Geography Notes For Class: X (Social Science) : Prepared by
Geography Notes For Class: X (Social Science) : Prepared by
Geography Notes For Class: X (Social Science) : Prepared by
Prepared By:
I N D E X
Anything available in the environment and can be used to satisfy the needs of human being is called
as resource, e.g. water, land, air, minerals, wildlife etc.
Leaching is a process which takes place in high temperature and rainfall area. In this process
minerals of the soil are dissolved into the rainwater and they move down in the soil. Laterite soil is
formed by this process.
Black soil is also called as ‘regur soil’.
Manganese nodules are extracted from Indian Ocean.
Full form of UNCED is United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Rajasthan has abundant solar and wind energy potential.
Earth Summit was held in Rio de Jeniro [Brazil] in 1992.
The book written by Schumacher is ‘Small is Beautiful’.
Black soil is formed by weathering of lava rocks.
Red soil is formed by weathering of igneous rocks. It looks red due to iron-oxide.
Land degraded by gully erosion in Chambal River basin is called ‘Ravines’ or ‘Bad Land’.
Earth Summit and Agenda 21 : Earth Summit is an international conference on environment. It was held
in Rio de Jeniro [Brazil] in 1992. In the conference leaders of the words discussed about sustainable
development and they adopted 21 points policy which is called ‘Agenda 21’.
Resource planning is method to use the resources in optimum way so that maximum benefit should reach to
maximum people. Resource planning also means avoiding wastage, misuse and overuse of resources. There
are three steps for resource planning.
a) Identification and inventory of resources by surveying and mapping
b) Evolving a planning structure to use the resources with appropriate technology
c) Matching resource development plan with national development plan
Father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi – said that “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for
anybody’s greed”. We should conserve resources for following reasons.
a) Resources are not found everywhere. They are unevenly distributed.
b) Resources are limited. Many of the resources are non-renewable.
c) Resources should be conserved for reducing all kinds of pollution.
d) Resources are also conserved for ‘sustainable development’.
e) Conservation is needed to protect natural heritage.
Land is used for various purposes in a country. India has vast land resource. Total area of our country is
about 3.28 million sq. km. India ranks 7th in the world in term of size. But most of parts are covered by
either mountain or plateau. India has only 43% plain where agriculture is possible. Mountains are good
sources of biotic resources where varieties of minerals are found in the plateau. There are 5 categories
under land use.
1. Forest
2. Land not available for cultivation
3. Other uncultivated land
4. Fallow land
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 3
5. Net sown area
Land not available for cultivation includes barren land, waste land and land which is used
for building, roads, parks, factories etc.
Fallow land is that land which is left uncultivated by the farmer. Farmer leaves some land
to give rest to the land. Lands are also left fallow due low rainfall, lack of capital or seeds etc. Fallow
land for one or less than one year is called Current Fallow. If land is left fallow for more than one
but less than five years it is called as Other Fallow land.
Net sown area is the actual land on which agriculture is done. Some parts of net sown area
is used more than one time in a single agricultural season. When this land is added with net sown
area, it is called gross sown area or gross cropped area.
Lowering the quality of land up to such an extent that the land become unfit for any use, it is called as land
degradation. About 130 million hectare of lands are degraded in India. Following are the causes of land
degradation.
a) Deforestation – cutting of trees and forest
b) Erosion by rain water and wind
c) Water logging in low lying area
d) Increasing salinity [salt] due to over irrigation
e) Dumping of urban and industrial waste on valuable land
f) Mining and quarrying activities for extracting minerals
Meaning of Soil: It is an important an renewable resource. It is upper part of the crust which is loose and
fragmented. It has air, water and minerals contents and it support growth of plants. Bacteria and other small
organisms are also found in the soil which makes it more fertile.
Formation of Soil: Soil is formed by weathering and erosion of rocks. Temperature and rainfall breaks down
the rock into smaller parts. After mixing of water and minerals in these sediments, it acquires the form of
soil. Following factors affect soil formation.
