Short Answer – Class 10 – Social Science -Geography-Chapter 1 – Resource and Development

Class10- Short Answer-Geography-Ch1- Resource and Development

Q1. 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.

 Ans : Yes, there are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other resources.

a. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.

 b. Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water resources but lacks in infrastructural development.

 c. Rajasthan is endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water resources.

 d. Ladakh has rich cultural heritage but lacks in water resources and infrastructure.

Q2. Which is the main cause of land degradation in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh? How can it be checked? Explain.

Ans : The main cause of land degradation is large scale overgrazing Measures to check include:

a. Afforestation and proper management of grazing.

b. Planting of shelter belts of plants.

c. Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.

d. Control on overgrazing.

Q3. Explain any three steps taken to solve the problem of land degradation in India.

Ans : a. Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent.

 b. Planting of shelter belts, control on over-grazing, stabilisation of sand dune by growing thorny bushes.

c. Proper management of wastelands, control of mixing activities, proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment can reduce land and water degradation in industrial and sub-urban areas are some of the methods to check land degradation.

Q4. Indiscriminate use of resources had led to numerous problems.’ Justify this statement.

Ans : Resources are vital for human survival and it was believed that resources are free gift of nature. The indiscriminate use of resources led to the following problems:

a. To satisfy the greed of few individuals, depletion of resources has continued.

b. Due to the accumulation of resources in few hands, the society gets divided into two segments, e.g., rich and poor.

 c. Indiscriminate use of resources has ‘ led to ecological crises, e.g., ozone layer depletion, land degradation, global warming and environmental pollution.

Q5. What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas?

Ans : Methods of soil conservation:

a. Ploughing along the contour lines can decrease the speed of water flow down the slopes.

b. Step or terrace cultivation on slopes restricts erosion. Western and Central Himalayas have well-developed terrace farming.

c. Strip cropping: Here 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.

d. Shelter belt plantation: Trees are planted in rows. These shelter belts have led to the stabilisation of sand dimes and in stabilising the desert in western India.

Q6. Distinguish between the renewable and non-renewable resources.

Ans : a. Renewable resources: Resources which can be renewed or reproduced by mechanical, physical or chemical processes are known as renewable or replenishable resources, e.g., solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife, etc.

b. Non-renewable resources : These occur over very long geological times. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of such resources. These resources take millions of years in their formation. Some of the resources like metals are recyclable and some of them such as fossil fuels cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.

Q7. Explain any three factors responsible for soil formation.

Ans : a. The parent rock is the first factor which provides the basic material for the formation of soil.

b. Climate breaks the parent rock into small pieces.

c. Vegetation: Plant and animal organisms help in the weathering of the rocks slowly but continuously

d. 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.

e. Chemical and organic changes take place in the soil.

Q8. Which geographical factors are responsible for the evolution of black soil? Why is it considered the most suitable for growing cotton?

Ans : a. Climatic conditions along with present rock material are important factors for making of black soil. The parent rock is volcanic rock.

b. It is ideal for growing cotton because of the following reasons:

c. It has capacity to hold moisture.

d. It is rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate and potash.

e. Deep cracks in the soil help in aeration.

Q9. Mention any two human activities which are responsible for the process of soil erosion. Explain the two types of soil erosion mostly observed in India? 

Ans : Two human activities which are responsible for the process of soil erosion are deforestation and overgrazing, mining, construction, etc. Types of Soil Erosion :

a. Gullies: The running water cuts through the clayey soil and makes deep channels/gullies. The unfit land caused by gullies is called bad land or ravines.

b. Sheet erosion: water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. The top soil is washed away .This process is known as sheet erosion.

Q10. Differentiate between stock and reserve stating two points of difference.

 Ans : a. Stock: Materials, which have the potential to satisfy human beings but human do not have the appropriate technology to access these, are termed as stock. We do not have the required technical ‘know-how’ to use them for a specific purpose, e.g., water which is a compound of two inflammable gases hydrogen and oxygen and can be a rich source of energy. We do not know how to use them.

b. Reserves: These are subset of the stock. They can be put into use with existing know-how but their use has not been started. For e.g., river water is used as a source of hydroelectricity but to a limited extent. Thus, the water in the dams, forests, etc., are reserves which can be used in the future.