Margin Questions
Q1. Find out stories prevalent in your region which are about the harmonious relationship between human beings and nature.
Answer:
This is a personal-response question. The answer will vary depending on the student's region. Students may share local folk tales, traditions, or practices that show respect for nature. For example, in many regions, certain trees like peepal or banyan are considered sacred and protected, or specific animals like monkeys and langurs are fed near temples. Some communities also have traditions of not cutting certain trees or protecting water bodies. The answer should be based on the student's own observation and local knowledge.
Q2. Collect more information on the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of India and cite their locations on the map of India.
Answer:
This is a map-based activity. Students should use an outline map of India to mark the locations of major wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Some important ones include: Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal), Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala), Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam), and many others. Students should mark these locations accurately on the map and label them clearly.
Q3. Can you find out the reasons for the above mentioned problems?
Answer:
The problems referred to here are the threats to the tiger population as mentioned in the Project Tiger section. The major reasons include: poaching for illegal trade of tiger skins and bones; shrinking of habitats due to deforestation and human encroachment; depletion of prey base species; growing human population leading to increased pressure on forests; and the use of tiger parts in traditional medicines, especially in Asian countries.
Q4. Write a short essay on any practices which you may have observed and practised in your everyday lives that conserve and protect the environment around you.
Answer:
This is a personal-response question. Students should write a short essay based on their own observations and practices. Some common everyday practices include: planting trees and caring for them; avoiding the use of plastic bags; segregating waste for recycling; conserving water by closing taps when not in use; using public transport or carpooling to reduce pollution; feeding birds and animals; and not littering in public places. The essay should reflect genuine efforts made by the student to protect the environment.
Exercises
Q1. Multiple choice questions (i) 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
Answer:
Answer: (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Explanation: Joint forest management, Chipko Movement, and Beej Bachao Andolan all directly involve community participation. Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries is primarily a government-driven activity carried out by the Forest Department and other authorities, though local communities may be consulted.
Q2. Match the Following
Match Column A with the correct option in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Reserved forests | A. Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. |
| 2. Protected forests | B. Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources. |
| 3. Unclassed forests | C. Forest lands are protected from any further depletion. |
Answer:
The correct matches are:
| Column A | Correct Match |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Q3. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Answer:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms existing on Earth. It is important for human lives because it provides us with food, medicine, clean air, water and fertile soil. Biodiversity also maintains the ecological balance and supports our life support systems.
Q4. (ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Answer:
Human activities have caused depletion of flora and fauna through deforestation for agriculture and settlement, overhunting and poaching for trade, habitat destruction due to industrialisation and urbanisation, pollution, and introduction of invasive species. Growing population pressure has also led to overexploitation of natural resources, causing loss of biodiversity.
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 120 words. (i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
Answer:
Local communities in India have played a significant role in conserving forests and wildlife through various traditional and modern practices. The Chipko Movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation by hugging trees. In Rajasthan, the Bishnoi community protects blackbucks, nilgai and peacocks as part of their culture. The inhabitants of five villages in Alwar district declared 1,200 hectares as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri' with their own rules against hunting.
Sacred groves, preserved as abodes of gods and goddesses, have helped protect virgin forests. Communities like the Mundas and Santhals worship mahua and kadamba trees, while tribals in Odisha and Bihar revere tamarind and mango trees. The Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme has formalised community participation since 1988, with local institutions protecting degraded forest land in return for non-timber forest produce and a share in timber harvested. These efforts show that community involvement is crucial for successful conservation.
Q6. (ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Answer:
Good practices for conserving forest and wildlife include: implementing strict laws against poaching and illegal trade like the Wildlife Protection Act 1972; establishing protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves; involving local communities through Joint Forest Management (JFM) and giving them rights over non-timber forest products; promoting afforestation with indigenous species; adopting sustainable agricultural practices like organic farming as promoted by Navdanya and Beej Bachao Andolan; creating awareness about the importance of biodiversity; reducing deforestation and practising sustainable use of forest resources; and respecting traditional conservation methods like sacred groves and nature worship. Conservation should focus on biodiversity as a whole rather than only a few species, and must be people-centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.