Q.1. “Natural vegetation is an outcome of climate.” Substantiate the statement by taking example of Indian vegetation.
Answer Key Points: -
India is a land of great variety of natural vegetation.
1) Tropical evergreen forests are found in warm and humid areas with an annual precipitation of over 200 cm and mean annual temperature above 22°C. The semi evergreen forests are found in the less rainy parts of these regions.
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2) Tropical deciduous forests are spread over regions which receive rainfall between 70 -200 cm.
3) The moist deciduous forests are found in the regions which record rainfall between 100- 200 cm.
4) Dry deciduous forest covers vast areas of the country, where rainfall ranges between 70- 100 cm.
5) Tropical thorn forests occur in the areas which receive rainfall less than 50 cm.
6) The Himalayan ranges show a series of vegetation from the tropical to the tundra, with change in the altitude.
7) Deciduous forests are found in the foothills of the Himalayas. Wet temperate types of forests are found between altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m.
8) In the higher hill ranges of north-eastern India, hilly areas of West Bengal and Uttarakhand, evergreen broad leaf trees such as oak and chestnut are predominant.
Q.2. Explain the main features of Tropical Evergreen Forests.
Answer Key Points: -
1) Introduction: - Tropical evergreen forests are found in the areas having rainfall more than 200 cm per annum.
2) Nature: - Height of these trees is up to 60 m or above.
3) Specification: - Since the region is warm and wet throughout the year so it has all type of vegetation i.e. trees, shrubs and creepers giving it a multi layered structure.
4) Specialisation: - These trees remain evergreen throughout the year as there is no specific season for trees to shed their leaves.
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5) Important Plant Species: - Some of the important trees of this forest are Ebony Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber and Cinchona.
6) Important Animal Species: - The common animals found in these forests are elephants monkey and deer plenty of birds, bats, scorpions etc.
Q.3. Give differentiate between Dry Deciduous and Moist Deciduous Forest.
Answer Key Points: -
The Moist Deciduous
The Dry Deciduous
1. Definition
They are found in the areas receiving rainfall between 100 and 200 cm. per year.
The dry deciduous forests are found in areas having rainfall between 100 and 70 cm. per year.
2. Growing Areas
These forests are found mostly in the eastern part of the country northeastern States along the foothills of Himalayas Jharkhand West Orissa Chhattisgarh and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.
These forests are found in the renewed parts of the peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
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3. Important Species
Important species of the forests are Teak, Bamboo. Sal, Shisham, Sandalwood, Khair, Kusum, Arjun and Mulberry etc.
Important plant species like Teak, Sal, Peepal and Neem.
Q.4. Write down the important features of Thorn Forest (Desert Vegetation).
Answer Key Points: -
1) Introduction: - The thorn forests are found in the areas having rainfall less than 50 cm per year.
2) Nature: - This vegetation is scattered and have long roots deep into soil to get moisture consist of variety of grasses and shrubs.
3) Specification: - The leaves of this vegetation are very small which they shed in the early stage to reduce evaporation.
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4) Growing Areas: - This type of vegetation is found in the North Western part of the country including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
5) Important Plant Species: - Acacias, Palm and Cacti are the main plant species of the desert vegetation.
6) Important Animal Species: - Rats, mice, rabbits, fox, wolf, tiger, lion, wild ass, horses and camels are the common animals found in this forest.
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Q.5. Explain the main features of Mountain (Montane) Forests.
Answer Key Points: -
1) Introduction: - The wet temperate forests are found between 1000-2000 meters. Evergreen broad-leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts predominate.
2) Growing Areas: - Between 1500 and 3000 m, temperate forests containing coniferous trees like pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar, are found. These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of the Himalayas, places having high altitude in southern and north-east India.
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3) Specification: - At higher elevations, temperate grasslands are common. Generally more than 3,600 m above sea-level, temperate forests and grasslands give way to the Alpine vegetation. Silver fir, junipers, pines and birches are the examples.
