Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources

Description:

• This chapter focuses on some of the most important natural resources that directly support life: land, soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife. It explains how these resources are used, the problems they face, and the need for their conservation.

Land

• Land makes up only about 30% of the Earth’s surface, and not all of it is habitable.
• Plains and river valleys are densely populated due to fertile soil, while mountains, deserts, and extreme climate areas are sparsely populated.
• Land is used for agriculture, forestry, mining, housing, roads, and industries.
• Overuse of land has led to problems like land degradation, landslides, desertification, and soil erosion.
• Conservation methods: afforestation, regulated use of chemicals, land reclamation, and controlled grazing.

Soil

• Soil is the thin layer covering Earth’s surface, formed by the process of weathering.
• Soil formation depends on parent rock, climate, relief, vegetation, and time.
• Types of soil in India: alluvial, black, red, laterite, desert, and mountain soil.
• Soil degradation occurs due to deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemicals, rain wash, and floods.
• Conservation methods: mulching, contour barriers, terrace farming, intercropping, contour ploughing, and shelter belts.

Water

• About three-fourths of Earth is covered with water, but only 2.7% is freshwater and just 1% is usable.
• Water is essential for drinking, irrigation, industries, electricity, and household use.
• Problems: scarcity, pollution, overuse, and droughts.
• Conservation methods: rainwater harvesting, proper irrigation systems (sprinklers, drip irrigation), lining canals, and preventing pollution.

Natural Vegetation & Wildlife

• Vegetation and wildlife form the biosphere and are essential for ecological balance.
• Vegetation provides timber, oxygen, fruits, medicines, prevents soil erosion, and maintains climate.
• Wildlife provides milk, meat, hides, wool, pollination, and maintains food chains.
• Threats: deforestation, forest fires, poaching, climate change, and habitat loss.
• Conservation methods: social forestry, afforestation, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves, awareness programs, and laws against hunting.

Link with Environment Studies

• This chapter connects strongly with EVS since it highlights the interdependence of natural resources and life. It shows how human overuse leads to degradation and why conservation and sustainable management are necessary to maintain environmental balance.

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