4 worked answers · short steps first, explanations when you need them
Exercises and project activities
Textbook pages 11–12
Question 1
Choose the correct option: (i) main cause of land degradation in Punjab (intensive cultivation / over-irrigation / deforestation / overgrazing); (ii) a state where terrace cultivation is practised; (iii) a state where black soil is predominantly found.
Steps only
(i) Over-irrigation.
Answer
(i) Over-irrigation.
(ii) Uttarakhand.
(iii) Maharashtra. Over-irrigation can cause waterlogging and salinity; terrace farming is common on hill slopes; black soil is widespread in the Deccan region, especially Maharashtra.
Question 2
Answer in about 30 words: (i) Name three states with black soil and the main crop grown in it. (ii) What soil is found in eastern coastal river deltas? Give three features. (iii) How can soil erosion be controlled in hilly areas?
Steps only
(i) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have extensive black soil, where cotton is an important crop.
Answer
(i) Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have extensive black soil, where cotton is an important crop.
(ii) Alluvial soil is common in eastern river deltas. It is generally fertile, contains fine silt and clay, and is renewed by river deposits.
(iii) Use terrace farming and contour ploughing, maintain vegetation, and reduce uncontrolled runoff.
Question 3
Answer in about 120 words: (i) Explain land use in India and why forest area has not increased much since 1960–61. (ii) How have technical and economic development increased resource consumption?
Steps only
(i) Land is used for forests, cultivation, pastures, tree crops, fallow land, settlements, roads and industries.
Answer
(i) Land is used for forests, cultivation, pastures, tree crops, fallow land, settlements, roads and industries. Forest cover has not increased much because of pressure from agriculture, population growth, urbanisation, infrastructure and industry. Land is also limited, so competing needs make expansion difficult.
(ii) Technology allows people to extract, process and transport more resources. Economic growth, rising incomes, larger populations and new products increase demand for energy, minerals, water and land. This can cause depletion and pollution when resources are used faster than they recover. Planning, reuse, conservation and cleaner technology help reduce these effects.
Question 4
Complete a local resource-conservation project or school discussion; explain how life might change if oil ran out; solve the resource crossword clues.
Steps only
For a local project, list resources used at home or school, where they come from, how much is wasted, and practical ways to conserve them.
Answer
For a local project, list resources used at home or school, where they come from, how much is wasted, and practical ways to conserve them. If oil supplies ran out, transport, farming, manufacturing and some electricity production would be disrupted; people would need public transport, renewable energy and other materials. Crossword clues: