CBSE CLASS-X Social Science

Important Questions
Geography Chapter-2
Forest and Wildlife Resources

3 marks Questions

1. How does deforestation affect eco system? Give two reasons.

Ans.

1. Deforestation or cutting of trees affecting the eco system in many ways. It is responsible
for climatic change.
2. It accelerates soil erosion and affects underground flow of water deforestation.

2. Depletion of forests leads to disappearance of wild life as well as many wild varieties
of plants. How is Afforestation helpful in maintaining ecological balance?

Ans.

1. Afforestation plays a major role in enhancing the quality of environment. They modify
local climate. They influence air temperature and reduce wind forces.
2. Afforestation helps in controlling soil erosion.
3. It provides natural environment for wild life.
4. Afforestation helps in enhancing the quality of rainfall.

3. What is a National Park? Name any two national parks of India?

Ans.

1. A national Park is relatively a large area where several ecosystems exist freely and are
not disturbed materially by human exploitation and occupation, and where plants and
animal species, aesthetic sites and habitats are of special scientific, educational and
recreational interest.
2. There are 89 National parks in the country. The Corbett national Park in Uttarakhand.
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3. Dudwa National Park in U.P.

4. What is Wildlife Sanctuary? How is it different from National Park?

Ans.

1. A wildlife sanctuary is like a national park but the difference is that in a sanctuary
certain types of activates might be permitted. Livestock grazing and collection of forest
produce, for instance, may be allowed.
2. In a national park, conservation of species is mostly left to nature, with the least human
activities, but in a sanctuary conservation of species is affected by manipulative
management.

5. What are Biosphere Reserves?

Ans.

1. Biosphere Reserves are multipurpose protected areas created to deal with the issue of
conservation of bio-diversity and sustainable use.
2. In a biosphere reserves, local communities, management agencies, scientists, cultural
groups and non government agencies work together to manage and substantially develop
the area resources.
3. Here even agricultural activities are allowed to the local communities and bonafide
employment is provided to them. Tourism is allowed to boost revenue.

6. Features A is marked in the given political map of India. Identify this feature with the
help of the following information and write their correct name on the line marked on
the map. (a)Type of forest
B. on the same map of India locate and label the following items with appropriate
symbols:
1. A state having Protected forest

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2. A state having largest area under protected forest
Ans.

7. Why is the Himalayan Yew in trouble?

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Ans.

1. The Himalayan Yew, locally known as the Thuner is a medicinal plant. Its biological
name is Texus wallachiana.
2. It is found in certain parts of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. This wonder plant has a chemical compound taxol which is extracted from its twigs,
roots, bark and needles. This chemical is used to manufacture a drug which is used to
manufacture a drug which is the largest anti-cancer drug in the world today
4. Over the past 10 years this plant has been over-exploited resulting in drying up of trees
which could have survived and served their use for more years.

8. What steps have been adopted under the Indian Wildlife Act to protect endangered
species of animals?

Ans.

1. In response to the conservationist’s demand for national wildlife protection program in

1960s and 1970s, the Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972.
2. It contained many provisions for protecting habitats. The main focus was on protecting
the remaining population of certain endangered species.
3. For this to be accomplished hunting was banned, legal protection was given to their
habitats and trade in wildlife was restricted.
4. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries was setup.

9. What are the three types of forests as identified by Forest Department?

Ans.

1. Reserved Forests: These are the forests which are permanently earmarked for production
of either timber or other forest produce.
2. Protected Forests: As the name indicates these forests are protected from further
depletion.
3. Unclassed Forests: This consists of inaccessible forests or unoccupied wastes.

10. Large scale development projects have significantly to the loss of forests. Give
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reasons to support this statement.

Ans.

1. Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests.
2. Since 1951, over 5,000 sq km of forest was cleared for river valley projects.
3. Clearing of forests is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in
Madhya Pradesh, which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forests.

11. How mining is responsible for the loss of forests. Give reasons.

Ans.

1. Mining is important factor behind deforestation.

2. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in west Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite
mining.
3. It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species and blocked the migration route of
several others, including the great Indian Elephant.

12. Differentiate between Extinct Species and Endangered species.

Ans.

Extinct Species Endangered Species

1. These are the species which are not found after search 1. These are the species which
of known or likely areas where they may accrue. are in danger of extinction.
2. The examples of such species
2. Example: Asiatic Cheetah, Pink Headed Duck.
are black buck, crocodile.

