Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is meant by a natural resource?
Answer:
A natural resource is any material or substance found in nature that people use to meet their needs or make things. These include living things like plants and animals as well as non-living things such as water, air, minerals, and soil. Natural resources are not made by humans but occur naturally in the environment. For example, trees provide wood, rivers supply water, and coal is found underground. These natural elements become resources when humans use them for food, shelter, energy, and other purposes.
Q2. Give two examples each of renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer:
Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally in a short period of time, so they can be used repeatedly if managed properly. Two examples of renewable resources are solar energy, which is constantly available from the sun, and forests, which can regrow if trees are replanted and protected. Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced within a human lifetime once they are used up. Two examples of non-renewable resources are coal, which is mined from the earth, and petroleum, used as fuel for vehicles and industries.
Q3. When does a part of nature become a resource for humans?
Answer:
A part of nature becomes a resource for humans when people find a way to use it for their benefit. Nature includes all living and non-living things, but these only become resources when humans use them to fulfill needs such as food, shelter, or energy. For example, trees growing in a forest are natural elements, but when people cut them to make furniture or paper, trees become a resource. Similarly, water is natural but becomes a resource when used for drinking, farming, or industry. So, nature turns into a resource through human use and application.
Q4. Name one obvious and one less obvious natural resource.
Answer:
An obvious natural resource is water, which is essential for drinking, farming, and daily life. It is visible and used directly. A less obvious natural resource is coal, which forms underground over millions of years and is not immediately visible or accessible without mining. Coal is used as a source of energy but is less obvious compared to resources like water or air.
Q5. What are the three conditions necessary for a material to be considered a resource?
Answer:
For a material to be considered a resource, it must meet three conditions: First, it should be technologically accessible, meaning humans need to have the tools or technology required to use the material, such as machines to mine coal or pump oil. Second, it must be economically feasible, implying that it should not cost too much to obtain or use the resource, otherwise it will not be practical to use. Third, it must be culturally acceptable, meaning its use should respect local beliefs and values, for example, certain trees in sacred groves may not be cut due to cultural reasons. When all these conditions are fulfilled, a natural material can become a useful resource.
Q6. What is ‘exploitation’ of natural resources?
Answer:
Exploitation of natural resources means using or consuming these resources for human needs and activities. Although the word “exploitation” often has a negative meaning, in this context it simply refers to taking natural materials like wood, water, or minerals from nature to make useful products or meet our daily needs. For example, cutting trees for building houses or using water for farming is considered the exploitation of those natural resources. Responsible exploitation means using resources carefully without harming the environment or depleting them too quickly.
Q7. How do forests help in maintaining the balance of nature?
Answer:
Forests help maintain the balance of nature by providing many essential benefits to the environment and living things. Trees produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which humans and animals need for breathing. Forests provide shelter and food for many animals and birds, supporting biodiversity. They also protect soil from erosion by holding it with their roots, maintain the water cycle by absorbing and releasing water, and help regulate the climate. When fallen trees decompose, they enrich the soil, allowing new plants to grow, which demonstrates how forests constantly regenerate and keep the ecosystem healthy and balanced.
Q8. What is meant by the term “ecosystem services”? Give one example.
Answer:
Ecosystem services are the useful functions and benefits that natural ecosystems provide to humans without any cost. These services help sustain life and human well-being. For example, a mature tree produces oxygen daily, which is essential for breathing. Trees also clean the air by absorbing harmful gases and protect the soil from erosion. Water purification by wetlands, pollination of crops by insects, and climate regulation through forests are other examples of ecosystem services that nature provides freely to support life on earth.
Q9. Name two human activities that disturb natural cycles.
Answer:
Two major human activities that disturb natural cycles are industrialization powered by fossil fuels and deforestation for agriculture and development. Industrialization releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change. Deforestation involves cutting down trees on a large scale, which destroys habitats, reduces oxygen production, causes soil erosion, and disrupts the water cycle. Both these activities negatively impact the natural balance and reduce the ability of ecosystems to restore and regenerate.
Q10. What was special about Sikkim’s approach to farming?
