Chapter 1: Resources and Development
Complete NCERT textbook questions with model answers for Class 10 Geography Chapter 1. These solutions follow CBSE marking scheme patterns and show how to structure answers for 1, 3, and 5 marks questions. Focus on answer writing technique rather than just memorizing content.
Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: 1-mark answers should be precise, direct, and not exceed 20-30 words. No explanation needed.
Answer: (c) Non-renewable
Answer: (a) Replenishable
Answer: (c) Over irrigation
Answer: (a) Uttarakhand
Answer: (a) Gujarat
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Exam Tip: Write one-word or one-sentence answers. No elaboration required.
Answer: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh; Cotton is mainly grown.
Answer: Alluvial soil; Features: Very fertile, rich in potash and lime, ideal for sugarcane and paddy.
Answer: Terrace farming, contour ploughing, and strip cropping.
Answer: Biotic: Living (plants, animals); Abiotic: Non-living (rocks, metals, water).
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
Exam Tip: 3-mark answers should be 60-80 words with clear points. Structure: Introduction + 2-3 points + Conclusion.
Answer: Resources are classified into biotic and abiotic based on their origin, which refers to whether they are derived from living organisms or non-living elements of nature.
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Biotic Resources | Resources obtained from the biosphere (living and organic material) | • Forests • Animals • Marine life • Agricultural crops |
| Abiotic Resources | Resources composed of non-living things (inorganic and non-organic) | • Rocks • Metals • Water • Minerals • Land |
This classification helps in understanding resource management, as biotic resources are renewable if managed sustainably, while abiotic resources are mostly non-renewable.
Answer: The distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources is based on their ability to be replenished naturally over time, which determines their sustainability and management requirements.
| Aspect | Renewable Resources | Non-renewable Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Can be renewed or replenished naturally in a relatively short period | Cannot be replenished or take millions of years to form |
| Examples | • Solar energy • Wind energy • Forests • Water (if managed) • Wildlife |
• Coal • Petroleum • Natural gas • Minerals • Metals |
| Time Factor | Short regeneration period (days to decades) | Extremely long formation period (millions of years) |
| Sustainability | Sustainable if used within regeneration capacity | Exhaustible; will eventually run out |
This distinction is crucial for resource planning, as renewable resources require management for sustainable use, while non-renewable resources need conservation and alternatives.
Answer: Soil is a vital natural resource in India that supports agriculture, which employs about 50% of the population. India has varied soil types classified based on colour, texture, and fertility, distributed across different regions.
| Soil Type | Main Regions | Characteristics | Crops Grown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial | Northern plains, river valleys, coastal plains | Most fertile, rich in potash and lime | Rice, wheat, sugarcane |
| Black (Regur) | Deccan Plateau, Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP | Clayey, retains moisture, rich in calcium | Cotton, pulses, millets |
| Red & Yellow | Eastern & southern Deccan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh | Porous, low fertility, iron-rich | Groundnut, millet, potatoes |
| Laterite | Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, hills of NE | Acidic, low fertility, brick-making | Tea, coffee, cashew |
| Arid | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana | Sandy, saline, low organic matter | Barley, maize, pulses |
Soil conservation is essential as about 40% of India's land suffers from degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, and poor agricultural practices.
Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
Exam Tip: 5-mark answers need 120-150 words with proper structure: Introduction, 4-5 main points with examples, and conclusion.
Answer: Resource planning is crucial for sustainable development because it ensures equitable distribution, judicious use, and conservation of resources for present and future generations, especially in a diverse country like India with uneven resource distribution and growing population pressure.
Why Resource Planning is Essential in India:
Implementation in India: India follows a three-stage resource planning process: 1) Identification and inventory of resources, 2) Development planning with appropriate technology, 3) Matching resource development with national development plans. Examples include watershed management, afforestation programs, and the National Mineral Policy.
