B. Read to infer

 1. What motivated the tribal people to hunt wildlife recklessly?

 2. What did the filmmakers realize after interviewing generations of hunters?

 3. What vital lesson did these tribal people learn?

Answers

B. Read to Infer

1. What motivated the tribal people to hunt wildlife recklessly?The tribal people were motivated to hunt wildlife recklessly due to the growing demand for wild animals and birds in village markets. High prices for wild meat and animal parts, such as squirrels, hornbills, and barking deer, created financial incentives to hunt more frequently, leading to overhunting.

2. What did the filmmakers realize after interviewing generations of hunters?The filmmakers realized that older generations of hunters had deep knowledge of the animals they hunted—their habitats, food sources, and behaviours. However, younger hunters and teenagers had seen very few animals and had little knowledge of wildlife, indicating that overhunting had drastically reduced animal populations. This generational shift highlighted the crisis of wildlife depletion in the region.

3. What vital lesson did these tribal people learn?The tribal people learned that continued reckless hunting would lead to the extinction of wildlife and the destruction of their forests. This realization prompted some communities to impose hunting bans to allow wildlife populations to recover, demonstrating their understanding that protecting wildlife was essential for the sustainability of their environment and their own future.

C. Discuss

 I. Do you think it was easy for the tribal people to decide on the ban? Why/Why not?

 2. 'Preservation and protection of the environment is not a spectator sport.' What does

 this mean? How should each of us be involved in the preservation of  the environment?

Answers

C. Discuss

1. Do you think it was easy for the tribal people to decide on the ban? Why/Why not?No, it was likely not easy for the tribal people to decide on the ban. Hunting had been a long-standing tradition for generations, deeply intertwined with their culture, festivals, and livelihood. For many, it was a source of food and materials, and even a symbol of prestige, as seen with the young boy who killed a monkey for its fur. The decision to impose a ban would have required a significant shift in mindset, sacrificing short-term gains for the long-term survival of wildlife and their forests. Additionally, enforcing the ban would have faced resistance from individuals who relied on hunting for economic reasons.

2. 'Preservation and protection of the environment is not a spectator sport.' What does this mean? How should each of us be involved in the preservation of the environment?This phrase means that protecting the environment requires active participation from everyone and cannot be left to a few people or organizations. It implies that we all have a role to play in environmental conservation, rather than just observing or relying on others to take action.

Each of us should be involved by making conscious efforts to reduce our environmental impact—such as minimizing waste, conserving energy and water, supporting sustainable products, and advocating for policies that protect natural habitats. We can also volunteer for or support conservation projects, raise awareness, and adopt lifestyles that prioritize sustainability. Active involvement means recognizing our individual and collective responsibility in preserving ecosystems for future generations.

Critical Analysis

The extract "Back from the Brink" by Rita Bannerjee and Maya Khosla highlights the tension between traditional hunting practices and modern conservation efforts in the forests of northeast India. The narrative is a mix of personal adventure, ecological concern, and cultural reflection, which offers a nuanced view of the region's rich but endangered biodiversity.

Cultural Practices and Survival

The text underscores how traditional hunting has been integral to the survival of indigenous communities like the Nyshi, Apatani, and Chakesang tribes. For centuries, hunting provided not just food but also materials for cultural rituals, including the use of animal parts for decorations and social status symbols, such as the dagger case made from monkey fur. This shows a deep-rooted connection between these communities and the natural world around them. Yet, the authors subtly reveal the unsustainability of these practices in the face of growing demand for wild meat. The image of an empty sky where wild birds once flew is a powerful metaphor for the ecological crisis at hand.

The Environmental Crisis

The central theme of the extract is the rapid depletion of wildlife in the northeast due to overhunting. The detailed description of markets where wild meat is sold at high prices serves as an indictment of the commercialization of traditional hunting practices. While hunting was once for subsistence, it has now become a driver of extinction, threatening not only specific species but entire ecosystems. The statement, "forest after forest was going silent," vividly captures the ecological disaster that unfolds when wildlife is diminished. The older hunters’ knowledge, contrasted with the younger generation’s unfamiliarity with the animals, emphasizes the generational disconnect and the irreversible damage done to local wildlife.

