Heritage of India Class 10 GSEB Solutions Social Science Chapter 9

Gujarat Board Class 10 Social Science Forests and Wildlife Resources Textbook Questions and Answers

I. Write the following questions in detail.
Question 1. Write a detailed note on types afforest.
Answer:
Types of forests according to administration:

1. Reserved Forests: The forests where government puts restriction on cutting and collecting wood as well as on pasturing are known as reserved forests. Such forests are under the direct control of the government.
2. Protected Forests: The forests where local people are permitted to collect the wood and to graze their animals without causing any harm to the trees are called protected forests. These forests are under the control of local administration.
3. Unclassified Forests: These types of forests are still not classified. So, there is no restriction on deforestation or animal grazing.

Types of forests according to ownership, administration and management:

1. State Forest: Most of the forests of the country fall under this category. The Central or the State Government controls such forests.
2. Communal Forests: Local self-government, institutions like gram panchayat, municipalities, municipal corporations, district panchayat, etc. have control over such forests.
3. Private Forests: Forest land owned by individuals is called private forest. These types of forests are found more in Odisha, Meghalaya, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Some of the forests of here are in haphazard condition whereas some of them are totally barren.

Question 2. State the remedies for forest conservation.
Answer:
Following are the Remedies for Forest Conservation:
(i) Research should be carried out to find the alternative of wood. This will reduce the usage of wood and hence, forests. In case if the trees are to be cut for development activities then new trees of the same species should be planted. Cutting of trees that have not grown fully should be banned.

(ii) Industries that directly receive their raw material from the forests should be enforced to grow trees to prevent to future dearth. Although eco-tourism should be encouraged but, it should be strictly taken care that the forests do not get damaged due to these tourism activities.

(iii) Public awareness programmes should be organized among the local people and effort should be made to reach maximum people.

(iv) The importance of fofest and ways to conserve them should be included in school and college syllabus.

(v) Social forestry and agro-forestry should be developed intensively by taking planned steps for the necessity of fodder and firewood. In place of firewood, alternative options like solar energy, natural gas, etc. should be brought in use.
(vi) Forest resource should be used judiciously. Infected trees should be either cured or if not possible removed so that the infection does not spread. This will also increase the health and speed of growth.

(vii) Forest fire cause heavy damage to forests. Hence, a separate special force should be formed at national level to do use the forest fires.

(viii) The transport has become quite fast and comfortable now. So, the number of people going on pilgrimage has increased drastically. These people visit religious places in forest area to attend the bhandara, fairs or the parikramma. They leave a lot of litter behind. This litter should be prevented. Also, it should be cleaned properly and regularly to prevent forests from getting polluted.

(ix) Some part of forest areas should be systematically reserved for animal pasture.

Question 3. Describe various projects for wildlife protection.
Answer:
Under Wildlife Protection Scheme, The government has started several projects to protect wildlife. Some of these projects are especially for those animals which are either in danger or may get extinct in near future.

The Projects are discussed below:
1. Project Tiger: As per an estimate, there were more than 40,000 tigers in India in the beginning of 20th century. At that time there were no strict laws on hunting tigers or cutting trees from forests. The unrestricted illegal hunting and deforestation posed a major danger for the existence of tigers. Hence, in order to save tigers, the government started Project Tiger in 1971. Under the project, the government took several steps to protect natural habitat of tigers and to maintain ecological balance at national level. Till now this project is implemented in about 44 regions of India.

2. Project Elephant: This project was started in 1992. The main aim of this project was to protect elephants in their natural habitacts and to protect their migratory corridors. Due to constant effort of the government today, the number of elephants has increased considerably. Today, there are about 26 protection zones for elephants in India. Over and above protecting elephants of the forest this project also works for the protection and proper care of domesticated elephants.

3. Project Rhino: It was started for protecting One-Horned Rhino of India. In India most of the rhinos are found in Sunderbans, West Bengal. Under the ‘Rhino Vision 2020’, the government has targeted to increase the number of rhino to 3000.

4. Project Crocodile: In the decade of 1970, the species of alligators found in freshwater was on the verge of extinction. At that time the Government of India started this project and saved this species.

5. Project Vulture: Vulture is said to be the ‘cleaner of the nature’. It eats the meat of dead animals and this way keeps the nature clean. There are about 9 sub-species of vulture in India. This project was started in 2004 when their number started decreasing drastically.

6. Project Snow Leopard: This animal is found at an altitude of about 3000 metres in Himalayas. As the name suggests it is found only in the snowy region. This project was started in 2000 with the objective of increasing the knowledge about snow leopard among the local people, so the people would become aware and protect it.

7. Other Projects: Besides these projects the government has-also started projects like Kashmiri Hangool Project, Red Panda Project, Manipur-Tamil Project for the special species of deer found in Manipur, Ganga-Dolphin Project on Ganga-Brahmaputra rivers, etc.

II. Answer in brief.
Question 1. What is meant by bio-reserve zone?
Answer:
Biosphere reserve or Bio-reserve is a very large area of land which may cover multiple National Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves as well. It is established as per international norms. The purpose of bio-reserve is to protect the physical and cultural diversity of a region. The bio-reserve also protects insects, birds and animals, land of that area and even the life style of the people living there.

