Multiple choice questions:

(i) Which one of the following types of resources is iron ore?

a. Renewable
b. Biotic.
c. Flow
d. Non-renewable

(ii) Under which of the following type of resource can tidal energy be put?
a. Replenishable
b. Abiotic
c. Human-made.
d. Non-recyclable

(iii)Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in

Punjab?
a. Intense cultivation
b. Deforestation
c. Over irrigation
d. Overgrazing

(iv) In which one of the following states is the terrace cultivation practiced?
a. Punjab
b. Haryana
c. Plains of Uttar Pradesh
d. Uttaranchal

(v) In which one of the following states is the black soil found?
a. J & K
b. Gujarat
c. Rajasthan
d. Jharkhand

Answers:
(i) (d) Non-renewable
(ii) (a) Replenishable
(iii) (c) Over irrigation
(iv) (d) Uttarakhand
(v) (b) Gujarat

Page 13:

Q.2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words:

(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the Eastern Coast? Give three
main features of this type of soil.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
(iv) What are biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.
Answer:
(i) The Black soils are black in colour.
These are also known as regur soils.
This soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan
Plateau. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya
Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh and extend in a south-east direction along the Godavari
and the Krishna valleys.
Black soil is ideal for growing cotton.

(ii) Alluvial soil is found in the eastern coastal plan is particularly in the deltas of the
Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.
Three main features of this type of soil are as follows :

• The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
• These soils are very fertile. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are
intensively cultivated and densely populated.
• These soils contain an adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid, and
lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and other
cereal and pulse crops.

(iii) The soil erosion in the hilly areas can be controlled by taking steps as
mentioned below :

• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow
of water down the slopes. This is called contour ploughing.
• Terrace cultivation: Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces.
Terrace cultivation restricts erosion.
• Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left
to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. This is strip
cropping.

(iv) Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life such as human
beings, flora, and fauna, fisheries, livestock, e.g., forests and animals are biotic
resources.

Abiotic resources consist of all those things which are composed of non-living things.
e.g., rocks and metals. Land, water, and soil are also abiotic resources.

Q3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased
much since 1960-61?
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of
resources?
Answer:
(i) Land resources in India are primarily divided into agricultural land, forest land,
pasture and grazing land, and wasteland. Wasteland includes rocky, arid and desert
areas and land used for non-agricultural purposes like housing, roads, industry, etc.
According to recent data available, the percentage of net sown area (NSA) in India is
about 54% of the total reporting area (if, the other than current fallow lands is
included). . 22.5% is covered by forests, and 3.45% is used for grazing. The rest is a
wasteland, with traces of miscellaneous cultivation.

Improper use of forest land has led to land degradation and made conservation of
forests difficult. Human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, mining, quarrying,
etc have contributed to the slow growth rate of forests. Thus, land under forest has
increased by only about 4% since 1960-61.

(ii) The following factors have been responsible for technical and economic
development leading to overconsumption of resources.

In colonial times, imperial powers used their technological and economic superiority
to establish control over other countries and thereby gain access to the latter’s
resources. One country’s resources were accessible to the citizens of its colonial
ruler too, leading to increased consumption. Technical progress also results in
inefficient machinery, increased production, and greater consumption of resources.

Technological development and economic progress have led to populations

increasing due to low mortality at all ages. With new developments in medicine and
health care, fewer people die due to accidents, diseases, childbirth, etc. This too has
contributed to higher consumption of resources.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Resources which are surveyed and their quantity and quality have been
determined for utilisation is known as [CBSE (CCE) 2011]
(a) Potential resources
(b) Stock
(c) Developed resources
(d) Reserves

2. Which one of the following soil is ideal for growing cotton? [CBSE (CCE) 2011]
(a) Regur soil
(b) Laterite soil
(c) Desert soil
(d) Mountainous soil

3. In which of the following states is overgrazing responsible for land

degradation? [CBSE (CCE) 2011]
(a) Jharkhand and Orissa
(b) Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
(c) Punjab and Haryana
(d) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
4. Which one of the following statements is true about the term resources? [CBSE
(CCE) 2011]
(a) Resources are free gifts of nature.
(b) They are the functions of human activities.
(c) All those things which are found in nature.
(d) Things which cannot be used to fulfill our needs.

5. Which one of the following types of the resource is iron ore?

(a) Renewable
(b) Biotic
(c) Flow
(d) Non-renewable

6. Under which of the following types of resource the tidal energy can be put?
(a) Replenishable
(b) Human-made
(c) Abiotic
(d) Non-recyclable

7. Soil formed by intense leaching is

(a) Alluvial soil
(b) Red soil
(c) Laterite soil
(d) Desert

8. Fallow land refers to

(a) land not under cultivation.
(b) land with many gullies.
(c) a fertile land.
(d) cultivable land not cultivated for a season to regain its fertility.

9. Method of growing long strips of grass between the crops refers to

(a) Contour ploughing
(b) Terrace farming
(c) Strip cropping
(d) Crop rotation

10. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised.
(a) Renewable
(b) Developed
(c) National
(d) Potential

11. Which of the following factors involves the transformation of things into a
resource ?
(i) Physical environment
(ii) Technology
(iii) Human beings
(iv) Institutions
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) All of above

12. Renewable resources are those

(a) which cannot be renewed
(b) which are accessible
(c) which are developed
(d) which are renewed by physical, chemical or mechanical processes.

13. Which one of the following is not a community resource ?

(a) Public parks
(b) A library
(c) A car
(d) A community hall

14. Territorial waters of India extends to

(a) 10 Nautical miles
(b) 15 Nautical miles
(c) 12 Nautical miles
(d) 1900 kilometres

15. Find out which one of the following is a stock?

(a) Biofuels
(b) Coal
(c) Solar energy
(d) Hydro-electricity

16. The first International Earth Summit was held in

(a) Geneva
(b) New York
(c) Japan
(d) Rio de Janeiro

17. “There is enough for everybody’s need but not for anybody’s greed”. Who
said this ?
(a) Jawahar Lai Nehru
(b) Atal Bihari Vajpai
(c) M. K. Gandhi
(d) Sunder Lai Bhauguna

18. The area brought under cultivation in a year is called …………….

(a) Fallow land
(b) Cultivable
(c) Net sown area
(d) Gross sown area

19. I am the most widespread soil, covering the Northern Plains and Eastern Coastal
Plains-who am I ?
(a) Black soil
(b) Forest soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Alluvial soil

20. Resources which are non-renewable but can be recycled are called
(a) Renewable resources
(b) Non-renewable resources
(c) Recyclable resources
(d) Biotic resources

21. The most widespread relief feature of India is

(a) Mountains
(b) Forests
(c) Plains
(d) Plateaus

22. The current net sown area of India in 2002-03 is

(a) 45 percent
(b) 43.4 percent
(c) 50 percent
(d) 48 percent

23. The state having maximum net sown area in India is ……………
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Punjab

24. Land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year is called
(a) Culturable waste land
(b) Current fallow land
(c) Waste land
(d) None of the above

