Resources and Development Flashcards
Define a resource
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.
How is nature, technology and institutions linked?
The process of transformation of things
available in our environment involves an
interactive relationship between nature,
technology and institutions. Human beings
interact with nature through technology and
create institutions to accelerate their
economic development.
Are resources free gifts of nature? Why or why not?
They are not. Resources are a function of
human activities. Human beings themselves
are essential components of resources. They
transform material available in our
environment into resources and use them.
On what all basis can we classify resources?
On the basis of origin, exhaustibility, ownership and status of development.
What are abiotic resources? Give examples.
All those things which are composed of non-living things are called abiotic resources. For example, rocks and metals.
Explain biotic resources with examples
These are obtained from biosphere and have life such as human beings, flora and fauna, fisheries, livestock
etc.
What are renewable resources? Give examples.
The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable or replenishable resources. For example, solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife, etc. The renewable resource may further be divided into continuous or flow.
What are non renewable resources? Give examples.
These occur over a very long geological time. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of such resources. These resources take millions of years in their formation. Some of the resources like metals are recyclable and some like fossil fuels cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.
By what processes can renewable resources be renewed or reproduced?
They can be renewed or reproduced by physical chemical or mechanical processes.
Renewable resources may further be divided into ______ and _______
Continuous and flow
Give one example of a recyclable non renewable resource and a non recyclable non renewable resource.
Some of the resources like metals are recyclable but non renewable and some like fossil fuels cannot be recycled and are non renewable and get exhausted with their use.
What are the resources under resources categorized based on ownership?
Individual resources, community owned resources, national resources and international resources.
What are the resources under resources categorized based on origin?
Biotic and abiotic resources
Explain individual resources with an example
These resources are owned privately by individuals. Many farmers own land which is allotted to them by government against the payment of revenue. In villages
there are people with land ownership but there are many who are landless. Urban people own plots, houses and other property. Plantation, pasture lands, ponds, water in wells etc. are some of the examples of resources ownership by individuals
Explain community on resources with examples
There are resources which are accessible to all the members of the community. Village commons (grazing grounds, burial grounds, village ponds, etc.) public parks, picnic spots, playgrounds in urban areas are de facto accessible to all the people living there.
Explain national resources with an example
Technically, all the resources belong to the nation. The country has legal powers to acquire even private property for public good. You might have seen roads, canals, railways being constructed on fields owned by some individuals. Urban Development Authorities get empowered by the government to acquire land. All the minerals, water resources, forests, wildlife, land within
the political boundaries and oceanic area up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the coast termed as territorial water and resources therein belong to the nation.
What are International resources?
There are international institutions which regulate some resources. The oceanic resources beyond 200
nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to open ocean and no individual country can utilise these without the concurrence of international institutions.
With organization of the government is responsible for acquiring land for public good?
Urban Development Authorities
How to determine if the area of a part of the ocean belongs to a particular country or not?
All oceanic area up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the coast termed as territorial water and resources
therein belong to the nation.
What exclusive access does India have from the Indian Ocean which does not belong in its national resource?
India has got the right to mine manganese nodules from the bed of the Indian Ocean from that area which lies beyond the exclusive economic zone.
What are the resources under resources categorized based on status of development?
Potential resources, developed resources, stock and reserves
What are potential resources? Give an example.
Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised. For example, the western parts of India
particularly Rajasthan and Gujarat have enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy, but so far these have not been developed properly.
What are developed resources? Give an example.
Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilisation. The development of resources depends on technology and level of their feasibility
What is stock? Give an example.
Materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human beings do not have the appropriate technology to access these, are included among stock. For example, water is a compound of two gases; hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can be used as a rich source of energy. But we do not have advanced technical ‘know-how’ to use it for this purpose. Hence, it can be considered as
stock.
What are reserves? Give an example.
Reserves are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the help of existing technical ‘know-how’ but their use has not been started. These can be used for meeting future requirements. River water can be used for generating hydroelectric power but presently, it is being utilised only to a limited extent. Thus, the water in the dams, forests etc. is a reserve which can be used in the future.
Resources are vital for human ___(1)____ as well as for maintaining the quality of __(2)__. It was believed that resources are free gifts of ___(3)___. As a result, human beings used them indiscriminately and this has led to what major problems?
(1) survival
(2) life
(3) nature
• Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals.
• Accumulation of resources in few hands, which, in turn, divided the society into two segments i.e. haves and have nots or rich and poor.
• Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as, global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.
Why is resource planning important?
An equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained quality of life and global peace. If the present trend of resource depletion by a few individuals and countries continues, the future of our planet is in danger. Therefore, resource planning is essential for sustainable existence of all forms of life. Sustainable existence is a component of sustainable development
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable economic development means ‘development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.’
In __(1)___ 1992, more than __(2)__ heads of states met in _____(3)_______ in Brazil, for the first ________(4)________ Summit. The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of _______(5)________ and ________(6)_________ at the ___(7)____ level. The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on ______(8)________ and _____(9)_________. The Rio Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted ____(10)______ for achieving ______(11)_______ in the __(12)__ century.
(1) June
(2) 100
(3) Rio de Janeiro
(4) International Earth
(5) environmental protection
(6) socioeconomic development
(7) global
(8) Global Climatic Change
(9) Biological Diversity
(10) Agenda 21
(11) Sustainable Development
(12) 21st
Agenda 21
It is the declaration signed by world leaders in __(1)__ at the ________(2)_________, which took place at _____(3)_____, Brazil. It aims at achieving global _______(4)_______. It is an agenda to combat ____(5)____, __(6)__, __(7)__ through global co-operation on ____(8)____, ___(9)___ and _____(10)_____. One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every _____(11)_____ should draw its own __(12)__Agenda 21.
(1) 1992
(2) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
(3) Rio de Janeiro
(4) sustainable development
(5) environmental damage
(6) poverty
(7) disease
(8) common interests
(9) mutual needs
(10) shared responsibilities
(11) local government
(12) local
India has enormous _________ in availability of resources
diversity
States of ____(1)_____, ____(2)____and _____(3)_____are rich in minerals and _____(4)_____.
(1) Jharkhand
(2) Chhattisgarh
(3) Madhya Pradesh
(4) coal deposits
Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of ____(1)____ but lacks in ______(2)______.
(1) water resources
(2) infrastructural development
The state of Rajasthan is very well endowed with _______(1)_______ but lacks in ______(2)_______.
(1) solar and wind energy
(2) water resources
The cold desert of ___(1)___is relatively isolated from the rest of the country. It has a very rich ____(2)____ but it is deficient in __(3)__, ___(4)___and some ____(5)____.
(1) Ladakh
(2) cultural heritage
(3) water
(4) infrastructure
(5) vital minerals
The unequal distribution of resources in India calls for balanced resource planning at the ___(1)___, __(2)__, ___(3)___and __(4)__ levels.
(1) national
(2) state
(3) regional
(4) local
What are the three steps involved in resource planning?
(i) identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for
implementing resource development plans.
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with
overall national development plans.
India has made concerted efforts for achieving the goals of resource planning right from the ___(1)___ Plan launched after ____(2)____.
(1) First Five Year
(2) Independence
Mere availability of resources in the absence of ___(1)___ and ___(2)___ may hinder ____(3)____ of a country.
(1) technology
(2) institutions
(3) development
During colonization, what mainly attracted the foreign invaders towards India?
It’s rich resources
What was the main reason of the colonizing countries that helped them to exploit resources of other regions and establish their supremacy over the colonies?
It was primarily the higher level of technological
development of the colonizing countries that helped them to exploit resources of other regions and establish their supremacy over the colonies.
Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate _____(1)______ and____(2)____.
(1) technological development
(2) institutional changes
In India, development, in general, and resource development in particular does not only involve the availability of resources, but also the ____(1)____, ______(2)______ and the _____(3)_____ of the people.
(1) technology
(2) quality of human resources
(3) historical experiences
Irrational consumption and over-utilization
of resources may lead to ______(1)_______ and _________(2)___________.
(1) socio-economic
(2) environmental problems
What did Gandhi say about over consumption of resources?
“There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.”
He placed the ___(1)___ and __(2)__ individuals and ____(3)____ nature of _____(4)_____ as the root cause for ______(5)_______ at the __(6)__ level. He was against _____(7)______ and wanted to replace it with the ____(8)____ by the ___(9)___.
