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Questions and Answers
In what part of India is the Lepcha folk song from?
In what part of India is the Lepcha folk song from?
The Lepcha folk song comes from the northern part of West Bengal.
India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of its array of biological diversity.
India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of its array of biological diversity.
True
What percentage of the total number of species in the world are estimated to be found in India?
What percentage of the total number of species in the world are estimated to be found in India?
India is estimated to have nearly 8% of the total number of species in the world.
What are endemic species?
What are endemic species?
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How many species of fauna and flora are thought to be present in India?
How many species of fauna and flora are thought to be present in India?
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Over 15,000 of the flowering species found in India are endemic to the country.
Over 15,000 of the flowering species found in India are endemic to the country.
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Identify some threats faced by India’s recorded wild flora and fauna.
Identify some threats faced by India’s recorded wild flora and fauna.
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Which of these factors are considered to be threats to biodiversity in India?
Which of these factors are considered to be threats to biodiversity in India?
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The destruction of forests and wildlife in India is only a biological issue.
The destruction of forests and wildlife in India is only a biological issue.
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India's forests are solely managed by the government through the Forest department.
India's forests are solely managed by the government through the Forest department.
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What are the three major types of forests in India, based on their ownership and management?
What are the three major types of forests in India, based on their ownership and management?
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More than half of India's total forest land is declared ______ forests.
More than half of India's total forest land is declared ______ forests.
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Why are protected forests important?
Why are protected forests important?
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What are unclassed forests, and who manages them?
What are unclassed forests, and who manages them?
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The largest area under permanent forest cover in India is Madhya Pradesh.
The largest area under permanent forest cover in India is Madhya Pradesh.
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All of the North-eastern states in India are known for having a high percentage of protected forests.
All of the North-eastern states in India are known for having a high percentage of protected forests.
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Community-based conservation strategies are a new and recent development in India.
Community-based conservation strategies are a new and recent development in India.
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Describe the traditional practice of 'sacred groves' in India.
Describe the traditional practice of 'sacred groves' in India.
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What is the Chipko movement and what is its significance?
What is the Chipko movement and what is its significance?
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The Beej Bachao Andolan works to promote sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing the use of a wide variety of crops, without relying on synthetic chemicals.
The Beej Bachao Andolan works to promote sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing the use of a wide variety of crops, without relying on synthetic chemicals.
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What is the main objective of the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in India?
What is the main objective of the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program in India?
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The JFM program is a new initiative in India, implemented only after the turn of the 21st century.
The JFM program is a new initiative in India, implemented only after the turn of the 21st century.
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The JFM program is considered to be a very successful model for involving local communities in forest management and conservation.
The JFM program is considered to be a very successful model for involving local communities in forest management and conservation.
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What is the primary argument made by Buddhists regarding the importance of trees?
What is the primary argument made by Buddhists regarding the importance of trees?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason mentioned in the text for the depletion of flora and fauna?
Which of the following is NOT a reason mentioned in the text for the depletion of flora and fauna?
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Which of the following conservation strategies emphasizes the importance of community participation?
Which of the following conservation strategies emphasizes the importance of community participation?
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Match the following animals with their category of existence based on the IUCN Red List:
Match the following animals with their category of existence based on the IUCN Red List:
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Match the following types of forest with their respective definitions:
Match the following types of forest with their respective definitions:
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What is biodiversity and why is it important for human lives?
What is biodiversity and why is it important for human lives?
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How have human activities impacted the depletion of flora and fauna in India, providing some specific examples?
How have human activities impacted the depletion of flora and fauna in India, providing some specific examples?
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Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India, including specific examples.
Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India, including specific examples.
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Give some examples of good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife in India, explaining how these practices can contribute to a sustainable future.
Give some examples of good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife in India, explaining how these practices can contribute to a sustainable future.
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Study Notes
Forest and Wildlife Resources
- India is one of the world's richest countries regarding biological diversity, having nearly 8% of the world's species (estimated at 1.6 million).
- Over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in India.
- Approximately 15,000 plant species are endemic (indigenous) to India.
- Many species are threatened or endangered, with some, like cheetahs, already extinct in India.
Biodiversity or Biological Diversity
- Biodiversity encompasses a wide array of life forms, from microorganisms to large mammals.
- It includes a complex web of ecological systems, with humans being a crucial part of the ecosystem.
- Plants, animals, and microorganisms are essential for maintaining the quality of air, water, and soil.
- Ecosystems rely on interdependencies among different species.
- Biodiversity is rich in both cultivated and wild species.
Classification of Species
- Normal Species: Species with stable populations, such as cattle, sal trees, pine trees, and rodents.
- Endangered Species: Species at risk of extinction, such as blackbuck, crocodiles, Indian wild asses, Indian rhinoceros, and lion-tailed macaques.
- Vulnerable Species: Species likely to become endangered if threat factors continue, including blue sheep and the Asiatic elephant.
- Rare Species: Species with small populations, like the Himalayan brown bear, Asiatic buffalo, and hornbill.
- Endemic Species: Found only in specific geographic areas due to natural or man-made barriers, such as the Andaman teal and Andaman wild pig.
- Extinct Species: Species no longer found in their natural habitat, such as the Asiatic cheetah and pink-headed duck.
Vanishing Forests
- Significant deforestation in India, estimated at over 78.92 million hectares (24.01% of the country), exists.
- The dense forest cover saw an increase since 1997.
- Deforestation is caused by agricultural expansion, infrastructure projects (river valley projects), mining, and other factors.
Depletion of Flora and Fauna
- Loss of forests and wildlife is a consequence of various human activities since the colonial era.
- Increased agricultural land, railways, commercial and scientific forestry, mining, and shifting cultivation are significant contributors.
- Forests provide resources like wood, bark, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, and fuel. This direct and indirect dependency on these resources has led to their depletion.
- The depletion of natural resources also affects communities that rely on these resources.
Conservation of Forests and Wildlife
- Conservation emphasizes safeguarding ecological balance.
- Recognizing biodiversity's influence on livelihoods, a national wildlife protection program was implemented with specific policies.
- Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks were established in certain areas.
- Community involvement is vital for effective conservation, with examples like the Chipko movement in the Himalayas.
- Activities like joint forest management (JFM) and the Beej Bachao Andolan demonstrate community-driven conservation measures.
Project Tiger
- To address dwindling tiger populations, the Project Tiger initiative was launched in 1973.
- The Project aimed to safeguard tiger populations across the country.
- Despite initial successes, tiger numbers have fluctuated.
Himalayan Yew
- The Himalayan Yew is an important medicinal plant.
- This plant plays a role in cancer treatment; however, over-exploitation poses a threat.
- Many conservation initiatives focus on sustainable harvesting and biodiversity rather than single components.
Other Concerns
- Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, and pollution harm biodiversity.
- Poverty and inequitable resource distribution exacerbate the environmental burden on women.
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Description
Explore the rich biodiversity of India, which hosts nearly 8% of the world's species. This quiz covers various aspects of flora and fauna, including endemic species and the importance of biodiversity in ecological systems. Test your knowledge about the classifications and conservation of wildlife resources in India.