25. The present per cent of area under forests is (2002 – 03)
(a) 18 percent
(b) 22.57 percent
(c) 19 percent
(d) 11 percent
26. The factor responsible for maximum land degradation is ………………
(a) Human activities
(b) Wind
(c) Salinity
(d) Soil erosion

27. Which agent is responsible for maximum land degradation ?

(a) Wind
(b) Water
(c) Glaciers
(d) Overgrazing

28. Soil is formed by the process of

(a) Denudation
(b) Gradation
(c) Weathering
(d) Erosion

29. Supply a technical term for the dead and decomposed material found on the top
soil.
(a) Bed rock
(b) Fossils
(c) Humidity
(d) Humus

30. The old alluvial soil is known as ………………

(a) Bangar
(b) Bhabbar
(c) Khadar
(d) Regur

31. Which of the following statement(s) is true for black soil ?

(i) It has larger proportion of clay.
(ii) It can retain moisture for a long time.
(iii) It develops cracks during summer which helps in aeration.
(iv) Cotton grows best in this soil.
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (iii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) All of the above

32. Red colour of soil is due to

(a) it is rich in humus.
(b) it is rich in iron compounds.
(c) it is derived from volcanic origin.
(d) it is rich in potash.
33. The denudation of the soil cover and washing down of soil by various agents are
known as ………………
(a) Weathering
(b) Gradation
(c) Soil erosion
(d) Soil conservation

34. The land consisting of many gullies and ravines are called ……………….
(a) Gully erosion
(b) Bed rock
(c) V shaped valleys
(d) Bad land

35. Terrace cultivation can be used to control soil erosion in

(a) Desert regions
(b) Hill slopes
(c) Valleys
(d) Plains

36.Strip cropping refers to

(a) growing of crops in long strips.
(b) growing of trees in long rows.
(c) growing of strips of grass in between the crops.
(d) ploughing along the contour lines.

37. Erosion of the top soil when water flows as a sheet over large areas down the
slope is called
(a) Gully erosion
(b) Badlands
(c) Soil erosion
(d) Sheet erosion

38. Which one of the following statements is correct as regards to international

resources ?
(a) Resources which are regulated by international institutions.
(b) Resources which lie beyond the territorial waters.
(c) Resources which are found along the international frontier.
(d) Resources which are not yet developed.

39. Which one of the following methods is ideal for controlling land degradation in
coastal areas and in deserts ?
(a) Strip cropping
(b) Contour ploughing
(c) Planting of shelter belts
(d) Plugging of gullies
40. Which type of soil is suitable for the growth of cashew nut ?
(a) Alluvial soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Red laterite soil

41. Arid soils are less fertile as

(i) it lacks humus and moisture
(ii) it has high salt content
(iii) it is sandy in nature
(iv) it is rich in Iron
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i) and (iii)

42. Ploughing along the contour lines can

(a) accelerate the flow of water.
(b) decelerate the flow of water.
(c) accelerate the force of winds.
(d) decelerate the force of winds.

43. Bad lands or ravines are found in

(a) Chenab basin
(b) Chambal basin
(c) Ganga basin
(d) Godavari basin

ANSWERS

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following types of resource is iron ore?

(a) Renewable

(b) Biotic
(c) Flow

(d) Non-renewable

Answer:

Non-renewable

(ii) Under which of the following type of resources can tidal energy not be put?

(a) Replenishable

(b) Human-made

(c) Abiotic

(d) Non-recyclable

Answer:

Replenishable

(iii) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in
Punjab?

(a) Intensive cultivation

(b) Deforestation

(c) Over-irrigation

(d) Overgrazing

Answer:

Over-irrigation

(iv) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?

(a) Punjab

(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh

(c) Haryana

(d) Uttarakhand
Answer:

Uttarakhand

(v) In which of the following states is black soil predominantly found?

(a) Jammu and Kashmir

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Jharkhand

Answer:

Maharashtra

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in
it.

Answer:

3 states are

1. Maharashtra
2. Gujarat
3. Madhya Pradesh

The crop grown is cotton.

(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give
three main features of this type of soil.

Answer:

The type of soil found in river deltas is Alluvial Soil.

1. It is very fertile and, therefore, good for the cultivation of crops

2. It consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay
3. Alluvial soil has a good quantity of potash, lime and phosphoric acid, which is good for
the growth of paddy and sugarcane.

(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas?
Answer:

The main techniques that can be used are given below.

1. Contour ploughing
2. Terrace farming
3. Strips of grass are allowed to grow between the crops. This method is known as strip
cropping.

(iv) What are the biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.

Answer:

Biotic resource:

1. These are resources that are obtained from the biosphere

2. These resources have life
3. Examples are plants, animals, fish, human beings, livestock etc.

Abiotic resource:

1. These resources are composed of non-living things

2. Examples are water, minerals, metals, wind, solar energy etc.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Explain the land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not
increased much since 1960-61.

Answer:

The use of land is determined both by physical factors, such as topography, climate,
and soil types, as well as by human factors, such as population density,
technological capability, culture, traditions etc. The pattern of the net sown area
varies greatly from one state to another. It is over 80 per cent of the total area in
Punjab and Haryana and less than 10 per cent in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram,
Manipur and Andaman Nicobar Islands. Forest area in the country is far lower than
the desired 33 per cent of the geographical area, as it was outlined in the National
Forest Policy (1952). It was considered essential for the maintenance of the
ecological balance. A part of the land is termed a wasteland, and it is put to other
non-agricultural uses like settlements, roads, railways, industry etc. It includes rocky,
arid and desert areas. Continuous use of land over a long period of time without
taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage it has resulted in land
degradation.
(ii) How has technical and economic development led to more consumption of
resources?

Answer:

There are various reasons for this.

1. Large-scale production led to over utilisation of resources.

2. Technological advancement led to greater exploitation of resources.
3. Improved medical and health resources led to huge consumption of resources.

Question 1.
What do you understand by a ‘Resource’? Give examples. (2015)
Answer:
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, is
called a resource. It should be technologically accessible, economically feasible and
culturally acceptable. Only then, it can be termed as a ‘Resource’. Examples are:
minerals, forests, fossil fuels etc..

Question 2.
“Resources are a function of human activities.” Justify this statement.
Answer:
Mere presence of resources, as free gifts of nature, does not make them resources.
Human beings are essential components of resources because they transform
material available in our environment into resources. The utility of resources
depends on the stage of cultural development of man and the tools and technology
used by him.

Question 3.
Write the classification of resources on four different bases. (2015)
Answer:
Resources can be classified in the following four ways:
(a) On the basis of Origin:

• Biotic
• Abiotic

(b) On the basis of exhaustibility:

• Renewable
• Non-renewable

(c) On the basis of ownership:

• Individual (Personal)
 • Community
• National
• International

(d) On the basis of status and development:

• Potential
• Developed
• Reserve
• Stock

Question 4.
Explain the classification of resources on the basis of origin and give one example of
each.
Answer:
On the basis of origin, resources can be classified as Biotic and Abiotic.
Biotic Resources are obtained from the biosphere. They have life or are living
resources, e.g., human beings, fisheries, forests, etc.
Abiotic Resources include all non-living things, e.g., rocks and minerals.

