Professional Documents
Culture Documents
UNIT II
GEOGRAPHY
PREPARED BY
NARAYANAN MANNANDI
THE INDIAN SCHOOL, BAHRAIN
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CHAPTER- 1
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b) It also allowed jurisdiction over resources, control over fishing right, scientific
research, and environmental protection in a zone up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 km)
offshore. It is known as Exclusive Economic Zone. Beyond this zone, seabed mineral
development will be regulated by an international body.
11. What are the major problems
developed out of exploiting resources
indiscriminately? ( State any to effects of indiscriminate exploitation of resources.)
a) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
b) Accumulation of resources in few hands, which in turn divided the society in to rich
and poor.
c) It has led to ecological crisis such as global warming, ozone layer depletion,
environmental pollution and land degradation.
12. What is sustainable development?
The development that takes care the needs of the present generation with out
compromising the needs of future generations is termed as sustainable development. It
emphasizes on prevention of pollution and avoidance of wastages. The development
that takes place with out damaging the environment is termed as sustainable
development.
13. What is resource planning? Why is it essential? ( Explain any three reasons
responsible for making resource planning in India. )
i) Resource planning is a technique or skill of proper utilization of resources.
ii) An equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained quality of
life and global peace.
iii) If the present trend of resources depletion by a few individuals and countries
continues, the future of the planet is in danger. There fore resource planning is
essential for sustainable existence of all forms of life. Or
Since the resources are limited and unevenly distributed, effective and efficient
planning is necessary.
Resource planning includes conservation of resources too. We have to exploit
resources in such a way that future generation will not suffer.
Resource planning is essential to prevent environmental pollution and to avoid
wastages in the exploitation of resources.
14. Examine the diversity in the availability of resources in India. Give examples. Or
Why is a balanced resource planning essential in India? ( Why is it necessary for
a balanced resource planning at the national ,state, regional and local levels?)
a) There are regions in India which are rich in certain type of resources but are deficient
in some other resources. There are some regions in India which can be considered
self sufficient in terms of availability of resources and there are some other regions
which have acute shortage of some vital resources.
b) The states of Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and
coal deposits.
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24. State two natural and human activities that lead to land degradation.
a. Natural : Soil erosion, land slides, torrential rain
b. Human : Mining and industry. (Explain all)
25. How does surface mining and industry lead to land degradation?
a. The mining sites are abandoned after excavation is completed.
b. Processed soil or waste materials are dumped unscientifically causing the land
used and the land nearby unfit for any use.
c. The mineral processing, like grinding of limestone for cement industry and
calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generates heavy amount of dust and
releases in the atmosphere. It settles down in the surrounding areas, affecting
infiltration of water and crop cultivation.
d. The industrial effluents released to the air causes acid rain and air and water get
polluted.
26. How is man responsible for degradation of land?
a)
b)
c)
d)
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29. Describe the characteristics of alluvial soil. (What type of soil is found in the river
deltas of the eastern coasts? Give three main features of this type of soil. Or Which
is the most widely spread and important soil in India? )
a) Alluvial soil is confined to northern plain, coastal strips, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
It is the most widely spread and important soil in India.
b) It consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.
c) As we move inlands to wards the valley soil particles appear some what bigger
in size. In the upper reaches of the river valley the soil are coarse. Such soils are
common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai.
d) Alluvial soil as a whole are very fertile Mostly these soil contain adequate proportion
of potash , phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane,
paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.
e) Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline and can be productive after proper treatment
and irrigation.
f) Alluvial soil is divided into Bhangar and Khadar according to their age. ( Continue..)
30. Differentiate between Bhangar and Khadar.
i)The Bangar soil has higher concentration of kanker nodules than the Khadar.
ii.Bhangar is older alluvium and is found away from rivers and Khadar is new
alluvium found closer to the rivers.
iii.Bhangar is clayey and dark while Khadar is sandy and light in colour.
iv.Bhangar is less fertile compared to Khadar. Khadar is renewed frequently in the
flood plain.
