Ge 2021 16 Marks Q@a

N.SARAVANAN, AP/CHEM MAHALAKSHMI ENGINEERING COLLEGE, TRICHY-621213.
Page 1

Mahalakshmi engineering college, trichy- 621213.

Ge 2021 environmental science and engineering

Part b questions with answers

01. Give an account of energy flow in ecosystems [Dec2009,Nov2011,Dec2012]
Energy flow in an ecosystem:
Sun is the only source of energy in every ecosystem. Green plants contain chlorophyll
which can absorb solar energy by the process of photosynthesis.Herbivores or plant eating
organisms consume the plants and receive some of the energy stored in plants.Carnivores or flesh
eating organisms by consuming the herbivores satisfy the need of energy in their body. There are
few levels of consumers starting from herbivores to higher carnivores like primary, secondary,
tertiary through which energy flows from one trophic level to another. Decomposers like bacteria,
fungi etc gets energy by consuming dead bodies of both producers and consumers of all levels.

Flow of energy in an ecosystem takes place through the food chain and it is this energy flow which
keeps the ecosystem going. The most important feature of this energy flow is that it is unidirectional or
one-way flow. Unlike the nutrients, (like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus etc.) energy is not reused in the
food chain.
Photosynthetic equation:
CO
2
+ H
2
O HCHO + O
2
+ H
2
O
Also, the flow of energy follows the two laws of Thermodynamics:
I law of thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it
can be transferred from one form to another. The solar energy captured by the green plants
(producers) gets converted into biochemical energy of plants and later into that of consumers.
II law of Thermodynamics states that energy dissipates as it is used or in other words, it gets
converted from a more concentrated to dispersed form. As energy flows through the food chain, there
occurs dissipation of energy at every trophic level.
Respiration equation: HCHO + O
2
CO
2
+ H
2
O
Net production of biomass is only 0.5%. 1% of energy absorbed & remaining gets wasted.
UNIT I-ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

N.SARAVANAN, AP/CHEM MAHALAKSHMI ENGINEERING COLLEGE, TRICHY-621213. Page 2

02. Describe the biotic component of an ecosystem. [Dec2009]
1. Biotic Structure
a. The plants, animals and microorganisms present in an ecosystem from the biotic
component.
b. These organisms have different nutritional behaviour and status in the ecosystems and
are accordingly known as Producers or Consumers, based on how they get their food.
Producers:
Producers are mainly the green plants, which can synthesize their food themselves by making
use of carbon dioxide present in the air and water in the presence of sunlight by involving
chlorophyll, the green pigment present in the leaves, through the process of photosynthesis.
They are also known as photo autotrophs (auto=self; troph=food, photo=light).
Consumers:
All organisms which get their organic food by feeding upon other organisms are called
consumers, which are of the following types.
i. Herbivores (plant eaters): They feed directly on producers and hence also known as primary
consumers. e.g. rabbit, insect, man.
ii. Carnivores (meat eaters): They feed other consumers. If they feed on herbivores they are
called secondary consumers (e.g. frog) and if they feed on the carnivores (snake, big fish etc.)
they are known as tertiary carnivores/consumers.
iii. Omnivores: They feed on both plants and animals. E.g. humans, rat, fox, many birds.
iv. Detritivores (Detritus feeders or Saprotrophs): They feed on the parts of dead organisms,
wastes of living organisms, their castoffs and partially decomposed matter e.g. beetles,
termites, ants, crabs, earthworms etc.
Decomposers:
Decomposers derive their nutrition by breaking down the complex organic molecules to simpler
organic compounds and ultimately into inorganic nutrients.
Various bacteria and fungi are decomposers

01. Discuss the importance of biodiversity. [Dec2009]
All living organisms are required to keep the ecosystem alive. One organism cannot exist
without other organisms. Biodiversity is important for survival of the human.
Plants are the producers by photosynthesis and transfer the diminished rate of energy from
one tropic level to other.
Biodiversity has valuable genetic resources.
Biodiversity plays an important role in breeding and improvement of species.
Rain forests and ponds contribute to natural water purification.
Biodiversity preserves the ecosystem. Hence biodiversity is called as balance of nature
Biodiversity is a hidden treasure that enriches all our lives.

03. Explain the structure and function of Ecosystem. [May2010,Nov10,May13]
Structure of an ecosystem
The structure of an ecosystem explains the relationship between the abiotic (nonliving) and the biotic
(living) components.
Abiotic structure
1.The physical and chemical components of an ecosystem constitute its abiotic structure.
2. It includes climatic factors, edaphic (soil) factors, geographical factors, energy, nutrients
and toxic substances.
Biotic Structure
1.The plants, animals and microorganisms present in an ecosystem from the biotic
component.

2.These organisms have different nutritional behaviour and status in the ecosystems and
are accordingly known as Producers or Consumers, based on how they get their food.

Producers:
Producers are mainly the green plants, which can synthesize their food themselves by making
use of carbon dioxide present in the air and water in the presence of sunlight by involving
chlorophyll, the green pigment present in the leaves, through the process of photosynthesis.
They are also known as photo autotrophs (auto=self; troph=food, photo=light).

Consumers:
All organisms which get their organic food by feeding upon other organisms are called
consumers, which are of the following types.
1.Herbivores (plant eaters): They feed directly on producers and hence also known as primary
consumers. e.g. rabbit, insect, man.
2.Carnivores (meat eaters): They feed other consumers. If they feed on herbivores they are
called secondary consumers (e.g. frog) and if they feed on the carnivores (snake, big fish etc.)
they are known as tertiary carnivores/consumers.
3.Omnivores: They feed on both plants and animals. E.g. humans, rat, fox, many birds.
Decomposers:
Decomposers derive their nutrition by breaking down the complex organic molecules to simpler
organic compounds and ultimately into inorganic nutrients.
Various bacteria and fungi are decomposers.
Functional Attributes
Every ecosystem performs under natural conditions in a systematic way. It receives energy
from the sun and passes it on through various biotic components and in facts, all life depends upon
this flow of energy.
The major functional attributes of an ecosystem are as follows:
1) Food chain, food webs and tropic structure
2) Energy flow
3) Cycling of nutrients (Biogeochemical cycles)
4) Primary and Secondary production
5) Ecosystem development and regulation

04. Explain the values of biodiversity. [May2010,Nov10May2013]
Value of biodiversity
The value of biodiversity in terms of its commercial utility, ecological services, social and
aesthetic value is enormous. The multiple uses of biodiversity value have been classified by McNeely
et al in 1990 as follows:
(i) Consumptive use value: these are direct use values where the biodiversity product can
be harvested and consumed directly e.g. fuel, food, drugs, fibre etc.
a. Food: A large number of wild plants are consumed by human beings as food. About
80,000 edible plant species have been reported from wild. About 90% of present day
food crops have been domesticated from wild tropical plants. A large number of wild
animals are also our sources of food.
b. Drugs and medicines:
i. About 75% of the world's population depends upon plants or plant extracts for
medicines.
ii. The wonder drug penicillin used as an antibiotic is derived from a fungus called
penicillium.
iii. Likewise, we get Tetracyclin from a bacterium. Quinine, the cure for malaria is
obtained from the bark of Cinchona tree, while Digitalin is obtained from
foxglove which is an effective cure for heart ailments.
iv. Recently vinblastin and vincristine, two anticancer drugs, have been obtained
from periwinkle plant, which possesses anticancer alkaloids.

Our forests have been used since ages for fuel wood. The fossil furls coal, petroleum and natural
gas are also products of fossilized biodiversity.
(ii) Productive use values:
a. These are the commercially usable values where the product is marketed and sold.
b. These may include the animal products like tusks of elephants, musk from musk deer,
silk from silk-worm, wool from sheep, lac from lac insects etc, all of which are traded in
the market.
c. Many industries are dependent upon the productive use values of biodiversity e.g. the
paper and pulp industry, plywood industry, railway sleeper industry, silk industry, ivory-
works, leather industry, pearl industry etc.

(iii) Social value:
a. These are the values associated with the social life, customs, and religion of the people.
b. Many of the plants are considered holy and sacred in our country like Tulsi, peepul,
Mango, and Lotus etc.
c. The leaves, fruits or flowers of these plants are used in worship or the plant itself is
worshipped.
d. Many animals like Cow, Snake, and Peacock also have significant place in our psycho-
spiritual arena.

(iv) Ethical value:
a. It is also sometimes known as existence value. It involves ethical issues like "all life
must be preserved".
b. The ethical value means that we may or may not use a species, but knowing the very
fact that this species exists in nature gives us pleasure.
c. We are not deriving anything direct from Kangaroo, Zebra or Giraffe, but we all strongly
feel that these species should exist in nature.

(v) Aesthetic value:
a. No one of us would like to visit vast stretches of barren lands with no signs of visible
life.
b. People from far and wide spend a lot of time and money to visit wilderness areas where
they can enjoy the aesthetic value of biodiversity and this type of tourism is now known
as eco-tourism.
c. Ecotourism is estimated to generate about 12 billion dollars of revenue annually.

(vi) Option values:
a. These values include the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need
to be explored.
b. There is a possibility that we may have some potential cure for AIDS or cancer existing
within the depths of a marine ecosystem, or a tropical rain forest.
c. Thus option value is the value of knowing that there are biological resources existing on
this biosphere that may one day prove to be an effective option for something important
in the future.

05. Write down the ecological succession. [Nov10]
Ecological Succession
Ecological succession is defined as an orderly process of changes in the community structure
and function with time mediated through modifications in the physical environment and ultimately
culminating in a stabilized ecosystem known as climax.
Ecological successions starting on different types of areas or substrata are named differently as
follows:


(i) Hydrarch or Hydrosere: Starting in watery area like pond, swamp, bog
(ii) Mesarch: starting in an area of adequate moisture.
(iii) Xerarch or Xerosere: Starting in a dry area with little moisture. They can be of the
following types:
Lithosere : starting on a bare rock
Psammosere : starting on sand
Halosere : starting on saline soil
Process of Succession
The process of succession takes place in a systematic order of sequential steps as follows:
i. Nudation: It is the development of a bare area, without any life form. The bare area may be
caused due to several anthropogenic activities.
ii. Invasion: It is the successful establishment of one or more species on a bare area through
dispersal or migration, followed by ecesis or establishment.
iii. Competition and coaction: As the number of individuals grows there is competition, for
space, water and nutrition. They influence each other in a number of ways, known as coaction.
iv. Reaction : The living organisms have a strong influence on the environment which is modified
to a large extent and this is known as reaction.
v. Stabilization : The succession ultimately culminates in a more or less stable community called
climax which is in equilibrium with the environment

Let us consider very briefly two types of succession.
A. Hydrosere (Hydrarch) : This type of succession starts in a water body like pond. A number of
intermediate stages come and ultimately it culminates in a climax community which is a forest.
B. Xerosere (Xerarch) : This type of succession originates on a bare rock, which lacks water and
organic matter. Interestingly, here also the climax community is a forest, although the
intermediate stages are very different.

06. Write about in-situ &ex-situ conservation of biodiversity(OR) Explain how the
biodiversity can be conserved. [Dec2009,Dec2012,Nov2011,Nov10]
Conservation of Biodiversity
The enormous value of biodiversity due to their genetic, commercial, medical, esthetic,
ecological and optional importance emphasizes the need to conserve biodiversity.
There are two approaches of biodiversity conservation:
(a) In situ conservation (within habitat): This is achieved by protection of wild flora and fauna in
nature itself. E.g. Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserve Forests etc.
(b) Ex situ conservation (outside habitats): This is done by establishment of gene banks, seed
banks, zoos, botanical gardens, culture collections etc.
In Situ conservation:
At present in our country we have:
7 major Biosphere reserves,
80 National Parks,
420 wild-life sanctuaries and
120 Botanical gardens
They totally cover 4% of the geographic area.
1. The Biosphere Reserves conserve some representative ecosystems as a whole for long-
term in situ conservation. In India we have:
Nanda Devi (U.P.),
Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu),
Nilgiri (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu),
2. A National Park is an area dedicated for the conservation of wildlife along with its
environment. It is also meant for enjoyment through tourism but without impairing the environment.

Grazing of domestic animals, all private rights and forestry activities are prohibited within a National
Park. Each National Park usually aims at conservation specifically of some particular species of
wildlife along with others.

Name of National Park

State

Important Wildlife
Gir National Park Gujarat Indian Lion
Periyar Kerala Elephant, Tiger

2. Wildlife sanctuaries are also protected areas where killing, hunting, shooting or capturing
of wildlife is prohibited except under the control of highest authority.

4. Gene
sanctuary for
Citrus (Lemon family) and one for pitcher plant (an insect eating plant) in Northeast India.
Ex Situ Conservation:
This type of conservation is mainly done for conservation of crop varieties. In India, we have the
following important gene bank/seed bank facilities:
(i) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is located in New Delhi.
Here agricultural and horticultural crops and their wild relatives are preserved by cryo-
preservation of seeds, pollen etc. by using liquid nitrogen at a temperature as low as
196 degree Celsious. Varieties of rice, turnip, radish, tomato, onion, carrot, chilli,
tobacco etc. have been preserved successfully in liquid nitrogen for several years
without losing seed viability.
(ii) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) located at Karnal, Haryana.
It preserves the semen of domesticated bovine animals.
(iii) National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository (NFPTCR) for the development
of a facility of conservation of varieties of crop plants/trees by tissue culture. This
facility has been created within the NBPGR.

For the protection and conservation of certain animals, there have been specific
projects in our country e.g. Project Tiger, Girl Lion Project, Crocodile Breeding Project, Project
Elephant, Snow Leopard Project etc.
07. Explain the structure,features &functions of the Forest Ecosystem.[May2011,Dec2012]
Forest Ecosystem
Depending upon the climate conditions, forest may be classified as:
(a) Trophical Rain Forests: They are evergreen broadleaf forests found near the equator. They
are characterized by high temperature, high humidity and high rainfall, all of which favour the
growth of trees.
(b) Trophical deciduous forests: They are found a little away from the equator and are
characterized by a warm climate the year round. Rain occurs only during monsoon.
(c) Trophical scrub forests: They are found in areas where the day season is even longer.
Name of National Park State Important Wildlife
Mudamalai Wildlife
Sanctuary
Tamil Nadu Tiger, elephant, Leopard
Vedanthangal Bird
Sanctuary
Tamil Nadu Water birds
Wild Ass Sanctuary Gujarat Wild ass, wolf, nilgai,
chinkara

(d) Temperate rain forests: They are found in temperate areas with adequate rainfall. These are
dominated by trees like pines, firs, redwoods etc.
(e) Temperate deciduous forests: They are found in areas with moderate temperatures.
(f) Evergreen coniferous forests (Boreal Forests): They are found just south of arctic tundra.
Here winters are long, cold and dry. Sunlight is available for a few hours only.

