Ch. 12 Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems PDF

1 1) Pollution: - The word ‘Pollution’ is derived from ‘Latin’ word ‘Pollutioen’ which means make dirty. Pollution is an undesirable change in physical chemical and biological characteristics of physical environmental (land water air) that affects human life on l...

1 1) Pollution: - The word ‘Pollution’ is derived from ‘Latin’ word ‘Pollutioen’ which means make dirty. Pollution is an undesirable change in physical chemical and biological characteristics of physical environmental (land water air) that affects human life on large scale. 2) Pollutant: - A pollutant is defined as any form of energy or matter that cause degradation. It also creates pollution in the natural balance of ecosystem. Pollutants can be in the form of gaseous liquid or solid. 3) Smog: - The term "smog" was first used in the early 1900s to describe a mix of smoke and fog. Smog is a type air pollution that reduces visibility. Smog is common in industrial areas, and big cities with a lot of industry and traffic. Smog is unhealthy to humans and animals, and it can kill plants.  2 4) Swachh Bharat Mission: - Swatchh Bharat Mission (SBM), Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission is a country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to improve that quality of life in urban slums and improve solid waste management. It is a restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2009 that failed to achieve its intended targets. 5) Soil Erosion: - The removal of the upper layer of soil by running water, wind or other agent of erosion is called as soil erosion. 6) Alkalization: - Alkalization is an accumulation of weak acid bases such as bicarbonates which leads to an increase in soil pH. Increasing the pH can become problematic for plant growth as it can block the uptake of some nutrients.  3 7) Salinization: - Soil salinization is a major process of land degradation that decreases soil fertility and is a significant component of desertification processes in the world’s dryland. Soil salinization involves a combination of processes like evaporation, salt precipitation and dissolution, salt transport, and ion exchange etc. 8) Water Logging: - Waterlogging is the saturation of soil with water. Waterlogging occurs when there is too much water in a plant’s root zone, which decreases the oxygen available to roots. Waterlogging can be a major threat to plant growth and production and, under certain conditions, will cause plant death.  4 Q. 1 State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. Or Write a note on Environmental pollution in India. (NCERT Page No. 133 - 141) (3/5)  Answer Key Points: - 1) Water Pollution: - Water pollution is the presence of chemical, physical, or biological substances that deteriorate the quality of water and make it unfit for consumption. In India drinking water is getting contaminated due to industrial waste. It is leading to waterborne diseases. 2) Air Pollution: - Air pollution is the addition of toxic chemicals or compounds like dust, fumes, gas, fog, odor, smoke or vapour to the air in large proportion and duration that degrade the quality of air. This is harmful to flora and fauna and to property. Burning of fossil fuels, mining and industries are the main sources of air pollution. 3) Deforestation: - Deforestation can be defined as the large-scale removal of trees from forests (or other lands) for various purposes. India’s forest cover is declining continuously due to increasing demand by increasing population.  5 4) Land Degradation: - Land degradation is defined as a temporary or a permanent decline in productive capacity of the land. Soil erosion, waterlogging, salinization, alkalinization of land and improper planning and management of irrigation system etc. lead to land degradation. 5) Noise Pollution: - Noise pollution refers to unwanted sound in the environment that is caused by humans. Noise pollution affects the human mental and animal health and become serious problem in recent years due to a variety of technical innovations. The main sources of noise pollution are various factories, industrial construction, automobiles, aircrafts, loudspeakers used in various religious places and programmers and traffic etc. Q. 2 Describe the nature of water pollution in India. Or How do industries pollute India’s water bodies? Explain with examples. Or Examine any three causes for the deterioration of quality of water in India. Or “Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to degradation of the quality of water considerably.” Evaluate the statement. (NCERT Page No. 134 - 136) (3/5)  Answer Key Points: - Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without sufficient treatment to remove the harmful compounds. Sources of water pollution are: -  6 A. Natural Sources: - When water is polluted by natural agent such as erosional activities, landslides, decomposition of plants etc. it is called natural sources of water pollution. B. Man-made Sources: - These include: - 1) Human Activities: - Developmental activities of industries, urbanization, agricultural activities, transportation and construction activities etc. pollute water on a large scale. 