Forest And Wildlife Resources - Class 10 Geography - Extra Questions

Give a brief account of the vegetation and wildlife found in the mangrove forests.

(i) Mangrove forests are also known as the mangrove tidal forests, because they are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides. Mud and silt get accumulated on such coasts.
(ii) Dense mangroves are the common varieties with roots of the plants submerged under water. The deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishna, the Godavari and the Kaveri are covered by such vegetation.
(iii) In the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, Sundari trees are found which provide durable hard timber. Palm, coconut, keora, etc. also grow in some parts of the delta.
(iv) Royal Bengal Tiger is a famous animal in these forests. Other animals found in these forests are turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes.


How can you say that India is rich in its fauna?

Our country has more than 89,000 of animal species. It has more than 1200 species of birds. They constitute 13% of the world's total. There are 2500 species of fish, which account for nearly 12% of the world's stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 per cent of the world's amphibians, reptiles and mammals.


Where is the Asiatic lion found?

The Asiatic lion is found in the Gir Forest in Gujarat.


Describe the wildlife of India.

Our country has more than 89,000 of animal species. It has more than 1200 species of birds. They constitute 13% of the world's total. There are 2500 species of fish, which account for nearly 12% of the world's stock. It also shares between 5 and 8 per cent of the world's amphibians, reptiles and mammals.


What do Sundari trees provide us?

Sundari trees provide us durable hard timber.


Why, according to you, flora and fauna should be conserved? 

Flora and fauna need to the conserved due to the following reasons:
(i) Milch animals provide milk. They also provide us meat, eggs, fish and help in transportation,
(ii) Insects help in pollination of crops and fruit trees and exert biological control on such insects, which are harmful.
(iii) Plants provide us food, shelter and many more useful items. Several medicinal plants are of great value to human beings such as Sarpagandha, Jamun, Kachnar, This' plant, Neem, Babool, Arjun, etc.
(iv) Every species has a role to play in the ecosystem, Hence, conservation is essential.


Which is the famous animal in the mangrove forests of Sunderbans?

Royal Bengal Tiger is the most famous animal in the Mangroove forests of Sunderbans. Mangroves are the tropical coastal vegetation found in tropical and subtropical areas.


Give any two names of endangered species.

Endangered species are the species which are in danger of extinction. The examples of such species are black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, etc. 


Give information about depletion of plants and animals.

Depletion of plants and animals:
(a) The species of plant and animal are decreasing very fast in India. In the last few decades, vegetation has reduced. Some species of Medicinal herbs are also becoming extinct.
(b) Increasing population and growing industries are directly or indirectly leading to the depletion of plant and animal life.
(c) Roads, railways, agriculture, houses, industrial projects and hydroelectric projects are being developed in the areas of biodiversity. This has led to depletion of plants and animals and is also destroying the entire ecosystem.


Give three reasons for rapid depletion of forest resources in India in the past.

Reasons for depletion of forest resources in India in the past are:

1. Huge tracts of forests were destructed for expanding agriculture.

2.  The British systematically destroyed the Indian forests to meet the growing

demand for timber in Britain. Many forests were also destroyed by the

government during the World Wars to supply timber to the war front.

3. Forests have been cleared to make land available for building houses and industries. 



Mention three reasons why forests must be conserved.

Three reasons why forests must be conserved are 
(i) They help in preventing floods. 
(ii) They check soil erosion.
(iii) They help to save the habitat of the wild animals.


Briefly explain two reasons for forests being an important natural resource.

Forests are an important natural resource because:
(i) They are the moderators of climate and they help in controlling humidity, temperature and precipitation.
(ii) Forests help in controlling soil erosion, soil degradation and floods.


Name two evergreen broad-leaf trees.

Oaks and chestnuts.


Explain why the forest cover in India is shrinking?

Clearing of forests over vast areas, the practice of shifting cultivation in certain parts of India, heavy soil erosion, overgrazing by pastoral groups, extraction of timber for fuel, all consequences of human occupancy of the land are the major contributors to the shrinking forest cover in India.


Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence:
Camels and wild asses are found in the _____ and the _____.

Camels and wild asses are found in the Great Indian desert and the Rann of Kuchchh.



Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.

The communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India in the following ways:
(a) In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthani villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. In many areas villagers themselves are protecting habitats and explicitly rejecting government involvement. 
(b) Many states have launched the Joint Forest Management Programme to involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Odisha was the first state to launch this programme. 
(c) The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared about 1200 hectares of forest area as the 'Bhairodev Dakav Sonchuri'. 


Write at least three factors which have been responsible for depletion of forest and wildlife.

The three factors which are responsible for depletion of forest and wildlife are as follows:
(i) Development during Colonial Period: During colonial period, due to the expansion of railway network, agricultural, commercial and scientific forestry and mining activities, a great damage was inflicted on Indian forests.
(ii) Agricultural Expansion: After independence, agricultural expansion became the major cause of depletion of forest resources. 
(iii) Shifting Cultivation: It is a type of slash and burn agriculture. A large part of the tribal belt of North - Eastern and Central India have been deforested by this type of agriculture.


Mention the reason for trouble to Himalayan Yew.

Himalayan Yew is under great threat due to over exploitation of a chemical compound, 'taxol' used in anti-cancer drugs, from its bark. needles, twigs and roots.


Give two benefits of forests.

The two benefits of forests are:
(i) Forests play a major role in enhancing the quality of environment. 
(ii) They control soil erosion.


How is the biological loss of forest and wildlife correlated with the loss of cultural diversity?

Biological loss of forest and wildlife correlated with loss of cultural diversity in the following ways.

  • Destruction of forests and wildlife has affected the livelihood of many communities which are directly dependent on forests.
  • They depend on forests for their food, medicine, water, livelihood, and cultural traits.
  • In certain societies, women are involved in fuel collection, fodder for animals, and water for their basic needs. Due to large-scale deforestation, these forest products are not available to them and the life of these people, especially women, is largely affected.
  • Women have to go in search of food, water and fuel over long distances leaving their family for a long time resulting in social tensions.
  • It has resulted in severe droughts and floods which has affected these communities adversely. These people live in extreme poverty, which is the direct result of environmental degradation. Conservation of forests and wildlife is essential to provide a better quality of life and environment.


What are Rare Species?

Species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them continue  to  operate.  The  examples  of  such species are the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill, etc.


Which is the first project for wildlife conservation in India?

The Project Tiger was the first project for wildlife protection in India taken up after the passing of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972. Project Tiger was initiated on April 1, 1973 in Jim Corbett National Park.


Very Short Answer Type Questions:
Why are several species of wildlife of India declining?

Due to cutting of forests and hunting, several species of wildlife of India are declining.


What are bird sanctuaries?

Bird sanctuaries are built to protect the birds. These sanctuaries require extra care and that is why they are owned by the Government. In India, the government is responsible for all the work that goes around in the sanctuaries. India is home to many bird sanctuaries. That is why in all the states of India you will find at least one bird sanctuary. 
Each and every bird has a different natural habitat. Thus, you won’t find a similar bird everywhere. To protect these birds and their species, bird sanctuaries are built.
They are natural facilities that serve the conservation of various species and also their natural habitat. Further, it promotes the survival and rehabilitation of these birds.


Long answer type questions:
Write a short note on the wildlife of India.

Wildlife  in India
The animals that live in a specific region are what we call the wildlife of the region. Just as vegetation is the flora, wildlife is the fauna of a region. Animals can be found in every time of vegetation and are usually isolated from any human contact. It includes all the animals, birds, insects etc of the region.

The diversity of wildlife in the world is unimaginably large. There are said to be about 1 to 2 million species of animals on the planet! And India in particular boasts of an incredible wildlife presence.

Our national animal the tiger is one such rare animal found in India. In fact, the Bengal tiger can be found nowhere else on earth. We also have the Asiatic Lion, the only species of lions found outside Africa. It is home to many such exotic animals such as the Indian Elephant, the rhinoceroses and the leopard.

To preserve these amazing animals and their natural habitats, we have many conservatories, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In recent times to bring down illegal hunting and poaching the government has passed some very strict laws as well.



In which areas of India are camels and rhinos found.State characteristics of their respective environments.


Indian camels have broad, flat and leathery pads with two toes on each foot with leathery patches on their knees. Presence in India: India Camel is mostly found in the North-Western part of India. 

The Great one-horned rhino is commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India. It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has excellent senses of hearing and smell, but relatively poor eyesight.

