Haryana State Board HBSE 10th Class Science Important Questions Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources Important Questions and Answers.
Haryana Board 10th Class Science Important Questions Chapter 16 Management of Natural Resources
Question 1.
Explain what are natural resources.
Answer:
1. The resources which occur naturally, and which cannot be created by man, are called natural resources.
2. The components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere which are used for the maintenance of life are called natural resources.
3. Water, land, air, forests, minerals, plants and animals are all natural resources.
4. Man depends on these resources for fulfilling all his basic requirements such as air, water, light, habitat, food and clothing.
Question 2.
What is Ganga Action Plan?
Answer:
1. Due to dumping of several types of waste, River Ganga has become highly polluted and the quality of its water has gone down drastically.
2. The river is dumped with sewage, industrial waste, dead bodies of humans, etc. Human feces contain a bacteria called coliform. This bacterium was found in Ganga. This led to rise in disease-causing microorganisms in the water.
3. Owing to all these kinds of pollution, in 1985, the government started a plan to clean River Ganga. The plan was named as Ganga Action Plan.
Question 3.
How our holy River Ganga is getting polluted? What is its ill effect? What is being done to prevent its pollution?
Answer:
(a) Causes of pollution:
- Very high amount of sewage, harmful chemicals and human corpses are dumped in River Ganga every year.
- Owing to religious sentiments people perform religious rituals near Ganga.
- People also bath and wash clothes in river Ganga.
- Several industries dump their chemical waste in River Ganga. All these acts have polluted it enormously.
(b) III effect: The pollution has made the water very toxic. The toxic water is affecting health of people.
(c) Action taken: In 1985, the government started a plan to clean River Ganga. The plan was named as Ganga Action Plan.
Question 4.
It will be a huge error if man continues to believe that all natural resources are unlimited. Explain.OR Give reason: There is a need to use natural resources rationally and judiciously.
Answer:
Man uses natural resources to fulfill all his basic requirements like air, water, light, habitat, food and clothing.
1. However, it will be a huge error if man continues to believe that all natural resources are unlimited and he can use them as much as he desires.
2. Man must not believe that all the essential natural resources are unlimited and he can exploit these resources in any way or in any amount as per his wish.
3. This indiscriminate and rampant use of natural resources has put the existence of the entire mankind and the social structure into a grave danger.
4. We must understand that the natural resources on the earth are limited while the people using these natural resources are quite huge in number.
5. However, it is not only a huge number of people which is a real problem. The real problem is the way humans use the natural resources.
6. Whenever a person uses natural resources more than his fair share and causes excessive pollution, he causes an imbalance in the nature.
7. This leads to environmental problems which further cause health issues.
8. Hence, we must use natural resources rationally and judiciously.
Question 5.
Discuss in detail the five R’s for saving the environment.
Answer:
There are five R’s that are commonly used when we talk about saving the environment. They are: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.
(1) Refuse: Refuse refers to the concept of saying No to things that people offer you but you do not need. In other words one must refuse unnecessary things.
Example:
1. A person should refuse to buy products that can harm him as well as the environment.
2. Refuse to use single-use plastic carry bags.
(2) Reduce:
- Reduce means to use less.
- One can reduce the burden on environment by reducing consumption.
Example:
1. Switching off fans and tube-lights when not needed.
2. Repairing leaking taps to save water
3. Instead of washing the car with pipes wipe it with wet cloth.
4. Reducing wastage of food
(3) Reuse:
- The method of reuse refers to using an item again and again rather than throwing it away.
- The concept of reuse is better than recycling because even for recycling some amount of energy and resources are needed.
Example:
1. Instead of throwing away used envelopes, you can reverse them and reuse.
2. The plastic bottles in which you buy various food-items like jam or pickle can be used for storing things in the kitchen.
3. Rather than using plastic bags, buy proper shopping bags made out of cloth.
(4) Repurpose: At times when a product cannot be used further for its original purpose than use it for some other use. This is called repurpose.
Example:
1. We can make cloth bags from old trousers.
2. Cracked crockery, or cups with broken handles can be used to grow small plants and as feeding vessels for birds.
(5) Recycle:
- The action or process of converting waste into reusable material is called recycling.
- Under recycling one can collect material such as plastic, paper, glass and metal items and recycle them to make required things instead of synthesizing or extracting fresh plastic, paper, glass or metal.
- In order to recycle, we first need to segregate our wastes so that the material that can be recycled is not dumped along with other wastes.
Question 6.
What is sustainable development? Discuss.
Answer:
1. Economic development done without depleting the natural resources is called sustainable development.
Sustainable development aims at making changes in all the aspects of life. Few of them are discussed below:
1. Sustainable development encourages one to make wise, environment-friendly choices in daily life. In order to make such choices we should be aware about the impact of our choices on the environment and their long-term effects.
2. For personal growth as well as the growth of the society and nation, humans should choose such resources which fulfill their current demand and also at the same time preserve the resources for future generations.
3. The concept expects that people should be willing to change their perceptions of the socio – economic and environmental conditions around them. People should be ready to make changes in their present use of natural resources.
Question 7.
Discuss few changes that can be made to achieve sustainable development.
Answer:
Few changes that can be made to achieve sustainable development are:
- Making use of renewable sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, etc.
- Adopting crop rotation
- Constructing homes, offices and other buildings that are energy efficient
- Installing efficient water taps, showers, toilets, etc.
- Developing green space in open areas, streets, offices, homes, etc.
Question 8.
‘It is a dire necessity to follow and achieve sustainable management of resources.’ Discuss.
Answer:
1. All the things which we use in our daily life such as food, clothing, furniture, fuel in vehicles, air, water, land, etc. are obtained from the natural resources of the earth.
