CBSE Class 10 Science Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Worksheet

Question : Which one of the following gases is the major constituent of biogas?
(a) CO₂
(b) H₂
(c) CH₄
(d) O₂
Answer : C

Question : From the list given below pick the item that is not a natural resource-
(a) Soil
(b) Water
(c) Electricity
(d) Air
Answer :  C

Question : The pH range most conducive for life of fresh water plants and animals is
(a) 6.5 – 7.5
(b) 2.0 – 3.5
(c) 3.5 – 5.0
(d) 9.0 – 10.5
Answer : A

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 : Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Answer :  The traditional systems of water harvesting management:

• Bandharas and talc in Maharashtra
• Bundhis in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
• Kulhs in Himachal Pradesh
• Khadins, tanks and nadir in Rajasthan.
• Ahars and pynes in Bihar.

TOPIC-OZONE

Read the following section of an article about the ozone layer.
The atmosphere is an ocean of air and a precious natural resource for sustaining life on the Earth. Unfortunately, human activities based on national/personal interests are causing harm to this common resource, notably by depleting the fragile ozone layer, which acts as a protective shield for life on the Earth. Ozone molecules consist of three oxygen atoms, as opposed to oxygen molecules which consist of two oxygen atoms. Ozone molecules are exceedingly rare: fewer than ten in every million molecules of air. However, for nearly a billion years, their presence in the atmosphere has played a vital role in safeguarding life on Earth. Depending on where it is located, ozone can either protect or harm life on Earth. The ozone in the troposphere (up to 10 kilometers above the Earth’s surface) is “bad” ozone which can damage lung tissues and plants. But about 90 percent of ozone found in the stratosphere (between 10 and 40 kilometers above the Earth’s surface) is “good” ozone which plays a beneficial role by absorbing dangerous ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation from the Sun.
Without this beneficial ozone layer, humans would be more susceptible to certain diseases due to the increased incidence of ultra-violet rays from the Sun. In the last decades the amount of ozone has decreased. In 1974 it was hypothesized that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could be a cause for this. Until 1987, scientific assessment of the cause-effect relationship was not convincing enough to implicate CFCs. However, in September 1987, diplomats from around the world met in Montreal (Canada) and agreed to set sharp limits to the use of CFCs.

Question : Ozone is also formed during thunderstorms. It causes the typical smell after such a storm. the author of the text distinguishes between “bad ozone” and “good ozone”.
In terms of the article, is the ozone that is formed during thunderstorms “bad ozone” or “good ozone”?
Choose the answer and the explanation that is supported by the text

Answer :  Full credit: B. Bad. It is formed in the troposphere.

Question : “Without this beneficial ozone layer, humans would be more susceptible to certain diseases due to the increased incidence of ultra-violet rays from the Sun.”
Name one of these specific diseases.

Answer :  Full credit: Answers which refer to skin cancer.

Value Based Questions

QUESTION. Suman purchased a number of earthen flower pots (gamle) and planted beautiful plants in them by adding proper fertiliser to the soil. She started watering these plants everyday by putting lots of water in the earthen flower pots. After about one month, Suman noticed that though most of the potted plants were growing well and appeared to be healthy, but one of the plants was on the verge of dying (though it was being watered daily alongwith other potted plants). Suman told about this problem to her friend Geeta. Geeta examined the earthen flower pot of this dying plant carefully including its bottom and immediately understood what the problem was. She advised Suman to change the earthen pot of this plant. Suman then shifted this plant to another earthen pot and watered it. The same plant now started growing normally and became a healthy plant after some time.
(a) What defect do you think could have been observed by Geeta at the bottom of earthen pot of this plant ?
(b) How was this defect affecting the growth of plant and making it almost die ?
(c) Which life process could not be performed efficiently by the roots of this plant under these conditions ?
(d) What special term is used for the condition which existed in this particular earthen flower pot ?
(e) Why did Suman use another earthen pot for this plant ?
(f) What values are displayed by Geeta in this incident ?
Answer : (a) Geeta could have observed that there was no hole at the bottom of this earthen flower pot (gamla) for the excess water to be drained out.
(b) Since there was no hole at the bottom of this earthen pot, too much water collected in it. This too much water expelled all the air from in-between the soil particles in the earthen flower pot. Due to this, oxygen was not available to the roots of this plant for aerobic respiration. Under these conditions, the roots respire anaerobically, producing alcohol. And this was killing the plant gradually.
(c) Aerobic respiration.
(d) Waterlogging.
(e) Suman used another earthen pot for this plant which had a hole at its bottom (to drain off the excess water).
(f) The values displayed by Geeta in this incident are (i) Awareness (or knowledge) that plant roots require air for respiration (ii) Curiosity to get at the bottom of the problem, and (iii) Helping nature.

