This MCQ module is based on: Flora, Fauna & Wildlife Conservation Class 10 NCERT Geography Ch 2 Part 1
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Flora, Fauna & Wildlife Conservation Class 10 NCERT Geography Ch 2 Part 1
🎓 Class 10
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 2 — Forest and Wildlife Resources
⏱ ~15 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
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Flora, Fauna & Wildlife Conservation
NCERT Contemporary India-II | Forest and Wildlife Resources
Why Is Biodiversity Important? Understanding India's Web of Life
Lepcha Folk Song
O Narak! My Lord, you are the creator of music in the world of Lepchas. Let me gather your music from the springs, the rivers, the mountains, the forests, the insects and the animals.
— Traditional Lepcha Folk Song
Our planet is shared with millions of living organisms — from microscopic bacteria and lichens to towering banyan trees, elephants, and blue whales. This entire habitat is characterised by immense biodiversity?. Human beings, along with all other living organisms, form an intricate web of ecological relationships. We are only one part of this complex system and are deeply dependent on it for our survival.
Definition
Biodiversity (Biological Diversity): The variety and variability of all forms of life on Earth — including plants (flora), animals (fauna), and micro-organisms — that are diverse in form and function but interconnected through multiple networks of interdependencies.
Consider this: plants, animals, and micro-organisms continuously regenerate the air we breathe, purify the water we drink, and maintain the soil that produces our food. Forests? are the primary producers in the ecological system upon which all other living beings depend. Without them, the entire ecological balance would collapse.
Flora and Fauna in India
India ranks among the world's richest countries in terms of biological diversity. The country possesses a vast array of flora? and fauna? — and scientists estimate that the number of species yet to be discovered may be two to three times the currently known count. These diverse life forms are so well integrated into our daily lives that we often take them for granted. However, they are increasingly under severe stress, primarily due to human insensitivity towards the environment.
LET'S EXPLORE — Local Biodiversity
L3 Apply
Look around your neighbourhood or village. Can you identify plants and animals that are unique to your area? Think about the following:
- Which trees, shrubs, or grasses grow naturally in your region?
- Which birds, insects, or animals do you commonly see?
- Are any of these species found only in your region and not elsewhere?
- What stories from your region describe a harmonious relationship between people and nature?
Guidance
Every region of India has unique species adapted to its specific climate and terrain. For instance, the Western Ghats are home to the lion-tailed macaque, while the Sundarbans host the Royal Bengal Tiger. Local folk stories often reflect deep ecological awareness — the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan has protected blackbuck and khejri trees for centuries based on religious teachings.
How Are Forests and Wildlife Conserved in India?
Against the backdrop of rapid decline in wildlife populations and shrinking forest cover, conservation has become an urgent necessity. But why is it essential to conserve forests and wildlife? Conservation fulfils three critical functions:
Ecological Diversity
Preserves the life-support systems we depend on — water, air, and soil — maintaining the overall health of ecosystems.
Genetic Diversity
Safeguards the genetic pool of plants and animals, enabling better growth, breeding, and adaptation of species over time.
Agricultural & Fishery Base
Agriculture still depends on traditional crop varieties, and fisheries rely heavily on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
During the 1960s and 1970s, conservationists raised a strong demand for a national wildlife protection programme. In response, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act? was enacted in 1972. This landmark legislation included several key provisions:
- Protection of habitats for endangered species
- An all-India list of protected species?
- A complete ban on hunting of designated species
- Restrictions on trade in wildlife and wildlife products
- Establishment of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
The central government also launched several species-specific conservation projects for animals facing grave threats, including the tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag (hangul), three types of crocodiles (freshwater, saltwater, and gharial), and the Asiatic lion. More recently, the Indian elephant, blackbuck (chinkara), great Indian bustard (godawan), and snow leopard have also received full or partial legal protection against hunting and trade across India.
Important
Under the Wildlife Act amendments of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly species were added to the protected list. In 1991, plants were included for the first time — starting with six species. This marked a shift towards comprehensive biodiversity conservation.
What Is Project Tiger and How Has It Saved India's Tigers?
The tiger occupies a central position in the faunal web. By 1973, India's tiger population had plummeted to just 1,827 — down from an estimated 55,000 at the start of the twentieth century. The major threats to tigers included poaching for the skin trade, use of bones in traditional Asian medicines, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey species, and growing human encroachment.
Geography Fact
India and Nepal together harbour approximately two-thirds of the world's surviving tiger population, making these two nations prime targets for poachers and illegal wildlife traders.
Project Tiger?, launched in 1973, became one of the most well-known wildlife conservation campaigns globally. Tiger conservation was viewed not merely as an effort to save a single endangered species, but equally as a strategy for preserving entire biotypes of significant ecological magnitude.
