Forest Types of India — Set 14

Correct Answer: B. To protect forests from commercial logging and promote ecological sustainability

The Chipko Movement's main objective was to protect forests from commercial logging by forest contractors and to promote ecological sustainability in Himalayan forests. The movement used the non-violent tactic of hugging trees to prevent felling. It forced the Indian government to impose a 15-year ban on green felling in Uttarakhand Himalayan forests in 1980. Chipko also highlighted the dependence of mountain communities on forests for their livelihoods and the need for forest-based ecological security.

Correct Answer: B. Coastal forests growing along the sea shore, tidal creeks, and estuaries

Littoral Forests are coastal forests growing along the seashore, tidal creeks, estuaries, and backwaters. Mangroves are the most extensive type of littoral forest. Other coastal forests include salt marsh vegetation, coastal scrub, and beach forests dominated by casuarina, sea almond, and coconut. These forests protect coastlines from erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis. India's littoral forests are found along the entire coastline spanning about 7,516 km.

Correct Answer: B. All forest products other than timber, including fruits, leaves, resins, honey, and medicinal plants

Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) includes all forest products other than timber — including fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, roots, honey, resin, gum, bamboo, medicinal plants, and wildlife products like lac and silk. NTFPs provide livelihoods to an estimated 100 million people in India, predominantly tribal communities. The Forests Rights Act 2006 recognises community rights over NTFP collection. Major NTFPs include tendu leaves, bamboo, honey, sal seeds, mahua, and various medicinal herbs.

Correct Answer: B. Rajiv Gandhi National Park

Nagarhole National Park is also officially known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park (named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi). It is located in Karnataka's Mysuru and Kodagu districts, bordering the Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. Together, these parks form the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Nagarhole is famous for high densities of elephants, tigers, leopards, Gaur, and diverse birds.

Correct Answer: B. Species that have disproportionately large effect on ecosystem function relative to their abundance

Keystone Species are species that have a disproportionately large effect on ecosystem function and structure relative to their abundance. Removal of a keystone species causes dramatic ecosystem disruption. In Indian forests, tigers are considered keystone predators that regulate prey populations and maintain forest health. Elephants are ecosystem engineers whose movements and feeding habits shape forest structure. Fig trees are keystone species providing food for hundreds of species when other fruits are scarce.

Correct Answer: B. Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats zone

India's Eastern Ghats forests are part of the Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats biogeographic zone. Unlike the Western Ghats which are a global biodiversity hotspot, the Eastern Ghats have a more fragmented and drier forest landscape. They are home to endemic species like the Eastern Ghats Slender Loris and numerous endemic plants. The Eastern Ghats forests connect the northern and southern biodiversity zones of peninsular India and harbour distinct tribal communities like Kondhs and Bondas.

Correct Answer: B. Community-based forest protection through Van Panchayats and JFM committees

Community-based forest protection through Van Panchayats and Joint Forest Management (JFM) committees has proven highly effective for forest protection in India. Communities living in and around forests have strong economic and cultural incentives to protect forests. Studies show that community-managed forests in states like Uttarakhand (Van Panchayats) often have better forest quality than adjacent government-managed forests. Participatory governance combines local knowledge with institutional support for sustainable forest management.

Correct Answer: B. The level of harvest that can be maintained indefinitely without reducing the forest's productive capacity

Sustainable Yield in forestry refers to the level of harvest that can be maintained indefinitely without reducing the productive capacity of the forest. It is the foundation of sustainable forest management — harvesting no more than what the forest can regenerate. The concept is applied in Forest Working Plans that prescribe harvesting rotations, volumes, and areas to ensure long-term forest health. Modern sustainable forestry also considers biodiversity, ecosystem services, and community needs beyond just timber yield.

Correct Answer: B. The breaking up of a large, continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches

Habitat Fragmentation is the process by which a large, continuous forest habitat is broken up into smaller, isolated patches by roads, agriculture, urban areas, or other development. Fragmented habitats support fewer species and smaller populations than equivalent continuous habitat. Edge effects reduce the quality of habitat in small fragments. Isolated wildlife populations face higher extinction risk due to inbreeding and inability to recolonise after local extinction. Wildlife corridors help reconnect fragmented habitats.

Correct Answer: B. The lowest layer of the forest including leaf litter, decomposers, and seedlings

The Forest Floor is the lowest layer of the forest ecosystem, consisting of fallen leaves (leaf litter), decomposing organic matter, fungi, bacteria, soil invertebrates, mosses, and seedlings of forest trees. The forest floor is the site of nutrient cycling where decomposers break down organic matter releasing nutrients back to the soil. This layer maintains soil fertility, retains moisture, and provides habitat for many invertebrate species. Forest floor biodiversity is essential for forest ecosystem functioning and renewal.