Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Being a student of geography, what measure would you suggest minimising the soil erosion in the state of Punjab and Haryana? OR Name a type of soil which is the result of intensive leaching due to high rainfall.
Answer : To check the over irrigation in these two states or the cropping pattern should be strictly followed as per the suggestions of agriculture scientists. OR Laterite soil.

Question. How is over irrigation responsible for land degradation in Punjab ? 
Answer : Over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging which leads to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil. Over irrigation and continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage land has resulted in land degradation in Punjab.

Question. In which regions alluvial soil is found? OR What are the two types of alluvial soil?
Answer : The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil. This type of soil is also found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is also found in the eastal coastal plains in the deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers. OR Khadar & Bhangar.

Question. What do you understand by the term contour ploughing ?
Answer : Ploughing along the contour lines in order to minimize soil erosion. This is called contour ploughing.

Question. What do you understand by the term ‘resource’ ?
Answer : Everything available in the environment, which satisfies our needs, is called resource.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What type of soil is found in the river deltas of eastern coast ? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Answer : In the river deltas of eastern coast, alluvial soil is found. Alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. The main features of alluvial soil are :
(i) They are very fertile. Therefore, they are good for cultivation.
(ii) They are rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime, which make it an ideal soil for growing sugarcane, paddy and other crops.
(iii) In drier areas, the soil is more alkaline and needs proper irrigation before cultivation.

Question. What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas ?
Answer : Steps to control soil erosion in hilly area :
(i) Contour Ploughing : Soil erosion in hilly areas can be controlled by contour ploughing, which is ploughing along contour line.
(ii) Terrace Farming : Terrace farming is a technique of creating step like structure on the slopes of the hills. This technique helps to prevent soil erosion in hilly areas.

Question. What is the reason behind low proportion of net sown area in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman Nicobar Islands ?
Answer : Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur have larger area under forest and hilly undulating terrain which is unsuitable for cultivation. That’s why net sown area in these states is lower in proportion than in the other states. Andaman and Nicobar Islands do not have hilly mountainous surface but have large area covered under forest and tribal communities, which perform hunting and gathering rather than cultivation.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Explain the resources on the basis of origin and exhaustibility.
Answer : Resources on the basis of origin : (i) Biotic resources : Resources obtained from the environment are called biotic resources. For example–trees, animals and insects. (ii) Abiotic resources : Resources obtain from nonliving things present in our environment are termed as abiotic resources. For example–earth, air, water, metals, rocks, etc. Resources on the basis of exhaustibility : (i) Renewable resources : The resources which have the ability to renew themself over period of time or can be reproduced by physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable resources. For example–solar and wind energy, water, forest and wildlife, etc.
(ii) Non-renewable resources : Resources which cannot be renewed or reproduced by any physical, chemical or mechanical process are known as nonrenewable resource. For example–water, wind, tidal energy, etc.

Question. Correct the following statement and rewrite. 
Biotic resources are obtained from biosphere i.e, soil and rocks, livestock, flora and fauna etc.
Answer : Biotic resources are obtained from biospher i.e, human beings, livestock, flora and fauna.