Soil Erosion: Removal of top and fertile layer of soil by the agents like rainwater and wind is called soil
erosion. Soil erosion is a acute problem in India. Chambal river basin is so badly eroded that this entire area
is called as ‘Bad Land or Ravines’. There are three types of erosion, i.e. a) Sheet Erosion, b) Rill Erosion and
c) Gully Erosion [Most Dangerous]. Followings are the reasons for soil erosion.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 4
d) Scientific agriculture [Ploughing land at right angle of slope – Contour Ploughing]
e) Crop rotation
f) Terrace farming
g) Preparation of shelter belt
Short Note on Alluvial Soil
It is the most fertile and extensive soil in India.
It is found in the river valleys of Ganga, Yamuna, Indus and Brahmaputra.
This soil has been formed by deposition of sediments in the northern plain.
This soil is found from Punjab up to Assam. It is also found along the coastal areas.
Coarse soil near the mountain foothill is called duars, chos and tarai. In the plain area, lower
parts are called khadar and upper parts are called banger.
This soil is ideal for the agriculture of rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses and many other crops.
India is very rich in biological diversity. There are variety of plants and animals found in our country.
India has nearly 8% of the total number of species found in the world.
About 81,000 species of fauna [animals] and 47,000 species of flora [plants] are found in India.
India is famous for rhino, elephant, tiger, lion, monkey, snakes, peacock etc.
Meaning of Biodiversity: Various species of plants, trees, animals, birds, reptiles etc. found in an area is
called biodiversity. They are good natural resources. They are important because:
a) Plants and trees give us oxygen.
b) Woods for furniture and construction are provided by forest.
c) Some plants are of medicinal use e.g. tulsi, neem, sarpgandha, aawla etc.
d) Leaves, roots, fruits, lac, rasin etc are collected from forest.
e) Animals provides us meat, fur, skin, bone etc.
f) Combine, plants and animals maintain food chain in the ecosystem.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 5
f) It provides fuel wood to rural people.
g) Lac, honey, herbs etc are collected from forest for commercial use.
Many species of plants and animals are under threat due to over exploitation by the human being.
International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN] has classified the species into following category:
a) Normal Species: There is no threat to these species, their population is sufficient in the environment.
b) Rare Species: Species with small population is called rare. They are rarely seen in the forest.
Example – Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox etc.
c) Vulnerable Species: Population of these species decreases to such an extent that they may become
endangered. Example – blue sheep, Asiatic elephant etc.
d) Endangered Species: Population of these species become so small that they come under danger of
extinction. If negative factors continue, they may become extinction. Example – Indian rhino, black
buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass etc.
e) Extinct Species: These species are not found anywhere in the world. They have gone from our earth
for forever. Example – Asiatic Cheetah, pink head duck etc.
a) Deforestation should be totally stopped. Instead, trees should be planted on degraded land and on
land where was forest earlier.
b) People should start movement against tree cutting such as ‘Chipko Movement’.
c) ‘Vanmahotsava’ and similar kind of events should be celebrated to conserve forest.
d) Mass media, e.g. TV, radio, newspapers etc, should used for creating awareness.
e) Govt. should pass and implement [Indian Wildlife [Protection] Act – 1972] strict laws against illegal
cutting of trees, hunting and poaching.
f) Various project like Project Tiger; Project Rhine etc should be started.
g) More National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserve should be identified.
h) There should be frequent survey and census to count population of different species found in the
forest.
Community or local people are very helpful in conserving biodiversity i.e. plants and animals. Many
communities live in the forest. Forest is home of many traditional people.
a) In Rajasthan, local people came forward to stop mining activities to protect Sariska Tiger Reserve.
b) People of Alwar District of Rajasthan have declared 1200 hectares of land as ‘Bhairodev Dakav
Sonchuri’ in which they don’t allow hunting.
c) In Jharkhand, Munda tribe worship Mahua and Kadamb trees and they protect them from cutting.
d) Famous Chipko Movement in Himalaya was started by local community only. Beej Bachao Andolan
and Navdanya movements have also been started in Himalaya.
e) Joint Forest Management [JFM] stated in India is good method of involving local community in forest
conservation.
a) Reserved Forests: These forests are earmarked only for production of timber. Grazing of animals
and cultivation of crops are not allowed in these forests. About 54% forests are grouped under
reserved forests.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 6
b) Protected Forests: These forests are protected from further depletion. Right of grazing and
cultivation is allowed with certain restriction. About 29% forests come under protected forests.
c) Unclassed Forests: There is no restriction in these forests. These forests belong to government and
private individuals. About 16% forests are unclassed forests.