However, no more than 2,000 remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India (1,200) and Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal (600). Despite joint efforts between Bhutan and India, the survival of a small population of rhinos living along the Indo-Bhutan border in Manas still remains doubtful (Jnawali et.at, 2000).


Distinguish between flora and fauna.

Flora: Flora is a Latin word which is the name of goddess of flowers. Flora refers to plant life which are found in specific time and area. It includes different types like Native flora - indigenous flora of particular region; Garden flora - these are plants grown by humans; and Weed flora refers to undesirable plants.

Fauna: This refers to animals living in particular region and area. These are categorized as follows: Cryo fauna - animals that live in ice; Micro fauna includes smallest animals and microorganisms; Mega fauna includes largest vertebrate animals; Avi fauna refers to birds and Pisces fauna means fishes.



We saw that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?

The forest department of the government should have the authority to decide the management of forest produces. This is because the forest department is the caretaker of the forest land and is responsible for any damage to the forest.
Also, the people who live in and around the forests should also be involved in the decision-making of managing the forest's produce. This is because these people have been living in forests and maintaining them for generations. They know 


Where are the mangrove tidal forests found?

The mangrove tidal forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides.


On the basis of the issues raised, what changes would you incorporate in your life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?

$$\textbf{Solution:}$$
$$\bullet$$ In order to move towards a more sustainable use of our resources, the following lifestyle modifications should be made:
$$\textbf{1.}$$ Stop chopping down trees and start planting new ones.
$$\textbf{2.}$$ Stop carrying things in plastic and polythene bags.
$$\textbf{3.}$$ Use paper that has been recycled.
$$\textbf{4.}$$ Separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in two bins.
$$\textbf{5.}$$ While utilising, use the least amount of water possible and repair any leaking faucets.
$$\textbf{6.}$$ Rainwater collection is a good idea.
$$\textbf{7.}$$ When travelling small distances, avoid utilising a vehicle.
$$\textbf{8.}$$ When not in use, turn off electrical appliances.


Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation.

Tropical climate is a climate having warm climate and the animals inhabiting this region are tiger, pig, deer and elephant. 

Montane regions are the ecosystems found in mountain regions. Animals found in this region include Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jack rabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, squirrels.



 Sr. No. List IList II 
1 Reserved forests 

Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. 
 2Protected forests   Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources is concerned.

 3 Unclassed forests Forest lands are protected from any further depletion.

i) Reserved forests- Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources.
ii) Protected forests- Forest lands are protected from any further depletion.
iii) Unclassed forests- Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. 
Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons. Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under protected forests. All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their forests as unclassed forests managed by local communities.


Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.

Government has taken a number of initiatives to conserve flora and fauna. Some of them include establishment of wild life sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and national parks which are the demarcated regions for flourishing flora and fauna.

Apart from these, many awareness programmes have been conducted by government like 'Vanmahotsav' and social forestry for planting of trees to conserve forests.


What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India?

India is a diversified country with vast variety of flora and fauna. The main factors responsible for distribution of flora and fauna are - favourable topography, availability of minerals, fresh water resources, suitable climatic conditions and soil fertility.



What is vanishing of forest?

Vanishing of forest means rapid depletion of dense forest and open forest in a large scale.


State the main effects of Chipko Movement in India.

The Chipko movement was primarily a forest conservation movement in India that began in 1973 and went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. It created a precedent for non-violent protest started in India.



Define the term 'Conservation'.

Conservation is the ethic of resource use. It mainly deals with protection and maintenance of health of the natural world like forests, wildlife, aquatic life, soil etc.



Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.

Good practices towards conservation of forest and wildlife are plenty. Nowadays, many non-governmental organisations are working towards creating public awareness for conserving, depleting forest cover and vanishing wildlife. Central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect forests and endangered species in wildlife. A recently developing practice towards conservation is the search for different conservation measures. Biodiversity is the new by-word for good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife. Various communities, especially in tribal areas who are dependent on forests for their living, are now taking an active role in this form of conservation.



Define the following terms:
(i) Flora 
(ii) Fauna

(i) The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or period. 
(ii) The term fauna is used to denote the species of animals.


Why do we need to conserve forests and wildlife?

(i) There has been a rapid decline in wildlife population and forestry.
(ii) Conservation helps to preserve the ecological balance and ecological diversity and our life support systemswater, air and soil. Conservation also helps to preserve the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.
(iii) Forests and wildlife also provide economic benefits. Forest depletion accelerates soil erosion.
(iv) Forests act as oxygen cover for our Planet and deforestation would mean depletion of oxygen needed by living organisms.


