Social Studies SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS [3M - GEOGRAPHY]

1. Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes. This is contour ploughing.
2. Steps can be cut out on the slopes maping terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts erosion.
3. Strip cropping is a very effective method of soil conservation or controlling soil erosion.

Large fields are divided into strips and strips of grass are left to grow between the crops.

The features of Alluvial soil:

1. This is the most widely spread and important soil. The entire northern plains of our country are made of alluvial soil.
2. Alluvial soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of several crops like Sugarcane, Paddy, Wheat and Pulses.
3. The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.

• Ploughing across contour-lines.
• Making use of terrace farming techniques.
• Using strips of grasses to check soil erosion by wind and water.

Abiotic Resources: The resources which are composed of non-living things are called Abiotic Resources.

1. Renewable resources.
2. Non-Renewable resources.

Characteristics of Renewable Resources:-

1. They can be renewed or reproduced.
2. Available in abundance.
3. Cause no pollution.
4. They may be continuous or flow resources.
5. Examples: Solar, Wind Energy, Forest & wildlife, etc.

1. Soil is considered as a resource because it is used to satisfy our needs.
2. Soil is the most important renewable natural resource.
3. It is a living system.
4. It is the medium of plant growth.
5. It supports different types of living organism on the earth.

It involves:

1. Identification and keeping record of resources which involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
2. Developing a planning structure with proper technology, skill and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
3. Comparing the resource development plans with overall national develop ment plans.

1. Resources are vital for any develop mental activity.
2. Irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems.
3. Resources are overexploited by some greedy and selfish individuals. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is important.

1. They themselves were exploiting the natural resources to fulfill the demand of their home nation for raw material.
2. It was the trade that enabled the British government to rule over the vast nation (India) and in order to meet the demand of trade and expand imperial power, the imperial administration exploited numerous natural resources of India.

1. In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the First International Earth Summit. The summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level. In 2012, 172 nations participated in Rio Earth summit which was held from 13 to 22 June 2012.
2. Agenda 21 was the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which aimed at achieving global sustainable development. It is an agenda to fight environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.

The objectives or principles of the Agenda 21 are as follows:

1. Achieving global sustainable development.
2. Combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.
3. Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.