NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography India Physical Environment Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation

Chapter at a glance

Exercise Questions

Question 1 (i)

Sandalwood is an example of:
(a) Evergreen forest (b) Deciduous forest (c) Deltaic forest (d) Thorny forest

Answer

Sandalwood grows in the tropical (dry) deciduous forests of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

2. Deciduous forest

Question 1 (ii)

Which one of the following was the purpose of Project Tiger?
(a) to kill tigers (b) to put tigers in the Zoo (c) to protect tigers from illegal hunting (d) to make films on tigers

Answer

3. to protect tigers from illegal hunting

Question 1 (iii)

In which one of the following states is the Nandadevi Biosphere reserve situated?
(a) Bihar (b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Uttarakhand (d) Odisha

Answer

3. Uttarakhand

Question 1 (iv)

How many of the Biosphere reserves from India are recognised by the UNESCO?
(a) One (b) Two (c) Twelve (d) Four

Answer

Of India’s 18 biosphere reserves, twelve are in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

3. Twelve

Question 1 (v)

Which one of the following proportion of area of the country was targeted to be under forest in Forest Policy of India?
(a) 33 % (b) 44 % (c) 55 % (d) 22 %

Answer

The National Forest Policy aims at bringing one-third (33 %) of the geographical area under forest.

1. 33 % (one-third)

Question 2 (i)

What is natural vegetation? Under what climatic conditions are tropical evergreen forests develop?

Answer

Natural vegetation is the plant community that has grown naturally without human help and has been left undisturbed for a long time (virgin vegetation).

Tropical evergreen forests develop in warm, humid areas with annual rainfall over 200 cm and mean annual temperature above 22°C, e.g. the western slopes of the Western Ghats, hills of the north-east and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Natural vegetation is plant cover grown without human help; tropical evergreen forests develop where rainfall exceeds 200 cm and temperatures stay above 22°C.

Question 2 (ii)

What do you understand by social forestry?

Answer

Social forestry means the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren lands with the purpose of helping in environmental, social and rural development. Its three components (National Commission on Agriculture, 1976) are urban forestry, rural forestry (agro-forestry and community forestry) and farm forestry.

Afforestation and management of trees on barren, public and farm lands with people’s participation for environmental, social and rural benefits — urban, rural and farm forestry.

Question 2 (iii)

Define Biosphere reserves?

Answer

A biosphere reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas, recognised within UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Its aims are to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable development of local people, and support research, education and monitoring.

A protected, representative ecosystem recognised under UNESCO’s MAB programme to conserve biodiversity, support sustainable local development and research.

Question 2 (iv)

What is the difference between forest area and forest cover?

Answer

• Forest area is the area notified and recorded as forest land by the government (revenue/legal records), whether or not trees are actually present.
• Forest cover is the area actually covered by forest canopy, measured by satellite imagery.

Forest area (about 23 % of India) is larger than actual forest cover (about 21–22 %).

Forest area is land recorded as forest in government records; forest cover is land actually under tree canopy as seen in satellite images.

Question 3 (i)

What steps have been taken up to conserve forests?

Answer

1. National Forest Policy (1952, revised 1988): aims to bring 33 % of the area under forests, maintain ecological balance, conserve natural heritage, check soil erosion and desertification, and promote people’s participation.
2. Social forestry: urban forestry, rural forestry (agro-forestry, community forestry) and farm forestry to plant trees on public, barren and private lands.
3. Afforestation and reforestation programmes; Joint Forest Management with village communities.
4. Protected areas: national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
5. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Forest Conservation Act, 1980; special projects (Project Tiger, Project Elephant).
6. Promotion of substitutes for wood and fuelwood, and awareness campaigns (Van Mahotsav).

Forest policy (33 % target), social and farm forestry, afforestation and joint forest management, protected areas and biosphere reserves, forest and wildlife laws, and awareness programmes.

Question 3 (ii)

How can people’s participation be effective in conserving forests and wildlife?

Answer

1. Local communities depend on forests for fuel, fodder and livelihood; if they share benefits and responsibilities, they protect forests (e.g. Joint Forest Management, where villagers manage degraded forests and share produce).
2. Traditional practices: sacred groves, the Bishnois’ protection of black-bucks and khejri trees, show how community beliefs conserve nature.
3. Movements: the Chipko movement (Uttarakhand) and Appiko (Karnataka) prevented tree felling.
4. Planting and protecting trees under social forestry and farm forestry; school eco-clubs.
5. Reporting poaching and illegal felling; avoiding products from endangered species.
6. Eco-tourism that gives income to local people gives them a stake in conservation.

By sharing management and benefits with local people (JFM), reviving traditional conservation (sacred groves, Bishnois), mass movements (Chipko), tree planting, reporting poaching and community-based eco-tourism.

Topic checklist

• Types of forests and their distribution
• Forest cover and forest policy
• Forest conservation and social forestry
• Wildlife and its conservation
• Biosphere reserves

Total questions answered: 11 of 11