UNIT 2 : Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Q: What are the exhaustible and inexhaustible resources?

Ans : Air, sand, solar radiation, etc. are examples of inexhaustible resources. Water, wood, natural grasslands, soil and biotic matter, forests, wild animals, fossil fuels (coal, petrol), minerals like copper, iron etc. are exhaustible resources.

Q: What are the effects of deforestation?

Ans: Deforestation results in soil erosion, increase in floods and drought, reduction in the profits derived from flora and fauna, scarcity in wood and energy resources etc.

Q: How low should be the amount of rainfall for a droughts situation to occur?

Ans : If rainfall occurs 75% less than the usual amount, then drought situation occurs.

Q: Mention four problems of big dams.

Ans : (i) Destruction of forests, plants and animals along with it.

(ii) Displacement of tribal people.

(iii) Fundamental changes in the climate.

(iv) Occurrence of diseases like malaria etc.

Q: What are the different types of mineral resources?

Ans : Mineral resources are of two types-

(i)Non metallic e.g. Diamonds, Graphite, Quartz.

(ii) Metallic, e.g. Bauxite, laterite etc.

Q: Mention some of the environmental impacts of mining.

Ans : (i) Destruction of plants

(ii) Geographical changes

(iii) Depression of the earth surface

(iv) Poisoning of ground water

(v) Air pollution

Q: What are the different types of food?

Ans: Food products include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, bio-acids, vitamins, minerals salts etc.

Q: What methods can be used to make the soil less saline?

Ans : (i) Use of better quality water

(ii) Spreading the inland network through open canals.

Q: How many kinds of energy are there and what are these?

Ans: Solar energy, Hydro power, Nuclear energy, Wind energy, Bio-mass energy

Q: Mention the types of coal.

Ans : Coals is of 3 types-

(i) Anthracite (Hard coal), (ii) Bituminous (Soft coal) (iii) Lignite.

Q: Mention the elements of soil in percentage.

Ans : Mineral elements    - 50-60%
Biotic elements               - 10%

Water                            - 25-35%

Air                                 - 15-25%

Q: What are the effects of desertification?

Ans : (i) Weakening of the food chain.

(ii) Appearance of exotic plants.

Q: What are the objectives of the conservation of natural resources?

Ans : Following are the objective of the conservation of natural resources:

(i) The conservation of the natural resources is essential for controlling the environmental system. By this is meani the controlling of various environmental sy stem such as food-chain, renewal of mineral resources, maintenance of die supporting condition like soil, wind, water, animals.

(ii) It makes the resources available and their existence perennial so mat all thing beings can lead an undisturbed life.

(iii) To keep conservation at a specific level in order as maintain the biodiversity for ensuring safe evaluation of life.

Q: What do yon mean by sustainable development?

Ans : Sustainable development means the capacity to cater to the present needs of the people of a certain geographical region without hampering the interests of future generation. The sustenance capacity depends upon land area, its productivity and the amount of everything that is required for man.

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1. What are resources?

Ans : All the natural and human means which satisfy the needs of man and society are called resources. The water, air, sunlight, soil, forest, fish, animal products and animals are very valuable resources to man. He very much depends on them to satisfy all his needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Any material which can be transformed in a way that it becomes more valuable and useful, can be termed as a re­source. Thus land, water live stock, forests, minerals as well as human beings are resources. Any material can be termed as a resource provided an appropriate technology is available for its transformation into more valuable goods. All natural el­ements having the attribute of utility are known as resources.

2. Define renewable or non-exhaustible resource.

Ans :  Natural resources which can be used again and again are called renewable resources. These resources do not get exhausted if proper care is taken of them. Fertility of soil, natural vegetation, birds and animals are examples of renew­able resources.

3. Define non-renewable or exhaustible resources.
Ans : Natural resources which arc exhausted when used are called non-renewable resources. They have a onetime use and cannot be put to further use. This type of resources have limited deposits in the earth. They cannot be created by human effort. Continuous and unrestricted use of these re­sources will bring an end to their reserves. Coal, petroleum, natural gas and all other minerals are examples of non-renew­able resources.

4. What is blow resource?

Ans: Natural resources which do not exhaust easily, even on being put to use constantly, are called flow resources. This type of resources can be used again and again. They continue to flow, hence the name. Wind energy, energy of tides, energy produced by waterfalls, etc. are examples of flow resources. Flow resources are also known as cyclic resource.

SHORT QUESTIONS

1.  Write the names of two non-renewable resources.

Ans : Petrol-and coal are non-renewable resources.

2.  Write the names of two renewable resources.

Ans : Trees' and soil are renewable resources.

3.  Why can't farmers get sufficient electricity?

Ans : The fossil fuels may not last long, that is why the farmers cannot get sufficient electricity.

4.    What is the full form of UNO?

Ans : The full form of UNO is United Nations Organisation.

5.    What is the role of central pollution control board?

Ans: The central pollution control board supervises the activities of the state boards.

6.    What are pests?

Ans: bisects, rodents and other micro-organisms which destroy food material and plants are called pests.

7.    Why is the modern agricultural technology harmful to our environment?

Ans: Modern agricultural technology depends on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides, which pollute the air, water and land. So the modem agricultural technology is harmful to our environment.

(B) SHORT TYPE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1.      'The embankments and irrigation dams hamper our environment'. Explain.

