Chapter 12: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

SHORT ANSWER BASED QUESTIONS OF 3 MARKS
Q1. Analyze three problems arising as a result of urban waste disposal.
Answer: Mismanagement and environmental problem related to solid waste have now become a major problem, in India, most of the solid wastes are not collected properly. Impacts of improper management of solid wastes are. Solid wastes are a threat to human health and can cause various diseases. It creates the foul smell and it harbors flies and rodents that can cause typhoid, diphtheria, diarrhoea, malaria, cholera and other diseases. Solid waste can create inconvenience rapidly if they are not properly handled, wind and rainwater can splitted it and cause discomfort to people. Industrial solid waste can cause water pollution by dumping it into water bodies. Drains carrying untreated sewage also result in various health problems.
Q2.How do industries pollute India’s water bodies? Explain with examples.
Answer: Wastewater, poisonous gases, chemical residuals, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke, etc from industries contribute to water pollution. During the last fifty years, the number of industries in India has grown rapidly. But water pollution is concentrated within a few subsections, mainly in the form of toxic wastes and organic pollutants. Most of these defaulting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles, chemicals, sugar mills, distilleries and thermal power stations. Not all industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents. As small-scale industries cannot afford enormous investments in pollution control equipment as their profit margin is very slender.
Q3. Explain any three consequences of air pollution.
Answer: The main consequences of air pollution are as follows:
Air pollution is responsible for many diseases that cause harm to our respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems. Air pollution is responsible for creating a smoky fog over cities which is known as urban smog. It also has negative effects on human health. Air pollution is also responsible for acid rains. The first rain after summers in urban area always shows acidic nature of rainwater i.e. it shows a lower pH level than the subsequent rain.
Q4. Describe silent features of “Namami Gange program”
Ans: The Union Government has launched the ‘Namami Gange Programme’ with the following objectives: 

• developing sewerage treatment systems in towns,
• monitoring of industrial effluents,
• development of river front,
• afforestation along the bank of increase biodiversity,
• cleaning of the river surface,
• development of ‘Ganga Grams’ in Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and
• creating public awareness to avoid adding pollutants in to the river even in the form of rituals.

LONG ANSWER BASED QUESTIONS
Q1. What measures can be used to minimize air pollution?
Ans: Some of the measures to minimize and control air pollution are:
– Old automobiles should be replaced by new ones, which should be redesigned in such a way that their emission cause minimum pollution.
– As coal produce poisonous gases that are released into the air, so electric engines should be used instead of steam or diesel engines.
– Maximizing afforestation on public places like along roads, in gardens around parking etc
– Newly upgraded machines will be used for smoke free emission
– Reduce our dependency on fossil fuel & encourage use of non-conventional sources of energy Like Solar energy, Wind energy etc.
– Joint effort should be made by government, NGOs & Civil societies to minimize air pollution.
– Industries should be set up at a safe distance from residential areas.
Q2. Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation.
Ans: Some measures for reduction of land degradation are:
– Watershed Management Programmes: This program maintain the balance between land, water and vegetation and attempt to improve livelihoods of the people through natural resource management and community participation. These are helpful in preventing land degradation and improving soil quality.
– Disposal of solid waste as well as liquid waste after proper treatment. If this waste is not treated properly and dumped on the land, lands get degraded.
– Convert waste into resources: Waste generated from households & from industries should be treated as resource and utilized for generating energy and compost.
– Joint participation of government, NGOs and community: There is an urgent need for joint participation of both government and people for reduction of land degradation.
– Improve Sanitary Conditions: Sanitary conditions can be improved by providing toilet facilities in Slums and other areas. Thus we can minimize land degradation in such areas.
Q3.Describe major problems of slums in India.
Answer: Slums are environmentally incompatible and degraded areas of the cities. These are occupied by the migrants who were forced to migrate from rural areas to urban areas for employment and livelihood. But because of high rent and high costs of land, they could
not afford proper housing and start to live in these areas. Major problems faced by the residents of slums are as follows:
Slums are the least choice residential areas that have broken down houses, bad hygienic conditions,
– They face various health-related problems such as malnutrition, illness and prone to various diseases.
– Dwellers are vulnerable to drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism, escapism, apathy and social exclusion because of poverty.
– Slums are overcrowded having narrow street pattern which is prone to serious hazards.
– These are the residence of less facilities like drinking water, light and toilet facilities
– poor ventilation and does not have basic facilities like drinking water, light and
– toilet, etc.
– They are not able to send their children school to provide them with education, because of a low level of income.