QUESTION. Abhinav was participating in a marathon (long distance race). He was running at position two right from the beginning. Just when he was nearing the finishing line, he started running even faster so as to stand first. And when he was about to win the marathon, he got a severe muscle cramp in his leg. This cramp prevented Abhinav from running any further and shattered his dream of winning the marathon.
(a) Which process provides most of the energy to Abhinav for running the marathon ?
(b) Which process provides a little extra energy to Abhinav for running very, very fast towards the end of race ?
(c) Which substance gets accumulated in the leg muscles of Abhinav that causes muscle cramp ?
(d) Why does this substance get accumulated in the leg muscles of Abhinav ?
(e) What advice will you give to Abhinav so as to get relief from this cramp ? How will it help ?
Answer : (a) Most of the energy in the leg muscles of Abhinav for running the marathon is provided by aerobic respiration (which breaks down food like glucose with oxygen to produce large amount of energy).
(b) The little extra energy in the leg muscles for running very, very fast is provided by the process of anaerobic respiration (which breaks down food like glucose without oxygen to produce small amount of energy).
(c) Lactic acid.
(d) The lactic acid gets accumulated in the leg muscles of Abhinav because during very fast running, oxygen gets used faster in the muscles than can be supplied by the blood. So, anaerobic respiration (without oxygen) takes place in muscle cells causing partial oxidation of glucose food to form lactic acid (and releasing some energy). This lactic acid gets accumulated in leg muscles.
(e) Abhinav should take a hot water bath or a massage. Hot water bath and massage improve the circulation of blood. Due to improved blood flow, the supply of oxygen to the leg muscles increases. This oxygen breaks down lactic acid accumulated in leg muscles and gives relief from cramp.

QUESTION. One day Mohan had a severe toothache. His father took Mohan to a dentist. The dentist examined all the teeth of Mohan very carefully and said that he had tiny holes in his two teeth. He also told Mohan that all his teeth were covered with a sticky, yellowish layer. The dentist performed a certain procedure on his two teeth having tiny holes and also gave him some medicines. Mohan’s toothache disappeared gradually.
(a) What are the tiny holes in the teeth known as ?
(b) How are the tiny holes formed in the teeth ?
(c) What kind of procedure was performed by dentist on Mohan’s two teeth ?
(d) What is the sticky, yellowish layer on Mohan’s teeth known as ?
(e) How is the sticky, yellowish layer formed on the teeth ?
(f) What advice will you give to Mohan to avoid such dental problems in future ?
Answer : (a) The tiny holes formed in the teeth are known as ‘cavities’ or ‘dental caries’.
(b) When a person eats sugary food (sugar-containing food), then the bacteria present in mouth act on sugar present in food to produce acids. These acids first dissolve the calcium salts from tooth enamel and then from dentine forming tiny holes (or cavities) in the tooth over a period of time. 
(c) Mohan’s dental cavities (or holes) were first cleaned by the dentist and then ‘filled’ with appropriate filling material.
(d) The sticky, yellowish layer on the teeth is known as ‘dental plaque’.
(e) If the teeth are not cleaned regularly, they become covered with a stickly, yellowish layer of food particles and bacteria cells called ‘dental plaque’.
(f) (i) Mohan should eat less of sugary food such as toffees, chocolates and sweets, etc. He should also avoid drinking too much of sweetened drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.
(ii) Mohan should brush his teeth regularly with a toothpaste (after eating food). This will remove the dental plaque before bacteria produce acids.
(iii) Mohan should get his teeth examined by a dentist at least once in three months.

QUESTION. Abhishek’s house is very near to a main road crossing having traffic signals. It was a Diwali night and there was a big traffic jam on the main road just outside his house. All the neighbours of Abhishek and other colony residents were also bursting crackers and enjoying many other types of fireworks. Abhishek’s 70 year old grandmother, who was watching the fireworks, was taken ill suddenly. She complained of difficulty in breathing and also felt nausea and headache. Abhishek’s grandmother was rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors made her inhale some medicine and then put her on oxygen for some time. Abhishek’s grandmother recovered fairly quickly. The doctor advised his grandmother to remain inside the house for that night with all the doors and windows closed. The doctor also asked her to buy a small, portable oxygen gas cylinder and use it to breathe at home if she felt suffocated again.
(a) What made Abhishek’s grandmother suddenly ill ?
(b) Which system/body part of grandmother got affected ? Why was only Abhishek’s grandmother affected ?
(c) Give two reasons for this condition of Abhishek’s grandmother.
(d) What deficiency was caused in the body of Abhishek’s grandmother ?
(e) Why was grandmother advised to remain inside the house all the time with doors and windows
closed ?
(f) What advice would you give to others to avoid such a situation ?
Answer : (a) Abhishek’s grandmother became ill because she had inhaled air polluted with toxic gases emitted by vehicles on the nearby road and Diwali fireworks.
(b) Respiratory system (including lungs) got affected. Only Abhishek’s grandmother was affected because her lungs had become very weak due to old age.
(c) (i) Air pollution caused by the exhaust gases of vehicles on the road just outside the house.
(ii) Air pollution caused by Diwali fireworks.
(d) The deficiency of oxygen was caused in the body of grandmother.
(e) Abhishek’s grandmother was advised to remain inside the house to avoid breathing too much polluted air outside.
(f) (i) Avoid fireworks on Diwali day to prevent too much air pollution.
(ii) Use less polluting fuels (such as CNG) in motor vehicles.
(iii) Use public transport (such as buses, metro, etc.) to travel within the city instead of individual vehicles.
(iv) If possible, take a house away from main road and traffic signals.

QUESTION. Shyam had just recovered from dengue fever for which he was confined to bed for many days. He was really fed up and wanted to go out with his friend Ram. So, Ram and Shyam went out into city forest for a walk. While walking in the city forest, Shyam fell down and got a cut on his leg from barbed wire lying nearby. The leg started bleeding. Shyam thought that the bleeding from cut would stop automatically after some time. But this did not happen. The bleeding from cut went on continuously. After some time, Shyam also started having breathing difficulty and he now wanted to go back home. Ram held Shyam firmly by the arm to give support and both came out of the city forest. Ram then hailed a taxi and took Shyam straight to the hospital. He told everything to doctors. After performing some tests quickly, doctors gave blood transfusion to Shyam. His parents were also informed.
(a) Which component was deficient in the blood of Shyam which led to too much bleeding from the cut ?
(b) Could the deficiency of this component of blood have been caused by dengue ?
(c) What is the function of this component in our body ?
(d) What could be the probable reason for the breathing difficulty of Shyam ? Explain.
(e) What is the cause of dengue disease : virus, bacteria or protozoa ? Name the carrier which spreads dengue.
(f) What values are displayed by Ram in this episode ?
Answer : (a) Shyam’s blood was deficient in platelets.
(b) Yes, dengue reduces the blood platelet count of a person drastically.
(c) Platelets help in the coagulation of blood (or clotting of blood) in a cut. It is due to the presence of platelets that the blood coming out of a cut becomes semi-solid and plugs the cut (or seals the cut) due to which bleeding stops.
(d) The deficiency of haemoglobin could be the probable cause of Shyam’s breathing difficulty. This can be explained as follows : Haemoglobin present in blood carries oxygen and hence is essential for breathing.
When a lot of blood was lost by Shyam through the cut, then the amount of blood and hence that of haemoglobin in the body became less. This less amount of haemoglobin carried less oxygen into the lungs and caused breathing difficulty.
(e) The cause of dengue disease is a virus (called dengue virus). It is spread by Aedes mosquitoes.
(f) The values displayed by Ram in this episode are (i) Awareness or knowledge (that too much blood loss from the body could endanger the life of Shyam) (ii) Concern to save life of his friend (by taking him straight to hospital), and (iii) Correct decision-making skill (of not wasting precious time in going back home first).

