Forest and Wildlife Resources
Complete Question Bank
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity refers to:
- A) Variety of minerals
- B) Variety of living organisms
- C) Variety of rivers
- D) Variety of mountains
Answer: B
- Which of the following is NOT a component of biodiversity?
- A) Plants
- B) Animals
- C) Microorganisms
- D) Buildings
Answer: D
- Forests are called the primary producers because they:
- A) Manufacture machines
- B) Produce food through photosynthesis
- C) Produce electricity
- D) Produce minerals
Answer: B
- India is known for:
- A) Low biodiversity
- B) Rich biological diversity
- C) No wildlife
- D) Only desert vegetation
Answer: B
Conservation
- The main purpose of conservation is to:
- A) Destroy forests
- B) Protect natural resources
- C) Increase pollution
- D) Promote hunting
Answer: B
- Conservation helps maintain:
- A) Ecological balance
- B) Inflation
- C) Population growth
- D) Urban expansion
Answer: A
- Which resource is directly protected through biodiversity conservation?
- A) Air
- B) Water
- C) Soil
- D) All of these
Answer: D
Wildlife Protection
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in:
- A) 1965
- B) 1972
- C) 1985
- D) 1995
Answer: B
- The Act mainly aims to:
- A) Promote hunting
- B) Protect wildlife
- C) Build industries
- D) Increase farming
Answer: B
- Which activity is illegal under wildlife protection laws?
- A) Tree plantation
- B) Poaching
- C) Forest conservation
- D) Nature education
Answer: B
Project Tiger
- Project Tiger began in:
- A) 1962
- B) 1973
- C) 1980
- D) 1991
Answer: B
- The greatest threat to tigers is:
- A) Heavy rainfall
- B) Poaching
- C) Cold weather
- D) Floods
Answer: B
- Project Tiger primarily aims to:
- A) Increase tourism
- B) Protect tiger populations
- C) Grow forests for timber
- D) Build roads
Answer: B
Forest Types
- Which forest category has the highest level of protection?
- A) Reserved Forest
- B) Protected Forest
- C) Unclassed Forest
- D) Private Forest
Answer: A
- Protected forests are mainly protected from:
- A) Further depletion
- B) Rainfall
- C) Animals
- D) Agriculture
Answer: A
- Unclassed forests may belong to:
- A) Government only
- B) Private individuals only
- C) Communities only
- D) Government, communities and private owners
Answer: D
Community Conservation
- The Chipko Movement is associated with:
- A) Saving rivers
- B) Protecting trees
- C) Mining
- D) Fishing
Answer: B
- Joint Forest Management encourages:
- A) Community participation
- B) Illegal logging
- C) Hunting
- D) Mining
Answer: A
- Sacred Groves are protected because of:
- A) Religious beliefs
- B) Tourism
- C) Industries
- D) Trade
Answer: A
- Which practice best supports forest conservation?
- A) Illegal logging
- B) Afforestation
- C) Poaching
- D) Forest fires
Answer: B
B. Fill in the Blanks
- The variety of living organisms is called Biodiversity.
- Forests help maintain ecological balance.
- The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972.
- Project Tiger started in 1973.
- Illegal hunting is called poaching.
- Reserved forests receive the highest protection.
- Sacred Groves are protected because of religious beliefs.
- Joint Forest Management involves local communities.
- Tigers are protected through Project Tiger.
- Biodiversity supports clean air, water and soil.
C. True or False
- Biodiversity includes microorganisms. True
- Forests have no role in maintaining climate. False
- Project Tiger started in 1973. True
- Poaching helps wildlife conservation. False
- Reserved forests have strict protection. True
- Sacred Groves are protected by local traditions. True
- Joint Forest Management excludes villagers. False
- Biodiversity is important for human survival. True
- Wildlife Protection Act encourages hunting. False
- Afforestation helps conserve forests. True
D. Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Variety of living organisms |
| Project Tiger | Tiger conservation |
| Wildlife Protection Act | 1972 |
| Chipko Movement | Tree protection |
| Sacred Groves | Religious conservation |
| Reserved Forest | Highest protection |
| Protected Forest | Protected from depletion |
| JFM | Community participation |
| Poaching | Illegal hunting |
| Afforestation | Planting trees |
E. One Word Answers
- Illegal hunting → Poaching
- Variety of life → Biodiversity
- Tiger conservation programme → Project Tiger
- Planting trees → Afforestation
- Community forest programme → JFM
F. Assertion and Reason
1
Assertion: Forests maintain ecological balance.
