Sustainable Management of Natural Resources — Class 10 Biology NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Biology chapter "Sustainable Management of Natural Resources" — 5 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Biology chapter "Sustainable Management of Natural Resources" — 5 important questions with detailed ans…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Biology — Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. Step-by-step answers to all 5 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources — All 5 Questions Solved
Q1. What are natural resources? Name different types and explain why sustainable management is necessary.
Natural resources:
- Materials and energy sources from Earth
- Can be renewable or non-renewable
- Essential for human survival and development
- Provide food, water, energy, materials, and shelter
Types of natural resources:
1. Renewable resources (can be replenished):
a) Forests - provide timber, paper, fruits, medicines
- Regenerate through growth
- Can become depleted if exploited unsustainably
b) Water - fresh water for drinking and agriculture
- Regenerates through water cycle
- Freshwater limited and unevenly distributed
c) Soil - supports agriculture and ecosystems
- Forms slowly (centuries for 1 cm)
- Erosion and degradation major concerns
d) Fisheries - aquatic organisms for food
- Can regenerate through reproduction
- Overfishing threatens sustainability
e) Wildlife - animals and plants
- Regenerate through reproduction
- Habitat loss and poaching threaten populations
2. Non-renewable resources (cannot be replenished):
a) Coal - fossil fuel for energy
- Formed over millions of years
- Takes too long to regenerate
b) Petroleum (oil and natural gas) - fuel and raw material
- Limited reserves
- Formed from ancient organisms
c) Minerals - metals like iron, copper, gold
- Finite quantities
- Extraction damages environment
d) Metals - aluminum, steel, tin
- Cannot regenerate
- Can be recycled
Why sustainable management is necessary:
1. Finite resources:
- Non-renewable resources will eventually run out
- Renewable resources can be depleted if overused
- Current consumption rates unsustainable
2. Population growth:
- World population increasing
- Demand for resources increasing
- Limited resources for everyone
3. Environmental protection:
- Exploitation damages ecosystems
- Habitat destruction threatens species
- Pollution from resource extraction
- Climate change from fuel burning
4. Future generations:
- Must leave resources for children
- Ethical responsibility
- Prevent resource conflicts
5. Economic stability:
- Resource scarcity increases prices
- Economic development depends on resources
- Job creation in conservation
Definition of sustainable management:
- Using resources in a way that meets present needs
- Without compromising ability of future generations to meet their needs
- Maintains balance between development and conservation
- Ensures resources continue to be available
Goals of sustainable management:
- Prevent overexploitation of resources
- Protect ecosystems and biodiversity
- Reduce environmental damage
- Ensure equitable distribution
- Promote recycling and reuse
- Use alternative/renewable resources
- Reduce waste and pollution
Q2. Explain the management and conservation of forests and wildlife.
Forest management and conservation:
Forests:
- Cover about 31% of world's land area
- Provide oxygen, absorb CO2, regulate climate
- Provide timber, paper, medicines, food
- Habitat for wildlife
- Prevent soil erosion
- Regulate water cycle
Problems with forests:
1. Deforestation - clearing of forests for agriculture, timber, urbanization
2. Overexploitation - cutting more trees than grow back
3. Forest fires - destroy large areas
4. Pests and diseases
5. Habitat fragmentation
Forest management practices:
1. Afforestation (reforestation):
- Planting new trees in deforested areas
- Replaces lost forests
- Increases forest cover
- Takes decades to mature
- Uses native species
2. Controlled logging:
- Selective cutting - remove only mature trees
- Leave younger trees to grow
- Allow regeneration of forest
- Sustainable harvesting
- Check growth against cutting
3. Protected forests:
- Create national parks and sanctuaries
- Restrict human activities
- Preserve biodiversity
- Allow scientific research
- Example: Project Tiger in India
4. Sustainable forestry:
- Harvest rates equal growth rates
- Minimize damage to remaining forest
- Maintain soil health
- Preserve biodiversity
- Certification programs (FSC)
5. Community involvement:
- Local communities manage forests
- Provide livelihood while conserving
- Traditional knowledge
