Forests and Wildlife Resources
👉 NCERT Solution for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 - Forests and Wildlife Resources
Very Short Answer Type Questions based on Flora and Fauna
1. With which living beings, man shares this planet ?
Answer :
With micro-organisms, plants and animals.
2. How much percentage of species of the living organism is found in India ?
Answer :
About 8 percent (About 16 lakh).
3. How many species of fauna are found in India ?
Answer :
81,000
4. How many species of flora are found in India ?
Answer :
About 47000
5. How many flowering species are endemic to India ?
Answer :
15000
6. How much flora of India is on the threatened list ?
Answer :
10% of wild flora and 20% of its mammals.
7. Name two animals on critical list.
Answer :
Cheetah, Mountain Quail
8. What is enrichment plantation ?
Answer :
When a single commercially valuable species is extensively planted.
👉 Revision Notes for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 - Forests and Wildlife Resources
Very Short Answer Type Questions based on Wildlife
1. Expand IUCN.
Answer :
International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources.
2. Name two endangered species of wildlife.
Answer :
Black Buck, Indian wild ass.
3. Name two rare species of wildlife.
Answer :
Asiatic buffalo, desert fox.
4. Name two endemic species of wildlife.
Answer :
Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon.
5. Name two extinct species of wildlife.
Answer :
Asiatic cheetah, Pink headed duck.
6. Which is the fastest land mammal ?
Answer :
Cheetah
7. Which products are obtained from forests and wildlife ?
Answer :
Wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manures.
8. Name three states where elephants are mostly found.
Answer :
Assam, Kerala, Karnataka.
9. In which state one horn Rhinoceros is found ?
Answer :
In Assam.
10. Which is the habitat of lions and tigers ?
Answer :
Lions - Gir forets, Tigers - Sunderbans.
👉 MCQ's for Class 10 Geography Ch 2 - Forests and Wildlife Resources
Very Short Answer Type Questions based on Forests
1. What type of resources are forests ?
Answer :
Renewable Resources
2. How much area of India is covered with forests ?
Answer :
76.5 million hectares.
3. What percentage of India is covered with forests ?
Answer :
About 23 percent.
4. 'Forests play an important role in enhancing the quality of environment.' Give two points.
Answer :
- Forests maintain the life support system - All form of life - humans, animals and plants depend on these.
- Forests maintain stability and maintenance of ecological balance.
5. Name the major types of forests.
Answer :
- Tropical rainforests
- Tropical deciduous forests
- Tropical thorn and scrub forests
- Temperate forests
- Alpine and Tundra forests
- Tidal forests
6. Classify forests on the basis of purpose of administration. How much percentage each covers ?
Answer :
Forests are classified with three types.
- Reserved forests - 54.4 per cent
- Protected forests - 29.2 per cent
- Unclassified forests - 16.4 per cent
7. What are reserved forests ? Is grazing allowed in these forests ?
Answer :
These are one of three types of forests which are permanently earmarked either for production of timber or other forest produce. Grazing of cattle in these firests is generally prohibited but may be allowed on certain conditions. There are 54.4% total forests.
8. What are protected forests ?
Answer :
These are also forests reserved for timber but grazing is allowed subject to minor restrictions. There are 29.2% of total forests.
9. What are unclassed forests ?
Answer :
These forests consist largely of inaccessible forests or unoccupied wastes.
10. Classify forests on the basis of density ? How much each type covers ?
Answer :
- Dense forests (59 per cent)
- Open forests (40 per cent)
- Mangrove forests (1 per cent)
11. What is the difference between forest area and forest cover ? What is the percentage of actually covered area with forests ?
Answer :
Forest cover includes the actual area under forests and all other types of natural vegetation area. The total forest cover in India is 76.5 million hectares about 23.3 per cent of total area. But the areas actually covered with forests are 63.7 million hectares about 19.4 per cent of the total area.
12. When was the National Forest Policy introduced ? What is its main aim ?
Answer :
National Forest Policy was introduced in 1988. Its main aim is to develop the role of forests to maintain life support system. They maintain environmental stability and ecological balance.
13. What should be minimum desired area under forests according to National Forest Policy ?
Answer :
About 33 per cent.
👉 CBSE Study Material for Class 10
Short Answer Type Questions based on Flora and Fauna
1. 'Human beings along with living organisms form a complex web of ecological system.' Give four examples.
Answer :
Man is very much dependent on Ecological System.
Examples :
- The plants, animals, and micro - organisms recreate the qualityof air we breathe.
- The water we drink is made pure.