Objective Questions

Question : The most rapidly dwindling natural resource in the world is-
(a) water
(b) forests
(c) wind
(d) sunlight
Answer : B

Question : What does yellow flame indicate?
(a) High caloric value of fuel
(b) Low caloric value of fuel
(c) Low temperature
(d) None of these
Answer :  B

Question : What is the full form of LPG.
(a) Liquid petroleum gas
(b) Liquified petroleum gas
(c) Low petroleum gas
(d) None of these
Answer :  A

Question : Name the process through which oxygen was added to the atmosphere? 
(a) Excretion
(b) Respiration
(c) Photosynthesis
(d) Decomposition
Answer :  C
Explanation: Early organisms are known as cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. These microbes conduct photosynthesis: using sunshine, water and carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates and, yes, oxygen.
In fact, all the plants on Earth incorporate symbiotic cyanobacteria (known as chloroplasts) to do their photosynthesis of early days where no oxygen is present to this day.

Question : Name the constituents of petroleum.
Answer :  1. Petrol
2. Kerosene
3. Diesel
4. Paraffin wax,
5. lubricating oil
6. Bitumen

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

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.

Case Study Based Questions

TOPIC- ACID RAIN

Below is a photo of statues called Caryatids that were built on the Acropolis in Athens more than 2500 years ago. The statues are made of a type of rock called marble. Marble is composed of calcium carbonate.
In 1980, the original statues were transferred inside the museum of the Acropolis and were replaced by replicas. The original statues were being eaten away by acid rain.

Question : Normal rain is slightly acidic because it has absorbed some carbon dioxide from the air.
Acid rain is more acidic than normal rain because it has absorbed gases like sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides as well.
Where do these sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides in the air come from?
Answer :  Responses that mention any one of: car exhausts, factory emissions, burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal, gases from volcanoes or other similar things.
Burning coal and gas. Oxides in the air come from pollution from factories and industries.
Volcanoes. Fumes from power plants.
They come from the burning of materials that contain sulfur and nitrogen.
– Responses that include an incorrect as well as a correct source of the pollution.
Fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. [Nuclear power plants are not a source of acid rain.]
The oxides come from the ozone, atmosphere and meteors coming toward Earth.
Also, the burning of fossil fuels.
– Responses that refer to “pollution” but do not give a source of pollution that is a significant cause of acid rain.
Pollution.
The environment in general, the atmosphere we live in – e.g., pollution.
Gasification, pollution, fires, cigarettes.
Pollution such as from nuclear power plants.

Question : The effect of acid rain on marble can be modelled by placing chips of marble in vinegar overnight. Vinegar and acid rain have about the same acidity level. When a marble chip is placed in vinegar, bubbles of gas form. The mass of the dry marble chip can be found before and after the experiment.
A marble chip has a mass of 2.0 grams before being immersed in vinegar overnight. The chip is removed and dried the next day. What will the mass of the dried marble chip be?
A. Less than 2.0 grams
B. Exactly 2.0 grams
C. Between 2.0 and 2.4 grams
D. More than 2.4 grams
Answer :  Full credit: A. Less than 2.0 grams

Question. Which is preserved in National Park?
(a) Flora
(b) Fauna
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these

