Q.1     Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and fauna?
           (a) Agricultural expansion.
           (b) Large scale developmental projects.
           (c) Grazing and fuelwood collection.
           (c) Rapid industrialization and urbanization.
Sol.       (c) Grazing and fuelwood collection

Q. 2     Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management
            (b) Chipko Movement
            (c) Beej Bachao Andolan
            (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Sol.        (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries

Q.3     Match the following animals with their category of existence.

Sol.         1- (c) 2- (d), 3- (e), 4- (b), 5 – (a)

Q.4     Match the following.

Sol.        1 – (b), 2 – (c), 3 – (a)

Q.5     What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Sol.       The variety of flora and fauna in a given geographical area is called biodiversity of that area. Each species on this earth lives in a system of interdependencies on various biotic and abiotic factors. Human beings also depend on several biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. We may be directly taking some resources from certain species, but we indirectly depend on many other species. Hence, biodiversity is important for human lives.

Q.6     How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Sol.        Various human activities have resulted in a decline of forest cover. Vast tracts of forest had been cleared to make way for farmland and for making new houses, factories and infrastructure. Mining is another human activity which has destroyed forest in a vast area. Thus, human activities have resulted in significant depletion of flora and fauna.

Q.7     Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
Sol.       Many local communities have recognized the significance of conservation for their long term survival. Local communities are contributing significantly in conservation at many places. For example; the Bishnois of Rajasthan protect black buck, chinkara and peacocks quite zealously. Nature worship is an age old tradition of many tribes. By doing so, they help in conservation of forest. Chipko movement is another example of community initiative in conservation. Joint Forest Management has been practiced in Orissa since 1988 and has bore fruits for conservation.

Q.8     Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Sol.        All the good practices towards conservation of forest and wildlife should include an active participation from all the stakeholders. Government agencies, local inhabitants, industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts are the important stakeholders in forest management. The government should formulate rules and regulations and provide system and machinery to implement conservation programmes. The local inhabitants should always be included in the conservation programme, because their survival depends on it. Industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts should also be taken under the fold of conservation programmes. A coordinated effort by all the stakeholders will give better results.