- The soil is made fertile and it produces food for us.
- Forest play a key role as these are the primary producers.
2. 'India is rich in Bio-diversity'. Justify the statement with three examples.
Answer :
India is one of the richest countries in terms of Biological diversity.
- It has nearly 8 per cent of the total number of species in the world.
- About 81,000 species of fauna are found in India.
- About 47,000 species of flora are found in India out of which 15,000 flowering apecies are endemic (Indigenous) to India.
3. What factors have led to decline in India's, biodiversity ?
Answer :
Decline in India's Biodiversity - The following major factors have led to decline in India's biodiversity :-
- Habitat destruction,
- hunting
- poaching
- over - exploitation
- environmental pollution
- poisoning
- forest fires
These above are the factors, which have led to the decline in India's biodiversity. Other important causes of environmental destruction are unique access, inequitable consumption of resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well - being. Over Population in third world countries is often cited as the cause of environmental degradation.
4. What amount of India's resources have been degraded ?
Answer :
Degraded Resources :
- Over half of India's natural forests are gone
- One - third of its wetlands drained out
- 70 per cent of its surface water bodies polluted
- 40 per cent of its mangroves wiped out,
And the continued hunting and trade of wild animals and commercially valuable plants, thousands of plant and animal species are heading towards extinction.
5. Why do we need conservation of forest and wildlife ? Explain its effects.
Answer :
Conservation of forest and wildlife in India
Conservation in the background of rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become essential. We need to conserve our forests and wildlife.
Effects of conservation
- Conservation preserves the ecological diversity
- Our life support systems - water, air and soil
- It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better species growth and breeding
- For example, in agriculture, we are still dependent on traditional crop varieties
- Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiveristy.
6. Which species of flora and fauna in India are on threatened list ?
Answer :
About 10% of India's wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on the threatened list. These are called critical species. These are on the verge of extinction. These include Cheetah, Pink headed Duck, Mountain quail Forest shotted owlet. The plants include Madhuca insignis, Hubbardia heptaneuron. About 79 species of mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles and 3 of amphibians are threatened. Nearly 1500 plant species are considered endangered.
7. What are reserved forests ? Is gazing allowed in these forests ?
Answer :
Reserved Forests - These are one of the three types of forests which are permanently earmarked either for production of timber or other forest produce.
Grazing in reserved forests - Grazing of cattle in these forests in generally prohibited but it may be allowed on certain conditions. These cover 55% of total forests.
8. Forests play an important role in enhancing the quality of environment. Give two points.
Answer :
Role of forests :
- Forests maintain the life support system.
- All forms of life human, animals and plants depend on these.
- Forests maintain the stability and maintenance of ecological system.
- Forests purify air.
9. What is the difference between forest area and forest cover ?
Answer :
Forest cover - includes the actual area under forest and all other types of natural vegetation. The total forest cover in India 76.5 million hectares (23.3% of total area.)
Forest area - is the area actually covered with forests in 63.7 million hectares (about 19.4% of total area.)
👉NCERT Solution for Class 10 Hindi
Short Answer Types Questions based on Wildlife
1. Describe the main features of Asiatic cheetah.
Answer :
The world's fastest land mammal, the cheetah, is a unique and specialised member of the cat family and can move at the speed of 112 km/hr The cheetah is often mistaken for a leopard. Its distinguishing marks are the long teardrop - shaped lines on each side of the nose from the corner of its eyes to its mouth. Prior to the 20th century, cheetahs were wisely distributed throughout Africa and Asia. Today, the Asian cheetah is nearly extinct due to decline of available habitat and prey. The species was declared extinct in India long back in 1952.
2. Distinguish between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary.
Answer :
A national park is a large area. It has many ecosystems. There are many habitats of animals. A wildlife sanctuary is similar to a national park. It is mainly dedicated to protect wild life. In a sanctuary, hunting without permission is prohibited. But in a national park, grazing and hunting are totally prohibited.
3. Write names of two biosphere reserves. Mention any two advantages of these bio - reserves.
Answer :
The two biosphere reserves are :
- Nilgiri Bio - reserve at the tri - junction of Karnatka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Nanda Devi Bio - reserves in Uttrakhand.
Advantages of Bio - reserves :
- These bio - reserves conserve wildlife, fauna and flora in this area.
- These preserve the rare species of animals.
- These areas preserve the natural beauty.
4. Why does India possess a great variety of flora ?
Or
A great variety of flora is found in India. Explain factors responsible for it.
