Notes of Ch 1 Resources and

Development| Class 10th Geography

Topics in the Chapter

• Resources
• Classification of Resources
→ On the basis of origin

• Development of Resources

• Resource Planning

• Land Resources

→ Land Resources in India

• Land Use Pattern in India

• Land Degradation and Conservation measures

• Soil as a Resource

• Classification of Soils

→ Alluvial Soils

→ Black Soil

→ Red and Yellow Soils

→ Laterite Soils

→ Arid Soils

→ Forest Soils

• Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation

Resources
• Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs,
provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally
acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.
Classification of Resources

• The resources can be classified as:

→ On the basis of origin – biotic and abiotic

On the Basis of Origin

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

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

Development of Resources
• Resources are vital for human survival.

• It was believed that resources are free gifts of nature so, human beings used
them indiscriminately and this has led to the following major problems:

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

→ Accumulation of resources in few hands which divides the society into rich and
poor.

→ Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such

as, global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land
degradation.

• For a sustained quality of life and global peace, an equitable distribution of

resources has
become essential.

• For using resources judiciously, we need to adopt sustainable economic

development.
• 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.

Resource Planning

• Resource planning is a complex process which involves :

(i) 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.

(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and
institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.

(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development
plans.

Land Resources

• Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.

→ It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, transport
and communication systems.

• Land is present in limited size so we must use them effectively.

Land Resources in India

• About 43 percent of the land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture
and industry.

• About 30 percent of the total surface area of the country are mountains which
ensure perennial flow of some rivers and provide facilities for tourism and ecological
aspects.

• About 27 per cent of the area of the country is the plateau region that possesses
rich reserves

of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

Land Use Pattern in India

• The use of land is determined by:

→ Physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types

→ Human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture
and traditions etc.

• Land use data, however, is available only for 93 per cent of the total geographical
area because the land use reporting for most of the north-east states except Assam
has not been done fully.

→ Also, some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have
also not been surveyed.

Land Degradation and Conservation measures

• Human activities such as deforestation, over grazing, mining and quarrying

contributed in land degradation.

• Measures to control land degradation:

→ Afforestation

→ Planting of shelter belts of plants

→ control on over grazing

→ stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes

→ Proper management of waste lands

→ control of mining activities

Soil as a Resource

• Soil is the most important renewable natural resource.

• It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms
on the earth.

Classification of Soils

On the basis of the factors responsible for soil formation, colour, thickness, texture,
age, chemical and physical properties, the soils of India can be classified in different
types:

• Alluvial Soils:

→ Entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil.

→ Also found in the eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi,
the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.

→ Fertile soil therefore, fit for agriculture purpose.

→ Regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated.

→ Rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime

 ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse
crops.

• Black Soil:

→ Black in colour and are also known as regur soils.

→ Ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil.

→ Found in the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and

Chhattisgarh also along the Godavari and the Krishna valleys.

→ Made up of extremely fine i.e. clayey material.

→ Well-known for their capacity to hold moisture.

→ Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime.

• Red and Yellow Soils:

→ Found in the areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan
plateau.

→ Also found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga
plain and along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.

→ Develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic

rocks.

• Laterite Soils:
→ Develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
→ Found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly areas of
Odisha and Assam.
→ Suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilizers.

→ Low Humus content because decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to
high temperature.

• Arid Soils:

→ Found in the western parts of Rajasthan.

→ After proper irrigation these soils become cultivable.

→ Lacks humus and moisture because dry climate, high temperature make
evaporation faster.

→ Salt content is very high and common salt is obtained by evaporating the water.

• Forest Soils:

→ Found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are
available.

→ Feature differs based on location.

→ Loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes.

→ Silt in the lower parts of the valleys particularly on the river terraces and alluvial
fans are fertile.

Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation

• Natural ways of Soil erosion: Wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion.

• Human activities: Deforestation, over-grazing, construction and mining etc.,

contributes in soil erosion.

• Measures to control Soil erosion:

→ Strip cropping

→ Planting shelter belts

→ In the hilly areas, using contour ploughing and terrace farming.

n

FO

Class 10 Chapter 1 Resource and Development MCQ

1. Which of the following methods does not help in soil conservation?
(a) Contour ploughing
(b) Strip cropping
(c) Creating shelter belts
(d) Ploughing up and down the slopes

2. Which one of the following type of resource is iron ore?

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

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

(a) Jharkhand and Orissa
(b) Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
(c) Punjab and Haryana
(d) Kerala and Tamil Nadu

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

5. Which one of the following is a renewable resource?

(a) Coal
(b) Petroleum
(c) Solar energy
(d) Fossil fuels

6. Which of the following resource is non-recyclable?

(a) Coal
(b) Iron-ore
(c) Copper
(d) Gold

7. How can the resources be classified on the basis of their origin?

(a) Biotic and Abiotic
(b) Renewable and Non-renewable
(c) Individual and Community
(d) Potential and Reserves

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

9. The alluvial soil consists of

(a) sand
(b) silt
(c) clay
(d) all of the above

10. In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?

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

11. Which one of the following is not the community owned resource?
(a) Grazing grounds
(b) Burial grounds
(c) Village ponds
(d) Privately owned house

12. In which of the following States is black soil found?

(a) Jammu & Kashmir
(b) Gujarat
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand

13. One of the following which does not check land degradation-
(a) control on overgrazing
(b) creating shelter belts
(c) deforestation
(d) afforestation

14. When running water cuts through clayey soils and makes deep channels, they lead to:
(a) Gully erosion
(b) Sheet erosion
(c) Deforestation
(d) Afforestation

15. What percentage of our land should be under forest according to the National Forest Policy (1952)?
(a) 33
(b) 22.5
(c) 31
(d) 30

16. Burial ground is a

(a) community owned resource
(b) national resource
(c) individual resource
(d) international resource

17. Which one of the following is a Biotic Resource?

(a) Land
(b) Water
(c) Human beings
(d) Rocks

18. Materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human beings do not have
appropriate technology to access them are called:
(a) Potential resource
(b) Stock
(c) Developed resource
(d) Reserves

19. Laterite soil is very useful for growing:

(a) Rice, wheat and mustard
(b) Tea, coffee and cashewnut
(c) Pulses, sugarcane and resin
(d) None of the above

20. India’s territorial water extends upto a distance of:

(a) 12 km
(b) 12 nautical miles
(c) 19.2 miles
(d) 200 nautical miles

21. Which one of the following is an example of biotic resources?

(a) Rock
(b) Iron ore
(c) Gold
(d) Animal

22. There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed,’’ who among the following has given the
above statement?
(a) Vinoba Bhave
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) Atal Behari Vajpayee

23. Resources that take long geological time for their formation are called:
(a) Renewable resources
(b) Reserve
(c) Community resources
(d) Non-renewable resources

24. Black soil is deficient in

(a) Calcium carbonate
(b) Magnesium
(c) Potash
(d) Phosphoric contents

25. The total degraded land in our country is:

(a) 133 million hectares
(b) 130 million sq. km.
(c) 140 million hectares
(d) 130 million hectares

26. The mountain share in the total land area is:

(a) 30%
(b) 27%
(c) 43%
(d) 40%

27. Which of the following soils has self-aeration capacity?

(a) Alluvial
(b) Red soil
(c) Black soil
(d) Mountain soil

28. Which one of the following is not a ‘Biotic Resource’?

(a) Flora and Fauna
(b) Rocks
(c) Fisheries
(d) Livestock
29. Which of the following is not a measure for soil conservation?
(a) Strip cropping
(b) Terrace cultivation
(c) Shelter belts
(d) Overdrawing of ground water

