2. Forest and Wildlife Resources

A. MCQs

1. What is biodiversity?

A) Variety of rocks
B) Variety of living organisms
C) Variety of rivers
D) Variety of minerals

Answer: B) Variety of living organisms

2. Which of the following is a primary producer in the ecosystem?

A) Tiger
B) Deer
C) Forests
D) Lion

Answer: C) Forests

3. India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of:

A) Minerals
B) Industries
C) Biodiversity
D) Population

Answer: C) Biodiversity

4. Biodiversity includes:

A) Only plants
B) Only animals
C) Only microorganisms
D) Plants, animals and microorganisms

Answer: D) Plants, animals and microorganisms

5. Which of the following helps maintain the quality of air?

A) Factories
B) Living organisms
C) Roads
D) Buildings

Answer: B) Living organisms

6. Conservation helps preserve:

A) Ecological diversity
B) Soil only
C) Water only
D) Minerals only

Answer: A) Ecological diversity

7. Which Act was implemented in 1972?

A) Forest Act
B) Environment Act
C) Wildlife Protection Act
D) Water Act

Answer: C) Wildlife Protection Act

8. The Wildlife Protection Act aimed to:

A) Increase industries
B) Ban hunting of endangered species
C) Build roads
D) Expand cities

Answer: B) Ban hunting of endangered species

9. National parks are established for:

A) Farming
B) Industrial development
C) Wildlife protection
D) Mining

Answer: C) Wildlife protection

10. Which species was specially protected under government projects?

A) Tiger
B) Rhinoceros
C) Asiatic Lion
D) All of these

Answer: D) All of these

11. Project Tiger was launched in:

A) 1962
B) 1970
C) 1973
D) 1988

Answer: C) 1973

12. Tiger population declined to how many in 1973?

A) 5,500
B) 1,827
C) 18,270
D) 550

Answer: B) 1,827

13. Estimated tiger population at the turn of the century was:

A) 25,000
B) 35,000
C) 45,000
D) 55,000

Answer: D) 55,000

14. The major threat to tiger population is:

A) Poaching
B) Habitat loss
C) Depletion of prey species
D) All of these

Answer: D) All of these

15. Tiger bones are illegally used in:

A) Paint making
B) Traditional medicines
C) Food processing
D) Construction

Answer: B) Traditional medicines

16. India and Nepal together provide habitat to about:

A) One-third of world's tigers
B) Half of world's tigers
C) Two-thirds of world's tigers
D) All tigers

Answer: C) Two-thirds of world's tigers

17. Conservation projects now focus on:

A) Only tigers
B) Only forests
C) Biodiversity as a whole
D) Only birds

Answer: C) Biodiversity as a whole

18. Which insects were added to the protected list?

A) Butterflies
B) Moths
C) Beetles
D) All of these

Answer: D) All of these

19. Plants were first added to the protected list in:

A) 1972
B) 1980
C) 1986
D) 1991

Answer: D) 1991

20. How many plant species were initially added?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 10

Answer: C) 6

21. More than half of India's forest land is:

A) Protected forest
B) Reserved forest
C) Unclassed forest
D) Community forest

Answer: B) Reserved forest

22. Reserved forests are regarded as:

A) Least valuable
B) Moderately valuable
C) Most valuable
D) Private forests

Answer: C) Most valuable

23. Almost one-third of India's forest area is:

A) Reserved forest
B) Protected forest
C) Unclassed forest
D) Sacred grove

Answer: B) Protected forest

24. Protected forests are protected from:

A) Rainfall
B) Wildlife
C) Further depletion
D) Tourism

Answer: C) Further depletion

25. Unclassed forests belong to:

A) Government only
B) Private individuals only
C) Communities only
D) Government, private individuals and communities

Answer: D) Government, private individuals and communities

26. Permanent forest estates consist of:

A) Reserved and Protected forests
B) Reserved and Unclassed forests
C) Protected and Unclassed forests
D) All forests

Answer: A) Reserved and Protected forests

27. Which state has the largest area under permanent forests?

A) Odisha
B) Rajasthan
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Gujarat

Answer: C) Madhya Pradesh

28. Approximately what percentage of Madhya Pradesh's forest area is permanent forest?

A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 75%
D) 90%

Answer: C) 75%

29. Which state has a large percentage of reserved forests?

A) Haryana
B) Punjab
C) Kerala
D) Rajasthan

Answer: C) Kerala

30. Which state has a bulk of its forests under protected forests?

A) Odisha
B) Kerala
C) Maharashtra
D) Uttarakhand

Answer: A) Odisha

31. North-Eastern states have a high percentage of:

A) Reserved forests
B) Protected forests
C) Unclassed forests
D) Private forests

Answer: C) Unclassed forests

32. Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in:

A) Gujarat
B) Rajasthan
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Odisha

Answer: B) Rajasthan

33. Villagers in Sariska fought against:

A) Deforestation
B) Mining
C) Hunting
D) Floods

Answer: B) Mining

34. Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri is located in:

A) Alwar district
B) Tehri district
C) Jaisalmer district
D) Puri district

Answer: A) Alwar district

35. The area declared as Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri was:

A) 800 hectares
B) 1,000 hectares
C) 1,200 hectares
D) 1,500 hectares

Answer: C) 1,200 hectares

36. The Chipko Movement was started to stop:

A) Hunting
B) Mining
C) Deforestation
D) Flooding

Answer: C) Deforestation

37. Chipko Movement took place in:

A) Desert region
B) Himalayan region
C) Coastal region
D) Plateau region

Answer: B) Himalayan region

38. Beej Bachao Andolan is associated with:

A) Wildlife protection
B) Traditional crop conservation
C) Mining control
D) Water conservation

Answer: B) Traditional crop conservation

39. Navdanya promotes:

A) Chemical farming
B) Biodiversity conservation
C) Mining
D) Urbanisation

Answer: B) Biodiversity conservation

40. Sacred groves are protected because of:

A) Government law only
B) Religious beliefs
C) Industrial use
D) Tourism

Answer: B) Religious beliefs

41. Sacred groves are often called:

A) Forest reserves
B) Forests of Gods and Goddesses
C) Timber forests
D) Wildlife parks

Answer: B) Forests of Gods and Goddesses

42. The Munda and Santhal tribes worship:

A) Neem and Banyan
B) Mahua and Kadamba
C) Tamarind and Mango
D) Peepal and Neem

Answer: B) Mahua and Kadamba

43. Tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship during weddings:

A) Teak and Sal
B) Neem and Peepal
C) Tamarind and Mango
D) Banyan and Kadamba

Answer: C) Tamarind and Mango

44. Which trees are considered sacred by many Indians?

A) Sal and Teak
B) Peepal and Banyan
C) Mango and Tamarind
D) Neem and Mahua

Answer: B) Peepal and Banyan

45. Which animals are commonly found around temples?

A) Tigers and lions
B) Deer and elephants
C) Macaques and langurs
D) Rhinos and bears

Answer: C) Macaques and langurs

46. Which community is famous for protecting wildlife in Rajasthan?

A) Bhils
B) Gonds
C) Bishnois
D) Todas

Answer: C) Bishnois

47. Bishnoi villages protect:

A) Blackbuck and peacocks
B) Tigers and lions
C) Rhinos and elephants
D) Bears and wolves

Answer: A) Blackbuck and peacocks

48. Joint Forest Management (JFM) formally started in:

A) 1972
B) 1973
C) 1988
D) 1991

Answer: C) 1988

49. Which state passed the first JFM resolution?

A) Rajasthan
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Odisha
D) Gujarat

Answer: C) Odisha

50. Under JFM, local communities receive:

A) Non-timber forest products
B) Share in harvested timber
C) Benefits from forest protection
D) All of these

Answer: D) All of these

B. Short Answer Questions

1. What is biodiversity? Why is it important?

Answer:

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals and microorganisms in a region.
It maintains ecological balance.
It provides food, medicines, clean air and water.
It preserves genetic diversity for future generations.

2. Why do we need to conserve forests and wildlife?

Answer:

To preserve ecological diversity.
To maintain life-support systems such as air, water and soil.
To protect endangered species from extinction.
To maintain genetic diversity of plants and animals.

3. State any four causes of depletion of flora and fauna.

Answer:

Deforestation.
Mining activities.
Urbanisation and industrialisation.
Hunting and poaching of animals.

4. Mention the main features of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Answer:

It provided legal protection to wildlife.
Hunting of endangered species was banned.
Trade in wildlife was restricted.
Protected habitats were created through sanctuaries and national parks.

5. Why was Project Tiger launched?

Answer:

Tiger population had declined drastically.
Poaching and illegal trade threatened their survival.
Natural habitats were shrinking.
To protect tigers and conserve their ecosystem.

