Resource and Development chapter 1 Geography Short and Long answers

Important Short and Long Questions and Answers along with its marking schemes; 

3 marks questions ( you are expected to write at least three points at times if you feel that you are not able to cover the three marker question in three points, you may write four points or in two paragraph which will explain all the points related to the given questions.)

5 marks questions ( you are expected to write at five three points at times if you feel that you are not able to cover the five marker question in five points, you may write six to seven points.)

Q1. Study the Pie chart showing land use patterns and answer the following questions:            (3)

"India has a wide variety of relief features which are the most important resources". Justify the statement.

Ans. (i)About 43% of the land area is plain which provides facilities for agriculture and industry.

(ii) Mountains account for 30% of the land area which provides facilities for tourism and ecological aspects. It also ensures perennial flow of some rivers.

(iii) About 27% of the plateau region possesses rich resources of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

Q2. How is resource conservation are different from resource planning?                         (3)

Ans. Resources conservation is a part of resource planning:

1. It is vital for the development of the country. 
2. Overuse of resources and irrational consumption of resources can lead to socio- economic and environmental problems and thus resources conservation is important.
3. Resource planning is a complex process which involves identification of resources, evolving a planning structure for implementing resources, development plans and matching resource development plans.

Q3. Why is soil considered as a resource? Explain with five arguments.                            (3)  

Ans. (i) Soil is considered as a  resource because it is used to satisfy our needs.

(ii) Soil is the most important renewable natural resources.

(iii) It is a living system.

(iv) It is the medium of plant growth

(v) It supports different types of living organism on the earth.

Q4. An equitable distribution of resources has became essential today. Explain it. Enlist a few ways to conserve resources.                                                                                                     (3/5)

Ans. Resources are vital for human survival as well as for maintaining the quality of life. But unfortunately they are being used indiscriminately which has resulted in their depletion. Whatever resources are there, they are accumulated in a few hands. hence, an equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained quality of life and global piece.

If the present trend of resources depletion by a few individuals and countries, the future of our planet will be in danger. Resources planning is essential to avert this situation. We can conserve resources by reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling a variety of non hazardous materials.

Q5.   Over a period of time land has degraded up to an extent. Giving examples explain how human activities are responsible for that.

                                                                         or                                                                            (3/5)

Explain any five human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation in India.

Ans. Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, construction and mining, etc. have contributed significantly in land degradation.

1. Mining sites are abandoned after mining work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over burdening.
2. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation has occurred due to mining.
3. In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation.
4. In Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, over irrigation is responsible for land  degradation due to waterlogging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.
5. The minerals processing like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere which retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil after it settles down on the land.
6. Industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution.

Q4. What is resource planning? Why is balance resource planning necessary in India? Give examples

Ans. Planning is a widely accepted strategy for cautious use of resources. In a country like India it is very important to follow and execute  such planning. India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources.  Some regions are rich in certain types of resources. Some regions are self- sufficient in terms of the availability of resources while others have acute shortage of some vital resources. For example:

1. The states of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich only in minerals and coal deposits.
2. Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water resources but lacks in infrastructural development.
3. The state of Rajasthan is very well gifted with solar and wind energy but lacks in water resources.
4. The cold desert of Ladakh is relatively isolated from the rest of the country. It has very rich cultural heritage but it is deficient in water, infrastructure and some vital minerals.So considering such cases of diversity, balanced resources planning at the national, state, regional and local levels is required.

Q5. Explain how nature, technology and institutions  are interdependent.                              (3)

Ans. (i) Nature is full of resources. Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to accelerate their economic development.

(ii) Human beings themselves are essential components of resources.

(iii) They transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.  

Q6.  Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?                                                                                                                              (3/5)

Ans: Land resources in India are primarily divided into: 

- agricultural land,

- forest land,

- land meant for pasture and grazing, and

- waste land which includes rocky, arid and desert areas, and land used for other non-agricultural purposes such as housing, roads and industry.

According to the recent data, about 54% of the total land area is cultivable, 22.5% is covered by forests, and 3.45% is used for grazing. The rest is waste land with traces of miscellaneous cultivation.

Q7. How does industry cause land degradation?                                                          (3)

Answer : The mineral processing like grinding of:-
(a) lime stone for cement industry
(b) soapstone for ceramic industry generate and release heavy amount of dust to the atmosphere. It settles down in the
surrounding areas and affects infiltration of water and crop cultivation. Industrial effluents and wastes have became the major
cause of land and water pollution.

Q8. Which is the most important soil of India? Write three main characteristics of this soil?         (3/5)
Answer : The most important soil of India is alluvial soil. It covers over 43% of the total area.The characteristics of alluvial soil are:-(i) These are formed by the silt deposition of rivers.
(ii) These are fertile.
(iii) They have a fine particles.
(iv) There are two types of alluvial soil – Khadar and Bhangar.

Q9. Why is conservation of resources necessary? Discuss the methods of conservation of soil resources?                                                                                                                                           (3/5)

Answer : Conservation of resources is judicious and planned use of natural resources as improper and overuse may deplete them.Methods of conservation of soil resources:-
(i) Overgrazing should be avoided as it may destroy the vegetation cover.
(ii) Contour planning should be adopted.
(iii) Terracing should be done to form steps which will check the speed of flow of water and reduce erosion.
(iv) Shrubs and trees should be planted to check the force of the wind.
(v) Deforestation should be avoided.
(vi) Different plant with different harvesting period should be grown in strips, so that the farm is not without plants at any time.

Q10. Explain the land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?                                                                                                                                         (3/5)

Answer:

The use of land is determined both by physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types as well as human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and 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 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 as wasteland and land put to other non-agricultural uses. Wasteland includes rocky, arid and desert areas and land put to other non-agricultural uses includes settlements, roads, railways, industry etc. Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage has resulted in land degradation.

Q11. How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?                                                                                                                           (3)

Ans. The following factors are responsible for technical and economic development leading to increased consumption of resources:

• Technological development led to efficient machinery. As a result, production increased ultimately leading to the consumption of more resources.
• Economic development raised people's demands and the technological advancement led to greater exploitation of resources to meet their demands.
• Improved medical and health resources led to increased population which in turn resulted in increased consumption of resources.

Q12 . Differentiate between Khadar soil and Bhangar soil?                                                                   3)

Answer :

Khadar Soil	Bhangar Soil
(i) New alluvial are called khaddar.	(i) Old alluvial are called bhangar.
(ii) These are found near the river in the flood plains.	(ii) These are found away from the rivers.
(iii) These are sandy and of light colour.	(iii) These are coarse and gravel like particles.
(iv) These are renewed frequently and hence are very fertile.	(iv) These are not renewed and hence are less fertile.