Class 10 CBSE – Geography / Contemporary India, Forest and Wildlife Resources):

set of Short Answer Questions with Answers (Class 10 CBSE – Geography / Contemporary India, Forest and Wildlife Resources):

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Q1. Distinguish between Vulnerable species and Endangered species of wild animals. Give one example of each.

Answer:

• Vulnerable species: Species whose population has declined to a level from where they may become endangered in the near future.
  Example: Blue sheep.
• Endangered species: Species that are at the verge of extinction if not protected urgently.
  Example: Asiatic lion.

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Q2. What are reserved forests?

Answer:
Reserved forests are the most highly protected forests, where no grazing, hunting, or collection of forest produce is allowed without prior permission. They are maintained for conservation and ecological balance.

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Q3. What do you know about Project Tiger?

Answer:
Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation program launched in 1973 by the Government of India to protect tigers from extinction. It created tiger reserves across the country to conserve their habitat and ensure sustainable population growth.

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Q4. Write a note on Chipko Movement.

Answer:
The Chipko Movement began in the 1970s in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Villagers, especially women, hugged trees to prevent their cutting. It was a non-violent movement that spread awareness about forest conservation.

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Q5. Write a note on Extinct Species with examples.

Answer:
Extinct species are those which have completely disappeared from the earth. No individual of the species exists anymore.
Examples: Dodo, Cheetah (Indian cheetah).

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Q6. What are sacred groves?

Answer:
Sacred groves are forests or patches of trees protected by local communities because of religious and cultural beliefs. They are rich in biodiversity.
Example: Sacred groves of Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.

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Q7. What is biodiversity?

Answer:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal species found in a particular region or on earth as a whole. It includes diversity in species, genes, and ecosystems.

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Q8. Distinguish between National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Answer:

• National Park: A protected area for the conservation of flora, fauna, and landscape; human activities like grazing, hunting, or private land ownership are not allowed.
  Example: Jim Corbett National Park.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area for animals, where limited human activities like grazing or firewood collection may be allowed under strict regulation.
  Example: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

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set of Long Answer Questions with detailed answers (4–5 marks each) for Class 10 CBSE (Geography – Forest and Wildlife Resources):

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Q1. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.

Answer:
Local communities in India play a major role in conserving forests and wildlife:

1. Sacred groves: Many communities protect forest patches due to religious beliefs (e.g., Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya).
2. Chipko Movement: Villagers in Uttarakhand hugged trees to prevent deforestation in the 1970s.
3. Joint Forest Management (JFM): Local villagers and the Forest Department manage degraded forests together (initiated in Odisha, 1988).
4. Community initiatives: People of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan fought against mining and protected wildlife.
   Thus, community efforts ensure ecological sustainability.

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Q2. Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

Answer:
Some good practices are:

1. Afforestation and reforestation: Planting trees to increase green cover.
2. Social forestry and farm forestry: Growing trees on farms, wastelands, and community lands.
3. Wildlife conservation programs: Initiatives like Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
4. Eco-clubs in schools: To spread awareness about conservation.
5. People’s participation: Local community movements like Chipko and Beej Bachao Andolan.

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Q3. What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?

Answer:

• Biodiversity: The variety of life forms (plants, animals, microorganisms) in a region, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
• Importance:
  1. Provides food, fuel, fibre, and medicines.
  2. Maintains ecological balance by recycling nutrients and purifying air and water.
  3. Offers livelihood to millions of people.
  4. Cultural and aesthetic value.
  5. Acts as a natural defense against environmental changes.

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Q4. How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.

Answer:
Human activities have caused large-scale depletion:

1. Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture, mining, and industries.
2. Overgrazing and overexploitation: Excessive use of forests for timber, fuelwood, and fodder.
3. Hunting and poaching: Reduced populations of animals like tigers, lions, and elephants.
4. Industrialization and urbanization: Expansion of cities reduces natural habitats.
5. Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution destroy natural ecosystems.

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Q5. Describe the steps taken by the government to protect species from becoming extinct.

Answer:
The Government of India has taken several steps:

1. Establishment of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves to conserve habitats.
2. Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Provides legal protection to endangered species.
3. Project Tiger (1973): Special program to protect tigers.
4. Project Elephant (1992): Protection of elephants and their corridors.
5. Joint Forest Management (1988): People’s participation in forest conservation.
6. Biodiversity Act (2002): Promotes sustainable use of biodiversity.

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Q6. How are forests classified under different categories? Explain with examples.

Answer:
Forests are classified into three main categories:

1. Reserved Forests: Most protected, no activity allowed without permission (e.g., Jim Corbett).
2. Protected Forests: Limited activities allowed like grazing (e.g., forests of Madhya Pradesh).
3. Unclassed Forests: Not under direct government control; community ownership (e.g., Northeast India, parts of Rajasthan).

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Q7. How has the destruction of forests and wildlife resulted in the loss of cultural diversity? Explain.

Answer:

1. Many tribal and rural communities depend on forests for livelihood, culture, and traditions.
2. Destruction of forests has displaced them and disrupted their cultural practices.
3. Sacred groves and worship of trees/animals are vanishing.
4. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and forest-based crafts is being lost.

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Q8. Describe the methods of forest conservation.

Answer:
Methods include:

1. Afforestation: Planting more trees to increase green cover.
2. Social Forestry: Community participation in managing wastelands.
3. Agro-Forestry: Growing trees along with crops.
4. Protected Areas: Creating National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves.
5. Regulated cutting: Restricting overuse of forest products.
6. Awareness campaigns: Involving people in conservation (Chipko Movement, Eco-Clubs).
7. Scientific management: Using GIS, satellite imagery for monitoring forests.

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