EVS

UNIT: 2 ASSIGNMENTS

1. Explain the importance of forests and the causes and effects of deforestation in India.

Answer:

Forests are one of the most important renewable natural resources. They act as life-support
systems for both humans and wildlife.

Importance of forests:

Forests regulate the water cycle and ensure continuous water supply to rivers.

They provide oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, reducing global warming.

Forests supply timber, fuel wood, paper, medicines, and other forest products.

They prevent soil erosion by binding soil with tree roots.

Forests support the livelihood of tribal and rural communities.

They conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Causes of deforestation:

Large-scale timber extraction, especially during British rule.

Mining activities in forest areas rich in minerals.

Construction of dams for irrigation and hydropower.

Dependence of rural people on fuel wood.

Expansion of agriculture and industries.

Effects of deforestation:

Loss of fertile soil due to erosion.

Increased floods and droughts.

Loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

Displacement of tribal communities.

Climate imbalance and reduced [Link], deforestation threatens both the environment and
human survival.
2. Describe water resources, their over-utilization, pollution, floods and droughts.

Answer:

Water is a vital renewable resource essential for life and development.

Availability of water:

70% of the earth is covered with water.

Only 3% is fresh water, and just 1% is usable.

In India, 90% water is used for agriculture, 7% for industry and 3% for domestic use.

Over-utilization of water:

Excess use during bathing and washing.

Over-irrigation in agriculture.

Groundwater depletion.

Solution: Drip irrigation and judicious water use.

Water pollution:

Agricultural chemicals pollute surface and groundwater.

Industrial effluents released without treatment.

Pollution causes health hazards and ecosystem damage.

Control measures include organic manure, neem pesticides and effluent treatment plants.

Floods:

Caused by deforestation and destruction of wetlands.

Flood plains and wetlands act as natural flood control systems.

Himalayan deforestation worsens floods in rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra.

Droughts:

Caused by failure of monsoons.

Leads to water scarcity, crop failure, famine and malnutrition. Control measures include
watershed management, afforestation and drought development programs.
3. What are mineral resources? Explain the stages of mining and the hazards of mining.

Answer:

Mineral resources are naturally occurring substances with definite chemical composition and
physical properties. An ore is a mineral from which metals can be economically extracted.

Types of minerals:

Metallic: iron, aluminium, copper.

Non-metallic: coal, salt, limestone.

Fossil fuels: coal, oil and natural gas.

Stages of mining:

Prospecting – searching for mineral deposits.

Exploration – assessing size, quality and economic value.

Development – preparing access to deposits.

Exploitation – extraction of minerals.

Types of mines:

Surface (open-cast) mines.

Underground (shaft) mines.

Hazards of mining:

Accidents, explosions and roof collapses.

Dust causes lung disease called pneumoconiosis (black lung).

Poisonous fumes from explosives.

Methane gas hazards in coal mines.

Radiation exposure in uranium mines.

Environmental damage like deforestation and water pollution.

Mining provides raw materials but poses serious health and environmental risks.
4. Explain food resources, food security, loss of genetic diversity and alternate food sources.

Answer:

Food resources mainly come from agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.

Problems of modern agriculture:

Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Soil degradation and water pollution.

Monoculture increases risk of total crop failure.

Sustainable agriculture (FAO):

Conserves land and water.

Protects plant and animal genetic diversity.

Economically viable and socially acceptable.

Uses Integrated Crop Management.

Food security:

Availability of sufficient, nutritious food for all.

Linked to population control and water availability.

Food wastage increases pressure on resources.

Unequal food distribution leads to hunger and malnutrition.

Loss of genetic diversity:

Only 15 crops provide 90% of world food.

Traditional crop varieties are disappearing.

Dependence on commercial seeds reduces biodiversity.

Alternate food sources:

Forest products like fruits, mushrooms, sap and gum.

Wastewater farming.

Drip irrigation (Israel doubled food production with same water use).

A second green revolution based on sustainability is essential.

Answer:

Energy is the capacity to do work. The sun is the primary source of all energy on earth.

Types of energy resources:

Non-renewable energy – coal, oil, natural gas.

Renewable energy – solar, wind, hydropower, biomass.

Nuclear energy – energy from uranium.

Non-renewable energy impacts:

Fossil fuels cause air pollution.

Emission of carbon dioxide leads to global warming.

Coal causes acid rain.

Oil extraction causes leaks and fires.

Health problems like lung diseases.

Renewable energy advantages:

Clean and sustainable.

Less pollution.

Resources are replenished naturally.

Examples: solar energy, wind power, hydropower, biogas, geothermal energy.

Nuclear energy:

Produces large energy from small fuel.

Dr. Homi Bhabha is the father of nuclear power in India.

Problems include radiation risk and waste disposal.

Renewable energy is essential for sustainable development.

Answer:

Deforestation refers to the large-scale removal of forest cover.

Causes:

Timber extraction

Mining activities

Dam construction

Expansion of agriculture

Fuelwood collection

Effects:

Soil erosion and land degradation

Floods and droughts

Loss of biodiversity

Displacement of tribal communities

Climate change due to increased CO₂

Forests are essential for ecological balance, and their destruction leads to long-term
environmental damage.

2️⃣ Discuss over-utilization and pollution of water resources.

Answer:

Water resources are limited and increasingly overused.

Over-utilization:

Excess irrigation in agriculture

Domestic wastage

Industrial overuse

Pollution Causes:
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Industrial effluents

Sewage discharge

Effects:

Water scarcity

Health hazards

Damage to aquatic ecosystems

Sustainable water management and pollution control are essential.

3️⃣ Explain the environmental and social impacts of large dams.

Answer:

Large dams are constructed for irrigation, hydropower, and flood control.

Environmental Impacts:

River fragmentation

Loss of biodiversity

Waterlogging and salinization

Greenhouse gas emissions

Social Impacts:

Displacement of tribal people

Loss of livelihood

Cultural disruption

Though beneficial, dams create serious ecological and social problems.

4️⃣ Describe the types of mining and its environmental hazards.

Answer
Mining is the extraction of minerals from the earth.

Types:

Surface (open cast) mining

Underground (shaft) mining

Hazards

Land degradation

Air and water pollution

Worker health risks (black lung disease)

Habitat destruction

Mining must be carefully regulated to reduce environmental damage.

5️⃣ What is food security? Explain the problems associated with modern agriculture.

Answer:

Food security means ensuring sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all people.

Problems of Modern Agriculture:

Excess fertilizers and pesticide

Soil degradation

Water pollution

Loss of genetic diversity

Monoculture risks

Sustainable agriculture is needed to protect food resources and the environment.

6️⃣ Discuss renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Answer

Non-renewable energy:
Coal, oil, natural gas

Limited supply

Cause air pollution and global warming

Renewable energy:

Solar, wind, hydropower, biomass

Naturally replenished

Less pollution

Renewable energy is essential for sustainable development.

7️⃣ Explain the environmental impacts of coal and oil.

Answer:

Coal

Major source of greenhouse gases

Causes air pollution

Produces acid rain

Oil:

Oil spills pollute oceans

Gas flaring wastes natural gas

Refining produces toxic waste

Both contribute significantly to global warming and environmental degradation.

8️⃣ Describe the causes and effects of drought.

Answer:
Drought occurs due to failure of monsoon rains

Causes:

Low rainfall

Deforestation

Poor water conservation

Effects

Water scarcity

Crop failure

Food shortages

Malnutrition

Proper watershed management can reduce drought impact.

9️⃣ Explain land degradation and soil erosion.

Answer:

Land degradation reduces land productivity.

Causes:

 Deforestation

 Overgrazing

 Over irrigation

 Urban expansion

Soil Erosion:

 Removal of top fertile soil by wind and rain

 Leads to reduced agricultural productivity

Conservation measures are necessary to prevent further damage

Answer:

Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a partnership between local communities and the Forest
Department.

Features:

 Formation of Forest Protection Committees

 Community participation in forest conservation

 Sharing of benefits from forest produce

JFM promotes sustainable forest management and improves local livelihoods.