Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Case Based Questions - Contemporary India - II

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable, is termed as a resource. Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to accelerate economic development. Resources are classified based on different criteria:

• On the basis of origin: Biotic and Abiotic
• On the basis of exhaustibility: Renewable and Non-renewable
• On the basis of ownership: Individual, Community, National, and International
• On the basis of status of development: Potential, Developed, Stock, and Reserves

i. Give an example of a biotic and an abiotic resource.(1 mark)
ii. How are resources classified based on ownership?(1 mark)
iii. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Biotic resources include elements like forests, which are composed of living organisms. In contrast, abiotic resources encompass non-living elements such as minerals.
ii. Resources are classified as Individual (private property), Community (shared by society), National (owned by the government), and International (beyond national boundaries like oceans and space).
iii. Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over time and are sustainable if used wisely (e.g., solar energy, wind energy, water). Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are finite and cannot be replenished once exhausted, taking millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas).

Sustainable economic development means that development should take place without damaging the environment, and present development should not compromise the needs of future generations. Overuse of resources has led to global crises like global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, and land degradation. To address these concerns, the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992) was organized, where leaders signed a declaration on Global Climate Change and Biological Diversity and adopted Agenda 21, which aims to promote sustainable practices globally.

i. What is meant by sustainable development?(1 mark)
ii. What was the objective of Agenda 21?(1 mark)
iii. How has overuse of resources affected the environment?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Sustainable development ensures that economic progress does not harm the environment or future generations.
ii. Agenda 21 aims to combat environmental damage, poverty, and diseases through global cooperation.
iii. Overuse of resources has caused severe environmental problems such as deforestation, global warming, ozone layer depletion, pollution (air, water, and soil), and land degradation. These issues threaten ecosystems, biodiversity, and the availability of vital natural resources for future generations.

Resource planning is essential for the balanced use of resources in India, as different regions have unequal distribution of resources. Some areas like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal, whereas Arunachal Pradesh has abundant water resources but lacks infrastructure. Rajasthan has solar and wind energy but lacks water resources, while Ladakh has rich cultural heritage but is deficient in water, infrastructure, and minerals. Proper resource planning involves identification of resources, planning for their use, and linking resource development with national development strategies.

i. Why is resource planning necessary in India?(1 mark)
ii. Which state in India has solar and wind energy but lacks water resources?(1 mark)
iii. What are the three main stages of resource planning?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Resource planning is necessary because resources are unevenly distributed in India, leading to economic disparities.
ii. Rajasthan has solar and wind energy but lacks water resources.
iii. Resource planning involves:

• Identification and inventory of resources through surveying and mapping.
• Developing a planning structure with technology and institutions.
• Matching resource development plans with overall national economic development.

Continuous overuse and mismanagement of land have led to land degradation in many parts of India. Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and over-irrigation are major causes of land degradation. For example, overgrazing in Gujarat and Rajasthan and mining in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha have caused severe damage. Conservation measures such as afforestation, controlled grazing, proper irrigation methods, and waste management can help reduce land degradation.

i. Name any two causes of land degradation in India.(1 mark)
ii. Which states suffer from land degradation due to overgrazing?(1 mark)
iii. Suggest two measures to control land degradation.(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Two causes of land degradation in India are deforestation and over-irrigation.
ii. Gujarat and Rajasthan suffer from land degradation due to overgrazing.
iii. Two measures to control land degradation are:

• Afforestation: Planting more trees to restore vegetation and prevent soil erosion.
• Proper waste management: Reducing industrial and agricultural pollution to protect soil quality.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Soil erosion is the removal of the topsoil layer due to natural and human activities. Running water creates deep channels called gullies, while strong winds blow away topsoil in arid regions. Human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, and poor agricultural practices accelerate soil erosion. Conservation techniques such as contour ploughing, strip cropping, terrace farming, and shelter belts help prevent soil loss and maintain soil fertility.

i. What is soil erosion?(1 mark)
ii. How does running water cause soil erosion?(1 mark)
iii. Suggest two methods to conserve soil in hilly areas.(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Soil erosion is the removal of the fertile topsoil due to wind, water, and human activities.
ii. Running water creates deep channels (gullies) that wash away the soil, leading to unproductive land.
iii. Two methods to conserve soil in hilly areas are:

• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contours of the slope to reduce water flow and soil loss.
• Terrace farming: Creating step-like fields on hills to slow down water runoff and prevent soil erosion.

Resources are essential for human survival and maintaining a good quality of life. However, indiscriminate use of resources has led to serious problems such as:

• Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals.
• Accumulation of resources in a few hands, dividing society into rich and poor.
• Environmental issues like global warming, ozone layer depletion, pollution, and land degradation.
  To ensure a sustainable quality of life, resource planning is necessary.

i. Mention one major problem caused by the indiscriminate use of resources.(1 mark)
ii. What is resource planning?(1 mark)
iii. How does overuse of resources lead to environmental crises?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. One major problem caused by the indiscriminate use of resources is the depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals.
ii. Resource planning is the judicious and planned use of resources to ensure sustainability and avoid overexploitation.
iii. Overuse of resources leads to environmental crises by causing deforestation, pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and land degradation. It also depletes non-renewable resources, disrupting ecosystems and threatening the balance of nature, which ultimately affects the quality of life for present and future generations.

The total geographical area of India is 3.28 million square kilometers, but land use data is available only for 93% of the total area. India has mountains (30%), plateaus (27%), and plains (43%), each supporting different economic activities. However, the land under forests is much lower than the required 33% as per the National Forest Policy (1952). Human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and expansion of agriculture have changed the land use pattern in India.

i. What percentage of India’s total area is covered by plains?(1 mark)
ii. Why has the forest area not increased much since 1960-61?(1 mark)
iii. How do human activities impact land use patterns?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. 43% of India’s total area is covered by plains.
ii. The forest area has not increased due to deforestation, expansion of agriculture, and urbanization.
iii. Human activities impact land use patterns by causing deforestation, constructing buildings and roads, and expanding agricultural land. These activities lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, urban growth, and changes in the natural landscape, affecting ecological balance and sustainability.

The overuse of resources has created economic, social, and environmental problems. To overcome these, resource conservation is essential. Mahatma Gandhi believed that "There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for anybody’s greed." He blamed greedy individuals and exploitative modern technology for resource depletion. At the global level, the Club of Rome (1968) and the Brundtland Commission Report (1987) promoted sustainable development to conserve resources.

i. Who said, "There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for anybody’s greed"?(1 mark)
ii. What is the Brundtland Commission Report known for?(1 mark)
iii. Why is resource conservation important for sustainable development?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Mahatma Gandhi famously stated, "There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for anybody’s greed." This quote emphasizes the importance of resource distribution based on need rather than greed.
ii. The Brundtland Commission Report (1987) introduced the concept of Sustainable Development to promote resource conservation.
iii. Resource conservation is important for sustainable development because it ensures that future generations have access to essential resources, prevents environmental degradation caused by overexploitation, and helps reduce economic inequalities by promoting equitable resource distribution. It also supports ecological balance and long-term economic stability.

India has a variety of soils due to its diverse landforms, climates, and vegetation.

• Alluvial Soil: Found in plains of north India and coastal deltas, rich in potash and lime, ideal for wheat and rice cultivation.
• Black Soil: Found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, known for high moisture retention, suitable for cotton cultivation.
• Red and Yellow Soil: Found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and southern states, rich in iron, used for millets and pulses.

i. Which soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation?(1 mark)
ii. Name two states where alluvial soil is found.(1 mark)
iii. How is red and yellow soil formed, and where is it found?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Black soil is the most suitable type of soil for cotton cultivation.
ii. Punjab and West Bengal are both known for their extensive deposits of alluvial soil.
iii. Red and yellow soil is formed due to the weathering of igneous rocks. This type of soil is typically found in several regions of India, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Soil erosion occurs when the top fertile layer of soil is removed by wind, water, or human activities. There are different types of soil erosion:

• Gully erosion: Water cuts deep channels into the soil, seen in Chambal ravines.
• Sheet erosion: A thin layer of soil is removed from large areas by rainwater or wind.
• Wind erosion: Loose soil in desert areas is blown away by strong winds.
  Preventive measures include contour ploughing, strip cropping, terrace farming, and shelter belts.

i. What is gully erosion?(1 mark)
ii. Which region in India is most affected by gully erosion?(1 mark)
iii. Suggest two methods to prevent soil erosion.(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Gully erosion occurs when running water cuts deep channels (gullies) into the soil, making land unfit for agriculture.
ii. The Chambal basin in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is the region most affected by gully erosion.
iii. Contour ploughing and terrace farming are two effective methods to prevent soil erosion. Contour ploughing involves ploughing along the natural slope of the land, which helps to slow down water runoff and reduce soil loss. On the other hand, terrace farming creates step-like fields on hills, which also aids in controlling water flow and minimizing erosion.