Ans: People construct embankments and irrigation dams for controlling floods and to ensure better agriculture. But the steps have proved wrong, because the embankments and dams create some problems to our environment. So the embankments and irrigation dams are harmftil to us.

2.      What do you mean by 'social forestry'?

Ans : 'Social forestry' is the afforestation programmes that have been launched by the forest department of different states as well as some other government and non­government organisations in order to relieve pressure on forests.

3.      'The global endeavours in right direction for controlling pollution'. Explain.

Ans: The scientists have discovered alternative sources. With the help of high technology waste is being used to recycle and produce some useful materials. Fuels and building materials arc being produced from the liquid wastes of the factories and industries. Tonnes of mud are now-reprocessed to produce fertilsiers. Now-a-days the factories and industries are equipped with devices to reduce and control environmental pollution. So the global endeavours arc going in right direction for controlling pollution.

4.    Discuss the problem of population in India.

Ans : The population creates many social, economic, political problems in India.

India is now facing many problems :

·         Want of staple food materials.

·         Problem of producing extra residential areas.

·         Disruption in medical and health care system.

·         Insufficiency in traffic and road.

·         Improvation of educational system.

·         Increase in the rate of environmental pollution.

·         Disruption of the national planning programme.

5.    Why should the government give top priority to population control?

Ans : Population is the root cause of poverty and environmental pollution. The increasing population needs more food, more residential area, etc. If we control our population growth, we preserve our nature from all sides. So, the government should give top priority to population control.

6.    Discuss the role that UNO can play in controlling pollution.

Ans: We have seen that the main cause of environmental pollution is rapid growth of industries for producing consumer goods. Such kinds of industries are very harmful to our environment because some countries for acquiring wealth, exploit the natural sources without thinking for the future. Only UNO can play a vital role in reducing such kind of industries by international cooperation.

The UNO can send their scientists to its member countries to take adequate measures to make their industrial establishments pollution free.

7. Describe the role played by the government of India in controlling pollution.

Ans : The Indian government is also now going to be very strict about environmental pollution. The pollution control boards have been set up in every state and the central pollution control board supervises the activities of the state boards.

Moreover the government of India has enforced some laws :

(i) The water (Prevention and Pollution Control) A6t, 1974.

(ii) The Water (Prevention and Pollution Control) Cess Act, 1977.                                                                          

(hi) The Air (Prevention and Pollution Control) Act, 1981.

(iv) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

(v) The Public Utility Insurance Act, 1991.

8. How can the forest be conserved?

Ans : Forests are very important for our environment. The forests keep our ecological system in balance.

We can conserve our forest by the following methods :

(a)    We should plant more and more trees in free space.

(b)    We should stop cutting down the trees.

(c)    We should protect our forest wealth.

9. Name the Acts made by the government of India for controlling pollution.

Ans : The government of India for controlling environmental pollution has enforced some laws.

The Acts and laws are :

·         The water (Prevention and Pollution Control) Act 1974.

·         The Water (Prevention and Pollution Control) Cess Act. 1977.

·         The Air (Prevention and Pollution Control) Act, 1981.

·         Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

·         The Public Utility Insurance Act, 1991.

10. Discuss the role of resources in the economic de­velopment of a country.

Ans :   Ever since man appeared on the surface of the earth, he has been depending on resources for satisfying all his needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Many valuable prod­ucts are obtained from resources. Trade and agriculture of a country depend upon the development of resources. The de­velopment of industries of a country depends upon availability and proper utilisation of resources. Now a days, resources are the basis of the economic development of a country. They pro­vide raw materials and energy for the industry. Agriculture, forestry, mining, industries, transport, all these sectors depend upon resources for their development. But the utilisation of resources very much depends upon scientific knowledge and technical skills of the people. For development of technology capital is required. The western countries like the USA. Canada, Soviet Russia, France, Germany, the UK, Italy are economically very much advanced, because they are not only rich in resources but are very much advanced in technology and have huge capital market Many of them like Japan import raw materials and turn them into useful goods because of tech­nical skill of their people and great capital resources. There­fore, the economic development of a country depends upon not only on natural resources but also on human resources. Thus, the role of resources, both natural and human, in the eco­nomic development of a country in very significant.

8. Classify resources.

Ans : Resources may be divided into seven categories or classes. They are -
(i) Mineral resources
(ii) Forest resources
(Hi) Soil resources
(iv) Animal resources
(v) Water resources
(vi) Man-made resources
(vii) Human resources                           

(C) LONG TYPE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS :

1. Definition of natural disaster and management of natural disaster like flood in Assam.

Ans : The main causes of natural disaster and management of natural disaster like flood in Assam are as follows ;

a.   Due to deforestation flood occur in Assam.

b.   Overgrazing is one of the major cause of flood in Assam.

c.   Rapid industrialization is one of the causes of flood in Assam.

d.   Due to heavy rain in Assam flood is occured.

e.   When vegetation and soil cannot absorb all the water then floods occur in Assam.

f.    In Assam minig is one of the important cause of flood.

g.   In Assam global warming is also considered as cause of floods.

In Assam floods can create some unavoidable problem. The problems created by floods are as follows:

(i)            In Assam floods also damaged and destroyed the spawning ground for fish and other wildlife heliostats.

(ii)           Environmental degradation takes place by spreading epidemics in case of both human beings and animals due to flood in Assam.

(iii)          The economic development of floods Assam is hindered by devastating both life and property.