Conservation Efforts

The second half of the extract pivots towards hope, focusing on grassroots conservation efforts led by tribal communities themselves. In Rachi and Khonoma villages, the self-imposed hunting bans show a significant shift in attitude. These communities, having recognized the dire consequences of overhunting, take collective action to protect wildlife. The success story of ex-poachers in Manas, Assam, who have become forest guides, offers a powerful model for the future. It illustrates how deep ecological knowledge, once used for hunting, can be repurposed to sustain conservation efforts and eco-tourism.

Critical Reflection

One of the strengths of the text is how it avoids presenting indigenous communities solely as villains in the narrative of environmental degradation. Instead, it paints a complex picture: these communities are simultaneously the perpetrators and the potential saviors of the forests. The shift from hunting to eco-tourism and wildlife guiding is presented as a realistic, pragmatic solution. However, the text also raises broader questions about the role of the state, conservation organizations, and broader economic structures that drive this demand for wild meat. By focusing mainly on the local level, it leaves unexplored the wider systemic issues that contribute to wildlife decline, such as poverty and the lack of sustainable livelihoods outside of hunting.

Conclusion

"Back from the Brink" is a poignant reflection on the intersection of culture, survival, and conservation. While it shows the deep challenges posed by hunting in the northeast, it also highlights the power of community-led conservation efforts. The narrative serves as a reminder that wildlife conservation is not just about preserving animals but also about securing the futures of the people who live alongside them. Through stories of individual hunters turning into guides and self-imposed hunting bans, the text presents a path toward reconciliation between humanity and nature.

Here are different types of questions based on "Back from the Brink" for assessment, designed to assess various levels of understanding:

1. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

a) Why did the young boy in the village kill a monkey?A) For foodB) For its fur to make a dagger caseC) To sell in the marketD) As part of a hunting ritual

b) What was the main goal of the filmmakers?A) To help the tribal people hunt more effectivelyB) To document the wildlife in national parksC) To raise awareness about the impact of overhuntingD) To create a film about the festivals of northeast India

2. True or False

a) The filmmakers visited northeast India to celebrate tribal festivals.b) In Manas, Assam, ex-poachers became wildlife guides to protect the forests.c) Tai, Maga, and Jarjo were city guides helping the filmmakers navigate the forests.

3. Short-Answer Questions

a) Why did the filmmakers join Tai, Maga, and Jarjo on their hunting trip?b) How did the older and younger hunters differ in their knowledge of animals?c) What steps did the villagers of Khonoma take to protect wildlife?

4. Fill-in-the-Blanks

a) The filmmakers’ journey in the northeast began in _________ when they filmed the rehabilitation of two Himalayan black bear cubs.b) A barking deer could be sold for ________ rupees in the local markets.c) The tribe of Rachi village decided to impose a self-imposed hunting ban for ________ years.

5. Matching

Match the following characters with their actions:

6. Long-Answer Questions

a) Discuss the impact of traditional hunting on wildlife in northeast India as described in the story. What changes have been made to address this issue?b) Explain how the filmmakers’ interactions with the hunters influenced their understanding of the environmental crisis in the region.

7. Essay Questions

a) "The story emphasizes the balance between preserving culture and conserving wildlife." Discuss this statement with examples from the text.b) Describe the role of community action, such as the self-imposed hunting bans, in conserving wildlife in the northeast. How do these efforts contribute to sustainable conservation?

8. Critical Thinking Questions

a) Do you think eco-tourism is a good solution for both conserving wildlife and supporting the livelihoods of tribal communities? Why or why not?b) What are the long-term consequences if communities like the Nyshi continue traditional hunting practices without any restrictions?

9. Inference Questions

a) Why do you think the younger hunters had seen fewer animals compared to the older hunters? What does this suggest about the state of wildlife in the region?b) What can be inferred about the filmmakers’ attitude towards the tribal people and their practices? Did they see them as part of the problem or part of the solution?

10. Discussion Questions

a) How do traditional hunting practices in northeast India differ from modern conservation efforts, and can they coexist in a sustainable way?b) What lessons can other regions facing wildlife depletion learn from the self-imposed hunting bans in Rachi and Khonoma?

These questions cater to a range of cognitive skills, from basic comprehension and recall to higher-order thinking and critical analysis.

Answers

1. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

a) Why did the young boy in the village kill a monkey?B) For its fur to make a dagger case.The young boy wanted to use the monkey's fur to make a case for his dau (dagger), as it was a matter of prestige, especially for a wedding.

b) What was the main goal of the filmmakers?C) To raise awareness about the impact of overhunting.The filmmakers intended to document the extent of hunting in the northeast and explore the possibility of a sustainable future for wildlife.

