Chapter 16

Management of natural resources

 
Intext questions

Page no 269

1. What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Ans: Following are the changes that we should make in our habits to become more environment friendly
  • Stop wastage of water. For example, turn off the tap while brushing teeth, repair leaked taps immediately.
  • Do not waste food. Only take as much as you need.
  • Switch off the electrical appliances when not required.
  • Use cycle or walk for going to the nearby market and other places instead of using vehicles.
  • Reuse carry bags, packing materials and plastic containers.
  • Separate waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable
2. What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short term aims?
Ans: Exploitation of resources with short-term aims means the consumption of resources for immediate requirement without conservation for future.
Advantages are:
  • It fulfills the requirement of mass population.
  • It provides industrial growth.
  • It provides economic development.
  • It makes life comfortable.
3. How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long term perspective in managing our resources?
Ans: Long -term perspective in managing our resources would always be better than a short term perspective because it helps us in protecting our environment and also conserve our natural resources. This is an integral part of sustainable development. It will help us in ensuring that the coming generations also get to enjoy the natural resources.

4. Why do you think there should be equitable distribution of resources? What force would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?

or

Why should there be an equitable distribution of resources? List 3 forces that would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources.
Ans: Everybody has equal rights over natural resources and also everybody should get the benefits from them. Therefore, equal distribution of resources is essential to ensure that everybody gets their due benefits.
But many forces go against the equitable distribution of natural resources
  • The geographical factors are the most important factors which do not allow equal ability distribution of natural resources.
  • Economy is another factor which prevents equitable distribution of these resources.
Page no 273 

1. Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Ans: To prevent biodiversity.
  • To prevent loss of ecological balance.
  • To obtain medicine, food, wood, etc., products in a suitable manner.
  • To promote social and economic growth.
2. Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forest
Ans:
  • Overgrazing done by cattles should be prevented.
  • Forest fire should be prevented.
  • Forest nourishes should be established on a large scale
  • Celebration of Vana Mahotsava should be made more popular, meaningful, and effective.
Page no 276 

1. Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/ management in your region.
Ans: Do it yourself.

2. Compare the above system with the portable system in hilly/ mountains area or plain or plateau regions.
Ans: At some places, the rainwater is stored in huge tanks that are constructed in the basement of the houses. This water is treated with disinfectants before consumption. It proves helpful during lean seasons.

3. Find out the sources of water in your region/ locality. Is water from this source is available to all the people living in that area?
Ans: Do it yourself.

NCERT exercise 

1. What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?
Ans: The changes are as follows
  • Use water and electricity as per
  • Do not waste food.
  • Segregate waste into recyclable and non-recyclable.
  • Do use newspaper and Jars and other items made up of plastic. 
  • Use CFL and solar materials to save electricity as possible.
2. Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment friendly?
Ans:  Following suggestions:
  • Switch off lights and fans when not necessary.
  • Growing plants along the boundary wall.
  • Harvest water from the rooftop which can be utilized for watering plants.
3. We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forest and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?
Ans: Both local people and the government should have equal participation in the management of forest produce. The involvement of local people makes them aware of the importance of conservation of forests. For example, the Sal reserve of Arabian forest in West Bengal how been served by involving local people.

4. How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of
  • Forest and wildlife
  • Water resource, and
  • Coal and petroleum?
Ans: Forest and wildlife
  • Planting more trees.
  • Creating mass awareness to plant more trees and preventing the wastage of forest produce.
Water resources 
  • Stopping wasting water.
  • Harvesting and conserving water.
Coal and petroleum 
  • Making less use of machines run by electricity, petrol or diesel.
  • Saving electricity.
  • Avoid personal cars for small distance traveling.
5. What can you do as an individual to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Ans:
  • Saving electricity by switching off unnecessary lights and fans.
  • Using LED instead of normal bulbs and fluorescent tubes.
  • Using staircase instead of lift.
  • Walking or cycling when possible that used vehicles.
  • Minimal usage of water.
  • Minimal wastage of food.
6. List 5 things you have done over the last one week to
a) Conserve our natural resources
b) Increase the pressure on our natural resources
Ans: (a) To conserve our natural resources, we
  • Save electricity by switching off unnecessary lights.
  • Used stairs instead of lifts.
  • Repaired leaked taps.
  • Use an empty bottle or jam for storing purposes.
(b) To increase the pressure on our natural resources, we
  • Use more water during bathing.
  • Frequently-used heating device.
  • Waste food when more people were invited.
  • Used lift instead of stairs.
7. On the basis of the issue raised in the chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your lifestyle in a mood towards sustainable use of our resources?
Ans:
  • We should not use polytheneor plastic bags.
  • We shouldturn off tap immediately after use.
  • We should grow
  • We would try to recycle waste.