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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
Multiple choice questions
(i) Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management (c) Chipko Movement
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Ans: (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Match the following.
Reserved forests Protected forests Unclassed forests | Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources. Forest lands are protected from any further depletion. |
Ans:
Reserved forests Protected forests Unclassed forests | Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources. Forest lands are protected from any further depletion Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. |
Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Ans:
(i) Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life forms on Earth, enclosing variation at the ecosystem, species, and genetic levels. Tropical regions, which make up 10% of the Earth's surface, are particularly rich in biodiversity, housing 90% of the world's species.
Contribution of Biodiversity to Human Lives:
Agriculture
Business and Industry
Leisure activities
Ecological Processes
(ii) Different river valley projects have harmed plant and animal life. Illegal mining has also reduced the number of plants and animals. Excessive development for leisure activities in forests has negatively impacted them. Additionally, increased human activities in forest areas, driven by population growth and lack of space, have led to conflicts between humans and animals.
Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Ans:
(i) Chipko Movement:
The well-known Chipko movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully stopped deforestation in many areas but also demonstrated that community-led tree planting with native species can be highly effective.
Certain communities hold particular trees in high regard and have preserved them for generations. For example, the Mundas and Santhals in the Chota Nagpur region worship the mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) trees. Tribals in Odisha and Bihar honour the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. Additionally, many people consider peepal and banyan trees to be sacred.
In Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers have opposed mining activities by invoking the Wildlife Protection Act. In many places, villagers are independently protecting habitats and rejecting government involvement. For instance, residents of five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, have designated 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri,’ setting their own rules that prohibit hunting and protect wildlife from external threats.
(ii) In India, the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program is a great example of involving local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests. This program officially started in 1988 when Odisha was the first state to adopt it. JFM relies on forming local village groups that protect and manage degraded forest areas with the forest department's support. In return, these communities receive benefits such as non-timber forest products and a share of the timber from successfully protected areas.
The key lesson from India's experience with environmental destruction and restoration is that local communities need to be involved in managing natural resources. However, there's still much progress to be made before local communities have a central role in decision-making. We should support only those economic or developmental activities that are people-centred, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial.