NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Geography: Resources And Development

Summary of the Chapter

The chapter "Resources and Development" introduces the concept of resources, their classification, and the importance of sustainable development. It begins by defining resources and classifying them based on origin, exhaustibility, ownership, and status of development. The chapter discusses the importance of resource planning in India, a country with enormous diversity in resources.

The chapter covers land resources, land utilization patterns, and different types of soils found in India. It explains land degradation and conservation measures. The chapter emphasizes the importance of soil conservation and various methods to prevent soil erosion. Finally, it discusses the concept of sustainable development and the need to conserve resources for future generations, highlighting the importance of resource planning in a country like India.

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NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises (Page 12)

Question 1: Multiple choice questions: (i) Which one of the following types of resources is iron ore? (a) Renewable (b) Biotic (c) Flow (d) Non-renewable

(ii) Under which of the following types of resource can tidal energy be put?
(a) Replenishable
(b) Human-made
(c) Abiotic
(d) Non-recyclable

(iii) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Intensive cultivation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Over irrigation
(d) Overgrazing

(iv) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?
(a) Punjab
(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh
(c) Haryana
(d) Uttarakhand

(v) In which of the following states is black soil found?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Gujarat
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand

Answer-
(i) (d) Non-renewable
(ii) (a) Replenishable
(iii) (c) Over irrigation
(iv) (d) Uttarakhand
(v) (b) Gujarat

Question 2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
(iv) What are the biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.

Answer-
(i) States with black soil: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
Main crop grown: Cotton (Black soil is ideal for cotton cultivation)

(ii) Soil type: Alluvial soil is found in river deltas of eastern coast.
Features:

• Very fertile and rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime
• Ideal for cultivation of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereals
• Contains adequate proportion of potash, lime and phosphoric acid

(iii) Steps to control soil erosion in hilly areas:

• Contour ploughing
• Terrace farming
• Afforestation
• Construction of check dams

(iv) Biotic resources: Resources obtained from biosphere having life
Examples: Human beings, flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock

Abiotic resources: Non-living things
Examples: Rocks, metals, land, water, minerals

Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words:
(i) Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?

Answer-
(i) Land use pattern in India:

• Net sown area: About 54% of total land (varies from state to state)
• Forest area: About 22% of total land
• Other uncultivated land: Includes permanent pastures, tree crops, etc.
• Fallow land: Land left without cultivation for one or less than one year
• Cultural wasteland: Land left uncultivated for more than 5 years

Reasons for limited increase in forest area since 1960-61:

• Rapid population growth leading to increased demand for agricultural land
• Urbanization and industrialization
• Infrastructure development projects
• Illegal deforestation and encroachment
• Lack of effective implementation of forest conservation policies

(ii) Technical and economic development leading to more resource consumption:

• Industrialization: Increased demand for raw materials and energy resources
• Technological advancement: New technologies require more resources
• Economic growth: Higher living standards increase per capita resource consumption
• Globalization: Access to global markets increases resource extraction
• Consumerism: Advertising and marketing create artificial needs
• Infrastructure development: Construction activities consume large amounts of resources
• Agricultural modernization: Use of machinery, fertilizers, and irrigation increases resource use

Question 4: Match the following options correctly:

Answer-
(i) Land use - (a) Productive use of land
(ii) Humus - (d) Organic matter deposited on top soil
(iii) Rock dams - (e) Prevent soil erosion
(iv) Fallow land - (b) Land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year
(v) Resource - (c) A naturally occurring substance

Question 5: Find out reasons for the following:
(i) Red soil is red in colour.
(ii) Black soil is black in colour.
(iii) Alluvial soil is very fertile.

Answer-
(i) Red soil is red in colour because: It develops a reddish color due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks red because of the presence of iron oxide.

(ii) Black soil is black in colour because: It is formed from lava rocks and is rich in iron, lime, aluminium, magnesium, and also contains potash. The black color comes from the high content of iron and humus.

(iii) Alluvial soil is very fertile because: It is rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops. It is formed by the deposition of sediments brought by rivers and contains adequate proportion of various minerals.

Additional Questions

Question 6: Classify resources on the basis of different criteria with examples.

Answer-

Question 7: Describe the major soil types found in India.

Answer-

Question 8: What is sustainable development? Why is it important?

Answer-
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Importance of sustainable development:
1.Conservation of resources: Ensures resources are available for future generations
2.Environmental protection: Prevents environmental degradation
3.Economic stability: Promotes long-term economic growth
4.Social equity: Ensures fair distribution of resources
5.Climate change mitigation: Helps combat global warming
6.Biodiversity conservation: Protects various species and ecosystems
7.Energy security: Promotes renewable energy sources
8.Water conservation: Ensures availability of clean water

Question 9: Explain various methods of soil conservation.

Answer-
Various methods of soil conservation include:

1.Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope

2.Terrace farming: Building terraces on steep slopes to create flat surfaces for cultivation

3.Strip cropping: Growing strips of grass between crops to break the force of wind

4.Shelter belts: Planting rows of trees to check wind movement

5.Rock dams: Piling rocks to slow down water flow and prevent gullies

6.Afforestation: Planting trees to hold soil together

7.Controlled grazing: Proper management of grazing to prevent overgrazing

8.Crop rotation: Growing different crops in succession to maintain soil fertility

Question 10: What is resource planning? Why is it necessary in India?

Answer-
Resource planning is the strategy for judicious use of resources. It involves:

• Identification and inventory of resources across regions
• Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology
• Matching resource development plans with national development plans

Necessity of resource planning in India:
1.Limited resources: Resources are limited but demand is increasing
2.Regional variations: Uneven distribution of resources across regions
3.Population pressure: Large population puts pressure on resources
4.Sustainable development: Need to conserve for future generations
5.Economic development: Proper planning ensures optimal utilization
6.Environmental protection: Prevents over-exploitation and degradation
7.Regional balance: Helps in reducing regional disparities
8.National security: Ensures availability of essential resources

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Important Keywords from the Chapter

• Resource: Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs
• Biotic Resources: Resources obtained from biosphere having life
• Abiotic Resources: Non-living things
• Renewable Resources: Resources which can be renewed or reproduced
• Non-renewable Resources: Resources which get exhausted after years of use
• Individual Resources: Resources owned privately by individuals
• Community Resources: Resources accessible to all members of community
• National Resources: Resources within political boundaries of nation
• International Resources: Resources beyond 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone
• Potential Resources: Resources found in region but not used
• Developed Resources: Resources surveyed and quality determined
• Stock: Materials in environment with potential to satisfy human needs
• Reserves: Subset of stock which can be put to use with existing technology
• Resource Planning: Strategy for judicious use of resources
• Sustainable Development: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
• Land Degradation: Process of deterioration of land quality
• Soil Erosion: Removal of top soil by natural agents
• Soil Conservation: Protection of soil from erosion and deterioration
• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing parallel to contours to prevent soil erosion
• Terrace Farming: Building terraces on slopes for cultivation