Characteristics:
1. It maintains climate & rainfall.
2. Soil is rich in nutrients supports plant growth
3. Supports many wild lives.
The abiotic environment of forest ecosystem includes the nutrients present in the soil in
forest floor which is usually rich in dead and decaying organic matter.
Biotic:
Producers: Producers are mainly big trees, some shrubs and ground vegetation.
Primary consumers: Primary consumers are insects like ants, flies, beetles, spiders, and big animals
like elephants, deer, squirrels etc.
Secondary consumers: Secondary consumers are carnivores like snakes, lizards, foxes, birds etc.,
Tertiary consumers: Tertiary consumers are animals like tiger, lion etc.
Decomposers: Decomposers are bacteria fungi which are found in soil on the forest floor. Rate of
decomposition in trophical or sub-trophical forests is more rapid than that in the temperate zones.
Function :
1. Starch production
2. Energy flow
3. Cycling of nutrients (Biogeochemical cycles).
08. Explain the structure, features and functions of the Desert Ecosystem. [May2011,Dec2012]
Desert Ecosystem
Desert occurs in the region where the average rainfall is less than 25 cm.
The abiotic environment of a desert ecosystem includes water which is scarce.
The atmosphere is very very dry and hence it is a poor insulator.
That is why in deserts the soil gets cooled up quickly, making the nights cool.
Deserts are of three major types, based on climatic conditions:
i. Tropical deserts like Sahara in Africa and Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India are the driest of all
with only a few species.
ii. Temperature deserts like Mojave in Southern California where day time temperatures are
very hot in summer but cool in winters.
iii. Cold deserts like Gobi desert in China have cold winters and warm summers.

Characteristics:
1. Dry & hot climate.
2. Rainfall is less than 25cm
3. Poor vegetation, so poor nutrients & organic matter.
The abiotic environment of forest ecosystem includes the nutrients present in the soil in forest
floor which is usually rich in dead and decaying organic matter.
Biotic :
Producers: the chief producers are shrubs, bushes and some trees whose roots are very extensive
and stems and leaves are modified to store water and to reduce loss of water as a result of
transpiration. Low plants such as mosses and blue green algae are minor producers.

Primary consumers: Primary consumers are animals like rabbits which get water from succulent
plants. They do not drink water even if it is freely available. Camel is also a primary consumer of the
desert.
Secondary consumers: Secondary consumers are carnivores like reptiles having impervious skin
which minimize loss water from the surface of body.
Tertiary consumers: The tertiary consumers are mainly birds which conserve warer by excreting solid
uric acid.
Decomposers: Decomposers are bacteria and fungi which can thrive in hot climate conditions.
Because of scarcity of flora and fauna, the dead organic matter available is much less and therefore
decomposers are also less in number.
Flow Chart: Food chain
Shrub Rabbits Reptiles Birds
Function :
1. Starch production
2. Energy flow

09. Explain the structure, features and functions of the Grassland Ecosystem. [May2011,Dec2012]
Grassland Ecosystem:
The grassland ecosystem occupies about 10% of the earth's surface. The abiotic
environment includes nutrient like nitrates, sulphates or phosphates and trace elements present in the
soil, gases, like CO
2
present in the atmosphere and water etc.
Three types of grasslands are found to occur in different climatic regions:
(a) Tropical grasslands: They occur near the borders of tropical rain forests in regions of high
average temperature and low to moderate rainfall.
(b) Temperate grasslands: They are usually found on flat, gentle sloped hills, winters are very
cold but summers are hot and dry.
(c) Polar grass lands: they are found in arctic polar region where severe cold and strong, frigid
winds along with ice and snow create too harsh a climate for trees to grow.
Characteristics:
1. low or uneven rainfall.
2. Soil is rich in nutrients supports plant growth
The abiotic environment of forest ecosystem includes the nutrients present in the soil in forest
floor which is usually rich in dead and decaying organic matter.
Biotic :
Producers: Producers are mainly grass and some herbs, shrubs, and few scattered trees.
Primary consumers: Primary consumers are grazing animals such as cow, sheep, deer, house,
kangaroo, etc. Some insects and spiders have also been included as primary consumers.
Secondary consumers: Secondary consumers are animals like fox, jackals, snakes, lizards, frogs
and birds etc.
Tertiary consumers: Decomposers are bacteria, moulds and fungi, like penicillium, Aspergillus etc.
The minerals and other nutrients are thus brought back to the soil and are made available to the
producers.
Function :
1. Starch production. 2. Energy flow
Flow Chart: Food chain
Grass Rabbit Fox Lion

10. Explain the structure, features and functions of the Aquatic Ecosystem. [May2011,Dec2012]
Aquatic ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems dealing with water bodies and the biotic communities present in them are
either freshwater or marine. Let us consider some important aquatic ecosystems.
(i) Pond ecosystems:
a. It is a small freshwater aquatic ecosystem where water is stagnant.
b. Ponds may be seasonal in nature i.e. receiving enough water during rainy season.
c. Ponds are usually shallow water bodies which play a very important role in the villages
where most of the activities center around ponds.
d. They contain several types of algae, aquatic plants, insects, fishes, and birds.
e. The ponds are, however, very often exposed to tremendous anthropogenic pressures.
f. They are used for washing clothes, bathing, swimming, cattle bathing and drinking etc.
and therefore get polluted.

(ii) Lake ecosystems:
a. Lakes are usually big freshwater bodies with standing water.
b. They have shallow water zone called Littoral zone, an open-water zone called Limnetic
zone and deep bottom area where light penetration is negligible, known as profundal
zone.
Zonation in a lake ecosystem

Organisms: Lakes have several types of organisms:
(i) Planktons that float on the surface of waters e.g. phytoplanktons like algae and
zooplanktons like rotifers.
(ii) Nektons that swim e.g. fishes.
(iii) Neustons that rest or swim on the surface.
(iv) Benthos that are attached to bottom sediments e.g. snails.
(v) Periphytons that are attached or clinging to other plants or any other surface e.g.
crustaceans.

Stratification:
The lakes show stratification or zonation based on temperature differences. During summer,
the top waters become warmer than the bottom waters. Therefore, only the warm top layer circulates
without mixing with the colder layer, thus forming a distinct zonation:

Epyilimnion: Warm, lighter, circulating surface layer.
Hypolimnion: Cold,viscous,non-circulating bottom layer


Types of lakes:
(a) Oligotrophic lakes which have low nutrient concentrations.
(b) Eutrophic lakes which are over nourished by nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, usually
as a result of agricultural run-off or municipal sewage discharge. They are covered with "algal
blooms" e.g. Dal lake.
(c) Dystrophic lakes that have low pH, high humic acid content and brown waters e.g. bog lakes.
(d) Endemic lakes that are very ancient, deep and have endemic fauna which are restricted only
to that lake e.g. the Lake Baikal in Russia.
(e) Artificial lakes or impoundments that are created due to construction of dams e.g.
Govindsagar Lake at Bhakra-Nangal.

(iii) Streams:
These are freshwater aquatic ecosystems where water current is a major controlling factor,
oxygen and nutrient in the water is more uniform and land-water exchange is more extensive.
Although stream organisms have to face more extremes of temperature and action of currents
as compared to pond or lake organisms, but they do not have to face oxygen deficiency under
natural conditions.
This is because the streams are shallow, have a large surface exposed to air and constant
motion which churns the water and provides abundant oxygen.
Their dissolved oxygen level is higher than that of ponds even though the green plants are
much less in number.
The stream animals usually have a narrow range of tolerance to oxygen.
That is the reason why they are very susceptible to any organic pollution which depletes
dissolved oxygen in the water.
Thus, streams are the worst victims of industrial development.
(iv) River ecosystems:
Rivers are large streams that flow downward from mountain highlands and flowing through the
plains fall into the sea.
So the river ecosystems show a series of different conditions.
The mountain highland part has cold, clear waters rushing down as water falls with large
amounts of dissolves oxygen.
In the second phase on the gentle slopes, the waters are warmer and support a luxuriant
growth of plants and less oxygen requiring fishes.
In the third phase, the river waters are very rich in biotic diversity. Moving down the hills,
rivers shape the land. They bring with them lots of silt rich in nutrients which are deposited in
the plains and in the delta before teaching the ocean.
(v) Oceans:
These are gigantic reservoirs of water covering more than 70% of our earth's surface and play
a key role in the survival of about 2,50,000 marine species, serving as food for humans and
other organisms, give a huge variety of sea-products and drugs.
Oceans provide us iron, phosphorus, magnesium, oil, natural gas, sand and gravel.
Oceans are the major sinks of carbondioxide and play an important role in regulating many
biogeochemical cycles and hydrological cycle, thereby regulating the earth's climate.

Coastal zone: It is relatively warm, nutrient rich shallow water. Due to high nutrients and ample
sunlight this is the zone of high primary productivity.
Open sea: It is the deeper part of the ocean, away from the continental shelf. It is vertically divided
into three regions:
Euphotic zone which receives abundant light and shows high photosynthetic activity.
Bathyal zone receives dim light and is usually geologically active.
Abyssal zone is the dark zone, 2000 to 5000 meters deep. The abyssal zone has no
primary source of energy i.e. solar energy. It is the world's largest ecological unit but it is an
incomplete ecosystem.


Estuary
Estuary is a partially enclosed coastal area at the mouth of a river where fresh water and salty
seawater meet.
These are the transition zones which are strongly affected by tidal action.
Constant mixing of water stirs up the silt which makes the nutrients available for the primary
producers.
The organisms present in estuaries show a wide range of tolerance to temperature and salinity.
Such organisms are known as eurythermal and euryhaline. Coastal bays and tidal marshes are
examples of estuaries.
Estuary has a rich biodiversity and many of the species are endemic.
There are many migratory species of fishes like eels and salmons in which half of the life is
spent in fresh water and half in salty water.
For them estuaries are ideal places for resting during migration, where they also get abundant
food.
Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems.
The river flow and tidal action provide energy for estuary thereby enhancing its productivity.
Estuaries are of much use to human beings due to their high food potential.
However, these ecosystems need to be managed judiciously and protected from pollution.

11. Discuss the biodiversity at global, national and local levels. [May2011]
Global Biodiversity
In world , there are 20 million species but only 1.5 million are known & named . Every year, tropical
deforestation alone reducing 1.5% of biodiversity.
1. Terrestrial biodiversity of the earth is best described as biomes, which are the largest
ecological units present in different geographic areas and are named after the dominant vegetation
e.g. the tropical rainforests, tall grass prairies, savannas, desert, tundra etc.
a)Tropical rain forest : It is o store house of biodiversity, about 50-75% global biodiaersity in
tropical rain forest
Out of the 3000 plants identified by National Cancer Research Institute as sources of cancer
fighting chemicals, 70% come from tropical rain forests.
There is an estimated 1,25,000 flowering plant species in tropical forests.
However, till now we know only 1-3% of these species.

b) Temperature forests: It have much less biodiversity, but there is much better documentation of
the species. Globally, we have roughly 1,70,000 flowering plants, 30,000 vertebrates and about
2,50,000 other groups of species that have been described.
2. Marine diversity: It is higher than terrestrial diversity but only less known & described.
Estuaries, oceans & coastal waters are very low in diversity. Sea is cradle of phylum. Out of 35 phyla
of multicellular animals,34 are marine.
Biological diversity at National Level
Every country is characterized by its own biodiversity depending mainly on its climate. India
has a rich biological diversity of flora and fauna. Overall six percent of the global species are
found in India.
It is estimated that India ranks 10
th
among the plant rich countries of the world.
11
th
in terms of number of endemic species of higher vertebrates.
6
th
among the centers of diversity and origin of agricultural crops.
The total number of living species identified in our country is 1,50,000.
Out of a total 25 biodiversity hot-spots in the world, India possesses two.
India is also one of the 12 mega-biodiversity countries in the world.


1. Medicinal value: 2000 medicinal plants are cultivated in India.
Ex: Neem & Tulsi are holy plants; Turmeric is anticarcinogenic.

2.Commercial value :
a) Indian sandal wood has high commercial value in abroad.
b) Indian tobacco has high nicotine content in world.
c) Non- wild mushrooms are cultivated & exported to other countries.
d) Demands are increasing day by day for ornamental plants, flowers & fruits.

local biodiversity
Biodiversity at regional level is better understood by categorizing species richness into four types,
based upon their spatial distribution as discussed below:
(i) Point richness refers to the number of species that can be found at a single point in a
given space.
(ii) Alpha () richness refers to the number of species found in a small homogenous area.
(iii) Beta () richness refers to the rate of change in species composition across different
habitats.
(iv) Gamma () richness refers to the rate of change across large landscape gradients.
- richness is strongly correlated with physical environmental variables. - richness means that
the cumulative number of species increases as more heterogonous habitats are taken into
consideration.
Biodiversity in Tamil nadu level:
1. Salem : dense forest
2. Vedanthangal : birds of several species.
3. Anaimalai : Elephant sanctuary
4. Mundanthangal: tiger sanctuary

12 .What are ecological pyramids? Explain why in grassland ecosystems the pyramids of
numbers are upright while in parasitic food chain it is inverted? [Nov2010, 2011, May2013]
Ecological Pyramids
Graphic representation of trophic structure and function of an ecosystem, starting with
producers at the base and successive trophic levels forming the apex is known as an ecological
pyramid.
Ecological pyramids are of three types:
I. Pyramid of numbers:
a. It represents the number of individual organisms at each trophic level.
b. We may have upright or inverted pyramid of numbers, depending upon the type of
ecosystem and food chain as shown in Fig.1
c. A grassland ecosystem (Fig. 1) and a pond ecosystem show an upright pyramid of
numbers.
d. The producers in the grasslands are grasses and that in a pond are phytoplankton
(algae etc.), which are small in size and very large in number.
e. So the producers form a broad base.
f. The herbivores in grassland are insects while tertiary carnivores are hawks or other
birds which are gradually less and less in number and hence the pyramid apex
becomes gradually narrower forming an upright pyramid.


Fig: 1. Grassland ecosystem
II. Pyramid of biomass:

a. It is based upon the total biomass (dry matter) at each trophic level in a food chain.
b. The pyramid of biomass can also be upright or inverted. Fig.2. show pyramids of
biomass in an aquatic ecosystem.
c. The pond ecosystem shows an inverted pyramid of biomass (Fig. 2).
d. The total biomass of producers (phytoplanktons) is much less as compared to
herbivores (zooplanktons, insects), carnivores (Small fish) and tertiary carnivores (big
fish). Thus the pyramid takes an inverted shape with narrow base and broad apex.

Fig:2 Pyramid of biomass in pond

III. Pyramid of Energy:
a. The amount of energy present at each trophic level is considered for this type of
pyramid of energy gives the best representation of the tropic relationships and it is
always upright.
b. There is a sharp decline in energy level of each successive trophic level as we move
from producers to top carnivores. Therefore, the pyramid of energy is always upright


13. What are the major causes of man-wildlife conflicts? Discuss the remedial steps that
can curb the conflict. [Nov2011]
Man-Wildlife conflict
Instances of man animal conflicts keep on coming to lime light from several states in our
country.
In Sambalpur, Orissa 195 humans were killed in the last 5 years by elephants.
In retaliation the villagers killed 98 elephants and badly injured 30 elephants.
Several instances of killing of elephants in the border regions of Kote-Chamarajanagar belt in
Mysore have been reported recently.
The man-elephant conflict in this region has arisen because of the massive damage done by
the elephants to the farmers cotton and sugarcane crops.
The agonized villagers electrocute the elephants and sometimes hide explosives in the
sugarcane fields, which explode as the elephants intrude into their fields.
In the early 2004, a man-eating tiger was reported to kill 16 Nepalese people and one 4-year
old child inside the Royal Chitwan National Park of Kathmandu.
In June, 2004 two men were killed by the leopards in Powai, Mumbai.

