*UPDATED* Fo r 2022-23 Boards E xa m

SHOBHIT NIRWAN's
DESIGNED

RESOURCES AND
DEVELOPMENT
NOTES
Resources a n d
Development
 -- PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
--
1 MARK QUESTIONS
Q1 . Being a tropical country, India has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. Suggest
any one way to popularize its maximum use. [1M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A1. Making people aware about renewable energy resources/use of rooftop solar
panels/solar street lighting system/any other relevant point.

Q2. A concerted effort has to be made for sustainable development. Suggest any one step
in conserving our mineral resources for the future. [1M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A2. Improved technologies/ Recycling of metals/ Using scrap metals and other substitutes /
Any other relevant point

Q3. Define Sustainable development. [1M, 2020]

A3. Present generation fulfils its needs while considering the needs of the future generation
as well.

Q4. Classify resources on the basis of origin [1M,

2018] A4. Resources classification on the basis of origin:
(i)Biotic resources: All living organisms in our environment are known as biotic
resources. Example: Tree, animal, insects etc.
(ii)Abiotic resources: All non-living things present in our environment are known as
abiotic resources.
Example: earth, air, water, metals, rocks etc.

Q5. What do you understand by a 'Resource'? Give examples [1M, 2015]

A5. Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, is called a
resource. It should be technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable.
Only then, it can be termed as a 'Resource'. Examples are: minerals, forests, fossil fuels etc

Q6. Give any two examples of non-renewable resources. [1M, 2015]

A6. Non-renewable resources are resources which once get exhausted, cannot be remade. They
take a long geological period of time, i.e., millions of years, in their formation, e.g., minerals,
fossil fuels, etc.

Q7. Which factor is mainly responsible for maximum land degradation in India? [1M, 2015]
A7. Over-grazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. States where over-grazing
has resulted in land degradation are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Q8. In what broad category do the soils of Maharashtra fall? [1M,

2014] A8. Black soil region also known as regur soils.

3 MARKS QUESTIONS
Q9. Suggest and explain any three ways to protect land from degradation in various states
of India. [3M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A9. The ways are :
 I. Afforestation.
II. Proper management of grazing.
III. Planting of shelter belts of plants.
IV. Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny
bushes.
V. Control of mining activities. (Any 3)
Q10. Write the classification of resources on four different [3M,
bases. A10. Resources can be classified in the following four 2015]
ways:
(a) On Biotic
the basis of Origin:
 Abiotic
(b) On the basis of exhaustibility:
 Renewable
 Non-renewable
(c) On the basis of ownership:
 Individual (Personal)
 Community
 National
 International
(d) On the basis of status and development:
 Potential
 Developed
 Reserve
 Stock

Q11. Explain three stages of 'resource planning.' [3M,

2015] A11. Three stages of resource planning:
1. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves
surveying, mapping and the qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the
resources.
2Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set
up for implementing resource development plans.
3 Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

Q12. Give the distribution of black/regur Soil. [3M,

2015] A12. This soil is typical of the Deccan Trap region.
 It is spread over north west Deccan plateau and is
made up of lava flows.
 This soil covers the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh
and Chattisgarh and extends along the Godavari and Krishna Valleys.

Q13. "Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country
like India". Justify this statement with two relevant points and an example. [3M, 2013]
A13.
1. There are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some
other resources. For example: Arunachal has abundance of water but lacks in infrastructural
development.
2.There are some regions which can be considered self sufficient in terms of availability
of resources. For example: The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and
Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.
3. There are some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources. For example:
The state of Rajasthan is well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water
resources.

Q14. Explain the concept of resource conservation as voiced by Gandhiji. [3M, 2014]
A14. Gandhiji voiced his concern about resource conservation in these Words: "There is enough
far everybody's need and not for anybody's greed." He placed the greedy and selfish individuals
as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. He was against 'mass production' and
wanted to replace it with 'production by the masses'.
1 . Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to the depletion of resources
for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
2. Irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources leads to socio-economic and
environmental problems.