2. True or False

a) The filmmakers visited northeast India to celebrate tribal festivals.False.The filmmakers visited the northeast to document hunting practices and their impact on wildlife, although they did attend tribal festivals as part of their research.

b) In Manas, Assam, ex-poachers became wildlife guides to protect the forests.True.Ex-poachers in Manas became forest guides, using their knowledge of wildlife and the forest to aid in conservation efforts.

c) Tai, Maga, and Jarjo were city guides helping the filmmakers navigate the forests.False.Tai, Maga, and Jarjo were tribal hunters from the Nyshi tribe, who accompanied the filmmakers to show them hunting practices in the forests.

3. Short-Answer Questions

a) Why did the filmmakers join Tai, Maga, and Jarjo on their hunting trip?The filmmakers joined Tai, Maga, and Jarjo to document traditional hunting practices and gain insights into the hunting culture of the Nyshi tribe as part of their project to understand wildlife depletion in the region.

b) How did the older and younger hunters differ in their knowledge of animals?The older hunters had intimate knowledge of animals, their habits, and their habitats, while the younger hunters had significantly less knowledge, with some teenage boys having hardly seen any animals due to the sharp decline in wildlife populations.

c) What steps did the villagers of Khonoma take to protect wildlife?The villagers of Khonoma imposed a self-imposed hunting ban for ten years, during which they focused on reviving wildlife populations and setting up eco-tourism infrastructure as an alternative source of livelihood.

4. Fill-in-the-Blanks

a) The filmmakers’ journey in the northeast began in 2002 when they filmed the rehabilitation of two Himalayan black bear cubs.b) A barking deer could be sold for 6,000 rupees in the local markets.c) The tribe of Rachi village decided to impose a self-imposed hunting ban for three years.

5. Matching

6. Long-Answer Questions

a) Discuss the impact of traditional hunting on wildlife in northeast India as described in the story. What changes have been made to address this issue?Traditional hunting in northeast India, particularly by tribes such as the Nyshi, had a deep impact on wildlife populations. Over time, increased demand for wild meat and animal parts in village markets led to widespread overhunting, causing forests to fall silent as animal populations dwindled. Rare species like hornbills, squirrels, and barking deer were frequently hunted and sold. The filmmakers observed that older hunters had an intimate knowledge of wildlife, but the younger generation had seen few animals due to the depletion.

To address the crisis, several tribal communities, such as those in Khonoma and Rachi villages, imposed self-imposed hunting bans to allow wildlife populations to recover. In Khonoma, the hunting ban lasted for ten years and helped revive the ecosystem. Additionally, some ex-hunters turned into wildlife guides, using their knowledge to support conservation and eco-tourism.

b) Explain how the filmmakers’ interactions with the hunters influenced their understanding of the environmental crisis in the region.The filmmakers' interactions with hunters of different generations revealed the extent of wildlife depletion in the region. While older hunters shared detailed knowledge about animal behavior and habitats, the younger hunters had seen very few animals, underscoring the severity of overhunting. This generational difference helped the filmmakers understand the urgency of the crisis. They also observed how traditional practices, once sustainable, had become destructive due to increased market demand. These interactions showed that the problem was not only ecological but also cultural, and that the solution required involving the hunters themselves in conservation efforts.

7. Essay Questions

a) "The story emphasizes the balance between preserving culture and conserving wildlife." Discuss this statement with examples from the text.The story illustrates how traditional hunting practices have been a central part of tribal culture in northeast India for generations, providing food, materials for rituals, and a sense of prestige. However, as demand for wild animals grew, these practices became unsustainable, threatening the very wildlife that had supported these cultures for centuries. The filmmakers documented how older hunters still respected nature, but younger hunters had lost touch with the natural world as animal populations dwindled. The story shows efforts by some tribal communities to strike a balance between preserving their culture and conserving wildlife. For example, villages like Khonoma banned hunting to allow wildlife to recover, while former hunters became wildlife guides, finding new ways to honor their heritage while protecting nature. This demonstrates that cultural preservation and wildlife conservation can coexist if approached with care and responsibility.

