Some Unique Places — NCERT Solutions

Given: We need to describe what the picture tells us about the relationship between people and nature in Northeast India.

Answer:
The picture tells us that:

1. People of Northeast India live in close harmony with nature — they use natural materials like bamboo for their homes and daily life.
2. They celebrate festivals that are connected to nature, seasons, and harvests.
3. They have a deep respect for the forests, rivers, and animals around them.
4. Their traditional knowledge of nature has been passed down through generations.
5. They depend on nature for food, shelter, clothing, and medicine.

Final Answer: The picture shows that people of Northeast India live in harmony with nature — using natural resources wisely, celebrating nature through festivals, and respecting the forests and animals around them.

Given: We need to create a protection plan for an animal or bird near us that needs protection.

Sample Protection Plan — Sparrow:

Animal chosen: House Sparrow (once very common, now declining in cities)

Why it needs protection:

• Loss of nesting places due to modern buildings
• Less food available in cities
• Pollution and pesticides

Our Protection Plan:

1. Awareness: Make posters and tell our neighbours about the declining sparrow population.
2. Nesting boxes: Place small wooden or clay nesting boxes on walls, balconies, and trees.
3. Food and water: Keep small bowls of water and grains (millet, rice) on windowsills or in the garden.
4. Avoid pesticides: Request families to avoid using chemical pesticides in gardens.
5. Plant local trees and shrubs: These provide natural food and shelter for sparrows.
6. School campaign: Organise a 'Save the Sparrow' day at school.

Final Answer: By creating nesting boxes, providing food and water, planting local trees, and spreading awareness, we can help protect the house sparrow in our neighbourhood.

Given: We need to name the six states through which the Western Ghats pass.

Answer:
The Western Ghats is a long chain of forested hills running along the western coast of India. It passes through the following six states:

1. Gujarat
2. Maharashtra
3. Goa
4. Karnataka
5. Kerala
6. Tamil Nadu

Final Answer: The Western Ghats passes through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Given: We need to name animals found in the Western Ghats forests.

Answer:
Animals found in the Western Ghats forests include:

1. Lion-tailed Macaque (found only in the Western Ghats)
2. Indian Giant Squirrel (Malabar Giant Squirrel)
3. Tiger
4. Elephant
5. Leopard
6. King Cobra
7. Malabar Hornbill

Final Answer: Animals like the lion-tailed macaque, Indian giant squirrel, tiger, elephant, leopard, and king cobra can be spotted in the Western Ghats forests.

Given: We need to describe what people are doing in the picture from the Western Ghats.

Note: The picture is not clearly visible, but based on the context of the chapter (students with notebooks and cameras doing a survey of mango varieties), the answer is given.

Answer: The people in the picture appear to be doing a nature survey — they are recording and studying different types of plants, fruits, or trees in the forest. Students with notebooks and cameras are working with researchers and farmers to document the variety of plants (like different types of mangoes) found in the Western Ghats.

Final Answer: The people are conducting a nature/biodiversity survey — recording and studying different varieties of plants and fruits found in the Western Ghats forests.

Given: We need to explain why forts were built on hilltops in the Western Ghats region.

Answer:
Forts were built on hilltops instead of flat land because:

1. Better view: From a hilltop, soldiers could see enemies approaching from far away and prepare for defence.
2. Difficult to attack: Enemies had to climb steep hills to reach the fort, making attacks very difficult.
3. Natural protection: The steep rocky slopes of the hills acted as natural walls, reducing the need for extra fortification.
4. Strategic advantage: Soldiers could shoot arrows or cannonballs downward at enemies, giving them a great advantage.
5. Safe from floods: Hilltops are safe from river floods that could damage forts on flat land.

Final Answer: Forts were built on hilltops because the height gave soldiers a clear view of approaching enemies, made attacks difficult, and the steep slopes provided natural protection.

Given: We need to name three rivers that originate from the Western Ghats.

Answer:
Three rivers that start (originate) from the Western Ghats are:

1. Godavari — originates in Maharashtra and flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
2. Krishna — originates in Maharashtra and flows eastward.
3. Kaveri (Cauvery) — originates in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu.

Other rivers: Tungabhadra, Periyar, Sharavathi.

Final Answer: Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are three rivers that originate from the Western Ghats.

Given: We need to list three protected areas (national parks or wildlife sanctuaries) in the Western Ghats.

Answer:
Three protected areas in the Western Ghats are:

1. Silent Valley National Park — located in Kerala, known for its rich biodiversity and lion-tailed macaques.
2. Periyar Tiger Reserve — located in Kerala, famous for elephants and tigers.
3. Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park) — located in Karnataka, home to tigers, elephants, and leopards.

Other examples: Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai National Park, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

Final Answer: Silent Valley National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and Nagarhole National Park are three protected areas in the Western Ghats.

Given: We need to reflect on what surprised us most about the places visited in the story.

Answer (Sample):
What surprised me the most was the living root bridges of Northeast India. I never imagined that the roots of trees could grow across streams and become strong enough for people to walk on! It shows how people can work with nature instead of against it. Instead of cutting trees to build bridges, they patiently guided the roots to grow in the right direction over many years. This is a wonderful example of human wisdom and respect for nature.

Final Answer: The living root bridges of Northeast India surprised me the most because it is amazing that people used the natural growth of tree roots to create bridges — showing a beautiful partnership between humans and nature.

Given: We need to share which place from the story we would most like to visit and what we would do there.

Answer (Sample):
I would most like to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The idea of seeing colourful coral reefs, unique birds like the Andaman hornbill, and forests full of rare animals is very exciting to me.

