HW QUESTIONS – RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Q1)‘ Resources are a free gift of nature.’ Justify the statement using examples.
Ans :

Mere presence of resources, as free gifts of nature, does not make them resources. Human
beings are essential components of resources because they transform material available in
our environment into resources. The utility of resources depends on the stage of cultural
development of man and the tools and technology used by him.

For eg : Fossil fuels or minerals , which are present inside the earth . It requires human
beings to know about the availability of the resource , to develop technology to utilize
them.

(Note : you can give any other example.)

Q2)Examine the need for equitable distribution of resources. Write three points. (3)
Ans :
i) Ensuring equal access to resources – Availability of resources to everyone gives an
equal opportunity of development. The gap between haves and have nots reduces.
ii) Preventing Social Division- Accumulation of resources in few hands divides the
society into rich and poor. This does not allow everyone to gain from the resources
which are available in nature.
iii) Maintaining continuous flow of resources- When the resources are distributed
evenly , without any greed , it allows regeneration of resources in the nature thus
helps to maintain continuous flow of resources.
iv)Promoting Sustainable Development – Equal resource distribution is crucial for
sustainable development as it prevents resource concentration in the hands of a few,
ensuring access for all and promoting long-term stability. This fairness leads to more
balanced economic growth, reduces inequality, and fosters social harmony, all of
which are vital for sustainable development.
Q3)Discuss five causes of land degradation. Also write their concerned solutions.
 Ans :
Abandoning mining sites :
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.
Overgrazing :
In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is
one of the main reasons for land degradation. 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.
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.
Industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution
in many parts of the country.
Measures to control Land degradation :
There are many ways to solve the problems of land degradation. Afforestation and
proper management of grazing can help to some extent. Planting of shelter belts of
plants, control on over grazing, stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes
are some of the methods to check land degradation. Proper management of waste
lands, control of mining activities, proper discharge and disposal of industrial
effluents and wastes after treatment can reduce land and water degradation in
industrial and suburban areas.
Q4)Explain five factors that contribute to soil formation. Explain with the help of
examples.
Ans :
Parent material :
The original material from which soil is formed, such as bedrock or transported
sediments, dictates the soil's initial composition and mineral content. Parent material
plays a crucial role in soil formation by providing the initial mineral components and
influencing the resulting soil properties, including texture, structure, and chemical
composition. It's the starting point for soil development, determining the types of
minerals present and affecting the rate and nature of weathering processes
Climate:
Climate significantly influences soil formation by impacting weathering processes,
decomposition of organic matter, and the movement of water and soil
components. Temperature and moisture levels are key climatic factors that drive these
soil-forming processes.

Organisms:
Living organisms play a crucial role in soil formation and health, influencing its
structure, fertility, and overall function. They contribute to biological weathering, nutrient
cycling, and the creation of humus, all of which are essential for healthy soil and plant
growth.

Topography:
Topography plays a crucial role in soil formation by influencing factors like sunlight
exposure, water drainage, and erosion. These factors, in turn, affect the rate and type of
soil development. Specifically, slope steepness impacts soil depth, while drainage
patterns influence soil moisture and organic matter accumulation.
Time:
Time plays a crucial role in soil formation by influencing the development of soil
profiles and the degree of weathering and decomposition of parent materials. Older soils,
with more time for soil-forming processes to act, exhibit more distinct soil horizons and
greater maturity than younger soils. The duration of soil formation processes affects the
development of soil horizons and the accumulation of organic matter and minerals

Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind
and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc. contribute to the formation of soil. Chemical
and organic changes which take place in the soil are equally important. Soil also consists
of organic (humus) and inorganic materials
Q5) What do you mean by Soil Erosion? Explain the causes of soil erosion
and measures to cure it.
Ans :
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil
erosion. human activities like deforestation, over-grazing, construction and mining
etc., while natural forces like wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion.
1.Deforestation :
- Removal of Trees and Vegetation: Clearing forests for agriculture, urban
development, or logging reduces the protective cover of soil, making it vulnerable to
erosion.
- Loss of Root Systems: Trees and plants help hold soil in place with their roots.
Without them, soil is more easily washed or blown away.

2. Overgrazing
- Excessive Grazing by Livestock: When livestock graze too intensively, they remove
vegetation cover, compact the soil, and increase erosion risk.

3. Poor Agricultural Practices

- Monocropping: Growing the same crop year after year can deplete soil nutrients and
reduce its structure, making it more prone to erosion.
- Inadequate Crop Rotation: Failing to rotate crops can lead to soil degradation and
increased erosion.
- Tillage: Intensive tillage can break up soil structure, making it more susceptible to
erosion.

4. Construction and Urbanization

- Land Disturbance: Construction activities disturb the land, removing vegetation and
exposing soil to erosion.
- Impervious Surfaces: Urban development increases the amount of impervious
surfaces like roads and buildings, leading to increased runoff and erosion in
surrounding areas.

5. Poor Land Management

- Inadequate Erosion Control Measures: Failure to implement erosion control
measures like terracing, contour farming, or buffer strips can exacerbate soil erosion.
- Soil Compaction: Heavy machinery and foot traffic can compact soil, reducing its
porosity and increasing erosion risk.

6. Climate Change
- Increased Extreme Weather Events: Climate change can lead to more frequent and
intense rainfall, storms, and droughts, all of which can contribute to soil erosion.
7. The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as
gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known as bad land. 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.
Soil erosion is also caused due to defective methods of farming. Ploughing in a
wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for the quick flow of water
leading to soil erosion.
Measures to cure soil erosion –
1.Contour Ploughing : Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of
water down the slopes. This is called contour ploughing.
2. Terrace cultivation : Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace
cultivation restricts erosion. Western and central Himalayas have well developed
terrace farming.
 3. Strip cropping : 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. This method is known
as strip cropping.
4.Shelter belts : Planting lines of trees to create shelter also works in a similar way.
Rows of such trees are called shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed
significantly to the stabilisation of sand dunes and in stabilising the desert .
Q6)Explain the main features of the following soil types – (5)
(a) alluvial soil (b) black soil (c) red and yellow soil (d) laterite soil
(e) arid soil (f) forest soil
Write in points – topography , chemical properties , nutrients present , crops grown .
texture , other important features.

Map work