2) Industrial Sources: - Solid industrial wastage, wastewater and many poisonous gases, chemical substances, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke, etc. of industries mix with water resources and make it polluted. Major polluting industries are leather, pulp, paper, textiles, chemicals, etc.  7 3) Domestic Sources: - it includes sewage system, municipal and domestic garbage etc. are thrown into water bodies which causes water pollution e.g. River Yamuna at Delhi has turned into a sewage drain. 4) Agricultural Sources: - In India agricultural pattern has been changed after ‘Green Revolution’. Different types of chemicals used in modern agriculture such as inorganic fertilisers, pesticides etc. generate chemical components. Due to heavy rain these chemicals are washed down to rivers, lakes and tanks. These chemicals also infiltrate the soil to reach the ground water. 5) Cultural Activities: - Many cultural and religious activities such as pilgrimage, religious fairs, tourism, etc. also cause water pollution. Q. 3 Compare the water pollution in Ganga and Yamuna Rivers. (NCERT Page No. 134 & 135) (3)  Answer Key Points: -  8  Pollution of River Ganga: - 1) The river Ganga from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal is highly polluted by many urban and industrial wastes. 2) Downstream of Kanpur, Varanasi and ‘Farakka Barrage’ are the most polluted areas of the river. 3) Cities of Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata released domestic waste, industrial waste and dumping of animal dead body etc. into the river.  Pollution of River Yamuna: - 1) The river Yamuna at Delhi and Uttar Pradesh is polluted by urban and industrial wastes. 2) Delhi to confluence (join) with Chambal Mathura and Agra are major polluted areas of the river. 3) The river water is mainly polluted by the release of polluted water by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh agricultural runoff domestic and industrial waste of Delhi. Q. 4 Explain any five objectives of ‘Namami Gange Programme’. (NCERT Page No. 135) (3)  Answer Key Points: - Ganga River has national importance but the river requires cleaning by effectively controlling the pollution for its water. The Union Government has launched the ‘Namami Gange Programme’ with the following objectives: - 1) Developing sewerage treatment systems in towns, 2) Monitoring of industrial effluents, 3) Development of river front,  9 4) Afforestation along the bank of increase biodiversity, 5) Cleaning of the river surface, 6) Development of ‘Ganga Grams’ in Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and 7) Creating public awareness to avoid adding pollutants in to the river even in the form of rituals. Q. 5 Explain any three consequences of air pollution. Give the steps to reduce air pollution. Or “Air pollution is very harmful to flora, fauna and property.” Explain Or Explain any three effects of air pollution on human life. Or How is air pollution harmful? Explain any three different causes of air pollution. Or Explain three ill effects of air pollution on human health in India. (NCERT Page No. 135 & 136) (3)  Answer Key Points: -  Effects of Air Pollution: - 1) Air pollution cause many diseases related to lungs, skin and throat. 2) Air pollution affects respiratory and nervous system and also can cause of death. 3) The air pollution modifies weather and climate leads to ‘Greenhouse’ effect and ‘Global Warming’. 4) Air pollution can also cause acid rain. 5) It causes smoky fog over cities called as urban smog which is very harmful to human, flora and fauna and to property. E.g. in India i2500 people died in Bhopal in 1984 due to leakage of MIC in the air. 6) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) cause depletion of ozone layer which enables ultraviolet rays of the sun to reach the earth and increase atmospheric temperature.  Sources of Air Pollution: - 1) Natural Resources: - Such as volcanic eruption, dust, storm, fires etc. 2) Factories: - Factories cause smoke, ash. 3) Automobiles: - Automobiles release carbon monoxide & lead in the atmosphere. Transport and farming are the main actions that have been directly linked to emissions. Forest fires and the burning of living, or recently living organisms, represent a further major sources of  10 emission.  Steps to Reduce Air Pollution: - 1) More and more trees should be grown. 2) Use of fossil fuels should be reduced. 3) Public transport should be used instead of personal transport system. 4) People should be aware about the bad impacts of air pollution. 5) Use of inorganic and plastic products should be reduced. 6) The agricultural and other wastes should not be burned. 7) Use of ACs and Refrigerators should be reduced. 