1.

Resource and Development Exercises-

Part I

I Very Short Answer Type Questions-

1. Define Resources.

Ans.

Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is
technologically accessibility, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as
resources.

2. Define resource planning.

Ans. Resource planning is a technique or skill of proper or judicious use of resources.

3. What are non-renewable resources? Give two examples.

Ans. Non-renewable resources are the natural resources that cannot be replaced at all or within
a reasonable time. Fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are the examples of non- renewable
resources.

4. State the importance of the book ‘Small is Beautiful’.

Ans. The book ‘Small is Beautiful’ was published by Schumacher in 1974 which explained the
Gandhian model of environmental protection and resource conservation in an international
level.

5. Multiple Choice Questions-

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

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

Ans. d) Non- renewable

2. Which of the following types of resources can tidal energy be put?

a) Replenishable
b) Human-made
c) Abiotic
 d) Non-recyclable

Ans. a) Replenishable

3. Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
a) Intensive cultivation
b) Deforestation
c) Over irrigation
d) Over-grazing

Ans. Over irrigation

4. In which of the following state is terrace cultivation practiced?

a) Punjab
b) Haryana
c) Plains of Uttar Pradesh
d) Uttarakhand

Ans. d) Uttarakhand

5. In which of the following state is black soil found?

a) Jammu and Kashmir

b) Gujarat
c) Rajasthan
d) Jharkhand

Ans. b) Gujarat

6. India has got the right to mine………………………………………….from the bed of the Indian Ocean
from the area which lies beyond the exclusive economic zone?

Ans. Manganese nodules

II Short Answer Type Questions-

1. What problems have been caused by human beings while using resources indiscriminately?
Explain in brief.

Ans. Human beings used them indiscriminately and this has led to the following major
problems:

1. Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

 2. 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.
3. Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as, global
warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

2. Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Ans.

Renewable Resources Non-Renewable Resources

1. These resources are renewed or 1. These resources may not be replenished
replenished by nature in a short span of time. by nature or take very long geological time to
be formed again.
2. Often these are available continuously like 2. These resources are exhausted after use.
solar energy water etc. Example fossil fuels.
3. Renewable resources can be divided into 3. Non-renewable resources can be recycled
continuous or flow. or non-recycled.

3. What is sustainable economic development? Suggest any two ways in which resources can
be used judiciously.

Ans.

1. Sustainable economic development means, development should take place without

damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the
needs of the future generations.

2. Two ways in which resources can be used judiciously are-

a) Resource Planning and resource management.

b) Maximise efficiency and minimize wastes
c) Reuse and recycle
d) Plant trees and conserve water
e) Use more and more renewable resources
f) Use alternate raw material or resources

4. “Sustainability of development is a new area of knowledge”. Do you agree? Justify your

answer.

Ans.

1) No, we do not agree with the statement because sustainable development is not a new
area of knowledge.
 2) This had been the main concern of leaders and thinkers in the past .e.g. Gandhiji was
very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation and said once-“There is
enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.”
3) However the term ‘sustainable development’ is recently originated by the Brundtland
Commission Report, 1987 for this purpose.

5. Explain the term ‘Development’. How is it linked with sustainability? Explain with example.

Ans.

1) Development refers to the process as a result of which along with increase in the real
per capita income, there is a reduction in inequality, poverty, illiteracy and diseases.
2) Sustainability is linked with development as they work for the welfare of the people and
society in terms of conserving nature and human resources.
3) As today, a fair distribution of resources has become absolutely essential for a sustained
quality of life and global peace which can be achieved through proper planning that is
related to sustainable development.

6. What are the Biotic and Abiotic resources? Give some examples.

Ans.

1. Biotic Resources-

Biotic Resources obtained from biosphere and have life such as human beings, flora and fauna,
fisheries, livestock etc.

2. Abiotic Resources-

All those things which are composed of non-living things are called abiotic resources. For
example, rocks and metals.

7. Mention the complex process involved in resource planning.

Ans. Resource planning involves a complex process like-

1. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves
surveying, mapping and 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 plans.

3. Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.
8. Imagine if oil supplies get exhausted, how will this affect our lives?

