NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (Geography) Chapter 1: Resources and Development
1. SEO STRATEGY INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER MASTER OVERVIEW
Class 10 Geography Chapter 1, Resources and Development, serves as the foundational pillar of the CBSE Social Science syllabus. Carrying a consistent weightage of 4 to 6 marks in the annual Board Examinations, this chapter bridges physical geographical processes with human-economic decision-making. Examiners regularly select long-answer conceptual questions, map identification problems, and assertion-reasoning items directly from the structural classifications of resources, land degradation mechanics, and soil distribution across the Indian subcontinent.
The key conceptual pillars of this chapter revolve around the interdependence of nature, technology, and institutions. Students are introduced to the structural classification of resources (based on origin, exhaustibility, ownership, and status of development), sustainable development protocols such as Agenda 21, land-use dynamics, and the precise pedological profile of Indian soils. A primary point of confusion among students lies in differentiating between Stock and Reserves, as well as distinguishing between Potential Resources and Developed Resources. Graders deduct marks when candidates omit technical vocabulary like “technologically accessible,” “economically feasible,” and “culturally acceptable” while defining resources.
From an official CBSE evaluation standpoint, securing top marks requires high answer clarity, mandatory usage of geographical key terms, structured tabular comparisons, step-by-step problem framing, and bold key scoring phrases. Examiners look for precise pedological characteristics—such as moisture retention, chemical composition (potash, phosphoric acid, lime), and physical distribution—when assessing soil-related queries.
Master Summary Table: Core Chapter Framework
Plaintext
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Category | Primary Classification | Key Characteristics / Examples |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| On the Basis of Origin| Biotic | Derived from biosphere; have life (e.g., Flora, Fauna). |
| | Abiotic | Composed of non-living things (e.g., Rocks, Metals). |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Exhaustibility | Renewable | Replenished by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes. |
| | Non-Renewable | Take millions of years in formation (e.g., Fossil Fuels). |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ownership | Individual | Owned privately (e.g., Plots, Houses, Plantation). |
| | Community | Accessible to all members of community (e.g., Parks). |
| | National | Technically belongs to the nation (Urban Dev Authorities). |
| | International | Regulated by international bodies (Oceanic > 200 nautical m)|
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Status of Development | Potential | Found in a region but not yet utilized (e.g., Solar in TN). |
| | Developed | Surveyed, quality & quantity determined for utilization. |
| | Stock | Have potential, but lack appropriate technology to extract. |
| | Reserve | Subset of stock; can be used with existing tech, kept for |
| | | future requirements (e.g., Water in dams). |
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Major Indian Soils | Alluvial | High fertility; rich in potash; covers Northern Plains. |
| | Black (Regur) | Cotton-friendly; high moisture retention; self-aeration. |
| | Red & Yellow | Iron diffusion in crystalline rock; yellow when hydrated. |
| | Laterite | Leached soil; intensive farming requires heavy manure. |
| | Arid | Sandy, saline; high kankar content restricts filtration. |
| | Forest / Mountainous | Loamy/silty in valleys; acidic with low humus in snow zones.|
+-----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
2. IN-TEXT / ORAL COMPREHENSION / SECTIONAL QUESTIONS
Question 1. Identify at least two resources from each category from your everyday life. (Page No. 2)
Answer:
Resources in human surroundings can be classified based on their functional origin, usage pattern, and physical composition. The following table outlines two daily-life examples for each primary category:
Plaintext
+-----------------------+---------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Resource Category | Everyday Example 1 | Everyday Example 2 |
+-----------------------+---------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Biotic | Livestock (Cows providing milk) | Agricultural crops (Wheat/Rice consumed as food) |
| Abiotic | Water used for drinking/domestic utility| Metal utensils (Copper/Iron cookware) |
| Renewable | Solar energy (used in rooftop panels) | Fresh groundwater (replenished by rain cycle) |
| Non-Renewable | Petrol (used in household vehicles) | LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas for cooking) |
| Individual | Private residential house/flat | Personal motor vehicle |
| Community | Local public park / playground | Neighborhood community hall / public library |
| National | National highways / Railways | Public rivers and forest reserves |
| Potential / Developed | Rooftop wind power potential | Electricity grid power supply |
+-----------------------+---------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
Question 2. Prepare a list of stock and reserve resources that you call attention to from your local area. (Page No. 3)
Answer:
Every regional geographic unit contains resources that fall under different technical capability brackets.