Question 5.
Classify the resources on the basis of exhaustibility and give two examples of each.
Answer:
On the basis of exhaustibility, resources can be classified as: Renewable and Non-
renewable.

Renewable Resources. The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by

physical, chemical and mechanical processes are known as renewable or
replenishable resources, e.g., water, wildlife, forests, solar energy, wind energy etc.

Non-renewable Resources. The resources which once get exhausted, cannot be

remade. They take a long geological period of time, i.e., millions of years in their
formation, e.g., minerals, fossil fuels etc.

Question 6.
Write two types of renewable resources and give one example of each type.
Answer:
Two types of renewable resources are as follows:

1. Continuous or Flow Resources, e.g., wind and water resources.

2. Biological Resources, e.g., natural vegetation (forests) and wildlife.

Question 7.
Write two characteristics of non-renewable resources and write their two broad
categories with examples.
Answer:
Two characteristics of non-renewable resources:
 1. They cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.
2. They take millions of years in their formation.

Two broad categories of non-renewable resources:

1. Recyclable resources, e.g., metals.

2. Non-recyclable resources, e.g., fossil fuels.

Question 8.
Give any two examples of non-renewable resources. (2015)
Answer:
Non-renewable resources are resources which once get exhausted, cannot be
remade. They take a long geological period of time, i.e., millions of years, in their
formation, e.g., minerals, fossil fuels, etc.

Question 9.
Explain four types of resources based on ownership and give one example of each
type. (2014)
Answer:
On the basis of ownership, there are four types of resources:

1. Individual Resources. Resources, which are owned privately by individuals,

e.g., farmers own
pieces of land or houses. Plantation, pasture lands, water in wells are some
resources owned by individuals.
2. Community Owned Resources. These resources are accessible to all the
members of the community, e.g., village ponds, public parks, playgrounds in
urban areas are accessible to all the residents of that area.
3. National Resources. All the resources within the political boundary of a nation
including the territorial water (oceanic area upto 12 nautical miles from the
coast) extending into the ocean and resources therein belong to the nation,
e.g., all minerals, forests, wildlife, water resources, land etc.
4. International Resources. There are international institutions which own and
regulate some resources, e.g., The oceanic resources beyond 200 km of the
Exclusive Economic Zone belong to the open ocean and no individual country
can utilise these without the concurrence of international institutions.

Question 10.
Distinguish between the following:
1. Potential and Developed Resources;
2. Stock and Reserves.
Answer:
1. Potential Resources. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been
utilised, e.g.r Gujarat and Rajasthan have a lot of potential for the development of
wind and solar energy, but so far they have not been developed fully.
Developed Resources. Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity
have been determined for utilisation. The development of resources depends on
technology and level of their feasibility, e.g., water resources used for hydel power
generation or irrigation purposes.
2. Stock. Materials in the environment, which have the potential to satisfy human
needs but man does not have the appropriate technology to access them are
included among stock, e.g. water is a compound of two inflammable gases:
hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich Source of energy. But we do not
have the required technical know-how to use them for this purpose. Reserves.
Reserves are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the help of
existing technical ‘know-how’ but their full use has been postponed for meeting the
future needs, e.g., forest reserves, iron-ore reserves, water in the dams etc.

Question 11.
Name the categories under which natural resources can be grouped on the basis of
state of development.
Answer:

1. Potential Resources
2. Developed Resources
3. Stock
4. Reserves.

Question 12.
How are natural resources important for man? Give five points.
Answer:
Importance of resources for man:

1. Resources are vital for human survival.

2. They are important for maintaining the quality of life as man has been using the
bio-physical environment to satisfy his needs.
3. Natural resources form the backbone of the economy of a nation.
4. These are the bases for economic strength and prosperity of the people.
5. They provide material, energy and favourable conditions for development.

Question 13.
List the problems which resulted due to indiscriminate use of resources by man.
Answer:

1. It has resulted in depletion of many resources.

2. Accumulation of resources in few hands which, in turn, divided the society in
two segments, i.e., haves and have-nots or rich and poor.
3. It has led to the global ecological crisis, e.g., global warming, ozone layer
depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation, etc.

Question 14.
“Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence.” Discuss.
Answer:
Sustainable existence is a component of sustainable development which aims at
development without damaging the environment and at the same time conserving for
future generation. Therefore, resource planning is necessary for judicious, rational
and equitable distribution and proper utilisation of resources. It has become essential
for a sustained quality of life and global peace.

Question 15.
What do you understand by ‘sustainable economic development’?
Answer:
Sustainable economic development means that ‘development should take place
without damaging the environment and development in the present should not
compromise with the needs of future generation.’

Question 16.
Why is ‘Resource Planning’ necessary? Give reasons.
Answer:
Planning is necessary for proper and judicious utilisation of resources.
Reasons for resource planning:

1. Resource availability is not the same in all parts of the country.

2. Resources, especially non-renewable resources, need extra care as they
Cannot be renewed.
3. There is acute shortage or deficiency of some resources.
4. Resource planning helps in proper utilisation of resources by reducing
wastage. It takes care of future needs and may sustain the environment.

Question 17.
“India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources.” Name four varied
regions to justify this statement.
Answer:
There are regions which are rich or self-sufficient in certain types of resources and
there are areas that are deficient or have acute shortage of some vital resources.
For example:

1. The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in

minerals and coal deposits.
2. Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water resources but lacks in
infrastructural development.
3. Rajasthan is very well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water
resources.
4. The cold desert area of Ladakh has very rich cultural heritage. It is deficient in
water, infrastructure and some vital minerals.
Such cases call for balanced resource planning at different levels.

Question 18.
Explain three stages of ‘resource planning.’ (2015)
Answer:
Three stages of resource planning:
 1. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This
involves surveying, mapping and the qualitative and quantitative estimation and
measurement of the resources.
2. Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and
institutional set up for implementing resource development plAnswer:
3. Matching the resource development plans with overall national development
plAnswer:

Question 19.
“Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country
like India”. Justify this statement with two relevant points and an example. (2013)
Answer:
India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources. Through planning,
regions which have shortage of vital resources and those having adequate
quantities, receive equal attention.

1. There are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient
in some other resources.
For example: Arunachal has abundance of water but lacks in infrastructural
development.
2. There are some regions which can be considered self sufficient in terms of
availability of resources. For example: The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.
3. There are some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources.
For example: The state of Rajasthan is well endowed with solar and wind
energy but lacks in water resources.

