Chapter 1- Natural Resources and Their Use(Theme A - India and the World : Land and the People) Class 8 Subject Social Science
In Text Question Answers:
Q1: How do we categorise natural resoures?
Answer: Natural resources are categorised based on different basis:
1. Based on Origin:
Biotic Resources – Resources that come from living things like plants and animals. (e.g., plants, animals, forests).
Abiotic Resources – Resources which come from non-living things (e.g., minerals, water, air, metals).
2. Based on Renewability:
Renewable Resources – Resources that can be used again and again (e.g., sunlight, wind, forests, water).
Non-Renewable Resources – Resources that get used up and cannot be made again quickly (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).
3. Based on Stage of Development:
Actual Resources – Resources we are using right now (e.g., petroleum in use).
Potential Resources – Resources that we know exist but are not used yet(e.g., untapped wind energy in a region).
4. Based on Distribution:
Ubiquitous Resources – Resources that are found everywhere (e.g., air, sunlight).
Localized Resources – Resources that are found only in certain places (e.g., coal in Jharkhand, gold in Kolar).
In Text 2
Q2: What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?
Answer:
1. Food and Water – Regions with fertile land and rivers grow more crops and have more drinking water.
2. Living Standards – Areas with rich resources often have better roads, schools, and hospitals.
3. Population Growth – People move to places with more resources to live better, so those areas become crowded.
4. Jobs and Work – Places with more resources like minerals or forests have more jobs in mining, farming, or industries.
5. Trade and Money – Countries with rare resources like oil or gold can earn more by selling them.
Q3: What are the implications of unsustainable use / over exploitation of natural resources?
Answer:
1. Natural resources like water, forests, and minerals may run out.
2. It can lead to pollution of air, water, and land.
3. Wildlife may lose their homes and become endangered.
4. People may face food, water, and energy shortages.
5. Future generations may not have enough resources to live a good life.
More Questions:
Q4: What might be the different criteria we can use to categorise natural resources?
Answer: The different criteria to categorise natural resources are:
1. Resources essential for life – Like air, water, soil, and food needed to live.
2. Resources for materials – Natural things used to make useful or beautiful objects (e.g., wood, marble, gold).
3. Resources for energy – Resources that give us energy for electricity, transport, and industries (e.g., coal, water, sunlight, wind, petroleum).
Q5: Difference between Renewable Resources and Non Renewable Resources.
Answer:
Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |
Resources that can be naturally replaced over time. | Resources that cannot be replaced once they are used up. |
Available in large quantity and reused again and again | Limited in quantity and may run out. |
Form quickly or are always available (like sun, wind). | Take millions of years to form (like coal, oil). |
Mostly eco-friendly and clean | Cause pollution and harm the environment. |
Sunlight, wind, water, forests | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals. |
Q6: Identify human actions in your surroundings that result in Nature losing her ability to restore and regenerate.
Answer: Human actions that harm Nature’s ability to restore:
Cutting down too many trees (deforestation).
Throwing waste into rivers and ponds (water pollution).
Using too many plastic items that don’t decompose.
Burning fossil fuels which pollutes air (like in vehicles and factories).
Wasting water and electricity without need.
Q7: What tyes of interventions can be undertaken to restore natures cycle?
Answer: Interventions to restore Nature’s cycle:
Plant more trees and protect forests.
Use eco-friendly products like cloth bags and steel bottles.
Clean and protect water bodies from pollution.
Save energy by switching off lights and using solar power.
Recycle and reuse materials like paper, plastic, and glass.
Q8: What are the possible renewable substitutes?
Answer: Possible Renewable Substitutes:
Solar Energy – Can replace electricity made from coal.
Wind Energy – Can be used to generate clean power.
Hydropower (water energy) – Can be used for electricity in dams.
Biogas – Can replace cooking gas in rural areas.
Biofuels – Can be used instead of petrol or diesel in vehicles.
Q9: What are some of the steps we can take to transition to renewables?
Answer: Steps to Transition to Renewables:
Install solar panels at homes and schools.
Use public transport or cycle to reduce fuel use.
Support wind and hydro projects in your area.
Reduce energy waste by switching off lights and fans.
Educate people about the benefits of renewable energy.