30. The main cause of land degradation in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh is:
(a) Mining
(b) Over irrigation
(c) Deforestation
(d) Over grazing

31. Which cold desert is relatively isolated from the rest of country?
(a) Leh
(b) Kargil
(c) Ladakh
(d) Dras

32. Which one of the following is not a renewable resource?

(a) Solar energy
(b) Wind energy
(c) Forests
(d) Fossil fuels

33. Red soil is mostly found in:

(a) Parts of Jammu & Kashmir
(b) Upper Ganga Plains
(c) Eastern and Southern part of Deccan Plateau
(d) None of the above

34. What is arrangement of soil in different layers or horizons known as?

(a) Soil Composition
(b) Soil Erosion
(c) Soil Profile
(d) Soil Texture

35. Under which of the following types of resource can tidal energy be put?
(a) Human made
(b) Biotic
(c) Non-recyclable
(d) None of these

36. Resources which are found in a region but have not been utilised are called
(a) developed resources
(b) stock
(c) international resources
(d) potential resources

37. Under which of the following types of resources can solar energy be categorised?
(a) Flow resource
(b) Human-made resource
(c) Non-recyclable resource
(d) Exhaustible resource

38. Black soil is also called:

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

39. In which of the following states is black soil found?

(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Bihar
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand

40. What is the main reason behind global ecological crises such as global warming and environmental pollution ?
(a) Depletion of resources
(b) Accumulation of resources in a few hands
(c) Indiscriminate exploitation of resources
(d) Use of resources

41. The oceanic resources beyond 200 km of the Exclusive Economic Zone can be termed as which of the following
types of resource ?
(a) Individual resources
(b) Community owned resources
(c) National resources
(d) International resources

42. From which Five Year Plan has India made concerted efforts for achieving the goals of resource planning ?
(a) First Five Year Plan
(b) Fifth Five Year Plan
(c) Annual Plans
(d) Tenth Five Year Plan

43. On the basis of ownership, plantations can be better considered as which of the following types of resources?
(a) Individual resource
(b) Community owned resource
(c) National resource
(d) International resource

44. Laterite soil is very useful for growing:

(a) Rice, wheat and mustard
(b) Tea, coffee and cashewnut
(c) Pulses, sugarcane and resin
(d) None of the above

45. Which of the following method will not help in soil conservation?
(a) Contour ploughing
(b) Strip cropping
(c) Creating shelter belts
(d) Ploughing up and down the slopes 28. (b) Rocks

46. Ploughing along the contour lines to decelerate 29. (d) Overdrawing of ground water
the flow of water down the slopes is called:
(a) Strip cropping 30.: (b) Over irrigation
(b) Sheet erosion
(c) Contour ploughing 31. (c) Ladakh
(d) Terrace cultivation
32.: (d) Fossil fuels

47. What is necessary for sustained quality of life 33.: (c) Eastern and Southern part of Deccan Plateau
and global peace?
(a) Stopping use of resources 34. (c) Soil Profile
(b) Saving resources for future
(c) Exploitation of resources 35. (d) None of these
(d) Equitable distribution of resources
36. (d) potential resource
48. Land that is left uncultivated for more than five
agricultural years is called: 37. (a) Flow resource
(a) Pasture land
(b) Culturable waste land 38: (c) Regur
(c) Barren land
(d) Current fallow 39: (c) Rajasthan

40.: (c) Indiscriminate exploitation of resources

49. The oceanic resources beyond 200 km of the
Exclusive Economic Zone can be termed as which 41.: (d) International resources
of the following types of resource ?
(a) Individual resources 42: (a) First Five Year Plan
(b) Community owned resources
(c) National resources 43.: (a) Individual resource
(d) International resources
44. (b) Tea, coffee and cashewnut
50. What is land used for grazing cattle and
livestock known as? 45: (d) Ploughing up and down the slopes
(a) Forests
(b) Barren land 46: (c) Contour ploughing
(c) Pasture land
(d) Fallow land 47.: (d) Equitable distribution of resources

48.: (b) Culturable waste land

1. : (d) Ploughing up and down the slopes
49. (d) International resources
2.: (d) Non-renewable
50. : (c) Pasture land
3.: (b) Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

4.: (a) Replenishable

5.: (c) Solar energy

6.: (a) Coal

7.: (a) Biotic and Abiotic

8.: (c) Over-irrigation

9.: (d) all of the above

10. (d) Uttarakhand

11. (d) Privately owned house

12. (b) Gujarat

13. (c) deforestation

14. (a) Gully erosion

15.: (a) 33

16. (a) community owned resource

17. (c) Human beings

18. (b) Stock

19. (b) Tea, coffee and cashewnut

20. (b) 12 nautical miles

21. (d) Animal

22. (b) Mahatma Gandhi

23.: (d) Non-renewable resources

24. (d) Phosphoric contents

25. (d) 130 million hectares

26. (a) 30%

27.: (c) Black soil

1) On the basis of origin, resources can be classified as ______ and _____.

a) Biotic and Abiotic

b) Renewable and Non-renewable

c) Potential and Developed

d) None of the above

2) On the basis of the status of development, resources can be classified as ______.

a) Potential
b) Developed Stock

c) Reserves

d) All of the above

3) Which of the following statements is true?

a) Abiotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life, such as human beings, flora and fauna.

b) Biotic resources are all those things which are composed of non-living things like rocks and metals.

c) Both options (a) and (b) are false.

d) Both options (a) and (b) are true.

4) Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of non-renewable resources which take _____ for their formation.

a) Hundreds of years

b) Thousands of years

c) Millions of years

d) Just a year

5) All the minerals, water resources, forests, wildlife, land within the political boundaries and oceanic area up to
__________ from the coast termed as territorial water and resources therein belong to the nation.

a) 20 nautical miles

b) 25 nautical miles

c) 15 nautical miles

d) 12 nautical miles

6) The oceanic resources beyond ______________ of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to the open ocean, and
no individual country can utilise these without the concurrence of international institutions.

a) 200 nautical miles

b) 12 nautical miles

c) 22.5 nautical miles

d) 100 nautical miles

7) ______ are the resources which are surveyed, and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilisation.

a) Developed resources
b) Reserves

c) Stock

d) Abiotic

8) _______ are the subset of the ______, which can be put into use with the help of existing technical ‘know-
how’, but their use has not been started.

a) Reserves, developed resources

b) Stocks, reserves

c) Developed resources, stock

d) Reserves, stock

9) In June 1992, more than 100 heads of state met in ________ in Brazil for the first International Earth
Summit.

a) Rio de Janeiro

b) São Paulo

c) Brasilia

d) Curitiba

10) The Rio Convention endorsed the Global Forest Principles and adopted _______ for achieving sustainable
development in the 21st century.

a) Agenda 20

b) Agenda 21

c) Agenda 19

d) Agenda 22

11) Which of the following statements about Agenda 21 is true?

a) It aims at achieving global sustainable development.

b) It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty and disease through global cooperation.

c) One of the major objectives of Agenda 21 is that every local government should not draw its own local Agenda 21.

d) Option (a) and (b).

12) The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and _________ deposits.

a) Coal

b) Gold
c) Silicon

d) None of the above

13) The state of Rajasthan is very well endowed with solar and _______ energy but lacks water resources.

a) Geothermal

b) Hydro

c) Wind

d) Tidal

14) ________ was the famous Indian freedom fighter who made an important observation about resource
conservation – “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed”.

a) Mahatma Gandhi

b) Jawaharlal Nehru

c) Subash Chandra Bose

d) Dr B. R. Ambedkar

15) The Brundtland Commission Report published in ________, shared ideas about sustainable development
and how it could be achieved.

a) 1997

b) 1987

c) 1992

d) 1977

16) About _________ of India’s land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry.

a) 43%

b) 53%

c) 34%

d) 45%

17) __________ account for 30% of the total surface area of India.

a) Deserts

b) Mountains

c) Plains
d) Plateaus

18) Land which is left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year is known as ________.

a) Gross cropped area

b) Culturable wasteland

c) Current fallow

d) Grazing land

19) Land which is left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years is known as ________.

a) Culturable wasteland

b) Barren land

c) Pastures

d) Fallow Lands

20) 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 _______.

a) Madhya Pradesh

b) Assam

c) Rajasthan

d) Punjab

ANSWERS

1) Option (a)

2) Option (d)

3) Option (c)

4) Option (c)

5) Option (d)

6) Option (a)

7) Option (a)

8) Option (d)

9) Option (a)
10) Option (b)

11) Option (d)

12) Option (a)

13) Option (c)

14) Option (a)

15) Option (b)

16) Option (a)

17) Option (b)

18 Option (c)

19) Option (a)

20) Option (d)

MCQs for Class 10 Resources and Development

1.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 _______.

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) Assam

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Punjab

2.Land which is left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years is known as ________.

(a) Culturable waste land

(b) Barren land

(c) Pastures

(d) Fallow Lands

3.Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?

(a) Intensive cultivation

(b) Deforestation

(c) Over irrigation

(d) Overgrazing

4.In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?

(a) Punjab

(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh

(c) Haryana

(d) Uttarakhand

5.Resource planning is essential for _________ existence of all form of life

(a) Ecological balance

(b) Exploitation

(c) Sustainable

(d) None of these

6.In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found?

(a) Jammu and Kashmir

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Jharkhand

7.Material in the environments which have the potential to satisfy the human need but human being don’t have
appropriate technology to access them are called

(a) Potential resource

(b) Developed resource

(c) Stocks

(d) Reserve

8.The Rio Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted _______ for achieving Sustainable
Development in the 21st century.
(a) Agenda 20

(b) Agenda 21(Ans)

(c) Agenda 19

(d) Agenda 22

9.Why is resource planning necessary in India?

(a) Due to large availability of resources

(b) Due to limited availability of resources

(c) Due to enormous diversity in the availability of resources

(d) Due to corruption and mismanagement

10.Geothermal energy in Puga valley and Parvati valley are

(a) Stock resource

(b) Reserve resource

(c) Developed resource

(d) Potential resource

11.“There is enough for everybody’s need but not for anybody’s greed”. Who said this?

(a) Jawahar Lal Nehru

(b) Atal Bihari Vajpai

(c) M K Gandhi (Ans)

(d) Sunder Lal Bahuguna

12.The full form of UNCED is:

(а) United Nations Convention on Energy and Development.

(b) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

(c) United Nations Commission on Energy and Development.

(d) None of these.

13._______ are the subset of the ______, which can be put into use with the help of existing

technical ‘know-how’, but their use has not been started.

(a) Reserves, Developed Resources

(b) Stocks, Reserves

(c) Developed Resources, Stock

14.Which one of the following is an example of Cultivable Wasteland ?

(а) Barren Wasteland .

(b) Current Fallow Land.

(c) Uncultivable Land.

(d) Net Sown Area.

15.Match the following options in Column I with those in Column II.

Column I Column II
A. Regur soil 1. Alluvial soil
B. Kankar 2. Black soil
C. Khadar soil 3.Laterite soil
D. Brick soil 4. Arid soil

Choose the correct option from the options given below

(a)A- 4 B-3 2-3 1-4 (b) A-1 B-3 C-2 D-4 (c) A-4 B-2 C-3 D-1 (d) A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3

ANSWER

1 (d) Punjab

2 (a) Culturable waste land

3. (d) Over irrigation

4. (d) Uttarakhand

5. (c) Sustainable

6. (b) Maharashtra

7. (c) Stocks

8. Option (b)

9. (c) Due to enormous diversity in the availability of resources

10. (c) Developed resource

11 (c) M K Gandhi

12. (b) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

13. (d) Reserves, Stock

14. (c) Uncultivable Land.

15. (d) A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Geography Chapter 1

Resources and Development
Q1. What do you understand by a ‘Resource’? Give examples. (2015)

Q2. “Resources are a function of human activities.” Justify this statement.

Q3. Write the classification of resources on four different bases. (2015)

Q 4. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of origin and give one example of each.

Q 5. Classify the resources on the basis of exhaustibility and give two examples of each.

Q 6. Write two types of renewable resources and give one example of each type.

Q7.Write two characteristics of non-renewable resources and write their two broad categories with examples.

Q 8.Give any two examples of non-renewable resources. (2015)

Q 9.Explain four types of resources based on ownership and give one example of each type. (2014)
Q10.Distinguish between the following:
1. Potential and Developed Resources;
2. Stock and Reserves.

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

Q 12.How are natural resources important for man? Give five points.

Q 13.List the problems which resulted due to indiscriminate use of resources by man.

Q14. “Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence.” Discuss.

Q15. What do you understand by ‘sustainable economic development’?

Q 16.Why is ‘Resource Planning’ necessary? Give reasons.

Q17. “India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources.” Name four varied regions to justify this statement.

Q18. Explain three stages of ‘resource planning.’ (2015)

Q19. “Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country like India”. Justify this
statement with two relevant points and an example. (2013)

Q20. Write four factors which determine resource development in a region.

Q 21. What do you understand by ‘conservation of resources’? Why is it necessary to conserve our resources? Give
three reasons.

Q22 .Explain the concept of resource conservation as voiced by Gandhiji. (2012)

Or
Whom did Gandhiji make responsible for the depletion of resources at the global level?

Q 23.Write four institutional efforts made at global level for ‘resource conservation’.

Q 24.Write the major features of Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992.

Q 25. “The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generation”. Justify the
statement by giving suitable examples. (2012)
Or
Why is the issue of sustainability relevant for development?

Q 26.Why is land as a resource important for us? Write four points.

Q27.Why land-use should be done in a planned manner? Write two points.

Q28.Look at the picture and name three major relief features of India and their respective share in the total area.

Q29.Name the relief feature occupying the largest area, along with its percentage share in the total area.

Q 30.Name three main relief features of India and write the importance of each

Q31.Look at the picture and explain the land-use pattern in India. Why has land under forest not increased much since
1960-61?

Q 32.Distinguish between each of the following:

(a) Current fallow and other than current fallow land
(b) Waste-land and culturable waste-land
(c) Net sown area and gross cropped area.

Q33.What do you understand by ‘reported area’? What is the reported area of India and why? Give two major reasons.

Q 34.Write three physical and three human factors which determine the use of land.

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

Q 36.“The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another.”
Or
Name two states having high net sown area and two states having low net sown area. Give two reasons for each.
Q 37.According to National Forest Policy, how much of the country’s area should be under forest cover and why?
Give two considerations for this norm. Have we been able to meet this norm?

Q 38.What is land degradation? What is the area of degraded land in India? Name four types of waste-lands and their
percentage share respectively.