Answer : C

Question. Opposition to the construction of large dams is due to
(a) social reasons
(b) economic reasons
(c) environmental reasons
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following is not a fossil fuel?
(a) uranium
(b) coal
(c) natural gas
(d) petroleum

Answer : A 

Question. Nitrogen fixation is:
(a) Nitrogen $ Ammonia
(b) Nitrogen $ Nitrates
(c) Nitrogen $ Amino acid
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer : D

Question. Decrease in species diversity in tropical countries is mainly due to:
(a) Urbanisation
(b) Pollution
(c) Deforestation
(d) Soil erosion

Answer : C

Question. Wildlife conservation means the protection and preservation of
(a) Ferocious wild animals only
(b) Wild plants only
(c) Non-cultivated plants and non-domesticated animals
(d) All the above living in natural habitat

Answer : D

Question. A renewable source of energy is:
(a) Petroleum
(b) Coal
(c) Nuclear fuel
(d) Trees

Answer : D

Question. New approach of conversation is the establishment of:
(a) Sancturies
(b) Reserve forests
(c) National parks
(d) Biosphere reserves

Answer : D

Question. If the Bengal tiger becomes extinct:
(a) Hyenas and volves will become scarce
(b) The wild area will be safe for man and domestic animals
(c) Its gene pool will be lost for ever
(d) The population of beautiful animals like deers will be stabilized

Answer : C

Question. Which of the following movements means ‘Hug the trees movement’?
(a) Narmada Bachao Andolan
(b) Chipko Andolan
(c) Tehri Andolan
(d) Biodiversity movement

Answer : B

Question. ‘Narmada Bacho Andolan’ has been organised under the leadership of
(a) Ravi Shankar Maharaj
(b) Medha Patekar
(c) Amrita Devi Bishnoi
(d) Baba Ramdev

Answer : B

Question : Why did Amrita Devi Bishnoi sacrificed her life?

Answer :  In 1731, Amrita Devi Bishnoi along with 363 other people sacrificed their life for the protection of Khejri trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan which was intended to be cut down by a minister of raja of Mewar in order to produce lime for construction of new palace.

 

Question. Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Answer- In our region, the primary sources of water include groundwater. Groundwater is harvested with the help of bore wells. The harvested water is then stored in water tanks.

 

Question : Name the fossil fuels. Why are they so called?

Answer :  Coal, natural gas and petroleum are fossil fuels. They are so called fossil fuels because they are obtained from fossils, have been formed millions of years ago inside the Earth from organic matter of organisms due to high pressure, temperature and anaerobic condition. 

 

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 ground water. Water from the source is available to all the people living in that area.

 

Question : What is the basic requirement of local people living in forests?

Answer :  Firewood and fodder is the basic requirement of local people living in forests.  

Question. What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Answer : The advantage of exploiting resources with short term aim would be self-centred satisfaction. They provide immediate advantages.

Question. How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long term perspective in
managing our resources ?
Answer : Exploiting resources with short-term aim will only help in gaining profit for present generation while a long term perspective in managing resources will help in providing benefits for the generations to come.

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 : Natural resources of the Earth must be distributed among the people uniformly so that each and every one gets his share of the resource. Human greed, corruption, and the lobby of the rich and powerful are the forces working against an equitable distribution of resources.

 

Short Answers

Question : What are the reasons for conservation of forest and wildlife?

Answer :  Wild life is need to conserve for protection of natural habitats of animals. Wild life serves as a source for domestication of animals and cultivation of crop plants. About 90% of food plants originated from wild tropical ancestors. Forests help to maintain an ecological balance of nature. They are the main source of food, timber, fuel wood, paper etc. They help to regulate temperature and rain fall. Forest trees provide shelter to a variety of animals and plays a role in soil conservation. The humus at forest floor regulates the water flow in streams, springs, wells and rivers.

 

Question : What important message is conveyed by Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award for wildlife conservation? 