31. What are the characteristics of Black soil? ( Regur soil )
a)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
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These are the soils found in the mountainous region of India like Meghalaya,
Arunachel Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
These soils are characterized by deposition of organic materials derived from
vegetative cover.
These are heterogeneous in nature and vary from place to place.
They are loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes.
In the snow covered areas of Himalayas these soils experience denudation and
are acidic with low humus content.
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42. Prove by giving examples that the pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one
state to another.
Net sown area in Punjab and Haryana is over 80 % and in Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman and Nicobar Islands it is less than 10 %
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Additional Questions:
01. Draw a neat diagram showing the soil profile.02. On what grounds are soils classified?
i. Soils are classified based on colour, thickness, texture, age, chemical and physical
properties.
03. What is the main purpose of resources? ( to satisfy basic needs of mankind)
04. Which mineral is mined in the Indian Ocean? (Manganese nodules)
05. What is the ill effect of accumulation of resources in few hands?
(The society will be divided in to rich and poor)
06. What was the aim of Rio de Janeiro Summit?(Achieve global sustainable development)
07. Name four ecological crisis: global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental
pollution and land degradation.
08. What were the two aims of first earth summit?
(Environmental protection and economic development)
09. Name two river valleys in South India where black soil is found.
( Godavari valley and Krishna valley)
10. What do you mean by Deccan trap? It is the plateau formed by deposition of Basalt lava.
11. Why are yellow soils yellow in colour? (Due to the presence of iron in hydrated form)
12. Despite enormous potential solar power is not developed in Rajasthan and
Gujarat. Why ? ( Due to lack of technology and demand)
13. When and where was the first international earth submit held?
It was held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 1992
14. What is meant by Agenda 21?
i) It was the declaration signed by the world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development, which took place at Rio de Janeiro in
Brazil in 1992.
ii) It was an agenda to combat environmental damage , poverty, diseases through global
cooperation on common interests mutual needs and shared responsibilities in the 21st C.
iii) One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its
own local Agenda 21.
15. Name any two books that advocate resource conservation.
Small is beautiful written by Schumacher and Our Common future
16. Name a ny two types of piedmont plains where alluvial soil is found.
Duars, Chos and Terai. ( any two)
17. Whom did Gandhiji make responsible for depletion of resources at the global level?
Explain any two reasons.
18. Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state
boundaries. Justify the statement.
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15. The tree is a peculiar organisms of unlimited kindness and benevolence and
Makes no demand for its sustenance , and extends generously the products of its
life activity. It affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axemen who destroy it. Study the paragraph and answer the following questions:
i. What is the nature of a tree?
ii. What is the moral value that we learn from the life of a tree?
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1.
2.
How does water threaten human welfare? Or Why is it necessary to conserve water
resources? Give reasons.
a) Scarcity of water: Due to high population, increasing urbanization and rising standard
of living, there is a growing scarcity of water felt all over India.
b) Use of degraded water: In many areas, people are forced to drink and use polluted
water which causes various water borne diseases.
c) Lowering the water table: Increased use of tube wells in recent years has lowered the
water table and has caused depletion of underground water resources.
d) Inadequate supply water for irrigation; Two third of the cropped area in India is still
rainfed , which is uncertain and irregular which affects agriculture.
3.
4.
What are the quantitative and qualitative aspects of water scarcity in India?
i. Quantitative aspects: A large part of India is facing the problem of shortage of fresh
water. Variation in the annual rainfall makes these areas drought prone. Rising
population, makes the situation worse.
ii. Qualitative aspects: A number of villages and cities in India are facing the problem of
pure drinking water. Water in these areas is polluted due to domestic and industrial
wastes, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers.
5.
Why did Jawaharlal Nehru proclaim the dams as the temples of modern India?
Dams would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid
industrialization and growth of the urban economy. Therefore, Jawaharlal Nehru
proclaimed the dams as the temples of modern India.