13. Do you agree that natural vegetation is important for the environment as well as for
the human beings? Give reasons to support your answer.

Ans. Natural vegetation is very important for the environment as well as for human life. So,
it is very essential to conserve it. The main reasons for the importance of natural vegetation
are following:

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1. Natural vegetation adds beauty to nature.
2. Natural vegetation provides habitat to the wildlife, both birds and animals.
3. The coming generation would be deprived of great variety of fauna without the natural
vegetation.

14. How does indiscriminate deforestation affect the ecosystem?

Ans.

1. The process of clearing of forests by cutting or burning of trees is known as deforestation.

2. In India, large areas of forests have been cleared for cultivation and settlement.
3. The growth of population has increased the pressure on human occupancy of land.
4. Hence, the depletion of forests affects the ecosystem, and as a result, soil erosion occurs.
It has affected the climate of areas. It has also caused floods in many areas.

15. What is biological diversity? Why biodiversity is important for human lives?

Ans. Biological diversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form
and function but closely integrated in a system through multiple networks of
interdependencies.
Following are the importance:

1. Human beings depend on biodiversity for their very survival.

2. Without plants and animals we cannot survive, because we get oxygen from plant and it
create the quality of air we breathe in.

16. What is enrichment plantation? How is it harmful for natural habitat? Explain with
example.

Ans. Some of our environmental activists say that the promotion of a few favored species, in
many parts of India, has been carried through the ironically-termed “enrichment
plantation”, in which a single commercially valuable species was extensively planted and
other species eliminated.
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For instance, teak monoculture has damaged the natural forests of South India and Chir Pine
(pinus roxburghii) plantation in Himalayas has replaced the Himalayan Oak (quercius spp.)
and Rhododendron forests.

17. “India’s environment is at great risk”. Justify this statement.

Ans.

1. Over half of India’s natural forests are gone, one third of its wetlands drained out.
2. 70% of its surface water bodies polluted and 40% of its mangroves eliminated.
3. Hunting and trade of wild animals and commercially valuable plants are still going on.
4. As a result, thousands of plant and animal species are heading towards extinction.

18. Give any three methods of forest conservation adopted by the government after
independence.

Ans.

1. The Indian wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972 with aim to protect wild life.
2. Government established national parks, Biosphere reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
3. The central government announced several projects for protecting specific animals-
Project Tiger.

19. How were colonial forest policies responsible for the depletion of forest resources
in our country?

Ans. Some of our environmental activists say that the promotion of a few favored species, in
many parts of India, has been carried through the ironically-termed “enrichment
plantation”, in which a single commercially valuable species was extensively planted and
other species eliminated.

For instance, teak monoculture has damaged the natural forests of South India and Chir Pine
(pinus roxburghii) plantation in Himalayas has replaced the Himalayan Oak (quercius spp.)
and Rhododendron forests

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20. What types of forests are found in different parts of India?

Ans.

1. Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and
Maharashtra have large percentage of reserved forests of its total forest area.
2. Bihar, Haryana Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under
protected forests.
3. All Northern eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their
forests as un-classed forests managed by local communities.

21. Why do we need to conserve our forest and wildlife resources? Explain any three
reasons.

Ans.

1. It preserves ecological diversity that why there is a need to conserve our forests and
wildlife.
2. It preserves our life support system-water, air soil that why there is a need to conserve
our forests and wildlife.
3. It preserves genetic diversity of plants and animals which generates better breeding that
why there is a need to conserve our forests and wildlife.

22. What are Sacred groves? How these are helpful in the conservation of flora and
fauna?

Ans.

1. Sacred groves are patches of forest or parts of large forests that have been left untouched-
any interference with them being banned socially on account of sacredness and
spiritually attached to them.
2. Sacred groves literally mean a forest of Gods and Goddesses. Due to the fear of God
people have not cut the forests and kill the animals.
3. Sacred qualities in Indian society are ascribed not only to forests but other creations of
nature as we (such as rivers, mountain peaks, animals etc.), which are closely protected.

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23. Write any three features of Un-Classed forests..

Ans.

1. This consists of inaccessible forests or unoccupied wastes.

2. They belong to both government and private individuals and communities.
3. These are mostly found in the North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat where these are
managed by the local communities.

