History of Environment FYUG Odd Semester Exam, 2023

Subject: History

Paper Name/Code: History of Environment / HISIDC-101T

Semester: 1st Semester (FYUG)

Exam Year: 2023 (Held in 2024)

Full Marks: 70

Pass Marks: 28

Duration: 3 Hours

SECTION-A (Objective Type)

Answer twenty questions, selecting any four from each Unit. (1 Mark each)

UNIT-I

1. Which day is celebrated as the World Environment Day? 1

June 5th is celebrated as World Environment Day.

2. Is environmental studies a science or a social science? 1

It is both; it is an interdisciplinary field that bridges science and social science.

3. Write Yes or No: Is environmental studies interdisciplinary? 1

Yes.

4. Mention one major environmental issue faced by the world today. 1

Climate Change (or Global Warming).

5. Name one non-renewable resource. 1

Coal (or Petroleum).

UNIT-II

6. Which ancient Indian text emphasizes the importance of protecting forests and wildlife? 1

The Arthashastra (by Kautilya).

7. Name one ancient Indian emperor who was known for his environmental protection measures. 1

Emperor Ashoka.

8. Name one ancient philosopher who emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature. 1

Gautama Buddha.

9. Which river was considered sacred in ancient India and often cited in environmental issues? 1

The Ganga.

10. Which animal was not domesticated by the Indus Valley people? 1

The Lion (while they domesticated humped bulls, dogs, and cats).

UNIT-III

11. What is the name of the desert in northwestern India? 1

The Thar Desert.

12. Which Mughal emperor was known for his love of nature and his efforts to protect the environment? 1

Jahangir (or Akbar).

13. Name one of the most devastating epidemics in medieval India. 1

The Plague.

14. Which animal was the symbol of the Mughal Empire? 1

The Lion (often depicted in the Sun and Lion standard).

15. What was the name of the Mughal hunting reserves? 1

Shikargah.

UNIT-IV

16. What is the deadliest famine in colonial India? 1

The Great Bengal Famine of 1770.

17. Who was the Chairman of the first famine commission in colonial India? 1

Sir Richard Strachey.

18. Name the first Forest Act passed by the British Government in India. 1

The Indian Forest Act of 1865.

19. When did the Santhal Rebellion take place? 1

1855–1856.

20. Who was Birsa Munda? 1

Birsa Munda was a tribal freedom fighter and folk hero who led the Munda Rebellion against British colonial rule.

UNIT-V

21. What is the meaning of the word 'Chipko'? 1

'To hug' or 'to embrace' (referring to hugging trees to prevent them from being cut).

22. Who was the key leader of the Narmada Bachao Movement? 1

Medha Patkar.

23. In which State did the Narmada Bachao Movement start? 1

Madhya Pradesh (later involving Gujarat and Maharashtra).

24. When did the Silent Valley Movement start? 1

1973.

25. Who is known as the 'Forest Man of India'? 1

Jadav Payeng.

SECTION-B (Short Answer Type)

Answer five questions, selecting one from each Unit. (2 Marks each)

UNIT-I

26. What is the scope of environmental studies? 2

The scope includes the study of natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and the human impact on the environment to ensure sustainable development.

UNIT-II

28. What was the concept of environment in ancient India? 2

In ancient India, the environment was viewed with reverence and divinity. [span_35](start_span)Elements like earth, water, fire, air, and space (Panchabhootas) were considered sacred, and humans were expected to live in harmony with nature[span_35](end_span).

UNIT-III

30. Mention the years of two major famines that occurred in medieval India. 2

Two major famines occurred during the reigns of Muhammad bin Tughluq (1334–1344) and during the Deccan Famine (1630–1632) under Shah Jahan.

UNIT-IV

33. What was the primary cause of famines during the Colonial period in India? 2

The primary causes were colonial economic policies, such as high land revenue, the shift to commercial crops (indigo, cotton) instead of food crops, and the failure of the distribution system during crop failures.

UNIT-V

34. When and where did the Chipko Movement start? 2

The modern Chipko movement started in 1973 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh).

