CBSE Class 10 Biology Management of Natural Resources Worksheet Set A

Question. What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Answer: The consumption of the various natural resources can be reduced in the following ways:
(i) Save electricity by switching off unnecessary lights and fans.
(ii) Save water by repairing leaking taps.
(iii) Use stairs instead of lifts.
(iv) Opt for walking or cycling than using vehicles.
(v) Use solar devices.
(vi) Switch off the engine of vehicles while waiting on red lights.

Question. Give three changes you will make to stop or lower the use of coal and petroleum.
Answer : (i) Switch off lights when not required, and use CFL bulbs.
(ii) Not to use petrol fuel vehicles instead opt for CNG.
(iii) Use cycle or walk to go short distances.

Question. List two traditional system of water harvesting.
Answer : Khadim, tanks and nadis in Rajasthan, bandharas and tals in Maharashtra.

Question. State two reasons each of conserving.
(a) Forest and (b) Wild life
Answer : (a) Forest: It needs to be conserved as it is a natural resource, many industries depend on it and will exploit and deplete the forest. It is biodiversity hot-spot.
(b) Wildlife: It maintains the ecological balance. Hence all animals which are hunted for skin, fur, tusk, horns etc. need protection and their habitat also need to be conserved.

Question. An environmentalist on visit to your school suggested the use of three R’s to save the environment. Explain what he meant by three R’s and how you would follow his advice at home.
Answer : The 3R’s to save the environment means:
(i) Reduce—It means we should use less resources. The demand of exploiting resources should be reduced by switching off lights, fans when not required, by not wasting paper, pencil etc.
(ii) Recycle—It means, to make new products from the old, used ones, e.g., recycle used paper, plastic bags, glass material and metals like tins, cans, foils etc.
(iii) Reuse—It is the best option i.e., use the things, materials again and again. e.g., use the envelope which was already used, make use of plastic bottles, jam and pickle containers etc.

Question. Why must we conserve our forests? List any two causes for deforestation taking place.
Answer : We must conserve our forest as they are very useful.
(i) It conserves soil by preventing soil erosion, prevents flood and holds lot of water, maintain ground level of water and brings rainfall.
(ii) It provides lot of raw material for many industries like timber, sal, wood, bidi, tendu leaves, coir etc.
Two causes of deforestation:
(a) Exploitation by industries.
(b) Due to increase in population, lot of forest land is converted to build roads and dams for the infrastructure development. Pressure of human settlement is also a major cause.

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 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 water harvesting? Write any two advantages of it.
Answer : Water harvesting means capturing water to recharge water reservoirs. Benefits of water harvesting:
(i) It provides water for potable use.
(ii) It provides water for irrigation.
(iii) It increases the ground water level.
(iv) It provides water for the growth of vegetation.

Question. Explain 3R’s with one example each.
Answer : Reduce—Less use of products like paper, clothes, plastic, wood, coal, petroleum so that it is not exploited from the nature.
Recycle—To make new items from the used articles like plastic, paper, wood, glass etc.
Reuse—Use the same thing again and again. E.g., use the jam and pickle containers for keeping kitchen stuff etc.

Question. Name the products of combustion of coal and petroleum. How do they effect our environment?
Answer : CO₂, H₂O, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen are released from the combustion of coal and petroleum.
Effect on environment:
(i) CO₂ — Green house effect, global warming.
(ii) Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen causes acid rain.

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.

Question. List three problems which arise due to construction of big dams. Suggest a solution for these problems.
Answer : Three problems of construction of large dams are:
1. Displacement of large number of people.
2. Huge cost of construction and low benefit compared to cost.
3. These problem can be sorted out by constructing smaller dams instead of a big dam.

Question. What is meant by wildlife? How is wildlife important for us?
Answer : Wildlife means all those naturally occurring animals, plants and their species which are not cultivated, domesticated and tamed. Wildlife is important for us because.
1. they provide great aesthetic value for human beings.
2. they help in maintaining ecological balance.

Question. State two reasons each of conserving (a) forest and (b) wildlife.
Answer : Two reasons each of conserving:
(a) Forest
1. It helps in retaining the sub-soil water.
2. It checks flood.
(b) Wildlife
1. To maintain ecological equilibrium.
2. To protect the nature.

Question. List any two causes of our failure to sustain availability of underground water.
Answer : Two causes of our failure to sustain availability of underground water are:
1. Rising population: As the population increases, demand for water increases resulting in depletion of underground water level.
2. Industrialization: Industries need more and more water to manufacture products. With growing industrialization, demand for water increases which results in reduction in the availability of underground water.

Question. What is meant by exploitation of resources with short-term aims? List its four advantages.
Answer : Exploitation of resources with short-term aims means consumption of resources for immediate requirement without their conservation for future.
Its four advantages are:
1. It fulfills the requirement of mass population.
2. It provides industrial growth.
3. It provides economic development.
4. It makes life comfortable.

Question. List any four advantages of water harvesting.
Answer : Benefits of water harvesting are:
1. It provides drinking water.
2. It provides irrigation water.
3. It is responsible for the increase in groundwater level.
4. It reduces storm water discharge, urban flood and overloading of sewage treatment plants.

Question. List four stakeholders which may be helpful in the conservation of forests. 
Answer: Four stakeholders which may be helpful in the conservation of forests:
(i) The people who live in and around the forest and are dependent to some extent on forest products for their livelihood.
(ii) The forest department of the Government which owns the forest land and controls the resources from the forest.
(iii) The industrialists who use various forest products as raw materials for their factories.
(iv) The forest and wildlife activists who want to conserve the forests and see the forests in their original condition (pristine form).

Question. We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to the conservation of forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?
Answer: In conservation of forests, we come across four stakeholders, they are:
(i) The people who live in or around forests and are dependent on forest products for various aspects of their life.
(ii) The forest department of the government that owns the land and controls the forests resources and their produce.
(iii) The industrialists who use various forest products but are not dependent on the forests directly.
(iv) The wildlife and nature enthusiasts who want to conserve nature in its original form as far as possible.
In my view, the local people who live in or around forests, must have more authority in deciding about the management of forest conservation. They never take the materials more than their minimum needs from the forest resources and try to replenish these resources of the forests. The forest department and the wildlife nature enthusiasts also cannot ignore the importance of involvement of the local people in the management of forest resources. While the environment will be preserved, the benefits of the controlled exploitation will go to the local people, a process in which decentralized economic growth and ecological conservation will go hand in hand.

Question. The construction of large dams lead to social and environmental problems. List two problems of each category.
Answer: Three problems that arise due to construction of big dams:
(i) Social problems. Due to the construction of high rise dams, a large number of human settlements are submerged in the water of large reservoir formed by the dam and many people are rendered homeless.
(ii) Environmental problems. The construction of high rise dams on the rivers contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
(iii) Economic problems. Some people believe that the construction of high-rise dams involve the spending of huge amounts of public money without the generation of proportionate benefits. Suggestions for these problems. All the people who are displaced from the dam site should be given adequate compensation by the Government for rehabilitation so as to start their life afresh.

Question. Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment- friendly?
Answer: (i) Plantation of trees around the school boundary.
(ii) Preparation of compost pits.
(iii) Minimise use of non-biodegradable articles.
(iv) Switch off lights and fans when not in use.
(v) Avoid unnecessary use of water coolers, fans, lights.
(vi) Ensure a continuous use of books by encouraging seniors to pass on their books to juniors, etc.

Question. How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife, (b) water resources, (c) coal and petroleum?
Answer: (a) Forests and Wildlife:
(i) I will not allow the cutting of trees.
(ii) I will not use products made from animal skin, fur, etc.
(iii) Create awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity.
(b) Water Resources:
(i) Encourage the judicious use of water at home and in school.
(ii) Use potable water only for drinking purposes.
(iii) Turn off taps while brushing, shaving etc.
(iv) I will not use a hosepipe to wash my car, and for watering plants.
(c) Coal and Petroleum:
(i) Coal and petroleum are non-renewable sources of energy and therefore must be conserved by one and all.
(ii) Switch off lights, fans and electrical appliances while not in use.
(iii) Use energy saving appliances like fluorescent lamps, CFLs.
(iv) Reduce the use of petrol and diesel by walking short distances, cycling and using public transport.
(v) Use solar devices like solar cooker, solar cells etc.

Question. What is sustainable management? Why is reuse considered better in comparison to recycle? 
Answer: Sustainable management means the judicious use of the natural resources by the present generations so that these resources are also available for the future generations.
In the recycling of materials some energy is used and also harmful gases are produced which pollute the environment, while reuse of materials does not consume energy.

Question. State two advantages of conserving: (i) forests and (ii) wild life. 
Answer: (i) Conserving forests helps in:
(a) Maintaining biodiversity of living beings.
(b) Retaining sub soil water.
(c) Also prevents the occurrence of floods.
(ii) Conserving wild life helps in:
(a) Maintaining ecological balance among different species in the forest.
(b) Protecting the nature.

Question. What is water harvesting? How can this technique help in the conservation of water? 
Answer: Water harvesting is a conservation technique of capturing rain water when it falls and run off and taking measures to keep the water clean.
The main purpose of water harvesting is not to hold rain water on the surface of the earth but to make rain water percolate under the ground so as to recharge ‘groundwater’. This in turn reduces dependency on rainfall for irrigation.

