SECTION A – MCQs (20 Marks)
Choose the correct option. (20 × 1 = 20 marks)
- The natural vegetation that grows without human interference is called:
a) Cultivated vegetation
b) Virgin vegetation
c) Horticulture
d) Crop cover - Tropical evergreen forests are found in areas with rainfall:
a) 70 cm
b) Less than 50 cm
c) More than 200 cm
d) 50–70 cm - The famous Gir Forest is home to:
a) Tigers
b) Elephants
c) Asiatic lions
d) Rhinos - Mangrove forests grow in:
a) Sandy soil
b) Deltaic soil
c) Mountain soil
d) Black soil - The scientific term for plant life of a region is:
a) Fauna
b) Flora
c) Biome
d) Habitat - Which tree is common in tropical deciduous forests?
a) Oak
b) Sal
c) Birch
d) Magnolia - The one-horned rhinoceros is found in:
a) Sunderbans
b) Kaziranga
c) Gir
d) Corbett - The Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in:
a) 1947
b) 1972
c) 1999
d) 1986 - Which is NOT found in thorn forests?
a) Acacia
b) Cactus
c) Ber
d) Rosewood - The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in:
a) Rajasthan
b) Kerala–TN–Karnataka
c) Gujarat
d) Assam - Tropical evergreen forests are also known as:
a) Monsoon forests
b) Rain forests
c) Alpine forests
d) Coniferous forests - Which animal is endemic to the Sunderbans?
a) Snow leopard
b) Royal Bengal Tiger
c) Lion-tailed macaque
d) Bison - Plant community adapted to dry climates is:
a) Tropical evergreen
b) Thorny shrubs
c) Montane forest
d) Mangrove - Montane forests are found in:
a) Plains
b) Delta
c) Hills and mountains
d) Desert - Ebony and rosewood are found in:
a) Desert forests
b) Evergreen forests
c) Thorn forests
d) Alpine forests - Gir National Park is located in:
a) Gujarat
b) Assam
c) Uttarakhand
d) Kerala - The natural habitat of elephants in India is:
a) Desert
b) Evergreen and deciduous forests
c) Alpine region
d) Tundra - Which project protects tigers?
a) Project Rhino
b) Project Lion
c) Project Elephant
d) Project Tiger - Biosphere reserves aim at conserving:
a) Only plants
b) Only animals
c) Both flora and fauna
d) Only soil - Flamingos migrate in large numbers to:
a) Chilika Lake
b) Dal Lake
c) Sambhar Lake
d) Wular Lake
SECTION B – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (25 Marks)
(Any 5 questions – 5 × 5 = 25 marks) Write in 40–60 words.
- Explain any five major factors that influence the natural vegetation of India.
- State the main characteristics of tropical deciduous forests.
- What are mangrove forests? Mention their major features.
- Describe the distribution and features of montane forests in India.
- What are the major threats to wildlife in India?
- Explain the need for conservation of forests and wildlife.
- What are biosphere reserves? Give two examples.
- Write a short note on desert (thorn) vegetation of India.
SECTION C – LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 Marks)
(Any 3 questions – 3 × 10 = 30 marks)
Write in 100–150 words.
- Describe the major types of natural vegetation in India with suitable examples and climatic conditions.
- Write in detail about tropical evergreen forests—their characteristics, distribution and animal life.
- Explain the importance of wildlife for ecological balance. How is India working to conserve its wildlife?
- Compare tropical deciduous forests and thorn forests on the basis of climate, trees, distribution and wildlife.
- Describe the Himalayan vegetation and explain how altitude affects vegetation patterns.
ANSWER KEY / ANSWER SHEET
SECTION A – MCQs (Answers)
1-b
2-c
3-c
4-b
5-b
6-b
7-b
8-b
9-d
10-b
11-b
12-b
13-b
14-c
15-b
16-a
17-b
18-d
19-c
20-a
SECTION B – Sample Answers (Short)
(These are sample key points. Students may write in their own words.)
1. Factors influencing vegetation: Temperature, rainfall, soil, altitude, sunlight, topography.
2. Tropical deciduous forests: Found in 100–200 cm rainfall; shed leaves in dry season; teak, sal, peepal; found in MP, Odisha, Jharkhand; rich wildlife.
3. Mangroves: Grow in saline, tidal areas; aerial roots; found in deltas; Sundari tree; habitat of Bengal tiger.
4. Montane forests: Found in Himalayas; altitude-based belts; conifers in higher altitudes, deciduous at lower; animals include snow leopard, black bear.
5. Threats: Deforestation, poaching, mining, forest fires, climate change.
6. Need for conservation: Maintain biodiversity, climate control, oxygen supply; government acts, national parks, projects.
7. Biosphere reserves: Protected areas for plants, animals, culture; e.g., Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans.
8. Thorn vegetation: Grows in <70 cm rainfall; scattered trees; acacia, cactus; wildlife includes camels and desert fox.
SECTION C – Sample Answers (Long)
(Shortened versions; can be expanded by student)
1. Types of vegetation:
- Evergreen: High rainfall; ebony, mahogany.
- Deciduous: Monsoon forests; teak, sal.
- Thorn: Arid regions; acacia, cactus.
- Montane: Altitude belts; pine, deodar.
- Mangrove: Deltas; sundari.
2. Evergreen forests:
Rainfall >200 cm; dense, multilayered; remain green throughout year; found in Western Ghats, NE states; animals include elephants, monkeys, birds.
3. Importance of wildlife:
Ecological balance, food chain stability, pollination, tourism; conservation through Wildlife Act 1972, national parks, Project Tiger, Project Elephant, biosphere reserves.
4. Comparison:Deciduous: moderate rainfall, teak/sal, central India, deer/elephants.
Thorn: low rainfall, cactus/acacia, NW India, camels/foxes.
5. Himalayan vegetation:
Altitude affects temperature → changes vegetation; foothills have deciduous forests; higher altitudes have conifers; alpine pastures above tree line; snow deserts at top.
