Forests play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and providing essential resources for human sustenance. In India, forests hold immense cultural, ecological, and economic significance. This note delves into the various aspects of forests in India, including their types, importance, conservation efforts, and challenges.
MCQs on Forest in India practice now
Types of Forests:
- Tropical Rainforests: Found in regions with high rainfall and temperatures, primarily along the Western Ghats, Northeast India, and parts of the Eastern Ghats.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests: Dominant in central and southern India, characterized by trees that shed their leaves in the dry season.
- Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs: Typically found in arid and semi-arid regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Montane Forests: Located in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and Western Ghats, these forests are characterized by a variety of vegetation zones due to altitudinal changes.
- Mangrove Forests: Thriving along the coastal areas, especially in the Sundarbans of West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, mangrove forests provide vital ecosystem services and protect coastlines from erosion and storms.
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MCQs on Forest in India
Q1. Which one of the following has an evergreen forest?
(a) Malwa Plateau
(b) Eastern Ghat
(c) Western Ghat
(d) Chota Nagpur Plateau
Q2. Which of the following has not been categorized as forest under the National Forest Policy (1952)?
(a) National Forests
(b) National Park
(c) Protected Forests
(d) Village Forests
Q3. What is the minimum land area recommended for forest cover to maintain proper ecological balance in India?
(a) 27%
(b) 30%
(c) 33%
(d) 25%
Q4. Which among the following States of India has the largest percentage or geographical area under forest as per the report of the Forest Survey of India?
(a) Manipur
(b) Meghalaya
(c) Mizoram
(d) Nagaland
Q5. Which of the following is not the impact of deforestation in India?
(a) Drying of water sources in Himalaya
(b) Loss of biodiversity
(c) Urbanization
(d) Soil erosion
Q6. In India the State with the largest area under very dense forests is –
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Odisha
Q7. Mangrove (Tidal Forests) vegetation in India is mostly found in
(a) Malabar coast
(b) Sundarbans
(c) Rann of Kachchh
(d) Dandakaranya
Q8. Which one of the following has a protected mangrove region?
(a) Eastern Ghats
(b) Western Ghats
(c) Goa
(d) Chandra Tal
Q9. Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?
(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
(b) South-West Bengal
(c) Southern Saurashtra
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Island
Q10. In which year was the Wildlife Protection Act enforced in India?
(a) 1972
(b) 1980
(c) 1970
(d) 1975
Q11.If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. What is the implication?
(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modifi ed crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem
Q12. The Government of India enacted the Forest Conservation Act in the year:
(a) 1976
(b) 1980
(c) 1983
(d) 1988
Q13. The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was set up by Government of India in the year :
(a) 1987
(b) 1992
(c) 1995
(d) 1998
Q14. When was ‘Project Tiger’ launched in India?
(a) 1968
(b) 1972
(c) 1973
(d) 1993
Q15. Forest Research Institute is located at – (a) Hyderabad
(b) Nainital
(c) Solan
(d) Dehradun
Q16. Which of the following institutions is not related to the environment?
(a) Centre for Science and Environment (b) Botanical Survey of India
(c) Indian Wildlife Institute
(d) Survey of India
Q17. ‘Chipko’ movement was basically against –
(a) Water pollution
(b) Noise pollution
(c) Deforestation
(d) Cultural pollution
Q18.Who among the following is considered as the leader of the Chipko Movement?
(a) Medha Patekar
(b) Baba Amte
(c) Sundarlal Bahuguna
(d) Kiran Bedi
Q19. ‘World WildLife Day’ is observed on:
- 3rd March
- (b) 2nd May
- (c) 5th June
- (d) 21st June
Q20. In which of the following years, the Environment (Protection) Act passed by the Government of India?
(a) 1982
(b) 1986
(c) 1990
(d) 1992
Q21. The pugmark technique is used
(a) For bird watching in forests
(b) For breeding rare wildlife in captivity
(c) For estimation of population of various wild animals
(d) For tattooing wildlife to distinguish one species from the other
Q22. The main causes for the forest loss are – (a) Road Development
(b) River Valley projects
(c) Industrial Development
(d) Agricultural Development
Q23. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources is situated at– (a) New Delhi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Mumbai
(d) Chennai
Q24. National Research Centre for Agroforestry is located at:
(a) Agra
(b) Jhansi
(c) Kanpur
(d) Lucknow
Q25. The greatest diversity of plants and animals is characteristic of :
(a) Temperate deciduous forests
(b) Tropical moist forests
(c) Savana
(d) Temperate grasslands
Q26. Which of the following forests is known as the “lungs of the planet earth”?
(a) Rainforests of North-East India
(b) Taiga forest
(c) Tundra forest
(d) Amazon rainforest
Q27. In which of the following continents, the tropical deciduous forests are most extensive?
(a) Africa
(b) Asia
(c) Australia
(d) South America
Q28. Wildlife Extinction?
(a) Loss of natural habitat
(b) To make fi re in the forest
(c) Illegal commercial trade of wildlife (d) Fast pace of population growth
Q29. Which country has the highest percentage of its geographical area under forest?
(a) China
(b) India
(c) Indonesia
(d) Japan
Q30. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
What are the main threats to Indian forests?
Indian forests face numerous threats, including deforestation for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development. Illegal logging, poaching, forest fires, and encroachment by human settlements also endanger forest ecosystems.
How does deforestation impact India’s environment and society?
Deforestation leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, disrupted water cycles, and reduced carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change. It also affects local communities dependent on forests for livelihoods and exacerbates issues like water scarcity and air pollution.
What measures has the Indian government taken to conserve forests?
The Indian government has implemented various conservation initiatives such as the establishment of protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, enactment of forest conservation laws, promotion of afforestation and reforestation programs, and encouraging community participation in forest management.
How do forests contribute to India’s economy?
Forests contribute to India’s economy through timber production, non-timber forest products, ecotourism, and carbon sequestration services. They also provide livelihood opportunities for millions of people, particularly tribal communities, engaged in forest-based industries and traditional practices.
What role do Indian forests play in climate change mitigation and adaptation?
Indian forests serve as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping mitigate climate change. They also contribute to climate change adaptation by regulating local climates, preventing soil erosion, and providing resilience against natural disasters like floods and landslides. Efforts to conserve and expand forest cover are essential for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in India.