Q 1. What has caused the destruction and extinction of many species of animals and plant life?
Neglect of our environment has led to the destruction and extinction of many species of animals and plant life.
Q 2. How are animal and plant life categorized?
Animal and plant life can be categorized as follows Normal Species Endangered Species Vulnerable Species Rare Species Endemic Species Extinct Species
Q 3. What are the dangers we face due to depletion of forests?
Depletion of forests causes a lot of danger. Water scarcity, drought and deforestation induced floods are some of the dangers. Drought and floods directly affect the poor. Therefore, forests are vital for the quality of life and environment in India.
Q 4. What is biodiversity?
It is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and microorganisms living on the earth.
Q 5. What is IUCN?
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Q 6. What are benefits of conserving forests?
Conservation of forests preserves the ecological diversity and natural resources like water, air and soil. It preserves the genetic diversity of plants. Conservation of forest and wildlife also help in the growth of animal species and in their breeding.
Q 7. What are normal species?
Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival are classified as normal species
Q 8. What is flora?
Plants of particular region or period are referred to as flora
Q 9. What is fauna?
Species of animals of a particular region or period are referred as fauna.
Q 10. “India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity”. Justify.
India has nearly 8% of the total number of species in the world.
Q 11. Write a short note on the Himalayan Yew.
The Himalayan Yew is a medicinal plant that is found in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. From the bark, needles, twigs and roots of this tree a chemical compound called ‘taxol’ is extracted. This chemical is used to make drugs that are used to cure certain types of cancers, but the species is becoming extinct due to over-exploitation.
Q 12. What is ‘enrichment plantation’?
Enrichment plantation” was carried out during the colonial period in India. When a particular species of trees which are commercially profitable are planted after the removal of other species in the area, it is called “enrichment plantation”.
Examples of “enrichment plantation” are Teak trees planted in South India after cutting down natural forests Chirr Pine plantations which have replaced the Himalayan oak in the Himalayas.
Q 13. What are extinct species?
The species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur.
Q 14. Categorise the following as endangered or vulnerable species- Asiatic elephant,Indian Rhino.
(i) Asiatic elephant – Vulnerable species.
(ii) Indian Rhino – Endangered species.
Q 15. Name any four resources which are obtained from our biodiversity.
The resources are: wood, rubber, medicines and dyes.
Q 16. Name five states which have large reserved and protected forests respectively.
Five states having large percentages of reserved forests are: Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Protected Forests: Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan.
Q 17. What are unclassed forests? Name two areas which have high percentages of their forests as unclassed forests.
Unclassed forests are the other forests and waste lands belonging to both Government and private individuals as well as local communities. Two areas with high percentage of unclassed forests are: North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat.
Q 18. Explain the ‘Beej Bachao Andolan’ and ‘Navdanya’ concept.
Farmers and Citizens’ groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals are possible and economically viable.
Q 19. Name four animals and two species of flora which are on the verge of extinction.
Animals and plants on the verge of extinction: Four animals: Cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet. Two plants:
- Wild mahua (madhuca insignis)
- hubbardia heptaneuron (a species of grass).
Q 20. Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India.
There is a need to conserve the forests and wildlife in India:
- Conservation of biodiversity is necessary because it preserves the ecological diversity.
- Forests and wildlife preserve our life support systems, i.e., water, air and soil. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive.
- It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding of species. For example, in agriculture we are still dependent on traditional crop varieties.
- Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.
- Forests are primary producers on which all other living beings depend not only for food but indirectly for many other forest produces which are used for varied purposes.
Q 21. 33% of area should be under forests’. Justify the statement highlighting the environmental values of forests.
Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33% of geographical area, as outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952). Forests are considered essential for maintenance of the ecological balance. The livelihood of millions of people who live on the fringes of these forests depend upon it.
Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the primary producers on which all other living beings depend. The forest preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems—water, air and soil. It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. The destruction of forests have marginalised and impoverished many indigenous forest dependent communities. The indirect impact of degradation is severe drought or induced floods. Poverty is a direct outcome of environmental destruction.
Q 22. Give the main characteristics of the Asiatic Cheetah. Where has it gone?
The world’s fastest land mammal, the cheetah (Acinonyxjubantus), 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 comer of its eyes to its mouth. Prior to the 20th century, cheetahs were widely distributed throughout Africa and Asia. Today, the Asian cheetah is nearly extinct due to a decline of available habitat and prey. The species was declared extinct in India long back in 1952.
Q 23. Give an account of the Himalayan Yew highlighting its importance.
The Himalayan Yew is in trouble. The Himalayan Yew (Taxuswallachiana) 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 up in various parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Q 24. Write a brief note on ‘Project Tiger’.
