Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources NCERT Solutions | Geography for UPSC CSE

Exercises

Q1. Answer the following questions.
(i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
Ans: Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation.
(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
Ans: Deforestation and the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural lands are two factors contributing to land degradation.
(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?
Ans: Land is considered an important resource as it provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and fauna. 

LandAlso used by Human beings for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.
(iv) Name any two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Ans: Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals: 

• Has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for protecting natural vegetation and wildlife; for example, the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. 
• Has banned the killing of lions, tigers, deer, Great Indian Bustards and peacocks. It has also prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international agreement CITES.

(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.
Ans: Three ways to conserve water: 

• Rain-water harvesting.
• Lining irrigation canals to avoid seepage of water.
• Replenishing groundwater by promoting afforestation.
  
  

Q2. Tick the correct answer.
(i) Which one of the following is not a factor of soil formation?
(a) Time
(b) Soil texture
(c) Organic matter
Ans: (b) Soil texture

(ii) Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?
(a) Shelterbelts
(b) Mulching
(c) Terrace cultivation
Ans: (c) Terrace cultivation

(iii) Which one of the following is not in favour of the conservation of nature?
 (a) Switch off the bulb when not in use
 (b) Close the tap immediately after using
 (c) Dispose poly packs after shopping
Ans: (c) Dispose poly packs after shopping

Q3. Match the following.

Ans:

Q4. State whether the given statements are true or false. If true, write the reasons.
(i) Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
(ii) Water availability per person in India is declining.
(iii) Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.
(iv) Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.
Ans:
(i) This statement is true. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture.
Hence, these are densely-populated areas of the world.
(ii) This statement is true. Though water is present in abundance, freshwater is a scarce resource. Water availability is a serious problem in many regions of the world. Due to the wastage of water, deforestation, and pollution and depletion of freshwater reserves (such as rivers and groundwater), the availability of water is fast declining.
(iii) This statement is false. 

Intercropping

The described process is called shelterbelts. Intercropping is the process in which different crops are grown in alternate rows, and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
(iv) This statement is false. Human interference and climatic changes for the most part adversely affect the balance of the ecosystem.