Ans. If oil supplies get exhausted then our lifestyle will be severely affected in the manner given
below-

1) We will go to school, office, home by walking or on a bicycle or by a battery operated

vehicle.
2) Transportation of materials and goods will be done by bullock carts, horse carts or
battery operated trucks whose batteries are charged by solar energy.
3) All work will slow down to pace which was common in the 18th and 19th century.

III Long Answer Type Questions-

1. Explain the role of human in resource development.

Ans.

1) Human being is also a resource and is the dynamic factor in resource development
because he uses the natural resources through technological application and
institutional facilitation.
2) Resource development is an inter-dependent process among technology, nature and
institutions in which human being is the solo operator.
3) Along the side of resource development, indiscriminate exploitation needs to be
checked and properly planned approach should be adopted.
4) At every step from national to state to regional planning sustainability aspect should be
taken care so that future generation would be in a position to fulfill their needs and
necessities.
5) Conservation of resource and equity distribution of resources are now becoming major
part of resource development in India.

2. Discuss resource classification on the basis of status of development with their important
features.

Ans. Resources are classified on the basis of status of development as given below-

1. Potential Resources:

Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized are called potential
resources. For example, the western parts of India particularly Rajasthan and Gujarat have
enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy, but so far these have not
been developed properly.

2. Developed Resources-

Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilization. For example, India has a cumulative total of 2,47,847 million tones of coal resources.

3. Stock-

Material in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human
beings do not have appropriate technology to access these, are included among stock.

 Water is a compound of two inflammable gases i.e. hydrogen and oxygen.

 It can be used as a rich source of energy but we do not have the required technology

4. Reserves- are the subset of stock, which can be put into use with the help of existing
technology but their use has not been started.

 These can be used for meeting future requirements.

River water can be used for generating hydroelectric power but at present

3. Discuss the purpose of Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit and Agenda 21.

Ans.

Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992:

 More than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in June 1992.
 The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems environmental protection
and socio- economic development at global level.
 The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological
Diversity.
 The convention endorsed the global Forest principles and adopted Agenda 21 for
achieving Sustainable development in the 21st century.

Agenda 21:

 It aims at achieving global sustainable development.

 It is to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation and
common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.
 The major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its
own local agenda 21.
4.” Planning is widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country like India”.
Justify this statement with two relevant points and an example.

Ans.

1) Planning is widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country like India
which has enormous diversity in the availability of resources.
2) There are some regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in
other resources.
3) There are some regions considered as self sufficient of resources where as some regions
have acute shortage of some vital resources.
4) For example, the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in
minerals and coal deposits.
5) Arunachal Pradesh has plenty of water resources but lacks in infrastructural resources.
6) Rajasthan is endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks water resources.
7) The cold desert of Ladakh has very rich cultural heritage but deficient in water,
infrastructure and some vital minerals.
8) That is why, there should be a balance resource planning at the national, state, regional
and local level.

5. Discuss various measures taken towards conservation of resources at the International level.

Ans.

1) At the international level, the Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the
first time in a more systematic way in 1968.
2) Subsequently, in 1974, Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by Schumacher
in his book Small is Beautiful.
3) The similar contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global level was
made by the Brundtland Commission Report, 1987.
4) This report introduced the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ and advocated it as a
means for resource conservation and published a book entitled Our Common Future.
5) Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
in 1992.

6. Discuss the needs and necessities of resource planning.

Ans. We Need to have Resource Planning for the following reasons-

1. Most of the resources are limited in supply.

 2. Most of the resources are unevenly distributed.
3. Over utilization of resources may lead to pollution of environment.
4. Under utilization of resources will lead to under development of country.
5. There is need to plan human resources only men would be able to develop our natural
resources.
6. Planning of resources is also required to become self-dependent.
7. We have inherited the resources, so it is our duty to make available these resources to
the next generation.

7. Discuss the relevance of Gandhian model of resource conservation in today’s world.

Ans.

1) Gandhiji said, “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.”
2) He blamed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern
technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level.
3) Irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources has led to the socio-economic
and environmental problems of shortage and pollution.
4) As resources are vital for any developmental activity, resource conservation at various
levels is important to overcome these problems.
5) If resources are used up at the same rate as they are generated or formed, they will be
maintained for use by future generation

I Very Short Answer Type Questions-

1. Who said, “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed”?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi

2. Which is the most widespread relief feature of India?

a) Plains
b) Mountains
c) Plateaus
d) All the above

Ans. a) Plains

3. State the most concerned factor for deforestation in Madhya Pradesh.

Ans. Mining is the major cause of deforestation in Madhya Pradesh.

4. In which part of India excessive irrigation is a major cause of land degradation?

a) Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

b) Gujarat and Rajasthan
c) Punjab and Haryana
d) None of these

Ans. c) Punjab and Haryana

5. What is soil erosion?

Ans. The denudation of the soil cover and its subsequent washing down is described as soil
erosion.

6. In which region shelter-belts are procreated to protect land from degradation?

Ans. Arid regions are procreated by shelter-belts.

7. When the running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies is
known as-----------------------------------.

a) Sheet erosion
b) Rill erosion
c) Gully erosion
d) None of these

Ans. c) Gully erosion

8. Write one nutrient that is found to be deficient in alluvial soil?

Ans. Nitrogen

II Short Answer Type Questions-

1. Name three states having black soil and crop which is mainly grown in it.

Ans.

1) The three states having black soil are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
2) The crops which mainly grown are cotton, tobacco and sugarcane.

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

Ans.
 1) Alluvial soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast.
2) Three main features of this type of soil are-
a) It is very fertile.
b) It is a transported soil.
c) The soil contains adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime.

3. What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?

Ans. The following steps can be taken to control oil erosion in the hilly areas-

1) Contour ploughing- ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water
down the slopes.
2) Terrace Cultivation- Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace
cultivation restricts erosion.
3) Strip Farming- 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.

4. How does industry causes land degradation?

Ans.

a) Industrialization is one of the major factor responsible for land degradation.

b) The mineral processing like grinding of limestone of cement industry and calcite and
soapstone etc generate huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere.
c) It retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil after it settles down on the
land.
d) In recent years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and
water pollution in many parts of the country.

5. Why there is a need for resource planning?

Ans. Need for Resource Planning:

a) Most of the resources are limited in supply.

b) Most of the resources are unevenly distributed.
c) Over utilization of resources may lead to pollution of environment.
d) Under utilization of resources will lead to under development of country.
e) There is need to plan human resources only men would be able to develop our natural
resources.
f) Planning of resources is also required to become self-dependent.
g) We have inherited the resources, so it is our duty to make available these resources to
the next generation.
6. Distinguish between the following-

I. Red soil and Laterite soil

Ans.

Red and Yellow soil Laterite soil

1. Red soil develops on crystalline igneous 1. The Laterite soil develops in areas with
rocks in the areas of low rainfall. high temperature and heavy rainfall.

2.These soils develop a reddish colour due to 2. This is the result of intense leaching due to
diffusion of iron in crystalline and heavy rain. Humus content is low because
metamorphic rocks. most of the microorganisms and
decomposers get destroyed due to high
temperature.
3. Red soil is found in the southern parts of 3.Laterite soils are found mainly in Karnataka,
Deccan Plateau, parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and
and southern parts of middle Ganga plain the hilly areas of Odidsha.
and along the piedmont of Western Ghats,

II. Alluvial soil and black soil

Ans.

Alluvial Soil Black Soil

1. These have been deposited by three 1. This type of soil is typical of the Deccan
important Himalayan river system- the Indus, trap region spread over northwest Deccan
the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. plateau and is made up of lave flows.
2. It consists of various proportion of sand, 2. The black soils are made up of extremely
silt and clay fine clayey material and well known for
holding moisture.
3. The alluvial soil is found in the Northern 3. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra,
plains, in the narrow corridor of Rajasthan Saurashtra, Malwa Madhya Pradesh,
and Gujarat, and the eastern coastal plains. Chhattisgarh and south-east direction along
the Godavari and Krishna Valleys.

III. Khadar and Bangar

Ans.

