Long Answer Questions: Development

Q1. Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own example related to development.
Ans: Averages are used to summarise data and make comparisons between different groups or populations. They provide a single representative value that helps understand general trends. However, averages have limitations:

• They can mask disparities within a group by showing only the mean value.
• For example, consider two countries, A and B, each with four citizens:

In Country A: Two citizens have only a primary education or are illiterate, while the other two have doctoral or postgraduate degrees.

In Country B: All four citizens have graduate-level education. Although the average education level is the same in both countries, there are major differences:

Country A shows significant inequality in educational attainment, whereas Country B has more uniform education levels. This example demonstrates that averages do not reveal inequalities within populations.

Q2. List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.
Ans: Examples of environmental degradation include:

• Groundwater depletion: Many regions in India face serious groundwater depletion due to over-extraction. Nearly 300 districts have seen water levels drop by more than 4 metres in the last 20 years.
• Water scarcity: If current consumption patterns persist, about 60% of India's population will face water stress due to overuse of groundwater within 25 years.
• Pollution: Urban and industrial pollution exceed the Earth's capacity to assimilate waste, adversely affecting air and water quality worldwide.
• Resource overexploitation: Excessive mining of minerals like crude oil impacts local environments and has broader ecological consequences.

These examples show that environmental degradation is a widespread problem affecting many regions.

Q3. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Find out the present resources of energy in India.

Ans: Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished and can be used repeatedly without depletion. Examples include:

• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Hydropower

In contrast, non-renewable energy resources are finite and will eventually be exhausted. Examples include:

• Crude oil
• Coal
• Natural gas

India's present energy resources include:

• Crude oil
• Coal
• Thermal power plants (using coal and natural gas)
• Hydropower
• Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are increasingly being developed.

These non-renewable resources are estimated to last for approximately 43 years at current rates of consumption. It is crucial to develop and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.

Q3. (a) What does the Human Development Index (HDI) indicate? (b) By whom HDI is prepared?
Ans: (a) Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures a country's average achievements in three basic aspects of human development:

• Longevity (life expectancy at birth)
• Knowledge (mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling)
• Standard of living (measured by Gross National Income per capita)

The HDI score ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates the lowest human development and 1 indicates the highest. It assesses relative human development rather than absolute levels.

(b) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has prepared the HDI since 1990.

Q4. "Money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well." Explain.
Ans: Money is important, but it cannot buy everything required for a good life. Key points include:

• A decent income may still require government support for essential services such as education and healthcare.
• Money cannot buy respect, peace of mind, or freedom, which are essential for happiness.
• It cannot guarantee a clean environment or access to safe medicines.
• Important aspects like friendships and community support cannot be bought with money.
• Collective efforts often provide essential services more effectively than individual wealth.

Hence, while money is necessary, it is not sufficient for overall well-being.

Q5. Mention any three characteristics of Development.
Ans: Three characteristics of development are:

• Development involves the desire to improve one's current situation by enhancing living conditions.

• Development goals vary among individuals. For example, different family members may have different aspirations.

• Sometimes development goals conflict. For instance, building a dam may benefit industrial growth but displace villagers.

Q6. Explain the two basic tools used to compare an underdeveloped country with a developed country?
Ans: The two main tools for comparing underdeveloped and developed countries are:

• Per Capita Income: This measures the average income per person. In 2012, countries with a per capita income of USD 12,616 or more were considered developed, while those with ≤ USD 1,035 were underdeveloped. The World Bank uses this for classification.
• Human Development Index (HDI): This ranks countries based on life expectancy, literacy, and income. Countries with higher values are developed; lower values indicate underdevelopment. The United Nations uses this index.

Q7. How does the National Development of a country depend on the availability of public facilities?
Ans: National development depends greatly on public facilities, which ensure equitable access to essential services, particularly for those who cannot afford private options. Important points are:

• The government often partners with private firms to provide affordable healthcare and education.
• India's Public Distribution System (PDS) distributes food grains and essentials to people below the poverty line.
• Free immunisation and subsidised hospitalisation support vulnerable populations.

These public facilities are crucial for creating a more equal and developed society.

Q8. "The Earth has enough for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed." Explain the need for sustainable development in the context of the above statement.
Ans: The statement "The Earth has enough for everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed" emphasises that while natural resources can support human needs, overconsumption threatens their availability. Sustainable development is important to ensure that:

• Development proceeds without causing environmental damage.
• The needs of the present generation are met without compromising future generations.
• Natural resources are conserved and used judiciously.

Adopting sustainable development practices ensures a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.