Natural VegetationClass 11 India Physical Environment NCERT Solutions
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Q1EXERCISES
(v) Which one of the following proportion of area of the country was targeted to be under forest in Forest Policy of India?
(a)
33
(b)
44
(c)
55
(d)
22
Solution
Answer: (a) 33
Explanation: The text, under the section 'Forest Conservation', details the aims of the forest policy. The first point mentioned is "(i) bringing 33 per cent of the geographical areas under forest cover;".
Q1EXERCISES
(iv) How many of the Biosphere reserves from India are recognised by the UNESCO?
(a)
One
(b)
Two
(c)
Twelve
(d)
Four
Solution
Answer: (c) Twelve
Explanation: In the section on Biosphere Reserves, the text explicitly states, "There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India (Table 5.1, Figure 5.8). Twelve Biosphere Reserves have been recognised by the UNESCO on World Network of Biosphere Reserves."
Q1EXERCISES
(iii) In which one of the following states is the Nandadevi Biosphere reserve situated?
(a)
Bihar
(b)
Uttar Pradesh
(c)
Uttarakhand
(d)
Odisha
Solution
Answer: (c) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Table 5.1, 'List of Biosphere Reserves', clearly indicates the location for the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It states that it is located in "Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Almora Districts in Uttarakhand."
Q1EXERCISES
Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below. (i) Sandalwood is an example of:
(a)
Evergreen forest
(b)
Deciduous forest
(c)
Deltaic forest
(d)
Thorny forest
Solution
Answer: (b) Deciduous forest
Explanation: The source text, in the section on Tropical Deciduous Forests, specifically under Moist deciduous forests, lists sandalwood as one of the main species. It states, "Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc. are the main species of these forests."
Q1EXERCISES
(ii) Which one of the following was the purpose of Project Tiger?
(a)
to kill tigers
(b)
to put tigers in the Zoo
(c)
to protect tigers from illegal hunting
(d)
to make films on tigers
Solution
Answer: (c) to protect tigers from illegal hunting
Explanation: The text states that one of the reasons for the decline of wildlife is that "commercial poaching is rampant." Project Tiger was launched to conserve tigers and their habitat. The main objective is to "ensure maintenance of viable population of tigers in India for scientific, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve areas of biological importance as natural heritage." This inherently includes protecting them from threats like illegal hunting.
Q2EXERCISES
(ii) What do you understand by social forestry?
Solution
Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests, as well as afforestation on barren lands. The primary purpose of social forestry is to aid in environmental, social, and rural development. It involves the community in forestry to meet the growing demand for timber, fuel, fodder, etc., thereby reducing pressure on traditional forest areas. The National Commission on Agriculture (1976) classified it into three categories: Urban forestry, Rural forestry (including agro-forestry and community forestry), and Farm forestry.
Q2EXERCISES
(i) What is natural vegetation? Under what climatic conditions are tropical evergreen forests develop?
Solution
Natural Vegetation:
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. This allows the individual plant species to grow and adjust themselves to the local climate and soil conditions as fully as possible.
Climatic Conditions for Tropical Evergreen Forests:
Tropical evergreen forests develop in specific climatic conditions as described in the text. These conditions are:
- Area Type: Warm and humid areas.
- Annual Precipitation: Over 200 cm.
- Mean Annual Temperature: Above 22°C.
Q2EXERCISES
(iv) What is the difference between forest area and forest cover?
Solution
The provided text does not explicitly define the difference between 'forest area' and 'forest cover'. However, in geographical terms, the distinction is as follows:
- Forest Area: This is a legal term. It refers to the land that has been officially notified and recorded as 'forest' in government records. This land may or may not have actual trees on it.
- Forest Cover: This refers to the actual area of land that is occupied by forests with a tree canopy. It is determined by remote sensing and satellite imagery.
The chapter focuses on the policy aim of increasing the 'forest cover' of the country to 33 percent of the total geographical area.
Q2EXERCISES
(iii) Define Biosphere reserves?
Solution
A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas. These reserves are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The primary aim of a Biosphere Reserve is to achieve three main objectives: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable, and providing logistical support for research, monitoring, education, and training related to conservation and sustainable development.
Q3EXERCISES
(ii) How can people's participation be effective in conserving forests and wildlife?
Solution
People's participation is crucial for the effective conservation of forests and wildlife. Their involvement can make conservation efforts more sustainable and successful in several ways:
- Social Forestry: This model is entirely based on people's participation.
