RBSE Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 19 Biodiversity and its Conservation

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Which is the unit of measurement for balance of an ecosystem?
(a) Species
(b) Biodiversity
(c) Animal diversity
(d) None of the options
Answer: (a) Species
In simple words: A species is like one type of plant or animal. The number and types of species help us know if an ecosystem is healthy and balanced.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that species diversity is a key indicator of an ecosystem's stability and health, as each species contributes uniquely to the balance.

Question 2. India is at which place in terms of agriculture?
(a) Eighth
(b) Ninth
(c) Seventh
(d) Tenth
Answer: (c) Seventh
In simple words: India ranks seventh globally in terms of agricultural biodiversity. This means it has a wide variety of crops and farm animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about rankings, ensure you specify what the ranking is for, like "agricultural biodiversity," to be precise.

Question 3. How many biodiversity hotspots are there in the world?
(a) 25
(b) 20
(c) 34
(d) 33
Answer: (c) 34
In simple words: There are 34 special places around the world called biodiversity hotspots. These areas have many unique plants and animals that are also under threat.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the number of global biodiversity hotspots is a factual recall; ensure you remember specific numbers for such questions.

Question 5. Which of the following biodiversity hotspot is in India?
(a) Madagascar Islands
(b) East Malaysian Islands
(c) Indo-Burma
(d) None of the options
Answer: (c) Indo-Burma
In simple words: The Indo-Burma region is one of the important biodiversity hotspots that extends into India. It is known for its rich and varied plant and animal life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be familiar with the names of major biodiversity hotspots and which ones are located within India or border it.

Question 6. International Biodiversity Day is celebrated on which date?
(a) 21 May
(b) 23 May
(c) 22 May
(d) 24 th May
Answer: (c) 22 May
In simple words: People all over the world celebrate International Biodiversity Day on May 22nd. This day reminds everyone how important it is to protect all kinds of life on Earth.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember important environmental dates as they often appear in general knowledge and objective questions.

Question 7. The International Year of Biodiversity was celebrated in which year?
(a) 2012
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2009
Answer: (b) 2010
In simple words: The year 2010 was marked as the International Year of Biodiversity. It was a special time to bring attention to how important biodiversity is and to encourage its protection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between International Day and International Year for specific environmental events to avoid confusion.

Question 9. Which of the following animals is killed because of superstition?
(a) Goira
(b) Godavan
(c) Frog
(d) Dodo
Answer: (a) Goira
In simple words: The Goira, also known as a Monitor Lizard, is sometimes killed by people due to old beliefs that it has poisonous breath. This shows how superstitions can harm animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be aware of examples where human cultural practices or beliefs negatively impact wildlife, as these illustrate conservation challenges.

Question 10. The Earth Summit was held at which city?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Paris
(c) Perth
(d) Rio de Janeiro
Answer: (d) Rio de Janeiro
In simple words: The first big meeting about Earth's environment, called the Earth Summit, happened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leaders from many countries gathered to talk about protecting our planet.

🎯 Exam Tip: It is crucial to remember the location of significant international environmental conferences like the Earth Summit.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 11. Which are the three levels of biodiversity?
Answer: The three main levels of biodiversity are species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. These levels help us understand the full range of life on Earth.
In simple words: Biodiversity has three parts: how many different kinds of living things there are (species), the differences inside one kind of living thing (genetic), and the variety of natural places (ecosystems).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list and define each of the three levels of biodiversity when asked, as it shows a complete understanding of the concept.

Question 12. What percentage of species on earth has been identified by scientists till date?
Answer: Scientists have identified about 14% of the total species on Earth so far. This means there are still many more species waiting to be discovered and studied.
In simple words: Only about 14% of all the living things on Earth have been found and named by scientists.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific percentages like this are important facts and should be remembered accurately for short answer questions.

Question 14. Which is the national water animal of India?
Answer: The Gangetic Dolphin is recognized as the national water animal of India. This unique freshwater dolphin lives in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system.
In simple words: The Gangetic Dolphin is India's national water animal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing national symbols, especially environmental ones, is essential for general knowledge questions.

