Class 10 Social Science Previous Year Questions - Resources and Development

Ans: There are two ways to address the issue of land degradation:
(1) Planting more trees and managing grazing activity can both help to some extent.
(2) In arid regions, planting plant shelter belts and stabilising sand dunes with thorny bushes are two of the most effective techniques.
(3) In industrial and suburban areas, wasteland management,  control of mining activity, and control of industrial effluent disposal and discharge will all help to lessen land degradation.

Ans: (c)

(I) Biological matches with 2. Wildlife because wildlife includes living organisms, which are biological resources.

(II) Renewable matches with 3. Solar Energy since solar energy can be replenished naturally and is sustainable.

(III) Non-renewable matches with 1. Coal because coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replaced once used.

Ans: (a)
Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of fine particles such as silt, clay, and sand carried by rivers and streams. The Gangetic plain, which includes regions around the Ganges and its tributaries, is known for having extensive deposits of alluvial soil. This type of soil is fertile and supports agriculture, making it suitable for the cultivation of various crops.
On the other hand, the other options do not represent accurate soil-geography matches:
(b) Black Soil is commonly found in the Deccan Plateau, not the Himalayan Region.
(c) Arid Soil is typically found in arid and semi-arid regions, not in the Western Ghats.
(d) Laterite Soil is often found in tropical regions with high rainfall and temperature, such as parts of the Western Ghats, but it is not associated with desert areas.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Alluvial Soil - Gangetic plain.

Ans: (a)
(a) Alluvial Soil consists of sand, silt, and clay, as it is formed by the deposition of sediments carried by rivers and streams. This type of soil is typically fertile and well-drained, making it suitable for agriculture.
(b) Black Soil is known for its high clay content, not necessarily high salt content.
(c) Arid Soil is associated with arid and semi-arid regions and is characterized by low organic content and high salinity, but the diffusion of iron in crystalline is not a defining characteristic of arid soil.
(d) Laterite Soil is formed through the weathering of rocks and typically contains high amounts of iron and aluminum oxides. It is not directly made up of lava flows.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Alluvial Soil - Consist of sand and silt.

Ans: (d)
Equitable distribution of resources is necessary for resource development.

Ans: (a)
 Overgrazing is the main cause of land degradation in states like, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat

Ans: (a)
 Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of overburdening. This is a major cause of land degradation in Odisha.

Ans: (a)
 Deforestation has contributed most in land degradation. It makes the soil infertile for any use therefore it causes droughts and land pollutions.

Ans: (a)
Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value crops. This will increase income and reduce environmental degradation simultaneously. Because fruits, medicinal herbs, flowers, vegetables, bio-diesel crops like jatropha and jojoba need much less irrigation than rice or sugarcane. India’s diverse climate can be harnessed to grow ranges of high-value crops.

Ans: (c)
Arid soil is red to brown in colour and saline in nature. It is sandy in texture and lacks humus and moisture.

Ans: (c)
Running water leads to the maximum soil erosion in plains. It is of different types like gully erosion and sheet erosion.

Ans: (a) Gujarat
Because overgrazing is identified as the main reason for 'land degradation' in this state. Land degradation refers to the deterioration of the quality of land resources, which can include soil erosion, loss of fertility, and reduction in vegetation cover.

Ans: (d)  Industrial waste
Industrial waste is a major source of water pollution, introducing pollutants and harmful substances into water bodies during improper disposal.

Ans: (d) Decreases the fertility of soil
Over-irrigation leads to land degradation by (d) decreasing the fertility of soil through leaching away essential nutrients.

Ans: (d) Mining
The main reason for 'land degradation' in Jharkhand is (d) Mining.

Ans: (d)
The problems of resource development include:
(a) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals: This leads to unsustainable resource use.
(b) Accumulation of resources in a few hands: This creates inequality and limits access for the broader population.
(c) Indiscriminate exploitation of resources: This results in environmental degradation and resource depletion.
However, (d) An equitable distribution of resources is not a problem; rather, it is a solution or goal for fair and sustainable resource development. Equitable distribution ensures that resources are accessible to all and are used responsibly.
Thus, the correct answer is (d) An equitable distribution of resources.

Ans: (A) - Renewable (B) - Non-renewable

Ans: (A) - Fishery, Water (B) - Water, Fossil fuels

Ans: (A) - Community owned resources (B) - Individual resource

Ans: The importance of judicious use of resources are:
(i) It maintains the sustainability of the resources.
(ii) Resources are available only in limited quantity.
(iii) Resources are vital for any developmental activity.