The government conducts programmes for encouraging research and training about bio-reserve. No external human movement is allowed in a bio-reserve. The average area of such zone is more than 5000 sq. kilometres. Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Great Nicobar, Sundarban, Pnachmadhi, etc. are important bio-reserves of India. The Rann of Kachchh of Gujarat was declared as a bio-reserve zone in 2008.

Question 2. Where would, we find tigers in Gujarat ?
Answer:
In the pasts tigers could be seen in the forests of Idar, Ambaji and Danta in Gujarat.

Question 3. State the reason for forests destruction.
Answer:
Forests get destroyed in two ways.They are
(a) Natural reasons; and
(b) Man-made reasons: The rate of natural destruction of forests in quite less compared to that by man-made reasons.

The main reasons are :
Cutting of forests by humans for their own benefits. Human greed to gain more land.

• To build cannals and multipurpose projects.
• To make roads, airports and railways.
• To do farming.
• Cutting trees for jhoom farming (shifting agriculture).
• To get raw materials for industries. To get wood for construction.
• To expand & develop cities and towns.
• To build new industries. Cutting trees for jhoom farming (shifting agriculture)

Question 4. Write notes about the wildlife on the verge of extinction.
Answer:
Today many wild animals of the world are on the verge of extinction. A few of them have been become extinct. In the last century, tigers were found throughout India. One could see tigers even in Gujarat in the forests of Idar, Ambaji and Danta. Today, the have become completely extinct from Gujarat. Cheetah is also becoming extinct from Indian forests. Many species for birds which were very easily seen in Indian forests are now hardly seen. Birds like vulture, duck with pink throat, cranes and owls are on the verge of extinction. Chilotro bird which was once found in abundance in Arunachal Pradesh is hard to find today.

The fresh water alligators and Ganga River dolphins are on the verge of extinction. The number of sea turtles that used to r come to the coasts of Odisha and Gujarat is Constantly decreasing. Water-fowls (Jalbiladi) once found ‘ frequently in Narmada, Tapi, Mahi and Sabarmati rivers of Gujarat are almost extinct. Looking such a condition of dwindling wildlife, it is utmost necessary that we make concrete effort to save what is left. Reasons for the destruction of wildlife Human interference in grasslands and in watershed area of the forests has increased. This has put natural habitat of the wild animals in danger. Destruction of forests in the main reason for natural imbalance. When natural imbalance takes place the number of wild animals decrease.

Hunting the animals to obtain hair, skin (hide), bones, horns or nails is also responsible for reduction of wildlife. To fulfil his greed and need, man exploits forests to his maximum capacity. He keeps on building, roads, multi-purpose projects, mining minerals, expanding new settlements, etc. Thus, man has entered forests, cut them and has displaced wild animals. Forest fire is another reason in which several animals, birds and insects die.

When the forest fire occurs at the procreative time of animals or the time of hatching of eggs, it creates a very adverse effect on the number of wild animals in the forest. Due to the loss of their natural habitats animals become homeless. Hence, they enter into areas of human dwellings and even attack them and their domestic animals. To this humans attack wild animals and also kill them many a times. Humans also hunt animals to make certain medicines, perfume, etc. This also reduces their number.

III. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1. What is meant by a Sanctuary?
Answer:
A wildlife sanctuary is quite similar to a national park, except that local people living there can continue living and the human activities are permitted. A wildlife sanctuary is basically established for protecting some specific species. Domesticated animals are allowed to graze after obtaining permission from the authorities. For example, Gir, Periyar, Chandraprabha, Eturnagaram, etc. are famous sanctuaries.

Question 2. What is National Park?
Answer:
A national park is a forest area and if need be the surrounding areas as notified by the government established for the protection and propagation of the flora and fauna of the area. National Parks do not allow any human activities inside the marked area of national park. In this regard, it is more protected zone compared to the sanctuary.

Unlike a sanctuary, it is not centered around one species. Hence, we can find more than one ecosystem in a national park. There is complete ban on animal grazing. It is established through the coordination of state and central government. Kaziranga, Corbett, Velavadar, Marine National Park, Gir, Dachigam, etc. are important National Parks.

Question 3. In which state is the Nal Sarovar located?
Answer:
Nal Sarovar is located in Gujarat State.

IV. Select the correct option from the options given for each questions and write the answer:
Question 1. Which wildlife has became extinct from Gujarat
(a) Ghudkhar
(b) Bear
(c) Tiger
(d) Leopard
Answer:
(c) Tiger

Question 2. Forests over which the local self-government institutions (Gram Panchayat, Municipality, Municipal Corporation) have control
(a) Village forests
(b) Sanctuary forest
(c) Collective community forest
(d) Jhoom forest
Answer:
(c) Collective community forest

Question 3. How many species of animals and birds are there in the world?
(a) Twelve lakh
(b) Twenty-one lakh
(c) Seven lakh
(d) Fifteen lakh
Answer:
(d) Fifteen lakh