Competency-Based Questions

Question 1. Why is protecting a biome more effective than protecting only a single species?

Answer: Protecting an entire biome helps conserve many species together with their habitats, food sources and ecological relationships. It also protects soil, water and other environmental conditions necessary for survival.

Protecting only one species may not be enough if its habitat continues to be destroyed. Therefore, biome-level conservation can support the survival of many interdependent organisms.

Question 2. Why can the destruction of forests affect people living far away from them?

Answer: Forests influence the global carbon cycle, water cycle and climate. Large-scale forest destruction can increase atmospheric carbon dioxide, affect rainfall patterns and contribute to climate change.

These changes can influence agriculture, water availability and weather conditions in distant regions. Forest destruction is therefore not only a local problem; it can have wider environmental and social effects.

Question 3. Can traditional knowledge and modern laws work together to conserve forests? Explain with an example.

Answer: Yes. Traditional knowledge can help communities understand local plants, animals and seasonal changes, while modern laws can provide a legal framework for recognising rights and regulating resource use.

The Mendha Lekha model illustrates this relationship. Community decisions, traditional knowledge and recognised forest rights are combined with rules for sustainable use and forest protection.

Such cooperation can support both conservation and local livelihoods.

Question 4. What may happen if ecological commons are privatised or overused?

Answer: If ecological commons are privatised or overused, local communities may lose access to resources they have traditionally shared. This can affect their food supply, income and access to water, fuel or fodder.

Overuse may also degrade forests, lakes and grazing lands, reducing biodiversity and ecological stability. Fair access, community participation and sustainable management are important for protecting these resources.

Question 5. How can students contribute to biodiversity conservation?

Answer: Students can contribute by planting suitable native species, saving water, reducing waste and avoiding harm to wildlife. They can learn about local ecosystems, spread awareness about biodiversity and participate in school or community conservation activities.

They should also avoid disturbing wildlife habitats and report environmental damage to the appropriate authorities. Small, responsible actions can help develop a wider culture of conservation.

Questions and Activities (NCERT Based)

Question 1. Why does India have diverse biomes? How does the local geography connect to the diversity?

Answer: India has diverse biomes because it has great variations in climate, temperature, rainfall, altitude and landforms. The country has high mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, forests, coastal regions and islands.

Local geography influences the types of plants and animals found in a region.

Himalayan region: Cold climate and high altitude support coniferous forests and animals adapted to cold conditions.

Thar Desert: Low rainfall and dry conditions support thorny plants, camels and other drought-adapted animals.

Western Ghats and North-East India: Heavy rainfall supports dense forests and rich biodiversity.

Northern Plains: Fertile soil and sufficient water support agriculture and grassland vegetation in suitable areas.

Coastal regions: Mangrove forests, marine organisms and other coastal species are found here.

Thus, variations in physical features and climate make India rich in different biomes and living organisms.

Question 2. Make a list of economically valuable native plants in your region and comment on their abundance.

Answer: Economically valuable native plants are plants that naturally grow in a region and provide useful products or income to people.

Plant	Economic importance	Abundance
Neem	Used in traditional remedies, soaps and other products	Common in many parts of India
Babool (Kikar)	Provides timber, fuelwood and gum	Common in dry and semi-arid regions
Khejri	Provides fodder, fuelwood and helps conserve soil	Important in Rajasthan's dry regions
Peepal	Has ecological, cultural and medicinal importance	Found in many parts of India
Mahua	Flowers and seeds provide food and income	Common in several central Indian forest regions
Bamboo	Used in construction, handicrafts and household products	Common in many forested regions

The abundance of these plants depends on rainfall, temperature, soil, human activities and conservation practices. Excessive cutting and habitat destruction can reduce their numbers.

Note: These are examples from different Indian regions. For this activity, select plants native to your own state or locality.

Question 3. Prepare a map of your state or Union Territory showing national parks and sanctuaries.

Answer: To complete this activity:

Take an outline map of your state or Union Territory.
Mark the locations of its national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Use different symbols for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Write the names of the protected areas clearly.
Add a legend explaining the symbols and mention the source of your map.

Examples of protected areas in India include:

Ranthambore National Park — Rajasthan
Keoladeo National Park — Rajasthan
Jim Corbett National Park — Uttarakhand
Kaziranga National Park — Assam
Gir National Park — Gujarat
Sundarbans National Park — West Bengal

Choose the protected areas belonging to your state for the final map.

Question 4. Study the impact of forest fires on people dependent on forests. Include the causes, losses and preventive measures.

Answer: Forest fires can seriously affect people who depend on forests for food, fuel, fodder, medicines and income.

