NCERT solutions to class 10 geography chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources is very important from an examination point of view. Here we have provided you with Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Question Answer which you can follow to acquire good marks in your CBSE board examination.
CLASS 10 GEOGRAPHY NOTES PDFTable of Contents
Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Question Answer – Forest And Wildlife Resources
1. 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:
Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries
2. Match the following.
| Reserved Forests | Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities |
| Protected Forests | Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources is concerned |
| Unclassed Forests | Forest lands are protected from any further depletion |
Answer:
| Reserved Forests | Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources is concerned |
| 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 |
4. 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 life forms found on earth. It is a measure of variation at the ecosystem, species, and genetic level. Biodiversity is abundant in tropical areas. Tropical areas cover 10 percent of the earth’s surface, but they host 90% of the world’s species.
Importance of biodiversity in human lives-
- Agriculture
- Its contribution to business and industry
- Leisurely activities
- Ecological processes
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain
Answer:
Human activities have affected the depletion of flora and fauna in the following ways:
- Various river valley projects have affected the flora and fauna.
- Many illegal mining projects have depleted the flora and fauna.
- Too many development projects for leisure activities in the forests have negatively affected them.
- Too many human activities in the forest area due to the rising population and lack of space have created human-animal conflict.
5. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
Answer:
Chipko Movement:
The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in several areas, but has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful.
Certain societies revere a particular tree which they have preserved from time immemorial. The Mundas and the Santhals of the Chota Nagpur region worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocaphalus cadamba) trees. The tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. Many people also consider peepal and banyan trees sacred.
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 are explicitly rejecting government involvement. The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting and protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Answer:
In India, the joint forest management (JFM) program is a good example of the involvement of local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. The program has been in formal existence since 1988 when the state of Odisha passed the first resolution for joint forest management. JFM depends on the formation of local (village) institutions that undertake protection activities mostly on degraded forest land managed by the forest department. In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produce and a share in the timber harvested by ‘successful protection’.
The clear lesson from the dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere 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 center stage in decision-making. Accept only those economic or developmental activities that are people-centric, environment-friendly, and economically rewarding.
Forest And Wildlife Resources Quick Revision
1. Importance of Forests and Wildlife
- Forests are essential for maintaining ecological balance, providing resources, and supporting biodiversity.
- Wildlife includes all living organisms (flora and fauna) in their natural habitats.
- Both forests and wildlife play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.
2. Biodiversity
- Definition: The variety of organisms found in a particular area, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- India’s Biodiversity: India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries, home to 8% of the world’s total species.
- Hotspots in India:
- Western Ghats
- Himalayas
- Indo-Burma region
- Sundaland (including Nicobar Islands)
3. Types of Forests in India
- Tropical Evergreen Forests: Dense forests found in areas with heavy rainfall, e.g., Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: Found in regions with moderate rainfall, e.g., Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.
- Thorn Forests: Found in arid and semi-arid regions, e.g., Rajasthan, Gujarat.
- Montane Forests: Found in mountainous regions, e.g., the Himalayas.
- Mangrove Forests: Found in coastal areas and estuaries, e.g., Sundarbans.
4. Threats to Forest and Wildlife
- Deforestation: Large-scale cutting of trees for agriculture, industries, and urbanization.
- Habitat Destruction: Due to mining, construction, and human settlement.
- Overexploitation: Excessive hunting, poaching, and fishing.
- Pollution: Contamination of water, soil, and air affects biodiversity.
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns disrupt ecosystems.
5. Conservation of Forests and Wildlife
- Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 48A: Protect and improve the environment.
- Article 51A(g): Duty of every citizen to protect forests and wildlife.
- Government Initiatives:
- Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 to protect tigers.
- Project Elephant: Initiated to protect elephants.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Provides legal protection to endangered species.
- Biosphere Reserves: Areas established to conserve biodiversity, e.g., Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- Afforestation: Planting trees to restore forests.
- Community Participation:
- Joint Forest Management (JFM): Involvement of local communities in forest conservation.
6. Categories of Forests under the Indian Forest Act, 1927
- Reserved Forests: Most protected forests; activities like hunting and grazing are prohibited.
- Protected Forests: Less restricted than reserved forests.
- Unclassed Forests: Open for local communities with minimal restrictions.
7. Endangered and Extinct Species
- Endangered Species: Species on the verge of extinction, e.g., Tiger, Asiatic Lion.
- Extinct Species: Species that no longer exist, e.g., Dodo, Pink-headed Duck.
8. Solutions to Protect Biodiversity
- Strict implementation of environmental laws.
- Promoting awareness about conservation.
- Reducing human-wildlife conflict.
- Encouraging eco-tourism.
- Developing corridors for species migration.
Key Terms
- Fauna: Animal life.
- Flora: Plant life.
- Deforestation: Clearing forests for non-forest purposes.
- Poaching: Illegal hunting of animals.
- Afforestation: Planting trees to increase forest cover.
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