Question 1:
What changes would you suggest in your home in
order to be environment-friendly?
Changes that can be
undertaken in our homes to be environment-friendly are listed below:
(i)Switch
off the electrical appliances when not in use.
(ii)Turn
the taps off while brushing or bathing and repair the leaking taps.
(iii)Throw
biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste into separate bins.
(iv)Construct
composting pits.
(v)Food
items such as jam, pickles, etc., come packed in plastic bottles.
These bottles can later be used for storing things in the kitchen.
Question 2:
Can
you suggest some changes in your school
which would make it environment-friendly?
Changes
that can be undertaken in our schools to
make it environment friendly are listed below:
(i) Electricity
can be saved by switching off lights and fans when not required.
(ii) Turn
the taps off when not in use.
(iii) Biodegradable
and non-biodegradable wastes should be thrown into separate bins.
Question 3:
We
saw in this chapter that there are four main
stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these
should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce?
Why do you think so?
The
forest department of the government should
have the authority to decide the management of forest produces. This
is because the forest department is the care taker of the forest land
and is responsible for any damage to the forest.
Question 4:
How
can you as an individual contribute or make
a difference to the management of (a) forests and wildlife, (b) water
resources and (c) coal and petroleum?
(a)
Forest and wildlife:
(i) We
should protest against the cutting of trees (deforestation).
(ii) We
should protest against the poaching of wild animals.
(iii) We
should stop the annexation of forest land for our use.
(b)
Water resources:
(i) Turn
the taps off while brushing or bathing and repair leaking taps.
(ii) We
should practice rainwater harvesting.
(iii) We should avoid the discharge of sewage and
other wastes into rivers and other water resources.
(c)
Coal and petroleum:
(i) We
should take a bus or practice car pooling to avoid excessive use of
petroleum.
(ii) We
should stop using coal as a fuel (angithis).
(iii)We should use alternative sources of energy
such as hydro-energy and solar energy instead of depending largely on
coal and petroleum.
Question 5:
What
can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption
of the various natural resources?
Natural
resources such as water, forests, coal and
petroleum, etc. are important for the survival of human beings. The
ways in which we can reduce the consumption of various natural
resources are as follows:
(i) We
should stop the cutting of trees (deforestation).
(ii) We should use
recycled paper to reduce the cutting down of trees.
(iii) We
should not waste water.
(iv) We
should practice rainwater harvesting.
(v) We
should practice car pooling to avoid the excessive use of petroleum.
(vi) We should use alternative sources of energy
such as hydro-energy and solar energy.
Question 6:
List five
things you have done over the last one week to −
(a) conserve
our natural resources
(b) increase
the pressure on our natural resources
(a) To
conserve our natural resources:
(i) Travel by a CNG bus for long distances and
walk for short distances.
(ii) Use recycled paper
(iii) Throw biodegradable and non-biodegradable
waste into separate bins
(iv) Plant trees
(v) Harvest rainwater
(b) To
increase the pressure on our natural resources:
(i) Use
non-renewable resources of energy
(ii) Waste
water
(iii) Waste
electricity
(iv) Use
plastics and polythene bags for carrying goods
(v) Use
escalators
Question 7:
On
the basis of the issues raised in this chapter, what changes
would you incorporate in your life-style in a move towards a
sustainable use of our resources?
One
should incorporate the following changes in life-style
in a move towards a sustainable use of our resources:
(i) Stop cutting trees
and practice plantation of trees.
(ii) Stop using plastic
and polythene bags for carrying goods.
(iii) Use recycled
paper.
(iv) Throw biodegradable and non-biodegradable
waste into separate bins.
(v) Waste minimum amount of water while using and
repair leaking taps.
(vi) Practice rainwater
harvesting.
(vi) Avoid using
vehicles for short distances. Instead, one can walk or cycle to cover
short distances. To cover long distances, one should take a bus
instead of using personal vehicles.
(vii) Switch off electrical appliances when not in
use.
(viii) Use fluorescent tubes in place of bulbs to
save electricity.
(ix) Take stairs and avoid using lifts.
(x) During winters, wear an extra sweater to avoid
using heaters.