Q 39.Write six human activities which have caused land degradation.

Q 40.Which factor is mainly responsible for maximum land degradation in India? (2015)

Q 41.Distinguish between biotic and abiotic resources by stating four points.

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

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

Q 43.Write some measures/ways to solve problems of land degradation. (2014)

Q 44.What is soil? How is it an important resource for us?

Q 45.Write the main factors responsible for soil formation.

Q46.Write four factors which are responsible for varied types of soils in India.

Q47.On what basis are soils classified into different types?

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

Q 49. Write three regional/local names of areas where you find coarse alluvial soil and name one deltaic area which
has fine alluvial soil.

Q 50.Classify alluvial soils on the basis of their age. Write two characteristics of each.

Q 51.Write the main characteristics of alluvial soils.

Q 52.Give the distribution of alluvial soils in brief.

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

Q 54. Write six characteristics of regur soils (black soils). (2015)

Q 55. Give the distribution of black/regur Soil. (2015)

Q56.In what broad category do the soils of Maharashtra fall? (2014)

Q 57.What is regur soil? Write its two features. Mention any two regions where regur soil is found.

Q 58.Write the distribution of red and yellow soils. Give reasons for their colour.
Or
How does red soil develop and in which part of India? What makes it look red and yellow?
Q59.Write four characteristics of laterite soils. Why are they called laterite?

Q60.Write six states which have laterite soils and name the important crops which grow well in these soils.

Q 61.Write the main characteristics of arid soils. (2014)

Q62.Write the main features of forest soils. What are the different types of soils found in the hilly forested areas?

Q63. What is soil erosion? Write the main causes of soil erosion.

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

Q 65.Write the land area degraded by gully erosion and name five states where gully erosion is very pronounced.

Q 66.Write four methods of soil conservation.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Geography Chapter 1

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

Question 2.
“Resources are a function of human activities.” Justify this statement.
Answer:
Mere presence of resources, as free gifts of nature, does not make them resources. Human beings are essential
components of resources because they transform material available in our environment into resources. The utility of
resources depends on the stage of cultural development of man and the tools and technology used by him.
Question 3.
Write the classification of resources on four different bases. (2015)
Answer:
Resources can be classified in the following four ways:
(a) On the basis of Origin:

 Biotic
 Abiotic

(b) On the basis of exhaustibility:

 Renewable
 Non-renewable

(c) On the basis of ownership:

 Individual (Personal)
 Community
 National
 International

(d) On the basis of status and development:

 Potential
 Developed
 Reserve
 Stock

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

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

Renewable Resources. The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical and mechanical
processes are known as renewable or replenishable resources, e.g., water, wildlife, forests, solar energy, wind energy
etc.

Non-renewable Resources. The resources which once get exhausted, cannot be remade. They take a long geological
period of time, i.e., millions of years in their formation, e.g., minerals, fossil fuels etc.

Question 6.
Write two types of renewable resources and give one example of each type.
Answer:
Two types of renewable resources are as follows:
 1. Continuous or Flow Resources, e.g., wind and water resources.
2. Biological Resources, e.g., natural vegetation (forests) and wildlife.

Question 7.
Write two characteristics of non-renewable resources and write their two broad categories with examples.
Answer:
Two characteristics of non-renewable resources:

1. They cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.

2. They take millions of years in their formation.

Two broad categories of non-renewable resources:

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

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

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

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

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

Question 10.
Distinguish between the following:
1. Potential and Developed Resources;
2. Stock and Reserves.
Answer:
1. Potential Resources. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised, e.g.r Gujarat and Rajasthan
have a lot of potential for the development of wind and solar energy, but so far they have not been developed fully.
Developed Resources. Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilisation. The development of resources depends on technology and level of their feasibility, e.g., water resources
used for hydel power generation or irrigation purposes.

2. Stock. Materials in the environment, which have the potential to satisfy human needs but man does not have the
appropriate technology to access them are included among stock, e.g. water is a compound of two inflammable gases:
hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich Source of energy. But we do not have the required technical know-
how to use them for this purpose. Reserves. Reserves are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the
help of existing technical ‘know-how’ but their full use has been postponed for meeting the future needs, e.g., forest
reserves, iron-ore reserves, water in the dams etc.
Question 11.
Name the categories under which natural resources can be grouped on the basis of state of development.
Answer:

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

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

1. Resources are vital for human survival.

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

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

1. It has resulted in depletion of many resources.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 18.
Explain three stages of ‘resource planning.’ (2015)
Answer:
Three stages of resource planning:

1. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping
and the qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
2. Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for
implementing resource development plAnswer:
3. Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plAnswer:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to the depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of
few individuals.
2. Irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources leads to socio-economic and environmental problems.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Land Resources

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

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

Question 27.
Why land-use should be done in a planned manner? Write two points.
Answer:

1. Land is a fixed asset.

2. As land is used for varied purposes and activities and for human sustenance, therefore it is important to use the
available land for various purposes with careful planning.

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

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

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

Relief Features Their Importance /Uses

(i) provide facilities for agriculture.

(ii) provide facilities for industrial development.

1. Plains
(iii) because of their level, nature and ease of construction, plains support huge
population of the country.
(i) ensure perennial flow of some rivers and many rivers rise from them.

(ii) provide facilities for tourism.

2. Mountains
(iii) are important from ecological point of view, e.g. have lot of forest
wealth and wildlife.
(i) possess rich reserves of minerals.

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

(iii) possess rich forest cover.

Question 31.
Look at the picture and explain the land-use pattern in India. Why has land under forest not increased much since
1960-61?
Answer:
The major land-use categories and their percentage share is:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 33.
What do you understand by ‘reported area’? What is the reported area of India and why? Give two major reasons.
Answer:
The percentage of total area for which land-use statistics (data) are available, is termed as ‘reported area’. India’s
reported area is 93%.
Reasons:

 Because the land-use reporting for most of the north-eastern states, except Assam, has not been done.
 Some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have not been surveyed.

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

 Topography
 Climate
 Soil types

Human Factors:

 Population density
 Technological capability
 Culture and traditions

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

1. These lands may be of poor quality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Water eroded area .. 56%

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

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

1. Deforestation
2. Overgrazing
3. Mining activities — mining sites are abandoned after excavation leaving deep scars and traces of over-
burdening.
4. Mineral processing produces large quantities of dust in the atmosphere, which on settling down on land, retards
the process of infiltration of water into the soil.
5. Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging which increases salinity and alkalinity in the soil.
6. Industrial effluents — such wastes cause land and water pollution.

Question 40.
Which factor is mainly responsible for maximum land degradation in India? (2015)
Answer:
Over-grazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. States where over-grazing has resulted in land
degradation are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

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

Biotic resources Abiotic resources

(i) The resources which are obtained from (i) All those things which are composed of non-
biosphere are biotic resources. living things are called abitoic resources.
(ii) They have life. (ii) They do not have life.
(iii) These include flora and fauna, fisheries, (iii) These incoude rocks, metals, land, air,
livestock, human beings, etc. mountains, rivers, etc.
(iv) Minerals such as coal and petroleum are
(iv) Minerals such as gold, iron, copper, silver,
included in this category because they were
etc. come in this category.
formed from decayed organic matter.

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

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

Answer:

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

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

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

Soil As A Resouce

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

 It is the medium of plant growth.

 It supports different types of living organisms on earth.

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

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

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

1. Varied relief features

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

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

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

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

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

Alluvial soil is the most widely spread soil.