8) Power saving devices should be used. 9) Human and animal wastes should be properly decomposed. Q. 6 How has noise pollution become hazardous in many big cities of India? How this can be reduced. Explain with example. Or Give some measures to reduce noise pollution. (NCERT Page No. 136) (3)  Answer Key Points: - 1) Industrialisation has led to an increase in noise pollution as the use of heavy machinery such as generators, mills, huge exhaust fans are used, resulting in the production of unwanted noise. 2) Traffic noise is the biggest sources of air pollution as its intensity and nature depend upon the type of aircraft, vehicle, train and the condition of road. 3) Weddings, public gatherings involve loudspeakers to play music resulting in the production of unwanted noise in the neighbourhood. 4) Mining, construction of buildings, etc. add to the noise pollution.  Steps to Reduce Noise Pollution: - 1) We should avoid loud music which is major source of noise pollution in family environment. 2) Firecrackers are another major source of noise and air pollution so we should not use them.  11 3) Factories and industries should be established for from human settlements. 4) Pressure horns should not be used. 5) Turn off the engine of the car motorbike and other means of transport when they are not in use especially on signals. 6) Volume of radio TV computer should be in control. Q. 7 Why has the oceanic noise increased in the last forty years? Give reasons. (NCERT Page No. 136) (3)  Answer Key Points: - A study by Scripps Institute of Oceanography has revealed that oceanic noise has increased tenfold since the 1960’s. The reasons are as: - 1) It is due to the vast increase in the volume of global shipping trade. 2) The higher speed of vessels. 3) The population has increased around the globe in recent decades. 4) Increase in marine activity (exploration of petroleum and natural gas etc.; collection of marine food). 5) Increase in naval activities. Q. 8 Mention major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India. Or Urban waste disposal is a serious problem in India. Why? Or Why is the ‘Urban Waste Disposal’ a serious problem in India? Explain any three reasons. Or “The urban waste should be properly treated as a resource for various needs of mankind.” Explain the values that can help in changing the urban waste into resources. (NCERT Page No. 136 & 137) (3)  Answer Key Points: - Solid waste refers to a variety of old and used articles, For example stained small pieces of metals, broken glassware, plastic containers, polythene bags, ashes, floppies, CD’s, etc. dumped at different places. 1) Urban waste disposal is a serious problem in India. In metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, etc., about 90 per cent of the solid waste is collected and disposed.  12 2) In most of the cities and towns in the country about 30 -50% of the waste generated are left uncollected material which lying on streets comma in open spaces and waste lands leading to serious health hazards. 3) The urban waste material increases the water pollution because it is washed into streams and other sources of water. 4) They add into atmosphere and cause air pollution. 5) The solid material plastic and other synthetic materials take much time to decompose the cause soil degradation. 6) Synthetic and plastic products add into sewage system and create sewage problems. 7) Untreated wastes decompose slowly and release toxic gases into the atmosphere including Methane. Q. 9 Explain the ways / strategies to overcome the problem of urban waste disposal. (Value ßased) (3)  Answer Key Points: - 1) Segregating the organic and inorganic waste at the source (household). 2) Using the waste water of wash basin for flushing off the toilets. 3) Using the waste water from the water purification system (e.g. RO) for washing clothes/cars/other cleaning purposes. 4) Avoid single-use food and drink containers and utensils. 5) Using a reusable bottle/cup for beverages on-the-go. 6) Using dry leaves and other garden waste as a manure after decomposing it in a pit made in backyard. 7) Buy secondhand items and donate used goods. 8) Waste treatment plants should be established. 9) Purchase wisely and recycle. 10) Installing rain water harvesting system in houses/apartments etc. and later on using the same water for gardening purposes. Q. 10 Which problems have arisen due to increasing urban population in developing countries? Or What are the impacts of rural – urban migration in India? Or Describe urbanisation in India and discuss its problems. (NCERT Page No. 138 & 139) (3)  Answer Key Points: -  13  Drawbacks/ limitations of Urbanisation: - 1) Due to urbanisation congestion is increased in cities which lead to other problems. 2) Due to in-migration in cities become overcrowded and there is excessive pressure on land. 3) Migration also leads to unemployment in cities. 4) Lack of housing leads to development of slums around urban areas. 5) Unemployment also leads to anti-social activities and drug oriented activities. 