CLASS X GEOGRAPHY- RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT (QUESTION-

ANSWERS)
What is meant by resource ?
Answer:
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs
provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally
acceptable can be termed as resource.
Are resources free gifts of nature ?
Answer:
No. Resources are not free gifts of nature. Resources are a function of human
activities. Human beings themselves are essential components of resources. They
transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.
Highlight any three problems associated with the indiscriminate use of
resources by the human beings.
Answer:
The indiscriminate use of resources by the human beings has resulted in the
following :

Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

Accumulation of resources in few hands which has divided the society into rich and
poor or have and have nots.

Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as

global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

Thus, an equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained

quality of life and global peace. If the present trend of resource depletion by some
individuals and countries continues, the future of our planet is in danger.

Why is the issue of sustainability important for development ? Explain.

Answer:
Sustainable development means that a development should meet the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

However, since the second half of the twentieth century, a number of scientists have
been warning that the present type and levels of development are not sustainable.

The issue of sustainable development has emerged from rapid industrialisation of

the world in the past century.

It is felt that the economic growth and industrialisation have led to reckless
exploitation of natural resources.
 On the other hand, the stock of natural resources are limited. So, the growth of all
countries in future is likely to be endangered if the limited resources are completely
exhausted.

Under these circumstances, the issue of sustainability has become important for
development.

In India some regions are rich in certain types of resources but deficient in
some other resources.” Do you agree with the statement ? Support your
answer with any three examples.
Answer:
(1) I agree with the statement that in India some regions are rich in certain
types of resources but deficient in some other resources as mentioned below :

1. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh – rich in minerals and

coal deposits.
2. Arunachal Pradesh – abundance of water resources.
3. Rajasthan — lot of solar and wind energy.
4. Ladakh – rich cultural heritage.

(2) There is great variation in the availability of resources. Some regions are
rich in one resource but deficient in other, as mentioned below :

1. Arunachal Pradesh – Lack of infrastructural development.

2. Rajasthan – Lack of water resources.
3. Ladakh – Deficient in water, infrastructure and vital minerals.

(3) There is lack of technology in some regions. Thus there are regions that are rich
in resources but these are included in economically backward regions.

Explain the three stages of Resource Planning in India. [CBSE 2016-17]

Answer:
Three stages of Resource Planning in India are as given below :

1. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the

country. This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and
quantitative estimation and measurement of resources.
2. Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill
and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
3. Matching the resource development plans with overall national
development plans.

What is conservation ? Why is conservation of resources necessary ? What

are the views of Gandhiji about resource conservation ?
Answer:
(1) Conservation is defined as the management of resources by human beings in a
judicious and planned way without disturbing environment.
(2) It is necessary due to the following reasons :
 1. We have limited quantity of resources.
2. Irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to
socio-economic and environmental problems.
3. It is also required for sustainable development.

(3) Gandhiji said, ‘There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s
greed’.

He stated that the root cause for resource depletion at the global level was the
greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology. He was
against mass production and was in favour of the production by the masses.

Describe the relief features of land in India and their importance.

Answer:
India has a variety of relief features of land i.e., mountains, plateaus, plains and
islands.

1. 43 per cent of land is plain. It is useful for agriculture and industry.

2. 30 per cent of the total land area is mountainous which ensures
perennial flow of some rivers. The mountains provide facilities for
tourism and ecological aspects.
3. 27 per cent area is plateau region which possesses rich reserves of
minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

How are land resources used ?

Answer:
Land resources are used for the following purposes :

1. Forests.
2. Land not available for cultivation.
1. Barren and wasteland.
2. Land put to non-agricultural uses e.g., buildings, roads and
factories etc.
3. Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land).
1. Permanent pastures and grazing land.
2. Land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves (not
included in net sown area).
3. Culturable wasteland (left uncultivated for more than 5
agricultural years).
4. Fallow lands :
1. Current fallow (left without cultivation for ONE or less than
one agricultural year).
2. Other than current fallow (left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5
agricultural years).
5. Net sown area : Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus
net sown area is known as gross cropped area.
Explain causes for land degradation.
Or
Explain any four human activities which are mainly responsible for land
degradation in India.
Answer:
(1) At present there is about 130 million hectares of degraded land in India as
mentioned below :

1. Forest degraded area — 28%

2. Water eroded area — 56%
3. Wind eroded area — 10%
4. Saline and Alkaline land — 6%

(2) Following factors/human factors are responsible for land degradation in

India :

1. Mining : Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete

leaving deep scars and traces of over burdening.
2. Deforestation : In states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
and Orissa deforestation due to mining have caused severe land
degradation.
3. Overgrazing : In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra overgrazing is the main reason for land degradation.
4. Over-irrigation : In the states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar
Pradesh, over-irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water
logging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.
5. The mineral processing like grinding of limestone for cement
industry generate dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of
infiltration of water into soil after it settles down on the land. Thus
industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and
water pollution in many parts of the country.

