CHAPTER 1 - RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT (GEOGRAPHY SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS 10)

1. What is Sustainable development ?

Sustainable economic development means ‘development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.’ 

2. Describe net sown area ad gross cropped area.

Net sown area the physical extent of land on which corps are sown harvested is known as net sown area.

Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped area. 

3. Explain soil erosion.

The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion. Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the top soil is washed away. This is known as sheet erosion 

4. What are ravines?

The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known as bad land. In the Chambal basin such lands are called ravines. 

5. List out the reasons for land degradation.

In Punjab the major cause of land degradation is over-irrigation. Over-irrigation leads to waterlogging which in turn leads to an increase in alkalinity and salinity in the soil. Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also face land degradation due to over-irrigation.

6. Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61? 

Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33 per cent of geographical area, as it was outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952). It was considered essential for maintenance of the ecological balance. The livelihood of millions of people who live on the fringes of these forests depends upon it 

Some human activities such as deforestation, over grazing, mining and quarrying too have contributed significantly in land degradation. 

The land under forest has not increased since 1960–61 because in the post-independence era demand for more land to expand agriculture, mainly after Green Revolution, developmental works and infrastructural facilities, led to clearance of forests areas. Industrialization and urbanization also decreased the forest area.

Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation. 

Even after Independence, agricultural expansion continues to be one of the major causes of depletion of forest resources. Between 1951 and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 sq. km. of forest area was converted into agricultural land all over India. Substantial parts of the tribal belts, especially in the north- eastern and central India, have been deforested or degraded by shifting cultivation (jhum), a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture.

Large-scale development projects have also contributed significantly to the loss of forests. Since 1951, over 5,000 sq km of forest was cleared for river valley projects. Clearing of forests is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh, which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forest. Mining is another important factor behind deforestation. The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal is seriously threatened by the ongoing dolomite mining. It has disturbed the natural habitat of many species and blocked the migration route of several others, including the great Indian elephant.

7. How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources? 

Advancements made in the field of surveying helped in finding the hidden natural resources. Advancements made in different fields helped in identifying the different uses of various natural resources. As resources were identified it lead to the easy exploitation and excessive use of natural resources for economic development.