Reason: Forests provide oxygen and support biodiversity.
Answer: Both true, and Reason correctly explains Assertion.
2
Assertion: Poaching increases wildlife population.
Reason: Animals are protected from hunters.
Answer: Assertion is false, Reason is false.
3
Assertion: Sacred Groves conserve biodiversity.
Reason: Human interference is limited.
Answer: Both true, Reason correctly explains Assertion.
4
Assertion: Project Tiger protects forest ecosystems.
Reason: Tigers are an important part of the food chain.
Answer: Both true, Reason correctly explains Assertion.
G. Very Short Answer Questions
- What is biodiversity?
- What is conservation?
- Define poaching.
- What is Project Tiger?
- What is JFM?
- What are Sacred Groves?
- Name any two tiger reserves.
- What is afforestation?
- Why are forests important?
- What is ecological balance?
H. Short Answer Questions
- Explain biodiversity.
- State the importance of forests.
- Why should wildlife be conserved?
- Explain Project Tiger.
- Describe Reserved Forests.
- Describe Protected Forests.
- Explain Unclassed Forests.
- What is Joint Forest Management?
- Explain Sacred Groves.
- How do local communities protect forests?
I. Long Answer Questions
- Explain the importance of biodiversity.
- Describe the causes of depletion of flora and fauna.
- Explain the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Describe Project Tiger and its achievements.
- Explain different categories of forests.
- Describe the role of communities in conservation.
- Explain the importance of Sacred Groves.
- Suggest measures for conserving forests and wildlife.
- Explain the importance of forests in maintaining ecological balance.
- Discuss how conservation supports sustainable development.
G. Very Short Answer Questions (Answers)
1. What is biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, that exist in a particular region or on Earth.
2. What is conservation?
Answer: Conservation is the protection and careful management of forests, wildlife, and other natural resources to ensure their sustainable use.
3. Define poaching.
Answer: Poaching is the illegal hunting, capturing, or killing of wild animals.
4. What is Project Tiger?
Answer: Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation programme launched in 1973 to protect tigers and their habitats.
5. What is Joint Forest Management (JFM)?
Answer: Joint Forest Management is a programme in which local communities and the Forest Department work together to protect and restore forests.
6. What are Sacred Groves?
Answer: Sacred Groves are patches of forests protected by local communities because of religious and cultural beliefs.
7. Name any two tiger reserves.
Answer:
- Corbett Tiger Reserve
- Periyar Tiger Reserve
8. What is afforestation?
Answer: Afforestation is the process of planting trees on barren or non-forest land.
9. Why are forests important?
Answer: Forests maintain ecological balance, provide oxygen, protect wildlife, conserve soil and water, and support human livelihoods.
10. What is ecological balance?
Answer: Ecological balance is the stable relationship between living organisms and their environment.
H. Short Answer Questions (Answers)
1. Explain biodiversity.
Answer:
Biodiversity refers to the wide variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms found in nature. It is important because all living organisms depend on one another. Biodiversity helps maintain ecological balance and supports human life by providing food, clean air, water, medicines, and other essential resources.
2. State the importance of forests.
Answer:
Forests are important because they:
- Produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.
- Prevent soil erosion.
- Maintain climate and rainfall.
- Provide habitat for wildlife.
- Supply timber, medicines, fruits, and fuel.
- Support the livelihoods of many people.
3. Why should wildlife be conserved?
Answer:
Wildlife should be conserved to:
- Prevent extinction of species.
- Maintain ecological balance.
- Protect biodiversity.
- Preserve natural resources for future generations.
- Maintain genetic diversity.
4. Explain Project Tiger.
Answer:
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect the rapidly declining tiger population. The programme aims to prevent poaching, conserve tiger habitats, increase prey species, and maintain healthy forest ecosystems.