- Stock Resources (High potential, technology constraint):
- Hydrogen and Oxygen isolation from local municipal liquid waste: Water is a compound of two inflammable gases—hydrogen and oxygen—which can be used as a rich source of energy. However, our local municipal authorities and regional plants do not possess the advanced eco-efficient technology to split these gases economically on a large industrial scale.
- Geothermal heat extraction from deep regional aquifers: Heat trapped in underground rock layers under low-pressure zones remains unharnessed due to a lack of specialized geothermal tapping setups.
- Reserve Resources (Technology available, stored for future):
- Water in regional hydroelectric dams/reservoirs: The stored volume of river water behind nearby dams is currently utilized only at partial capacity for power generation and canal irrigation, leaving the remaining volume as a reserve for future industrial and civic needs.
- Local unmined underground aquifer layers: Groundwater reserved in deep tubewell structures preserved specifically for emergency drought conditions.
Question 3. Imagine if oil runs out one day, how would this affect our lifestyle? (Page No. 4)
Answer:
Petroleum resources act as the primary kinetic fuel for modern global supply chains and industrial manufacturing. If global crude oil reserves run out completely, human lifestyle and macroeconomic systems would face immediate structural disruptions:
- Paralysis of Transport and Supply Chains: Over 80% of global commercial transport (freight ships, cargo trucks, aviation, and diesel trains) depends directly on petroleum fractions. Inter-state and international supply chains for daily essential food grains, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceutical supplies would collapse, causing acute urban shortages.
- Industrial and Energy Shock: Thermal power plants, heavy machinery, and backup industrial generators running on diesel or heavy fuel oils would shut down, halting factory outputs and triggering widespread power grid instabilities.
- Petrochemical Sector Collapse: Petroleum serves as the fundamental raw material for synthetic polymers, plastics, synthetic rubber, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, paints, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals. Its absence would halt manufacturing across automotive, medical device, and consumer goods industries.
- Urban-Rural Disconnect and Lifestyle Reversal: Commuting within metro cities would grind to a sudden halt, forcing society to transition rapidly to electric mobility systems, renewable energy grids, and non-motorized transport (bicycles). It would necessitate a shift toward hyper-localized agricultural and economic models.
Question 4. Can you name some resource-rich but economically backward regions and some resource-poor but economically developed regions? Give reasons for such a situation. (Page No. 4)
Answer:
The structural availability of natural resources does not automatically guarantee regional economic prosperity. Institutional infrastructure, historical factors, technology, and capital investment dictate the level of economic development.
- Resource-Rich but Economically Backward Regions:
- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha: These states contain immense deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese. However, they remain economically backward due to a historical lack of local technological processing infrastructure, low capital investment in human resource development, high levels of tribal displacement, and exploitation during the colonial era where raw minerals were extracted without developing local downstream processing industries.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Possesses abundant water resources and hydroelectric potential, but lacks structural infrastructure, transport networks, and industrial development due to difficult mountainous terrain.
- Resource-Poor but Economically Developed Regions:
- Japan (Global Example): Virtually devoid of indigenous industrial mineral reserves and crude oil. Japan imported raw materials from across the world and invested heavily in human resource development, advanced technology, and export-oriented manufacturing.
- Kerala (National Example): Lacks major mineral reserves like coal or iron ore, but boasts high human development indices, high literacy, and a strong service-led economy funded by remittances, tourism, and human capital exports.
