Management of natural resources short answer 1
What are natural resources? State two factors that work against an equitable distribution of these resources.
Natural resources are the stocks of nature whether living or non-living, such as air, water, soil, animals and plants which are useful to the mankind. Two factors that work against an equitable distribution of these resources are:
money and
power.
How do advantages of exploiting natural resources with short term gains in mind differ from the advantages of managing our resources with a long-term perspective ? [CBSE Delhi 2017)
Former leads to huge immediate profits or selfish gains while latter leads to sustainable approach so that the resource may last for future generations too.
What is meant by three types of ‘R’ (3-R’s) to save the environment? Explain with examples how would you follow the 3-R’s in your school to save the environment.
[CBSE (F) 2015]
The three types of ‘R’ are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The 3-R’s can be followed in the following ways:
—Switch off the fans and bulbs when not in use,
—Reuse of paper, polythene bags, etc.,
—Reduce the wastage of water/paper or any other item.
Write two advantages of sustainable management of natural resources. Out of the two – reuse and recycle – which is better and why? [CBSE (F) 2015]
Advantages:
Provides the resources for the present generation.
Preserves the resources for the future generation as well.
Reuse is better than recycling because it does not involve use of energy.
Prepare a list of five items that you use daily in the school. Identify from the list such items that can be recycled. [NCERT Exemplar]
Paper, rexine bag, blade, pen, plastic box, scale, eraser, compass and dividers (metallic), steel lunch box and steel spoon are used in the school.
Paper, blade, plastic box, eraser, compass, steel lunch box and steel spoon can be recycled.
“The prejudice against the traditional use of forest areas have no basis”. Explain.
The great Himalayan National park contains alpine meadows within its reserved areas. These meadows were grazed by sheep in summer. But after the formation of national park, this practice was stopped. Due to this, the grass first grows very tall and then falls over preventing fresh growth from below.
What is meant by wildlife? How is it important for us? [CBSE Delhi 2017)
Wildlife is naturally occurring plants, animals and their species which are not cultivated, domesticated or trained. Its importance are :
Helps in maintaining the ecological balance.
Provides great aesthetic value for human beings.
Have economical importance also.
What legislative measures are taken in India to conserve wildlife?
In India, several laws and acts have been passed from time to time in order to protect the degrading wildlife. Out of all, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has been the most effective. Under this Act, possession, trapping, shooting of wild animals alive or dead; serving their meat for eating in houses, using them as transport, etc., are completely under strict control or prohibited.
Mention two ways in which water harvesting can be undertaken.
The two ways by which water harvesting can be undertaken are:
Capturing run-off water from roof tops.
Capturing run-off water from local catchments.
What is the impact of excessive irrigation and intensification of agriculture?
It has resulted in environmental degradation and creation of few waste lands. Water logging has ultimately caused development of saline soil.
Building of big dams gives rise to some problems. List three main problems that may arise. Suggest a solution to any one of these problems.
[CBSE (F) 2015]
Problem that may arise would be :
Social problems
Economic problems
Environmental problems.
Solution to these problems would be adequate rehabilitation, compensation to the displaced persons and afforestation.
What measures would you take to conserve electricity in your house? [NCERT Exemplar]
Put off the fans and lights when they are not required.
Maximum use of solar radiation.
Use of solar water heating system during winters.
Use of fluorescent tubes or CFL.
What is Narmada Bachao Andolan?
Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada Movement) is a movement to protest about the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada, thereby criticising large dams for addressing problems.
Why do we need to manage our resources carefully?
Why management of natural resources requires a long term perspective? [CBSE Delhi 2015]
The resources are limited and with a tremendous increase in human population, the demand for resources is increasing at an exponential rate. Therefore, we need to manage them carefully.
Long term perspective is required to meet the needs of the present as well as for the generations to come.
Why are coal and petroleum categorised as natural resources ? Give a reason as to why they should be used judiciously. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Coal and petroleum are obtained from nature so they are categorised as natural resources.
