1 Name the five most critically polluted regions in our country.

Answer
The five most critically polluted regions in our country are Delhi, Ghaziabad, Raipur,
Gwalior and Agra.
Q2)
From survey statistics 1 given in the text, what can be said about the environmental
cleanliness of Chennai and Kolkata?
Answer
By analysing the survey statistics, the following observations can be made about Chennai and Kolkata.
i. The mean of fever in children of Chennai and Kolkata is approximately the same.
ii. The mean of cough in children of Chennai is lesser than that of Kolkata.
On the basis of above two statements, it can be concluded that the health standard of the children of
Chennai is better that of Kolkata. Thus, it can be inferred that Chennai has a cleaner environment as
compared to Kolkata.
Q2)
From survey statistics 1 given in the text, what can be said about the environmental
cleanliness of Chennai and Kolkata?
Answer
By analysing the survey statistics, the following observations can be made about Chennai and Kolkata.
i. The mean of fever in children of Chennai and Kolkata is approximately the same.
ii. The mean of cough in children of Chennai is lesser than that of Kolkata.
On the basis of above two statements, it can be concluded that the health standard of the children of
Chennai is better that of Kolkata. Thus, it can be inferred that Chennai has a cleaner environment as
compared to Kolkata.
Q3)
Name some respiratory diseases caused by air pollution.
Answer
Following are some respiratory diseases that are caused by air pollution:
Asthma
Chronic cough

 Wheezing
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Chronic Bronchitis
Q4)
What is acid rain? How is it formed?
Answer
Acid rain is a rain that is unusually acidic because of the presence of acids such as sulphuric acid and nitric
acid. Rain is acidified by oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Acid rain usually has a pH of less than 5.5. It is
formed when pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen (like sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, etc)
contained in power plant smoke, factory smoke and car exhaust react with the moisture present in the
atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and
infrastructures.
Q5)

Q1)
Use the following information to answer the question.

The atmosphere surrounding the earth is a mixture of many gases which, along with
the other conditions, makes it a unique planet for existence of life. Unprecedented
urbanisation and development during the past few centuries and many human
activities have disturbed the natural composition of this atmosphere. It is
unfortunate that the cost of development is very heavy and is being paid by causing
a severe damage to the life support system in the form of clean air.
Why is the cost of development considered heavy in the given text?

Answer

The cost of development is considered heavy because urbanisation and many human
activities have disturbed the natural environment and posed serious threat to it in the form of
pollution, which is adversely affecting the life support sytem by changing the natural
composition of air, water and land.
Example- Although vehicles form a good means of transportation, they cause pollution by
releasing harmful and not fully burnt gases in the atmosphere which leads to global warming.
"Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting." Justify the given statement.
Answer
Pollution is affecting both biotic and abiotic factors. It is not only changing the composition of air but also
severely damaging the water bodies, soil, and crop yields, thereby affecting the health of the people. It can

be said that the problem of pollution is getting severe day-by-day as we are allowing it to take the shape of
severity. We have been ignorant with the values and importance of the beautiful nature around us.
If we really wish to live in a clean enviornment and are worried about our future generations, we should
immediately stop the use of those resources that contribute towards the pollution. Some examples of such
resources are polythenes bags, fossil fuels etc. We should adopt the sustainable ways of development
sothat nature will not bear the cost of our growth.

Q2)
Use the following information to answer the question.

The natural composition of air is getting disturbed because of a variety of human

activities.
What kind of human activities is the given text referring to?

Answer
The human activities that the given text is referring to are burning of fossil fuels, exhaust from vehicles,
emissions from industries and power plants, agricultural activities, etc.

Q3)
Elaborate NAMP. What are its key objectives?

Answer
NAMP is National Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Under this programme, four major pollutants are
taken into account. These are sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, suspended particulate matter and respirable
suspended particulate matter (RSPM). Its key objectives are as follows:
To examine the surrounding air quality
To check whether the prescribed standards of air quality are maintained or not
To recognise non-attainment cities
To gather knowledge and techniques required to develop preventive measures
To deduce the natural cleansing process generated by nature for removing pollutants from the
environment

Q4)
Explain marble cancer with reference to the Taj Mahal.

Answer
Marble cancer can be defined as the losening of marble's natural lustre; it turns yellow from its original
white colour because of the effect of acid rain.
For example- The Taj Mahal, which is located in Agra, is loosing its natural white shine and turning yellow.
Dark patchy spots can also be seen. This is because of the presence of industries and oil refineries and the
release of exhaust gases from vehicles. These harmful gases react with rain water and precipitate in the
form of acid rain. This acid rain is turning the marble of the Taj Mahal yellow. Though government is

adopting several measures to reduce the level of air pollution in the areas near the Taj Mahal, not much
significant effect has been observed. It has been assumed by the authorities of the Archaeological Survey
of India that if the condition of air pollution persists, then the marble of the Taj will turn black by 2015.

