Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 Resources and Development NCERT Notes
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Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 1 Resources and Development Solutions
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NCERT Geography Class 10 Chapter 1 Resources and Development Notes Part 2
Land Degradation and Conservation Measures : -
Land Degradation : -
➤ Land is one of our most valuable natural resources and provides about 95% of our basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter. Since land is limited, it must be protected for both present and future generations.
➤ Land degradation is the decline in the quality and productivity of land due to human activities and natural forces. Human activities have accelerated the process of land degradation in many parts of India.
➤ The major causes of land degradation are deforestation, overgrazing, mining, quarrying, over-irrigation, and industrial pollution.
➤ Deforestation removes the protective cover of trees, making the land more vulnerable to soil erosion. Mining and quarrying leave behind deep pits, heaps of waste materials (overburden), and barren land after excavation. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, mining-related deforestation has caused severe land degradation.
➤ Overgrazing is a major cause of land degradation in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, where excessive grazing destroys vegetation and exposes the soil to erosion.
➤ In Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, excessive irrigation causes waterlogging, which increases the salinity and alkalinity of the soil, reducing its fertility.
➤ Industries also contribute to land degradation. The processing of limestone, calcite, and soapstone produces large amounts of dust, which settles on the land and reduces the infiltration of water into the soil. In addition, untreated industrial effluents and wastes have become major sources of land and water pollution in many parts of the country.
Conservation Measures : -
➤ Land degradation can be controlled by adopting suitable land conservation measures.
➤ Afforestation and proper management of forests help restore degraded land and prevent soil erosion.
➤ Controlled grazing reduces the harmful effects of overgrazing and allows vegetation to regenerate naturally.
➤ In arid and semi-arid regions, planting shelter belts (rows of trees) and growing thorny bushes help stabilise sand dunes and reduce wind erosion.
➤ Proper management and reclamation of wastelands improve land productivity and reduce degradation.
➤ Mining activities should be properly regulated, and mined areas should be reclaimed after excavation.
➤ Industries should treat and safely dispose of industrial effluents and wastes before releasing them into the environment to prevent land and water pollution.
➤ These conservation measures help protect land resources, improve soil fertility, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
Soil as a Resource : -
➤ Soil is one of the most important renewable natural resources on Earth. It serves as the medium for plant growth and supports a wide variety of living organisms, making life on Earth possible.
➤ Soil forms very slowly, and it takes millions of years to develop just a few centimetres of fertile soil. The process of soil formation is influenced by natural forces such as changes in temperature, running water, wind, glaciers, and the activities of decomposers.
➤ The main factors responsible for soil formation are parent rock (bedrock), climate, vegetation, living organisms, and time. These factors work together over a long period to produce different types of soils.
➤ During soil formation, several chemical and organic changes take place, which improve the quality and fertility of the soil. Soil is made up of both organic matter (humus) and inorganic materials such as minerals, making it suitable for supporting plant life and agriculture.
Classification of Soils : -
➤ India has a great variety of relief features, landforms, climate, and natural vegetation, which have led to the formation of different types of soils across the country.
➤ The type of soil found in a region depends on several factors such as the parent rock, climate, relief, vegetation, and time.
On the basis of their physical and chemical properties, soils in India are classified into six major types.
1. Alluvial Soil
2. Black Soil (Regur Soil)
3. Red and Yellow Soil
4. Laterite Soil
5. Arid (Desert) Soil
6. Forest and Mountain Soil
1. Alluvial Soil : -
➨ Alluvial soil is the most widespread and important soil in India. The Northern Plains are mainly formed of alluvial soil, which has been deposited by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. This soil is also found in Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor and in the eastern coastal plains, especially in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers.
➨ Alluvial soil is made up of different proportions of sand, silt, and clay. As we move inland towards the river valleys, the soil particles become larger and coarser. In the upper reaches of river valleys and the piedmont plains such as the Duars, Chos, and Terai, the soil is coarse in texture.
➨ Based on its age, alluvial soil is classified into Bangar (old alluvial soil) and Khadar (new alluvial soil). Bangar contains a higher concentration of kankar (calcareous nodules), while Khadar has finer particles and is more fertile than Bangar.
➨ Alluvial soil is highly fertile and contains adequate amounts of potash, phosphoric acid, and lime. It is ideal for growing wheat, rice, sugarcane, cereals, and pulses. Due to its high fertility, alluvial soil regions are densely populated and intensively cultivated. In dry regions, these soils become alkaline, but they can be made productive through proper irrigation and treatment.
2. Black Soil : -
➨ Black soil is black in colour and is also known as Regur soil or Black Cotton Soil because it is highly suitable for growing cotton.