Khadar Bangar
1. The new alluvial soil is called as Khadar 1. The old alluvial soil is called as Bangar.
2.Khadar is fertile alluvial soil and renewed 2. Bangar is less fertile because it is made of
 year with finer in texture. coarse texture.
3. Khadar soils are found in the low areas of 3.Bangar soils are found on the higher
valley bottom which are flooded almost reaches about 30 m above the flood level
every year.

7. What are the main advantages of India’s land under a variety of relief features?

Ans. In India, 30 per cent areas are mountainous, 27 per cent are plateaus and about 43 per
cent are plains. All of these have specific advantages to be utilized-

1. Plains-

 Plains are most important land resource for human beings

 They fertile soil and It provides facilities for agriculture and industry as well as for
human settlement.

2. Mountains-

 Mountains are source of many streams and rivers

 It ensures perennial flow of some rivers that have high potential for hydro electric
production
 It also provides facilities for tourism ecological aspects.

3. Plateaus-.

 It possesses rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

 They are economically very productive.

8. Discuss the soil formation.

Ans.

1) The parent rock or bed rock on which the soil is formed, decomposes and disintegrates
under the process of weathering.
2) Climate influences the rate of weathering of rocks and the type of vegetation, influences
the soil characteristics.
3) Nature of relief and slope influences the accumulation of soil
4) Time provides maturity to soil.

9. Give three main features of the soil found in the river deltas of the Indian coast.

Ans. Alluvial soil is found in the coast of India. The three main features of the alluvial soil are as
following-
 a) It is known as the transported soil, as the soil has been transported by the rivers to its
current location.
b) The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.
c) As we move inlands towards the river valleys, soil particles appear some what bigger in
size.
d) In the upper reaches of the river valley i.e. near the place of the break of slopes, the
soils are coarse.

10. Describe any three main characteristics of arid soil of India.

Ans. The main characteristics of arid soil -

a) The soil ranges red to brown in colour.

b) The soils contain considerable amount of soluble salts.
c) They contain low percentage of organic matter due to dry climate and absence of
vegetation.
d) The soil is alkaline in nature as there is no rainfall to wash the soluble salts.

III Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation in India.

Ans. The following human activities are responsible for land degradation in India-

1. Mining:

• Mining is one of the most important factors for land degradation.

• Deep scares and other materials are left which degrade the soil.

• In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa deforestation due
to mining have caused severe land degradation

2. Overgrazing:

• Overgrazing of land by animals result in removal of grass over a large area leading to soil
erosion.

• In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one
of the main reasons for land degradation.

3. Water logging:

• Over irrigation of land is also responsible for land degradation.

 • In the states of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, over irrigation is responsible
for the land degradation.

• water logging leads to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

4. Industrialization:

• Industrialization is also one of the major factors responsible for land degradation.

• The mineral processing like of limestone of cement industry generate huge quantity of
dust in the atmosphere.

• In recent years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and
water pollution in many parts of the country.

2. Discuss the main methods taken to conserve soil.

Ans. Methods to Conserve Soil:

1. Afforestation-

 Afforestation is the best way to conserve soil that is increasing area under forests.
 Indiscriminate felling of trees should be stopped and efforts should be made to
plant trees in new area.

2. Restricted- grazing of animals:

 Animals have to move over different pastures so as to avoid erosion.

 Fodder crops should be grown in larger quantity.

3. Constructing Dams:

 Much of the soil erosion is done by river floods that can be avoided by constructing
dams.
 This checks the speed of water and save soil from erosion.
4. Proper Farming Techniques:

To avoid soil erosion we have to adopt the following farming methods-

 Crop Rotation: If same crop is grown in the same field year after year this consumes
certain nutrients from the soil making it imfertile. Crop rotation can check this type of
erosion.

 Controlling and reducing shifting cultivation by asking tribal people to switch over
settled agriculture.
  Terracing and contour bunding across the hill slopes is very effective and one of the
oldest methods of soil conservation.

 Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.

 Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces known as terrace farming.

 Soil erosion can also be avoided by strip cropping. Under strip cropping large fields are
divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops.

