NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 covers Biodiversity, IUCN Species Classification, Causes of Depletion, Conservation Projects (Project Tiger), Types and Distribution of Forests, and Community Conservation Initiatives.
Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)
1. Biodiversity & IUCN Species Classification
Short Note:
• Biodiversity: Immense variety of life forms, plants, and micro-organisms present in an ecosystem.
• IUCN Species Categories:
- Normal Species: Population levels normal for survival (e.g., cattle, pine, rodents).
- Endangered Species: In danger of extinction (e.g., Blackbuck, Crocodile, Indian wild ass).
- Vulnerable Species: Population declining, likely to move to endangered (e.g., Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant).
- Rare Species: Small population, may move into endangered category (e.g., Himalayan brown bear, Wild Asiatic buffalo).
- Endemic Species: Found only in particular isolated areas (e.g., Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon).
- Extinct Species: Not found in known areas (e.g., Asiatic cheetah, Pink-headed duck).
2. Causes of Flora & Fauna Depletion
Short Note:
• Agricultural Expansion: Substantial forest land converted into agricultural land post-independence.
• Large-Scale River Projects: Submergence of vast forest areas due to projects like Narmada Sagar in MP.
• Mining Activities: Mining causes severe ecological damage (e.g., Dolomite mining threatening Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal).
• Other Factors: Over-exploitation, poaching, habitat destruction, forest fires, and environmental pollution.
3. Conservation Measures & Project Tiger
Short Note:
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Implemented to protect habitats, ban hunting, and restrict trade in wildlife.
• Project Tiger (1973): Launched to save the declining tiger population. Major reserves include Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Sundarbans (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh (MP), and Sariska (Rajasthan).
4. Types of Forests & Community Movement
Short Note:
• Forest Classification:
- Reserved Forests: Most valuable for conservation; direct government protection (more than half of total forest land).
- Protected Forests: Protected from any further depletion (almost 1/3rd of forest area).
- Unclassed Forests: Other forests and wastelands belonging to government and private individuals (notably in North-East states).
• Community Conservation:
- Chipko Movement: Successfully resisted deforestation in the Himalayas.
- Beej Bachao Andolan: Promoted organic farming without synthetic chemicals in Tehri.
- Joint Forest Management (JFM): Involves local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests (pioneered by Odisha in 1988).
Intext & Conceptual Questions
2. Protected Forests: This forest land is protected from any further depletion. Almost one-third of the total forest area is classified as protected forest.
2. It was formally launched first in the state of Odisha in 1988.
3. Village institutions manage forests and in return, members receive benefits like non-timber forest produce and a share in harvested timber.
Textbook Chapter End Exercise Questions
1. Sariska Tiger Reserve: Villagers in Rajasthan have fought against mining activities by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
2. Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri': In Alwar district (Rajasthan), villagers declared 1,200 hectares of forest as a sanctuary with their own rules prohibiting hunting.
3. Chipko Movement: Villagers in the Himalayas physically hugged trees to prevent commercial loggers from felling them.
4. Bishnoi Community: In Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks are protected as integral parts of the community and nobody harms them.
1. Launch: Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973 to protect the rapidly shrinking tiger population.
2. Objective: It aims not only to save an endangered species but also to preserve biotypes of sizable magnitude.
3. Key Tiger Reserves: Famous tiger reserves under this program include Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Sundarbans in West Bengal, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Sariska in Rajasthan, and Periyar in Kerala.
1. Legislative Action: The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, featuring lists of protected species and banning hunting.
2. Protected Networks: Establishment of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves across the country.
3. Targeted Projects: Implementation of specialized projects for endangered species like Project Tiger, Project Rhino, and Project Elephant.
Read More & Chapter Resources
These short notes are designed for quick revision. Read the main points once, then use the related material below to practise the same chapter. Revising a concept and checking it with questions can make your preparation more focused.