- Community forestry involves raising trees on community lands, which benefits the entire community, including landless people, and creates a collective sense of responsibility.
- Agro-forestry and Farm forestry encourage farmers to plant trees on their own land for commercial and non-commercial purposes, integrating conservation with agriculture and livelihood.
- Involvement of Tribal Communities: Tribal communities have a deep and traditional knowledge of forests. Instead of just being collectors of forest produce, they can be engaged as growers and active participants in conservation. Their age-old wisdom can be used for the sustainable development of forests.
- Creating Mass Movements: The forest policy aims to create a large-scale people's movement, involving women, to encourage tree planting and protect existing forests from felling. This social pressure can be a powerful tool against deforestation.
- Wildlife Conservation: The chapter notes that wildlife conservation can only be truly achieved when every individual understands its importance and contributes to the effort. Public awareness and participation help in reporting poaching, preventing forest fires, and supporting government initiatives like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, ensuring the long-term survival of species.
Q3EXERCISES
(i) What steps have been taken up to conserve forests?
Solution
Several steps have been taken up to conserve forests in India, as outlined in the Forest Conservation Policy.
- National Forest Policy: The Government of India adopted a forest policy in 1952, which was later modified in 1988. This policy emphasizes sustainable forest management to conserve and expand forest reserves while also meeting the needs of local people.
- Policy Objectives: The policy has several key aims:
- To bring 33 percent of the country's geographical area under forest cover.
- To maintain environmental stability and restore disturbed ecological balances.
- To conserve India's natural heritage, including its biological diversity and genetic pool.
- To check soil erosion, desertification, and reduce the impact of floods and droughts.
- To encourage wood substitution and increase forest productivity to meet the needs of the rural population for timber, fuel, fodder, and food.
- People's Participation: The policy aims to create a massive people's movement, especially involving women, to encourage tree planting and prevent the felling of trees.
- Social Forestry: Initiatives like Urban, Rural, and Farm forestry have been launched. These programs involve managing and protecting forests and carrying out afforestation on barren lands with the active participation of communities to help in environmental, social, and rural development.
Q1Project/Activity
On the outline map of India, mark and label the following.
(i)
Areas having Mangrove forests.
(ii)
Biosphere reserves of Nanda Devi, Sunderbans, Gulf of Mannar and Nilgiri.
(iii)
Mark the location of Forest Survey of India Head Quarter.
Solution
This is a map-based activity. To complete it, you should use an outline map of India and mark the following locations based on the information in the chapter and general knowledge.
(i) Areas having Mangrove forests:
- Mark the Sunderbans in West Bengal, which is a large delta region.
- Mark the coastal areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Indicate the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna rivers on the east coast.
(ii) Biosphere reserves:
- Nanda Devi: Mark this in the state of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas.
- Sunderbans: Mark this in the coastal region of West Bengal.
- Gulf of Mannar: Mark this along the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, between India and Sri Lanka.
- Nilgiri: Mark this at the junction of the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka in the Western Ghats.
(iii) Mark the location of Forest Survey of India Head Quarter:
- The provided source text does not contain information about the location of the Forest Survey of India Headquarters. This information must be sourced externally. (The headquarters is in Dehradun, Uttarakhand).
Q2Project/Activity
List the trees, bush and shrub species found around your school. Write their local names and their uses.
Solution
This is a field-based activity that requires you to observe the local flora around your school. The answer will be specific to your location.
Steps to complete the activity:
- Observe: Take a walk around your school premises and the immediate neighborhood. Carefully observe the different types of plants - tall trees, smaller bushes, and shrubs.
- Identify: Try to identify the plants. You can ask teachers, gardeners, or local elders for help in identifying them and finding out their local names.
- List: Create a list with three columns: 'Plant Species (if known)', 'Local Name', and 'Uses'.
- Research Uses: Find out the uses of these plants. They could be used for:
- Food: Fruits, leaves, or roots.
- Medicine: Traditional medicinal uses.
- Timber/Fuel: Wood for construction or burning.
- Shade or Ornamental purposes.
Example of a list (hypothetical):
- Plant Species: Azadirachta indica | Local Name: Neem | Uses: Medicinal (leaves and bark), pest repellent, shade tree.
- Plant Species: Mangifera indica | Local Name: Aam (Mango) | Uses: Fruit (food), wood for furniture, leaves used in rituals.
- Plant Species: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Local Name: Gurhal (Hibiscus) | Uses: Ornamental flower, used in worship, herbal tea.