Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Geography Chapter-1: Resources and Development, updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Exercise
Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Intensive cultivation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Over irrigation
(d) Overgrazing
Answer: (c) Over irrigation
(ii) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practiced?
(a) Punjab
(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh
(c) Haryana
(d) Uttarakhand
Answer: (d) Uttarakhand
(iii) In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand
Answer: (b) Maharashtra
Answer the following questions in about 30 words
(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Answer: The three states with black soil are Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Cotton is the main crop grown in this soil.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Answer: Alluvial soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast.
- It is very fertile and ideal for agriculture.
- It is rich in potash, phosphoric acid, and lime.
- It is suitable for growing paddy, wheat, sugarcane, and other cereals.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Answer:
- Terrace farming can help reduce soil erosion on slopes.
- Contour plowing can slow down the flow of water.
- Planting trees and shelterbelts can stabilize soil.
Answer the following questions in about 120 words
(i) Explain the land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 196061?
Answer:
India’s land is divided into plains, mountains, and plateaus. About 43% of the land is plain, used for agriculture and industry. Mountains cover 30%, contributing to tourism and river flow. Plateaus, about 27%, are rich in minerals and forests.
The land under forests has not increased much since 196061 due to increasing demand for land for agriculture, infrastructure, and urbanization. Despite conservation efforts, deforestation for development has limited the increase in forest cover.
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Answer:
Technical advancements, such as better machinery, have made it easier to exploit natural resources on a large scale. Economic development has led to increased industrialization, urbanization, and agriculture expansion, all of which require more land, water, and energy. This has resulted in greater consumption of resources, leading to problems like deforestation, overextraction of groundwater, and pollution. Sustainable development practices are needed to manage resource consumption responsibly.
Other Important Short answer Questions and Answers
Based on Chapter 1: Resources and Development from the NCERT Geography book for Class 10, here are some important short answer questions and answers (other than exercise questions) that have been asked in previous NCERT exams and UPSC:
1. What is the definition of a resource?
A resource is anything in our environment that can be used to satisfy human needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
2. Explain the term ‘Sustainable Development’.
Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes the responsible use of resources to ensure longterm environmental, economic, and social stability.
3. What are the four classifications of resources based on their origin, exhaustibility, ownership, and status of development?
- Origin: Biotic and Abiotic
- Exhaustibility: Renewable and Nonrenewable
- Ownership: Individual, Community, National, and International
- Status of Development: Potential, Developed Stock, and Reserves
4. Why is resource planning necessary in India?
Resource planning is essential in India due to the uneven distribution of resources across regions. Some regions are rich in resources but lack infrastructure, while others have limited resources but are economically developed. Balanced resource planning helps in equitable resource use and sustainable development.
5. What is Agenda 21, and why was it created?
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, aiming at sustainable development globally. It addresses issues like environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and sustainable economic growth. Every local government is encouraged to create its local Agenda 21 to tackle specific regional issues.
6. What are the major consequences of indiscriminate resource utilization?
Indiscriminate resource utilization leads to several problems, such as:
- Depletion of resources
- Accumulation of resources in a few hands, creating social disparities
- Environmental crises like global warming, ozone depletion, and land degradation
7. What are the main features of the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit of 1992?
The Rio Earth Summit of 1992 was an international conference focusing on environmental protection and socioeconomic development. Key outcomes included:
- Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity
- Endorsement of Forest Principles
- Adoption of Agenda 21 for sustainable development in the 21st century
MCQs: Resources and Development
Here are 20 MCQs based on Chapter 1: Resources and Development from the NCERT Class 10 Geography book. These questions are framed to match past NCERT and UPSC exam patterns.
1. Which of the following is NOT a classification of resources?
(a) On the basis of origin
(b) On the basis of status of development
(c) On the basis of technological advancements
(d) On the basis of ownership
2. Which summit introduced the concept of sustainable development?
(a) Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
(b) Kyoto Protocol, 1997
(c) Paris Climate Agreement, 2015
(d) Stockholm Conference, 1972
3. Which type of soil is ideal for growing cotton in India?
(a) Alluvial Soil
(b) Red Soil
(c) Black Soil
(d) Laterite Soil
4. Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Deforestation
(b) Overgrazing
(c) Intensive Cultivation
(d) Over Irrigation
5. Agenda 21, adopted at the Earth Summit, aims to achieve what?
(a) Global Warming
(b) Sustainable Development
(c) Industrialization
(d) Nuclear Disarmament
6. Which state is well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks water resources?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Gujarat
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Tamil Nadu
7. What percentage of India’s geographical area is plains?
(a) 25%
(b) 43%
(c) 30%
(d) 27%
8. Which of the following regions in India is rich in minerals and coal deposits?
(a) Kerala
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Punjab
9. What is the total geographical area of India?
(a) 3.28 million sq km
(b) 2.54 million sq km
(c) 1.78 million sq km
(d) 4.12 million sq km
10. Which soil is found in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers?
(a) Laterite Soil
(b) Black Soil
(c) Alluvial Soil
(d) Red and Yellow Soil
11. Which type of soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in the eastern and southern Deccan plateau?
(a) Black Soil
(b) Red and Yellow Soil
(c) Alluvial Soil
(d) Arid Soil
12. Which region in India has a rich cultural heritage but is deficient in vital minerals?
(a) Punjab
(b) Ladakh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Odisha
13. Which type of farming helps to reduce soil erosion on hilly terrains?
(a) Terrace Farming
(b) Shifting Cultivation
(c) Intensive Farming
(d) Subsistence Farming
14. Which factor is NOT responsible for the formation of soil?
(a) Parent Rock
(b) Time
(c) Human Activity
(d) Vegetation
15. Which soil is known for its high moistureretaining capacity?
(a) Black Soil
(b) Alluvial Soil
(c) Laterite Soil
(d) Red Soil
16. Which state in India is predominantly associated with terrace cultivation?
(a) Punjab
(b) Haryana
(c) Uttarakhand
(d) Rajasthan
17. What is the main cause of land degradation in Rajasthan?
(a) Over Irrigation
(b) Overgrazing
(c) Deforestation
(d) Industrial Pollution
18. What is the term for the physical extent of land where crops are grown in an agricultural year?
(a) Gross Cropped Area
(b) Net Sown Area
(c) Permanent Fallow Land
(d) Pasture Land
19. What is ‘Resource Planning’ in India focused on?
(a) Rational use of resources
(b) Exploiting resources indiscriminately
(c) Industrial Development
(d) Importing Resources
20. Which soil type covers the northwestern Deccan Plateau and is ideal for cotton cultivation?
(a) Alluvial Soil
(b) Laterite Soil
(c) Black Soil
(d) Arid Soil
Answers:
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (c)
4. (c)
5. (b)
6. (c)
7. (b)
8. (b)
9. (a)
10. (c)
11. (b)
12. (b)
13. (a)
14. (c)
15. (a)
16. (c)
17. (b)
18. (b)
19. (a)
20. (c)
Other Chapter
Chapter 2:- Forest and Wildlife Resources | Chapter 3:- Water Resources |
Chapter 4:- Agriculture | Chapter 5:- Mineral and Energy Resources |
Chapter 6:- Manufacturing Industries | Chapter 7:- Lifeline of National Economy |