2. The only thing we get from outside is energy which we receive from the Sun. Even this energy is processed by living organisms through various physical and chemical processes on the earth before we can make use of it.
3. The natural resources of the earth are limited while the number of people using these resources is growing rapidly. Hence, the demand of these natural resources is increasing exponentially. So, the resources should be managed in such a way that they can fulfill current needs and at the same time remain available for future generations also.
4. The resources should be distributed properly among all who need and not just those who are rich and powerful.
5. Extraction of natural resources damages the environment. Hence, it is important that we dispose the waste safely while adopting sustainable natural resource management.
6. Sustainable management of resources is the only way to conserve resources and make them available for the future generations.
Question 9. ‘
There is a global concern over sustainable development and conservation of natural resources, but for india, the concept is not novice.’ Explain.
Answer:
1. Quite recently the world has started showing willingness for sustainable development and conservation of natural resources. Contradictory to this, in India, the approach of conserving the environment is as old as our vedas.
2. Principles of conservation and sustainable management were well established in the pre-historic india.
3. We can find numerous examples in our ancient literature where it was mentioned that people should be sensitive towards the nature and value the environment and that sustainable development should be achieved at the best possible level.
4. During the Vedic period, emphasis was laid on the productive as well as protective aspect of forest vegetation.
5. In the later Vedic period, agriculture became a dominant economic activity. During this time the concept of cultural landscape such as sacred forests and groves, sacred corridors and a variety of ethno-forestry practices got evolved. This continued to the post-Vedic period.
6. A wide range of ethno-forestry practices were infused in people along with the traditions, customs and rituals as a means for protection of nature and natural resource.
Question 10.
What is biodiversity? Why it should be conserved?
Answer:
1. The diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or in the world as a whole is called biodiversity.
2. One can find several species of trees, plants, animals, birds, reptiles and insects, bacteria, fungi, ferns, nematodes, insects and so on as part of biodiversity of our world. Forests are the hotspots where such diversity can be found.
3. One of the main aims of conservation is to try and preserve this biodiversity. Loss of diversity may lead to loss of ecological stability.
4. We all use various forest produce. But our dependency on forest resources varies. Some of us have access to alternatives, some do not.
Question 11.
Who are stakeholders? List out the stakeholders associated with forests.
Answer:
Stakeholder: A person with an interest or concern in something is called the stakeholder.
Stakeholders of forests:
- People who live in or around forests are dependent on forest produce for various aspects of their life.
- The Forest Department of the Government which owns the land and controls the resources from forests.
- All the industrialists covering those who use ‘tendu’ leaves to make bidis to the ones who owns paper mills. All those who use various forest produce, but are not dependent on the forests of any one area. In other words, they may source raw material from any forest.
- The wildlife and nature enthusiasts who want to conserve nature in its pristine form.
Question 12.
Discuss the interests of various stakeholders of forests.
Answer:
Stake holders of the forests:
1. People who live in or around forests:
- The local people living in and around forests need large quantities of firewood, timber and thatch.
- They use bamboo for making slats for huts, and baskets for collecting and storing food materials.
Moreover, tools used in agriculture, fishing and hunting are largely made of wood. - In terms of food, forests are used for fishing and hunting. People gather fruits, nuts and medicines from the forests. Their cattle also obtain food from forest in the form of grazing or eating fodder which people collect from forests.
2. The Forest Department:
- In the past, the forest department as a stakeholder followed the British methods of managing forests. They cleared all the vegetation of the selected area and grew only a single type of trees such as pine, teak or eucalyptus.
- Such a single type of trees (or monoculture) is used for specific industries and so the forest department earns huge revenue. But, it destroys a large amount of biodiversity of that area.
- When the vegetation of such forests is destroyed, the locals are not able to fulfill their needs such as leaves for fodder, herbs for medicines, fruits and nuts for food, etc.
3. Industries dependant on forest resources:
- For forest based industries such as timber, paper making, lac, sports equipment, etc. forests are merely a source of raw material. People associated with such industries lobby the government to obtain these raw materials at artificially low rates.
- Since these industries have a greater reach than the local people, they are not interested in the sustainability of the forest in one particular area. For example, after cutting down all the teak trees in one area, they will get their teak from a forest farther away.
- Such people are only concerned about their need and are least concerned whether the resources will be available for the future generations or not.
(iv) Wildlife and nature enthusiasts:
- The nature and wildlife enthusiasts are not at all dependent on the forests, but even then they play a significant role in their management. Hence, we consider them also as stakeholders.
- Initially the conservationists focused on taking up projects for saving large animals like lions, tigers, elephants and rhinoceros. Then they recognized the need to preserve biodiversity as a whole.
- There are numerous examples where in the local people have been traditionally working since ages for conservation of forests.
Question 13.
Do you think the traditional approach of using forest resources by locals would lead to the exhaustion of these resources?
Answer:
1. People had been living in the forests for centuries much before the British came and took over most of our forest areas.
2. These people were so wise that they had developed practices which ensured that the forest resources were used in a sustainable manner.
3. The British snatched away the forests and gave locals very small areas for the livelihood.
4. So, it was the British and later the forest department of India who exploited the forest for their benefit. This led to the destruction of forests as well as its sustainable management.
5. Thus, we can rightly say that if managed well, the traditional approach of using forest resources by locals would not lead to the exhaustion of these resources but in fact conserve them.
Question 14.
Write a detailed note on the forest department as the stakeholder of the forest resources.
Answer:
1. After the British left India, the forest department of India took the forests under their control.
2. The department followed the British practices of management. Moreover, it ignored the knowledge that the locals had about the forests and the need and dependency of those people on the forests.
3. The forest department following the British methods used to clear all the vegetation of the selected area and grow single type of trees such as pine, teak or eucalyptus.
4. Such single type of tree (or monoculture) is used for specific industries and so the forest department earns huge revenue. But, it destroys a large amount of biodiversity of that area.
5. When the vegetation of such forests is destroyed the locals are not able to fulfill their needs such as leaves for fodder, herbs for medicines, fruits and nuts for food, etc.
Question 15.
Write a note on industries as stakeholders of forest resources.
Answer:
Industries as stakeholders of forest resources:
1. Industries such as those involved in timber, paper making, lac, sports equipment and many more are dependent on forest for their raw material.
2. For industries, forests are merely a source of raw material. People associated with such industries lobby the government to obtain these raw materials at artificially low rates.
3. Since these industries have a greater reach than the local people, they are not interested in the sustainability of the forest of one particular area. For example, after cutting down all the teak trees in one area, they will get their teak from a farther or a different forest area.
4. Such people are only concerned about obtaining the resources from the forests at the lowest possible rate. They are least concerned whether the resources will be available for the future generations or not.
Question 16.
How can you say that wildlife and nature enthusiasts work for conserving forests?
Answer:
1. The nature and wildlife enthusiasts are not at all dependent on the forests, but even then they play a significant role in their management.
2. Initially, the conservationists focused on taking up projects for saving large animals like lions, tigers, elephants and rhinoceros. Then they recognized the need to preserve biodiversity as a whole.
3. There are numerous examples where in the local people have been traditionally working since ages for conservation of forests. One such example is of people belonging to Bishnoi community living in the in western Rajasthan on the border of the Thar Desert. Conservation of forest and wildlife has been a religious tenet for them.
Question 17.
How do the Bishnois play an important role as nature conservationists? OR ‘Bishnois are the stakeholders of forest resources’. Explain.
Answer:
1. People of a community called ‘Bishnoi’ live in western Rajasthan on the border of the Thar Desert.
2. Bishnois are nature loving people. For them conservation of forest and wildlife has been a religious tenet since centuries.
3. These people have even sacrificed their lives to conserve the flora and fauna of their region.
4. They believe in the philosophy that ‘all living things have a right to survive and share all the resources’.
5. Recently, the Government of India instituted ‘Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award for Wildlife Conservation’ in the memory of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, who in 1731 sacrificed her life along with 363 others for the protection of ‘khejri’ trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Question 18.
‘It is a baseless argument that locals should be kept away from forest management because they do more harm than benefit’ Explain giving one example. OR Discuss the problem faced by Himalayan National Park when locals were kept away.
Answer:
1. In India, people have been using forests in their traditional manner such as for grazing cattle, gathering fruits and medicines, etc.
2. Later, objections and prejudices were developed for such use of forests. However, it was proved that such prejudices are baseless.
Example:
- The great Himalayan National Park, within its reserved area, contains alpine meadows.
- Nomadic shepherds used to take their sheep for grazing in this area every summer.
- Later, when this area was converted into Himalayan National Park, government restricted the activity of grazing.
- The effect of this is that the grass now grows very tall and then it falls on the ground and covers it. This prevents new grass from growing.
Thus we can conclude that it is utmost important to not to ignore local people and take their support in managing the protected areas.
Question 19.
Write two disadvantages of planting only one type of trees (monoculture) in forests.
Answer:
(i) For planting only one type of trees in forests (monoculture), vegetation of a huge area is fully cleared. This destroys a large amount of biodiversity of that area.
(ii) Local people are unable to fulfill their needs such as herbs for medicines, fruits and nuts for food and leaves for fodder because this vegetation is destroyed.
Question 20.
Write a short note on Ohipko Movement. OR Give the importance of Chipko Andolan.
Answer:
1. Chipko Andolan is a movement in which naturalists worked dedicatedly to conserve forests. ‘Chipko Andolan’ actually means ‘Hug the trees Movement.’
2. The Andolan originated in a remote village called Reni in Gartiwal in Uttar Pradesh in the early 1970s.
3. A logging contractor had permitted to cut trees in the forest near the village in Garhwal area. But the villagers opposed this. So, there was a dispute between local villagers and the contractor.
4. One day, when the contractor’s workers came in the forests to cut trees, no man of the village was present to oppose this inhuman act.
5. Therefore, the women from the village reached the forest immediately and hugged the tree trunks to prevent the workers from cutting trees. Thus, these brave women saved the trees from felling.
6. The Chipko Movement is one of the best examples of love and duty towards nature.
Question 21.
How people’s participation in the management of forests saved the forests of West Bengal? OR What problem was faced at the forests of West Bengal? How was it solved?
Answer:
1. In 1972, the West Bengal Forest Department understood that it had failed in reviving the degraded Sal forests in the south-western districts of the state.
2. The management policies and surveillance method that the department followed was such that the local people were kept away from getting involved.
3. This led to frequent clashes related to forest and forest land between forest officials and villagers. This became one of the major factors in fuelling the militant peasant movements led by the naxalites.
4. To solve this problem, the department changed its strategy of managing the forests. It first started from the Arabari forest range of Midnapore district.
5. Forest officer Mr. A.K. Banerjee involved the villagers for protecting 1,272 hectares of badly degraded sal forest.
In return, the villagers were given employment in silviculture and harvesting work. They were also given 25 % of the final harvest, and were allowed to collect fuel-wood and fodder at a nominal fee.
6. Due to this effort, the sal forests of Arabari could be saved. By 1983, this forest which was previously considered worthless was valued to be worth ₹ 12.5 crores.
Question 22.
Give three examples of people’s participation in the management of forests.