Answer :
Vegetation has a close relation with environment. India has a varied relief, land - forms, terrain, soil and climatic conditions (temperature and rainfall). The result is that a great variety of flora is found in India. India possesses about 5000 different species of plants out of total of 49,000 species found in the world.
In the Himalayan region, the vegetation varies according to altitude ranging from tropical forests to Alpine grasslands. The country is rich in flowering plants according to duration of growing season. India is rich in non - flowering plants like ferns, algae and fungi. Natural vegetation varies according to the amount of summer rainfall ranging from tropical rain forest, monsoon forests and dry forests. The natural vegetation varies as forests, grasslands and scrubs as the rainfall decreases. Thus, India has a diverse flora.
5. What is a bioreserve ? Give two names.
Or
What is a biosphere reserve ? Where and when was the first biosphere reserve of India developed ?
Answer :
There is a great biological diversity of our land. Vast areas have been reserved for the preservation and protection of flora and fauna of the country in their natural form. Such areas are called Bio - reserves. In these areas natural plants and animals are protected for the use of future generations. The first biosphere in India was set up at Nilgiri covering an area of 5500 sq. km. Another biospehere was set up at Nanda Devi in Uttraranchal.
6. Write three steps taken by the government for the protection and conservation of the great biological diversity in India.
Answer :
- Setting up of national parks, wildlife sancturies and zoological gardens.
- Project Tiger has been started to save endangered species.
- Bio-reserves have been set up such as Nilgiris.
7. Describe the different Bio - reserves of India.
Answer :
A bio - reserve is a reserved area for the preservation and protection of the flora and fauna of the country.
- Nilgiri Bio - reserve - This is the first reserve set up in the country in 1986. It has an area of 5500 sq. km. and is spread at the trijunction of Karnatka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There are 10 bio-reserves in the country in different parts.
- Nanda - Devi Bio - reserve in Uttrakhand Himalayas in 1988.
- Nokrek in Meghalaya.
- Andaman - Nicobar Bio - reserve
- Valley of flowers in Uttrakhand.
- Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.
- Thar desert in Rajasthan.
- Rann of Kutch (Gujrat).
- Kaziranga and Manas Parks in Assam.
8. Which threatened species of wildlife are being provided protection ?
Answer :
Central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries about which you have already studied. The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one- horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stage or hangul, the three types of crocodiles - the fresh water crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others. Most recently, the Indian elephant, black buck (chinkara), the great Indian bustard (godawn) and the snow leopard, etc have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade thorughout India.
9. What steps have been taken by local communities to check deforestation ?
Answer :
- The famous Chipko movement in Himalayan.
- Community afforestation.
- New methods of farming.
- Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri.
- Navdanya Andolan
10. What is deforestation ? What are its ill-effects ?
Answer :
Deforestation - The process of clearing of forests by cutting or burning of tress is known as Deforestation. In India, large areas of forests have been cleared for cultivation and settlement. The growth of population has increased the pressure on human occupance of land.
Ill - effects :
- This indiscriminate deforestation has disturbed the ecological balance.
- It has resulted in soil erosion.
- It has affected the climate of areas. It has also caused floods in many areas.
Cutting of forests along Shiwaliks has resulted in soil erosion by Chos in Punjab.
👉 NCERT Solution for Class 10 Social Science
Short Answer Type Questions based on Forests
1. What are indirect uses of forests ?
Answer :
- Forests help in rainfall by capturing moisture in the air. These affect the climate of an area.
- Forests prevent soil erosion and floods.
- Forests increase the fertility of soil, help agriculture and maintain ecological balance.
- Forests provide shelter to wild animals and help recreation, wildlife and hunting.
- They check the advance of deserts.
2. What is an ecosystem ? What factors lead to its deterioration ?
Answer :
Ecosystem refers to specific landsape which is created due to interaction of natural and social environment. Due to man - nature interaction, a regional system is created in which organisms live. Thus the landforms, plants, animals and organisms all grow together in an area under a specific environment. This system provides the conditions for growth of organisms. Plants, animals, human beings interact with environment to form an ecosystem. Deteriortion of ecosystem is due to :
- Depletion of forests by our utilisation
- Soil erosion
- Disappearance of wildlife and plants.
3. Describe the methods of forest conservation. How are these methods useful ? Explain any two.
Or
Write a short note on conservation of forests.
Answer :
Methods of conservation of forests :
- Social forestry - It includes a massive afforestation programme of planting trees in wastelands, marshes, bad lands, road sides and along banks of canals and rivers.