CASE STUDY/SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS:
Q1. Read the case/source given and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct option.
Air pollution is taken as addition of contaminants, like dust, fumes, gas, fog, odour, smoke or vapour to the air in substantial proportion and duration that may be harmful to flora and fauna and to property. With increasing use of varieties of fuels as the source of energy, there is a marked increase in emission of toxic gases into the atmosphere resulting in the pollution of air. Combustion of fossil fuels, mining and industries are the main sources of air pollution. These processes release oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and asbestos. Air pollution causes various diseases related to respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems.
Q1.1 Is it true that air pollution causes various health related diseases?
Ans: yes, it is true that air pollution causes different diseases that are harmful for living organism. Emission of Sulphur, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, lead and asbestos may negatively harm our respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems
Q1.2 Explain main causes of air pollution. in industrial area. Explain with any one suitable example.
Ans: Use of fossil fuels in industries, vehicles & in domestic activities are the main causes air pollution.
Q1.3 Write anyone non-industrial activities, which led to air pollution
Ans: Use of firewood & cow dung for domestic activities.
Q2. Read the case/source given and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct option.
Jhabua district is located in the westernmost agro-climatic zone in Madhya Pradesh. It is, in fact, one of the five most backward districts of the country. It is characterized by high concentration of tribal population (mostly Bhils). The people suffer due to poverty which has been accentuated by the high rate of resource degradation, both forest and land. The watershed management programmes funded by both the ministries of “Rural Development” and “Agriculture”, Government of India, have been successfully implemented in Jhabua district which has gone a long way in preventing land degradation and improving soil quality. Watershed Management Programmes acknowledge the linkage between land, water and vegetation and attempts to improve livelihoods of people through natural resource management and community participation. In the past five years, the programmes funded by the Ministry of Rural Development alone (implemented by Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Management) has treated 20 per cent of the total area under Jhabua district.
Q2.1How does watershed management may helpful to reduced land degradation
Ans: Because it contains Multi-dimensional approach i.e. prevent soil erosion, maintain forest ecology, utilize excess water for irrigation
Q2.2 land degradation may be control with joint effort of govt and community. Is it true statement?

Ans: Because government will provide assistance in different forms (i.e. financial /economical /technological help) & community has to utilize that assistance in proper manner.
Q2.3Why does Jhabua district is categories as backward
Ans: This district has low literacy level.
Lack of infra-structural development
Lack of employment opportunities.

3    MARKS BASED QUESTIONS:

Q1.Suggest any three measures to control water pollution in India.

Ans 1.

  • a.  Developing sewage treatment systems in towns,
  • b.  Monitoring of industrial effluents
  • c.  Cleaning of the river surface
  • d.  Public awareness for control of pollution

2.     Suggest any three measures to reduce noise pollution in India.

  • a.  Regular maintenance of vehicles and machines
  • b.  Protection of ears with hearing protection devices
  • c.  Reduce the volume of devices used
  • d.  Planting trees
  • e.  Banning the use of loudspeakers in festivals and other community programmes

4.     Explain any three major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India.

Ans. 4. Three major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India are as follows:

  • a.  Solid wastes are a threat to human health and can cause various diseases. It creates foul smell and it harbours flies and rodents that causes malaria, cholera and other diseases.
  • b.  Solid waste can create inconvenience rapidly if they are not properly handled. Pollutants can spread through rainwater or wind and can cause further problems.
  • c.  Industrial solid waste can cause water pollution if it is dumped into water body.

5.     Write any six problems of slums of metropolitan cities in India.

  • Ans 5. a.      Lack of proper accommodation, light and sanitation facilities.
  • b.       Lack of safety measures from fire and earthquake.
  • c.      Over crowded with population
  • d.     Lack of medical facilities.
  • e.      Narrow streets and lack of proper ventilation.
  • f.      Spread of epidemics in slums.

5 MARKS BASED QUESTIONS

1.     Explain any five objectives of ‗Namami Gange Programme‘.

Ans 1. The Objective of Namami Gange Programme are as follows—

  • a.                Developing sewage treatment systems in towns.
  • b.               Monitoring of industrial effluents.
  • c.                Development of river front.
  • d.               Afforestation along the bank to increase biodiversity.
  • e.                Cleaning of the river surface.
  • f.                Development of Ganga Gram in Uttrakhand, U.P, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
  • g.               Creating public awareness

2.     How has noise pollution become a serious problem in recent years in India ? Explain.

Ans 2:

  • a.  Noise has become a serious concern only in recent years due to a variety of technological innovations.
  • b.  The biggest nuisance is the noise produced by traffic, because its intensity and nature depend upon factors, such as the type of aircraft, vehicle, train and the condition of road, as well as that of vehicle (in case of automobiles).
  • c.   In sea traffic, the noise pollution is confined to the harbour due to loading and unloading activities being carried. Industries cause noise pollution but with varying intensity depending upon the type of industry.
  • d.  Ocean noise is due to the vast increase in global shipping trade, the number of ships plying the oceans and higher speed of vessels.

