CLASS -X- GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER1. RESOURCE & DEVELOPMENT

ASSIGNMENT:
Q1. What is a resource?
Ans: 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: minerals,
forests, fossil fuels etc.

Q2. Explain the interdependent relationship between nature, technology and

institutions.
Ans Nature gives us resources. The technology helps us to establish institutions (entities
that help in economic development, like industries) to use such resources optimally. In
the absence of resources, there can be no technology for the usage of resources and no
institution either. In the absence of technology, such resources cannot be converted into
a form that can be used for the institutions. Moreover, in the absence of institutions,
neither can the resources be used nor can the technology be developed to use the
sources.

Q3. State the classification of resources.

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

Q4. Enlist the problems that have emerged due to indiscriminate use of
resources.

ANS Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to economic, social
and ecological problems. The major problems that have arisen due to over-
exploitation, irrational consumption and indiscriminate use of resources are:
(i) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few selfish individuals. (ii)
Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which in turn, has led to social segregation
into rich and poor. The society is divided into two segments, i.e., have and have-nots.
(iii) Indiscriminate and uncontrolled exploitation of resources without
consideration for the future have led to grave ecological problems like global
warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

Q5. What is sustainable development? Suggest any two ways in which

resources can be used judiciously.
ANS: Sustainable development is a pattern of development that promises the use of
resources in a way that meets human needs while preserving the environment so that
these needs can be met not only in the present but also for generations to come. In
basic understanding, like today we are able to use the resources given to us, the future
generations should also be able to use them for which we need to keep a tab on our
usage and use the resources judiciously. Today, we need to fuel the concept of
sustainable development to make sure that resources are also available for future
generations.
Resources can be used judiciously in the following manner.
• Using bicycles or walking for short distances rather than using a two-wheeler or
four-wheeler can help in saving fuel and also will help in reducing air pollution. •
Urbanization without deforestation can help us to sustain the natural environment.
• By using CNG in place of petrol, we can help in reducing air pollution. •
Judiciously using water resources and not polluting them will help us to
preserve our water resources.

Q6. When and where was the first earth summit held? Discuss the
purpose of Rio de Janeiro earth Summit and Agenda 21.
ANS: The first United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 to formulate an Agenda to promote
sustainable development. This convention endorsed the Global Forest Principles and
adopted ‘Agenda 21’ for achieving sustainable development in the 21st century.
The objectives of Agenda 21 are the alleviation of poverty, hunger, sickness and
illiteracy worldwide while halting the deterioration of ecosystems that sustain life.
These are sub-divided into four sections
Examining the underlying human factors and problems of development. (ii)
Conservation and Management of Resources for Development. (iii) The social
partnerships necessary between governments and major groups of the
community if sustainable development is to be a reality. (iv) Means of
implementation.

Q7. “India is rich in certain types of resources but

deficient in some other resources.” Justify the statement with
suitable examples.
ANS: There are regions that are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient
in some other resources in India.
(i) Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal
deposits.
(ii) Arunachal Pradesh has an abundance of water resources but lacks in
infrastructural development.
(iii) Rajasthan is endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water
resources.
(iv) Ladakh has a rich cultural heritage but lacks in water resources and
infrastructure.

Q8. What do you mean by Resource planning? Why it is essential?

Describe the different steps of Resource planning.
ANS: Resource planning refers to the strategy for planned and judicious utilisation of
resources. Resource planning is essential for the sustainable existence of all forms of
life. Resource planning is essential for India as there is enormous diversity in the
availability of resources. For example, the state of Rajasthan has vast potential for the
development of solar and wind energy but is deficient in water resources.
The cold desert of Ladakh has rich cultural heritage but is deficient in water
and some strategic minerals.
The state of Arunachal Pradesh has an abundance of water resources but lacks
infrastructure which shows the mere availability of resources in the absence of
technology and institutions hinders development.
This shows that resource planning is needed at the national, regional, state and
local levels for the balanced development of a country.
Resource planning is a complex process that involves following steps: (i) 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.

Q.9.“There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s

greed.” EXPLAIN.

OR
Why is conservation of resources necessary?

ANS: Resources are vital for any developmental activity. But irrational consumption
and over utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental
problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is
important. This had been the main concern of the leaders and thinkers in the past. For
example, Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern
about resource conservation in these words: “There is enough for everybody’s need
and not for anybody’s greed.” He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and
exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at
the global level. He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the
production by the masses.
Q.10 “India has land under a variety of relief features.” Justify. Or
What are the main advantages of India’s land under a variety of relief features?
Ans. 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 the perennial flow of some rivers and provide facilities
for tourism and ecological aspects. (iii) About 27 per cent of the land area is a plateau.
It possesses reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

Q.11 Define the following terms –

• Culturable waste land-If the land is left uncultivated for more than five years,
it would be categorised as culturable wasteland.
• Fallow land -Fallow land is a piece of land that is normally used for farming but
that is left with no crops on it for a season in order to let it recover its fertility.
• Gross sown area -Area sown more than once in the same year is counted only
once.
• Net sown area-Net sown area is the total area sown with crops and orchards.
It represents an area in which total crops are grown per year.

Q.12.Explain the causes of land degradation in different parts/states

of the country. Suggest measures to prevent land degradation in arid
regions, industrial areas and suburban areas respectively.
ANS:
In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due
to mining have caused severe land degradation. In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land
degradation. In the states of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, overirrigation is
responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity
and alkalinity in the soil. Measures to prevent land degradation in arid regions,
industrial areas
and suburban areas respectively:
1.Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent.
2.Planting of shelter belts of plants, control on over grazing, stabilisation of sand
dunes by growing thorny bushes are some of the methods to check land
degradation in arid areas. 3.Proper management of waste lands, control of mining
activities, proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after
treatment can reduce land and water degradation in industrial and suburban areas.

Sheeba Pillai