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Ganges River Dolphin is a type of freshwater river dolphin found in India Nepal and Bangladesh. In India, it is found in river Brahmaputra and Ganga. A few dolphins are also found in Chambal river. Generally, it lives in the river which is deep and calm. Although, Ganga is deep and calm at various places but it flows through India which is one of the densely populated regions of the world. India releases a very large amount of dirty water in the river.

Moreover, sedimentation due to deforestation, fisheries, navigation in the river, release of industrial waste, etc. have together caused severe danger to the extinction of these dolphins. These dolphins come to the surface quite frequently for breathing. While breathing they make ‘suu-suu’ type sound. Due to this typical sound that it makes this dolphin is also known as ‘sauns’, ‘susu’ and ‘suis’. At present, the existence of Ganga River Dolphin is a danger.

In natural vegetation only that vegetation is included which can be raised naturally without the help of man. This is called virgin vegetation.

(d) Raaz: The trees which are necessary to be cut for construction work for the necessity, new plants should be grown in place of them.

All the good practices towards conservation of forest and wildlife should include an active participation from all the stakeholders. Government agencies, local inhabitants, industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts are the important stakeholders in forest management. The government should formulate rules and regulations and provide system and machinery to implement conservation programmes. The local inhabitants should always be included in the conservation programme, because their survival depends on it. Industrialists and wildlife enthusiasts should also be taken under the fold of conservation programmes. A coordinated effort by all the stakeholders will give better results.

Under the Wildlife Protection Scheme, the government has started several projects to protect wildlife. Some of these projects are especially for those animals which are either in danger or may get extinct in near future.
The main projects are:

1. Project Tiger,
2. Project Elephant,
3. Project Rhino,
4. Project Crocodile,
5. Project Vulture and
6. Project Snow Leopard.

Besides these projects, the government has also started projects like Kashmiri Hangool Project, Red Panda Project, Manipur-Tamil Project for the special species of deer found in Manipur, Ganga-Dolphin project on Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers etc.

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. True

Following are the Remedies for Forest Conservation:

(i) Research should be carried out to find the alternative of wood. This will reduce the usage of wood and hence, forests. In case if the trees are to be cut for development activities then new trees of the same species should be planted. Cutting of trees that have not grown fully should be banned.

(ii) Industries that directly receive their raw material from the forests should be enforced to grow trees to prevent to future dearth. Although eco-tourism should be encouraged but, it should be strictly taken care that the forests do not get damaged due to these tourism activities.

(iii) Public awareness programmes should be organized among the local people and effort should be made to reach maximum people.

(iv) The importance of fofest and ways to conserve them should be included in school and college syllabus.

(v) Social forestry and agro-forestry should be developed intensively by taking planned steps for the necessity of fodder and firewood. In place of firewood, alternative options like solar energy, natural gas, etc. should be brought in use.

(vi) Forest resource should be used judiciously. Infected trees should be either cured or if not possible removed so that the infection does not spread. This will also increase the health and speed of growth.

Many local communities have recognized the significance of conservation for their long term survival. Local communities are contributing significantly in conservation at many places. For example; the Bishnois of Rajasthan protect black buck, Chinkara and Peacocks quite zealously.
Nature worship is an age old tradition of many tribes. By doing so, they help in conservation of forest. Chipko movement is another example of community initiative in conservation. Joint Forest Management has been practiced in Orissa since 1988 and has bore fruits for conservation.

Red Panda is found in the cold forests of eastern Himalayas. It is also found in China, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. It mainly survives by eating bamboo sprouts, eggs, small birds, insects, etc. It is less active during the day.

The forests which are under the control of the Government directly. There is restriction on lumbering, collection of woods or for pasturing.

Leopard: It belongs to cat family. It is a small animal compared to other members of cat family like lions and tigers. It is found everywhere in India. It is also found in dark black colour. It is found in large number in the forests of Gujarat. It often enters into human settlements. At times, people mistake it as Cheetah.

Cheetah: It belongs to cat family. It has become totally extinct from Indian forests. So, today in India we can see Cheetah only in zoo. One can find Cheetah in its natural habitat in Africa. One-Horned Indian Rhino: It is found in the marshy regions of Brahmaputra and Sunderbans. It is hunted for preparing medicine from its horns. It is an herbivorous animal. The government made strong efforts and so now it is protected and as a result its number is rising.

(c) Communal forests owned by individuals.

African animals like hyena and chinkara (one type of deer) are found in India.

Under Wildlife Protection Scheme, The government has started several projects to protect wildlife. Some of these projects are especially for those animals which are either in danger or may get extinct in near future.

The Projects are discussed below:

1. Project Tiger: As per an estimate, there were more than 40,000 tigers in India in the beginning of 20th century. At that time there were no strict laws on hunting tigers or cutting trees from forests. The unrestricted illegal hunting and deforestation posed a major danger for the existence of tigers. Hence, in order to save tigers, the government started Project Tiger in 1971. Under the project, the government took several steps to protect natural habitat of tigers and to maintain ecological balance at national level. Till now this project is implemented in about 44 regions of India.

2. Project Elephant: This project was started in 1992. The main aim of this project was to protect elephants in their natural habitacts and to protect their migratory corridors. Due to constant effort of the government today, the number of elephants has increased considerably. Today, there are about 26 protection zones for elephants in India. Over and above protecting elephants of the forest this project also works for the protection and proper care of domesticated elephants.

3. Project Rhino: It was started for protecting One-Horned Rhino of India. In India most of the rhinos are found in Sunderbans, West Bengal. Under the ‘Rhino Vision 2020’, the government has targeted to increase the number of rhino to 3000.

4. Project Crocodile: In the decade of 1970, the species of alligators found in freshwater was on the verge of extinction. At that time the Government of India started this project and saved this species.

5. Project Vulture: Vulture is said to be the ‘cleaner of the nature’. It eats the meat of dead animals and this way keeps the nature clean. There are about 9 sub-species of vulture in India. This project was started in 2004 when their number started decreasing drastically.

6. Project Snow Leopard: This animal is found at an altitude of about 3000 metres in Himalayas. As the name suggests it is found only in the snowy region. This project was started in 2000 with the objective of increasing the knowledge about snow leopard among the local people, so the people would become aware and protect it.

7. Other Projects: Besides these projects the government has-also started projects like Kashmiri Hangool Project, Red Panda Project, Manipur-Tamil Project for the special species of deer found in Manipur, Ganga-Dolphin Project on Ganga-Brahmaputra rivers, etc.

India’s climate and physiography is highly diverse. We have Himalayan regions where there is deep snow and on the other hand deserts like Rajasthan and Kachchh which are extremely hot. Similarly, we have a very long coastline. Majority of India consists of plains. Such a large geographical diversity has resulted in a large variation in insects, birds, animals and vegetation among various regions of India. India is home to 81,251 species of animals and birds. Also, it stands 12th in the world in terms of bio-diversity. Animals from as far as Asia, Europe and Africa are found in India. Hence, we can rightly say that India has a very diverse wildlife.

These forests are looked after by the administration. Local people are permitted to collect the wood and to graze their animals without causing any harm to the trees.

There is no restriction on tree feeling or animal grazing in this type of forests. Such forests are still not classified. Such forests are called unclassified forests.

Henotaro: It is an animal which lives in the arid and semi-arid regions having alkaline forests and grasslands, desert or semi-desert areas. It is found in the Greater and Smaller Rann of Kachchh of Gujarat, Banni and in Narayan Sarovar Sanctuaries. It is slightly taller than the fox, has fleshy round mouth and long high ears. It hunts smaller birds and animals for it food. Its existence can be known by its footprints.

Dugang: It is an aquantic animal. It is seen in very small number along the western sea coast of India. It is also found along the sea coasts of east Africa, south-east coast of Asia and northern coast of Australia. It feeds on sea grass and vegetation. At times, it also eats aquatic animals. People hunt dugang in large number for its meat and fat. Earlier dugang could be seen frequently along the coast of Gujarat, especially along coast of Saurashtra coast. But today, it is rarely seen there.

(d) Fifteen lakh

Birds like vulture, pink throated duck, cranes, owls and chilotra are on the verge of extinction in India.

Animals from Asia, Europe and Africa are found in India.

Biosphere reserve or Bio-reserve is a very large area of land which may cover multiple National Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves as well. It is established as per international norms. The purpose of bio-reserve is to protect the physical and cultural diversity of a region. The bio-reserve also protects insects, birds and animals, land of that area and even the life style of the people living there.