b) Describe the role of community action, such as the self-imposed hunting bans, in conserving wildlife in the northeast. How do these efforts contribute to sustainable conservation?Community action, like the self-imposed hunting bans in villages such as Rachi and Khonoma, played a crucial role in conserving wildlife. These bans allowed wildlife populations to recover from the pressures of overhunting, helping to bring back balance to the ecosystem. By banning hunting for several years, communities showed that they could take charge of their environmental future. In Khonoma, the hunting ban not only revived wildlife but also led to the development of eco-tourism, providing a sustainable alternative livelihood for the villagers. This shift from hunting to tourism is a powerful example of sustainable conservation, where protecting wildlife is aligned with community interests. Such actions prove that local communities are key stakeholders in conservation efforts, and their active participation is essential for long-term success.

8. Critical Thinking Questions

a) Do you think eco-tourism is a good solution for both conserving wildlife and supporting the livelihoods of tribal communities? Why or why not?Yes, eco-tourism can be a good solution for both conserving wildlife and supporting tribal communities, as it provides an alternative livelihood that encourages the protection of nature rather than its exploitation. By turning ex-poachers into wildlife guides, as seen in Manas, Assam, communities can leverage their deep knowledge of the forest and its creatures for tourism, which creates income without harming wildlife. Eco-tourism also raises awareness about conservation and can provide funding for further protection efforts. However, eco-tourism needs to be managed carefully to ensure that it does not lead to over-commercialization or environmental degradation. If done sustainably, it can benefit both wildlife and local people.

b) What are the long-term consequences if communities like the Nyshi continue traditional hunting practices without any restrictions?If traditional hunting practices continue without restrictions, it could lead to the extinction of several species, causing ecological imbalances in the forests. This depletion of wildlife would result in a loss of biodiversity, and the local communities, who rely on the forest's resources, would face long-term economic challenges as hunting becomes less fruitful. The forests would fall silent, and the cultural and spiritual connections the tribes have with wildlife would be eroded. In the long term, the environmental damage could also affect global biodiversity and contribute to broader ecological crises.

9. Inference Questions

a) Why do you think the younger hunters had seen fewer animals compared to the older hunters? What does this suggest about the state of wildlife in the region?The younger hunters had seen fewer animals because wildlife populations had drastically decreased due to overhunting. This suggests that the state of wildlife in the region is critical, with many species becoming rare or even locally extinct. The fact that teenage boys had hardly seen any mammals indicates that the ecological balance is under severe threat, and without intervention, wildlife might disappear entirely from these forests.

b) What can be inferred about the filmmakers’ attitude towards the tribal people and their practices? Did they see them as part of the problem or part of the solution?The filmmakers appeared to have a balanced view of the tribal people. While they recognized that traditional hunting practices were contributing to the depletion of wildlife, they also saw the potential for these communities to become part of the solution. By documenting the hunters' deep knowledge of the forest and showing examples of ex-poachers turning into wildlife guides, the filmmakers suggested that the tribal people could play a key role in wildlife conservation. They understood that a sustainable future requires the active involvement of the local communities who depend on the forests.

10. Discussion Questions

a) How do traditional hunting practices in northeast India differ from modern conservation efforts, and can they coexist in a sustainable way?Traditional hunting practices in northeast India have been part of the region's culture for centuries, providing food, materials for rituals, and maintaining social status. However, as demand for wild meat and animal parts increased, these practices became unsustainable, contributing to wildlife depletion. Modern conservation efforts, on the other hand, focus on protecting species and preserving ecosystems for future generations, often through legal restrictions and eco-tourism. While the two approaches may seem at odds, they can coexist if traditional hunting is limited and regulated, as seen in the self-imposed hunting bans in Khonoma and Rachi. By combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation strategies, such as promoting eco-tourism, sustainable development can be achieved.

b) What lessons can other regions facing wildlife depletion learn from the self-imposed hunting bans in Rachi and Khonoma?Other regions can learn the importance of community-led conservation efforts. The self-imposed hunting bans in Rachi and Khonoma show that when local communities take ownership of wildlife conservation, it leads to more sustainable and lasting results. Instead of relying on external authorities to enforce conservation, communities can establish their own rules that align with their cultural values and economic interests. This approach also helps foster a deeper connection between people and their environment, ensuring that conservation efforts are not seen as a burden but as a shared responsibility. These lessons highlight the power of collective action and the need for solutions that integrate local knowledge and practices.

Appropriate Prepositions