About 33% land must be under forest for ecological balance. But, only 23% land is under
forest in India. Distribution of forest in India is not uniform.
Andman and Nicobar has about 87% [Highest] land under forest while in Haryana only 4%
land is under forest which lowest in India.
Most of the north-eastern states like Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh etc.
have more 60% land under forest.
But in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and J & K have less than 10% land under
forest.
Southern states have moderately covered with forest. About 20-30% land is under forest in
these states.
Tiger is one of the most important species among fauna. It was estimated that population of tigers has
decreased rapidly in the last one hundred years. Major reasons identified behind depletion of tiger were
hunting and poaching, deforestation, depletion of prey etc. Project Tiger was started in 1973 to protect them
from extinction. There are 27 tiger reserves in India. Project Tiger has successfully improved the condition.
Population of tigers increased from 1800 to about 3600 in the last 30 years.
In India, it is believed that everything – livings and non-livings, have been created by god. Old tribal and
traditional societies have protected certain species from time immemorial. Munda tribes of Jharkhand protect
Mahua and Kadamb trees and worship them. People of Bihar, UP worship Peepal, Banyan, Mango, Tamarind
etc. Not only that, rivers, mountains, forests etc are considered as god and goddesses and they are
worshipped and protected in India.
Important Terms
Dam: It is a concrete wall constructed across the river to stop the river water. The storage of water
behind the dam is called reservoir.
Perennial River: A river having water throughout the year is called Perennial River. Their water
source is melting glaciers, e.g. Ganga, Brahmaputra etc.
Reservoir: Large collection of river water just behind the dam is called reservoir.
Annual rainfall in India is about 117 cm. Cherapunji receives highest rainfall in the world.
India has many perennial rivers e.g. Ganga, Yamuna, Indus, Brahamputra etc. Seasonal rivers of
southern India e.g. Godawari, Krishna, Kauveri, Narmada etc are also good source of water.
India has long seacoast. It is more than 6000 km. Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean
surround southern India from three sides.
India is also rich in groundwater resources. There are many natural and man-made lakes, ponds,
hydraulic structures etc found in our country.
Water Scarcity: When water is not available in sufficient quantity and quality for all the people in an area, it
is called water shortage or water scarcity. Water scarcity leads to drought and famine and claims thousand
of lives every year in India. Followings are the causes of water scarcity.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 7
a) Amount of rainfall less than the normal
b) Over exploitation of ground water by tube wells in the cities
c) Excess use of water for irrigation to grow more crops.
d) Water pollution by dumping of waste from city and industries
e) Flood [Water is polluted and become unfit for use]
Meaning: A river valley project having many dams, barrages, canals etc is called as multipurpose project. It
is called multipurpose because it serve many purposes and solve many of our problems. Example:
Bhakharan Nangal Project, Damodar Valley Project etc.
Advantage of Multipurpose Projects
a) Multipurpose projects provide water for irrigation of crops.
b) They control the flood in the river. Damodar River was called ‘Sorrow of Bengal’. Now, it is a
blessing for that region.
c) Multipurpose projects also provide facility for afforestation and conservation of soil from erosion.
d) Hydroelectricity, the cheapest source of emery, is produced from multipurpose projects. About 22%
electricity comes from this source in India.
e) Canals and reservoir can also be used for water transportation and fisheries.
Disadvantage of Multipurpose Projects
a) Fertile agricultural land submerged under the river water.
b) Large no. of people are displaced. They have to leave their own houses and properties.
c) Forest land are either cleared or submerged under water. It is great loss for environment.
d) Siltation in the dam reduces the life span of the project.
e) Big multipurpose projects can result into minor earthquakes.
Meaning: Capturing and storing the rainwater for recharging the ground water is called rainwater harvesting.
Rainwater can also be used for domestic and agricultural purpose. It is a good method of water conservation
in water scarcity areas such as Rajasthan. Rainwater is collected on the roof of house and it is stored in dug
well or underground tank. This water is used for washing, animal drinking, irrigation etc.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 8
Tamil Nadu is the first state to make rooftop rainwater harvesting compulsory in every house across
the state.