The government conducts programmes for encouraging research and training about bio-reserve. No external human movement is allowed in a bio-reserve. The average area of such zone is more than 5000 sq. kilometres. Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Great Nicobar, Sundarban, Pnachmadhi, etc. are important bio-reserves of India. The Rann of Kachchh of Gujarat was declared as a bio-reserve zone in 2008.

In the past, tigers were seen in the forests of Idar, Ambaji, Panchmahal and Dang.

Modern-day transport has become quite fast and comfortable. So, the number of people going on pilgrimage has increased drastically. These people visit religious places in forest area to attend the Bhandara, fairs or the parikrama. They leave a lot of litter behind. There are no proper laws and rules for stopping the litter. These activities pollute the forests.

Forests are classified into three types on the basis of ownership, administration and management:

1. State Forest
2. Communal Forest
3. Private Forest

There are about 15 lakh species of birds and animals in the world. Out of them, about 81,251 species are found in India.

The Rann of Kachchh of Gujarat was declared as bio-reserve in 2008 for the protection of its special environmental conditions.

The destruction of forests is called deforestation. It is a global problem. Natural calamities such as forest fire, flood and drought, etc. may destroy forests naturally. On the other hand, as man progresses and the nation develops the forests get cut. This is a man-made reason for deforestation. The rate of natural destruction of forests is quite less compared to manmade reasons.

Impact of deforestation Deforestation causes very far reaching effects. It increases the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Greenhouse effect becomes more severe. Soil erosion takes place and farm fertility deteriorates. The forests of peninsular India have mainly decreased due to deforestation. Due to deforestation many living organisms have lost their abodes. Moreover, with increasing population, the areas of humans are expanding and merging . with forests. As a result, the wild animals have started entering urban settlements in search of food and water. Carnivorous animals entering human areas and killing them and their domestic animals has become quite common now.

The destruction of forests is called deforestation. The causes of deforestation are us under:

1. Naturally
2. Interference of human.

Quality of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse . effects become more intense. Soil is eroded and the problem of farm fertility decreases. Many living organisms have lost their abodes.

It means the destruction of forest. It is a global problem.

Deforestation: Cutting down forests for human use is called deforestation.

The old house was built with solid block of granite

Endangered species: The organisms whose number have declined rapidly and the species might be wiped off from the earth in near future are called Endangered species.

(A) 1, 2 only

D) All of the above

The organisms whose species might be wiped off from the earth in near future are called endangered species.

Red List Book is published by IUWC

C) The Indian Bustard

Answer is (B) b, c

Answer is (B) Hoofs

Biodiversity: The term Biodiversity is commonly used to describe the variety and variability of living organisms.

Biosphere reserve: The part of the earth occupied by living organisms – keep for future use. Forests are Biosphere reserves.

(B) Endemic species

Materials: 

bits of wood, saw dust and chemicals sulphate.

Producer:

1. The pulp is made by using bits of wood. 

2. It is spead evenly as layers.

3. The saw dust is sandwiched between the two layers. 

4. This is compressed and dried. 

5. It becomes hard and strong as wooden board. 

6. Hence there is no need to cut down the whole tree. This helps in reducing deforestation.

To make a ton of paper 17 trees have to be cut down.

A) i – c, ii – d, iii – a, iv – e, v – b

D) Reforestation

Materials:

2 plastic tubs, wooden spoon, water, clean cotton cloth, old news paper, wire screen, measuring cup, plastic wrap, blender, heavy books / roller.

Procedure:

1. Add cut news papers strips in a tub full of water and soak it for a day. 

2. Put two cups of soaked paper and six cups of water in a blender. Blend till the mixture turns into a pulp (like nanny oat meal).Pour it in a clean tub. 

3. Fill the tub with one fourth of blended paper pulp. 

4. Lay a cloth on a flat, waterproof surface. Slide the wire screen under the wet paper. Remove the screen gently. Press the news paper pulp to squeeze out any extra water. 

5. Carefully flip the screen onto the cloth. Press it down firmly. Remove the screen. 

6. Lay another cloth on top of the mixture. Cover the cloth with a plastic wrap and stack the books on the wrap. 

7. After several hours remove the books on the cloth and let the paper dry. 

8. You can even use a hair dryer to blow the paper dry. 

9. By adding few drops of edible colours to the pulp you can make your paper colourful. Iron the new made paper with a iron box and cut it to your required size and shape. 

10. Beautiful greeting cards, file covers, bags etc., can be made using recycled paper.

(D) Single horned Rhino