4) Usage: - They get progressively stunted as they approach the snow-line and through shrubs and scrubs, they merge into the Alpine grasslands. These are used extensively for grazing by nomadic tribes like Gujjars and Bakarwals.
5) Important Animal Species: - Animals found are-Tibetan Antelope, Yak, Sheep, Goats, and rare Red Panda etc.
Q.6. In how many groups has wetland been divided in our country?
Answer Key Points: -
The country’s wetlands have been grouped into following categories: -
1) The reservoirs of the Deccan Plateau in the south together with the lagoons and other wetlands of the southern west coast.
2) The vast saline expanses of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Gulf of Kachchh.
3) Freshwater lakes and reservoirs from Gujarat eastwards through Rajasthan (Keoladeo National Park) and Madhya Pradesh.
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4) The delta wetlands and lagoons of India’s east coast (Chilika Lake)
5) The freshwater marshes of the Gangetic Plain.
6) The floodplains of the Brahmaputra; the marshes and swamps in the hills of northeast India and the Himalayan foothills.
7) The lakes and rivers of the montane region of Kashmir and Ladakh.
8) The mangrove forest and other wetlands of the island arcs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Q.7. Mangrove Forests are unique in their own way. Explain. Or
State the main features of Mangrove Tidal Forests.
Answer Key Points: -
1) Introduction: - The Mangrove Tidal Forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides.
2) Specification: - These forests are not influence by amount of rainfall as they have long roots submerged underwater. They can survive both in fresh and salty water.
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3) Growing Areas: - In India, the tidal forests are found in the areas of the coastal margins of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and Kaveri.
4) Important Plant Species: - The Sundari tree, Palm, Coconut, Keora, and Agar are some important species of this vegetation.
5) Important Animal Species: - Royal Bengal tiger is the famous animal of these forests; other animals include Turtles Crocodile, Gharials and Snakes.
Q.8. What is the difference between forest area and forest cover?
Answer Key Points: -
Forest Area
Forest Cover
1. Definition
Geographical area notified and recorded as the forest land in government records irrespective of the existence of trees is called forest area.
All lands, more than one hectare in area with a tree canopy (part of a land that is shaded by trees) density of more than 10 % is called forest cover.
2. Estimation
The forest area is based on the records of the State Revenue Department.
The forest cover is based on aerial photographs and satellite imageries.
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3. Coverage
The forest cover area is 23.28 % of the total area of the country.
The actual forest cover in India was only 20.55 %
4. Example
Lakshadweep has zero percent forest area Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 86.93% etc.
Actual forest cover ranges from 9.56 % and in Jammu and Kashmir to 84.01 % in Andaman and Nicobar Island.
Q.9. The percent of forest cover varies state to state. Explain the statement. Or
According to the statistics received from state records, there are differences in forest area and actual forest cover. Explain.
Answer Key Points: -
1) According to state records, the forest area covers 23.28 % of the total land area of the country. According to India State of Forest Report 2011, the actual forest cover in India is only 21.05 %. Both forest area and forest cover varies from state to state.
2) Both forest area and forest cover varies from state to state. Lakshadweep has zero % forest area; Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 86.93 %.
3) Most of the states with less than 10 % of the forest area lie in the north and north-western part of the country, i.e. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
4) States with 10-20 % forest area are Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
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5) In Peninsular India, excluding Tamil Nadu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Goa, the area under forest cover is 20-30 %.
6) The northeastern states have more than 30 % of the land under forest. Hilly topography and heavy rainfall are good for forest growth.
7) There is a lot of variation in actual forest cover, which ranges from 9.56 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir to 84.01 per cent in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
8) There are 15 states where the forest cover is more than one-third of the total area, which is the basic requirement for maintaining the ecological balance.
Q.10. On the basis of actual forest cover, in how many categories have Indian states been divided?
Answer Key Points: -
On the basis of the percentage of the actual forest cover, the states have been grouped into four regions:
Rank / Share in % / States
1. High Concentration / Above 40%
a) It includes Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh which have 80% of their total area under forests.
b) Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Dadar and Haveli have forest cover between 40-80%.
