India has abundant natural resources —substantiate the statement.
India is fortunate enough to have abundant natural resources. It comprises rich and fertile soil, plenty of rivers and tributaries, green forests, mineral deposits, mountains, etc. The Indo-Gangetic plains are the most fertile, densely populated and cultivated plains in the world. It stretches from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is suitable for the cultivation of cotton in the country. India's lush green forests serve as a natural cover for the majority of the population. India holds more than 20 % of the world's total iron ore reserves. There are mountain ranges that facilitate the operation of the mini hydel plants. It also has a vast variety of flora of 15,000 species of plants. The country is also endowed with numerous minerals that are found under the earth's surface like coal, natural gas, copper, diamonds, etc.
What are the functions of the environment?
Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy — they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due to affluence in living standards — is this true?
Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their regeneration?
Give two instances of
(a) Overuse of environmental resources
(b) Misuse of environmental resources.
Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.
Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?
Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problem do they pose for the government?
(i) Rising population
(ii) Air pollution
(iii) Water contamination
(iv) Affluent consumption standards
(v) Illiteracy
(vi) Industrialisation
(vii) Urbanisation
(viii) Reduction of forest coverage
(ix) Poaching
(x) Global warming
Explain the relevance of intergenerational equity in the definition of sustainable development.
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
What are the various non-commercial sources of energy?
Raj is going to school. When he is not in school, you will find him working in his farm. Can you consider him as a worker? Why?
Group the following features pertaining to the economies of India, China and Pakistan under three heads
• One-child norm
• Low fertility rate
• High degree of urbanisation
• Mixed economy
• Very high fertility rate
• Large population
• High density of population
• Growth due to manufacturing sector
• Growth due to service sector.
Do you think outsourcing is good for India? Why are developed countries opposing it?
Why was it necessary for a developing country like India to follow self-reliance as a planning objective?
What do you mean by transmission and distribution losses? How can they be reduced?
Discuss the importance of credit in rural development.
Explain the Great Leap Forward campaign of China as initiated in 1958.
What are the major factors responsible for the high growth of the service sector?
Why should plans have goals?