NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography: Forest And Wildlife Resources
Forest and Wildlife Resources
- Class 10 Geography
Summary of the Chapter
The chapter "Forest and Wildlife Resources" discusses the importance of biodiversity and the conservation of forest and wildlife resources in India. It begins by explaining the classification of species based on their population status - normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic, and extinct. The chapter highlights the factors responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna, including agricultural expansion, development projects, mining, and unequal access to resources.
The chapter covers the conservation of forest and wildlife in India, discussing various types of forests and the conservation strategies adopted. It explains the different categories of protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and biosphere reserves. The chapter also discusses the role of communities in conservation through examples like the Chipko Movement and Joint Forest Management. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of people's participation in conservation efforts.
NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
Exercises (Page 22)
Question 1: Multiple choice questions: (i) Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna? (a) Agricultural expansion (b) Large scale developmental projects (c) Grazing and fuel wood collection (d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation
(ii) Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management
(b) Chipko Movement
(c) Beej Bachao Andolan
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Answer-
(i) (c) Grazing and fuel wood collection
(ii) (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Question 2: Match the following animals with their category of existence:
| Animals/Plants | Category of existence |
|---|---|
| Black buck | Extinct |
| Asiatic elephant | Rare |
| Andaman wild pig | Endangered |
| Himalayan brown bear | Endemic |
| Pink head duck | Vulnerable |
Answer-
| Animals/Plants | Category of existence |
|---|---|
| Black buck | Endangered |
| Asiatic elephant | Vulnerable |
| Andaman wild pig | Endemic |
| Himalayan brown bear | Rare |
| Pink head duck | Extinct |
Question 3: Match the following:
| Reserved forests | Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities |
|---|---|
| Protected forests | Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources |
| Unclassed forests | Forest lands are protected from any further depletion |
Answer-
| Reserved forests | Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources |
|---|---|
| Protected forests | Forest lands are protected from any further depletion |
| Unclassed forests | Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities |
Question 4: Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Answer-
(i) Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. It is important for human lives because:
- It provides food, medicine, and industrial products
- Maintains ecological balance
- Preserves genetic diversity
- Supports ecosystem services like pollination and soil formation
(ii) Human activities affecting depletion of flora and fauna:
- Deforestation for agriculture and urbanization
- Poaching and illegal trade of wildlife
- Pollution of air, water, and soil
- Construction of large dams and mining activities
- Over-exploitation of forest resources
Question 5: Answer the following questions in about 120 words:
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Answer-
(i) Community conservation efforts in India:
- Chipko Movement: In 1970s, local communities in Uttarakhand hugged trees to prevent them from being cut
- Beej Bachao Andolan: Tehri-Garhwal district farmers conserved traditional seeds
- Joint Forest Management: Local communities work with government to protect forests
- Sacred Grooves: Many communities protect forest patches as sacred spaces
- Community reserves: Local people protect wildlife in their areas
- Traditional knowledge: Indigenous communities use sustainable harvesting methods
(ii) Good practices for conservation:
- Protected areas: Establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves
- Legislation: Implementing laws like Wildlife Protection Act 1972
- Community participation: Involving local people in conservation through Joint Forest Management
- Afforestation: Large-scale tree planting programs
- Sustainable use: Promoting sustainable harvesting of forest products
- Education: Creating awareness about conservation importance
- Research: Scientific studies on endangered species
- Eco-development: Providing alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forests
Question 6: Map Skills: On an outline map of India, label and locate the following:
- Corbett National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
- Manas Tiger Reserve
- Periyar Tiger Reserve
Answer-
[Students should mark these on a map of India:
Corbett National Park - Uttarakhand
Bandhavgarh National Park - Madhya Pradesh
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary - Rajasthan
Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam
Periyar Tiger Reserve - Kerala]
Additional Questions
Question 7: Classify species based on their population status with examples.
Answer-
| Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Species | Species whose population levels are considered normal | Cattle, sal, pine |
| Endangered Species | Species in danger of extinction | Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass |
| Vulnerable Species | Species likely to move into endangered category | Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant |
| Rare Species | Species with small population | Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo |
| Endemic Species | Species found only in a particular area | Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon |
| Extinct Species | Species which are not found after searches | Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck |
Question 8: What are the different types of forests in India?