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2. Medium Concentration / 20-40%
a) It includes Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Kerala, Assam and Himachal Pradesh. Goa has highest actual forest cover of 33.27%.
b) In other states 30% of their area is covered with forests.
3. Low Concentration / 10-20%
It includes states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
4. Very Low Concentration / Less than 10%
a) It includes states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
b) It also includes union territories of Delhi and Chandigarh.
Q.11. What objectives have been determined for the conservation of forests according to national forest policy?
Answer Key Points: -
Objectives of new forest policy are: -
1) Bringing 33% of the geographical areas under forest cover.
2) Maintaining environmental stability and to restore forests where ecological balance was disturbed.
3) Conserving the natural heritage of the country.
4) Its biological diversity and gentle pool.
5) Checks soil erosion extension
of the deserts land and reduction of floods and droughts.
6) Increasing the forest cover through social forestry and afforestation on degraded lands.
7) Increasing the productivity of forest to make timber, fuel, fodder and food available to rural population dependent on forests and encourage the substitution of wood.
8) Creating massive people’s movement involving women to encourage planting of trees, stop felling of trees and, to reduce pressure on the existing forest.
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Q.12. “Forest and tribal are very closely related”. Justify the statement.
Answer Key Points: -
1) To a vast number of tribal people, the forest is a home, a livelihood, their very existence.
2) It provides them food, fruits of all kinds, edible leaves, honey nourishing roots and wild game.
3) It provides them with material to build their houses and items for practicing their arts.
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4) The importance of forests in tribal economy is well-known as they are the source of sustenance and livelihood for tribal communities.
5) The age old knowledge of tribals regarding forestry can be used in the development of forests.
6) Rather than treating tribals as minor forest produce collectors they should be made growers of minor forest produce and encouraged to participate in conservation.
Q.13. Explain the categories of social forestry? Or
What steps have been taken up to conserve forests?
Answer Key Points: -
Social forestry is classified into three categories: -
1) Urban Forestry: - It deals with the raising and management of trees on public and privately owned land such as green belts, parts, roadside avenues, industrial and commercial green belts etc.
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2) Rural Forestry: - It is divided into agro-forestry and community.
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a) Agro-Forestry is the raising of trees and agriculture crops on the same land inclusive of the waste patches.
b) Community Forestry involves the raising of trees on public or community land such as the village pasture and temple land, roadside, canal bank, strips, along railway lines and schools, etc. providing benefits to the community as a whole.
3) Farm Forestry: - It is a term applied to the process under which farmers grow trees for commercial and non-commercial purposes on their farm lands.
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a) Commercial purposes- Forest department of various states distribute seedlings of trees free of cost to small and medium farmers.
b) Several land such as the margins of agricultural fields grasslands and pastures, land around homes and cow sheds may be used for raising trees under non-commercial farm forestry.
Q.14. Mention the reasons for the decline of wildlife in India?
Answer Key Points: -
Important reasons for the decline of Wildlife in India are: -
1) Industrial and technological advancement brought about a rapid increase in the exploitation of forest resources.
2) More and more lands were cleared for agriculture, human settlement, roads, mining, reservoirs, etc.
3) Pressure on forests for fodder and fuel wood and removal of small timber by the local people.
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4) Grazing by domestic cattle caused an adverse effect on wildlife and its habitat.
5) Hunting was taken up as a sport by the rich and hundreds of wild animals were killed in a single hunt. Now commercial poaching is uncontrolled.
6) Incidence of forest fire.
Q.15. When was Comprehensive Wildlife Act enacted and what are its objectives?
Answer Key Points: -
Comprehensive Wildlife Act was enacted in 1972.
Objectives: -
1) To provide protection to the endangered species listed in the schedule of the act.
2) To provide legal support to the conservation areas of the country classified as national parks, sanctuaries and closed areas.
