Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and ProblemsClass 12 India - People And Economy NCERT Solutions
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Q1EXERCISES
(i) Which one of the following river is highly polluted? (a) Brahmaputra (b) Satluj (c) Yamuna (d) Godavari…
(i)
Which one of the following river is highly polluted?
(a)
Brahmaputra
(b)
Satluj
(c)
Yamuna
(d)
Godavari
(ii)
Which one of the following deseases is caused by water pollution?
(a)
Conjunctivitis
(b)
Diarrhorea
(c)
Respiratory infections
(d)
Bronchitis
(iii)
Which one of the following is the cause of acid rain?
(a)
Water pollution
(b)
Land pollution
(c)
Noise pollution
(d)
Air pollution
(iv)
Push and pull factors are responsible for-
(a)
Migration
(b)
Land degradation
(c)
Slums
(d)
Air pollution
Solution
(i)
(c) Yamuna
(ii)
(b) Diarrhoea
(iii)
(d) Air pollution
(iv)
(a) Migration
Q2EXERCISES
(i) What is the difference between pollution and pollutants? (ii) Describe the major source of air pollution.…
(i)
What is the difference between pollution and pollutants?
(ii)
Describe the major source of air pollution.
(iii)
Mention major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India.
(iv)
What are the effects of air pollution on human health.
Solution
(i)
The difference between pollution and pollutants is as follows:
- Pollution: It is the process or state of environmental degradation resulting from the release of harmful substances and energy from waste products of human activities. It is the alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air, water, or land.
- Pollutants: These are the actual substances or forms of energy that cause pollution when released into the environment. For example, oxides of sulphur, dust, and smoke are air pollutants, while sewage and toxic industrial effluents are water pollutants.
(ii)
The major sources of air pollution are:
- Combustion of Fossil Fuels: The burning of coal, petrol, and diesel for energy in vehicles, power plants, and households releases toxic gases like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons.
- Industrial Processes: Industries are a significant source, emitting smoke, dust, poisonous gases, and chemical residuals like lead and asbestos into the atmosphere.
- Mining: Mining activities release large amounts of dust and other particulate matter into the air.
- Solid Waste Disposal: The decomposition and burning of solid waste in urban areas release harmful gases and particulate matter.
(iii)
Major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India include:
- Health Hazards: Uncollected solid waste creates obnoxious smells and becomes a breeding ground for flies and rodents, which act as carriers for diseases like typhoid, diphtheria, diarrhoea, malaria, and cholera.
- Inadequate Collection: In most cities and towns, about 30 to 50 per cent of the waste generated is left uncollected, accumulating on streets and in open spaces.
- Environmental Contamination: Dumping of industrial waste into rivers leads to severe water pollution. Untreated waste ferments slowly and releases toxic biogases, including methane, into the atmosphere.
- Nuisance: Carelessly handled waste is spread by wind and splattered by rainwater, causing widespread nuisance.
(iv)
Air pollution has severe effects on human health. It is responsible for various diseases related to the respiratory, nervous, and circulatory systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the world's biggest environmental health risk, causing a significant number of deaths globally. Specific health issues include breathing problems, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections. Smoky fog, known as urban smog, is particularly harmful to human health.
Q3EXERCISES
(i) Describe the nature of water pollution in India. (ii) Describe the problem of slums in India. (iii)…
(i)
Describe the nature of water pollution in India.
(ii)
Describe the problem of slums in India.
(iii)
Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation.
Solution
(i)
The nature of water pollution in India is widespread and severe, affecting almost all surface water sources and making them unfit for human consumption. The key aspects are:
-
Sources of Pollution: While natural sources like erosion and landslides contribute, human activities are the primary cause of concern. These activities are categorized into industrial, agricultural, and cultural.
- Industrial: This is the most significant contributor. Industries such as leather, pulp and paper, textiles, and chemicals dispose of untreated waste, poisonous elements, heavy metals, and chemical residuals into running water and lakes, destroying aquatic ecosystems.
- Agricultural: Runoff from modern agriculture carries inorganic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides into rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Fertilisers, in particular, increase the nitrate content of surface waters.
- Cultural and Domestic: Cultural activities like pilgrimages and religious fairs, along with domestic waste from urban centres, contribute significantly. In India, cities often release untreated sewage directly into rivers. Table 9.2 highlights how cities like Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Delhi dump domestic waste into the Ganga and Yamuna.
-
Impact on Rivers: Major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna are heavily polluted. The Yamuna is polluted by industrial and domestic waste from Delhi and agricultural runoff. The Ganga suffers from industrial pollution from cities like Kanpur and domestic waste from numerous urban centres along its banks.
-
Health Consequences: Water pollution is a major source of water-borne diseases. The WHO estimates that about one-fourth of communicable diseases in India are water-borne, including diarrhoea, intestinal worms, and hepatitis.
To combat this, the Government of India has launched initiatives like the 'Namami Gange Programme' to clean the river Ganga.
(ii)
Slums are a major problem in Indian urban centres, reflecting a stark socio-economic divide. The problem can be described through the following points:
-
Formation and Location: Slums arise because of the large-scale migration of people from rural areas in search of livelihood. Due to high land costs and rent, these migrants cannot afford proper housing and are forced to occupy environmentally incompatible and degraded areas.
-
Living Conditions: Slums are characterized by dilapidated houses, poor hygienic conditions, lack of ventilation, and an absence of basic amenities like drinking water, light, and toilet facilities. They have overcrowded, narrow street patterns, unregulated drainage systems, and problems of open defecation, which pose serious health and environmental hazards.
-
Socio-Economic Profile: Most slum dwellers work in low-paid, high-risk jobs in the unorganised sector. This leads to them being undernourished and prone to various diseases. Poverty prevents them from providing proper education to their children, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.
-
Social Problems: The harsh living conditions and poverty make the slum population vulnerable to social issues like drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism, and escapism. This often leads to social exclusion from the rest of urban society. The case study of Dharavi in Mumbai illustrates these conditions, highlighting it as a place of uncollected garbage and foul water, yet also a hub of productive economic activity.
(iii)
Based on the case studies and information in the chapter, the following measures can be suggested for the reduction of land degradation:
-
Watershed Management: Implementing integrated watershed management programmes is crucial. This approach acknowledges the link between land, water, and vegetation and aims to manage these resources holistically to improve livelihoods. The success in Jhabua district, funded by the Ministries of Rural Development and Agriculture, is a prime example.
-
Community Participation: The involvement of local communities is key to the success of any land restoration project. The case study of Jhabua highlights how the Bhil community, through their own efforts and in partnership with NGOs and the government, revitalised common property resources.
-
Afforestation and Pasture Development: Planting trees on common lands and developing pastures can prevent soil erosion and improve land quality. In Jhabua, each household planted and maintained a tree on common property. They also planted fodder grass and adopted social-fencing to regulate grazing, which helps in the regeneration of pasture lands.
-
Water Conservation and Harvesting: Techniques like rainwater harvesting and recharging groundwater help in managing water resources effectively. In the Daurala case study, cleaning and desilting the village pond and constructing rainwater harvesting structures helped recharge aquifers and dilute contaminants in the groundwater.
-
Adoption of Sustainable Practices: In agricultural areas, promoting sustainable farming practices that reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides can prevent land degradation caused by salinisation and chemical contamination. The principle of 'Polluter Pays', as mentioned in the Daurala case study, can be enforced to make industries accountable for treating their waste before disposal, thereby preventing land and water contamination.