CLASS V // TWAU // SIXTH CHAPTER // Topic- - Some Unique Places

 

CLASS V // TWAU // SIXTH CHAPTER // 

Topic- - Some Unique Places

SUMMARY NOTE:-

Key Terms:-

Island - Land surrounded by water on all sides

Mangroves - Trees growing in salty, muddy coastal areas

Coral Reef - Underwater structure made by tiny living corals that shelter marine life

Biodiversity hotspot - Area with a great variety of living species found     nowhere else

Protected Area - A place like a forest or park kept safe by the government for wildlife conservation.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands:-

·        These islands are located in the Bay of Bengal and include Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India.

·        The capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Vijaya Puram.

·        The islands are home to unique birds and animals like the Andaman wood pigeon and Andaman hornbill.

·        In The North Sentinel Island people still live like ancient hunter-gatherers and survive using their deep knowledge of nature. They do not want visitors, so no one is allowed to go there.

 Sundarbans (Mangrove Forests):-

·        Located where the Ganga River meets the sea(The Bay of Bengal).

·        This is the largest mangrove forest in the world.

·        Mangrove trees have roots that grow above the ground to help them breathe in salty water.

·        The roots also prevent soil erosion and protect land from sea waves.

·        People living here depend on the forest for their daily needs and live in harmony with nature.

·        The Royal Bengal Tiger is found here.

Northeast India:-

·         Includes the “Seven Sister States”( Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura) and Sikkim.

·        Sikkim is not included in this group, but is often referred to as the "brother state" of the Seven Sisters. 

·        North-east India is known for its green hills, colorful festivals, and rich traditions.

·        People live closely with nature — building houses on bamboo stilts and using local materials.

·        Bhut Jolokia or ghost pepper is one of the hottest chillies in the world. It grows in the Northeast India and is used in pickles, chutneys, and even to keep elephants away from the crops.

·        The Hargila bird (Greater Adjutant Stork) is protected by women in the region.

·        Famous for living root bridges and Bhut Jolokia (one of the hottest chillies in the world).

Western Ghats:-

·      A long mountain range running through six Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat).

·      Known as a biodiversity hotspot, home to lion-tailed macaques, Indian Giant Squirrel, and many other rare species.

·      Many rivers of India start from these hills including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri (which flow east), and the Periyar, Sharavati, and Mandovi (which flow west).

·      People here depend on forest plants for food and medicine.

·      The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is a rainforest saved by people’s movements to protect nature.

·      The Western Ghats have over 50 protected areas including wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

Silent Valley National Park:-

·       It is a wonderful rainforest in Kerala, home to many rare plants and animals.

·      Unlike other rainforests, which receive a lot of rain and are usually buzzing with the sound of cicada insects; this rainforest was silent giving the valley its name.

Protected areas:-

·      Protected areas are special places like forests, rivers or hills that are kept safe by the government to protect animals, plants and nature.

·      People are not allowed to cut trees or harm animals in these areas.

·      The Western Ghats have over 50 protected areas such as, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves.

·      These help protect rare animals like the lion-tailed macaque, tiger, elephant and hornbill, and keep the forests and rivers healthy.

Important points:-

Ø India has around 75 per cent of the world’s wild tigers.

Ø The Apatani tribes in Arunachal Pradesh grow rice and fish together in the same field, using no machines or fertilisers.

Ø A Marine Interpretation Centre is a place where information about the marine environment such as oceans, sea life, coastal eosystems, and conservation is presented in a simple and interactive way for visitors, students, and researchers through pictures and models.

Ø Warli painting in Maharashtra tell the stories of daily life, animals, and farming, using white colour made from the rice paste.

Ø Coir craft made from coconut husk in Kerala is a zero-waste craft.

Ø The Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora, Maharashtra, is the world’s largest building carved from a single rock.

Ø Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan, which boasts the second longest continuous wall in the world, is stretched over 36 kilometres.

Ø India’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the lunar south pole of the moon for the first time.

Ø Mawsynram in Meghalaya is the most wet inhabited place on Earth.

Ø Sikkim is the first Indian organic state, where people avoid any chemical farming.

A. FILL IN THE BLANKS:-

a)   The southernmost tip of India is Indira Point.

b)   Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland.

c)    The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal.

d)   An island is a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides.

e)   The Andaman wood pigeon and Andaman hornbill are birds found only in the Andaman Islands.

f)     The coral reefs provide shelter to many sea creatures.

g)   The people of North Sentinel Island still live like ancient hunter-gatherers.

h)   The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world.

i)      The Ganga River meets the sea at the Sundarbans.

j)     The Seven Sisters and Sikkim together form Northeast India.

k)    The Hargila bird is another name for the Greater Adjutant Stork, protected by the women of Assam.

l)      The living root bridges are found in Meghalaya.

m) The Bhut Jolokia chilli, one of the hottest chillies in the world, grows in Northeast India.

n)   The lion-tailed macaque is found only in the Western Ghats.

o)   The Silent Valley National Park is located in Kerala.

p)   Sikkim is the first organic farming state in India.  

B. Column Matching :-

 

1. Match the following (Places and Features):

Column A	Column B	Answer
1. Indira Point	a) Largest mangrove forest in the world	f
2. Andaman Islands	b) Known for living root bridges	e
3. Sundarbans	c) Located in Kerala, a silent rainforest	a
4. Northeast India	d) Found only in Western Ghats	b
5. lion-tailed macaque	e) Home to unique birds like Andaman hornbill	d
6. Silent Valley	f) Southernmost tip of India	c

 2. Match the following (Animals and Facts):

Column A	Column B	Answer
1. Andaman hornbill	a) Found only in Western Ghats	c
2. Hargila bird	b) Lives in Sundarbans	d
3. Lion-tailed macaque	c) Found only in Andaman Islands	a
4. Royal Bengal Tiger	d) Protected by women in Assam	b

3. Match the following (Concepts and Meanings):

Column A	Column B	Answer
1. Island	a) Roots that grow above the ground	d
2. Mangroves	b) Underwater structure made by tiny animals	a
3. Coral reef	c) Area protected for wildlife by the government	b
4. Protected area	d) Land surrounded by water on all sides	c

4. Match the following (Facts about India):

Column A	Column B	Answer
1. Bhut Jolokia	a) A rainforest saved by public movement	c
2. Kanyakumari	b) Southernmost point of mainland India	b
3. Silent Valley	c) One of the hottest chillies in the world	a
4. Sikkim	d) India’s first organic farming state	d

C. Complete this analogy:-

• Andaman Islands : Bay of Bengal :: Lakshadweep : Arabian Sea
• Lion-tailed macaque : Western Ghats :: Andaman hornbill : Andaman       Islands
• Sundarbans : Mangrove Forest :: Silent Valley : Rainforest

D.  Write 'T' for True and 'F' for False statements:-

1)   Indira Point is the southernmost point of India.

True

2)   The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Arabian Sea. 

     False, They are in the Bay of Bengal.

3)   The Andaman hornbill and wood pigeon are found all over India.     

    False – They are found only in the Andaman Islands.

4)   People are allowed to visit North Sentinel Island freely.     

False – Visitors are not allowed

5)   Silent Valley National Park is located in Karnataka.

False – It is in Kerala.

 

 E. Differentiate:-

1. Island and Main land:-

Island	Mainland
A piece of land surrounded by water on all sides (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar).	A large continuous area of land (e.g., Indian mainland ending at Kanyakumari).

2. Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep

Andaman & Nicobar	Lakshadweep
Located in the Bay of Bengal; larger group of islands; dense forests and tribal people	Located in the Arabian Sea; smaller coral islands.

3. Mangrove Forest and Rainforest:-

Mangrove Forest	Rainforest
Grows in salty, muddy coastal areas; trees have breathing roots (e.g., Sundarbans).	Grows in wet, high-rainfall regions; dense green vegetation (e.g., Silent Valley).

4. Lion-tailed Macaque and Royal Bengal Tiger

Lion-tailed Macaque	Royal Bengal Tiger
Found only in the Western Ghats; a monkey with a silver mane..	🔹 Found in the Sundarbans; India’s national animal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F. Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is an island? 