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3) Making punishments more stringent and has also made provisions for the protection of specified plant species and conservation of endangered species of wild animals.
Q.16. Give the difference between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
Answer Key Points: -
Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park
1. Definition
A sanctuary is an area which is reserved for the conservation of animals only and operations such as harvesting of timber, collection of minor forest products are allowed so long as they do not affect the animals adversely.
A national park is an area which is strictly reserved for the protection of the wildlife and where activities such as forestry, grazing or cultivation are not allowed.
2. Feature
Human activities are allowed.
No Human activities are allowed.
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3. Aim
Its main aim is to protect a particular flora or fauna.
It can include flora, fauna or even any object of historical significance.
4. Area
There are no fixed boundaries.
Its boundaries are fixed and defined.
5. Usage
It is open to the general public.
It is not usually open to the public.
6. Management
Sanctuaries are usually formed by the order of Central or the State Government
National Parks are formed by the State or central Legislature.
7. Specification
A sanctuary can be upgraded to a national park.
But a national park cannot be downgraded to a Sanctuary.
8. Counting
There are 535 wildlife sanctuaries in India.
There are 103 national parks in India.
Q.17. How can people’s participation be effective in conserving forests and wildlife?
Answer Key Points: -
1) People’s participation can be very effective in conserving forests and wildlife. It is the common people who harm the wildlife and forests the most.
2) They cut trees for shifting cultivation. They kill animals for entertainment. Therefore in 1972, government of India has passes Wildlife Protection Act according to which it is illegal to do hunting. Since then the hunting and poaching eases have reduced to a great extent.
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3) This Act has been comprehensively amended in 1991, making punishments stricter and has also made provisions for the protection of specified plant species and conservation of endangered species of wild animals.
4) These actions are taken by the government but their implementation and maintenance depend on the participation and cooperation of the people.
Q.18. What is Biosphere Reserve and what are its objectives?
Answer Key Points: -
Biosphere Reserve is large areas to protect biodiversity (variety of plants and animals living in area).
They also help to maintain culture of area (e.g. tribals living in the area). The concept of Biosphere Reserves was first suggested by UNESCO under the Man & Biosphere program (MAB) and the various other protected areas of India that come under the various laws protect in individually. There are 18 biosphere reserves in India.
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Objectives: -
1) Conservation: Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem.
2) Development: Association of environment with development.
3) Logistics: International network for research and monitoring.
Q.19. Explain in short about four important Biospheres of India.
Answer Key Points: -
Four Biosphere Reserves have been recognised by the UNESCO on World Network of Biosphere Reserves. These are as follows: -
1) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: - The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), the first of the fourteen biosphere reserves of India, was established in September 1986.
The total area of the biosphere reserve is around 5,520 sq. km. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has different habitat types, several dry scrubs, dry and moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and wet evergreen forests, grasslands and swamps. It includes the largest known population of two endangered animal species, namely the Nilgiri Tahr and the Lion-tailed macaque.
The largest south Indian population of elephant, tiger, gaur, sambar and chital as well as a good number of endemic and endangered plants are also found in this reserve.
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2) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: - The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is situated in Uttarakhand. The major forest types of the reserve are temperate. A few important species are silver weed and orchids like latifolie and rhododendron. The biosphere reserve has a rich fauna like the snow leopard, black bear, brown bear, musk deer, snow- cock, golden eagle and black eagle.
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3) Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve: - It is located in the swampy delta of the river Ganga in West Bengal. It extends over a vast area of 9,630 sq. km and consists of mangrove forests, swamps and forested islands. Sunderbans is the home of nearly 200 Royal Bengal tigers. More than 170 bird species are known to inhabit these mangrove forests. In the Sunderbans, the mangrove forests are characterised by Heritiera fomes, a species valued for its timber.
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4) Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve: - The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 105,000 hectares on the south-east coast of India. It is one of the world’s richest regions from a marine biodiversity perspective. The biosphere reserve comprises 21 islands with estuaries, beaches, forests of the near shore environment, sea grasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.
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