 Planting lines of trees to create shelter also works in a similar way. Rows of such trees
are called shelter belts.

3. How have technical and economic developments led to more consumption of resources?

Ans. The following technical and economic development have led more consumption of
resources-

a) Technical development has led to industrialization which has increased the use of
natural resources.
b) Technical development has converted the subsistence agricultural to commercial
agriculture and this has led to the over- utilization of soil.
c) Technical development has also improved the process of mining.
d) The development of technology contributed to increase in production of quality goods
and provision of better services to the people.
e) Economic development has led to increasing urbanization and modernization which
demands more resources.

4. Explain the major factor responsible for the formation of soil.

Ans There are number of factors which contribute to the formation of soil and its fertility-

a) Parent Materials-
 The source of the rock fragments that make up soil is parent material, which may
either be bedrock or loose sediments transported elsewhere by water, wind or
ice.
 The surface rocks are exposed to the process of weathering and suffer decay and
decomposition.
 In this process, the rocks are converted into fine grains and provide base for the
soil formation.
b) Relief-
  Relief influences the process of soil formation in many ways, the most important
being the slop of land.
 Steep slop encourages the swift flow of water, so usually have a thin soil layer.
 The gentle slop generally experience deposition and have deep layer of soil.
c) Climate-
 Temperature and moisture (rainfall) are the climatic variables of greatest
significant in the soil formation.
 Chemical and biological processes in soil are usually accelerate by high
temperature and abundant moisture and are slowed by low temperatures and
lack of moistures.
d) Natural Vegetation-
 Vegetation of various kinds growing in soil perform certain vital functions.
 The decayed leaf material adds much needed humus to soil thereby increasing
fertility.
 Roots hold the soil and so prevent soil erosion.

5. Discuss the causes of soil erosion.

Ans. Soil erosion can be caused by natural or human factors-

A) Natural Factors of soil Erosion:

1. Water Erosion:

Water is powerful agent of soil erosion. Following are the major types of soil erosion caused by
water.

a) Sheet Erosion- When top layer is removed over a large area by running water, it is called
as sheet erosion.
b) Rill Erosion- If erosion continues unchecked for a sufficient time, rills (small finger –
shape grooves) which are a few centimeters in depth, may develop on landscape known
as rill erosion.
c) Gully Erosion- This is third stage of sheet erosion. With further erosion of the soil, the
rills may deepen and become enlarged into gullies known as gully erosion. The land
becomes unfit for cultivation known as bad land. In the Chambal basin such lands are
called ravines.

2. Wind Erosion-

Wind is also a powerful agent of erosion in arid and semi arid lands with little rainfall. Strong
wind can lift the valuable top soil from one area and deposit it in another area.
B) Human Factors of Soil Erosion:

1. Deforestation:
With the increase in population, modernization and industrialization the
pressure on forest is increasing everyday. This has resulted in reckless cutting of
forests leading to soil erosion.
The large scale damage to soil in Shiwaliks range, the choes of Punjab and parts
of Haryana and the ravines of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan is
largely due to deforestation.

2. Overgrazing:
During the long dry period, there is shortage of fodder and grass is grazed to the
grounds and torn out by the roots by animals.
These leads to loose structure of soil and the soil is easily washed away by rains.
There is common sight in the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and
Kashmir and the dry areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Faulty Methods of Agriculture:
Faulty methods of agriculture are also responsible for soil erosion.
For example ploughing fields along the slope makes it easier for running water
and wind to cause soil erosion.
Shifting agriculture is also responsible for soil erosion because forests are cleared
for cultivation.

6. How is Red and Yellow soil formed? Mention any four characteristics.

Ans.

Red and Yellow soil:

a) Formation:
 Most of the red soils have come into existence due to weathering of ancient
crystalline igneous rocks.
b) Characteristics:
 Soils are loamy in deep depressions and in uplands.
 They consist of loose gravels and highly coarse material.
 The colour of these soils is generally red due to wide diffusion rather than high
percentage of iron content.
 It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydraded form.
  Soils are deficient in phosphoric acid, organic matter and nitrogenous materials
but rich in potash.

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