Watershed Development:
An area drained by an tributary is called watershed. All round development of this area is called watershed
development. Sukhmajri Village in Haryana is the best example of watershed development. Attempt made
under watershed development are:
Conservation of soil and moisture,
Afforestation and forest upgradation,
Water harvesting,
Development of horticulture
Pasture development
Supply of drinking water
CHAPTER 4: AGRICULTURE
Important Terms
a) Indian agriculture is subsistence in nature. It means produce is consumed by the farmer itself.
b) Agriculture is dependent on monsoon rain. Only 1/3rd net sown is under irrigation.
c) Consumption of chemical fertilizer, HYV seeds, pesticide etc is very low.
d) Size of agriculture fields is very small.
e) Machines and modern farm implements are used only in small area.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 9
f) Food crops [rice, wheat] are more important than commercial crops.
g) There are poor banking and insurance facility available to the farmers.
Plantation Agriculture
Agricultural in India is thousands of year old. It is subsistence in nature because farmers consume most of
the produce by themselves. But because of use of modern technology and institutional reform Indian
agriculture is becoming commercial. Green Revolution [Crops] and White Revolution [Milk – Operation Flood]
is the result of these two reforms.
Technological Reforms:
a) Wooden plough was replaced with tractors and tillers.
b) Drip irrigation and sprinklers are now used for irrigation which irrigates more area in less water.
c) Use of chemical and bio fertilizers have increase manifold. HYV Seeds, pesticide, insecticides are also
used more.
d) Biotechnology has developed much genetically improved variety of seed which are resistant to
drought and pest. They give more production also.
e) Farmers are now using TV, Radio, Newspapers and Cell Phone to know about weather condition and
according they plan agricultural activities.
Institutional Reforms:
a) Zamindari system was abolished by the Government of India.
b) Small fields were consolidated to make large fields.
c) Agriculture was the main focus in the first Five Years Plan.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 10
d) Kissan Credit Card [KCC], Personal Accident Insurance Scheme [PAIS] was started by Govt. to help
the Indian farmers.
e) Govt. also announces Minimum Support Price and has abolished the role of middleman in the
market.
a) Agriculture is the backbone of Indian Economy. About 63% people are directly dependent on
agriculture for their livelihood.
b) About 40% of national income comes for agricultural sector alone.
c) Agriculture also provides raw materials to many industries e.g. sugar, textile, food and beverage
industries.
d) It also has ensured food security. FCI procure crops at minimum support price to stock. It also
distribute among people under PDS [Public Distribution System].
e) India export wheat, sugar, fruits, tea to foreign countries and earn foreign exchange.
f) Agriculture also brings happy, prosperity and development in rural economy.
Food Security: Food is the basic requirement of all the people in the country. But many people are not able
to get sufficient meals at least two times in a day. During natural disaster like earthquake, flood, drought
there is shortage of food all over the country. Food security is a method to ensure at least minimum quantity
of food for all the people round the year. Food Corporation of India [FCI] procure foodgrains at Minimum
Support Price and maintain food security by two ways: a) Buffer Stock and b) Public Distribution System
[PDS].
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 11
e) Modern machines and tools should be used in agriculture like tractor, harvester, sprinklers
etc.
f) Farmer should be given banking and insurance facilities.
g) All forms of soil erosion should be checked and soil should be conserved.
Meaning: Integrating the national economy with the economy of other countries of the world is called
globalization. It has made cross-border flow of money, technology and people very easy.
Meaning: Minerals are natural substance which has certain physical and chemical properties like colour,
hardness, texture, crystals etc. Minerals are very important as most of the things we use in our lives are
made of one or other minerals. Minerals are mined from earth surface. There are about 2000 types of
minerals identified so far but few of them are very important like iron, cooper, mineral oil, bauxite etc.
Minerals can be classified as under:
Minerals are found in the earth surface [crust]. They are extracted by mining activities. Minerals take millions
of year to form; therefore they are called as non-renewable resource.
h) In the veins and lodes of igneous rock and metamorphic rock important metallic minerals
are found like cooper, zinc, tin, lead etc.
i) Energy minerals such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are found in the beds and layers of
sedimentary rocks.
j) Alluvial deposits [also called as placer deposits] contain very precious minerals like gold,
silver, tin, platinum etc.
k) Ocean water also contains many minerals like salt, magnesium, bromide etc.
l) Weathered materials of the rocks contain bauxite [aluminum].