Question 20.
Write four factors which determine resource development in a region.
Answer:
Four factors involved in the development of resources are:

1. Availability of resources
2. Level of technology
3. Quality of human resources
4. Historical experiences of the people

Question 21.
What do you understand by ‘conservation of resources’? Why is it necessary to
conserve our resources? Give three reasons.
Answer:
Conservation is judicious and planned use of natural resources for sustainable
benefit to the present generation. It also maintains a potential to meet the needs and
aspirations of future generations.
Three reasons for conservation:

1. Our resources are limited in nature, therefore they have to be frugally used.
2. Many of the resources are non-renewable in nature, therefore extra care has to
be taken.
 3. Their conservation is necessary for our own sustenance and for the ongoing
economic developmental processes.

Question 22.
Explain the concept of resource conservation as voiced by Gandhiji. (2012)
Or
Whom did Gandhiji make responsible for the depletion of resources at the global
level?
Answer:
Gandhiji voiced his concern about resource conservation in these Words: “There is
enough far everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.” He placed the greedy
and selfish individuals as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. He
was against ‘mass production’ and wanted to replace it with ‘production by the
masses’.

1. Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to the depletion of

resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
2. Irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources leads to socio-
economic and environmental problems.

Question 23.
Write four institutional efforts made at global level for ‘resource conservation’.
Answer:

1. At the international level, the Club of Rome advocated resource conservation

for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968.
2. In 1974, the Gandhian Philosophy was presented once again by Schumacher
in his book “Small is Beautiful”.
3. Brundtland Commission Report in 1987, introduced the concept of ‘sustainable
development’ and advocated it as a means for resource conservation. This was
subsequently published in a book entitled “Our Common Future”.
4. In June 1992, the first ‘International Earth Summit’ was held in Rio de Janeiro
in Brazil, in which 100 heads of States met for addressing urgent problems of
environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level.

Question 24.
Write the major features of Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992.
Answer:

1. In 1992,100 heads of States met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, for the first
‘International Earth Summit’.
2. The summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of:
• environmental protection and
• socio-economic development at global level.
3. The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and
the Biological Diversity.
4. The Rio convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted
‘Agenda 21’ for achieving sustainable development in the 21 st century. It is an
 agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty and diseases through global
co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.

Question 25.
“The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present
generation”. Justify the statement by giving suitable examples. (2012)
Or
Why is the issue of sustainability relevant for development?
Answer:
Present sources of energy in India are coal, petroleum, natural gas, solar energy,
wind energy, hydel power, electricity, wood for fire, cow dung etc. Most of these are
non-renewable sources of energy which may get exhausted after some time. These
are available in limited quantities. The present rate of consumption is higher than the
rate at which these resources are being replenished and should be preserved for our
future generations.

In fifty years’ time, India may depend largely on non-conventional sources of energy
which are available in abundance such as solar energy, hydel energy, wind energy
etc. The total hydel power potential in India is estimated at 1,50,000 MW of which
only one-sixth has been developed so far.

1. Development of a country needs to be continuous. Every country would like to

have the level of development go up further.
2. Many scientists have warned that the present levels of development cannot be
sustained for the future as the present rate of consumption of both renewable
and non-renewable resources is very high. Rapid industrialisation has led to
environment degradation.
3. Sustainability development aims at development without damaging the
environment and at the same time conserving for the future.
4. Sustainability of development is essential not only for the present generation
but also for future generations to ensure a good life.

Land Resources

Question 26.
Why is land as a resource important for us? Write four points.
Answer:

1. 95% of our basic needs of food, clothing and shelter are derived from land.
2. We live on land and use it in different ways, e.g. for agriculture, for transport
and communication systems, etc.
3. We perform our economic activities on land.
4. It supports natural vegetation, wildlife and human life.

Question 27.
Why land-use should be done in a planned manner? Write two points.
Answer:
 1. Land is a fixed asset.
2. As land is used for varied purposes and activities and for human sustenance,
therefore it is important to use the available land for various purposes with
careful planning.

Question 28.
Look at the picture and name three major relief features of India and their respective
share in the total area.
Answer:
Three major relief features:
1. Plains — 43%
2. Mountains — 30%
3. Plateaus — 27%

Question 29.
Name the relief feature occupying the largest area, along with its percentage share
in the total area.
Answer:
Plains occupy the largest area having 43% share in the total area.

Question 30.
Name three main relief features of India and write the importance of each.
Answer:

Relief Features Their Importance /Uses

(i) provide facilities for agriculture.

1. Plains

(ii) provide facilities for industrial development.

 (iii) because of their level, nature and ease of construction, plains support huge popula

the country.

(i) ensure perennial flow of some rivers and many rivers rise from them.

(ii) provide facilities for tourism.

2. Mountains

(iii) are important from ecological point of view, e.g. have lot of forest wealth and w

(i) possess rich reserves of minerals.

(ii) contain lot of fossil fuels, especially coal.

3. Plateaus

(iii) possess rich forest cover.

Question 31.
Look at the picture and explain the land-use pattern in India. Why has land under
forest not increased much since 1960-61?

Answer:
The major land-use categories and their percentage share is:

1. Net sown area, where regular agriculture is done — 43.41%.

 2. Forests, 22.57% of the total land is covered by forests.
3. Barren and waste land — 6.29%.
4. Area under non-agricultural use — 7.92%.
5. Permanent pastures and grazing land — 3.45%.
6. Area under miscellaneous tree crops and groves — 1.1%.
7. Culturable waste land — 4.41 %
8. Fallows other than current fallows — 3.82%
9. Current fallow – 7.03%

The land under forests has increased marginally by about 4.46%. From 18.11% in
1960-61, it is still only 22.57% which is far lower than the desired 33% as outlined by
the National Forest Policy (1952).
Reasons for marginal increase in forest area:

1. increasing population
2. technological developments
3. expansion of agriculture
4. development of transport and communication facilities
5. overgrazing
6. felling of trees

All these exert great pressure on land thus causing further depletion of forests.

Question 32.
Distinguish between each of the following:
(a) Current fallow and other than current fallow land
(b) Waste-land and culturable waste-land
(c) Net sown area and gross cropped area.
Answer:
(a) Current fallow land. Land left without cultivation for one or less than one
agricultural year.
Other than current fallow land. Land left uncultivated for the past one to five
agricultural years.
(b) Waste land. It includes rocky, arid and desert areas which are lying waste at the
moment. Culturable waste land. Arable land which is left uncultivated for more than
five agricultural years.
(c) Net Sown Area. It is the total area under cultivation.
Gross Cropped Area. Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net
sown area.

Question 33.
What do you understand by ‘reported area’? What is the reported area of India and
why? Give two major reasons.
Answer:
The percentage of total area for which land-use statistics (data) are available, is
termed as ‘reported area’. India’s reported area is 93%.
Reasons:
 • Because the land-use reporting for most of the north-eastern states, except
Assam, has not been done.
• Some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have not
been surveyed.

