Natural Resources – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Two ways to use the river:
1. Building canals or pipelines: Diverting river water to fields and homes using small canals or pipes can provide a steady water supply.
2. Installing water pumps: Hand pumps or electric pumps can draw river water for daily use and irrigation.

Importance of conserving water:
Water is a limited resource, and wasting it can lead to shortages. Conserving water ensures:

• Enough supply for drinking, farming, and animals.
• Healthy ecosystems in rivers and lakes.
• Future generations will also have access to clean water.

Affected natural resources:
1. Forests (trees and plants)
2. Wildlife (animals and birds)
3. Air and water (polluted by smoke and waste).

Measures to reduce harm:
1. Install filters in factory chimneys to reduce smoke pollution.
2. Treat waste before releasing it into rivers or land to protect soil and water.

Factories must follow environmental rules to keep nature safe for everyone.

Effects of tree cutting:
1. Deforestation: Loss of trees reduces oxygen and harms animals.
2. Soil erosion: Without tree roots, soil washes away during rains.
3. Air pollution: Burning wood releases harmful smoke.

Alternative energy sources:
1. Solar energy: Using solar cookers or panels is clean and renewable.
2. Biogas: Made from cow dung or kitchen waste, it’s a smokeless fuel.

Switching to these helps protect forests and keeps the air clean.

Here are three effective methods to conserve water:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater in tanks or pits helps recharge groundwater and reduces dependence on wells.
• Drip Irrigation: Using pipes to deliver water directly to plant roots minimizes wastage compared to traditional methods.
• Fixing Leaks: Repairing leaking taps and pipes prevents unnecessary water loss, saving thousands of liters annually.

These methods ensure sustainable water use and protect this precious natural resource for future generations.

Deforestation has severe consequences:

• Loss of Biodiversity: Cutting down trees destroys habitats, endangering plants and animals.
• Climate Change: Trees absorb carbon dioxide; fewer trees mean more greenhouse gases, increasing global warming.

To reduce deforestation, we can promote afforestation—planting new trees to replace the ones cut down. This helps maintain ecological balance and protects natural resources like soil and air.

Cleaner alternatives to firewood include:

• Biogas: Made from organic waste, it burns cleanly and reduces smoke pollution.
• Solar Cookers: They use sunlight, a renewable resource, eliminating harmful emissions.

These alternatives reduce air pollution, protect forests (since no trees are cut for firewood), and promote sustainable energy use. Switching to them helps preserve natural resources and keeps the environment healthy.

The pond is a renewable natural resource because it refills during the monsoon season.

Conserving such resources is important because:

• They provide water for drinking, irrigation, and daily needs.
• They support aquatic life and maintain the ecosystem.
• Preventing overuse ensures availability for future generations.

Additionally, ponds help recharge groundwater and prevent soil erosion.

Solar energy is a renewable and inexhaustible resource, while coal is a non-renewable and exhaustible resource.

Environmental impact:

• Solar energy is clean, produces no pollution, and reduces carbon emissions.
• Coal burning releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, causing air pollution and climate change.

Using solar energy also conserves coal for future needs.

The two main consequences of deforestation are:

• Loss of biodiversity as animals and plants lose their habitat.
• Increase in air pollution due to reduced oxygen production and higher carbon dioxide levels.

One way to balance development and conservation is by practicing afforestation—planting new trees in another area to compensate for the loss.

Another method is to use sustainable land-use planning, ensuring forests are only partially used while preserving critical areas.

The natural resources involved here are water and fish. The pond is a source of freshwater, which is essential for irrigation and fishing activities.

To conserve these resources, villagers can:

• Practice rainwater harvesting to recharge the pond.
• Avoid overfishing to maintain the fish population.
• Plant trees around the pond to prevent soil erosion and maintain water levels.
• Reduce chemical use in farming to prevent water pollution.

Conserving these resources ensures long-term benefits for the community and the environment.

Forests are natural resources because they provide oxygen, timber, medicinal plants, and habitat for wildlife. They also help in maintaining the water cycle and preventing soil erosion.

Deforestation affects the environment in the following ways:

• Loss of biodiversity as animals lose their homes.
• Increased carbon dioxide levels, leading to climate change.
• Soil erosion, which makes land less fertile.
• Disruption of the water cycle, causing droughts or floods.

Protecting forests is crucial for a balanced ecosystem and human survival.

Sunlight is a natural resource because it is a renewable and inexhaustible source of energy. It is freely available and does not deplete with use.

Advantages of solar energy over coal:

• It does not produce pollution or greenhouse gases.
• It is sustainable and reduces dependence on finite resources like coal.
• Solar panels require minimal maintenance and can be installed in remote areas.
• It helps in combating climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

Using solar energy promotes a cleaner and greener environment for future generations.