The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil.

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

Question 50.
Classify alluvial soils on the basis of their age. Write two characteristics of each.
Answer:
According to their age, alluvial soils are of two types: Bangar and Khadar.
Bangar Khadar
(i) It is old alluvial soil. (i) It is new alluvial soil.
(ii) It has higher concentration of ‘kankar’
(ii) It has more fine particles.
nodules.
(iii) It is coarser and is found in the old river (iii) It is more fertile than ‘Bangar’ and is found
terraces. in flood plains.

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

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

Question 52.
Give the distribution of alluvial soils in brief.
Answer:
The entire northern plains are made up of alluvial soils.

 These have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems

 the Indus. Ganga and Brahmaputra.
 These soils also extend into Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor.
 These are also found in the eastern coastal plains in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri
rivers.

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

1. The climatic conditions

2. The parent rock material.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 56.
In what broad category do the soils of Maharashtra fall? (2014)
Answer:
Black soil region also known as regur soils.

Question 57.
What is regur soil? Write its two features. Mention any two regions where regur soil is found.
Answer:
Regur soil is soil which is made up of extremely fine, i.e., clayey material.
Features:

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

Regions where regur soil is found:

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

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

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

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

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

1. They are highly leached soils.

2. They develop in areas of heavy rainfall and high temperature.
3. They have low ‘humus’ content, because most of the micro-organisms particularly decomposers like bacteria
get destroyed due to high temperature.
4. These soils can be cultivated with adequate doses of manure and fertilisers.
The word laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘late/ which means brick. Since their colour is red and
resembles brick colour, these soils are called laterite soils.
Question 60.
Write six states which have laterite soils and name the important crops which grow well in these soils.
Answer:
Six states in which laterite soils are found: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of
Orissa and Assam.
Crops which grow well in these soils are: tea, coffee and cashew-nuts.

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

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

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

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

1. They are loamy and silty in valley sides.

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

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

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

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

1. Gully erosion
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels,
called gullies. They make the land unfit for cultivation. Such lands are called ‘Badlands’.
2. Sheet erosion
Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In this case top layer of the soil is washed
away.
3. Wind erosion
Wind blows off loose and dry soil from flat and sloping land causing erosion.
Question 65.
Write the land area degraded by gully erosion and name five states where gully erosion is very pronounced.
Answer:
Approximately 40 lakh hectares of land area has degraded due to gully erosion.
Five states where gully erosion is quite pronounced are: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

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

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

Important Questions for CBSE Class 10 Geography

5 Mark Questions
1. Classify resources on the basis of ownership with example.

2. Classify resources on the basis of state of development with example.

3. Why is resource planning important in the context of a country like India?

4. How has technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?

5. Explain the land use pattern in India?

6. Explain any five proper farming techniques which can be used for sol conservation.

7. How is red soil formed? Mention its features.

8. Which is most widely spread and important soil of India? State the characteristics of this type of soil?
9. Which type of soil is ideal for growth of cotton? What are the main characteristics of this type of soil? Name
some areas where they found.

10. What is soil? Analyze the four main factors which help in the formation of soil.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. What is resource planning? Mention the steps which are involved in resource planning. [CBSE 2009 (F); Sept.
2010, 14]
Or
Explain the three steps involved in the resource planning in India. [CBSE Sept. 20W]
Or
What are the three stages of resource planning in India?

2. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of exhaustibility. [CBSE 2009 (D), Sept. 2010, 2011]

3. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of ownership. [CBSE 2009 (O), 2014]
Or
Explain what is meant by national resources and individual resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2014]

4. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of the state of development. [CBSE 2008]
Or
Distinguish between stock resources and reserve resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010,12]

5. How is land a natural resource of utmost importance ? Explain with four facts. [CBSE 2008 (O), 2012, 2013]
Or
“Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.” Elaborate the statement with the help of suitable examples
highlighting the value of land resource. [CBSE 2013]

6. Which is the most widely spread and important soil of India? State any six characteristics of this type of
soil. [CBSE 2008 (F), Sept. 2010]
Or
Mention any four characteristics of alluvial soils.
Or
How are alluvial soils formed? How is Bangar different from Khadar? [CBSE 2012]

7. Which soil is called ‘regur soil? Mention any four characteristics of this type of soil. [CBSE 2009 (F), Sept.
2010, 2012, 2013]

8. How is red soil formed? Mention its three characteristics. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Or
How does red soil develop? What makes it look red and yellow? [CBSE 2014]

9. Which geographical factors are responsible for the evolution of black soil? Why is it considered the most
suitable for growing cotton? [CBSE 2012, 2013]

10. How is mountain soil (forest soil) formed? Mention any four characteristics of forest soil. .

11. Mention any four features of the arid soils.

Or
Name the soil type which is widely found in Western Rajasthan. Explain two important characteristics of this
soil type which make it unsuitable for cultivation. [CBSE 2012]

12. Explain the formation and important features of the laterite soil. [CBSE 2013, 14]
13. What is soil erosion? Explain the major types of soil erosions prevailing in India. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

14. Give reasons :

(i) Alluvial soil can hold moisture, and is very fertile.
(ii) Black soil needs to be tilled after the first rain.
(iii) Red soil is ideal for dry farming.
(iv) The percentage of organic matter in desert soil is very low.
(v) Red soil is less fertile.

15. Name two important crops associated with the following types of soil :
(a) Alluvial soil (b) Black soil
(c) Desert soil (d) Laterite soil

16. Explain the land-use pattern of India.

17. Explain any four proper fanning techniques which can be used for soil conservation.
Or
Suggest any three measures of soil conservation. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Or
What is soil conservation? Explain any three methods of soil conservation suitable to Indian conditions. [CBSE
2013, 14]

HOTS Questions and Answers

1. Do you think that resources are free gifts of nature as is assumed by many? Justify your answer with any
three suitable arguments. [CBSE 2012]

2. What is the importance of natural resources? [CBSE 2014]

3. “India has land under a variety of relief features.” Justify. [CBSE 2014]
Or
What are the main advantages of India’s land under a variety of relief features? [CBSE 2010, 2011]

4. Discuss the problems which have been caused due to over-utilisation of resources. Suggest any two ways to
save the resources.
Or
“Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems”. Justify the statement in three points. [GBSE
2012, 14]

5. “The earth has enough resources to meet the need of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one
person.” How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss. [CBSE 2013]

6. Why is there a need to conserve resources? What was Gandhiji’s opinion regarding the conservation of
resources? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Or
Explain the importance of conservation of resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011,2014]
Or
Why is it essential to have resource planning? Give three reasons. [CBSE 2014]

7. Why is there a need for resource planning? What can happen if we don’t follow the principle of resource
planning?
8. Explain any four reasons responsible for land degradation in India.
Or
Explain any four human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation in India. Give any two
suggestions to check land degradation. [CBSE 2014]

5 Mark Questions
1. Classify resources on the basis of ownership with example.
Ans. a. Individual resources: These are owned privately by individuals. Many farmers own land which allotted to them
by government against the payment of revenue. People own plots, houses and other property.
b. Community owned Resources: There are resources which are accessible to all the members of the community.
Village commons, public parks, burial ground, playgrounds in urban areas are de facto accessible to all the people
living there.
c. National resources: All the resources belong to the nation. The country has legal power to acquire even private
property for public good. We have seen roads, canals, railways being constructed on fields owned by some individuals.
Urban Development Authorities get empowered by the government to acquire land.
d. International Resources: There are international institutions which regulate some resources. The oceanic resources
beyond 200 km of the exclusive Economic Zone belong to open ocean and no individual country can utilize these
without the concurrence of international institutions.