Cause of Man-animal conflicts:
(i) Dwindling habitats of tigers, elephants and bears due to shrinking forest cover compels
them to move outside the forest and attack the field or sometimes even humans.
(ii) Usually the ill, weak and injured animals have tendency to attack man. Also, the female
tigress attacks the human if she feels that her newborn cubs are in danger. But the biggest
problem is that if human-flesh is tasted once then the tiger does not eat any other animal.
(iii) Earlier, forest departments used to cultivate paddy, sugarcane etc. within the sanctuaries
when the favourite staple food of elephants i.e. bamboo leaves were not abailable. Now
due to lack of such practices the animals move out of the forest in search of food.
(iv) Very often the villagers put electric wiring around their ripe crop fields. The elephants get
injured, suffer in pain and turn violent.
(v) The cash compensation paid by the government in lieu of the damage caused to the
farmers crop is not enough. The agonized farmer therefore gets revengeful and kills the
wild animals.
Remedial Measures to Curb the Conflict:
(i) Tiger Conservation Project (TCP) has made provisions for making available vehicles,
tranquillizer guns, and binoculars to tactfully deal with any imminent danger.
(ii) Adequate crop compensation and cattle compensation scheme must be started.
(iii) Solar powered fencing should be provided along with electric current proof trenches to
prevent the animals from straying fields.
(iv) Cropping pattern should be changed near forest borders and adequate fruits and water
should be made available for the elephants within forest zones.
(v) Wild life corridors should be provided for mass migration of big animals during unfavorable
periods.

14. Explain Food Chain, Food Web [Dec2012,Nov2011,Dec2012]
Food Chains
The sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem is known as food chain.

All organisms, living or dead, are potential food for some other organism and thus, there is
essentially no waste in the functioning of a natural ecosystem.
A caterpillar eats a plant leaf, a sparrow eats the caterpillar, a cat or a hawk eats the sparrow
and when they all die, they are all consumed by microorganism like bacteria or fungi
(decomposers) which break down the organic matter and convert it into simple inorganic
substances that can again be used by the plants-the primary producers.
Some common examples of simple food chains are:

o Grass grasshopper Frog Snake Hawk (Grassland ecosystem)
o Phytoplanktons water fleas small fish Tuna (Pond ecosystem)
o Lichens reindeer Man (Arctic tundra)
Each organism in the ecosystem is assigned a feeding level or trophic level depending on its
nutritional status.
Thus, in the grassland food chain, grasshopper occupies the I trophic level, frog the II and
snake and hawk occupy the III and the IV trophic levels, respectively.

In nature, we come across two major types of food chains:

1. Grazing food chain: It starts with green plants (primary producers) and culminates in
carnivores. Example: Grass Rabbit Fox
2. Detritus food chain: It starts with dead organic matter which the detritivores and
decomposers consume. Partially decomposed dead organic matter and even the
decomposers are consumed by detritivores and their predators.
Examples: Leaf litter algae crabs small carnivorous fish large carnivorous fish
(Mangrove ecosystem)
Dead organic matter fungi bacteria (Forest ecosystem)
Both the food chains occur together in natural ecosystems, but grazing food chain usually
predominates.
Food Web
Food web is a network of food chains where different types of organisms are connected at
different trophic level, so that there are a number of options of eating and being eaten at each
trophic level.
Food webs give greater stability to the ecosystem.
In a linear food chain, if one species becomes extinct or one species suffers then the species in
the subsequent trophic levels are also affected.
In a food web, on the other hand, there are a number of options available at each trophic level.
So if one species is affected, it does not affect other trophic levels so seriously.

For Example: Hawk eats both mice and birds. Coyote eats mice, rabbits and birds.

Significance of food chains and food webs:
Food chains and food webs play a very significant role in the ecosystem because the two most
important functions of energy flow and nutrient cycling take place through them.
They help maintain the ecological balance.
Bio magnification: Non biodegradable material concentration keep on increasing from one
tropical level to another.


15. Explain the various threats of biodiversity and the measures recommended for
conservation of biodiversity. [Dec2012,May2013]
Threats to Biodiversity

Extinction or elimination of a species is a natural process of evolution.
In the geologic period the earth has experienced mass extinctions.
The process of extinction has become particularly fast in the recent years of human civilization.
One of the estimates by the noted ecologist, E.O. Wilson puts the figure of extinction at 10,000
species per year or 27 per day! This starling figure raises an alarm regarding the serious threat
to biodiversity.
Let us consider some of the major causes and issues related to threats to biodiversity.
(i) Loss of Habitat
Destruction and loss of natural habitat is the single largest cause of biodiversity loss. Billions of
hectares of forests and grasslands have been cleared over the past 10,000 years for
conversion into agriculture lands, pastures, settlement areas or development projects.
There has been a rapid disappearance of tropical forests in our country also, at a rate of about
0.6% per year.
With the current rate of loss of forest habitat, it is estimated that 20-25% of the global flora
would be lost within a few years.
Marine biodiversity is also under serious threat due to large scale destruction of the fragile
breeding and feeding grounds of our oceanic fish and other species, as a result of human
intervention.

(ii) Poaching
Illegal trade of wildlife products by killing prohibited endangered animals i.e. poaching is
another threat to wildlife.
Despite international ban on trade in products from endangered species, smuggling of wild life
items like furs, hides, horns, tusks, live specimens and herbal products worth millions of dollars
per year continues.
The cost of elephant tusks can go up to $100 per kg; the leopard fur coat is sold at $ 100,000
in Japan while bird catchers can fetch up to $ 10,000 for a rare hyacinth macaw, a beautiful
coloured bird, from Brazil.

(iii) Man-Wildlife conflict
Instances of man animal conflicts keep on coming to lime light from several states in our
country.
In Sambalpur, Orissa 195 humans were killed in the last 5 years by elephants.
In retaliation the villagers killed 98 elephants and badly injured 30 elephants.
Several instances of killing of elephants in the border regions of Kote-Chamarajanagar belt in
Mysore have been reported recently.
The man-elephant conflict in this region has arisen because of the massive damage done by
the elephants to the farmers cotton and sugarcane crops.
The agonized villagers electrocute the elephants and sometimes hide explosives in the
sugarcane fields, which explode as the elephants intrude into their fields.
In the early 2004, a man-eating tiger was reported to kill 16 Nepalese people and one 4-year
old child inside the Royal Chitwan National Park of Kathmandu.
In June, 2004 two men were killed by the leopards in Powai, Mumbai.

Cause of Man-animal conflicts:
(i) Dwindling habitats of tigers, elephants and bears due to shrinking forest cover compels
them to move outside the forest and attack the field or sometimes even humans.

(ii) Usually the ill, weak and injured animals have tendency to attack man. Also, the female
tigress attacks the human if she feels that her newborn cubs are in danger. But the biggest
problem is that if human-flesh is tasted once then the tiger does not eat any other animal.
(iii) Earlier, forest departments used to cultivate paddy, sugarcane etc. within the sanctuaries
when the favourite staple food of elephants i.e. bamboo leaves were not abailable. Now
due to lack of such practices the animals move out of the forest in search of food.
(iv) Very often the villagers put electric wiring around their ripe crop fields. The elephants get
injured, suffer in pain and turn violent.
(v) The cash compensation paid by the government in lieu of the damage caused to the
farmers crop is not enough. The agonized farmer therefore gets revengeful and kills the
wild animals.
Remedial Measures to Curb the Conflict:
(i) Tiger Conservation Project (TCP) has made provisions for making available vehicles,
tranquillizer guns, and binoculars to tactfully deal with any imminent danger.
(ii) Adequate crop compensation and cattle compensation scheme must be started.
(iii) Solar powered fencing should be provided along with electric current proof trenches to
prevent the animals from straying fields.
(iv) Cropping pattern should be changed near forest borders and adequate fruits and water
should be made available for the elephants within forest zones.
(v) Wild life corridors should be provided for mass migration of big animals during unfavorable
periods.

16. Explain the hot spots of biodiversity in India. [Dec2012]
Hot spots of biodiversity
Areas, which exhibit high species richness as well as high species endemism, are termed as
hot spots of biodiversity.
There are 25 such hot spots of biodiversity on a global level out of which two are present in
India, namely the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats.

About 40% of terrestrial plants and 25% of vertebrate species are endemic and found in these
hotspots.
Two of these hotspots lie in India extending into neighbouring countries namely, Indo-Burma
region (covering Eastern Himalayas) and Western Ghats Sri Lanka region.
The Indian hot spots are not only rich in floral wealth and endemic species of plants but also
reptiles, amphibians, swallow tailed butterflies and some mammals.

(a) Eastern Himalayas:
a. They display an ultra-varied topography that fosters species diversity and
endemism.
b. Certain species like Sapria himalayana, a parasitic angiosperm was sighted only
twice in this region in the last 70 years.
c. Out of the worlds recorded flora 30% are endemic to India of which 35,000 are in
the Himalayas.
(b) Western Ghats:
a. It extends along a 17,000 Km
2
strip of forests in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu and Kerala and has 40% of the total endemic plant species.
b. 62% amphibians and 50% lizards are endemic to Western Ghats.
c. The major centers of diversity are Agastyamalai Hills and Silent Valley-_the New
Amambalam Reserve Basin.
d. It is reported that only 6.8% of the original forests are existing today while the rest
has been deforested or degraded.
e. Although the hotspots are characterized by endemism, interestingly, a few species
are common to both the hotspots in India.


1. What is noise? Describe briefly the effects of noise on human health.
[Nov2009,Dec2012]
The unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that cause discomfort for all living organism.
Various psychological effect of noise pollution is summarized below:
(a) Depression and fatigue, which considerably reduces the efficiency of a person.
(b) It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous breakdown, tension and even
insanity.
(c) Prolonged exposure to noise of certain frequency pattern will lead to chronic damage
to the hair cells in the inner ear.
(d) Physiological effects of noise pollution include neurosis, hypertension, increase in
sweating, hepatic diseases, giddiness, peptic ulcers, undesirable change in gastro intestinal
activities behavioural and emotional stress.
(e) Headache, heart pain, loss of hearing.
2. Define air pollution. What are the causes and control of air pollution
[Nov2009,May2013]
The presence of one or more contaminants like dust, smoke, mist and odour in the
atmosphere which are harmful to all living organisms.
Pollutant Sources
Carbonmonoxide(co) Any source that burns
fuel such as automobiles,trucks, heavy construction
equipment, farming
equipment and residential heating.
Carbondioxide(Co
2
) All burning process
Suspended Particulate
Matter (SPM)
Fuel Combustion in Motor
Vehicles, Equipment and Industrial Sources,

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO
2
) Motor
Vehicles, Equipment
and Industrial Sources
Lead Metal Smelters, Leaded Gasoline,
Lead Paint
Sulfur Dioxide (SO
2
) Coal or Oil Burning Power Plants and Industries,
Diesel Engines

Hydrocarbon Agriculture waste, burning of wet logs, decay of
plants.

Photochemical smog Chemical reaction between Hydrocarbon and
Nitrogen oxides by sunlight
Unit- ii environmental pollution

Control:
1. Growing more trees.
2. Avoiding fossil fuels & use of electricity and solar energy.
3. Industries should be located at certain distance from residential area.
4. Radioactive explosion should be banned.
5. Strict enforcement of air pollution control act.

3. Write short note on solid waste management. [Nov2009,May2010,2011,Dec2012]
It is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal and monitoring of solid
waste material.
Causes:
1. Urban waste: Paper, food, wood, cement
2. Industrial waste: Acids, toxic metals, ash, oil,
Municipal solid waste:
Non-hazardous waste discharge from a city or village.
Characteristics of solid waste:
1. Physical characters- size, moisture, density,..
2. Chemical characters- C, H, O, N, ash,S
Process of solid waste management:
1. Solid waste generation
2. Collection of waste
3. Transportation
4. Storage
5. Segregation
6. Disposal of waste:
i) Landfill
ii) Incineration
iii) Composting.
Steps involved in solid waste management:
1. 3Rs method:
i) Reduce: By reducing the use of raw material waste generation will be reduced.
Ii) Reuse: a) Refillable containers can be reused before discarding.
b) Rubber rings can be made from cycle tubes.
iii) Recycle: Reprocessing of discarded materials into new one.
a) Old aluminium cans & glass bottles are converted into new ones.
2. Disposal methods:
i) Landfill: The common & cheapest method. Waste are placed in landfill in alternate
layers & covered with soil after 5 years it can be used for parks, roads buildings.
Advantage:
1. Simple & economic
2. Segregation is not needed.
Disadvantage:
1. Large area is need
2. Land is available away from city so cost is high
ii) Incinerations: solid waste are burned after separated.
Advantage:
1. Low space only need
2. 300 tonnes/day generate 3MW of power.

Disadvantage:
1. Cost is high. 2.Create air pollution on burning.
iii) composting:
Waste are placed in landfill with micro-organismsin alternate layers & covered with soil
for fast decomposition.
Advantage:
1. decomposed waste can be used as a fertilizer.
2. Recycling occurs.

Disadvantage:
1. Segregation is needed;
2. This type of fertilizer cannot yet reach market.

4. ExplainDisastermanagement. [Nov2009,2010,2011,Dec2012,May2013]
Disaster management:
To management of natural harmful process i.e. flood, cyclone,.. in efficient way to save lives
& materials.
FLOOD:
In rivers or lakes excess water that overflow banks & covers the adjacent land.
Causes:
1. Heavy rain.
2. Sudden snow melt.
3. Over-saturated soil.
4. Urbanisation.
Effects:
1. Diseases like cholera, malaria..
2. Economic loss.
3. Agricultural loss.
4. Soil erosion.
Control:
1. Construction of dams properly.
2. Proper diversion of water channel.
3. Insuring life & property from flood.
4. Advance meterological information.
EARTHQUAKE
A sudden movement of earths surface.
Causes:
1. Decrease of ground water level.
2. Underground testing.
3. Due to disequilibrium in any part of the earth. This is cause by volcano, manmade water
bodies like lakes, dams etc.
Effects:
1. To destruction of buildings, roads, dams, bridges.
2. Economic loss.
3. Agricultural loss.
4. Soil erosion.

Control:
1. Construction of building with earthquake proof

2. Identification of earthquake infected area.3. Advance meterological information.

CYCLONE:
It is caused by atmospheric pressure depression forming over the open oceans and moving
into the land.
Effects:
1. Economic loss. 2. Loss of human life 3. Agricultural loss. 4. Soil erosion
Control:
1. Switch off electrical supply.
2. Identification of earthquake infected area.
3. Advance meterological information.

Landslide:
It involves the movement of materials of earth surface like rocks, unwanted materials like soil.
Causes:
1. Deforestation
2. Urbanisation
3. Change in weather,
Effects:
1. Blocking of roads.
2. Soil erosion.
3. Loss of houses & crops.
Control:
1. Banded construction in hilly regions.
2. Proper channeling of water.
3. Identification of landslide infected area.

5. Explain the sources and effects of thermal pollution. [Nov2010]
Increase of water temperature that cause undesirable effect is known as thermal pollution.
Sources :
1. Nuclear power plants. 2. Industrial effluents. 3. Coal fired power plants
4. Domestic sewage
Effects:
1. Reduction of dissolved oxygen in water.
2. Penetration of oxygen is low in deep water.
3. Increase in toxicity of water.
4. Composition of plants & animals changed.
5. Migration, spawning & metabolism of fish are affected.
6. Discuss the various sources of marine pollution.
How can you prevent pollution of our oceans? [Nov2011]
Discharge of waste into ocean or seas is called marine pollution.

Sources:
1. Oil pollution- oil leakage, ship accident
2. Discharge of waste - industrial waste, domestic waste, agriculture waste
Prevention:
1. Conservation of biodiversity should be planned.
2. Industrial units on coastal should be equipped with pollution control.
3. Urban growth near coastal should be reduced.