(iv)          Floods are also create problems of water logging, land degradation, salinisation of soil, biomaginification, death of necessary organism etc.

(v)           Problems of disappearance of useful plants and appearance of unwanted plants are also the major cause of food.

(vi)          Due to flood bridge, embankment, roads are damaged.

(vii)         It damages property and endanger the lives of humans and animals in Assam.

 To solve such problems following remedial measures can be taken:

a.     In Assam flood can be controlled by restoring vegetation and institution, efficient methods of soil management and conservation.

b.     One of the important methods of flood control in Assam is reforestation.

c.     River dams which provide sufficient protection against flood are also a method of control in Assam.

d.     The construction of embankments on lower beaches of rivers to divert flood water is one of the methods of flood control.

e.     Construction of spars which control both flood and bank erosion is one of the most mentionable method of flood control in Assam.

Q. Write the importance of water conservation and its methods.

Ans: Following are the importance of water conservation and its methods:

a.         In water conservation reducing irrigation losses such as use of lined or covered canals, using water in the early morning or at late evening, use of sprinkling and drip method etc. is very helpful.

b.         To conserve water in sandy regions horizontal barrier of asphalt is placed below the soil surface to escape from quick evaporation of water.

c.         To conserve water in irrigated area some chemical wetting agents are used to increase the water intake of the soil.

d.         Water is conserved by making some boundary of soil barrier which prevent the quick run of rain water in plains pertinently in paddy field.

e.         Water is allowed to flow to the farming area and in foothills the course of the rebulids are changed.

f.          To conserve water digging large pond is necessary.

g.         To conserve water the small embankments is hilly slopes allow rain water to wait more and thus water gets more time to infiltrate.

h.         To conserve water re-use and economic use of it also helpful.

i.          Person can reduce the misuse and overuse of water in the area, where water is already in shortage and where water shortage is ahead pricing in water supply.

j.          Soil is left farrow far one or two seasons which increaese its water conserving capacity.

k.         To conserve water in dry area or in the area under the affect of desertification the creation of new watershed or revival of old watersheds also very helpful.

Q.    Write what are natural resources and its different categories with examples

Ans : The resources which are inherent in the nature and are not made by man are called natural resources. Water, soiil, air, forest, coal etc mare natural recourses Natural resources are of two types.

(i) Renewable natural resources and

(ii) Non-renewable natural resources.

These two types of natural resources are discussed below with examples:

(i) Renewable natural resources: The resources which are reproducible and which are obtained from the bio-moss of living organism are considered as renewable natural resources. Forest recourses are the renewable natural resources.

Non-renewable natural resources: The resources which are obtained from the finite non living reserves and are not reproducible are considered as non-renewable natural resources. Mineral, coal, metals etc are the example of non­renewable natural resources.

Q.     Mention the causes, of deforestation and suggest suitable measures to protect them.

Ans: Deforestation and afforestation: Deforestation means the destruction of forest by different means like construction of road, building dams etc. extending farms, extension of urbanization, collecting of firewoods, collecting of timber for commercial and household use, exploring mines etc. It causes shortage of oxygen and increase carbon-dioxide in atmosphere.
Deforestation create flood problem, sandy storm etc. which are harmful for all living beings like plants animals and so on.

Following are the causes of deforestation:

a.         Growing need of food and more reproduction of food occurs deforestation.

b.         Deforestation is taking place due to the clearance of forest few the settlement of increased population.

c.         Deforestation occurs due to increasing needs of row materials for industrial use.

d.         Deforestation occurs due to shifting cultivation which is called Jhum cultivation.

e.         We to extraction of timber, legally or illegally for industrial and domestic use is another important cause of deforestation.

Following weasures should be taken for protection of deforestation.

a.         To the rural people planting should be made habituate..

b.         The bare land within the campus of school, hospital, the road sides, the far sides of embankment should be painted.

c.         Open cast mining should be reduced. In place of open cast mining new technology should be developed to extract minerals from the mines.                    

d.         In place of shifting cultivation terrace cultivation should be encouraged.

e.         To meet the needs of timber materials products should be produced.     

f.          A proper policy of tree falling should follow by Forest departments.

                                       

Q. Write a note on the effects of application of pesticides in agriculture.

Ans : Following are the effects of application of pesticides in agriculture :

a.       Animals and human excreta may contain pathogens that contaminate the soil and crops. These also affect the health of man and animals.

b.       Through food chain the radioactive dust may find its way from the soil into crops, animals and human.

c.       Plants can absorb many pesticides and their degarded products and nay reach humans and animals through food chain which may prove very harmful.

d.       The chemicals and pesticides are used in the field of agriculture field. These chemicals and pesticides can alter the basic composition of the soil.

e.       The quality of soil is spoiled due to the use of inorganic fertilizers in the long run.

f.        The useful soil organisms which contribute in fertility and structure of the soil may killed through the chemicals and pesticides.

Q. Write an essay on floods?

Ans : Floods occur mainly due to deforestation. Mining is one of the important cause of flood. It causes the volume of wter to be bigger in the rainy days. Floods occur due to heaw rain, sometimes combined with meeting snow, which causes the rivers to overflow their blanks. Global warming is also considered as cause of floods. Overgrazing is also one of the major cause of flood. It causes glacier at the poles to molten and thus sea level swells up to threaten the normal life at the low lying beaches. One of the another cause of flood is rapid industrialization. Coastal areas are occasionally flooded by unusually in high tides induced by sever winds over cean surfaces. Floods occur when vegetation and soil cannot absorb all the water.

