The Story of Amrita – Class 4 EVS NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for The Story of Amrita, Class 4 EVS NCERT. This chapter teaches us important lessons about environmental conservation, respect for nature, and the bravery of people who stood up to protect trees. The story of Amrita and the Bishnoi community shows us how trees and animals are essential for human survival and why we must protect them.

Chapter Summary (English)

The Story of Amrita is set in the village of Khejadli near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, about 300 years ago. The village was named after the abundant Khejadi trees in the area. The story revolves around Amrita and her village’s deep connection with nature. The villagers believed strongly in protecting plants and animals, following their elders’ wisdom that human survival depends on nature. When the King’s men came to cut trees for building a palace, Amrita and many villagers sacrificed their lives protecting the trees by hugging them. Moved by their sacrifice, the King ordered that no trees would be cut and no animals would be harmed in that area. Today, the Bishnoi community continues this tradition of protecting nature, making their desert area green and safe for wildlife.

अध्याय सारांश (Hindi)

अमृता की कहानी राजस्थान के जोधपुर के पास स्थित खेजड़ली गाँव की है, जो लगभग 300 साल पहले की है। गाँव का नाम यहाँ बहुतायत में पाए जाने वाले खेजड़ी के पेड़ों के कारण पड़ा। कहानी अमृता और उनके गाँव के प्रकृति के साथ गहरे जुड़ाव की है। गाँव वाले पेड़-पौधों और जानवरों की रक्षा में दृढ़ विश्वास रखते थे, अपने बुजुर्गों की सीख का पालन करते हुए कि मनुष्य का जीवन प्रकृति पर निर्भर है। जब राजा के सिपाही महल बनाने के लिए पेड़ काटने आए, तो अमृता और कई गाँव वालों ने पेड़ों को गले लगाकर अपने प्राणों की आहुति दे दी। उनके बलिदान से प्रभावित होकर राजा ने आदेश दिया कि उस क्षेत्र में कोई पेड़ नहीं काटा जाएगा और किसी जानवर को नुकसान नहीं पहुंचाया जाएगा। आज भी, बिश्नोई समुदाय प्रकृति की रक्षा की इस परंपरा को जारी रखे हुए है, जिससे रेगिस्तान का यह क्षेत्र हरा-भरा और वन्यजीवों के लिए सुरक्षित बना हुआ है।

Word Meanings

Exercise Solutions

1. Is there a place near your house, school or along the road side, where trees have been planted?

Yes, there are several places near my house and school where trees have been planted. In front of our school, there is a beautiful row of Neem trees that provide shade. Along the road leading to my house, the municipal corporation has planted many flowering trees like Gulmohar and Amaltas. There is also a small park near my house where various types of trees have been planted to create a green space for the community.

2. Why were they planted there?

The trees were planted for multiple purposes:

• To provide shade to pedestrians and school children, especially during hot summer months
• To beautify the area and make it more pleasant for residents
• To help reduce air pollution as our area is near a busy road
• To create natural habitats for birds and small animals in our urban area
• To prevent soil erosion and maintain the ecological balance of our locality

3. Have you seen anyone taking care of the trees? Who does this?

Yes, I have seen several people taking care of the trees:

• Our school gardener regularly waters the trees and trims them when needed
• Municipal workers take care of the roadside trees, including regular watering and maintaining tree guards
• Local residents often help in protecting young saplings by building protective barriers around them
• During summer, many people in our colony place water bowls near trees for birds

4. Have you seen fruits on any of the tree? Who eats these fruits?

Yes, I have seen fruits on several trees in our area. The fruits are eaten by:

• Birds like sparrows, parrots, and crows that regularly visit these trees
• Squirrels and monkeys who enjoy the fruits, especially from Mango and Jamun trees
• Local residents who collect fruits like mangoes, jamun, and berries when in season
• Sometimes, fruits that fall from trees also provide food for stray animals

5. Lalita feels that grass and small plants growing near her school wall have not been planted by anyone. Do you know of any place where grass, small plants or trees are growing on their own without being planted by anyone?

Yes, I have observed several places where plants grow naturally without human intervention:

• Wild grass and small flowering plants grow along the railway tracks near our area
• Many plants sprout up in empty plots during the rainy season
• Small plants and creepers grow on old walls and buildings
• In the park, new plants often grow under big trees without being planted

6. Why do you feel they are growing on their own?

These plants grow on their own because:

• Seeds are naturally dispersed by wind, birds, and animals
• Many plants can grow without human care if they get basic requirements like sunlight, water, and soil
• Nature has its own way of spreading plant life – seeds fall on fertile ground and grow when conditions are favorable
• Some plants are very hardy and can grow in challenging conditions without human help

7. Do you remember what the elders of this village used to say?

Yes, the elders of Khejadli village used to say “Agar perh hain to hum hain” which means if trees are there, we are there. They believed that while plants and animals can survive without humans, humans cannot survive without them. This shows their deep understanding of the interdependence between humans and nature.

