Contemporary India - I: Resources and Development – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Soil conservation is crucial in India due to the country's heavy dependence on agriculture and the increasing threat of soil erosion and land degradation. It ensures sustainable agricultural productivity, maintains ecological balance, and prevents natural disasters like floods and droughts.

Here are three methods of soil conservation suitable for different regions:

• Contour Ploughing: This method involves ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to create a natural barrier for water flow. It is highly effective in hilly regions like the Western Ghats and Himalayan foothills to prevent soil erosion caused by rainwater.
• Terrace Farming: In steep slopes, terraces are built to reduce runoff and soil loss. This is commonly practiced in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where flat land is scarce.
• Shelter Belts: Rows of trees are planted to reduce wind speed and prevent wind erosion. This method is particularly useful in arid and semi-arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Additionally, practices like crop rotation and afforestation further enhance soil fertility and stability, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability.

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of resource management in India, it is crucial because:

• Resource conservation: India faces challenges like over-exploitation of groundwater, deforestation, and soil degradation. Sustainable practices ensure resources are used wisely, like promoting water harvesting to recharge groundwater.
• Environmental protection: Unsustainable practices lead to pollution and climate change. For example, shifting to renewable energy (solar/wind) reduces dependence on fossil fuels and cuts emissions.
• Economic stability: Overuse of resources can lead to scarcity and higher costs. Sustainable agriculture (e.g., organic farming) maintains soil fertility and ensures long-term productivity.
• Social equity: It ensures fair distribution of resources. For instance, community forest management (Joint Forest Management) involves local people in conservation, benefiting both ecology and livelihoods.

Examples:
1. The Chipko Movement in Uttarakhand highlighted sustainable forest use by preventing deforestation.
2. National Solar Mission promotes clean energy, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources.
3. Watershed development programs in Rajasthan have revived water resources through rainwater harvesting.

Thus, sustainable development balances economic growth, environmental care, and social justice, ensuring resources last for future generations.

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of resource management, it ensures that natural resources are used judiciously to prevent depletion and environmental degradation.

In India, sustainable development is crucial because:

• Resource Scarcity: India has limited non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum. Overexploitation can lead to their exhaustion, affecting industries and livelihoods.
• Environmental Balance: Unsustainable practices like deforestation and excessive mining disrupt ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
• Economic Stability: Sustainable practices ensure long-term availability of resources, supporting industries and agriculture, which are vital for India's economy.

Examples of sustainable practices in India include:

• Afforestation: Programs like Van Mahotsav promote tree plantation to restore forests.
• Renewable Energy: Solar and wind energy projects reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting and watershed management ensure water availability.

By adopting sustainable development, India can achieve economic growth while preserving the environment for future generations.

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In India, where resources are unevenly distributed and often overexploited, sustainable development ensures long-term ecological balance and economic growth.

The significance of sustainable development in resource management includes:

• Conservation of resources: Prevents depletion of non-renewable resources like coal and minerals.
• Environmental protection: Reduces pollution and degradation caused by excessive resource extraction.
• Equitable distribution: Ensures fair access to resources for all sections of society.

Two measures to promote sustainable development are:

• Afforestation and water management: Planting trees and adopting rainwater harvesting techniques to replenish natural resources.
• Use of renewable energy: Shifting to solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

By adopting these practices, India can achieve a balance between development and environmental conservation, ensuring resources for future generations.

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In India, it is crucial for balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.

Significance:

• Ensures long-term availability of resources like water, forests, and minerals.
• Reduces environmental degradation and pollution.
• Promotes social equity by ensuring fair distribution of resources.

Measures to promote sustainable development:

• Afforestation: Planting trees to restore degraded lands and maintain ecological balance.
• Renewable energy adoption: Using solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

By implementing these measures, India can achieve sustainable growth while preserving its natural resources.

Soil erosion is the removal of the top fertile layer of soil by natural forces like wind and water. In India, the major types are:

• Water erosion: Caused by heavy rainfall, leading to gullies and ravines (e.g., Chambal basin).
• Wind erosion: Common in arid regions like Rajasthan, where loose soil is blown away.
• Sheet erosion: Uniform removal of soil in thin layers due to flowing water.

Prevention methods:

• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contours to reduce water flow.
• Afforestation: Planting trees to bind the soil with roots.
• Terrace farming: Creating steps on slopes to slow down water runoff.

These methods help maintain soil fertility and support agricultural productivity.

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In India, where resources are unevenly distributed and often overexploited, sustainable development ensures long-term ecological balance and economic growth.

The significance of sustainable development includes:

• Conservation of resources: Prevents depletion of non-renewable resources like coal and minerals.
• Environmental protection: Reduces pollution and degradation of land, water, and air.
• Social equity: Ensures fair distribution of resources among all sections of society.

Two measures to promote sustainable development are:

• Afforestation: Planting trees helps restore degraded land, prevents soil erosion, and maintains biodiversity.
• Use of renewable energy: Shifting to solar, wind, and hydropower reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes environmental harm.

By adopting these practices, India can achieve balanced growth while preserving resources for future generations.

Soil erosion is the removal of the top fertile layer of soil by natural forces like wind, water, or human activities. In India, the major types of soil erosion are:

• Water erosion: Caused by heavy rainfall or floods, common in hilly regions like the Himalayas.
• Wind erosion: Occurs in arid regions like Rajasthan where loose soil is blown away by strong winds.
• Gully erosion: Formation of deep channels due to unchecked water flow, seen in Chambal ravines.

Two methods to prevent soil erosion are:

• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the natural contours of the land slows water flow and reduces erosion. Example: Practiced in Himalayan terraced farms.
• Shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees to block wind and reduce its speed. Example: Used in Rajasthan to protect crops from sandstorms.

These methods help maintain soil fertility and support agricultural productivity.

Soil conservation is crucial in India due to the country's heavy dependence on agriculture and the increasing threat of soil degradation. Soil erosion, caused by factors like deforestation, overgrazing, and improper farming practices, leads to loss of fertile topsoil, reduced agricultural productivity, and environmental imbalance. Conserving soil ensures sustainable farming, maintains biodiversity, and prevents natural disasters like floods and landslides.

Three effective methods of soil conservation suitable for different regions are:

• Contour Ploughing: Practiced in hilly areas, this involves ploughing along the contour lines to slow water flow and prevent soil erosion.
• Terrace Farming: Used in mountainous regions like the Himalayas, terraces reduce soil erosion by creating flat steps on slopes.
• Shelter Belts: In arid regions like Rajasthan, planting rows of trees reduces wind speed and prevents soil erosion by wind.

Adopting these methods helps preserve soil fertility and supports long-term agricultural sustainability.

Resources can be classified based on ownership into four categories:

• Individual Resources: Owned privately by individuals, e.g., farmland, houses.
• Community Resources: Accessible to all members of a community, e.g., village ponds, grazing grounds.
• National Resources: Owned by the nation, e.g., forests, minerals, and water resources within the country.
• International Resources: Regulated by international institutions, e.g., oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles.

This classification impacts resource management in India by determining how resources are allocated and conserved. For instance, national resources like forests are protected by laws to prevent overexploitation, while community resources require collective responsibility for sustainable use. Proper classification ensures equitable distribution and prevents conflicts over resource usage, promoting balanced economic growth and environmental conservation.