NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 16 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Access Answer to NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 16: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Topic 16.1 Why do we need to manage our resources?

Q.1 What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment friendly?

Answer:

We should use recycled paper, use solar panels to generate electricity , switch off the electrical appliances when not in use. Also, water and food should not be wasted and we can use paper and jute bags instead pf plastic/ polythene bags, as they are degradable easily. Again, we can use bicycle to travel shorter distancesand should dispose the waste safely and can do many such little things to become more environment friendly.

Q 2. What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?

Answer:

The exploitation of resources with short-term aims means the consumption of resources for immediate requirement without conservation for future generations :
1. It makes present life comfortable.
2. It fulfils the requirement of the mass population.

But on the other hand, there should be judicious use of natural resources as they are limited in nature. We should not exploit resources for our short term gains as this would only lead to depletion of natural resources for the present generation as well as generations to come. Therefore, we can say that there are hardly any advantages of exploiting natural resources for short term gains.

Q 3. How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a longterm perspective in managing our resources?

Answer:

The long-term perspective in managing our resources would always be better than a short term perspective because this management ensures uniform distribution among the people and it will help us in protecting our environment. And also this will conserve the natural resources for many years and not just for a few years and so, there will be enough resources to be used by the present generation as well as for the future generations.

Q 4. Why do you think that there should be equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?

Answer:

There should be an equitable distribution of natural resources among people so that each and every individual gets an equal amount of resources to use.

Powerful and rich people grab a major part of resources by using money and power. Human greed, corruption, and the lobby of the rich and powerful are the forces working against an equitable distribution of resources.

NCERT solutions for class 10 science chapter 16 sustainable management of natural resources topic 16.2 Forests and wildlife:

Q 1. Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?

Answer:

We should conserve forests and wildlife for many reasons-

• To preserve the biodiversity (range of different life-forms) so as to avoid the loss of ecological stability
• Wildlife should be conserved to prevent the less found species from getting extinct.
• Forests/plants provide us oxygen for breath and they are natural purifiers. Plants purify the air by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen which is inhaled by human beings.
• Forests and wildlife form the major part of food chains and food webs. For maintaining the ecological balance it is necessary that the forests and wildlife should be conserved.
• Without proper management of forest and wildlife, the quality of soil, the water sources, and even the amount of rainfall may be affected.

Q 2. Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.

Answer:

Some approaches towards the conservation of forests are as follows-

• People should show their participation in saving the forest by protesting against the cutting of trees.
• Strict punishments should be given to people/smugglers for cutting tree-like Chandan for their own benefits
• Keeping a check on overgrazing of land by cattle.
• Planting of trees should be increased. Rate of afforestation must be more than that of deforestation. .
• Everyone should pledge to plant a tree on every happy occasion.

NCERT solutions for chapter 16 science class 10 sustainable management of natural resources topic 16.3 Water for all:

Q 1. Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.

Answer:

The traditional system of water harvesting/ management used in our region are ponds, lakes, tanks, dams, etc.

Q 2. Compare the above system with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.

Answer:

Water harvesting systems used in hilly/mountainous regions are Naula and Kuhl. Naula is a small well or a pond wherein water is collected by making a stone wall across a stream. This water is used for drinking purposes. Kuhl is surface channels that divert water from the natural stream and run at high elevation than the streams to irrigate upstream lands. Darns are also built over the hilly mountainous area to store water and later use it for generating electricity. In plains, the water harvesting structures are crescent-shaped earthen embankments. These are low, straight, and concrete. So, comparing the two systems we can conclude that in plains the harvesting structures are low, straight and concrete earthen embankments whereas in the hilly regions canal irrigation is practiced for water harvesting.

Q 3. Find out the source of water in your region/locality. Is water from this source available to all people living in that area?

Answer:

There are water in our region is ground water and raw water. Ground water is available to everyone for use if the ground water level is sufficient. Raw water is being made available to our region from different rivers.

Solutions of NCERT for class 10 science chapter 16 sustainable management of natural resources Exercise:

Q 1. What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?

Answer:

Changes that can be undertaken in our homes to be environment-friendly are-

• Install solar panels to generate electricity.
• Switch off the electrical appliances when not in use.
• Re-use plastic containers for storing household materials.
• Throw biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into separate bins.
• Replace filament bulbs with CFL’s.
• Turn the taps off while brushing or bathing and repair the leaking taps.

Q 2. Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?

Answer:

Changes that can be undertaken in our schools to make it environment-friendly are-

• Install solar panels to generate electricity which is used for various purposes like in computer labs, fans, light, etc.
• Electricity can be saved by switching off lights and fans when not required.
• Making setup for Rainwater harvesting in order to collect rainwater and use it to recharge groundwater, watering the plants.
• Biodegradable and non-biodegradable things should be discarded in separate bins.
• Turn the taps of bathrooms and other places off when not in use.

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 produce? Why do you think so?

Answer:

The forest department of the government should have the authority to decide the management of forest produces because the forest department is the caretaker of the forest land and is responsible for any damage to the forest.

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?

Answer:

(a) Forests and Wildlife :

1) We should Stop deforestation

2) We should protest against the poaching of wild animals.

3) We should stop the use of forests land for human activities like building houses, industries etc. by cutting trees.

(b) Water Resources :

1) Promote Rainwater harvesting

2) We should avoid the discharge of sewage and other wastes into rivers and other water resources.

3) Close taps while brushing teeth and while bathing when the bucket gets filled.

(c) Coal and petroleum

1) Use a bicycle to cover short distances instead of using automobiles that run on petrol.

2) We should stop using coal as fuel.

3) We should use alternative sources of energy such as hydro-energy and solar energy instead of depending largely on coal and petroleum.

Q 5. What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?

Answer:

Natural resources such as water, forests, coal, and petroleum, etc. are important for the survival of human beings. The ways in which we can reduce the consumption of various natural resources are -

• We should stop the cutting of trees (deforestation).
• We should use a bicycle to cover short distances in order to reduce petrol consumption.
• We should practice rainwater harvesting.
• Switch off the lights of the room during the day and open windows for sunlight to penetrate into the house.
• We should use alternative sources of energy such as hydro-energy and solar energy.

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.

Answer:

(a) Conserve our natural resources-

• Planted 5 seedlings.

• Used bicycle for shorter distances.

• Use recycled paper

• Used CFL’s instead of bulbs.

• Harvest rainwater

(b) Increase pressure on our natural resources-

• Forgot to close the water tap when bucket got full.

• Waste electricity

• Use non-renewable resources of energy

• Use plastics and polythene bags for carrying goods

• Traveled by car for long-distance instead of traveling by train.

Q 7. On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your lifestyle in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?

Answer:

One should incorporate the following changes in life style in a move towards a sustainable use of resources-

1) Use recycled paper.

2) Stop using plastic and polythene bags for carrying goods.

3) Stop deforestation and promote afforestation.

4) Avoid use of vehicles that run on petrol for shorter distances and use bicycles instead.

5) Throw biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes into separate dustbins.

6) Practice rainwater harvesting in order to recharge ground water.

7) Switch off electrical appliances when not in use.