CBSE Class 10 Social Science Geography Forest and Wild Life Resources Assignment

MCQ Questions for Class 10 Social Science Forest and Wildlife Resources

Question : In what ways the forests were harmed by the colonial government ?
Answer : (1) For expansion of railways.
        (2) For expansion of agricultural field.
        (3) For expansion of commercial and scientific forestry.
        (4) For expansion of milling activities. (Any three) 

Question : What do your know about “Permanent forest estates ? Name the state which his the largest area under these forest estates.
Answer :  Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as “Permanent forest estates”
      (1) These forest states are maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce and for protective reasons. State : Madhya Pradesh (75 percent of its total forest area) 

Question : Humans are dependent on the ecological system for their existence. Explain.
Answer : As a part of the ecological system human beings are dependent on it for their existence. For example :
      (1) We breathe in air, we drink water, we grow crops in soil, etc. These are the non living components of the ecological system.
     (2) On the other hand plants, animals and other microorganisms recreate the quality of these non living components. 

Question : Name any two North Eastern States of India having over 60 percent of Forests cover. Give two reasons.
Answer : States - (i) Arunachal Pradesh (ii) Manipur
        (1) There is an abundance of rainfall in N.E. States.
        (2) The hilly terrain of these states protects the forests from human exploitation. 

Question : Distinguish between the renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Answer : Renewable Resources : Resources that can be replenished after a short period of time are called Renewable Resources. For example – agricultural crops, wind energy, water, forest, wildlife, etc.
Non-renewable Resources : Resources which takes million years of time to replenish are called non-renewable resources. For example – fossil fuels. We must remember that some resources like metals are recyclable. 

Question : Mention any three features of arid soils.
Answer : (i) Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.
(ii) They are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.
(iii) Due to dry climate, high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture.
(iv) The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by Kankar because of the increasing calcium content. 

Question : 'Land is a natural resource of utmost importance'. Justify the statement with appropriate arguments.
Answer : (i) We live on land, we perform our economic activities on land and we use it in different ways.
(ii) It supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, transports and communication system.
(iii) It is an asset of a finite magnitude. 

Question : Suggest any three methods of soil conservation suitable to Indian conditions.
Answer : Methods of soil conservation :
(i) Ploughing along the contour lines can decrease the speed of water flow down the slopes.
(ii) Step or terrace cultivation on slopes restricts erosion. Western and central Himalayas have well- developed terrace farming areas.
(iii) Strip cropping : Here large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind.
(iv) Shelter belt plantation : Trees are planted in rows. These shelter belts have led to the stabilisation of sand dunes and in stabilising the desert in western India.  

Question : Highlights the reason for land being known as an utmost important natural resources.
Answer : Land is a resource of utmost importance due to following reasons:
* It’s a fixed factor of production and supports all economic activities.
* It also supports natural vegetation wildlife and various other resources.

Long Questions for Class 10 Social Science Forest and Wildlife Resources

Question : Discuss the factors responsible for land degradation in India.
Answer : The important factors responsible for land degradation in India are as follows :
(a) Deforestation : By an estimate over one million hectares of forest is lost every year in India.
(b) Erosion: Loss of vegetation cover makes land more susceptible to erosion. Wind and water have left vast tracts of land barren. Water erodes top soil to an extent of around 12,000 million tons per annum.
(c) Over-Irrigation : Successive cropping and over-irrigation, leads to water-logging and consequent salinization and alkalization. This situation mainly arises due to poor drainage.
(d) Floods and Droughts: Drought is both man- made and environment-induced. Man has played a key role in the creation of drought-prone areas by over-exploitation of natural resources like forests, degradation by grazing, excessive withdrawal of ground water, silting of tanks, rivers, etc.
Floods, on the other hand, are caused by heavy rains in a very short period. Each situation could have been altered had there been good vegetation cover. Vegetation helps in reducing run-off, increasing infiltration and reducing soil erosion.
(e) Over-grazing: India has the worlds largest cattle population, but not enough pasture land. This has led to serious problems as animals have encroached into forest lands and even agricultural lands. Land degradation due to overgrazing leads to desert like conditions.
(f ) Pollution -Pollution of land is caused by disposal of solid waste, refuse from domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. Another major source of land pollution is the creation of derelict land due to mining particularly due to surface and underground mining activities.