NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. Choose the right answer:
(i) To which type of vegetation does rubber belong?
(a) Tundra
(b) Tidal
(c) Himalayan
(d) Tropical Evergreen
Answer: (d) Tropical Evergreen
(ii) Cinchona trees are found in areas of rainfall more than:
(a) 100 cm
(b) 50 cm
(c) 70 cm
(d) Less than 50 cm
Answer: (a) 100 cm
(iii) In which state is the Simlipal bio-reserve located?
(a) Punjab
(b) Delhi
(c) Odisha
(d) West Bengal
Answer: (c) Odisha
(iv) Which one of the following bio-reserves is not in the world network?
(a) Manas
(b) Nilgiri
(c) Gulf of Mannar
(d) Panna
Answer: (d) Panna
Q2. Answer briefly:
(i) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
→ A protected area where flora, fauna, and ecosystems are conserved. Examples: Nanda Devi, Nilgiri.
(ii) Name two animals found in tropical and montane vegetation.
→ Tropical: Elephant, tiger. Montane: Yak, snow leopard.
Q3. Distinguish between:
(i) Flora and Fauna
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Flora: Plants of a region.
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Fauna: Animals of a region.
(ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
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Evergreen: Found in >200 cm rainfall, trees shed leaves at different times, always green.
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Deciduous: Found in 70–200 cm rainfall, trees shed leaves in dry summer, dominant in India.
Q4. Types of vegetation in India; describe vegetation of high altitudes.
→ Five types: Tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, thorny forests, montane forests, mangroves.
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High altitudes (Montane forests): Vegetation changes with altitude. Up to 2000 m: broadleaf trees (oak, chestnut). Between 1500–3000 m: conifers (pine, deodar, cedar). Above 3600 m: alpine grasslands and shrubs, merging into tundra with mosses and lichens.
Q5. Why are some plants and animals endangered in India?
→ Hunting, deforestation, pollution, industrialisation, expansion of agriculture, and introduction of alien species have led to habitat loss. Overexploitation disturbs ecosystems, making many species endangered or extinct.
Q6. Why does India have a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
→ Due to varied relief (mountains, plateaus, coasts), different soils, climatic diversity, monsoon influence, and long evolutionary history. Together these factors give India one of the richest biodiversities in the world.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Describe the major types of vegetation in India.
India has five major vegetation types. Tropical Evergreen Forests are found in areas with over 200 cm rainfall, such as Western Ghats and Andamans, with trees like ebony and mahogany. Tropical Deciduous Forests are the most widespread, found in 70–200 cm rainfall zones, with teak, sal, and shisham. Tropical Thorn Forests grow in areas with less than 70 cm rainfall, such as Rajasthan, with cacti and acacia. Montane Forests change with altitude: oak and chestnut up to 2000 m, conifers up to 3000 m, and alpine vegetation above. Mangrove Forests are found in coastal deltas, with trees like sundari. This variety makes India’s vegetation diverse and rich.
Q2. Explain the importance of forests and wildlife for human beings.
Forests and wildlife are vital for ecological balance and human survival. Forests provide oxygen, purify air, regulate climate, prevent soil erosion, and conserve water. They are also a source of timber, fuel, fodder, and medicinal plants. Wildlife maintains the food chain, supports pollination, and enriches biodiversity. Animals like cows, buffaloes, and camels provide milk, draught power, and transport. Fish and birds provide food, while insects help pollinate crops. Loss of forests and wildlife disturbs ecosystems, causing floods, droughts, and climate change. Thus, their conservation is essential for present and future generations.
Q3. Discuss the Montane forests and their fauna.
Montane forests develop in mountainous regions where temperature decreases with altitude. Between 1000–2000 m, wet temperate broadleaf trees like oak and chestnut grow. Between 1500–3000 m, coniferous forests with pine, cedar, and deodar dominate. Above 3600 m, alpine vegetation with shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens is found. These zones are also grazing grounds for nomads like Gujjars. Fauna here include snow leopard, yak, Tibetan antelope, red panda, ibex, and wild sheep, adapted to cold climates. This gradual change from tropical to tundra vegetation makes montane forests unique.
Q4. What measures has India taken to conserve flora and fauna?