They should be used judiciously because they are non-renewable resources which cannot be renewed within a short period of time.
Name any two endangered plant and animal species.
Endangered plant species—Nepenthes khasiana (Pitcher plant) and Snow orchid.
Endangered animal species—Indian Wild Ass and Great Indian Rhinoceros.
Name the river with which the following dams are associated.
Tehri dam,
Sardar Sarovar dam
[2 marks]
Tehri dam on the river Ganga.
Sardar Sarovar dam on the river Narmada.
Although coal and petroleum are produced by degradation of biomass, yet we need to conserve them. Why? [NCERT Exemplar]
Both the energy sources, coal and petroleum, take millions of years for their formation. As these resources are being utilised at a much faster rate than their formation, they will be exhausted in the near future. Hence, they need to be conserved.
Name a greenhouse gas produced due to combustion of fossil fuels. Mention its bad effect to the environment.
The greenhouse gases produced are CO2 and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. These cause global warming.
List two problems that may arise by planting trees of single variety over vast tracts of a forest.
[CBSE (F) 2015]
Loss of biodiversity
Varied needs of the local people can no longer be met.
Degradation of soil.
[Any two]
Why must we conserve our forests? List two factors responsible for causing deforestation. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
We must conserve forests because of the following reasons:
Forests help in preventing soil erosion.
They protect biodiversity.
They maintain ground water level.
They help in rainfall.
They provide raw materials.
They prevent floods. (any two)
Deforestation is caused by: (i) Exploitation by industries (ii) increase in population (iii) urbanization (iv) cattle grazing (any two)
What is water harvesting? How can this technique help in the conservation of water?
Water harvesting is a technique of capturing rain water when it falls and taking measures to keep the water clean.
This water is stored underground that remains unpolluted, it recharges wells and provides moisture for vegetation over a wide area.
List two advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level. [NCERT Exemplar, CBSE (AI) 2017, CBSE Delhi 2015, (F) 2015]
Advantages of water harvesting at community level:
Recharges ground water.
Mitigates floods and droughts.
Brings rivers and wells back to life and makes more water available. (Any two)
List any two advantages associated with water stored in the ground. [CBSE (AI) 2015]
Advantages of water stored in ground:
Recharges the ground water
Prevents evaporation of water
Prevents breeding of mosquitoes
Prevents contamination
Mitigates flood and drought (Any two)
What is meant by “sustainable management”? Why is reuse considered better than recycling? [CBSE Delhi 2015]
OR
What is sustainable management ? Why is reuse considered better in comparison to recycle? [CBSE Delhi 2017]
A type of management which encourages utilisation of resources that meet current basic human needs while preserving the resources for the needs of future generations is called sustainable management.
Reuse is better as it does not consume energy.
List any two causes for the failure of sustained availability of ground water.
Loss of vegetation cover.
Diversion for high water demanding crops.
Pollution from industrial effluents.
Dumping of urban waste.
[Any two]
Management of forest and wild life resources is a very challenging task. Why ? Give any two reasons. [CBSE Delhi 2017]
Space (Clearing forests) is needed for developmental activities.
Our selfish attitude/ No respect for natural resources.
State two advantages of conserving (i) forests, and (ii) wild-life. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Conserving forests helps in (a) retaining sub soil water and (b) checking floods / any other
Conserving wild life helps in (a) maintaining ecological balance and (b) protecting the nature
(or any other)
Why is an equitable distribution of resources essential in a society ? List two forces which are against such distribution.
[CBSE (AI) 2017]
Equitable distribution of resources is essential in a society so that the resources reach every individual or has equal rights on usage of resources. It also avoids division of society. Forces against it are:
More exploitation by industrialists for developmental activities.
Overuse of resources by greedy people, black marketeers.
You being an environmentalist are interested in contributing towards the conservation of natural resources. List four activities that you can do on your own. [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Using public transport
Limited use of fossil fuels
Using bicycles to go to short distances
Rain water harvesting.