Project Tiger’ was one of the well-published wildlife campaigns in the world, launched in 1973. Initially it had shown an increase in tiger population till 1989 but in 1993 the tiger population dropped. There are 27 tiger reserves in India covering an area of 37,761 sq km.
Tiger conservation has been viewed not only as an effort to save the endangered species but with equal importance as a means of preserving biotypes of sizeable magnitude. Corbett National Park, (Uttarakhand), Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan) Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala) are some of the reserves in India.
Q 25. What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives? Give three points.
Biodiversity denotes variety of living beings, including all types of organisms, plants and wildlife, diverse in form and functions but closely integrated in a system through multiple network of interdependencies. Its importance: We humans along with all living organisms form a complex web of ecological systems in which we are only a part and are 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 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 not only for food but indirectly for many other forest produces which are used for varied purposes. So this biodiversity maintains an ecological balance and our life support systems (air, water and soil).
Q 26. Write two characteristics of Joint Forest Management Programme and its two benefits for the community. Which Indian state started this programme first of all and when?
Joint Forest Management Programme involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. It was first started in Orissa in 1988.
Two characteristics: It depends on—
- the formation of local (village) institutions that undertake protection activities mostly on degraded forest land managed by the Forest Department and
- the local communities also work towards restoration of such degraded forests.
Two benefits:
- The members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest products.
- They are also entitled to share in the timber harvested by ‘successful protection’.
Q 26. Write three examples of conservation of biodiversity at community level. (2025)
Three examples of community participation:
- In ‘Sariska Tiger Reserve’, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. In many areas, villagers themselves, are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting Government involvement.
- The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar District of Rajasthan have declared 1200 hectares of forest as the ‘Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regulations, which do not allow hunting, and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
- The famous Chipko Movement in the Himalayas has successfully resisted deforestation and has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be a great success.
Q 27. Write the major differences between reserved and protected forests.
Difference between Reserved and Protected forests
| Reserved forests | Protected forests |
| 1. They cover more than half of the total forest area. | 1. Almost V3 of the total forest area is protected forest. |
| 2. They are most valuable from the point of view of forest and wildlife conservation. | 2. These forest lands are protected from any further depletion. |
Q 28. Give an account of the forest cover in India.
The dimensions of deforestation in India are staggering. The forest and tree cover in the country is estimated at 79.42 million hectare, which is 24.16% of the total geographical area (dense forest 12.2%; open forest 9.14%; and mangrove 0.14%). According to the State of Forest Report (2015), the dense forest cover has increased by 3,775 sq km since 2013. However, this apparent increase in the forest cover is due to conservation measures, management interventions and plantation, etc., by different agencies.
Q 29. Which agency manages forests in India? Name three broad categories in which the forests are classified.
The forests in India are owned and managed by the Government through the Forest Department.
They are classified under the following categories:
Q 30. Write four steps taken by the Government for conservation of wildlife.
Five steps that have been taken to protect the wildlife in India:
- Under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, an All India list of protected species was published. The thrust was on protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by –
- banning hunting giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
- Many wildlife sanctuaries have been developed and National Parks have been set up.
- Many projects have been started for protecting specific animals which were gravely threatened, eg. Project Tiger, One-horned Rhino, the Kashmir Stag (hangul), three types of crocodiles —the fresh water, salt-water and Gharials, the Asiatic Lion, etc.
- Most recently, some animals have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trading throughout India, eg., Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard and the snow leopard, etc.
- Setting up of biosphere reserves for conserving flora and fauna in their natural surroundings and protection of wetland ecosystems is another step taken in this direction.
Q 31. List various provisions made by “The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972” for protecting habitats.
- All India list of protected species was published.
- The thrust was on protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by-
- banning hunting giving legal protection to their habitats and restricting trade in wildlife.
Q 32. Why do we need to conserve our biodiversity?
Conservation of biodiversity is necessary because it:
- Preserves the ecological diversity.
- Preserves our life support systems, i.e., water, air and soil.
- Preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding of species.
- Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.
Q 33. The destruction of biodiversity is highly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity.” Give four facts to support this statement.
Such losses have:
- Increasingly marginalised and impoverished many forest dependent communities.
- Among the poor, women are affected more than men, for women bear the major responsibility of basic subsistence needs. With the depletion of these resources, the drudgery of women increased for they had to walk for more than 10 km to collect these resources which, in turn, affected their health and negligence of home and children.
- The indirect impact of degradation, eg. drought or floods etc. also hits the poor the hardest.
- Poverty is a direct outcome of environmental destruction.
Q 34. Write four most important causes of environmental destruction/degradation.
- Unequal access to resources.
- Inequitable consumption of resources.
- Differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well being.
- Over-population.
Q 35. List six factors which have led to the decline in India’s biodiversity.
