Intext Questions

Q.1      What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Sol.

Changes that I suggest in my home in order to be environment-friendly are:-
(i) Instead of using polythene bags, start using cloth, paper or jute bags.
(ii) Reducing use of electricity by avoiding unnecessary use of light and fans.
(iii) Recycling of plastics, papers, glass and metal items.
(iv) Reusing different items like plastic bags, envelopes etc.

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Q.2     What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Sol. 

Exploiting resources with short-term aims would have advantage for only present generation.
As, if resources exploit with short-term aims, then people of present generation would have more than sufficient amount of resources for use.

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Q.3      How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Sol.

Long-term perspective in managing our resources would have advantage for present and future generation, as, by using long – term perspective in managing resources, all resources would be available for present and future generation both in sufficient amount. But by exploiting with short term aims  only present generation would be benefit.

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Q.4      Why do you think there should be equitable distribution of natural resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of resources?
Sol.

There should be equitable distribution of natural resources so that all people whether rich or poor utilize them according to requirement. In fact, all people or living beings have equal right to utilize the resources of the earth. But, some forces (rich people) working against an equitable distribution of resources due to which less than sufficient amount of resources are available to others.

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Q.5      Why should we conserve forests and wildlife ?
Sol.

We should conserve forests and wild life because –
(i) Forests are biodiversity hotspots i.e. different types of species of animals and plants are present in forests.
(ii) Forests provide wood and other raw materials for industries like paper industry, lac industry etc.
(iii) Forests help in maintaining ecological balance.
(iv) Forests provide different species of plants and animals for medicinal use.
(v) For eg. Quinine is a drug used for the treatment of malaria and it is obtained from bark of cinchona trees.
(vi) Forests prevent soil erosion.
(vii) Forests provide natural habitat for wild animals and birds and also for tribe people.

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Q.6      Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Sol.

Some approaches towards the conservation of forests are as follows:
(i) Indiscriminate deforestation should be prohibited.
(ii) Overgrazing by the cattle should be prevented.
(iii) Reforestation of the deforested areas should be undertaken.
(iv) Measures should be taken to prevent and control forest fires.
(v)  People’s participation in the conservation of forests is very important.

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Q.7      Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/ management in your region.
Sol.

Traditional techniques of water harvesting are nearly location specific.
For eg. khadins, tanks and nadis in Rajasthan.
Bandharas and tals in Maharashtra.
Ahars and Pynes in Bihar.
Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh.
Ponds in Jammu.

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Q.8      Compare the above systems with the probable systems in hilly/ mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Sol.

The probable systems for water harvesting in hilly/ mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions are dams as they store water in large amount and can be used for different purposes like, irrigation, pisci-culture and to generate electricity.

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Q.9      Find out the source of water in your region/locality. Is water from this source available to all people living in that area?
Sol.

The sources of water in my locality are ground water and the municipality supply. Water from these sources is available to all people living in that area but in summer season shortage of water occurs.

Exercise

Q.1      What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment friendly?
Sol.

Changes that I would suggest in my home in order to be environment friendly are:-
(i)  Instead of using polythene bags, start using cloth, paper or jute bags.
(ii)  Reduce use of electricity by :
      –  Avoiding unnecessary use of  light and fans.
      –  Using CFLs instead of fluorescent bulbs and lights.
      –  Using stairs instead of lifts.
(iii)  Recycle of plastics, papers, glass and metal items.
(iv)  Reuse different items like plastic bags, envelopes etc.
(v)   Use pressure cooker or solar cooker for cooking.
(vi)  Prefer walking or use bicycle for short distance and use public transport for long distance.

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Q.2      Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment friendly?
Sol.

Changes in our school which would make it environment friendly are :-
(i) Use of CNG instead of diesel and petrol in school buses.
(ii) Harvesting of rain water.
(iii) Afforestation (Planting of trees).
(iv) Provide Knowledge of 3 R’s i.e. Reduce , Reuse and Recycle of different things to children.

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Q.3      We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it come to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce ? Why do you think so?
Sol.

The four main stakeholders are :
(i) The local people who live in and around the forest.
(ii) The Forest department.
(iii) The industrialist.
(iv) The forest and wildlife activists.
The local people should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce because local people use the forest and wildlife resources continuously to fulfill their basic needs and their involvement makes them aware for the conservation of forest and wildlife.

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Q.4     How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife (b) water resources, and (c) coal and petroleum ?
Sol.