2. Classify resources on the basis of state of development with example.

Ans. a. Potential Resources: Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized due to the lack of
capital. 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.
b. Developed resources: Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilization. The development of resources depends on technology and level of their feasibility.
c. Stock: material in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human being do not have the
appropriate technology to access these, are included among stock. For example water is a compound of two
inflammable gases: Hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich source of energy. But we do not have the
required technology to use them for this purpose. Hence it can be considered as stock.
d. Reserves: 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.
3. Why is resource planning important in the context of a country like India?
Ans. a. India has enormous diversity in the availability of recourses.
b. There are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other resources.
c. There are some regions which can be considered self sufficient in terms of availability of resources and there are
some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources.
d. For example the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in Minerals and coal deposits.
Arunachal Pradesh abundance of water resources but lake of infrastructural development.
e. The state of Rajasthan is very well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water resources.
f. The cold desert of Ladhakh is entirely isolated from the rest of the country.
4. How has technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Ans. a. Human beings interacted with nature through technological and create institutions to accelerate their economic
development.
b. As more technological development occurs there is increased need for inputs and utilization of resources.
c. Technical and technological development is closely linked to economic development.
d. For example more factories providing employment to more people are a necessity. For the factory land and labour is
used. For this mining of minerals and metals increases.

5. Explain the land use pattern in India?

Ans. a. The net sown area in India has decreased from 45.26% to 43.41%. This means that more and more agricultural
land is being shifted to other activities.
b. The pattern of the net sown area varies gently from one state to another. In Punjab and Haryana the net sown area is
80% of the total area but Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is less than 10%
of the total area.
c. The area under forests has been increased from 18.11% in 1960-61 to 22.57% in 2000-2003 and to 23% in 2005-06
yet it is far below than the scientific norms.
d. The land under permanent pastures is very low, i.e., only 3.45%.
e. Area under fallow land has also decreased which shows, that subsistence agriculture is being replaced by
commercial agriculture.
6. Explain any five proper farming techniques which can be used for sol conservation.
Ans. a. Strip Cropping: To counter the effect of wind the practice of strip cropping is followed to stop wind erosion.
Large fields are divided in strips. Grass in strips is left to grow between the crops.
b. Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines does not let water run down the slopes. This technique
involved ploughing along contours, so that the furrows follow lines linking points of the same height. Such furrows
halt the downward flow of water and reduce erosion.
c. Terrace Farming: Since ancient times farmers have built terraces or steps up a hillside creating several levels of
farms. Hill slopes are cut into a number of terraces having horizontal top and steep slopes on the back and front.
d. Crop rotation: If the same crop is sown in the same field, year after year, this consumes particular nutrients from the
soil making it infertile. Crop rotation can check the type of erosion.
e. Shelter Belts: Planting trees to create shelter also works in a similar way. Rows of such trees are called shelter belts.
These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilization of sand dunes and in establishing the desert in
western India.

7. How is red soil formed? Mention its features.

Ans. a. Formation: most of the red soils have come into existence due to weathering of ancient crystalline igneous
rocks.
b. Soils are loamy in deep depressions and in upload. They consist of loose gravels and highly coarse materials.
c. These soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
d. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
e. This soil is found in the areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau.
8. Which is most widely spread and important soil of India? State the characteristics of this type of soil?
Ans. Alluvial soil is most widely spread and important soil of India. In fact the entire northern plains are made of
alluvial soils.
a. These soils have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems-the Indus, the Ganga and the
Brahmaputra.
b. The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.
c. According to their age alluvial soil can be classified as old alluvial and new alluvial.
d. Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid
and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.
e. Due to its high fertility, region of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated.

9. Which type of soil is ideal for growth of cotton? What are the main characteristics of this type of soil? Name
some areas where they found.
Ans. Black soil is ideal for the growth of cotton soil. Following are its characteristics:
a. Black soils are also known as ‘regur’ soil or black cotton soils.
b. Such a soil is ideal for growing cotton and hence the name.
c. They have extremely good moisture retention capacity but become sticky when wet.
d. These soils are difficult work upon unless tilled during pre-monsoon periods or just after the first shower.
e. Black soils are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime but poor in phosphoric
contents.
f. This soil is found in Deccan trap areas. This includes Maharashtra, Western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and
Chhattisgarh, some parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

10. What is soil? Analyze the four main factors which help in the formation of soil.
Ans. Soil: Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports
different types of living organisms on the earth. The soil is a living system. It takes million of years to form soil up to a
few cm in depth.
a. Relief, parent rock or bed rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the
formation of soil.
b. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of
decomposition etc, contribute to the formation of soil.
c. Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil are equally important.
d. Soils also consist of organic (humus) or inorganic materials.

.Long Answer Type Questions

1. What is resource planning? Mention the steps which are involved in resource planning. [CBSE 2009 (F); Sept.
2010, 14]
Or
Explain the three steps involved in the resource planning in India. [CBSE Sept. 20W]
Or
What are the three stages of resource planning in India?

Answer: “Resource planning is a technique or skill of proper or judicious use of resources. ”

Resource planning is a complex process which involves :
(i) Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping,
qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for implementing
resource development plans
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

2. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of exhaustibility. [CBSE 2009 (D), Sept. 2010, 2011]
Answer: (i) Renewable resources: “Renewable resources are the natural resources which can be used again and again
or can be reproduced by physical, mechanical and chemical processes.” Solar energy, air, water and soil are some of
the renewable resources of energy.

(ii) Non-renewable resources: “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 examples of non renewable resources. These
resources are accumulated over millions of years. They are considered to be non-renewable resources because once
they are used up, they are gone forever.

3. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of ownership. [CBSE 2009 (O), 2014]
Or
Explain what is meant by national resources and individual resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2014]

Answer: (a) Individual Resources: Resources which are owned by private individuals are known as individual
resources. Plots, fields, houses, cars, books, etc., are some examples of individual resources.

(b) Community Owned Resources: The resources which are accessible .to all the members of the community are
known as community resources. Village ponds, public parks, playgrounds, etc., are some examples of community
resources.

(c) National Resources: All the resources which are under the control of state or union government are known as
national resources. All the resources within political boundaries are national resources because the government has the
power to acquire even the private properties.

(d) International Resources: These resources are owned and regulated by international institutions. The oceanic
resources beyond 200 km of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to the open ocean, and no individual country can
utilise these without the concurrence of international institutions. India has got the right to mine manganese nodules
from the bed of the Indian Ocean from that area which lies beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone.

4. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of the state of development. [CBSE 2008]
Or
Distinguish between stock resources and reserve resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010,12]

Answer: (i) Potential Resources : Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised due to lack of
capital or other reasons. 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.

(ii) Developed Resources : These are resources which have been surveyed and their quality and quantity have been
determined for utilisation. The development of resources depends on technology and the level of their feasibility. For
example, India has a cumulative total of about 2,47,847 million tonnes of coal resources.

(iii) Stock : These are the materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy the human needs but cannot
be used as the human beings do not have the appropriate technology to convert them into usable form. For example,
water (H20) is a compound of two inflammable gases, i.e., hydrogen and oxygen, but human beings do not have the
required technology to use them as a source of energy.

