Class 8 Science


Conservation of Plants & Animals

NCERT Solution

Part 2

Answer these questions:

Question 1: Why should we conserve biodiversity?

Answer: A healthy biodiversity is necessary to maintain a healthy ecosystem. This is important for our survival. Hence, we need to conserve biodiversity.

Question 2: Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?

Answer: In spite of various laws, it is difficult to completely stop the poaching of wild animals. Moreover, environmental damage in the surrounding areas can harm even the protected forests. Hence, it can be said that protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals.

Question 3: Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?

Answer: Tribal people have been living in or around the jungle since ages. They take many forest produce for their day to day needs. For example; they use firewood as kitchen fuel, bamboo to make house and many useful items, medicinal plants to treat diseases, etc. They also take various items from forest to sell them into the market; in order to earn some money. Thus, tribals depend on the jungle in a significant way.

Question 4: What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

Answer: Following are the causes of deforestation:

Effects of Deforestation

Question 5: What is Red Data Book?

Answer: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) first came with the Red Data Book. It is a source book which keeps record of all the endangered plants and animals. Each country publishes its own version of Red Data Book from time to time.

Question 6: What do you understand by the term migration?

Answer: Long distance travel by animals to escape harsh conditions is called migration. Many birds and many other animals migrate long distances during unfavourable season. Human beings also migrate in search of livelihood. Siberian Crane migrates from Siberia to India during winters to escape harsh conditions in Siberia and to get comfortable conditions and food in India.

Question 7: In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer because this question is about the conflict between development and conservation. But when we keep in mind the need for sustainable development, it becomes necessary to strike a balance between development and conservation. If we keep on clearing forests in the name of economic development, a time will come when there will be no forest. That will be disastrous for the environment. All efforts should be done to prevent clearing of forests as much as possible. If clearing of trees is at all necessary then suitable measures should be taken for reforestation at alternate locations to compensate for the loss of trees.

Discuss and prepare a brief report

Question 1: How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.

Answer: I will do following activities to maintain green wealth in my locality:

Question 2: Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Answer: Trees contribute in a major way to atmospheric moisture by way of transpiration. Thus, trees help in improving rainfall. After deforestation, no tree remains to carry out transpiration. Hence, deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Question 3: Find out the information about the national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.

Answer: Dudhwa National Park (UP), Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Kaziranga National Park (Assam) are some examples.

Question 4: Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.

Answer: Paper is made from wood pulp. This means that trees need to be cut to make paper. However, paper can be recycled many times. Recycling of paper helps in saving trees. This will save our environment. We can save paper in following ways: