CBSE Class 10 Geography Resources and Development

                          CBSE Class 10

Geography

Resources and Development

1. What is Soil ? How do soil form?

Ans:- It is the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust, formed by the continuous weathering of mountains over thousands of years. 

• Soil is formed by the process of weathering. Weathering is a process of physical breakdown and chemical decomposition of rocks and minerals near or at the surface of the earth.

• This physical and chemical decomposition is primarily done by wind, water, and climate. As a result of these processes, large rock pieces are converted into smaller pieces and eventually to the soil.

2. What factors contribute to the formation of Soil?

Ans:- Relief characteristics, parent material, temperature, plants and other ways of life, as well as time away from human activities, are the main factors responsible for soil development.

Parent Material: is deposited by streams or is derived by in-situ.

 weathering.Climate: This is one of the key variables in soil forming because it determines the weathering rate of the parent rock.

Role of precipitation: The difference of precipitation changes the composition of the soil.

Function of temperature: It also plays an important role because temperature variations affect shrinkage and swelling, frost action and general soil weathering.

Biota: Biota, in combination with climate change, modifies the parent material to create soil.

Topography: It is considered a passive element in climate change because it influences soil cycles, soil composition and the form of vegetation.

Time: The formation of the soil is not a one-day process, but takes several years of formation.

3. How do we Classify the soil in India?

Ans:- India has varied relief features, landforms, climatic realms and vegetation types. These have contributed in the development of various types of soils.

Alluvial soil.

Black soil. .

Red and Yellow soils.

Laterite soil.

Arid soil.

Forest soils.

4. Where do we find Alluvial Soil in India? What does the soil consist of?

Ans:- Alluvial soils are by far the largest and the most important soil group of India. The widest occurrence of the alluvial soils is in the Indo-Gangetic Plain starting from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam in the east, northern parts of Gujrat also have some covers alluvial soils.

• Alluvial soil consists of silt, sand, clay, and gravel as well as much organic matter.

5. Classify the Alluvial Soil . Which crops are produced in the soil?

Ans:- According to their age alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar). The bangar soil has a higher concentration of kanker nodules than the Khadar. It has more fine particles and is more fertile than the bangar.

• The crops that are grown in alluvial soil are tobacco, rice, wheat, bajra, chickpea, soybean, cotton, mustard, groundnut, sesame, barley, maize, oilseeds, etc

6. How fertile alluvial soils are?

Ans:- Alluvial soil is extremely fertile- It is extremely fertile because it is formed by the sediments transported by rivers and is a mixture of sand, clay and silt. It has a loamy texture and it is rich in humus. It has good water retention and water absorbing capacity.

7. Describe Black Soil. Why are they called black cotton soil?

Ans:- Black soil is also known as Regur soil. This soil was formed due to the spreading of Deccan Lava. Lava rocks and climate play an important role in the formation of such soil. It covers about 15% of the total area of India. As this soil is more suitable to cotton it is also known as 'Cotton soil'. It is found in entire Maharashtra, Western Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and certain parts of Karnataka. In Gujarat Surat, Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara, Tapi and Dang districts have this type of the soil. There is more proportion of iron, lime, calcium, potash, aluminium and magnesium carbonates in its soil. It is considered to be quite fertile soil. This soil has capacity of retaining more moisture. Whenever the moisture dries up they develop fissures. Crops like cotton, linseed, mustard, groundnut, tobacco and udad are grown in this soil.

• Cotton is a well-grown crop that grows well on black soil, which is why it is named cotton soil.

8. How Red soils are formed? Where they are found in india? 

Ans:- Red Soil is formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline rocks under tropical and subtropical climatic conditions.

• Tamil Nadu and Southern Karnataka, North-eastern Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

9. What does the laterite soil mean? Where it is found?

Ans:- Laterite is a soil and rock type rich in iron and aluminium and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas.

• Laterite soil is mainly found in the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats. It is also found in the southern part of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Kerala, Assam,

10. How laterite soils are formed ? Why does it not suitable for agriculture? What type of crops are grown in laterite soil?

Ans:- Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick. The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain.

• Laterite soil is not suitable for cultivation because it is acidic in nature and does not retain moisture.