Question 15. Which are the Biodiversity hotspots of India?
Answer: The major biodiversity hotspots in India are the Eastern Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and the Indo-Burma region. These areas are rich in diverse life forms but also face threats.
In simple words: India's biodiversity hotspots are the Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Indo-Burma.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all known biodiversity hotspots that are either within India or overlap significantly with its territory.

Question 16. Name any two endemic species.
Answer: Two examples of endemic species are the Nilgiri Tahr and the Lion-tailed Macaque. Endemic species are found only in a specific geographical area and nowhere else.
In simple words: The Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed Macaque are two animals found only in specific parts of India.

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing examples of endemic species, ensure they are correctly identified and truly unique to a region.

Question 17. Name any two endangered species.
Answer: Two examples of endangered species are the Cheetah and the Tiger. These animals face a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
In simple words: The Cheetah and Tiger are two animal species that are in great danger of disappearing forever.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between endemic and endangered species; while some endemic species may also be endangered, the terms have distinct meanings.

Question 18. India is at which position in world, in terms of biodiversity?
Answer: India is one of the 17 countries with mega biodiversity, holding about 7-8% of the world's total biodiversity. Specifically, India ranks 7th globally in terms of agricultural biodiversity, showing its rich variety of crops and livestock.
In simple words: India is one of the world's 17 big biodiversity countries and holds 7th place for farm-related biodiversity.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing India's position, specify if the ranking refers to overall biodiversity or a specific type, like agricultural biodiversity.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Short Answer Type Questions

Question 19. What do you understand by biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity is a broad term that covers all living things, including plants, animals, and microbes. It refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems. This variety is crucial for healthy planet.
In simple words: Biodiversity means all the different kinds of life on Earth, like plants, animals, and tiny germs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define biodiversity simply and comprehensively, emphasizing its inclusion of all life forms from microscopic to large, across various levels.

Question 20. Write a short note on biodiversity in eastern Himalayas.
Answer: The Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot includes regions like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and some parts of West Bengal. The entire Himalayan mountain range has a rich variety of life. This hotspot stretches over 750,000 square km and has about 10,000 species, with 3,160 of these being endemic, meaning they are found only there. Important animals in this area include the Himalayan Tahr, Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Pygmy Hog, Flying Squirrel, Snow Leopard, Takin, and the Gangetic Dolphin.
In simple words: The Eastern Himalayas are a special area with many different plants and animals, including some that live only there. It covers a large area in parts of India like Assam and Sikkim.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a biodiversity hotspot, mention its geographical extent, some characteristic species, and the proportion of endemic species.

Question 21. Which countries come under Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot?
Answer: The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot covers several countries, including China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. This vast region is rich in diverse ecosystems and unique species.
In simple words: The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot includes countries like China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

🎯 Exam Tip: For hotspots that span multiple countries, list the key nations involved to show a clear understanding of its geographical scope.

Question 22. What is the effect of introduction of foreign species on biodiversity?
Answer: The intentional or accidental introduction of foreign species can threaten native species. This often creates an imbalance in the ecosystem. For example, Lantana and water hyacinth were brought for decoration but spread widely. Lantana, brought by the British in 1807 and first planted in Calcutta's Botanical Garden, now poses a big risk to local biodiversity. It stops other plants from growing nearby, and no animals eat it. This shows how new species can disrupt natural balance.
In simple words: When new plants or animals from other places are brought in, they can harm the local plants and animals and upset the balance of nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight both intentional and unintentional introductions of foreign species and provide clear examples of their negative impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystems.

Question 23. "Export of frog legs has adversely affected biodiversity.” Explain this statement.
Answer: Many people in Europe and North America like to eat frog legs, making them a popular dish. Several Asian countries, including India, used to export frogs for this purpose. For instance, India exported 3650 metric tonnes of frogs in 1983 alone. This high demand led to a sharp drop in frog populations in forests. Frogs naturally eat insects, so when their numbers fell, the population of certain insects, which frogs normally ate, grew rapidly, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. This shows how human activities can disrupt food chains.
In simple words: Exporting frog legs caused many frogs to be caught and killed. This led to more insects, because fewer frogs were there to eat them, which harmed the balance of nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the chain reaction—how removing one species (frogs) can lead to an increase in another (insects), illustrating the interconnectedness of food webs.

