Q 1. What are non-renewable resources? Give two examples.
Solution
The resources which when exhausted cannot be easily synthesized and take millions of years to be synthesized are called as non-renewable resources. Example – coal and petroleum.
Q 2. State any one reason for the conservation of forest and wild life.
Solution
Conservation of wildlife and forests is vital for the ecological stability of a particular area.
Q 3. What do you mean by sustainable management of natural resources?
Solution
Sustainable management of natural resources means to conserve the resources, use them efficiently and to avoid their misuse for individual purposes.
Q 4. The construction of large dams leads to
(i) social and
(ii) (ii) environmental problems.List two problems in each case.
Solution
(a) Social problems – They displace large number of peasants and tribals without adequate compensation.
(b) Environmental problems – They contribute enormously to deforestation and loss of biological diversity.
Q 5. List four ways in which management of fossil fuels differ from natural renewable resources of energy.
Solution
1.Fossil fuels are formed from degradation of biomass or take millions of years for its formation. 2.It is present in limited quantity or will not last indefinitely. 3.It will exhaust in future. 4.We should look for new renewable energy sources.
Q 6. (a) The increase in demand for fossil fuels is affecting our environment adversely. Justify this statement.
(b) Why is LPG considered a better fuel than coal?
Solution
(a) The increase in demand for energy leads to overuse of fossil fuels causing environmental pollution.
(b) LPG do not produce smoke while burning so it is considered a better fuel.
Q 7. Why we must conserve our forests? List any two causes for deforestation taking place.
Solution
Forests are renewable natural resources which are essential for ecological balance of ecosystems. They maintain biological diverstiy, preserve foods and safeguard future of tribals, besides providing valuable product for human welfare and raw materials for industries. Two causes for deforestation are:
(i) Indiscriminate felling of trees for the purpose of timber, fuel and industrial demand of wood.
(ii) Over-grazing by a large livestock population.
Q 8. (a)What is Chipko Movement? (b)Why should we conserve forests?
Solution
(a)It is the movement initiated by local people in the Reni Village of Garhwal, preventing the cutting down of trees by hugging the trees. It was initiated by Sunder Lal Bahuguna to stop the commercial exploitation of forest.
(b)We should conserve forest because the trees hold soil, prevents floods, brings rainfall, and thus maintains ecological balance on the earth.
Q 9. Mention the names of various movements that have started to promote the concept of forest conservation.
Solution
For the conservation of forests, following movements have started: i. ‘Chipko Movement’ in the village of Garhwal started by Sundarlal Bahuguna ii. ‘Appiko movement’ in Karnataka started by Pandurang Hegde iii. Another movement started by Amrita Devi Bishnoi for protection of ‘kherjri’ trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur.
Q 10. Suggest two methods by which our consumption of coal and petroleum can be reduced.
Solution
Two methods by which our consumption of coal and petroleum can be reduced are : a. Judicious use coal and petroleum products like using public transport, using Fluorescent tubes etc. b. Use of solar energy and alternative fuels.
Q 11. List any four methods of conserving fossil fuels.
Solution
Methods of conserving fossil fuels : (i) Conversion into efficient forms like CNG. (ii) Protection of resources from fires. (iii) Avoid wastage of oil. (iv) Make more use of renewable source of energy.
Q 12. Mention some steps that are helpful in conservation of fresh water resources.
Solution
Steps that are helpful in conservation of fresh water resources are: i. Water shed management systems and water harvesting by formation of dams and various structures that store water results in conservation of water resources. ii. The organic and inorganic impurities of water should be treated well so that it can be used in agriculture and industries. iii. Resources of fresh water can also be conserved if rain water is stored in tanks and ponds and further used by means of canals throughout the year.
Q 13. What are the two factors which suggest the contamination of river water?
Solution
The contamination of river water can be usually found from two factors: (i) the presence of coliform bacteria in river water, (ii) measurement of pH of river water.
Q 14. What is Chipko Movement?
