Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Resources and Development

Q 1. Distinguish between Potential Resource and Stock with the help of examples.

Ans: (a) Potential Resource 

• Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized are termed as a potential resource.
  Example of Potential Resources
• They are either not easily accessible or not properly developed for present use but have the potential to fulfil our needs whenever we require them with the development of technology and infrastructure.
  Examples:
  (i) The states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy, but they have not been significantly developed yet.
  (ii) Similarly, the hot springs of the Himalayan region have the potential for the development of geothermal energy but their development is lacking. Mineral deposits lie buried in mountains and oceans, but their exploitation is lacking.

(b) Stocks 

• On the other hand, stocks are materials in the environment that have the capacity to satisfy human needs but human beings do not have the appropriate technology to access these.
  Examples: 
  (i) Water is a compound of two inflammable gases, hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich source of energy. But the required technical knowledge of how to use these abundant gases for this purpose is not available at present.
  (ii) Similarly, by the development of the desalinisation project, we can make ocean water usable for drinking purposes. But, we do not have the proper expertise and funds to do so. Our future generations, however, may be able to do so with the advancement of science and technology.

Q 2. What does the term ‘sustainable economic development’ mean? How can we eradicate irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources?

Ans: Sustainable economic development means development should take place without damaging the environment and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of future generations. 

• We can eradicate irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources through the conservation of resources. Irrational consumption and over-exploitation of resources lead to many socio-economic and environmental problems. 
• To overcome these problems and to preserve resources for our future generation as well, proper management and conservation of resources are essential.

Q 3. List the problems caused due to the indiscriminate use of resources by human beings.

Ans: Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to economic, social and ecological problems.
The major problems that have arisen due to indiscriminate use of resources are:
(i) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few selfish individuals.
(ii) Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which in turn, has led to social segregation into rich and poor. Society is divided into two segments, i.e., have and have-nots.
(iii) Indiscriminate and uncontrolled exploitation of resources without consideration for the future have led to grave ecological problems like global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

Q 4. Why does the pattern of the net sown area vary from one state to another?

Ans:

• The pattern of the net sown area varies greatly from one state to another. It is over 80 per cent of the total area in Punjab and Haryana. Geographical conditions like climate and soil here are favourable for cultivation. 
• Further, due to agricultural advancement through Green Revolution, more areas have been brought under cultivation. 
• On the other hand, less than 10 per cent of the total area is the net sown area in Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Topographical constraints, unfavourable climate as well as socio-economic reasons account for the low proportion of net sown areas in these states. 
• On account of the vast expanse of India, its relief, climate, soil and socio-economic set-up vary from region to region accounting for the variation in the pattern of the net sown area from one state to another.

Q 5. Analyze the four main factors which help in the formation of soil.

Ans:

• Relief, nature of parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life, especially decomposers, and time are important factors in the formation of soil. 
• Weathering of the parent rocks due to climatic factors like change of temperature, wind and frost action and rainfall and natural forces like the action of running water, wind, glaciers, etc., lead to the disintegration of rocks. This leads to the formation of soil. 
• The four most important factors of soil formation are:
  (i) Relief determines the nature of weathering and erosion.
  (ii) Climate determines the rate and factor of denudation of the rocks and influences weathering and erosion.
  (iii) Nature of the parent rock determines the colour, texture and mineral content of the soil.
  (iv) Time determines the maturity of the soil, usually, it takes millions of years to form soil up to few cms in depth.

Q 6. What is the main cause of land degradation in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh? How can it be checked?

Ans: Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have a large cattle population which are left open to grazing on the grasslands. Large-scale overgrazing has caused severe land degradation in these states.

Overgrazing

Some ways to check this problem are:

(i) Planting of trees and proper management of grazing grounds.

(ii) Control overgrazing by limiting certain areas only for grazing.

Q 7. Where was Agenda 21 signed? What were the main provisions of Agenda 21?

Ans: 

• Agenda 21 was signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. 
• The main provisions of Agenda 21 included the elimination of poverty, hunger, sickness and illiteracy worldwide while halting the deterioration of ecosystems that sustain life.

Q 8. Do you think the future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generations? Why?

Ans:

• Yes, the future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generations. This will happen because of human activities such as deforestation, and an increase in activities such as agriculture, mining, etc. 
• These activities result in the degradation of land and the environment. The rapid rate at which we are consuming fossil fuels may result in the depletion of these resources as they are non-renewable resources. Thus, they may not be left for the future generation to consume.