It is a ferrous mineral and backbone of any economy. Industrial development of any country depends on
availability of iron ore. Iron is used in making from needle to big ship. India is rich in good quality of iron
ore. There are four types of iron ore.
a) Magnetite [Contains 70-80% Iron – Best Quality]
b) Hematite [Contains 50-60% Iron]
c) Siderite
d) Limonite
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 13
Coal, Its Types and Distribution
Coal is a type of fossil fuel and the most important source of energy in our country. Coal is formed by burial
of plants and animals in the rocks for million of years. Coal is used for generating thermal electricity and for
smelting iron ore. Coal in India is found mainly in Gondwana Rocks series of river Damodar, Mahanadi,
Godawari etc. There are four types of coal as per carbon content.
a) Anthracite [Best Quality]
b) Bituminous [Mainly found in India]
c) Lignite [Low grade coal found in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu]
d) Peat
Gondwana coal is found in West Bengal and Jharkhand. Important mining centres are Raniganj, Jharia,
Dhanbad, Bokaro. River valleys of Damodar, Mahanadi, Son, Wardha have many mining centres. Tertiary
coal [new coal] is found in north-eastern part of the country like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.
a) Judicious use of our mineral resources. It means misuse and overuse of minerals should be avoided.
b) Public transport system [Bus, Train, Metro Train etc] should be used instead of personal transport
like car and bike.
c) Switching off electricity when it is not in use.
d) Power saving devices should be used. Modern technology which consume less energy and give more
output should be adopted [like CFL Bulb].
e) Non-conventional sources of energy like solar, wind, tidal, geothermal energy should be used in the
place of coal, petroleum and gas.
Manufacturing: Processing of raw material to make another valuable product in large quantity is
called as manufacturing.
Light Industries: Industries which uses light raw material and produces light goods are called as
light industries e.g. electric fans, bulb, button, toys etc.
Integrated Steel Plants: It is a large steel plant which handle everything under one complex – from
smelting, rolling and shaping of steel. Ex – Durgapur, Bokaro, Jamshedpur etc.
a) Manufacturing industries are the backbone of our economy. Economic strength of any country
depends on manufacturing industries.
b) Manufacturing industries help in modernization of agriculture. Tractor, harvester, thresher, irrigation
pipes, sprinklers, fertilizers etc are made in these industries.
c) It is a great source of employment. Millions of people are directly engaged in manufacturing. These
industries also help in eradicating unemployment and poverty.
d) Export of manufactured items help trade and commerce and our country earn foreign exchange.
e) Manufacturing meet the basic need of the people i.e. food, cloth and shelter.
f) Highest contribution to our national economy comes from manufacturing industries. It brings
prosperity, social and economic development.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 15
Types or Classification of Manufacturing Industries
Industries are not found everywhere. They are located at certain places only where they get favourable
condition. Location of an industry is governed by mainly by the following two factors.
It is an agro-based and the oldest industry in India. First cotton mill was established in 1854 in
Mumbai. At present, it the largest industry in our country. There are about 1600 cotton textile mills
in our country.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 16
Cotton textile mills are mainly concentrated in Maharastra and Gujarat due to favourable conditions.
Important centres are Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Suar, Rajkot etc. Other centres are Agra, Kanpur,
Hugli, Chennai, Madurai etc.
Cotton textile is produced by three methods in India: a) Handloom, b) Power-looms and c) Mills
Cotton textile industry involves ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, tailoring and
packaging to produce readymade garments.
India export yarn and readymade garments to USA, Japan, UK, France, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc.
Cotton textile industries are facing many problems such as: a) scarcity of good quality cotton, b)
main cotton growing area went to Pakistan, c) old machinery, d) erratic power supply, e) low
productivity of labour, f) tough competition from synthetic fibers.
This industry is called as basic industry because it provide raw material to many other industries
such as machine an tools, transport equipment, construction material etc. It is also called as heavy
industry because raw materials [iron ore, coal, limestone] are bulky in nature.
Iron ore mixed with limestone is smelted in the blast furnace using coking coal to produce pig iron.
The ratio of iron ore, limestone and coking coal used in 4:2:1.
Pig iron is mixed with manganese, chromium and nickel which make it more stronger steel.
Most of the steel plants are located in Chotanagpur region due to its favourable conditions. At
present there are 10 integrated iron and steel plants and many small and mini plants. Important
integrated steel plants are Jamshedpur, Durgapur, Bokaro, Bhilai, Burnpur etc.
India produces about 33 million tons of steel every year even though per capita consumption of
steel is very low i.e. 32 kg. It is low because India has low economic and industrial development.
Today steel industries in India are facing many problems: a) High cost of production, b) Limited
availability of coking coal, c) Low productivity of labour, d) Irregular supply of energy, e) Raw
materials are found in a certain pocket of India only, f) Poor infrastructure like transport and
communication etc.
India is largest producer of raw jute and jute goods. There are about 70 jute mills in our country.
First jute mill was setup in Rishra [Kolkata] in 1859. Most of the jute mills are located along Hugli
River in West Bengal due to favourable condition.
Jute is used in making rope, bags, carpets etc. Bihar, UP, Assam and Tripura also have jute miils.
Jute industries are facing problems like: a) main jute producing area went to Bangladesh, b) high
production cost, c) declining demand of jute in international market, d) tough competition from
synthetic fiber industry.
Cotton textile industries are located mainly in Maharastra [around Mumbai] and Gujarat [around
Ahmedabad] because of the following reasons.
a) Raw Materials: These areas have easy access to raw material i.e. cotton. Maharastra and
Gujarat are the largest producer of cotton in India.
b) Favourable Climate: Humid climate is required for cotton textile. Maharastra and Gujarat
have humid climate as they are located near to Arabian Sea. This climate is also good for cultivation
of cotton.
c) Availability of Capital: Mumbai is the financial capital of our country. It provides finance and
capital to cotton textile.
d) Labour: Maharastra and Gujarat are heavily populated area. Cheap labours are available in
this region.
e) Transport and Communication: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune etc are well connected by
road and rail with other part of the country. Mumbai port is used to export readymade garments to
European Countries.
Why iron and steel industries are located mainly in Chotanagpur Region?
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 17
Most of important integrated steel plants are locate in Chotanagpur region i.e in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh,
Orrisa etc. It is because of the following reasons:
a) Raw Material: Chotanagpur area is rich in iron ore. Iron ore is extracted from Singbhum,
Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar etc.
b) Energy: Coal is used for smelting iron ore in the blast furnace. Coal is available from Raniganj,
Dhanbad, Jharia and Bokaro.
c) Cheap labour: Bengal, Bihar and Orissa have high density of population. Therefore, cheap labour is
available in this region.
d) Transport: This region is well connected by road and railway with other parts of the country.
Nantional Highway 2, Delhi – Howrah and Howrah – Mumbai rail route passes through this region.
e) Capital: Kolkata is a megacity which provide capital, banking and insurance facility.
There are 69 jute mills located in a 2 km broad belt along Hooghly River. This area provides many
favourable conditions required for this industry.
a) Raw jute is available for West Bengal. West Bengal is the largest producer of jute.
b) Coal for energy is brought from nearby Raniganj Coalfields.
c) Hooghly River provides water for washing and cleaning jute.
d) Warm and humid climate is very favourable for cultivation of jute and jute industry.
e) Kolkata is a metro city which provides capital and market.
f) Hooghly River also provides cheap water transport.
Earlier UP and Bihar were the main producer of sugarcane. Therefore, most of the sugar mills were located
in these two states only. But now, sugar mills are shifting towards Maharastra and Karnataka because of
following reasons.
a) Per hectare production of sugarcane is higher in southern India. Black soil is quite suitable for
cultivation of sugarcane.
b) Sucrose content in the sugarcane is higher in Maharastra and Karnataka. It means more sugar can
be produced for less sugarcane.
c) Mills and machines are new in southern states. New and modern machines increase the productivity.
d) Crushing season for sugarcane is longer in southern states.
e) Cooperative sugar mills are running successfully in southern states.
a) Air pollution is caused by the emission of CO2, Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide etc. Chimneys of
the industries produce heat leading to Global Warming and Green House Effect. Use of CFC in
various industrial products depletes ozone layer which filters ultraviolet rays of the sun.
b) Dumping of organic and inorganic industrial waste into water bodies pollute the water. Industries
which produce paper, pulp, chemical, leather, acids, dyes, fertilizers etc generate lots of toxic waste
which kills the aquatic life.
c) High intensity sound generated by running machines, siren, drilling, fans etc leads to noise pollution.