Answer: Indiscriminate use of resources has led to severe environmental, economic, and social problems, threatening sustainable development and necessitating urgent conservation measures to protect resources for future generations.
| Problems Caused | Causes | Consequences | Conservation Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource Depletion | Over-exploitation, wasteful consumption | • Exhaustion of non-renewables • Water scarcity • Deforestation |
• Sustainable extraction limits • Recycling and reuse • Alternative resources |
| Environmental Degradation | Pollution, deforestation, mining | • Global warming • Loss of biodiversity • Soil erosion |
• Pollution control laws • Afforestation • Sustainable mining |
| Social Inequality | Unequal access, privatization | • Rich-poor divide • Regional disparities • Conflicts over resources |
• Equitable distribution • Community management • Legal rights protection |
| Economic Instability | Price fluctuations, dependency | • Inflation • Import dependency • Economic crises |
• Resource diversification • Strategic reserves • Self-sufficiency goals |
| Intergenerational Inequity | Present generation overuse | • Depleted legacy for future • Compromised development options |
• Sustainable development principles • Long-term planning • Environmental education |
Specific Conservation Strategies: 1) Adopt 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; 2) Promote renewable energy (solar, wind); 3) Implement water harvesting; 4) Practice sustainable agriculture; 5) Encourage public transport; 6) Legal protection of resources; 7) Environmental awareness programs.
Map-Based Question
Important: Map questions carry 2-3 marks. Always label clearly and include a key/legend if needed.
a) Regions with alluvial soil
b) Regions with black soil
c) A state with laterite soil
d) A state with arid soil
e) Major iron ore producing state
[Image: Outline map of India showing soil distribution and mineral locations]
Map showing: Alluvial soil (Northern Plains, Coastal strips), Black soil (Deccan Plateau), Laterite soil (Western Ghats, NE states), Arid soil (Rajasthan), Iron ore mines (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh)
Answer Key for Map:
- Alluvial soil regions: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Coastal plains of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
- Black soil regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
- State with laterite soil: Karnataka/Kerala/Tamil Nadu (Western Ghats region)
- State with arid soil: Rajasthan
- Major iron ore producing state: Odisha (alternatively Jharkhand or Chhattisgarh)
Extra Practice Questions
Answer: Sustainable development means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It directly relates to resource conservation through balanced utilization, regeneration capacity maintenance, and environmental protection.
| Principle of Sustainable Development | Relation to Resource Conservation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Intergenerational Equity | Ensures resources are conserved for future use rather than exhausted today | • Controlled mining quotas • Forest regeneration programs • Groundwater recharge |
| Carrying Capacity | Resource use within regeneration limits to maintain natural balance | • Fishing bans during breeding • Sustainable forestry • Water harvesting |
| Integration of Environment & Development | Development projects include environmental impact assessments and conservation measures | • Afforestation in mining areas • Pollution control in industries • Eco-friendly tourism |
| Polluter Pays Principle | Those who degrade resources must pay for restoration, discouraging wasteful use | • Environmental compensation • Carbon credits • Waste treatment requirements |
Implementation: Sustainable development requires technological innovation (renewable energy), policy frameworks (environmental laws), public participation (awareness campaigns), and international cooperation (climate agreements) to achieve effective resource conservation.
Answer: Alluvial and black soils are two of India's most important agricultural soils, differing significantly in their formation, characteristics, distribution, and crop suitability across different regions of the country.
| Aspect | Alluvial Soil | Black Soil (Regur) |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Deposited by rivers (fluvial origin) | Formed from volcanic rocks (basaltic origin) |
| Distribution | Northern Plains, river valleys, coastal plains | Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP, AP) |
| Texture | Sandy to clayey loam | Clayey, sticky when wet |
| Colour | Light grey to ash grey | Deep black to chestnut brown |
| Fertility | Most fertile, rich in potash and lime | Rich in calcium, magnesium, iron |
| Water Retention | Moderate | High (retains moisture well) |
| Main Crops | Rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses | Cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, millets |
| Problems | Waterlogging, salinity in some areas | Becomes hard when dry, develops cracks |
Agricultural Significance: Alluvial soils cover about 40% of India's cultivated area and support intensive agriculture in the Northern Plains, while black soils are ideal for cotton cultivation in the Deccan region, earning the name "black cotton soil."
Answer Writing Checklist
Final Note: These solutions demonstrate how to write answers, not just what to write. Practice adapting this structure to different questions.
