Q 1. Give two examples of Renewable resources.
LoreSolar energy and wind energy
Q 2. How can resources be classified on the basis of origin?
On the basis of origin, resources can be classified into biotic and abiotic resources.
Q 3. What are the factors which help in the formation of soil?
Relief, parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.
Q 4. Which soil is also known as cotton soil?
Black soil is known as cotton soil.
Q 5. What do you mean by ‘international resources’?
The oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone are international resources.
Q 6. What is resource planning?
Resource planning is proper and judicious planning of resources.
Q 7. What is Agenda 21?
Agenda 21 is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.
Q 8. What do you understand by Resource ?
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.
Q 9. Classify resources on the basis of exhaustibility.
Renewable and non-renewable resources.
Q 10. Classify resources on the basis of development.
Potential, Developed, Stock and Reserves.
Q 11. Give an example of Biotic resources.
Human beings, flora and fauna are examples of biotic resources.
Q 12. Describe the features of red and yellow soils. Mention the places where they are found in India.
Red and yellow soils :
(a) Features :
1. These soils develop reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks,
2. It looks yellow in a hydrated form.
3. They are highly porous and fertile when they are fine-grained and deep.
(b) Places : Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau. They are also found in parts of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
Q 13. What are developed resources ?
Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilization. The development of resources depends on technology and level of their feasibility.
Q 14. What is sustainable development ?
Sustainable economic development means ‘development should take place without damaging the environment and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations’.
Q 15. What was the objective of Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992 ?
The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level. The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity .
Q 16. Which states in India are rich in minerals and coal deposits ?
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and Odisha .
Q 17. How did Gandhiji voice his concern about resource conservation ?
Gandhiji said, “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.”
Q 18. What was the main reason for the colonial countries to exploit resources of countries under their control ?
High level of technological development.
Q 19. Which report in 1987 introduced the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ ?
Brundtland Commission Report.
Q 20. How much area of land in India is plain and what is its importance ?
About 43 per cent of the land area is plain. It provides facilities for agriculture and industry.
Q 21. What is the use of mountains ?
Mountains ensure perennial flow of some rivers, provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
Q 22. What is total geographical area of India ?
3.28 million sq. km
Q 23. When the National Forest Policy was formed in India ?
1952
As of now India’s forests are governed by the National Forest Policy, 1988 . It has environmental balance and livelihood at its centre.
Salient Features and Goals:
- Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance.
- Conservation of Natural Heritage (existing) .
- Checking Soil Erosion and Denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
- Checking extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan and along coastal tracts.
- Substantially increasing Forest/Tree Cover through Afforestation and Social Forestry.
- Taking steps to meet requirements of fuel, wood, fodder, minor forest produces, soil and timber of Rural and Tribal Population.
- Increasing the productivity of Forests to meet National Needs.
- Encouraging efficient utilization of Forest Produce and Optimum Use of Wood (Timber).
- Generation of Work Opportunities, the involvement of Women.
Q 24. How much degraded land is in India ?
At present there are about 130 million hectares of degraded land in India.
Q 25. Which are the factors that determine the use of land ?
The factors are topography, climate, soil types, population, density, technological capability and culture and traditions.
Q 26. State factors responsible for land degradation.
Overgrazing, mining, quarrying and deforestation.
Q 27. Which are the ways to solve the problems of land degradation ?
1. Overgrazing – Gujarat, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
2. Over-irrigation – Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh.
Q 29. Which part of India is made of alluvial soil ?
The entire Northern Plains are made of alluvial soil.
Q 30. How are alluvial soils classified on the basis of their age ?
According to their age alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial soil — Bangar and new alluvial – Khadar.
Q 31. What is the other name of black soils ?
Regur soils.
Q 32. Write a note on the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992.
(1) Place : In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the first International Earth Summit.
(2) Objective : The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level.
(3) Achievements :
a. The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity,
b. The Rio convention endorsed the Global Forest Principles and adopted Agenda 21 for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
Q 33. State one feature of laterite soils.
The laterite soils are suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilisers.
Q 34. Which soil is suitable for production of Cashew Nut and where ?
Red laterite soil in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala is suitable for the crop of cashew nuts.
Q 35. Which are two causes for soil erosion ?
Deforestation, overgrazing and mining activities.
Q 36. What are ravines ?
The land that becomes unfit for cultivation is known as bad land. In the Chambal basin such badlands are called ravines.
Q 37. What is the significance of the shelter belts in the desert in western India ?
The shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilization of sand dunes and in stabilizing the desert in western India.
Q 38. Where are red and yellow soils found ?
Red and yellow soils are found in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau, in parts of Orissa, Chattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
Q 39. What is the use of contour ploughing ?
Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
Q 40. What is Bad land?
When an area undergoes gully erosion, it becomes unfit from cultivation. This piece of land is known as badland. For exp: The badland in the Chambal basin is called ravine.
Q 41. What is resource planning? Give three phases of resource planning.
Resource planning is proper and judicious planning of resources.
The phases of resource planning are:
• Identification and inventory of resources across various regions of the country. It involves surveying, mapping, qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
• Evolving a planning structure, endowed with appropriate technological skill and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
• Matching the resource development with overall national development plans.
Q 42. Define resources. How are resources classified?
Anything which can be used to satisfy our needs is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.
The resources can be classified into various categories:
• On the basis of origin – biotic and abiotic
• On the basis of exhaustibility – renewable and non-renewable
• On the basis of ownership – individual, community, national and international
On the basis of status of development – potential developed stock and reserves.
Q 43. Describe any three steps that can be taken to solve the problem of land degradation?
Three steps that can be taken to solve the problem of land degradation:
• Afforestation and proper management of grazing.
• Planting of shelter belts of plants and control on over grazing.
• Proper management of waste lands and control of mining activities.
Q 44. Describe the features of Arid soils and Forest soils. Mention the places where they are found in India.
(a) Arid soils :
1. Features
- They range from red to brown in colour.
- They are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature,
- In some areas the salt content is very high and common salt is obtained by evaporating the water. Due to the dry climate, high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture,
- The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by kankar because of increasing calcium content downward.
- These soils can become cultivable if irrigation facilities are made available as has been in the case of western Rajasthan.
2. Places :
- These soils are found in arid areas of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
(b) Forest soils :
1. Features :
- They are found in mountainous area,
- They are loamy and silty in valley slides and coarse grained in the upper slopes,
- In the snow covered areas of the Himalayas they are acidic with low humus content.
Q 45. Describe the type of resources classified on the basis of exhaustibility.
The resources on the basis of exhaustibility are classified into two categories:
• Renewable Resources: The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable or replenishable resources. For example, solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife, etc.
• Non-Renewable Resources: These resources take millions of years in their formation. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of such resources. Some of the resources like metals are recyclable and some like fossil fuels cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.
Q 46. Describe the steps to control soil erosion in hilly areas?
The soil erosion in hilly areas can be controlled by:
• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
• Terrace cultivation: Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces which restricts erosion.
• Strip cropping: Large fields are divided into strips and strips of grass are left to grow between the crops.
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It is essential to have resource planning because:
• Resources are limited in supply.
• Resources are unevenly distributed over the surface of the earth.
• Exploitation and over utilization of resources must be checked.
Q 48. What are biotic and abiotic resources ? Give two examples for each.
On the basis of origin resources are divided as given below :
1. Biotic resources : These are obtained from biosphere and have life such as human beings, flora and fauna, fisheries and livestock.
2. Abiotic resources : All those things which are composed of non-living things are called abiotic resources e.g., rocks and metals.
Q 49. Provide a suitable classification for resources on the basis of ownership. Mention main features of any three types of such resources.
These are divided as individual, community owned, national and international resources.
(a) Individual resources :
1. These are owned privately by individuals,
2. Many farmers own land in the villages which is allotted to them by government against payment of Revenue.
3. Urban people own plots, houses and other property.
4. Plantation, pasture lands, ponds are also owned by individuals.
(b) Community owned resources :
1. These are owned by community.
2. These are accessible to all the members of the community.
3. Village commons (grazing grounds, burial grounds), public parks, picnic spots in urban areas are accessible to all the people living there.
(c) National resources :
1. These are owned and belong to the nation or state,
2. All the minerals, water resources, forests, wildlife land within the political boundaries and oceanic area up to 12 nautical miles (19.2 km) from the coast termed as territorial water and resources there in belong to the nation.
(d) International resources :
These do not belong to any country. Some of these resources are regulated by international institutions. Oceanic resources beyond 200 km of the Exclusive. Economic Zone belongs to open ocean and no individual country can utilize these without the concurrence of international institutions.
Q 50. Differentiate between stock resources and reserves.
These can be divided into four types :
(a) Potential resources: These are found in a region but have not been utilized, e.g., enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat. But so far these have not been developed properly.
(b) Developed resources :
1. Resources whose quality and quantity have been determined for utilisation.
2. Their development depends on technology and their level of feasibility.
(c) Stock :
Materials in the environment which can satisfy human needs but human beings do not have the appropriate technology to access these e.g., two components of water — hydrogen and oxygen can be used as a rich source of energy but we, human beings, do not have the technology to use them. Hence it is considered as stock.
(d) Reserves :
1. These are the subset of the stock which can be used by present technology but their use has not been started fully. (Here subset of the stock means that just like stock resources , reserve resources are also not used at present ). 0
2. River water can be used for generating hydroelectric power but presently it is being used only to a limited extent.
3. Such resources can be used for meeting future requirements.
4. Water in the dams, forests etc. is a reserve which can be used in the future.