Chhattisgarh State Board Class 9 Social Science Chapter 2 India – An Introduction Exercise Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Questions and Answers here.
Chhattisgarh State Class 9 Social Science Chapter 2 India – An Introduction Solution
Answer the following questions with the help of Map 2.3 and Reference map 1:
1.) In which sea or bay are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands situated?
Ans: Bay of Bengal.
- ) In which sea or bay is Lakshadweep situated?
Ans: Arabian Sea.
3.) Which other states does Chhattisgarh share its borders with?
Ans: Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra.
4.) Which continent is India situated in?
Ans: Asia.
5.) Which latitude passes through the middle of India?
Ans: The Tropic of Cancer
6.) What is India’s total length from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and breadth Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh?
Ans: 3,214km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
2,933 kmfromGujarat to Arunachal Pradesh
7.) Which states of India does the Tropic of Cancer pass through?
Ans: Gujarat, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and, Rajasthan
8.) Which countries does India share its boundaries with?
Ans: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
9.) What is the symbol used in the map to mark the boundaries between India and its neighbouring countries?
Ans: Dotted lines or solid lines
10.) Which seas and oceans surround India?
Ans: The Arabian Sea borders India on the west, the Bay of Bengal on the east, and the Indian Ocean on the south.
EXERCISES
1.) Fill in the blanks:
1.) People say that if there were no Himalayas or Hindu Kush mountain range, the Indian subcontinent would have been a vast …………………………………………………………
Ans: plain
2.) The Indian subcontinent has high, impregnable mountain chains to the west and east. But there are many narrow ……………………………like the ………………………………… and Bolan in this difficult mountainous terrain.
Ans: passes, Khyber
3) India’s latitudinal spread is from northern latitude ……………………… in the south to latitude …………………… in the north, and the …………………………………… spread from west to east is from eastern longitude 68°7’ to 97°25’.
Ans: 8°4’, 37°6’, longitudinal
4) India is the second most populous country in the world and is home to around ……………………… percent of the world’s population.
Ans: 17%
2.) Questions with short answers:
1.) What are the names of the perennial rivers originating in the Himalayas?
Ans: The Indus, Sutlej, Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers originate in the Himalayas.
2.) What protects us from the freezing cold winds blowing southwards from the North Pole?
Ans: The Himalayas.
3.) Name the neighbouring countries that share boundaries with India.
Ans: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
4.) What is the significance of SAARC?
Ans: The South Asian Association of Regional Coordination (SAARC) was formed to improve ties – political, economic and cultural – between the nations of South Asia. India shares boundaries with all the SAARC countries, except for Afghanistan and the Maldives. So it is located at the centre of the SAARC nations. India has had border disputes with its neighbouring countries from the time it gained independence, especially with Pakistan and China. These disputes are about where the actual boundary lies with these countries. India also has problems with Pakistan, China and Bangladesh over sharing the water of rivers that flow to or from these countries. Such disputes over water resources need to be settled in a rational and mutually beneficial manner
5.) Which is the prime meridian (longitude) of our country?
Ans: The prime meridian (longitude) of our country is 82.5°E.
6) How many languages are spoken in your state? List them
Ans: The Indian constitution lists 22 scheduled languages but India has around 1,600 spoken languages. These languages are spoken in different regions and by different communities within the country.
Answer the following after reading the paragraph above:
- Which is the largest river system? Ans: Ganges
- Which river flows in a western direction? Ans: Ravi
- Which river system has the least number of tributaries? Ans:Indus
- Which of these river systems does the Mahanadi belong to? Ans:None
- What are the differences between farming in Chhattisgarh and Ladakh?
Ans: The people in Ladakh wear warm woollen clothes called goncha throughout the year. The climate is dry and the village faces a shortage of water. The Penjila River freezes during winter so people can walk on it. The frozen river forms a path that reduces the distance to the neighbouring villages. Living conditions in Ladakh are quite different from Chhattisgarh. People here have very small farms because the terrain is rocky and uneven. They grow peas, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, wheat and millets. Most of what they grow is for household consumption, not to sell in the market. This kind of farming where you grow only what you need at home is called ‘subsistence’ farming. Because of the low rainfall, shortage of water, plus the hard climate and soil, the land is not cultivated throughout the year. Farming is done mostly from the end of summer in May to the beginning of October. When the glaciers melt during summer, the water is channelized to irrigate the fields. In winter, the villagers bring water from a spring a kilometre away. They sometimes thaw the ice to get water for their household needs. People also keep animals such as yak, deemo, zo, zomo, horses, donkeys, sheep and goats. The zo and zomo are hybrids of cows and yaks. Deemo is a female yak.
- Where else did you learn about such terraced fields?
Ans: Evergreen forests cover the landscape. The trees do not drop their leaves at the same time. The leaves are fed to livestock, while the timber is burned as fuel. The farms’ production is sufficient for household consumption. People also work as labourers and gather plants in the woodlands for a living. In the dearth of job opportunities, young people go to cities to work in industries. Women take care of the home and work in the fields.