Question 5. Prepare a list of resources that are found in your state and identify the resources that are important but deficient in your state. (Page No. 5)
Answer:
(Example framed for the state of Gujarat / Western Coastal Region of India)
- Resources Abundant in the State:
- Solar and Wind Energy: Extensive coastline and high insolation days provide vast potential for renewable energy generation.
- Petroleum and Natural Gas: Reserves located in the Cambay basin, Ankleshwar, and offshore fields.
- Alluvial and Black Soils: High support for cash crop cultivation including cotton, groundnuts, and tobacco.
- Marine and Salt Resources: Massive salt production pans along the Rann of Kutch and rich coastal fisheries.
- Resources Deficient in the State:
- High-Grade Metallurgical Coal: Essential for steel manufacturing, requiring imports from eastern states or foreign markets.
- Forest Cover and Timber: Below the national target of 33% total geographical area.
- Fresh Surface Water: Large regions (such as Kutch and Saurashtra) experience severe water stress, depending on canal diversions like the Narmada Project.
3. CHAPTER-END EXERCISES & NUMERICAL/TEXTUAL DRILLS
Multiple Choice Questions (Page No. 12)
Question 1 (i). Which one of the following types of resource is iron ore?
(a) Renewable
(b) Biotic
(c) Flow
(d) Non-renewable
Answer:
(d) Non-renewable
Reasoning: Iron ore is an inorganic metallic mineral formed over millions of geological years through complex crustal heat and pressure processes. Once extracted and consumed, its natural inventory cannot be replenished within a human timeframe, making it a non-renewable mineral resource.
Question 1 (ii). Under which of the following types of resource can tidal energy be put?
(a) Replenishable
(b) Human-made
(c) Abiotic
(d) Non-recyclable
Answer:
(a) Replenishable
Reasoning: Tidal energy is derived from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun acting on ocean waters. Because oceanic tides recur continuously without depleting the original celestial or aquatic system, tidal power represents a replenishable (renewable) energy resource.
Question 1 (iii). 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
Reasoning: The extensive implementation of Green Revolution agricultural models in Punjab led to excess flood irrigation. Over-irrigation causes waterlogging, which triggers salinization and alkalization of upper soil strata, deteriorating its physical and chemical fertility.
Question 1 (iv). 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
Reasoning: Terrace cultivation involves building step-like benches along steep hill slopes to reduce surface runoff velocity and control soil erosion. It is practiced in mountainous states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Question 1 (v). In which of the following states is black soil mainly found?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Gujarat
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand
Answer:
(b) Gujarat
Reasoning: Black soil (Regur soil) is characteristic of the Deccan Trap region, formed from weathered basaltic lava flows. It covers major portions of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Saurashtra/Gujarat.
Short Answer Questions (30 Words Range) (Page No. 12-13)
Question 2 (i). Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Answer:
States having Black Soil:
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- Gujarat
Main Crop Grown:
The primary crop cultivated in black soil is Cotton (hence it is also popularly termed Black Cotton Soil). Other crops include sugarcane, soybean, and jowar.
Question 2 (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:
The soil type found in the river deltas of the eastern coast (deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri) is Alluvial Soil.
Three Main Features:
- High Chemical Fertility: Rich in potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, making it suitable for crops like sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and pulses.
- Textural Classification: Divided based on geological age into older alluvium (Bangar, higher kankar content) and new alluvium (Khadar, fine particles, highly fertile).
- High Agricultural Density: Supports dense population zones due to high cropping capacity.
Question 2 (iii). What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Answer:
Soil erosion along hilly terrains can be mitigated using targeted soil conservation practices:
- Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along contour lines creates natural barriers to reduce water velocity down slopes.
- Terrace Farming: Cutting steps into steep slopes creates flat farming strips and curtails soil wash.
- Strip Cropping & Shelter Belts: Planting grass strips between crops and maintaining tree shelterbelts along wind lines stabilizes fragile mountain soils.
Question 2 (iv). What are the biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.
