Long Answer-Class 10 – Social Science -Geography-Chapter 5 Minerals and Energy Resources

Class 10-Very Long Answer-5- Minerals and Energy Resources

Q1. Describe any three non-conventional sources of energy.

Ans : Non-conventional sources of energy are:

a. Solar Energy: India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of trapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is rapidly becoming popular in rural and remote areas.

b. Wind Energy: India now ranks as a ‘wind super power’ in the world. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagercoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms. Nagercoil and Jaisalmer are well-known for effective use of wind energy in the country.

c. Biogas: Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Biogas plants using cattle dung are known as ‘Gobar Gas Plants’ in rural India. These provide twin benefits to the farmer in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.

Q2. How is mining activity hazardous? Explain.

 Ans :The mining activity is injurious to the health of the miners and environment as:

a. The dust and noxious fumes inhaled by miners make them vulnerable to pulmonary diseases.

b. The risk of collapsing mine roofs.

c. Inundation on coal mines are a constant threat to miners.

d. The water sources in the region get contaminated due to mining.

e. Dumping of waste and slurry leads to degradation of land, soil and increase in stream and river pollution