NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources are given here. With these solutions, you will learn the right way to write answers to the questions perfectly in exams. We have updated the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources for the current session so that you can easily score high marks in the exams. You can also download PDF of the solutions and use them whenever you are offline.

Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions

1. Multiple choice questions

(i) Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna?
(a) Agricultural expansion                       
(b) Largescale developmental projects
(c) Grazing and fuel wood collection     
(d) Rapid industrialisation and urbanization

Answer: (c) Grazing and fuel wood collection

(ii) Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management                         
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan         
(c) Chipko Movement                      
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries

Answer: (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries

2. Match the following animals with their category of existence.

Animals/PlantsCategory of existence
Black buckExtinct
Asiatic elephantRare
Andaman wild pigEndangered
Himalayan brown bearVulnerable
Pink head duckEndemic

Answer:

Animals/PlantsCategory of existence
Black buckEndangered
Asiatic elephantVulnerable
Andaman wild pigEndemic
Himalayan brown bearRare
Pink head duckExtinct

3. Match the following.

Reserved forestsother forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities
Protected forestsforests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources
Unclassed forestsforest lands are protected from any further depletion

Answer:

Reserved forestsforests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources
Protected forestsforest lands are protected from any further depletion
Unclassed forestsother forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities

4. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?

Answer:  Biodiversity is made up of various types of life forms found on earth. It is a measure of variation at the ecosystem, species and genetic level. Biodiversity is abundant in Tropical areas. Tropical areas cover 10 per cent of the earth surface, but they host 90% of the world species.

It is important for human lives because the human beings, along with the biodiversity, form a complete web of ecological system in which we are only a part and are very much dependent on this system for our own existence.

(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.

Answer:  Following activities by humans resulted in the depletion of flora and fauna:

  • Various dam and river valley projects resulted in a decline of forest cover.
  • Illegal mining projects also destroyed forests in a vast area.
  • Increasing housing plans, factories and infrastructure also disturbed the flora and fauna adversely.
  • Hunting animals for their skin, tusk, bones, teeth, horns, etc., led many species to the verge of extinction.
  • Increasing environmental pollution caused many species of birds to extinct.
  • Increasing forest fires due to the global warming resulted in depletion of valuable forests and wildlife.

5. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

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

Answer: In India many traditional communities still live in a close contact with the forests as they depend on the forest produce for their livelihood. Such local communities are contributing significantly in conservation of the forest land. For example:

  • In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining activities.
  • In Alwar district of Rajasthan, local communities belonging to five villages have set their own rules and regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest land to stop hunting and outside encroachments in these lands.
  • The Bishnois of Rajasthan protect black buck, chinkara and peacocks quite fervently.
  • Chipko movement is another example of community initiative that resisted deforestation in several areas.
  • Nature worship is an age old tradition for many local communities. By doing so, they help in conservation of forest. 

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

Answer: In India, many governmental and non-governmental organisations are working towards creating public awareness for conserving forests and wildlife. Central and state governments in India have set up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect forests and endangered species in wildlife.

The Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme in India furnishes a good example of involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. Under JFM local (village) institutions are set up to undertake the protection activities mostly on degraded forest land. In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produces and share in the timber harvested by ‘successful protection’. Many laws had been passed in the past to protect the wildlife.

In 1972, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented. It made protecting specific habitats a law. It released a list of wildlife species that had to be protected. Hunting these animals was considered as a criminal act. “Project Tiger”, one of the well publicised wildlife campaigns in the world, was launched in 1973 to save tigers in the country.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Forests and Wildlife Resources: Chapter Overview

In this chapter, you will learn about different categories of species such as normal species, endangered species, vulnerable species, rare species, endemic species and extinct species. Further, this chapter explains the importance of conservation of forests and wildlife in India. Further, going through the chapter you will know about the types and distribution of forests and wildlife resources. At last, the chapter discusses about some movements of communities that helped to conserve our wildlife.