NCERT Class 8 Science Curiosity (Sanskrit): Chapter 12 — अध्यायः १२ कथं प्रकृतिः सामञ्जस्येन कार्यं करोति
This chapter, "How Does Nature Work in Harmony?" from the NCERT Class 8 Science Curiosity textbook, explores the interconnectedness of nature and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. It begins by posing thought-provoking questions about deforestation, climate change, and their effects on animals like elephants, prompting students to consider the relationships between living and non-living components of the environment. The text highlights how habitat loss and changes in rainfall patterns force animals into human agricultural areas and villages, leading to crop damage and potential harm to humans and livestock. It emphasizes the need to understand these interrelationships and study the components of our surroundings. The chapter introduces the concept of habitats and how plants and animals interact and adapt to their environment, encouraging students to observe and list living and non-living things in different habitats like ponds, forests, or even large trees.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity (Sanskrit) |
| Chapter | Chapter 12 — अध्यायः १२ कथं प्रकृतिः सामञ्जस्येन कार्यं करोति |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 214 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the interconnectedness of natural elements.
- Analyze the impact of human activities on wildlife habitats.
- Identify living and non-living components of various habitats.
- Explore different types of habitats and their characteristics.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| गजवीथिः | Elephant Corridor |
| सामञ्जस्येन | In harmony |
| वनावरणस्य | Of forest cover |
| परि�वर्तनं | Change |
| कृषि�क्षेत्रेषु | In agricultural fields |
| प्राकृति�कवासस्थानेषु | In natural habitats |
| सङ्कुचि�तानि | Shrunken/contracted |
| वन्यजीव-पर्याǿवरणवि�दः | Wildlife environmentalists |
| संरक्षि�त-सञ्चारार्थं | For safe movement |
| परस्पर-सम्बधान् | Interrelationships |
| वासस्थानम् | Habitat |
| अभि�क्रिĪयन्ते | Interact |
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Practice questions
- मानव-कृषि�क्षेत्रेषु गजाः कस्य कारणेन प्रविशन्ति? Answer: वनावरणस्य हानिः तथा प्राकृति�कवासस्थानेषु जलकूपाः शुष्काः भवन्ति इति कारणेन गजाः कृषि�क्षेत्रेषु प्रविशन्ति।
- वृक्षकर्तनस्य परिणामः कः? Answer: वृक्षकर्तनस्य परिणामः वनानि सङ्कुचि�तानि शुष्काणि च भवन्ति।
- वन्यजीव-पर्याǿवरणवि�दः पशूनां सुरक्षि�त-सञ्चारार्थं किं कृतवन्तः? Answer: वन्यजीव-पर्याǿवरणवि�दः देशस्य अनेकेषु भागेषु पशूनां सुरक्षि�त-सञ्चारार्थं मार्गाः अभि�ज्ञातवन्तः, चि�ह्निǛतवन्तः च।
- वासस्थानं किम्? Answer: वासस्थानं केवलं तत्् स्थानं यत्र जीवः नि�वसति।
- क्रिĪयाकलापः १२.१ मध्ये कस्य अन्वेषणं करणीयम्? Answer: क्रिĪयाकलापः १२.१ मध्ये स्वपरि�सरस्य नि�वासस्थानद्वयस्य अन्वेषणं करणीयम्।
Frequently asked questions
What is an Elephant Corridor?
An Elephant Corridor is a passage that allows elephants to move safely between forest areas, often connecting fragmented habitats.
Why do elephants enter agricultural fields?
Elephants enter agricultural fields when their natural food sources become scarce due to deforestation and drying up of water bodies in their habitats.
What are the consequences of cutting down trees?
Cutting down trees leads to the shrinking and drying of forests, which are the natural homes for many animals.
What is a habitat?
A habitat is the place where an organism lives.
How do plants and animals interact with their environment?
Plants and animals interact with each other and with the non-living components of their environment, adapting to the conditions for survival.
What is the purpose of Activity 12.1?
Activity 12.1 encourages students to explore and identify living and non-living components within two different habitats in their surroundings.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Science — Curiosity (Sanskrit) — Chapter 12 — अध्यायः १२ कथं प्रकृतिः सामञ्जस्येन कार्यं करोति. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.