Lesson-2

Q1)
What can be the reasons behind the heavy tourist rush in Uttarakhand?

Answer
The primary reason of tourism in Uttarakhand is its location in the Himalayas. The mountains have
accommodated several hill stations, national parks and temples. For many people, the state has immense
mythological importance. Besides having several pilgrimage centres, the place has given birth to two of the
most holy rivers of the Hindusthe Ganga and the Yamuna. The mountains have also been a destination
for trekking, paragliding, camping, mountaineering, rock climbing and river rafting.

Q2)
According to media reports, when the floods came, about 28 million tourists were visiting the
state and the local population was close to half of that number. It, indeed, is irresponsible to
let such a huge volume of traffic into an ecologically sensitive area, that too in the monsoon
season.
Which area has been described as ecologically sensitive in the given sentences? What is the
reason behind such description?

Answer
Uttarakhand has been described as the ecologically sensitive area in the given sentences.
The term ecologically sensitive area refers to a geographic region that is full of natural beauty,
landscape and wildlife and needs special protection, as it is vulnerable to natural disaster and human
destruction.

Most of the northern part of Uttarakhand is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers, while the lower
foothills are covered with dense forests. The Himalayan ecosystem provides habitat to a wide variety of
animals and birds. The stone tools and megaliths provide evidence that this region has been inhabitated
since the pre-historic times. However, due to increase in the volume of tourists year by year, the balance of
the ecosystem is being affected adversely. Because of all these reasons, the entire state has been
described as an ecologically sensitive area.

Q3)
We cannot stop natural phenomena from happening. But, we can make them less damaging. Justify the
statement in reference to the context.
Answer
The natural phenomenon that is contextual with the given statement is flood. We cannot stop a flood from
happening. However, if we become more alert and responsible, we can definitely make its after effects less
severe. This can be done in the following ways:
(i) Afforestation: The roots of trees perform dual role in preventing floods. The roots absorb water from the
soil and thus act as natural water tanks. They also bind the soil together, thereby preventing soil erosion
and surface runoff.
(ii) Building Levees: Levees are the man-made embankments that help in preventing rivers from
overflowing. In this manner, they prevent flood.
(iii) Rainwater Harvesting: Besides providing water when there is a drought, rainwater harvesting helps in
preventing flooding of low-lying areas. It helps in conserving rainwater, which, later, can be used for human
consumption. The technique is also used in rural and urban areas in times of water scarcity.
(iv) Building Canals: Canals store excess water and thus prevent flooding.

Q1)

Why are the Himalayas referred to as young mountains?

Answer
The Himalayas are referred to as young mountains because of the following reasons:
They have been formed relatively recently as compared to older mountain ranges like the Aravallis.
They continue to elevate even today.

Q2)

What would be the effect of deforestation on

(i) Animals
(ii) Humans
(iii) Environment

Answer
Deforestation means cutting of trees. Following are the effects of deforestation on
(i) Animals: Animals are the consumers, while plants are the producers. The herbivores feed on plants and
themselves get consumed by the carnivores.
Plants Herbivorous animals Carnivorous animals

If plants are not there, the entire food chain will get disturbed.

(ii) Humans: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Humans use oxygen for respiration. If
trees are not there, then the amount of oxygen available for breathing will get decreased and, ultimately, a
time will come when the entire human race will come to an end.

(iii) Environment: Trees absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. In the absence
of trees, the carbon dioxide level may increase, which, in turn, may lead to global warming.

Q3)

What is meant by riverbed mining? What environmental disaster can it bring?

Answer
Riverbed mining mainly includes sand mining for the construction of buildings.
Riverbed mining is harmful to both the river and the environment.
It causes the river to change its course, which affects the ecosystem of the river.
After rains, the river starts flowing at a high speed, thus eroding the banks.
Mining generates a huge amount of sediments that get deposited in the rivers, thereby raising the water
level and causing floods.

Q4)

Briefly discuss the climatic condition of Uttarakhand.

Answer
Uttarakhand can broadly be differentiated into the hilly terrain and the plain region. Thus, the
variance in climate is also wide.

(i) Summers
The summer season is from April to June.
The summers are usually pleasant. However, some places experience hot climate.
In places like Haridwar and Rishikesh, temperature can reach 40C. Coupled with humidity, this type of climate
may become uncomfortable.
(ii) Winters
The winter season is from October to February.
The winters are very cold.
Many places receive regular snowfalls.
(iii) Monsoons
The monsoon season is from July to September.
The temperature ranges from 15C to 25C at most of the places.
The state receives approximately 90% of its annual rainfall in this season.