DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

Secunderabad
NACHARAM | MAHENDRA HILLS | NADERGUL
SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE NOTES
CHAPTER- RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT (GEOGRAPHY) CLASS: X Name:
Date:
Name:_________________________, Class/Sec:________, Roll No:________

1. What do you mean by the term resource? Do you think that resources are free gift of
nature? If not why?*
Or
"Resources are a function of human activities". Elaborate the statement with suitable
arguments.

 Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs
provided that it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally
acceptable can be termed a resource.
 No, resources are not free gift of nature. Resources are the function of human
activities. They transform the material available in our environment in to
resources with the help of technology and institutions and use them.
2. Explain the interdependent relationship between nature, technology and institutions.
• Ans. The process of transformation of things available in our environment
involves an interdependent relationship between nature, technology and
institutions.
• Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to
accelerate their economic development.
3. Distinguish between renewable and non- renewable resources.
Renewable Non- renewable Resources
1. These resources can be renewed or 1. These resources take million of
reproduced by physical, chemical years to be renewed.
and mechanical processes. 2. It will be exhausted if we go on
2. It will not exhaust and takes short using continuously.
period of time to be renewed. 3. Exp- Fossil fuels like coal,
3. Example – air, water, forest, wildlife petroleum and minerals.
etc. 4. It is of two types 1) Recyclable like
4. It is further divided in to (metal) 2) Non recyclable like fossil
Continuous or flow(Exp- fuels.
Sunlight,air,water etc) and
biological (plants, animals)
4. Provide a suitable classification of resources on the basis of ownership. Mention main
features of such resources.
a) Individual Resources
• Resources under the ownership of private hands or individual.
• Only the owner can use these resources.
• Example- Land owned by farmers, plots, houses and other properties like wells,
ponds, plantation etc
b) Community owned resources
• These resources are owned by the members of the community.
• These resources are accessible to all the members of the community.
• Example- Village commons : grazing ground, burial ground, village pond
Urban areas: Public Park, picnic spot, play ground etc
c) National Resources
• All the natural and human resources owned by the nation are called national
resources.
• For example all the land within the political boundary, minerals, forests, water
resources, wildlife and the oceanic area up to 12 nautical miles (22.2km) from the
coast are coming under the national resources.
• That’s why the Urban Development authorities get power by the government to
acquire the private property for the public good.
d) International Resources
• International resources are controlled by the international institutions like UNO and
no individual country can utilize these resources without the approval of
International institutions.
• For example- Oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the “Exclusive
Economic Zone”, No man’s land like Antarctica etc.
5. Classify the resources on the basis of status of development and explain.*
a) Potential
• Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized or developed.
• Technology is there but not accessible.
• Example- Western part of India like Rajasthan and Gujarat have enormous potential
for solar and wind energy but so far these have not been developed properly.
b) Developed
• Resources which are surveyed and their quantity and quality have been determined
for utilization.
• Technology is there and their development depends upon quality, quantity, cultural
status of a region.
c) Stock
 • Materials which have the potential to satisfy human beings but not accessible due to
the lack of technology are called stock.
• Example- Water is a compound of two inflammable gases like hydrogen and oxygen,
which can be used as rich source of energy but we don't have the required
technology at present.

d) Reserve
•
Reserves are the subset of stock, which can be used with the help of existing
technology but their use has not been started.
• Can be used to meet the future requirement.
• Example- River water can be used for generating hydro electricity but presently it is
being utilized to a limited extent.
6. ‘Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems’. Justify.*
Ans. Resources are essential for human survival and for maintaining the quality of life.
But indiscriminate use of resources has led to many problems like;
i. Depletion of resources for satisfying the need of few greedy individuals.
ii. Accumulation of resources in the hands of few individuals dividing the society into
haves and have not’s or rich and poor.
iii. Over exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crisis like global
warming, depletion of ozone layer, environmental pollution and land degradation.
7. Write a short note on Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992.
a. Rio de Janeiro was the meeting ground for the first International Earth Summit.
b. More than 100 heads of state met at this famous conference which was
convened in June 1992 to address the urgent problems of “environmental
protection and socio- economic development at the global level”.
c. A declaration on Global Climatic change and the Biological Diversity was
signed by the assembled leaders.
d. They adopted Agenda 21 and endorsed the global forest principles to achieve
Sustainable Development in the 21st Century.
8. What was Agenda 21?
Ans.
a. It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nation's
conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
b. It aims at achieving “Global Sustainable Development.”
c. It’s an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, diseases through
global cooperation on common interest, mutual needs and shared
responsibilities.
d. An important and distinct aim of the agenda is that every local government
should draw its own local Agenda 21.
9. What is sustainable development? How is it related to resource planning?*
  Sustainable development means development should take place without damaging
the environment and development in the present should not compromise with the
needs of the future generation.
 An equitable distribution of resources is essential for sustained quality of life and
global peace. If the present trend of resource depletion by few individuals and
countries continues, the future of our planet is in danger. Therefore, resource
planning is essential for sustainable existence of all forms of life which is a
component of sustainable development.
10. What is resource planning? Why is resource planning essential? Give two reasons.*
 Resource planning is the widely accepted strategy for the judicious use of resources.
Resource planning is essential because:

 Resources are limited in nature.

 Resources are unevenly distributed.
 For narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor
 To reduce the enormous diversity in the distribution of resources
For example

Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, MP are rich in minerals and coal deposit.

 Arunachal has enormous water resource but lack infrastructure

 Rajasthan is endowed with wind and solar energy but lacks water
 Ladakh is rich in cultural heritage but deficient in water, infrastructure, some
vital minerals
11. “Resource planning is a complex process.”Justify the statement.*
Or
Explain the steps involved in Resource Planning.
Resource planning is a complex process which involves.

a. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This
involves surveying, mapping, and qualitative and quantitative estimation of the
resources.
b. Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and
institutional set up for implementing resource development plan.
c. Matching resource development plan with national development plans.
12. How far is it correct to say that availability of resources is a necessary condition for
the development of any region? Explain.
 The availability of resources is a necessary condition for the development of any
region but mere availability of resources in the absence of corresponding
changes in technology and institutions may hinder development.
  There are many regions in our country that are rich in resources but these are
included in economically backward regions. On the contrary there are some
regions which have a poor resource base but they are economically developed.
 For example Bihar and Jharkhand are resource rich states but economically poor.
Whereas Kerala is more developed although it is lacking resources.
13. Explain the importance of conservation of resources.
Ans. Resources are essential for all kinds of developmental activities. But
indiscriminate use of resources and overuse of resources may lead to socio-economic and
environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various
levels is important. E.g., Gandhi ji rightly said, there is enough for everybody’s need and not
for anybody’s greed.

For the first-time conservation of resources has been advocated by the Club of Rome at the
international level in a more systematic way in 1968. Another significant contribution was
made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

14. Explain any three measures of conservation of resources.

Ans. Three measures of conservation of resources are:

 Judicious and careful utilization of resources.

 Preventing wastage of resources and misuse of non-renewable resources.
 Use of alternatives or substitutes in the case of non-renewable resources.
15. Elucidate the views of Gandhiji regarding the conservation of resources.
a) Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation.
b) He said " there is enough for everybody's need and not for anybody's greed".
c) He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern
technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level.
d) He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by
the masses.

16. “India had land under a variety of relief features”. Explain the statement with
example.*
i. Plain Area – About 43% of the land area is plain which provides facilities for
agriculture industry and settlement.
ii. Mountain area – About 30% of the total surface area of the country is having
mountains. Mountains ensures the perennial flow of some rivers, provides
facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
iii. Plateau area- About 27% of the total area of the country is the plateau region. It
possesses rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
17. Why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?*
Ans. The land under Forest area has increased marginally from 18% in 1960-61 to
23.3% in 2014-15.

 This is mainly due to increasing pressure of population on land.

