Class 12 Geography: Resources and Development (India)
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Which of the following land use categories accounts for the largest area in India?
a) Forest
b) Net Sown Area
c) Area under non-agricultural uses
d) Permanent pastures and grazing lands
Answer: b) Net Sown Area
What is the ideal temperature range for the cultivation of wheat?
a) High temperature (above 25°C)
b) Moderate temperature (10-25°C)
c) Low temperature (below 10°C)
d) Freezing temperatures
Answer: b) Moderate temperature (10-25°C)
India is the largest producer of which of the following crops?
a) Coffee
b) Rubber
c) Jute
d) Wheat
Answer: c) Jute
Which state is the leading producer of Rice in India?
a) Punjab
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) West Bengal
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: c) West Bengal
The 'Green Revolution' in India was primarily aimed at increasing the production of:
a) Pulses and oilseeds
b) Fruits and vegetables
c) Wheat and Rice
d) Cotton and Jute
Answer: c) Wheat and Rice
Which sector is the largest consumer of water resources in India?
a) Domestic
b) Industrial
c) Agricultural (Irrigation)
d) Energy production
Answer: c) Agricultural (Irrigation)
Rainwater harvesting is a method primarily used for:
a) Preventing soil erosion
b) Conserving water resources
c) Generating electricity
d) Controlling floods
Answer: b) Conserving water resources
The Khetri-Singhana belt in Rajasthan is famous for which mineral?
a) Iron ore
b) Copper
c) Bauxite
d) Manganese
Answer: b) Copper
Which of the following is a non-metallic mineral?
a) Iron ore
b) Bauxite
c) Mica
d) Manganese
Answer: c) Mica
Which is the largest coal field in India?
a) Raniganj
b) Jharia
c) Bokaro
d) Talcher
Answer: b) Jharia
Which of the following is a non-conventional source of energy?
a) Coal
b) Petroleum
c) Natural Gas
d) Wind energy
Answer: d) Wind energy
The most significant factor for the location of the Iron and Steel industry is:
a) Proximity to large urban centers
b) Proximity to raw materials (iron ore, coal)
c) Availability of cheap labor
d) Proximity to port facilities
Answer: b) Proximity to raw materials (iron ore, coal)
The 'cotton textile industry' in India is predominantly located in:
a) North Indian plains
b) Deccan Plateau region
c) Gujarat-Maharashtra belt
d) Northeastern states
Answer: c) Gujarat-Maharashtra belt
The 'Petrochemical industry' primarily uses which raw material?
a) Agricultural products
b) Metallic minerals
c) Petroleum and natural gas
d) Forest products
Answer: c) Petroleum and natural gas
What does the concept of 'sustainable development' primarily emphasize?
a) Rapid economic growth at any cost
b) Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
c) Exploiting all natural resources for immediate gain
d) Prioritizing industrialization over environmental protection
Answer: b) Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
II. Short Questions
Name two major land use categories in India that have seen a significant change over the past few decades.
Answer: Two categories are: Area under Forests (increased due to afforestation efforts) and Fallow lands (decreased due to pressure to bring more land under cultivation).
State the ideal geographical conditions for the cultivation of Rice in India.
Answer: High temperature (above 25°C), high humidity, and annual rainfall above 100 cm (or well-irrigated areas). Alluvial soil is preferred.
List two major problems faced by Indian agriculture.
Answer: Two problems are: Dependence on erratic monsoons, fragmentation of landholdings, low productivity, and lack of mechanization.
Name two primary uses of water resources in India.
Answer: Two primary uses are: Irrigation (largest share) and Domestic use.
What is 'water scarcity'?
Answer: Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region, often due to physical shortage or inadequate infrastructure to supply water.
Name two major iron ore belts in India.
Answer: Two belts are: Odisha-Jharkhand Belt and Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur Belt.
Differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals with one example each.
Answer: Metallic minerals contain metal content (e.g., Iron ore, Bauxite, Copper), while non-metallic minerals do not (e.g., Mica, Salt, Limestone).
What is 'hydropower'?
Answer: Hydropower is electricity generated from the energy of falling or fast-running water, typically by harnessing it through dams and turbines.
Name two factors that influence the location of industries.
Answer: Two factors are: Proximity to raw materials, availability of labor, access to markets, and power supply.
What is a 'knowledge-based industry'? Give an example.
Answer: A knowledge-based industry is one that primarily relies on intellectual capital, research, and high-skilled labor for its output, rather than physical raw materials or manufacturing. Example: Information Technology (IT) industry, biotechnology, research and development.
III. Long Questions
1-Discuss the major agricultural crops of India by describing their geographical conditions for growth and major producing regions. Analyze the significant problems faced by Indian agriculture and suggest measures for its sustainable development.
Answer:
Major Agricultural Crops of India and their Geographical Conditions & Distribution:
India's diverse climate and topography support a wide array of crops.
Rice (Kharif Crop):
Conditions: High temperature (above 25°C), high humidity, annual rainfall above 100 cm. Requires fertile alluvial or clayey soils.
Distribution: Dominated by West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. It's the staple food and grown in diverse regions.
Wheat (Rabi Crop):
Conditions: Cool growing season (10-15°C) and bright sunshine at the time of ripening (20-25°C). Requires 50-75 cm of annual rainfall, well-distributed. Loamy and alluvial soils are ideal.
Distribution: Primarily grown in the northern and north-western parts of India. Leading producers are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar.
Tea (Beverage Crop):
Conditions: Tropical or sub-tropical climate, deep and fertile well-drained loamy soils rich in humus and organic matter. Requires warm and moist frost-free climate all through the year and frequent showers.
Distribution: Major producing states are Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri districts), Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand also produce.
Coffee (Beverage Crop):
Conditions: Warm and wet climate, well-drained loamy soils. Requires hot and humid climate, gentle slopes, and well-drained soils. Frost, snowfall, and direct sunlight are harmful.
Distribution: Confined to the Nilgiri hills in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka is the largest producer.
Cotton (Fibre Crop):
Conditions: High temperature (21-30°C), light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days, and bright sunshine for ripening. Requires black cotton soil (Regur soil).
Distribution: Major producers are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Jute (Fibre Crop):
Conditions: High temperature (25-35°C), high humidity, and heavy rainfall (150-250 cm). Requires well-drained fertile alluvial soils.
Distribution: Concentrated in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta region. West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Odisha are the leading producers.
Sugarcane (Commercial Crop):
Conditions: Hot and humid climate (21-27°C) with 75-100 cm of annual rainfall. Can grow on a variety of soils, but well-drained fertile loamy soils are ideal.
Distribution: Leading producers are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
Rubber (Plantation Crop):
Conditions: Hot and humid climate with rainfall over 200 cm and temperature above 25°C. Requires well-drained loamy soils.
Distribution: Primarily in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Problems Faced by Indian Agriculture:
Dependence on Monsoon: Agriculture is highly dependent on the erratic and unevenly distributed monsoon rainfall, leading to frequent droughts or floods.
Low Productivity: Compared to developed countries, yield per hectare for most crops is low due to traditional farming methods, small landholdings, and limited access to technology.
Land Degradation: Soil erosion, salinity, waterlogging, and nutrient depletion reduce soil fertility and agricultural potential.
Lack of Irrigation Facilities: Despite efforts, a significant portion of agricultural land is still rain-fed, making it vulnerable to monsoon variability.
Small and Fragmented Landholdings: Subdivision and fragmentation of landholdings due to inheritance laws make mechanization difficult and lead to inefficiencies.
Lack of Commercialization: Many farmers still practice subsistence farming, with limited surplus for markets, affecting their income.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor rural roads, insufficient storage facilities, and underdeveloped marketing infrastructure lead to post-harvest losses and distress sales.
Indebtedness: Farmers often face a cycle of debt due to crop failures, low prices, and high input costs.
Climate Change Impact: Changing weather patterns, increased frequency of extreme events, and rising temperatures pose new threats to agricultural productivity.
