Long Answer Questions

(a) Electronic industries are crucial for India's economic development because they help modernize communication, education, and other sectors like space and software technology. They produce essential goods such as computers, mobile phones, and televisions, which are in high demand globally. The industry also generates employment by requiring a large number of skilled workers.

(b) Since Mini-steel plants use scrap iron from integrated steel plants and electric furnaces, they need not be located near the source of raw material.

(c) Bengaluru has many IT industries mainly due to presence of skilled workforce, favourable climate and infrastructure. The city has numerous engineering and technical institutions that supply skilled professionals.

(a) Rajesh is writing about the Sugar Industry. Press mud, a by-product of Sugar Industry is utilised for making shoe polish.

(b) Two by-products of Sugar industry are:

1. Press mud
2. Molasses

(a) The means of transport developed due to the above-mentioned geographical feature of India is Water Transport.

(b) Two advantages of Water Transport are as follows:

1. Water Transport is most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky material.
2. It is a fuel-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transport.

(a) The highway project shown on the given map is Golden Quadrilateral.

(b) Two economic benefits of Golden Quadrilateral project are as follows:

1. This highway interconnects many major cities and ports.
2. It provides an impetus to truck transport throughout India.

(a) The given station experiences Maritime climate. This is because the temperature remains moderate throughout the year with not much variation between summers and winters.

(b) The South-West Monsoon Winds bring rainfall to the station.

(c) A probable station that experiences such climatic conditions is Kochi.

Three ways by which landfills cause harm to our environment are:

1. Soil and Water Pollution — Most of the waste ending at a landfill site contains toxins. These toxins over a while seep into the ground and contaminate groundwater in the form of leachate and contaminate soil.
2. Health Hazards and Disease Spread — They are potential breeding grounds for bacteria, mosquitoes, rats and other scavengers spreading diseases.
3. Harm to Biodiversity — Landfills can destroy natural habitats and threaten local flora and fauna, reducing biodiversity in the area.

(a) The picture on the left shows Traditional Composting, where biodegradable waste is decomposed naturally in an open bin.

The picture on the right shows Vermicomposting, which involves the use of earthworms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

(b) Advantages of Traditional Composting over Vermicomposting are as follows:

1. Simpler and low-maintenance — Traditional Composting requires less care and can be done with basic tools, making it suitable for beginners.
2. Handles larger quantities — It can manage a wider variety and greater volume of organic waste without needing specific conditions for worms to survive.
3. Ability to process tougher organic waste — It can handle tougher yard waste and certain food scraps that worms might not be able to digest.

(a) Deforestation.

(b) Van Mahotsava and Social forestry help restore ecological balance in the following ways:

1. Van Mahotsava encourages mass tree planting, raising awareness about the importance of forests.
2. Social forestry involves local communities in planting and maintaining trees, which helps conserve biodiversity and restore greenery, improving the environment and ecological stability.

(a) The agent responsible for the erosion seen in the picture is run-off water.

(b) Following steps can be taken to restore the soil in such areas:

1. Contour ploughing and terracing can help reduce runoff.
2. Planting grasses and trees to bind the soil.

(a) Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

(b) Eutrophication occurs when too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous, are introduced into water bodies. These nutrients cause excessive algae growth. This can lead to low oxygen levels in the water and block sunlight needed for plants to grow. When plants and algae die, they decay, thus causing water pollution. Hence, the entire aquatic ecosystem gets adversely affected.

(a) The process being mentioned in the given example is called Biomagnification.

(b) Humans are at the top of the food chain and can be exposed to DDT through contaminated seafood. Exposure to DDT can have various adverse effects on human health, including:

1. Neurological issues — DDT can affect the nervous system, leading to neurological damage.
2. Reproductive problems — Due to accumulation of toxic substances like DDT in body tissues, it can disrupt the endocrine system, impacting reproductive health in both men and women.
3. Cancer — DDT exposure can lead to certain types of cancer.
4. Immune system suppression — DDT can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.