Answer:
Sikkim’s approach to farming is special because it became the first 100% organic state in India in 2016. This means that all farming in Sikkim is done without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, farmers use natural methods such as composting, preparing natural pest repellents from plants like neem and garlic, and practicing crop rotation and mixed cropping. This approach improved the health of the soil, increased biodiversity by attracting more birds and insects, boosted tourism with people interested in eco-friendly farming, and raised the incomes of farmers by about 20%. Sikkim is now a global example of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming.Long Answer Questions
Q11. Explain, with examples, the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources. Why is it important to use each type carefully?
Answer:
Renewable resources are those that nature can replenish or regenerate over a short period, meaning they can be used repeatedly if managed properly. Examples include solar energy, which is constantly available from the sun, and forests, which can grow back if trees are replanted and protected. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced quickly once they are used. These include fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, and minerals like iron and copper.
It is important to use these resources carefully because:
- Renewable resources can become scarce if they are used faster than nature can restore them (e.g., over-harvesting forests).
- Non-renewable resources will eventually run out if consumed without restraint, causing energy crises and economic difficulty.
- Careful use ensures that these resources remain available not only for the current generation but also for future generations.
- Sustainable use of both types also helps reduce environmental damage such as pollution and loss of biodiversity.
Q12. Describe how human activities like industrialization and deforestation impact natural resources and the environment. Give examples from the chapter.
Answer:
Human activities such as industrialization and deforestation have significantly disturbed natural cycles and harmed the environment. Industrialization relies heavily on fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, which when burned, release greenhouse gases causing air pollution and global warming. Deforestation involves clearing large areas of forests for agriculture and urbanization, which destroys habitats, reduces oxygen production, and disrupts natural water and nutrient cycles.
Key impacts include:
- Increased pollution leading to climate change and health problems.
- Loss of biodiversity as animals and plants lose their homes.
- Soil erosion and degradation, reducing fertility.
- Melting glaciers due to rising temperatures, threatening water security.
- Overfishing disturbing aquatic ecosystems and reducing fish populations, like tuna.
These examples illustrate how irresponsible human actions endanger both nature and human well-being.
Q13. How does the uneven distribution of resources affect people’s lives and lead to challenges or conflicts?
Answer:
Natural resources are unevenly distributed across the world and within countries, influencing where people live and how societies develop. People settle near resource-rich areas for jobs and better facilities, leading to the growth of industries and cities. For example, mining towns grow near coal mines providing employment, schools, and hospitals.
However, uneven distribution also causes several challenges:
- Communities may be displaced from their homes to make way for factories or mines.
- Sacred places like forests and temples can be damaged, leading to cultural conflicts.
- Sharing of transboundary resources like rivers often results in territorial disputes, such as the water-sharing issues over the Kaveri River among Indian states.
- Economic inequalities arise as resource-poor areas face difficulties in development.
Thus, while resources bring benefits, they also create social, environmental, and political problems that require careful management.
Q14. Explain the idea of the “Natural Resource Curse” and describe how India has tried to avoid it.
Answer:
The “Natural Resource Curse,” also known as the “Paradox of Plenty,” is when countries rich in natural resources grow slowly or remain poor because they rely mainly on selling raw materials instead of producing finished goods. This causes temporary wealth but fails to build long-term economic stability. For example, countries that export raw cotton earn less compared to those that produce finished garments. Problems such as lack of industrial development, poor governance, and over-dependence on raw exports contribute to this curse.
India has avoided this curse by:
- Building industries that add value to raw materials, such as steel factories that convert iron ore into steel products.
- Creating jobs and improving the economy through manufacturing rather than raw export.
- Using strategic planning and investing in human knowledge to utilize resources sustainably.
- Developing governance systems that regulate resource use fairly.
India’s approach has helped promote steady economic growth and job creation beyond mere natural resource sales.
Q15. In what ways can traditional methods and modern science work together for the wise use of natural resources? Give examples from the chapter.
Answer:
Traditional knowledge and modern science can complement each other to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. Ancient systems like Vṛkṣāyurveda teach eco-friendly farming practices such as using natural fertilizers (cow dung), crop rotation, mixed cropping, companion planting, and natural pest management. These methods maintain soil health and promote biodiversity.
Modern science offers new technologies and innovations, for example:
- Development of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Pollution control standards for industries to minimize environmental harm.
- Modern irrigation techniques and water conservation practices.
The chapter highlights Sikkim’s organic farming success, where traditional organic methods combined with organized support benefited both the environment and farmers’ livelihoods. Together, traditional wisdom and scientific advancements help conserve resources, reduce pollution, and create sustainable systems for the future.