CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 16 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources MCQs
FAQs on CBSE Science Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Class 10 MCQ
1. What are the most important topics in Chapter 16, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2025-26?
For the Class 10 Board Exam, the most frequently tested topics from this chapter include:
- The 3 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle): Expect questions asking for examples or the significance of each.
- Stakeholders in Forest Management: Understanding the roles and interests of local people, the forest department, industrialists, and conservationists is crucial for 2-mark and 3-mark questions.
- Water Harvesting Systems: Be familiar with traditional Indian water harvesting methods (like Khadins, Kulhs) and the advantages of watershed management over large dams.
- Chipko Andolan: This is a key case study demonstrating community participation in conservation.
- Management of Fossil Fuels: Questions often focus on why coal and petroleum need to be used judiciously.
2. What types of questions, including MCQs, are expected from this chapter in the board exams?
In the CBSE Class 10 Science exam, this chapter typically features a mix of question formats:
- MCQs (1 mark): These test basic definitions, such as identifying renewable vs. non-renewable resources or the primary goal of sustainable development.
- Very Short Answer (2 marks): Questions might ask you to define one of the 3 R's or name two stakeholders of a forest.
- Short Answer (3 marks): These often require you to explain a concept, like the advantages of rainwater harvesting or the significance of the Chipko movement.
- Case-Based/Source-Based Questions (4 marks): A paragraph describing a situation (e.g., pollution in the Ganga or a conflict over a dam) might be given, followed by questions that test your analytical skills based on the chapter's concepts.
3. What are the 'three R's' to save the environment, and how are they important for exams?
The three R's are fundamental principles of sustainable resource use and are very important for exams. They are:
- Reduce: This means using less of a resource. For example, switching off lights when not in use to reduce electricity consumption or buying products with less packaging.
- Reuse: This involves using items more than once. For example, using glass jars for storage instead of throwing them away or reusing old clothes as cleaning rags.
- Recycle: This is the process of collecting and processing materials to create new products from them. For example, recycling paper, plastic, and metal prevents the need to extract new raw materials.
Recycling is the last option because it still consumes energy. The best approach is to reduce consumption first.
4. Why are local people and indigenous communities considered crucial stakeholders in the conservation of forests?
Local and indigenous communities are considered crucial stakeholders for several reasons that are important to explain in an exam:
- Traditional Knowledge: They possess generations of knowledge about the local ecosystem, including medicinal plants and sustainable harvesting practices.
- Direct Dependence: Their livelihood (food, fodder, fuel) is directly linked to the forest, giving them a strong incentive for its long-term preservation.
- Sustainable Practices: Historically, their practices have been aligned with nature, ensuring resources are not over-exploited.
- Guardianship: They act as natural guardians of the forest, protecting it from illegal logging and poaching. The Chipko Andolan is a classic example of this.
5. How does a large dam's impact on the environment and society differ from that of a traditional water harvesting system?
This is a common comparison question. Large dams and traditional systems have vastly different impacts:
- Social Impact: Large dams often cause the displacement of thousands of people, leading to social conflict. Traditional systems like Kulhs or Khadins are community-owned and managed, strengthening social bonds.
- Environmental Impact: Dams can lead to large-scale deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of aquatic ecosystems. Traditional methods are localised, have a minimal ecological footprint, and help in recharging groundwater.
- Economic Impact: Large dams are extremely expensive and publicly funded, whereas traditional systems are low-cost and built with local resources and labour.
6. From an exam perspective, what was the primary objective of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP)?
The primary objective of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP), launched in 1985, was to improve the water quality of the Ganga river. The plan aimed to reduce pollution by intercepting, diverting, and treating domestic sewage and industrial chemical wastes entering the river. For exams, it's important to mention that water quality is often tested by measuring the coliform bacteria count, which indicates contamination by disease-causing microorganisms.
7. Why is sustainable management of natural resources considered a more effective long-term strategy than simple exploitation?
Sustainable management is a more effective strategy because it focuses on meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Simple exploitation leads to rapid resource depletion and environmental damage. Sustainable management, on the other hand, ensures:
- Long-term availability of resources like forests, water, and minerals.
- Conservation of biodiversity and ecological balance.
- Equitable distribution of resources among all stakeholders, not just the powerful.
- Prevention of environmental problems like pollution and soil degradation.
