Important Questions: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues & Problems | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: In which town do vehicles emit most carbon-monoxide?
Ans: Delhi.

Q2: How many leather tanneries are located along the Ganga banks?
Ans: 150.

Q3: Name a gas which depletes Ozone gas.
Ans: CFC—Chlorofluorocarbon.

Q4: What is the total number of two-wheelers in India?
Ans: 117 crores (2010-11).

Q5: Name the Anthropogenic sources of pollution.
Ans: Industrial sources, urban source, agricultural sources, cultural sources.

Q6: Name the two polluted rivers of India.
Ans: Ganga and Yamuna.

Q7: Which areas have become alkaline and saline and why ?
Ans: Northern India due to over-irrigation.

Q8: How can urban waste become a resource?
Ans: When it is used for generating energy and compost.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q9: Give two examples of River pollution.
Ans: Pollution of Rivers. With rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, huge quantities of waste water enter rivers. About 873 million litres per day (mid) of waste water drained into the Ganga before the Ganga Action Plan was initiated. The Sabarmati, a small river, alone receives 998 mid of dirty water from the city of Ahmedabad.

Q10: Describe any three problems of slums in India.
Ans:

• There is a lack of basic amenities like toilet, safe drinking water, electricity, etc., in slums.
• People are prone to diseases and illness as they are malnourished.
• Poverty makes people vulnerable to drug abuse, alcoholism, crime and exclusion from society.

Q11: Name the Industrial wastes causing water pollution.
Ans: Though water pollutants are also created from natural sources (erosion, landslides, decay and decomposition of plants and animals, etc.) pollutants from anthropogenic sources are the real causes of concern. They include industrial sources, urban source, agricultural source, cultural source, etc. Industries produce several undesirable products including industrial wastes, polluted waste water, poisonous gases, chemical residuals, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke, etc. Most of the industrial wastes are disposed off in running water. Consequently, poisonous elements reach the reservoirs, rivers and other water bodies which destroy the biosystem of these waters. Major water polluting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals.

Q12: Name the diseases caused by air and water pollution.
Ans: Air pollution causes diseases of lungs, heart, nervous and circulatory systems. A study conducted in the ambient air of Kolkata (in 1994) concluded that three out of every ten persons in the city suffered from some kind of respiratory diseases that cough, bronchitis and allergic-rhinitis which were associated with concentrations of suspended particulate matter. The diseases commonly caused due to contaminated water are diarrhoea, trachoma, intestinal worms, hepatitis, etc. Recent World Bank and World Health Organisation data shows that about one-fourth of the communicable diseases in India are water-borne.

Q13: Mention three criterias used for identi¬fying pollution.
Ans:

• Disposal of Human wastes.
• Damages caused by disposal wastes.
• Effect of damage caused.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q14: Write a note on Environmental pollution in India.
Ans: Environment: Environment is the sum total of a set of surroundings that affect the development and life of organisms. It includes natural as well as cultural environment.

Environmental Pollution: Environmental pollution has become a serious problem for mankind. It is threatening the existence of mankind. The composition of air is being altered by undesirable chemical, physical and biological elements. It is known as air pollution. Atmospheric pollution is as old as civilisation. The use of fire caused gases, smoke, ash. With the development of Industrialisation, the natural composition of the earth atmosphere is gradually degrading. It has damaged the environment. The atmospheric pollution has endangered the existing and future generations.

Pollutants: The common pollutants found in air are as follows:

• Deposited matter like Soot, Smoke, tandust.
• Gases like sulphur, Carbon-monoxide, Nitrogen oxide, Ammonia, Fluorine, etc.
• Chemical Compounds : Like arenes, Phosgenes, detergents.
• Metals like lead, Iron, zinc, mercury.
• Sewage
• Radio-active Substances.
• Noise and heat.

Atmospheric Pollution. Atmosphere is of fundamental importance for our existence. Due to industrial revolution, the atmospheric pollution is increasing gradually. The effect of atmospheric pollution is not local but regional. The whole of atmosphere is affected. It has harmed ultra-violet shielding ozone layer. The addition of heat-trapping green house gases will cause a disaster.
Air-Pollution by Natural Agents: The volcanic eruptions, forest fires, natural decay of organic and in organic matter is causing air pollution. These cause smoke, ash, gases in atmosphere. These, reduce visibility. Smoke is injurious to health. Acid rain has changed the composition of air and water.
Human activities: The burning of fuels and chemicals is increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. It has increased by 25%. With the result, the average temperature of the earth is increasing. It has increased by 0.3°C to 0.7°C during the last century. Deforestation has also lead to increase in carbon dioxide. The increasing use of fuels in vehicles has increased the amount of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and has created many respiratory diseases.
Atmosphere is of fundamental importance for human health. Most of the countries of the world have enacted laws to check air pollution. Only a healthy nation can utilize its natural resources.
Water pollution: Water is another indispensable source of our life. Pollution of water has caused far- reaching implications. It is a serious problem in metropolitans like Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. It not only affects the water of rivers, tanks and lakes; but also ocean water. The following factors affect water pollution:

• Domestic sewage
• Industrial wastes
• Agricultural activities
• Thermal pollution
• Marine pollution.

