Extra 30 short questions and answers (2-3 marks each) from Chapter: Resources and Development for Class 10 CBSE
Short Questions and Answers (2-3 Marks)
1. What are resources? Explain with examples.
Answer: Resources are all the naturally occurring and human-made materials that satisfy human needs. They can be biotic (forests, animals) or abiotic (minerals, water).
2. What are the different types of resources based on origin?
Answer:
Biotic resources
– Derived from living organisms (e.g., forests, animals).
Abiotic resources
– Derived from non-living things (e.g., minerals, water).
3. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer:
Renewable resources
– Can be replenished (e.g., solar energy, forests).
Non-renewable resources
– Cannot be replenished quickly (e.g., coal, petroleum).
4. What is meant by sustainable development?
Answer: Sustainable development is the use of resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
5. Explain the classification of resources based on ownership.
Answer:
Individual resources
– Owned privately (e.g., farmland).
Community resources
– Available to all (e.g., parks).
National resources
– Belong to a country (e.g., forests).
International resources
– Managed by international organizations (e.g., oceans beyond 200 nautical miles).
6. What are potential and developed resources?
Answer:
Potential resources
– Available but not yet utilized (e.g., wind energy in Rajasthan).
Developed resources
– Fully utilized and available (e.g., coal in India).
7. What is resource planning? Why is it needed?
Answer: Resource planning is a strategy for the efficient and judicious use of resources. It is needed to prevent resource depletion, ensure sustainable development, and reduce wastage.
8. Mention the three stages of resource planning.
Answer:
Identification of resources
– Mapping and surveying resources.
Planning for resource use
– Matching resource availability with national development.
Implementation of resource development plans
– Policies for conservation and sustainable use.
9. What is land degradation? Mention two causes.
Answer: Land degradation is the decline in land quality due to human or natural activities. Causes include:
Deforestation
– Cutting down trees reduces soil fertility.
Overgrazing
– Excessive grazing by animals leads to soil erosion.
10. Suggest two ways to prevent land degradation.
Answer:
Afforestation
– Planting trees to prevent soil erosion.
Crop rotation
– Growing different crops to maintain soil fertility.
11. What are the main causes of soil erosion?
Answer:
Deforestation
– Removal of trees exposes soil to erosion.
Overgrazing
– Animals remove vegetation cover, making soil loose.
Unscientific farming
– Ploughing up and down the slope accelerates erosion.
12. Explain sheet and gully erosion.
Answer:
Sheet erosion
– Thin layers of topsoil are washed away by water.
Gully erosion
– Heavy water flow cuts deep channels in soil, forming ravines.
13. What is soil conservation? Name two methods.
Answer: Soil conservation is the prevention of soil erosion and maintenance of soil fertility. Methods:
Contour ploughing
– Ploughing along the contours of a slope.
Terrace farming
– Making step-like fields on slopes.
14. Differentiate between alluvial and black soil.
Answer:
Alluvial soil
– Found in river plains, very fertile, good for rice and wheat.
Black soil
– Found in Deccan plateau, retains moisture, suitable for cotton.
15. Why is black soil called ‘regur soil’?
Answer: Black soil is called regur soil because it is very fertile and retains moisture, making it ideal for cotton cultivation.
16. Why is laterite soil not suitable for agriculture?
Answer: Laterite soil is highly leached due to heavy rainfall, making it acidic and low in fertility. However, it can be used for tea and coffee cultivation with proper fertilizers.
17. Name two states where red soil is found.
Answer: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
18. What is the main reason for desertification?
Answer: Overgrazing, deforestation, and excessive irrigation lead to desertification by reducing soil fertility and increasing land degradation.
19. How does deforestation lead to soil erosion?
Answer: Trees bind soil particles together. When trees are cut, soil becomes loose and is easily washed or blown away.
20. Mention two human activities that contribute to resource depletion.
Answer:
Over-extraction of minerals
– Leads to depletion of non-renewable resources.
Deforestation
– Reduces biodiversity and causes soil erosion.
21. What is Agenda 21?
Answer: Agenda 21 is an action plan adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation globally.
22. What are the main aims of Agenda 21?
Answer:
Reduce environmental degradation.
Promote sustainable resource management.
Improve the quality of life for present and future generations.
23. How is contour ploughing useful?
Answer: Contour ploughing prevents soil erosion by ploughing along natural contours, reducing water runoff.
24. Which states have the highest forest cover in India?
Answer: Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.
25. How does over-irrigation lead to land degradation?
Answer: Over-irrigation causes waterlogging, which increases soil salinity and reduces agricultural productivity.
26. How does crop rotation help in soil conservation?
Answer: Crop rotation prevents soil depletion by alternating crops that require different nutrients, maintaining soil fertility.
27. Explain the concept of ‘land use pattern’ in India.
Answer: Land use pattern refers to how land is used for different purposes, including agriculture, forests, wastelands, and settlements.
28. How does afforestation help in soil conservation?
Answer: Afforestation binds soil with tree roots, reducing erosion and increasing soil fertility.
29. What are international resources? Give an example.
Answer: Resources that belong to no single country and are governed by international laws. Example: Oceans beyond 200 nautical miles.
30. Why is resource conservation necessary?
Answer: Resource conservation ensures sustainable development, prevents depletion, and secures availability for future generations.