➨ Black soil is formed mainly due to the combined effect of climatic conditions and the parent rock material. It is commonly found in the Deccan Trap (Basalt) region, which is formed from ancient lava flows.
➨ This soil covers the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, and extends along the Godavari and Krishna river valleys.
➨ Black soil is made up of very fine clay particles and has an excellent capacity to retain moisture. It is rich in nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, but is poor in phosphorous.
➨ During hot weather, black soil develops deep cracks, which improve the aeration of the soil. When wet, it becomes sticky and is difficult to cultivate. Therefore, it is best ploughed immediately after the first rainfall or during the pre-monsoon season.
3. Red and Yellow Soils : -
➨ Red and Yellow soils develop from crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks in regions of low rainfall. These soils are mainly found in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau, as well as in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, the southern part of the Middle Ganga Plain, and the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
➨ The red colour of these soils is due to the presence and diffusion of iron in the parent rocks. When iron combines with water (hydrated form), the soil appears yellow instead of red.
➨ Red and Yellow soils are generally suitable for agriculture when proper irrigation and fertilizers are provided.
4. Laterite Soil : -
➨ The word "Laterite" comes from the Latin word "later", meaning brick, because this soil becomes hard like bricks when exposed to air.
➨ Laterite soil develops in regions with a tropical and subtropical climate, where there are alternating wet and dry seasons. It is formed due to intense leaching caused by heavy rainfall, which washes away most nutrients from the soil.
➨ These soils are usually deep, acidic (pH below 6.0), and poor in plant nutrients. They are mainly found in the southern states of India, the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Odisha, parts of West Bengal, and the North-Eastern states.
➨ In areas covered by deciduous and evergreen forests, laterite soils contain a good amount of humus. However, in regions with sparse vegetation and semi-arid conditions, they have low humus content.
➨ Laterite soils are prone to erosion and degradation because they often occur on hill slopes. With proper soil conservation methods, especially in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, these soils become suitable for growing tea and coffee. The red laterite soils of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are also ideal for cultivating cashew nuts.
5. Arid Soils : -
➨ Arid soils are generally red to brown in colour, sandy in texture, and saline in nature. In some areas, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating water.
➨ Due to the hot and dry climate, evaporation is very rapid, causing these soils to have very little moisture and humus.
➨ The lower layers of arid soils contain kankar, a layer rich in calcium carbonate. This kankar layer prevents rainwater from seeping deep into the soil.
➨ With the help of proper irrigation, arid soils can become fertile and suitable for cultivation. This has been successfully achieved in western Rajasthan.
6. Forest Soils : -
➨ Forest soils are found in hilly and mountainous regions where there is sufficient forest cover and rainfall.
➨ The texture of these soils varies according to the mountain environment. They are generally loamy and silty in the valley areas, while they are coarse-grained on the upper slopes.
➨ In the snow-covered Himalayan regions, forest soils are affected by denudation (erosion). These soils are usually acidic and contain less humus.
➨ The soils found in the lower valleys, especially on river terraces and alluvial fans, are fertile and suitable for agriculture.
Soil Erosion : -
➤ Soil erosion is the process in which the fertile top layer of soil is removed by natural forces such as water, wind, and glaciers. Normally, soil formation and soil erosion occur together in a balanced way. However, this balance is disturbed by human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and construction, which increase the rate of soil erosion.
➤ Running water cuts deep channels in clayey soil, forming gullies. This type of erosion is called gully erosion. The land becomes unsuitable for farming and is known as "bad land". In the Chambal Basin, such deeply eroded land is called ravines.
➤ When rainwater flows over large areas as a thin layer, it washes away the fertile topsoil. This process is known as sheet erosion. In dry and open regions, strong winds blow away loose soil, causing wind erosion.
➤ Improper farming methods can also lead to soil erosion. Ploughing up and down the slope creates channels that allow rainwater to flow rapidly, carrying away the fertile soil.
Soil Conservation : -
➤ Soil conservation refers to the protection and proper management of soil to prevent erosion and maintain its fertility. Several methods are used to conserve soil.
➤ Contour ploughing involves ploughing along the contour lines of a hill instead of up and down the slope. This slows down the flow of water and reduces soil erosion.
➤ Terrace farming is practised on hilly slopes by cutting the land into a series of flat steps or terraces. This method helps reduce water runoff and prevents soil erosion. It is widely practised in the Western and Central Himalayas.
➤ Strip cropping involves dividing large fields into strips and leaving grass between crop rows. The grass reduces the speed of the wind and protects the soil from being blown away.
➤ Shelter belts are rows of trees planted along the edges of fields. These trees reduce wind speed, prevent wind erosion, and help stabilise sand dunes. Shelter belts have played an important role in controlling desert expansion in western India.