Question 34.
Write three physical and three human factors which determine the use of land.
Answer:
Physical Factors:

• Topography
• Climate
• Soil types

Human Factors:

• Population density
• Technological capability
• Culture and traditions

Question 35.
Why are the other than current fallow-lands cultivated once or twice in about two to
three years? Give two reasons.
Answer:
Two reasons are:

1. These lands may be of poor quality.

2. The cost of cultivation of such lands is very high.

Question 36.
“The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another.”
Or
Name two states having high net sown area and two states having low net sown
area. Give two reasons for each.
Answer:
Punjab and Haryana are two states, which have more than 80% of their total area as
N.S.A. (Net Sown Area) because:

1. They are agriculturally rich States because of favourable climatic conditions for
the growth of crops and levelled fertile nature of land.
2. Irrigation facilities are well-developed here.

States with low N.S.A. i.e., less than 10% are Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram
because:

1. The nature of land is hilly and forested, therefore availability of arable land is
less.
 2. Economic backwardness and climatic conditions also do not encourage large
scale agricultural activities.

Question 37.
According to National Forest Policy, how much of the country’s area should be under
forest cover and why? Give two considerations for this norm. Have we been able to
meet this norm?
Answer:
According to National Forest Policy, 33% of the country’s total area should be under
forest cover.
Reasons:

1. It is considered essential for the maintenance of ecological balance.

2. The livelihood of millions of people who live on the fringe of these forests
depends on these forests.

We have 22.57% area under forests which is far lower than the desired 33% of
geographical area, as outlined by National Forest Policy.

Question 38.
What is land degradation? What is the area of degraded land in India? Name four
types of waste-lands and their percentage share respectively.
Answer:
Damage to the land, bringing down its quality is called land degradation.
Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate
measures to conserve and manage it, results in land degradation. India has 130
million hectares of degraded land.
Four categories of waste-lands:

1. Water eroded area .. 56%

2. Forest degraded area .. 28%
3. Wind eroded area .. 10%
4. Saline and Alkaline land .. 6%

Question 39.
Write six human activities which have caused land degradation.
Answer:

1. Deforestation
2. Overgrazing
3. Mining activities — mining sites are abandoned after excavation leaving deep
scars and traces of over-burdening.
4. Mineral processing produces large quantities of dust in the atmosphere, which
on settling down on land, retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil.
5. Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging which increases salinity and alkalinity in
the soil.
6. Industrial effluents — such wastes cause land and water pollution.
Question 40.
Which factor is mainly responsible for maximum land degradation in India? (2015)
Answer:
Over-grazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. States where over-
grazing has resulted in land degradation are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
and Maharashtra.

Question 41.
Distinguish between biotic and abiotic resources by stating four points.
Answer:
Difference between biotic and abiotic resources

Biotic resources Abiotic resources

(i) The resources which are obtained from biosphere are (i) All those things which are composed of nonlivi

biotic resources. things are called abitoic resources.

(ii) They have life. (ii) They do not have life.

(iii) These include flora and fauna, fisheries, livestock, (iii) These incoude rocks, metals, land, air, mounta

human beings, etc. rivers, etc.

(iv) Minerals such as coal and petroleum are included in

(iv) Minerals such as gold, iron, copper, silver, etc
this category because they were formed from decayed
in this category.
organic matter.

Question 42.
Name three states each in which land degradation is caused due to

1. over-irrigation
2. over-grazing
3. deforestation due to mining activities
Answer:

1. Three states where over-irrigation has resulted in land degradation are Punjab,
Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.
2. Due to over-grazing. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
3. Deforestation due to mining activities has led to land degradation in Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh.

Question 43.
Write some measures/ways to solve problems of land degradation. (2014)
Answer:
Measures to conserve land:

1. Afforestation.
2. Proper management of grazing to control over-grazing.
3. Planting of shelter belts of plants.
4. Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
5. Control of mining activities.
6. Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after
treatment.
7. Proper management of waste-lands
8. Avoid over-irrigation, especially in dry areas.
9. Avoid overuse of fertilisers and pesticides.

Soil As A Resouce

Question 44.
What is soil? How is it an important resource for us?
Answer:
Soil is the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust which is loose, fragmented and fine. It
is rich in both organic (humus) and inorganic materials and supports plant growth.
Soil is a living system. It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cm in depth.
It is an important resource because:

• It is the medium of plant growth.

• It supports different types of living organisms on earth.

Question 45.
Write the main factors responsible for soil formation.
Answer:
Soil is a living system. It takes millions of years to form soil up to a few centimeters in
depth.
Factors responsible for soil formation are:

1. Parent rock or bed rock on which the soils are formed, disintegrate and
decompose under the process of weathering and erosion.
2. Climate: It determines the rate of weathering.
 3. Relief, vegetation, other forms of life and time are other important factors in the
formation of soils.
4. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running
water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc. also contribute to the
formation of soil.
5. Chemical and organic changes which take place in soil, also play a role in its
formation.

Question 46.
Write four factors which are responsible for varied types of soils in India.
Answer:
Factors:

1. Varied relief features

2. Varied land forms
3. Varied climatic realms
4. Varied vegetation types.

Question 47.
On what basis are soils classified into different types?
Answer:
Basis of classification of soils:

1. Colour
2. Thickness
3. Texture
4. Age
5. Chemical and physical properties
6. Factors responsible for soil formation.

Question 48.
Name six types of soils found in India. Which is the most widely spread soil? Name
one major region where it is found.
Answer:

1. Alluvial soil
2. Red and yellow soil
3. Black soil
4. Laterite soil
5. Arid soil
6. Forest and mountainous soils

Alluvial soil is the most widely spread soil.

The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil.

Question 49.
Write three regional/local names of areas where you find coarse alluvial soil and
name one deltaic area which has fine alluvial soil.
Answer:
Coarse alluvial soil is more common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and
Terai.
Fine alluvial soil is found in the eastern coastal plains in the deltas of Mahanadi,
Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers.

Question 50.
Classify alluvial soils on the basis of their age. Write two characteristics of each.
Answer:
According to their age, alluvial soils are of two types: Bangar and Khadar.

Bangar Khadar

(i) It is old alluvial soil. (i) It is new alluvial soil.

(ii) It has higher concentration of ‘kankar’ nodules. (ii) It has more fine particles.

(iii) It is more fertile than ‘Bangar’ and is found in

(iii) It is coarser and is found in the old river terraces.
plains.

Question 51.
Write the main characteristics of alluvial soils.
Answer:

1. Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. They consist of various proportions of
sand, silt and clay.
2. They contain adequate proportion of potash, lime and phosphoric acid. They
are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse
crops.
3. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and are
densely populated.
4. Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline and can be productive after proper
treatment and irrigation.

Question 52.
Give the distribution of alluvial soils in brief.
Answer:
The entire northern plains are made up of alluvial soils.
 • These have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems
• the Indus. Ganga and Brahmaputra.
• These soils also extend into Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor.
• These are also found in the eastern coastal plains in the deltas of the
Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers.