- National Environment Campaign - celebrated every year creates awareness and disseminates information.
- Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, etc. are also important methods of conservation.
- Legislation - Laws have been framed both at national and international levels which prohibit felling of trees. They help in controlling pollution of water and air which cause great damage to trees.
- Van Mahotsava is also celebrated to create awareness and plant trees.
4. What is deforestaion ? What are its disadvantages ?
Or
How does the depletion of forests affect the ecosystem ? Explain two points.
Answer :
The process of clearing of forests by cutting or burning of trees is known as deforestation. In India, large areas of forests have been cleared for cultivation and settlement. The growth of population has increased the pressure on human occupance of land. This indiscriminate deforestation has disturbed the ecological balance. It has resulted in soil erosion. It has affected the climate of areas. It has also caused floods in many areas. Cutting of forests along Shiwaliks has resulted in soil erosion by Chos in Punjab.
5. Write a short note on forest wealth of India.
Answer :
Forest wealth of India - In earlier periods, large parts of India were covered with forests. The growth of population has led to the shrinkage of forest area. The total forest area is 765 lakh hectares which works out to about 23.1% of the total area of the country. The per capita forest area is as low as 0.1 hectare. This forest area is not uniformly distributed.
The natural vegetation in India is almost of the tropical type. It varies according to the distribution of rainfall, from dense evergreen forests, deciduous forests to scrubs in arid regions. The altitude also affects the type of vegetation as is seen on the slopes of the Himalayas.
6. Describe the main aims of National Forest Policy.
Answer :
National Forest Policy was introduced in 1998 for conservation and development of forest in India. Its main aim are :
- Maintain Ecological Balance
- Preservation of environment
- Conservation of natural heritage
- Check soil erosion
- Check advance of deserts
- Afforestation and social forestry
- Awareness among people
7. What is enrichment plantation ? What are its affects ?
Answer :
Some of our environmental activists say that the promotion of a new favoured species, in many parts of India, has been carried through the ironically - termed "enrichment plantation", in which a single commercially valuable species was extensively planted and other species eliminated. For instance, teak monoculture has damaged the natural forest in South India and Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) plantations in the Himalayas have replaced the Himalayas oak (Quercius spp.) and Rhododendron forests.
8. Mining and large development projects have depleted forests. Explain giving example.
Answer :
Large - scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Since 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forest were cleared for river valley projects and is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh, which would inundate 40,000 hecatres of forests. Mining is another important factor behind deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining, apart from causing considerable ecological damage which falls in the critical transitional zone between the high altitude ecosystem of Bhutan and the ecosystem of the Duars. It has also blocked the migration route of several species, including the great Indian elephants, thus, disturbing their natural habitat.
9. What are the causes of depletion of the Himalayan Yew Plant ?
Answer :
The Himalayan Yew (Taxus walla chiana) is a medicinal plant found in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. A chemical compound called 'taxol' is extracted from the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree, and it has been successfully used to treat some cancers - the drug is now the biggest selling anti - cancer drug in the world. The species is under great threat due to over - exploitation. In the last one decade, thousands of yew trees have dried no in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
10. Describe the different types of animals (wildlife) found in India.
Answer :
Like diverse flora, our fauna is found to be equally rich and varied. There are about 81000 known species. The country in its fresh and marine waters has as many as 2500 species of fish. Likewise there are about 1200 species of birds. In addition there are amphibians, reptiles, mammals and small insects and worms.
Among the mammals, the elephant is the stately animal. It is a typical animal of hot wet equatorial forests. It is found in the jungles of Assam, Kerala and Karnatka. In these areas, it rains heavily and the forests are very dense. On the other hand camels and wild asses are found.
11. Write a detailed note on conservation of wildlife. Suggest three measures to conserve wildlife and explain them.
Answer :
India is rich in fauna and flora. There is a great biological diversity in India. There are about 81000 known species of animals. It has 2500 species of fish and 1200 species of birds. But many of these fauna have been destroyed by man. Many rare species have become extinct in India. Our rich wildlife is rich heritage formed through centuries. It must be preserved. Many of the fauna are found only in India such as swamp deer, the one-horned rhinoceros, the bison, Kashmir stag, Nilgai, etc. These rare species are in danger of extinction.
Following measures for conserving and protecting wildlife as well as its biodiversity in the country. Wild life is a gift of nature and a thing of beauty. Wildlife Act provides for the protection and conservation of these species. For this purpose a network of 89 national parks, 490 sanctuaries and 13 biosphere reserves have been established.
