NCERT Questions & Answers + Important Extra Questions
NCERT Textbook Questions
Q1. 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
Note: All are valid reasons; but if asked which is relatively less significant as a cause of large-scale depletion, grazing and fuel wood collection are localised impacts compared to the others.
(ii) 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
Q2. Answer in about 30 words
(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Answer
Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of all living organisms — plants, animals, and microorganisms — and the ecosystems they form. It is important because: (i) It provides us food, medicines, timber, and raw materials. (ii) It maintains ecological balance and sustains life-support systems (clean air, water, fertile soil). (iii) Loss of one species can disrupt the entire food chain.
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Answer
Human activities have severely impacted biodiversity: (i) Deforestation for agriculture, housing, and industry has destroyed habitats. (ii) Hunting and poaching have pushed many species to extinction (tigers, rhinoceros). (iii) Pollution of air, water, and soil has degraded ecosystems. (iv) Mining and dam construction have disrupted forest and river ecosystems. (v) Overgrazing and over-exploitation of forest products have degraded forests. (vi) Introduction of invasive species has displaced native species.
Q3. Answer in about 120 words
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
Ans. Communities across India have a long tradition of conserving forests and wildlife:
(i) Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan): Villagers fought against mining activities that threatened the tiger habitat.
(ii) Bishnoi community (Rajasthan): In 1731, Amrita Devi Bishnoi and 363 others sacrificed their lives to protect Khejri trees from being felled by the king's soldiers. The Bishnois have protected blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks for centuries as part of their religious beliefs.
(iii) Chipko Movement (1970s): In Uttarakhand (then UP), villagers led by Sunderlal Bahuguna hugged trees to prevent commercial logging. This movement led to a ban on tree felling in the Himalayan region.
(iv) Beej Bachao Andolan (Save Seeds Movement): In Tehri and Navdanya, farmers conserved traditional crop varieties against the spread of hybrid and GM seeds.
(v) Joint Forest Management (JFM): Introduced in 1988, this programme involves local communities in the management and protection of degraded forest land. Odisha was a pioneer — villagers of Bishanpur and Sukhomajri demonstrated that community management could regenerate forests more effectively than government control alone.
(vi) Many tribal communities like the Mundas and Santals have sacred groves (forests protected on religious grounds) where no tree is felled and no animal is hunted.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Ans. Several good practices for conservation include:
(i) Protected areas: India has established 104+ National Parks, 550+ Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 18 Biosphere Reserves to protect biodiversity. Examples: Jim Corbett (tigers), Kaziranga (one-horned rhinoceros), Periyar (elephants).
(ii) Project Tiger (1973): Launched to protect the dwindling tiger population. Tiger reserves were created across India. The number of tigers has increased significantly through this programme.
(iii) Project Elephant, Crocodile Breeding, and Rhino Protection programmes target specific endangered species.
(iv) Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Provides legal framework for protecting habitats and banning hunting. Lists endangered species in various schedules with different levels of protection.
(v) Community participation: JFM, eco-development committees, and traditional conservation practices (sacred groves) involve local people in protection.
(vi) Ban on hunting and trade in wildlife products (ivory, animal skins, horn).
(vii) Afforestation drives like Van Mahotsav (since 1950) encourage tree planting across the country.
Important Extra Questions
What are the different categories of species based on their conservation status?
Answer
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies species as:
(i) Normal species: Population is at a normal level for survival — cattle, sal, pine, rodents.
(ii) Endangered species: In danger of extinction if conditions don't improve — black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque, sangai deer.
(iii) Vulnerable species: Population declining, likely to become endangered — blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin.
(iv) Rare species: Very small population, concentrated in limited areas — Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill.
(v) Endemic species: Found only in specific, isolated geographical areas — Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, Mithun.
(vi) Extinct species: No longer found after searches — Asiatic cheetah, pink-headed duck, forest spotted owlet (recently rediscovered).
What is the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?
Answer
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 is a comprehensive law for the protection of wild animals and plants. Key provisions:
(i) It provides for the establishment of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks for the protection of wildlife.
(ii) Hunting of wild animals is prohibited (except in specific circumstances like self-defence or prevention of crop damage, with permission).
(iii) It lists protected species in various schedules with different levels of protection.
(iv) It prohibits trade in wildlife products (skins, horns, ivory, feathers).
(v) The Act was amended several times (1982, 1986, 1991, 2002, 2006) to strengthen protections.
(vi) Under this Act, the government has established Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and other species-specific conservation programmes.
Why is conservation of forests necessary? What are the consequences of deforestation?
Answer
Conservation of forests is necessary because forests:
(i) Regulate climate and rainfall patterns. (ii) Prevent soil erosion and floods. (iii) Maintain the water cycle and recharge groundwater. (iv) Provide habitat for millions of species. (v) Supply timber, fuel, medicines, and raw materials. (vi) Absorb CO₂ and release oxygen, combating climate change. (vii) Support the livelihood of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
Consequences of deforestation: (i) Loss of biodiversity and extinction of species. (ii) Soil erosion, landslides, and floods. (iii) Desertification and degradation of land. (iv) Climate change due to increased CO₂. (v) Disruption of water cycle leading to droughts. (vi) Loss of livelihood for forest-dependent communities. (vii) Global warming and environmental imbalance.