- Why is fodder available only in the lower regions of mountains during winter? Explain.
Ans: When winter sets in, the shepherds take their flocks to the lower reaches of the Himalayas. The cold is less severe here and fodder is available. Their villages are in this region. They have their homes here, where they also do farming. During the cold season, people spin wool and weave blankets in their homes.
- What are the possibilities of setting up new factories in the Himalayas?
Ans: In the upper Himalayas, there is a lot of snowfall. Small streams and rivulets formed by the melting snow trickle down the mountainside. Large pipelines carry the quickly moving water, which powers turbines to produce electricity.
The Himalayan limestone is also being used in cement producing facilities. Locals in the area are employed by the cement plants and limestone quarries. The availability of cement facilitates the construction of buildings such as bridges, dams, homes, hydroelectric plants, etc. But when creating such initiatives, the delicate Himalayan ecosystem has not been taken into consideration. The limestone quarries are contributing to landslides, and the debris from landslides is contributing to other issues. Because of the air pollution caused by the companies’ cement dust, crops and plants suffer.
The air is contaminated by cement dust from the manufacturers, harming people’s health as well as crops and vegetation.
Many individuals find work making traditional handicrafts including weaving clothes and shawls on hand looms, embroidering, and ornamental wood carvings. Also crafted from papiermâché are lovely decorative pieces. These are all modest domestic businesses. Due to the oversupply of products made by machines, they are about to go out of business. However, the government is currently taking action to support these industries. Due to their accessibility to far-off markets, these hand-made goods are creating demand. They are now offered for a fair price. Small food processing facilities have been established recently to process the fruits growing in the area.
- Explain how road construction has supported the growth of the tourism industry.
Ans: The development of the tourism economy was significantly supported by the construction of roads in many ways. Better transport infrastructure, especially the road network, has enabled increased connections between different regions, easier access to tourist destinations and more practical and efficient travel options.
- Locate and name the states in the eastern Himalayas in the political map of India.
Ans: – Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
- Which river valley do these mountainous states surround?
Ans: Brahmaputra river.
- Which states does the Brahmaputra river valley extend into?
Ans: West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Nagaland
- What differences can you see between the climate and forests of the eastern and western Himalayas?
Ans: It may surprise you to know that, barring two to three months, it rains all year round in the eastern Himalayas. It begins to rain in the north-east when the temperature starts to climb in other parts of India in the month of March. The downpour is intense from May to September. The only months when there is a let up in the rains are December, January and February. Due to the continuous downpour in the summer, temperatures never climb too high in the eastern Himalayas. The high altitude also ensures it never gets too hot. But in winter, it is freezing cold. Some areas even have snowfall.
- How is soil erosion prevented in jhum cultivation?
Ans: In jhum cultivation, crops consumed in the home are grown together. So rice, maize, millets, sesame, green beans, onions, tobacco, cotton, sweet potato, chilly and pumpkin are sown together in the field. Each crop is harvested as it ripens. The crops ripen in succession from August to December. This is how soil erosion prevented in jhum cultivation.
- Where and how is this kind of farming practiced in Chhattisgarh? Try and find out.
Ans: In some tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, especially in the southern regions of the state, jhum cultivation is practised. Jhum agriculture is common in some districts, including Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker. Tribal communities in these areas engage in jhum farming as a traditional form of livelihood.
- What kind of changes are taking place in jhum cultivation? How do they impact the forests?
Ans: Apart from growing a variety of crops in jhum cultivation, the villagers gather fruits and tubers from the forests. This work is done by the women. Generally, fruit trees are not cut when preparing the field for forjhum cultivation, so their fruit is plucked as they ripen.
EXERCISES
1.) Which of the following states do not fall within the Himalayas?
- a) Madhya Pradesh b) Uttar Pradesh c) Sikkim d) Haryana e) Punjab
Ans: a) Madhya Pradesh, b) Uttar Pradesh, d) Haryana, e) Punjab
2.) Why do Himalayan rivers have water all year round?
Ans: As the Himalayas are called the Ice-caps, there’s always glaciers on top of the mountain which is the source of the rivers originating from Himalayas. These glaciers are always found on top of the Himalayas due to its high altitude, therefore Himalayan rivers have water all year round.
3.) Why do the shepherds in the Himalayas take their flocks to the upper reaches of the mountains during summer?
Ans: The shepherds in the Himalayas take their flocks to the upper reaches of the mountains during summer to graze on open fields as the temperature in that region is often cold during the summer season which helps the animals.
4.) “The population in the mountain regions is sparse and widely dispersed.” Explain the meaning of this sentence.
Ans: According to this statement, populations in mountainous areas are dispersed widely over a small area. In addition to harsh surroundings and scarce resources, people live in small, dispersed villages.
5.) What is grown on the mountain slopes?
Ans: Wheat, maize, millets, and vegetables are grown on the mountain slopes.
6.) How has road construction changed farming and tourism in the Himalayas?