Tiger Population Trend in India
L4 AnalyseSource: Project Tiger estimates and national tiger census data
Major Tiger Reserves of India
| Tiger Reserve | State | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | India's first national park (1936); oldest tiger reserve |
| Sunderbans National Park | West Bengal | Largest mangrove forest; home to the swimming Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | One of the highest tiger densities in India |
| Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary | Rajasthan | Arid-region tiger habitat; site of tiger reintroduction |
| Manas Tiger Reserve | Assam | UNESCO World Heritage Site; rich in rare species |
| Periyar Tiger Reserve | Kerala | Located around Periyar Lake; important elephant habitat too |
Timeline — Key Conservation Milestones
1936
Hailey National Park Established
India's first national park (now Jim Corbett National Park) was set up in Uttarakhand, laying the foundation for protected area networks.1972
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act
A comprehensive legislation was enacted to protect habitats, ban hunting of endangered species, and regulate wildlife trade across India.1973
Project Tiger Launched
With only 1,827 tigers remaining, Project Tiger was initiated to protect tiger habitats and ensure the survival of the species along with its entire ecosystem.1980 & 1986
Wildlife Act Amendments
Hundreds of insect species (butterflies, moths, beetles) and one dragonfly were added to the protected species list under notifications of the Wildlife Act.1991
Plants Added to Protected List
For the first time, six plant species were included in the list of protected species, expanding conservation beyond fauna to include flora.THINK ABOUT IT — Why Conserve Tigers?
L5 Evaluate
The tiger is called a "keystone species" in the ecological web. Consider the following questions:
- Why is the tiger considered a key wildlife species in the faunal web?
- What would happen to the ecosystem if tigers disappeared entirely?
- Why do conservationists now focus on biodiversity rather than protecting just one species?
Guidance
Tigers are apex predators — they regulate populations of herbivores like deer and wild boar, which in turn prevents overgrazing and forest degradation. Removing tigers would trigger a cascade of imbalances: herbivore populations would explode, vegetation would be overgrazed, soil erosion would increase, and water sources would be affected. This is why modern conservation focuses on entire ecosystems and biodiversity rather than single species — protecting the tiger effectively protects the entire habitat and all species within it.
Competency-Based Questions — Flora, Fauna & Conservation
A government report reveals that the population of a particular bird species in a coastal wetland has dropped by 70% over the past decade. Local fisheries have also reported declining fish catches. Scientists suspect that industrial effluents discharged into the wetland are disrupting the food chain.
Q1. Which of the following best explains the relationship between the declining bird population and reduced fish catches?
L4 Analyse
Q2. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 focused primarily on which conservation strategy?
L3 Apply
Q3. Evaluate why conservation projects now emphasise biodiversity rather than focusing on individual species alone.
L5 Evaluate
Q4. (HOT) Design a conservation awareness campaign for your school that highlights the importance of local biodiversity. What three key messages would you communicate and why?
L6 Create
Assertion–Reason Questions
Assertion (A): Project Tiger was launched in India in 1973.
Reason (R): The tiger population had declined to approximately 1,827 from an estimated 55,000 at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Reason (R): The tiger population had declined to approximately 1,827 from an estimated 55,000 at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Assertion (A): The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 included insects in its protected species list from the very beginning.
Reason (R): Conservation planning has expanded from large mammals to include insects and plants over time.
Reason (R): Conservation planning has expanded from large mammals to include insects and plants over time.
Assertion (A): India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of biological diversity.
Reason (R): India's diverse climatic zones, altitudinal variation, and geographical features support a vast array of plant and animal species.
Reason (R): India's diverse climatic zones, altitudinal variation, and geographical features support a vast array of plant and animal species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biodiversity and why is it important for India?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms found in a particular region, including plants (flora), animals (fauna), and micro-organisms. India is one of the world's richest countries in biodiversity, hosting about 8% of the world's species. Biodiversity is important because it maintains ecological balance, provides food, medicines, raw materials, and supports ecosystem services like pollination and water purification. Loss of biodiversity disrupts food chains and threatens human survival.
What is the Wildlife Protection Act 1972?
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972 to protect India's endangered flora and fauna. It provides a legal framework for establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves. The Act prohibits hunting and poaching of listed species and regulates trade in wildlife products. It has been amended several times to include more species and strengthen enforcement. Under this Act, India has established over 100 national parks and 500+ wildlife sanctuaries.
What is Project Tiger and when was it launched?
Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 by the Government of India to protect the Bengal tiger from extinction. Initially covering 9 tiger reserves, the project has expanded to over 50 reserves across India. The programme focuses on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and scientific monitoring. According to the 2018 census, India's tiger population had risen to approximately 2,967 from an all-time low of 1,411 in 2006, making Project Tiger one of the most successful conservation programmes globally.
What is the difference between extinct and endangered species?
Extinct species are those that no longer exist anywhere on Earth, such as the dodo and the Asian cheetah in India. Endangered species are those whose population has declined to a critical level and face the risk of extinction, such as the Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, and Asiatic lion. The NCERT textbook also mentions vulnerable species, which may become endangered if threatening conditions persist, and rare species with small populations found in limited habitats.
What are the major threats to India's biodiversity?
Major threats to India's biodiversity include habitat destruction through deforestation and land conversion, hunting and poaching for commercial gain, environmental pollution from industries and agriculture, introduction of invasive alien species, and climate change altering ecosystems. The NCERT textbook highlights that over-exploitation of forest resources during the colonial period and continued urbanisation have significantly reduced India's wildlife population. Human-wildlife conflict is also a growing concern in many states.
How many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are there in India?
India has established over 100 national parks and more than 500 wildlife sanctuaries as part of its Protected Area network. Additionally, there are 18 Biosphere Reserves that serve as multi-purpose protected areas. These protected areas cover approximately 5% of India's total geographical area. Important examples include Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Kaziranga (Assam), Ranthambore (Rajasthan), and Sundarbans (West Bengal). These areas are crucial for in-situ conservation of endangered species.
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Social Science Class 10 — Contemporary India II (Geography)
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