Answer:
- Biotic Resources: Resources obtained directly from the biosphere that possess life.
- Examples: Human beings, flora (forests), fauna (wildlife), livestock, and fisheries.
- Abiotic Resources: Resources composed of non-living physical or chemical substances.
- Examples: Rocks, metallic ores (iron, copper), land, mineral oil, and water.
Long Answer Questions (120 Words Range) (Page No. 13)
Question 3 (i). Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?
Answer:
The land-use pattern in India reflects a dynamic balance between physical factors (topography, climate, soil types) and human factors (population density, technological capacity, cultural norms). India’s total geographical area is 3.28 million square kilometers, but land-use data is available for only 93% of this area due to un-surveyed regions in North-Eastern states and border territories under illegal occupation.
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+------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Land-Use Category | Status & Structural Dynamics |
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Net Sown Area (NSA) | ~45.5% of total area; varies from >80% in Punjab |
| | to <10% in Arunachal Pradesh/Mizoram. |
| Forest Cover | ~23.4% (As per recent remote sensing metrics). |
| Barren and Waste Land | Rocky, arid, and desert areas suitable for non- |
| | agricultural infrastructure only. |
| Fallow Lands | Current fallow left uncultivated for 1 or less |
| | agricultural year to naturally restore fertility. |
+------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
Reasons Why Forest Cover Has Not Increased Significantly Since 1960-61:
- Explosive Demographic Pressure: India’s population expansion created immense demand for land for housing, urban infrastructure, and food crops, leading to forest conversion.
- Agricultural Expansion: Post-independence initiatives (including the Green Revolution) converted forest tracts into permanent agricultural fields to ensure national food security.
- Industrialization and River Valley Projects: Large-scale development projects, dams, mining operations, and industrial corridors cleared extensive forest tracts.
- Overgrazing and Fuelwood Collection: Marginal communities depend heavily on local forests for livestock grazing and firewood, hindering natural forest regeneration.
Despite the National Forest Policy (1952) stipulating an ideal target of 33% geographical area under forests to maintain ecological balance, forest cover has grown slowly due to these ongoing developmental pressures.
Question 3 (ii). How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Answer:
Technical advancement and economic growth directly accelerate resource extraction, processing volume, and consumption rates through interconnected pathways:
Plaintext
[Technical & Technological Progress] ---> [Unlocks Advanced Mineral & Natural Extraction]
|
v
[Higher Economic Yields & Wealth Creation] ---> [Rises Consumer Demand & Industrial Use]
|
v
[Institutional Infrastructure Expansion] ---> [Drives Continuous Resource Depletion]
- Technological Extraction Capability: Advanced technology allows industrial entities to reach previously inaccessible or low-grade mineral reserves. For instance, deep-sea drilling and heavy machinery increased the extraction volume of crude oil and metallic ores.
- Industrialization and Scale of Production: Mechanized mass production requires continuous streams of raw materials, power, and fuel, scaling up consumption far beyond pre-industrial levels.
- Rise in Living Standards and Purchasing Power: Economic development elevates per capita income. Consumer lifestyle shifts increase per household consumption of energy, electronic goods, automobiles, and processed items.
- Infrastructure and Urban Growth: Modern economic systems demand dense transport networks, high-rise buildings, and communication grids, consuming massive amounts of non-renewable structural materials like iron, sand, limestone, and water.
4. GRAMMAR, VOCABULARY & EXTENDED PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Map Work & Spatial Analysis Drill (Page No. 13)
Task: On an outline map of India, identify and shade the geographic distribution of major soil types across the Indian subcontinent. Write down key regional indicators for each shaded zone.
Plaintext
+----------------------+--------------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| Soil Category | Geographic / Regional Zone | States Covered |
+----------------------+--------------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| Alluvial Soil | Northern Plains, Coastal Strips, River Deltas | Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, WB, Assam, Odisha, AP |
| Black Soil (Regur) | Deccan Basalt Trap Region | Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh |
| Red & Yellow Soil | Eastern & Southern Deccan Plateau Rim | Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Southern Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
| Laterite Soil | Western Ghats belt, Eastern Hills, Meghalaya | Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Meghalaya |
| Arid Soil | Western Thar Desert tract | Western Rajasthan, Northern Gujarat |
| Forest/Mountain Soil | Himalayan Mountainous Belt | J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim |
+----------------------+--------------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------+
Detailed Textual Analysis of Soil Profiles:
- Alluvial Soil:
Formed by sediment deposition from three major Himalayan river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. It is categorized by age into Bangar (older alluvium, higher concentration of kankar nodules, less fertile) and Khadar (newer alluvium, finer texture, highly fertile). - Black Soil (Regur):
Originates from weathered basaltic volcanic rocks. It has high clay content, fine texture, and exceptional moisture-retention capability. During dry weather, it develops deep cracks that facilitate self-aeration. - Red and Yellow Soil:
Develops on crystalline igneous rocks in low-rainfall areas. The soil appears reddish due to the diffusion of iron minerals in crystalline and metamorphic rocks, turning yellow when hydrated. - Laterite Soil:
Derived from the Latin word later (meaning brick). It forms under tropical and subtropical climates with alternating wet and dry seasons. Heavy tropical rainfall leads to intense leaching, leaving the soil low in organic humus and high in iron-aluminum oxides. It responds well to manure and chemical fertilizers, making it suitable for cashew nuts, tea, and coffee. - Arid Soil:
Ranges from red to brown in color. It is sandy in texture and saline in nature. Due to high evaporation under arid climates, it lacks moisture and organic humus. The lower horizon contains Kankar layers due to increasing calcium content downward, which restricts water infiltration.
5. 15 HIGH-YIELD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (BOARD EXAM LEVEL FAQs)
Question 1. Define a ‘Resource’. What are the three essential conditions for a material in nature to become a resource? [CBSE 2020]
Answer:
A Resource is defined as everything available in our environment that can be used to satisfy human needs, provided it meets three core conditions:
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+----------------------------------+
| Conditions for a Resource |
+----------------------------------+
|
+-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| | |
v v v
+------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+
| Technologically | | Economically | | Culturally |
| Accessible | | Feasible | | Acceptable |
+------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+
- Technologically Accessible: The technology required to extract and process the material must be available.
- Economically Feasible: The extraction and refinement process must be cost-effective and yield net economic value.
- Culturally Acceptable: Society must accept the material’s utilization without violating core social ethics or norms.
Question 2. Explain the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’. Why is it essential for resource planning? [CBSE 2019, 2023]
Answer:
Sustainable Development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes developing resources without damaging the surrounding ecosystem.
Why Sustainable Development is Essential for Resource Planning:
- Prevention of Resource Exhaustion: Non-renewable resources (like fossil fuels and metallic minerals) are finite. Unchecked exploitation could exhaust these reserves within a few generations.
- Mitigation of Environmental Degradation: Unplanned extraction causes deforestation, land degradation, ocean pollution, global warming, and biodiversity loss.
- Inter-generational Equity: Ensures future generations inherit a stable ecosystem and accessible resource base.
Question 3. What was Agenda 21? State its main objectives adopted at the Earth Summit in 1992. [CBSE 2018]
Answer:
Agenda 21 is a non-binding declaration signed by world leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
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+--------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Aspect | Details / Key Highlights |
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Primary Objective | Achieve Global Sustainable Development in the 21st Century. |
| Core Focus Areas | Combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease through global cooperation. |
| Key Mechanism | Encourage local governments to formulate their own local Agenda 21 frameworks.|
+--------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Question 4. Differentiate between Stock and Reserve resources with suitable examples. [CBSE 2022]
Answer:
Plaintext
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Feature | Stock Resource | Reserve Resource |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Technological Means | Technology to extract or utilize the resource is | Existing technology CAN extract and process the |
| | NOT yet available or economically viable. | resource effectively. |
| Utilization Status | Cannot be used currently due to technical constraints.| Kept stored or used at partial capacity to meet |
| | | future requirements. |
| Key Example | Splitting water ($H_2O$) into Hydrogen fuel economically.| Water stored behind dams for future hydroelectric generation.|
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
Question 5. Explain the three stages of Resource Planning in India. [CBSE 2017, 2021]
Answer:
Resource planning is a complex process involving three distinct stages:
- Identification and Inventory of Resources: Involves surveying, mapping, qualitative and quantitative estimation, and measurement of resources across all national regions.
