Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 2 Solutions – Life on Earth
Looking for accurate and complete ncert class 9 social science part 2 chapter 2 solutions for the new CBSE curriculum (2026-27)? You are in the right place! In this guide, we provide step-by-step, direct, and easy-to-understand solutions for all exercise questions from Understanding Society: India and Beyond Class 9 SST Part 2 Chapter 2: Life on Earth. These answers are crafted specifically to help students write clean, exam-ready answers in their notebooks without extra confusion or lengthy fluff.
Question 1
Why does India have diverse biomes? How does the local geography connect to the diversity?
India has diverse biomes due to its vast geographical extent and varied relief features. The local geography connects to this diversity in the following ways:
- Climate: Ranging from tropical in the south to temperate in the Himalayas, and arid in the west.
- Relief: The presence of the Himalayas, the Thar Desert, coastal plains, and plateaus creates different habitats.
- Rainfall: The monsoon brings heavy rain to the Western Ghats and Northeast, creating rainforests, while the leeward side remains dry.
Question 2
Make a list of economically valuable native plants in your region and comment on their abundance.
(This is a subjective question. Here is a general example)
In many parts of India, native economically valuable plants include:
- Neem: Used for medicine and pesticides. Abundant in many regions.
- Banyan and Peepal: Provide shade and have religious significance.
- Bamboo: Used for construction, crafts, and paper. Highly abundant in the Northeast.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil): Medicinal plant found in almost every household.
Most of these are abundant, but rapid urbanization is reducing their numbers in cities.
Question 3
Prepare a map of your state or Union Territory showing national parks and sanctuaries.
(This is a map activity). Take an outline map of your state. Use different symbols (e.g., a green triangle for national parks and a red circle for sanctuaries) to mark their locations. Create a legend to explain your symbols.
Question 4
Study the impact of forest fires on people dependent on forests. Try to include the causes, losses, and preventive measures.
- Causes: Natural (lightning, dry weather) and human-made (slash-and-burn agriculture, careless disposal of cigarettes, deliberate arson).
- Losses: Loss of livelihood for forest dwellers (collection of honey, bamboo, medicinal plants), destruction of homes, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions.
- Preventive Measures: Creating fire lines (clearing vegetation to stop fire spread), controlled burning, awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.
Question 5
Why are forests often called the 'lungs of the Earth'?
Forests are called the 'lungs of the Earth' because they absorb carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis, helping to regulate the Earth's climate and maintain the balance of atmospheric gases.
Question 6
If large forest areas continue to be destroyed, what do you think would be its long-term effect on the global climate?
If large forest areas are destroyed, there will be an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. This would cause more extreme weather events (floods, droughts), melting of glaciers, and rising sea levels. The water cycle would also be disrupted, leading to irregular rainfall patterns.
Question 7
Discuss some traditional forest conservation methods with your grandparents or an elderly person.
(Sample Answer)
Traditional methods include the protection of Sacred Groves (Devrai, Sarna, Kavu) where entire patches of forest are protected by local communities for religious reasons. Another method is respecting the forest deities (like the Gonds and Bhils do) and only collecting what is necessary, ensuring sustainable use. Rules are passed down orally through generations.
Question 8
How do forest dwellers contribute to the protection and conservation of forests?
Forest dwellers protect forests through traditional knowledge and practices. They act as guardians, preventing illegal logging and forest fires. They practice sustainable harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 empowers them to manage and conserve their traditional forests.
Question 9
What is a forest fire? Prepare a plan for prevention and mitigation of forest fires.
- What is a forest fire: An uncontrolled fire occurring in a forest or wildland area that destroys vegetation and wildlife.
- Prevention Plan: (1) Create fire lines (clearing vegetation). (2) Raise public awareness against lighting fires. (3) Use early warning systems (satellite monitoring).
- Mitigation Plan: (1) Train forest rangers and fire safety teams. (2) Keep fire-fighting equipment ready. (3) Controlled burning during safe periods to reduce fuel load.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Based on latest NCERT class 9 book.