NCERT Class 5 EVS Our Wondrous World Chapter 06 Some Unique Places PDF Download

Chapter 6: Some Unique Places

Shanti's parents seemed busier planning their summer vacation. "Are we doing something different this year?", she asked. "Maybe we could go to more places rather than staying in one place? I really want to see more of our country now that I am growing up."

Appa (father) and Amma (mother) smiled, "Shanti, your wish might just come true. We have big plans this time! A trip to a few different places starting from the southernmost tip of India!".

[Figure: An island surrounded by water with palm trees and a boat, See in your textbook]

"From Kanyakumari?", Shanti asked.

"No, Shanti!", Appa said to her surprise.

Find out

Look at the map for the southernmost point of India.

Shanti found out from the map that Indira Point is the southernmost tip of India. It is a long chain of islands known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Do you know?

An island is a land surrounded by water on all sides. There are over a thousand islands in the seas around India that are part of the country.

Find out

1. In which sea are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located?
2. Name the other islands you know.

Islands of India

They started from Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Rani, their local guide, took them through the forest.

India has around 75 per cent of the world's wild tigers.

"Many of the trees are unique and found only in these islands", Rani said. Shanti was curious about the big roots growing out of the bottom of the tree and spreading out wide, supporting the tree.

[Figure: A tree with large spreading roots, See in your textbook]

Activity 1

Take a rectangular piece of newspaper or used paper, and roll it into a thin tube. Glue the edges so it does not open. Then, make it stand it up on a flat surface. Does it stay up?

Now, cut 3 - 4 small triangles from thick paper. Stick the triangles evenly around the bottom of the roll. Rest the paper on a flat surface again. Does it stay upright now?

The base supports the roll like the roots support the tree to stand upright.

Nature often has the best designs.

"The forests here are home to many animals, colourful birds, butterflies and insects that are unique. Birds like the Andaman wood pigeon and the Andaman hornbill are only found here. That makes these forests very special and important for us to protect", Rani said.

Teacher's Note

When you visit or learn about special places like the Andaman Islands, look for what makes them different. Notice which animals and plants live there, what the weather is like, and how people live. This helps you understand why some places in our country are unique and worth protecting.

Why do you think some birds and animals are found only on these islands?

Next, they went to catch a ferry to one of the nearby islands.

[Figure: Andaman hornbill, See in your textbook]

[Figure: Andaman wood pigeon, See in your textbook]

Safety Measures

Before getting on the ferry, they were given safety instructions. Everyone must wear a life jacket even if you know how to swim. Life jackets keep you afloat if you fall into the water.

Write

1. Draw or write about your favourite fish or other sea animal.
2. List at least three living things found in the sea.

Rani took them to the Marine Interpretation Centre. Through pictures, models and information they learned how tiny corals give shelter to many creatures. They started to see how marine life is important not just for the sea, but for the whole Earth.

Discuss

1. Why do you think life under the sea is just as important as life in the forests?
2. How do you think the coral reef helps the fish and other sea creatures?

Before they left the island, they heard about North Sentinel Island. "Here people live like the ancient hunter-gatherers," Rani told us. "They do not want visitors, so no one is allowed to go there", said Rani. In 2004, a tsunami hit the region but they survived, possibly by noticing signs in nature like changes in the wind, sea and behaviour of animal. Their deep connection with nature might have helped them stay safe.

Discuss

1. How do you think their knowledge might have helped the people of North Sentinel Island stay safe?

Note to the Teacher

The teacher will explain corals though pictures as colourful living beings seen in the sea.

Teacher's Note

Islands are completely surrounded by water, which makes them special places with their own animals and plants. The Andaman Islands have birds like the hornbill that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. When places are hard to reach, the creatures there develop differently, making them unique and important to study and protect.

Key Points

• Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the southernmost tip of India. Islands are pieces of land surrounded by water on all sides.
• Islands have their own special animals and plants that may not be found anywhere else. The forests and waters around islands are home to unique birds and sea creatures.
• Coral reefs in the sea provide shelter to many creatures, and marine life is important not just for the ocean but for the whole Earth.
• Some island people, like those on North Sentinel Island, have a deep connection with nature that helps them understand natural signs and stay safe.
• When visiting natural places, always follow safety rules like wearing life jackets on ferries and protecting the forests and wildlife that make these places special.

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