Question 12 of 18intermediate🔍 AnalyzeLong Answer5 marks

What are the major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity? What steps are needed to prevent them?

Correct Answer

Factors Responsible for Loss of Biodiversity:

The growth in human population has increased the consumption of natural resources, leading to over-exploitation and deforestation. The destruction of natural habitats, especially tropical rain forests containing 50 per cent of species on earth, has proved disastrous for the biosphere.

Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and droughts damage flora and fauna. Pesticides and pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy weak and sensitive species.

The introduction of exotic species causes extensive damage to natural biotic communities. Hunting and poaching of animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and crocodiles for their horn, tusks, and hides has rendered many species endangered.

Steps to Prevent Biodiversity Loss:

People must be educated to adopt environment-friendly practices and reorient activities for sustainable development. Conservation requires involvement of local communities and development of institutional structures at local levels.

The World Conservation Strategy suggests preserving endangered species. India signed the Convention of Biodiversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992, with 155 nations, committing to biodiversity conservation.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 3(ii) | (Page 7)
For More Understanding

Explanation

This answer addresses both parts of the question as required. Part 1 covers the four major causes from the textbook: (1) human population growth leading to habitat destruction, (2) natural calamities and pollution, (3) exotic species introduction, and (4) hunting/poaching. Part 2 covers conservation steps: education, community involvement, institutional development, and international commitments like the Convention of Biodiversity. The answer uses all facts strictly from the provided context without external information.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify all factors causing biodiversity loss from context (population growth, deforestation, natural calamities, pollution, exotic species, hunting)

  2. Step 2: Identify conservation measures from context (education, community involvement, institutional structures, preserving endangered species, international conventions)

  3. Step 3: Organize into clear paragraphs with bold key terms

  4. Step 4: Ensure answer stays within 150-200 words with 4-5 paragraphs

PreviousNext