NCERT Book Class 7 EVS Every animal has a positive role

8. Every animal has a positive role in the

environment

Background

Each species — animal, insect, human — has a unique shape and appearance. Do we like and appreciate most of them? Some we dislike with or without a good reason. Some we treat as bad omens, such as owls, black cats; others are not considered so bad. Such beliefs are not rational. We care for some animals, some we love and respect and some we attack out of fear without reason (snakes, lizards, tigers, etc.). However, each animal has a crucial role to play in the environment. For example, snakes and lizards keep the population of some rats, frogs and insects under control. Only 4% of snakes are poisonous. It would be interesting to explore the shapes and colourations of animals and describe their appearances, qualities, and their importance in the ecosystem (i.e., their functions as food, as scavengers or workers, etc).

Methodology

1. Observe and collect information about two selected animals or birds (other than domestic animals and pets) in your immediate surroundings.

2. Observe the animals for a week or so and note down their features, movements, food habits and relations with others.

3. Collect pictures and stories about the life of these animals and the way they are perceived by people in the area.

Conclusion

Write down your observations and information collected in the form of a report.

Follow-up

Read about Salim Ali and his work on birds of India especially Fall of a Sparrow. Try to find out why he is called the ‘Father of Ornithology’

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 7 EVS Every animal has a positive role