GCERT Class 9 Social Science Chapter 18 Solution

(1) Bio – diversity of India
Ans. India had great biodiversity due to presence of various geographical land-forms like vast alluvial plains of rivers, peninsular plateau, mountainous regions, swampy areas, sea coasts, dense rain forests, deciduous forest, coniferous forests in Himalayas and other higher regions. The animals seen are
1) Asian elephant in peninsular rain forests.
2)One homed rhino in swampy Brahmaputra river.
3) Snow leopards in higher Himalayas.
4) Wild goats and musk deer in Jammu – Kashmir.
5) Wild buffalo (Indian Bison ), tiger in Central India.
6) West Bengal, Ghudkhar (wildass) in Little Rann of Kachchh
7) Flamingo in water logged Greater Rann.
8) Great India Bustard in the grassland area.
9) In the water logged areas, migratory birds from cold regions come down in great number. These include Siberian crane, pelican, Tibetian duck, kunj, karkara etc.
10) Flying squirrels in the dense forests of Western Ghats.
11) Nicobari dove is a rare bird seen in Nicobar island.
12) Rare species of corals are seen in the Gulf of Kachchh and Lakshadweep Islands.
Along with mammals and many types of birds, notice should be taken of king cobra, snake›, Python, iguana (patlagho) also. Along sea coasts and other water bodies, various fishes, sea snakes, dolphin, shark, dugang (sea cow), octopus, whale etc. form a part of animal world. Besides forest, animals like fox, wolf, nilgai, deer, mongoose, rabbits, wild hog, hedgehog are seen in agricultural areas. Many birds such as nightingale, parrot, peacock, weaver bird, chibari, pilak, vulture, kabar, dhor bagla etc. are also seen roaming in these areas.

(2) Remedies for wild life conservation
Ans. A long term planning is necessary to conserve and increase forest areas. There conservation can be ensured by:
1) Preparing strong legal provisions and their strict implementation for the conservation of forest areas and wild animals.
2) Making various social NGOs give a top priority and arrange public awareness programmes.
3) Inclusion of these problems in the school syllabus and make the future citizens aware.
4) Before implementing any developmental project, its probable effects on environment and living organisms should be examined.
5) Cutting of large trees outside the forests area should be stopped, because the hollow space within them and their branches are nesting place for birds.
6) Protecting ponds, farm ponds and wetlands, which are necessary for migratory birds and for those which are inhabited near any water body.
7) Reducing pollution.
8) To manage the forest fire an anticipatory planning should be made for patrolling and safety.