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6.
7.
Why do the dams in India come under great scrutiny and opposition? ( What are the
arguments against large dams?)
i. Regulating and damming of river water affect their natural flow causing poor
sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoirs, resulting in
rockier streambeds and poorer habitat for the rivers aquatic life.
ii. Dams prevent the migration and spawning of aquatic fauna.
iii. Construction of dams leads to submergence of land and vegetation leading to its
decomposition over a period of time.
iv. It leads to loss of livelihood to many tribal and village people and find it difficult to
rehabilitate them.
v. Dams did create conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the
same water. In Gujarat the Sabarmati-basin farmers agitated against the higher priority
given to water supply in urban areas particularly during drought.
vi. Inter-state dispute also becoming common over sharing the cost and benefit of multi
purpose river valley projects. (Give example)
8. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi purpose river valley projects.
( Explain the two answers above)
9. What is meant by rainwater harvesting? Mention a few traditional techniques of rain
water harvesting. What value do you derive from this?
i. It is a technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing and storing
rainwater.
ii. Roof top rainwater harvesting was commonly practiced to store drinking water
particularly in Rajasthan.
iii. In the flood plain of Bengal, people developed inundation channels to irrigate their
fields.
iv. In arid and semi arid regions of Rajasthan agricultural fields were converted into rain
fed storage structures that allowed the water to stand and moisten the soil.
v. The value that derive from this is conservation of water. Even ancient people were
bothered about conservation of water resources.
10. Discuss how rainwater harvesting is carried out in semi arid regions of Rajasthan.
i Almost all the houses in these regions had traditional underground tank or tankas
for storing drinking water. (What are Tankas? How are they useful for storing water?)
ii The tankas could be as large as a big room.
iii The tankas were part of the well-developed roof top rainwater harvesting system and
were built inside the main house or courtyard. They were connected to the slopping
roofs of the houses through a pipe.
iv The rainwater, falling on the roof would travel down through the pipe and is stored in
the underground tanks.
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11. Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being
carried out to conserve and store water.
i Today in western Rajasthan the practice of roof top rainwater harvesting is declined due
to availability of ample supply of water from the Rajasthan canal.
ii In Gendathur, a remote village in Mysore, nearly 200 houses have installed roof top
rain water harvesting system.
iii In Tamil Nadu, the roof top rainwater harvesting structure is made compulsory to all
houses across the state. There are legal provisions to punish the defaulters.
iv In some areas, the ground water is recharged through hand pumps or using abandoned
wells.
12. Name any two social movements against multi purpose river valley projects.
i. Narmada Bachao Andolan ii. Tehri Dam Andolan These resistance movements are
started against large scale displacement of local communities.
13. Who are the people benefited by multi purpose river valley projects?
i. Land owners and large farmers. ii. Industrialists and a few urban centres.
14. How does river valley projects transform social landscape? Give an example.
i. River valley projects increase the social gap between the richer landlords and land less poor.
ii. It creates conflicts between people wanting different uses and benefits from the same water
resources.
iii. In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the
higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
15. What is the Krishna Godavari dispute raised by the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
Governments?
It is regarding the diversion of more water at Koyna by the Maharashtra Government for a
multi purpose project. This would reduce down stream flow in their states with adverse
consequences for agriculture and industry.
16. Prove by giving examples that river valley projects fail to achieve the purpose for which
they were built.
i. The dams were constructed to control floods but it has triggered floods due to sedimentation in
the reservoir and due to dam failure. Release of water from dams during heavy rains aggravated
the flood situation in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2006
ii. Multi purpose projects induced earthquakes, caused waterborne diseases and pollution resulting
from excessive use of water.
17. What is the ecological consequence of irrigation and changing of cropping pattern?
Salinization of soils.
18. Name two structures built to harvest water in hilly areas. Guls, Kuls.
19. Name two water harvesting system in Rajasthan. Khadins- and Johads.
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20. What is meant by hydraulic cycle? Movement of water in different forms from ocean to
atmosphere and from atmosphere to ocean.