Answer-
| Forest Type | Description | Percentage | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserved Forests | Most valuable forests for conservation | More than half | Permanent forest estate, maximum protection |
| Protected Forests | Forest lands protected from further depletion | One-third | Limited protection, some rights allowed |
| Unclassed Forests | Other forests and wastelands | Remaining | Owned by government and private entities |
Question 9: Explain the major causes of depletion of forest and wildlife resources.
Answer-
Major causes of depletion:
1.Agricultural expansion: Clearing forests for farming and settlements
2.Development projects: Construction of dams, roads, and industries
3.Mining: Extraction of minerals destroys forests
4.Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock
5.Fuel wood collection: Unsustainable collection for cooking and heating
6.Poaching and illegal trade: Hunting of animals for skin, fur, and other products
7.Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution affecting wildlife
8.Forest fires: Natural and man-made fires destroying habitats
9.Climate change: Changing weather patterns affecting ecosystems
10.Urbanization: Expansion of cities into forest areas
Question 10: What are the different types of protected areas in India? Give examples.
Answer-
| Protected Area | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | Areas where animals are protected from disturbance | Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary (Haryana) |
| National Parks | Areas reserved for wildlife conservation | Kaziranga (Assam), Gir (Gujarat), Sundarbans (West Bengal) |
| Biosphere Reserves | Large areas for conservation of biodiversity | Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu), Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), Sundarbans (West Bengal) |
| Tiger Reserves | Special areas for tiger conservation | Project Tiger areas like Corbett, Bandipur, Ranthambore |
Question 11: What is Joint Forest Management? How does it help in conservation?
Answer-
Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a program launched in 1988 that involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
How JFM helps in conservation:
1.Community participation: Local villagers form forest protection committees
2.Shared responsibility: Both government and communities share responsibility
3.Sustainable use: Communities get benefits from forest products
4.Conflict reduction: Reduces conflicts between forest department and locals
5.Biodiversity protection: Local knowledge helps in conservation
6.Livelihood support: Provides employment and income opportunities
7.Degraded forest restoration: Helps in regenerating degraded forests
8.Women empowerment: Involves women in decision-making
Question 12: Describe the Chipko Movement and its significance.
Answer-
Chipko Movement:
- Started in early 1970s in Garhwal Himalayas (Uttarakhand)
- Local villagers, especially women, hugged trees to prevent them from being cut
- Led by environmental activists like Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna
- Originated in Reni village when women prevented contractors from cutting trees
Significance:
- Successful conservation: Saved thousands of trees from being felled
- Women empowerment: Demonstrated women's leadership in environmental protection
- Policy impact: Led to 15-year ban on green felling in Himalayan forests
- Global inspiration: Inspired similar movements worldwide
- Awareness creation: Raised environmental consciousness among people
- Sustainable development: Promoted the concept of ecological balance
- Community power: Showed the strength of community-based conservation
Important Keywords from the Chapter
- Biodiversity: Variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
- Normal Species: Species whose population levels are considered normal
- Endangered Species: Species in danger of extinction
- Vulnerable Species: Species likely to move into endangered category
- Rare Species: Species with small population
- Endemic Species: Species found only in a particular area
- Extinct Species: Species which are not found after searches
- Reserved Forests: Most valuable forests for conservation
- Protected Forests: Forest lands protected from further depletion
- Unclassed Forests: Other forests and wastelands
- Wildlife Sanctuary: Areas where animals are protected from disturbance
- National Park: Areas reserved for wildlife conservation
- Biosphere Reserve: Large areas for conservation of biodiversity
- Joint Forest Management (JFM): Program involving local communities in forest management
- Chipko Movement: Environmental movement where people hugged trees to save them
- Project Tiger: Wildlife conservation project for tiger protection
- Sacred Groves: Forest patches protected by communities as sacred spaces
- Poaching: Illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals
- Afforestation: Planting trees in an area where there were no trees
- Reforestation: Replanting trees in forest areas that have been depleted