Floods damages property and endanger the lives of humans and animals. Due to flood bridge, embankment, roads are damaged. Water logging, land degradation, salinisation of soil, biomagnifications, death of necessary organism etc. are also flood-created problems. Disappearance of useful plants and appearance of un anted plants are also the major cause of food problems. Due to flood environmental degradation takes place by spreading epidemics in case of both human beings and animals. Floods hinder the economic development of a country by devastating both life and property. Floods also damaged and destroyed the spawning ground for fish and other wildlife heliostats.

The construction of embankments on lower beaches of rivers to divert flood water to flood control is Reforestation is also an important method of flood control. To control both flood and, bank erosion of the river One of the most mentionable method of flood control is construction of spars which. River dams is also a method of control. To provide sufficient protection against flood dams help very friendly to control the flood. Flood can be control by restoring vegetation and institution efficient methods of soil management and conservation of flood.

Q. What are the importances of forest resources? What are the different impact of the over use and over expansion of forest resources?

Ans : The importance of forest resources are as follows :

a.         On the basis of the forest resources. Industries like match box industry, plywood industry etc. are being set up.

b.         Forest resources help in preservation of the scare animals, birds and various species of trees.

c.         Forest resources provide the food crops to the man, animals and the different species.

d.         It supplies raws materials to various industries.

e.         Forest resources supply the woods, bamboos etc. which are necessary to building houses and in making furniture

f.          It increases the water, absorbing capacity of soil, saves the soil erosion, and increase fertility of soil,

g.         Forest resources control the climate.

h.         Forest gives pleasure by increasing the natural beauty helps in the development of tourism industry.

i.          Forest resources help in air purification.

The different impact of the overuse and over expansion of forest resources are as follows:

a.       Fertility of the soil decreases and soil erosion increase due to over use of forest resources .

b.       Due to over use of forest resources scarcity of food crops of man, animals and birds appears.

c.       Over use of forest resources creates lack of living places of animals as well as other living beings in the forest.

d.       Over use of forest resources affects the natural beauty of the world and cause an ecological imbalance,

e.       Over use of forest resources affects the climate.

f.        Due to over use and over exploitation of forest resources unemployment problem will arise and it will stand as a obstacle in the path of economic development of the country.

g.       The scaring of the raw materials for the industries occurs due to over use and over exploitation of forest resources.

h.       Rainfall will increase due to over expansion of forest resources.

i.        Due to over use and over exploitation of forest resources] the production will decrease and the economic growth of the country will be interrupted.

j.        Due to over use and over exploitation of forest resources transportation and communication will also be interrupted.

Q. Write about the non renewable natural resources of North East India and measures to conserve them.

Ans : In respect of deposit of non-renewable resources of north east region is quiet rich. The non renewable natural resources of north east region in India are mineral resources, coal, petroleum, iron ore, fire clay, uranium China clay tiller's earth, feldspar, silliminite, dolomite etc. These resources are available in Assam, North Cachar Hill, Tripura, Karbi Anglong, Khasia Jayantia and Garo Hill, Nagaland, Manipur etc.

There are some conservation measures of non renewable natural resources. Such as :

a.     To conserve non renewable resources we should change the way of life.      ,

b.     We should be reduce loss and minimise demand of resources.

c.     For conservation non renewable resources over consumption of oil in automobile engines should be checked by keeping the engines in good working order.

d.     To conserve non renewable resources we should change our way of life.

e.     For conservation non renewable resoles we should increase reclamation and recycling of materials.

f.      To conserve non renewable resources we should use solar energy for cooking, heating and trasport.etc.

Q. Write on the causes of deforestation and its measures to check it.

Ans : Following are the causes of deforestation :

a.     Growing need of food and more reproduction of food occur deforestation.

b.     Deforestation taking place due to the clearance of forest for the settlement of increased population.

c.     Deforestation occurs due to increasing needs of row materials for industrial use.

d.     Deforestation occurs due to shifting cultivation which is Called Jhum cultivation.

e.     We to extraction of timber, legally or illegally for industrial and domestic use is another important cause of deforestation.

Following measures can be adopted to check deforestation;

a.     To the rural people planting should be made habituate.

b.     The bare land within the campus of school, hospital, the road sides, the far sides of embankment should be painted.

c.     Opencast mining should be reduced. In place of open cast mining new technology should be developed to extract minerals from the mines.

d.     In place of shifting cultivation terrace cultivation should be encouraged.

e.     To meet the needs of timber materials products should be produced.

f.      A proper policy of tree falling should follow by Forest departments.  

Q. Write about flood as a disaster; its causes and management.

Ans': Flood is considered as a disaster. There are various causes of flood.

These are as follows:

a.       Due to deforestation river flood may occurs very heavily

b.       One of the main cause of flood is overgrazing,

c.       Rapid industrialization is one of the main cause of flood,

d.       Coastal areas are occasionally flooded by unusually high tides induced by severe winds over ocean surfaces.

e.       Floods occur due to heavy rain, sometimes combined j with meeting snow, which causes the rivers which causes the rivers to overflow their banks.

f.        Floods occur when vegetation and soil cannot absorb all the water.

g.       Mining is also one of the important causes of flood,

h.       Global warming is also considered as causes of flood. 