Ans: The different steps of resource planning are:
(i) Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country.
(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up.
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

Ans: Resource planning is essential for the sustainable existence of all forms of life. It is so, because of the following reasons.
(a) It helps to identify the various resources present in different regions of the country.
(b) It helps to reduce wastage of resources.
(c) It helps in equal distribution of resources among the regions that have an acute shortage of it.

Ans: 33%

According to India's National Forest Policy, it is desirable to have 33% of the geographical area under forest cover to maintain ecological balance. This target aims to ensure environmental stability, preserve biodiversity, and support sustainable development.

Ans: Ways to solve the problem of land degradation in Himalayan region.
(i) Afforestation is the solution for any kind of land degradation.
(ii) Proper management of grazing. It is the one of the main reasons of land degradation in hilly areas.
(iii) Adopting terrace farming in hilly areas, as it increase water retention capacity of soil.

Ans: Laterite soil

Develops in high rainfall areas: Laterite soil forms in regions with heavy rainfall and high temperatures, which accelerate the process of leaching.

Intense leaching process takes place: Due to heavy rainfall, soluble minerals are washed away, leaving the soil poor in essential nutrients.

Humus content is low: The leaching process also reduces the organic content in the soil, resulting in low humus.

These characteristics are typical of Laterite soil, which is commonly found in parts of India with tropical monsoon climates, such as Kerala, Karnataka, and parts of Maharashtra.

Ans: Tea, coffee and Cashew nut

Ans: Sustainable economic development means development that is viable keeping the requirements of both the present and future generations in mind. 
(1) It is a development that doesn’t compromise with the environment, provides equal opportunities to grow, utilise resources for both the present and upcoming generations. 
(2) The issue of sustainability is important for development because without the same, man will use resources without care, destroying the environment, preventing all chances of survival and development in future. 
(3) If not for sustainability, people would start exploiting finitely available resources and end up finishing them soon, thus destroying Earth’s balance

Ans: The importance of judicious use of resources are : 
(1) Multiple environmental and socioeconomic problems may arise if resources are used in an indiscriminate manner. 
(2) Most of the resources are non-renewable. The continuous usage of these resources may result in exhaustion of the resources. This may stunt development and growth of the people. 
(3) It will enhance the status of a person and would not impede development in general for future generations. They have to be used with caution.

Ans: . Arid soil is the soil that has all these features

Ans: Over irrigation in Punjab causes the lowering in fertility rate of the soil because of water logging leading to increased salinity and alkalinity of the soil.

Ans: Grinding and crushing of limestone for the cement industry generate a large amount of dust. As the dust settles down on the soil it reduces the process of infiltration of water into the soil.

Ans: Contour ploughing, the practice of tilling sloped land along lines of consistent elevation in order to conserve rainwater and to reduce soil losses from surface erosion.

Ans: Laterite soil

Ans: Alluvial soil

Ans: (i) This soil type Is most important and widely spread.
(ii) The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops,
(iii) Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated. Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline and can be productive after proper treatment and irrigation.

Ans:
(a) Black soil is made up of extremely fine, clayey material.
(b) It is well-known for its capacity to hold moisture.
(c) It is rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime.
(d) It develops deep cracks during hot weather, which helps in the proper aeration of the soil.

Ans: (b)
Cultivable Wasteland refers to land that is suitable for agriculture but is currently not being used for cultivation. It is land that can potentially be brought under cultivation with some improvement.
Let's analyze the options:
(a) Gross Cropped Area: This is the total area on which crops are grown, so it does not fit the definition of cultivable wasteland.
(b) Uncultivable Land: This includes lands that are not being cultivated but could be used for agriculture with some effort, making it the correct answer.
(c) Barren Wasteland: This refers to land that is unsuitable for cultivation due to poor soil quality, terrain, or other reasons, so it is not considered cultivable wasteland.
(d) Current Fallow Land: This is land left fallow for a period to restore its fertility, but it is generally part of a cropping cycle, not cultivable wasteland.
Thus, the correct answer is (b) Uncultivable Land.

Ans: Contour ploughing helps in the prevention of soil erosion caused by wind and water

Ans: Mining activities are responsible for land degradation in Jharkhand because mining sites are abandoned after the excavation work is complete, leaving deep scars on the land.

Ans: The importance of judicious use of resources are : 
(1) Multiple environmental and socioeconomic problems may arise if resources are used in an indiscriminate manner. 
(2) Most of the resources are non-renewable. The continuous usage of these resources may result in exhaustion of the resources. This may stunt development and growth of the people. 
(3) It will enhance the status of a person and would not impede development in general for future generations. They have to be used with caution.

Ans: Resources can be categorised on the basis of origin:
(i) Abiotic resources comprise non-living things (e.g., land, water, air and minerals).
(ii) Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere. These have life such as humans, flora and fauna.