Answer :  Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award encourages the people to promote wildlife conservation as the lady sacrificed her life along with 363 other people for the protection of Khejri trees. Conservation of wildlife and forests is crucial to our own welfare as it has both economic and ecological benefits. These are: Economic Benefits Source of food, fodder, timber, industrial raw materials and medicines. Ecological Benefits It regulates climate, prevents soil erosion and floods, retains rainwater, supplies to streams and springs. It acts as a gene bank for improvement of domesticated plants and animals. 

 

Question : Give one example each from reuse and recycle, respectively. 

Answer :  Used envelopes can be used again by reversing thus we can reuse the paper envelopes. Paper can be recycled by sending them back into factories. 

 

Question : What is the difference between deforestation and afforestation?

Answer :                   

              

Question. What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment friendly ?
Answer : (i) All the bulbs and tube-lights should be replaced with LED (Light Emitting Diode).
(ii) At home, everyone should use natural ventilation and light on day time.
(iii) We should use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping.
(iv) We should avoid wastage of water.
(v) For cooking food we should use LPG or solar cookers instead of microwave or oven.

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 forests 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. What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Answer : (i) All the bulbs and tube-lights should be replaced with LED (Light Emitting Diode).
(ii) At home, everyone should use natural ventilation and light on day time.
(iii) We should use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping.
(iv) We should avoid wastage of water.
(v) For cooking food we should use LPG instead of microwave or oven.

Question. On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your lifestyle in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?
Answer : (i) All the bulbs and tube-lights should be replaced with LED (Light Emitting Diode).
(ii) At home, everyone should use natural ventilation and light on day time.
(iii) We should use cloth bags instead of plastic bags for shopping.
(iv) We should avoid wastage of water.
(v) For cooking food we should use LPG instead of microwave or oven.

Question. Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer : (i) Planting of trees to combat deforestation.
(ii) Placement of security forces in forests to prevent the poaching and smuggling of forest resources.
(iii) Incorporating steps to protect the forest dwellers without disturbing their lifestyles.
(iv) Avoiding the conversion of forest land into roads, buildings, and dams.

Question. Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/mountains areas or plains or plateau regions.
Answer : In hilly regions, rainwater is often collected and channeled with the help of a stream. The stream is
diverted to different areas with the help of canals for the purpose of irrigation. In mountainous regions, water is commonly obtained from the rivers that flow from the glaciers.
In the plains, water is obtained from many natural sources such as lakes and rivers. Groundwater is also harvested with the help of bore wells for irrigation and human consumption.

Long Answers

Question : What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment friendly? 

Answer :   We should use the formula of three R's to save the environment i.e. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.

i. Reduce: Use less, save water and electricity by stopping the wastage. Do not waste food.

ii. Recycle: Segregate the wastes so that material which can be recycled should be dumped in place for recycling.

iii. Reuse: Reuse certain articles e.g. reverse the used envelope and reuse it.

iv. To ensure that there is no wastage of water, repair of all the leaky taps will be done.

v. Efforts will be made to prevent wastage of water from the overflowing overhead water storage tanks.

vi. Instead of bulbs, fluorescent tubes which consume less electricity will be fitted.

vii. To save electricity fans, air conditioners, geysers, room heaters and other electronic gadgets! appliances will be used only when required. This will prevent wastage of power.

 

Question : Explain a system of canal irrigation carried out in parts of Himachal Pradesh. 

Answer :   Kulhs Canal Irrigation in Himachal Pradesh: Parts of Himachal Pradesh had evolved a local system of canal irrigation called kulhs over four hundred years ago. The water flowing in the streams was diverted into a man made channels which took this water to numerous villages down the hillside. The management of the water flowing in these kulhs was by common agreement between all the villages. Interestingly, during the planting season, water was first used by the village farthest away from the source of the kulh, then by villages progressively higher up. These kulhs were managed by two or three people who were paid by the villagers. In addition to irrigation, water from these kulhs also percolated into the soil and fed springs at various points. After the kulhs were taken over by the Irrigation Department, most of them became defunct and there is no amicable sharing of water as before.