Following are the management of flood control:

a.           The construction of embankments on lower beaches of rivers to divert flood water is one of the major methods of flood control.

b.           One of an important method of flood control is reforestation.

c.           Construction of spars which control both flood and bank erosion is one of the most mentionable method of flood control.

d.           To provide sufficient protection against flood dams help very friendly. River dams is also a method of control.

e.           By restoring vegetation and institution efficient methods of soil management and conservation flood can be control.

Q: Write about natural resources of the North-Eastern part of India.

Ans : In north eastern part of India adequate mantitiy of J natural resources are available. In north east Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills of Assam, Khasia-Jayantia and Garo Hills of Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland etc. there Limestone deposits are available. Different parts of Assam and Arunachal Prodesh there are availability of natural resources like different types of trees, bambos, cane, woods birds, wild animals etc.

There are also availability of coal, petroleum crude, natural gas, lime stone, siliminate, dolomite, iron are uranium, fire clay, Koaline etc. North east India s quite rich in respect of water resources. Due to heavey and adequate rainfall the underground water potential is quite rich. Brahmaputra and Borak are the two major water resources in north east India.

Q. Write on the adverse environmental effects of the large river dams? What are the advantages of large river dams?

Ans : The adverse effects of the overuse and misuse of water resources on environment are as follows :

a.         The riiver dams are also failing to control flood.

b.         Due to the river dams large amount of minerals, salt incresse in the surface which affected the agricultural area and the trees very miserably.

c.         The lives of many tribal people are also being interrupted for this reason.

d.         Deforestation is taking place in the name of such dams.

e.         The river dams are destroying the green forest of nature.

f.          Agricultural development of a developing country depends upon river dams which caused the environmental degradation.

g.         Rapid degradation of the environment is caused due to the river dams.

h.         The river dams creates soil erosion, earthquake, etc.

Following are the advantages of river dams:

a.     With the help of rver dams an artificial pond .can be created for fish production which may certainly help in the economic growth of the country.

b.     These dams have much contribution in the formation of commercial institutions.

c.     River dams plays vital role in irrigation significantly and in the economic growth of the country.

d.     River dams helpful in the protection of hydroelectric power which is resulting in the expansion of industrialisation.

e.     The people for being flood affect during the rainy season can be saved by large river dams.

f.      River dams increase the job opportunity in the commercial institutions and increasing opportunity to many, unemployed people to be engaged.

Q:  Write briefly on Chipco movement

Ans: Chipko movement: In the name of developmental programme of the area the local people to resist the deforestation attempt on the hill slopes is called the 'Chipko movement'. From the point of view of border security a vast network of road was constructed in this area besides taking up projects of various other types in 1960. All this was disastrous for the forest. All this resulted in the devastating flood which caused havoc in the upper catchment area. In Uttarkhand the Dasholi Gram Sarajya Mandal was engaged in social work, stepped in the relief work during the flood in 1970. The volunteers of the Mandal realized then that man and forest and land were linked. They started educating the people. They tried to bring awareness among the people and informed them that there has an ill effect of deforestation in the hill slopes. Gradually they geared themselves into a movement known as Chipko movement. The volunteers of Chipko movement attracted the attention of the Government scientists, experts of national and international bodies. Thus this movement started to educate the people about the good effects of afforestation which help people to involve in greater issues of ecology and environmental protection.

Q:  Write short answer of the following

Ans: a) Natural resources: The resources which are inherent in the nature and are not made by man are called natural resources. Water, soil, air, forest, coal etc mare natural resources. Natural resources are of two types.

i) Renewable natural resources: The resources which are reproducible and which are obtaned from the bio-moss of living organism are considered as renewable natural resources. Forest resources are the renewable natural resources.     ,

ii) Non-renewable natural resources: The resources which are obtained from the non living reserves and are not reproducible are considered as non-renewable natural resources. Mineral, coal, metals etc are the example of non­renewable natural resources.

(b) Causes of deforestation: Following are the causes of deforestation:

a.       Growing need of food and more reproduction of food occur deforestation.

b.       Deforestation taking place due to the clearance of forest for the settlement of increased population.

c.       Deforestation occurs due to increasing needs of row materials for industrial use.

d.       Deforestation occurs due to shifting cultivation which is called Jhum cultivation.

e.       We to extraction of timber, legally or illegally for industrial and domestic use is another important cause of deforestation,

(c) Deforestation and afforestation: Deforestation means the destruction of forest by different means like construction of road, building dams etc. extending farms, extension of urbanization, collecting of firewoods, collecting of timber for comercial and household use, exploring mines etc. It causes shortage of oxygen and increase carbon-di-oxide in atmosphere. Deforestation create flood problem, sandy storm etc. which are harmful for all living beings like plants animals and so on. On the other hand afforestation means plantation for preserving the lives of plants as well as individuals. It is the primary solution of environmental degradation. By afforestation can able to shifting a desert to green field. Afforestation is the venture to come back to live a long and healthy life.

(d) Deciduous and evergreen forest: the deciduous forests are bound in that area where rainfall is thinly distributed. It contains all types of evergreen and non-evergreen woods. It contains three layers of trees like top layer with tall and big trees, middle layer with moderately high trees and ground layer with brushes, grasses etc. Deciduous forests are located in north central Europe, East Asia and linked states.