• Laterite soils are good for tea, coffee and cashew cultivation.

11. Describe the Arid Soil. Why do they lack of humus?

Ans:- Arid soils:

i. Arid soils range from red to brown in colour. They are generally sandy and alkaline.

ii. In some areas, salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water. Due to dry climate, high temperature and accelerated evaporation, the lack of moisture and humus content is normal.

iii. Lower horizons of soils are occupied by kankar because of increase calcium content downward.

iv. Arid soils are characteristically developed in western Rajasthan, which exhibits characteristic desert topography.

v. These soils are poor and contain less humus and organic matter. They are generally used for the cultivation of coarse grains like jowar, bajra, ragi etc. and oil seeds.

12. Where. Are forest soil found? Write the features of it.

Ans:-Forest soils:

(i)These soils are found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available.

(ii)The soils texture varies according to the mountain environment where they are formed.

(iii)They are loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes.

(iv)In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, these soils experience denudation and are acidic with low humus content.

(v)The soils found in the lower parts of the valleys particularly on the river terraces and alluvial fans are fertile.

13. Define soil erosion.How does the balance between soil formation and soil erosion get disturbed?

Ans:- Soil Erosion is one form of soil degradation. It occurs in almost all types of lands. Flowing water, rainwater, and the wind are the prime agents which cause a significant amount of soil loss each year. Too much soil erosion causes serious loss of topsoil and also reduces crop production potential, lower surface water quality, and damaged drainage networks.

• There is a balance maintained between the processes of soil formation and erosion. But sometimes, this balance is disturbed due to human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, construction, and mining.

14. Define gully erosion, bad land topography, ravines and sheet erosion.

Ans:- Gullies: The running water cuts through the clayey soil and makes deep channels called gullies. 

b) badland : The land that becomes unfit for cultivation.eg Chambal valley

C) Sheet erosion : The water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope, and will wash away the topsoil. This is known as sheet erosion.

RAVINES:- a narrow gorge with steep sides.

15. How does soil erosion occurr ?

Ans:- Causes of soil erosion:

Due to human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, construction and mining, etc.

Natural forces like wind, glacier and water leads to soil erosion.

The running water cuts through clayey soils and makes deep channels as ‘gullies’. The land becomes unfit for cultivation, this process is called gully erosion and the land is called bad land or ravines in the Chambal basin.

Sometimes, water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. It leads to the washing away of the top soil. This process is called sheet erosion.

Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land, and is called wind erosion.

Soil erosion is also caused due to defective methods of farming

16. What are contour ploughing, Terrace ploughing and strip cropping?

Ans:- Contour Ploughing- Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate water flow down the slopes.

Strip Cropping: It is the cultivation of crops in strips to check the fast-blowing winds.

17. What are the shelter belts and how do they prevent soil erosion?

Ans:- Planting rows of trees on one side of an area prevents the wind from eroding the soil. They are also called shelter belts.

• The presence of shelter belts acts as windbreaks and reduces the wind speed. In addition, it depletes the sandy soil carried by the winds, thereby preventing wind erosion and desertification.

18. Why is resource planning essential?

Ans:-Resource planning is essential because of the following reasons:

It helps to recognise the various resources existing in different areas of the country.

It aids in the preservation of different non-renewable resources.

It reduces the wastage of resources.

19. What are the steps followed for resource planning?

Ans:-Resource planning consists of three stages. They are:

• Identification and inventory of resources. 

• Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up for implementing resource development plans.

• Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans

20. How does resources indulge colonization?

Ans:-Regions which were rich of natural resources were established by colonies. Those resources were sold to make profits and fulfil their needs and demands. Hence resourses were associated with colonialism.

21. Does the availability of resources only lead to development?

Ans:-The statement is absolutely correct . Mere availability of resources in the absence of corresponding changes in technology may hinder development.

This is because available resources can be put to proper use only by the means of advanced technology , skills and institutional set up.

The absence of technology makes it impossible to out the available resources to proper use . It also makes it difficult to extract the possible benefits from them.

22. What is the need for conservation of resources . Explain in light of Gandhi's view?

Ans:-Resources are vital for any developmental activity. But irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is important. This had been the main concern of the leaders and thinkers in the past. For example, Gandhiji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation in these words: “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.” He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.