What are the ways to solve the problem of land degradation ?

Answer:
There are many ways to solve the problem of land degradation. These are as
given below :

1. Afforestation – Plantation of trees should be encouraged.

2. Proper management of grazing – Separate sites should be fixed for
grazing.
3. Planting of shelter belts of plants.
4. Control on overgrazing – Rules for grazing should be framed.
5. Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes to stop land
degradation.
6. Proper management of waste lands, control of mining activities, proper
discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment
in industrial and suburban areas.
 Give the importance of soil. Explain factors responsible for soil formation.
Answer:
(1) Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant
growth and supports different types of living organism on the earth.
(2)

1. The soil is a living system. It takes millions of years to form soil up to a

few centimeter in depth.
2. Relief, parent rock or bed rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of
life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.
3. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of
running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers contribute to
the formation of soil.
4. Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil are equally
important.
5. Soil also consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials

Describe the causes for soil erosion.

Answer:

Soil erosion : The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is
described as soil erosion.

1. Causes for soil erosion :

(1) Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, constructon,
mining and other activities are responsible for soil erosion.
(2) Natural forces like wind, glacier and water also cause erosion :
1. The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes
gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known
as bad land. In Chambal basin such lands are called
ravines.
2. Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a
slope and washes away the top soil. It is known as sheet
erosion.
3. When wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land, it is
known as wind erosion.
4. Soil erosion is also caused by ploughing in a wrong way
i.e., up and down the slope from channels for the quick flow
of water leading is soil erosion.

Distinguish between khadar and bangar soils.

OR
Classify alluvial soils on the basis of their age

Khadar Bangar

(i) This soil belongs to the category of new

(i) This soil belongs to the category of old alluvium.
alluvium.
(ii) It contains fine soil particles and is light
(ii) It contains coarse soil particles and is dark in colour.
in colour.

(iii) It is very fertile because of having fine (iii) It is comparatively not very fertile because of having
particles. kanker nodules with calcium carbonate.

(iv) It is found along the banks, flood plains

(iv) It is found above the level of flood plains.
and delta regions.

Which is the most widespread and important soil of India? Mention its
important characteristics.
Answer:
Alluvial soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast. Three main features of
this type of soil are –

 This soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. It is a

very fertile soil.
 Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric
acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy,
wheat etc.
 Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated
and densely populated

Mention various types of soil erosion.

 here are different types of soil erosion-

Water erosion and surface water runoff:

The loss of top soil due to water is called water erosion. During rainy season, when
raindrops fall directly on top soil, they loosen the material binding it together. As a
result, small fragments get detached. If the rainfall continues, water gathers on the
ground, causing water flow on the land surface, known as surface water runoff. This
runoff carries the detached soil away.
Sheet erosion:
Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the
top soil is washed away. This is known as ‘sheet erosion’.
Gully erosion:
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies.
This type of erosion poses problems for farmers because the affected land is not put
for cultivation.
Wind erosion:
Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion.
Defective methods of farming:

Due to defective farming methods, there arises the problem of soil erosion.
Ploughing in a wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for the quick
flow of water leading to soil erosion.

What is meant by land degradation? Write five human activities which are
mainly responsible for land degradation in India. (Imp)

Answer:
Land degradation is a process through which the land becomes unsuitable for
agricultural activities. The following human activities are responsible for land
degradation:

(i) Mining: Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving
deep scars and traces of over burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining have caused severe land
degradation.

(ii) Overgrazing: Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing
for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. In states like
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the
main reasons for land degradation.

(iii) Over irrigation: In states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, over
irrigation is responsible for land degradation. It occurs due to water logging that
leads to increase in salinity
and alkalinity in the soil.

(iv) Mineral processing: The mineral processing like grinding of limestone for
cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge
quantity of dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of infiltration of water into
the soil after it settles down on the land.

(v) Industrial effluents as waste have also become a major source of land
degradation in many parts of the country.

Why is resource planning so important in a country like India? Give reasons.

Answer:
(i) India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources. There are regions
which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other
resources.

(ii) There are some regions which can be considered self-sufficient in terms of the
availability of resources and there are some regions which have acute shortage of
some vital resources.

(iii) The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals
and coal deposits. Arunachal Pradesh has no dearth of water resources but lacks in
infrastructrual development. The state of Rajasthan is gifted with solar and wind
energy but lacks in water resources. Ladakh has rich cultural heritage but it is
deficient in water; infrastructure etc. This calls for balanced resource planning at the
national, state, regional and local levels.

What are the various methods of conservation of soil? Explain.

Answer:
There are various methods of soil conservation:

 Contour farming in mountainous regions: Ploughing along the contour

lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
 Terrace farming: Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces.
Terrace cultivation restricts erosion.
 Strip farming: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are
left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind.
 Shelter belts: Planting lines of trees to create shelters have contributed
significantly to the stabilisation of sand dunes and in stabilising the
desert in western India.
 Other methods include afforestation, control on grazing, etc.