Measures for Sustainable Agricultural Development:
Improved Irrigation: Expand and modernize irrigation systems (canals, tube wells, drip irrigation, sprinklers) and promote efficient water management techniques.
Rainwater Harvesting: Implement rainwater harvesting structures and watershed management programs to conserve water and recharge groundwater.
Soil Health Management: Promote organic farming, crop rotation, use of bio-fertilizers, and sustainable land management practices to maintain soil fertility and prevent degradation.
Diversification of Crops: Encourage farmers to diversify into high-value crops (fruits, vegetables, floriculture) and livestock farming to increase income and reduce risk.
Agricultural Research and Extension: Invest in research for drought-resistant, flood-resistant, and high-yielding varieties. Strengthen agricultural extension services to disseminate knowledge to farmers.
Mechanization and Technology Adoption: Promote the use of modern farm machinery and precision agriculture techniques appropriate for small landholdings.
Credit and Insurance: Ensure easy access to institutional credit and provide effective crop insurance schemes to mitigate risks from crop failures.
Marketing and Infrastructure: Develop rural infrastructure (roads, cold storage, processing units) and improve marketing linkages to connect farmers directly to markets.
Farmer Education and Training: Educate farmers on sustainable practices, market trends, and risk management.
Policy Support: Implement land reforms, ensure fair minimum support prices, and provide subsidies for sustainable practices.
By addressing these problems through integrated and sustainable strategies, India can enhance agricultural productivity, improve farmers' livelihoods, and ensure food security for its growing population.
2-Examine the availability and utilization of water resources in India, highlighting the issues of water scarcity. Discuss various conservation methods, including rainwater harvesting and watershed management, as crucial steps towards sustainable water management.
Answer:
Availability and Utilization of Water Resources in India:
India accounts for about 18% of the world's population but only 4% of the world's fresh water resources. This disparity highlights the inherent challenge.
Availability: India's water resources primarily depend on the monsoon rainfall, which is highly seasonal and geographically uneven. The total annual precipitation is approximately 4,000 billion cubic meters (BCM). However, due to run-off and evaporation, the estimated total annual replenishable ground water resource is around 433 BCM, and surface water is about 1,869 BCM.
Utilization: Water in India is utilized across various sectors, with agriculture being the dominant consumer.
Irrigation (Agriculture): Accounts for approximately 89% of total water utilization. This high demand is due to the need to enhance agricultural productivity and protect crops from monsoon variability, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane.
Domestic Use: Accounts for about 9% of total water utilization, for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and household chores. Urban areas generally have higher per capita domestic water consumption.
Industrial Use: Accounts for approximately 2% of total water utilization. Industries require water for various processes, cooling, and waste disposal. This sector's demand is rapidly increasing with industrialization.
Other Uses: Includes thermal power generation, livestock, and navigation.
Issues of Water Scarcity in India:
Water scarcity is a growing crisis in India, driven by a combination of factors:
Increasing Population: A burgeoning population leads to a proportional increase in demand for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.
Over-extraction of Groundwater: Due to unreliable surface water sources and the availability of cheap electricity for pumps, groundwater has been over-extracted in many regions (e.g., Punjab, Haryana, parts of Rajasthan), leading to declining water tables.
Pollution of Water Bodies: Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers), and solid waste contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater, rendering them unfit for use.
Uneven Distribution: The highly seasonal and spatially uneven distribution of rainfall means some regions face chronic water shortages while others experience floods.
Inefficient Irrigation Practices: Traditional irrigation methods (flood irrigation) are highly inefficient, leading to significant water wastage.
Climate Change: Changes in monsoon patterns, increased frequency of droughts and floods, and glacier melt due to climate change exacerbate water stress.
Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient or poorly maintained water storage, distribution, and treatment infrastructure leads to significant water losses and unequal access.
Conservation Methods for Sustainable Water Management:
To address water scarcity and ensure sustainable water management, various conservation methods are crucial:
Rainwater Harvesting:
Concept: The collection and storage of rainwater for future use, either from rooftops (rooftop rainwater harvesting) or from the ground surface (recharging groundwater aquifers through percolation pits, trenches, or borewells).
Significance: It directly supplements water supply, reduces reliance on groundwater, prevents run-off and soil erosion, and can improve water quality by diluting contaminants. It's particularly effective in urban areas and water-stressed rural regions.
Examples: Traditional systems like 'kunds' and 'baoris' in Rajasthan, modern rooftop harvesting in urban buildings, and community-level rainwater harvesting ponds.
Watershed Management:
Concept: A holistic approach that involves the conservation, regeneration, and judicious use of all resources (land, water, vegetation, and human resources) within a specific hydrological unit (watershed). It aims to balance ecological and socio-economic needs.
Methods: Includes contour bunding, terracing, afforestation, check dams, gully plugs, percolation tanks, and regulated grazing. It focuses on slowing down runoff, increasing infiltration, and preventing soil erosion.
Significance: Improves groundwater recharge, prevents floods, controls soil erosion, enhances agricultural productivity, and ensures availability of water for domestic and other uses within the watershed. It fosters community participation and integrated resource planning.
Examples: Haryali (Government of India's watershed development program), Sukhomajri village in Haryana, Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh.
Efficient Irrigation Techniques: Promote micro-irrigation systems like drip irrigation and sprinklers, which deliver water directly to plant roots, significantly reducing water wastage compared to flood irrigation.
Recycling and Reuse of Water: Treat wastewater from domestic and industrial sources to make it suitable for non-potable uses like irrigation, industrial cooling, and toilet flushing.
Water Quality Management: Implement strict regulations to prevent pollution of surface and groundwater. Promote sewage treatment plants and industrial effluent treatment plants.
Public Awareness and Education: Educate communities about the importance of water conservation, responsible water usage, and the benefits of adopting water-saving practices.
Inter-basin Water Transfers: While controversial, large-scale projects like river interlinking are proposed to transfer surplus water from water-rich basins to water-deficit areas, though with potential environmental and social consequences.
By adopting a multi-pronged strategy that combines traditional wisdom with modern technologies and strong community involvement, India can move towards more sustainable and equitable management of its precious water resources.
3-Analyze the distribution and changing pattern of selected industries in India, specifically focusing on Iron and Steel, Cotton Textile, and Sugar industries. Discuss the impact of liberalisation, privatisation, and planning on India's industrial landscape.
Answer:
Distribution and Changing Pattern of Selected Industries in India:
A. Iron and Steel Industry:
Distribution (Initial): Historically, concentrated in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh). This was due to the close proximity of key raw materials: iron ore (from Odisha, Jharkhand), coking coal (from Jharia, Raniganj), and limestone (from nearby regions). Major plants include Jamshedpur, Durgapur, Bokaro, Rourkela, Bhilai, Burnpur.
Changing Pattern:
Coastal Locations: With increasing reliance on imported coking coal and the need for export access, newer plants or expansions have occurred at coastal locations like Visakhapatnam (Vizag Steel Plant) and also private sector steel plants elsewhere.
Market Proximity: While raw materials remain crucial, market proximity and infrastructure development are gaining importance.
Modernization: Shift from integrated steel plants to mini-steel plants, focusing on efficiency and specialized products.
Impact of Liberalisation: Increased competition from global players, modernization of technology, and a shift towards private sector dominance.
B. Cotton Textile Industry:
Distribution (Initial): Originated in the Gujarat-Maharashtra belt (e.g., Mumbai, Ahmedabad). This region offered favorable conditions: availability of raw cotton, moist climate for spinning, port facilities for machinery import and finished goods export, skilled labor, and proximity to markets.
Changing Pattern:
Decentralization: Gradually shifted from concentrated mill areas to semi-urban and rural areas across India (e.g., Coimbatore, Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Kanpur in UP). This was driven by the availability of cheap labor, power loom development, and government incentives.
Power Looms: The power loom sector (decentralized) now dominates over the mill sector.
Global Competition: Facing stiff competition from countries like China and Bangladesh.
Technology Upgradation: Emphasis on modernizing machinery and moving towards value-added products.