Causes of forest fires –

Natural causes, such as lightning.
Carelessly discarded burning materials.
Uncontrolled campfires and burning of vegetation.
Deliberate burning of forest areas.
Hot, dry and windy weather, which allows fires to spread quickly.

Losses caused by forest fires –

Destruction of trees, plants and wildlife habitats.
Loss of forest products such as honey, bamboo, tendu leaves and medicinal plants.
Loss of income and employment for forest-dependent communities.
Damage to soil and deterioration of air quality.
Increased risk of soil erosion and damage to biodiversity.

Preventive measures –

Avoid leaving fires unattended in or near forests.
Create and maintain fire lines to limit the spread of fires.
Remove excessive dry vegetation where appropriate.
Educate local communities about fire safety.
Report smoke or fires quickly to forest authorities.
Involve local people in monitoring and managing forests.

Preventing forest fires protects biodiversity and the livelihoods of forest-dependent people.

Question 5. Why are forests often called the ‘lungs of the Earth’?

Answer: Forests are often called the “lungs of the Earth” because plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen. Forests also store carbon, help regulate the climate, maintain the water cycle and provide habitats for countless organisms.

Question 6. If large forest areas continue to be destroyed, what do you think would be its long-term effect on the global climate?

Answer: Continued destruction of large forest areas can have serious long-term effects on the global climate.

Increase in carbon dioxide: Fewer trees absorb carbon dioxide, and cutting or burning forests may release stored carbon.

Global warming: Higher levels of greenhouse gases can increase the Earth's average temperature.

Changes in rainfall: Forest loss can disturb the water cycle and affect rainfall patterns.

Loss of biodiversity: Many plants and animals may lose their natural habitats.

Soil degradation: Without tree cover, soil erosion and land degradation can increase.

Greater climate risks: Changes in temperature and rainfall may worsen droughts, floods and heat stress in some regions.

Question 7. Discuss some traditional forest conservation methods with your grandparents or an elderly person.

Answer: Traditional forest conservation methods developed through the experience and knowledge of local communities. Some important examples are:

Sacred groves: Forest patches protected because of religious and cultural beliefs.

Community rules: Local communities regulate tree cutting and the collection of forest products.

Protection of certain species: Some trees and animals are protected because of cultural or religious importance.

Controlled collection: People collect forest products in ways that allow plants to regenerate.

Seasonal restrictions: Collection of particular products may be restricted during breeding or regeneration periods.

Community monitoring: Villagers work together to prevent illegal cutting and forest fires.

For example, the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan is known for protecting trees and wildlife. Traditional practices can support modern conservation when they are adapted to local ecological conditions.

Question 8. How do forest dwellers contribute to the protection and conservation of forests?

Answer: Forest dwellers play an important role in forest protection because their lives and livelihoods are closely connected with forests.

They possess traditional knowledge about local plants, animals and medicinal herbs.
They help prevent illegal tree cutting and the overuse of forest resources.
They collect forest products such as honey, bamboo, mahua flowers and tendu leaves for their livelihoods.
They can identify environmental changes and threats to forests.
They participate in community forest management and conservation activities.
They protect culturally important forest areas, including sacred groves.
They help prevent and report forest fires and support the regeneration of vegetation.

Their participation, along with legal rights and sustainable practices, can help conserve biodiversity while protecting their livelihoods.

Question 9. What is a forest fire? Prepare a plan for prevention and mitigation of forest fires.

Answer: A forest fire is an uncontrolled fire that spreads through forest vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, grass and dry leaves.

A plan for the prevention and mitigation of forest fires should include the following steps:

1. Prevention

Create awareness about forest fire risks.
Avoid careless burning and leaving fires unattended.
Maintain fire lines in suitable locations.
Manage dry vegetation where necessary.
Monitor forests during hot and dry weather.

2. Early detection

Encourage local people to report smoke or fires immediately.
Use watchtowers, patrols and suitable monitoring technology.
Keep communication systems ready for emergency reporting.

3. Immediate response

Inform the forest department and emergency services.
Restrict entry into dangerous areas.
Evacuate people when required.
Allow only trained personnel with appropriate equipment to fight fires.

4. Recovery and restoration

Assess damage to forests, wildlife and nearby settlements.
Restore damaged areas using suitable native vegetation.
Prevent soil erosion and protect water sources.
Provide assistance to affected communities.

5. Community participation

Local communities, forest officials and disaster-management authorities should work together to reduce risks, respond quickly and restore damaged forests.

Other Important Questions

Question 1. What is a biome? Explain the main factors used to classify biomes.

Answer: A biome is a large geographical region characterised by particular climatic conditions and typical plant and animal life.

