Manageent of Natural Resources

NCERT Exercise Questions

Question 1: What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?

Answer: I will suggest following changes in my home:

Replace all the bulbs and tube-lights with LED (Light Emitting Diode); to save electricity.
Using natural ventilation; instead of air conditioners to cool the rooms.
Using natural light during daytime to save on electricity.
Use of handpumps; instead of electric motors to lift water.

Question 2: Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?

Answer: I will suggest following changes in my school:

All the leaking taps should be immediately repaired.
Windows of classrooms should be made bigger to allow natural light inside the rooms.
Blackboard should be used more often and the use of projectors and computers should be minimized.
Teachers should encourage students to use bicycles while coming to school.
Teachers should also begin using bicycles; instead of cars and two-wheelers.

Question 3: We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?

Answer: The forest dwellers should have the authority to decide the management of forest produces. There are various reasons for this. Some of them are discussed here. Forest dwellers have traditionally been dependent on forests for their livelihood. They have learnt to respect the forest and always desist from overexploitation of resources. They have some traditional knowledge which can really help in forest conservation.

Question 4: How can you as an individual contribute or make a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife, (b) water resources and (c) coal and petroleum?

Answer: For forests and wildlife; I can contribute by reducing the use of paper. This would help in minimizing the need for cutting down trees.

For water resources, I can contribute by preventing the wastage of water as and when possible.

For coal and petroleum, I can contribute by using my bicycle for going to school. I can also take out awareness campaigns to educate people about the benefits of using environment-friendly modes of transport.

Question 5: What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?

Answer: I can do following to reduce my consumption of various natural resources:

I will prefer walking and cycling while commuting to short distances.
I will avoid wastage of water as much as possible.
I will minimize my usage of electricity.
I will use public transport; instead of private transport.

Questions 6: List five things you have done over the last one week to

(a) Conserve our natural resources.

Answer: For conserving our natural resources, the five things which I did in the last one week:

I used bicycle for going to school.
I took bucket bath and stopped using the shower.
I used old envelopes for doing rough work during my homework.
I reduced my timing for watching TV.
I took a public transport bus while going to a relative’s place.

(b) Increase the pressure on our natural resources.

Answer: Five things which increase pressure on natural resources:

I played video games for a long period on one day.
I forgot to switch off the light of my bedroom and slept.
I went to a water-park, where too much water was being wasted.
I threw away some plastic bottles which could have been reused.
I made paper planes and played with them.

Question 7: On the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes would you incorporate in your life-style in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources?

Answer: I would make following changes in my lifestyle to ensure sustainable use of our resources:

I will use bicycle more often than earlier.
I will use fresh water for bathing in the winter season; than using the geyser.
I will start using jute/cloth bag, while shopping.
I will collect old newspaper and give them to kabaadiwaala, for recycling.