Class 10 Social Science Chapter 7 Forest and Wildlife Resources (Geography) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Geography Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 2 : Forest and Wildlife Resources

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. Which of the following is a critically endangered species in India? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Blue sheep
(b) Asiatic cheetah
(c) Langur
(d) Indian rhino Ans:
(b) Asiatic cheetah. It is now extinct in India. Other critically endangered species include pink-headed duck, mountain quail, and forest spotted owlet. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act was passed in: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) 1952
(b) 1972
(c) 1986
(d) 1991 Ans:
(b) 1972. The Wildlife Protection Act provides legal protection to wildlife habitats and prohibits hunting of endangered species. It established national parks and sanctuaries. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. Which type of forest covers the maximum area in India? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Reserved forests
(b) Protected forests
(c) Unclassed forests
(d) Mangrove forests Ans:
(a) Reserved forests. They cover more than half of India's total forest area. Considered the most valuable and protected under government control. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Project Tiger was launched in: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) 1972
(b) 1973
(c) 1980
(d) 1992 Ans:
(b) 1973. It was launched to protect the dwindling tiger population. Initially 9 tiger reserves were set up; now there are over 50 across India. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. Chipko Movement is associated with: [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) Saving water bodies
(b) Protecting forests by hugging trees
(c) Anti-mining protests
(d) Anti-pollution campaign Ans:
(b) Protecting forests by hugging trees. Started in the Garhwal Himalayas in 1970s, villagers (especially women) hugged trees to prevent contractors from cutting them. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Biodiversity refers to: [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Variety of plant species only
(b) Variety of all life forms - plants, animals, and microorganisms
(c) Only animal species
(d) Marine life only Ans:
(b) Variety of all life forms including plants, animals, and microorganisms found in an area. India is one of the world's richest countries in biodiversity. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. Which of the following is an endemic species? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Species found worldwide
(b) Species found only in a particular area
(c) Extinct species
(d) Migratory species Ans:
(b) Species found only in a particular area and nowhere else. E.g., Asiatic lion (only in Gir, Gujarat), Malabar Giant Squirrel, and Nilgiri Tahr. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. Community participation in forest management is seen in: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Reserved forests
(b) Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme
(c) National parks
(d) Biosphere reserves Ans:
(b) Joint Forest Management (JFM) programme. Started in 1988, it involves local communities in management and protection of degraded forests, sharing benefits. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. How much of India's total land area is under forest cover (approximately)? [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) 10%
(b) 21-22%
(c) 33%
(d) 50% Ans:
(b) About 21-22%. This is well below the National Forest Policy target of 33% of total geographical area. Northeastern states have the highest forest cover. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : Forests are biodiversity hotspots. Reason (R): Forests provide habitat to diverse flora and fauna. [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a)
(b) Both true but (R) does not explain
(a)
(c)
(a) is true but (R) is false
(d)
(a) is false Ans:
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a) . India has several biodiversity hotspots including Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas, largely due to forest cover. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. Why has India's biodiversity been declining? Give reasons. [CBSE 2023] [3] • Habitat Loss: Forests cleared for agriculture, urbanisation, roads, dams, and mining. Animals lose their natural homes and food sources. • Hunting & Poaching: Despite laws, illegal hunting for fur, tusks, horns, and medicinal use continues. Tiger and rhino populations were severely affected. • Pollution & Climate Change: Industrial pollution, pesticides, and climate change alter ecosystems. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns threaten wildlife.

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Q12. Describe the classification of forests in India based on government control. [CBSE 2024] [3] • Reserved Forests: More than half of total forest land. Most valuable. Fully under government control. Locals cannot use resources without permission. • Protected Forests: About one-third of total forest area. Protected from further depletion. Local communities have some limited rights for grazing and collection. • Unclassed Forests: Includes all other forests and wastelands. Found mainly in NE states and parts of Gujarat. May be owned by government, private, or community.

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Q13. What is the importance of forests in our life? Explain. [CBSE 2022] [3] • Ecological: Forests prevent soil erosion, regulate climate, maintain water cycle, purify air, and provide habitat for wildlife. They absorb carbon dioxide. • Economic: Provide timber, firewood, medicinal plants, fruits, rubber, and raw materials for industry. Forest-based livelihoods support millions of tribals. • Social: Forests have cultural and spiritual significance for many communities. They provide recreation and are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

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Q14. Explain the role of communities in conservation of forests and wildlife. [CBSE 2021] [3] • Sacred Groves: In Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh, communities protect forest patches as sacred, preserving rare species and biodiversity. • Bishnoi Community: In Rajasthan, the Bishnoi community has a long tradition of protecting trees and animals, especially blackbuck and khejri trees. • JFM: Joint Forest Management involves local communities in managing degraded forests. Communities protect forests in return for non-timber forest products.

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Q15. What are the major threats to wildlife in India? [CBSE 2020] [3] • Poaching: Illegal hunting of tigers, elephants, rhinos, and other animals for skin, ivory, horns. Despite strict laws, poaching networks remain active. • Habitat Destruction: Dams, mining, highway projects, and urban expansion destroy forest habitats. River valley projects have submerged vast forest areas. • Pollution: Industrial and agricultural pollution contaminates water bodies and food chains. Pesticides kill birds and beneficial insects, disrupting ecosystems.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "Conservation of forest and wildlife is vital for the ecological balance." Explain with examples. [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Conservation is essential for ecological survival: • Food Chain: Every species plays a role in the food chain. Loss of one species (like tigers) disrupts the entire ecosystem, causing overpopulation of prey species. • Climate Regulation: Forests absorb CO2, release oxygen, and regulate rainfall. Amazon deforestation has altered rainfall patterns in South America. • Soil Protection: Tree roots bind soil. Deforestation in Himalayas has led to landslides, floods in northern plains, and siltation of rivers.

• Water Cycle: Forests act as natural sponges - absorbing rainwater and releasing it slowly. Deforestation leads to flash floods and drought. • Conservation Efforts: Project Tiger (1973), wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves, and community-based conservation have shown positive results. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q17. Describe the measures taken by the Indian government for the conservation of forests and wildlife. [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: Government has taken comprehensive conservation measures: • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Provides legal framework to protect endangered species, prohibits hunting, and establishes protected areas. • National Parks & Sanctuaries: India has over 100 national parks and 550+ wildlife sanctuaries. Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, and Gir are world-famous. • Project Tiger (1973): Dedicated programme to protect tigers. Tiger population has increased from about 1,800 in 2010 to over 3,600 by 2023.

• Forest Policy (1988): National Forest Policy aims at 33% forest cover. Joint Forest Management involves communities in protecting degraded forests. • Biosphere Reserves: 18 biosphere reserves (Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, etc.) protect biodiversity while allowing sustainable use by local communities. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q18. What are the different categories of species based on conservation status? Give examples. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: IUCN classifies species into several categories: • Normal Species: Population is at normal level. Not in danger. E.g., cattle, sal tree, pine, rodents. • Endangered Species: In danger of extinction. E.g., Indian tiger, one-horned rhino, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, snow leopard. • Vulnerable Species: Population declining, may become endangered. E.g., blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, Indian giant squirrel.

• Rare Species: Small populations, localised in limited areas. E.g., Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, hornbill, Nicobar pigeon. • Extinct Species: Not found after repeated searches. E.g., Asiatic cheetah and pink-headed duck are extinct in India. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Explain the Chipko Movement and its significance for forest conservation. [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: The Chipko Movement is a landmark in India's environmental history: • Origin: Started in the Garhwal Himalayas in the early 1970s. Villagers, especially women led by Sunderlal Bahuguna, hugged trees to prevent commercial logging. • Cause: Forest contractors were given permission to cut trees while local communities were denied rights. This sparked protests against unjust forest policies. • Method: Non-violent resistance - villagers physically embraced trees (chipko = to hug), making it impossible for loggers to cut them down.

• Impact: Led to a 15-year ban on commercial felling in the Himalayan forests. Inspired similar movements across India and environmental awareness globally. • Legacy: Demonstrated that local communities are the best guardians of forests. Influenced government policies on community forest management and environmental protection. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Explain the factors responsible for the depletion of flora and fauna in India. [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: Multiple factors have caused biodiversity loss: • Colonial Legacy: British era saw massive deforestation for railway sleepers, ship-building, and plantations. Forests were treated as revenue sources, not ecological assets. • Agricultural Expansion: After independence, forests cleared for agriculture to feed growing population. Shifting cultivation in NE India also degrades forests. • Development Projects: Dams, mining, roads, industries, and urban expansion have consumed vast forest areas.

River valley projects submerge thousands of hectares. • Overexploitation: Excessive harvesting of timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products beyond the regeneration capacity of forests. • Environmental Pollution: Industrial pollutants, pesticides, and toxic waste contaminate habitats. Plastic pollution in rivers and oceans kills aquatic wildlife. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 2 PYQ ---