Impact of Liberalisation: Increased competition, closure of many old, inefficient mills, and emergence of new, modern textile units, particularly in the ready-made garment sector.
C. Sugar Industry:
Distribution (Initial): Traditionally concentrated in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (northern India) due to the extensive cultivation of sugarcane, availability of labor, and a long history of sugar production.
Changing Pattern:
Shift to Peninsular India: There has been a significant shift towards the southern and western states, particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Reasons for Shift: Peninsular India offers several advantages: higher sucrose content in sugarcane (due to tropical climate), longer crushing season, and better cooperative sector management.
Modernization: Adoption of modern machinery and techniques, including co-generation (producing electricity from bagasse).
Impact of Liberalisation: Increased private sector participation, focus on efficiency, and diversification into by-products like ethanol.
Impact of Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Planning on India's Industrial Landscape:
1. Planning (Pre-1991 Era):
Impact: Post-independence, India adopted a mixed economy model with a strong emphasis on central planning. The focus was on establishing heavy industries (Iron & Steel, heavy engineering) in the public sector to build a strong industrial base.
Consequences: Led to self-sufficiency in many areas, creation of basic industrial infrastructure, and regional development in some backward areas. However, it also resulted in inefficiencies, monopolies, lack of competition, and a 'license raj' that stifled private sector growth and innovation.
2. Liberalisation (Post-1991):
Impact: A major economic reform that opened up the Indian economy. It involved dismantling the 'license raj,' reducing trade barriers, and allowing greater foreign investment and competition.
Consequences:
Increased Competition: Domestic industries faced competition from foreign players, leading to improved quality, efficiency, and technological upgradation.
Technological Modernization: Access to advanced foreign technology and capital.
Diversification: Growth of new industries, especially in services and high-tech sectors.
Globalization: Integration of Indian industries into global supply chains.
Rationalization: Closure of inefficient units, both public and private.
3. Privatisation (Post-1991):
Impact: Involves transferring ownership and control of public sector enterprises (PSUs) to the private sector.
Consequences:
Improved Efficiency: Private companies are often perceived to be more efficient due to profit motives and market discipline.
Resource Mobilization: Government raises revenue by selling off PSUs, which can be used for social or infrastructure development.
Increased Investment: Encourages private investment in sectors previously reserved for the public sector.
Concerns: Debates around job losses, concentration of wealth, and loss of public control over strategic sectors.
Case Study: Target Group Area Planning (e.g., Drought Prone Area Programme - DPAP)
Idea: This is an example of regional planning. Historically, planning in India focused on sectoral growth. However, it was realized that certain regions (like drought-prone areas, hill areas, tribal areas) have specific problems and require integrated development programs tailored to their needs and target groups.
DPAP: Launched in 1973-74, aims to mitigate the adverse effects of drought, provide employment opportunities, and ultimately bring about ecological restoration. It focuses on watershed development, afforestation, pasture development, and efficient water management.
Impact: DPAP and similar programs aim to reduce regional imbalances, improve the quality of life in disadvantaged areas, and address specific environmental and socio-economic challenges that broad sectoral planning might overlook.
Idea of Sustainable Development (Case Study: Renewable Energy in India)
Concept: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.
India's Approach: India has embraced sustainable development, especially in its energy sector, recognizing the environmental impact of conventional sources and the need for energy security.
Case Study (Renewable Energy): India is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity (solar, wind, hydropower).
Solar Energy: Massive investments in solar parks (e.g., Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan), rooftop solar, and decentralized solar solutions (e.g., solar pumps for farmers).
Wind Energy: Significant wind farms along the western coast (e.g., Gujarat, Tamil Nadu).
Impact: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers carbon emissions, contributes to energy security, creates green jobs, and helps mitigate climate change, thereby promoting long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
In conclusion, India's industrial landscape has transformed dramatically from a planned, public sector-dominated regime to a more liberalized, market-oriented, and privatized one. The emphasis on targeted area planning and sustainable development (as exemplified by renewable energy initiatives) reflects a conscious effort to balance economic growth with environmental concerns and social equity.