7. Briefly describe the sources, effect and prevention of soil pollution. [Nov2011]
The contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause harmful
effects on living beings is known as soil pollution.
Sources:
1. Domestic wastes cloth, waste papers.
2. Commercial wastes Cans, polythene bags.
3. agricultural waste fertilizer, pesticides
4. Biological wastes bacteria, virus...
5. Industrial wastes Nuclear and Thermal power plants
Effect:
1. Increase salinity& pollute Toxicity affects plants growth.
2. Excess of fertilizers affect crop yield
3. Nervous dis order.
4. Joint pain.
5. Soil
Control:
1. growing more trees.
2. Treating the waste before disposal.
3. Public awareness.
4. Banned on toxic metals.
5. Strict enforcement of pollution control act.

8. Explain the causes, effects and control measures of nuclear hazards.
The emission of energy from radioactive substances in the environment
Causes:
1. Natural: i) space which emit cosmic rays.
ii) soil, rocks, air,water, food, all are contain 1 or more radioactive substances.
2. Man made: Nuclear power plants, x-rays, nuclear accidents, nuclear bombs..
Effects:
1. Exposure to high doses causes death within hour.
2. Eye exposure leads to cataracts.
3.Internal bleeding & blood vessel damages.
4.Gastro intestinal tract exposure leads to nausea & vomitting
5. During pregnancy, baby leads to brain damage & mental retardation.
Control:
1. Nuclear devices should be exploded in underground if needed.
2. Production of radio isotopes are minimised.
3. Fission reaction should be minimised as emission of radiation are unaltered by man.
4. Nuclear medicines & radiation therapy should be applied when absolutely needed with
minimum doses.
5. Nuclear hazards are disposed safely by dumping them in a big concrete tank &
throwing it in a deep sea.


9. Explain the causes, effects and control of water pollution. [Dec2012]
The change in physical, chemical & biological characteristics of water which may cause harmful
effects on living beings is known as water pollution.
Causes:
1. Infectious waste: bacteria
2. Inorganic chemicals: industrial effluents, acids, salts.
3. Organic waste: oil, paint, plastics, detergents.
4. Agriculture waste: N, P , ammonium ions, runoff..
5. Radio active material : Ur, Th,..
Effects:
1. Diseases like typhoid, malaria,..
2. Affects aquatic lifes.
3. Making fresh water unfit for drinking.
4. Cancer & nervous system damages.
5. Kill fishes & infants.
6. Genetic mutation, birth defects.
Control:
1. Growing more trees.
2. Treating the waste before disposal .
3. Public awareness.
4. Banned on toxic metals.
5. Strict enforcement of pollution control act
6. Recycling of waste water should be encouraged.

10. Write short note on role of individual in prevention of pollution. [Dec2012]

(i). Plant more trees.
(ii). Use natural gas than coal.
(iii). Reduce deforestation
(iv). Use CFC free refrigerators.
(v). Using recyclable products.
(vi). Use water, energy and other resources efficiently.
(vii) Control population growth.
(viii) Avoid non- biodegradable materials.
(ix) Conserve rain water.
(x) Use renewable resources.


1. Discuss in detail the causes and consequences of overexploitation of forest resources.
Over Exploitation of Forests:
Causes:
1. Man depends heavily on forests for food, medicine, shelter, wood and fuel.
2. With growing civilization the demands for raw material like timber, pulp, minerals, fuel
wood etc. shot up resulting in large scale logging, mining, road-building and clearing of
forests.
3. Our forests contribute substantially to the national economy.
4. The international timber trade alone is worth over US $ 40 billion per year.
5. The devasting effects of deforestation in India include soil, water and wind erosion,
estimated to cost over 16,400 crores every year.
Effects:
1. Migration of farmers.
2. environmental damages.
3. Tropical forest are destroyed.
4. Countless plant & animal species are under threat.
2. Give a brief account of renewable energy resources and their significance.
[Dec2009,May 2010]
RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES:
These resources can be regenerated by natural process within the reasonable time.
SOLAR ENERGY:
1. The energy that we get directly from the sun is called solar energy.
2. The nuclear fusion reactions occurring inside the sun release enormous amount of
energy in the form of heat and light.
3. The solar energy received by the near earth space is approximately1.4 kJ/s/m
2
known
as solar constant.
Methods of Harvesting Solar Energy
1. Solar cells (or) photovoltaic cells (or) PV cells
1. Solar cells consist of a p-type semiconductor
(such as Si doped with B) and n-type semi-
conductor (Si doped with P).
2. They are in close contact with each other.
3. When the solar rays fall on the top layer of p-type
semi-conductor, the electrons from the valence band
get promoted to the conduction band and cross the
p-n junction into n-type semi-conductor.
4. There by potential difference between two layers is
created, which causes flow of electrons (ie.,an
electric current)

Uses:Used in calculators, electronic watches. Street lights, water pumps to run radios and TVs.
UNIT-III NATURAL RESOURCES

Solar Battery
1. When a large number of solar cells are connected in series it forms a solar battery.
2. Solar battery produce more electricity which is enough to run water pump, to run street-
light, etc.,
3. They are used in remote areas where conventional electricity supply is a problem.
2. Solar heat collectors
Solar heat collectors consists of natural materials like stones, bricks, (or) materials like glass, which
can absorb heat during the day time and release it slowly at night.
Uses
Used in cold places, where houses are kept in hot condition using solar heat collectors.
3. Solar water heater: It consists of
An insulated box inside of which is painted with black paint.
Provided with a glass lid to receive and store solar heat.
Inside the box it has black painted copper coil, through which cold
water is allowed to flow in, which gets heated up and flows out
into a storage tank.From the storage tank water is then supplied
through pipes.
WIND ENERGY:Moving air is called wind.
1. Energy recovered from the force of the wind is called wind energy.
2. The energy possessed by wind is because of its high speed.
3. The wind energy is harnessed by making use of wind mills.
Harvesting of wind energy
1. Wind Mills
The strike of blowing wind on the blades of the wind mill
makes it rotating continuously.
The rotational motion of the blade drives a number of machines
like water pump, flour mills and electric generators.
2. Wind farms
When a large number of wind mills are installed and joined together in a definite pattern it
forms a wind farm.
The wind farms produce a large amount of electricity.
Conditions
The minimum speed required for satisfactory working of a wind generator is 15 km/hr.
Advantages
It does not cause any air pollution
It is very cheap.


OCEAN ENERGY
It can be generated by following ways.
1. Tidal energy (or) Tidal power
Ocean tides, produced by gravitational forces of sun and moon, contain enormous amount of
energy.
1. The high tide and low tide refer to the rise and fall of water in the oceans.
2. The tidal energy can be harnessed by constructing a tidal barrage.
3. During high tide, the sea-water is allowed to flow into the reservoir of the barrage and
rotates the turbine, which intern produces electricity by rotating the generators.
4. During low tide, when the sea level is low, the sea water stored in the barrage reservoir
is allowed to flow into the sea and again rotates the turbine.

2. Ocean thermal energy (OTE)
There is often large temperature difference between the surface level and deeper level of the
tropical oceans.
1. This temperature difference can be utilized to generate electricity.
2. The energy available due to the difference in temperature of water is called ocean
thermal energy.
Condition:The temperature difference should be of 20
0
C or more is required between surface water
and deeper water.
Process
1. The warm surface water of ocean is used to boil a low boiling liquid like ammonia.
2. The high vapour pressure of the liquid, formed by boiling is then to turn the turbine of
the generator and generates electricity.
3. The cold water from the deeper ocean is pumped to cool and condense the vapour into
liquid.
GEO-THERMAL ENERGY
1. Temperature of the earth increases at a rate of 20-75
0
C per km, when we move down
the earth surface.
2. High temperature and high pressure steam fields exists below the earths surface in
many places.
3. The energy harnessed from the high temperature present inside the earth is called
geothermal energy.
1. Natural geysers
In some places, the hot water (or) steam comes out of the ground through cracks naturally in
the form
2. Artificial geysers
In some places, we can artificially drill a hole up to the hot region and by sending a pipe in it,
we can make the hot water or steam to rush out through the pipe with very high pressure.
Thus, the hot water (or) steam coming out from the natural (or) artificial geysers is allowed to rotate the
turbine of a generator to produce electricity.
BIOMASS ENERGY
Biomass is the organic matter, produced by plants or animals, used as sources of energy.
Most of the biomass is burned directly for heating, cooling and industrial purposes.
Eg: Wood, crop residues, seeds, cattle dung, sewage, agricultural wastes.


1. Biogas
1. Mixture of methane, carbondioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ete.
2. It contains about 65% of methane gas as a major constituent
3. Biogas is obtained by the anaerobic fermentation of animal dung or plant wastes in
the presence of water.
2. Bio fuels
Biofuels are the fuels, obtained by the fermentation of biomass.
Eg: Ethanol, Methanol
(a)Ethanol
Ethanol can be easily produced from the sugarcane. Its calorific value is less when compared
to petrol, and produces much less heat than petrol.
(b)Methanol
Methanol can be easily obtained from ethanol or sugar-containing plants.
Its calorific value is also too low when compared to gasoline and diesel.
(c)Gasohol
Gasohol is a mixture of ethanol+gasoline.
1. In India trial is being carried out to use Gasohol in cars and buses.
2. Methanol is very useful since it burns at a lower temperature than gasoline or diesel. Due
to its high calorific value, hydrogen can serve as an excellent fuel.
3. Moreover it is non-polluting and can be easily produced.
4. Presently H
2
is used in the form of liquid hydrogen as a fuel in spaceships.

3. Hydrogen Fuel:
Hydrogen can be produced by thermal dissociation or photolysis or electrolysis of water.
It possesses high calorific value.
It is non polluting, because the combustion product is water.
Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel
1. Hydrogen is highly inflammable and explosive in nature
2. Safe handling is required
3. It is difficult to store and transport.

3. Explain Land Resources. [May2010,Nov2010]
LAND RESOURCES
1. It provides food, fibre, wood, medicine and other biological materials
2. Soil is the mixture of inorganic materials (rocks and minerals) and organic materials
(dead animals and plants).
3. Top soil is classified as renewable resources.
Uses of land resources
1. Land provide, food, wood, minerals, etc., for us
2. Land nurtures the plants and animals that provide our food and shelter.
3. Land is used as watershed or reservoir
4. Land acts as a dust bin for most of the wastes, created by the modern society.
5. Land is used for construction of buildings, industries.


LAND DEGRADATION:
Process of degradation of soil or loss of fertility of the soil.
Harmful effects of land degradation
1. The soil texture and soil structure are deteriorated
2. Loss of soil fertility, due to loss of invaluable nutrients
3. Increase in water logging, salinity, and alkalinity and acidity problems.
4. Loss of economic social and biodiversity.
Causes :
1. Population
Land resources degraded by over population &over exploitation.
2. Urbanization
Urbanization leads to deforestation, reduces the land
3. Fertilizers and pesticides
Increased applications of fertilizers and pesticides leads to pollution of land and water and soil
degradation.
4. Damage of top soil
Increase in food production generally leads to damage to top soil through nutrient depletion.
5. Water-logging
Soil erosion, salination and contamination of the soil with industrial wastes all cause land
degradation.
6. Soil erosion
Soil erosion is the process of removal of superficial layer of the soil from one place to another.
Soil erosion:
Harmful effects of soil erosion
1) Soil fertility is lost because of loss of top soil layer.
2) Loss of its ability to hold water and sediment.
3) Sediment runoff can pollute water and kill aquatic life.
Types of soil erosion
(i)Normal erosion
Gradual removal of top soil by the natural process.
The rate of erosion is slower.
(ii)Accelerated erosion
Caused by man-made activities
The rate of erosion is much faster than the rate of formation of soil.
Man induced landslides
1. Various anthropogenic activities like hydroelectric projects, large dams, reservoirs,
construction of roads and railway lines, construction of buildings, mining etc are responsible
for clearing of large forested areas.
2. Earlier there were few reports of landslides between Rishikesh and Byasi on Badrinath
Highway area. But, after the highway was constructed, 15 landslides occurred in a single
year.
3. During the construction of roads, mining activities etc. huge portions of fragile
mountainous areas are cut or destroyed by dynamite and thrown into adjacent valleys and
streams.
4. These land masses weaken the already fragile mountain slopes and lead to landslides.
5. They also increase the turbidity of various nearby streams, thereby reducing their
productivity.

Causes of soil erosion
(i)Water
Affects soil erosion in the form of rain, run-off, rapid flow, wave action.
(ii)Wind
Wind is the important climatic agent, who carry away the fine particles of soil and creates
soil erosion.
(iii)Biotic agents
1. Overgrazing, mining and deforestation are the major biotic agents, cause soil erosion.
2. Deforestation without reforestation, overgrazing by cattle, surface mining without land
reclamation, irrigation techniques that lead to salt build- up, water logged soil, make the
top soil vulnerable to erosion.
3. 35% of world soil erosion is due to overgrazing.
4. 30% of world soil erosion is due to deforestation.
(iv) Landslides -Causes soil erosion.
(v)Construction-Construction of dams, buildings, roads removes the protective vegetal cover and leads
to soil erosion.
Control of soil erosion (or) soil conservation practices
1. Conservational till farming (or) no-till-farming
1. In tradition method, the land is ploughed and soil is broken up and leveled to make a
planting surface.
2. This disturbs the soil and makes it susceptible to erosion
3. However, no-till-farming causes minimum disturbance to the top soil
4. Here the tilling machines make slits in the unploughed soil and inject seeds, fertilizers
and water in the slit. So the seed germinates and the crop grows.
2. Contour farming
1. It involves planting crops in rows across the contour of gently sloped land.
2. Each row acts as a small dam to hold soil and to slow water runoff.
3. Terracing
1. It involves conversion of steep slopes into broad terraces, which run across the
contour.
2. This retains water for crops and reduces soil erosion by controlling runoff.
4. Alley cropping (or) Agro forestry
1. It involves planting crops in strips or alleys between rows of trees of shrubs that
can provide fruits and fuel wood.
2. Even when the crop is harvested, the soil will not be eroded because trees and shrubs
still remain on the soil and hold the soil particles.

5. Wind breaks or shelter belts
1. The trees are planted in long rows along the boundary of cultivated lands, which block
the wind and reduce soil erosion.
2. Wind breaks help in retaining soil moisture, supply of some wood for fuel and provide
habitats for birds.
Desertification:
A progressive destruction or degradation of arid or semi arid lands to desert.
Causes:
1. Deforestation: the process of degrading forest land initiates a desert. No vegetation to
hold rain water, soil cannot soak & ground water level reduces.

2. Over grazing: Increase in cattle population heavily graze the grass land or forest &
degrade land. Land becomes dry, loose leads to soil erosion & to deserve.
3. Water management: Over utilization of ground water, in coastal regions results in
saline water intrusion into aquifers which is unfit for irrigation.
4. Mining: Loss of vegetation & degrade land area leads to desertification.
5. Climate change: Failure of monsoon leads to frequent drought.
6. Pollution: Excessive use of fertilizers & pesticides & toxic water disposal into land,
leads to desertification.
Effects:
1. Around 80% productive land in arid & semi aarid regions are converted into deserts.
2. Around 600 million people are threatened by desertification.