Question 25. What are the different types of biodiversity conservation?
Answer: There are two main ways to conserve biodiversity:

• In-situ conservation: This involves protecting species in their natural homes, often with some human help. It means keeping animals and plants safe where they naturally live.
• Ex-situ Conservation: This is when endangered species are protected outside their natural habitat in man-made places. Examples include zoos or botanical gardens, which act like safe houses for these species.

Both methods are important for keeping many different types of life safe.
In simple words: Biodiversity can be saved in two ways: protecting plants and animals where they naturally live (in-situ), or moving them to special safe places like zoos or gardens (ex-situ).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define and differentiate between in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods, providing examples for each to strengthen your answer.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Long Answer Type Questions

Question 26. Explain different levels of biodiversity.
Answer: There are three primary levels of biodiversity: species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Understanding these levels helps us appreciate the full scope of life's variety.
(1) Species Diversity: This refers to the total number of different plant and animal species living in a specific area. It is often the most common way people think about biodiversity and is a key measure of an ecosystem's balance. It is very hard to count microorganisms because there can be billions in just a small amount of soil. Therefore, microorganism numbers are not typically included when defining species diversity in a place.
(2) Genetic Diversity: This is about the differences that exist among members of the same species, caused by variations in their genes. This type of diversity can be seen in different groups of a species or even between individuals within one group. For instance, different types of rice show genetic diversity. Similarly, humans have genetic diversity, seen in differences like height, skin color, and facial features. A higher level of genetic diversity within a species makes it stronger and more adaptable to changes.
(3) Ecosystem Diversity: This describes the variety of different ecosystems, such as grasslands, mountains, deserts, marshes, oceans, river valleys, and tropical forests. Each ecosystem has its own unique geographical and environmental traits, which support different kinds of creatures. These unique features are why there is so much diversity among living things in different regions. This shows how various natural environments contribute to the overall biodiversity.
In simple words: Biodiversity has three levels: species diversity (all the different kinds of plants and animals), genetic diversity (differences within one kind of plant or animal), and ecosystem diversity (all the different types of natural places like forests or deserts).

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you provide a clear definition and a relevant example for each type of biodiversity to illustrate your understanding fully.

Question 27. What do you understand by biodiversity hotspots?
Answer: To be considered a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet specific requirements:
1. The region must have more than 0.5% of the world's total endemic species, meaning at least 1500 unique species found nowhere else.
2. At least 70% of its original natural habitat must have been destroyed, indicating it is under severe threat from human activities.
3. These areas urgently need conservation, so large-scale protection programs are put in place. The 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide are home to 42% of endemic species, 55% of freshwater fish, and 50% of endemic plants. Some important global biodiversity hotspots include the Atlantic forest, East Malaysian islands, Mountains of Southwest China, Madagascar, Central America, Columbia, Central Chile, Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, and Indo-Burma.
In simple words: Biodiversity hotspots are special places on Earth that have many unique plants and animals but are also greatly threatened. They need urgent protection to save these species.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the two main criteria for a region to be classified as a biodiversity hotspot and give examples to support your explanation.

Question 28. What is the significance of biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity is important in three main ways: economic value, medicinal value, and environmental value. This variety of life provides many benefits to humans and the planet.
1. Economic Value: Biodiversity offers immense economic benefits. We get food, fuel, fodder for animals, timber, and industrial raw materials directly from diverse living things. For example, we have different types of food like rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables, and fruits all because of biodiversity. It provides essential resources for our daily lives and industries.
The presence of diverse species also helps maintain crucial ecological processes like the food chain and nutrient cycles.
In simple words: Biodiversity is important for many reasons: it gives us food, fuel, and materials (economic), it provides medicines (medicinal), and it keeps nature working well (environmental).

🎯 Exam Tip: Structure your answer by clearly outlining the different values of biodiversity and providing a specific example for each category.

