\n5. Not a sustainable model.<\/td>\n | This is a more sustainable model.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Question 7. \nWhat are the consequences of over-exploitation of our natural resources? \nAnswer: \nOver-exploitation of natural resources leads to a crisis as we soon run out of these resources. Over-exploitation also \nresults in destruction, degradation and extinction of our natural resources. In addition, over-exploitation of natural resources causes several environmental problems including pollution, loss of habitat, ecological imbalance and so on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Question 8. \nWhat is conservation of natural resources? \nAnswer: \nThe proper management and use of natural resources for the benefit of all forms of life and for ensuring sustainable development and to prevent their abuse, over-exploitation, destruction or degradation is known as conservation.<\/p>\n Question 9. \nWhy should we conserve our natural resources? \nAnswer: \nWe need to conserve our natural resources in order to:<\/p>\n \n- Ensure sustainable use as natural resources are limited.<\/li>\n
- Maintain ecological balance, which is critical for supporting life forms.<\/li>\n
- Preserve different species of organisms.<\/li>\n
- Make resources available for both present and future generations.<\/li>\n
- To preserve biodiversity.<\/li>\n
- To avert a possible crisis arising from the scarcity of natural resources.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 10. \nWrite a brief note on Ganga Action Plan (GAP). \nAnswer: \nRiver Ganga that extends from Gangotri in the Himalayas to Gangasagar in the Bay of Bengal is one of the highly polluted rivers in the world. Several cities and towns of many states located on the banks of the river dump garbage and sewage into the river.<\/p>\n The pollution of the river is also caused by other human activities like bathing, washing of clothes and immersion of ashes or unburned corpses. All these led to heavy pollution of the river. Awareness regarding pollution of Ganga has prompted Government of India to undertake the task of cleaning up Ganga.<\/p>\n Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission approved as a Flagship Programme by the Union Government in June 2014. It was launched to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution conservation and rejuvenation of River Ganga. The National Mission for Clean Ganga is the implementation wing set up in October 2016.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Question 11. \nWhat are the five R’s of environmental conservation? Explain each of them briefly.<\/p>\n OR<\/p>\n List the advantages of \u2018reduce\u2019 and \u2018reuse\u2019 to save environment. \nAnswer: \nThe five R’s of environmental conservation refer to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle. \n1. Refuse: \nThis means to say \u2018no\u2019 to things people offer you that you don’t need. Refuse to buy products that can harm you and the environment.<\/p>\n 2. Reduce: \nThis refers to limiting the use of resources. We must use a resource when it is absolutely essential and use it only as long as it is necessary. We must save resources wherever possible. We must also reduce the production of waste materials, which affects the environment adversely. Sometimes we purchase items that we don’t really need.<\/p>\n Other times we purchase items that may have more packaging than is necessary. When we make decisions with these issues in mind, we either stop using environmentally unfriendly products or reduce their use. By doing these we proactively help to conserve the health of our environment.<\/p>\n 3. Reuse: \nThis is a very effective strategy for resource conservation and environmental health. In the \u2018reuse\u2019 strategy, we simply use things again and again. In this strategy, we may use a material more than once either for the same purpose or for a different purpose. Reusing of resources is actually an effective strategy because this process neither requires fresh raw materials nor energy for reprocessing.<\/p>\n 4. Repurpose: \nThis means when a product can no more be used for the original purpose, use it for some other useful purpose.<\/p>\n 5. Recycle: \nThis principle calls for using the same resource by recycling it. Many of the substances that we use such as plastic, paper, water etc., can be recycled and used again. This is not only economical but also environment-friendly. This puts lesser pressure on fresh raw materials, makes available materials at cheaper cost and reduces waste. Recycling involves turning the old material into a new version of the same thing or into something completely different. This requires reprocessing of the materials.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Question 12. \n\u201cPractice of reuse and recycle of materials will contribute to maintain sustainability of the \nenvironment\u201d. Support this statement with reasons. \nAnswer: \nThe concept of sustainable development encourages forms of growth that meet current basic human needs while preserving the resources for the needs of future generations. Sustainable development depends upon the willingness of people to change their perceptions of the socio-economic and environmental conditions around them, and the readiness of each individual to alter their present use of natural resources.<\/p>\n 1. Reuse: \nReuse means using a product more than once, either for the same purpose (for example returnable glass milk bottles) or for a different purpose (such as old jam jars for food storage). Repairing products, selling them or donating them to charity\/community groups is also reusing.<\/p>\n 2. Recycle: \nRecycling is a way to manage waste materials once they have been generated if they can\u2019t be reused. It prevents waste from being sent to landfill and makes waste into new goods or products. This can involve turning the old material into a new version of the same thing or into something completely different. For example, used glass bottles can be recycled into new bottles or they can be recycled into road materials for use in construction projects.<\/p>\n Question 13. \nWhat measures would you take to reduce the consumption of electricity in your home? \nAnswer: \nThe following measures will help to reduce the consumption of electricity:<\/p>\n \n- Use of solar cookers and solar water heating systems.<\/li>\n
