Everything I Need To Learn From The Forest Questions & Answers

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Comprehension I

1.  Trace the childhood experiences that shaped the author’s interest in ecology.

Ans: Vandana Shiva’s father was a forest conservator and her mother became a farmer. Besides, the Himalayan forests, and ecosystems shaped her interest in ecology.

2.    How does the scarcity of water, fodder and fuel affect women?

Ans: That means longer walks for collecting water and firewood, and a heavier burden on women. 

 

3. What features of the ‘Chipko Movement’ does the author highlight?

Ans: It's a non-violent response to the deforestation by hugging the trees. The peasant women from Garhwal Himalaya had come out in defense of the forests. They declared that they would hug the trees, and the loggers would have to kill them before killing the trees.

4.       The real value of forest for women was

Ans: (c) springs and streams.

5.       List the activities she undertook after her involvement with the ‘Chipko’ movement.

Ans: She took out Pad yatras, documented the deforestation and the work of the forest activists, and spread the message of Chipko.

6. The conservation of biodiversity in the agriculture leads to

Ans: (c) more quality food and higher nutrition.

7. Why is it important to change the fossil fuel and chemical based monoculture?

Ans: One is non-renewable and the other is harmful.

8. What prompted the UN to initiate a discussion on the rights of Mother Earth?

Ans: The constitution of Ecuador and the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth initiated by Bolivia.  

9. The conference organized by UN General Assembly aimed at transforming domination of

Ans: (d) all the above

10.   What, according to the author, is eco-apartheid? Why is it important to end this?

Ans: Separateness of humans from nature. To avoid violence against nature and people, eco-apartheid must end.

11.   What event in human history marked the beginning of separation of humans from nature?

Ans: Industrial Revolution.

12. How do Carolyn Merchant and Francis Bacon differ  in their views ?

 Ans: Francis Bacon held that through science and inventions Nature can be conquered and subdued. Earth, according to him, is an inert, dead and manipulable matter.  Whereas Carolyn Merchant says that earth is living, nurturing and our mother. This Mother Earth cannot be slayed.

13.   What ideas of Tagore inspired the author to start the Earth University?

Ans: Inspiration from nature and to create an Indian cultural renaissance.

14.  How are Unity and Diversity related to each other?

Ans: Diversity without unity becomes the source of conflict and contest. Unity without diversity becomes the ground for external control.

Comprehension II

1.       How did the women led by Bachni Devi put up resistance to felling of trees? Do you think it was effective?

Ans: This is from the essay “Everything I Need To Know I Learned In The Forest” by Vandana Shiva, an internationally renowned activist for biodiversity and against corporate globalization. Bachni Devi, a woman from the village of Adwani in the Himalaya led resistance against her own husband, who had obtained contract to cut trees. When officials arrived at the forest, the women held lighted lanterns although it was broad daylight. They ironically told the officials that they had gone there to teach them forestry. This, in fact, enraged the forester who further said that the forests produce profit and resin and timber. The women sang back in chorus reminding the officials that the forests bear soil, water and pure air. Yes, the resistance was effective, for it made them realize the seriousness of the situation. The officials also came to know that there was awareness among the local women over indiscriminate logging.

2.       Why is it important to promote biodiversity intensive farming? How did the author achieve it?

Ans:  It is very important to promote biodiversity intensive farming because there lies the answer to the food and nutrition crisis. As the population increases, there is a tremendous need to produce large quantities of food. Besides, to increase the yield of the crop and to retain the quality of the soil, biodiversity intensive farming is the present necessity. Vandana Shiva achieved this by starting ‘Navadanya’, a biodiversity conservation and organic farming movement in 1987. She has worked with farmers to set up more than 100 community seed banks across India. They have saved more than 3,000 rice varieties. They also help farmers make a transition from fossil-fuel and chemical-based monocultures to bio-diverse ecological systems nourished by the sun and the soil.

3.       “Rights of Nature” means

a.       the right of people to use nature.

b.      the duty of human beings to conserve nature.

c.       preserving nature for self-protection

Ans: “Rights of Nature” refers to the duty of human beings to conserve nature in its broader sense. We must understand that we are an inseparable part of nature and that we cannot damage it without damaging ourselves. The examples of Ecuador and Bolivia which have recognised rights of nature made the U.N. General Assembly organize a conference in April 2011. It discussed ways to transform systems based on domination of people over nature, men over women, and rich over poor into new systems based on partnership. The U.N. General Secretary’s report stressed the importance of reconnecting with nature. So, separatism causes violence against nature and people. We should respect the values of Indian civilization attached to the culture of the forest. We have long co-existed with nature and its pristine presence. Our scientific advancements and technological growth should go hand in hand with the conservation of nature.

