What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?
SOLUTION:
Ans.: The following changes are suggested in the home in order to be environment-friendly:
(i) Save energy, turn off lights when not in use.
(ii) Use kitchen wastes as manure.
(iii) Use drip irrigation for watering the plants.
(iv) Use cloth bags in place of polythene and plastic bags.
Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?
SOLUTION:
Ans.: The school authorities should adopt the following changes to make it environment-friendly:
(i) Grow big trees along the boundary wall.
(ii) Grow shrubs and hedge on the sides of internal road and around the playground.
(iii) Harvest water from rooftop to be utilised for watering the plants.
(iv) Arrange awareness programmes among students through poster exhibition and popular lectures.
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?
SOLUTION:Ans.: The people who live in and around forests should be given the authority to decide the management of forest produce because these people are living in forest areas from centuries. They depend on forest produce for their livelihood but at the same time are aware that excessive use of forest produce will be detrimental for their own survival. Hence, they have developed practices to ensure that the resources are used in a sustainable manner.
Q 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.
SOLUTION:
Ans.: The contributions to conserve these natural resources are as follows:
(A) An extensive campaign of awareness among common people about the significance of forest and wildlife in our life through direct public contact, poster exhibitions and newspaper articles.
(B) Self practice as well as advice people to rationalise the use of water. At the same time, adopt water harvesting system and drip irrigation system.
(C) Minimising the use of coal in houses as well as advising friends and relatives to use nonpolluting fuel for cooking. Instead of using own vehicle, prefer public transport system to save petrol.
What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of the various natural resources?
SOLUTION:
Ans.: As an individual, I will adopt following ways to reduce the consumption of various natural resources:
(i) Use of public transport system to move, instead of individual vehicle.
(ii) Use of solar cooker to conserve fossil fuel.
(iii) Instead of lift, prefer to use the stairs.
(iv) Use of fluorescent tubes in homes to conserve electrical energy.
(v) Prefer use of renewable sources of energy.
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.
Ans.: (A) Five things that I have done to conserve natural resources are:
(i) I converted kitchen wastes into manure.
(ii) I used only as much of electricity as was required.
(iii) I kept the water tap closed while brushing my teeth.
(iv) I convinced my mother to cook the food in a solar cooker.
(v) I taught my servant about the conservation of natural resources.
(B) Five things that I have done to increase the pressure on our natural resources:
(i) I went to school on a bike instead of cycle.
(ii) I forgot to water the plants.
(iii) I used washing machine to dry up the wet clothes even on a sunny day.
(iv) I asked the gardener to burn the dry leaves.
(v) I went along with my friends to a nearby forest and killed four rabbits.
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?
SOLUTION:
Ans.: (i) I will move in public transport system to conserve petrol.
(ii) Instead of coal or natural gas, I will prefer to use solar energy for cooking.
(iii) I will obey rationalised husbanding of all renewable resources.
(iv) I will willingly adopt sustainability as a way of life.
(v) I will advise controlled extraction of forest wealth.