Question 53.
Write two factors which are responsible for the formation of black soils. Name four
States where they are found. Name the crop mainly grown in it.
Answer:
Two factors are:

1. The climatic conditions

2. The parent rock material.

Four states in which black soils are found are: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also called
black cotton soil.

Question 54.
Write six characteristics of regur soils (black soils). (2015)
Answer:

1. They are made up of extremely fine, i.e. clayey material.

2. They have capacity to hold moisture that makes them ideal for growing cotton.
3. They are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash
and lime.
4. These soils are generally poor in phosphoric contents.
5. They develop deep cracks during dry hot weather, which helps in the proper
aeration of soil.
6. These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work unless tilled immediately
after the first shower.

Question 55.
Give the distribution of black/regur Soil. (2015)
Answer:
This soil is typical of the Deccan Trap region.

• It is spread over north west Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows.
• This soil covers the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya
Pradesh and Chattisgarh and extends along the Godavari and Krishna Valleys.

Question 56.
In what broad category do the soils of Maharashtra fall? (2014)
Answer:
Black soil region also known as regur soils.
Question 57.
What is regur soil? Write its two features. Mention any two regions where regur soil
is found.
Answer:
Regur soil is soil which is made up of extremely fine, i.e., clayey material.
Features:

1. They have capacity to hold moisture that makes them ideal for growing cotton.
2. They are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash
and lime.
3. These soils are generally poor in phosphoric contents.
4. They develop deep cracks during dry hot weather, which helps in the proper
aeration of soil.
5. These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work unless tilled immediately
after the first shower.

Regions where regur soil is found:

1. This soil is typical of the Deccan Trap region.

2. It is spread over north west Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows.
3. This soil covers the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and extends along the Godavari and Krishna
Valleys.

Question 58.
Write the distribution of red and yellow soils. Give reasons for their colour.
Or
How does red soil develop and in which part of India? What makes it look red and
yellow?
Answer:
In Eastern and Southern parts of Deccan plateau, red soils have developed on
crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall. They are also found in parts of
Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Southern parts of the middle Ganga Plains and along the
piedmont zone of Western Ghats.

These soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and
metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.

Question 59.
Write four characteristics of laterite soils. Why are they called laterite?
Answer:

1. They are highly leached soils.

2. They develop in areas of heavy rainfall and high temperature.
3. They have low ‘humus’ content, because most of the micro-organisms
particularly decomposers like bacteria get destroyed due to high temperature.
4. These soils can be cultivated with adequate doses of manure and fertilisers.
The word laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘late/ which means
 brick. Since their colour is red and resembles brick colour, these soils are
called laterite soils.

Question 60.
Write six states which have laterite soils and name the important crops which grow
well in these soils.
Answer:
Six states in which laterite soils are found: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.
Crops which grow well in these soils are: tea, coffee and cashew-nuts.

Question 61.
Write the main characteristics of arid soils. (2014)
Answer:

1. Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.

2. They have a sandy texture.
3. They are saline in nature. In areas where salt content in high, common salt is
obtained by evaporation.
4. Arid soil lacks humus and is moisture deficient.
5. The lower horizons of the soil have kankars because of high calcium content
which restrict infiltration of water.
6. Proper irrigation helps make these soils cultivable, e.g., Western Rajasthan.

Question 62.
Write the main features of forest soils. What are the different types of soils found in
the hilly forested areas?
Answer:
Forest soils are mainly found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain
forests are available. The soil texture varies according to the mountain environment
where they are formed. At least four types of soils can be seen in the hilly forested
areas:

1. They are loamy and silty in valley sides.

2. They are coarse grained in upper slopes.
3. They are highly denuded, acidic with low humus content in the snow covered
areas.
4. They are very fine and fertile in lower parts of the valley and on river terraces.

Question 63.
What is soil erosion? Write the main causes of soil erosion.
Answer:
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil
erosion.

The process of soil formation and erosion goes on simultaneously and generally
there is a balance between the two. This balance is sometimes disturbed, leading to
soil erosion. The main activities like deforestation, over-grazing, construction and
mining and also natural agents like wind, running water and glacier are the main
causes of soil erosion.

Question 64.
Explain three types of soil erosion mostly observed in India. Mention human activities
that are responsible for soil erosion. (2012)
Answer:

1. Gully erosion
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels,
called gullies. They make the land unfit for cultivation. Such lands are called
‘Badlands’.
2. Sheet erosion
Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In this case
top layer of the soil is washed away.
3. Wind erosion
Wind blows off loose and dry soil from flat and sloping land causing erosion.

Question 65.
Write the land area degraded by gully erosion and name five states where gully
erosion is very pronounced.
Answer:
Approximately 40 lakh hectares of land area has degraded due to gully erosion.
Five states where gully erosion is quite pronounced are: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Question 66.
Write four methods of soil conservation.
Answer:
Methods of soil conservation:

1. Contour ploughing By ploughing along the contour lines, water will not run
down the slopes.
2. Terrace cultivation Steps can be cut on the slopes to make terraces. This
restricts erosion.
3. Strip cropping Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to
grow between the crops. This breaks the force of the wind.
4. Planting of shelter belts The planting of trees in rows to create shelter also
breaks the force of the wind and restricts soil erosion.
Shelter belts have helped in the stabilisation of sand dunes and deserts.

Q1. Which one of the following human activities has contributed most
in land degradation ?

Options
(a) Deforestation
(b) Overgrazing
(c) Mining
(d) Over-irrigation
Ans. (a)
Explanation:
Some human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying too
have contributed significantly in land degradation.

Q2. Which among the following is NOT a problem of resource

development ?

Options

(a) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

(b) Accumulation of resources in a few hands.
(c) Indiscriminate exploitation of resources.
(d) An equitable distribution of resources.
Ans. (d)
Explanation:
Problems for resource development are :- • Depletion of resources for satisfying the
greed of a few individuals. • Accumulation of resources in few hands, which, in turn,
divided the society into two segments i.e. haves and have nots or rich and poor. •
Indiscriminate exploitation of resources.

Q3. Mention any three features of arid soils.

Explanation:
Features of arid soils :
(i) Arid soils range from red to brown in colour and have a sandy texture.
(ii) They are saline in nature. Due to the presence of dry climate and high temperature,
evaporation occurs at a faster rate. Hence, this soil lacks humus and moisture.
(iii) Arid soils contain a considerable amount of soluble salts and owing to dry climate
and lack of vegetation, contain a low percentage of organic matter too.

Q4. Describe the importance of judicious use of resources.

Explanation:
The importance of judicious use of resources are given below :
(i) Resource planning : Planning is an important step in a country like India where
resources are enormously diverse for judicious use of resources. It provides
economically viable and sustainable solutions to the issues related to resources and
serves efficiently and effectively.
(ii) Management resources : The proper management is vital for the efficient and
sustainable use of resources. The proper management of resources successfully links
the human and resources resulting in its judicious use.
(iii) Awareness : The awareness plays an important role in planning, management
and use of resources. It is an responsibility of an individual to affectionately plan and
manage their local resources and should manage and harness them in the sustainable
and best possible way like a vacant piece of community land that can be brought under
use by building parks, gardens, etc.

Q5. What is meant by ‘resources’? Mention the four basis to classify

the resources.
Explanation:
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs is
called a Resource. Resources are technologically accessible, economically feasible
and culturally acceptable. Examples are coal, minerals, forest, land, water, fossil fuels
etc.
Resources are classified as follows :
(i) On the basis of origin
(a) Biotic : living resources like plants etc.
(b) Abiotic : Non living resources like solar energy, land etc.

(ii) On the basis of exhaustibility

(a) Renewable : Which can be recreated like solar energy etc.
(b) Non-Renewable : Which cannot be recreated like fossil fuels.

(iii) On the basis of ownership

(a) Individual (Personal) : Owned by an individual person.
(b) Community : Owned by the whole community.
(c) National : Owned by a country.
(d) International : Accessed by all nations.

(iv) On the basis of status of development.

(a) Potential : Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised.
(b) Developed : Which are surveyed and quality and quantity shows the utilisation.
(c) Reserve : Which can be used for meeting future requirements.
(d) Stock : Which can not be used due to the lack of appropriate technology to use
these resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why are resources important?
Ans: Resources when used as a raw material satisfy the needs and comforts of
human beings. Natural resources are a source of agricultural activities which adds to
the economic importance. They also provide employment opportunities.

Q2: What are the types of resources?

Ans: Resources can be classified in the following ways: (a) On the basis of origin –
biotic and abiotic (b) On the basis of exhaustibility – renewable and non-renewable (c)
On the basis of ownership – individual, community, national, and international (d) On
the basis of the status of development – potential, developed ,stock and reserve

Q3: Why is soil considered a resource?

Ans: Soil is a crucial natural resource as it supports agriculture and crop cultivation.
Agriculture, in turn, provides food, which is essential for the survival of all living
organisms on this planet.

Q4: What are the main topics that students will learn in Resources and
Development?
Ans: The main topics that students will learn in Chapter 1 of NCERT Solutions for
Class 10 Geography are

• Types of resources
• Development of Resources
• Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit
• Agenda 21
• Resource Planning
• Conservation of Resources
• Land Utilisation
• Land use pattern in India
• Classification of soils
• Soil erosion and conservation

Q5: Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence.”

Ans: Sustainable existence is a pivotal facet of the broader concept of sustainable
development. It revolves around pursuing development that doesn't inflict harm on the
environment while also safeguarding resources for the well-being of future
generations. Consequently, resource planning assumes a critical role in ensuring
prudent, logical, and fair allocation, as well as efficient utilisation of resources. This
practice has become indispensable in maintaining a consistent and high standard of
living while fostering global harmony.
2016
 Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]

Also Check:- Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Extra Questions

Question 1.
Examine the three major problems created as a result of indiscriminate utilization
of natural resources.
Answer:
The following are the three major problems created as a result of indiscriminate
utilization of natural resources.

• Depletion of resources at a faster rate.

• Accumulation of resources in the hands of few creating a wide gap between
the haves (rich) and have nots (poor).
• Increase in global crises like ozone layer depletion, global warming, pollution
and land degradation.

2015

Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]

Question 2.
Mention any three features of arid soil.
Answer:
The following are the three features of arid soils.

• The colour of the arid soil ranges from red to brown.

• Arid soils are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.
• The soils lack humus and moisture because of dry climate, high|emperature
and fast evaporation.
• The lower parts of the soils are occupied by kankar because of high calcium
content. It restricts the infiltration of water in lower layers.(Any Three)

Long Answer Type Question [5 Marks]

Question 3.
What is regur soil? Write its two features. Mention two regions where they are found.
Answer:
Regur soil is the other name of black soil. The following are the two features of
regur soil.

• The regur soils are made up of clayey material. They can hold moisture and
are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and
lime.
• They develop deep cracks during hot weather. When the soils are wet, they are
very sticky and difficult to work on unless tilled immediately.
 • The regur soils are found in the Deccan trap region, which is spread over
north-west Deccan plateau. There soils are also found in the plateaus of
Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and along
the Godavari and Krishna Valleys.

2014

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]

Question 4.
“Indiscriminate use of natural resources has led to numerous problems.” Justify
the statement.
Answer:
Indiscriminate use of natural resources has led to numerous problems. The
following points justify the statement.

• Human activities, like cutting and felling of trees, and lopping of trees, have led
to destruction of forests. Such losses have increasingly marginalised and
impoverished many communities, who depend upon forests for food medicine,
etc.
• Some human activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and
quarrying, have contributed to land degradation.
• Water resources have been polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it unfit for
human and as well as animals’ consumption.

Question 5.
How can you contribute to minimize the pollution? Explain.
Answer:
We can contribute to minimizing pollution by

• creating awareness about not burning fallen leaves or garbage in the parks or
on the roads.
• requesting our parents and the people in the neighbourhood not to dump
garbage in the ponds, rivers and other waterbodies, especially, while
performing rituals.
• not polluting the water storage tanks at home

Question 6.
“Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.” Justify the statement with
appropriate arguments.

Answer:
Land is a natural resource of utmost importance. It supports natural vegetation,
wildlife, human life and economic activities like agriculture, mining, transport and
communication system. 95 per cent of our basic needs for food, shelter and clothing
are obtained from land. Therefore, it is very important to use the available land for
various purposes with careful planning, otherwise we will be responsible for the
adverse consequences.

Question 7.
Name the soil type which is widely found in western Rajasthan. Explain two
important characteristics of this type of soil type which make it unsuitable for
cultivation.
Answer:
Arid soil is largely found in Western Rajasthan. The following are the two
characteristics which make it unsuitable for cultivation.

• Arid soil is generally sandy in texture and saline in nature. The lower layers
are occupied by Kankar. It restricts the filtration of water.
• Due to dry climate and high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil
lacks humus and moisture

Question 8.
Mention any three features of arid soil.
Answer:
The colour of the arid soil ranges from red to brown.

• Arid soils are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.

• The soils lack humus and moisture because of dry climate, high|emperature
and fast evaporation.

Question 9.
Distinguish between red and laterite soils, stating five points of distinction.
Answer:
The following are the differences between red soils and laterite soils.

Question 10.
“In India, some regions are rich in certain types of resources but deficient in some
other resources.” Do you agree with the statement? Support your answer with three
examples.
Answer:
India is a vast country. It has fertile plains and high mountains, which are a source of
perennial rivers.
It also has plateaus, which are a rich source of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
However some regions are rich in certain types of resources and deficient in others,
like the following.

• The cold desert of ladakh has very rich cultural heritage but it is deficient in
water, infrastructure and some vital minerals.
• Arunachal Pradesh has abundant water resources but lacks in infrastructure
development, as it is a mountainous state.
• The state of Rajasthan is well endowed with wind and solar energy but lacks
 2013

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]

Question 11.
“33 per cent area should be under forests.” Justify the statement highlighting the
environmental values of forests.
Answer:
According to the international norms, the forest cover in a country should be 33 per
cent of the total geographical area. However the forest cover in India is estimated at
637,293 sq. km, which is 19.39 per cent of the total geographical area.