- Community forests successful
Wildlife management and conservation:
Wildlife:
- All wild animals and plants
- Essential for biodiversity
- Important for ecosystem function
- Cultural and scientific value
Problems with wildlife:
1. Habitat loss - deforestation, urbanization
2. Poaching - illegal hunting for profit
3. Overexploitation - taking more than sustainable
4. Pollution - contaminated habitats
5. Climate change - alters habitats
6. Human-wildlife conflict
Wildlife conservation practices:
1. Protected areas:
- National parks - preserve habitats and wildlife
- Wildlife sanctuaries - protect specific species
- Biosphere reserves - protect ecosystems
- Restrict hunting and habitat destruction
- Examples: Jim Corbett National Park (tigers), Kaziranga (rhinos)
2. Breeding programs:
- Zoo breeding programs for endangered species
- Captive breeding increases population
- Reintroduction into wild
- Example: Arabian oryx, California condor
3. Anti-poaching measures:
- Patrols and enforcement
- Heavy penalties for poaching
- Educate local communities
- Reduce demand for wildlife products
- Example: Project Tiger in India
4. Habitat restoration:
- Restore degraded habitats
- Create wildlife corridors
- Improve connectivity between protected areas
- Allow animals to move and breed
5. Legal protection:
- Laws against hunting endangered species
- CITES (Convention on International Trade) controls trade
- Protected species lists
- Licensing systems
- Example: Wildlife Protection Act in India
6. Community participation:
- Involve local people in conservation
- Provide alternative livelihoods
- Eco-tourism provides income
- Education about importance of wildlife
- Reduce human-wildlife conflict
7. Research and monitoring:
- Study populations and trends
- Identify threatened species
- Assess conservation effectiveness
- Guide management decisions
Examples of successful conservation:
- India's Project Tiger: tiger population increasing
- Arabian oryx: brought back from brink of extinction
- Kaziranga National Park: protects Indian rhinos
- Gir National Park: only habitat of Asiatic lions
Challenges:
- Balancing conservation with development
- Limited funding
- Local poverty and livelihood needs
- Global demand for wildlife products
- Human-wildlife conflict
Conservation requires:
- Political will
- International cooperation
- Local community support
- Scientific management
- Long-term commitment
- Addressing root causes (poverty, demand)
Q3. What is water management? Explain the problems of water scarcity and methods of water conservation.
Water management:
- Planning and development of water resources
- Equitable distribution among users
- Protection of water quality
- Sustainable use without depleting aquifers
- Adaptation to climate change
Water scarcity:
- Occurs when water demand exceeds available supply
- Affects about 2 billion people globally
- More than 400 million people in India face water scarcity
- Freshwater makes up only 2.5% of world's water
Causes of water scarcity:
1. Population growth:
- More people need more water
- Particularly in developing countries
- Urban areas consume large amounts
2. Overexploitation of groundwater:
- Groundwater extracted faster than it recharges
- Aquifer depletion (e.g., Indo-Gangetic plains)
- Wells drying up
- Takes years to recharge
3. Agricultural demands:
- 70% of freshwater used for agriculture
- Irrigation for crops
- Less efficient use of water
- Monsoon dependence in India
4. Industrial pollution:
- Contamination of water sources
- Makes water unsuitable for drinking
- Industrial effluents
- Chemical pollution
5. Deforestation:
- Reduces water infiltration
- Reduces groundwater recharge
- Increases runoff and erosion
- Decreases water availability
6. Climate change:
- Altered rainfall patterns
- Prolonged droughts
- Melting glaciers affecting water supply
- Increased evaporation
7. Pollution of water sources:
- Sewage from cities
- Industrial waste
- Agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers)
- Makes water unsuitable
8. Unequal distribution:
- Some regions have abundant water
- Others have very little
- Rivers cross political boundaries
- Disputes over water rights
Problems caused by water scarcity:
1. Health problems:
- Lack of drinking water
- Waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid)
- Malnutrition from failed crops
2. Agricultural impact:
- Crop failure and reduced yield
- Famine and food insecurity
- Livestock death
- Farmer suicides
3. Economic impact:
- Loss of livelihood
- Reduced industrial production
- Hydroelectric power shortage
- Economic recession
4. Environmental impact:
- Wetland and lake drying