Ans: Sustainable development is crucial for development of a country as it: 
(1) Promotes use of renewable resources like solar energy, tidal energy, etc. 
(2) Puts a check on over usage of resources. 
(3) Promotes protection and conservation of resources for future generation

Ans: Three stages of Resource Planning in India are as given below:
(a) Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of resources.
(b) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
(c) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

Ans: Stages of resource planning are: Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources. Evolving a planned structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up for implementing resource development plans. Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans. Resource planning is a technique or skill for proper utilisation of resources.
(i) As resources are limited, their planning is necessary so that we can use them properly and also save them for our future generation.
(ii) Resources are not only limited but they are distributed over different parts of the country.
(iii) Resource planning is also essential for production of resources and to protect them from over exploitation.

Ans: Arid Soil is found in Western Rajasthan. Two important characteristics are: 
(1) They are sandy in texture and saline in nature. 
(2) Its salt content is very high and common salt is obtained by evaporating the water

Ans: Renewable: Replenished by nature e.g., crops and plants.
Non-renewable: Resources which get exhausted after years of use, e.g., crude oil.

Ans: Agenda 21 was adopted at first International Earth Summit held in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The two principles are as follows:
(i) To combat environment damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.
(ii) Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

Ans: (i) Renewable Resources: Resources that can be replenished after a short period of time are called renewable resources.
For example - agricultural crops, wind energy, water, forest, wildlife, etc.
(ii) Non-renewable Resources: Resources which take million years of time to replenish are called non-renewable resources.
For example - fossil fuels. We must remember that some resources like metals are recyclable.

Ans: Yes, there are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other resources.
(i) Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.
(ii) Arunachal Pradesh has 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 rich cultural heritage but lacks in water resources and infrastructure.

Ans: Types of soil erosion:
(i) Gullies: The running water cuts through the clayey soil and makes deep channels/gullies. The unfit land caused by gullies is called badland or ravines.
(ii) Sheet erosion: Water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. The top soil is washed away. This process is known as sheet erosion. Three human activities which are responsible for the process of soil erosion are deforestation over-grazing, mining and construction, etc.

Ans: Plains are the most widespread relief feature of India.

Ans: The problem of land degradation can be solved with the help of the following measures:
(a) Afforestation to revive the forest cover
(b) Growing thorny bushes in areas where desert like conditions appear
(c) Proper management of grazing on permanent pastures
(d) Proper disposal of industrial waste
(e) Planting of shelter belts
(f) Control on mining activitiesLand Degradation

Ans: The important factors responsible for land degradation in India are as follows:
(i) Deforestation: By an estimate over one million hectares of forest is lost every year in India.
(ii) Erosion: Loss of vegetation cover makes land more susceptible to erosion. Wind and water have left vast tracts of land barren. Water erodes top soil to an extent of around 12,000 million tons per annum
(iii) Over-irrigation : Successive cropping and overirrigation, leads to water-logging and consequent salinisation and alkalisation. This situation mainly arises due to poor drainage.
(iv) Floods and Droughts : Drought is both man-made and environment-induced. Man has played a key role in the creation of drought-prone areas by over-exploitation of natural resources like forests, degradation by grazing, excessive withdrawal of ground water, silting of tanks, rivers, etc. Floods, on the other hand, are caused by heavy rains in a very short period. Each situation could have been altered had there been good vegetation cover. Vegetation helps in reducing run-off, increasing infiltration and reducing soil erosion.
(v) Over-grazing : India has the worlds largest cattle population, but not enough pasture land. This has led to serious problems as animals have encroached into forest lands and even agricultural lands. Land degradation due to over-grazing leads to desert like conditions.
(vi) Pollution : Pollution of land is caused by disposal of solid waste, leftover from domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. Another major source of land pollution is the creation of derelict land due to mining particularly due to surface and underground mining activities.

Ans: Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries as they affect all countries equally.
Example:
(a) Land degradation affects agricultural production. Thus, shortage of crop production would affect international trade.
(b) Adding of greenhouse gases to the environment due to pollution has led to global warming.
(c) The quality of drinking water has reduced as our rivers get polluted.
(d) Increase in air pollution due to industries.

Ans: (i) Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.
(ii) Sandy in texture and saline in nature.
(iii) Evaporation from this soil is faster, soil lacks humus and moisture.
(iv) Soil occupied by Kankar.
(v) Kankar restricts the infiltration of water. 

Ans: (i) Soil is considered as a resource because it is used to satisfy our needs.
(ii) It is the most important renewable natural resource.
(iii) It is the medium of plant growth. It consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials.
(iv) It supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
(v) It is the base of our life.

Ans: The cement industry generates huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere which retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil and prevent percolation.