(iv) Reserves : These are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the existing technology, but their uses
have been postponed keeping in mind the needs of the future generations. For example, India has sufficient amount of
forests to fulfil the needs of the present generation, but they are being protected for the future generations.

5. How is land a natural resource of utmost importance ? Explain with four facts. [CBSE 2008 (O), 2012, 2013]
Or
“Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.” Elaborate the statement with the help of suitable examples
highlighting the value of land resource. [CBSE 2013]
Answer: Land is an important natural resource, because :
(i)All economic activities are performed on land.
(ii)It supports natural vegetation and wildlife.
(iii)Most of the minerals are formed in land.
(iv)It is used for transport and communication system.

6. Which is the most widely spread and important soil of India? State any six characteristics of this type of
soil. [CBSE 2008 (F), Sept. 2010]
Or
Mention any four characteristics of alluvial soils.
Or
How are alluvial soils formed? How is Bangar different from Khadar? [CBSE 2012]

Answer: Characteristics of the Alluvial soil are :

(i) Alluvial soils are transported soils. Most of the soils are derived from the sediments deposited by rivers as in the
Indo-Gangetic plain. Thus, the parent material of these soils is of transported origin.

(ii) These soils consist of varying proportion of sand, silt and clay. In the upper course of the river, the soil is coarse. In
the middle course, it is medium, and fine grained in the lower course.

(iii) Apart from the size of their grains or particles, soils are described according to their age as well. They are old
alluvium and new alluvium. Locally, the old alluvium is called ‘Bhangar’ and the new alluvium is called ‘Khadar’.

(iv) The old alluvium often contains ‘kankar, nodules, with calcium carbonates in the sub-soil. The new alluvium is
more fertile than the old alluvium.

7. Which soil is called ‘regur soil? Mention any four characteristics of this type of soil. [CBSE 2009 (F), Sept.
2010, 2012, 2013]

Answer:
(i) These have been formed due to withering of lava.
(if) The black soils are made of extremely fine materials, i.e., clayey materials.
(iii)These soils are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, potash and lime.
(iv)These soils are generally poor in phosphoric content.
(v)The soil is well known for its capacity to hold moisture.

8. How is red soil formed? Mention its three characteristics. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
Or
How does red soil develop? What makes it look red and yellow? [CBSE 2014]

Answer: Formation : Most of the red soils have come into existence due to weathering of ancient crystalline igneous
rocks. Characteristics/Features :
(i) Soils are loamy in deep depressions and in uplands. They consist of loose gravels and highly coarse materials.
(ii) The colour of these soils is generally red, often grading into brown, chocolate or yellow. The red colour is due to
wide diffusion rather than high percentage of iron content. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
(iii) Soils are deficient in phosphoric acid, organic matter and nitrogenous materials but are fairly rich in potash. But
crops are cultivated with the use of fertilizers.

9. Which geographical factors are responsible for the evolution of black soil? Why is it considered the most
suitable for growing cotton? [CBSE 2012, 2013]

Answer: (1) Climatic conditions like temperature, rainfall etc. along with present rock material are important factors
for making of black soil. The parent rock is volcanic rock.
(2) It is ideal for growing cotton because:
(i)It has capacity to hold moisture.
(ii)They are rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime.
(iii)This soil is also known as black cotton soil,
(iv) They develop deep cracks during hot weather, which help in the proper
aeration of the soil.

10. How is mountain soil (forest soil) formed? Mention any four characteristics of forest soil. .

Answer: Formation: The soils are formed due to mechanical weathering caused by snow, rain, temperature variation,
etc. Characteristics/Features:
(i) These soils are heterogeneous in nature, and their character changes with mountainous environment and altitude.
(ii) The soils are very rich in humus, but are deficient in potash, phosphorus and lime.
(iii) The soils are especially suitable for plantation of tea, coffee, spices and tropical fruits.
(iv) The soil is loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes. It is acidic with low humus
content in the snow covered areas. It is fertile in the lower parts of the valleys.

11. Mention any four features of the arid soils.

Or
Name the soil type which is widely found in Western Rajasthan. Explain two important characteristics of this
soil type which make it unsuitable for cultivation. [CBSE 2012]

Answer: Arid soil is widely found in Western Rajasthan.

(i) The soil ranges red to brown in colour.
(ii) The soils contain considerable amount of soluble salts.
(iii) The soils contain a low percentage of organic matter due to dry climate and absence of vegetation.
(iv) The soil is alkaline in nature as there is no rainfall to wash soluble salts.
(v) The lower horizon of the soil is occupied by ‘kankar’ because of the increasing calcium content downwards. The
‘kankar’ layer formations in the bottom horizons restrict the infiltration of water.
(vi) The soils are infertile but with irrigation and
fertilizers, the drought resistant and salt tolerant dry crops such as barley, cotton, wheat, millets, maize, pulses, etc., are
grown. (Any Four)

12. Explain the formation and important features of the laterite soil. [CBSE 2013, 14]

Answer: Formation: It develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. The laterite soil is a result of
intense leaching owing to heavy tropical rains.
Features :
(i) The soils are acidic in nature, coarser and crumbly in texture.
(ii) Due to lack of nitrogen, potassium and organic elements, the laterite soils lack fertility, and are not suitable for
cultivation. But when the soils are manured and irrigated, some crops can be cultivated.
(iii) As the soils are indefinitely durable, so they provide valuable building materials.

13. What is soil erosion? Explain the major types of soil erosions prevailing in India. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

Answer: “Soil erosion is the removal of soil by the forces of nature like wind and water, more rapidly than the various
soil forming processes can replace it.” Generally, there is a balance between the soil forming process and the erosional
process. The balance can be disturbed by natural or human factors.

Types of Soil Erosion :

(a) Water Erosion : Water is a powerful agent of soil erosion. Following are the major types of erosion caused by
water.

(i) Sheet Erosion : When the top layer of the soil is removed over a large area by the running water, it is called as sheet
erosion.
(ii) Rill Erosion : This is the second stage of sheet erosion. If erosion continues unchecked for a sufficient time, (rills)
or small finger-shaped grooves which are a few centimetres in depth, may develop on the landscape. Over a period of
time, the fine rills increase in number and also become deeper and wider, and resemble the twigs, branches and trunk
of a tree. This is called as rill erosion.

(iii) Gully Erosion : This is the third stage of sheet erosion. With further erosion of the soil, the rills may deepen and
become enlarged, and are ultimately turned into gullies. The main cause of gully erosion is the removal of vegetation,
particularly of trees with their widespread binding roots. Gullies cut up agricultural land and the entire area may be
turned into a bad land topography. Gully erosion is also responsible for the formation of ravines.

(b) Wind erosion : Wind is a powerful agent of erosion in arid and semi-arid lands with little rainfall. Wind can lift the
valuable top soil from one area and deposits in another area. The wind erosion is very dangerous type of erosion
because due to wind most of the deserts of the world are expanding.

14. Give reasons :

(i) Alluvial soil can hold moisture, and is very fertile.
(ii) Black soil needs to be tilled after the first rain.
(iii) Red soil is ideal for dry farming.
(iv) The percentage of organic matter in desert soil is very low.
(v) Red soil is less fertile.

Answer: (i) Because the alluvial soil is made up of fine particles. The soil is very fertile because it is rich in mineral
nutrients like potash and lime.
(ii) The soil is sticky, and difficult to work unless tilled immediately after the first rain.
(iii) Because it does not require much moisture.
(iv) Because of the dry climate and absence of vegetation.
(v) Because it is deficient in phosphorus, nitrogen, lime and humus.

