NCERT PAGE NUMBER 32-33
Amrita’s Friends
1.Is there a place near your house, school or along the road side where trees have been planted?
Ans.There is a big park near my house. In the park there are several big trees.

2. Why were they planted there?
Ans.They were planted there to give shade, fruits and to keep the air fresh.

3. Have you seen anyone taking care of the trees? Who does this?
Ans.Yes, five persons are taking care of trees in the park. They are employed as gardeners.

4. Have you seen fruits on any of the trees? Who eats these fruits?
Ans. Yes, there are a few mango and guava trees in the park. A few people who look after the park eat those fruits. Some birds also eat these fruits.

5. Do you know of any place where grass, small plants or trees are growing on their own without being planted?
Ans. Yes, along the roadsides and in the fields grass and small plants are growing on their own without being planted.

6. Why do you feel that these are growing on their own?
Ans. Because no one planted those grass and small trees. Many grasses and plants grow in nature on their own.

NCERT PAGE NUMBER 33-34
Trees in Danger
1. Do you remember what the elders of this village used to say?
Ans. Yes. The elders of this village used to say “Agar perh hain to hum hain. Plants and animals can survive without us but we cannot survive without them.”

2.  Do you think we could survive if there were no trees and no animals?
Ans. No, we can’t, because trees give us oxygen to breathe and food to eat.

NCERT PAGE NUMBER 35-36
1. Does the tree flower?
Ans.Yes, it flowers.

2. Do the flowers remain on the tree throughout the year?
Ans.No, the flowers do not remain on the tree throughout the year.

3. In which month do the leaves fall?
Ans. Leaves of the tree usually fall in the month of January.

4. Do fruits grow on the tree?
Ans. Yes, they grow.

5. In which month do they grow?
Ans. Mangoes grow in the month of March.

6. Have you eaten these fruits?
Ans.Yes, I have eaten mangoes

NCERT PAGE NUMBER 36-37
Discuss:
1. Why do people hunt?
Ans. To eat, for their skin and bones, and for fun also.

2. There are rules against hunting of some animals. People can be punished for hunting. Why do you think there is this punishment?
Ans. Provision for this punishment has been made to save animals.
Talk to your grandparents and find out

3. Which birds did they see around them when they were of your age?
Ans. Crow, sparrow, parrot, eagle, vulture, cuckoo, etc.

4. Have the number of some of these birds become less?
Ans. Yes, the number of vultures, sparrows and eagles have become less.

5. Are there some birds or animals which they cannot see any more?
Ans. The little bustard and the cheetah cannot be seen anymore.

6. Shanti’s grandfather told her that when he was a small child he saw more birds like sparrows and mynah than he sees today. Can you make two guesses why their numbers have become less?
Ans. Hunting and cutting down of trees are two main causes, which are reducing the numbers of these birds.

7. Which kind of trees you see a lot in your area? Name two such trees.
Ans. I see a lot of teak and mango trees in my area.

8. Find out more about these trees from your elders.
Ans. Mango—Mango tree is a big tree. It usually starts flowering in the month of March. Its fruits start ripening from the month of May. Mango is a very tasty fruit. Its branches are used as firewood. Mango’s timber is used to make furniture also.Teak—Tree of teak is also very big. It gives us shade and fresh air. Teak wood is costly. Teak does not give us fruit. Teak wood is used in making furniture.