Forest Types of India — Set 8

Correct Answer: B. Strict nature reserves and wilderness areas

Strict Nature Reserves and Wilderness Areas involve protecting existing forests without human disturbance, allowing natural ecological processes to function undisturbed. These areas are designated for scientific research and monitoring. In India, Core Zones of Tiger Reserves and Critical Wildlife Habitats are managed as strict conservation areas. This approach is most effective for conserving biodiversity and ecological processes but requires large undisturbed areas.

Correct Answer: C. Dehradun

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It was established in 1981 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. FSI conducts the biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR) that assesses India's forest and tree cover. FSI also monitors forest fires, conducts carbon stock assessments, and provides training in remote sensing for forest monitoring.

Correct Answer: B. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority

CAMPA stands for Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, established under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016. CAMPA manages funds collected when forest land is diverted for non-forest uses. The funds are used for compensatory afforestation, forest protection, and ecosystem restoration. States receive 90% of funds with 10% retained by the Centre. CAMPA has accumulated thousands of crores for forest restoration activities.

Correct Answer: B. Vat Savitri (worship of Banyan tree)

Vat Savitri is a Hindu festival in which married women worship the Banyan (Vat) tree, tying sacred threads around its trunk for the long life of their husbands. This festival reflects the deep cultural and religious significance of trees in Indian tradition. Many trees including Peepal, Neem, Tulsi, and Mango have religious significance in India. Traditional reverence for trees has helped conserve many sacred groves (devaravana/orans) across India.

Correct Answer: B. They protect the Coromandel Coast from cyclones and preserve endemic species

Tropical Dry Evergreen forests along the Tamil Nadu coast are significant for protecting the Coromandel Coast from cyclones and storm surges, similar to a windbreak function. These forests also harbour endemic plant species unique to southeastern India and Sri Lanka. They are part of a special ecological zone distinct from the wetter Western Ghats forests. These forests are highly fragmented due to agriculture and urbanisation, making their conservation urgent.

Correct Answer: B. 1994

India ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994, one of the key agreements from the Rio Earth Summit 1992. The CBD has three main objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. India enacted the Biological Diversity Act 2002 to implement CBD obligations domestically. India has a rich biodiversity with 8% of global species in 2.4% of global land area.

Correct Answer: B. Patches of forest protected by communities for religious and cultural reasons

Sacred Groves are patches of forest traditionally protected by local communities for religious, cultural, and ecological reasons. They are found across India under different names: Dev Vans in Uttarakhand, Orans in Rajasthan, Devarakadu in Karnataka, Kovil Kadu in Tamil Nadu, and Sarna in tribal areas. These community-protected forests often harbour rare and endemic species. India has over 100,000 sacred groves covering an estimated 1 million hectares, representing one of the oldest forms of nature conservation.

Correct Answer: B. Reduction in forest density, biomass, and biodiversity without complete deforestation

Forest Degradation refers to reduction in forest density, biomass, and biodiversity without the complete removal of tree cover. It is often caused by selective logging, fuelwood collection, overgrazing, encroachment, and repeated forest fires. Degraded forests have less carbon storage, reduced biodiversity, lower watershed protection function, and fewer ecosystem services than undegraded forests. India has significant areas of degraded forest that are targets for restoration under the Green India Mission.

Correct Answer: C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the apex body responsible for forest management policy, legislation, and oversight in India. It formulates policies, oversees implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, and approves or rejects forest clearances for development projects. The ministry also manages Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and coordinates with states on forest protection. State Forest Departments implement policies under the ministry's overall framework.

Correct Answer: B. Barren Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the location of India's only active volcano. It last erupted in 2017. The island is uninhabited and forms part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain. The surrounding waters are part of a marine national park. Narcondam Island nearby has a dormant volcano. Barren Island's volcanic activity creates unique geological and biological features in the Bay of Bengal region.