Ans: The development of the tourism economy was significantly supported by the construction of roads in many ways. Better transport infrastructure, especially the road network, has enabled increased connections between different regions, easier access to tourist destinations and more practical and efficient travel options.
7.) Why are there landslides in the Himalayas?
Ans: The Himalayan rocks are not solid or hard. The steep mountain slopes collapse when the trees are stripped. A significant issue in the area right now is deforestation. Landslides frequently engulf entire settlements in their debris, resulting in severe harm to both human life and property. The falling rocks obstruct roads, which has an impact on transportation. Landslides have even frequently obstructed rivers, resulting in the formation of lakes. However, the water pressure causes the loose debris to disintegrate, which results in these transient lakes unexpectedly flooding the lower mountain slopes.
8.) Why do mountain regions have limited means of livelihood?
Ans: Because there are no heavy industries or commercial agriculture in the north-eastern states, new means of livelihood are limited. People’s incomes are quite low. Farmers sell very small quantities of their produce. That’s why they don’t have the money to buy many things.
9.) Why are the forests in the eastern Himalayas so dense? What trees grow in these forests?
Ans: The forest cover is dense in the eastern Himalayas because of the heavy rainfall. Even as trees are cut, new trees sprout rapidly. Cane and bamboo, as well as spices like bay leaf, large cardamom and cinnamon grow extensively in these forests.
10.) Describe in your own words how jhum cultivation is done – from clearing the forest patch to harvesting the crops.
Ans: The steep slopes of the eastern Himalayas and the heavy rainfall make farming a difficult task. The heavy rain washes away the soil if the slopes are tilled. The problem is resolved by terrace farming in western Himalayas. Terraced fields can also be seen in the eastern Himalayas but most people there practice another kind of farming. It is called jhum cultivation.
This is an example of out how jhum cultivation is done in a village in Arunachal Pradesh. This small locality in Arunachal Pradesh is situated atop tall mountains on a flat area of ground. It has 20 to 30 houses. One long room with a verandah is created on a platform supported by bamboo stilts. The houses appear to be supported on bamboo stilts on the mountainside. Because of the frequent rain, the ground in the area is always moist, which supports a large population of snakes, scorpions, spiders, and snails. To keep out these bugs and reptiles, the homes are elevated on stilts. Close to the dwellings, enclosures are used to cultivate fruit trees, vegetables, tea, and coffee. This is a village of Nishi. The tribal members of the hamlet are all linked to one another. Despite living in different homes, they are a part of the same clan.
11.) What are the problems in practicing jhum cultivation nowadays?
Ans: The rapid depletion of forests is being caused by the rising demand for lumber and the burgeoning timber trade. As the forests disappear, so does the population. For jhum agriculture, there is currently not enough forested area available. A jhum patch used to be left fallow for up to 20 years. The duration is 4-5 years today. Therefore, forests are being damaged because they cannot adequately regenerate. Additionally, if jhum cultivation is started on a patch within 3–4 years, the harvest will be subpar. Many people think that the indigenous people in the area should transition to terrace farming since jhum growing is destroying the forests.
This would prevent the need to remove new forests every year and allow farming to become more stable in one area. On the other hand, steep slopes make it challenging to build terraces. It is incredibly expensive and arduous labour. Additionally, when creating terraces, the topsoil erodes, resulting in low yields during the first few years of farming. Additionally, even the soil of the terraces is eroded by the region’s intense rains. For this reason, jhum cultivation is still practised in many parts of the eastern Himalayas.
12.) What factors helped the tribes of the north-eastern states to progress so rapidly?
Ans: Laws have been framed to restrict people from visiting the eastern Himalayan region without official permission. Buying land there is out of the question. Thus, outsiders have not been able to take over the local land, forests and other natural assets. The tribes in the region have been able to develop independently. Education has played a large role in this development. Educated tribal men and women have reached top level posts in the region and work in different states of the country.
Discuss:
- The plains of Punjab and Haryana receive scant rainfall. Yet their agricultural production is high. What made this possible?
Ans: After Independence, India adopted a new agricultural policy that led to the rapid development of the irrigated regions of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Agricultural production increased manifold as a result of intensive agricultural practices based on the use of short duration, HYV (high yielding variety) seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, etc. Per hectare yields rose even on small sized farms‘. The new agricultural techniques helped farmers harvest two crops a year. This increased their income and there was prosperity all round.
- What is the main source of irrigation here?
Ans: HYV (high yielding variety) seeds.
- Is the area where we live a plain or a plateau? Where is it easier to dig a well and why?
Ans: I live in Kolkata, and it is a plain. Plains have a shallow water table, which is suitable for digging a well.
- How do the rivers in Punjab and Haryana have water all year round when the rainfall is so low?
Ans: Due to the Himalayan snowfall, glacier runoff, recurring springs, complex canal channels for irrigation, higher elevation rains, and water held from dams and reservoirs, rivers in Punjab and Haryana are continuously filled with water.
