Natural Resources and Their Use

  "Natural Resources and Their Use"

🔹 MCQs (30 marks – 1 mark each)

1. Which of the following is a biotic resource?

a) Air

b) Water

c) Forests

d) Minerals

Ans: c) Forests

2. Natural resources become resources when:

a) They are colorful

b) People recognize their usefulness

c) They are man-made

d) They are imported

Ans: b) People recognize their usefulness

3. Which of the following is a renewable resource?

a) Coal

b) Petroleum

c) Solar energy

d) Copper

Ans: c) Solar energy

4. Which category includes resources used for energy?

a) Materials

b) Food

c) Survival

d) Fossil fuels

Ans: d) Fossil fuels

5. An example of ecosystem service is:

a) Car manufacturing

b) Oxygen production by trees

c) Bridge construction

d) Road maintenance

Ans: b) Oxygen production by trees

6. Overfishing leads to:

a) Soil erosion

b) Marine biodiversity loss

c) Freshwater increase

d) Air pollution

Ans: b) Marine biodiversity loss

7. Which state faced groundwater crisis due to over-pumping?

a) Kerala

b) Punjab

c) Sikkim

d) Maharashtra

Ans: b) Punjab

8. Vrikshayurveda is related to:

a) Cattle breeding

b) Plant science

c) Iron smelting

d) Textile dyeing

Ans: b) Plant science

9. Bhadla Solar Park is located in:

a) Gujarat

b) Tamil Nadu

c) Rajasthan

d) Madhya Pradesh

Ans: c) Rajasthan

10. Which of the following is an abiotic resource?

a) Forest

b) Fish

c) Animals

d) Water

Ans: d) Water

11. Which of the following is not a category based on the use of natural resources?

a) Essential for Life

b) Resources for Material

c) Emotional Resources

d) Resources for Energy

Ans: c) Emotional Resources

12. Which of these is a non-renewable resource?

a) River water

b) Wind

c) Petroleum

d) Sunlight

Ans: c) Petroleum

13. What is restoration?

a) Protecting nature with laws

b) Returning nature to its healthy state

c) Polluting rivers

d) None of the above

Ans: b) Returning nature to its healthy state

14. Regeneration refers to:

a) Stopping pollution

b) Creating new life or systems

c) Industrial growth

d) Destruction of forests

Ans: b) Creating new life or systems

15. Why are forests important in the water cycle?

a) They produce electricity

b) They pollute rivers

c) They hold water and filter it

d) They reduce rainfall

Ans: c) They hold water and filter it

16. What was the main cause of groundwater depletion in Punjab?

a) Dams

b) Over-pumping due to free electricity

c) Earthquakes

d) Rainwater harvesting

Ans: b) Over-pumping due to free electricity

17. Which term describes benefits received by humans from nature’s functions?

a) Ecosystem functions

b) Ecosystem services

c) Ecosystem pollution

d) None of these

Ans: b) Ecosystem services

18. Which traditional practice protects biodiversity?

a) Hunting endangered animals

b) Sacred groves

c) Urbanization

d) Burning forests

Ans: b) Sacred groves

19. Which plant-related science is part of Indian tradition?

a) Ayurveda

b) Vrikshayurveda

c) Yogic farming

d) Panchayat farming

Ans: b) Vrikshayurveda

20. A tree that dies and decomposes provides:

a) Pollution

b) Raw material for industry

c) Nutrition for new plants

d) Electricity

Ans: c) Nutrition for new plants

21. Which of the following is an example of biotic resource?

a) Coal

b) Air

c) River

d) Forest

Ans: d) Forest

22. What causes uneven resource distribution to become a problem?

a) Equal trade

b) Technological sharing

c) Conflicts and migration

d) Balanced rainfall

Ans: c) Conflicts and migration

23. What type of energy does the International Solar Alliance promote?

a) Wind

b) Thermal

c) Solar

d) Hydro

Ans: c) Solar

24. Which is an example of a cultural practice that promotes sustainability?

a) Pollution of rivers

b) Mass deforestation

c) Tulasi Puja

d) Mining

Ans: c) Tulasi Puja

25. The paradox of plenty refers to:

a) Too much rainfall

b) Overconsumption

c) The Resource Curse

d) Desertification

Ans: c) The Resource Curse

26. Which of the following is not an abiotic resource?

a) Air

b) Water

c) Sunlight

d) Deer