4.       What does the idea of the Earth University convey? How is it different from other universities?

Ans: The idea of Earth University considers freedom for all species to evolve within the web of life.  It also means freedom and responsibility of humans, as members of the Earth family, to recognize, protect and respect the rights of other species. Earth University teaches Earth Democracy, which is a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism. Unlike other universities, here participants learn to work with living seeds, living soil, and the web of life. Participants include farmers, school children and people from across the world.

Comprehension III

1.   “Tagore sees unity with nature as the highest stage of human evolution.” Do you think consumerism and accumulation of wealth comes in the way of realizing Tagore’s vision of human evolution?

Ans: This is from the essay “Everything I Need To Know I Learned In The Forest” by Vandana Shiva, an internationally renowned activist for biodiversity and against corporate globalization. When Tagore started Shantiniketan in West Bengal, he drew inspiration from nature. Tagore saw the sacred bond between man and nature. He says that India’s best ideas have come where man was in communion with nature. The forest teaches us enoughness; how to enjoy the gifts of nature without exploitation and accumulation. Yes, consumerism and accumulation are deterrents to Tagore’s view of human evolution. He attempted to create an Indian cultural renaissance through his words and actions. But the continuing generations have declined to adopt his ideals. Under the influences of fast cultures and new media in particular, the modern world is more prone to accumulation. There is good education and awareness about global issues these days. Conservation of nature has become much more comprehensive, yet the presence of supermarkets, worldwide market outlets and the latest online stores continue to lure the impressionable youth. Thus, Tagore’s vision is yet to be accomplished.

2.  “The conservation of bio-diversity is the answer to the food and nutrition crisis.” Discuss.

OR

3.  “Conservation of diversity is crucial for the sustenance of both nature and human society.” Discuss.

Ans: This is from the essay “Everything I Need To Know I Learned In The Forest” by Vandana Shiva, an internationally renowned activist for biodiversity and against corporate globalization. The conservation of bio-diversity is key to solving the problems of food and nutrition. Monoculture is the cause of impoverishment of nature and culture. Most of India’s traditional farming consisted of growing a single crop on the field. Though commercial approaches  benefited the farmers instantly, they do not help a nation in the long run. Vandana Shiva realized the importance of bio-diversity very early and started saving seeds from farmers’ fields. Navadanya Farm resulted in the Doon Valley, in the lower elevation Himalayan region in 1994. They now conserve and grow 630 varieties of rice, 150 varieties of wheat, and hundreds of other species. They practice and promote a bio-diversity intensive form of farming that produces more food and nutrition per acre. They also help farmers make a transition from fossil-fuel and chemical-based monocultures to bio-diverse ecological systems nourished by the sun and the soil.  That is how the conservation of bio-diversity is the need of the hour.

4.       In the light of this essay how does one synthesise the wisdom of the past with the modern knowledge systems?

Ans: This is from the essay “Everything I Need To Know I Learned In The Forest” by Vandana Shiva, an internationally renowned activist for biodiversity and against corporate globalization. The early Indian civilization was largely influenced by the tree culture and nature. The peace of the forest has helped the intellectual evolution of man. The culture of the forest has fuelled the culture of Indian society. The unifying principle of life in diversity, of democratic pluralism became the principle of Indian civilization. This premise was bypassed during the days of Industrial revolution. Since those days the world has been in an illusion to create luxury by exploiting nature. The modern knowledge systems should enlighten the current generation against its tendency to be separate from nature. We need to overcome this crisis of separateness of humans from nature.  We should reconnect with nature to move forward. The past wisdom always guides us to live in harmony with nature. The forest teaches us union and compassion. The progress of human society depends greatly on co-existing with nature. It is only by concurring with the wisdom of the past that we can evolve.  

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

One-mark questions

1.  1. From where did Vandana Shiva learn most of what she knows about ecology?
Ans: The Himalayan forests

2.  What is Chipko movement?
Ans: a nonviolent response to the large-scale deforestation that was taking place in the Himalayan region.

3.  How did logging affect women living in the Himalayan region?
Ans: Since it is the women who arranged for basic needs like water, fodder and fuel to run their households, a scarcity of these, which was a consequence of logging, meant that women had to walk long distances for collecting water and firewood, and suffer a heavier burden. 

4.      The peasant women had knowledge of the real value of the forest. What is that real value?
Ans: the springs and streams, food for their cattle, and fuel for their hearths.

5. What act or gesture by women was the characteristic feature of the Chipko movement?
Ans: Hugging of trees in protest against tree felling


6. What did the author do in the pad yatras she undertook every vacation?
Ans: She documented the deforestation and the work of the forest activists, and spread the message of Chipko.

