1. Choose the correct option.
a. The natural habitat of Asiatic Lions is in:
i. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
ii. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
iii. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
iv. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: ii. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
b. Plant species like adenoon and calacanthus are found in:
i. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
ii. Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary
iii. Dudhwa National Park
iv. Kaziranga National Park
Answer: i. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
c. Those species of plants and animals that are found exclusively in a particular area are termed as ______ species.
i. extinct
ii. endangered
iii. endemic
iv. vulnerable
Answer: iii. endemic.
d. ______ is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants.
i. Blue Data Book
ii. Red Data Book
iii. Green Data Book
iv. Black Data Book
Answer: ii. Red Data Book.
2. Assertion-Reasoning questions.
For each pair choose (a), (b), (c) or (d) from the given codes:
- (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true, R is false.
- (d) A is false, R is true.
(i) Assertion (A): A biosphere reserve is a protected area.
Reason (R): No restriction on human activities is imposed in any of the zones of the biosphere reserve.
Answer: (c) — A is true, R is false.
Explanation (brief): Biosphere reserves are protected areas with zones (core, buffer, transition). Some zones allow limited human activity; others restrict it.
(ii) Assertion (A): Critically endangered species must be protected with utmost care.
Reason (R): Critically endangered species have very small populations that are under the threat of extinction.
Answer: (a) — Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A.
3. Answer the following in one sentence.
a. What is a biosphere?
Answer: A biosphere is a large natural area where plants, animals and people interact with the physical environment; it includes all ecosystems in that region and is managed to conserve biodiversity.
b. How many trees are required to make one tonne of paper?
Answer: About 15–20 mature trees are needed to make one tonne of paper commonly quoted figure: about 17 trees.
c. Which species is endemic to the Kaziranga National Park?
Answer: The Indian one-horned rhinoceros (the one-horned rhino) is famously found in Kaziranga National Park.
d. What does conservation of natural resources mean?
Answer: Conservation of natural resources means using and managing natural resources carefully so they last longer, protect ecosystems, and meet people’s needs now and in the future.
e. What is a water table?
Answer: The water table is the top level of the groundwater under the ground; it is the depth at which soil and rock are fully saturated with water.
4. Answer the following questions in 2–3 sentences.
a(i). Define desertification.
Answer: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, usually because of drought, deforestation, or harmful farming practices. It reduces soil fertility and makes land less usable for crops or grazing.
a(ii). Define deforestation.
Answer: Deforestation is the clearing or removal of forests for agriculture, logging, development or other uses. It causes habitat loss, reduces biodiversity, and can increase soil erosion and climate change.
b. List any two natural causes of deforestation.
Answer: Two natural causes are large wildfires and pest or disease outbreaks that kill trees. Severe storms or prolonged droughts can also damage forests and lead to tree loss.
c. Birds generally migrate during the winter season. Give two points to justify the statement.
Answer: Birds migrate in winter to find warmer areas and more reliable food sources (insects, seeds). Migration helps them survive harsh weather and increases their chances of successful feeding and breeding.
d. Suggest three ways to prevent forest fires.
Answer: 1) Create and maintain firebreaks and clear underbrush to stop the spread. 2) Use controlled (prescribed) burning under safe conditions to remove excess fuel. 3) Enforce rules about campfires and educate local people to avoid careless burning and to report fires quickly.
5. Answer the following questions in 3–5 sentences.
a. What is a national park? Name a national park found in the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Also list three endemic vegetation found in this biosphere reserve.
Answer: A national park is an area legally protected to conserve wildlife, habitats and natural resources; human activities are restricted to protect biodiversity. The Satpura (or Satpura National Park / Satpura Tiger Reserve) is part of the Pachmarhi (Panchmarhi) Biosphere Reserve in central India. Vegetation in the reserve includes mixed deciduous forests with trees such as teak, sal and patches of bamboo (these types represent the common native vegetation in the region).
b. State two reasons to recycle paper. Mention three strategies that can be used to reduce the wastage of paper other than recycling paper.
Answer: Recycling paper saves trees and reduces the energy and water needed to produce new paper; it also lowers landfill waste and pollution. Three ways to reduce paper wastage are: (1) use digital documents and emails instead of printing, (2) print double-sided and reuse one-sided scrap paper for notes, (3) encourage lightweight packaging and use paper only where necessary (avoid unnecessary printing and junk mail).