24. Write a short note on reserved Forests.

Ans.

1. Reserved Forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest
and wild life resources concerned.
2. These are permanently earmarked either for production or other purpose.
3. More than half of the total forest land has been declared as reserved forests.

These are controlled by government

25. Write down the features of the Reserved Forests.

Ans.

1. Reserved forests are permanently earmarked for production of either timber or other
forest produce.
2. Grazing and cultivation are not allowed.
3. More than 50% of the total forest land has been declared as reserved forest.
4. These are important for forest and wildlife conservation.
5. These forests o Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal and Maharashtra fall under this category.

26. Write down the features of the Protected Forests.

Ans.

1. These forests
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2. Almost one-third of total forest area id protected forest, as declared by Forest
Department.
3. Almost 1/3 of the total forest land is declared as protected forests.
4. The forests of Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan fall under
this category.

27. “Developed countries and rich people are considered the major factors for
environmental degradation,” Explain.

Ans.

1. Developed countries consume more resources than underdeveloped or developing

countries. For example an average American consumes 40 times more resources than an
average Somalian.
2. The rich class probably causes more ecological damage than the poor class because
energy consumption level of the rich is high as compared to poor.
3. Rich people use non-renewable resources at large scale but poor people are mostly
dependent upon natural resources.

28. “India has rich flora and fauna.” Explain

Ans.

1. India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological
diversity.
2. Over 81000 species of fauna and 47000 species of flora are found in this country.
3. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15000 flowering species are indigenous to
India.
4. It has nearly 8% of the total number species of the world (estimated to be 1.6 million).

29. Highlight the major drawback of the State of Forest Report (1999).

Ans.

1. The dimensions of deforestations in India are staggering. The forest cover in the country
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 is estimated at 637293 sq km, which is 19.39 percent of the total geographical area.
2. According to state of Forest report (1999), the dense forest cover has increased by 10098
sq. km since 1997.
3. However this apparent increase in the forest cover is due to plantation by different
agencies.
4. The state of Forest report does not differentiate between natural forests and plantation.
Therefore this report fails to deliver accurate information about actual loss of natural
resources.

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

Ans.

1. The Indian Wildlife protection act was implemented in 1972 with various provisions of
protecting wildlife.
2. Forests are divided in to three categories in order to protect them from further depletion.
3. The steps taken by community to save flora and fauna are very appreciable.

31. Distinguish between reserved and protected forests.

Ans.

Reserved Forests Protected Forests

(1) The reserved forests are regarded as the

(1) The forests lands are protected from any
most valuable.
further depletion.
(2) More than half of the total forests has
(2) Almost one third of the total forest area
been declared reserved forests.
is declared protected forests.
(3) These forests are majority found in
(3) These forests are majority found in
Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttranchal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
Rajasthan & Orissa.
& Maharashtra.

32. Name any two North Eastern States of India having over 60 percent of Forests cover.
Give two reasons.
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Ans. States - (i) Arunachal Pradesh (ii) Manipur
(1) There is an abundance of rainfall in N.E. States.
(2) The hilly terrain of these states protects the forests from human exploitation.

33. What are the negative factors that cause such fearful depletion of flora and fauna ?

Ans. (1) Expansion of railways.

(2) Conversion of forest land into agricultural land
(3) Mining activities.
(4) Large Scale development projects like river valley project etc.
(5) Grazing of Pastoral animals.
(6) Hunting and poaching of wild animals. (Any four)

34. Distinguish between endangered and extinct species.

Ans.

Endangered Species Extinct Species

(1) These are species which are in danger of

(1) These are species which are not found
extinction.
after searches of known or likely areas
(2) The survival of such species is difficult if
where they may occur.
the negative factors that have led to a
(2) They are already missing and their
decline in their population continue to
survival is suspicious.
operate.
(3) Examples : Asiatic cheetah, pink headed
(3) Examples : Blackbuck, wild ass, Indian
duck, etc.
rhino, crocodile, lion-tailed macaque etc.

(1) These are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they
may occur.
(2) They are already missing and their survival is suspicious.
(3) Examples : Asiatic cheetah, pink headed duck, etc.
(4) The people on their parts also cooperate to check the falling of trees. “Chipko Movement”
to check the careless falling of trees in the forests.

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