CBSE Class 9 Main Course Chapter 7: The Indian Rhinoceros NCERT Solutions

The shopping list featuring a variety of products derived from animal parts is considered 'most shameful' because the demand for these items directly contributes to the immense harm inflicted upon animals. Poachers hunt and kill these animals to obtain their body parts, which are then sold to manufacturers. These manufacturers create consumer goods, and ultimately, it is the consumers who drive this demand, leading to the indiscriminate killing of animals. Therefore, the list is shameful as it represents the destructive impact of human consumerism on wildlife.

The Indian rhinoceros was the first rhinoceros known to Europeans. Rhinoceros comes from the Greek 'Rhino' meaning nose and 'Ceros' meaning horn. The Indian rhinoceros is monotypic; there are no distinct subspecies. Rhinoceros unicornis was the type species for the rhinoceros family, first classified by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. The Indian rhinoceros was the first rhino widely known outside its range. The first rhino to reach Europe in modern times arrived in Lisbon in May 20, 1515. King Manuel I of Portugal planned to send the rhinoceros to Pope Leo X, but the rhino perished in a shipwreck.

To the World Wildlife Federation

Date: [Insert Date Here]

Subject: Report on the Study of the Current Status and Future of the Yak Population

Dear Chairman,

This report is submitted in response to your directive to investigate the current status and future prospects of the Yak population. My findings and recommendations are as follows:

1. The Current Problem: The Yak population is facing a significant threat due to widespread hunting by traders. Yaks are highly valued for their milk, meat, and fur, leading to indiscriminate hunting. The increase in foreign tourism in the Himalayan region, where Yaks are found, has worsened the situation, as tourists often seek Yak meat and clothing made from Yak fur. This has created a profitable trade for some, resulting in a rapid depletion of the Yak numbers. My study indicates a drastic decrease in the population over the past two years, making the future of the Yak very grim if current practices continue.

2. Reasons Why This Problem Has Arisen: Several factors have contributed to this crisis. Firstly, the forest department has not provided adequate security and protection for wild Yaks, making them easy targets for hunters. Secondly, the Tourist department has not issued directives to foreign tourists regarding the purchase of products made from Yak fibre and skin, nor have they discouraged the consumption of Yak meat. These shortcomings have facilitated the unsustainable exploitation of the Yak population.

3. Effects of the Problem: If the current practice of indiscriminate hunting persists, Yaks are at high risk of extinction. Their future is precarious, and they are already absent from some parts of Bhutan and Nepal. The situation mirrors that of the panda, another endangered species, highlighting the severity of the threat.

4. Recommendations: Based on this study, I recommend the following measures for Yak conservation:

1. Identify Yak habitats and establish Yak reserves, similar to Tiger reserves.
2. Enact a special Yak Conservation and Protection Act.
3. Establish a dedicated Yak Welfare Trust.
4. Conduct awareness campaigns for foreign tourists, sensitizing them to the vulnerable condition of the Yak population and discouraging the purchase of Yak-related products.

5. Conclusion: The future of the Yak population in the Himalayan region is indeed grim, with a high likelihood of extinction if immediate and adequate measures are not implemented. Harnessing biotechnology for conservation efforts should also be explored. The Yak holds significant ecological and cultural importance in the Himalayan region. I urge you to seriously consider these recommendations and take necessary action to ensure the survival of this species.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Conservationist