From the list given below pick the item that is not a natural resource
Soil
Water
Electricity
Air
The most rapidly dwindling natural resource in the world is
water
forests
wind
sunlight
The most appropriate definition of a natural resource is that it is a substance/commodity that is
present only on land
a gift of nature which is very useful to mankind
a man-made substance placed in nature
available only in the forest
The main cause for abundant coliform bacteria in the river Ganga is
disposal of unburnt corpses into water
discharge of effluents from electroplating industries
washing of clothes
immersion of ashes
The effluents of which one of the following factories is the most likely cause for lowering the pH of river water?
Soap and detergent factory
Lead battery manufacturing factory
Plastic cup manufacturing factory
Alcohol distillery
The pH range most conducive for life of fresh water plants and animals is
6.5 – 7.5
2.0 – 3.5
3.5 – 5.0
9.0 – 10.5
The three R's that will help us to conserve natural resources for long term use are
recycle, regenerate, reuse
reduce, regenerate, reuse
reduce, reuse, redistribute
reduce, recycle, reuse
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
(i) and (ii)
(ii) and (iv)
(i) and (iii)
(ii) and (iii)
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
(i) and (iv)
(ii) and (iii)
(ii) and (iv)
(iii) only
In our country, vast tracts of forests are cleared and a single species of plant is cultivated. This practice promotes
biodiversity in the area
monoculture in the area
growth of natural forest
preserves the natural ecosystem in the area
A successful forest conservation strategy should involve
protection of animals at the highest trophic level
protection of only consumers
protection of only herbivores
comprehensive programme to protect all the physical and biological components
The important message conveyed by the 'Chipko Movement' is
to involve the community in forest conservation efforts
to ignore the community in forest conservation efforts
to cut down forest trees for developmental activities
government agencies have the unquestionable right to order destruction of trees in forests
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
(i) and (ii)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
(ii) and (iv)
(i), (iii) and (iv)
Expand the abbreviation GAP
Governmental Agency for Pollution Control
Gross Assimilation by Photosynthesis
Ganga Action Plan
Governmental Agency for Animal Protection
Select the incorrect statement
Economic development is linked to environmental conservation
Sustainable development encourages development for current generation and conservation of resources for future generations
Sustainable development does not consider the view points of stakeholders
Sustainable development is a long planned and persistent development
Which of the following is not a natural resource?
Mango tree
Snake
Wind
Wooden house
Select the wrong statement
Forests provide variety of products
Forests have greater plant diversity
Forests do not conserve soil
Forests conserve water
Arabari forests of Bengal is dominated by
Teak
Sal
Bamboo
Mangrove
Ground water will not be depleted due to
afforestation
thermal power plants
loss of forest, and decreased rainfall
cropping of high water demanding crops
Opposition to the construction of large dams is due to
social reasons
economic reasons
environmental reasons
all the above
Khadins, Bundhis, Ahars and Kattas are ancient structures that are examples for
grain storage
wood storage
water harvesting
soil conservation
Pick the right combination of terms which has no fossil fuel.
Wind, ocean and coal
Kerosene, wind and tide
Wind, wood, sun
Petroleum, wood, sun
Select the eco-friendly activity among the following
Using car for transportation
Using polybags for shopping
Using dyes for colouring clothes
Using windmills to generate power for irrigation
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
(i) and (iv)
(ii) and (iii)
(iii) and (iv)
(ii) and (iv)
Prepare a list of five items that you use daily in the school. Identify from the list such items that can be recycled.
Paper, rexin bag, blade, pen, plastic box, scale, eraser, compass and dividers (metallic), steel lunch box, steel spoon.
Paper, blade, plastic box, eraser, compass, steel lunch box and steel spoon can be recycled.
List two advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level.
The ground water level increases due to recharging of wells.
Ground water keeps the layers of soil above it moist and prevents loss of water by evaporation.
The water can be stored during rainy season and can be used when required.
