Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: What is biodiversity? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans: Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and micro-organisms living on the earth. It also includes the habitat in which they live. Some scientists estimate that more than 10 million species live on our earth and some believe that this number can be more than 100 million.
Q2: What is importance of forests?
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“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our life. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
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Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India? [CBSE 2013]
Ans: (i) Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) Many forest dependent communities directly depend on them for food, drink, medicine, culture, spirituality etc.
(iii) Forest provide us timber.
(iv) Forests also provide bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers, etc.
Q3: “The diverse flora and fauna of India is under threat”. Justify by giving reasons.
Ans: (i) At least 10% of India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on the threatened list.
(ii) The cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and hubbardia heptaneuron (a species of grass) have already been categorised as critical, i.e. they are on the verge of extinction.
(iii) Many smaller animals like insects and plants have become extinct.
Q4: What are Normal species? How are these different from endangered species. Give four examples.
Ans: Normal species are the species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
Whereas the endangered species are the 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. Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, etc., are examples of endangered species.
Q5: What are Vulnerable species? Give four examples. [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans: These are the species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate such species. The examples of such species are Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
Q6: What are Rare species? Give four examples. [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Ans: Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. The examples of such species are the Himalayan brown bear, Wild Asiatic buffalo, Desert fox and hornbill, etc.
Q7: What are Endemic species? Give four examples.
Ans: The species which are only found in some particular region usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. The examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, etc.
Q8: What are Extinct species? Give four examples.
Ans: These species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur. These species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the whole earth. The examples of such species are the Asiatic cheetah, pink headed duck, etc.
Q9: Large scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Explain.
Ans: (i) Since 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forests were cleared for river valley projects.
(ii) Clearing of forests is still continuing because of new projects like the Sardar Sarovar Project, the Ranjit Sagar Dam Project, etc. Many wildlife sanctuaries are seriously threatened due to large scale mining activities.
Q10: (i) Which factor is often cited as the cause of environmental degradation in the third world countries?
(ii) Mention any four factors which have led to the decline of India’s biodiversity.
Ans: (i) Overpopulation.
(ii) (a) Habitat destruction
(b) Hunting
(c) Poaching
(d) Overexploitation
(e) Environmental pollution
(f) Forest fires.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q11: “Conservation of rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become essential.” Explain.
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Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife resources? Explain any two steps taken by the communities to protect our forest and wildlife resources. [CBSE 2013]
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Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary? In what way have conservation projects changed in the recent years? [CBSE 2010]
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Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India. [CBSE 2012]
Ans: (i) Loss of cultural diversity : The loss of forest and wildlife is not just a biological issue but it is also correlated with cultural diversity. There are many forests-dependent communities, which directly depend on various components of the forests and wildlife for food, drinks, medicines, etc. Many of tribal communities like Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras, etc. have lost their habitat because of the destruction of forests.
(ii) Complex web of living organisms : We humans along with all living organisms form a complex web ecological system in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produce our food without which we cannot survive.
(iii) Large scale destruction of forests : Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 s km of forest areas were converted into agricultural lands all over India.
Q12: Describe the different types of plant and animal species found in India. [CBSE 2013]
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Explain any five different categories of existing plants and animal species based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources with examples. [CBSE 2013]
Ans: (i) Normal species : These include those whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents etc.
(ii) Endangered species : These include those species which are in danger of extinction. The several of such species is difficult if the negative factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to operate. For example, black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, etc.
(iii) Vulnerable species : These include the species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate. For example, blue sheep, gangetic dolphin etc.
(iv) Rare species : They may move into the endangered or vulnerable category for example, blue bear, wild Asiatic buffalo.
(v) Endemic species : These are found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. For example, Andaman teal, Nicobar prigo.
Q13: What steps have been taken by the government for the conservation of forest and wildlife in India? Explain. [CBSE 2014]
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Write any three effective practices towards conserving forests and wildlife. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
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Explain any three measures taken by the Indian Government to protect wildlife. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Ans: (i) National parks, biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries : To protect the biodiversity, the Indian government has established 100 national parks, 515 sanctuaries and 17 biosphere reserves.
(ii) The Indian Wildlife Protection Act :
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 thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
(iii) Projects for protecting specific animals : The central government has also announced several projects for protecting specific animals which were greatly threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, the three types of crocodiles – the freshwater crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion and others.
(iv) Forest Policy : India is one of the few countries which has a forest policy since 1894. It was revised in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the forest policy is protection, conservation and development of forests.
(v) Forest Research Institutes : Indian government has created many forest Research Institutes for the research, protection and development of the forests. IFS Dehradun is the oldest research institution of the country.
Q14: “Conservation projects have changed their focus in the recent years.” Explain. [CBSE 2014]
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In what ways the conservation project has changed in the recent years?
Ans: The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of its components. There is now a more intensive search for different conservation measures. Increasingly, even insects are beginning to find a place in conservation planning. In the notification under Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species. In 1991, for the first time plants were also added to the list, starting with six species. The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management.
Q15: “Maintenance of ecological system is of utmost importance.” How can you contribute to conserve it and what values are developed through this activity? [CBSE 2014]
Ans: (i) We humans along with all living organisms form a complex web of ecological system in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms re-create the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive. Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) We should save our environment by switching to green technology and by contributing less to the emission of carbon dioxide.
(iii) We should plant more and more trees, say no to plastic bags, travel by public transport, etc.
(iv) It will improve the quality of our lives as well as our children and will save our money to switch to alternate sources for power.