4. Explain the various conventional energy sources. [Nov2010]
NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:
1. Coal
Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed in several stages as buried remains of land plants that lived
300-400 million years ago were subjected to intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
Various stages of coal
Wood Peat Lignite Bituminous coal Anthracite
1. The carbon content of Anthracite is 90% and its calorific value is 8700 k.cal.
2. The carbon content of bituminous, lignite and peat are 80, 70 and 60% respectively
3. India has about 5% of worlds coal. Indian coal is not good because of poor heat capacity.
Disadvantages
1. When coal is burnt it produces CO
2
causes global warming
2. Since coal contains impurities like S and N, it produces toxic gases during burning.
2. Petroleum oil:Petroleum or crude oil = hydrocarbons +small amount S, O, N.
Occurrence
The fossil fuel formed by the decomposition of dead animals and plants that were buried under
lake and ocean at high temperature and pressure for million years
Fractional distillation
Hydrocarbons are separated by fractioning the crude oil.
Petroleum World Scenario
1. 67% oil reserves.
2. 25% of the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia.
At the present rate of usage, the worlds crude oil reserves are expected to get exhausted in just 40
years.
3. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
1. The petroleum gas, converted into liquid under high pressure as LPG
2. LPG is colorless and odorless gas.
3. During bottling some mercaptans is added, to detect leakage of LPG from the cylinder.
4. Natural Gas
1. Mixture of 50-90% methane and small amount of other hydrocarbons.
2. Its calorific value ranges from 12,000-14,000 k-cal/m
3.

(i)Dry gas
If the natural gas contains lower hydrocarbons like methane and ethane, it is called dry gas.
(ii)Wet gas

If the natural gas contains higher hydrocarbons like propane, butane along with methane it is
called wet gas.
Occurrence
Formed by the decomposition of dead animals and plants, those were buried under lake and
ocean, at high temperature and pressure for millions of years.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Dr. H. Bhabha father. India has 10 nuclear reactors, which produce 2% of Indias electricity.
1. Nuclear Fission
Heavier nucleus is split into lighter nuclei, on bombardment by fast moving neutrons, and a
large amount of energy is released. Eg: Fission of U
235
When U
235
nucleus is hit by a thermal neutron, it undergoes the following reaction with the release of 3
neutrons.
U
92
235 +
n
1
0
Ba
139
56
+ Kr
94
36
+ 3n
1
0
+ Energy
1. Each of the above 3 neutrons strikes another U
235
nucleus causing (3x3) 9 subsequent
reactions.
2. These 9 reactions further give rise to (3x9) 27 reactions.
3. This process of propagation of the reaction by multiplication in threes at each fission is
called chain reaction.

Fission reaction of U
235
is given below.
92
U
235
+
0
n1
36
Kr
92
+
56
Ba
141
+ 3
0
n
1
+ energy
2. Nuclear fusion:
Lighter nucleuses are combined together at extremely high temperatures to form heavier
nucleus and a large amount of energy is released.
Eg: Fusion of H
2
1
.Two hydrogen-2 (Deuterium) atoms may fuse to form helium at 1 billion
0
C with
the release of large amount of energy
1
H
2
+
1
H
2

3
He
2
+
0
n
1
+energy
Nuclear power of India
1. Tarapur(Maharashtra),
2. Ranapratap Sagar (Rajasthan)
3. Kalpakkam (Tamilnadu)
4. Narora (U.P).

5. Explain in detail about Mineral resources [Nov2010]
Mineral Resources:
Uses of minerals
Mineral is an element or inorganic compound that occurs naturally. The main uses of minerals
are as follows:
1. Development of industrial plants and machinery
2. Generation of energy e.g. coal, lignite, uranium
3. Construction, housing ,settlements
4. Defense equipments- weapons, settlement
5. Transportation means
6. Communication-telephone wires, cables, electronic devices
7. Medical system- particularly in Ayurvedic System
8. Formation of alloys for various purposes
9. Agriculture- as fertilizers, seed dressings and fungicides
10. Jewellery- eg. Gold, silver, platinum, diamond


Environmental impacts of mineral extraction:
Effects of mining: Mining is done to extract minerals from deep deposits in soil.
Environmental damages caused by mining activities are as follows:
1. Devegetation and defacing of lands: Mining requires removal of vegetation along with
underlying soil mantle and overlying rock masses. This results in destruction of landscape
in the area.
2. Subsidence of land: Subsidence of mining areas results in tilting of buildings, cracks in
houses, buckling of roads, bending of rail tracks and leaking of gas from cracked pipe lines
leading to serious disasters.
3. Groundwater contamination: Mining pollutes the groundwater. Sulphur, usually present
as an impurity in many ores is known to get converted into sulphuric acid through microbial
action, thereby making the water acidic.
4. Surface water pollution: The acid mine drainage often contaminates the nearby streams
and lakes. The acidic water, radioactive substances like uranium, heavy metals also
contaminate the water bodies and kill aquatic animals.
5. Air pollution: In order to separate and purify the metal from other impurities in the ore,
smelting is done which emits enormous quantities of air pollutants. Oxides of sulphur,
arsenic, cadmium and lead etc. shoot up in the atmosphere near the smelters and the
public suffers from several health problems.
6. Occupational Health Hazards: Miners working in different type of mines suffer from
asbestosis, silicosis, black lung disease etc
Remedial measures:
1. Adopting eco-friendly mining technology
2. Utilization of low grade ores by using microbial leaching technique. In this method, the ores
are inoculated with the desired strains of bacteria like Thiobacillus ferroxidans, which remove
the impurities and leave the pure mineral.
3. Re-vegetating mined areas with appropriate plants
4. Gradual restoration of flora
5. Prevention of toxic drainage discharge.

6. Explain in detail about Food resources. [Nov2010]
Food resources:
Food is an essential requirement for the survival. The main components of food are
carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals & vitamins.
WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS:
1. Problems mainly under nutrition and malnutrition
2. Natural calamities: famine, drought, earthquake, flood, gale, storm
3. Disease and medical facilities.
4. Pest damage: insects, bacteria, viruses, parasites consume 60% of worlds food production
5. Hunger
6. Population explosion in rural areas
7. Environmental pollution
8. Lack of water for irrigation
9. Less rainfall due to deforestation
10. Livestock overgrazing


Effects of overgrazing and agriculture:
Overgrazing:
It is the process of eating away the forest vegetation without giving it a chance to regenerate.
Effects of overgrazing:
1. Land degradation: Overgrazing removes the grass cover. The humus content of the soil is
decreased and it leads to poor, dry, compacted soil.
2. Soil erosion: The soil roots are very good binders of soil. When the grasses are removed, the
soil becomes loose and susceptible to the action of wind and water.
3. Loss of useful species: Due to overgrazing the nutritious species like cenchrus, panicum etc.
are replaced by thorny plants like Parthenium, Xanthium etc. These species do not have a
good capacity of binding the soil particles and, therefore, the soil becomes more prone to soil
erosion.
Agriculture:
Traditional Agriculture and its impacts:
1. Usually involves a small plot
2. Simple tools
3. Naturally available water
4. Organic fertilizer and a mix of crops
Main effects:
1. Deforestation
2. Soil erosion
3. Depletion of nutrients
Modern Agriculture and its effects:
1. It makes use of hybrid seeds of selected and single crop variety.
2. high-tech equipments, lots of energy subsidies in the form of fertilizers and, pesticides
3. Irrigation water
Main effects:
I. Fertilizer related problems:
a. Micronutrient imbalance: Chemical fertilizers have nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium (N,P,K) which are essential macronutrients. Excessive use of fertilizers
cause micronutrient imbalance. For example, excessive fertilizer use in Punjab and
Haryana has caused deficiency of the micronutrient Zinc in the soils, which is affecting
productivity of the soil.
b. Nitrate Pollution: Nitrogenous fertilizers applied in the fields often leach deep into the
soil and ultimately contaminate the ground water. The nitrates get concentrated in the
water and when their concentration exceeds 25 mg/L, they become the cause of a
serious health hazard called "Blue Baby Syndrome". This disease affects the infants to
the maximum extent causing even death.
c. Eutrophication: A large proportion of nitrogen and phosphorus used in crop fields is
washed off along with runoff water and reach the water bodies causing over
nourishment of the lakes, a process known as Eutrophication. (Eu=more,
tropic=nutrition). Due to Eutrophication the lakes get invaded by algal blooms. These
algal species grow very fast by rapidly using up the nutrients. The algal species quickly
complete their life cycle and die thereby adding a lot of dead matter. The fishes are also
killed and there is lot of dead matter that starts getting decomposed.
II. Pesticide related problems: Thousands of types of pesticides are used in agriculture. The
first generation pesticides include chemicals like sulphur, arsenic, lead or mercury to kill the
pests. They have number of side effects as discussed below:

a. Producing new pests: About 20 species of pests are now known which have become
immune to all types of pesticides and are known as "Super pests".
b. Death of non-target organisms: Many insecticides not only kill the target species but
also several non-target species that are useful to us.
c. Bio- magnification: Many of the pesticides are non-biodegradable and keep on
accumulating in the food chain, a process called biological magnification. This is very
harmful.
III. Water Logging: Water logging is the land where water stand for most of the year.
Causes:
1. excessive water supply to croplands.
2. heavy rain.
Effects:
Water log fills the pore voids in the soil, so roots of plant do not get air for respiration, so the
mechanical strength of the soil & crop yield decreases.
IV. Salinity Problem: Water does not absorbed by the soil undergo evaporation leaving a thin
layer of dissolved salts in the top soil. It is due to the accumulation of sodium chloride, calcium
chloride.
Effects:
1. ground water pollution.
2. poor plants growth.
3. crop productivity is affected year by year.
Remedy:
(i) The most common method for getting rid of salts is to flush them out by applying more good
quality water to such soils.
(ii) Another method is laying underground network of perforated drainage pipes for flushing out
the salts slowly.

7. What are the natural resources availability in India and discuss any two of them.
[Dec2012, May 2011]
Natural resources in India:
1. Forest resources.
2. Water resources.
3. Food resources
4. Land resources.
5. Energy resources
6. Mineral resources.
Forest resources:Uses of Forests:Commercial uses:
1. Man depends heavily on a larger number of plant and animal products from forests for
his daily needs.
2. The chief product that forests supply is wood, which is used as fuel, raw material for
various industries as pulp, paper, newsprint, board, timber for furniture items, other
uses as in packing articles, matches, sports goods etc.
3. Indian forests also supply minor products like gums, resins, dyes, tannins, fibers, etc.
4. Many of the plants are utilized in preparing medicines and drugs; Total worth of which is
estimated to be more than $300 billion per year.
5. Many forests lands are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, and recreation and for
development of dams.


Ecological uses:
The ecological services provided by our forests may be summed up as follows:
1. Production of Oxygen: The main green house gas carbondioxide is absorbed by the
forests as a raw material for photo synthesis. Thus forest canopy acts as a sink for
corbondioxide thereby reducing the problem of global warming caused by green house
gas CO
2

2. Wild life habitat: Forests are the homes of millions of wild animals and plants. About 7
million species are found in the tropical forests alone.
3. Regulation of hydrological Cycle: Forested watersheds act like giant sponges,
absorbing the rainfall, slowing down the runoff. They control climate through
transpiration of water and seed clouding.
4. Soil Conservation: Forests bind the soil particles tightly in their roots and prevent soil
erosion. They also act as wind breakers.
5. Pollution moderators: Forests can absorb many toxic gases and can help in keeping
the air pure and in preventing noise pollution.
Over Exploitation of Forests
1. Man depends heavily on forests for food, medicine, shelter, wood and fuel.
2. With growing civilization the demands for raw material like timber, pulp, minerals, fuel
wood etc. shot up resulting in large scale logging, mining, road-building and clearing of
forests.
3. Our forests contribute substantially to the national economy.
4. The international timber trade alone is worth over US $ 40 billion per year.
5. The devasting effects of deforestation in India include soil, water and wind erosion,
estimated to cost over 16,400 crores every year.
Deforestation
1. Deforestation means destruction of forests.
2. The total forests area of the world in 1900 was estimated to be 7,000 million hectares
which was reduced to 2890 million ha in 1975 fell down to just 2,300 million ha by 2000.
3. Deforestation rate is relatively less in temperature countries, but it is very alarming in
tropical countries.
4. Deforestation is a continuous process in India where about 1.3 hectares of forest land
has been lost.
5. The per capita availability of forest in India is 0.08 hectares per person which is much
lower than the world average of 0.8 hectares.
6. The presence of waste land is a sign of deforestation in India.
Causes of Deforestation:
Major causes of deforestation are listed below:
a) Development projects
b) Shifting cultivation
c) Fuel requirements
d) Construction of dams
e) Growing food needs
Consequences of deforestation:
Some of the effects of deforestation are listed below:
a) Effect on climate
1. Global warming
2. Less rainfall
3. Hot climate and others.


b) Effect on biodiversity
1. Loss of medicinal plants.
2. Loss of timber, fuel wood and others.
c) Effect on resources
1. Loss of land resource
2. Loss of soil fertility
3. Soil erosion
4. Drastic changes in biogeochemical cycles
d) Effect on economy
1. Increase in medicinal values
2. Demand of industrial products and others
e) Effect on food
1. Loss of fruit production
2. Loss of root based foods

Timber Extraction:
1. Logging for valuable timber such as teak and mahogany not only involves a few large
trees per hectare but about a dozen more trees since they are strongly interlocked with
each other by vines etc.
2. Also road construction for making approach to the trees causes further damage to the
forests.
3. In India, firewood demand would continue to rise in future mostly consumed in rural
areas, where alternative sources of energy, are yet to reach.
Mining:
1. Mining is the process of removing deposits of ores from substantially very well below
the ground level.
2. Mining is carried out to remove several minerals including coal.
3. These mineral deposits invariably found in the forest region, and any operation of
mining will naturally affect the forests.
4. Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from deep deposits is
done by sub-surface mining.
5. More than 80,000 ha of land of the country is presently under the stress of mining
activities.
Effects of mining resources:
1. Mining operation require removal of vegetation along with underlying soil mantle and
overlying rock masses. This results in destruction of landscape in the area.
2. Large scale of deforestation has been reported in Mussorie and Dehradun valley due to
mining of various areas.
3. Indiscriminate mining in Goa since 1961 has destroyed more than 50,000 ha of forest
land.
4. Mining of radioactive mineral in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are posing similar
threats of deforestation.

Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people:
1. Big dams and river valley projects have multi-purpose uses and have been referred to
as "Temples of modern India.
2. India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of Maharashtra
(more than 600) followed by Gujarat (more than 250) and Madhya Pradesh (130).

3. The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Utttaranchal and the largest in
terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Sutlej.
Effects on Tribal people
1. The greatest social cost of big dam is the widespread displacement of local people.
2. It is estimated that the number of people affected directly or indirectly by all big irrigation
projects in India over the past 50 years can be as high as 20 millions.
3. The Hirakud dam, one of the largest dams executed in fifties, has displaced more than
20,000 people residing in 250 villages.
Effects on forests
Thousands of hectares of forests have been cleared for executing river valley projects which
breaks the natural ecological balance of the region. Floods, landslides become more prevalent in such
areas.
For example
1. The Narmada sagar project alone has submerged 3.5 lakh hectares of best forest comprising
of rich teak and bamboo forests.
2. The Tehri dam submerged 1000 hectares of forest affecting about 430 species of plants
according to the survey carried out by the botanical survey of India.
Water Resources:
Uses of Water:
1. Due to its unique properties, water is of multiple uses for all living organisms.
2. Water is absolutely essential for life.
3. Most of the life processes take place in water contained in the body.
4. Uptake of nutrients, their distribution in the body, regulation of temperature, and removal of
wastes are all mediated through water.
5. Human beings depend on water for almost every developmental activity.
6. Water is used for drinking, irrigation, and transportation, washing and waste disposal for industries
and used as a coolant for thermal power plants.
7. Water shaped the earth's surface and regulates our climate.

