READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGE (CLASS 9 AND 10)Wildlife Conservation

SOLVED WORKSHEET 24

Wildlife Conservation

1 Wildlife traditionally refers to the wild animal species that are not domesticated. It plays an important role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance on the Earth. Wildlife conservation is a well-planned way to protect the wild animal species and their habitats and plants. Every species in this world needs food, water, shelter and most importantly opportunities to reproduce. Habitat destruction by human activity is the primary threat to the species. Forests are the habitat for wildlife and for the smooth functioning of biological cycles of the Earth; we must conserve forests along with animal species. 

2 We should avoid sports like hunting. Rather, we should use our camera to take shots. Wildlife conservation is important for maintaining a healthy ecological balance among all the living creatures. Every living creature on this Earth has a unique place in the food chain and thus, they contribute to the ecosystem in their own different ways. But sadly, for land development, many natural habitats of animals are being destroyed by humans. Another factor that contributes to wildlife extinction is the hunting of animals for fur, jewellery, meat and leather. 

3 For a healthy ecosystem, the disappearance of a single wildlife species from the ecosystem may disturb the whole food chain. Wildlife conservation is also important for medicines as a huge number of plants and animal species are used to produce some essential drugs. Moreover, Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system of India also uses extracts of various plants and herbs. Wildlife plays a very significant role in the growth of agricultural crops and a large section of population in this world is dependent on these crops. For maintaining a clean and healthy environment, wildlife conservation is essential. For example, birds like the eagle and the vulture contribute to nature by removing dead bodies of animals and keep the environment clean. 

4 Wildlife conservation can be categorized into two interesting phrases namely ‘‘in situ conservation’’ which protects the endangered animal or plant on site in its natural habitat, and, ‘‘ex situ conservation’’ which literally means off-site conservation of wild animals and plants by removing and relocating some part of a population to a protected habitat.  

Based on your reading of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each:

(a) Why are forests important? 

Forests are the habitat for wildlife and for the smooth functioning of biological cycles of the Earth. Therefore it is important to conserve forests along with animal species. 

(b) Why does man hunt wild animals? 

Man hunt animals for fur, jewellery, meat and leather and sometimes for sport.

(c) What disturbs the food chain? 

For a healthy ecosystem, the disappearance of a single wildlife species from the ecosystem may disturb the whole food chain. Wildlife plays a very significant role in the growth of agricultural crops and a large section of population in this world is dependent on these crops.

(d) How is wildlife conservation important? 

For maintaining a clean and healthy environment, wildlife conservation is essential. For example, birds like the eagle and the vulture contribute to nature by removing dead bodies of animals and keep the environment clean. 

(e) Name and explain any one category of wildlife conservation. 

Wildlife conservation can be categorized into two interesting phrases namely ‘‘in situ conservation’’ which protects the endangered animal or plant on site in its natural habitat, and, ‘‘ex situ conservation’’ which literally means off-site conservation of wild animals and plants by removing and relocating some part of a population to a protected habitat.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, fill in any two of the following blanks with appropriate words/phrases:
(a) The most important opportunity that every species needs is to reproduce.
(b) In the forest, we should use our camera instead of a gun.
(c) Eagle and vulture keep the environment clean.

Answer any two of the following:
(a) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘preservation’? (para 1)
Conservation

(b) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to the word, ‘wild’? (para 1) 

Domesticated

(c) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to the word, ‘modern? (para 3) 

Traditional