- Loss of aquatic biodiversity
- Soil salinization
- Ecosystem collapse
5. Social conflict:
- Water wars between regions
- Displacement of communities
- Migration to cities
- Inequality and poverty
Methods of water conservation:
1. In agriculture (70% of water use):
a) Drip irrigation - delivers water directly to roots
- Reduces water waste from evaporation
- More efficient than flooding fields
b) Sprinkler irrigation - better than flood irrigation
- Reduces water use by 30-40%
c) Mulching - covers soil
- Reduces evaporation from soil
d) Drought-resistant crops - need less water
- Millets, pulses instead of rice/wheat in dry areas
- Crop rotation
e) Check dams - capture runoff
- Allows infiltration
- Recharges groundwater
2. In homes:
a) Fix leaks immediately
- A dripping tap wastes 34 liters per day
b) Use water-efficient fixtures
- Low-flow taps and showerheads
- Dual-flush toilets
c) Collect rainwater (rainwater harvesting)
- Store for dry season
- Reduce groundwater extraction
d) Water garden efficiently
- Water in early morning or evening
- Reduce evaporation
e) Use washing machine at full capacity
- Reduces per-item water use
f) Shorter showers
- Saves significant water
g) Turn off tap while brushing teeth
3. In industries:
a) Recycling and reusing water
- Water used multiple times
- Closes the loop
b) Efficient cooling systems
- Use less water for cooling
c) Treatment of wastewater
- Removes pollutants
- Makes water reusable
d) Leak detection and repair
- Reduces water loss
4. Water management at community/regional level:
a) Rainwater harvesting structures:
- Tanks and ponds
- Check dams and bunds
- Percolation tanks
- Recharges aquifers
b) Groundwater management:
- Regulate extraction rates
- Monitor aquifer levels
- Restrict over-extraction
- Recharge during monsoon
c) Water treatment and quality:
- Remove contaminants
- Disinfection
- Make water safe to drink
d) Inter-basin transfer:
- Move water from surplus to deficit areas
- Example: Connecting Indian rivers
- Controversial due to environmental impact
e) Watershed management:
- Protect water sources
- Reduce erosion
- Maintain vegetation
- Prevent pollution
5. Policy and governance:
a) Water pricing - charge for water use
- Encourages conservation
- Makes people aware of value
b) Water laws and regulations
- Set withdrawal limits
- Protect water sources
- Pollution control
c) Awareness and education
- Teach people about water conservation
- Change behavior
- Value water as precious resource
d) International cooperation
- Share water resources across borders
- Prevent conflicts
- Joint management
6. Alternative water sources:
a) Desalination - convert seawater to freshwater
- Expensive but useful for coastal areas
b) Recycling and reuse - wastewater treatment
- For non-drinking uses (irrigation, industry)
c) Fog harvesting - collect moisture from air
- In hilly areas with fog
d) Artificial recharge - pump treated water into aquifers
- Replenish groundwater
Examples of water conservation:
- India's Jal Jeevan Mission - provide drinking water to every household
- Aravari River restoration in Alwar, Rajasthan - community water management
- Watershed development programs - check dams and terracing
- Micro-irrigation adoption - farmers switch to drip irrigation
Water conservation is everyone's responsibility - individuals, communities, industries, and governments must work together.
Q4. What are coal and petroleum? Explain their formation, uses, and environmental impacts. Why is energy conservation necessary?
Coal:
Formation of coal:
- Formed from remains of prehistoric plants
- Occurs during Carboniferous period (300 million years ago)
- Plants died and accumulated in swamps
- Buried under sedimentary rocks
- High pressure and temperature transformed plant matter
- Carbon-rich remains became coal
- Coal is fossilized plant material
Properties of coal:
- Black or brown mineral
- Hardness varies by type (lignite < bituminous < anthracite)
- Non-renewable resource
- Limited reserves (may last 100+ years at current rates)
Uses of coal:
1. Power generation - burning coal in thermal power plants
2. Steel production - coking coal used in blast furnaces
3. Chemical industry - raw material for chemicals
4. Domestic use - heating in some countries
5. Aluminum and cement production
Petroleum (crude oil and natural gas):
Formation of petroleum:
- Formed from remains of marine organisms (dead plankton and algae)
- Occurred over 300 million years ago
- Marine organisms buried in sediments
- High pressure and temperature converted to oil and gas
- Occurs in layers beneath Earth's crust
- Trapped between impermeable rock layers
Properties of petroleum:
