Chapter -12

Our forests

Back exercise question

Question 1: How are forests important to us?

Answer 1: The forest are important to us in the following ways.

1. The give pure air, wood, fruits, gum and medicinal herbs. Woods from trees is used to make furniture, paper, pencils and many other things.

2. They are home to animals.

3. They prevent soil erosion.

Question 2: What is the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees?

Answer 2: The differences between evergreen and deciduous trees are as follows.

Evergreen trees

1. The evergreen trees do not shed their leaves at any time in a year.

2. Ebony, mahogany and rosewood are examples of evergreen trees.

3. The evergreen trees are found in the western Ghats, north-east India, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Deciduous trees

1. The deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season.

2. Teak, sal and sandalwood are examples of deciduous trees.

3. The deciduous trees are found in the foothills of the Himalayas and in the southern plateaus.

Question 3: Where do we find thorn, mountain and mangrove forests in India?

Answer 3: In India thorn forests are found in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana. Mountain forests are found in the Himalayas and the Nilgiri hills. The mangrove forests are found in the Ganga Brahmaputra delta.

Question 4: What is Afforestation?

Answer 4: Afforestation is the planting of trees in an area that was not a forest earlier.

Question 5: Why have national parks and wildlife sanctuaries been set up?

Answer 5: National parks and wildlife sanctuary is have been set up to protect wild animals and to save the forests.

Think and answer

Question: Trees found in thorn forests have long roots and small leaves. Why?

Answer: Thorn forests are found in dry areas. In these areas water is scars. Therefore, the trees which grow hair have long routes that go deep into the ground to get water. They also have small leaves so that the trees lose less water through their leaves. Does long roots and small leaves in these trees help them to survive the dry climate.