Ans: d) Deer

27. What is the main function of soil organisms in an ecosystem?

a) Fertilizer creation

b) Decomposition of waste

c) Root absorption

d) Soil erosion

Ans: b) Decomposition of waste

28. One negative impact of the Green Revolution in Punjab was:

a) Food shortage

b) Water table depletion

c) Desertification

d) Increase in rainfall

Ans: b) Water table depletion

29. What helps maintain soil health naturally?

a) Plastic

b) Cement

c) Decomposers

d) Pesticides

Ans: c) Decomposers

30. Which state developed around resource-rich areas, often displacing locals?

a) Himachal Pradesh

b) Chhattisgarh

c) Kerala

d) Goa

Ans: b) Chhattisgarh

🔹 Short Type Questions (20 items – 2 marks each)

1. What are natural resources?

Ans: Materials found in nature used for survival, comfort, and development by humans.

2. Give two examples of biotic and abiotic resources.

Ans: Biotic – animals, plants; Abiotic – water, air.

3. When does nature become a resource?

Ans: When humans recognize its usefulness, have access and technology to use it.

4. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Ans: Renewable replenish naturally (sunlight); non-renewable take millions of years (coal).

5. What is restoration?

Ans: Process of returning something to its original healthy state.

6. State two impacts of unsustainable human actions on nature.

Ans: Deforestation causes erosion, overfishing leads to marine species loss.

7. Mention two ecosystem services.

Ans: Oxygen from trees; crop pollination by bees.

8. What is regeneration?

Ans: Formation of new systems or life naturally (e.g., new plant growth).

9. Why are sacred groves important?

Ans: They preserve biodiversity due to cultural protection.

10. Define the Resource Curse.

Ans: When resource-rich countries stay poor due to mismanagement or lack of planning.

🔹 Very Short Type Questions (20 items – 1 mark each)

1. Name a renewable source of energy.

Ans: Wind energy

2. What do trees provide in an ecosystem?

Ans: Oxygen

3. Name a state that adopted organic farming.

Ans: Sikkim

4. Give one example of non-renewable resource.

Ans: Petroleum

5. What is the full form of ISA?

Ans: International Solar Alliance

6. What resource is most essential for breathing?

Ans: Air

7. What causes groundwater crisis?

Ans: Over-extraction

8. What is Arghyam?

Ans: Offering to the Sun (cultural practice)

9. What do bees help with?

Ans: Pollination

10. Give one traditional ecological practice.

Ans: Avoiding fishing during breeding season

A. Short Answer Questions (20)

1. What is meant by a natural resource?
   Ans: Any material or substance occurring in nature that is valuable to humans is called a natural resource.

2. When does nature become a resource?
   Ans: When humans use elements of nature for sustenance or create useful things from them (e.g., trees → furniture).

3. Give two criteria for something to be called a resource.
   Ans: It should be technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.

4. What are renewable resources?
   Ans: Resources that can restore or regenerate naturally, e.g., water, forests, soil, sunlight.

5. What are non-renewable resources?
   Ans: Resources that take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly, e.g., coal, petroleum.

6. Name two resources essential for life.
   Ans: Air and water.

7. What are ecosystem services?
   Ans: Benefits humans receive from nature’s processes, e.g., clean water, oxygen, pollination, soil fertility.

8. What is the meaning of ‘resource curse’?
   Ans: A situation where resource-rich regions remain poor due to mismanagement and lack of development.

9. Name two traditional methods of soil conservation.
   Ans: Mulching and multi-cropping.

10. What is afforestation?
    Ans: Planting trees in an area where there were no previous forests.

11. Give two examples of non-conventional energy resources.
    Ans: Solar energy and wind energy.

12. What are ecosystem functions?
    Ans: Natural processes of ecosystems such as producing oxygen, purifying water, and supporting biodiversity.