- Evolving a Planning Structure: Developing an execution framework endowed with appropriate technology, skill sets, and institutional setups to implement resource development plans.
- Matching Resource Development Plans: Aligning regional resource development goals with broader national development objectives.
Question 6. What are the primary causes of land degradation in India? Suggest three remedial measures. [CBSE 2020]
Answer:
- Primary Causes of Land Degradation:
- Deforestation and Overgrazing: Heavy vegetation removal in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
- Over-Irrigation: Causes waterlogging, salinization, and alkalization in Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP.
- Mining and Quarrying: Leaves abandoned deep scars and overburdened dust heaps in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Industrial Effluents: Disposal of untreated liquid and solid waste degrades surrounding land and water bodies.
- Remedial Measures:
- Afforestation: Planting shelterbelts and managing pasture lands to prevent soil erosion.
- Regulated Irrigation: Adopting drip and sprinkler systems to prevent waterlogging and salinization.
- Effluent Treatment: Treating industrial wastewater before discharge into soil or water bodies.
Question 7. Distinguish between Bangar and Khadar alluvial soils. [CBSE 2016, 2023]
Answer:
Plaintext
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Feature | Bangar Soil (Old Alluvium) | Khadar Soil (New Alluvium) |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Geological Age | Older sediment deposited away from floodplains. | Newer, fresher sediment deposited in active floodplains.|
| Nodule Content | Contains higher concentration of calcareous *Kankar* | Contains fine silt particles with minimal *Kankar* |
| | nodules. | deposits. |
| Fertility Level | Less fertile compared to Khadar. | High natural fertility, continuously renewed by floods.|
| Location | Found in terrace-like higher regions above flood lines.| Found along active river basins and flood channels. |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
Question 8. Describe the formation, key features, and geographical distribution of Black Soil. [CBSE 2019]
Answer:
- Formation: Formed by the weathering of volcanic basaltic lava rocks under hot, sub-humid climatic conditions over millions of years.
- Key Features:
- Fine Clayey Texture: Possesses high moisture retention capability.
- Self-Aeration Capacity: Develops deep cracks during summer, which aids aeration.
- Nutrient Profile: Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, but low in phosphoric content.
- Geographical Distribution: Covers the Deccan trap region across Maharashtra, Saurashtra (Gujarat), Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Question 9. What is Laterite Soil? Why does it show low humus content? [CBSE 2018]
Answer:
Laterite Soil forms under tropical and subtropical climates characterized by alternating wet and dry seasons. The term originates from the Latin word later, meaning brick.
Reasons for Low Humus Content:
Laterite soils form in high-temperature, high-rainfall regions subject to severe leaching. The intense heat destroys soil micro-organisms and decomposers (bacteria), preventing organic litter from being efficiently converted into rich humus. As a result, laterite soil requires heavy applications of manure and chemical fertilizers for sustained agricultural production.
Question 10. Explain the major types of soil erosion caused by running water. [CBSE 2017, 2022]
Answer:
Running water causes two primary structural forms of surface soil erosion:
Plaintext
+------------------------------------+
| Water-Induced Soil Erosion Types |
+------------------------------------+
|
+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| |
v v
+----------------------------------+ +----------------------------------+
| Sheet Erosion | | Gully Erosion |
+----------------------------------+ +----------------------------------+
| Top layer of soil is washed away | | Running water cuts deep channels |
| evenly over large areas by sheet | | (gullies) into the land, creating|
| water flow down gentle slopes. | | uncultivable badlands. |
+----------------------------------+ +----------------------------------+
- Sheet Erosion: Occurs when topsoil is washed away evenly over large areas by surface runoff moving down broad, gentle slopes.
