Case Study Based Questions: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Case Study 1: The Kaveri River Conflict

During a school debate, Anil and Priya discussed the Kaveri River, a crucial water resource for Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. “Why do these states argue over water?” Anil asked their teacher. She explained that water is vital for farming, drinking, and industry, but its uneven availability leads to disputes. The Kaveri’s water supports agriculture across these states, but overuse and unequal sharing create tensions among them. Priya proposed that agreements to share water fairly could ensure everyone benefits without harming the river’s flow. The teacher added that cultural traditions, such as treating rivers as sacred, encourage careful use to preserve this resource.

Question and Answer: 1 Mark

Q1: Why is water considered an essential natural resource?
Ans: Water is essential for life, used for drinking, farming, and industry.

Q2: What is one cause of conflicts over natural resources?
Ans: Uneven distribution of resources like water leads to conflicts.

Question and Answer: 2 Marks

Q1: How does the uneven distribution of water cause conflicts among states?
Ans: Uneven water distribution, like the Kaveri River shared by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, leads to disputes over sharing for agriculture and other needs, creating tensions.

Q2: Suggest one way to resolve water resource conflicts.
Ans: Fair sharing agreements among states can resolve water conflicts by ensuring equitable access while preserving the resource for all.

Case Study 2: Coal Mining in Jharia

Ravi and Meena visited a coal mine in Jharia, Jharkhand, amazed by the vast piles of coal. “This powers so much!” Ravi said excitedly. Their uncle, a miner, explained that coal is a limited resource used for energy, and India’s supplies won’t last forever if used heavily. Jharia’s coal draws industries and jobs, but depending only on raw coal sales can slow economic growth, a problem known as the natural resource curse. Meena asked, “Can we reduce coal use?” Her uncle replied that shifting to renewable energy, like solar, helps save coal and cuts pollution. Using such resources wisely is key to lasting benefits.

Question and Answer: 1 Mark

Q1: What type of resource is coal?
Ans: Coal is a non-renewable resource used for energy.

Q2: What is the natural resource curse?
Ans: The natural resource curse is slow economic growth in areas rich in resources due to reliance on raw material sales.

Question and Answer: 2 Marks

Q1: How does India address the natural resource curse for coal?
Ans: India processes coal into steel and energy through industries, adding value to avoid the natural resource curse and support economic growth.

Q2: Why is careful use important for non-renewable resources like coal?
Ans: Careful use of non-renewable resources like coal extends their availability by using them wisely and adopting renewables, reducing depletion and environmental harm.

Case Study 3: The Benefits of Forests

On a school trip to a forest, Tara and Rohan marveled at the tall trees. “Forests do more than provide wood,” their guide explained. “They produce oxygen for breathing and purify water for drinking.” A single mature tree can produce enough oxygen daily for several people, while forests act as natural water filters. Rohan asked, “What if we cut too many trees?” The guide warned that deforestation harms biodiversity and water quality, disrupting nature’s balance. Tara suggested planting more trees to keep forests healthy, ensuring they continue supporting life for everyone.

Question and Answer: 1 Mark

Q1: What is one benefit forests provide to humans?
Ans: Forests purify water, providing clean drinking water.

Q2: What is one effect of deforestation?
Ans: Deforestation harms biodiversity by disrupting natural cycles.

Question and Answer: 2 Marks

Q1: How do forests support human wellbeing?
Ans: Forests produce oxygen for breathing and purify water, supporting human health and agriculture by maintaining essential natural processes.

Q2: Why is planting trees important for forest resources?
Ans: Planting trees helps maintain forest resources by supporting their natural regrowth and preserving benefits like oxygen production and water purification.