VELAMMAL BODHI CAMPUS – THANJAVUR

GRADE :X SOCIAL SCIENCE

FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Question and Answers

1.What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, or on an entire
planet. There are millions of living organisms on planet earth. All these living organisms,
including man, are interdependent on each other.

2.How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Cutting down of forests for agricultural expansion, large scale developmental projects, grazing
and fuel wood collection and for urbanization has led to the depletion of flora and fauna.

3.Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
In India many traditional communities still live in the forests and depend on their livelihood for
forest produce. These communities are working hand in hand with the government to conserve
forests.
In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining activities. In Alwar district
of Rajasthan, local communities belonging to five villages have set their own rules and
regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest land. They have named it as the Bhairodev Dakav
‘Sonchuri’. Hunting is not allowed in these lands and outside encroachments are prohibited.
The famous Chipko movement was started in the Himalayan region to stop deforestation. People
belonging to the local community took to afforestation in a big way. Indigenous species were
cultivated and protected.
Involving local communities in protecting the environment, and stopping degradation of forests
has reaped many benefits.

4.Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

In 1972, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented. It made protecting specific
habitats a law. A list of wildlife species that had to be protected was published and hunting these
animals was against the law.
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were set up in many states to protect endangered
species.
Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several insects have also been included in the list of
protected species. Butterflies, moths, beetles, dragonflies and even certain plants are included in
the protected list.
“Project Tiger” was initiated in 1973 by the government of India to protect tigers. It is one of the
most well publicized wildlife campaigns in the world.
Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct one

1. Which one of the following .s not considered a sacred tree in India

(a) Peepal
(b) Neem
(c) Banyan
(d) Mango
2. What was the aim of Chipko movement ?
(a) Human rights
(b) Political rights
(c) Agricultural expansion
(d) Forest conservation
3. Which one of the following is an example of endemic species ?
(a) Nicobar Pigeon
(b) Asiatic Buffalo
(c) Horn Bill
(d) Black buck
4. Which of these statements is not a valid reason for depletion of flora and fauna ?
(a) Agricultural expansion.
(b) Large scale developmental projects.
(c) Grazing and fuelwood collection.
(d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
5. Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community
participation.
(a) Joint Forest Management
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Chipko Movement
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife Sanctuaries
6. The total forest cover in the country is about …………….
(a) 18.1%
(b) 22.1%
(c) 19.3%
(d) 11.5%
7. Most of the forests in the North eastern states belong to the category of …………..
(a) Wastelands
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests
(d) Mangroves
8. Endemic species refers to
(a) Species which are extinct.
(b) Species which are declining.
(c) Species which are confined to specific areas only.
(d) Species which are normal.

9. Periyar Tiger reserve is located in

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Kerala

10. ‘Chipko movement’ is a programme started towards conservation of …………….

(a) Soil
(b) Water
(c) Minerals
(d) Forests

11. IUCN refers to

(a) International Understanding and Convention of Nature
(b) International Unity and Conservation of Nature
(c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(d) Indian Union for Conservation of Natural Beauty

12. Forests play a key role in the ecological system because

(a) it supports a large number of animals
(b) they are important for tourism.
(c) they are the primary producers on which all other living things depend.
(d) they provide us with many useful things.

13. The area of forest converted into agricultural land between 1951 to 1980 is about
(a) 25,000 sq. km.
(b) 20,000 sq. km.
(c) 23,000 sq. km.
(d) 26,200 sq. km.

14. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been threatened about the loss of habitat
of many species due to
(a) Industrial development (b) Agricultural expansion
(c) Port activities (d) Mining
15. Which group of people in India are responsible for maximum ecological destruction ?
(a) richest 5 percent
(b) poorest 25 percent
(c) tribal communities
(d) slum dwellers

16. Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented mainly to

(a) protect certain animals.
(b) protect the remaining population of certain endangered species.
(c) protect the tigers.
(d) protect aquatic animals.