3.     Describe the problems of Slums in India.

  • Ans 3. a.      Dilapidated house
  • b.     Poor hygienic conditions
  • c.      Lack of light and drinking water facilities.
  • d.     Lack of toilet facilities.
  • e.      Poor ventilations
  • f.      Low paid high risk works
  • g.     Lack of proper education
  • h.     Malnutrition and Under Nutrition
  • i.       Vulnerable to crime and drug abuse
  • j.       Vulnerable to social exclusion.

4.     Mention major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India.

  • Ans 4. a.      Growing population
  • b.     Slow administrative action
  • c.      Growing consumerism
  • d.     Casual attitude towards cleanliness
  • e.      Unscientific disposal Management
  • f.      Problem of Water pollution
  • g.     Loss of health

5.     Write five problems regarding urban waste disposal in India.

  • a.      Lack of proper place for dumping of urban waste material.
  • b.     Throwing of industrial waste into rivers, which in turn increases water pollution.
  • c.      Soil pollution is caused due to uncontrolled chemical sewage in the ground.
  • d.     Fear of spreading diseases due to air pollution and bad smell from urban waste.
  • e.      Increase of rag pickers, fires and social crimes.

QUESTIONS BANK (2002-2021)

3   Marks Based Question:

1.     How does air pollution affect human health?     CBSE 2019
2.         Explain any three consequences of air pollution. CBSE 2015
3.       Explain any three effects of air pollution on human life. CBSE 2011
4.              Explain any three ill effects of air pollution on human health in India. CBSE 2012
5.     How does noise pollution affect human health? CBSE 2011
6.     ‗‘ Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to degradation of the quality of water considerably.‘‘ Evaluate the statement. CBSE 2017
7.    ‗‘Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to degradation of the water quality considerably in India‘‘. Explain the values that can help in maintaining the quality of water. CBSE 2017
8.  Examine the success of watershed management programme implemented in Jhabhua district of Madhya Pradesh. CBSE 2016
9.  Define the term air pollution. Explain any two harmful effects of air pollution. CBSE 2015
10.  How is environment pollution caused? Mention four types of pollution responsible for the environmental degradation. CBSE 2015
11.  How do industries pollute India‘s water bodies? Explain with examples. CBSE 201
12.  What is noise pollution? Explain any four sources of noise. CBSE 2016
13.  Describe three main sources of noise pollution in India. CBSE 2010
14.  How has noise pollution become hazardous in many big cities of India? Explain with examples. CBSE 2009
15.  Why is the urban waste disposal a serious problem in India? Explain any three reasons. CBSE 2014
16.  Explain any three problems caused by waste disposal in India. CBSE 2012
17.  Analyse three problems arising as a result of urban water disposal. CBSE 2013
18.  Explain any three problems caused by urban waste disposal in India. CBSE 2011
19.  Explain with examples any three major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India. CBSE 2008
20.    Describe any three major problems of slums in India. CBSE 2014
21.  Analyse any three major problems of slum dweller in India. CBSE 2013
22.  Explain any three problems faced by slum dwellers in India. CBSE 2012
23.  How do slums develop in India? Explain any four miserable conditions of the residents of slums areas. CBSE 2010
24.  How is the degradation of cultivable land one of the serious problems in India? Explain in any three points. CBSE 2010.
25.  State any two major sources of air pollution in India. How is air pollution harmful to human health? Explain. CBSE 2008

  1. Q1. What are the causes and consequences of air/water/land/noise pollution?
  2. Q2. Why urban waste disposal became very serious concern from few decades?
  3. Q3. Discuss about management strategies for urban waste disposal.
  4. Q4. What are the main sources of urban wastages?
  5. Q5. Which type of problems became very common in urban areas due to rural-urban migration?
  6. Q6. What are the problems of slum area?
  7. Q7. What is land degradation? What are the causes of land degradation?
  8. Q8. Mention any THREE strategies to prevent land degradation problem.
  9. Q9. Explain the effects of water pollution on human health.