Chapter-16 Management of Natural Resources
Question 1:
What changes can you make in your habits to become more
environment-friendly?
Answer:
We should switch off the electrical
appliances when not in use. Water and food should not be wasted. Close the tap
when not in use. Dump the objects made of plastic and glass in designated
recycling boxes. Plastic, paper, or glass must be recycled or reused and not
dumped with other wastes. This is because objects made of plastic do not get
decomposed easily. Besides soil fertility, they badly affect our environment.
We should dispose the wastes safely and not disperse in public places. These
are a few things that can be done to become more environment- friendly.
Question 2:
What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with
short-term aims?
Answer:
There should be a judicious use of
natural resources as they are limited in nature. We should not exploit
resources for our short term gains as this would only lead to depletion of
natural resources for the present generation as well as generations to come.
Hence, we can say that there are hardly any advantages of exploiting natural
resources for short term gains.
Question 3:
How would these advantages differ
from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Answer:
In the case of a long-time
perspective in managing our resources, these resources will last for the generations
to come. This management ensures uniform distribution among the people. It
conserves the natural resources for many years and not just for a few years, as
in the case of a short-term perspective in conserving natural resources.
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:
Natural
resources of the Earth must be distributed among the people uniformly so that
each and every one gets his share of the resource.
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Human greed, corruption, and the
lobby of the rich and powerful are the forces working against an equitable
distribution of resources.
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Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Answer:
We should conserve forests and
wildlife to preserve the biodiversity (range of different life-forms) so as to
avoid the loss of ecological stability. A large number of tribes are the
habitants in and around the forests. If the forests are not conserved, then it
may affect these habitants. Without proper management of forest and wildlife,
the quality of soil, the water sources, and even the amount of rainfall may be
affected. Without forest and wildlife, life would become impossible for human
beings.
Question 2:
Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer:
Some approaches towards the conservation of forests are as
follows:
(a)
People should show their participation in saving the forest
by protesting against the cutting of trees. For example, Chipko Andolan
(b)
Planting of trees should be increased. Rate of
afforestation must be more than that of deforestation.
(c)
Some people cut precious trees such as Chandan to earn money. Government should
take legal steps to catch these wood smugglers.
(d)
Habitants of forests must not be bothered by the forest
officials. Otherwise, this would result in the clash between tribal people and
the government officials, thereby enhancing the naxal activities in forests.
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Find out about the traditional systems of water
harvesting/management in your region.
Answer:
One of the traditional systems of water harvesting used in
our region is tanks.
Question 2:
Compare the above system with the
probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Answer:
In plains, the water harvesting structures are
crescent-shaped earthen embankments.
These are low, straight, and concrete.
In hilly regions, the system of
canal irrigation called Kulhs is used
for water harvesting. This involves a collection of rain water in a stream,
which is then diverted into manmade channels down the hill sides.
Question 3:
Find out the source of water in
your region/locality. Is water from this source available to all people living
in that area?
Answer:
The source of water in our region
is ground water. Water from the source is available to all the people living in
that area.
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What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be
environment-friendly?
Answer:
Changes that can be undertaken in
our homes to be environment-friendly are listed below:
(i)Switch off the electrical appliances when not in use.
(ii)Turn the taps off while brushing or bathing and repair
the leaking taps.
(iii)Throw biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into
separate bins.
(iv)Construct composting pits.
(v)Food items such as jam, pickles,
etc., come packed in plastic bottles. These bottles can later be used for
storing things in the kitchen.
Question 2:
Can you suggest some changes in
your school which would make it environmentfriendly?
Answer:
Changes that can be undertaken in
our schools to make it environment friendly are listed below:
(i) Electricity
can be saved by switching off lights and fans when not required.
(ii) Turn
the taps off when not in use.
(iii) Biodegradable
and non-biodegradable wastes should be thrown into separate bins.
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 think so?
Answer:
The forest department of the
government should have the authority to decide the management of forest
produces. This is because the forest department is the care taker of the forest
land and is responsible for any damage to the forest.
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) Forest and
wildlife:
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(i) We
should protest against the cutting of trees (deforestation).
(ii) We
should protest against the poaching of wild animals.
(iii) We
should stop the annexation of forest land for our use.
(b) Water resources:
(i)
Turn the taps off while brushing or bathing and repair
leaking taps.
(ii) We
should practice rainwater harvesting.
(iii) We should avoid
the discharge of sewage and other wastes into rivers and other water resources.
(c) Coal and petroleum:
(i)
We should take a bus or practice car pooling to avoid
excessive use of petroleum.
(ii) We
should stop using coal as a fuel (angithis).
(iii)We should use alternative
sources of energy such as hydro-energy and solar energy instead of depending
largely on coal and petroleum.
Question 5:
What can you as an individual do to
reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Answer:
Natural resources such as water,
forests, coal and petroleum, etc. are important for the survival of human
beings. The ways in which we can reduce the consumption of various natural
resources are as follows:
(i) We
should stop the cutting of trees (deforestation).
(ii) We
should use recycled paper to reduce the cutting down of trees.
(iii) We
should not waste water.
(iv) We should
practice rainwater harvesting.
(v) We
should practice car pooling to avoid the excessive use of petroleum.
(vi) We should
use alternative sources of energy such as hydro-energy and solar energy.
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:
(a) To conserve our
natural resources:
(i) Travel
by a CNG bus for long distances and walk for short distances.
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(ii) Use
recycled paper
(iii) Throw
biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into separate bins
(iv) Plant trees
(v) Harvest
rainwater
(b) To increase the pressure on our natural resources:
(i) Use
non-renewable resources of energy
(ii) Waste
water
(iii) Waste
electricity
(iv) Use
plastics and polythene bags for carrying goods
(v) Use
escalators Question
7:
On the basis of the issues raised
in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your life-style in a
move towards a sustainable use of our resources?
Answer:
One should incorporate the
following changes in life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our
resources:
(i) Stop
cutting trees and practice plantation of trees.
(ii) Stop
using plastic and polythene bags for carrying goods.
(iii) Use
recycled paper.
(iv) Throw biodegradable
and non-biodegradable waste into separate bins.
(v) Waste
minimum amount of water while using and repair leaking taps.
(vi) Practice
rainwater harvesting.
(vi) Avoid
using vehicles for short distances. Instead, one can walk or cycle to cover
short distances. To cover long distances, one should take a bus instead of
using personal vehicles.
(vii)
Switch off electrical appliances when not in use.
(viii)
Use fluorescent tubes in place of bulbs to save
electricity.
(ix)
Take stairs and avoid using lifts.
(x)
During winters, wear an extra sweater to avoid using
heaters.
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