Whose Forests Class 5 Notes CBSE EVS Chapter 20 (Free PDF Download)

Summary of Whose Forests

• Forests are very important for us.

• Reading books and learning to read about the forest is equally very important.

• Forest people are called ‘Adivasis’.

• Suryamani is an Adivasi. She completed her graduation with the help of a scholarship.

• She is employed by the Jharkhand Jungle Bachao Andolan.

• She opened a centre named ‘Torang’ which means jungle in the Kuduk language.

• Children learn various things in Torang.

• In Jhoom farming, weeds are burnt and ashes are mixed with the soil.

• Cheraw dance is a special dance of Adivasis.

Daughter of the Jungle

• Suryamani takes the children to the forest every Sunday.

• While walking, the children dance and sing in their Kuduk language.

• Suryamani teaches them about various trees in the forest.

• She believes, that learning to read the forest is as important as reading books.

• Their lives are linked to the forest.

Growing up

• Suryamani was very fond of the forest since childhood.

• Even while going to school, she would take the path through the forest instead of the direct road.

• Her family used to collect herbs and leaves from the forest and sell them in the market.

• Her mother used to weave baskets using bamboo and make plates with the fallen leaves.

• The contractor came to cut the trees.

• Suryamnai’s chacha(uncle) tried very hard and got admission for her in the school of Bishanpur.

Suryamani’s Journey

• Suryamani studied hard and completed her graduation with the help of a scholarship.

• She was the first girl in her village to do so.

• Suryamani met Vasavi didi, a journalist, and soon joined her to work for the Jharkhand Jungle Bachao Andolan (Movement to Save the Forests of Jharkhand)

• Suryamani’s friends Bijoy and Mirchi helped her in her journey.

• She had a dream for the Kuduk community and wanted her people to feel proud to be Adivasis.

Suryamani’s Torang

• At the age of 21, Suryamani opened her centre named Torang with the help of Vasavi did and others.

• Torang means ‘jungle’ in the Kuduk language.

• She used to teach children about the forest, how to collect herbs and leaves, how to sing in their language, how to make things from bamboo, etc. All these happened in the Torang centre.

• Many special books and different instruments such as drums and flutes were kept in the centre.

• People would turn to Suryamani when they were afraid that their land would be taken away or something unfair has happened.

• Suryamani and Bijoy got married and now work together towards this cause.

Lottery for farming in Mizoram

• In the hills of Mizoram, people would do a lottery to decide which family would get how much land for farming.

• The land belongs to the whole village ad not to each individual, so they take turns in farming.

• Saima Sir’s family got to choose first in the lottery.

• He asked for ‘three tin’ of land to farm.

• The land on which one tin of seeds can be grown is called one tin of land.

Jhoom Farming

• In Jhoom farming, after cutting one corp, the land is left as it is for some years. Nothing is grown there.

• The bamboo or weeds that grow on that land are not removed.

• They are cut and burnt. The ash makes the land fertile.

• When the land is ready for farming it is lightly dug up, not ploughed.

• Seeds are dropped on it.

• On one farm different types of crops like maize, vegetables, chilies, and rice can be grown.

• Weeds and other unwanted plants are also not pulled out, they are just cut. So that they get mixed with the soil.

• This also aids in the fertility of the soil.

Solved Examples

1. What do you think is a forest?

Ans: A forest is a large area densely forested with various tree species. It is home to a variety of animals, insects, and birds.

2. Do all forests have similar types of trees? How many trees can you identify?

Ans: Different trees grow in different forests. Some trees, such as peepal, banyan, and neem, I can identify.

3. The contractor did not allow Suryamani’s people to go into the forest. Why?

Ans: The contractor could have been in the woods cutting down trees to sell somewhere. He may not want locals to use forest resources, so he did not permit Suryamani's people to enter the forest.

4. Suryamani says, “If the forests are not there, we too will not remain”. Why so?

Ans: Forests are critical to our survival. They contribute to the preservation of the environment's balance. Green plants absorb harmful gases while emitting oxygen. Forests provide us with wood, herbs, and a variety of raw materials. Many tribal peoples rely on forests for a living. As a result, Suryamani is correct in her assertion.

Practice Questions

1. Some people have moved so far away from the forest that they cannot understand the lives of forest people. Some even call them ‘jungli’. Why is it not correct to say this?

Ans: The term 'jungli' is a derogatory term for someone who is considered uncivilised. Forest dwellers have their own distinct culture that is distinct from mainstream culture. They are not uncivilised; rather, they live in a manner that is distinct from ours. As a result, the term "jungli" is incorrect.

2. What do you know about how adivasis live?

Ans: Adivasis lead a simple life. They dress in simple clothes. They wear costumes made of leaves and flowers during their traditional festivals. They rely on forest products for a living. They gather firewood from forests and take their cattle there to graze. They make useful items out of leaves, wood, and bamboo. They are very knowledgeable about medicinal herbs.

Important points to remember

• We should not cut down forests.

• We should not look at Adivasis differently, they are an important community that takes care of the forests.

• Every child should be taught about trees and their importance in nature.

• We should always plant as many trees as we can.

Importance of CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 20 Whose Forests

This chapter describes the forest people or adivasis living in a jungle. They love to be closer to nature. They love the sounds of nature too and make jewellery out of fallen flowers and leaves. Children love to play in the shade of trees. The elders teach them how the jungle is important for sustainability and survival. This chapter explains how the forest people love to read the forest. Whose Forests describes how they plant trees and protect the forests’ natural resources.

Class 5 EVS Chapter 20 notes will also inform us who robbed the resources of the forest. It also tells us a story about a girl named Suryamani. She is the beloved elder sister of all children in the village. They love to follow her to the jungle and learn things from her.

The importance of this chapter is found in the fact that it increases the awareness of our green resources. We also learn how forest people are dependent on the natural resources available in the forests. Whose Forests Class 5 EVS teaches us how hard it is to live without proper income in the forests.

Benefits of Vedantu’s Whose Forests Class 5 EVS Revision Notes and Worksheets

• The notes will help you understand the context of this chapter with its simpler explanations. Find out how the experts have explained every section of this chapter to resolve your doubts. You can find some of the NCERT Class 5 science questions and answers easily from these notes.

• Prepare this chapter using these notes. Use them to revise the chapter before an exam. Recall what you have studied and score well in the exams. Find answers to fundamental questions such as ‘what do you think is a forest?’ in no time.

• Use the worksheets to evaluate your preparation level. Find out which sections you need to study more by checking the NCERT Class 5 EVS solutions for worksheets.

• Learn how the experts have formulated every Class 5 EVS Chapter 20 question answer and understand the techniques. Practice using these techniques to make your answers accurate.