Forest and Wildlife Resources (Important Assignment for class 10th)

Q.1 What is Biodiversity or Biological Diversity?

2. How many species of fauna and flora are found in India?

3. How does ecological imbalance occur?

4. Write down the importance of conserving forests and wildlife.

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

6. What are the steps taken by the government of India for the conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India? (Imp.)

Or

Describe the steps taken to conserve the flora and fauna in India.

Or

Explain any three measures taken by the Indian Government to protect wildlife.

7. Write down the consequences of biological loss?

8. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India? (Imp.)

9. Name any three National Parks in India.

10. Briefly explain the types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources. (Imp.)

Or

Explain three types of forests.

11. What is JFM?

12. Name at least two endangered species.

13. Write down any two reasons behind deforestation.

14. ‘Sacred groves- a wealth of diverse and rare species’. Explain. (Imp.)

15. What steps have been taken for the conservation of biodiversity in India?

16. Describe any five methods of forest conservation.

17. What has been the contribution of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act in protecting habitats in India?

18. How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.

Answers:-

1: The word ‘bio’ means life and ‘diversity’ means variety. Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms found on Earth. It is essential for maintaining the balance of nature and supporting human life.

2: India is rich in biodiversity. It has about 47,000 species of flora and around 90,000 species of fauna, making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

3: Ecological imbalance occurs when the natural relationships between living organisms and their environment are disturbed. It may be caused by deforestation, overuse of natural resources, pollution, habitat destruction, loss of species, or climate change. Every element of nature has a role, and the existence of all naturally formed things is essential to maintain balance in the environment.

4: Conserving forests and wildlife is important because:

• They support the livelihoods of many communities and hold cultural and religious value.
• Forests and wildlife together maintain the ecological balance.
• They preserve biodiversity and protect various species from extinction.
• Forests prevent soil erosion, control floods, and regulate the climate.
• Moreover, wildlife helps in maintaining food chains and natural population control.
• Both provide resources like food, medicine, and raw materials.

5: Negative factors causing fearful depletion of flora and fauna are:-

• Climate Change and Forest Fires – Rising temperatures and frequent fires damage ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.
• Deforestation and Habitat Destruction – Clearing forests for farming, settlements, mining, and industries destroys natural habitats.
• Overgrazing and Overexploitation – Excessive grazing and unsustainable use of forest products reduce vegetation and disturb ecosystems.
• Poaching and Hunting – Illegal killing of animals for trade or sport threatens many species.
• Pollution – Industrial and agricultural waste pollutes air, water, and soil, harming both plants and animals.

6: The Government of India has taken several measures, such as:

• Establishment of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves.
• Implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Launch of projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
• Promotion of afforestation and tree plantation programmes.
• Introduction of the Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme to involve communities in conservation.

7: The loss of biodiversity has serious effects on the environment, economy, and culture. Its major consequences are:

• Increased Natural Disasters – Deforestation and habitat loss increase floods, droughts, and landslides.
• Disruption of Food Chains – Extinction of species disturbs natural food webs, affecting other plants and animals.
• Soil Erosion and Reduced Fertility – Loss of vegetation cover makes soil loose and less fertile.
• Shortage of Raw Materials and Medicines – Many industries and traditional medicines depend on plant and animal products.
• Loss of Cultural Heritage – Species linked to traditions, folklore, and religious practices disappear.

8: Local communities in India have played a major role in protecting forests and wildlife, often working alongside government authorities or even independently. Their conservation methods are rooted in tradition and adapted to modern needs.

There are several examples of local community involvement in protesting forests and wildlife.

• Bishnoi Community (Rajasthan) – Protects blackbucks and sacred trees due to religious beliefs.
• Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) – Villagers stopped mining by using the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ (Alwar) – Five villages declared 1,200 hectares as a community forest, banning hunting and preventing outside encroachment.
• Chipko Movement (Uttarakhand) – Villagers hugged trees to stop deforestation and promoted planting of indigenous species.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) – It involves communities in protecting degraded forests in return for forest produce and timber share.

9: The three national parks are:-

Jim Corbett National Park – Uttarakhand

Kaziranga National Park – Assam

Gir National Park – Gujarat

10: In India, most forest and wildlife resources are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department. They are classified into three main types:

• Reserved Forests: They cover more than half of the total forest land. They are fully under government control and receive the highest level of legal protection. These forests are considered the most valuable for conserving biodiversity, and activities like cutting trees or grazing are strictly prohibited unless officially permitted.
• Protected Forests: They make up about one-third of the total forest area. They are also managed by the government but have a lower level of protection compared to reserved forests. Limited human activities, such as grazing or collection of minor forest produce, may be allowed while ensuring that the forest is not depleted further.
• Unclassed Forests They include forests and wastelands that may be owned by the government, private individuals, or local communities. They have the least legal protection and are often managed by local people for meeting their daily needs.

11: JFM stands for Joint Forest Management. It is a programme in which local communities and the government work together for the protection and sustainable management of forests.

12: Two endangered species are Asiatic Lion and Great Indian Bustard.

13: Forests are often cleared to make space for agriculture and human settlements, as growing populations need more land for farming and housing. Another major reason is commercial logging and timber extraction, where trees are cut on a large scale to supply wood for construction, furniture, and other industries.

14: Sacred groves are small forest areas preserved by local communities because of their religious and cultural traditions. People in these regions do not allow tree cutting or hunting, ensuring the safety of plants and animals. These groves often shelter rare plant species, medicinal herbs, and endangered wildlife, making them valuable centres of biodiversity.

15: There are several steps taken for the conservation of biodiversity in India.

• The Government of India enforced the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to stop hunting and safeguard endangered species along with their habitats.
• Officials prepared a nationwide list of protected species to ensure uniform legal protection.
• The government set up National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves to preserve forests and wildlife.
• Authorities launched projects like Project Tiger and Project Elephant to save threatened animals such as the Asiatic lion, one‑horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag, crocodiles, and snow leopard.
• Enforcement agencies stopped the trade of wildlife and their products to prevent exploitation.