MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (CLASS X)

MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTION

Q.1. What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment friendly?
Answer: We can make the following changes in our habits to become more environment friendly:
(i) Switch off the lights, fans, TV, geyser and other electrical appliances when not needed.
(ii) Stop using polythene bags and start using bags made of cloth or jute.
(iii) Start going to nearby school on bicycle instead of asking parents to drop us on scooter or car.
(iv) Stop using any products made of animal skin, fur or ivory.
(v) Collect used articles made of paper, plastic, glass and metals, and send them for recycling.

Q.2. What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Answer: If the resources are exploited to the hilt with short-term aims, then the present generation will benefit too much. For example, the exploitation of resources with short-term aims would provide more than sufficient food, water, and energy to all the people in the present generation.

Q.3. How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Answer: Exploiting the natural resources with short-term aims would be too much beneficial for the present generation but no resources will be left for the needs of future generations. On the other hand, the management of natural resources on a long-term perspective will meet the basic needs of the present generation and also ensure that sufficient natural resources are left for the needs of future generations.

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?
Answer: At present, the rich and powerful people are cornering a major share of the country’s natural resources (such as irrigation water from canals). There should be an equitable distribution of natural resources so that even poor people may benefit more by using them. Some vested interests with money and influence are working against the equitable distribution of natural resources.

Q.5. Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Answer:

(i) We should conserve forests because they provide raw materials for a number of industries like timber industry, paper industry, lac industry and sports equipment industry. Forests prevent floods and soil erosion. Forests help in bringing sufficient rainfall by maintaining a perfect water cycle in nature. Forests also provide natural habitat to wild animals and birds, and help in their conservation. Forests are essential for maintaining the ecological balance by preserving the biodiversity (large number of species of plants and animals).
(ii) The wild animals and birds which live in a forest are called ‘wildlife’. We should conserve wildlife to maintain ecological balance in nature. For example, it is necessary to conserve wild animals like lions and tigers to maintain the forest ecosystem because they keep the population of herbivorous animals(like deer) under control and save the vegetation from overgrazing and its ill effects on environment. This is because overgrazing destroys the green plants and reduces the rainfall in that area. Due to less rainfall, the lush green forest environment can turn into a desert over a period of time. Wildlife should also be conserved to prevent the extinction of rare varieties of animals and birds from this earth.

Q.6. Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer: Some of the measures which can be taken for the conservation of forests are as follows:
(i) The indiscriminate and unauthorised felling (cutting) of forest trees for timber trade and firewood should be curbed immediately.
(ii) In case of Government authorised felling of forest trees, for every acre of forest cut down, an equal area of land should be planted with saplings of trees to make up for the loss in the long run.
(iii) Overgrazing of forest vegetation by the cattle of local people should be prevented.
(iv) Measures should be taken to prevent and control forest fires.
(v) The local people of villages in and around the forest should be involved in the conservation of forests by giving employment in silviculture and harvesting operations of the forest.

Q.7. Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Answer: The traditional systems of water harvesting in our region are ponds and lakes where rainwater is stored.

Q.8. Compare the above systems with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Answer: Dams are built over rivers in hilly/mountainous areas. They are more advantageous because they store running river water which can be used to generate electricity. Moreover, since the water stored in dam keeps flowing to turn the turbines, it does not act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes (which spread malaria). The stagnant water in ponds and lakes, however, becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes.