NCERT Textbook: Nature’s Treasures | Science Class 6 PDF Download

 Page 1


Nature’s Treasures
11 Chapter
School vacations are always fun for Bhoomi and Surya. This 
vacation, they visit their Ajji (grandmother). Ajji lives in a 
village on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats. The air 
in the village is fresh and cooler than in the city. They can 
see beautiful hills, streams, and many interesting plants, 
animals and birds around them. 
One afternoon, Bhoomi and Surya ask Ajji to tell them 
more about the place. Ajji says, “Children, do you know that 
this place has several treasures of nature that enrich our 
lives?  The pure air is refreshing and the soil is so fertile 
that it supports a variety of living beings. Moreover, this 
place gets plenty of sunlight which is useful in many ways. 
Different varieties of trees provide food and shelter to 
animals including various birds and insects. Can you think 
of more such treasures of nature?” 
A village
Chapter 11.indd   207 10-07-2024   16:34:43
Page 2


Nature’s Treasures
11 Chapter
School vacations are always fun for Bhoomi and Surya. This 
vacation, they visit their Ajji (grandmother). Ajji lives in a 
village on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats. The air 
in the village is fresh and cooler than in the city. They can 
see beautiful hills, streams, and many interesting plants, 
animals and birds around them. 
One afternoon, Bhoomi and Surya ask Ajji to tell them 
more about the place. Ajji says, “Children, do you know that 
this place has several treasures of nature that enrich our 
lives?  The pure air is refreshing and the soil is so fertile 
that it supports a variety of living beings. Moreover, this 
place gets plenty of sunlight which is useful in many ways. 
Different varieties of trees provide food and shelter to 
animals including various birds and insects. Can you think 
of more such treasures of nature?” 
A village
Chapter 11.indd   207 10-07-2024   16:34:43
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
208
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air.
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
From this activity, we find that it is difficult to 
hold our breath for a long time. The air which 
we breathe in has oxygen. Our body needs 
oxygen to perform its functions. When we hold 
our breath for a long time, the body does not 
get enough oxygen to perform its functions. 
Thus, we need oxygen for our survival. Similarly, 
most of the living beings also need oxygen for  
their survival.  
Breathing exercise
Caution  
Do not hold your 
breath for so long 
that you start feeling 
uncomfortable.
Chapter 11.indd   208 10-07-2024   16:34:45
Page 3


Nature’s Treasures
11 Chapter
School vacations are always fun for Bhoomi and Surya. This 
vacation, they visit their Ajji (grandmother). Ajji lives in a 
village on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats. The air 
in the village is fresh and cooler than in the city. They can 
see beautiful hills, streams, and many interesting plants, 
animals and birds around them. 
One afternoon, Bhoomi and Surya ask Ajji to tell them 
more about the place. Ajji says, “Children, do you know that 
this place has several treasures of nature that enrich our 
lives?  The pure air is refreshing and the soil is so fertile 
that it supports a variety of living beings. Moreover, this 
place gets plenty of sunlight which is useful in many ways. 
Different varieties of trees provide food and shelter to 
animals including various birds and insects. Can you think 
of more such treasures of nature?” 
A village
Chapter 11.indd   207 10-07-2024   16:34:43
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
208
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air.
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
From this activity, we find that it is difficult to 
hold our breath for a long time. The air which 
we breathe in has oxygen. Our body needs 
oxygen to perform its functions. When we hold 
our breath for a long time, the body does not 
get enough oxygen to perform its functions. 
Thus, we need oxygen for our survival. Similarly, 
most of the living beings also need oxygen for  
their survival.  
Breathing exercise
Caution  
Do not hold your 
breath for so long 
that you start feeling 
uncomfortable.
Chapter 11.indd   208 10-07-2024   16:34:45
Nature’s Treasures
209
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air .
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
We can survive without food or water for a few 
days, but we cannot survive without oxygen for 
even a few minutes.
Do you 
know?
Fig. 11.1: Composition of air
You notice the presence of air when the leaves of a tree 
rustle, the clothes hanging on a clothes line sway , or the pages 
of an open book begin to flutter once a fan is switched on.
