Intext Questions Solved

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Question 1 : What changes can you make in your habits to become more environmentally-friendly?

Answer : 

  1. Reduce the use of electricity, petroleum fuels like petrol, diesel for short distances, pooling the resources, pollution causing substances.
  2. Recycle the materials for reducing the burden. Segregating the materials at domestic level and disposing the garbage.
  3. Reuse of materials such as plastic , cans, envelopes, papers, bags, polyethene packets, etc.

Question 2 : What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?

Answer : It will give short-term gains of economy and satisfaction to the users.

Question 3 : How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?

Answer : It will ensure the availability to the future generations. Also, it will improve the environment.

Question 4 : Why do you think there should be equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?

Answer : There must be equitable distribution of resources because only the selected people can exploit the resources and use it. While the people who are unable to afford it cannot use the resources.

The forces are:

  1. Rich nations/people
  2. Politics

Page 272

Question 1 : Why should we conserve forest and wildlife?

Answer : Forests are biodiversity hot spots. There measure is by number of species found in an area. It is applicable for all organisms in the forests. If forests are lost, the habitat and a number of organisms are also lost. This leads to loss of ecological stability. Thus, we have to conserve the forests and wildlife.

Question 2 : Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.

Answer : (a) Forests must be used properly in order to make use of forest products and giving ample/enough time for them to restore/replenish.

(b) Local people/community must be made aware of the consequences of loss of forests and they must be the part of management of the forests.

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Question 1 : Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/ management in your region.

Answer : The traditional systems of water harvesting management:

  • Tals in Maharashtra
  • Bundhis in Madhya Pradesh
  • Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh
  • Khadim , tanks and nadis in Rajasthan
  • Ahars and Pynes in Bihar

Question 2 : Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.

Answer : Water harvesting system in hilly and mountainous areas is different from plains and from plateau region.

For e.g. in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh a local system of irrigation was developed called kulhs. The water flowing in the streams was diverted into man-made channels which took this water to numerous villages down the hillside.

Whereas water in plains is collected in check dams or tanks, tals or Bundhis.

Question 3 : Find out the source of water in your region/locatlity. Is water from this source available to all people living in that area?
Hint: River/lake/Underground water.

Answer : The source of water in our region is municipality supply of water and from under ground i.e. ground water. There is scarcity of water during summer season and most people don’t have access to water.

Text Book Questions Solved

Question 1 : What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?

Answer : The following changes can be made to be environment friendly.

  1. Check the wastage of water, close the taps properly, recycle the water of washing machine into toilets.
  2. Stop the use of bulbs and witch over to CFL or LED lights.
  3. Use solar water heater and cookers, install solar cell panel for electricity.
  4. Reduce the garbage by not throwing such items which can be reused and recycled.

Question 2 : Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?

Answer : 

  1. Ask the students to use bicycles to come to school or on foot.
  2. Ask students to switch off the fans and light when not in use.
  3. To use the waste water in garden for watering the plants.

Question 3 : We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you thinks so?

Answer : The local community alongwith enthusiasts should have the authority to decide the management of the forest produce. Because, local community are directly dependent on it and regulate its use. They can protect the forest in best of their interest. So are enthusiasts. They do not gain any forest produce of it but are caretakers and take interest in conservation of forests. Forest department must support their views and participate equally.

Question 4 : How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of 

a) Forests and Wildlife,
b) Water resources, and
c) Coal and petroleum.

Answer : a) Forests and Wildlife : Make people aware of felling of forest trees and deforestation.

b) Water Resources : Make small groups of students/ friends/ seniors. To recharge the groundwater by collecting them in ground pools by digging small pits, check dams, water harvesting (roof top) systems.

c) Coal and petroleum : Alternative sources of energy can be used. Such as for cooking, lighting and heating water solar panels can be used. Less dependence on autovehicles that use diesel and petrol. CNG bus/cycling, walking can be done.

Question 5 : What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?

Answer : 

  1. Reduce the use of electricity, petroleum fuels like petrol, diesel for short distances, pooling the resources, pollution causing substances.
  2. Recycle the materials for reducing the burden. Segregating the materials at domestic level and disposing the garbage.
  3. Reuse of materials such as plastic , cans, envelopes, papers, bags, polyethene packets, etc.

Make use of alternative sources of energy such as solar energy. Solar cooker and solar water heater can be used.

Question 6 : List five things you have done over the last one week to:

a) Conserve our natural resources.
b) Increase the pressure on our natural resources.

Answer : 

Things I have done to conserve our natural resources:

  1. Used bicycle in place of car.
  2. Switched off lights when not required.
  3. Minimised the use of water.
  4. Checked extra flow of water.
  5. Used pressure cooker

Things I have done to increase the pressure on our natural resources:

  1. Used A.C.
  2. Used more petrol
  3. Used more paper
  4. Wasted water
  5. Used more electricity

Question 7 : On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your lifestyle in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?

Answer : A few changes will include

  1. Walking to school, short distances and avoid using autovechicles.
  2. Wear enough clothes in winter and not to use room heater.
  3. Switch off the lights/fans and make less use of them.
  4. Plant trees/plants.
  5. Not to waste water.
  6. Use C.N.G.
  7. Use pressure cooker.