15. Name two important crops associated with the following types of soil :
(a) Alluvial soil (b) Black soil
(c) Desert soil (d) Laterite soil

Answer: (a) Alluvial: Wheat and rice.

(b) Black: Cotton and sugarcane.
(c) Desert: Barley and ragi.
(d) Laterite: Coffee and tea.

16. Explain the land-use pattern of India.

Answer: (i) The net sown area in India has decreased from 45.26% to 43.41%. This means that more and more
agricultural land is being shifted to other activities. This is not a healthy trend, and must be checked. The steps taken
by government has resulted in increase of net sown area to 47% in 2005-06.

(ii) 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 the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.

(iii) The area under forests has increased from 18.11% in 1960-61 to 22.57% in 2000-03 and to 23% in 2005-06 yet it
is far below than the scientific norms.

(iv) The land under permanent pasture is very low, i.e., only 3.45% (Fallen to 3%). This shows the tremendous
pressure of livestock population on agricultural land. Cattle are reared mainly on the farm wastes, grain chaff and a few
fodder crops.
(v) Area under fallow land has also decreased which shows, that subsistence agriculture is being replaced by
commercial agriculture.

(vi) A part of the land is termed as waste land, and land put to other non-agricultural uses. Waste land includes rocky,
arid and desert areas, and land put to other non- agricultural uses includes settlements, roads, railways, industries, etc.

17. Explain any four proper fanning techniques which can be used for soil conservation.
Or
Suggest any three measures of soil conservation. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
Or
What is soil conservation? Explain any three methods of soil conservation suitable to Indian conditions. [CBSE
2013, 14]

Answer: Soil conservation includes all those measures which help in protecting the soil from erosion or degradation.

(i) Crop rotation : If the same crop is sown in the same field, year after year, this consumes certain nutrients from the
soil making it infertile. Crop rotation can check this type of erosion.

(ii) Settled agriculture : Checking and reducing shifting agriculture by persuading the tribal people to switch over to
settled agriculture.

(iii) Terracing and contour bunding :

Terracing and contour bunding across the hill slopes is a very effective, and one of the oldest methods of soil
conservation. Hill slope is cut into a number of terraces having horizontal top and steep slopes on the back and front.
Contour bunding involves the construction of bank along the contour.

(iv) Strip cropping : Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This
breaks up the force of the wind. This method is known as strip cropping.

(v) Shelter Belt : Planting lines of trees to create shelter also works in a similar way. Rows of such trees are called
shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilisation of sand dunes and in establishing the
desert in western India.

HOTS Questions and Answers

1. Do you think that resources are free gifts of nature as is assumed by many? Justify your answer with any
three suitable arguments. [CBSE 2012]

Answer: They are not free gifts of nature as :

(i) Resources are a function of human activities,
(ii) Human beings themselves are essential components of resources.
(iii) They transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.
For example river is a natural resource but river become a resource when its water is used for irrigation or power
production.

2. What is the importance of natural resources? [CBSE 2014]

Answer: (i) Resources are used to satisfy human wants.

(ii) Resources are base for economic development for example water, fossil fuel, solar energy is required for power
production.
(iii) Resources are vital for human survival as well as maintaining the quality of life.
(iv) Land which is a natural resource support natural vegetation, wild life, human life and all economic activities.
(v) Water which is another natural resource is essential for human, plant and wild life.
3. “India has land under a variety of relief features.” Justify. [CBSE 2014]
Or
What are the main advantages of India’s land under a variety of relief features? [CBSE 2010, 2011]

Answer: India has land under a variety of relief features, namely: mountains, plateaus, plains and islands.
(i) About 43 per cent of the land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry.
(ii) Mountains account for 30 per cent of the total surface area. They ensure perennial flow of some rivers, provide
facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
(iii) About 27 per cent of the land area is plateau. It possesses reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

4. Discuss the problems which have been caused due to over-utilisation of resources. Suggest any two ways to
save the resources.
Or
“Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems”. Justify the statement in three points. [GBSE
2012, 14]

Answer: (I) Depletion of resources : Over-utilisation has led to the depletion of the resources for meeting the greed of
a few individuals. For example, over-utilisation of petroleum products has led to a situation where most of the
countries of the world are facing energy crisis.

(ii) Concentration of resources: This has divided the society into ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ or the rich and the poor.

(iii) Global ecological crisis : Over utilisation of resources has led to the global ecological crisis such as global
warming, depletion of ozone layer, pollution and land degradation.

Suggestions :
(i) Minimising wastage.
(ii) Use of renewable resources.

5. “The earth has enough resources to meet the need of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one
person.” How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss. [CBSE 2013]

Answer: (i) Resources are vital for any developmental activity.

(ii) The irrational consumption and over utilization of resources may lead to socio economic and environmental
problems.
(iii) Indiscriminate exploitation of resources led to global ecological crises such as global warming, environmental
pollution, etc
(iv) The greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modem technology is the root cause for resource
depletion at the global level.
(v) If the present trend of resource depletion by a few individuals and countries continues, the future of our planet is in
danger.
(vi) There is need for sustainable development.
It means development should take place without damaging the environment and development in the present shout not
compromise with the need of future generations’.

6. Why is there a need to conserve resources? What was Gandhiji’s opinion regarding the conservation of
resources? [CBSE Sept. 2012]
Or
Explain the importance of conservation of resources. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011,2014]
Or
Why is it essential to have resource planning? Give three reasons. [CBSE 2014]

Answer: (i) Limited supply : Most of the resources have limited supply as compared to their demand for example
supply of fossil fuels is limited.
(ii) Pollution and global warming :
Overutilisation of natural resources may lead to environmental pollution for example over use of fossil fuel is a major
factor responsible for global warming.

(iii) Socio economic problem : The destruction of forests and wildlife is not just
a biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity. Such losses have
increasingly marginalised and impoverished many indigenous and other forest-dependent communities, who directly
depend on various components of the forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, culture, spirituality, etc. Within the
poor, women are affected more than men. In many societies, women bear the major responsibility of collection of fuel,
fodder, water and other basic subsistence needs. As these resources are depleted, the drudgery of women increases and
sometimes they have to walk for more than 10 km to collect these resources. This causes serious health problems for
women and negligence of home and children because of the increased hours of work, which often has serious social
implications. Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation. He said, “There is enough for
everybody’s need, and not for anybody’s greed. ” According to him, they were the greedy and selfish individuals who
were responsible for depletion of resources. He was in favour of producing for the masses than mass production.

7. Why is there a need for resource planning? What can happen if we don’t follow the principle of resource
planning?

Answer: (i) Most of the resources are limited in supply.

(ii) Most of the resources are unevenly distributed over the country.
(iii) Overutilisation of the resources may lead to pollution of the environment.
(iv) There is a need to plan the human resources because only then we would be able to develop our natural resources.
Effects :
(i) Energy crisis
(ii) Global warming

8. Explain any four reasons responsible for land degradation in India.

Or
Explain any four human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation in India. Give any two
suggestions to check land degradation. [CBSE 2014]

Answer: (i) Mining : Mining is one of the major factors responsible for land degradation. In states like Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation.

(ii) Overgrazing : During the long dry period, grass is grazed to the ground and torn out by the roots by animals. This
leads to loosening of soil and it is easily washed away by rains. In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and
Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation.

(iii) Overirrigation : In the states of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, overirrigation is responsible for land
degradation due to waterlogging which leads to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

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