- Switching off of fans and lights when they are not needed.<\/li>\n
- Using natural light and wind during daytime.<\/li>\n
- Replacing incandescent lamps with LED bulbs.<\/li>\n
- Avoiding unnecessary use of electrical gadgets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 14. \nList some resources that we use in our daily life whose consumption can be reduced. Give specific examples as to how we can reduce their use. \nAnswer: \nSome of the resources whose use can be reduced include water, paper, electricity, plastic, food and so on.<\/p>\n \n- We can stop the wastage of water by stopping leakage of taps.<\/li>\n
- We can reduce the use of water to some extent when we bathe or wash.<\/li>\n
- We can switch off lights and fans when they are really not needed.<\/li>\n
- We can use natural light and breeze whenever and wherever possible. This reduces the consumption of electricity.<\/li>\n
- We can reduce use of plastic bags by using cloth bags. Cloth bags can be used again and again.<\/li>\n
- Wastage of food should be avoided.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 15. \nName some items that can be reused. \nAnswer: \nMany of the things that we use in our day-to-day life can be reused. Such items include bottles, cloth bags, old clothes, furniture, old doors, and newspapers.<\/p>\n Question 16. \nList some materials that can be recycled. \nAnswer: \nRecyclable materials include plastic, paper, glass and metal items.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Question 17. \nWhy do you think there should be equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources? \nAnswer: \nEvery person, irrespective of the socio-economic status, has equal right over the resources. All sections of the society must have access to resources and benefit from their use. No individual or group has sole right over the resources of the earth.<\/p>\n In fact the resources of the earth should be made available on priority to the needy, marginalized and the poor. This calls for equitable distribution of resources. Human greed, corruption, and the lobby of the rich and powerful are the forces working against an equitable distribution of resources.<\/p>\n Question 18. \nWhat changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly? \nAnswer: \nI would suggest the following to make my home environment-friendly:<\/p>\n \n- Ensure that there is no wastage of water.<\/li>\n
- Take steps to reduce the consumption of water to the extent possible.<\/li>\n
- Repair all the leaky taps to prevent wastage.<\/li>\n
- Use LED lamps instead of incandescent bulbs.<\/li>\n
- Conserve electricity to the extent possible.<\/li>\n
- Switch off lights and fans when they are not really required.<\/li>\n
- Make efforts to harvest rainwater.<\/li>\n
- Plant saplings near the house.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 19. \nCan you suggest some changes in your school that would make it environment-friendly? \nAnswer: \nSchools can take some of the following steps to make the school environment-friendly:<\/p>\n \n- There must be an awareness campaign in the school to sensitize all stakeholders to make environment-friendly choices.<\/li>\n
- Schools can initiate tree-planting programmes in and round the school.<\/li>\n
- Schools may use CNG instead of diesel in school buses.<\/li>\n
- Parents may be persuaded to go for vehicle pooling for sending children to school.<\/li>\n
- More and more children should be encouraged to either go on foot or to use bicycles when distances are small.<\/li>\n
- Schools must try to harvest rainwater, prevent water wastage and avoid lavish use of water.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n Question 20. \nWhat can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources? \nAnswer: \nI will take the following measures to conserve our natural resources:<\/p>\n \n- Reduce the consumption of electricity, use bicycle to travel short distances, use staircase instead of lift, switch off lights and fans when they are not needed and use LED bulbs. These measures help to conserve coal.<\/li>\n
- I will always use public transport instead of personal transport. I will resort to vehicle pooling whenever possible. This will help to conserve petroleum products.<\/li>\n
- I will stop all leakages in taps and reduce the consumption of water to the extent possible. This will help to conserve water.<\/li>\n
- I will never waste food.<\/li>\n
- I will adopt \u2018refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle\u2019 principle for the use of resources and for handling waste materials.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 21. \nList five things you have done over the last one week to:<\/p>\n \n- Conserve our natural resources.<\/li>\n
- Increase the pressure on our natural resources.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Answer: \n1. I have conserved natural resources during the last one week by the following activities:<\/p>\n |