Chapter 2 of Class 10 Social Science Forest and Wildlife Resources describes the importance of forests and wildlife in our environment. It describes some of the flora and fauna in India, the reasons why some species are becoming extinct; and conservation measures that can be taken. It also describes biodiversity, conservation efforts, and the role of communities in conservation.
This chapter is from the NCERT Class 10 Geography book, Contemporary India II, and follows the latest syllabus and equipping students with the ability to better understand environmental issues and the importance of natural heritage.
The NCERT Solutions here contain correct solutions to the questions that are in the textbook, with the use of simple English in the answers. The solutions here will help in effective revision and create a good foundation for environment-related questions in the CBSE Board exam or other competitive exams.
The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife teaches about protecting nature and conserving our environment. Download the free PDF of the solutions from below:
This chapter teaches valuable lessons about the natural world and conservation. Here are the highlights:
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) Which of the following conservation strategies does not directly involve community participation?
(1) Joint Forest Management
(2) Beej Bachao Andolan
(3) Chipko Movement
(4) Demarcation of Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Ans. (4)
(ii) Match the following:
Ans. (A)-(ii), (B)-(iii), (C)-(i)
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Define Biodiversity. How is Biodiversity important for human lives?
Ans. Biodiversity or biological diversity means the quantity and variety of plant and animal species found in a given environment. Biodiversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function but closely integrated in a system through multiple network of interdependencies.
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Ans. Several human activities have affected the depletion of flora and fauna and has led to decline in India’s biodiversity. The main factors responsible for this damage are as follows:
(i) Habitat destruction, mainly due to overpopulation leading to expansion of agriculture, mining, industrialisation and urbanisation and consequent wiping out of large forest areas.
(ii) Hunting and poaching and illegal trade of animal skin, tusk, bones, teeth, horns, etc have lead many speices to the verge of extinction.
(iii) Environmental pollution, poisoning of water bodies due to discharge of industrial effluents, chemicals, wastes, etc. leading to animal deaths.
(iv) Forest fires often induced by shifting cultivation wiping out valuable forests and wildlife.
(v) Large scale development projects and destruction of forests.
(vi) Grazing and fuel wood collection.
(vii) Over-exploitation of forest products and depletion of flora and fauna. Other important causes of environmental destruction are unequal access, inequitable consumption of forest resources and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental wellbeing.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?
Ans. The communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India because these communities have a complex relationship with the environment. The different tribes and people worship the different trees like the Mundas and the Santhal of Chhota Nagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba trees; the tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship the tamarind and mango trees. Some villagers have banned hunting and some have opposed mining activities in order to preserve the forest land.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Ans. Good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife are plenty. Nowadays, many non-governmental organisations are working towards creating public awareness for conserving depleting forest cover and vanishing wildlife. Central and state governments in India have set up national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect forests and endangered species in wildlife. A recently developing practice towards conservation is the search for different conservation measures. Biodiversity is the new by-word of good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife. Various communities, especially in tribal areas, who are dependent on forests for their living are now taking an active role in this form of conservation.
(Session 2025 - 26)