Solution
Chipko Movement was started by Sundarlal Bahuguna to protect the irrational cutting of trees. During this movement villagers embraced the trees and thus formed circle around trees that, in turn, prevent cutting of trees.
Q 15. Define the term conservation.
Solution
The term conservation means wise and controlled consumption (use) of natural resources so that they remain available and beneficial for present and future generations as well.
Q 16. What is the main purpose of formation of sanctuaries?
Solution
Sanctuaries are made to provide natural habitat to animals where hunting is not allowed and thus endangered species can be protected.
Q 17. Whose name is associated with the protection of degraded sal forests?
Solution
‘A.K. Banerjee’ worked for the protection of degraded sal forests.
Q 18. List any four disadvantages of using fossil fuels for the production of energy.
Solution
Disadvantages of using fossil fuels for the production of energy:- (i)Burning of fossil fuels (e.g.coal and petroleum products) causes air pollution. (ii)The oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur that are released on burning fossil fuels are acidic oxides. These lead to acid rain which affects our water and soil resources. (iii)Green house gases like carbon dioxide released during the combustion of fossil fuels enhances the process of global warming. (iv)Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years and there are only limited reserves. If we were to continue consuming these sources at such alarming rates, we would soon run out of energy.
Q 19. (a) Define watershed management. (b) What are the advantages of watershed management?
Solution
(a) Water shed management is a scientific method of developing land and water resources to increase the biomass production without causing ecological imbalance. (b) The advantages are: (i)Watershed management only increases the production and income of the watershed community. (ii)It also mitigates droughts and floods. (iii)It increases the life of the downstream dam and reservoirs.
Q 20. (a) How the ‘Chipko Andolan’ ultimately benefit the local population? (b) Why should we conserve wildlife?
Solution
(a) (i) It forced the government to rethink their priorities in the use of forest produce and include the local people in forest management. (ii) The local people could continue depending on the forests for meeting their basic needs. (b) Conservation of wild life helps in maintaining the ecological balance of biosphere and provides a gene bank for improvement of domesticated plants and animals.
Q 21. Mention the names of water harvesting techniques that are used in Kerala and Utter Pradesh.
Solution
The names of water harvesting techniques are i. In Kerala: surangams ii. In Utter Pradesh: bundhis
Q 22. Prejudice against the traditional use of forest areas has no basis. Comment.
Solution
It can be explained with the help of an example. The great Himalayan Park contains Alpine meadows which were grazed by sheep in summer. Nomadic shepherds drove their flocks up from the valley every summer. When the National Park was formed this practice was banned. Because of no grazing, the grass first grows very tall and then falls over on the ground preventing fresh growth. Hence, the traditional use was helpful for the forest maintenance.
Q 23. Briefly describe who all constitute the category stakeholders and why all of them are dependent on trees?
Solution
The category stakeholders includes: i. Firstly all those people who either live in forests or nearby forests and dependent on them to meet each and every requirement. ii. Second is the Forest Department, run by the Government and hence responsible for controlling land and other resources of forests. iii. Third category includes all industrialists who are dependent on trees to obtain raw material. iv. Lastly comes all those people who actively take part in conservation of wild life and natural resources.
Q 24. Which dam is made on river Ganga?
Solution
Tehri Dam is constructed on river Ganga.
Q 25. “Save the Tiger” campaign is being over emphasized these days by our Government. What may be the possible reason?
Solution
To maintain ecological balance in nature and to preserve the gene pool.
Q 26. Give two examples each of the following: (i)Renewable sources of energy (ii)Non-renewable sources of energy
Solution
(i)Sun, wind (ii)Coal, petroleum
Q 27. (a) How does formation of coal and petroleum occur? (b) Name any two products formed when fossil fuels are burnt.
Solution
(a) Coal and petroleum are formed by degradation of biomass buried over millions of years ago. (b) Products which are formed when fossil fuels are burnt: carbondioxide, water, oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur.(any two)
Q 28. How dams are useful for the society? Mention any two points.
Solution
i. Dams ensure round the year water supply to the crop fields and helps to raise agricultural production. ii. Generation of electricity. iii.Control flooding which either stops or slows the amount of water in river. iv. Water from a dam is supplied to the people in towns and cities through pipelines. In this way, construction of dams ensures continuous water supply in the region. (Any two)
Q 29. (a) “Sun is the ultimate source of energy of fossil fuels”. Justify this statement. (b) Write two disadvantages of using fossil fuels?
Solution
(a) Plants trap solar energy and convert it into food and animals get energy when they eat them. Fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals which grow by solar energy so we can say that sun is the ultimate source of energy of fossil fuels. (b) Two disadvantages of using fossil fuels are : (i) Causes air pollution (ii) Fossil fuels are expensive.
Q 30. What are advantages of ground water?
Solution
The advantages of ground water are: i. Ground water does not evaporate. ii. It is helpful in maintaining the water levels of wells. iii. Ground water provides moisture to large amount of vegetation. iv. There is relatively few chances of contamination of ground water by human and animal waste.
Q 31. List any two causes of our failure to sustain availability of underground water.
Solution
Two causes which led to the failure of sustaining the availability of underground water are: (i) Population: With the increase in population the demand of water is also increasing which is depleting the underground water. (ii) Industrialization: As the industries need more water to manufacture its goods; this led to decrease in the level of underground water.
Q 32. How is plastic recycled?
Solution
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering different types of plastic material in order to reprocess them into varied other products, unlike their original form Plastic items can be recycled with the following steps: sorting, washing, shredding, identification and classification of plastic and extruding
Q 33. With the help of an example, explain how involvement of local people can lead to efficient management of forests.
Solution
In 1970s, the West Bengal forest department with the help of forest officer, A.K. Banerjee, involved local people of Arabari forest range, Midnapore district in the protection of 1,272 hectares of badly degraded sal forest and were suitably rewarded. A remarkable recovery of value worth Rs. 12.5 crores was made possible.
Q 34. (a)Mention various threats to the wild life. (b)What steps can be taken to conserve wild life?
Solution
(a)Threats present in environment to wild life are: i. Irrational hunting of animals and cutting of trees are major threats to wild life. ii. Excess of pollution, deforestation, urbanization etc results in destruction of natural habitat that act as a threat to the wild life. (b)Steps that can be taken to conserve wild life: i. Natural habitats like forests should be protected. ii. Laws should be maintained to check irrational hunting of animals and cutting of trees.
Q 35. Why should we conserve resources like coal and petroleum?
Solution
Resources like coal and petroleum should be conserved as: i. They are present in limited amount on earth. ii. They are non-renewable sources of energy and their formation takes millions of years
Q 36. Expand the term IUCN?
Solution
IUCN stands for “International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources”.
Q 37. List any four stakeholders which may help in the conservation of forests.
Solution
Following are the list of four stakeholders which may help in the conservation of forests: (a) Local people living in villages near forest area. (b) Industrialists using the forest products. (c) Wildlife and nature enthusiasts. (d) Forest department of the government.
Q 38. Mention some of the steps that one can take to conserve the resources like coal and petroleum.
Solution
Coal and petroleum can be conserved by following methods: i. Use of alternative sources of energy like nuclear or solar energy should be encouraged. ii. Wastage of coal and petroleum during their usage should be avoided. iii. Their extraction from mines should be done in a way that will results in maximum recovery of fuels.
Q 39. How has the use of fossil fuels led to the deterioration of environment? State any two reasons.
Solution
a.On combustion, fossil fuels release oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen which are poisonous gases. Sometime CO is also released. b.Carbon dioxide released is green house gas causes global warming. c.The acidic oxides of nitrogen and sulphur produced cause acid rain when they react with atmospheric water vapours. (Any two)
Q 40. Name the movement that was started to prevent deforestation.
Solution
‘Chipko Movement’ was started to prevent the deforestation.