Geography chapter 1
Q.2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Ans: The Black soils are black in colour.
These are also known as regur soils.
This soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan Plateau.
They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and
Chhattisgarh and extend in a south-east direction along the Godavari and the Krishna
valleys.
Black soil is ideal for growing cotton.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the Eastern Coast? Give three main
features of this type of soil.
Ans: Alluvial soil is found in the eastern coastal plan is particularly in the deltas of the
Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.
Three main features of this type of soil are as follows :
• The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
• These soils are very fertile. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively
cultivated and densely populated.
• These soils contain an adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid, and lime which
are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and other cereal and pulse crops.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Ans: The soil erosion in the hilly areas can be controlled by taking steps as mentioned
below :
Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water
down the slopes. This is called contour ploughing.
Terrace cultivation: Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace cultivation
restricts erosion.
Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow
between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. This is strip cropping.
(iv) What are biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.
Ans. Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life such as human beings,
flora, and fauna, fisheries, livestock, e.g., forests and animals are biotic resources.
Abiotic resources consist of all those things which are composed of non-living things. e.g.,
rocks and metals. Land, water, and soil are also abiotic resources.
Q3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much
since 1960-61?
Ans:
• Land resources in India are primarily divided into agricultural land, forest land, pasture
and grazing land, and wasteland. Wasteland includes rocky, arid and desert areas and land
used for non-agricultural purposes like housing, roads, industry, etc.
• The physical characteristics of topography, climate, and soil types, as well as the human
elements of population density, technological prowess, culture, and customs, all influence
how land is used.
• States differ significantly in their net sown area patterns. In Punjab and Haryana, it makes
up more than 80% of the entire area, while in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and
the Andaman Nicobar Islands, it makes up less than 10%. As stated in the National Forest
Policy (1952), the country's forest area is much less than the targeted 33% of its total land
area. It was thought to be crucial for preserving the ecological equilibrium. Wasteland is a
term used to describe a portion of the land used for purposes other than agriculture, such
as roads, railroads, industries, and communities. It contains desert, rocky, and arid regions.
Land degradation is the result of long-term, continuous exploitation of a resource without
the necessary conservation and management actions.
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Ans:
• Technical and economic advancements have become double-edged swords for resource
consumption.
• Improved technology allows for greater production, requiring more materials.
• New industries and products constantly emerge, each demanding resources.
• As economies grow, living standards rise, leading to increased consumption of goods and
services.
• While technology might unlock new resources, it can also accelerate their exploitation.
• To ensure a sustainable future, we need to find a balance between development and
responsible resource management through methods like renewable energy and promoting
conservation
