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I. Chapter Summary

This chapter emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and the need to conserve forests and wildlife. It explains the different types of flora and fauna found in India and outlines the causes for depletion of biodiversity such as deforestation, overgrazing, and industrialization. The chapter also introduces IUCN categories like normal species, endangered, extinct, etc., and covers various conservation strategies, including in-situ and ex-situ conservation, biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks. It concludes by highlighting the role of local communities in protecting forests and biodiversity.

II. Key Concepts Covered

Concept	Explanation
Biodiversity	Variety of flora and fauna in a given region.
Flora and Fauna	Plants (flora) and animals (fauna) in an area.
Types of Species	Normal, endangered, vulnerable, extinct, rare, endemic species.
Depletion of Resources	Causes include deforestation, mining, overgrazing, forest fires, etc.
Conservation Methods	In-situ (within natural habitat) and ex-situ (outside natural habitat) methods.
Protected Areas	Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries.
People’s Participation	Examples like the Chipko Movement and Beej Bachao Andolan.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. Which of the following is not a cause of deforestation?
   a) Mining
   b) Afforestation ✅
   c) Grazing
   d) Forest fires
2. Which of the following species is endemic to a particular area?
   a) Asiatic lion ✅
   b) Tiger
   c) Elephant
   d) Leopard
3. Which of the following movements is related to forest conservation?
   a) White Revolution
   b) Chipko Movement ✅
   c) Green Revolution
   d) Quit India Movement
4. What is the primary goal of biodiversity conservation?
   a) Increase exports
   b) Preserve ecological balance ✅
   c) Encourage tourism
   d) Promote agriculture

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

1. What do you understand by biodiversity? Why is it important? (PYQ – 2019)
2. Mention three steps taken by the government to conserve forest and wildlife. (PYQ – 2020)
3. Explain the classification of species as per IUCN.
4. Why are forests called “biodiversity hotspots”?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

1. Explain in detail the causes of depletion of forest and wildlife resources in India. (PYQ – 2021)
2. Differentiate between in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Give examples.
3. What is the role of communities in forest and wildlife conservation? Give examples. (PYQ – 2020)
4. Describe any five types of species with examples and definitions. (PYQ – 2018)

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

1. “Forest and wildlife conservation is not just a government responsibility.” Justify with three arguments.
2. How does loss of biodiversity affect the ecological balance?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

Not formula-based, but important definitions include:

• Biodiversity – Total variety of life on Earth.
• Endemic Species – Species found only in a particular geographical region.
• In-situ Conservation – Conservation of habitats, ecosystems, and natural habitats.
• Ex-situ Conservation – Conservation of species outside their natural habitats.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbook for 2025–26.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Types of Questions Typically Asked
Forest and Wildlife Resources	4–6 marks	MCQs, Short Answers, HOTS, and Map-based Questions

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Year	Marks	Question
2018	5	Explain types of species as per IUCN classification.
2019	3	What is biodiversity? Why is it important?
2020	3	List three steps taken by the government for conservation.
2021	5	Explain the causes of forest and wildlife resource depletion.

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics

• Chipko Movement (1970s) – Community-led forest protection in Uttarakhand.
• Beej Bachao Andolan (Tehri, Uttarakhand) – Seed conservation and traditional farming methods.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) – Local people managing forest resources sustainably.
• Kaziranga National Park – Protection of the one-horned rhinoceros.
• Biosphere Reserve – Nilgiris – Conservation of endemic species in South India.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

 Time Management

• Spend 30 minutes per day revising types of species, movements, and conservation practices.
• Allocate time weekly for map-based questions.

 Exam Preparation

• Practice flowcharts and classification tables for IUCN categories.
• Use bullet points for Long Answer questions for clarity.

 Stress Management

• Watch short documentaries (e.g., National Geographic India – conservation stories).
• Create flashcards for definitions like endemic, extinct, biodiversity, etc.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration (Class-Specific)

For Classes 9–10

Streams & Careers:

Stream	Career Path Suggestions
Science	Environmental Scientist, Ecologist, Wildlife Biologist
Commerce	Environmental Economics, Forest Business Consultant
Arts	Environmental Journalism, Policy Researcher, Forest Law

Relevant Exams/Competitions:

• NTSE
• Wild Wisdom Quiz by WWF
• Olympiads (Science & Environment focus)

XI. Important Notes

•  Always give examples like Chipko and JFM in long answers.
•  Revise species classification repeatedly—this is often asked.
•  Practice marking biosphere reserves and national parks on maps.
•  Support your answers with current developments and conservation success stories.