- Map reading: Draw or indicate the following in a map of India: 1.The rivers responsible for forming the great plains of India.
2.) Ten major cities located on the banks of rivers in these plains.
3.) Colour India’s great plain in green.
4.) Draw the delta created by the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
- Talk to a sugarcane juice vendor and find out where he gets the sugarcane from. How much profit does he make?
Ans: Vendors of sugarcane juice often purchase their sugarcane from nearby farmers or wholesalers who grow the plant. The precise location may change based on the vendor’s operating area.
- What is the reason for multiple cropping?
Ans: Cultivating more than one crop on the same land in a year is called multiple cropping. This is the easiest way to increase the productivity of the land.
- Identify the irrigated areas on the wall map or in your atlas.
Ans: China, India, America, Pakistan.
- Does our region fall in the irrigated category?
Ans: Yes.
- Why do many families continue farming such marginal holdings?
Ans: Tragically, there isn’t enough land for everyone who is involved in agriculture. According to the 2011 census, Mirpur has 2,279 residents. There are 401 caste-neutral families in the village. Thirty-one of these families (131) lack access to land. With more than two hectares of land each, about 50 families are middle- to large-scale farmers. These large farmers range in size from 10 hectares and up. Small farms of less than two hectares are farmed by as many as 220 households. These small assets don’t bring in enough money for them to live off of.
EXERCISES
1.) Write True or False for the following statements:
- a) The entire Indus-Ganges plains lie in India. b) Some parts of India lie within the Indus-Ganges plains. c) The Indus-Ganges plains are a part of the vast northern plains. d) The Ganges is the most important river of the northern plains.
Ans: a) False b) True c) True d) True
2.) Why is irrigation needed in the Punjab-Haryana plains?
Ans: After Independence, India adopted a new agricultural policy that led to the rapid development of the irrigated regions of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Agricultural production increased manifold as a result of intensive agricultural practices based on the use of short duration, HYV (high yielding variety) seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, etc. Per hectare yields rose even on small sized farms‘. The new agricultural techniques helped farmers harvest two crops a year. This increased their income and there was prosperity all round. Local names of some land forms between two rivers, such as rivers The Green Revolution helped India become self-sufficient in food-production. Besides wheat, crops like millets, maize, cotton and sugarcane are also cultivated. Nowadays, rice is grown in some parts of this region.
3.) How do the farmers benefit from irrigation?
Ans: Farmers benefit from irrigation in a number of ways:
- a) New plants are grown and the production of crops increases.
- b) Helps in the generation of hydroelectricity.
- c) Maintains the soil and its fertility.
- d) Farmers can be less dependent on the rainfall which is very unpredictable sometimes.
4.) Why is it easy to construct canals in western Uttar Pradesh?
Ans: It is easy to construct canals in western Uttar Pradeshbecause the plain was formed by sedimentary deposits of the Ganges and its tributaries.
5.) What are the differences between our region and the village of Mirpur?
Ans: Following are the two differences between our region and the village of Mirpur:
- a) Land, water and labour are the essential factors for production. Farming demands hard physical work. Most small farmers take the help of family members to work their farms. Medium and big farmers employ labourers in the fields of Mirpur.
- b) Dairying is a common occupation of many families in Mirpur. People use monsoon grasses and the straw of bajra and jowar as fodder for their buffaloes. They sell milk in the nearby town of Jahangirabad.
6.) What are the similarities and differences between terai and delta?
Ans: Similarity – Both provide fertile soil for better production of crops and irrigation.
Dissimilarity – Terai is found on mountains, in the foothills of the peaks, whereas deltas are formed and found at the banks of rivers.
7.) What are the differences between an ox-bow lake and the ponds in your village or town?
Ans: These lakes are formed in the bends of meandering rivers. When the river floods, it breaches its banks and flows straight, leaving its serpentine course. The land in the river bends is flooded to form ‘oxbow’ lakes.
Ponds are very small water bodies which are shallow and small in size.
- ) Water is a natural resource needed for production. But it is being excessively used for agricultural production. Explain this statement.
Ans: Extensive use of natural resources like land and water has increased crop yields and production. However, the resources haven’t always been employed wisely. Experience has shown us that the overuse of artificial fertilisers and pesticides is causing the soil’s fertility to decline. Farmers keep digging more and more tube wells, which causes the groundwater level to fall. They must drill farther to reach water due to declining groundwater levels. The poor and marginal farmers are forced to confront more difficult obstacles in such a setting.
9.) What are the differences between the occupations of people in Mirpur village and your own village?
Ans: Dairying is a common occupation of many families in Mirpur. People use monsoon grasses and the straw of bajra and jowar as fodder for their buffaloes. They sell milk in the nearby town of Jahangirabad. Two businessmen have established milk collection centres in the town, from where the milk is sent to faraway locations such as Bulandshahr and Delhi. Apart from dairying, the villagers pursue many other occupations to earn their livelihood. Around 50 people are presently engaged in building construction in Mirpur. Mishrilal has bought an electricity driven sugarcane crushing machine to produce jaggery. He buys sugarcane from other farmers and sells the jaggery to traders in Jahangirabad. He doesn’t earn a big profit from his business. There are only a handful of traders in Mirpur. They buy goods from the wholesale markets in the city and retail them in the village. Small shopkeepers mostly sell rice, wheat, sugar, tea leaves, oil, biscuits, soap, toothpaste, batteries, candles, notebooks, pens, pencils, and even clothes.
In my area, the metropolitan city, people usually work in a 9 to 5 job at private service sectors and some work in the government sectors.
- Look at the physical map of India. Now look at the features listed in the table. What are the differences between these features in the Himalayan mountain region and the central highlands of the peninsular plateau?
Ans:
S No. Feature Himalayas Central highlands
1.) Direction of slope -Steep and rugged. gentle slope.
2.) Rivers – Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra. Narmada, Tapi.
3.) Minerals – Iron ore, coal. Bauxite, manganese.
- Look at the physical map of India and identify the states into which the great Indian plateau extends. What is the meaning of ghat?
Ans: The states into which the great Indian plateau extendsare Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Ghats refer to sharp slopes along the edges of small hills and plateaus.
- How would the development of mines and industries have affected the lives of the displaced adivasis? Discuss in class. Also, find out in what ways clearing the forests to open mines has affected the environment.
Ans: Before the mines were opened, adivasis lived in the forests. They had their homes and fields, which were the source of their livelihood. The adivasis were displaced from their homes and the forests were cleared when the contractors began opening and operating the mines. They hired migrant workers to mine the coal.
EXERCISES
A)Choose the correct alternative:
1.)Which geographical region of India do you live in?
- a) Gangetic plain b) Coastal plains
- c) Thar Desert d) Southern peninsular plateau
Ans: a) Gangetic plain
2.) From which geographical region of India are the most minerals obtained?
- a) Gangetic plain b) Himalayan region
- c) Peninsular plateau d) None of these
Ans: b) Himalayan region
3.) Which of these places is in the peninsular plateau?
- a) Nainital b) Kodaikanal
- c) Mussoorie d) None of these
Ans:b) Kodaikanal
4.) What is the name of South Asia’s oldest landmass?
- a) Gondwanaland b) Laurasia
- c) Thar d) Sivalik
Ans: a) Gondwanaland
5.Which is India’s oldest landmass?
- a) Gangetic plain b) Deccan plateau
- c) Kashmir Himalayas d) Sivalik Hills
Ans: b) Deccan plateau
6.Which rivers flow in a rift valley?
- a) Ganges and Yamuna b) Narmada and Tapti
- c) Mahanadi and Subaranarekhad) Krishna and Kaveri
Ans: b) Narmada and Tapti
- B) Match the pairs:
Group AGroup B
1.) Kolar gold fields 1. Mahanadi
2.) Lifeline of Chhattisgarh2. Karnataka
3.) Hillstation of Chhattisgarh3. Tapti
4.) West-flowing river 4. Mainpat
Ans: Group A Group B
Kolar gold fields- 2. Karnataka
Lifeline of Chhattisgarh – 1. Mahanadi
Hillstation of Chhattisgarh – 4. Mainpat
West-flowing river – 3. Tapti
3.)What is the meaning of ‘ghat’?
Ans: Ghats are referred to steep hills of hilly or plateau slope regions which leads down to the banks of river. These are very fertile regions.
4.) Why are the peaks of hills in the peninsular plateau not as pointed as the Himalayan Mountain peaks?
Ans: The surface topography of the plateau today is the result of erosion over the ages. The erosion was greater in areas where the rock was comparatively soft and less in areas where the rock was hard. This process, which continued for lakhs of years, resulted in the creation of an undulating landscape. The hilly areas are composed of hard rock which is being slowly eroded even today. That’s why if you take a close look at the mountain peaks in the region, you will notice that they are rounded, not pointed like in the Himalayas.
5.) How is the peninsular plateau different from the Gangetic plain?
Ans: The Gangetic plain is located to the north of India, whereas, the peninsular plateau is located to the south of India.
The peninsular plateau contains different and various types of soil, the Gangetic plain contains only alluvial soil.
6.) How did the black soil of the peninsular plateau form?
Ans: The black soil of the peninsular plateau was form by the heavy weathering of many types of rocks such as volcanic rocks. The climatic conditions of the peninsular plateau was also one of the reasons associated with the weathering of the volcanic rocks.
7.)Why don’t miners wear cloth hats when extracting coal?
Ans: Deep tunnels have been excavated in the ground for the purpose of coal extraction. According to statements from the mine manager, an extensive network of lengthy tunnels exists below the surface. The coal extraction process involves numerous miners who are equipped with steel helmets for their safety. The mine manager pointed out that the working conditions within the mines are completely dark, necessitating the use of lighting to facilitate operations below the surface. During our visit, we observed certain workers carrying lamps powered by batteries, while others had lamps integrated into their helmets. These helmets not only provide illumination but also offer protection against potential falling rocks from the tunnel’s ceiling during the coal extraction process. Supporting the tunnel’s roof to prevent any potential collapse involves the use of wooden and iron pillars and beams.
8.) How did the Chasnala coal mine take place?
Ans: In 1975, the walls of a mine shaft in Dhanbad’sChasnala mine collapsed. Water flooded the shaft, leading to the death by drowning of 400 miners. During British rule and the first 20 years of independence, the mines were operated by private companies and their contractors. In this period, safety measures in the mines were inadequate. After the government took over the mines, calamities like Chasnala occur less frequently. But the miners are constantly exposed to coal dust in the shafts, which affects their lungs, causing many lung-related diseases. Miners endanger their health doing such hazardous work for low wages.
Find the following in the political and physical maps of India:
- Which states does the western coastal plain touch?
Ans: The Western Coastal Plain is situated in between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.
- Which states does the eastern coastal plain touch?
Ans: The eastern coastal plain is situated between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. It spreads from the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
- Name the ports – from north to south – that are located along the eastern coastal plain.
Ans: Vishakhapatnam harbour, Chennai harbour
- Name the ports – from north to south – that are located along the western coastal plain.
Ans: Mumbai harbour, The Kochi harbour,
- In which states are the following ports located?
- a) Mumbai: Maharashtra
- b) Cochin: Kerala
- c) Paradip: Odisha
- d) Chennai: Tamil Nadu
- e) Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala
- f) Mormugao: Goa
- g) Vishakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh
- Which is the cheapest mode of transport: the railways, air travel or travel by sea?
Ans: Travelling by sea is the cheapest mode of transport.
- What differences do you see between the boats that ply in rivers and the catamarans?
Ans Boats that ply in rivers are usually small, compact in size and light in weight, whereas catamarans are bigger in size and offer multipurpose features which includes spending leisure time
- How is the fishermen’s catch sold?
Ans: The catch is very lean during January-February. There is no certainty the fishermen will net anything even after a hard day’s effort during these months. This situation continues until April. It is a difficult for workers like Sudip and small fishermen like Rajan. They face a lot of hardship, borrowing money from the traders to manage their household expenses. Fish is available in plenty between May-June and September. It is during this time that the fishermen try to repay their loans.
- Why could Rajan not auction his catch?
Ans: Sudip’s and David’s mothers also waited with their baskets. The women ran to the boats the moment the catch was unloaded. The auctioneers also arrived. Usually, the catch was auctioned on the beach itself. The auctioneers got part of the catch as their fee. The women and traders bought the fish and sold it in the market. A trader made a beeline to Rajan’s boat. Rajan had taken a loan from him for his sister’s wedding. The condition was that Rajan would sell his catch at a cheap rate to him. Rajan and his mates suffered a loss in the transaction, but if they sold the catch to somebody else, then the trader would either not give them the money or demand immediate repayment of the loan. The trader packed the fish in ice and sold it in faraway cities, or even abroad, for a huge profit.
- Why do labourers work for lower wages for big fisherman like Anthony? Are there any labourers in your village or town who are compelled to work under similar conditions? What can be done to ensure they get fair wages?
Ans: In the agricultural sector, we have small, medium and big farmers and farm labour. It is similar in the fishing community. Labourers like Sudip don’t own catamarans, boats or fishing nets. They work for fishermen who own boats. More than half of India’s fishing community are labourers. Big fishermen own several boats, catamarans and large nets. They employ 50-60 workers to operate their boats and cast their nets. They retain half the catch and share the rest between the workers.
There are no labourers in my village or town who are compelled to work under similar conditions.
- Who were the people who could buy trawlers?
Ans: Forty years ago, the government announced that it would give loans and subsidies to anyone who wanted to buy mechanised fishing boats or trawlers. The people who had a lot of money could buy trawlers.
Anthony and two other fishermen in the mentioned village in the chapter could buy trawlers.
- What are the advantages of fishing with a trawler?
Ans: Trawlers can fish in the deep the sea so they net a bigger catch. They can venture out even in strong winds and heavy swells. When the catch is lean near the shore, they can venture far out to sea in search of a better catch.
- Why did the trawler owners want to fish for prawns?
Ans: Prawns were said to be found 3 to 4 kilometres from the shore. It was also mentioned that over the previous 20–25 years, there had been a dramatic growth in the demand for prawns in international markets, which had led to a spike in price. Large merchants were involved in the process, buying prawns from the fishermen for their seafood processing facilities. To obtain a good price, the prawns were cleaned, salted water was used to boil them, and they were then refrigerated in freezers before being transported.
- Why did the small fishermen need to borrow more money because of the trawlers?
Ans: It was noted that the catch of the little fisherman was declining. Many anglers were fearing that their fishing trips would end with them coming home empty-handed. Both the fishermen and their employees began to feel uneasy about this situation. It soon became clear that in order to pay for their living needs, they would constantly need to borrow money. Therefore, the small fishermen need to borrow more money because of the trawlers.
- “Have you ever heard of a shortage of fish in the sea? These big boats trawl all the fish. There is nothing left for us.”
Ans: No, I haven’t heard of it.
- How can small fishermen curb the activities of big fishermen like Anthony? Discuss in class.
Ans: (To be discussed in class)
- When machines were first used for fishing, many people thought the fishing industry would grow and the condition of the fishing community would improve. But what happened in reality?
1.) Did fish production rise?
Ans: Yes.
2.) Who were the people who suffered?
Ans: The traditional small-scale fishermen were the people who suffered.
3.) Who were the people who profited?
Ans: Those who invested in mechanised fishing technology, like trawlers, were the people who profited.
4.) How can this situation be rectified?
Ans: (i) Catch limit policies and rules must be implemented by the government.
(ii) Small loans, and credit should be given to marginalized fishermen.
(iii) Direct selling of the fishes caught by small-scale or marginalized fishermen must be encouraged for better profits.
EXERCISES
1.) Why do you think the traders from other countries established their trading posts on the coastal plains?
Ans: (i) Gave access and easier routes to trade at a global scale efficiently.
(ii) Ports were located in those places which was a key place for loading and unloading of ships.
(iii) Many products like variety of fishes, pearls, were found in the coastal areas which would boost up their businesses as they could trade those.
2.) Compare the eastern and western coastal plains. The coastal plains are important for economic and cultural reasons. Explain.
Ans:
Eastern Coastal Plains | Western Coastal Plains |
1. Located in the eastern edges of India, facing the Bay of Bengal | 1. Located in the western edges of India, facing the Arabian Sea. |
2. Fertile soil is found there which enables better agriculture and crops like sugarcane, rice have a great yield here. | 2. Known for growing cash crops like cashew nuts, coconuts and a huge variety of spices. It also enables the advantage of a large scale fishing due to the presence of the ocean. |
3. Important port cities like Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, and Kolkata, are found located. | 3. Important port cities like Mumbai, Mangalore, and Kochi are found located. |
The coastal plains of India are very important historically, economically, culturally, and strategically. Rice, sugarcane, coconut, betel nut, rubber, spices, and other crops are also grown on these lush plains. Fish, both freshwater and saltwater, are numerous and fishing is thriving. Fish-related industries including fish oil extraction and canning have grown. On the Gujarati coast, oysters are bred for use in pearl production.
Monazite, ilmenite, zircon, and offshore oil are only a few of the region’s abundant mineral resources. Here are prominent oilfields like Mumbai High and Kaveri. These plains are important crossroads for trade, and they are home to important ports like Mumbai, Chennai, and Vishakhapatnam. These ports are major hubs for global trade.
The coastal plains are home to important historical and cultural attractions like the temples of Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, and Madurai. Along these coasts, traders from many nations established trading posts, enhancing the diversity of cultures. In addition to its natural beauty, the coastal plains’ favourable climate and health advantages draw tourists. These dynamic plains are characterised by a high population density.
3.) Why are the coastal plains so densely populated?
Ans: The coastal plains are rich in natural beauty and are known for their salubrious climate that promotes health and wellness. Tourists visit the region in large numbers every year. That is why, the coastal plains so densely populated.
4.) What did the fishermen living in the coastal plains require for fishing in the seas? How did they acquire these things?
Ans: Fishing is a widespread occupation. Both freshwater and salt water fish are found in abundance where the rivers meet the sea. Related industries like fish canning, fish oil extraction, etc have grown in the region.Fishing is a major occupation of people living near the sea. Besides fish, they catch oysters, mussels, crabs etc.
5.) Describe the daily routine of small fishermen in your own words.
Ans: Sudip’s mother wakes him up every morning before dawn and feeds him rice gruel. By 4:00 AM, he is working for Rajan on his catamaran boat alongside his friend David at the shore. They cast their nets into the water after setting sail and securing their gear. They are guided by the wind, which in the evening blows from land to sea and then the opposite in the daytime. They haul in their catch and are back by lunchtime. Sudip and David’s mothers and other members of the fishermen’s families rush to unload the catch while they wait. Fish are traded in neighbourhood markets, and auctioneers arrive for the sale. Despite difficulties and dangers, this routine ensures their subsistence.
6.) What dangers do the fishermen face while fishing at sea?
Ans: It’s difficult to go out to sea in a boat. During the procedure, the boat must be arduously rowed while the sail is adjusted to the wind, heavy nets are thrown, and the catch is brought in. Sea fishing is difficult and dangerous. There is no guarantee that fisherman who go out to sea will return safely. They might run into storms or come across underwater rocks, which could result in boat damage. Additionally, there is the potential for occasional attacks on people by predatory fish.
7.) In which months are the fish catch large? Explain with reasons.
Ans: Fish is available in plenty between May-June and September.
Reasons:
(i) The weather is favourable during those months, its neither too hot, nor too cold.
(ii) During these months the population of fish spawns increase.
(iii) Water filled with nutrients and minerals rises up from the ground.
8.) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using trawlers for fishing?
Ans: Advantages:
(i) Very high catch yield of fishes and other marine animals.
(ii) High rise of productivity leads to higher profits.
(iii) Fishing in deep-sea waters are achieved by means of trawlers, where a greater number of fishes are caught, than that in the coastal seas.
Disadvantages:
(i) Overfishing is a huge disadvantage which causes the deficiency of fishes for local people.
(ii) Sometimes, instead of fishes many unidentified marine animals are caught while fishing in the deep seas.
(iii) Fuel is used to operate trawlers, which in result pollutes the water and threatens aquatic life.
9.) Describe the forests of the Lakshadweep Islands in your own words.
Ans: The Lakshadweep Islands are known for their dense, lush, and evergreen tropical woods, which are a result of their humid tropical climate. All over the islands, these woods flourish and contain important tree species like mahogany, ebony, rosewood, palm, and bamboo. The shore is lined with tidal flora, and the area is covered in coconut trees. Bananas, some grains, veggies, and spices are all grown within this lush vegetation. The islands’ distinctive flora, which includes coral structures created over millions of years as well as layers of sand, gravel, boulders, and algae, is another way to describe them. This unusual plant flourishes within a varied island ecology that highlights the Lakshadweep group’s natural beauty.
Answer the following with the help of Map 2.18:
- The Thar Desert spreads across which Asian countries?
Ans: The Thar Desert primarily spreads across two Asian countries: India and Pakistan.
2.) Which two rivers is the Thar Desert situated between? In which direction do these rivers flow?
Ans: The Thar Desert is situated between two major rivers: the Indus River and the Sutlej River.
From its source in Tibet, the Indus River travels west through India, Pakistan, and eventually empties into the Arabian Sea.
The Sutlej River originates in Tibet, travels through Punjab in India, enters Pakistan, and eventually meets the Indus River.
3.) Where is the source of the Luni River?
Ans:Luni Riveroriginates in the Aravalli Range in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
EXERCISES
EXERCISES
1.) Water Conservation Day is celebrated on:
- a) March 22
- c) January 26
- b) June 15
- d) The day it rains
Ans: a) March 22
2.) By growing which tree do Thar farmers stand to gain the most economically?
- a) Khejri
- c) Plum
- b) Babul
- d) Teak
Ans: a) Khejri
3.) Where did the marble to build the TajMahal come from?
- a) Tajpur
- c) Mughal Gardens
- b) Makrana
- d) Agra
Ans: b) Makrana
4.) Why is livestock taken 10-15km into the desert to graze?’
Ans: Because there is a lack of flora and pasture supplies closer to the village, livestock must be taken 10-15 kilometres into the desert to graze. It is difficult for animals to get enough food in close proximity to the hamlet due to the restricted amount of eatable plants and grasses in the desert environment. Herders can give their animals a greater chance of discovering sufficient grazing supplies by moving the cattle farther into the desert, where sporadic patches of vegetation may exist.
5.) Which trees are found in Thar?
Ans: The sandy landscape is dotted with just one or two khejri trees here and there.The main crops are jowar and bajra, which require little water for growth. People also sell matire seeds (a fruit similar to melon) from which oil is extracted.
6.) Which traditional industry is the Thar Desert famous for?
Ans: The Thar Desert is famous for its traditional embroidery and textile industry.Thar is India’s largest wool-producing region. The wool is considered to be of the best quality for the carpet industry. Bikaner is Asia’s largest wool market.
7.) Explain what is meant by water crisis. What methods can help to resolve it?
Ans: Water crisis refers to the particular situation where there is acute shortage of water for the population, and the daily requirements of water is kept lacking.
Many techniques to conserve water are being adopted in view of the growing water crisis in modern societies. These include constructing dams and canals, implementing drip and sprinkler irrigation, treating polluted water and recycling waste water, spreading public awareness about water conservation, etc.
8.) What is the roof-top rainwater harvesting method?
Ans: Roof-top rainwater harvesting is a recently developed method that is especially useful in low rainfall regions. In this method, a hose pipe carries the rainwater that collects on the roof of a building to an underground tank. This water is later used for household needs.
Answer the following questions based on the information contained in the table:
9.) Which is the world’s largest hot desert?
Ans: Sahara Desert
10.) Where does the Thar Desert stand among the world’s deserts?
Ans: 9th
11.) Which continent has no hot deserts?
Ans: Antarctica.
12.) Which continent has the most number of hot deserts?
Ans: Africa
13.) Add the areas given in the table to find out which cover a greater area – cold deserts or hot deserts.
Ans: Cold deserts
14.) Formulate two additional questions based on the information contained in the table that are not covered in the questionnaire.
Ans: Write names of cold desert found in Asia.
How much surface area does Asia contribute in the hot desert zone?
15.) Locate the deserts listed in the table in the world map.
Ans: