Class 10 Social Science Chapter 7 Forest and Wildlife Resources (Geography) Practice Paper 4

Class: X Subject: Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 02 - Forest and Wildlife Resources Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. Sunderbans National Park is located in:
(a) Odisha
(b) West Bengal
(c) Bihar
(d) Jharkhand

Q2. How many species of plants were first added to the protected list in 1991?
(a) Three species
(b) Four species
(c) Six species
(d) Ten species

Q3. The scientific name of kadamba tree is:
(a) Bassia latifolia
(b) Anthocaphalus cadamba
(c) Mangifera indica
(d) Tamarindus indica

Q4. Which state among the following has a bulk of its forests under protected category?
(a) Kerala
(b) West Bengal
(c) Haryana
(d) Andhra Pradesh

Q5. The Lepcha folk song mentioned in the chapter is dedicated to:
(a) Lord Shiva
(b) Mother Earth
(c) Narak
(d) Forest spirits

Q6. Bandhavgarh National Park is located in:
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Uttarakhand
(d) Maharashtra

Q7. All North-eastern states have a very high percentage of forests as:
(a) Reserved forests
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests
(d) National parks

Q8. Which of the following crocodile types is mentioned in conservation projects?
(a) American crocodile
(b) Gharial
(c) Nile crocodile
(d) Cuban crocodile

Q9. The thrust of the Wildlife Protection Programme was towards:
(a) Creating more zoos
(b) Protecting endangered species and habitats
(c) Promoting tourism
(d) Reducing forest area

Q10. How many hectares of forest did five villages in Alwar declare as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'?
(a) 500 hectares
(b) 800 hectares
(c) 1,200 hectares
(d) 2,000 hectares

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What do you understand by the term 'faunal web'? Why is tiger important in it?

Q12. Name the three types of crocodiles mentioned in conservation projects.

Q13. What message does the quote by Gautama Buddha about trees convey?

Q14. Why has conservation planning begun to include insects?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. "Local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management." Justify this statement with reference to forest conservation in India.

Q16. Explain the importance of preserving genetic diversity with examples from agriculture and fisheries.

Q17. How has the focus of conservation projects evolved from protecting individual species to biodiversity?

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Discuss the various traditional conservation methods practiced by different communities in India. How do these methods contribute to biodiversity conservation?

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Case Study 1: Nature worship is an age old tribal belief based on the premise that all creations of nature have to be protected. Such beliefs have preserved several virgin forests in pristine form called Sacred Groves (the forests of God and Goddesses). These patches of forest or parts of large forests have been left untouched by the local people and any interference with them is banned.
(a) What is the basis of nature worship? (1 mark)
(b) Define Sacred Groves. (1 mark)
(c) How have Sacred Groves contributed to biodiversity conservation? (2 marks)

Q20. Case Study 2: The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas has not only successfully resisted deforestation in several areas but has also shown that community afforestation with indigenous species can be enormously successful. Attempts to revive the traditional conservation methods or developing new methods of ecological farming are now widespread.
(a) Where did the Chipko movement take place? (1 mark)
(b) What were the two main achievements of the Chipko movement? (2 marks)
(c) What is meant by 'ecological farming'? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 04

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) West Bengal Sunderbans National Park is one of the famous tiger reserves located in West Bengal, known for its mangrove forests. Ans 2.
(c) Six species In 1991, for the first time plants were added to the list of protected species, starting with six species. Ans 3.
(b) Anthocaphalus cadamba The scientific name of kadamba tree is Anthocaphalus cadamba, which is worshipped by Mundas and Santhal communities. Ans 4.
(c) Haryana Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan have a bulk of their forests under protected forests category.

Ans 5.
(c) Narak The Lepcha folk song is dedicated to Narak, acknowledging him as the creator of music in the world of Lepchas. Ans 6.
(b) Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the important tiger reserves located in Madhya Pradesh. Ans 7.
(c) Unclassed forests All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their forests as unclassed forests managed by local communities. Ans 8.
(b) Gharial Three types of crocodiles mentioned are freshwater crocodile, saltwater crocodile, and the Gharial, which were given protection under conservation projects.

Ans 9.
(b) Protecting endangered species and habitats The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to habitats, and restricting wildlife trade. Ans 10.
(c) 1,200 hectares The inhabitants of five villages in Alwar district declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Faunal web refers to the complex network of relationships among animal species in an ecosystem, including predator-prey relationships and food chains. Tiger's importance: Tiger is a key wildlife species in the faunal web because as an apex predator, it maintains the balance of the ecosystem by controlling herbivore populations and ensuring healthy forest ecosystems. Ans 12. The three types of crocodiles mentioned in conservation projects are: (i) Freshwater crocodile (ii) Saltwater crocodile (iii) Gharial Ans 13.

The quote by Gautama Buddha conveys that trees are organisms of unlimited kindness and benevolence. They give generously without demanding anything for their sustenance, provide protection to all beings, offer shade even to those who destroy them, demonstrating the selfless nature of trees and the need to protect them. Ans 14. Conservation planning has begun to include insects because they are essential components of biodiversity and play crucial roles in ecosystems like pollination, decomposition, and serving as food for other species.

