NCERT Book Class 10 Economics Contemporary India Forest and Wildlife Resources

Question. Which one of the following is NOT on the verge of extinction?
(a) Asiatic Cheetah
(b) Blackbuck
(c) Pink headed duck
(d) Mountain Quail

Ans. (d) Mountain Quail

Question. 'Forests and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and environment'. Justify the statement by giving three reasons.

Ans. Forests and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and environment. This is because destruction of forests and wildlife leads to

(a) Loss of cultural diversity – In addition to the loss of flora and fauna in the forest; the communities that depend on various forest produce suffer a lot.

(b) Impact on women – In almost all rural societies women bear the responsibility to collect fire wood, fodder and water. Depletion of these resources makes them work much harder and the tasks become more time taking. This often leads to various health problems in them.

(c) Poverty – When the poor tribal population fail to get their supplies of basic items , they have to buy those by spending money which is in short supply. Thus, greater economic pressure is created on them.

Question. Explain any three factors responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna in India.

Ans. There are five major reasons which are responsible for depletion of flora and fauna in India:

(i) Agricultural expansion : After Independence agricultural expansion became the major cause of depletion of forest resources. Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India over 26,200 sq. km of forest area was converted into agricultural land all over the India.

(ii) Mining : It is another major factor responsible for deforestation, e.g. dolomite mining has seriously threatened the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. This ongoing mining has disturbed the natural habitat and blocked the migration route of great Indian elephant.

(iii) Large-scale development projects : Since 1951, over 5000 sq km of forest was cleared for River Valley Projects. Large hydro projects have inundated large forest areas.

(iv) Rapidly expanding industrial-urban economy : It leads to huge consumption of forest based product such as rubber, medicines, dyes, fuel wood. This has increased the depletion of forest resources.

Question. How have communities conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India? Explain.

Ans. (i) Conservation of forests has been a part of Indian culture and folklore and it has been prevalent among the village communities since ancient times.

(ii) Many tribal communities and other government officials have raised their voice towards protection of forests and wildlife in the name of certain beliefs.

(iii) For example, the inhabitants of five villages in Alwar district in Rajasthan have announced 1200 hectares of land as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ as protection of wildlife from hunting by anyone.

(iv) Some trees and animals were considered sacred by certain communities which helped in the species preservation of forests and wildlife. For example, The Mundas and Santhals of Chhota Nagpur worship mahua and kadamba trees. The tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship tamarind, and mango trees during weddings.

(v) Other trees like tulsi, neem and peepal are also considered sacred. Certain animals like macaques and langurs are found in some temples.

(vi) The Bishnoi tribes of Rajasthan played an important role towards preservation of black buck, nilgai and peacocks. Thus, conservation was considered as an essential part of the community and any damage caused to the trees and animals had serious repercussions.

Question. Analyse any four reasons for the depletion of forest resources in India.

Ans. Reasons for depletion of forest resources in India are:

(i) Extensive use of forest products such as wood, barks, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure etc.

(ii) Agricultural expansion, development of railways, mining, commercial and social forestry.

(iii) Substantial forests in the tribal belts of north-eastern states have been degraded by shifting cultivation (Jhumming) or slash and burn agriculture.

(iv) Large scale developmental projects like Narmada Sagar Project of Madhya Pradesh which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forests.

(v) Mining is another important factor, as in the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by dolomite mining. It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species and migration route of animals, especially the great Indian Elephant.