6. What are the major threats to tiger population?

Answer:

Poaching for trade.
Shrinking habitats.
Depletion of prey animals.
Rapid growth of human population.

7. What are Reserved Forests?

Answer:

More than half of India's forest area is under reserved forests.
They receive maximum protection.
They are considered the most valuable forests.
Human activities are highly restricted in these forests.

8. What are Protected Forests?

Answer:

Nearly one-third of India's forest area is protected forest.
They are protected from further depletion.
Regulated use of resources is allowed.
They help conserve forest resources.

9. What are Unclassed Forests?

Answer:

They include forests and wastelands.
They belong to government, communities or private individuals.
They are mostly found in North-Eastern states.
They have comparatively less protection.

10. How did the Chipko Movement help in conservation?

Answer:

It opposed large-scale tree felling.
Villagers protected trees by hugging them.
It spread environmental awareness.
It encouraged community participation in conservation.

11. What is the significance of Sacred Groves?

Answer:

They preserve virgin forests.
They protect rare and endangered species.
Human interference is prohibited.
They help conserve biodiversity.

12. How do local communities contribute to forest conservation?

Answer:

They protect forests from illegal cutting.
They prevent hunting of wildlife.
They conserve sacred groves.
They participate in forest management programmes.

13. Explain the role of the Bishnoi community in wildlife conservation.

Answer:

Bishnois protect wildlife as part of their culture.
They safeguard blackbucks and chinkaras.
Peacocks and nilgais are also protected.
Hunting is strictly discouraged in their villages.

14. What is Joint Forest Management (JFM)?

Answer:

It is a programme involving local communities in forest management.
It started formally in 1988.
Villagers help protect degraded forests.
In return, they receive forest products and a share in timber benefits.

15. Mention the benefits of Joint Forest Management.

Answer:

Improves forest conservation.
Restores degraded forests.
Generates livelihood opportunities.
Encourages people's participation in resource management.

16. Why are forests called primary producers?

Answer:

They produce food through photosynthesis.
They form the base of the food chain.
Many organisms depend on them for survival.
They maintain ecological balance.

17. What is the importance of genetic diversity?

Answer:

It helps species adapt to environmental changes.
It improves breeding of plants and animals.
It increases resistance to diseases.
It ensures long-term survival of species.

18. How do Sacred Groves help in biodiversity conservation?

Answer:

They protect untouched natural habitats.
They conserve rare plant species.
They provide shelter to wildlife.
They preserve ecological balance.

19. What were the objectives of Project Tiger?

Answer:

To increase tiger population.
To stop poaching and illegal trade.
To conserve tiger habitats.
To protect biodiversity associated with tiger ecosystems.

20. Why is community participation important in conservation?

Answer:

Local people are directly dependent on natural resources.
They can effectively protect forests and wildlife.
Conservation becomes more sustainable.
It ensures long-term management of natural resources.

C. Long Answer Questions

1. Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary in India?

Answer:

It helps preserve ecological diversity.
It maintains life-support systems such as air, water and soil.
It protects endangered species from extinction.
It preserves genetic diversity of plants and animals.
It supports agriculture and fisheries.
It ensures sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.

2. Explain the importance of biodiversity.

Answer:

Biodiversity includes a variety of plants, animals and microorganisms.
It maintains ecological balance.
It provides food, medicines and raw materials.
It helps maintain soil fertility and water quality.
It supports agriculture through genetic diversity.
It contributes to environmental stability and sustainability.

3. Discuss the major causes of depletion of flora and fauna.

Answer:

Deforestation for agriculture and settlements.
Mining activities destroy forests and wildlife habitats.
Industrialisation and urbanisation reduce natural habitats.
Hunting and poaching threaten many species.
Overexploitation of forest resources damages ecosystems.
Environmental pollution adversely affects biodiversity.

4. Explain the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Answer:

It provided legal protection to wildlife species.
Hunting of endangered animals was prohibited.
Trade in wildlife and wildlife products was restricted.
Habitats of endangered species were protected.
A list of protected species was prepared.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries were established.

5. Describe Project Tiger and its significance.

Answer:

Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
It aimed to protect the rapidly declining tiger population.
It controlled poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
It focused on conserving tiger habitats.
It helped maintain ecological balance.
It promoted conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

6. What are the major threats to tiger population?

Answer:

Poaching for skins and bones.
Illegal international wildlife trade.
Shrinking forest habitats.
Reduction in prey species.
Human population pressure on forests.
Encroachment and developmental activities.

