream flows and groundwater recharge.
• Increased atmospheric CO₂ and climate change - trees store carbon; cutting them down releases carbon dioxide.
• Adverse effects on local communities who depend on forests for food, fuel and livelihoods.

Q10: Explain the concept of biodiversity and why it is important for the survival of species.  (3 Marks) 
Ans: 

Concept: Biodiversity means the variety of life at three levels - genetic diversity (variation within species), species diversity (different kinds of species) and ecosystem diversity (different habitats and ecological processes).

Importance for survival: Biodiversity ensures that ecosystems are resilient and can recover from disturbances. Different species perform different roles such as pollination, nutrient cycling and pest control. Genetic diversity within a species helps populations adapt to changes and resist diseases. In short, biodiversity provides the services and balance needed for species, including humans, to survive and thrive.

Q11: What are the consequences of the extinction of species?  (3 Marks) 
Ans: 

• Loss of biodiversity: Extinction reduces the variety of life and removes unique genetic resources.
• Ecosystem imbalance: Removing one species can disrupt food chains and ecological relationships, leading to overpopulation or decline of other species.
• Impact on human well-being: Extinctions can reduce resources such as food, medicines and raw materials, and weaken ecosystem services like pollination, water purification and soil fertility that people rely on.

Q12: Describe the major factors responsible for the depletion of the tiger population in India. Suggest measures to protect and conserve tigers effectively.  (5 Marks) 
Ans: The major factors responsible for the depletion of the tiger population in India are:

• Habitat loss and fragmentation: Conversion of forests to agriculture, roads and settlements breaks continuous tiger habitats into small isolated patches, reducing breeding and hunting areas.
• Poaching and illegal trade: Tigers are hunted for their skin, bones and other body parts which are traded illegally.
• Decline in prey species: Overhunting of herbivores and habitat degradation reduce the natural prey base for tigers.
• Human-wildlife conflict: As tigers lose habitat, they may attack livestock or enter villages, provoking retaliatory killings.
• Weak enforcement and lack of awareness: Inadequate protection, poor surveillance and low awareness among some communities worsen the threats.

Measures to protect and conserve tigers:

• Strengthen protected areas: Improve management of tiger reserves and buffer zones, and ensure legal protection of core habitats.
• Prevent poaching and illegal trade: Enhance anti-poaching patrols, use modern surveillance and intelligence, and enforce wildlife laws strictly.
• Maintain and restore prey populations: Protect herbivores and their habitats so that tigers have sufficient food.
• Create and protect corridors: Establish wildlife corridors to connect isolated tiger populations so they can move, mate and maintain genetic diversity.
• Community participation: Involve local communities through awareness, compensation for livestock losses, alternative livelihoods and eco-tourism benefits so they support tiger conservation.
• Scientific monitoring and research: Use camera traps, population surveys and ecological studies to track tiger numbers and health and to plan management.
• Translocation and captive programmes (where needed): Carefully planned translocations can reintroduce tigers into suitable habitat; captive breeding is a last resort safety net.

Q13: Discuss the importance of national parks in the conservation of wildlife. Choose any two national parks in India, describe their unique features, and explain the steps taken by the government for their preservation.  (5 Marks)
Ans: National parks are vital for wildlife conservation because they provide legally protected areas where habitats are preserved and human activities are limited. Their importance includes:

• Conservation of biodiversity: They protect a wide range of species and habitats in their natural state.
• Protection of endemic and endangered species: Parks safeguard species that have limited ranges and are vulnerable to extinction.
• Research and education: Parks serve as sites for ecological research and for educating the public about conservation.
• Controlled eco-tourism and livelihood support: Well-managed tourism provides income for local people and incentives to conserve nature.

Two national parks in India with unique features and preservation measures:

1. Kaziranga National Park (Assam):

• Unique features: Famous for a large population of the one-horned rhinoceros; also supports tigers, elephants and a rich birdlife. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an Important Bird Area.
• Preservation measures: Strict anti-poaching patrols, well-planned habitat management, control of invasive species, monitoring of animal populations and measures to manage flood impacts are used to protect wildlife. The park also works with local communities to reduce pressures on the reserve.

2. Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan):

• Unique features: Known for its population of Bengal tigers set in a landscape of dry deciduous forest, rocky outcrops and historical ruins that add to the park's ecological and cultural value.
• Preservation measures: Monitoring of tigers and prey, anti-poaching measures, regulated tourism to prevent disturbance, and community-based programmes that involve local people in conservation and provide alternatives to forest dependence. Scientific studies are used to guide management of habitat and animal populations.

Both parks benefit from legal protection under national wildlife laws and from collaborative efforts between government agencies, forest departments, non-government organisations and local communities. Measures include regular monitoring, strengthened enforcement against poaching, habitat restoration, regulated eco-tourism and public awareness campaigns to ensure long-term conservation.