- Dark brown to black liquid
- Lighter than water (floats on water)
- Immiscible with water
- Non-renewable resource
- Reserves may last 50+ years at current rates
Natural gas:
- Formed along with petroleum
- Mainly methane (CH4)
- Lighter than air
- Rises above petroleum in underground reservoirs
Uses of petroleum:
1. Fuels:
a) Petrol (gasoline) - cars and motorcycles
b) Diesel - trucks, buses, trains
c) Kerosene - lighting and heating
d) Fuel oil - ships and power plants
2. Petrochemical industry:
a) Plastics and polymers
b) Synthetic fibers
c) Detergents and soaps
d) Medicines and cosmetics
e) Fertilizers and pesticides
3. Lubricants - oils and greases
4. Waxes and bitumen (asphalt)
Uses of natural gas:
1. Fuel for heating homes and industries
2. Power generation in thermal plants
3. Raw material for chemicals and fertilizers
4. Vehicle fuel (compressed natural gas - CNG)
Environmental impacts of coal:
1. Air pollution:
- Burning coal releases CO2, SO2, NO2
- Acid rain from sulfur compounds
- Particulate matter damages lungs
- Indoor air pollution in homes using coal
2. Climate change:
- CO2 is greenhouse gas
- Contributes to global warming
- Coal is dirtiest fossil fuel (highest CO2 per unit energy)
3. Water pollution:
- Coal ash contains heavy metals
- Leaches into groundwater
- Contaminates water sources
- Mining causes acid mine drainage
4. Habitat destruction:
- Coal mining destroys landscapes
- Open-pit mining creates large holes
- Loss of forests and wildlife habitat
- Soil degradation
5. Health impacts:
- Respiratory diseases from pollution
- Cancer from toxic chemicals
- Ash handling workers exposed to toxins
Environmental impacts of petroleum:
1. Air pollution:
- Burning oil releases CO2, unburned hydrocarbons
- Smog and ground-level ozone formation
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause respiratory problems
- Vehicle emissions major cause of air pollution in cities
2. Climate change:
- CO2 from burning petroleum
- Methane leaks from natural gas production
- Greenhouse gas effect
- Global warming
3. Water pollution:
- Oil spills from tankers and pipelines
- Offshore drilling accidents (Deepwater Horizon 2010)
- Kills marine life
- Persists in environment for years
- Affects fish populations
- Beach contamination
4. Soil pollution:
- Leaks from underground storage tanks
- Contaminates soil and groundwater
- Takes decades to clean up
- Long-term effects on ecosystems
5. Habitat destruction:
- Oil exploration damages pristine ecosystems
- Arctic drilling threatens polar bears
- Rainforest clearing for pipelines
- Mangrove destruction for oil terminals
6. Toxic chemicals:
- Refining produces hazardous waste
- Petrochemical production creates pollution
- Workers exposed to carcinogens
- Community health problems
Why energy conservation is necessary:
1. Finite resources:
- Coal and petroleum non-renewable
- Reserves limited
- At current consumption, may run out
- Need to stretch resources
2. Climate change mitigation:
- Burning fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas emissions
- Leading to global warming
- Energy conservation reduces emissions
- Essential to meet climate targets (Paris Agreement)
3. Environmental protection:
- Reduces pollution from extraction and burning
- Protects ecosystems from damage
- Preserves biodiversity
- Cleaner air and water
4. Economic benefits:
- Reduces energy costs for individuals and businesses
- Saves money
- Less dependence on imported fuel (reduces trade deficit)
- Job creation in renewable energy sector
5. Energy security:
- Reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports
- Protects from price fluctuations
- Reduces geopolitical conflicts over resources
6. Sustainable development:
- Allows future generations to access energy
- Meets present needs without compromising future
- Transition to renewable energy
Methods of energy conservation:
1. Use renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, biomass)
2. Improve energy efficiency of buildings and appliances
3. Public transport instead of personal vehicles
4. Reduce unnecessary consumption
5. Promote awareness and behavior change
6. Invest in green technology
7. Government policies supporting conservation
India's energy challenges:
- Coal-dependent for 60% of electricity
- Growing energy demand from population and development
- Air pollution in cities from coal and vehicles
- Need for energy transition to renewables
- National Solar Mission to increase solar energy
- Electric vehicle push to reduce petroleum consumption
Q5. What is sustainable development? Explain how sustainable management of natural resources supports sustainable development.
