AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NOIDA
GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 2 FOREST AND WILD LIFE (Handout/worksheet)
1. What is biodiversity? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Answer: Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and
micro-organisms living on the earth. It also includes the habitat in which they live. Some
scientists estimate that more than 10 million species live on our earth and some believe that
this number can be more than 100 million.
2. What is importance of forests?
Or
“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our
life. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India? [CBSE 2013]
Answer: (i) Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary
producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) Many Forests dependent communities directly depend on them for food, drink, medicine,
culture, spirituality etc.
(iii) Forest provide us timber, bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers, etc.
(iv) Forests also influence local climate, regulate stream flow, augments (increase)
underground water table, provide humus to the soil, etc.
4. Large scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of
forests. Explain.
Answer: (i) Since 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forests were cleared for river valley
projects.
(ii) Clearing of forests is continuing because of new projects like the Sardar Sarovar Project,
the Tehri Dam Project, etc. Many wildlife sanctuaries are seriously threatened due to large
scale mining activities.
Construction of roads, railways and other infrastructural projects have seriously resulted in
environmental degradation including the forests in all parts of the world. Hence, this issue
needs to be tackled intelligently by utilising the valuable human resource including the use of
appropriate technology to ensure sustainable economic development.
5. “Developed countries and rich people are considered the major factors for
environmental degradation.” Explain. ( HOT)
, Answer: (i) Developed countries consume more resources than underdeveloped or
developing countries. For example, an average American consumes 40 times more resources
than an average Somalian.
(ii) The rich class probably causes more ecological damage than the poor class because
energy consumption level of the rich is high as compared to poor.
(iii) Rich people use non-renewable resources on a large scale.
6. “Grazing and fuel-wood collection are not responsible for deforestation in India.”
Support the statement with suitable reasons. [HOT]
Answer:
(i) Overgrazing destroys the saplings and plants are tom out by the roots by animals.
(ii) Overgrazing also leads to soil erosion. Soil erosion is one of the important factors for
deforestation.
(iii) While collecting fuel wood the locals also destroy the trees, which leads to deforestation.
7. “The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of
its components.” Explain.
Answer: (i) Inclusion of small insects and other animals in planning: Under the new plans,
even insects and other smaller species of animals are beginning to find a place in
conservation planning.
(ii) New notifications: In the notification under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several
hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected
species. In 1991, for the first time, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.
8. With reference to the type and distribution of forests, answer the following questions:
(i) How are they classified?
(ii) Which type of forests are regarded most valuable as far as the conservation of forest
and wildlife resources are concerned?
Answer: (i) (a) Reserved forests
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests.
(ii) Reserved forests are regarded most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and
wildlife are concerned because they ensure that at least certain specific percentage of our land
area has been put aside for the development of forest.
9. Define the following:
(i) Reserved forests
(ii) Protected forests
(iii) Unclassed forests
Or
How many types of forests are classified in India? Explain. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 2 FOREST AND WILD LIFE (Handout/worksheet)
1. What is biodiversity? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Answer: Biodiversity is the sum total of all the varieties of species of plants, animals and
micro-organisms living on the earth. It also includes the habitat in which they live. Some
scientists estimate that more than 10 million species live on our earth and some believe that
this number can be more than 100 million.
2. What is importance of forests?
Or
“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests in our
life. [CBSE Sept. 2013]
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India? [CBSE 2013]
Answer: (i) Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary
producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) Many Forests dependent communities directly depend on them for food, drink, medicine,
culture, spirituality etc.
(iii) Forest provide us timber, bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers, etc.
(iv) Forests also influence local climate, regulate stream flow, augments (increase)
underground water table, provide humus to the soil, etc.
4. Large scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of
forests. Explain.
Answer: (i) Since 1951, over 5,000 square kilometres of forests were cleared for river valley
projects.
(ii) Clearing of forests is continuing because of new projects like the Sardar Sarovar Project,
the Tehri Dam Project, etc. Many wildlife sanctuaries are seriously threatened due to large
scale mining activities.
Construction of roads, railways and other infrastructural projects have seriously resulted in
environmental degradation including the forests in all parts of the world. Hence, this issue
needs to be tackled intelligently by utilising the valuable human resource including the use of
appropriate technology to ensure sustainable economic development.
5. “Developed countries and rich people are considered the major factors for
environmental degradation.” Explain. ( HOT)
, Answer: (i) Developed countries consume more resources than underdeveloped or
developing countries. For example, an average American consumes 40 times more resources
than an average Somalian.
(ii) The rich class probably causes more ecological damage than the poor class because
energy consumption level of the rich is high as compared to poor.
(iii) Rich people use non-renewable resources on a large scale.
6. “Grazing and fuel-wood collection are not responsible for deforestation in India.”
Support the statement with suitable reasons. [HOT]
Answer:
(i) Overgrazing destroys the saplings and plants are tom out by the roots by animals.
(ii) Overgrazing also leads to soil erosion. Soil erosion is one of the important factors for
deforestation.
(iii) While collecting fuel wood the locals also destroy the trees, which leads to deforestation.
7. “The conservation projects are now focusing on biodiversity rather than on a few of
its components.” Explain.
Answer: (i) Inclusion of small insects and other animals in planning: Under the new plans,
even insects and other smaller species of animals are beginning to find a place in
conservation planning.
(ii) New notifications: In the notification under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several
hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected
species. In 1991, for the first time, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.
8. With reference to the type and distribution of forests, answer the following questions:
(i) How are they classified?
(ii) Which type of forests are regarded most valuable as far as the conservation of forest
and wildlife resources are concerned?
Answer: (i) (a) Reserved forests
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests.
(ii) Reserved forests are regarded most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and
wildlife are concerned because they ensure that at least certain specific percentage of our land
area has been put aside for the development of forest.
9. Define the following:
(i) Reserved forests
(ii) Protected forests
(iii) Unclassed forests
Or
How many types of forests are classified in India? Explain. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
