Forest and Wildlife Resources//CBSE Class 10 SST Geography

 Forest and Wildlife Resources//CBSE Class 10 SST Geography

1. Define Biodiversity. Write the reasons responsible for the loss of Biodiversity in India.

Ans:- Biodiversity refers to the variety of organisms in an ecosystem. However, the biodiversity of an ecosystem is lost when there is an over exploitation of the available resources, fragmentation of the habitat or invasion by any alien species. 

• The loss of biodiversity is caused by:

• 1. Overpopulation: It is the main cause of biodiversity loss. Deforestation, over-utilization of natural resources, poaching, pollution, etc., are some of the direct results of increasing population leading to erosion or loss of biodiversity.

• 2. Introduction of exotic species: Species originating from a particular area when introduced into new natural environments, it can lead to imbalance in biodiversity

• 3. Pollution: Human activity influences the natural environment which produces negative effects that alter the flow of energy, the chemical and physical constitution of the environment etc.

• 4. Over-exploitation of resources: Overuse of resources connected with capturing and harvesting, the resources may become exhausted and it leads to loss of biodiversity.

• 5. Natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, landslides and avalanches, volcanism, etc., are also responsible for depletion of biological diversity.

Reasons for a Decline in India’s Biodiversity

Some of the reasons that have led to a decline in the biodiversity of India are:

Over-exploitation

Forest fires

Hunting

Habitat destruction

Poisoning

Poaching

Environmental Pollution

2. Described the effects of Depletion of Forest Resources.

Ans: 1. Population explosion followed by rapid deforestation for agricultural purposes as well as settlement purpose.

2. This was subsequently followed by industrialization and infrastructure development activities.

3. Loss of ecological approach and degradation of values towards environment.

4. Economic exploitation of forest resources for commercial purpose is another .

3. What steps should the government take to protect forest resources?

Ans:- 

The following steps are taken by the government to protect the biodiversity of the country.

(i) Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972 in India.

(ii) Fourteen biosphere reserves have been set up in the country to protect flora and fauna. Four out of these - Sundarbans in West Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand, the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris - have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.

(iii) Financial and technical assistance is provided to many botanical gardens by the government since 1992.

(iv) Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been introduced.

(v) Total 89 national parks, 490 wildlife sanctuaries and zoological gardens are set up to take care of natural heritage.

4. Why did the Tiger project launch in India? Name Major Tiger Reserve of India.

Ans:-Project tiger is launched to reduce the extinction of tigers. As we know that they are the national animal of India so its really mandatory to conserve them.

The main objective of this project is:

1.To conserve Bengal tigers in their natural habitat.

2. Protecting them from extinction.

3.Maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

4.Preserving the areas of biological importance as natural habitats.

Tiger Reserves are

• 1. Corbett National Park

• 2. Sundarbans National Park

• 3. Bandhavgarh National Park

• 4. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

• 5. Manas Tiger Reserve

5. Classify and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources.

Ans:-  

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Protected Forests: These forests are protected from further depletion. Right of grazing and cultivation is allowed with certain restriction. About 29% forests come under protected forests.

Protected Forests

Protected Forests: These forests are protected from further depletion. Right of grazing and cultivation is allowed with certain restriction. About 29% forests come under protected forests.

Reserved Forests

Reserved Forests are forests which are permanently earmarked and regarded as most valuable for the conservation of forests and wildlife resources either for the production of timber or other forest produce. Grazing and cultivation is seldom permitted in a reserved forest.

Unclassed Forests

Unclassed Forests: There is no restriction in these forests. These forests belong to the government and private individuals. About 16% of forests are unclassed forests.

6. Define the following terms

1. Ecological Diversity:- Ecosystem diversity refers to the variation in the different types of ecosystems and the organisms living in those ecosystems.

2. National Parks:- National Parks are the areas that are set by the government to conserve the natural environment

3. Biosphere Reserve:- Biosphere reserves are the protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals. It also restores the traditional life of the tribals living in that vicinity. They conserve the biodiversity of that area.

4. Sacred Grover's

Ans:-Sacred groves are tracts of forest which are regenerated around places of worship. Sacred groves are found in Rajasthan, Western Ghats of Karnataka,and Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh. Sacred groves help in the protection of many rare, threatened, and endemic species of plants and animals found in an area. The process of deforestation is strictly prohibited in this region by tribals. Hence, the sacred grove biodiversity is a rich area.

7. What is Indian Wildlife protection act 1972?

Ans:-The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972. The main objective of this act is that to protect wild plants and wild animals. According to the Indian Wildlife protection act, the hunting and harming of wild animals are strictly prohibited.

8. How are most of the Forests Maintained in India.

Ans:-Following are some of the major steps for conservation of forest:

With the advent of industrialization, several trees have been cut at an alarming rate for raw materials and various other purposes. This felling of trees can be regulated by selective cutting, clear-cutting and shelterwood cutting.

Forest fires are one of the common causes of loss of forests. Sometimes the forest land is set on fire to make the land available for commercial purposes. Once cleared, there can be no vegetation.

Natural forest fires are also responsible for the destruction of huge forest covers. Latest fire fighting techniques should be adopted to conserve the forest. However, forest fires are an important part of the ecosystem and it helps replenish nutrients in the soil from dead and decaying matter.

More trees should be planted to increase the forest cover. Trees should be selected according to the geographical conditions of a particular region and proper care should be taken during the growth of trees.

Prevention of exploitation of forestry and forest products is necessary for the conservation of forest.

9.Describe How Communities have conserved and protected forests and Wildlife in India.

Ans:- The communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India in the following ways—  

(a) In Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthani villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. In many areas villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement.  

(b) The famous Chipko Movement launched by the woman of Chamoli in Uttarakhand saved more than 12000 sq km area of forests just by hugging the trees when the lumberjacks attempted to cut them.  

(c) Many states have launched the Joint Forest Management Programme to involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Odisha was the first state to launch this programme.  

(d) The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared about 1200 hectares of forest area as the 'Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri'. The community has declared their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.

10. The destruction of biodiversity is highly correlated with the loss of cultural Diversity " give four facts.

Ans:- Depletion of forest resources directly or indirectly affects cultural diversity of tribal communities.

Tribal communities are solely dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. Destruction of forests leads to their migration into cities.

Forests provide food, drink, medicines etc.

Tribals worship plants and animals of the forests and hence destruction of forest would affect cultural identity of tribal people.

Women will have to walk more for collection of firewood, if the nearby forests are cleared.

Deforestation also result in natural calamities and may sometimes erase entire community.

All the above reasons make it important to safeguard forests.

11. Give an account of the Forest Cover in India 

Ans:- Forest Cover refers to all lands more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10 percent irrespective of ownership and legal status. Such lands may not necessarily be a recorded forest area. It also includes orchards, bamboo, and palm. Tree cover comprises of tree patches outside the recorded forest area exclusive of forest cover and less than the minimum mappable area (1 ha).