On the other hand, the forest which grows in high rainfall areas where the monsoon period lasts for several months is called" evergreen forest. In evergreen forest the plants are evergreen and shed a few of their leaves throughout the year and it looks green throughout the year. This type of forests located in Western Ghat§, North eastern India and the Andaman and Nicobar Island.

FOREST RESOURCES

Q: Name the major types of forest on the surface of the earth.

Ans: Forest type is a category of forest, defined generally with reference to its geographical location, climatic and edaphic features, composition and condition. Champion and Seth categorized the forest types as under :

(i) Tropical Forest  (ii) Sub-tropical  (iii) Temperate  (iv) Alpine  (v) Sub-alpine  (vi) Littoral and svvamp forest.

Q: What are the factors upon which the growth, development and types of forests depend?

Ans : The growth, development and the type of forest depend upon location with regard to the equator, oceans, soil, temperature conditions, rainfall, sunshine, altitude, rock formation and the structure of land surface.

Q: What are the functions of the forests?

Ans : Forests are renewable resources. They perform mainly two functions. They are -

(i) Productive Functions of the forests are -They provide us timber, fuel wood, fodder and raw materials for various industries and some other minor products which have great economic value such as lac. honey and various types of herbs.

(ii) Protecting function of the forests are -

·     They check the soil erosion on the hill slopes.

·     They control the flood and regulate the flow of watet

·     They enrich genetic reserve of flora and fauna.

·     They improve the quality of environment by reducing the pollution.

·     They increase the rainfall and improve the local climate.

Q: Describe the methods of forests conservation.
Ans: Conservation of forest is a global as well as a national

problem. It must be tackled with perfect co-ordination between forest department and other departments. People's participation in the conservation of forest is of vital importances. We must celebrate Van-Mahotsava and plant trees in such areas which are unsuitable for cultivation of crops. We should create public awareness about the importance of trees. 'Chiplao Movement' in India is a striking example of public awareness regarding conservation of forests.

Q: What are the measures of forest conservation ?

Ans : The following measures should be adopted to conserve the forests :

a.       Measures should be taken up to protect the forests from fire. For this reason, hunters and visitors should be forbidden to enter the forests in dry season.

b.       A policy of afforestation should be adopted and trees should be planted.

c.       Trees are also planted in those areas which are unsuitable for agriculture.

d.       The synthetic products should be used as a substitute of wood.

e.       The cutting of trees should be treated as a crime and exemplary punishment should be given to the guilty.

f.        Chemical treatment should be given to the forests in order to prevent decay and destruction by diseases and insects.

g.       Waste-wood from saw mills is to be properly used for making toys etc.

h.       Steps should be taken to improve the management of forests.

i.        The awareness of the importance of forests should be created among the local people.

Q: Divide the forests according to the national forest policy.

Ans : About 90% of the forests is controlled by the state. They are named on the basis of their commercial value and availability. They are known as -

(a)    Reserved Forests: They are relatively well-managed forests. They cover about 5 per cent of the national forest area. They provide good timber. The easy accessibility to these forests provides the facility of getting good and valuable timber of these forests. The grazing is prohibited in these forests.

(b)     Protected Forests: These forests are grown on the slopes and in the river catchment, area. Thus, they check the soil erosion and protect the soil. But they are not useful owing to their difficult location. They are not meant for commercial benefits. Only, local people living in these forests meet their demands by using the raw materials of these forests. They cover about 29 percent of the national forest area. Though, these forests are not very useful, yet our government protects them in order to meet the increasing demands of local graziers and hill dwellers. They are homes of the wild life. Moreover, they protect climate and soil.

(c) Other forests : They cover about 7 percent of the notified area.

Q: State five contributions of forest resources in the economic development of a country.

Ans : Five contributions of forest resources in the economic development of a country are as follows:

a.         Forests maintain the natural environment and balance the animal kingdom. ;

b.         It contributes towards the tourist industry.

c.         It also contributes towards the forest based industries.

d.         Forest contributes job opportunities to a large number of unemployed youths.

e.         Forest supplier various medicinal herbs.

WATER RESOURCES

Q: "Water is an important natural resource". Discuss.

Ans : Water is a precious gift of the nature for human beings. Without water, the earth cannot support life. It is an important natural resource also. It is required for increasing the agricultural production. It is also needed for generation of power, navigation and meeting various domestic and industrial needs.

Water is a precious resource which is indivisible and therefore, its utilisation should be in the planned way, so that wastage of water may be controlled.

Water as a resource is not evenly distributed over space and time. Sometimes during the year it is in plenty and sometimes it becomes scarce. It is abundantly found in some regions of the country but it is scarcely available in some regions of the country.

Q. What are the various sources of water ?

Ans : The main sources of water are rainfall, rivers, lakes, tanks, reservoirs and ground water. Rainfall is not evenly distributed over the earth's surface. A large proportion of the water resources in India is located in those regions which lie in the zone having a mean annual rainfall of 100 cm. Rainfall is also major source of the recharge of underground aquarium.

The underground aquariums are generally brackish in the regions having scanty rainfall. This water cannot be used even for irrigation.

The rivers, lakes, tanks and reservoirs are other major sources of water. The rivers are fed by rainfall as well as snow melt. A number of multipurpose projects have been made on the rivers to harness the hydro-powers from the fiver-water. Reservoirs provide the facility of storing river-water. For this reason, many river valley projects have been constructed.