SECTION-C (Long Answer Type)

Answer five questions, selecting one from each Unit. (8 Marks each)

UNIT-I

36. Discuss the multidisciplinary nature of the studies of the environment. 8

Environmental studies is inherently multidisciplinary because it requires knowledge from various fields to address complex ecological issues:

  • Natural Sciences: Biology, chemistry, and physics help understand ecosystem functions and the impact of pollutants.
  • Social Sciences: History, sociology, and economics analyze the human and institutional behaviors that drive environmental changes.
    • [span_43](start_span)
  • Technology: Engineering provides solutions for waste management and renewable energy[span_43](end_span).
  • Law and Policy: Political science and law are essential for creating and enforcing environmental regulations.

UNIT-II

39. What were the conditions of forests and wildlife in ancient India? 8

In ancient India, forests were extensive and wildlife was protected through religious and state mechanisms.

  • Sacred Forests: Communities often maintained sacred groves where cutting trees or hunting was strictly prohibited.
    • [span_48](start_span)
  • State Regulation: Kautilya’s Arthashastra describes "Abhayaranyas" (sanctuaries) where animals were protected by the king[span_48](end_span).
    • [span_50](start_span)
  • Ashokan Edicts: Emperor Ashoka banned the hunting of specific animals and prohibited the burning of forests[span_50](end_span).
    • [span_52](start_span)
  • Symbiosis: Early societies like the Indus Valley people co-existed with a wide range of wildlife, including elephants and rhinos, as seen in their seals[span_52](end_span).

UNIT-III

41. Write a brief note on the famine and epidemic in medieval India. 8

Medieval India faced regular environmental stresses in the form of famines and epidemics.

  • Famines: These were often caused by the failure of monsoons. [span_55](start_span)For example, the famine during Muhammad bin Tughluq's time led to massive population shifts[span_55](end_span).
  • State Response: Some rulers established relief measures like the Langar (community kitchens) and dug canals to mitigate drought.
    • [span_58](start_span)
  • Epidemics: Diseases like the plague and cholera often followed famines due to weakened immunity and lack of sanitation[span_58](end_span).
  • Impact: These events caused high mortality rates and led to significant socio-economic disruption in the affected regions.

UNIT-IV

42. Discuss about the degradation of land in the colonial period. 8

Colonial rule led to significant land degradation in India through exploitative practices.

  • Deforestation: Massive clearing of forests for timber needed for the British Navy and Railways destroyed natural cover.
    • [span_63](start_span)
  • Commercialization of Agriculture: Forcing peasants to grow cash crops (indigo, opium) exhausted soil fertility faster than traditional food crops[span_63](end_span).
  • Plantation Economy: Establishing tea and coffee plantations in hills led to soil erosion and loss of local biodiversity.
    • [span_66](start_span)
  • Impact on Tribes: Forest acts restricted local communities from using forests, leading to over-grazing in limited areas and further soil degradation[span_66](end_span).

UNIT-V

44. Write a brief note on the Narmada Bachao Movement. 8

The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is one of India's most significant environmental movements.

    [span_69](start_span)
  • Origin: It began in the 1980s as a protest against the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada river[span_69](end_span).
  • Issues: The primary concerns were the displacement of thousands of tribal people and the massive submergence of forests and agricultural land.
    • [span_72](start_span)
  • Leadership: Led by Medha Patkar and supported by figures like Baba Amte, the movement emphasized non-violent resistance[span_72](end_span).
  • Significance: It brought the issue of "Environment vs. Development" to the national forefront and led the World Bank to withdraw its funding for the project.

Exam Focus Enhancements

Exam Tips: For objective questions, be precise with years and names (e.g., Medha Patkar, 1973). [span_75](start_span)For long answers, always structure your points under clear subheadings[span_75](end_span).

Common Mistakes: Don't confuse the Chipko movement with the Bishnoi movement. While both involved hugging trees, the Bishnoi event happened in the 18th century, and Chipko in 1973.

Answer Presentation: Using a map or diagram for movements like Narmada Bachao can help visualize the geographical scale of the impact.