It causes irritation, hearing impairment, heart attack etc. among the nearby people.
d) Mining activity to get raw material for industries also degrade the environment. Land degradation,
deforestation, soil erosion, water logging etc. of result of mining activities.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 18
Important Terms
Transport: Movement of people and goods from one place to another place is called transport.
Modes of transport are: a) Land [Road, Rail, Pipeline], b) Water [Inland, Oceanic] and c) Air
[Domestic, International]
Communication: Transfer of idea, message, and information from one place to another place is
called communication. Modes of communication are TV, radio, cellphone, newspaper, magazines,
internet. Communication has two types: a) Print Media [Newspaper, Magazines] and b) Electronic
Media [TV, Radio, Internet].
Harbour: It is an area of sea which provides safe entrance to ships. It also protects ships from
waves and storms.
Port: It is a point on the coast which provides facility of anchoring of ship. It also provide facilities
like loading and unloading, berth, cold storage. A port is connected with its hinterland. Seaports help
in international trade and commerce.
Hinterland: It is an area which serves port for international trade. For example, Maharastra, M P,
Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana are hinterland for Mumbai seaport. Various things produced in these
states are exported through Mumbai port.
Express Highway: These are 6 lanes best quality of roads. They have been constructed to connect
important cities of India and to provide fast traffic from one place to other place.
International Trade: Exchange of goods and services between two or more countries is called
international trade.
Golden Quadrilateral road connect north with south and east with west. It connects Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai and Kolkata. It is 6 lanes good quality super express highway. It total length is 5846 km.
East – West Corridor connects Silchar [Assam] with Porbandar [Gujurat]. It connects Guwahati,
Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Jhansi and Rajkot.
North – South Corridor connects Srinagar [J & K] with Kanyakumari. It connects Delhi, Agra,
Nagpur, Hydrabad and Bangalore.
Density of road is lowest in Jammu and Kashmir. It is only 10 km for 100 sq. km. area. Density of
road is low in this state because this is a hilly state with very low populaton.
Highest road density is found in Kerala. It is about 375 km. for 100 sq. km. area.
Longest pipeline in India is H-B-J Pipeline [Hazira-Bijapur-Jagddishpur]. It is about 1700 km. long.
Indian railway is divided into 16 railway zones.
NH – 1 connects Delhi and Amritsar.
NH – 2 connects Delhi and Kolkata. It is also called as Grand Truck Road.
NH – 3 connects Mumbai and Agra.
NH – 7 connects Varanasi and Kanyakumari. It is longest in India.
India has one of the largest road networks in the world. Total road length in India is about 2.3
million km. There are various types of road in India.
Golden Quadrilateral: It is a 6 lane super highway. This connects four mega cities of our country i.e
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. East-West Corridor connects Silchar [Assam] with Porbandar
[Gujarat]. North-South Corridor connects Srinagar [J & K] with Kanyakumari [Tamil Nadu].
National Highways: These roads are most important in India. National Highways are constructed by
CPWD. Important National Highways are NH-1, NH-2, NH-7 etc. These highways connects important
cities, railways stations, port, mining areas, capital towns etc.
State Highways: These roads connect state capital with district headquarters. They are constructed
by SPWD [State Public Work Dept.].
District Roads: These roads are found in rural areas. They connect district headquarter with village
and blocks.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 19
Other Roads: It includes village roads. They are mainly non-metalled roads. Many roads have been
constructed under “Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana”.
Border Roads: Border Roads are constructed by Border Road Organisation [BRO]. These roads are
constructed along the borders which are used to connect isolated parts with main country. These
roads are very important from strategic point of view.
Indian railway is about 150 years old. First rail was started in 1853 between Mumbai and
Thane.
It connects State Capital with Capital of India. It also connects major towns and cities,
tourist places, mining centers, seaports, airports etc.
There are about more than 7,000 stations on 63,000 km. long railway tract.
Indian railway is divided into 16 zones for proper administration.
Railways in India have three gauge system: a) Broad Gauge [1.676 m]
b) Meter Gauge [1.0 m]
c) Narrow Gauge [0.762 and 0.610 m].