Over utilization of surface and ground water:
1. With increasing human population and rapid development, the world water withdrawal
demands have increased many folds and a large proportion of the water withdrawn is
polluted due to anthropogenic activities.
2. Out of the total water reserves of the world, about 97% is salty water and only 3% is
fresh water.
3. Even this small fraction of fresh water is not available to us as most of it is locked up in
polar ice caps and just 0.003% is readily available to us in the form of ground water and
surface water.
Effects of over exploitation of water:
1. Subsidence: When ground water withdrawal is more than its recharge rate, the sediments in
the aquifer (a layer of rock that is highly permeable and contains water) get compacted, a
phenomenon knows as ground subsidence. It results in sinking of overlying land surface. Due
to this structural damage in buildings, fracture in pipes etc., occurs.
2. Lowering of water table: Mining of groundwater is done extensively for irrigating crop fields.
However, excessive mining would cause lowering of water table.
3. Water logging: When excessive irrigation is done with brackish water it raises the water table
gradually leading to water-logging and salinity problems.
Floods and drought
1. Heavy rainfall often causes floods in the low-lying coastal areas.

2. Prolonged downpour can also cause the over-flowing of lakes and rivers resulting into
floods.
3. When annual rainfall is below normal and less than evaporation, drought conditions are
created.
Causes of flood and drought:
1. Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, rapid industrialization, global warming etc., have
contributed largely to a sharp rise in the incidence of floods.
2. Deforestation leads to desertification and drought too. When the trees are cut, the soil is
subject to erosion by heavy rains, winds and sun.
3. The removal of thin top layer of soil takes away the nutrients and the soil becomes
useless.
4. The eroded soils exhibit droughty tendency.
Preventive measures:
Clear knowledge in control of drought and desertification can be very useful for dealing with the
problem.
1. Carefully selected mixed cropping helps to optimize production and minimize the risks of crop
failures.
2. Social forestry and Wasteland development can prove quite effective to fight the problem, but it
should be based on proper understanding of ecological requirement and natural process.
Conflicts over water
Indispensability of water and its unequal distribution has often led to inter-state or international
disputes. Issues related to sharing of river water have been largely affecting our farmers and also
shaking our governments. Many countries are engaged in bitter rivalries over this precious resource.
For instance,
1. India and Pakistan fight over the rights to water from the Indus,
2. Mexico and USA have come in conflict over the Colorado river,
3. India and Bangladesh are fighting for Bhrahmaputra river, and
4. Sharing of Krishna water between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,
5. Sharing of Siruvani water between Tamilnadu and Kerala, and others.
6. Sharing of Cauvery between Karnataka and Tamilnadu
Big-Dams Benefits and Problems
Benefits:
1. River valley projects with big dams play a key role in the development process due to their
multiple uses.
2. These dams aim at providing employment for tribal people and raising the standard and quality
of life.
3. Dams can help in checking floods and generate electricity and reduce water and power
shortage, provide irrigation water to lower areas, provide drinking water in remote areas and
promote navigation, fishery etc.
Problems:
The impacts of big dams can be upstream as well as downstream levels.
The upstream problems include the following:
1. Displacement of tribal people
2. Loss of forests, flora and fauna
3. Loss of non-forest land
4. Stagnation and waterlogging near reservoir
5. earthquakes
6. Microclimatic changes


The downstream problems include the following:
1. Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
2. Microclimatic changes
3. Reduced water flow and slit deposition in river
4. Salt water intrusion at river mouth
5. Loss of land fertility
6. vector-borne diseases like malaria.

7. Discuss the world food problems in detail and how does it affect other resources?
[May 2011]
WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS:
1. Problems mainly under nutrition and malnutrition
2. Natural calamities: famine, drought, earthquake, flood, gale, storm
3. Disease and medical facilities
4. Pest damage: insects, bacteria, viruses, parasites consume 60% of worlds food production
5. Hunger
6. Population explosion in rural areas
7. Environmental pollution
8. Lack of water for irrigation
9. Less rainfall due to deforestation
10. Livestock overgrazing

8. Explain the basic types of soil erosion and agents responsible for soil erosion.
(or) What are the conservation practices employed to prevent soil erosion?
[Nov 2011, May 2010, Nov2010]
Soil erosion
Harmful effects of soil erosion
1. Soil fertility is lost because of loss of top soil layer.
2. Loss of its ability to hold water and sediment.
3. Sediment runoff can pollute water and kill aquatic life.
Types of soil erosion
(i)Normal erosion
Gradual removal of top soil by the natural process. The rate of erosion is slower.
(ii)Accelerated erosion
Caused by man-made activities
The rate of erosion is much faster than the rate of formation of soil.
Causes of soil erosion
(i)Water:Affects soil erosion in the form of rain, run-off, rapid flow, wave action.
(ii)Wind:Wind is the important climatic agent, who carry away the fine particles of soil and creates soil
erosion.
(iii)Biotic agents:Overgrazing, mining and deforestation are the major biotic agents, cause soil erosion.
Deforestation without reforestation, overgrazing by cattle, surface mining without land
reclamation, irrigation techniques that lead to salt build- up, water logged soil, make the
top soil vulnerable to erosion.
(iv) Landslides-Causes soil erosion.


(v)Construction
-Construction of dams, buildings, roads removes the protective vegetal cover and leads to soil
erosion.
Control of soil erosion (or) soil conservation practices
1. Conservational till farming (or) no-till-farming
1. In tradition method, the land is ploughed and soil is broken up and leveled to make a
planting surface.
2. This disturbs the soil and makes it susceptible to erosion
3. However, no-till-farming causes minimum disturbance to the top soil
4. Here the tilling machines make slits in the unploughed soil and inject seeds, fertilizers
and water in the slit. So the seed germinates and the crop grows.
2. Contour farming
1. It involves planting crops in rows across the contour of gently sloped land.
2. Each row acts as a small dam to hold soil and to slow water runoff.
3. Terracing
1. It involves conversion of steep slopes into broad terraces, which run across the
contour.
2. This retains water for crops and reduces soil erosion by controlling runoff.
4. Alley cropping (or) Agro forestry
1. It involves planting crops in strips or alleys between rows of trees of shrubs that
can provide fruits and fuel wood.
2. Even when the crop is harvested, the soil will not be eroded because trees and shrubs
still remain on the soil and hold the soil particles.
5. Wind breaks or shelter belts
1. The trees are planted in long rows along the boundary of cultivated lands, which block
the wind and reduce soil erosion.
2. Wind breaks help in retaining soil moisture, supply of some wood for fuel and provide
habitats for birds.
9. What is land degradation? Explain factors responsible and controlling measures of land
degradation. [May 2010, Nov2010]
LAND DEGRADATION:
Process of degradation of soil or loss of fertility of the soil.
Harmful effects of land degradation
1. The soil texture and soil structure are deteriorated
2. Loss of soil fertility, due to loss of invaluable nutrients
3. Increase in water logging, salinity, and alkalinity and acidity problems.
4. Loss of economic social and biodiversity.
Causes :
1. Population: Land resources degraded by over population &over exploitation.
2. Urbanization: Urbanization leads to deforestation, reduces the land
3. Fertilizers and pesticides: Increased applications of fertilizers and pesticides leads to pollution of land
and water and soil degradation.
4. Damage of top soil:Increase in food production generally leads to damage to top soil through nutrient
depletion.
5. Water-logging: Soil erosion, salination and contamination of the soil with industrial wastes all cause
land degradation.

6. Soil erosion: Soil erosion is the process of removal of superficial layer of the soil from one place to
another.
10.. Explain equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.
EQUITABLE USE OF RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIFE STYLE:
1. There is a big divide in the world as North and South, the more developed countries (MDC'S)
and less developed countries (LDC'S), the haves and the have nots.
2. The MDC's have only 22% of world's population, but they use 88% of its natural resources,
73% of its energy and command 85% of its income.
3. As the rich nations continue to grow, they will reach a limit.
4. If they have a growth rat of 10% every year, they will show 1024 times increase in the next 70
years.
5. Will this much of growth be sustainable? The answer is 'No' because many of our earth's
resources are limited and even the renewable resources will become unsustainable if their use
exceeds their regeneration.
6. Thus, the solution to this problem is to have more equitable distribution of resources and
wealth.
7. We cannot expect the poor countries to stop growth in order to check pollution because
development brings employment and the main problem of these countries is to tackle poverty.
8. The poor in the LDC'S are at least able to sustain their life.
9. Unless they are provided with such basic resources, we cannot think of rooting out the
problems related to dirty, unhygienic, polluted, disease infested settlements of these people-
which contribute to unsustainability.
10. Thus, the two basic causes of unsustainability are over population in poor countries who have
under consumption of resources and over consumption of resources by the rich countries,
which generate wastes.
11. In order to achieve sustainable life styles it is desirable to achieve a more balanced and
equitable distribution of global resources and income to meet everyone's basic needs.
12. The rich countries will have to lower down their consumption levels while the bare minimum
needs of the poor have to be fulfilled by providing them resources.
13. A fairer sharing of resources will narrow down the gap between the rich and the poor and will
lead to sustainable development for all and not just for a privileged group.

11. Explain the role of individual in conservation of natural resources.[Dec2012]
Different natural resources like forests, water, soil, food, mineral and energy resources play a
vital role in the development of a nation. While conservation efforts are underway at National as well
as International level, the individual efforts for conservation of natural resources can go a long way.
I. Conserve Water
1. Don't keep water taps running while brushing, shaving, washing or bathing.
2. Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly. A small pin-hole
sized leak will lead to the wastage of 640 liters of water in a month.
3. Use drip irrigation and sprinkling irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency and reduce
evaporation.
4. Install a small system to capture rain water and collect normally wasted used water
from sinks, cloth-washers, bathtubs etc. which can be used for watering the plants
5. Build rain water harvesting system in your house. Even the President of India is doing
this.
II. Conserve energy
1. Turn off lights, fans and other appliances when not in use.

2. Dry the clothes in sun instead of drier if it is a sunny day.
3. Obtain as much heat as possible from natural sources.
4. Use solar cooker for cooking your food on sunny days which will be more nutritious and
will cut down on your LPG expenses.
5. Grow deciduous trees and climbers at proper places outside your home to cut off
intense heat of summers and get a cool breeze and shade. This will cut off your
electricity charges on coolers and air-conditioners.
6. Try riding bicycle or just walk down small distances instead of using your car or scooter.
III. Protect the soil
1. While constructing your house, don't uproot the trees as far as possible. Plant the
disturbed areas with a fast growing native ground cover.
2. Make compost from your kitchen waste and use it for your kitchen-garden or flower-
pots.
3. Do not irrigate the plants using a strong flow of water, as it would wash off the soil.
4. If you own agricultural fields, do not over-irrigate your fields without proper drainage to
prevent water logging and salinisation.
5. Use mixed cropping so that some specific soil nutrients do not get depleted.

IV. Promote Sustainable Agriculture
1. Do not waste food. Take as much as you can eat
2. Reduce the use of pesticides.
3. Fertilize your crop primarily with organic fertilizers.
4. Eat local and seasonal vegetables. This saves lot of energy on transport, storage and
preservation.
5. Control pests by a combination of cultivation and biological control methods.

12. What is Deforestation & give its ill effects? [Dec2012]

DEFORESTATION:
The total forest area of the world in 1900 was 7000 million hectares
.Deforestation rate intemperate countries are relatively moderate. But it is alarming in trop
ical countries. It is estimated that in next 60 years we would lose more than 90% of our
tropical forest.
CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION:
1. Shifting of Cultivation
2. fuel requirement
3. raw materials for industrial use
4. developmental projects
5. growing food needs
6. overgrazing

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION
1. threatens many wild life species due to destruction of natural habitat
2. biodiversity is lost along with that genetic diversity
3. hilly regions are made prone to landslides
4. soil erosion and loss of soil fertility
5. hydrological cycle is affected (loss of rainfall, flood, drought etc)

13. Illustrate the various environmental ill effects & benefits associated with dams.[Dec2012]
DAMS BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS
River valley projects with big dams are considered to play a key role in the development of a
country. India has large number of river valley projects
1. These dams are regarded as symbol of national development.
2. provides large scale employment of tribal people and increase the std. of living of them
3. contribute for economic uplift and growth
4. help in checking flood
5. generate electricity
6. reduce power and water shortage
7. provide irrigation water
8. provide drinking water to remote areas
9. promote navigation and fishery.
Environmental problems:
The environmental problems can be at upstream as well as downstream Level
Upstream problems:
1. Displacement of tribal people
2. Loss of flora and fauna
3. siltation and sedimentation near reservoir
4. stagnation and water logging near reservoir
5. growth of aquatic weeds
6. micro climatic changes
7. breeding of disease vectors
Downstream problems:
1. Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
2. micro climatic changes
3. salt water intrusion at river mouth
4. loss of fertility due to sediment deposits
5. out break of vector born diseases.

14. What are the effects of modern agriculture? [Dec2012].
Modern Agriculture and its effects:
1. It makes use of hybrid seeds of selected and single crop variety.
2. high-tech equipments, lots of energy subsidies in the form of fertilizers and, pesticides
3. Irrigation water
Main effects:
I. Fertilizer related problems:
a. Micronutrient imbalance: Chemical fertilizers have nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N,P,K)
which are essential macronutrients. Excessive use of fertilizers cause micronutrient imbalance.
For example, excessive fertilizer use in Punjab and Haryana has caused deficiency of the
micronutrient Zinc in the soils, which is affecting productivity of the soil.
b. Nitrate Pollution: Nitrogenous fertilizers applied in the fields often leach deep into the soil and
ultimately contaminate the ground water. The nitrates get concentrated in the water and when
their concentration exceeds 25 mg/L, they become the cause of a serious health hazard called
"Blue Baby Syndrome". This disease affects the infants to the maximum extent causing even dea

c. Eutrophication: A large proportion of nitrogen and phosphorus used in crop fields is washed off
along with runoff water and reach the water bodies causing over nourishment of the lakes, a
process known as Eutrophication. (Eu=more, tropic=nutrition). Due to Eutrophication the lakes get
invaded by algal blooms. These algal species grow very fast by rapidly using up the nutrients. The
algal species quickly complete their life cycle and die thereby adding a lot of dead matter. The
fishes are also killed and there is lot of dead matter that starts getting decomposed.

II. Pesticide related problems: Thousands of types of pesticides are used in agriculture. The
first generation pesticides include chemicals like sulphur, arsenic, lead or mercury to kill the
pests. They have number of side effects as discussed below:
1. Producing new pests: About 20 species of pests are now known which have become
immune to all types of pesticides and are known as "Super pests".
2. Death of non-target organisms: Many insecticides not only kill the target species but
also several non-target species that are useful to us.
3. Bio- magnification: Many of the pesticides are non-biodegradable and keep on
accumulating in the food chain, a process called biological magnification. This is very
harmful.
III. Water Logging: Water logging is the land where water stand for most of the year.
Causes:
1. excessive water supply to croplands.
2. heavy rain.
Effects:
Water log fills the pore voids in the soil, so roots of plant do not get air for respiration, so the
mechanical strength of the soil & crop yield decreases.
IV. Salinity Problem: Water does not absorbed by the soil undergo evaporation leaving a thin
layer of dissolved salts in the top soil. It is due to the accumulation of sodium chloride, calcium
chloride.
Effects:
1. ground water pollution.
2. poor plants growth.
3. crop productivity is affected year by year.
Remedy:
(i) The most common method for getting rid of salts is to flush them out by applying more good
quality water to such soils.
(ii) Another method is laying underground network of perforated drainage pipes for flushing out
the salts slowly.


