NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Looking Around: Chapter 20 — Whose Forests?
Chapter 20, 'Whose Forests?' from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around', introduces the concept of forests and the lives of forest-dwelling people, known as adivasis. It highlights Suryamani, a 'Girl Star', who teaches children about the forest's ecosystem and the importance of preserving it. The chapter explains that forests are not just trees but a complex web of relationships between plants, animals, and people. It contrasts the adivasis' sustainable use of forest resources with the exploitative practices of contractors. Suryamani emphasizes that forests are a 'collective bank' and their lives are intrinsically linked to the forests' existence. The chapter encourages understanding the interdependence within forests and the rights of forest people.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around |
| Chapter | Chapter 20 — Whose Forests? |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 591 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of a forest and its inhabitants.
- Recognize the interdependence of plants, animals, and humans in a forest ecosystem.
- Appreciate the lifestyle and rights of forest-dwelling communities (adivasis).
- Understand the difference between sustainable forest use and exploitation.
- Learn about the importance of forest conservation.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Adivasis | Indigenous forest-dwelling people. |
| Kuduk | The language spoken by the children in the story. |
| Contractor | A person who undertakes a contract to provide materials or labor for a project. |
| Collective bank | A resource (like a forest) that belongs to a community and is used sustainably. |
| Herbs | Plants used for medicine or flavoring. |
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Practice questions
- What is the name of the language the children speak in the forest? Answer: Kuduk.
- Who is Suryamani and what does she do? Answer: Suryamani is a 'Girl Star' who teaches children about forests and their importance.
- According to the forest people, what is the forest like? Answer: They consider the forest like their 'collective bank'.
- Why were the villagers afraid of the contractor? Answer: The contractor likely exploited the forest resources, unlike the villagers who used them sustainably.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kuduk?
Kuduk is the language spoken by the children in the story who go to the forest.
Who is Suryamani?
Suryamani is a 'Girl Star' who teaches children about forests and their importance, emphasizing their connection to forest life.
What does Suryamani mean when she says, 'We are forest people'?
She means that her community, the adivasis, have a life and identity deeply linked to the forests.
Why is it important to learn to 'read the forest'?
Learning to read the forest means understanding the relationships between trees, plants, and animals, which is as important as reading books for forest people.
What is a 'collective bank' in the context of the forest?
The forest is referred to as a 'collective bank' by the forest people, meaning it's a shared resource that they look after and take only what they need from.
What problem did the village face when the contractor came?
The contractor likely started exploiting the forest, preventing people from collecting leaves and herbs, which was a traditional practice.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Looking Around — Chapter 20 — Whose Forests?. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.