13. What is meant by stewardship of resources?
    Ans: Responsible and wise use of natural resources with respect for nature.

14. Why is overuse of groundwater dangerous?
    Ans: It lowers water tables, increases extraction cost, and leads to scarcity.

15. Name one state that became fully organic.
    Ans: Sikkim.

16. Which state faced over-extraction of groundwater due to Green Revolution practices?
    Ans: Punjab.

17. Name one highly polluting industry.
    Ans: Cement industry.

18. Which international alliance was launched in 2015 for solar energy?
    Ans: International Solar Alliance (India and France).

19. What is Vṛikṣhāyurveda?
    Ans: An ancient Indian science of plants and trees focusing on sustainable agriculture.

20. What is Lokasangraha?
    Ans: A concept from the Bhagavad Gita meaning working for the wellbeing of all.

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B. Long Answer Questions (20)

1. Explain the meaning of natural resources with suitable examples.
   Ans: Natural resources are materials obtained from nature that satisfy human needs. Examples include air (breathing), water (drinking and irrigation), soil (agriculture), coal and petroleum (energy), minerals (industrial use), and forests (wood, biodiversity).

2. Discuss different categories of natural resources.
   Ans:

   • Essential for life: Air, water, soil, food.

   • Materials: Wood, marble, metals.

   • Energy: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, solar and wind energy.

3. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
   Ans:

   • Renewable: Can regenerate naturally (e.g., forests, soil, water).

   • Non-renewable: Exhaustible, take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum, minerals).

4. What are the implications of overexploiting renewable resources?
   Ans: Overuse of water, soil, and forests may destroy their regeneration capacity, leading to scarcity, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

5. Explain with an example how human actions disturb nature’s cycles.
   Ans: Industrial waste discharged into rivers pollutes water and disrupts aquatic life, breaking the natural cycle of restoration and regeneration.

6. Describe the importance of ecosystem services.
   Ans: Ecosystems provide oxygen, clean water, fertile soil, pollination, flood control, and biodiversity. These services sustain human life and economy.

7. Discuss the uneven distribution of natural resources and its implications.
   Ans: Some regions are resource-rich while others are not, leading to settlement patterns, trade, conflicts, displacement, and wars over resources.

8. What is meant by the natural resource curse? Give examples.
   Ans: Countries rich in resources may remain underdeveloped due to poor governance and lack of industries. India avoided this by developing industries like steel and energy.

9. Describe the case of groundwater depletion in Punjab.
   Ans: Overuse of water for high-yield crops, free electricity, and chemicals led to groundwater levels dropping below 30 meters, creating long-term sustainability issues.

10. How do traditional practices help in conserving natural resources?
    Ans: Practices like rainwater harvesting, cow dung manure, mulching, mixed cropping, and respecting sacred groves sustain soil, water, and forests.

11. Explain the role of cement industry in pollution.
    Ans: Cement production releases dust causing air, soil, and water pollution. It harms lungs, reduces crop yields, and damages ecosystems. Guidelines aim to minimize this pollution.

12. What is Vṛikṣhāyurveda? Explain its significance.
    Ans: Ancient science on tree care, prescribing soil-specific plants, pest control with natural repellents, crop rotation, and moisture retention. It promotes sustainable farming.

13. How did Sikkim become an organic state?
    Ans: By banning chemical farming, promoting compost and natural pest repellents, adopting organic certification, boosting biodiversity, eco-tourism, and farmer incomes.

14. Explain the role of International Solar Alliance.
    Ans: Launched by India and France (2015), it unites sunshine-rich countries to promote solar power, mobilize funds, and spread technology for renewable energy.

15. How can natural resources be used sustainably?
    Ans: By regulating extraction, recycling, using renewable substitutes, protecting biodiversity, promoting afforestation, and ensuring equitable access.

16. What are the cultural practices that show mindfulness towards nature?
    Ans: Sacred groves, Tulsi worship, restrictions on fishing during spawning season, offering water to the sun, and rituals showing gratitude to nature.

17. Discuss how industrialization has affected natural resources.
    Ans: Industries exploit coal, oil, water, and land extensively, creating pollution, resource depletion, displacement, and biodiversity loss.

18. Why is stewardship of resources important for the future?
    Ans: Stewardship ensures responsible use, balances human needs with nature’s regeneration, and prevents resource crises for future generations.

19. Explain how natural resources influence political relations.
    Ans: Unequal distribution leads to disputes like the Cauvery water issue (India) or global oil conflicts. Resource-sharing requires negotiations and cooperation.

20. What steps can be taken at personal and community levels to conserve resources?
    Ans: Reduce wastage, recycle, rainwater harvesting, energy conservation, tree plantation, use of public transport, and supporting renewable energy projects.

🔹 Long Type Questions (20 marks – 5 questions x 4 marks)

1. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.

Ans:

Renewable: Replenish naturally; e.g., wind, sunlight.

Non-renewable: Take millions of years to form; e.g., coal, petroleum.

Even renewable can become non-renewable if overused.

2. What is the Resource Curse? How did India avoid it?

Ans:

Countries with natural wealth remain poor due to poor management.

India developed industries like steel, solar, and cement to avoid overdependence.

3. Explain the success story of organic farming in Sikkim.

Ans:

Shifted to organic practices like neem sprays.

Improved yield after 5 years.

Boosted biodiversity and income.

4. How did Punjab overuse groundwater?

Ans:

Free electricity encouraged over-pumping.

Water table fell by 30m.

Led to crisis and soil pollution.

5. List any four ecosystem services with examples.

Ans:

Trees produce oxygen → breathing

Bees pollinate crops → increased yield

Forests hold water → clean water

Soil organisms decompose waste → soil health

Long Answer Questions (5)

1. What are natural resources? Explain their different categories with examples.
   Ans: Natural resources are materials and substances that occur in nature and are useful to human beings. Categories include:

   • Resources essential for life: Air, water, and soil – without which life cannot exist.

   • Resources for materials: Wood, marble, metals like iron and copper – used for making goods.

   • Resources for energy: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, sunlight, wind, and flowing water – essential for power and industry.

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2. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
   Ans:

   • Renewable resources are those that regenerate naturally if used wisely. Examples: water, forests, soil, solar and wind energy.

   • Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished quickly. Examples: coal, petroleum, and minerals like gold, iron.
     Overuse of renewable resources can make them non-renewable. For example, over-extraction of groundwater can cause scarcity.

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3. Explain the importance of ecosystem services provided by nature.
   Ans: Ecosystem services are benefits humans receive from nature’s natural functions. Examples include:

   • Trees producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.

   • Forests filtering water, preventing soil erosion, and supporting biodiversity.

   • Pollinators like bees ensuring crop production.

   • Wetlands acting as flood controls.
     Without these services, life would not be sustainable, and human survival would be at risk.

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4. Describe the case of groundwater depletion in Punjab and its consequences.
   Ans: Punjab’s Green Revolution introduced high-yield crops requiring more water. Farmers began extracting groundwater heavily with free electricity. This led to:

   • Water tables falling below 30 meters.

   • 80% of Punjab’s area becoming ‘over-exploited’.

   • Chemical pollution of water from fertilizers and pesticides.

   • Future water scarcity and health hazards.
     The case shows the need for sustainable practices like rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and balanced cropping patterns.

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5. What measures can be taken to ensure the responsible and wise use of natural resources?
   Ans:

   • For renewable resources: Prevent overexploitation, practice afforestation, conserve water through rainwater harvesting, and promote organic farming.

   • For non-renewable resources: Use them judiciously while developing renewable alternatives (solar, wind, hydropower).

   • At community level: Recycling, reducing wastage, and protecting biodiversity.

   • At global level: International cooperation like the International Solar Alliance (2015) to promote renewable energy.
     These steps will ensure sustainability for future generations.