Long Answer Type questions
Describe the wildlife of India.

Forests are home to wildlife, which include several species of animals and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, insects and worms. 
The tiger, our national animal, is found ip various parts of the country. Gir forest in Gujarat is the home of Asiatic lions. Elephants and one-homed rhinoceroses are found in the forests of Assam. Elephants are found in Kerala and Karnataka. Camels and wild asses are found in the Great Indian desert and the Rann of Kuchchh respectively. Wild goats, snow leopards, bears, etc. are found in the Himalayan region. Besides these, monkeys, wolf, jackal, nilgai, cheetal, etc. are other animals found in our country. Our country is rich in bird life too. Peacock is our national bird. Other common birds are parrots, pigeons, mynah, geese, bulbul and ducks. Several bird sanctuaries have been established to protect different species of birds., 
There are hundreds of species of snakes found in India. Cobras and Kraits are important among them. 


Answer the following questions in a sentence each:
Which are the forests found in river deltas of eastern coast of India? 

Chilka Lake is a brackish water lake along the eastern coastal plain. It lies in the state of Odisha and stretches to the south of the Mahanadi Delta. Deltas of many of India's rivers form a major portion of these plains. The Mahanadi. Godavari, Kaveri and Krislvia rivers drain these plains 


Very Short Answer Type Questions:
Name the project started by the government to protect tigers?

Project Tiger. It is a tiger conservation project that was launched in 1973.


Short Answer Type Questions:
How are forests important for us.

Forests play a vital role in the life of the human beings and in their absence we can't imagine life. Plants release oxygen that we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide. The roots of the plants bind the soil and in this way check soil erosion. We get several things from the forests, such as wood for furniture, fuel, fodder, medicinal herbs, honey, lac, gum, fruits etc. Forests provide natural habitat to the wildlife, such as lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys, etc. As forests are so beneficial for us, we must make efforts to conserve it. 


A report suggests that about 10 per cent of India's recorded wild flora and 20 percent of its mammals are on the threatened list. Do you think India is a safe heaven for wildlife?

  • Though 10% of floral wildlife and 20% of Indian mammals are on threatened list according to the reports, India is still considered a safe home because in the present era stringent laws are applied to protect forest wealth.
  • Hunting is prohibited to a large extent.
  • Local communities are also doing their best to protect forests.
  • In India forest wealth is considered sacred and plants and animals are worshiped.
  • Government has taken many initiatives to protect forests and trying to bring back animal from threatened list. Animals are bred in protected areas to improve the number. Many forests are declared as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries etc. to protect forest species.



What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.

  • A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem with plants and animals of unusual scientific and natural interest. It is a label given by UNESCO.
  • There are 18 bio-reserves in India.
  • Examples: Dihang-Dibang: It is located in Arunachal Pradesh. Rare mammals such as Mishmi takin, red goral, musk deer, red panda, Asiatic black bear etc. can be spotted here.
  • Gulf of Mannar: It lies between the south-eastern tip of India and the west coast of Sri Lanka, in the Coromandel Coast Region. As many as 117 hard coral species have been recorded in the Gulf of Mannar. Sea turtles are frequent visitors to the gulf as are sharks, dugongs, and dolphins. It is rich in marine wealth.



Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?

  • India supports the growth of large variety of species of flora and fauna. The main reason is that India has favourable climate and varied topographic conditions like plains, plateaus, mountains etc.
  • India is a diversified country with vast variety of flora and fauna. The main factors responsible for distribution of flora and fauna are favourable topography, availability of mineral, freshwater resources, suitable climatic conditions and soil fertility.
  • From the recent estimates 47,000 species of flora are found in this country so far. Of the estimated 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India.
  • India has approximately 90,000 species of animals, 2,000 bird species, which constitutes 13% of world fauna. Apart from this there are 2,546 fish species which represent 12% of world’s fatal marine life. India also has 5 to 8 percent of world’s reptiles, amphibians and mammals. 



List the tiger reserves in our country and mark it on a political map of India. 