5. Describe Reserved Forests.
Answer:
Reserved forests receive the highest level of legal protection. Human activities are strictly regulated to conserve forests and wildlife. These forests are considered the most valuable for conservation.
6. Describe Protected Forests.
Answer:
Protected forests are areas safeguarded against further degradation. Limited use is allowed under government rules while ensuring the conservation of natural resources.
7. Explain Unclassed Forests.
Answer:
Unclassed forests include forests and wastelands managed by governments, private individuals, or local communities. They have comparatively fewer restrictions than reserved forests.
8. What is Joint Forest Management?
Answer:
Joint Forest Management is a partnership between local communities and the Forest Department. Villagers help protect degraded forests and, in return, receive benefits such as non-timber forest products and a share in forest produce.
9. Explain Sacred Groves.
Answer:
Sacred Groves are forests protected because they are considered holy. Local people do not cut trees or hunt animals in these areas, helping conserve rare plants and animals.
10. How do local communities protect forests?
Answer:
Local communities protect forests by preventing illegal cutting, stopping hunting, planting trees, following traditional conservation practices, participating in Joint Forest Management, and protecting Sacred Groves.
I. Long Answer Questions (Answers)
1. Explain the importance of biodiversity.
Answer:
Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms found on Earth. It plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by supporting food chains and nutrient cycles. It provides clean air, water, fertile soil, medicines, food, and raw materials. Biodiversity also preserves genetic resources that are useful for agriculture, medicine, and scientific research. Conserving biodiversity ensures the survival of both humans and wildlife.
2. Describe the causes of depletion of flora and fauna.
Answer:
The major causes are:
- Deforestation
- Expansion of agriculture
- Industrialisation
- Urbanisation
- Mining activities
- Construction of roads and dams
- Illegal hunting and poaching
- Illegal wildlife trade
- Pollution
- Increasing human population
These activities destroy habitats, reduce wildlife populations, and disturb ecological balance.
3. Explain the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Answer:
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was enacted to protect India’s wildlife. It banned hunting of endangered animals, protected their habitats, restricted wildlife trade, and encouraged the establishment of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The Act also provides legal punishment for wildlife-related offences.
4. Describe Project Tiger and its achievements.
Answer:
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to conserve India’s tiger population. It focuses on protecting tiger habitats, controlling poaching, improving prey availability, and strengthening wildlife management. The project has helped establish several tiger reserves and increased awareness about wildlife conservation. It has also contributed to protecting entire forest ecosystems.
5. Explain different categories of forests.
Answer:
Reserved Forests
These forests receive maximum legal protection and are considered most important for conservation.
Protected Forests
These forests are protected from further depletion, and limited human activities are allowed.
Unclassed Forests
These forests are managed by governments, private owners, or local communities and generally have fewer restrictions.
6. Describe the role of communities in conservation.
Answer:
Local communities play an important role in conserving forests and wildlife. They protect forests from illegal activities, participate in afforestation, maintain Sacred Groves, support Joint Forest Management, and promote traditional conservation methods. Movements like the Chipko Movement have shown how community participation can successfully protect forests.
7. Explain the importance of Sacred Groves.
Answer:
Sacred Groves preserve natural vegetation and protect many rare species. Since local people treat these forests as sacred, cutting trees and hunting animals are prohibited. These groves help conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
8. Suggest measures for conserving forests and wildlife.
Answer:
- Prevent deforestation.
- Control illegal hunting and poaching.
- Promote afforestation.
- Protect endangered species.
- Increase public awareness.
- Strengthen wildlife laws.
- Encourage community participation.
- Expand protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries.
- Promote sustainable use of forest resources.
9. Explain the importance of forests in maintaining ecological balance.
Answer:
Forests absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping regulate the climate. They conserve soil, prevent floods, maintain the water cycle, and provide habitat for wildlife. Forests also support biodiversity and ensure the survival of countless plant and animal species, making them essential for ecological balance.
10. Discuss how conservation supports sustainable development.
Answer:
Conservation ensures that natural resources are used wisely without exhausting them. It protects biodiversity, maintains ecological balance, supports livelihoods, and provides resources for future generations. Sustainable development can only be achieved when economic growth is balanced with environmental protection.