The main factors used to classify biomes are:

Temperature: Determines which organisms can survive in a region.
Precipitation: The amount and pattern of rainfall influence vegetation.
Vegetation: The dominant plant life helps identify a biome.
Animal life: Different animals are adapted to the conditions of different biomes.
Geographical features: Altitude, latitude and landforms also influence biome distribution.

Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra and aquatic biomes.

Question 2. Differentiate between terrestrial and aquatic biomes.

Answer:

Terrestrial biomes	Aquatic biomes
Found mainly on land.	Found in water.
Their distribution depends greatly on temperature, rainfall and soil.	Their characteristics depend on factors such as salinity, depth, temperature and water movement.
Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts and tundra.	Examples include rivers, lakes, wetlands, seas and oceans.
Plants and animals are adapted to conditions on land.	Organisms are adapted to freshwater or marine environments.

Question 3. Describe the main types of terrestrial biomes.

Answer: The main terrestrial biomes are:

Forest biome: Receives sufficient moisture to support trees. Forests provide habitats, store carbon and support human livelihoods.
Grassland biome: Dominated by grasses, often with relatively few trees. It supports grazing animals and pastoral activities.
Desert biome: Receives very little rainfall. Plants and animals have special adaptations to survive dry conditions.
Tundra biome: Found in extremely cold regions. It has long winters, short summers and limited vegetation.

Question 4. Why is the Tundra biome considered fragile?

Answer: The tundra biome is fragile because its climate is extremely cold, its growing season is short and its soil may remain frozen for most of the year. This frozen ground is called permafrost.

Plants grow slowly, and damaged vegetation may take a long time to recover. Even small changes in temperature can affect frozen soil, vegetation and animal habitats. Therefore, the tundra is particularly sensitive to environmental changes.

Question 5. What is a biome pyramid? Explain its importance.

Answer: A biome pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationships between organisms at different trophic levels, often showing their number, biomass or energy.

Producers: Plants and algae capture solar energy through photosynthesis.
Primary consumers: Herbivores feed on producers.
Secondary consumers: Carnivores feed on herbivores or other consumers.
Top predators: Occupy higher levels of the food chain.

As energy passes from one trophic level to the next, some is lost through metabolic processes and as heat. Consequently, less energy is available at higher levels.

The pyramid helps us understand food relationships, energy flow and ecological balance.

Question 6. How are biomes and living organisms interconnected?

Answer: Biomes and living organisms depend on one another.

Plants provide food, oxygen and shelter.
Animals help in pollination and seed dispersal.
Microorganisms decompose dead matter and recycle nutrients.
Humans depend on biomes for food, water, medicines and other resources.
Human activities, such as farming, construction and deforestation, can change natural habitats.

Thus, changes in one part of a biome can affect many other organisms. Maintaining these relationships is essential for ecological balance.

Question 7. What is biodiversity? Why is its conservation important?

Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, their genetic differences and the ecosystems in which they live.

Its conservation is important because :

It maintains ecological balance.
It supports food chains and natural processes.
It provides food, medicines and raw materials.
It helps ecosystems recover from environmental disturbances.
It supports livelihoods and cultural traditions.
It protects species and their habitats for future generations.

Question 8. What are biodiversity hotspots? Name important biodiversity regions of India.

Answer: Biodiversity hotspots are regions known for their rich variety of species, especially unique species that are found nowhere else.

Important biodiversity-rich regions of India:

The Himalaya
The Western Ghats
North-East India
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Question 9. What is forest ecotourism? How can it benefit local communities?

Answer: Forest ecotourism involves responsible tourism in natural areas that aims to conserve the environment and support local communities.

It can benefit local communities by:

Creating employment for guides and other local workers.
Providing income through accommodation, transport and local products.
Encouraging awareness about biodiversity.
Creating economic incentives for forest conservation.
Promoting local culture and traditional knowledge.

However, ecotourism must be carefully managed to prevent pollution, disturbance to wildlife and excessive pressure on natural resources.

Question 10. What are sacred groves? Explain their importance.

Answer: Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by local communities because of religious, cultural or traditional beliefs.

Their importance includes:

Protecting native plants and animals.
Preserving habitats for species that may be threatened elsewhere.
Supporting soil and water conservation.
Maintaining local cultural traditions.
Protecting ecological resources through community rules.

Sacred groves demonstrate how cultural beliefs and traditional practices can contribute to biodiversity conservation.

Question 11. What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag? Why is it important?

Answer: A Geographical Indication (GI) tag identifies a product as originating from a particular geographical region when its quality, reputation or other characteristics are linked to that place.

A GI tag is important because it:

Protects the identity of region-specific products.
Helps prevent misleading claims about their origin.
Promotes traditional skills and cultural heritage.
Improves recognition in markets.
Can create economic opportunities for local producers.

Question 12. Explain the relationship between forest dwellers and forests.