Sustainable development:
Definition:
- Development that meets the needs of present generation
- Without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Balances economic development with environmental protection and social equity
- Long-term approach to development
Goals of sustainable development:
1. Economic growth and prosperity
2. Environmental protection
3. Social equity and justice
4. Poverty alleviation
5. Health and education
6. Reduced inequality
Three pillars of sustainable development:
1. Environmental sustainability:
- Protect ecosystems and biodiversity
- Manage natural resources wisely
- Reduce pollution
- Combat climate change
- Conserve water and soil
2. Economic sustainability:
- Sustained economic growth
- Job creation
- Reduced poverty
- Fair distribution of wealth
- Business practices that don't damage environment
3. Social sustainability:
- Education and awareness
- Health and wellbeing
- Gender equality
- Human rights
- Community participation
- Cultural preservation
Characteristics of sustainable development:
- Renewable resources used at sustainable rates
- Non-renewable resources used sparingly
- Pollution limited to environment's absorption capacity
- Emphasis on quality of life, not just economic growth
- Intergenerational equity (fair to future generations)
- Intragenerational equity (fair within current generation)
- Local and global perspectives integrated
How sustainable management of natural resources supports sustainable development:
1. Environmental protection:
a) Maintains ecosystem services:
- Clean air and water
- Pollination and pest control
- Soil formation
- Climate regulation
- Waste decomposition
b) Preserves biodiversity:
- Protects species from extinction
- Maintains genetic diversity
- Supports food security
c) Reduces pollution:
- Sustainable practices minimize waste
- Less environmental contamination
- Cleaner air, water, and soil
d) Mitigates climate change:
- Forest conservation absorbs CO2
- Reduced fossil fuel use
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
2. Economic benefits:
a) Renewable energy:
- Unlimited supply (solar, wind, water)
- Lower operating costs
- Job creation in new industries
- Energy independence
b) Agricultural sustainability:
- Maintains soil fertility for future crops
- Reduced input costs (less fertilizer)
- Organic farming increases profitability
- Food security for growing population
c) Reduced resource costs:
- Efficiency reduces waste and expenses
- Recycling creates economic value
- Conservation prevents ecosystem collapse
- Prevents costly climate disasters
d) Green business opportunities:
- Clean technology market
- Renewable energy industries
- Sustainable tourism
- Green jobs
3. Social benefits:
a) Improved public health:
- Clean water and air reduce diseases
- Less pollution-related illness
- Better nutrition from sustainable agriculture
- Healthcare costs reduced
b) Food security:
- Sustainable farming maintains productivity
- Biodiversity provides diverse crops
- Protects against crop failures
- Nutrition and health
c) Livelihood security:
- Sustainable resource management provides ongoing income
- Less dependence on depleting resources
- Community-based conservation creates employment
- Reduces poverty
d) Social equity:
- Fair distribution of resources
- Reduces conflicts over resources
- Empowers local communities
- Indigenous rights respected
e) Education and awareness:
- People understand value of resources
- Behavior change towards conservation
- Informed decision-making
4. Long-term stability:
a) Resource availability:
- Ensures resources available for future
- Prevents resource depletion
- Reduces resource wars and conflicts
- Economic stability
b) Climate stability:
- Reduced emissions slow climate change
- Less severe weather events
- Agriculture and water systems protected
- Fewer climate refugees
c) Ecosystem stability:
- Healthy ecosystems more resilient
- Better able to withstand shocks
- Services continue for future
Examples of sustainable resource management supporting development:
1. Renewable energy transition:
- India's renewable energy capacity growing
- Solar energy in rural areas provides electricity
- Jobs created in solar and wind industries
- Reduces air pollution and health impacts
- Lower long-term energy costs
2. Sustainable agriculture:
- Organic farming improves soil and biodiversity
- Reduced chemical costs
- Better crop quality and market value
- Farmer health improves
- Sustainable food production
3. Forest conservation:
- Eco-tourism provides income
- Carbon credits from forest conservation
- Regulates water cycle and prevents erosion
- Preserves medicinal plants
- Protects indigenous communities
4. Water conservation:
- Rainwater harvesting provides water security
- Reduces agricultural water costs
- Prevents water-related conflicts
- Improves health
- Enables development in water-scarce areas
5. Fisheries management:
- Sustainable fishing maintains fish populations
- Ensures food and livelihood for fishing communities
- Prevents collapse of fishery
- Protects aquatic ecosystems
UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030):
- 17 global goals for sustainable development
- Eradicate poverty
- Protect the planet
- Ensure peace and prosperity
- Include: clean water, clean energy, responsible consumption, climate action, life on land and water
India's sustainable development efforts:
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
- Renewable Energy and Climate Change Action Plan
- Swachh Bharat Mission (sanitation and waste management)
- National River Conservation Plan
- Project Tiger and wildlife conservation
- Energy Efficiency policies
Role of different stakeholders:
1. Government:
- Create laws and regulations
- Invest in sustainable projects
- Set emission targets
- Protect natural resources
2. Businesses:
- Adopt sustainable practices
- Develop green technologies
- Reduce waste and pollution
- Support communities
3. Individuals:
- Make sustainable choices
- Reduce consumption
- Support conservation
- Educate others
4. Communities:
- Participate in conservation
- Manage local resources sustainably
- Share traditional knowledge
- Monitor and enforce rules
Sustainable management of natural resources is the foundation of sustainable development. It ensures that while meeting today's needs for development and prosperity, we protect the environment and resources for future generations. This requires balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity - the three pillars of sustainable development.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.