In a village in Karnataka, people started cultivating crops all around a lake which was always filled with water. They added fertilisers to their field in order to enhance the yield. Soon they discovered that the waterbody was completely covered with green floating plants and fishes started dying in large numbers. Analyse the situation and give reasons for excessive growth of plants and death of fish in the lake.
Fertilisers containing phosphates and nitrates were washed into the lake, enriching the water with these chemicals. This promoted excessive growth of aquatic plants (eutrophication), covering the water surface.
Due to excessive plant growth, sunlight could not reach deeper layers of water. Dissolved oxygen levels decreased, causing death of fish.
What measures would you take to conserve electricity in your house?
Put off the fans and lights when they are not required.
Make maximum use of solar radiation.
Use solar water heating systems during winters.
Use fluorescent tubes or CFL.
Although coal and petroleum are produced by degradation of bio-mass, yet we need to conserve them. Why?
Both coal and petroleum take millions of years to form. Since they are being used at a much faster rate than their formation, they will soon be exhausted. Therefore, they need to be conserved.
Suggest a few measures for controlling carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Reduce consumption of petrol in automobiles.
Use CNG or clean fuel.
Prepare manure from waste instead of burning it.
Treat smoke to remove harmful gases before releasing it into the atmosphere.
Plant more trees.
(a) Locate and name the water reservoirs in Figures 16.1 (a) and (b).
(b) Which has an advantage over the other and why?
(a) The water reservoir in Figure 16.1(a) is a pond and in Figure 16.1(b) it is an underground water body.
(b) The underground water reservoir has more advantages because the water stored in the ground does not evaporate, spreads out to recharge wells, provides moisture for vegetation, is protected from contamination, and prevents insect breeding.
In the context of conservation of natural resources, explain the terms reduce, recycle and reuse. From among the materials that we use in daily life, identify two materials for each category.
Reduce: To use a material or commodity in lesser quantity so that consumption of natural resources is minimised. Examples include reducing the use of electricity and water.
Recycle: A material that is used once is collected and sent back to a manufacturer so that they can make some other useful material from it. Examples include plastic cups, buckets, glass tumblers, paper and metal objects.
Reuse: Using a thing over and over again instead of throwing it away. It does not involve the process of recycling either in small or large scale. Examples include used envelopes, plastic carry bags and bottles of jam.
Prepare a list of five activities that you perform daily in which natural resources can be conserved or energy utilisation can be minimised.
(a) Unused water in the water bottle may be used for watering plants.
(b) Close all the taps before you go to sleep.
(c) Avoid using a hose pipe for watering plants.
(d) Wash vehicles only when they are dirty.
(e) Use fan and light only when required.
(f) Use solar water heating devices.
(g) Use CFL in place of conventional bulbs or tubes.
Is water conservation necessary? Give reasons.
The total amount of fresh water on Earth is more than enough to meet the needs of human beings. However, due to uneven distribution, seasonal variation and fluctuation in rainfall, many regions face shortages of water. Wasteage of water further adds to this shortage. Therefore, water conservation is necessary to ensure availability of water throughout the year and prevent chronic shortages in many parts of the world.
Suggest a few useful ways of utilising waste water.
(a) Recharging the ground water.
(b) Using it for irrigation.
(c) Treated municipal water can be used for washing cars and watering gardens.
(d) Certain pollutants in sewage water can become fertiliser for various crops.
What is the importance of forest as a resource?
Forests are renewable resources that provide:
(a) Habitat, food and protection to wildlife.
(b) Help in balancing CO2 and O2 levels in the atmosphere.
(c) Improvement of water holding capacity of soil.
(d) Regulation of the water cycle.
(e) Essential commodities such as fuel wood, timber, pulp and paper.
(f) Useful products like fruits, resins, gums, essential oils and bidi wrapper leaves.
Why are the Arabari forests of Bengal known to be a good example of conserved forest?
The forest department developed a strategy in which villagers were involved in the protection of the forest. In return for their labour, the villagers were paid and also received benefits during harvesting operations. They were allowed to collect wood and fodder on payment of a nominal fee. With the active and willing participation of local people, the sal forests of Arabari were successfully conserved.