There are various types of train running in India such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Mail and
Express, Local and Special Trains which carry passengers.
About 80% of freight [goods] and 70% of passenger traffic is carried by railways.
Konkan Railways is built in Western Ghat Mountain. It is an example of best railway
engineering in India. It has hundred of tunnels and bridges.
There is marked improvement in Indian railways. They are: a) Computerised Reservation
System, b) Waiting Room Facilities on Stations, c) Catering Facility, d) Electrification of Tracks, e)
Uni-Gauge System [Conversion of all gauges into broad gauge], f) Replacement of Steam Engine
with Electric Engine, g) Special Trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi, Summer Special etc.
Pipelines are used to transport gas and liquid materials such as mineral or refined oil, natural gas,
water or even milk. Solid items can also be transported after making it ‘slurry’.
Pipelines are found from oil producing centers to oil refinery plants and from oil refinery plants to
the market [city].
Minerals oil from upper Assam is transported to Barauni and Allahabad oil refinery through pipeline.
Pipeline from Salaya to Jalandhar via Mathura and Delhi is also very important pipeline.
The longest pipeline in India is H-B-J pipeline which connect Hazia, Bijapur and Jagdishpur. It is
about 1700 km. long.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat
Geography Notes for Class X [Social Science] Page No: 20
Advantage of Pipeline Transportation
Pipeline is best for transportation of gas and liquid materials e.g. oil, natural gas, water and milk.
Construction of pipeline is cheaper than road and railways.
Pipeline can be constructed in forest, swampy area, hills and desert. It can also be laid down under
river and ocean water.
Pipeline can ensure regular, quick and on-demand supply of liquid and gaseous materials.
Pipelines can be operated at low energy cost and it does not pollute environment.
Water transportation is cheapest among all mode of transportation because there is no need to
construct any route.
They are cheaper for transporting bulky and heavy raw materials.
India has many perennial and seasonal rivers which offer transport facility. India has about 14,500
km long inland navigation waterways.
India also has long sea coast on which there are many ports like Mumbai, Goa, Kochhi, Chennai,
Vishakhapatnam, Haldia etc.
India has three National Waterways:
o National Waterways – 1 Ganga 1620 km. Allahabad – Haldia
o National Waterways – 2 Brahmaputra 891 km. Sadiya – Dhubri
o National Waterways – 3 West Coast Canal 205 km. Kollam - Kottapuram
There are some problems in using waterways like: a) Peninsular rivers are seasonal, b) Many rivers
make waterfalls in their course, c) Water transportation is slowest among all transport modes, d)
Construction of dams and barrage also blocks waterways, e) Many rivers flow in uninhabited area, f)
Indian coast are shallow and we have less natural ports.
It is fastest and most comfortable mode of transport. It can cover long distance within hours.
River, hills, forest, oceans etc. do not come in the way of air transport.
Air transport play very important role in rescue operation during natural disasters like flood and
earthquake.
It also connects isolated and far away places with main stream of the country. It is best for north-
eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir.
In India, domestic service is provided by ‘Indian Airlines’. It covers major cities of India and
neighboring countries. International air transport service is provided by ‘Air India’.
Pawanhans provides helicopter facility. Private companies like Sahara, Kingfisher are also operating
air transportation in India.
Problems: a) Air transport is very costly and not suited for common people, b) Construction of
airport needs huge capital and technology, c) Airports cannot be constructed everywhere.
Meaning of Trade: Exchange of goods and services among people is called as trade. In
other words, buying and selling goods and services is called trade. The place where trade takes place
is called as market or trading center. Trade takes place because all parts of world do not have same
resources and they do not produce same commodity. Higher amount of trade indicate higher
economic development of a country.
Balance of Payment : The ratio between value of export and import is called balance of
payment. If export is higher than import, it is called ‘favourable balance of payment’. If import is
higher than export, it is called negative balance of payment.
Export from India: Petroleum products, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, computer
software, chemical products and agricultural products are exported by India to other countries.
Import to India: Petroleum, pearls and precious stones, coal, inorganic chemicals, fertilizers,
electronic consumer durables are imported by India from other countries.
Prepared By: Arvind Kumar Singh , PGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya Dhrangadhra, Gujarat