Answer:
(a) In West Bengal, forest officer A.K. Banerjee involved villagers for protecting 1272 hectares of highly degraded Sal forest.
(i) This saved the Sal forests of Arabari forest range in Midnapore district. This forest which was considered worthless was then valued at ₹ 12.5 crores in 1983.
(b) A movement called Chipko movement was started in a small village to protect trees. In order to save the trees from getting cut, the women stood hugging the trees.
(i) The Chipko movement quickly spread in communities anti media. The government was forced to stop cutting the trees of that region.
(c) Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life along with 363 others for protecting ‘Khejri’ trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Question 23.
Why we must conserve our forests? Give two causes of deforestation.
Answer:
(a) Forests must be conserved because –
- Forests are the sources of various raw materials for our industries.
- Forests serve as the habitat of the wildlife and hence ecological balance.
(b) Cause of deforestation:
- Industrial activities
- Cutting of trees for mega projects such as dams, highways, etc.
Question 24.
What has caused an imbalance in our environment?
Answer:
1. Man is the most developed and matured organism on earth.
2. He can speak fluently, write legibly and develop curiosity to know new things.
3. In order to make his life more luxurious and comfortable, man has adopted industrialization.
4. As a part of industrialization, he has built roads, canals, dams, houses, satellites, cars, motors, ships, aeroplanes, submarines, missiles, rockets, etc.
5. In this process, he has destroyed nature to such a great extent that the environment and the nature have been damaged tremendously.
6. In order to raise buildings, man has cut forests and destroyed agricultural farms.
7. Factories and industries have stood up where trees bloomed once.
8. Thus, man has interfered in the nature by building his own social and cultural environment in the natural surroundings.
9. All these activities of man have created an imbalance in the environment.
10. It helps to maintain forest ecosystem and ecological balance.
11. Wildlife plays an important role in energy flow at various trophic levels.
12. Wildlife also attracts lots of tourist and hence helps in the growth of economy.
Question 25.
Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer:
Approaches towards conservation of forests are:
- Indiscriminate felling of trees for the purpose of timber must be reduced.
- The forest ecosystem must be protected from fuel starved villages, fodder-starved cattle and commercial exploitation.
- Re-plantation of trees and indigenous species to develop forests in all available land.
- Participation of local people and villagers must be taken in conservation of forests.
- Scientific research, monitoring and spreading awareness about conservation of forests through education.
Question 26.
Explain the importance of fresh water. OR Give reason: Fresh water is a key factor in the lives of man and other living organisms.
Answer:
1. Usually man depends upon fresh water for fulfilling his daily requirements.
2. The earth depends upon rainfall for maintaining the quantity of fresh water.
3. Irregularities in the rainfall may create flood or drought, thus imbalancing the quantity of fresh water on earth and causing disasters.
4. Thus, life on earth is fully dependent on fresh water.
5. Hence, fresh water is the key factor in the lives of man and other living organisms.
Question 27.
How were water resources managed in India? How did the locals lose control over these resources?
(Note: These two questions can also be asked separately. In that case, select the relevant part of the answer from the answer given below.)
Answer:
(a) Water management in ancient India:
1. In India, rainfall occurs largely in the monsoon season only. This means that most of the rain falls in a few months of the year. The rainfall then fills the water into rivers, dams, lakes, canals, etc.
2. Indians have been using irrigation methods like dams, tanks and canals since ancient times.
3. The locals managed these sources of water in such a way that water was available for agriculture as well as for daily needs throughout the year.
4. Strict regulations were made about the usage of this stored water. Based on decades and centuries of experience people had devised optimum cropping patterns based on the availability of water. Moreover, the locals also used to take care of the maintenance of these irrigation systems.
(b) Loss of control of the locals:
1. When the British came to India, they made drastic changes in these systems. They undertook large scale projects under which they developed huge dams and canals that covered large distances. The same system was then followed by independent India,
2. These mega-projects ignored the local irrigation methods and the government took the administration of these systems in their hands. So, the locals lost the control and management of water sources.
Question 28.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of building dams.
Answer:
(a) Advantages of building dams:
- Constructing dams has several advantages. Storing water for irrigation and generating electricity are two of them.
- Canals built from these dams can transfer large amounts of water over great distances. For example, the Indira Gandhi Canal has turned green many regions of Rajasthan.
(b) Disadvantages of building dams:
1. Due to improper management, the water is not distributed equitably. So, few people take bigger benefits as compared to the rest.
2. People whose fields are near the canals and other such water sources get large amount of water and so they can grow water intensive crops like sugarcane and rice while people farther downstream do not get any water.
3. While building a dam or a canal, government relocates people residing near such areas to farther places. Against this they are promised certain benefits which are never fulfilled. This adds to the discontent among such people.
As a result, people had protested against constructing Tehri Dam on the river Ganga, initiated Narmada Bachao Andolan, etc.
Question 29.
State the three problems that attract criticism against building large dams.
Answer:
Construction of large dams is criticized mainly because of the following three problems:
(i) Social problems: Construction of large dams requires displacing large number of peasants and tribals residing nearby without paying them adequate compensation or rehabilitation. This leads to social problems.
(ii) Economic problems: Such dams swallow huge amount of public money and do not generate proportionate benefits.
(iii) Environmental problems:
- Such massive construction leads to large scale deforestation and huge loss to biological diversity.
- People who have been displaced by various development projects are largely poor tribals. They face dual loss – first they have to give their land and access to forests without receiving proper compensation and second they do not even get any benefit from such projects.
- People who were displaced while building the Tawa Dam built in the 1970s are still fighting for the benefits they were promised.
Question 30.
Explain watershed and watershed management.