Several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the protected species list.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Local community involvement in natural resource management is essential because:

1. Local knowledge: Communities have intimate understanding of local ecosystems, species behavior, and seasonal patterns developed over generations

2. Vested interest: Their livelihood depends on forest resources, giving them strong motivation for sustainable management and long-term conservation

3. Effective monitoring: Local presence enables better surveillance and protection against poaching and illegal activities, as demonstrated by Sariska and Alwar examples Conclusion: The dynamics of both environmental destruction and reconstruction in India show that without local community involvement at the center-stage of decision-making, conservation efforts cannot succeed. Ans 16. Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within species, essential for species survival and adaptation. Importance with examples:

Agriculture: • Provides better growth of crop species through varied genetic traits • Enables development of disease-resistant and climate-adapted varieties • India still depends on traditional crop varieties for their genetic diversity • Essential for breeding programs to develop improved crops Fisheries: • Heavily dependent on maintenance of aquatic biodiversity • Genetic diversity ensures sustainable fish populations • Helps fish species adapt to changing environmental conditions • Maintains ecological balance in aquatic ecosystems Ans 17.

The evolution of conservation focus: Earlier approach (1970s-1980s): • Focus on protecting specific endangered animals like tiger, rhinoceros, Kashmir stag • Individual species-centered conservation projects • Protection through banning hunting and restricting trade Modern approach (1980s onwards): • Conservation projects now focus on biodiversity rather than few components • More intensive search for different conservation measures • Insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, and dragonflies added to protected list (1980, 1986) • Plants added for first time in 1991, starting with six species • Recognition that entire ecosystems need protection, not just individual species This evolution reflects understanding that biodiversity conservation requires protecting entire ecosystems and their interconnected species.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Traditional conservation methods practiced by Indian communities demonstrate rich cultural heritage and effective biodiversity protection:

1. SACRED GROVES: Practice: Based on nature worship, where patches of virgin forests are preserved as forests of Gods and Goddesses Method: Local people leave these areas untouched and ban any interference Contribution: Preserves diverse and rare species in pristine form

2. TREE WORSHIP: Mundas and Santhal: Worship mahua and kadamba trees, ensuring their protection Odisha and Bihar tribals: Worship tamarind and mango trees during weddings General practice: Peepal and banyan trees considered sacred by many communities Contribution: Ensures long-term survival of specific tree species

3. ANIMAL PROTECTION: Temple animals: Macaques and langurs around temples fed daily and treated as devotees Bishnoi community: Protect blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks as integral part of community Sacred qualities: Ascribed to various animals ensuring their protection Contribution: Maintains wildlife populations without government intervention

4. COMMUNITY FOREST PROTECTION: Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri': Five villages in Alwar declared 1,200 hectares protected with own rules against hunting Method: Community-made regulations and self-enforcement Contribution: Effective habitat protection rejecting outside encroachment

5. SACRED NATURAL FEATURES: Practice: Sacred qualities ascribed to springs, mountain peaks Contribution: Protects entire landscapes and water sources OVERALL CONTRIBUTION TO BIODIVERSITY: • Preserves genetic diversity through species protection • Maintains ecological balance in local areas • Creates refuge areas for wildlife • Ensures sustainable use of resources • Provides cultural and spiritual connection to nature • Works without need for external enforcement or funding • Has protected biodiversity for centuries before modern conservation laws These traditional methods demonstrate that conservation is deeply rooted in Indian culture and has been practiced for generations, often more effectively than modern approaches.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) Nature worship is based on the premise that all creations of nature have to be protected. It is an age- old tribal belief that views all natural elements as sacred and worthy of preservation.
(b) Sacred Groves are patches of virgin forests preserved in pristine form, considered as forests of Gods and Goddesses. These are areas left untouched by local people where any interference is banned.
(c) Sacred Groves have contributed to biodiversity conservation in following ways:

1. Preservation of virgin forests: They maintain forests in pristine, undisturbed condition, providing refuge for rare and endangered species

2. Protection mechanism: Religious and cultural beliefs ensure strict protection without need for external enforcement, making conservation sustainable and long-lasting

3. Diversity conservation: These groves preserve diverse and rare species that might have disappeared from other areas due to human activities Ans 20.
(a) The Chipko movement took place in the Himalayan region, particularly in areas of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh).
(b) The two main achievements of the Chipko movement were:

1. Successfully resisted deforestation: The movement prevented large-scale tree felling in several areas of the Himalayas, protecting valuable forest resources

2. Demonstrated community afforestation success: It showed that community-based afforestation using indigenous species can be enormously successful, providing an alternative model to government- controlled forestry
(c) Ecological farming refers to agricultural practices that work in harmony with nature, using traditional or new methods that do not rely on synthetic chemicals. As demonstrated by Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya, it involves diversified crop production that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable, reviving traditional conservation methods while protecting biodiversity.