6) Overcrowding due to urbanisation also leads to poor sanitation and health services. 7) Urbanisation increases different types of environmental pollution. 8) Urban waste disposal (solid and liquid wastes) is a major problem of migration in cities. 9) Urbanisation laid pressure on existing services and decreases inadequate facilities to support the fast growing population.  Advantages of Urbanisation: - 1) Migration towards urban areas provides better employment opportunities to people. 2) Urbanisation also leads to wide range of services in cities. 3) Due to urbanisation of cheap labour available in cities. 4) Urbanisation also positively affects standard of living as people demand advance services of different fields. 5) Urbanisation gives an opportunity to the people to take advantage of high class of society as urban areas offer better services of health, education, employment and other professional services.  14 Q. 11 The largest slum Dharavi exhibits many contradictory elements. What are these? Explain. (NCERT Page No. 140) (3)  Answer Key Points: -  Problems of Dharavi: - 1) Only one main road traverses the slum, the miscalled ‘ninety-foot road’, which has been reduced to less than half of that for most of its length. 2) Some of the side alleys and lanes are so narrow that not even a bicycle can pass. The whole neighborhood consists of temporary buildings, two or three storeyed high with rusty iron stairways to the upper part, where a single room is rented by a whole family, sometimes accommodating twelve or more people. 3) Dharavi is place of shadowless, treeless sunlight, uncollected garbage, and stagnant pools of foul water, where the only non-human creatures are the shining black crows and long grey rats.  Positive aspects of Dharavi: - 1) Some of the most beautiful, valuable and useful articles in India are made. 2) From Dharavi come delicate ceramics and pottery, exquisite embroidery and zari work, sophisticated leather goods, high-fashion garments, finely-wrought metalwork, delicate jewelry settings, wood carvings and furniture that would find its way into the richest houses, both in India and abroad. Q. 12 Describe the problem of slums in India. Or Analyse any three major problems of slum dweller in India. Or Write a note on the life of people living in slums. (NCERT Page No. 141) (3)  15  Answer Key Points: - 1) Slums have not such type of basic facilities like drinking water, sanitation, sewage system and other facilities of electricity and toilet etc. 2) Poor hygienic conditions are found in the slum areas. 3) Slums have very compact houses that lack inflow of fresh air. 4) Slum areas are very congested so transportation facilities cannot be provided. 5) These areas also lack of parks, schools and other urban facilities. 6) Most of the slum population works in low paid high risk and unorganised sectors of urban economy. 7) Unemployment and poverty makes them unsafe and forces them to fall in the trap of drug abuse, alcoholism, crime and escapism etc. Q. 13 Explain the causes of soil pollution. Suggest some measures to reduce land degradation. Or Write a note on Land Pollution in India. Give some steps to reduce soil pollution. Or Mention sources of land pollution in India. Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation. Or ‘Land Degradation is caused by human made processes are more harmful than natural processes in India.’ Analyse the statement with suitable examples. (NCERT Page No. 141 & 142) (3/5)  Answer Key Points: -  16 Land degradation is defined as the temporary or permanent decline in the productive capacity of the soil by its improper use normally for agricultural industrial and urban purposes.  Causes of Soil Pollution/ Land Degradation: - 1) Over Irrigation: - Irrigation changes the structure of the soil. Because of over irrigation, saline areas increased in northern plains of country. 2) Excessive Use of Chemical Fertilisers: - Reckless use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides degrades the soil by destroying their natural, physical, chemical and biological properties. They increase salinity and reduce water-holding capacity of the soil.  17 3) Industrial Wastes: - Improper disposal of industrial and urban wastes and irrigation of agricultural fields with polluted urban sewage water degrade the soil. The toxic chemical substances of industrial effluents and urban sewage enter the soil mostly in their neighborhoods and pollute them. 4) Pollutants Emitted by Chimneys: - Many gaseous and solid pollutants emitted by the factory’s chimney are transported by winds. These pollutants containing toxic substances are deposited on soils and pollute them. 5) Acid Rain: - Sulphur emitted from factories cause acid rain which increases the acidity of the soils. Pollutants from cement factories like kilns, coal mining and transport vehicles, thermal power plants, etc., also pollute the soils on a large scale.  18 6) Overuse of Soil: - Overuse of soil as a natural resource for various purposes and same cropping pattern adopted by farmers every year is another main reason of land degradation. 