India has implemented several conservation measures. The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) created National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves. Today, there are 106 National Parks and 573 sanctuaries. Projects like Project Tiger, Project Rhino, and Project Elephant protect specific species. India has 18 biosphere reserves, 12 of which are in UNESCO’s world network (e.g., Sundarbans, Nanda Devi). Botanical gardens receive support, and awareness campaigns encourage afforestation and wildlife protection. Such measures aim to protect endangered species, restore ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity for sustainable development.
Q5. Why is biodiversity conservation necessary?
Biodiversity conservation is necessary because every species plays a role in ecosystems. Plants provide food, oxygen, and medicine. Animals maintain ecological balance by controlling populations of other species and aiding pollination. Humans depend on biodiversity for agriculture, resources, and livelihood. Loss of species causes imbalance, leading to floods, droughts, and climate change. India’s 1,300 endangered plants and many threatened animals show urgent need for conservation. Protecting biodiversity ensures food security, ecological stability, and sustainable development for future generations.
MCQs
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Natural vegetation refers to:
(a) Cultivated plants
(b) Virgin plants growing naturally
(c) Botanical gardens
(d) Crops and orchards
Answer: (b) -
Flora means:
(a) Animal species
(b) Plant species
(c) Soil type
(d) Climate
Answer: (b) -
Fauna means:
(a) Animals of a region
(b) Trees of a region
(c) Rivers of a region
(d) Minerals of a region
Answer: (a) -
Evergreen forests are found in rainfall above:
(a) 70 cm
(b) 100 cm
(c) 200 cm
(d) 50 cm
Answer: (c) -
Teak is dominant in:
(a) Evergreen forests
(b) Thorn forests
(c) Moist deciduous forests
(d) Mangroves
Answer: (c) -
Dry deciduous forests found in:
(a) 200–100 cm rainfall
(b) 70–200 cm rainfall
(c) 100–70 cm rainfall
(d) <50 cm rainfall
Answer: (c) -
Thorn forests grow in:
(a) >200 cm rainfall
(b) <70 cm rainfall
(c) 100–200 cm rainfall
(d) Coastal areas
Answer: (b) -
Sundari tree is found in:
(a) Western Ghats
(b) Ganga delta
(c) Thar Desert
(d) Himalayas
Answer: (b) -
Largest mangrove forest in India:
(a) Malabar Coast
(b) Sunderbans
(c) Lakshadweep
(d) Andamans
Answer: (b) -
Royal Bengal Tiger found in:
(a) Gir Forest
(b) Sunderbans
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Nilgiris
Answer: (b) -
Asiatic lion found in:
(a) Kaziranga
(b) Gir Forest
(c) Sundarbans
(d) Periyar
Answer: (b) -
One-horned rhinoceros found in:
(a) Kerala
(b) Assam
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Gujarat
Answer: (b) -
India’s only active volcano:
(a) Narcondam
(b) Barren Island
(c) Lakshadweep
(d) Car Nicobar
Answer: (b) -
“Project Tiger” launched in:
(a) 1962
(b) 1972
(c) 1980
(d) 1992
Answer: (b) -
Number of National Parks in India (approx):
(a) 106
(b) 573
(c) 28
(d) 18
Answer: (a) -
Medicinal plant for blood pressure:
(a) Neem
(b) Sarpagandha
(c) Arjun
(d) Tulsi
Answer: (b) -
Biosphere reserves in UNESCO list:
(a) 5
(b) 8
(c) 12
(d) 18
Answer: (c) -
Migratory bird “Siberian Crane” visits:
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Rann of Kachchh
(c) Kerala
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (b) -
Cold desert biosphere reserve is in:
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Ladakh
(c) Gujarat
(d) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: (b) -
Wildlife Protection Act passed in:
(a) 1952
(b) 1972
(c) 1982
(d) 1992
Answer: (b)
Fill in the Blanks
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Virgin vegetation left undisturbed is called natural vegetation.
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Plants of a region are called flora.
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Animals of a region are called fauna.
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India has about 47,000 plant species.
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Tropical Evergreen forests remain green throughout the year.
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The most widespread forests in India are tropical deciduous.
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The only home of Asiatic lions is Gir forest in Gujarat.
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One-horned rhinoceros lives in Assam and West Bengal.
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The Sundarbans mangroves are famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.
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The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972.