Question. List two advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level. 
Answer: Advantages of water harvesting at the community level:
(i) Water harvesting improves the quality of ground water thereby improving vegetation in and around the area. It also prevents soil erosion.
(ii) Water harvesting in rural areas not only increases the agricultural production and income of the farmers but also makes less severe the effect of droughts and floods, and increases the life of downstream dams and reservoirs.

Question. Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Answer : Conservation of forest is important as forest is useful to us in many ways:
(i) Provides raw material for timber industry.
(ii) Prevents soil erosion and flood.
(iii) Provides medicines, herbs, gum, resin.
(iv) Provides habitat to many animals.
(v) Maintain water-cycle by bringing rain fall.
Wildlife conservation is important because:
(i) It maintains ecological balance in nature.
(ii) It also maintains the forests by facilitating growth of plants in different places by dispersing seeds.
(iii) By grazing grass it also maintains the soil fertility.
(iv) It also helps in cleaning of forest.

Question. What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Answer : Exploitation of resources with short-term aims means misuse of the resource and harm to the earth.

Question. Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Answer : Water harvesting system in hilly and mountainous areas is different from plains and from plateau region.
For e.g., in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh a local system of irrigation was developed called kulhs. The water flowing in the streams was diverted into man-made channels which took this water to numerous villages down the hillside.
Whereas water in plains is collected in check dams or tanks, tals or bundhis.

Question. Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer : For conservation of forests:
(i) It should be checked that illegal cutting of trees is banned and made a punishable act.
(ii) Stakeholders should take care of the maintenance of the forest.
(iii) Forest fires should be checked and controlled.
(iv) Nearby villages or people should be trained and educated to manage forests.

Question. 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 local people staying near the forest should be given the authority to decide the management of forest produce. They can keep a check on and control the misuse of the forest and its goods. They are the ones who do not exploit the forest and they know how to manage so it stays there for their future generations to come.

Question. Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Answer : The traditional systems of water harvesting management:
• Bandharas and tals in Maharashtra
• Bundhis in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
• Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh
• Khadins, tanks and nadis in Rajasthan.
• Ahars and pynes in Bihar.

Question. What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Answer : By following 3 R’s
(a) Reduce: Reduce or minimise the use of resources, by saving electricity by switching off unnecessary lights and fans etc. and by walking whenever possible.
(b) Recycle: Collect and recycle the products like plastic, paper, glass and metal.
(c) Reuse: It is better than recycle. Instead of throwing used envelopes. We can reverse it and use it again. The plastic and glass containers, bottles can be reused.

Question. 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 municipality supply of water and from under ground i.e. ground water. There is scarcity of water during summer season and most people don’t have access to water.

Question. What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?
Answer : The following changes can be made to be environment friendly:
(i) Check the wastage of water, close the taps properly, recycle the water of washing machine into toilets.
(ii) Stop the use of bulbs and switch over to CFL lights.
(iii) Use solar water heater and cookers, install solar cell panel for electricity.
(iv) Reduce the garbage by not throwing such items which can be reused and recycled.

Question. Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?
Answer : (i) Recycle the waste paper thrown instead of dumping it in garbage.
(ii) Rain water harvesting system should be made.
(iii) Plant more and more trees.
(iv) Make compost of bio-mass collected like food waste, fallen leaves etc.

Question. 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) Forests and wildlife: Use less paper, do not waste paper, as trees are cut down to make it. Do not buy any animal products which are made by killing them like fur, skin, tusk, horn etc.
(b) Water resources: Use buckets to take bath instead of shower. Recycle the water from washing machine for toilets use.
(c) Coal and petroleum: Use public transport or use the transport that uses CNG.
Switch off lights, minimise the use of air-conditioner, room heater etc.

Question. What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Answer : (i) Do not throw garbage on the road side.
(ii) Switch off lights, fans, TV when not required.
(iii) Use less water for bathing, washing jobs.
(iv) Use jute bags instead of polyethene.
(v) Walk or cycle to cover short distances.

Question. 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 preferred walking to the nearby places or cycling instead of going by a car. Switched off lights when not required.
Minimised the use of water and checked the extra flow of water.
(b) Increase the pressure on our natural resources: I used air conditioner. Shopped for new clothes.

Question. Why do you think there should be equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?
Answer : Equitable distribution of resources will help the resources reach every individual in cheaper and easier way.
The people who need to obtain only money out of these resources would work against it.

Question. 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 : To save various resources. I would follow 3R’s reduce, reuse and recycle. Minimize the use of coal and petroleum switch over to CNG and use electrical equipments at the minimum.
Do not waste paper and water. I will not buy goods made by killing animals like fur, leather, tusk, etc.

Question. How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Answer : In long-term perspective we are managing the resources in such a way that we are accountable for its misuse. We use it wisely and let the future generation also get its benefit of using. Pollution is controlled and minimised.