FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Easy (15)

1. What is the term for the immense richness in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function, but closely integrated in a system?
   • Ecology
   • Biodiversity (correct)
   • Habitat
   • Ecosystem

   Why: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including all plants, animals, and microorganisms.

2. In which year was the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act implemented?
   • 1970
   • 1972 (correct)
   • 1973
   • 1986

   Why: The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972 to protect habitats and endangered species.

3. Which animal was gravely threatened and became the focus of 'Project Tiger' launched in 1973?
   • Asiatic Lion
   • One-horned Rhinoceros
   • Tiger (correct)
   • Kashmir Stag

   Why: Project Tiger was launched in 1973 specifically to conserve the tiger population.

4. Which type of forest is regarded as the most valuable for the conservation of forest and wildlife resources?
   • Protected Forests
   • Unclassed Forests
   • Reserved Forests (correct)
   • Village Forests

   Why: Reserved Forests are considered the most valuable for conservation purposes.

5. The Chipko movement is famous for successfully resisting what?
   • Poaching
   • Mining
   • Deforestation (correct)
   • Illegal trade

   Why: The Chipko movement is known for its efforts to prevent deforestation by hugging trees.

6. Which state has the largest area under permanent forests, constituting 75 per cent of its total forest area?
   • Kerala
   • Madhya Pradesh (correct)
   • West Bengal
   • Assam

   Why: Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests in India.

7. What is the primary role of forests in the ecological system?
   • Providing shelter for humans
   • Serving as primary producers (correct)
   • Regulating global temperatures
   • Preventing soil erosion only

   Why: Forests are primary producers, forming the base of the food web for other living beings.

8. Which of the following is NOT a major threat to the tiger population?
   • Poaching for trade
   • Shrinking habitat
   • Depletion of prey base
   • Increased tiger breeding programs (correct)

   Why: Increased tiger breeding programs are a conservation effort, not a threat.

9. True or False: India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity.

   Why: India is indeed recognized for its rich biological diversity.

10. True or False: The conservation projects are now focusing only on a few specific endangered species.

    Why: Conservation efforts have broadened to focus on overall biodiversity, not just a few species.

11. True or False: In 1991, plants were added to the list of protected species under the Wildlife Act for the first time.

    Why: Yes, 1991 marked the inclusion of plants in the protected species list.

12. Forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities are called __________ forests.

    Why: Unclassed forests are those managed by both government and private entities/communities.

13. The program that involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests is known as Joint Forest __________ (JFM).

    Why: JFM stands for Joint Forest Management, a community-based conservation initiative.

14. Identify the type of forest shown in the image, where local communities often manage resources.
    • Reserved Forest
    • Protected Forest
    • Unclassed Forest (correct)
    • National Park

    Why: The image depicts a forest area managed by local communities, characteristic of unclassed forests.

15. The image shows tribal girls using bamboo saplings in a nursery. This activity is related to which aspect of forest management?
    • Poaching control
    • Afforestation and conservation (correct)
    • Industrial logging
    • Wildlife trade

    Why: Using saplings in a nursery is a direct activity for afforestation and conservation.

Medium (15)

1. Why is conservation of forest and wildlife essential?
   • To increase timber production for commercial use.
   • To preserve ecological diversity and life support systems. (correct)
   • To create more space for human settlements.
   • To promote hunting as a sport.

   Why: Conservation preserves ecological diversity and essential life support systems like water, air, and soil.

2. What was the estimated tiger population in India at the turn of the 20th century, which later dwindled significantly by 1973?
   • Around 1,827
   • Around 5,000
   • Around 55,000 (correct)
   • Around 100,000

   Why: The tiger population was estimated at 55,000 at the turn of the century, drastically falling to 1,827 by 1973.

3. Which of the following is an example of a traditional community conservation practice mentioned in the text?
   • Establishing large-scale industrial plantations.
   • Declaring forests as 'Sacred Groves' and protecting them. (correct)
   • Promoting commercial logging in sensitive areas.
   • Introducing exotic species for biodiversity enhancement.

   Why: Sacred Groves are traditional community-protected forest patches based on nature worship.

4. What is the main objective of Joint Forest Management (JFM) programs?
   • To privatize forest resources for profit.
   • To involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. (correct)
   • To convert forest land into agricultural fields.
   • To restrict all human access to forest areas.

   Why: JFM aims to involve local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests, providing them with benefits.

5. Match the following types of forests with their descriptions:

   Why: Reserved forests are most valuable, protected forests are safeguarded from depletion, and unclassed forests are jointly owned/managed.

6. Match the following conservation initiatives with their key focus:

   Why: Project Tiger focuses on tigers, Chipko on preventing deforestation, and Beej Bachao Andolan on traditional farming.

7. Match the following sacred trees with the communities that worship them:

   Why: Mundas/Santhal worship Mahua/Kadamba, Odisha/Bihar tribals worship Tamarind/Mango, and Peepal/Banyan are widely sacred.

8. Match the following animals with the National Parks/Sanctuaries associated with their protection:

   Why: Sunderbans is for tigers, Kaziranga for rhinos, and Gir for Asiatic lions.

9. The term used for forest land that is protected from any further depletion is __________ forest.

   Why: Protected forests are specifically designated to prevent further degradation.

10. What is the name of the movement in Tehri that promotes diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals?

    Why: The Beej Bachao Andolan advocates for traditional, chemical-free farming.