01. Give a brief account of global warming. [Nov2009,My2010,2013,Dec2012]
Global warming:
The progressive warming of earth surface due to blanketing effect of man- made CO2 in the
atmosphere.
Green house gases- causing global warming. CO
2
, CH
4
, N
2
O, CFCs
Effect on global warming:- effects on
1. sea level: Thermal expansion on sea, so 20cm raise in sea level by 2030.
2. agriculture and forestry: Affects crop production & forest growth.
3. water resources Drought & floods will become more common, while raising temperature,
will increase domestic water demand.
4. terrestrial ecosystems : many plants & animals species will have problems adapting will
affect the mix of species at different location & many will be at risk of extinction.
5. human health: Drought & floods will become more common, there would be increase in
water borne diseases & infectious diseases.
Control Measures :
1. reducing CO
2
emission
2. utilizing renewable resources
3. Plant more trees
4. Adopt sustainable agriculture
5. Stabilize population growth.

02. Bring out the various details of wasteland reclamation practices. [Nov2009]
Waste land reclamation:
Waste land:- The land which is not in use(or)unproductive , unfit for cultivation another economic
uses.
Types of waste land:
Uncultivable wasteland Barren rocky areas, hilly slopes, sandy desserts.
Cultivable wasteland- degraded forest lands, gullied lands. Marsh lands, saline land etc.,
Causes for waste land formation:
1. Soil Erosion, Deforestation, Water logging, Salinity
2. Excessive use of pesticides
3. Construction of dams
4. Over-exploitation of natural resources
5. Sewage and industrial wastes
6. Mining
7. Growing demands for fuel, fodder wood and food causes degradation and loss of soil
productivity.
Objectives of waste land reclamation:
1. To improve the physical structure and quality of the soil
2. To prevent soil erosion
3. To avoid over exploitation of natural resources
4. To conserve the biological resources
Methods of waste land reclamation
1. Drainage
Unit-iv social issues and the environment

2. Leaching
3. Irrigation practices
4. Green manures and bio fertilizers
5. Application of Gypsum
6. Afforestation programmes 7. Social forestry programmes
03. Write a short note on Waste shed management. [Nov2009]
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
A WATERSHED is an area of land and water bounded by a drainage divide within which the
surface runoff collects and flows out of the watershed through a single outlet into a lager river ( or )
lake.
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: The process of protecting land area & storing the rain water in
water sources of water shed.
TYPES OF WATERSHED
1) Trenches(or) pits
2) Farm ponds.
3) Stone embankment.
4) Underground barrier.
Objectives of watershed management
The different objectives of watershed management programmes are:
1. To control damaging runoff and degradation and thereby conservation of soil and water.
2. To manage and utilize the runoff water for useful purpose.
3. To protect, conserve and improve the land of watershed for more efficient and
sustained production.
4. To protect and enhance the water resource originating in the watershed.
5. To check soil erosion and to reduce the effect of sediment yield on the watershed.
6. To enhance the ground water recharge, wherever applicable.

04. Discuss briefly on environment act 1986. [Nov2009,Dec2012]
Environmental protection act (Nov19, 1986):
Objectives:
1. Protection & improvement of environment (water, air & land).
2. Prevention of hazards to all living creatures (human, plants & animals).
3. Maintenance of harmonious relationship between human beings & their environment.
Established central & state pollution control board.
4. Air act-1981:
The act provides for prevention, control & abatement of air pollution.
5. Water act-1974:
The act provides for maintaining & restoring the wholesomeness of water by preventing &
controlling its pollution.
05. Explain the effects of nuclear accidents with two case studies. [May2010]
Nuclear Accident:
It is mainly due to the release of nuclear energy & radio active products in the atmosphere.
Effects:1. Radiations may damages DNA cells. It may be instantaneous, prolonged or delayed
types. It may even carried to future generations.
2. Exposure at low dose of radiation (100-250 rads), people do not die but suffer from fatigue,
vomiting, hair loss.
3. Exposure at high dose (400-500 rads), bone marrow, blood cells, blood fails to clot.
4. Exposure (10,000 rads), kills the tissues of heart & brain.
2 Nuclear accidents:
1. Nuclear war:
Japan, Hiroshima & Nagasaki are the examples of nuclear accident & holocaust,
happened at second world war.

2. At Chernobyl:The operator lost the control of a water-cooled, graphite modulated reactor
during a low power tests at Chernobyl in Ukraine, nuclear reactor exploded.
Effects:31 deaths at the time.
Estimated 2000 extra cancer cases in Europe over next 50 years.
06. Explain the powers and functions of state pollution control board. [Nov2010]
Power & Function of Central pollution control board (CPCB):
1. Advises the central government in matters related to prevention & control of water, air
pollution.
2. Co.ordinates the activities of SPCB, organizes training programs, for prevention & control of
pollution.
3. Organizes programs through mass media.
4. Collects, compiles & publishes technical & statically data & related to pollution.
5. Prepares mammals for treatment & disposal of sewage & trade effluents.
Power & Function of State pollution control board(SPCB):
1. Advises state government with respect to the location of any industry.
2. Lays down standards for effluents.
3. Empowered to take legal samples of trade effluent.
4. Gives consent, for starting & industry.
5. Suggests efficient methods, for utilization, treatment & disposal of trade effluents.
07. Explain the ozone and ozone layer depletion. [Nov2010,Dec2012]
Ozone layer depletion:
The process of creation of hole in ozone layer due to CFC & NO in the stratosphere is
called ozone layer depletion.
Ozone depleting chemicals:
Chloro Fluro carbon, Hydro chloro fluoro carbon, Bromo fluoroCarbon.
Effects:
1. On human health Skin cancer, cataracts, allergies etc.
2. On aquatic systems- phytoplankton, fish
3. On materials- degradation of paints, plastics.
4. On climate increasing the average temperature of the earth surface.
5. On agriculture yield of rice, wheat, corn are reduces.
Control Measures
1. Replacing CFCs
2. Use of methyl bromide crop fumigant should be reduced.
3. Research for alternate substitute of CFCS
4. Manufacturing & using of ozone depleting chemicals should be stopped.

08. Discuss the energy requirement in detail for sustaining urban life. [Nov2010]
Urbanisation: The process of movement of people from rural to urban area for want of better
education, employment, health, economics
Reasons :
1. Cities are main centers of economical growth, employment, medical facilities.
2. Urban sprawl: People are moving from rural to urban area for want of better education,
employment, health, economics. So there is a spreading of cities into sub-cities or rural
areas is called urban sprawl.
Energy demanding activities:
In developing countries, urban growth is fast, leading to pollution & unplanned growth,
because they want to live a high standard of living & their lifestyle needs more energy which
generate more waste.

1. Residence & commercial lightings.
2. Industries consume more energy.
3. Modern lifestyle use more electrical energy like fan, light, A/C,.
4. Transport. 5.Waste disposal & pollution control technology depends basically on energy.
09. What do you mean by sustainable development? Explain the measures to attain
sustainability. [Nov2011]
Sustainable development
Meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations, to
meet their own needs.
True sustainable development
Optimum use of natural resources with high degree of reusability, minimum wastage, least
generation of toxic by-products and maximum productivity.
Aspects of sustainable development
i. Inter-generational equity :
We should hand over a safe, healthy & resourceful environment to our future
generations.
ii. Intra-generational equity :
Technological development of rich country should support the poor economically growth
country by wealth which leads to sustainable.
Approaches for sustainable development
1. Developing appropriate technology - locally adaptable, eco-friendly, resource efficient and
culturally suitable.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle [3R] approach reduces waste generation and pollution
3. Providing environmental education and awareness changing attitude of the people
4. Consumption of renewable resources attain sustainability
5. Conservation of non renewable resources conserved by recycling and reusing
6. Population control

10. Discuss the salient features of (1). Wild life (protection) Act
(2). Forest (conservation) Act. [Nov2011]
1. Wild life (protection) Act-1972:
The existence of wildlife legislation in our country was on 1972.
The wild life act was giving power to the Central govt. to enact legislation.
Objectives:
1. To maintain essential ecological process & life supporting systems.
2. to preserve the biodiversity.
3. To ensure a continuous use of species (i.e.) protection & conservation of wild life.
The Indian board of Wild life was created in 1952 in our country that took up the task of
setting up wild life National Parks & Sanctuaries.
Important features:
1. The act covers the rights & non-rights of forest dwellers.
2. It provides restricted grazing in sanctuaries but prohibits in national parks.
3. It also prohibits the collection of non-timber forest.
4. The rights of forest dwellers recognized by the policy of 1988 are taken away by the
amended wild life act of 1991.
Forest (conservation) Act-1980:
This act was promulgated in 1980.
It deals with the conservation of forests & related aspects. Expect J & K , the act is adopted
all over India.

Objectives:
1. Protection & conservation of forest.
2. To ensure judious use of forest products.

Important features:
1. The reserved forests shall not be diverted or deserved without prior permission of the central
government.
2. The land that has been notified or registered or forest land may not be used for non-forest
purposes.
3. Any illegal non-forest activity within a forest area can be immediately stopped under act.
Important features of Amendment act of 1988:
1. Forest departments are forbidden to assign any forest land by way of lease or otherwise to
any private person or non-government body for re-afforestation.
2. Clearance of any forest land of naturally grown trees for the purpose of re-afforestation is
forbidden.
3. The diversion of forest land for non-forest uses is cognizable offence & any one who violates
the law is punishable.
11. Write short note on acid rain and water conservation. [May2011,Dec2012]
ACID RAIN:
The precipitation of CO
2
, SO
2
, and NO
2
gases as pollutants in water.
Formation of acid rain:
Nitrous oxide & sulphur dioxide emitted from industries to the atmosphere will travel several
days & kilometers, react with water vapour & forms acid rain on earth.
Effects of acid rain
1. Human beings:
Destroy life nervous , respiratory and digestive system
Causes premature death from heart and lung disorders
2. On Buildings:
Corrosion - Taj Mahal , houses, statues, bridges, metals
3. On terrestrial and lake ecosystem:
Reduces rate of photosynnthesis, growth of crops, Fish population
4. Acidification of soil, surface water & ground water.
5. Reduce the rate of photosynthesis & growth.
Control measures:
1. Clean combustion technologies
2. using pollution control equipments
3. Coal with low sulphur content should be used in thermal power plants.
4. Replacement of coal by natural gas
5. Liming of lakes and soils
Water conservation
The process of saving water for future utilization
Need for water conservation
1. changes in environmental factors
2. better lifestyles
3. increase in population
4. deforestation
5. over exploitation of ground water
6. agricultural and industrial activities
Strategies of water conservation

1. Reducing evaporation losses. 2. Reducing irrigation losses. 3.re use of water
4. Preventing of wastage of water.5. Decreasing run-off losses. 6. avoid discharge of sewage
Methods of water conservation
1. Rain water harvesting. 2. Watershed management.
12. What is recent technique in India with rural water harvesting? [Dec2012]
Rural (or) rain water harvesting:
It is the technique of capturing & storing of rain water for future use.
Objectives:
1. To decrease the run-off losses.
2. To avoid floods.
3. To increase water availability.
4. To raise ground water by recharching.
Rain water harvesting method:
i) Storing in tanks & reservoirs.
ii) Constructing dug wells, lagoons, check dams, etc.
iii) Recharging ground water.
Roof top method:
The process of collecting rainwater from roof of the building & storing it in the underground
for future use.
Components:
1. Catchments : The surface used to collect the rain water from rainfalls.
2. Filtering : Removal of unwanted solid matters from rain water.
3. Conveyance : Transportation through pipesfrom catchment area to storage tank.
4. Storage : Collected rain water is stored in tanks.
5. Purification : It helps to sediment & disinfectant the collected rain water.
6. Distribution : The system that delivers the rain water into underground water level.

The rain water from the top of the roofs or road surfaces or play grounds are conveyed
through pipes & stored in surface tanks or discharged into underground. The stored rain water
is used for various domestic or industrial purposes. The rain water discharged into
underground is used to raise the underground water level.
Advantages:
1. It raises ground water level & increase the availability of water.
2. It reduces flood, droughts & soil erosion.
3. The water is assured for future generation.

Disadvantages:
1. The water supply is very limited.
2. Uncertainty of rainfall does not effectively
use this system through the year.


01. Describe briefly (i). The factors that affect human population growth rate.
(ii).human Rights (iii). Value education. [Nov2009, Dec2012]
i) Population Growth
The rapid growth of the global population for the past 100 years from the difference between
the rate of birth and death.
Causes of rapid population growth
1. The rapid population growth is due to decrease in death rate and increase in birth rate.
2. Availability of antibiotics, immunization, increased food production, clean water and air
decreases the famine-related deaths.
3. In agricultural based countries, children are required to help parents in the field that is
why population increases in the developing countries.
Characteristics of population growth
1. Exponential growth: Now population growth occurs exponentially like 10,10
2
,10
3
,etc,.
2. Doubling time(or) rule of 70: The number of years needed for a population to double in
size.
Td = 70/r
Where r = annual growth rate.
For ex: r = 2% means population will double in next 35 yrs.
3. Infant mortality rate:
= Number of babies death x 100
Number of babies born x number of years
4. Total fertility rate:
It is the average number of children delivered by a woman in her life time.
TFR value : 1. Developed = 2%
2. developing = 4.7%
5. Male/female ratio: The ratio should be equally balanced in a society to grow well. But in
India & China it inverse, the ratio of girl and boys is 100:140.
6. Demographic transition: Population growth generally related to economic development.
Death rate and birth rate decrease to improve living condition. This is result in low
population growth. This phenomenon is referred to as demographic transition.

Problems of population growth:
1. Increase in demands of food and natural resources like air, water,etc.
2. Loss of agriculture land.
3. Insufficient housing & health services.
4. Unemployment.
5. Pollution.

Unit-v human population and the environment

ii) Human Rights:
Human rights are the fundamentals rights, which are possessed by all human being irrespective
(or) without any variation of their caste, nationality, gender (or) sex and language.
Universal declaration of Human rights. (UNDHR):

1. Human right to freedom: Every citizen has right to speech, expression, assembly,
unions, residence, profession.
2. Human right to property : Every citizen has right to earn more property.
3. Human right to freedom of religion: India is very vast country. There are people of
different religions. Every citizen has right to choose their religion of their own choice. All
religion are equal before law.
4. Human right to culture and education: Every citizen has right in both culture &
education. For ex: the monitoring communities like Christians, muslims have their own
right to conserve culture & language & to establish the educational institutions of their
own choice.
5. Human right to equality: All citizens are equal before the law. There is no any difference
of religions, caste, sex, place of birth. Equal opportunity for employment to all.
6. Human right against exploitation: Every citizen has right to fight against exploitation. Ex:
children should not be employed as labours.
iii) Value education:
Value education is an instrument used to analyse our behaviour and provide proper direction
to our youths.
Types: 1. Formal education-Self related learning process.
2. Value education Analyze based on instruments.
Objectives
1. To improve the integral growth of human begins.
2. To create attitudes and improvement towards sustainable lifestyle.
3. To increase awareness about our national history our cultural heritage,
constitutional rights, national integration, community develo9pment and environment.
4. To create and develop awareness about the values and their significance and role.
5. To know about various living and nonliving organisms and their interaction with
environment.
Types of values
1. Social values- social relationship without interaction of any other person.
2. Cultural(or)moral values-Right, wrong, good and bad.
3. Individual values-Individual personality and experiences.
4. Global values-Human civilization.
5. Spiritual values-Self-restraint, discipline.

02. Write a note on the various methods of family planning. [Nov2009]
Family planning programme:
In India family planning programme was started on 1952. Indian government forced family
programme in 1970, all over the country.
In 1978, mens marriage age was 18-21years & womens marriage age was 15-18years. But there
is no decrease in population growth, so government changes the marriage age for men 21 years &
women for 18 years.

Methods of family planning:
1. Traditional methods: Like taboos & folk medicines.
2. Modern methods:
i) Permanent method minor surgery
a) tubectomy(female sterilization)
b) vasectomy (male sterilization)
Both are simple, done by using ansthesia, without pain & no post-operative problems.
ii) Temporary methods- condom, copperTs & oral contracceptive pills & injectable drugs
are available that prevent sperms from fertilizing the ovum.
03. What is AIDS? How to prevent it? [Nov2009]
AIDS is the abbreviated form for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome caused by a virus
called HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus).
Origin of HIV/AIDS
1. Through African Monkey
African monkeys or Chimpanzees To human.
2. Through Vaccine Programme
(a)Polio, small pox vaccine from monkeys kidney-Africa.
(b) Hepatitis-B viral vaccine.
Control and Preventive measures
1. Education: i) encourages the use of condoms.
ii) to avoid the use of sharing razors, needles & syringes.
iii) educating about the effects of HIV/AIDS.
2. Ethical control: following the rules or tradition of India i.e., avoiding indiscriminate.
3. Primary health care:AIDS awareness programmes should be encouraged.
4. Counseling services: It should be provided either by person or through telephone,TV, etc.
5. Drug treatment: Advanced medicines are available to those affected people to lead healthy
life.

04. Explain the role of Information Technology on Environment Protection and Human Health
Protection. [May2010,Nov2010,May2011,Nov2011,Dec2012,May2013]
The role of IT in environment & human health is enormous. A number of softwares have
been developed for health & environment studies which can help for early learning, knowing &
understanding the subjects.
Information technology:
It is in which information is transferred, recorded, edited, stored manipulated & disseminated
with enormous quantities in the minimum possible time.
1. Remote sensing:
It is a method which can be used to gather information about the object without any cintact
with it, by using force or field can be used for remote sensing. For Ex: magnetic, electric or
gravitational field.
It is used for the identification of earths feature by detecting electromagnetic radiation
characteristics that is reflected or emitted by earth.
Applications:
i) In agriculture:
For agriculture we need judicious & optimal management of both land & water resources
along with variety seeds, fertilizers, pesticides,etc. remote sensing can provide valuable
informations of land & water management.

ii) In forest:
Remote sensing gives information about forest management which involves reliable
information on the type, density, extent, biomass, forest fire,etc.
iii) Disaster management:
Remote sensing can be used for real information on earthquake, cyclones, floods,
landslides.
iv) Water resources:
Remote sensing provide efficient datas in monitoring both surface & ground water.
2. Data Base:
Collection of inter related data on various subjects.
Applications:
1. Ministry of environment and forest
2. National management information system
3. Environmental information system.

3. Geographical information system (GIS)
It is a technique of superimposing various thematic maps using digital data on a large number
of inter-related aspects.
Application
i) Thematic maps are super imposed using soft wares.
ii) Interpretation of polluted zones
iii) To check unplanned growth and related environmental problems.
4. Satellite data
i) Helps in providing reliable information and data about forest cover
ii) Provide information about forecasting weather
iii) Reserves of oil, minerals can be discovered.

5. World Wide Web
It provides Current data.
Applications
i) Online learning
ii) Digital files or photos, animations on environmental studies.

Role of information technology in human health:
The health service technology involves three systems
i) Finance and accounting
ii) Pathology
iii) Patient Administration clinical system.
Applications
1. Data regarding birth and death rates
2. To monitor the health of the people effectively
3. The information regarding the outbreak of epidemic diseases.
4. Online Consultation
5. Drugs and its replacement.


05. Mention the causes of HIV transmission. [Nov2010]
called HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus). Human body has a strong immune capacity. It is
capable of fighting against all diseases. AIDS is a disease that causes deficiency of human immuno
system, & AIDS is afinal stage of the HIV infection.
Causes of transmission:
1. Sexual transmission (or) activities.
a) Homo & bi-sexual activities.
b) Hetero sexual activities.
2. Blood contact.
3. By surgical equipments like sharing of needles and syringes.
4. Transmission through AIDS infected maternal fetal.
a) During pregnancy..(b)During births.(c)During breast feeding.

06. Discuss the necessity of formation of women self-help group & Write about child
welfare.(or) Explain about women and child welfare. [Nov2010]
Women & child welfare constitute approximately70% of population in developing countries. In
india, this population is 6.2%, 22% women & 40% children. This group is not only large but bis very
weak, helpless & economically dependent.
Women welfare:
The main aim is to improve the status of women by providing education, employment & economic
independence.
Need of women welfare:
1. Women suffer by gender discrimination,devaluation at home, work, in public.
2. Increases in the cases of dowry deaths, rapes, criminal offences & mental torture.
3. Human rights of women are violated in male dominated society.
Objectives
1. To provide education
2. To impart vocational training
3. To generate awareness
4. To improve employment opportunities
5. To restore dignity, equality and respect
Various schemes:
1. National network for women & mining:
It is fighting for a gender audit of Indias mining companies.
2. United Nations Decade for Women: Several
3. CEDAW protection & promotion of womens human & socio-economic upliftment.
4. NGOs create awareness in village womens like train & educate them.
5. Ministry for women & child development:
Women by health care, education & familyplanning.
Child welfare: Nearly 40% population occupied by children.
Reason for child labour:
1. Poverty
2. Want of money.
Various schemes:
1. UN Conventions on rights of child:
International standards to protect the well being of children in our society.
2. MHRD: It concentrates on childs health, education, nutrition, clean & safe drinking
water, sanitation & environment.

07. Explain value education. [Nov2010,May2013]
Value education:
Value education is an instrument used to analyse our behaviour and provide proper direction
to our youths.
Types of education
1. Formal education- learning process of this method is self related. All people will read,
write, & will get good job.
2. Value education It is an instrument used to analyze our behaviour & provide proper
direction to our youths.
Objectives
1. To improve the integral growth of human begins.
2. To create attitudes and improvement towards sustainable lifestyle.
3. To increase awareness about our national history our cultural heritage, constitutional
rights, national integration, community develo9pment and environment.
4. To create and develop awareness about the values and their significance and role.
5. To know about various living and nonliving organisms and their interaction with
environment.
Types of values
1. Social values- Individual cannot live without interaction of any other person.
Ex: love, friendship, family, service..
2. Cultural(or)moral values- The term morality concerns with
i) What is right or wrong
ii) What is good and bad.
3. Individual values-Individual personality and experiences. Individual wants to achieve his
target without interaction of any other person.
Ex: honest, self-confidence, punctuality..
4. Behavioural values- Individual behaviour is very important to lead successful life. Good
character is called good behaviour refers to all good manners.
5. Spiritual values- It arises in the inner depth dimension of man. The ultimate ethical
value is called spiritual values.
EX:Self-restraint, discipline, yoga, devotion of god.

08. How can age-structure pyramids serve as useful tool for predicting population growth
trends of a nation? Explain with examples. [Nov2011]
In the most developed countries like USA, Canada, Austalia, the rate of population increases less
than 1% per year, & they are having 20% population from world population & occupying or consuming
natural resources nearly 80%
In less developed countries like India, South america, Africa, the population is 80% from world
population & they are consuming only 20% natural resources. The rate of population increases greater
than 1% per year
At present , the worlds population has crossed above 6 billions.
In 2000, china & India population has crossed above 1000 millions. Its share is about one- third of
the worlds population. Europe of North american countries accounts for 14% of worlds population.
Variation of population based on age structure:
Age structure of population can be classified as,
1. Pre-productive population(0-14 yrs).
2. Re-productive population(15-44 yrs).
3. Post re-productive population(above45 yrs).

S.No.

Age structure
(in years)
Developing countries Developed countries
India & Bangladesh France,
USA
Germany,
Italy
1. Pre-productive
(0-14 yrs)
Higher Equal Smaller
2. Re-productive
(15-44 yrs)
Higher Equal Higher
3. Post re-productive
(above45 yrs)
Less Less Less
4. Population growth Increase Stable Decrease

Reasons:
1. India & Bangladesh:
In the next 10 years, the large number of young age people will enter into the
reproductive age. So increase the population growth.
2. France & USA:
Equal number of people entering into reprodutive age group, so there will not change in
population. So population growth is stable.
3. Germany & Italy:
In the next 10 years, the number of reproductive age group people is less than the
before. So population growth decreases.

09. Explain population explosion. [Nov2011,May2013]
The sudden increases in population due to low death rate & high birth rate are termed as
population explosion.
Population explosion is explained in terms of doubling time. The number of years or time needed
for a population to double in the size is called doubling time(Td).
The doubling times of population growth of the following countries,
Less developed countries Developed countries
country Td (in years) country Td (in years)
India 28 USA 87
Turkey 28 UK 231
Pakistan 21 Japan 58

In less developed countries, the doubling time is less, because these countries gets double its
population within a less time.Ex: India gets double its population size within 28 years.
In developed countries it tooks more years to double its population size, so developed countries has
more doubling time compared to less developed coubtries.
Ex: USA gets double in population size only in 87 years.
Reasons:
1. Modern medical facilities: Invention of modern medical facilities, reduce death rate &
increase birth rate, due to the availability of medicines, advanced technology.
2. Life expectancy: Increase of life expectancy is another important reason for population
explosion. Ex: In 1950, the average life time of human was 40 years, but now it is
expanded to 61 years.
3. Illiteracy(or) uneducation: Due to unlearned, man welcomes further additions to his
family expecting to earn & supplement the family income for poverty.

Effects:
1. Poverty: In less developed countries, population is high. But the economic level is low,
which creates poverty.
2. Environmental degradation: The demand of resources is raised, so people started
degradation of natural resources for their basic needs.
3. Exploitation of natural resources: Due to population explosion, they going on to degrade th
eenvironment which leads to over exploitation or scarcity of natural resources.
4. Diseases: Increase in population will increase diseasea, due to creation of slum areas &
also spreading of communal war.
5. Renewable resources: Due to demand of natural resources % its over exploitation,
nowadays many of the renewable resources are reduced.
Remedy:
We should immediately reduce the fertility rate through birth control programmes.

10. Write short note on HIV/AIDS. [Dec2012,May2013]
called HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus). Human body has a strong immune capacity. It is
capable of fighting against all diseases. AIDS is a disease that causes deficiency of human immuno
system, & AIDS is afinal stage of the HIV infection.
Origin of HIV/AIDS
1. Through African Monkey
African monkey or Chimpanzees To human.
2. Through Vaccine Programme
(a)Polio, small pox vaccine from monkeys kidney-Africa.
(b) Hepatitis-B.
Causes of transmission:
1. Sexual transmission (or) activities.
a) Homo & bi-sexual activities.
b) Hetero sexual activities.
2. Blood contact.
3. By surgical equipments like sharing of needles and syringes.
4. Transmission through AIDS infected maternal fetal.
a) During pregnancy.
b) During births.
c) During breast feeding.
Factors not influencing transmission of HIV
Tears, food, air, cough, handshake and normal kissing. Mosquito flies and insect bites.
Sharing of utensils, clothes, toilets and bathroom.
Effects:
1. Death
2. Loss of labour
3. Inability to do work
4. Lack of energy.
Functions of HIV in human body
White blood cells (WBC) are responsible for the formation of antibodies called T-helper cells-
helper cells are the key infection fighters in the immune system. Once HIV cells are enter into the boy
they destroy the T-cells and cause many infection diseases.
Symptoms
I. Minor symptoms

1. Persistent cough for more than one month.
2. General skin disease.
3. Viral infection.
4. Fungus infection in mouth and throat.
5. Frequent fever, headache and fatigue.
II. Major symptoms
1. Diarrhea for more than one month.
2. TB for more than one month.
3. Fall of hairs.
4. 10% of body weight loss within short period.
Control and Preventive measures
1. Education: i) encourages the use of condoms.
ii) to avoid the use of sharing razors, needles & syringes.
iii) educating about the effects of HIV/AIDS.
2. Ethical control: following the rules or tradition of India i.e., avoiding indiscriminate.
3. Primary health care: AIDS awareness programmes should be encouraged.
4. Counseling services: It should be provided either by person or through telephone,TV, etc.
5. Drug treatment: Advanced medicines are available to those affected people to lead healthy
life.

11. What is the connection between environment and human health. [Dec2012]
The relationship between human health & environment is a two way process. If one gets
disturbed other will be automatically disturbed.
Generally a physically fit person, not suffering from any disease, is called a healthy person. But
the factors like nutritional, biological, chemical, psychological, it causes harmful changes in the bodys
conditions are called disease.
Factors influencing Human health:
1. Nutritional factors.
2. Biological factors.
3. Chemical factors.
4. Psychological factors.

Important hazards & their health effects(or) Deterioration of environment & health effects:
1. Physical hazards & their health effects

S.No. Physical hazards Health effects
1. Radioactive radiations i) Affects the cells in the body & the
function of glands & organs.
ii) Suffer from cancer.
2. UV radiations. Skin cancer
3. Global warming Temperature increases causes famine,
mortality.
4. Chloro fluoro carbons Damage ozone layer, allows more UV rays,
cause skin cancer.
5. noise Painful & irreparable damage to human ear.


2. Chemical hazards & their health effects
S.No. Chemical hazards Health effects
1. Combustion of fossil fuels:
liberates SO
2
, NO
2
. CO
2

Asthuma & other lung diseases.
2. Industrial effluents(toxic) Kill cells & cause cancer & death.
3. Pesticides like DDT &
Chlorinated pesticides.
Affect the food chain.
4. Heavy metals like Hg, Cd, Pb,
fluoride & nitrate.
Contaminate water cause ill effects.

3. Biological hazards & their health effects
Biological hazards Health effects
Bacteria, viruses parasites Diarrhoea, malaria, parasitic worms, anaemia,
respiratory disease, cholera.
Preventive measures:
1. Always wash your hands before sitting for food.
2. Cut short & clean your nails properly.
3. Maintaining the skin, teeth, hair of our body.
4. Drinking chemically treated & filtered water.
5. Eat foods always while it is in hot condition.
6. Before cooking wash the raw vegetables & fruits with clean water.
7. Try to avoid plastic containers & aluminium vessels.

12. What are the objectives of family welfare programmes in India?
(or) Discuss the factors influencing family size. [Nov2009,May2013]
Family welfare programme was implemented by government of India, in 1951. It is a part of
national policy covering human health, maternity, family welfare, child care & womens right.
Objectives:
1. slowing down the population explosion by reducing fertility.
2. Pressure on the environment, due to over exploitation of natural resources, is reduced.
3. Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 infants.
4. 100% registration of births, deaths, marriage & pregnancy.
5. Encourage late marriage & late child birth.
6. Prevent & control the communal diseases & HIV/AIDS.
7. Making school education compulsory upto age 14 free.
8. Enables to improve womens health, education & employment.
9. Encouraging breast feeding.
10. Promote vigorously the small family norms.

Ge 2021 16 Marks Q@a

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ge 2021 16 Marks Q@a

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

N.SARAVANAN, AP/CHEM MAHALAKSHMI ENGINEERING COLLEGE, TRICHY-621213.

You might also like