As an individual, I can contribute to the management of :
(a) Forests and wild-life by –
      (i) Afforestation – Planting of trees.
        (ii) Controlling cutting of trees.
        (iii) Avoiding the use of products that are made from animals body.

(b) Water resources by-
      (i) Using limited water.
        (ii) Preventing wastage of water in cleaning of vehicles and floor.
        (iii) Repairing leaking taps immediately.
        (iv) Guiding others for proper use of water.

(c) Coal and petroleum by –
      (i) Using bicycle for short distance instead of vehicles like car and scooter.
        (ii) Turning off the vehicle while waiting on red lights.

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Q.5      What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Sol.

To reduce consumption of the various natural resources, I can do the following things –
(i) Save electricity by avoiding unnecessary use of lights and fans.
(ii) Use solar Energy.
(iii) Prefer walking or using bicycle for short distance.
(iv) Control the waste of water.
(v) Avoid the use of products that are made from animals body.
(vi) Afforestation i.e. planting of trees.
(vii) Guide others regarding proper use of natural resources.

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Q.6      List five things you have done over the last one week to :
                   (a) Conserve our natural resources.
                   (b) Increase the pressure on our natural resources.
Sol.

(a) The five things done by me over the last one week to conserve our natural resources were :
        (i) Planted trees in the garden of our society .
        (ii) Used pressure cooker to save fuel.
        (iii) Switched off lights of my room before leaving.
        (iv) Went to school by bicycle when I missed the school bus.
        (v) Closed the tap tightly after bath.

(b) The five things done by me over the last one week which increased the pressure on our natural resources were :
         (i) Instead of wearing sweater used room heater.
         (ii) Forgot to switch off the light and TV before sleeping.
         (iii) Did not closed the tap tightly after bath.
         (iv) Cooked rice in a utensil instead of cooker.
          (v) Went to school by car with my father instead of school bus.

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Q.7      On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources ?
Sol. 

Changes that i would incorporate in my life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of natural resources are:
(i) Started using cloth, paper or jute bags instead of polythene bags.
(ii) Reduce use of electricity by :
      –  Avoiding unnecessary use of  light and fans.
      –  Using CFLs instead of fluorescent bulbs and lights.
      – Using stairs instead of lifts for 2-3 floors.
      – Started wearing one or more sweaters instead of room heater in winters.
(iii)  Recycle plastics, papers, glass and metal items.
(iv)  Reuse different items like plastic bags, envelopes etc.
(v)   Use pressure cooker or solar cooker for cooking.
(vi)  Prefer walking or use bicycle for short distance and use public    transport for long distance.

Exemplar

Multiple Choice Questions

Q.1 From the list given below pick the item that is not a natural resource

(a) Soil

(b) Water

(c) Electricity

(d) Air

Sol. (c)

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Q.2 The most rapidly dwindling natural resource in the world is

(a) Water

(b) Forests

(c) Wind

(d) Sunlight

Sol. (b)

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Q.3 The most appropriate definition of a natural resource is that it is a substance/commodity that is

(a) present only on land

(b) A gift of nature which is very useful to mankind

(c) A man-made substance placed in nature

(d) Available only in the forest

Sol. (b)

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Q.4 The main cause for abundant coliform bacteria in the river Ganga is

(a) disposal of unburnt corpses into water

(b) Discharge of effluents from electroplating industries

(c) Washing of clothes

(d) Immersion of ashes

Sol. (a)

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Q.5 The pH of water sample collected from a river was found to be acidic in the range of 3.5 – 4.5, on the banks of the river were several factories that were discharging effluents into the river. The effluents of which one of the following factories is the most likely cause for lowering the pH of river water?

(a) Soap and detergent factory

(b) Lead battery manufacturing factory

(c) Plastic cup manufacturing factory

(d) Alcohol distillery

Sol. (b)

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Q.6 The pH range most conducive for life of fresh water plants and animals is

(a) 6.5 – 7.5

(b) 2.0 – 3.5

(c) 3.5 – 5.0

(d) 9.0 – 10.5

Sol. (a)

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Q.7 The three R’s that will help us to conserve natural resources for long term use are

(a) Recycle, regenerate, reuse

(b) Reduce, regenerate, reuse

(c) Reduce, reuse, redistribute

(d) Reduce, recycle, reuse

Sol. (d)

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Q.8 Given below are a few statements related to biodiversity. Pick those that correctly describe the concept of biodiversity

(i) Biodiversity refers to the different species of flora and fauna present in an area

(ii) Biodiversity refers to only the flora of a given area

(iii) Biodiversity is greater in a forest

(iv) Biodiversity refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species living in an area

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (ii) and (iv)

(c) (i) and (iii)

(d) (ii) and (iii)

Sol. (c)

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Q.9 Among the statements given below select the ones that correctly describe the concept of sustainable development

(i) Planned growth with minimum damage to the environment

(ii) Growth irrespective of the extent of damage caused to the environment

(iii) Stopping all developmental work to conserve the environment

(iv) Growth that is acceptable to all the stakeholders

(a) (i) and (iv)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (ii) and (iv)

(d) (iii) only

Sol. (a)

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Q.10 In our country, vast tracts of forests are cleared and a single species of plant is cultivated. This practice promotes

(a) Biodiversity in the area

(b) Mono culture in the area

(c) Growth of natural forest

(d) Preserves the natural ecosystem in the area

Sol. (b)

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Q.11 A successful forest conservation strategy should involve

(a) Protection of animals at the highest trophic level

(b) Protection of only consumers

(c) Protection of only herbivores

(d) Comprehensive programme to protect all the physical and biological components

Sol. (d)

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Q.12 The important message conveyed by the ‘Chipko Movement’ is

(a) To involve the community in forest conservation efforts

(b) To ignore the community in forest conservation efforts

(c) To cut down forest trees for developmental activities

(d) Government agencies have the unquestionable right to order destruction of trees in forests

Sol. ( a)

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Q.13 In our country, there are attempts to increase the height of several existing dams like Tehri and Almati, dams across Narmada. Choose the correct statements among the following that are a consequence of raising the height of dams

(i) Terrestrial flora and fauna of the area is destroyed completely

(ii) Dislocation of people and domestic animals living in the area

(iii) Valuable agricultural land may be permanently lost

(iv) It will generate permanent employment for people

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(c) (ii) and (iv)

(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)

Sol. ( b)

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Q.14 Expand the abbreviation GAP

(a) Governmental Agency for Pollution Control

(b) Gross Assimilation by Photosynthesis

(c) Ganga Action Plan

(d) Governmental Agency for Animal Protection

Sol. ( c)

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Q.15 Select the incorrect statement

(a) Economic development is linked to environmental conservation

(b) Sustainable development encourages development for current generation and conservation of resources for future generations

(c) Sustainable development does not consider the view points of stakeholders

(d) Sustainable development is a long planned and persistent development

Sol. (c)

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Q.16 Which of the following is not a natural resource?

(a) Mango tree

(b) Snake

(c) Wind

(d) Wooden house

Sol. (d)

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Q.17 Select the wrong statement

(a) Forests provide variety of products

(b) Forests have greater plant diversity

(c) Forests do not conserve soil

(d) Forests conserve water

Sol. (c)

Q.18 Arabari forests of Bengal is dominated by

(a) Teak

(b) Sal

(c) Bamboo

(d) Mangrove

Sol. (b)

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Q.19 Ground water will not be depleted due to

(a) afforestation

(b) Thermal power plants

(c) Loss of forest, and decreased rainfall

(d) Cropping of high water demanding crops

Sol. (a)

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Q.20 Opposition to the construction of large dams is due to

(a) Social reasons

(b) Economic reasons

(c) Environmental reasons

(d) All the above

Sol. (d)

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Q.21 Khadins, Bundhis, Ahars and Kattas are ancient structures that are examples for

(a) Grain storage

(b) Wood storage

(c) Water harvesting

(d) Soil conservation

Sol. (c)

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Q.22 Pick the right combination of terms which has no fossil fuel.

(a) Wind, ocean and coal

(b) Kerosene, wind and tide

(c) Wind, wood, sun

(d) Petroleum, wood, sun

Sol. (c)

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Q.23 Select the eco-friendly activity among the following

(a) Using car for transportation

(b) Using polybags for shopping

(c) Using dyes for colouring clothes

(d) Using windmills to generate power for irrigation

Sol. (d)

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Q.24 It is important to make small check dams across the flooded gullies because they

(i) Hold water for irrigation

(ii) Hold water and prevent soil erosion

(iii) Recharge ground water

(iv) Hold water permanently

(a) (i) and (iv)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (iii) and (iv)

(d) (ii) and (iv)

Sol. (b)