If I visited there, I would:

1. Go snorkelling or glass-bottom boat riding to see the coral reefs and sea creatures.
2. Walk through the forest with a guide to spot unique birds and butterflies.
3. Visit the Marine Interpretation Centre to learn more about sea life.
4. Learn about the local people and their traditions.

Final Answer: I would like to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to explore the coral reefs, watch unique birds, and learn about the amazing marine life found there.

Given: We need to compare our own region with one of the places visited in the story.

Answer (Sample — for a student living in a city like Delhi):
My region (Delhi) is very different from the Sundarbans.

Differences:

• Delhi is a busy city with buildings, roads, and traffic, while the Sundarbans is a vast, quiet mangrove forest.
• Delhi is far from the sea, while the Sundarbans is where the river meets the sea.
• Delhi has very few wild animals, while the Sundarbans is home to Royal Bengal Tigers, crocodiles, and many birds.

Similarities:

• Both places have rivers nearby (Delhi has the Yamuna; Sundarbans has the Ganga).
• People in both places depend on nature — Delhi depends on rivers for water, just as Sundarbans people depend on the forest.

Final Answer: My region is very different from the Sundarbans in terms of landscape and wildlife, but both regions share a dependence on rivers and natural resources for daily life.

Given: We need to match aquatic animals with their features. The images are not visible, but based on the features described, the animals can be identified as follows:

Matching:

1. 'Has no brain but can regrow its arms, if lost.' → Starfish (Sea Star)

(Starfish have no brain and can regenerate lost arms.)

2. 'Fish that swims upright, face looks like that of a horse.' → Seahorse

(Seahorses swim upright and have a horse-like face.)

3. 'With hard shells, return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs.' → Sea Turtle

(Sea turtles have hard shells and return to their birth beach to lay eggs.)

4. 'Has eight arms and can change its colour to hide.' → Octopus

(Octopuses have eight arms and can change colour for camouflage.)

5. 'Lives safely among stinging sea anemones.' → Clownfish

(Clownfish live among sea anemones and are protected by them.)

6. 'Tiny sea animals that form colourful reefs and homes for fish.' → Coral

(Corals are tiny animals that build colourful reefs.)

7. 'Has a soft, transparent body and stings with its tentacles.' → Jellyfish

(Jellyfish have soft, transparent bodies and sting with tentacles.)

8. 'Smart mammals that breathe air and live in groups.' → Dolphin

(Dolphins are intelligent mammals that breathe air and live in pods/groups.)

Final Answer:

• Starfish → Has no brain but can regrow its arms
• Seahorse → Swims upright, face like a horse
• Sea Turtle → Hard shell, returns to birth beach to lay eggs
• Octopus → Eight arms, changes colour to hide
• Clownfish → Lives among stinging sea anemones
• Coral → Tiny animals forming colourful reefs
• Jellyfish → Soft transparent body, stings with tentacles
• Dolphin → Smart mammal, breathes air, lives in groups

Given: We need to explain what is special about mangroves.

Answer:
Mangroves are special because:

1. They grow in a very unique environment — in muddy, salty water where rivers meet the sea. Most plants cannot survive in such conditions.
2. They have special roots that stick out of the water to help the tree breathe in the waterlogged, muddy soil.
3. Their roots hold the soil together and prevent coastal erosion — they stop waves from washing the land away.
4. They protect coastal villages from storms, cyclones, and tsunamis by acting as a natural barrier.
5. They provide shelter and food for many fish, birds, and animals.
6. The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
7. Many people depend on mangrove forests for fish, honey, wood, and medicine.

Final Answer: Mangroves are special because they grow in salty, muddy water, have breathing roots, protect coastlines from erosion and storms, and support a rich variety of wildlife and human communities.

Given: We need to explain how people in different regions of India live in harmony with nature.

Answer:
People in different regions of India live in harmony with nature in the following ways:

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The people of North Sentinel Island live as hunter-gatherers, taking only what they need from nature. Their deep knowledge of nature's signs helped them survive the 2004 tsunami.

2. Sundarbans: People here have lived for generations as fishermen and honey collectors, depending on the mangrove forest without destroying it. They respect the forest and the Royal Bengal Tiger.

3. Northeast India: People build homes using bamboo — a natural, renewable material. They celebrate festivals connected to nature and harvests. Communities like those in Meghalaya have created living root bridges by guiding tree roots, working with nature rather than against it.

4. Western Ghats: Tribal communities and forest-dwelling people have used plants for food and medicine for generations. Students and farmers work together to document and protect the biodiversity of fruits like mangoes.

Final Answer: People across India — from island dwellers to forest communities — live in harmony with nature by using natural resources wisely, respecting wildlife, building with natural materials, and passing down traditional knowledge about the environment.

Given: We need to create a collage showing the vibrant diversity of India.

Instructions for the Activity:

Step 1 — Collect pictures from old magazines, newspapers, or print them from the internet showing:

• Different landscapes: mountains, forests, rivers, beaches, deserts
• Wildlife: tigers, elephants, peacocks, dolphins
• Festivals: Bihu, Hornbill Festival, Onam, Diwali, Eid
• Traditional clothes from different states
• Famous places: Taj Mahal, Sundarbans, Western Ghats, Andaman Islands
• Foods from different regions
• Tribal art and crafts

Step 2 — Arrange the pictures on a large sheet of paper or cardboard in an attractive way.

Step 3 — Paste the pictures using glue.

Step 4 — Write a title: 'Vibrant India — Rich in Nature, Culture and People'

Step 5 — Add short labels under each picture.

Final Answer: A collage showing India's diverse landscapes, wildlife, festivals, traditional clothes, food, and people from different regions will depict the vibrant and rich culture of India. (This is a hands-on activity to be completed by the student.)