11. The practice of preserving virgin forests in pristine form, based on nature worship, is known as __________ groves.

    Why: Sacred Groves are forest patches protected due to religious and cultural beliefs.

12. Arrange the following events in chronological order of their occurrence:

    Why: The correct order is: Wildlife Act (1972), Project Tiger (1973), Insects (1980/86), Plants (1991).

13. Put the following categories of forests in order from most protected to least protected as per government classification:

    Why: Reserved forests have the highest level of protection, followed by protected, and then unclassed forests.

14. Which of the following animals is depicted in the image, often found in Kaziranga National Park?
    • Tiger
    • Asiatic Lion
    • One-horned Rhinoceros (correct)
    • Elephant

    Why: The image shows a rhinoceros, a prominent species in Kaziranga National Park.

15. The image shows tribal women collecting leaf litter. This activity is related to which aspect of forest resources?
    • Timber harvesting
    • Collection of minor forest produce (correct)
    • Poaching activities
    • Large-scale agriculture

    Why: Leaf litter is a minor forest produce often collected by local communities for various uses.

Hard (10)

1. Assertion (A): Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and our life support systems. Reason (R): It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding.

   Why: Both statements are true, and the preservation of genetic diversity (R) is a key reason why conservation (A) is important for ecological diversity and life support systems.

2. Assertion (A): In Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act. Reason (R): Local communities are often at the centre-stage in decision-making regarding natural resource management in India.

   Why: Assertion is true, as villagers in Sariska used the Act. Reason is false, as local communities still struggle for central decision-making power.

3. Assertion (A): Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable for the conservation of forest and wildlife resources. Reason (R): These forests are maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons.

   Why: Both statements are true, and the reasons for maintaining reserved forests (R) explain why they are considered most valuable for conservation (A).

4. A recent survey in a protected forest area revealed a significant decline in the population of a particular deer species, which is a primary prey for tigers. Local communities report increased human encroachment and illegal grazing. The forest department is considering new measures. Which two of the following actions would be most effective in addressing the decline of the deer population and overall forest health?
   • Increase the number of tourist safaris to generate more revenue.
   • Implement stricter patrolling and legal action against encroachers and illegal grazing. (correct)
   • Launch a Joint Forest Management (JFM) program with local communities to reduce dependency on forest resources and involve them in protection. (correct)
   • Introduce an exotic predator species to control the deer population naturally.

   Why: Stricter enforcement and community involvement (JFM) are effective solutions for protecting prey species and forest health.

5. A remote tribal village relies heavily on forest resources for livelihood, including collecting firewood and minor forest produce. However, this has led to gradual degradation of the surrounding forest. The government wants to implement a sustainable solution. Which two of the following approaches would be most effective in balancing the community's needs with forest conservation?
   • Completely relocate the village away from the forest.
   • Provide alternative livelihood options and involve the community in Joint Forest Management (JFM). (correct)
   • Ban all collection of forest produce and impose heavy penalties.
   • Promote community-based afforestation with indigenous species and sustainable harvesting practices. (correct)

   Why: Providing alternatives and involving communities in JFM, along with promoting sustainable afforestation, are key to balancing needs and conservation.

6. The image shows a map of India with certain areas highlighted. These highlighted regions represent areas with a high percentage of a specific type of forest, managed by local communities. Identify the type of forest and the regions.
   • Reserved Forests in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
   • Protected Forests in Bihar and Punjab
   • Unclassed Forests in North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat (correct)
   • Permanent Forests in Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala

   Why: The highlighted regions (North-east and Gujarat) are known for having a high percentage of unclassed forests managed by local communities.

7. Observe the image of a forest area. This type of forest is characterized by strict government control and is considered most valuable for conservation. Identify the type of forest.
   • Protected Forest
   • Unclassed Forest
   • Reserved Forest (correct)
   • Community Forest

   Why: The image depicts a dense, well-managed forest, characteristic of a Reserved Forest, which is highly valued for conservation.

8. A case study describes the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, where herds of blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks are seen as an integral part of the community and nobody harms them. This is an example of:
   • Government-led wildlife protection initiatives.
   • Economic exploitation of wildlife resources.
   • Traditional community conservation based on cultural and religious beliefs. (correct)
   • A successful Project Tiger implementation.

   Why: The Bishnoi community's protection of animals stems from their traditional beliefs and cultural practices.

9. The 'Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'' in Alwar district, Rajasthan, is an area of 1,200 hectares of forest declared by the inhabitants of five villages. They have their own rules and regulations, which do not allow hunting and protect wildlife against encroachments. This initiative best exemplifies:
   • A government-mandated wildlife sanctuary.
   • A private commercial logging enterprise.
   • Community-led conservation explicitly rejecting government involvement. (correct)
   • An area designated for ecotourism development.

   Why: The 'Sonchuri' is a clear example of local communities taking direct control of conservation, independent of government.

10. Consider the statement by Gautama Buddha: 'The tree is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence and makes no demand for its sustenance, and extends generously the products of its life activity. It affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axemen who destroy it.' This quote best aligns with which of the following conservation principles?
    • Anthropocentric view of nature, where nature serves human needs.
    • Utilitarian approach to forest management, focusing on timber production.
    • Biocentric or ecocentric view, emphasizing the intrinsic value and selfless contribution of nature. (correct)
    • Economic valuation of ecosystem services for sustainable development.

    Why: Buddha's quote highlights the selfless nature of trees, aligning with a biocentric view that values nature intrinsically.