Name of tiger reservesLocation
Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh

Bandipur Karnataka
Buxa West Bengal

Corbett  Uttaranchal

DudhwaUttar Pradesh
KanhaMadhya Pradesh 
 PannaMadhya Pradesh

PenchMaharashtra

PeriyarKerala

 RanthamboreRajasthan 
 Sariska

Rajasthan
 SunderbanWest Bengal

 Nagarjunasagar

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
 ManasAssam

Tadoba Maharashtra


Mention the steps taken by the government to protect flora and fauna of the country.

The following steps are taken by the government to protect the flora and fauna of the country.
(i) Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972 in India.
(ii) Fourteen biosphere reserves have been set up in the country to protect flora and fauna. Four out of these - Sundarbans in West Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand, the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris - have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
(iii) Financial and technical assistance is provided to many botanical gardens by the government since 1992.
(iv) Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been introduced.
(v) Total 89 national parks, 490 wildlife sanctuaries and zoological gardens are set up to take care of natural heritage.


Describe different types of animals and birds found in different parts of the country.

(i) In India, a variety of animals are found in its different parts. The elephants are the most majestic animals among the mammals. They are found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka and Kerala.
(ii) One-horned rhinoceroses are the other animals, which live in swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal. Thar Desert is the habitat for wild ass and camels respectively.
(lii) Indian bison, nilgai, chousingha, gazel and different species of deer are some other animals found in India. It also has several species of monkeys.
(iv) India is the only country in the world that has both tigers and lions. The natural habitat of the Indian lion is the Gir forest in Gujarat. Tigers are found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the Sundarbans of West Bengal and the Himalayan region.
(v) The Himalayas harbour a hardy range of animals, which survive in extreme cold. Ladakh's freezing high altitudes are a home to yak, the shaggy homed wild ox, the Tibetan antelope, the bharal, wild sheep, and the kiang. The ibex, bear, snow-leopard and very rare red panda are also found in certain pockets.
(vi) In the rivers, lakes and coastal areas of India, turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found.
(vii) Several colourful birds are also found in India. Peacocks, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons are some of the birds inhabiting the forests and wetlands of the county.


Describe which factors are responsible for the huge diversity in flora and fauna kingdom in our country?

The following factors are responsible for the huge diversity in flora and fauna kingdom in our country:
(i) Land:. Land affects the natural vegetation directly and indirectly. The nature of land influences the type of vegetation. The fertile level is generally devoted to agriculture. The undulating and rough terrains are areas where grassland and woodland develop and give shelter to a variety of wildlife,
(ii) Soil: Different types of soil provide basis for different types of vegetation. The sandy soils of the desert support cactus and thorny bushes while wet marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves and deltaic vegetation. The hill slopes with some depth of soil have conical trees..
(iii) Temperature: Temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil determine the character and extent of vegetation. On the slopes of the Himalayas and the hills of the peninsula above the height of 915 metres, the fall in temperature affects the types of vegetation and its growth and changes it from tropical to subtropical temperature and alpine vegetation.
(iv) Sunlight: The variation in duration of sunlight at different places also affect the growth of trees. Due to longer duration in sunlight, trees grow faster in summers..
(v) Precipitation: In India almost the entire rainfall is brought in by the advancing southwest monsoon (from June to September) and retreating north-east monsoons. Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas of less rainfall.


Describe the rich fauna of India.

(i) In India, a variety of animals are found in its different parts. The elephants are the most majestic animals among the mammals. They are found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka and Kerala.
(ii) One-horned rhinoceroses are the other animals, which live in swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal. Thar Desert is the habitat for wild ass and camels respectively.
(lii) Indian bison, nilgai, chousingha, gazel and different species of deer are some other animals found in India. It also has several species of monkeys.
(iv) India is the only country in the world that has both tigers and lions. The natural habitat of the Indian lion is the Gir forest in Gujarat. Tigers are found in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the Sundarbans of West Bengal and the Himalayan region.
(v) The Himalayas harbour a hardy range of animals, which survive in extreme cold. Ladakh's freezing high altitudes are a home to yak, the shaggy homed wild ox, the Tibetan antelope, the bharal, wild sheep, and the kiang. The ibex, bear, snow-leopard and very rare red panda are also found in certain pockets.
(vi) In the rivers, lakes and coastal areas of India, turtles, crocodiles and gharials are found.
(vii) Several colourful birds are also found in India. Peacocks, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons are some of the birds inhabiting the forests and wetlands of the county.


Class 10 Geography Extra Questions