Moving air is called wind. Sometimes it blows fast, for 
example, during a storm, and sometimes it blows gently as a 
breeze. You must have played with a firki (paper pinwheel) 
many times. Let us make a firki by performing Activity 11.2.
The air which surrounds the Earth is a mixture of gases. 
Can you name some gases which are present in the air? Air 
contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and other 
gases in small quantities. Fig. 11.1 gives the composition of air 
in percentage. Notice that in Fig. 11.1 there are 100 squares. 
Out of 100 squares, 78 are occupied by nitrogen, 
21 are occupied by oxygen, and 1 by argon, carbon 
dioxide and other gases. 
Percentage is the number of parts in 100. It is 
denoted by the symbol ‘%’.
More to 
know!
Composition of air
Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%) 
Argon, carbon dioxide 
and other gases (1%) 
Chapter 11.indd   209 10-07-2024   16:35:24
Page 4


Nature’s Treasures
11 Chapter
School vacations are always fun for Bhoomi and Surya. This 
vacation, they visit their Ajji (grandmother). Ajji lives in a 
village on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats. The air 
in the village is fresh and cooler than in the city. They can 
see beautiful hills, streams, and many interesting plants, 
animals and birds around them. 
One afternoon, Bhoomi and Surya ask Ajji to tell them 
more about the place. Ajji says, “Children, do you know that 
this place has several treasures of nature that enrich our 
lives?  The pure air is refreshing and the soil is so fertile 
that it supports a variety of living beings. Moreover, this 
place gets plenty of sunlight which is useful in many ways. 
Different varieties of trees provide food and shelter to 
animals including various birds and insects. Can you think 
of more such treasures of nature?” 
A village
Chapter 11.indd   207 10-07-2024   16:34:43
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
208
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air.
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
From this activity, we find that it is difficult to 
hold our breath for a long time. The air which 
we breathe in has oxygen. Our body needs 
oxygen to perform its functions. When we hold 
our breath for a long time, the body does not 
get enough oxygen to perform its functions. 
Thus, we need oxygen for our survival. Similarly, 
most of the living beings also need oxygen for  
their survival.  
Breathing exercise
Caution  
Do not hold your 
breath for so long 
that you start feeling 
uncomfortable.
Chapter 11.indd   208 10-07-2024   16:34:45
Nature’s Treasures
209
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air .
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
We can survive without food or water for a few 
days, but we cannot survive without oxygen for 
even a few minutes.
Do you 
know?
Fig. 11.1: Composition of air
You notice the presence of air when the leaves of a tree 
rustle, the clothes hanging on a clothes line sway , or the pages 
of an open book begin to flutter once a fan is switched on.
Moving air is called wind. Sometimes it blows fast, for 
example, during a storm, and sometimes it blows gently as a 
breeze. You must have played with a firki (paper pinwheel) 
many times. Let us make a firki by performing Activity 11.2.
The air which surrounds the Earth is a mixture of gases. 
Can you name some gases which are present in the air? Air 
contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and other 
gases in small quantities. Fig. 11.1 gives the composition of air 
in percentage. Notice that in Fig. 11.1 there are 100 squares. 
Out of 100 squares, 78 are occupied by nitrogen, 
21 are occupied by oxygen, and 1 by argon, carbon 
dioxide and other gases. 
Percentage is the number of parts in 100. It is 
denoted by the symbol ‘%’.
More to 
know!
Composition of air
Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%) 
Argon, carbon dioxide 
and other gases (1%) 
Chapter 11.indd   209 10-07-2024   16:35:24
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
210
We have learnt that air is very important for us. Water too 
is essential and precious for us. How do you feel when you 
cannot get water to drink, especially when you are thirsty? 
Let us find out more about water .
11.2 Water 
Bhoomi and Surya help Ajji in 
filling the troughs of water for 
the cows. They also help her in 
watering plants such as vegetables 
and medicinal herbs in the garden. 
Ajji teaches them how to water the 
plants so that every drop is used 
and none of it goes waste. 
Can you think of some more 
uses of water in your daily life? 
Write down your responses in the 
blank bubble. 
Activity 11.2: Let us make and decorate
 ? Take a square paper of size 15 cm x 15 cm, a pair of 
scissors, an all-pin and a soft stick.
 ? Follow the instructions shown in Fig. 11.2 to make a 
firki.  
Now, you can hold the firki in your hand and run. 
You can also blow air on it. What do you observe? 
Does the firki rotate? When you move it a little back 
and forth, the firki rotates. What makes a firki 
rotate? It is the wind that makes a firki rotate. 
The working of a windmill is similar to that 
of a firki . Wind rotates the wings of a windmill. 
Windmills can be used to run flour mills, to pull 
up water from a well, or to generate electricity. 
In India, there are many windmill farms. 
A windmill farm is an area that has a large 
number of windmills which use the energy of 
the wind to generate electricity (Fig. 11.3).
Fig 11.3: A windmill farm 
Muppandal Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu, Jaisalmer 
Wind Park in Rajasthan and Brahmanvel Wind 
Farm in Maharashtra are some of the leading 
windmill farms in our country. Find out more 
other windmill farms in our country.
More to 
know!
Fig. 11.2: Firki
1
3
2
4 5
Chapter 11.indd   210 10-07-2024   16:35:48
Page 5


Nature’s Treasures
11 Chapter
School vacations are always fun for Bhoomi and Surya. This 
vacation, they visit their Ajji (grandmother). Ajji lives in a 
village on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats. The air 
in the village is fresh and cooler than in the city. They can 
see beautiful hills, streams, and many interesting plants, 
animals and birds around them. 
One afternoon, Bhoomi and Surya ask Ajji to tell them 
more about the place. Ajji says, “Children, do you know that 
this place has several treasures of nature that enrich our 
lives?  The pure air is refreshing and the soil is so fertile 
that it supports a variety of living beings. Moreover, this 
place gets plenty of sunlight which is useful in many ways. 
Different varieties of trees provide food and shelter to 
animals including various birds and insects. Can you think 
of more such treasures of nature?” 
A village
Chapter 11.indd   207 10-07-2024   16:34:43
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
208
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air.
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
From this activity, we find that it is difficult to 
hold our breath for a long time. The air which 
we breathe in has oxygen. Our body needs 
oxygen to perform its functions. When we hold 
our breath for a long time, the body does not 
get enough oxygen to perform its functions. 
Thus, we need oxygen for our survival. Similarly, 
most of the living beings also need oxygen for  
their survival.  
Breathing exercise
Caution  
Do not hold your 
breath for so long 
that you start feeling 
uncomfortable.
Chapter 11.indd   208 10-07-2024   16:34:45
Nature’s Treasures
209
Bhoomi replies, “Ajji, we use water for drinking and 
growing vegetables.” Ajji says, “Yes. We need these treasures 
for our survival and for making our lives more comfortable. 
Without these treasures of nature, any form of life on Earth 
is not possible.” We all are a part of nature.
Ajji explains the importance of air around us and how it 
is essential for our survival. Let us find out more about air .
11.1 Air
One morning, Bhoomi and Surya see 
Ajji performing some breathing 
exercises. Ajji asks them to join her . 
She says, “I am taking deep breaths 
in, and letting them out. This helps 
in getting more fresh air in the 
lungs to stay healthy.” Bhoomi and 
Surya sit with Ajji and start taking 
deep breaths. 
Let us also perform a breathing 
exercise. 
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
 ? Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
 ? Take a deeper breath in again.
 ? Hold your breath for as long as you can and then 
breathe out slowly.
 ? How long can you hold your breath?
 ? How do you feel when you hold your breath?
We can survive without food or water for a few 
days, but we cannot survive without oxygen for 
even a few minutes.
Do you 
know?
Fig. 11.1: Composition of air
You notice the presence of air when the leaves of a tree 
rustle, the clothes hanging on a clothes line sway , or the pages 
of an open book begin to flutter once a fan is switched on.
Moving air is called wind. Sometimes it blows fast, for 
example, during a storm, and sometimes it blows gently as a 
breeze. You must have played with a firki (paper pinwheel) 
many times. Let us make a firki by performing Activity 11.2.
The air which surrounds the Earth is a mixture of gases. 
Can you name some gases which are present in the air? Air 
contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and other 
gases in small quantities. Fig. 11.1 gives the composition of air 
in percentage. Notice that in Fig. 11.1 there are 100 squares. 
Out of 100 squares, 78 are occupied by nitrogen, 
21 are occupied by oxygen, and 1 by argon, carbon 
dioxide and other gases. 
Percentage is the number of parts in 100. It is 
denoted by the symbol ‘%’.
More to 
know!
Composition of air
Nitrogen (78%)
Oxygen (21%) 
Argon, carbon dioxide 
and other gases (1%) 
Chapter 11.indd   209 10-07-2024   16:35:24
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
210
We have learnt that air is very important for us. Water too 
is essential and precious for us. How do you feel when you 
cannot get water to drink, especially when you are thirsty? 
Let us find out more about water .
11.2 Water 
Bhoomi and Surya help Ajji in 
filling the troughs of water for 
the cows. They also help her in 
watering plants such as vegetables 
and medicinal herbs in the garden. 
Ajji teaches them how to water the 
plants so that every drop is used 
and none of it goes waste. 
Can you think of some more 
uses of water in your daily life? 
Write down your responses in the 
blank bubble. 
Activity 11.2: Let us make and decorate
 ? Take a square paper of size 15 cm x 15 cm, a pair of 
scissors, an all-pin and a soft stick.
 ? Follow the instructions shown in Fig. 11.2 to make a 
firki.  
Now, you can hold the firki in your hand and run. 
You can also blow air on it. What do you observe? 
Does the firki rotate? When you move it a little back 
and forth, the firki rotates. What makes a firki 
rotate? It is the wind that makes a firki rotate. 
The working of a windmill is similar to that 
of a firki . Wind rotates the wings of a windmill. 
Windmills can be used to run flour mills, to pull 
up water from a well, or to generate electricity. 
In India, there are many windmill farms. 
A windmill farm is an area that has a large 
number of windmills which use the energy of 
the wind to generate electricity (Fig. 11.3).
Fig 11.3: A windmill farm 
Muppandal Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu, Jaisalmer 
Wind Park in Rajasthan and Brahmanvel Wind 
Farm in Maharashtra are some of the leading 
windmill farms in our country. Find out more 
other windmill farms in our country.
More to 
know!
Fig. 11.2: Firki
1
3
2
4 5
Chapter 11.indd   210 10-07-2024   16:35:48
Nature’s Treasures
211
We have learnt that air is very important for us. Water too 
is essential and precious for us. How do you feel when you 
cannot get water to drink, especially when you are thirsty? 
Let us find out more about water .
11.2 Water 
Bhoomi and Surya help Ajji in 
filling the troughs of water for 
the cows. They also help her in 
watering plants such as vegetables 
and medicinal herbs in the garden. 
Ajji teaches them how to water the 
plants so that every drop is used 
and none of it goes waste. 
Can you think of some more 
uses of water in your daily life? 
Write down your responses in the 
blank bubble. 
Activity 11.2: Let us make and decorate
 ? Take a square paper of size 15 cm x 15 cm, a pair of 
scissors, an all-pin and a soft stick.
 ? Follow the instructions shown in Fig. 11.2 to make a 
firki.  
We need water for many daily activities such as drinking, 
cooking, bathing, washing and cleaning. It is also used for 
growing crops and for industrial purposes. Where do we get 
water from? Make a list of the different sources of water.
Water covers about two-thirds of the Earth’s surface. 
Most of the water is found in oceans and seas. However, 
this water is saline or salty. This saline water is not fit for 
domestic, agricultural and industrial use. For all these 
activities, we need freshwater, which is present in the form 
of ice sheets or snow, rivers or lakes on the surface of the 
Earth, and underground. Freshwater present in ice sheets 
..................................
..................................
We need 
water for 
drinking.
Watering the plants
Chapter 11.indd   211 10-07-2024   16:35:50