Answer:
Watershed:
- Any surface area from which draining of water resulting from rainfall is collected and drained through a common point is called a watershed.
- Watershed is similar to drainage basin or catchment area.
Watershed management: The process of adopting practices of ‘land use’ and ‘water management’ in order to protect and improve the quality of the water and other natural resources within a watershed is known as watershed management.
Question 31.
State the advantages of watershed management.
Answer:
1. Watershed management focuses on scientific methods of conserving soil and water in order to increase the biomass production.
2. To develop primary resources of land and water
3. To produce secondary resources of plants and animals for use in a manner that does not cause ecological imbalance
4. Watershed management increases the production and income of the people living around watershed area.
5. It decreases the occurrence of droughts and floods.
6. It increases the life of the downstream dam and reservoirs
Question 32.
How local communities and certain organizations are helping in watershed management? Are their methods worth the effort?
Answer:
1. Local communities and organizations, in order to reduce the damage caused by mega projects such as building a dam, are adopting ancient systems of water harvesting.
2. These communities make use of hundreds of indigenous water saving methods to capture every drop of water that falls on their land. The communities use the following methods:
- Digging small pits and lakes
- Set-up simple watershed systems
- Build small earthen dams
- Constructing dykes
- Preparing sand and limestone reservoirs
- Set-up rooftop water-collecting units
All these efforts have recharged groundwater levels and have even given a new life to rivers. So, their efforts have really proved fruitful.
Question 33.
State the methods used by watershed communities for watershed management.
Answer:
1. Local communities and organizations, in order to reduce the damage caused by mega projects such as building a dam, are adopting ancient systems of water harvesting.
2. These communities make use of hundreds of indigenous water saving methods to capture every drop of water that falls on their land. The communities use the following methods:
- Digging small pits and lakes
- Set-up simple watershed systems
- Build small earthen dams
- Constructing dykes
- Preparing sand and limestone reservoirs
- Set-up rooftop water-collecting units
All these efforts have recharged groundwater levels and have even given a new life to rivers. So, their efforts have really proved fruitful.
Question 34.
What is water harvesting? Which water harvesting techniques, were used in ancient India?
Answer:
In general, water harvesting is the activity of collecting the water directly. The rainwater so collected can be stored for direct use or can be recharged into the ground water. Water harvesting techniques of ancient India:
- Khadins, tanks and nadis in Rajasthan
- Bandharas and tais in Maharashtra
- Bundhis in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
- Ahars and pynes in Bihar
- Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh
- Ponds in the Kandi belt of Jammu region
- Eris(tanks) in Tamil Nadu
- Surangams in Kerala
- Kattas in Karnataka
- Water conveyance is one of the techniques still in use.
Question 35.
State two advantages of water harvesting at local level.
Answer:
1. Water harvesting gives people the control over their local water resources.
2. It reduces and even removes the mismanagement and over-exploitation of these resources.
Question 36.
State the advantages of water stored in the ground through water harvesting.
Answer:
1. Ground water does not get evaporated.
2. It spreads out to recharge wells and provide moisture for vegetation over a wide area. It does not allow breeding of mosquitoes.
3. The groundwater is relatively more protected from contamination by human and animal waste as compared to surface water.
Question 37.
Man has no option but to find alternative sources of coal and petroleum. Explain.
Answer:
1. Coal and petroleum were formed due to the degradation of bio-mass millions of years ago. It is estimated that petroleum discovered so far will last for about 40 years and coal for about 200 years.
2. Coal and petroleum contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur. When these fuel burn they release carbon dioxide, water, oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur. At times, carbon monoxide is formed instead of carbon dioxide.
3. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen and carbon monoxide are poisonous at high concentrations where as carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
4. When coal and petroleum are burnt they release huge amount of carbon which leads to intense global warming.
5. Owing to all these problems, man will definitely have to find alternative sources of coal and petroleum.
Question 38.
List any four methods of conserving fossil fuels.
Answer:
1. Making maximum use of renewable energy
2. Using public transport, constructing efficient building, etc.
3. Developing more efficient engines for the vehicles
4. Protecting fossil fuels from accidental fires
Question 39.
Differentiate between recycle and reuse.
Answer:
| Recycle | Reuse |
| The process of making new things from old things is known as recycling. | Again using things which are already used in some other activities is called reuse. |
| Energy is consumed for producing new things through recycling. | Reuse does not require energy consumption. |
| For example recycling paper to produce new paper, melting old metal containers to make new ones, etc. | For example, reusing jars of pickles, spices, etc. bought from market. |
Question 40.
Differentiate between renewable sources of energy and non-renewable sources of energy.
Answer:
| Non-renewable sources of energy | Renewable sources of energy |
| These energy sources cannot be reproduced easily once they are used. | These energy resources can be reproduced easily once used. |
| These sources are limited in nature. | These sources are unlimited in nature. |
| These sources of energy create pollution. | These sources are pollution free. |
| Coal and petroleum are non-renewable sources of energy | Wind, water, sun, etc. are renewable sources of energy. |
Question 41.
Prepare a list of five items that you use daily ¡n the school. Identify from the list such items that can be recycled.
Answer:
Five items used daily in school are —
- paper
- pen
- steel lunch box
- scale
- eraser, etc.
The items that can be recycled are paper, plastic box, scale and steel lunch box.
Question 42.
List two advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level.
Answer:
1. Water percolates into the ground which helps in recharging wells.
2. Rainwater harvesting improves the quality of groundwater by the process of natural filtration of fluorides, nitrates, and salts.
Question 43.
