NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography (India - People and Economy) Chapter 9 Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

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CLASS - 12th

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

Class : 12th

Subject : Geography

Chapter : 12

Chapter Name : Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

Q1 Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.

(i) Which one of the following rivers is highly polluted?

(a) Brahmaputra

(b) Satluj

(c) Yamuna

(d) Godavari

(ii) Which one of the following diseases is caused by water pollution?

(a) Conjunctivitis

(b) ​Diarrhoea

(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

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

(iv) Push and pull factors are responsible for–

(a) Migration

(b) Land degradation

(c) Slums

(d) Air pollution

Answer.

(i) (c) Yamuna

(ii) (b) ​Diarrhoea

(iii) (d) Air pollution

(iv) (a) Migration

Page : 143, Block Name : Multiple Choice Questions

Q2 Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(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.

Answer.

(i) Pollution: Contamination of air, water, environment due to increase in contaminants beyond
permissible limits or deterioration of quality of land leading to a fall in its quality and purity is
called pollution.

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

Pollutants: Those elements whose addition to environment in excess results in deterioration of
the quality of land, air or water are called pollutants. Some examples of pollutants are
radioactive elements, carbon monoxide, solid waste, acids, etc.

(ii) Air pollution is the addition of contaminants, like dust, smoke to the air beyond the
permissible limit. Major source of air pollution include coal combustion, fly ash, soot production,
vehicular pollution, factory pollution, discharge of untreated solid waste and sewage,
unsustainable development, deforestation, natural sources include wildfires, volcanic eruptions,
dust storms etc.Further combustion of fossil fuels, unsustainable mining and unchecked
industrial development also lead to degradation in air quality. These processes release oxides
of Sulphur and nitrogen, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and asbestos
which stay in the environment for long periods and cause disastrous impact health, wildlife and
environment.

(iii) Urban areas are marked by overcrowding, congestion, inadequate facilities to support the
fast growing population and consequent poor sanitary conditions and foul air.Solid waste refers
to a variety of old and used articles, for example stained small pieces of metals, broken
glassware, plastic containers, polythene bags, ash, floppies, CDs, etc., dumped at different
places.

Major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India :-

Solid wastes cause health hazard through creation of obnoxious smell, and harbouring of flies
and rodents, which act as carriers of diseases like typhoid, diphtheria, diarrhoea, malaria and
cholera, etc.

The household wastes are disposed off either on public lands or on private contractors’ sites,
Smoky fog over cities called as urban smog is caused by atmospheric pollution. It proves very
harmful to human health. Air pollution can also cause acid rain.

These wastes cause frequent nuisance as and when these are carelessly handled, spread by
wind and splintered through rain water.

The dumping of industrial waste into rivers leads to water pollution. River pollution from
city-based industries and untreated sewage leads to serious health problems downstream.

(iv) Air pollution causes various diseases related to the respiratory, nervous and circulatory
systems. Immediate effects include watery eyes, coughing, inflammation and difficulty in
breathing. Long term exposure could result in asthma, lung cancer, psychological complications,
autism, fetal growth, and low birth weight. It is increasingly becoming a major threat to health
and well-being.

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

Page : 143 , Block Name : Short Answer Question

Q3 Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(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.

Answer.

(i) Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led
degradation of the quality of water considerably leading to water pollution. Surface water
available from rivers, canals, lakes, etc. is polluted as it contains small quantities of suspended
particles, organic and inorganic substances. When the concentration of pollutants increases, the
water becomes polluted, and hence becomes unfit for use. In this situation, the self-purifying
capacity of water is unable to purify the water.

Sources of Water Pollution

➔​ Natural sources :- erosion, landslides, decay and decomposition of plants and
animals, etc.

➔​ Human sources :- Human beings pollute the water through industrial, agricultural
and cultural activities.

➔​ Industries produce several undesirable products including industrial wastes,
polluted wastewater, poisonous gases, chemical residuals, numerous heavy
metals, dust, smoke, etc. which are disposed off in running water or lakes.
Consequently, poisonous elements reach the reservoirs, rivers and other water
bodies, which destroy the bio-system of these waters. Major water polluting
industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals.

➔​ Various types of chemicals used in agriculture such as inorganic fertilisers,
pesticides and herbicides are also pollution generating components and these
are washed down to rivers, lakes and tanks. These chemicals also infiltrate the
soil to reach the groundwater. Fertiliser induces an increase in the nitrate content
of surface waters.

➔​ Cultural activities such as pilgrimage, religious fairs, tourism, etc. also cause
water pollution.

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

In India, almost all surface water sources are contaminated and unfit for human consumption.

(ii) Slums, jhuggi-jhopri clusters and colonies of shanty structures are inhabited by those people
who were forced to migrate from rural areas to urban centres in search of livelihood but could
not afford proper housing due to high rent and high costs of land. The problem of slums in India
are :-

➔​ Slums occupy environmentally incompatible and degraded areas.

➔​ Slums are residential areas of the least choice, dilapidated houses, poor hygienic
conditions, poor ventilation, lack of basic amenities, like drinking water, light and toilet
facilities, etc.

➔​ Open defecation, unregulated drainage system and overcrowded narrow street
patterns are serious health and socio environmental hazards.

➔​ Most of the slum population works in low-paid, high risk-prone, unorganised sectors
of the urban economy. Consequently, they are undernourished, prone to different types
of diseases and illness and can not afford to give proper education to their children.

➔​ The poverty makes them vulnerable to drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism,
escapism, apathy and ultimately social exclusion.

(iii) The pressure on agricultural land increases not only due to the limited availability but also by
deterioration of quality of agricultural land. Soil erosion, waterlogging, salinisation and
alkalinisation of land lead to land degradation.

Various measures for reduction of land degradation are :-

➔​ Reduce all activities that cause land degradation such as deforestation, overgrazing,
improper agricultural activities, mining, etc.

➔​ Soil erosion can be prevented by Afforestation- Areas prone to soil erosion can be planted
with trees that have high soil binding capacity.Degraded lands around you can be improved by
creating lawns and planting small plants and Reforestation- This can help in reclaiming the land
before it is completely lost.

➔​ Agricultural contributes the largest share of losses of valuable land. Following agricultural
practices can help in preventing degradation of land :-

➔​ Terrace farming- This method of farming is done in areas of steep slopes. It acts as a break
for flowing water, and consequently reduces the speed of flow. It helps in preventing rill and
gully erosion.

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Book : India- People and Economy Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 12 Social Science Geography

➔​ Mulching- This is effective for wind as well as water erosion. Mulch is a layer of crop
stubble, that is added as a protective layer over soil. It covers the soil and prevents evaporation
and improves the organic matter of the soil.

➔​ Contours and strip farming- This involves planting of crops perpendicular to the direction of
flow of water, to keep the flow in check.

➔​ Wind breaks- Wind breaks are trees that are planted on the edges of agricultural land, that
divert the direction of wind away from the fertile soil.

➔​ Increased focus on non-wood products and non-wood substitutes to wood products will
reduce pressure on deforestation practices.

➔​ Advanced irrigation practices like sprinklers and drip irrigation can be employed to ensure
the land is not over-irrigated.

Page : 143 , Block Name : Long Answer Question

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