Forest and Wildlife Resources
Case Study Based Questions
Source 1
Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:
In the 1960s and 1970s, conservationists demanded a national wildlife protection
programme. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with various
provisions for protecting habitats. An all-India list of protected species was also
published. The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining
population of certain endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to
their habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife. Subsequently, central and many state
governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries about which you have
already studied. The Central Government also announced several projects for protecting
specific animals, which were gravely threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned
rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, three types of crocodiles- fresh water crocodile,
saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic lion, and others. Most recently, the Indian
elephant, black buck (chinkara), the great Indian bustard (godawan) and the snow
leopard, etc. have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade
throughout India.
Q1. In which year, the Indian Wildlife (Protection Act) as implemented?
a. 1970
b. 1971
c. 1972
d. 1974
Q2. In what way could the wildlife protection programme protect the population
of endangered species?
a. Banning hunting.
b. Giving legal protection to their habitats.
c. Restricting trade in wildlife.
d. All of the above.
Q3. Which of the following animals have been given full or partial legal
protection against hunting and trade?
a. Indian elephant
b. Black buck (chinkara)
c. Great Indian bustard
d. All of these
Q4. What is the term used for the plant and animal species which are in danger of
getting extinct?
a. Extinct species
b. Endangered species
c. Threatened species
d. Vulnerable species
Q5. Which of the following is an example of threatened species?
a. Gangetic dolphin
b. Nicobar pigeon
c. Asiatic cheetah
d. Asiatic lion
Q6. Which of the following animals have been announced to be protected by the
Central Government?
a. One-horned rhinoceros
b. Kashmir stag
c. Asiatic lion
d. All of these
Answers
1. (c)
2. (d)
3. (d)
4. (b)
5. (d)
6. (d)
Source 2
Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow by choosing
the most appropriate option:
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. Certain societies revere a particular tree which they
have preserved from time immemorial. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chota Nagpur
region worship mahua (Bassia latifolia) and kadamba (Anthocaphalus cadamba) trees,
and the tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and
mango (Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. To many of us, peepal and banyan
trees are considered sacred. Indian society comprises several cultures, each with its own
set of traditional methods of conserving nature and its creations. Sacred qualities are
often ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants and animals which are closely
protected. You will find troops of macaques and langurs around many temples. They are
fed daily and treated as a part of temple devotees. In and around Bishnoi villages in
Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck, (chinkara), nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral
part of the community and nobody harms them.
Q1. How is nature worship an age old tribal belief?
Ans. Nature worship is an age old tribal belief as it is based on the promise that all
creations of nature have to be protected. Such beliefs have preserved several virgin
forests in pristine form called Sacred groves. These patches of forests, have been left
untouched by the local people and any interference with them is banned.
Q2. Which tribal societies used to worship tress during weddings?
Ans. The Mundas and the Santhal of Chota Nagpur region worship mahua (Bassia
latifolia) and Kadamba trees. The tribes of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind and
mango trees during weddings.
Q3. Name the animals that are treated as a part of temple devotees and the
community.
Ans. The animals that are treated as a part of temple devotees and the community are
macaques and langurs while the herds of blackbuck, nilgai and peacocks can be seen as
an integral part of community in and around Rajasthan.