Land Pollution: Land is one of the most important components of life support system. Land is degrading due to over use from centuries. Depletion of land is caused by :

• Soil erosion
• Pollutants.

Soil erosion is active on steep slopes and areas devoid of vegetation. Torrential rainfall also washes away fertile layer of soil. Ravines or gullies are caused. Deforestation, over grazing has also led to soil erosion. The effect of soil erosion is a serious problem in agricultural countries. The accumulation of pollutants on land makes it unsuitable for other uses. The impact of soil erosion on ecological system is visible in Siwalik hills where the harm has been done by chaos.

Q15: Explain soil erosion, salinisation and water logging problems.
Ans:

• Irrigation. Because of our irrigation, saline areas increased in northern planes of country. Irrigation also changes the structure of the soil.
• Use of chemicals. Besides, use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides degrades the soil by destroying their natural, physical, chemical and biological properties.
• Use of fertilisers. Chemical fertilisers destroy micro-organisms of the soil, which are agents of nitrogen conversion in the soil. They increase sterility and reduce water-holding capacity of the soil. They also leave their traces in crops, which act as slow poison for human beings.
• Use of pesticides. Similarly, organic phosphate compounds used to kill insects can stay for longer time in soils destroying micro-organisms.
• Industrial wastes. Improper disposal of industrial and urban wastes, and irrigation of agricultural fields with polluted urban sewage water near urban and industrial areas degrade the soil. The toxic chemical substances of industrial effluents and urban sew’age enter the soil mostly in their neighbourhoods and pollute them.
• Pollutants emitted by chimneys. Besides gaseous and solid pollutants emitted by the factory chimneys are transported by winds. These pollutants containing toxic substances, are deposited on soils and pollute them.
• Acid Rain. Sulphur emitted from factories cause acid rains which increases the acidity of the soils. Pollutant from cement factories like klins, coal mining and transport vehicles, thermal power plants, etc., also pollute the soils on a large scale.

Q16: Describe the major problems I associated with urban water disposal in India.
Ans: Urban water disposal in India faces several major problems, which contribute to environmental degradation and health hazards. Here are some of the key issues associated with urban water disposal in India:

• Inadequate Sewerage Infrastructure: Many urban areas in India lack proper sewerage systems, leading to the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage directly into rivers, lakes, or other water bodies. This untreated sewage contains harmful pathogens and pollutants that contaminate water sources.
• Water Pollution: The release of untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and solid waste into water bodies results in water pollution. This pollution not only affects aquatic ecosystems but also poses health risks to those using the contaminated water for drinking or daily activities.
• Overexploitation of Groundwater: Rapid urbanization has led to excessive groundwater extraction for drinking water supply and industrial purposes. This over-exploitation can lead to a drop in the water table, land subsidence, and the intrusion of saline water into freshwater aquifers.
• Water Scarcity: Many urban areas face water scarcity due to a growing population, increased water demand, and mismanagement of water resources. Uneven distribution of water resources within cities exacerbates this problem.
• Inefficient Water Supply Systems: Aging and inefficient water supply infrastructure can result in leakages, losses, and unequal access to clean water. This inefficiency can contribute to water scarcity and contamination.
• Floods and Waterlogging: Improper urban planning, encroachment of water bodies, and inadequate drainage systems make many Indian cities susceptible to flooding during the monsoon season. This not only disrupts daily life but also contaminates water sources with pollutants.
• Groundwater Contamination: Improper disposal of hazardous waste and pollutants from industries can lead to the contamination of groundwater, making it unsafe for consumption. This poses a severe health risk to residents who rely on groundwater for drinking.
• Lack of Wastewater Treatment Plants: Many urban areas lack adequate wastewater treatment facilities. Even in places where treatment plants exist, they may not operate at full capacity or meet required standards, resulting in the release of inadequately treated effluents into water bodies.
• Illegal Encroachments: Encroachments along riverbanks and water bodies hinder the natural flow of water and disrupt the drainage systems. This can lead to waterlogging and increased flood risk during heavy rainfall.
• Climate Change Impact: Climate change can exacerbate water-related issues in urban areas. Increased rainfall variability, rising temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events can strain existing water infrastructure and lead to further water scarcity and flooding problems.

Addressing these urban water disposal challenges in India requires comprehensive planning, investments in infrastructure, better governance, public awareness, and sustainable water management practices. Sustainable urban development and the implementation of modern sewage treatment and solid waste management systems are crucial to mitigating these issues and ensuring access to clean and safe water for urban residents.