Ans - A land surrounded by water on all sides.

2. What kind of forest is the Sundarbans?  

Ans - Mangrove forest

3. Where is the Sundarbans located? 

Ans - Where the Ganga River meets the sea.

4. Name the famous tiger found in the Sundarbans.    

Ans - Royal Bengal Tiger

5. Where are living root bridges found?      

Ans – Meghalaya

6. Which bird is also called the Greater Adjutant Stork?       

Ans - Hargila bird

7. Which is one of the hottest chillies in the world grown in Northeast India?        

Ans - Bhut Jolokia

8. Name a national park in the Western Ghats.   

Ans - Silent Valley National Park

9. What was the purpose of the Save Silent Valley Movement?         

Ans - To stop a dam and protect the rainforest.

10. What is the meaning of “biodiversity hotspot”?     

Ans - An area with many unique species of plants and animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G. Short Answer Questions

Q1:  In which sea are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Located ? Name the other islands you know?

Ans: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, towards the southeastern part of India.

Here are some well-known islands (Indian and world):

Indian Islands : Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea), Majuli Island – Assam (river island in the Brahmaputra), Diu Island – Gujarat, Salsette Island – Maharashtra

Famous Islands of the World : Greenland – World’s largest island, Madagascar – Africa, Sri Lanka – Indian Ocean, Sumatra – Indonesia, Hawaii Islands – USA, Bali – Indonesia, Fiji Islands – Pacific Ocean.

Q2:  What do you see in the mangrove forest? List three things that live there.

Ans: In a mangrove forest, we can see mangrove trees with stilt roots, muddy land, and water mixed with sea tides. Three things that live there are: Crabs, Fish, Birds like herons, kingfishers), snakes, insects, frogs, oysters.

Q3. What makes a mangrove forest different from other forests?

Ans : A mangrove forest is different from other forests because:

• It grows in salty water near the sea.
• The trees have special roots (stilt roots and breathing roots) that help them survive in muddy, waterlogged soil.
• The forest is covered by tides—partly underwater during high tide and exposed during low tide.

Q4. In what ways do people in Sunderbans depend on the mangrove forests?

Ans : People in the Sunderbans depend on the mangrove forests in many important ways: fishing and crabbing, honey and wax collection, wood and fuel, protection from storms and floods, agriculture and farming support and tourism.

Q5.Name the seven Northeastern states?

Ans : The seven Northeastern states are: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

Q6. Give the names of three rivers that start from the Western Ghats.

Ans Three rivers that start from the Western Ghats: Godavari,

Krishna and Kaveri.

Q7. What is Indira Point and where is it located?

Ans : Indira Point is the southernmost tip of India, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

Q8. What are coral reefs?

Ans : Coral reefs are structures made by tiny living animals called corals. They provide shelter to many sea creatures.

Q9 . What are living root bridges and where are they found?

Ans : Living root bridges are natural bridges made from tree roots, found in Meghalaya in Northeast India.

Q10. What was the aim of the Save Silent Valley Movement?

Ans : To stop a dam project that would have destroyed the rainforest and its wildlife.

Q11 . Why are the Western Ghats called a biodiversity hotspot?

Ans : Because they have many species of plants and animals found only in that region.

 

 

H. Long Answer Questions

Q1: Describe the main features of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Ans:

Ø The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands located in the Bay of Bengal.

Ø The southernmost tip of India, Indira Point, lies here.

Ø These islands are covered with dense forests and are home to unique species like the Andaman hornbill and Andaman wood pigeon.

Ø The sea around the islands has coral reefs that provide shelter to marine life.

Ø Some tribes, like those on North Sentinel Island, still live close to nature and do not allow outsiders to visit.

Q2. Explain why mangrove forests are important for the environment.

      Ans :

Ø Mangrove forests, like those in the Sundarbans, grow in salty and muddy coastal areas.

Ø Their roots help the trees breathe and also hold the soil together, preventing erosion by sea waves.

Ø They serve as a natural barrier against storms and floods.