7) Natural Events: - Some natural hazards like droughts and floods also cause soil pollution.  Measures to Reduce Land Degradation: - 1) A proper training should be given to the farmers about the use of chemical fertilizers. 2) Industrial waste water should be recycled and after proper treatment it should be used for various purposes. 3) Plastic is not easily decomposed so its use should be restricted. 4) Waste vegetables and human waste should be converted into manure. 5) Urban wastage and municipal garbage should be properly decomposed. This should not be thrown into water and near agricultural lands.  19 6) Slum dwellers should be provided the toilet facilities. 7) In agricultural activities mixed farming and crop rotation should be implemented. Q. 14 Examine the success of watershed management programme implemented in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. (NCERT Page No. 142) (3)  Answer Key Points: - 1) Jhabua is a backward district in Madhya Pradesh with high tribal population. People suffer due to poverty caused by resource degradation. 2) The watershed management programme funded by both the ministries of “Rural Development” and “Agriculture”, Government of India has helped in preventing land degradation and improving soil quality. 3) It emphasized on the holistic development with community participation. 4) The Ministry of Rural Development has treated 20% of the area in the district. 5) The Bhils have restored large parts of community resource. Each household planted at least one tree. Stall feeding of cattle has been introduced and they have developed pastures which will sustain their cattle as well. 6) The villagers are proud and confident of their common property resources.  20 Q.1. What do we throw away? Why? Answer: - Over 32 % by weight of what we throw away falls into the “organics” category (food waste, wood, and yard waste). The next largest category (26 %) consists of paper products (cardboard, newsprint, office paper and compostable paper). Proper waste disposal is beneficial to the environment. Without it, the land and its underlying resources are prone to contamination. And contamination can lead to various diseases and other health concerns. In the past, it has been a common practice to burn waste at the landfill or in the backyard. Q.2. Where does our waste end up? Answer: - The landfill is the most popular destination for solid waste, by a wide margin. Some cities, like San Francisco and Seattle, are able to recycle more than they send to landfills, but the majority of the U.S. sends their trash to the dump. Q.3. Why do rag pickers sort out rubbish dumps? Does it have some value? Answer: - Ragpickers sustain themselves by collecting, sorting and segregating waste and then trading it. In doing so, they help clean up a significant proportion of the 62 million tonnes of waste generated annually in India. More than 90% of India does not have a proper waste disposal system. Q.4. Is our urban waste worth anything? Answer: - The value of waste materials differs from one fraction to another, and is related to the value of waste materials, recyclability of the material, quality and purity of the materials, demand for the materials etc. Q.5. Have you visited a slum? Visit a slum in your city, and write about the problems faced by slum dwellers. Answer: - Q.6. Why is the children of slum-dwellers deprived of school education? Answer: - 1) This is mainly due to the lack of quality teachers in the educational system. 2) Due to lack of proper facilities at the educational centers like the lack of computer labs. 3) The children mainly have to face the financial issue so the parent can't send to the quality schools which have higher fees. 4) The students have lack of courage due to higher numbers the teachers don't pay attention to everyone. Q. 1 Multiple choice questions. (i) Which one of the following river is highly polluted?  21 (a) Brahmaputra (b) Satluj (c) Yamuna (d) Godavari (ii) Which one of the following deseases is caused by water pollution? (a) Conjunctivitis (b) Diarrhorea (c) Respiratory infections (d) Bronchitis (iii) Which one of the following is the cause of acid rain? (a) Water pollution (b) Land pollution (c) Noise pollution (d) Air pollution (iv) Push and pull factors are responsible for– (a) Migration (b) Land degradation (c) Slums (d) Air pollution Q. 2 Answer the following briefly in not more than 30 words. (i) What is the difference between pollution and pollutants? Answer: - (ii) Describe the major source of air pollution. Answer: - (iii) Mention major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India. Answer: - (iv) What are the effects of air pollution on human health? Answer: - Q. 3. Write the answers of the following questions in 150 words. (i) Describe the nature of water pollution in India. Answer: - (ii) Describe the problem of slums in India. Answer: - (iii) Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation. Answer: -