12. How are forests classified on the basis of density ? Give a brief account of each type.
Answer :
Forests are classified on the basis of density into three chief types :
- Dense Forests
- Open Forests
- Mangrove Forests
Of the total forests cover of 76.5 million hectares of land or 23% of total geographic area of India, percentage area under each of the above three types is given in the pie digram below.
Dense Forests - These forests account for 59% of total forest cover. They mostly constitute reserved forests as well as some areas under protected forests. The dense forests are found in areas receiving rainfall of 200 cm and above. However, moist monsoon forests in Western Ghats are also dense.
Open Forests - These forests account for about 40% of total forest cover. These chiefly constitute protected forests including dry deciduous types. Some mixed deciduous and coniferous forests in mountainous areas are also open type.
Mangroves - These are also called tidal forests and found in deltaic regions. The best example of mangrove forests is Sunderbans in West Bengal. Mangroves represent a special ecosystem. Therefore they may be both of dense or open type but are taken as one unit.
13. Classify forests on the basis of asministration.
Answer :
Characteristics of different types of forests.
In India for the purpose of administration forests are divided into three main types - Reserved, Protected and Unclassed.
The chief characteristics of each type of forest are as under :
Reserved forests - They are permanently earmarked either for production of timber or forest produce. In these forests rights of grazing and cultivation is not allowed.
Protected forests - In these forests rights of grazing and cultivation is allowed to some extent under certain restrictions.
Unclassed forests - They are either inaccessible or unoccupied wastes and no restrictions are applied.
14. Describe in brief the distribution of reserved and protected forests in India.
Answer :
These forests are called permanent forests for producing timber.
- Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under protected forests (75% of total).
- J & K, Andhra Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra have large percentage of reserved forests.
- Bihar, Harayana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha have bulk of protected forests.
15. Explain the role of local communities to forest conservation.
Answer :
Forests are house of some traditional communities. They conserve forests to secure their livelihood. In Sariska Tiger reserve, Rajasthan villagers have fight against mining. The inhabitants of two villages in Alwar district of Rajasthan fought about 1200 Hectares of forests as Bhairab Dev Dakars sanctuary.
👉 Revision Notes for Class 10 Social Science
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the different types of plants and animals species found in India.
Answer :
We can classify the different categories of existing plants and animals species. (Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN):
- Normal species : Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
- Endangered species : These are 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. The examples of such species are black buck, crocodile, Inian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, etc.
- Vulnerable species : These are species whose population have 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. The exmples of such species are blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
- Rare species : 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.
- Endemic species : These are species which are only found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. The examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, etc.
- Extinct species : These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur. A 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.
2. What are the ill - effects of environmental destruction on forest dependent communities ?
Answer :
The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just a biological issue. The biological loss is highly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity. Such losses have increasingly marginalised and impoverished many indigenous and other forest - dependent communities, which directly depend on various components of the forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, culture, spiritually, etc. Even among the poor, women are affected more than men. In many socieities, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder, water and such basic subsistence needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women increases and sometimes they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect these resources. This causes serious health problems for women and negligence of home and children because of the increased hours of work, which often has serious social implications. The indirect impact of degradation such as severe drought of deforestation - included floods, etc. also hits the poor the hardest. Poverty in these cases is a direct outcome of environmental destruction. Therefore, forest and wildlife which are so vital to the equality of life and environment in the subcontinent, is imperative to adapt to sound forest and wildlife conservation strategies.
3. Describe the Project Tiger in India.
Answer :
Project Tiger - Tiger is one of the key wildlife species in the faunal web. In 1973, the authorities realised that the tiger population has dwindled to 1,827 from an estimated 55,000 at the turn of the century. The major threats to tiger population are numerous, such as poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species, growing human population, etc. The trade of tiger skins and the use of their bones in traditional medicines, especially in the Asian countries left the tiger population on the verge of extinction. Since India and Nepal provide habitat to about two - thirds of the surviving tiger population of the world, these two nations became prime targets for poaching and illegal trading.
"Project Tiger" , one of the well - publicised wildlife campaigns in the world, was launched in 1973. Initially, it showed success as the tiegr population went upto 4,002 in 1985 and 4,334 in 1989. But in 1993, the population of the tiger has dropped to 3,600. There are 27 Tiger Reserves in India covering 37,761 sq kilometres. Tiger Conservation has been viewed not only as an effort to save an endangered species but with equal importance as a means of preserving biotypes of sizeable magnitude. Corbett National Park in Uttrakhand, Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal, Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala area a few Tiger Reserves of India.