In a village In Karnataka, people started cultivating crops all around a lake which was always filled with water. They added fertilizers to their field In order to enhance the yield. Soon they discovered that the water body was completely covered with green floating plants and fishes started dying in large numbers. Analyze the situation and give reasons for excessive growth of plants and death of fish in the lake.
Answer:
1. Many fertilizers contain phosphates and nitrates. Addition of these fertilizers in the water makes the water enrich of these chemicals. This leads to excessive growth of small, green, aquatic plants and so the surface of water gets completely covered with plants. This process is called eutrophication.
2. These small plants consume most of the dissolved oxygen of the water. This makes the water deficient in oxygen. As a result, the fishes and the other aquatic life neither get oxygen nor sunlight and so they die.
Question 44.
Suggest a few measures for controlling carbon dioxide levels In the atmosphere.
Answer:
Measures to control carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere:
- We can walk small distances or use bicycle rather than using vehicles.
- We should insist on using public transport and vehicle-pooling.
- Use of alternative fuels such as CNG instead of coal and petroleum.
- More and more trees should be planted
- Save electricity
- The smoke coming out of the thermal power stations and other industries should properly treated to remove harmful gases, before discharging it into atmosphere.
Question 45.
Suggest a few useful ways of utilizing waste water.
Answer:
Some useful ways of utilizing waste are:
- Using the water for irrigation
- Waste water from RO plant of our home can be collected in a dispenser and be used to wash clothes, mop the floor, etc.
- Once the waste water is treated by Municipal Corporation, it can be used for washing cars, watering gardens, etc.
- Waste water from the kitchen can be collected and reused in flushing the toilets.
Question 46.
Petroleum is considered as liquid gold. Give reason.
Answer:
1. Petroleum is a very important natural resource.
2. Petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas oil, fuel oil, LPG, CNG, etc. are available on refining petroleum.
3. Petrol and diesel are used as a fuel to run scooters, motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks, ships and aeroplanes.
4. Kerosene and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are also obtained from petroleum and are used as a domestic fuel for cooking food.
5. Petroleum is also a source of more than 150 petrochemicals which are used in industries.
6. It is an important source of energy for us.
7. We have been using petroleum as an energy source to meet our basic needs and various consumer applications.
8. In fact, the prosperity of any country depends upon its petroleum reserve.
9. Therefore, petroleum is considered as liquid gold.
Question 47.
Judicious use of mineral wealth is ultimately beneficial to mankind. Give reason.
Answer:
1. Naturally occurring mineral wealth such as coal petroleum etc. are used at a very large scale these days.
2. These resources are non-renewable and hence limited.
3. If proper use of such mineral wealth is not made then they will soon get exhausted and will lead to total darkness of the future.
4. Hence it is said that “judicious use of mineral wealth is ultimately beneficial to mankind.”
Question 48.
It is our moral duty to protect wildlife. Give reason.
Answer:
1. Man kills wild animals for money, pleasure or sporting activity.
2. Hence, the wildlife occupying an important place in the food web decreases greatly in number which finally disturbs the ecosystem.
3. For example, lions were in abundance in the recent past but due to the hunting activity of man the numbers of lions have become quite low. This has affected the natural food chain.
4. It is impossible for man to reproduce such resources and hence to protect them is our moral duty.
Question 49.
To conserve forest is to assure our future welfare. Give reason.
Answer:
1. Man is cutting down trees for his needs in and uncontrolled manner.
2. This has led to a serious problem of deforestation.
3. Several problems such as air pollution, flooding of rivers, reduction in rainfall, soil erosion etc. have been created due to deforestation.
4. Many tribals dependant upon forests for their livelihood have to migrate to some other places.
Question 50.
As per the latest change in managing household waste, Municipal Corporation has directed people to segregate waste as wet waste and dry waste and dispose wet waste in green coloured dustbins whereas dry waste in blue coloured dustbin. The corporation has strictly directed that municipal waste collection vans will collect domestic wastes only If wet and dry wastes are separated in the said manner.
Questions:
- How is this system helpful for the environment?
- Which waste falls into the category of dry waste and which into wet waste?
- How can wet waste be useful?
- What s use of dry wastes? Which of the five R is used here?
Answers:
- By segregating waste as wet and dry helps in efficient disposal. This system helps to classify the
waste as biodegradable and non-biodegradable and hence reduce environmental pollution. - Wet wastes contain leftover food items, vegetable wastes, pills of fruits, etc. Dry waste consists of
bottles, cans, clothing, plastic, wood, glass, metals, paper, etc. - Wet waste can be used as raw material to produce fuel gas such as biogas and manure.
- Most of the dry waste items can be recycled. This reduces environmental stress. This concept makes use of recycling concept from five R’s.
Question 52.
Students of Vidhyanagar High School formed a group on WhatsApp as well as a page on Facebook for raising donations in the form of unused items. People who were interested In donating could donate their used clothes, books, toys, utensils, etc. They collect such used Items and distribute to the needy.
Questions:
- Students have made use of which R?
- Which objectives has fulfilled by these students?
Answers:
- Students have made use of two out of five R’s i.e. Reduce and Reuse by this act.
- Students have shown the act of nobility, social responsibility and reduction of the wastage of things by this initiative.
Very Short Answer Type Questions:
Question 1.
What are natural resources?
Answer:
The materials or substances which are available in nature without any action from human kind and can be utilized for economic gain are called natural resources. For example, forests, rivers, etc.
Question 2.
When was Ganga Action Plan launched? What is its objective?
Answer:
Ganga Action Plan was initiated in 1985 with an objective to reduce the pollution in Ganga River and to improve the quality of water in the river.
Question 3.
Name the type of bacteria detected in Ganga River. Where ¡s this microorganism generally found?
