India — Flora and Fauna

Get Set

Question 1

Identify these medicinal shrubs and trees that grow in India. Choose the answers from the box.

aloe vera, basil, neem, peepal, amla

1. I am a low-growing herb. My leaves, when boiled in tea or water, are used to treat cold, cough and fever.
2. My leaves, bark and flowers are used to prepare medicines for diabetes and skin infections.
3. I am used extensively by the cosmetic industry and also by doctors to treat skin disorders.
4. I am a herb with small greenish-yellow fruits. My fruits are the richest natural source of Vitamin C.
5. I am a tree with heart-shaped leaves. My fruits are used to make laxatives, and roots are used to treat gout.

Answer

1. Basil
2. Neem
3. Aloe vera
4. Amla
5. Peepal

Quick Quiz 1

Question 1

Flora refers to plants. True or false?

Answer

True

Question 2

Name the major forests types found in India.

Answer

The major forests types found in India are:

1. Tropical rainforests
2. Tropical deciduous forests
3. Desert vegetation
4. Tidal forests
5. Alpine vegetation

Question 3

The other name given to tropical deciduous forests is ............... forests.

Answer

Monsoon forests

Question 4

Name three states where desert vegetation is found.

Answer

Three states where desert vegetation is found are:

1. Punjab
2. Haryana
3. Rajasthan

Question 5

(Mangrove/Deciduous) forests are found in Sundarbans.

Answer

Mangrove

Tick the correct answers

Question 1

Which of these trees is not found in the tropical rainforests?

1. rosewood
2. ebony
3. teak
4. mahogany

Answer

Teak

Question 2

Which of these trees grows widely in the coniferous forests?

1. shisham
2. spruce
3. mahogany
4. acacia

Answer

spruce

Question 3

Mangrove forests can thrive in ............... water.

1. salt
2. fresh
3. polluted
4. salt and fresh

Answer

salt and fresh

Question 4

Which of these is a bird sanctuary?

1. Dhudhwa
2. Sultanpur
3. Dachigam
4. Guindy

Answer

Sultanpur

Question 5

Kanha National Park is in

1. Madhya Pradesh
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Himachal Pradesh

Answer

Madhya Pradesh

Write True or False

Question 1

Forests grow in areas of scanty rainfall.

Answer

False

Reason — Forests grow well in areas where there is enough rainfall.

Question 2

Thick barks and long thorns help the desert plants to reduce water loss.

Answer

True

Question 3

The wood of the Sundari tree is widely used to make paper.

Answer

False

Reason — The wood of the Sundari tree is widely used for construction work and to make boats.

Question 4

The one-horned rhinoceros is protected in the Manas National park.

Answer

True

Question 5

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is in Arunachal Pradesh.

Answer

False

Reason — The Keibul Lamjao National Park is in Manipur.

Give reasons for the following

Question 1

Desert plants have deep roots

Answer

Desert plants have deep roots because it enables the plants to absorb water from great depths. It is an adaptation of xerophytic plants to survive in desert area.

Question 2

The number of animal species has reduced in recent times.

Answer

The number of animal species has reduced in recent times because:

1. The fast reducing forest cover has adversely affected the wildlife due to loss of habitat.
2. Humans recklessly kill animals for personal enjoyment and gain.

Answer these questions

Question 1(a)

Define natural vegetation.

Answer

Natural vegetation can be defined as the plant cover in its original form without much changes done by humans.

Question 1(b)

In which areas are tropical rainforests found?

Answer

The tropical rainforests are found in hot and humid climate with a short dry season. They are found along the rainy slopes of the Western Ghats, the hills of eastern India, the Andaman and Nicobar islands and in some parts of West Bengal and Odisha.

Question 1(c)

Mention two characteristics of these forests.

Answer

Two characteristics of these forests are:

1. Trees are either evergreen or semi-evergreen.
2. Average rainfall is around 200 centimetres.

Question 2(a)

When do the trees in tropical deciduous forests shed their leaves?

Answer

The trees in tropical deciduous forests shed their leaves during the long dry season.

Question 2(b)

Name four trees which grow in the monsoon forests.

Answer

Four trees Which grow in the monsoon forests are:

1. Mahua
2. Sandalwood
3. Khair
4. Semul

Question 3(a)

Name three trees found in dry areas of Rajasthan.

Answer

Three trees found in dry areas of Rajasthan are:

1. Acacia
2. Babul
3. Kikar

Question 3(b)

How did Sundarbans get its name?

Answer

Sundarbans got its name from the Sundari trees which are found here in large number.

Question 3(c)

Which type of vegetation is found at an altitude of above 3500 metres?

Answer

Shrubs and grasses of alpine variety are found at an altitude of above 3500 metres.

Question 4(a)

What is the percentage of forest cover in India?

Answer

The forest cover of India is one-fifth or 20%.

Question 4(b)

Name three products obtained from forests.

Answer

Three products obtained from forests are:

1. Timber-wood and fire-wood
2. Resin
3. Lac

Question 4(c)

Mention three functions of forests.

Answer

Three functions of forests are:

1. They maintain the water cycle and regulate the flow of water in streams.
2. They meet nearly 40 percent of the total energy requirements of our country.
3. They provide about 25 percent of the fodder required for the livestock in India.

Question 5(a)

In which national park are Indian lions found?

Answer

Indian lions are found in Gir forests.

Question 5(b)

Distinguish between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary.

Answer