Management of Natural Resources
Multiple Choice Questions
1. From the list given below pick the item that is not a natural resource
(a) Soil
(b) Water
(c) Electricity
(d) Air
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Answer
(c) Electricity
Explanation
Soil, water and air are natural resources whereas electricity is produced by humans by transformation of differenrt sources of energy.
2. The most rapidly dwindling natural resource in the world is
(a) water
(b) forests
(c) wind
(d) sunlight
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Answer
(b) forests
Explanation
Water, wind and sunlight are non-exhaustible resources. Forests are depleting due to human activities.
3. The most appropriate definition of a natural resource is that it is a substance/commodity that is
(a) present only on land
(b) a gift of nature which is very useful to mankind
(c) a man-made substance placed in nature
(d) available only in the forest
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Answer
(b) a gift of nature which is very useful to mankind
Explanation
Natural resource is present everywhere on earth hence option a) and d) are wrong. Natural resource are not man made hence option d) is wrong.
4. The main cause for abundant coliform bacteria in the river Ganga is
(a) disposal of unburnt corpses into water
(b) discharge of effluents from electroplating industries
(c) washing of clothes
(d) immersion of ashes
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Answer
(a) disposal of unburnt corpses into water
Explanation
Coliforms are mainly present in human excreta. Hence unburnt corpses are the sources of coliform which pollute Ganga river water.
5. The $pH$ of water sample collected from a river was found to be acidic in the range of $3.5-4.5$, on the banks of the river were several factories that were discharging effluents into the river. The effluents of which one of the following factories is the most likely cause for lowering the $pH$ of river water?
(a) Soap and detergent factory
(b) Lead battery manufacturing factory
(c) Plastic cup manufacturing factory
(d) Alcohol distillery
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Answer
(d) Alcohol distillery
Explanation
Fermentation results in the production of lactic acid and alcohol. Alcohol oxidizes to get converted into ethanoic acid. This will decrease the $p{H}$ of river water.
6. The $p{H}$ 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
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Answer
(a) $6.5-7.5$
Explanation
Neutral $p{H}$ is the most conducive for life of fresh water plants and animals. Hence the answer is (a) 6.5 - 7.5
7. The three $R$ ’s that will help us to conserve natural resources for long term use are
(a) recycle, regenerate, reuse
(b) reduce, regenerate, reuse
(c) reduce, reuse, redistribute
(d) reduce, recycle, reuse
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Answer
(d) reduce, recycle, reuse
8. Given below are a few statements related to biodiversity. Pick those that correctly describe the concept of biodiversity
(i) Biodiversity refers to the different species of flora and fauna present in an area
(ii) Biodiversity refers to only the flora of a given area
(iii) Biodiversity is greater in a forest
(iv) Biodiversity refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species living in an area
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (ii) and (iii)
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Answer
(c) (i) and (iii)
Explanation
Option ii) and iv) are wrong statements because Biodiversity includes flora and fauna and biodiversity does not describe just one species.
9. Among the statements given below select the ones that correctly describe the concept of sustainable development
(i) Planned growth with minimum damage to the environment
(ii) Growth irrespective of the extent of damage caused to the environment
(iii) Stopping all developmental work to conserve the environment
(iv) Growth that is acceptable to all the stakeholders
(a) (i) and (iv)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (iii) only
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Answer
(a) (i) and (iv)
Explanation
Growth should not be at the expense of the environment. Human growth is equally important hence option ii) and iii) are wrong statements.
10. In our country, vast tracts of forests are cleared and a single species of plant is cultivated. This practice promotes
(a) biodiversity in the area
(b) monoculture in the area
(c) growth of natural forest
(d) preserves the natural ecosystem in the area
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Answer
(b) monoculture in the area
11. A successful forest conservation strategy should involve
(a) protection of animals at the highest trophic level
(b) protection of only consumers
(c) protection of only herbivores
(d) comprehensive programme to protect all the physical and biological components
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Answer
(d) comprehensive programme to protect all the physical and biological components
Explanation
Balance in the biotic and abiotic community is very essential in the conservation of forests hence option d) is the right answer.
