Intext Questions and Answers
Question: Study the given map for the forest cover and try to find the reasons as to why certain states have more forest area as compared to others?
Answer: Certain states have more forest area because of factors like climate, rainfall, and terrain. States with high rainfall and favorable climate, such as those near the Western Ghats and Northeastern regions, support dense forests. Additionally, mountainous and hilly areas are less suitable for agriculture, so they retain more natural vegetation compared to flat plains used for farming.
Question: Let us discuss: What will happen if plants and animals disappear from the earth’s surface? Can human beings survive under such a situation? Why is biodiversity necessary and why should it be conserved?
Answer: If plants and animals disappear, the natural balance of the ecosystem will be disrupted. Humans rely on plants and animals for food, oxygen, and many other needs. Without them, humans cannot survive. Biodiversity is necessary because it ensures the stability of ecosystems, provides a variety of resources, and helps in processes like pollination and nutrient cycling. Conserving biodiversity is essential to maintain life on Earth.
Activity Questions and Answers
Question: (i) Find out from the above newspaper cuttings, the main concern highlighted in the given news items.
Answer: The main concern highlighted is the threat to wildlife due to human activities. This includes issues like habitat loss, poaching, and pollution, which are leading to the endangerment and extinction of various animal species.
Question: (ii) Collect more information about various endangered species from newspapers and magazines.
Answer: Endangered species in India include the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, One-Horned Rhinoceros, and the Great Indian Bustard. These animals are threatened by habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and environmental changes.
Question: (iii) Find out various steps taken by the Indian government to protect them.
Answer: The Indian government has taken steps like establishing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, implementing the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, launching projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, and creating biosphere reserves to protect endangered species.
Question: (iv) Describe how you can contribute to the protection of endangered animals and birds.
Answer: We can contribute by spreading awareness, supporting conservation efforts, avoiding products made from endangered animals, planting trees to restore habitats, and following laws that protect wildlife.
Exercise Questions and Answers
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) To which one of the following types of vegetation does rubber belong to?
(a) Tundra
(b) Tidal
(c) Himalayan
(d) Tropical Evergreen
Answer: (d) Tropical Evergreen
(ii) Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than
(a) 100 cm
(b) 50 cm
(c) 70 cm
(d) less than 50 cm
Answer: (a) 100 cm
(iii) In which of the following states is the Simlipal bio-reserve located?
(a) Punjab
(b) Delhi
(c) Odisha
(d) West Bengal
Answer: (c) Odisha
(iv) Which one of the following bio-reserves of India is not included in the world network of bio-reserve?
(a) Manas
(b) Nilgiri
(c) Gulf of Mannar
(d) Panna
Answer: (d) Panna
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
Answer: A bio-reserve, or biosphere reserve, is a protected area meant for the conservation of biodiversity, where plants and animals are preserved in their natural habitat. Two examples are the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
(ii) Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane types of vegetation.
Answer:
- Tropical Vegetation: Elephant and One-Horned Rhinoceros
- Montane Vegetation: Snow Leopard and Red Panda
3. Distinguish between
(i) Flora and Fauna
Answer:
- Flora: Refers to the plant life of a particular region or period.
- Fauna: Refers to the animal life of a particular region or period.
(ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forests
Answer:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in areas with heavy rainfall over 200 cm. Trees are tall and remain green throughout the year because they do not have a fixed time to shed leaves.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: Found in areas with rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water.
4. Name different types of vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
Answer: The different types of vegetation in India are:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests
- Tropical Deciduous Forests
- Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs
- Montane Forests
- Mangrove Forests
Vegetation of High Altitudes (Montane Forests): In mountainous regions, as altitude increases, the temperature decreases, leading to different types of vegetation:
- 1000 to 2000 meters: Wet temperate forests with evergreen trees like oaks and chestnuts.
- 1500 to 3000 meters: Temperate forests with coniferous trees like pine, deodar, and spruce.
- Above 3600 meters: Alpine vegetation with trees like silver fir and junipers, which gradually give way to grasslands and shrubs.
5. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why?
Answer: Many species are endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation, pollution, hunting, and poaching. Human activities like urbanization and agriculture reduce natural habitats, leading to a decline in plant and animal populations.
6. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Answer: India has a diverse climate and geography, including mountains, deserts, plains, and tropical regions. This variety of habitats supports a wide range of plant and animal life, giving India a rich heritage of flora and fauna.
Map Skills
Question: On an outline map of India, label the following.
(i) Areas of Evergreen Forests
(ii) Areas of Dry Deciduous Forests
(iii) Two national parks each in Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western parts of the country.
Answer: [As an AI language model developed by OpenAI, I cannot draw maps, but here’s how you can do it:]
- (i) Areas of Evergreen Forests: Mark regions like the Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Northeast India.
- (ii) Areas of Dry Deciduous Forests: Mark central India including parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- (iii) Two National Parks in Each Region:
- Northern India: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Dachigam National Park (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Southern India: Periyar National Park (Kerala), Bandipur National Park (Karnataka)
- Eastern India: Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)
- Western India: Gir National Park (Gujarat), Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Maharashtra)
Project/Activity
(i) Find some trees in your neighbourhood having medicinal values.
Answer: Common medicinal trees include:
- Neem: Used for its antibacterial properties.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil): Helps in treating cough and cold.
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Rich in Vitamin C and good for digestion.
(ii) Find ten occupations getting raw material from forests and wildlife.
Answer:
- Timber Logging
- Herbal Medicine Production
- Honey Collection
- Bamboo Crafting
- Rubber Tapping
- Paper Manufacturing
- Lac Cultivation
- Resin Extraction
- Silk Production
- Wildlife Tourism