- Habitat destruction
- Over-exploitation
- Environmental pollution
- Forest fires
- Hunting and Poaching
- Poisoning
Q 36. Write three adverse impacts of dolomite mining in the Buxar Tiger Reserve on the ecosystem.
Adverse effects of dolomite mining in the Buxar Tiger Reserve:
- It has caused ecological damage.
- It has blocked the migration route of several species.
- It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species.
Q 37. Write four major reasons for the depletion of forest cover.
- Deforestation for agricultural purposes.
- Shifting cultivation which is still practised in substantial parts of tribal belts.
- Large-scale development of river valley projects.
- Mining activities have also resulted in deforestation. For example, the tiger reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining.
- Environmental pollution and forest fires have also led to depletion of forests.
Q 38. Name six groups of flora and fauna under which they are classified by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
- Normal species Species, whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival.
- Endangered species Species, which are in danger of extinction because their population is declining. For example, Black buck, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque and Indian wild ass.
- Vulnerable resources These are the species whose population has declined so much that they are likely to move into endangered category in the near future, if negative factors continue to operate. For example, Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin.
- Rare species Species with small population. If care is not taken they may also become endangered species. For example, Himalayan Brown bear, desert fox, wild Asiatic buffalo, hornbill.
- Endemic species Species which are only found in particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. For example, Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig.
- Extinct species These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur, i.e., the species which were existing earlier, but are not seen today.
Q 39. Mention a social impact of deforestation.
In many societies, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder, water and other 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.
Q 40. What is biodiversity?
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.
Q 41..What is importance of forests?
Or
Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our life.
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India?
(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.
Q 42. “The diverse flora and fauna of India is under threat”. Justify by giving reasons.
(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.
Q 43. What are Normal species? How are these different from endangered species. Give four examples.
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.
Q 44. What are Extinct species? Give four examples.
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.
Q 45. Large scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Explain.
(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.
Q 46. What is ‘Project Tiger’? When was it launched? Mention any four tiger reserves of India.
Or
Write a brief note on ‘Project Tiger’
Project Tiger was a wildlife conservation project initiated in India in 1973 to protect the Bengal Tiger. There are more than 42 tiger reserves in India covering an area of about 37,761 s km. Four Tiger Reserves in India are :
(i) The Corbett National Park – Uttarakhand
(ii) The Sunderban National Fbrk – West Bengal
(iii) The Manas Tiger Reserve – Assam
(iv) The Periyar Tiger Reserve – Kerala
Q 47. Give three reasons why we need to save the biodiversity of our planet. How can you contribute to the given cause?
Or
Explain the importance of biodiversity for human beings.
(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 recreate the quality of
the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive.
(ii) The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just a biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity.
(iii) It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.
Our contribution :
(i) Minimising wastage of resources.
(ii) Use Jute bags.
(iii) Planting more trees.
Q 48. Which values do the wildlife sanctuaries of any country promote?
(i) Wildlife sanctuaries have been formed to conserve and maintain the diversity and integrity of natural heritage.
(ii) They help to preserve natural ecosystem.
(iii) They teach us the value of sharing because 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.
Q 49. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India. What moral lessons you have learnt from this?
(i) In Sariska Tiger Reserve : Rajasthani villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. In many areas, villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.
(ii) The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared about 1,200 hectares of forest area as the ‘Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri. The community has declared their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting and are
protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
(iii) Many states have launched the Joint Forest Management programme to involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Odisha was the first state to launch this programme.
(iv) Improper farming techniques, defective methods of farming are also responsible for depletion of our biodiversity. So many farmers and citizen groups support the Bee) Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have developed or are using various crop production methods which do not use synthetic chemicals for growing crops.
(v) The famous Chipko Movement was launched by the women of Chamoli in northern India, saved more than 12,000 s km. area of forests just by hugging the trees when the lumberjacks attempted to cut them.
Moral lessons :
• Conservation strategies can be successful only with the participation of local people.
• The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities verywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management. But there is still a long way to go before local communities are at the centre-stage in decision making. Accept only those economic or developmental activities, that are people centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.
Q 50. Explain the social impacts of loss of forests.
Or
“Forest and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and environment in the subcontinent.” Explain.
(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) Impact on women : Even among the poor, women are affected more than men. In many societies, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel, fodder, water and other basic needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women
increases. Most of the time they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect the basic necessities. This causes serious health problems for women in the negligence of home and children because of the increased hours of work, which often has serious social implications.
(iii) Poverty : Deforestation is also responsible for poverty. It is considered as a direct outcome of environmental destruction. Most of the poor people or tribal people depend on forests for their basic needs. Now if the forests are destroyed, these poor people will be
deprived of the basic necessities.