Q15. Explain three types of soil erosion mostly observed in India. Mention human activities that
are responsible for soil erosion. [3M, 2013]
A15.
1. Gully erosion: The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels,
called gullies. They make the land unfit for cultivation. Such lands are called 'Badlands'.
2.Sheet erosion: Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In this case
top layer of the soil is washed away.
3. Wind erosion: Wind blows off loose and dry soil from flat and sloping land causing erosion.

5 MARKS QUESTIONS
Q16. 'The challenge of sustainable development requires control over industrial
pollution.' Substantiate the statement with examples. [5M, 2020]
A16. i. On one hand Industries lead to extensive industrial growth and expansion, other hand
these are also the cause of environmental degeneration which prompt to the different type of
air, water pollution.
ii. There is an increasing requirement to use a further sustainable model.
iii. Industries must produce eco-friendly products and dump wastes responsibly.
iv.Use of latest technology can help industries to control pollution and lead towards
sustainable mode of operation.
V. Industries use: Reuse-Recycle-Refuse approach.

Q17. Write six characteristics of regur soils (black soils) [5M,

2015] A17. 1. They are made up of extremely fine, i.e. clayey material.
2. They have capacity to hold moisture that makes them ideal for
growing cotton.
3. They are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate,
magnesium, potash and lime.
4. These soils are generally in poor in phosphoric contents.
5. They develop deep cracks during dry hot weather, which helps In
the proper aeration of soil. of
6.These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work unless tilled immediately after the
first shower.

Q18. Explain four types of resources based on ownership and give one example of each
type. [5M, 2014]
A18. On the basis of ownership, there are four types of resources:
1. Individual Resources : Resources, which are owned privately by individuals, e.g., farmers own
pieces of land or houses. Plantation. pasture lands, water in wells are some resources owned
by individuals.
2.Community Owned Resources : These resources are accessible to all the members of the
community, e.g., village ponds, public parks, playgrounds in urban areas are accessible to all
the residents of that area.
3.National Resources :All the resources within the political boundary of a nation including the
territorial water (oceanic area upto 12 nautical miles from the coast) extending into the ocean
and resources therein belong to the nation, e.g., all minerals, forests, wildlife, water resources,
land etc.
4.International Resources :There are international institutions which own and regulate some
resources, e.g., The oceanic resources beyond 200 km of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong
to the open ocean and no individual country can utilise these without the concurrence of
international institutions.
Q19. Write some measures/ways to solve problems of land degradation. [5M,
A19. Measures to conserve land: 2014]
1. Afforestation.
2. Proper management of grazing to control over-grazing.
3. Planting of shelter belts of plants.
4. Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
5. Control of mining activities.

Q20. Write the main characteristics of arid soils. [5M,

A20. 1. Arid soils range from red to brown in 2014]
colour.
2.They
3 Theyare
have saline
a sandy
in nature.
texture.
In areas where salt content in
high, common salt is obtained by evaporation.
4. Arid soil lacks humus and is moisture deficient.
5.The lower horizons of the soil have kankars because of
high calcium content which restrict infiltration of water.
6. Proper irrigation helps make these soils cultivable, e.g.,
Western Rajasthan
paste adhle.in

Q21. "The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the
present generation". Justify the statement by giving suitable examples. [5M, 2012]
A21. Present sources of energy in India are coal, petroleum, natural gas, solar energy, wind
energy, hydel power, electricity, wood for fire, cow dung etc. Most of these are non-renewable
sources of energy which may get exhausted after some time. These are available in limited
quantities. The present rate of consumption is higher than the rate at which these resources are
being replenished and should be preserved for our future generations.
In fifty years' time, India may depend largely on non conventional sources of energy which are
available in abundance such as solar energy, hydel energy, wind energy etc. The total hydel
power potential in India is estimated at 1,50,000 MW of which only one-sixth has been developed
so
far.
7. Development of a country needs to be continuous. Every country would like to have the level
of development go up further.
 2.Many scientists have warned that the present levels of development cannot be sustained for
the future as the present rate of consumption of both renewable and non-renewable resources is
very high. Rapid industrialisation has led to environment degradation.
3.Sustainability development aims at development without damaging the environment and at
the same time conserving for the future.
4.Sustainability of development is essential not only for the present generation but also for
future generations to ensure a good life.