The last chapter from the NCERT Class 10 Science Book Solutions talks about sustainable management of natural resources. The chapter explains the concept of 5 R’s of Environment Conservation and the need for managing resources. You get to learn how we are using resources like forest and wildlife, water, and coal and petroleum, and how we can manage and conserve them sustainably.
The topics in Chapter 16 include:
Studying from Home Revise’s NCERT Solutions for Class 10 will ensure that you are well-prepared in Science and get great marks in the subject.
Chapter 16. Management of Natural Resources Exercise
Q.1 What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Ans: We can make certain positive changes in our habits to become more environment-friendly. We can follow the simple policy of the three R's i.e., Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Which simply means that for our living, we should minimise the consumption of products, services. and other usable resources to the extent possible. We should avoid unproductive and unnecessary consumption of product and resources. After primary usage, instead of discarding them as waste, we should try to reuse these products or resources for other possible secondary usages. After reuse, residual waste should be sent to recycling so that the exploitation of natural resources to meet ever increasing demand for new products, can be mininised. So, by adopting ourselves to few changes in our habits, We can make a substantial contribution to become more environment-friendly.
Q.2 Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?
Ans: . As discussed in the previous answer, always remembering three R's i,e., Reduce, Reuse and Recycle while using resources around, is the best way to become environment friendly.
Q.3 We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produces? Why do you think so?
Ans: Out of four stakeholders viz., the local people, the Forest Depatment, the industrialist, and the wildlife and nature enthusiasts, I think the best authority to decide the management of forest produce will be the local people i.e., the people who live nearby or in the forests. Because, the local people use of forest in a sustainable manner. For centuries, the local people had been using the forest but they had developed such practices that an optimum amount of produce is left for all generations to come. Besides, the traditional use of forest areas by shepherds etc. only ensure the balance in the forests ecology.
Further, management of forests by keeping te local people out only leads to damage of the forests. In fact, forest resources ought to be used in a manner that is both environmentally and develop-mentally sound, i.e.,, keeping the environment preserved, the befits of the controlled exploitation go to the local people.
Q.4 How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife, (b) water resources and (c) coal and petroleum?
Ans: (a) Forest and wildlife: Forests resources cannot be handled without an active participation of the local people. An example of it is of sal forests of Arabari which underwent a remarkable recovery. So, I will ensure people's active participation. I will also ensure an equitable distribution of resources in a sustainable manner so that all and not just a handful of rich and powerful people, benfit from the development of these resources.
(b) Water resources: During our day-to-day life knowingly we waste water which must be stopped. I will ensure that I would cultivate habits so that water can be saved. Further by adopting any water harvesting technique, we can also conserve water.
(c) Coal and Petroleum: These are the main source of energy today. We can save them in many ways. For example:
i. Use of fluorescent tubes.
ii. Switching off unnecessary electric and electronic devices.
iii. Using solar devices.
iv. Prefer walking or cycling than using vehicle.
v. Ignition of the vehicles should be turned off while waiting on red lights.
vi. Using of stairs instead of lift.
vii. Keeping the air pressure in the types right.
Q.5 What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
Ans: The consumption of the various natural resources can be reduced in th following ways:
i. Saving electricity by switching off unnecessary lights and fans.
ii. Use of fluorescent tubes.
iii. Using of stairs instead of lift.
iv. Turning off the engine of the vehicle while waiting on red lights
v. Repairing leaky taps.
vi. By not wasting food etc.
Q.6 List five things you have done over the last one week to-
a. conserve our natural resources.
b. increase the pressure on our natural resources.
Ans:
i. Saved electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
ii. Used stairs instead of lift.
iii. Preferred to walk or use bicycle instead of using vehicle.
iv. Repaired leaky taps.
v. Used empty glass jar of pickle for storing groceries.
vi. Used empty plastic bottles for carrying drinking water.
vii. Ate cooked food when it was hot served along with family, so no reheating
(b)
i. Wasted water while cleaning house, washing car, watering lawn and bathing.
ii. TV remained on while I was doing homework.
iii. Turned water geyser on long before taking bath.
iv. Used bulbs instead of fluorescent tubs.
v. Wasted cooked food.
Q.7 On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?
Ans: I would incorporate the judicious use of three R's i.e., reduce, reuse and recycle in my life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources. I would try to lead a simple life by avoiding all luxurious things, wasteful expenditure or over consumption of various products and services
Q.8 What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?
Ans: Some important changes that can help make homes more environment-friendly include:
1. Segregation of the garbage into biodegradable waste (food waste) and non-biodegradable waste (plastics).
2. Use of eco-friendly products such as cloth shopping bags and paper cups instead of plastics.
3. Avoiding the wastage of electricity by switching off the electrical appliances that are not in use.
4. Avoiding the wastage of water by quickly fix leaking taps and incorporating practices that reduce water wastage (such as closing the taps while brushing and using water judiciously while bathing).
Q.9 What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Ans: The new generation would be able to use resources properly for the growth and development of resources according to short-term goals. But if we use resources for long-term purposes, the future generation will still be able to use resources to meet their needs.
The utilization of resources with a short period of time desired indicates the consumption without the preservation for the future requirements.
Advantages:
The advantages of using resources with short-term goals are listed below.
1. The need for a wider population can be fulfilled.
2. It guarantees the company’s growth.
3. Commercial development may begin.
4. It will encourage life to be much more comfortable.
Q.10 How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Ans: The long-term model of resource consumption enables the conservation of the resources for them to be used by future generations. This will enable the economy to grow over a longer timeframe. It also provides more time for technology to advance and discover new, sustainable energy sources (such as nuclear fusion and fuel cells). All in all, the long-term perspective in managing of resources has significantly greater advantages when compared to the short-term perspective.
Q.11 Why do you think that there should be an equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?
Ans: Equitable distribution of resources enables every human to receive their share of the resources and makes sure that everyone has the basic requirements for life (such as food, water, shelter, etc.). The forces that work against equitable distribution include:
The regional distribution of resources (such as soil and minerals).
Corruption and greed of some humans
Uneven distribution of resources between the rich and the poor.
Q.12 Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Ans: The conservation of forests is very important for the stability of the environment. Forests serve as a home to a huge variety of life-forms. Destruction of these forests can disturb the food chain and lead to the extinction of many important species. Also, forests protect the soil from erosion and play a vital role in the water cycle. The loss of forests can severely affect the day-to-day lives of humans.
Q.13 Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Ans: Some steps that can be taken to conserve forests include:
Planting of trees to combat deforestation.
Placement of security forces in forests to prevent the poaching and smuggling of forest resources.
Incorporating steps to protect the forest dwellers without disturbing their lifestyles.
Avoiding the conversion of forest land into roads, buildings, and dams.
Q.14 Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/ management in your region.
Ans: In populated metropolitan cities, the primary sources of water include groundwater and lakes. Groundwater is harvested with the help of borewells whereas pipes harvest water directly from the lakes. The harvested water is then stored in water tankers placed at strategic locations throughout the city.
Q.15 Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/ mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
Ans: In hilly regions, rainwater is often collected and channelled with the help of a stream. The stream is diverted to different areas with the help of canals for the purpose of irrigation. In mountainous regions, water is commonly obtained from the rivers that flow from the glaciers.
In the plains, water is obtained from many natural sources such as lakes and rivers. Groundwater is also harvested with the help of borewells for irrigation and human consumption.
Q.16 Find out the source of water in your region/locality. Is water from this source available to all people living in that area?
Ans: In metropolitan cities, the primary source of water is groundwater. This water is made available to all people in the city. However, poor infrastructure in some localities makes it difficult for some people to obtain the water.