Answer: Forest dwellers have a close relationship with forests because forests support their daily needs, culture and livelihoods.

They obtain food, fuelwood, fodder, medicinal plants and other forest products. Many communities also possess traditional knowledge about plants and forest ecosystems.

Women often play an important role in collecting and managing forest resources. Forest dwellers also contribute to conservation through community protection, traditional practices and participation in forest management.

However, forest degradation, restricted access to resources and human–wildlife conflict can create difficulties for these communities.

Question 13. What is the Forest Rights Act, 2006? How does it support forest dwellers?

Answer: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, commonly called the Forest Rights Act (FRA), recognises certain forest rights of eligible Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who meet the Act's requirements.

The Act supports eligible communities by recognising rights connected with traditionally used forest land and resources. These may include rights to cultivate eligible land, collect minor forest produce and participate in the protection and management of forests.

The Act is important because it recognises the connection between forest communities, their livelihoods and forest conservation.

Question 14. Explain the Mendha Lekha model of community forest management.

Answer: Mendha Lekha is a tribal village in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. It is known for community-based forest management and local self-governance.

The village follows the principle “Mawa Nate Mawa Raj,” meaning “Our village, our rule.”

Important features of its model include:

Decisions are taken collectively through the Gram Sabha.
The community protects and sustainably uses its forest resources.
Tree cutting is regulated, and forest fires are prevented.
Bamboo is harvested as a renewable resource.
Revenue from forest produce supports community welfare, education and infrastructure.

Question 15. What are ecological commons? Why should they be protected?

Answer: Ecological commons are natural resources shared and used collectively by a community. Examples include forests, rivers, lakes, grazing lands, air and biodiversity.

They are important because communities depend on them for food, water, fuel, fodder and medicinal plants.

Ecological commons should be protected because their degradation can threaten livelihoods, reduce biodiversity, disturb ecological balance and affect the availability of essential resources. Community participation and fair rules for resource use can help protect them for future generations.

Question 16. Explain commons-based fisheries management in Bihar.

Answer: Commons-based fisheries management involves the collective or community-oriented management of shared water resources for fishing and related livelihoods.

The chapter explains that fishing communities in Bihar historically faced difficulties because powerful landowners controlled many water bodies and waterfronts.

The Bihar Fish Jalkar Management Act, 2006, and subsequent amendments supported a framework for managing fisheries. The model emphasises local solutions, access to resources and the sustainable use of water bodies.

Its main aim is to balance fish production and community livelihoods with the long-term protection of aquatic resources.

Question 17. Explain the importance of traditional water tanks in India.

Answer: Traditional water tanks have helped Indian communities manage water, especially in regions with seasonal rainfall.

Examples include:

Keres in Karnataka
Eri tanks in Tamil Nadu
Chevuru tanks in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Ahar pynes in Bihar
Katas, or three-sided reservoirs, in the Gondwana region

The chapter also notes that Chandella and Bundela kings built around 8,000 tanks in Bundelkhand between 800 and 1200 CE.

Traditional tanks store rainwater, support irrigation, improve water availability and demonstrate the importance of collective management of shared resources.

Question 18. How can human activities disturb ecological balance?

Answer: Human activities can disturb ecological balance in several ways:

Deforestation destroys habitats.
Pollution contaminates air, water and soil.
Excessive hunting and harvesting reduce wildlife and plant populations.
Urbanisation fragments natural habitats.
Forest fires destroy vegetation and harm wildlife.
Overuse of water resources affects aquatic ecosystems.

These activities can reduce biodiversity and disturb relationships among organisms. Sustainable resource use, habitat protection, community participation and conservation laws can help reduce these impacts.

Question 19. Explain the importance of community participation in environmental conservation.

Answer: Community participation is important because local people often possess detailed knowledge of their environment and depend directly on natural resources.

Their participation can help in:

Monitoring forests and water bodies.
Preventing illegal resource extraction.
Reducing the risk of forest fires.
Protecting local species and habitats.
Applying traditional conservation practices.
Making decisions that consider local livelihoods and ecological needs.

Question 20. “Conservation of nature and protection of livelihoods should go together.” Explain.

Answer: Nature provides essential resources such as food, water, fuel, medicines and raw materials. Many rural and tribal communities depend directly on forests, rivers and other common resources for their livelihoods.

If natural resources are destroyed, both biodiversity and people's incomes may suffer. On the other hand, conservation measures that ignore the needs and rights of local communities may create hardship.

Therefore, conservation should involve local communities, recognise eligible rights, promote sustainable harvesting and provide livelihood opportunities. This approach helps protect the environment while supporting the well-being of people who depend on it.

Class 9 SST Part 2 Ch 2 NCERT Solution - Life on Earth

Q & A — 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

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