Question Answers Class 9 Chapter 2.2 Kumarbharati English Maharashtra Board

A True Story of Sea Turtles

ENGLISH WORKSHOP – Solutions

1. Form groups. Discuss the first two paragraphs. Try to present their content in the form of a series of conversations among the (a) volunteers (b) the volunteers and the villagers.

Volunteer 1: Hey, did you see those shallow pits with eggshells on the beach today?

Volunteer 2: Yes, I did! I think they might be turtle eggs. We’ve never seen them here before.

Volunteer 3: That’s strange. Let’s ask the villagers about it. Maybe they know something.

Volunteer 1: Good idea. It could be something unusual happening this year.

Volunteer 2 (to villagers): Hello, we found some eggshells on the beach. Do you know what they are?

Villager 1: Oh, those are turtle eggs! We see them sometimes, but not often.

Volunteer 3: Really? Why did we find them now?

Villager 2: The beach was sealed for a month because of some smuggling. No one could come, so the turtles laid eggs safely.

Volunteer 1: That’s shocking! So, people usually take the eggs?

Villager 1: Yes, some hunt them early in the morning and sell or eat them. It’s been happening for years.

2. Prepare a short note on sea turtles with the help of the information given in the passage.

• Sea turtles are amazing creatures found along the Maharashtra coastline.
• There are seven types in the world, and five are in India, like Olive Ridley, Green turtles, and Hawksbills.
• Female turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs after 15 years.
• They dig nests in the sand, lay 100-150 eggs, and go back to the sea.
• The eggs hatch in 45-50 days using natural heat, but only 1 or 2 out of 1000 hatchlings survive.
• Turtles help keep the sea clean and are important for marine ecology.
• In India, they are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, like tigers.

3. Prepare a poster to illustrate how the turtle eggs were/are protected. Include the following in the poster.

• Pictures: Draw sea turtles swimming and a sandy beach with nests.
• Nests and Eggs Info: Female turtles dig nests half a metre deep and lay 100-150 eggs.
• Protected Nest: Show a pit with wire fencing around it to stop theft.
• Appeal: “Save Sea Turtles! Spread awareness to protect their nests from hunters.”
• Data: “50 nests saved in the first year at Velas; 80 villages now protect turtles.”

4. Prepare a simple brochure regarding the ‘homestay’ facilities made available in the villages.

• Welcome to Velas Homestay!
• Stay with friendly villagers during the Turtle Festival.
• Enjoy home-cooked food and a cozy room for a low price.
• Watch baby turtles hatch and run to the sea.
• Precautions: Don’t touch the hatchlings or disturb nests.
• Keep the beach clean and follow village rules.
• Contact us via our website for booking!

5. Explain the idea of ‘Conservation of Nature through Livelihood’ briefly, using the example given here.

• ‘Conservation of Nature through Livelihood’ means protecting nature while helping people earn money.
• In Velas, villagers stopped stealing turtle eggs and started protecting them.
• They offer homestays to tourists who come to see hatchlings.
• Tourists pay for stays, and 10% of the money goes to the Turtle Protection Fund.
• This way, villagers earn a living, and turtles are saved together.

6. Prepare bullet point presentations on the following:

(a) Scope for tourism in your locality

• Beautiful beaches and forests attract visitors.
• Local festivals can be a big draw for tourists.
• Homestays can offer a unique village experience.
• Nature trails and wildlife can boost tourism.
• Shops selling local crafts can earn extra money.

(b) Prudent utilisation of natural resources

• Use water and wood wisely to avoid waste.
• Plant trees to replace what we cut down.
• Avoid polluting rivers and air with garbage.
• Use solar energy instead of burning fuel.
• Protect animals and their homes for the future.

7. Underline the main clause in the following sentences.

(1) There are a few people in every village who keep combing the beach in the early hours of the morning,throughout the year.

(2) When the female turtle comes on shore to nest and to lay eggs, she leaves behind a trail just like a track of wheels on the sand.

(3) The egg hunters follow this trail right up to the nest which is about half a metre deep.