Ground Water: Ground water is another important source of water which is easily available everywhere. This water is available through wells, tube-wells and other device of lifting water. About 3,33,000 million cubic metre of ground water is available in India. Of this about 90 percent is located in northern] plains and rest in the peninsular India.

Q:  What are the various ways to conserve the water resources?

Ans : Water is life. It is a precious and scare natural resource. Hence, it needs conservation.-We conserve the water resources by adopting the following ways -

a.       We should try to reduce the rim off and evaporation losses.

b.       We should control the over irrigation. Thus, we minimise the misuse of water as well as we save the soil from becoming salty. Salinity and alkalinity are the outcomes of misuse of water.

c.       The sprinkler and drip irrigation method of irrigation should be adopted.

d.       Pollution of water bodies should be controlled by checking the affluent from settlements and industries as they form major pollutants of the water-bodies.

e.       We should adopt the method of recycling of water which is essential to economic use of water.

f.        Floods should be controlled by damming the rivers and the surplus water should be stored in the reservoirs.

g.       The water intensive crops should not be sown in dry regions.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Q:  Give a classification of minerals.

Ans : The minerals are classified into three groups- Metallic minerals, Non-metallic minerals, Fuel minerals.

a.    Metallic Minerals: They include iron, copper, aluminum, gold, silver, tin, lead etc. They can be smelted into useful metals.

b.    Non- Metallic Minerals : These include salt, mica, limestone, manganese etc.

c.     Fuel Minerals: These include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. They are also called source of power.

Q: Define the term mineral.

Ans : A mineral is a definite chemical composition comprising one or more elements and can be identified by its physical and chemical properties.

Q: Discuss the main characteristics of minerals.
Ans : Characteristics of minerals are as under -

a.     Minerals are unevenly distributed over the earth's surface.

b.     Most of these minerals are non-renewable.

c.     The quantity and quality of minerals are inversely correlated.

d.     None of the countries in the world are self sufficient in all minerals. So, they give impetus to the development of international trade.

e.     Minerals are the basis of modern civilization.

Q: How do you say that minerals have played an important part in human civilization?

Ans : Minerals have played an important part in human civilization. This is clear from the fact the stages in the history of economic development are referred to as Stone Age, copper age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Minerals have greatly contributed in the modern industrial development of the world.

Q: What should we do to conserve minerals-?

Ans : Minerals are non-renewable, once consumed the cannot be created or renewed. We must therefore use minerals in a planned manner. We should stop the waste in the mining of minerals. While extracting-the metal from the ores. Utmost care should be paid so that wastage is the minimum. The export! of minerals should be minimised. Minerals should be replaced by their substitutes. Where possible, the recycling of scrap and 1 metals should be encouraged.

FOOD RESOURCES

Q:  What is food security?

Ans : India on an average has enough stock to meet the minimum food requirements of its citizens. But this situation is not likely to remain so easy in the years to come. The population of India by 2000 is likely to be around 1300 million. This would require a huge amount of food grains along with pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits.

The food production has started to show a declining trend. In 2000-01, India produced only 199 million tonnes of foodgrains. The use of more and more land for construction of factories warehouses and shelter has reduced the land under cultivation and new fertile land for farming is no longer available.* Biotechnology as a supplementary tool can be used for modifying different crops genetically to increase the yield perj hectare.

Q: What is the importance of agriculture?

Ans: India is an agricultural country. Nearly two-thirds of its population depends directly on agriculture for their livelihood. 1 Agriculture is the most important economic activity. It accounts j for 26 percent of the gross domestic product.

Q: What are the main features of Indian agriculture?

Ans : In spite of all efforts, only one-third of the cropped area is actually irrigated. The use of fertilizers and pesticides has increased and large areas have been brought under high yielding variety of seeds. This led to the Green Revolution which helped to increase the yield per hectare as well as total production of different crops. Subsistence agriculture still exist in lndia. Animals play a major role in agricultural operations. Farming depends on the monsoon rains. Most of the production comprises of food crops. About one-third of the land holdings are small, less than one hectare in size. Means of transport and the storage facilities for crops are inadequate.

Q: What are the impact of overgrazing?

Ans_:: The various impact of overgrazing are given below -(i) Land degradation (ii),Soil erosion (iii) Loss of useful species

Q: What are the various characteristics of Indian agriculture?

Ans: Characteristics of Indian Agriculture are as under -

a.     Uncertainty of crops from year to year both in terms of the quality and. quantity.

b.     Uncertainty of the success of the crops. Farmers till the last moment are not sure of the success of the crops.

c.     Farmers do not get sufficient return because when the harvest is poor, farmers may not get sufficient return and when the harvest is good, they may not get remunerative price because the supply exceeds the demand.

Q: What are the major roles of agriculture?
Ans : Major roles of agriculture are -

a.     To provide food for the population,

b.     To supply the industrial raw materials to the agro-based industries.

c.     To contribute to exports of the country to earn foreign exchange.

ENERGY RESOURCES

Q: What do you mean by energy resources?

Ans: Energy is an important input to accelerate the process] of production and thus lead to economic development. The energy is mainly used in agriculture, transport industry and household works. Energy resources are those resources from which the energy has been obtained. The major resources of energy are water, coal and petroleum. About 50 percent of the total energy used in India is obtained from water coal and oil, other half is obtained from non-conventional energy resources'] such as solar, wind bio-energy etc.