21. Define the term matkas.
These are the earthen pots used by Rajasthan women for collecting and storing water.
22. What is bamboo drip irrigation? Mention any two features of it.
It is an indigenous method of tapping of stream and spring water by using bamboo pipes to irrigate
plantations.
i) These are 200 years old system of irrigation mostly practiced in Meghalaya.
ii) This method saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants
iii) It drips 20 to 30 drops of water per minutes at the root of the plant.
22. Why did the Sabarmati basin farmers agitate and almost cause a riot in Gujarat?
It was over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas.
22. Describe the procedure of roof top rainwater harvesting.
23. Water scarcity in most cases is caused by over exploitation, excessive use and unequal access to
water among different social groups. Explain the meaning of the statement with the help of
examples.
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CHAPTER- 4 AGRICULTURE
1.
2.
3.
State any two reasons for the change in the methods of cultivation.
i. Change in the physical environment
ii. Change in the technological know-how
iii. Change in the socio cultural practices. (Explain)
4.
5.
Mention in brief, the various limitations from which the Indian agriculture suffers
presently. (Drawback of Indian agriculture)
I. Agriculture is not generating sufficient employment opportunities in the country. The
growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation.
II. Today, Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition and
our government is going ahead with reduction in the public investment in agriculture
sector particularly in irrigation, power, rural roads, market and mechanization.
III. Subsidy on fertilizers is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production.
Moreover, reduction in import duties on agricultural products have proved detrimental
to agriculture in the country.
IV. Farmers are withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the
employment in agriculture.
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6.
What is primitive subsistence farming? Why do majority of Indian farmers follow it?
i. Subsistence farming is the cultivation of crops for domestic use and not for sale. It is
practiced in small patches of land with the help of primitive tools like hoe, digging sticks
and family labour.
ii. This type of farming depends on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and suitability of
other environmental conditions to the crops grown.
iii. Majority of Indian farmers practise subsistence farming because they have scattered land
holdings and they use only primitive tools.
iv. They are poor farmers and they can't use fertilizers and machinery. Facilities like
electricity and irrigation are not available to them.
9.
What is intensive subsistence farming? Why do the farmers follow this type of
farming?
i.
It is a type of farming practiced in the areas of high population pressure on land. It is a
labour intensive farming, where high dozes of bio-chemical inputs and irrigation are used
for obtaining high production.
ii.
The farmers follow this type because their holding of land is very small due to
continuous family partition and the right of inheritance and the absence of alternative
sources of livelihood.
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16. Name an important staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced. Or
Describe the temperature and rainfall conditions necessary for the growth of rice. Name
the major areas of rice production.
Or What are the features of rice cultivation in
India?
Rice is the most important staple crop in India. It is a tropical plant. It requires high temperature
and high humidity for its successful growth. The mean monthly temperature of about 25C, with
minor variations during, sowing, growing and harvesting seasons, is ideal for its cultivation.
It grows well in areas of 100 cm of rainfall. In the areas of less rainfall, it is grown with the help
of irrigation. The most important rice producing areas are Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu ( BUPAT)
17. Into how many heads can we group the varieties of crops conveniently?
(Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibre crops, beverage crops and cash crops. (Give examples.)
18. Describe the temperature and rainfall conditions necessary for the growth of wheat. Name
the major areas of wheat production.
India is the second largest producer of wheat after China. It is a rabi crop.
The ideal temperature at the time of sowing wheat is 10 to 15 C and at the time of harvest, it is
20 to 25 C.
The crop grows well in areas where rainfall is 50 to 75 cm. It requires well-drained fertile lands.
This crop requires cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of ripening. It grows
well in two wheat growing zones in India viz. the Ganga Satluj plains in the north-west and the
black soil region in the Deccan.
The major areas of wheat cultivation is Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and
Bihar.(PHURB)
19. What are millets? Why are millets a very important food crop in India?
a) Millets are the third most important food crops in India, after rice and wheat.