Answer:
The bacteria named Coliform was detected in Ganga River. This bacteria is found in the intestine of human beings.
Question 4.
What does the high level of total conform count in river Ganga indicate?
Answer:
It indicates the contamination of river due to this disease causing bacteria
Question 5.
Which are the three R’s to keep in mind for saving environment?
Answer:
The three R’s are:
Question 6.
Why is reusing the resources better that recycling them?
Answer:
Recycling process consumes some amount 01 energy where reusing the resources is simply using them In one or the other way. Hence, reusing is better than recycling.
Question 7.
Describe the concept of sustainable development.
Answer:
The concept of sustainable development explains to use the natural resources in a responsible manner to meet basic human needs along with preserving them for the use of future generations.
Question 8.
Why should we be more responsible while using resources?
Answer:
Resources are limited whereas the human population is increasing at a tremendous pace (due to advancing health care). Hence, In order to make the demand for resources meet with the population, we should be responsible while using resources.
Question 9.
Which two points should be kept in mind while managing natural resources?
Answer:
The two points to be considered are:
1. Management should ensure equitable distribution of resources to everyone without any discrimination.
2. Resources should be extracted or exploited in such a way that it causes negligible damage to environment.
Question 10.
Write the main objective of conservation of biodiversity.
Answer:
Main objective of conserving biodiversity is to preserve the every species which constitutes to biodiversity and to maintain an ecological balance in environment.
Question 11.
Which is the best indicator of biodiversity in a region?
Answer:
The number of species present in a region is the best indicator of biodiversity in that area.
Question 12.
Mention the stakeholders of forest resources.
Answer:
There are four stakeholders of forest resources:
- People residing in or around the forest,
- Forest department of the government,
- The industrialists who uses these resources as raw materials and
- Wildlife and nature conservators
Question 13.
What are uses of Bamboo?
Answer:
Bamboo is used to make slats for huts and for making baskets to collect and store food materials.
Question 14.
Define: Monoculture. Also give examples of tress which are cultivated in monoculture.
Answer:
Cultivation of a single plantation or crop in a vast area is known as monoculture. Trees such as pine, teak, eucalyptus, etc. are grown in monoculture.
Question 15.
Name a few Industries based on forest produce.
Answer:
Industries for timber, paper, lac, sports equipment, etc. are dependent on forest produce
Question 16.
Which award does Government of India Bestow with to the individuals who have made a significant contribution in conserving nature and wildlife?
Answer:
Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award for Wildlife Conservation.
Question 17.
Name the person who sacrificed his/her life protecting Khejrl trees in Rajasthan.
Answer:
Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life protecting Khejri trees in Rajasthan.
Question 18.
After declaring alpine meadows as a part of Himalayan National Park, grazing was prohibited there. Was this a wise decision? Justify your answer.
Answer:
After grazing was prohibited in this area, grass became very tail and fell over which prevented the growth of fresh grass. Hence, prohibition of grazing was not a wise decision.
Question 19.
Which incident initiated the Chipko Andolan?
Answer:
In 1979, people of Reni Village reached the forest and clasped the tree trunks to protest the deforestation allowed by government to a logging contractor. This incident spread across many communities and was called the Chipko Andolan.
Question 20.
Give an example where government and the local people worked together for conserving nature and wildlife.
Answer:
By 1972 government failed to conserve the Araban forest in West Bengal. Eventually, forest department under leadership of A.K. Banerjee worked with the villagers living nearby and successfully revived the forest.
Question 21.
What was the valuation of Araban forest resources after successfully reviving it?
Answer:
By 1983, the forest was successfully revived and its resources stood at the value of 12.5 crore.
Question 22.
What benefits did the villagers get in return of helping government conserve Araban forest?
Answer:
1. Employment opportunities in Silviculture and Harvesting.
2. 25 percent of final harvest
3. Allowed fuelwood and fodder collection in exchange of a nominal fee
Question 23.
Mention the name of any two multipurpose large scale projects initiated by government which faced a strong opposition.
Answer:
1. Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada
2. Tehri Dam on river Ganga
Question 24.
What are the names of rivers with which Tehni Dam and Sardar Sarovar Dam are associated?
Answer:
Tehri Dam is associated with Ganga River and Sardar Sarovar Dam is associated with Narmada River.
Question 25.
What do you mean by rain water harvesting?
Answer:
Rain water harvesting is a process of accumulating rain water and store it for future use or to make it percolate under the surface to refill the ground water.
Question 26.
List two advantages associated with water harvesting at community level.
Answer:
1. Watershed management increases the production and income of local farmers and watershed community,
2. It also mitigates the risk of droughts by providing the harvested water during crisis situation.
Question 27.
Give any two examples of local water harvesting systems.
Answer:
1. Sand/lime reservoir,
2. Rooftop water collection unit
Question 28.
Mention the names of local water harvesting systems used In Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Answer:
Local water harvesting systems are: ens in Tamil Nadu and surangam in Kerala
Question 29.
What is the main objective of small ponds created in local water harvesting system?
Answer:
The main objective of these ponds is to refill the ground water beneath the surface of the earth.
Question 30.
State any two advantages of ground water.
Answer:
1. The ground water does not evaporate and spreads out recharging the wells and
2. It provides moisture to the vegetation growing in vicinity.
Question 31.
How are fossil fuels different from other natural resources available for us?
Answer:
Most of the natural resources are renewable whereas fossil fuels take millions of year to form and hence they are available in limited quantities.
Question 32.
How soon are we going to get extinct with coal and petroleum?
Answer:
Our known petroleum resources will get extinct in around 40 years and coal will get extinct in next 200 years.
Question 33.
Which are the constituent elements of fossil fuel?
Answer:
Fossil fuel consists of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur.
Question 34.
What are the products of combustion of fossil fuel?
Answer:
Fossil fuel, when burnt produces carbon dioxide, water and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.
Question 35.
How has the use of fossil fuels led to deterioration of environment? State any two reasons
Answer:
1. Combustion of fossil fuel leads to air pollution and global warming.
2. The combustion of fossil fuel releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen and carbon monoxide which are toxic at high concentration.
Question 36.
‘Burning of all coal and petroleum reserves may lead to global warming’. What is the basis of this statement?
Answer:
Combustion of coal and petroleum releases carbon dioxide which Is a greenhouse gas. When it is released, it traps heat in atmosphere which causes global warming.
Question 37.
State one advantage of using disposable paper cups over dIsposable plastic cups.
Answer:
Plastic cups when disposed, do not get degraded which leads to pollution whereas disposable paper cups are biodegradable hence they do not cause any pollution in environment.
Fill in the blanks:
1. ………………… is a multi-crore project initiated in 1985 to improve the quality of water in Ganga River.
Answer: Ganga Action Plan
2. Ganga River is contaminated with micro- organisms like …………….. which is a group of bacteria found in human …………………..
Answer: Coliform, Intestine
3. ……………………. is a way of conserving environment by processing and using the materials like plastic, paper, glass, etc. produced from the waste dumped by us.
Answer: Recycling
4. Mining causes pollution because a large amount of ………………. is discarded during the extraction process.
Answer:
slag
5. The number of species found in a particular area is one of the most important factors indicating the ……………… of that region.
Answer: biodiversity
6. ………………… are biodiversity hot spots.
Answer:
Forests
7. ………………….. is one of the stakeholders which owns the land and controls the resources from forests.
Answer:
Forest Department
8. ………………….. leaves are used to manufacture bidis.
Answer:
Tendu
9. ………….. is an important source of revenue for Forest Department but these plantations are a threat to biodiversity.
Answer:
Monoculture community in (state)
10. …………………. community in …………………… (state) considers preservation of forest and wildlife as its religious responsibility.
Answer:
Bishnoi, Rajasthan
11. In 1731 …………………….. sacrificed her life along with …………………… other villagers while protecting the forest around their village.
Answer: Amrita Devl Bishnoi, 363
12. In 1731 sacrificed her life along with other villagers while protecting the forest around their village.
Answer:
Amrita Devi Bishnoi, 363
13. The Himalayan National Park consists of ……………….. meadows which was used by sheep for grazing in summer.
Answer:
Alpine
True or False:
1. Due to extreme and irresponsible exploitation of Ganga River, the government had to initiate the project of Ganga Action Plan with an objective of increasing the reducing water level of Ganga. — False
2. A high amount of contamination of bacteria found in human intestine is present in Ganga River. –True
3. Reusing the resources has an advantage over recycling because recycling process requires expending some energy. — True
4. Sustainable resource management also involves an equitable distribution of resources. This ensures that resources are distributed equally to all without any sort of discrimination. — True
5. Loss of ecological stability is directly proportional to the loss of biodiversity. — True
6. Setting up the monoculture of trees is the best practice because it ensures sustained biodiversity along with providing raw materials to industries. — False
7. Putting an end to the practice of grazing in Himalayan National Park proved to be revolutionary step taken by the forest department of India which stopped deforestation. — False
8. Developmental projects like dams are one of the prime factors responsible for deforestation. — True
9. The local villagers of Reni in Himalayas sacrificed their lives In protecting the forest from a local logging contractor. This movement was later recognized as Chipko Movement. — False
10. Deforestation causes a direct effect on the quality of soil and the water resources. — True.
11. Sal forests in West Bengal were getting depleted rapidly due to extreme exploitation by local people. The decision of government to completely alienate human Intervention in the forest proved to be beneficial for the forest because this allowed the forest to grow naturally without any interference. — False
12. India is dependent on the large number of its perennial rivers to meet the demand of water resources. — False
13. Setting up large dams give rise to major environmental problems like deforestation and loss of biodiversity. — True
14. Water resource management at local level is advantageous because it reduces mismanagement and extreme exploitation of resources. — True
15. Fossil fuels are going to be exhausted in future no matter how carefully we utilize them — True
16. As per the estimates from government, our known petroleum resources will get exhausted in about 55 years considering our current usage.
False
17. Combustion of fossil fuels in insufficient oxygen gives rise to carbon monoxide which is a toxic gas and can prove tatal at high concentration. — True
Match the following:
Question 1.
| State | Local Water Harvesting System |
| 1. Maharashtra | a. Khadin |
| 2. Kerala | b. Pynes |
| 3. Bihar | c. Kattas |
| 4. Karnataka | d. Bundhis |
| e. Bandhara |
| f. Surangam |
Answer: (1-e), (2-f), (3-b), (4-c)
Question 2.
| Event | Year |
| 1. Introduction of Ganga Action Plan | a. 1731 |
| 2. Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life protecting Khejri trees | b. 1972 |
| 3. Beginning of revival of Araban forest | c. 1738 |
| d. 1985 |
| e. 1992 |
Answer: (1-d), (2-a), (3-b)
Question 3.
| A | |
| 1. Ganga Action Plan | a. To process the act of deforestation |
| 2. Chipko Movement | b. To protest the development of monoculture which destroyed the biodiversity of forests |
| 3. Narmada Bachao Andolan | c. To reduce the contamination in the river and to improve the quality of water in it |
| 4. Araban Forest Management | d. Government reviveing the forest with the help of local people. |
| e. To protest the decision of government for increasing the height of dam built on river |
Answer: (1-c), (2-a), (3-e), (4-d)