12. The important message conveyed by the ‘Chipko Movement’ is
(a) to involve the community in forest conservation efforts
(b) to ignore the community in forest conservation efforts
(c) to cut down forest trees for developmental activities
(d) government agencies have the unquestionable right to order destruction of trees in forests
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Answer
(a) to involve the community in forest conservation efforts
13. In our country, there are attempts to increase the height of several existing dams like Tehri and Almati, dams across Narmada. Choose the correct statements among the following that are a consequence of raising the height of dams
(i) Terrestrial flora and fauna of the area is destroyed completely
(ii) Dislocation of people and domestic animals living in the area
(iii) Valuable agricultural land may be permanently lost
(iv) It will generate permanent employment for people
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
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Answer
(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
14. Expand the abbreviation GAP
(a) Governmental Agency for Pollution Control
(b) Gross Assimilation by Photosynthesis
(c) Ganga Action Plan
(d) Governmental Agency for Animal Protection
Show Answer
Answer
(c) Ganga Action Plan
15. Select the incorrect statement
(a) Economic development is linked to environmental conservation
(b) Sustainable development encourages development for current generation and conservation of resources for future generations
(c) Sustainable development does not consider the view points of stakeholders
(d) Sustainable development is a long planned and persistent development
Show Answer
Answer
(c) Sustainable development does not consider the view points of stakeholders
Explanation
Involvement of all the stakeholders is essential for the sustainable development of any programme hence option c) is a wrong statement.
16. Which of the following is not a natural resource?
(a) Mango tree
(b) Snake
(c) Wind
(d) Wooden house
Show Answer
Answer
(d) Wooden house
Explanation
Mango tree, Snake and wind are natural resources whereas wooden house is manmade.
17. Select the wrong statement
(a) Forests provide variety of products
(b) Forests have greater plant diversity
(c) Forests do not conserve soil
(d) Forests conserve water
Show Answer
Answer
(c) Forests do not conserve soil
Explanation
Forest prevent soil erosion, forest adds fertility to the soil by adding hums, hence they help conserve the soil and its fertility.
18. Arabari forests of Bengal is dominated by
(a) Teak
(b) Sal
(c) Bamboo
(d) Mangroove
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Answer
(b) Sal
19. Ground water will not be depleted due to
(a) afforestation
(b) thermal power plants
(c) loss of forest, and decreased rainfall
(d) cropping of high water demanding crops
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Answer
(b) thermal power plants
Explanation
Depletion of ground water has nothing to do with thermal power plants whereas afforestation lead with destruction of seepage and water and decrease in rainfall also affect the ground water level.
20. Opposition to the constrution of large dams is due to
(a) social reasons
(b) economic reasons
(c) enviromental reasons
(d) all the above
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Answer
(d) all the above
Explanation
Destruction of ecosystem near the dam is environmental reason. Relocation of people is a social reason. Agricultural land and employment is affected is economical reasons.
21. Khadins, Bundhis, Ahars and Kattas are ancient structures that are examples for
(a) grain storage
(b) wood storage
(c) water harvesting
(d) soil conservation
Show Answer
Answer
(c) water harvesting
22. Pick the right combination of terms which has no fossil fuel.
(a) Wind, ocean and coal
(b) Kerosene, wind and tide
(c) Wind, wood, sun
(d) Petroleum, wood, sun
Show Answer
Answer
(c) Wind, wood, sun
Explanation
Option a) has coal, option b) has kerosene, option d) has petroleum which are fossil fules hence the answer is (c) Wind, wood, sun.
23. Select the eco-friendly activity among the following
(a) Using car for transportation
(b) Using polybags for shopping
(c) Using dyes for colouring clothes
d) Using windmills to generate power for irrigation
Show Answer
Answer
d) Using windmills to generate power for irrigation
Explanation
Using car for transportation, Using polybags and dyes for coloring clothes increases the environment hence they are not ecofriendly.
24. It is important to make small check dams across the flooded gullies because they
(i) hold water for irrigation
(ii) hold water and prevent soil erosion
(iii) recharge ground water
(iv) hold water permanently
(a) (i) and (iv)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
Show Answer
Answer
(b) (ii) and (iii)
Explanation
Check dams helps in preventing soil erosion. By holding the water check dams also help in improvement of groundwater level.
Short Answer Questions
25. Prepare a list of five items that you use daily in the school. Identify from the list such items that can be recycled.
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Answer
Paper, rexin bag, blade, pen, plastic box, scale, eraser, compass and dividers (metallic), steel lunch box, steel spoon.
Paper, blade, plastic box, eraser, compass, steel lunch box and steel spoon can be recycled
26. List two advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level.
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Answer
Advantages associated with water harvesting at the community level are as follows
- Water harvesting increase the level of ground water.
- Water harvesting keeps the water on top layer of soil and thereby reduces the loss of water by evaporation.
27. In a village in Karnataka, people started cultivating crops all around a lake which was always filled with water. They added fertilisers to their field in order to enhance the yield. Soon they discovered that the waterbody was completely covered with green floating plants and fishes started dying in large numbers.
Analyse the situation and give reasons for excessive growth of plants and death of fish in the lake.