7. When and where did one of the dramatic Chipko actions take place?
Ans: In the Himalayan village of Adwani in 1977

8. Name the woman who led resistance against timber contractors?
Ans: Bachni Devi

9. What according to the foresters did the forests produce?
Ans: Profit, resin and timber

10. According to the women resisting logging of trees, what did the forests bear?
Ans: Soil, water and pure air

11. What according to the author has become her life's mission?
Ans: the protection of biodiversity and biodiversity-based living economies

12. Who is the author of the book Monocultures of the Mind?

Ans: Vandana Shiva

13. What does the author say about biodiversity in her book Monocultures of the Mind?
Ans: the failure to understand biodiversity and its many functions is at the root of the impoverishment of nature and culture.

14. Name the farm started by the author. When and where was it started?
Ans: Navdanaya Farm in 1994 in the Doon Valley, located in the lower elevation Himalayan region of Uttarakhand Province.


15. Why did the author start the Navdanya farm?
Ans: In order to provide demonstration and training to farmers on the methods of doing biodiversity-intensive form of farming

16. Which country has recognized the "Rights of Nature" in its constitution?
Ans: Ecuador

17. What initiative has Bolivia taken as part of its mission to protect nature?
Ans: the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth

18. When is the Earth Day celebrated?
Ans: April 22

19. When is the World Environment Day celebrated?

Ans: June 5

20. What is the consequence of the idea of separatism between man and nature?
Ans: The idea of separatism between man and nature triggered the war against the Earth leading to the transformation of the living Earth into dead matter to facilitate the Industrial Revolution.

21. What is eco-aparthied?
Ans: the illusion of separateness of humans from nature in our minds and lives.

22. What is Francis Bacon's view of nature?
Ans: Francis Bacon believed that nature was manipulable matter that can be conquered and subdued with the power of science

23. What is Earth Democracy?
Ans: Earth Democracy is the freedom for all species to evolve within the web of life, and the freedom and responsibility of humans, as members of the Earth family, to recognize, protect, and respect the rights of other species.

24. With what objectives did Tagore establish Shantiniketan?
Ans: To draw inspiration from nature and to create an Indian cultural renaissance.

25. According to the author, the end of what marks the beginning of the joy of living?
Ans: the end of consumerism and accumulation

Model Answers

Q.1. Why is it important to promote biodiversity intensive farming? How did the author achieve it?

OR

Write about Navadanya Movement and Navadanya Farm. (150-200 words)

 Vandana Shiva is a globally acknowledged votary of biodiversity based living economies. In her essay “Everything I Need To Know...” she stresses the need of biodiversity intensive farming, for that is the need of the hour. The failure to understand biodiversity and its functions has impoverished nature and culture. In order to translate her early lessons of diversity in the Himalayan forests into reality she launched Navadanya, the Movement for biodiversity conservation and organic farming in 1987. She has set up more than more than 100 community seed banks across India with farmers. They have saved more than 3,000 rice varieties. She needed a farm for demonstration and training. Thus, Navadanya Farm was started in 1994 in the Doon Valley in Uttarkhand Province. Today, they conserve and grow 630 varieties of rice, 150 varieties of wheat and hundreds of other species. They practise and promote a biodiversity intensive form of farming that produces more food and nutrition per acre, for this is the answer to the food and nutrition crisis.   

Q.2. What does the idea of the Earth University convey? How is it different from other Universities?

OR

Write about the Earth University. (80-110 words)

Ans: Vandana Shiva is a globally acknowledged votary of biodiversity based living economies. In her essay “Everything I Need To Know...” she stresses the need of biodiversity intensive farming, for that is the need of the hour.

The Earth University is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore. It teaches Earth Democracy, which is the freedom for all all species to evolve within the web of life, and the freedom and responsibility of humans to recognize, protect and respect the rights of other species. Earth Democracy is a shift from anthrocentrism to ecocentrism. Since this is located at Navadanya Farm, farmers, school children and people from across the world learn to work with living seeds, living soil and the web of life.

Q.3. What is the impact of the dead-earth world view on nature? (150-200 words)                

Ans: "Everything I need To Know...” is an essay by Vandana Shiva, who is an internationally renowned environmental activist. In the essay, the author underlines the urgent need for mankind to shift from an anthropocentric paradigm to an ecological paradigm. The term 'dead-earth' implies that earth is lifeless, manipulable matter that can be utilized as raw materials for purposes that serve the material well-being of the human species. With this view, which originated from the thought that humans and nature are separate entities, the former having the power to subdue the latter, mankind gave itself the sanction to exploit nature in all its forms. The consequence of this long-term exploitation is that an almost irreparable damage has been caused to ecosystems, large and small, resulting in climate change, extinction of several species, and a depletion of natural resources. The dead-earth worldview denies nature, including billions of animal and plant species that are part of it, its right to exist in freedom from violence and exploitation. This view, which has completely abandoned the idea of earth as a nurturing mother, has perfectly served the ends of a capitalist mode of economy and living that is marked by endless greed and consumerism.