• The following points sum up of the environmental values of forests.

If a country does not have 33 per cent geographical area under forest it may
lead to poor quality of support system— water, air and soil.
• Forests preserve the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
• The forest ecosystem is the storehouse of valuable forest products, minerals
and other resources.

Question 12.
Name the soil type which is widely found in western Rajasthan. Explain two
important characteristics of this type of soil which make it unsuitable for cultivation.
Answer:
Arid soil is largely found in Western Rajasthan. The following are the two
characteristics which make it unsuitable for cultivation.

• Arid soil is generally sandy in texture and saline in nature. The lower layers are
occupied by Kankar. It restricts the filtration of water.
• Due to dry climate and high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil
lacks humus and moisture.

2012

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]

Question 13.
Mention any two human activities which are responsible for the process of soil
erosion. Explain the two types of soil erosion mostly observed in India.
Answer:
Two human activities which are responsible for the process of soil erosion are
deforestation, overgrazing, construction and mining. (any two)
The following are the two types of soil erosion mostly observed in India.

• Sheet erosion: It is the result of excessive flowing of water resulting in the

removal of the topmost layer of soil.
 • bIt is the result of accumulation of runoff water which then rapidly flows into
narrow channels during or after heavy rainfall or melting of show, considerably
removing the soil cover.

Question 14.
Describe any three measures of controlling land degradation.
Answer:
Measures to solve the problem of land degradation in India are as follows.

• Afforestation and proper management grazing lands

• Planting of shelter belts for stabilizing sand dunes
• Proper management of wastelands
• Control on mining activities
• Proper discharge of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment
• Adopting effective ploughing techniques

Question 15.
“Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems.” Justify the
statement.
Answer:
Indiscriminate use of natural resources has led to numerous problems. The
following points justify the statement.

• Human activities, like cutting and felling of trees, and lopping of trees, have led
to destruction of forests. Such losses have increasingly marginalised and
impoverished many communities, who depend upon forests for food medicine,
etc.
• Some human activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and
quarrying, have contributed to land degradation.
• Water resources have been polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it unfit for
human and as well as animals’ consumption.

Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]

Question 16.
Mention three physical factors as well as three human factors which determine the
use of land in India.
Answer:
Three physical factors determining the use of land in India are the following,

1. topography
2. climate
3. soil type

Three human factors determining the land use in India are:

1. population density.
 2. technological capability.
3. culture and traditions.

Question 17.
Suggest any six measures to solve the problem of land degradation in India.
Answer:
Measures to solve the problem of land degradation in India are as follows.

• Afforestation and proper management grazing lands

• Planting of shelter belts for stabilizing sand dunes
• Proper management of wastelands
• Control on mining activities
• Proper discharge of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment
• Adopting effective ploughing techniques

Question 18.
“Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems.” Justify the
statement.
Answer:
Indiscriminate use of natural resources has led to numerous problems. The
following points justify the statement.

• Human activities, like cutting and felling of trees, and lopping of trees, have led
to destruction of forests. Such losses have increasingly marginalised and
impoverished many communities, who depend upon forests for food medicine,
etc.
• Some human activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and
quarrying, have contributed to land degradation.
• Water resources have been polluted by domestic and industrial wastes,
chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture, thus making it unfit for
human and as well as animals’ consumption.

Question 19.
Explain the types of resources on the basis of exhaustibility.
Answer:
On the basis of exhaustibility, the resources can be classified into the
following two categories.

1. Renewable resources: These are the resources that can be reproduced by

physical, chemical or mechanical processes. For example, solar, tidal and wind
energy.
2. Non-renewable resources: These resources occur over a very long
geological time, taking millions of years in their formation. They get exhausted
with their use. For example, minerals, coal, etc.

Question 20.
Explain the importance of conservation of resources.
Answer:
Resources are essential for all kinds of developmental activities. But indiscriminate
use of resources and overuse of resources may lead to socio-economic and
environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at
various levels is important.
For example, Gandhiji rightly said, “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for
anybody’s greed”.
For the first time, conservation of resources had been advocated by the Club of
Rome at the international level in a more systematic way in 1968. Another significant
contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

Question 21.
21. Explain the role of humans in resource development.
Answer:
The process of transformation of things into resource involves an inter-dependent
relationship between nature, technology and institutions.
Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to
accelerate the pace of economic development. Human beings are essential
components of resources as they transform materials in the environment into
resources and use them.

Question 22.
Distinguish between national and international resources by giving three points.
Answer:
The following are the differences between national and international
resources.

2010

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark]

Question 23.
What is bangar?
Answer:
According to its age, alluvial soil is classified as khadar (new alluvial) and bangar
(old alluvium). Bangar has high concentration of hanker nodules.

Question 24.
What is the most widely spread and important soil in India?
Answer:
Alluvial soil is the most widely spread and important soil in India.

Question 25.
Classify resources into two groups on the basis of their origin.
Answer:
On the basis of their origin, resources can be classified as biotic and abiotic.

Question 26.
Classify resources into two groups on the basis of their exhaustibility
Answer:
On the basis of exhaustibility, resources can be classified as renewable and
non-renewable.

Question 27.
Give two examples of biotic resources.
Answer:
Flora, fauna, fisheries and livestock are examples of biotic resources, (any two)

Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]

Question 28.
What are the reasons for land degradation? Describe briefly any four measures to
conserve land from degradation.
Answer:
At present there are about 130 million hectares of degraded land in India. It has
mainly been due to the following reasons.

• Human activities like deforestation, mining, quarrying, overgrazing are mainly

responsible for land degradation.
• In states like Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to
mining has caused severe degradation. In Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Gujarat and Maharashtra, overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land
degradation.
• Industrial effluents have become a major source of land and water degradation
in many parts of the country.
• Over-irrigation in the states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh,
has led to waterlogging and increased alkalinity and salinity in the soil.

The following are the four measures to conserve land from degradation.
 • Afforestation and management of grazing can solve the problem to some
extent.
• Planting of shelter belts of trees and growing of thorny bushes can stabilize
sand dunes and check land degradation.
• Control over mining activities can also contribute to it.
• Proper discharge of industrial effluents can be done by grinding, sedimentation
and flocculation.

Short Answer Type Question [3 Marks]

Question 29.
Give the importance of soil. Explain three factors responsible for soil formation.
Answer:
Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. Plants grow in the soil. It also
supports different types of living organisms on earth.
The three factors responsible for soil formation are as follows.

1. Relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are
important factors in the formation of soil.
2. Forces of nature like running water, wind, glaciers, temperature and
decomposers help in the formation of soil.
3. Chemical and organic (humus) changes are also important factors in the
formation of soil.