Forest and Wildlife Resources – important questions for Boards 2027

CBSE Class 10 Social Science

1. MCQ · 1 mark

   Why is conservation of forests and wildlife essential? Choose the most appropriate option. (A) It preserves ecological diversity, life-support systems and genetic diversity. (B) It replaces all traditional crop varieties with a single variety. (C) It reduces the need to protect aquatic biodiversity. (D) It promotes the depletion of forests and wildlife.

   Answer

   (A) It preserves ecological diversity, life-support systems and genetic diversity — conservation preserves our life support systems – water, air and soil, and preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals.

2. SA · 2 marks

   State when the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented and describe two measures its programme used to protect endangered species.

   Answer

   The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972. The programme protected endangered species by banning hunting and giving legal protection to their habitats. It also restricted trade in wildlife and published an all-India list of protected species.

3. MA · 3 marks

   For a classroom exercise, suppose the recorded forest areas are 12,450 km² for Bengal and 15,780 km² for Maharashtra. Calculate (a) their combined forest area and (b) how many square kilometres greater Maharashtra’s recorded area is than Bengal’s. Show your calculations.

   Answer

   Given: Bengal = 12,450 km²; Maharashtra = 15,780 km². Formula (a): Combined area = Bengal + Maharashtra. Substitution: 12,450 km² + 15,780 km² = 28,230 km². Answer (a): The combined forest area is 28,230 km². Formula (b): Difference = Maharashtra’s area − Bengal’s area. Substitution: 15,780 km² − 12,450 km² = 3,330 km². Answer (b): Maharashtra’s recorded area is 3,330 km² greater than Bengal’s.

4. LA · 4 marks

   Describe how communities have contributed to conservation, referring to the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ in Alwar, the Chipko movement, and the work of Beej Bachao Andolan or Navdanya. (4 marks)

   Answer

   Local communities have played an important role in conserving forests, wildlife and sustainable livelihoods in India. 1. The inhabitants of five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’. Their rules prohibit hunting, and the villagers protect wildlife from outside encroachments. 2. The Chipko movement in the Himalayas successfully resisted deforestation in several areas. It also showed that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful. 3. Farmers and citizens’ groups such as the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals is possible and economically viable. These examples show that community action can protect nature while supporting people’s livelihoods.

5. LA · 5 marks

   Distinguish between reserved, protected and unclassed forests in India, stating the approximate share or extent of each category and the key feature that defines it.

   Answer

   1. Approximate extent — Reserved forests: More than half of India’s total forest land is classified as reserved; Protected forests: Almost one-third of the total forest area is protected; Unclassed forests: No approximate share is specified, and they consist of other forests and wastelands. 2. Classification — Reserved forests: These areas are declared reserved; Protected forests: These areas are declared protected by the Forest Department; Unclassed forests: These areas are not included in the reserved or protected categories described above. 3. Defining feature — Reserved forests: They are regarded as the most valuable for conserving forest and wildlife resources; Protected forests: They are protected from further depletion; Unclassed forests: They may belong to the government, private individuals or communities. 4. Purpose — Reserved and protected forests: They are permanent forest estates maintained to produce timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons; Unclassed forests: They comprise other forests and wastelands.

6. MCQ · 1 mark

   Which statement best describes the circumstances behind the launch of Project Tiger? Choose the correct option. (A) It was launched in 1973 after the tiger population was reported to have fallen from an estimated 55,000 to 1,827. (B) It was launched in 1972 after the tiger population rose to 55,000. (C) It was launched in 1986 to protect only plant species. (D) It was launched in 1991 after tiger hunting was legalised.

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7. SA · 2 marks

   How did trade in tiger skins and the use of tiger bones in traditional medicines threaten tigers? State one fact about the share of surviving tigers found in India and Nepal.

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8. MCQ · 1 mark

   Which statement best reflects the challenge of conserving India’s forest and wildlife resources? Choose the correct option. (A) Managing, controlling and regulating these resources can be difficult. (B) Forest and wildlife resources require no regulation. (C) All forests are managed only by private individuals. (D) Conservation is possible only by preventing local communities from participating.

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9. SA · 2 marks

   Why do local communities help conserve habitats alongside government officials? Give the example of how villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve opposed mining.

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10. MCQ · 1 mark

    Which statement about unclassed forests is supported by the textbook? Choose the correct option. (A) Eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a high proportion of unclassed forests managed by local communities. (B) Unclassed forests are found only in western Gujarat and are managed exclusively by the Forest Department. (C) Eastern states have no unclassed forests. (D) Unclassed forests are all reserved forests managed by the central government.

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