Question 29. Analyze the reasons which are responsible for reduction in biodiversity.
Answer: Several factors cause a reduction in biodiversity:
1. Habitat Loss: As the human population grows, we destroy natural habitats for farming and other activities to meet our needs. This takes away the homes of many species.
2. Habitat Fragmentation: Building roads, rail lines, gas pipelines, canals, electricity lines, and farms breaks up natural habitats into smaller pieces. This greatly harms wild animals, making them more vulnerable to accidents.
3. Climate Change: Human activities lead to significant climate changes. Increased greenhouse gas emissions raise Earth's temperature, a phenomenon called global warming. This affects many species, for instance, by causing glaciers to melt.
4. Environmental Pollution: Pollution in the environment has harmful effects on both plants and animals, making it hard for them to survive.
5. Over Exploitation of Natural Resources: We have used natural resources too much for business. This excessive use has put many species at greater risk.
6. Commercial Practices in Agriculture and Forestry: Farmers now often grow only a few types of seeds and raise specific breeds of cattle. This practice has severely reduced the genetic variety of crops and farm animals.
7. Invasion of Foreign Species: Sometimes, new species brought in on purpose or by accident can threaten native species. This throws the entire ecosystem out of balance.
8. Superstition and Ignorance: Sometimes, old beliefs and lack of knowledge also threaten specific species. For example, in rural parts of Rajasthan, people believe the Goira (Monitor Lizard) has poisonous breath and kill it on sight.
In simple words: Biodiversity is shrinking because we destroy animal homes, break up forests with roads, change the climate, pollute the environment, use too many resources, farm with only a few types of plants, introduce new harmful species, and sometimes kill animals due to false beliefs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a comprehensive list of reasons for biodiversity reduction and briefly explain each one with a relevant impact to score full marks.

Question 30. Write an essay on efforts for conservation of biodiversity.
Answer: Many actions are being taken to protect endangered species at local, national, and international levels. These efforts aim to preserve the variety of life on Earth.
International Efforts: The United Nations established the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1968. This organization works globally to conserve nature. In 1992, the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, led to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Now, 193 countries have accepted the CBD, showing their commitment to protecting biodiversity. This framework encourages global cooperation in conservation.
National Efforts: India is one of the countries that signed the CBD. To support this, the Indian government passed the Biodiversity Act of 2002. This act has three main objectives:

• Conservation of biodiversity
• Sustainable use of biodiversity
• Fair sharing of bio-resources to ensure they reach as many people as possible.

Under the Biodiversity Act 2002, a three-tier system was created: the National Biodiversity Authority at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees at the local level. Additionally, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was formed on June 2nd, 2010. Its purpose is to quickly handle all cases related to environment, forests, water, air, and biodiversity. The NGT's headquarters are in Bhopal, and it acts as a single body to resolve environmental disputes that would otherwise go to High Courts. These structured efforts ensure that biodiversity conservation is addressed at all levels of governance.
In simple words: Many groups, from local to international, are working to save different types of life. Countries sign agreements like the CBD, and India has its own Biodiversity Act and a Green Tribunal to protect plants and animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing conservation efforts, categorize them into international and national levels, mentioning key organizations, agreements, and specific legislative measures.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Amazon rainforest is present in which continent?
(a) North America
(b) South America
(c) Africa
(d) Asia
Answer: (b) South America
In simple words: The Amazon rainforest, a very large forest known for its many plants and animals, is located in the continent of South America.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the geographical locations of major biodiversity-rich areas like the Amazon rainforest.

Question 2. Biodiversity is the maximum in which zone of earth?
(a) Tropical zone
(b) Temperate zone
(c) Arctic Circle
(d) None of the options
Answer: (a) Tropical zone
In simple words: The tropical zone, which is near the equator, has the most different kinds of plants and animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the concept of latitudinal gradients in biodiversity, where diversity is generally highest near the equator (tropical zones).