7. Differentiate between Reserved, Protected and Unclassed Forests.

Answer:

Reserved forests receive maximum protection and are most valuable for conservation.
Protected forests are safeguarded from further depletion.
Unclassed forests belong to government, communities or private individuals.
More than half of India's forests are reserved forests.
About one-third are protected forests.
Unclassed forests are mainly found in North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat.

8. Explain the role of local communities in forest conservation.

Answer:

Communities protect forests from illegal cutting.
They prevent hunting and poaching.
Sacred groves are preserved through traditional beliefs.
Villagers participate in forest restoration programmes.
They support biodiversity conservation.
Their involvement ensures sustainable management of resources.

9. Describe the Chipko Movement.

Answer:

It originated in the Himalayan region.
Villagers hugged trees to prevent their felling.
It opposed commercial deforestation.
It raised environmental awareness.
It encouraged community participation in conservation.
It promoted afforestation and sustainable resource use.

10. What are Sacred Groves? Explain their importance.

Answer:

Sacred groves are forest patches protected due to religious beliefs.
They are considered the abode of gods and goddesses.
Human interference is prohibited.
They conserve rare and endangered species.
They maintain ecological balance.
They preserve biodiversity and natural habitats.

11. Explain how tribal communities help in conservation of forests.

Answer:

Tribes worship trees and natural elements.
They protect sacred groves from exploitation.
They follow traditional conservation practices.
Hunting is restricted in many tribal areas.
They preserve biodiversity through cultural beliefs.
They promote sustainable use of natural resources.

12. Discuss the contribution of the Bishnoi community towards wildlife conservation.

Answer:

Bishnois consider protection of nature a religious duty.
They protect blackbucks and chinkaras.
Peacocks and nilgais are also safeguarded.
Hunting is strictly prohibited in their villages.
They prevent damage to forests and wildlife.
Their efforts have helped conserve biodiversity in Rajasthan.

13. Explain the importance of Joint Forest Management (JFM).

Answer:

It involves local communities in forest protection.
It helps restore degraded forests.
Villagers work with the Forest Department.
Communities receive forest products and timber benefits.
It promotes sustainable forest management.
It improves conservation through people's participation.

14. Describe the working of Joint Forest Management (JFM).

Answer:

Village institutions are formed for forest protection.
Communities protect degraded forest lands.
Forest departments provide support and guidance.
Members receive non-timber forest products.
They also get a share in timber harvested.
The programme encourages collective responsibility.

15. Explain how conservation projects have shifted from species protection to biodiversity conservation.

Answer:

Earlier efforts focused mainly on endangered species.
Conservation now includes entire ecosystems.
Habitats are protected along with species.
Insects and plants have been added to protected lists.
Greater emphasis is placed on ecological balance.
Biodiversity conservation has become the main goal.

16. Explain the significance of forests in maintaining ecological balance.

Answer:

Forests act as primary producers.
They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
They conserve soil and water resources.
They provide habitat to wildlife.
They regulate climate and rainfall.
They support food chains and ecosystems.

17. Describe the efforts made by villagers of Alwar district in conservation.

Answer:

Villagers declared 1,200 hectares as Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri.
They created their own conservation rules.
Hunting was completely banned.
Encroachment was prevented.
Wildlife habitats were protected.
Community participation ensured successful conservation.

18. Explain the role of Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya in conservation.

Answer:

They promote conservation of traditional crop varieties.
They encourage biodiversity protection.
They support ecological farming methods.
They discourage excessive use of synthetic chemicals.
They help maintain genetic diversity.
They prove sustainable agriculture can be economically viable.

19. Describe the various wildlife conservation measures adopted by the Government of India.

Answer:

Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972.
National parks and sanctuaries were established.
Hunting of endangered species was banned.
Wildlife trade was restricted.
Special projects such as Project Tiger were launched.
Legal protection was provided to endangered species and habitats.

20. Explain why community participation is essential for conservation of forests and wildlife.

Answer:

Local communities depend on forests for livelihood.
They have traditional knowledge of resource management.
They can effectively prevent illegal activities.
Community participation ensures sustainable conservation.
It reduces pressure on government agencies.
Long-term success of conservation depends on people's involvement.

D. Assertion–Reason Questions

Directions:

Choose the correct option:

A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.