Forest and Wildlife Resources | Case Based Questions | Class 10th

Q.1 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with various provisions for protecting habitats. An all India list of protected species was also published. The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife. Subsequently, central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries about which you have already studied. The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one horned rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles – fresh water crocodile, saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others. Most recently, the Indian elephant, black buck (chinkara), the great Indian bustard (godawan) and the snow leopard, etc. have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade throughout India.

i) In which year was the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act implemented? (1)

Answer:- 1972

ii) Name any two animals that were given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade in India. (1)

Answer:- Indian elephant, black buck (chinkara), great Indian bustard (godawan), snow leopard.

iii) Explain the main provisions of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (2)

Answer:- The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 aimed to conserve endangered species and their habitats. It banned hunting, restricted trade in wildlife, and created a national list of protected animals. The Act also encouraged the setting up of national parks and sanctuaries, along with special projects such as Project Tiger, to protect threatened species.

Q.2 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

Conservation strategies are not new in our country. We often ignore that in India, forests are also home to some of the traditional communities. In some areas of India, local communities are struggling to conserve these habitats along with government officials, recognising that only this will secure their own long-term livelihood. 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 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 are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments

i) Which tiger reserve in Rajasthan saw villagers fighting against mining by using the Wildlife Protection Act? (1)

Answer:- In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers opposed mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.

ii) How did the people of five villages in Alwar district contribute to forest conservation? (1)

Answer:- The villagers of Alwar declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, set their own rules, banned hunting, and protected wildlife from outside encroachment.

iii) Explain the role of local communities in conserving forests and wildlife in India. (2)

Answer:- Local communities in India have played an active role in protecting forests and wildlife. They see conservation as a way to secure their long-term livelihood. In places like Sariska Tiger Reserve, they resisted mining, while in Alwar, villagers created their own conservation area called Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’. By making their own rules and rejecting hunting and government interference, they ensured better protection of natural habitats.