23. Why land is considered as utmost importance resources?

Ans:- Land is considered as an important resource as it provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is also used by human beings for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.

24. What are the advantage of India's land under a variety of relief features?

Ans:-India has land under a variety of relief features namely; mountains, plateau, plains and islands. (a) 43% Land is plain: provides facilities for agriculture and industry. (b) 30% Land is mountainous: provides facilities for tourism and ecological aspects. (c) Plateau (27%): possesses rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

25. Explain the land use pattern in India.

Ans:-Land resources in India are primarily divided into agricultural land, forest land, land meant for pasture and grazing, and waste land. Waste land includes rocky, arid and desert areas, and land used for other non-agricultural purposes such as housing, roads and industry. According to the recent data, about 54% of the total land area is cultivable or fallow, 22.5% is covered by forests, and 3.45% is used for grazing. The rest is waste land, with traces of miscellaneous cultivation.

26. Why has the land under Forest not increased much since 1960 -61?

Ans:- The land under forest has been mat increased much from 1960-1961 Because

1.About of 45% of land is used as net sown area, i.e. for farming. About 22% of the land is under forest and the rest of the land is used for various purposes; like housing, recreation and industrial activities.

2.Increasing population and subsequent increase in demand for resources is the main reason that forested land has not increased much during this period.

27. Give the pattern of net sown area in india.

Ans:-

In Punjab and Haryana, the net sown area is more than 80% of the total land in the state. On the other hand, it is less than 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 3.38% of the total land is used for grazing, while the remaining lands are fallow and waste lands. In some of these states, the proportion of net sown is low because they are covered by dense tropical forests. The fertility of the soil is not suitable for cultivation. They receive heavy rainfall which is adverse for the cultivation. Added to this, these areas are backward and the farmers are very poor and hence they lack technology method of farming. Therefore, the net sown area differs from state to state. 

28. Give an account of forest area in the country.

Ans:-

The forest and tree cover in the country is estimated at 79.42 million hectare, which is 24.16% of the total geographical area (dense forest 12.2%; open forest 9.14%; and mangrove 0.14%).

...

They are classified under the following categories:

Reserved Forests.

Protected Forests.

Unclassed Forests.

29. What are waste lands?

Ans:-. rocky, arid and desert areas can be best described as wastelands. Land which is lying unproductive or which is not being utilized to its potential is called wasteland. It is generally found incapable of producing material or services of value.

    30.what does land degradation occur?

Ans:-. Land degradation is caused by human activity, which causes the soil to lose its fertility and quality.

31. How much of India is considered as degraded land?

Ans:-

Our country has 130 million hectares of degraded land.

32. How does mining activity cause land degradation?

Ans:-Mining activities in Jharkhand have resulted in severe land degradation. Here what happens is that the part of the land excavated during mining is dumped in surrounding areas which leads to overburdening.

33.how overgrazing, over irrigation, minerals processing and industry responsible for land erosion.

• Ans:-Overirrigation in Haryana has resulted in waterlogging, which leads to an increase in the salinity of the soil. Waterlogging leads to an increase in soil salinity because waterlogging prevents leaching of the salts from the soil thereby increasing salt content in soil.

• Overgrazing: Overgrazing in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc is a huge cause of land degradation.

• Industries: Mineral processing industry like grinding of limestone for the cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of water into of infiltration the soil.

34. How can we solve the problem of land degradation?.

Ans:- 

Afforestation

Proper management of grazing to control over grazing.

Planting of shelter belts of plants.

Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.

Control of mining activities.

Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment.

(nil) Proper management of waste-lands.

Avoid over-irrigation, especially in dry areas.

Avoid over use of fertilizers and pesticides

35. Define Fallow land, Barren land, Current Fallow land.

Current Fallow Land

The cultural practice adopted to give rest to the land is known as fallowing. The land recoups the lost fertility through natural processes. Under current fallow land, the land is left without cultivation for less than one or one agricultural year.

2) Fallow other than Current Fallow

When the cultivable land is left uncultivated for more than a year but less than five years, it is categorized as fallow other than current fallow.

3) Culturable Wasteland

If the land is left uncultivated for more than five years, it would be categorized as culturable wasteland.