(1) greedy
(2) selfish
(3) exploitative
(4) modern technology
(5) resource depletion
(6) global
(7) mass production
(8) production
(9) masses
At the international level, ______(1)______ advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in (2).
(1) the Club of Rome
(2) 1968
Subsequently, in (1), Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by ___(2)___in his book _____(3)_____.
(1) 1974
(2) Schumacher
(3) Small is Beautiful
The seminal contribution with respect to resource
conservation at the global level was made by the _______(1)_______, (2). This report introduced the concept of ____(3)_____’ and advocated it as a means for resource conservation, which was subsequently published in a book entitled ______(4)_______.
(1) Brundtland Commission Report
(2) 1987
(3) Sustainable Development
(4) Our Common Future
Why is land important?
It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, transport and communication systems.
Why should we use land with careful measures?
Land is an asset of a finite magnitude, therefore, it is important to use the available land for various purposes with careful planning.
India’s land accounts for (1)% of plains, (2)% of plateaus and (3)% of mountains.
(1) 43
(2) 27
(3) 30
Why are plains (land) important?
It provides facilities for agriculture and industry.
Why are mountains important?
Mountains ensure perennial flow of some rivers, provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
Why are plateaus important?
Plateaus possess rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
What are the 5 purposes by which land is divided?
- Forests
- Land not available for cultivation
- Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land)
- Fallow lands
- Net sown area
What comes under “Land not available for cultivation”?
(a) Barren and waste land
(b) Land put to non-agricultural uses, e.g. buildings, roads, factories, etc.
What comes under “Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land)”?
(a) Permanent pastures and grazing land
(b) Land under miscellaneous tree crops groves (not included in net sown area)
(c) Culturable waste land (left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years)
What comes under “Fallow lands”?
(a) Current fallow-(left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year),
(b) Other than current fallow-(left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years).
What is net sown area? What is it also known as?
Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped area.
The use of land is determined both by ___(1)___ factors such as ____(2)____, __(3)__, ____(4)____ as well as __(5)__ factors such as ______(6)_______, _________(7)___________ and __(8)__ and __(9)__ etc.
(1) physical
(2) topography
(3) climate
(4) soil types
(5) human
(6) population density
(7) technological capability
(8) culture
(9) tradition
What is the total geographical area of India?
3.28 million sq.km
Land use data, however, is available only for 93 per cent of the total geographical area. Why?
It is because the land use reporting for most of the north-east states except Assam has not been done fully. Moreover, some areas of Jammu and Kashmir
occupied by Pakistan and China have also not been surveyed.
Land under permanent has decreased. What problem will we face now?
We won’t be able to feed the huge cattle population.
Most of the other than the current fallow lands are either of ___(1)___ or the cost of cultivation of such land is very (2). Hence, these lands are cultivated ____(3)____ in about _____(4)_____ and if these are included in the net sown area then the percentage of NSA in India comes to about (5) per cent of the total
reporting area.
(1) poor quality
(2) high
(3) once or twice
(4) two to three years
(5) 54
The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another. It is over 80 per cent of the total area in ___(1)___ and __(2)__ and less than 10 per cent in ____(3)____, __(4)__, __(5)__ and _________(6)_________.
(1) Punjab
(2) Haryana
(3) Arunachal Pradesh
(4) Mizoram
(5) Manipur
(6) Andaman Nicobar Islands
India has (1)per cent forest area. Forest area in the country is far __(2)__ than the desired _(3) per cent of geographical area, as it was outlined in the _____(4)_____ ((5)_).
(1) 23.3
(2) lower
(3) 33
(4) National Forest Policy
(5) (1952)
Waste land includes __(1)__, (2) and __(3)__ areas
(1) rocky
(2) arid
(3) desert
Land put to other non-agricultural uses includes ____(1)____, __(2)__, __(3)__, __(4)__ etc.
(1) settlements
(2) roads
(3) railways
(4) industry
Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage it, has resulted in ___________.
land degradation
__ per cent of our basic needs for food, shelter and clothing are obtained from land.
95
Some human activities such as ___(1)___, ___(2)___, __(3)__ and ___(4)___too have contributed significantly in land degradation.
(1) deforestation
(2) over grazing
(3) mining
(4) quarrying
Mining sites are __(1)__ after excavation work is complete leaving ___(2)___ and traces of ___(3)___. In states like ___(4)___, ___(5)___, ____(6)____ and __(7)__ deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation
(1) abandoned
(2) deep scar
(3) over-burdening
(4) Jharkhand
(5) Chhattisgarh
(6) Madhya Pradesh
(7) Odisha
In states like __(1)__, ___(2)___, ____(3)____ and
___(4)___ overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation.
(1) Gujarat
(2) Rajasthan
(3) Madhya Pradesh
(4) Maharashtra
In the states of __(1)__, __(2)__, western ___(3)___, over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in __(4)__ and __(5)__ in the soil.
(1) Punjab
(2) Haryana
(3) Uttar Pradesh
(4) salinity
(5) alkalinity
How is the mineral processing like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry harmful for the environment?
It generates huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil
after it settles down on the land.
How are industries leading to land and water pollution?
Industries release industrial effluents as waste
How to solve the problems associated with land degradation in arid areas?
- Afforestation and proper management of grazing
- Planting of shelter belts of plants,
- Control on over grazing
- Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes
How to solve the problems associated with land degradation in industrial and suburban areas?
- Proper management of waste lands
- Control of mining activities
- Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment
Why is soil an important natural resource?
Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth. The soil is a living system. It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cm in depth.
Mention some important factors in the formation of soil
Relief, parent rock or bed rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil. Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc. contribute to the formation of soil.
What does soil consist of?
Soil consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials
Which soil is the most widely spread and important soil?
Alluvial soil
Where can we find alluvial soil?
- The entire northern plains
- This soil also extend in Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor
- Eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers
By which rivers, is alluvial soil deposited?
This soil has been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
What does alluvial soil consist of?
The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.
Where is the coarse alluvial soil located?
In the upper reaches of the river valley i.e. near the place of the break of slope, the alluvial soil is coarse. Such soils are more common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai.
What are the two types of alluvial soil, on the basis of its age?
Old alluvial (bangar) and new alluvial (khadar)
__(1)__ has higher concentration of kankar nodules than __(2)__.
(1) Bangar
(2) khadar
Which is more fertile, khadar or bangar?
Khadar
What nutrients are present in alluvial soil? What all crops can we grow in this soil?
Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.
What is the advantage of alluvial soil?
Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated.
Alluvial soils in the drier areas are more __________. How to tackle this problem?
alkaline.
They can be productive after proper treatment and
irrigation.
What are the other 2 names for black soil?
Black cotton soil & regur soil
Which soil is deposited by three important Himalayan river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra?
Alluvial soil
Which soil is widely found in the northern plains?
Alluvial soil
Which soil is found in the eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.
Alluvial soil
What are the 2 important factors for the formation of black soil?
It is believed that climatic condition along with the parent rock material are the important factors for the formation of black soil.
Where can regur soil be found?
- Typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows.
- Plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
- Extend in the south east direction along the Godavari and the Krishna valleys
What material is black soil is made of?
Clayey
What is black soil well known for? What nutrients are present in it?
They are well-known for their capacity to hold moisture. In addition, they are rich in soil nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. These soils are generally poor in phosphoric contents.
Why is it better to grow black soil in summer rather than in monsoon?
Black soil develops deep cracks during hot weather, which helps in the proper aeration of the soil. These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work on.
How to cultivate on black soil properly during monsoon?
Black soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work on
unless tilled immediately after the first shower or during the pre-monsoon period.
Which soil is most suitable for the growth of cotton?
Black soil
Which soil is found in plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh?
Black soil
Which soil is made up of lava flows?
Black soil
Which soil develops cracks during summer? What does it help in?
Black soil. It helps in the proper aeration of the soil.
Where does red soil develop?
- Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau
- Odisha, Chhattisgarh
- Southern parts of the middle Ganga plain
- Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats
Explain how red and yellow soil sometimes appear red and other times yellow.
These soils develop a reddish color due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
Which soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks?
Red and yellow soil
Which soil is formed in southern parts of the middle Ganga plain?
Red and yellow soil
Which soil develops a reddish color due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks?
Red and yellow soil
Which soil is found along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats?
Red and yellow soil
How is the word laterite derived?
Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick.
In what climate does laterite soil develops?
The laterite soil develops under tropical and subtropical climate with alternate wet and dry season.
Laterite soil is the result of ____(1)____ due to ___(2)___.
intense leaching
heavy rain
Laterite soils are _____ in nature.
acidic. (pH<6.0)
Are laterite soil rich in soil nutrients?
Laterite soils are generally deficient in plant nutrients
Where can we find laterite soils?
- Southern states
- Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha
- Some parts of West Bengal
- North east regions
Where is laterite soil humus rich?
Where these soils support deciduous and evergreen
forests, it is humus rich.
Where is laterite soil poor in humus content?
Under sparse vegetation and in semi-arid environment, it is generally humus poor.
Where and what is laterite soil used for?
After adopting appropriate soil conservation techniques particularly in the hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee. Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for crops like cashew nut.
Which soil develops under tropical and subtropical climate with alternate wet and dry season?
Laterite soil
Which soil is the result of intense leaching due
to heavy rain?
Laterite soil
Which soil is acidic in nature?
Laterite soil
Which soil occurs in southern states, Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha, some parts of West Bengal and North-east regions?
Laterite soil
Which soil is used to grow tea, coffee and cashew nut in the southern states?
Laterite soil
What color is arid soil found in?
Red and brown
Arid soil is __(1)__ in texture and __(2)__ in nature
(1) sandy
(2) saline
By which soil can salt be obtained and how?
Arid soil
Arid soil is saline in nature. In some areas the salt content is very high and common salt is obtained by
evaporating the water.
Why does arid soil lack in humus and moisture?
Due to the dry climate, high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture.
The lower horizons of the arid soil are occupied by ______….?
The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by Kankar because of the increasing calcium content downwards.
Why are the lower horizons of the arid soil, occupied by Kankar?
Because of the increasing calcium content downwards.
What disadvantage do we face by the kankar layer formation and the bottom horizons in the arid soil?
The Kankar layer formations in the bottom horizons restrict the infiltration of water.
How can arid soil be made cultivable?
After proper irrigation these soils
become cultivable as has been in the case of
western Rajasthan
Which soil is sandy in texture and saline in nature?
Arid soil
Where can forest soil be found?
These soils are found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available.
The forest soil texture varies according to the ____________ where they are formed.
mountain environment
The forest soils are __(1)__ and __(2)__ in valley sides and __(3)__ grained in the upper slopes.
(1) loamy
(2) silty
(3) coarse
In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, these soils experience ___(1)___ and are __(2)__ with (3) humus content.
(1) denudation
(2) acidic
(3) low
Forest soils found in the lower parts of the __(1)__ particularly on the ___(2)___ and ___(3)___ are fertile.
(1) valleys
(2) river terraces
(3) alluvial fans
Which soil is found in the hilly and mountainous areas?
Forest soil
Which soil is loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes?
Forest soil
Which soil in the snow covered areas of Himalayas, experience denudation and are acidic with low humus
content?
Forest soil
What is soil erosion?
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion.
The processes of soil formation and erosion, go on simultaneously and generally there is a ______ between the two.
balance
The balance between soil formation and erosion is sometimes disrupted by human activities like ___(1)___, ___(2)___, ___(3)____ and __(4)__etc., while natural forces like __(5)__, __(6)__ and __(7)__ lead to soil erosion.
(1) deforestation
(2) over-grazing
(3) construction
(4) mining
(5) wind
(6) glacier
(7) water
What are gullies?
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies.
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as ______.
gullies
What is bad land?
The land that is unfit for cultivation is known as bad land.
The land that is unfit for cultivation is known as
bad land
What is bad land called in the Chambal basin?
Ravines
What is sheet erosion?
Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the top soil is washed away. This is known as sheet erosion.
What is wind erosion?
Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion.
What is the wrong farming method that causes soil erosion?
Soil erosion is caused due to defective methods of farming. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for the quick flow of water leading to soil erosion.
Explain contour ploughing
Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes. This is called contour ploughing.
What is terrace cultivation?
Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts erosion. Western and central Himalayas have well developed terrace farming.
Explain the method of strip cropping
Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. This method is known as strip cropping.
What are shelter belts? What does it help in?
Planting lines of trees to create shelter prevents soil erosion. Rows of such trees are called shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilization of sand dunes and in stabilizing the desert in western India.