17. The hunting and trade of which animals have been given full or partial legal protection
in India ?
(a) Indian lion
(b) Indian elephant
(c) Black buck (Chinkara)
(d) Great Indian bustard (Godawan)

18. In India, forest and wildlife resources are owned and managed by
(a) Private individuals
(b) Communities
(c) The Government
(d) Others

19. Reserved forests refers to

(a) Forests protected from further depletion
(b) Forests meant for their valuable timber and other forest produce
(c) Conservation of some species
(d) Conservation of animals

20. The forests belonging to both government and private individuals and communities are
called …………..
(a) Protected Forests
(b) Open Forests
(c) Unclassed Forests
(d) Reserved Forests
21. The Mundas and Santhals of Chhota Nagpur region worship which one of the following
trees ?
(a) Mahua
(b) Mango
(c) Peepal
(d) Tamarind

22. Which one of the following is a farmers movement initiated in Tehri ?

(a) Tehri Andolan
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Appease Movement
(d) Green Revolution

23. The main objective of Joint Forest Management programme is

(a) involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
(b) involving rich people in conservation of forests.
(c) involving backward communities to conserve wildlife.
(d) involving the farmers to plant trees.

24. What is the name given to the forests of God and Goddesses?
(a) Sacred Garden
(b) Sacred Groves
(c) Sacred Park
(d) Sacred Orchards

25. Which one of the following statements is not true with regard to depletion of flora and
fauna ?
(a) Land required for housing
(b) Agricultural expansion
(c) Mining activities
(d) Shifting agriculture

26. Which one of the following is not a reason for environmental destruction ?
(a) Global warming
(b) Unequal access
(c) Over population
(d) Inequitable consumption of resources
27. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity because
(a) it has impoverished many indigenous and forest dependent communities.
(b) it has caused serious health problems for women.
(c) it has aggravated many natural hazards that affected the poor.
(d) All of the above

28. Which Wildlife Protection Act has included for the first time the list of protected
species of plants ?
(a) Wildlife Protection Act of 1980
(b) Wildlife Protection Act of 1986
(c) Wildlife Protection Act of 1991
(d) Wildlife Protection Act of 1995

29. What is the position of India in the world in terms of bio-diversity ?

(a) First
(b) Fifth
(c) Tenth
(d) Twelve

30. The present forest cover of India in terms of the total geographical area is
(a) 18 per cent
(b) 19.39 per cent
(c) 22 per cent
(d) 15 per cent

31. In which of the following states has the Joint Forests Management started ?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Orissa
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Arunachal Pradesh

32. Flora refers to

(a) Animal kingdom
(b) Plant kingdom
(c) Insects
(d) Flowers

33. Immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function but
closely integrated in a system is called
(a) Bioreserve
(b) Diversity
(c) Biodiversity
(d) Biome

34. The total number of plant species in India is

(a) 49000
(b) 47000
(c) 45000
(d) 81000

35. The total number of animal species in India is

(a) 81000
(b) 89000
(c) 98000
(d) 18000

36. Species which are in danger of extinction are called ……………..

(a) Endemic Species
(b) Extinct Species
(c) Vulnerable Species
(d) Endangered Species

37. Species which are no longer found on the earth are called
(a) Normal Species
(b) Vulnerable Species
(c) Rare Species
(d) Extinct Species

38. Which one of the river valley projects has significantly contributed to the loss of forests
?
(a) Nagarjuna Sagar
(b) Narmada Sagar
(c) Nizam Sagar
(d) Rana Pratap Sagar

39. Which state of India has the maximum area under reserved forests ?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Himachal Pradesh
40. The state having highest percentage of protected forests is
(a) Punjab
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Jammu and Kashmir

41. Project Tiger was launched in the year

(a) 1980
(b) 1973
(c) 1974
(d) 1975

42. In which of the following states is the Corbett National Park

(a) West Bengal
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Uttaranchal
(d) Madhya Pradesh

……………………………………………………………………..
 Long Answers

1. “Conservation of rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry has become essential.”
Explain.
Or
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.
Or
Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary? In what way have conservation
projects changed in the recent years?
Or
Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India.

(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.

2. Describe the different types of plant and animal species found in India.
Or
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.
(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.

3. What steps have been taken by the government for the conservation of forest and
wildlife in India? Explain.
Or
Write any three effective practices towards conserving forests and wildlife.
Or
Explain any three measures taken by the Indian Government to protect wildlife.
(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.

4. “Conservation projects have changed their focus in the recent years.” Explain.
Or
In what ways the conservation project has changed in the recent years?
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.

5. “Maintenance of ecological system is of utmost importance.” How can you contribute to

conserve it and what values are developed through this activity?

(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.

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