CBSE Class 10 Science Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Assignment Set A

Question. List four changes you would incorporate in your life style in a move towards sustainable use of available resources.
Answer : (i) Taking a bus, using cycle or walking.
(ii) Using CFL at home and switching off lights when not required.
(iii) Using the stairs instead of lift.
(iv) Wearing an extra sweater on cold days instead of encouraging the use of heaters.

Question. What are natural resources? State two factors that work against an equitable distribution of these resources.
Answer : The resources obtained from the earth and which are naturally occuring are called natural resources.
Two factors which works against an equitable distribution of these resources are:
(i) Materialisation and (ii) Energisation

Question. What is Chipko Movement? Why should we conserve forests? 
Answer : It is the movement initiated by local people in the Reni Village of Garhwal by preventing the cutting down of trees by hugging the trees. It was initiated by Sunder Lal Bahuguna to stop the commercial exploitation of forest.
We should conserve forest because it is of great benefit to us as it holds soil, water, prevents floods, brings rain fall, maintain ecological balance on the earth.

Question. List four advantage of water harvesting. 
Answer : Water harvesting is useful because
(i) It provides water for potable use.
(ii) It provides water for irrigation.
(iii) It provides water for recharging underground water reservoir.
(iv) It provides water for vegetation to grow.

Question. What is wild life? How is wild life important for us?
Answer : Wild life means all the animals and plants that grow and live in forest, grow naturally, are not cultivated, domesticated and tamed.
Importance of wildlife:
(i) They help in maintaining ecological balance.
(ii) They provide aesthetic value for human beings.

Question. List some traditional ways used by local organizations for water harvesting.
Answer : Some traditional ways used by local organizations for water harvesting are
(i) Digging small pits and lakes (ii) Simple watershed systems
(iii) Building small earthen dams (iv) Constructing dykes, sand and limestone reservoirs
(v) Set up rooftop water collecting units.

Question. Explain two main advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level.
Answer : Two advantages associated with water harvesting at community level are:
(i) Water harvesting is an ideal solution to water problems in areas having inadequate water resources. It mitigates the effect of drought.
(ii) It improves the quality of water and helps in raising groundwater level.

Question. Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment friendly?
Answer : (i) Making a compost pit at the backyard of garden
(ii) Switching on fans and light in the rooms which are not being used
(iii) Throwing organic and recyclable waste in separate bins
(iv) Growing more plants
(v) Using paper on both side.

Question. What are the reasons of destruction of forests?
Answer : Forests are destroyed:
(i) For Cultivation of crops (Deforestation.)
(ii) For firewood, charcoal, mineral ores, timber, bamboo, fodder and raw materials for paper, rubber and other forest products like gum, resin, medicinal plants, spices, oils, ‘etc. Due to extensive deforestation animals and birds migrate to other places or die of hunger and their number decreases.
(iii) Because of water, land and air pollution caused by industries resulting in the death of wild animals and plants.
(iv) Because of urbanization (building cities and establishment of estates) leads to the death of wildlife.
(v) Because of forest fires, heavy floods, etc. kill the wildlife, extensive hunting of animals for food, money and luxury items decreases the number of wildlife.

Question. List any two causes of our failure to sustain availability of underground water. 
Answer : Two causes which led to the failure of sustaining the availability of underground water are:
(i) Population: With the increase in population the demand is also increasing which is depleting the underground water.
(ii) Industrialisation: As the industries need more water to manufacture its goods, this led to decrease in the level of underground water.