Q: Describe the favourable conditions for generating energy from the renewable resources? Mention its requirements?

Ans : The energy obtained from the sun light, wind, tidal waves, geothermal energy and bio-gas are the main non-conventional sources of energy. Biff-gas source of energy is the renewable source of energy.

Sunlight: Sunlight is abundantly found in all parts of India except the northern hill regions, the technology for generating low grade thermal energy has already beei developed in our; country. The low grade thermal energy is used for cooking, water hearing space-heating etc.

Geothermal Energy: A five kilo watt power plant of geothermal energy has been established at Manikarem. I

Wind Energy: It is being harnessed in Gujarat. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Orissa.

Limitations: There are certain limitations in the large scale utilization of renewable energy system. Some of them are:

a.     To establish the plant for renewable energy requires a heavy amount of capital in the initial stage.

b.     General people, especially rural people do not prefer to use the bio-gas obtained from the human excreta. If this bio-gas is acceptable, the sanitation condition and environmental condition of the villages will be improved and the problem of scavengers will be solved. For this, the villagers are to be properly educated and cooperative efforts should be taken.

Q: Write the significance of energy resources.
Ans: Energy is an indispensable requirement of our life. It may be manual, animal, electrical or mechanical. Electricity is used to operate various machines and is required for almost all economic activities.

Q: Distinguish between the renewable and non­ renewable resource of energy.

Ans : The resources which may be obtained continuously year after year are known as renewable resources, e.g. hydro-felectricity, sun, wind, tides, geothermal energy, etc.

The non-renewable resources are the resources which once. mined and used cannot be used again, e.g. coal, petroleum and natural gas.

LAND RESOURCES 

Q. What are the main types of soil of India?

Ans: Soil Types: The following soil types are recognized in India-

a.     Alluvial soils: These soils cover about 43.7 percent of the total area of the country. These soils are deposited by the fluvial action of rivers and sea. Hence, they are fertile and mainly found in river valleys and coastal areas. They are mainly found in the northern plains river valleys of plateau region and in river deltas and coastal regions of India. The old alluviums are known as Bhaugar and the newer alluviums-are known as Khadar.

b.     Peat soils: These soils develop under the humidj conditions in areas of thick vegetations. They are mainly confined to coastal areas of Kerala, West Bengal, Orissa arid; Tamil Nadu.

c.     Red soils: The red and yellow soils are deposited bf fluvial action. These soils are deficient in humus content and' lack in plant nutrients.

d.     The Black soils: These soil are derived from the Deccan Trap. They are mainly deposited in Maharashtra. Western Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat, parts of Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

e.     Laterite soils: They develop where the moist climate is experienced intermittently followed by dry climatic conditions;'

f.      Desert soils: These soils develop under the arid climatic conditions. These soils are poor in humus but rich in soluble salts.

g.     Mountainous Soil:

Q. What do you understand by soil erosion? Suggest the measures to prevent it?

Ans : Soil erosion means the exhaustion of the fertility of the soils. The continuous use of soil results in depletion of its fertility. Erosion is a serious hazard which removes the soil cover itself.

Firstly, in order to save soil, we have to adopt the two-fold conservation strategy. To maintain the productivity of the soil, we have to increase the use of measures and bio-chemical fertilities. Next, we have to adopt the method of scientific rotation of crops.     

Secondly, the erosion of the soil by running water are Wind should be checked by adopting following methods—

a.     Afforestation should be adopted in hilly and desert regions to check the soil erosion. Trees check the soil erosion on the slopes as they break the force of running water and bind the loose soils. They also control the velocity of the wind.

b.     The solid erosion, in hilly areas may be checked by terracing, control plaughing and plugging the gullies.

b.     Bunding is done on the sloping lands. They control the flow of water and check-the soil erosion.

a.     Controlled grazing check the soil erosion.

b.     Controlling the shirring agriculture also check the soil erosion.

Q: Discuss the degradation of land resources.

Ans: Due to the excessive use, land has undergone degradation. Land has become a scarce resource in densely populated and urban areas. The valuable agricultural land has been used for the construction of houses, and setting up of industries. Forests have been cleared for other purposes and uses. Floods and famines have also adversely, affected our land resources. Soil erosion, dumping waste from mines and industries, solid wastes from cities have degraded our land. It has become unfit for any other use. Deforestation, heavy rainfall, overgrazing, winds, slopes of the land and nature of the land lead to soil erosion which deteriorates the quality of soil.

Q.       What is the importance of soil for man?

Ans: Soil is the most important agricultural resource. Most of the requirements of human beings likefood, clothing,- shelter, etc. are directly or indirectly provided by the soil. Soil is thus of great importance to man.

Q.       How is nature responsible for the degradation of land?

Ans : Heavy rainfall and storms play havoc wim the soil. On a level land, the rain water carries away the fertile upper layer of the soil and leaves it barren and infertile. In die hilly areas, rains cut the land deep and make gullies. It is called gully erosion. The winds also blow and carry away the fertile upper layer of the soil and turn me lands into wastelands.

Q.       How is man responsible for the degradation of land?

Ans : Several human activities lead to the degradation of land. The trees are cut indiscriminately and the forests turn into wastelands. Lack of vegetation leads to the scarcity of rainfall and the land is degraded . The construction of houses and buildings not only swallow the land but they also degrade the surrounding land. The wastes from the industries and other household wastes degrade the land.

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