8. Do you think we could survive if there were no trees and no animals? Discuss this in your class.

No, it would be impossible for humans to survive without trees and animals because:

• Trees provide oxygen which is essential for all life on Earth
• Trees and animals are crucial parts of our food chain
• Trees help maintain the water cycle and prevent soil erosion
• Animals help in pollination and seed dispersal, which is necessary for plant growth
• Trees provide materials for shelter, medicine, and many other basic needs
• The entire ecosystem depends on the balance between plants, animals, and humans

9. Write about any one tree – Does the tree flower? Do the flowers remain on the tree throughout the year? In which month do their leaves fall?

Let me describe the Gulmohar tree in our school:

• The Gulmohar tree blooms with beautiful bright red-orange flowers
• It flowers mainly during the summer months (April to June)
• The flowers don’t remain throughout the year – they fall after about 2-3 months
• The leaves start falling in winter, usually around December-January
• New leaves appear in early spring, making the tree lush green again

10. Do fruits grow on the tree? In which months do they grow? Have you eaten these fruits?

For the Gulmohar tree:

• Yes, after the flowers fall, long brown pods (fruits) develop
• These pods appear during July-August
• The pods are not edible for humans but provide food for some birds
• The pods contain seeds which eventually fall and can grow into new trees

11. Why do people hunt?

People hunt for various reasons, though it’s important to note that many forms of hunting are now illegal:

• Some hunt for food and animal products
• Some consider it a sport or recreational activity
• In the past, hunting was done for survival and protection
• Some people hunt illegally to sell animal parts in the black market
• Some traditional communities hunt as part of their cultural practices

12. There are rules against hunting of some animals. People can be punished for hunting. Why do you think there is this punishment?

Punishment for hunting is necessary because:

• Many animal species are endangered and need protection to survive
• Hunting can disturb the natural balance of ecosystems
• Some animals might become extinct if hunting isn’t controlled
• Wildlife is an important part of our natural heritage
• Punishments act as deterrents to prevent illegal hunting

13. Talk to your grandparents – Which birds did they see around them when they were of your age? Have the number of some of these birds become less? Are there some birds or animals which they can not see any more?

After talking to my grandparents, I learned:

• They used to see many sparrows, bulbuls, and weaver birds in their childhood
• There were plenty of vultures which are now rarely seen
• House sparrows were very common then, but their numbers have decreased significantly
• They often saw peacocks in their village, which are now only found in protected areas
• Some local birds they mentioned are not seen anymore in urban areas

14. 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?

Two main reasons for the decrease in bird populations are:

1. Urbanization and loss of habitat:
   • Many trees have been cut down for buildings
   • Traditional houses with nesting spaces have been replaced by modern buildings
   • Green spaces have reduced in cities
2. Environmental changes:
   • Increased use of pesticides has affected their food supply
   • Radiation from mobile towers may affect their navigation
   • Air pollution has made urban areas less suitable for birds

15. The Khejadi tree was the most common tree that grew in Amrita’s village. Which kind of trees can you see a lot of, in your area? Name two such trees.

In our area, the two most common trees are:

1. Neem Trees:
   • Found along most roads and in parks
   • Provide excellent shade and have medicinal properties
   • Well-suited to our local climate
2. Peepal Trees:
   • Ancient trees found near temples and public spaces
   • Provide shade and support many birds and animals
   • Considered sacred in our culture

16. Find out more about these trees from your elders.

After talking to my elders, I learned these interesting facts about our local trees: About Neem Tree:

• It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries
• Its leaves have natural pest-control properties
• The tree remains green throughout the year
• Its twigs are traditionally used for dental hygiene

• It can live for hundreds of years
• It releases oxygen 24 hours a day
• Its leaves are used in various religious ceremonies
• Many bird species make their nests in this tree

Additional Information

Like the Khejadi tree of Rajasthan, every region has its own special trees that are perfectly adapted to the local environment. These trees not only provide shelter and food to various animals and birds but also help maintain the ecological balance of the area. The story of Amrita and the Bishnoi community teaches us the importance of protecting our environment and living in harmony with nature.