 Land is fixed asset. The ever-increasing population has resulted in increased demand
for land for various purposes like agriculture and other non-agricultural purposes.
 Industrialization and urbanization also decreased the forest area.
 Mining activity also responsible for deforestation.
 Hence the forest cover has increased marginally.
18. How are we able to feed the growing cattle population although the pastureland has been
declining? *
 Farmers are growing fodder crop to feed the cattle.
 After harvesting the crops, the land is used by the cows for grazing purpose.
 Proper planning of the grazing area is done to avoid over grazing.
19. Do a Comparative Study of Land use Pattern in India.

• The land under permanent pasture and Net sown area has increased

• The pattern of net sown area varies from state to state. It is over 80% of the total area in
Haryana and Punjab and less than 10% in Arunachal Pradesh ,Mizoram ,Manipur and Andaman
Nicobar Islands.

• The forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33% of Geographical area.

• Fallow land other than current fallow has increased.

• Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to
conserve and manage, it has resulted in land degradation.

20. Explain the human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation in
India? *
Some human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying have
contributed significantly in land degradation.
a) Mining-Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep
scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Mandhya
Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining caused severe land degradation.

b) Overgrazing – In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. Due to over grazing the top
soil lose the green cover and the land gets exposed to different erosion forces like wind,
water etc.
 c) Over Irrigation – In the states like Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh over
irrigation is responsible for land degradation. Over irrigation is responsible for land
degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.
d) Mineral processing Industries – Mineral processing like grinding of lime stone for
Cement industry and Calcite and soapstone for Ceramic Industry generate huge quantity
of dust in the atmosphere. The dust settles down on the land and does not allow the
infiltration of water into the soil.
e) Industrial effluents- Industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land
degradation.
21. Explain the steps that could be taken to solve the problem of Land degradation. *
• A forestation and proper management of grazing land.

• Planting of shelter belts of plants

• Proper management of grazing land and stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.

• Proper discharge and disposal of industrial waste after treatment.

• Proper management of the waste land and control over mining.

• Control over the use of pesticides and judicious use of irrigation facility

22. How does the fertility of soil affect distribution of population?

Ans. Fertility of soil affects the distribution of population. For example:

 Alluvial soil of the northern plains supports high density of population.

 Areas of mountain soil and desert soil like Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan are
sparsely populated.
23. How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of
resources?
Ans.
The consumption of resources depends on the needs and aspirations of the people which
changes with the development of technology and economic development of the country.
 In developed nations the needs of the people are high and they consume more
resources, while in developing nations the needs of the people are less resulting in
low consumption of resources.
 For example, In USA mineral consumption is five times more than the world average,
with the economic development, the demand for resources increases faster than
their population growth.
 The wealth combined with rapid economic development enables individuals to
consume more resources.
 The development of technology contributed to increased production of quality
goods and provide better services to the people. Hence, greater the technical and
economic development, the greater the consumption of resources.

24. How are alluvial soils formed? How is Bangar alluvial soil different from khadar?
Ans. Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of materials brought down by the
rivers. This process of deposition continues for millions of years leading to accumulation of
soil into thick layers.
These have been deposited by three important Himalayan rivers namely the Indus, Ganga
and the Brahmaputra.
Differences

Khadar Bangar
I. These are the new alluvium I. These are old alluvium deposited in
deposited recently. the recent past.
II. These are fine and fertile. II. These are coarse and less fertile.
III. These are found near the river in the III. These are found away from the river
flood plains and deltas. especially along the foothills.
IV. These are sandy and light in colour. IV. These are clayey and dark in colour.

25. What was the main contribution of the Brundtland Commission Report, 1987?

Ans. The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global
level was made by the Brundland Commission Report, 1987.
 This report introduced the concept of "Sustainable Development" and advocated it as a
means for resource conservation, which was substantially published in a book, entitled Our
Common Future.
26. Explain any five proper farming techniques which can be used for soil conservation. *

Ans.

a) Strip cropping: To counter the effect of wind the practice of strip cropping is followed to stop
wind erosion. Large fields are divided in strips. Grass in strips is left to grow between the crops.

b) Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines does not let water run down the slopes.
This technique involves ploughing along contours so that the furrows follow lines linking points
of the same height. such furrows halt the downward flow of water and reduce erosion.

c) Terrace farming: Since ancient times farmers have built terraces or steps up a hillside creating
several levels of farms. Hill slopes are cut into several terraces having horizontal top and
steep slopes on the back and front. Western and Central Himalayas have well developed terrace
farming.

d) Crop rotation: If the same crop is sown in the same field, year after year this consumes
particular nutrients from the soil making it infertile. Crop rotation can check this type of erosion.

e) Shelter belts: Planting trees to create shelter also works in a similar way. Rows of such trees are
called shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilization of sand
dunes and in establishing the desert in western India.