- Gully Erosion: Occurs when fast-flowing water cuts deep channels into topsoil layers, creating gullies and turning the terrain into uncultivable badlands (such as the Chambal Ravines).
Question 11. What are Shelterbelts? How do they help in soil conservation? [CBSE 2020]
Answer:
Shelterbelts are rows of trees planted along farm margins, coastal zones, and arid field edges to break wind velocity.
Mechanism in Soil Conservation:
High-velocity winds can lift and carry away loose topsoil in arid and semi-arid regions. Rows of trees act as windbreaks, reducing wind speed at ground level. This stabilizes sand dunes, prevents wind erosion, and protects delicate topsoil across surrounding agricultural lands.
Question 12. Assertion (A): Resource planning is an essential strategy for balanced resource utilization in India.
Reason (R): India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources, where some regions are self-sufficient while others face acute shortages. [CBSE 2023]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Reasoning: India exhibits wide regional variation in resource availability. For example, cold desert zones like Ladakh are isolated from the rest of the country and lack infrastructure, despite having a rich cultural heritage. Meanwhile, mineral-rich states like Jharkhand lack adequate social infrastructure. This imbalance makes comprehensive resource planning essential across national, state, and local levels.
Question 13. Case Study: Read the text and answer the question:
“Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation.”
Question: How does industrial processing of minerals contribute to land degradation? State two mechanisms.
Answer:
Industrial mineral processing degrades land through two main mechanisms:
- Atmospheric Dust Deposition: Mineral grinding operations (such as crushing limestone for cement or calcite for ceramics) produce dense dust clouds. When this dust settles on nearby land, it forms a hard crust that restricts water infiltration into the soil.
- Toxic Chemical Effluents: Discharging untreated industrial liquid waste and tailings onto surrounding land alters soil pH, kills beneficial soil organisms, and contaminates local groundwater.
Question 14. Why is the net sown area percentage high in Punjab and Haryana but low in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram? [CBSE 2019]
Answer:
The proportion of Net Sown Area (NSA) varies based on physical topography, soil quality, and agricultural infrastructure:
- Punjab and Haryana (>80% NSA):
- Flat alluvial terrain in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- Fertile, deep topsoil with access to canal and groundwater irrigation.
- High agricultural mechanization and favorable climate for continuous cropping.
- Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram (<10% NSA):
- Steep, rugged mountainous terrain with dense forest cover.
- Shallow, acidic mountain soils with limited arable land.
- Widespread practice of shifting cultivation (Jhumming) along hill slopes, restricting permanent Net Sown Area.
Question 15. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s viewpoint regarding resource conservation and modern consumerism? [CBSE 2017, 2021]
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi voiced concern over resource depletion by targeting modern greed and mass production:
“There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for any body’s greed.”
Plaintext
+-----------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Strategic Dimension | Gandhian Resource Philosophy |
+-----------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Root Cause of Crisis | Attributed global depletion to modern greed and unsustainable production. |
| Production Philosophy | Opposed mass industrial production; advocated production BY the masses instead.|
| Economic Model | Championed localized, self-sufficient village economies to avoid exploitation. |
+-----------------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
6. CONCLUDING BOARD TOPPER STRATEGY
To score full marks on CBSE Social Science (Geography) examinations, structure long-form answers using bullet points, clear headings, and tabular comparisons. Underline key geographical terminology—such as leaching, self-aeration, Kankar content, Bangar, Khadar, and sustainable integration.
When answering soil profile questions, include details on physical formation, chemical composition, crop suitability, and spatial distribution. Avoid conversational intros, step directly into structured answers, and back up map work with precise state-level labels. Always align responses with the official NCERT text to meet CBSE marking requirements.