Ecology and Development (Foresters without Diplomas)

Ways with words

Match the words with their meanings.

word meaning
a. constituency iv. electoral district
b. pursue iii. to follow in an effort to overtake or capture
c. infiltrate v. to enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) secretly and gradually
d. nomadic ii. living the life of roaming
e. anatomy vi. art of studying the different parts of any organized body
f. subversive i. seeking or intended to overthrow an established system or institution

Make two other words by using each prefix given below and use them in sentences

mal, mis, un in, pre, il, dis, im, re, ir, de, non

  • mal: malcontent, malign
    • The malcontent employee was always unhappy with the company's policies.
    • The politician's opponents accused him of making malign statements about them.
  • mis: mislead, misguide
    • The tour guide's incorrect information misled the tourists and they ended up at the wrong location.
    • The misguide map caused the hikers to get lost in the forest.
  • un: unkind, uncooperative
    • The unkind comments made by the boss demoralized the team.
    • The uncooperative team members made it difficult to complete the project on time.
  • in: indecisive, inactive
    • The indecisive manager couldn't make a decision, causing delays in the project.
    • The inactive employees didn't contribute much to the team's success.
  • pre: predict, prevent
    • The weather forecast was able to predict the rain accurately.
    • The company's safety measures were able to prevent any accidents at the construction site.
  • il: illegal, illegitimate
    • The illegal logging activities were discovered by the forest department.
    • The illegitimate business practices were exposed by the investigative journalists.
  • dis: disagree, disable
    • The team members disagreed on the project proposal, causing delays.
    • The disability made it difficult for the athlete to participate in the competition.
  • im: impatient, immature
    • The impatient driver honked continuously in heavy traffic.
    • The immature behavior of the students disrupted the class.
  • re: redo, relocate
    • The team had to redo the presentation due to technical issues.
    • The company decided to relocate to a new office building.
  • ir: irritate, irrational
    • The loud noise from the construction site irritated the neighbors.
    • The irrational decision made by the manager caused problems for the company.
  • de: deplete, demotivate
    • The drought caused the water levels in the lake to deplete significantly.
    • The boss's criticism demotivated the employees and they stopped putting in effort.
  • non: noncompliance, nonfunctional
    • The company was fined for noncompliance with the new regulations.
    • The nonfunctional computer caused delays in the project.
Comprehension

Answer these questions

a. What did Maathai decide to do for the community?

Maathai decided to create jobs for poor people in the community by cleaning their constituency, planting trees and shrubs, and cleaning homes.

b. Mention the problems faced by women in Kenya.

The problems faced by women in Kenya included lack of firewood, malnutrition, lack of food and water, unemployment, and soil erosion.

c. Why did the speaker go to the women to talk about planting trees?

Maathai went to the women to talk about planting trees because they were the ones most affected by the problems and were concerned about the future.

d. What is the most important achievement of the movement described in the text?

The most important achievement of the movement was empowering the women and making them independent through the acquisition of knowledge and techniques.

e. Why were the foresters’ ways not helpful to the women for planting trees?

The foresters' ways were not helpful to the women for planting trees because they were complicated and didn't take into account the women's lack of diplomas.

f. When and how did she start The Green Belt Movement?

Maathai started The Green Belt Movement on World Environment Day, June 5, 1977 by planting the first seven trees.

g. Why do the donors want to provide money to the women?

Donors want to provide money to the women because the movement has become successful and even financial donors see the value in supporting it.

h. What happened when the speaker criticized the political leadership?

When Maathai criticized the political leadership, she was arrested and detained.

i. Mention the agencies that supported her movement?

Her movement received support from various agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Ford Foundation. The movement also received funding from individuals and organizations around the world, including the Rockefeller Foundation and the Danish International Development Agency.

Critical thinking

Do you think that the title "Foresters without Diplomas" is suitable to the essay? How?

The title "Foresters without Diplomas" could be considered a suitable title for the essay, as it highlights the idea that the women involved in the Green Belt Movement were able to effectively plant and care for trees without formal training or education in forestry. The title also suggests that the women were able to use their common sense and natural abilities to take on the role of foresters, even though they did not have the same level of formal education or qualifications as traditional foresters. In this way, the title emphasizes the empowerment and resilience of the women involved in the movement, and highlights their ability to make positive changes in their communities despite facing challenges and limitations.

Can a person make a difference in a society? Discuss with an example from a person who has made a difference in your society.

Yes, a person can make a difference in a society. One example of a person who has made a difference in my society is Krishna.