28. What is Piedmont plain?*

The plain area which is found on the foothills of mountain is called piedmont plain. This plain is mainly
have alluvial soil made up of course grains. Terai, Duars and Chos are the different piedmont plains.

Table on Types of soils

Soil Type Formation Areas Covered Features Crops Grown

Alluvial Due to deposition Entire Northern • Consists of various Wheat, rice,

Soil of sand, silt ,clay plains and in the proportions of sand, silt sugarcane,
and other deltas of Mahanadi, and clay. pulses, maize
material by the Godavari , Krishna • Soil is very fertile and
 Rivers. and Kaveri rivers . It contains large quantity of
also extends to potash ,phosphoric acid ,
Rajasthan and lime and humus.
Gujarat through a • Intensively cultivated and
narrow corridor. densely populated
• On the basis of their age
they are classified as
Bangar and Khadar

Black Soil Formed due to Found in deccan trap. • Made up of extremely Cotton, Jowar,
weathering of They cover the clayey material Sugarcane,
Basalt. Otherwise plateaus of • High moisture holding
known as Regur Maharashtra, capacity
Soil or Black Saurashtra, Malwa • Rich in calcium
Cotton Soil. M.P, Chhattishgarh carbonate, magnesium,
potash, lime. Poor in
phosphoric acid.
• Develops cracks during
summer season which
helps in proper aeration
of the soil.(Areation
makes small holes in the
soil which allow the air,
water and nutrients to
penetrate.
• Good for growing cotton

Red and Formed due to Eastern and Southern • Develops a reddish Rice, wheat,
Yellow weathering of parts of Deccan colour due to diffusion of millets etc. but
Soils crystalline igneous Plateau, Odisha and iron in crystalline and needs irrigation
rocks in the areas Chhattisgargh metamorphic rocks
of low rainfall. ,piedmont zone of • It looks yellow when it
western ghat. occurs in a hydrated
form.

Laterite Found in the areas Western Ghats ( • Humus content is low Useful for
Soil of high Karnataka, Kerala, because the growing tea,
temperature and Tamilnadu, Andhra decomposers get coffee,
heavy rainfall. Pradesh)and hilly destroyed due to high cashewnut
Formed due to areas of Odisha and temperature
weathering of Assam • Red in colour due to high
Laterite rocks content of Iron Oxide
through intense • Suitable for cultivation
leaching due to with adequate doses of
heavy rainfall manures and fertilisers .
• In Karnataka Kerala and
Tamilnadu this soil is
good for growing tea and
 coffee.
• Red Laterite soil in AP,
TN and Kerala is used for
cultivating cashew nuts.

Arid soil It ranges from red Rajasthan • Sandy and saline in Millets
to brown in nature.
colour. • Soil lacks humus and
moisture due to high
temperature.
• Formation of kankar in
the bottom horizon
restricts infiltration of
water.
• Can be used with proper
irrigation
Forest Soil 1. Found in the 1. The soil texture varies from
hilly and accounting to the mountain
mountainous environment.
areas. 2. They are loamy and silty in
valley sides and course in the
upper slopes.
3. In snow covered areas, the soil
is acidic and low humus content
due to erosion.
4. Lower part of the valley the
soil is fertile having alluvial soil.
Important Note: 1.Star Marked (*) question answers are to be written
in the class work.

2. Do the map pointing on major soil types on the political outline

map of India. (Refer to page no. 9). Use colour or symbol to
show different soil types. Stick the map in the class work.