Geography - Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Soil conservation is vital to prevent erosion and maintain fertility. Our textbook shows how ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley used terracing.

• Contour ploughing in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh.
• Afforestation projects like Van Mahotsav.
• Building check dams in Rajasthan under Watershed Development.

Today, soil health cards help farmers monitor nutrients. Unscientific farming still degrades land, making conservation urgent.

Water scarcity disrupts agriculture and health. Our textbook mentions droughts in Maharashtra (2013).

• Chennai’s 2019 crisis forced tanker dependence.
• Farmers in Punjab overusing tubewells deplete groundwater.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan promotes rainwater harvesting.

Women walk miles for water in Rajasthan. Conflicts arise between states like Karnataka-Tamil Nadu over Cauvery.

India has diverse vegetation due to varied climate. Our textbook maps show tropical forests in Kerala and mangroves in Sundarbans.

• Teak from Madhya Pradesh for furniture.
• Medicinal plants like neem from Rajasthan.
• Bamboo in Northeast for paper industry.

Deforestation for urbanization threatens biodiversity. Projects like Green India Mission aim to restore forests.

Wildlife faces habitat loss and poaching. Our textbook mentions Project Tiger (1973) to save Bengal tigers.

• Kaziranga National Park protects one-horned rhinos.
• Illegal hunting of snow leopards in Himalayas.
• Community reserves like Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan.

Eco-tourism boosts income but pollution harms species. Awareness campaigns like Save the Sparrow help.

Land use varies by needs. Our textbook contrasts Punjab’s farms with Mumbai’s skyscrapers.

• Rural: 60% land for agriculture (e.g., wheat in Haryana).
• Urban: Commercial hubs like Bengaluru’s IT parks.
• Wasteland reclamation in Gujarat’s Suramin project.

Smart cities reduce pressure on rural land. However, urban sprawl destroys fertile fields.

Soil is vital for agriculture, but erosion degrades it. Our textbook shows how ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley used terracing.

• Contour ploughing: Farmers in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh plough across slopes.
• Shelterbelts: Rows of trees in Rajasthan reduce wind erosion.
• Crop rotation: Punjab farmers alternate wheat with legumes to retain nutrients.

Today, urban sprawl threatens soil. Projects like ‘Soil Health Cards’ promote awareness.

Water scarcity disrupts ecosystems. Our textbook mentions the Thar Desert, where low rainfall limits vegetation.

• Deforestation: In Rajasthan, fewer trees grow due to droughts.
• Reduced biodiversity: The Sundarbans face mangrove loss as freshwater flow decreases.
• Adaptation: Cacti in Gujarat store water to survive.

Chennai’s 2019 water crisis highlighted how urban demand harms green cover. Conservation is urgent.

Humans have hunted animals like cheetahs to extinction, as studied in our textbook.

• Poaching: Tigers in Sundarbans are killed for skin.
• Habitat loss: Delhi’s expansion destroyed sparrow nests.
• Pollution: Ganga’s dolphins suffer from industrial waste.

Projects like ‘Project Elephant’ protect species, but urban growth remains a challenge.

Our textbook explains how coal (non-renewable) fueled the Industrial Revolution, while windmills (renewable) have been used for centuries.

• Renewable: Solar plants in Gujarat harness sunlight.
• Non-renewable: Jharia coal mines are depleting.
• Sustainability: Kerala uses biogas from waste.

India’s solar mission promotes renewables, but coal still dominates energy needs.

Forests like the Amazon act as ‘lungs of the Earth.’ Our textbook mentions how the Western Ghats regulate rainfall.

• Oxygen production: Mangroves in Odisha absorb CO₂.
• Soil protection: Himalayan forests prevent landslides.
• Wildlife support: Kaziranga’s grasses feed rhinos.

Deforestation for cities like Mumbai harms air quality. Afforestation drives are critical.

Soil conservation is crucial because soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth, agriculture, and ecosystems. Without healthy soil, food production would decline, leading to food shortages and economic problems. Soil erosion, caused by factors like deforestation, overgrazing, and improper farming, degrades soil quality.

Three effective methods to prevent soil erosion are:

• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the natural contours of the land slows water flow, reducing soil loss. Example: Farmers in hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh use this method.
• Terrace Farming: Creating flat steps on slopes prevents water from washing away soil. Example: Rice cultivation in the Himalayas uses terraces.
• Afforestation: Planting trees stabilizes soil with roots and reduces wind erosion. Example: The Van Mahotsav initiative promotes tree planting across India.

By adopting these methods, we can protect soil for future generations and maintain ecological balance.

India's water resources are unevenly distributed due to variations in rainfall, geography, and population density. Regions like the Brahmaputra basin have abundant water, while states like Rajasthan face scarcity. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater are primary sources, but overuse and pollution threaten their sustainability.

Two major challenges of water scarcity are:

• Over-extraction of Groundwater: Excessive use for agriculture depletes underground reserves, leading to falling water tables.
  Solution: Promote drip irrigation to reduce water wastage in farming.
• Pollution of Water Bodies: Industrial waste and sewage contaminate rivers, making water unsafe.
  Solution: Implement stricter laws like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act to regulate waste disposal.

Addressing these challenges ensures sustainable water availability for drinking, agriculture, and industries.

Soil conservation is crucial because soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth, agriculture, and ecosystems. Without healthy soil, food production would decline, leading to food shortages and environmental degradation. Soil erosion, caused by factors like deforestation, overgrazing, and improper farming, can lead to loss of fertile topsoil, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased pollution in water bodies.

Three effective methods to prevent soil erosion are:

• Afforestation: Planting trees helps bind the soil with roots, reducing the impact of wind and water erosion.
• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the natural contours of the land slows water flow, preventing soil from being washed away.
• Terrace Farming: Creating steps or terraces on slopes reduces water runoff and soil loss, commonly used in hilly areas.

Additionally, practices like crop rotation and using organic manure improve soil fertility and structure, further aiding conservation efforts.

India's water resources are unevenly distributed due to variations in rainfall, geography, and population density. Regions like the Brahmaputra valley and Western Ghats receive abundant rainfall, while areas like Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat face water scarcity. Rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers are the primary sources, but their availability varies seasonally.

Two major challenges related to water availability are:

• Overexploitation of Groundwater: Excessive use for agriculture and industries has led to declining water tables, especially in Punjab and Haryana.
• Pollution of Water Bodies: Industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff contaminate rivers and lakes, making water unsafe for consumption.

To address these issues, rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and stricter pollution control measures are essential.

Soil conservation is crucial because soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth, agriculture, and ecosystems. Without healthy soil, food production would decline, leading to food shortages and environmental degradation. Soil erosion, caused by factors like deforestation, overgrazing, and improper farming, can deplete fertile topsoil, reducing land productivity.

Three effective methods to prevent soil erosion are:

• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the natural contours of the land slows water flow, reducing soil washout. Example: Farmers in hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh use this method.
• Afforestation: Planting trees helps bind soil with roots and reduces wind/water erosion. Example: The Van Mahotsav initiative promotes tree planting.
• Terrace Farming: Creating steps on slopes prevents soil from being washed away. Example: Rice cultivation in the Himalayan foothills uses terraces.

These methods ensure sustainable land use and protect biodiversity, making soil conservation essential for future generations.

India's water resources are unevenly distributed due to varying rainfall patterns and geographical features. While regions like the Brahmaputra basin have abundant water, areas like Rajasthan face scarcity. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater are primary sources, but overuse and pollution threaten their sustainability.

Challenges in water management include:

• Over-extraction of groundwater: Excessive use for agriculture depletes aquifers, leading to falling water tables.
• Pollution: Industrial waste and sewage contaminate rivers like the Ganga, harming ecosystems.
• Unequal access: Rural areas often lack proper infrastructure, causing water shortages.

Two measures to improve conservation are:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater in tanks or recharging groundwater helps combat scarcity. Example: Tamil Nadu mandates rooftop harvesting.
• Watershed Management: Restoring ponds and check dams in villages conserves water. Example: The Neeru-Meeru program in Andhra Pradesh.

Efficient water management ensures equitable distribution and sustains life and agriculture.

India's water resources are unevenly distributed due to variations in rainfall, geography, and population density. The major sources include rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers. The Himalayan rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra are perennial, while peninsular rivers like the Godavari and Krishna are rain-fed and seasonal.

Challenges in water resource management include:

• Overexploitation: Excessive use of groundwater for agriculture and industries has led to depletion of aquifers.
• Pollution: Industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff contaminate water bodies, making them unfit for use.
• Unequal Access: Some regions face water scarcity due to low rainfall, while others suffer from floods, highlighting poor distribution.

To address these issues, measures like rainwater harvesting, watershed management, and stricter pollution control laws are essential. Public awareness about water conservation can also play a significant role in sustainable management.

Soil conservation is crucial because soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth, agriculture, and ecosystems. Without healthy soil, food production would decline, leading to food insecurity. Soil also acts as a natural filter for water and stores carbon, helping combat climate change.

Here are three methods to prevent soil erosion:

• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the natural contours of the land slows water flow, reducing soil loss. Example: Farmers in hilly regions use this method to retain soil fertility.
• Afforestation: Planting trees stabilizes soil with roots and reduces wind erosion. Example: The Green Belt Movement in Africa has successfully combated desertification.
• Terrace Farming: Creating flat steps on slopes prevents water from washing away soil. Example: Rice terraces in the Philippines have been used for centuries.

By adopting these methods, we can ensure sustainable land use and protect our environment for future generations.

Water is essential for all forms of life, agriculture, industries, and daily activities. It sustains ecosystems, regulates climate, and is a key component in economic development. However, human activities are depleting water resources rapidly.

Major causes of water depletion include:

• Overuse in Agriculture: Excessive irrigation with inefficient methods like flood irrigation wastes water. Example: Punjab's groundwater levels are dropping due to over-extraction for wheat and rice farming.
• Pollution: Industrial waste and untreated sewage contaminate freshwater sources. Example: The Ganga River faces severe pollution from industrial discharge.

Two conservation measures are:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater for reuse reduces dependency on groundwater. Example: Tamil Nadu has made rooftop rainwater harvesting mandatory.
• Drip Irrigation: Delivering water directly to plant roots minimizes wastage. Example: Israeli farmers use this method in arid regions.

Conserving water ensures its availability for future needs and maintains ecological balance.