Krishna is a social activist who has been working tirelessly to bring about positive change in my society. She has been involved in various causes, such as fighting for the rights of marginalized communities, advocating for the protection of the environment, and promoting education and healthcare for all.

Through his tireless efforts, Krishna has been able to bring about significant change in my society. She has helped to raise awareness about important issues and has worked with other community members to bring about tangible improvements in the lives of those who are most in need.

Krishna's efforts have inspired many others in my society to get involved in social causes and work towards creating a better world for all. His dedication and commitment to making a difference has had a lasting impact, and she will always be remembered as someone who made a positive difference in my society.

Writing

Suppose you are MacDonald. Write a reply to Sandra Shaw

Krishnapur-07, Bharatpur, Chitwan
December 21st, 2022

Dear Mrs. Shaw,
Thank you for your letter about the problems you have experienced in the flat. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Regarding the furniture, I will arrange for the armchairs and table to be replaced as soon as possible. As for the central heating and windows, I will have a technician come to assess and fix any issues. Additionally, I will consider installing more efficient heating systems to help reduce your electric bills.

I also understand your request to have the kitchen painted. I will provide the paint and arrange for a professional painter to complete the work.

I apologize for any issues you have faced in the flat and will work to resolve them as soon as possible. Thank you for bringing these matters to my attention.

Sincerely,
MacDonald

Write an essay on 'The Community Forest in Nepal'. Describe how these community forests have contributed to maintain ecology in our environment

The Community Forest in Nepal

The Community Forest in Nepal is a unique initiative that has greatly contributed to the maintenance of ecology in our environment. These forests are managed and protected by local communities, who have the right to use the forest resources for their livelihood and cultural needs.

The concept of community forests in Nepal dates back to the 1970s, when the government recognized the importance of involving local communities in the management and protection of forests. In response to the growing demand for forest resources and the negative impact of traditional forestry practices, the government introduced the Community Forest Program in 1978.

The Community Forest Program has been a resounding success in Nepal, with more than 40% of the country's forests now being managed by local communities. These forests provide a range of benefits to the communities, including fuelwood, timber, non-timber forest products, and income from the sale of forest products. In addition, they serve as important sources of water, soil conservation, and wildlife habitat.

One of the key benefits of the Community Forest in Nepal is that it promotes the sustainable use of forest resources. Local communities have a vested interest in the long-term health of the forest, and they are therefore more likely to use the resources wisely. This is in contrast to traditional forestry practices, which often resulted in the over-exploitation of forest resources.

Another important benefit of the Community Forest in Nepal is that it empowers local communities and gives them a sense of ownership over their natural resources. This has led to an increase in community involvement in the management and protection of the forests. Local communities have also been able to negotiate better terms with the government, ensuring that they receive a fair share of the benefits from the forest.

In conclusion, the Community Forest in Nepal has made a significant contribution to the maintenance of ecology in our environment. By empowering local communities and promoting the sustainable use of forest resources, these forests have helped to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of Nepal.

Grammar

What is the difference among transitive, intransitive and linking verbs? Give examples of each

In English grammar, verbs can be classified into three categories: transitive, intransitive, and linking verbs.

Transitive verbs are verbs that require an object to complete their meaning. For example:

  • The cat chased the mouse. (In this sentence, "chased" is a transitive verb and "mouse" is its object.)
  • She baked a cake for the party. (In this sentence, "baked" is a transitive verb and "cake" is its object.)

Intransitive verbs do not require an object to complete their meaning. They can stand alone as the main verb in a sentence. For example:

  • The wind blew. (In this sentence, "blew" is an intransitive verb.)
  • She laughed. (In this sentence, "laughed" is an intransitive verb.)

Linking verbs are verbs that connect the subject of a sentence to a subject complement. They do not express action, but rather describe the state or condition of the subject. Some common linking verbs include "be," "seem," "become," "appear," and "remain." For example:

  • She is happy. (In this sentence, "is" is a linking verb and "happy" is the subject complement.)
  • The weather seems nice. (In this sentence, "seems" is a linking verb and "nice" is the subject complement.)

Underline the verb in each sentence and write whether it is transitive, intransitive or linking.

  1. His father looks handsome. (linking)
  2. Bhawana drinks milk every day. (transitive)
  3. He became a watchman. (linking)
  4. This bread smells good. (intransitive)
  5. The dog barked loudly. (intransitive)
  6. He chased the dog. (transitive)
  7. My sister swims fast. (intransitive)
  8. He painted a picture. (transitive)
  9. Radhika always asks questions. (transitive)
  10. Anjana has long hair. (linking)