Jowar, bajra and ragi are some of the important millets grown in India. They have high
nutritional value. Ragi is rich in iron, calcium and other micro nutrients.
b) Jowar is produced in many states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
and Madhya Pradesh.
c) Rajasthan is the largest producer of Bajra. It is also produced in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Haryana.
d) Ragi is produced mainly in the drier parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
e) Rice and Wheat cannot provide the total food of India. So millets are important to support
the food requirements.
20. State the importance of ragi crop in India.
i. It belongs to the millet group. Rice and Wheat cannot provide the total food for India.
Therefore, millets are important to support the food requirements.
ii. Ragi has a high nutritional value. Ragi is rich in iron, calcium and other micronutrients.
iii. It is a crop of dry region and grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils.
iv. Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi followed by Tamil Nadu.
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f) Special bulletins for farmers were introduced in T.V. and radios to take precautionary
measures.
g) Minimum support price for various crops is introduced to remove uncertainty of
prices and sales.
h) Issue of Kissan Credit Cards and introduction of Personal Accident Insurance Scheme are
some other measures taken.
28. Point out the initiative taken by the Government to ensure the increase in the agricultural
production.
i. The Government of India started a number of agricultural reforms to improve Indian
agriculture in the 1960s and 1970s. The Green revolution based on the use of package
technology and the White Revolution were some of the strategies adopted.
ii. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Universities, Veterinary services,
Horticulture Department, research and development in the field of meteorology and weather
forecast were given priority to modernize agriculture and to improve it.
iii. Comprehensive land development programmes, which included the institutional and
technological reforms, were introduced in 1980s and 1990s.
iv. ( add relevant points from answer 27 )
29. The land under cultivation has been reduced day by day. What are its consequences?
i.
It affects the food security in India. There will be acute shortage of food grains in India
since the population is increasing.
ii.
A major part of our foreign exchange will have to be spent for importing food grains.
iii. Majority of the population in India will have to find alternate occupation since agricultural
activity is declining.
iv.
It affects the dependent cattle population in India and even affects the ecological balance.
30. Explain any four features of the comprehensive land development programmes
initiated in our country during 1980s and 1990s.
i. Comprehensive land development programmes, which included the institutional and
technological reforms, were introduced in 1980s and 1990s.
ii. The widespread use of radio and television acquainted farmers with new and improved
techniques of cultivation.
iii. The crop insurance against drought, flood, fire, cyclone and diseases was another schemes to
protect the farmers against crop failures.
iv. Easy availability of capital or investment through a well-knit network of rural banking like
Grammen banks were introduced.
v. Special bulletins for farmers were introduced in T.V. and radios to make precautionary
measures and to get the farmers acquainted with modern techniques of farming.
vi. Issue of Kissan Credit Cards and introduction of Personal Accident Insurance Scheme are
some other measures taken.
vii. The government also announced minimum support price for important crops to check the
exploitation of farmers by speculators and intermediaries. (any four)
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31. Name a commercial crop of Punjab and Haryana, which is a subsistence crop in
Odisha.
Ans: Rice
32. Name any two types of paddy grown in Assam, West Bengal and Odisha.
Ans: Aus, Aman and Boro.
33. Name the inputs in commercial farming.
(HYV seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, irrigation, modern technology)
34. What are the challenges faced by India farmers today?
i. Today Indian Farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition and our
government is going ahead with reduction in public investment in agriculture sector
particularly in irrigation, power, rural roads, market and mechanization.
ii. Subsidy on fertilizers is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production.
iii. More over reduction in import duties on agricultural products have proved detrimental to
agriculture in the country.
iv. Farmers are withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the
employment in agriculture.
35. Why is the declining share of agriculture in the GDP a matter of serious concern?
Because any decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to a decline in other spheres of
the economy having wider implications for society.
36. Wheat and rice farming in India are fairly different from each other. Justify the
statement.
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