Question 3. Which of the following animals is an endemic species?
(a) Asiatic elephant
(b) Asiatic lion
(c) Nilgiri Tahr
(d) One-horned rhino
Answer: (c) Nilgiri Tahr
In simple words: The Nilgiri Tahr is an animal that lives only in a specific area of India, making it an endemic species.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize that endemic species are found exclusively in one geographic region, which makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.

Question 4. Which of the following is a weed which was introduced as foreign species in India?
(a) Parthenium
(b) Penicillium
(c) Pseudomonas
(d) Hyacinth
Answer: (a) Parthenium
In simple words: Parthenium is a type of harmful weed that was accidentally brought to India from other countries. It is now a big problem for local plants and causes allergies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be able to identify common invasive foreign species and understand their negative ecological impacts.

Question 5. The headquarters of National Green Tribunal is at which city?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Mumbai
(d) Bhopal
Answer: (d) Bhopal
In simple words: The main office, or headquarters, of the National Green Tribunal, which handles environmental cases, is located in the city of Bhopal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Familiarize yourself with the headquarters of important environmental bodies in India.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What is the definition of biodiversity; as per Technological Assessment Report 1987 USA?
Answer: As per the Technological Assessment Report of 1987 in the USA, biodiversity is defined as the variety, differences, and ecological complexity found among creatures. This means it includes all the different forms of life and how they interact in their environments.
In simple words: According to a 1987 US report, biodiversity is simply the many different kinds of life and their complex connections in nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a definition is requested from a specific source or report, try to include that reference in your answer if possible.

Question 3. Which biodiversity hotspot is partially in India?
Answer: The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot is partially located in India. This region is shared with other countries but has a significant presence within India's borders.
In simple words: The Indo-Burma area, which is rich in different kinds of life, is partly in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between hotspots entirely within India and those that are shared or partially extend into India.

Question 4. Which biodiversity hotspots are completely in India?
Answer: The Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are the biodiversity hotspots that are completely within India. These regions are known for their high levels of unique species.
The Western Ghats, for example, have 5916 species of plants and animals, with about 50% of them being endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else.
In simple words: The Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are the two special places in India with many unique plants and animals that are fully inside the country.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you can name the biodiversity hotspots that are exclusively within India's geographical boundaries.

Question 5. What is global warming?
Answer: Global warming is a phenomenon where the Earth's average temperature increases due to higher emissions of greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warmer planet and affecting climate patterns worldwide.
In simple words: Global warming means the Earth is getting hotter because too many gases are trapping heat in the air.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define global warming by mentioning both the cause (increased greenhouse gases) and the effect (rise in Earth's temperature).

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What do you understand by species biodiversity?
Answer: Species diversity refers to the total number of different plant and animal species found in a particular region. It is often seen as the most common way to understand biodiversity. This diversity is used as a measure to assess the balance and health of any ecosystem. While microorganisms exist in vast numbers, their sheer quantity makes them difficult to count accurately, so they are usually not included when defining species diversity in a specific location.
In simple words: Species biodiversity means how many different kinds of plants and animals live in one area. It helps us see if nature is balanced.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that species biodiversity is about the variety of different living things in a place and how it indicates ecosystem health.

Question 2. What do you understand by genetic biodiversity?
Answer: Genetic biodiversity refers to the variations among individuals of a single species, which are caused by differences in their genes. This type of diversity can be observed in different groups of a species or even among individual members within a population. For instance, various types of rice demonstrate genetic diversity. Similarly, differences in human beings, such as height, skin color, facial features, and hair color, all show genetic diversity. A higher level of genetic diversity within a species makes it more resilient and better able to adapt to environmental changes, which is vital for survival.
In simple words: Genetic biodiversity is about the small differences in genes within the same kind of plant or animal. These differences help them adapt and survive.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining genetic biodiversity, emphasize that it's about variation *within* a single species and provide diverse examples to illustrate the concept.

Question 4. Write a short note on Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
Answer: The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot spans a large region, covering parts of China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. It extends over an area of 2,373,000 square kilometers. This significant hotspot is home to an incredible variety of life, including 13,500 plant species, 433 mammal species, 1266 types of amphibians, and 1262 types of fish. Its vastness and rich diversity make it a crucial area for global conservation efforts.
In simple words: The Indo-Burma hotspot is a huge area in Asia, including parts of India. It has many different plants and animals, like thousands of species of plants, mammals, amphibians, and fish.

🎯 Exam Tip: Include the geographical spread (countries involved) and some key statistics about the number of species found in the Indo-Burma hotspot.

Question 5. How does rich biodiversity help in conservation of food chain?
Answer: Rich biodiversity means there are many different food chains that can connect to form a complex food web. This complexity is vital for maintaining the ecosystem's health. If one species in a diverse food web is lost, other species can often step in to fill its role, helping to balance the ecosystem and prevent a complete breakdown of the food chain. For example, if one type of prey animal decreases, a predator might switch to another available prey if biodiversity is high. This makes the ecosystem more stable and resilient against changes.
In simple words: If there are many different kinds of plants and animals, they create strong food webs. So, if one kind of animal is lost, others can take its place, keeping the food chain from breaking.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that rich biodiversity creates complex food webs, which provide resilience and alternative food sources, preventing the collapse of the food chain when one species is affected.

Biodiversity And Its Conservation Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What do you understand by habitat fragmentation? What is its impact on biodiversity?
Answer: Habitat fragmentation is when large, continuous natural habitats are broken down into smaller, isolated pieces. This happens due to human development, like building roads, railway lines, gas pipelines, canals, electricity transmission lines, and farms. This process severely impacts the lives of wild animals. Animals often get hit by vehicles or trains as they try to cross these fragmented areas. Sometimes, wild animals wander into human settlements and are killed. For example, several tigers and many smaller animals have died in accidents on the railway line that runs through Dudhwa National Park. This fragmentation reduces the available living space, isolates animal populations, and makes them more vulnerable, leading to a decline in biodiversity.
In simple words: Habitat fragmentation means breaking up big natural areas into small pieces with roads or buildings. This hurts wild animals because they lose their homes and face danger when trying to move around, leading to fewer different kinds of animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define habitat fragmentation clearly, provide examples of human activities that cause it, and explain its specific negative consequences for wildlife and overall biodiversity.

Question 2. What do you understand by invasion by foreign species? How does it affect biodiversity?
Answer: Invasion by foreign species refers to the introduction of non-native plants or animals into an ecosystem, either on purpose or by accident. These foreign species can then outcompete or prey on the native species, threatening their existence and causing an imbalance in the entire ecosystem. For example, water hyacinth, a plant, was brought from Brazil and has now spread across many water bodies in India. Similarly, Gajar grass (Parthenium) arrived with wheat imported from America in 1950. Parthenium is a notorious weed that animals do not eat, and it contains chemicals that cause allergies. This plant has become a significant threat to India's biodiversity by displacing native plants. These invasive species often have no natural predators in their new environment, allowing them to spread aggressively and harm local flora and fauna.
In simple words: When new kinds of plants or animals from other places come into an area, they are called foreign species. They can harm the local plants and animals and upset nature's balance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define invasive foreign species and illustrate their impact with clear examples, explaining how they disrupt the local ecosystem and biodiversity.

Question 3. What steps have been taken by India to conserve biodiversity?
Answer: India has taken several important steps to conserve its rich biodiversity. India is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Following this, the Indian government enacted the Biodiversity Act in 2002. This act created a three-tier organizational structure: the National Biodiversity Authority at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees at the local level. These bodies work together to implement conservation strategies. Additionally, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established on June 2nd, 2010. The NGT's headquarters are in Bhopal, and it serves as a specialized body to address all legal cases related to environment, forests, water, air, and biodiversity. This ensures that environmental disputes are resolved quickly and efficiently under one umbrella. These proactive measures highlight India's commitment to protecting its diverse natural heritage and ensuring its sustainable use for future generations.
In simple words: India has made laws like the Biodiversity Act and set up special groups like the National Green Tribunal to protect its many different plants and animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Outline India's key legislative measures (e.g., Biodiversity Act 2002) and institutional structures (e.g., NBA, NGT) to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of national conservation efforts.