Ø Mangroves are also home to many creatures, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, and provide resources like wood and honey for local people.

Q3. Describe the life and traditions of people in Northeast India.

Ans :

Ø The people of Northeast India live closely with nature. They build houses on bamboo stilts to protect them from floods and wild animals.

Ø The region is known for its living root bridges, colorful festivals, and traditional crafts.

Ø Women in Assam protect the Hargila bird by saving its nests. The Bhut Jolokia chilli, one of the hottest in the world, is also grown here. This region shows how culture and nature are deeply connected.

Q4. Why are the Western Ghats called a biodiversity hotspot?

Ans :

Ø The Western Ghats stretch along the western coast of India and are known for their rich plant and animal life.

Ø Many species, like the lion-tailed macaque and Indian Giant Squirrel, are found only here.

Ø Several rivers, such as the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, originate from these hills.

Ø The region also contains over 50 protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Because of its variety of living things and rare species, it is known as a biodiversity hotspot.

Q5. Write a note on the Silent Valley National Park and the movement to protect it.

Ans :

Ø The Silent Valley National Park is a rainforest in Kerala known for its rare plants and animals.

Ø It was named “Silent Valley” because it lacks the loud sounds of cicada insects common in other rainforests.

Ø A dam was once planned in this area, which would have flooded the forest. People — including villagers, students, and scientists — came together in the Save Silent Valley Movement to stop the project.

Ø Their efforts helped save the forest, showing how collective action can protect nature.

Q6. What is the importance of coral reefs in the sea ecosystem?

Ans :

Ø Coral reefs are built by tiny living corals under the sea.

Ø They are important because they provide homes and protection to many sea creatures, including fish and crustaceans.

Ø Coral reefs also help protect coastlines from strong waves.

Ø They maintain the balance of marine life and are often called the “rainforests of the sea.”

I. Application/Thinking Questions

Q1: Why do you think it is important to take care of places like the Sundarbans ?

Ans: It is important to take care of places like the Sundarbans because they protect us from floods and storms, support many plants and animals, and provide livelihood to local people. They help keep the environment healthy and balanced.

Q2: Why people wear masks on the back of their heads during Sundarban visit?
Ans: People wear masks on the back of their heads in the Sundarbans to prevent tiger attacks, because tigers usually attack from behind. The mask makes it look like someone is watching, which helps keep tigers away.

Q3. Why do people in North-east states build their houses on bamboo

Structures ?

Ans : People in the North-East build their houses on bamboo structures because the area gets heavy rainfall and floods, and bamboo houses stay safe, strong, and above the water. Bamboo is also easily available and flexible during earthquakes.

Q4. Why do you think forts were built on hilltops instead of flat land ?

Ans : Forts were built on hilltops because the height made it easier to spot enemies and harder for them to attack, giving better safety and protection.

Q5. Why do you think the people of North Sentinel Island survived the tsunami of 2004?

Ans : They have a deep understanding of nature. They noticed changes in wind, sea, and animal behaviour before the tsunami and moved to safer places. Their strong connection with nature helped them survive.

Q6: How can we protect coral reefs from being destroyed?
Ans: We can protect coral reefs by reducing water pollution, avoiding plastic waste, not disturbing marine life while diving, and supporting marine conservation programs.

Q7. Why do you think some animals and birds are found only in certain places, like the lion-tailed macaque in the Western Ghats?

Ans : Because those regions provide specific climate, food, and habitat conditions suitable for their survival. Such species are called endemic species, and they cannot easily live elsewhere.

Q8. Why do you think mangrove roots grow above the ground?

Ans : Mangrove roots grow above the ground to absorb oxygen directly from the air, as the muddy soil lacks enough air for normal roots to breathe.

Q9. How do the people in Northeast India show that they live in harmony with nature?

Ans : They use natural materials like bamboo for houses, make root bridges instead of concrete ones, and protect birds and forests through community efforts.

10: What would happen if there were no protected areas like national parks?
Ans: Many wild animals would lose their homes, some might become extinct, and the balance of nature would be disturbed.

 

                            Nature is the best teacher.