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Answer
During rains fertlizers used for agriculture spreads to the lakes. Fertilisers contain phosphates and nitrates by which water body became enriched with these chemicals. These chemicals promote excessive growth of aquatic plants and the surface of water was completely covered with plants. (eutrophication) Depletion of light in the water body and insufficient availability of dissolved oxygen and nutrients resulted in the death of fish.
28. What measures would you take to conserve electricity in your house?
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Answer
Following are the measures to conserve electricity in your house
- Replace all the incandescent bulb by LED bulbs
- Switch off the fan and light when the room/house is vacant.
- By keeping windows open light will be allowed to enter the house thereby reducing the usage of light during day time.
- Reduce usage of Air conditioners and coolers.
29. Although coal and petroleum are produced by degradatioin of bio- mass, yet we need to conserve them. Why?
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Answer
We need to conserve coal and petroleum because they take millions of years to form. Usage of petroleum is more compared to the formation rate and they may get depleted. Hence it is very necessary to consume them.
30. Suggest a few measures for controlling carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
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Answer
- Use public vehicle to reduce the vehicle pollution.
- $\quad$ CNG or other clean fuels should be used.
- Manure should be prepared from garbage rather than burning it.
- $\quad$ Planting more trees will reduce the carbon-di-oxide level in the atmosphere.
31.(a) Locate and name the water reservoirs in Figures16.1 (a) and (b).
(b) Which has an advantage over the other and why?
Fig. 16.1 (a)
Fig. 16.1 (b)
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Answer
a) Figures16.1 (a) is a pond ecosystem and Figures16.1 (b) is an underground waterbody
b) Ground water body has more advantages than pond ecosystem for the following reasons
Water will not evaporate
Water will not spread out to recharge wells. Provides moisture for a wide area.
Water will get contaminated from animal and human waste.
They will no breeding of insects.
Long Answer Questions
32. In the context of conservation of natural resources, explain the terms reduce, recycle and reuse. From among the materials that we use in daily life, identify two materials for each category.
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Answer
Reduce
Reduction of usage of material or commodity such as e.g electricity and water
Recycle
Recycle is sending back the used good to manufacturer to use the material to produce some other byproduct. e.g., plastic cups and buckets, glass tumbler, paper, metal objects
Reuse
Reuse is the repeated usage of the same material instead of throwing it out. e.g., used envelopes, plastic carry bags, bottles of jam.
33. Prepare a list of five activities that you perform daily in which natural resources can be conserved or energy utilisation can be minimised.
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Answer
(a) Unused water in the water bottle may be used for watering plant
(b) Close all the taps before you go to sleep.
(c) Avoid using a hose pipe for watering plants
(d) Wash vehicles only when they are dirty
(e) Use fan and light only when required
(f) Use solar water heating devices
(g) Use CFL in place of conventional bulbs/tubes
34. Is water conservation necessary? Give reasons.
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Answer
Water is a basic necessity for all terrestrial forms of life. Life is not possible without water as it is necessary for all the life proceses.
$3 / 4^{\text{th }}$ of earth is filled with water but most of it is in the form of water. Hence we cannot use that water for our livelihood. We need fresh and clean water for our survival. Less tha $1 \%$ of the total water on earth is fresh water. Hence available water is very less.
With increase in population our water needs also increases. Due to this water is over exploited and in few places people suffer from shortage of water. Hence in order to save the life water conservation is a necessary.
35. Suggest a few useful ways of utilising waste water.
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Answer
Following are the useful ways of utilising waste water.
(a) Waste water can be used to recharge the ground water
(b)Waste water can be used for irrigation
(c) treated municipal water can be used for washing cars, watering the gardens
(c) certain pollutants in sewage water can become fertiliser for various crops.
36. What is the importance of forest as a resource?
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Answer
Following are the importance of forest as a resource.
(a) Forsts provide Habitat, food, protection to wild life.
(b) Forests help in balancing $CO _2$ and $O _2$ of atmosphere.
(c) Forests improves water holding capacity of soil.
(d) Forests regulates water cycle.
(e) Forests are the source for all essential commodities like, fuel wood, timber pulp and paper etc.
(f) forests provides useful products like fruits, resins, gums, essential oils, bidi wrapper etc.
37. Why are the Arabari forests of Bengal known to be a good example of conserved forest?
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Answer
The forest department developed a strategy in which the villagers were involved in the protection of the forest. In return for the labour, the villagers were paid and also had some benefit in harvesting operations. They were allowed to collect wood and fodder on payment of nominal fee. In this way, by the active and willing participation of the local people, the sal forests of Arabari were conserved.
