1.
The different types of soil are found in India are:- Alluvial Soils: - The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil. These soils also extend in Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor. These Soils are also found in the eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri River. Such soils are also common in plains as Duars, Chos and Terai. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops. These soils are highly fertile. Black Soil: - It is found in the Deccan trap region spread over North West Deccan Plateau and the plateau of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. These soils are black in colour and are also known as regur or black cotton soil and is ideal for growing cotton. Lattrite Soils: - Mainly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. Humus content of the soil is low because most of the micro organisms particularly they decompose like bacteria get destroyed due to high temperature. These soils are suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manure and fertilisers. Red and Yellow Soils: - Found in parts of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and southern part of the middle Ganga plain and along the Western Ghats. They become red due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks Yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form. Arid Soils: - Found in states like Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. Arid soils vary from red to brown in colour. They are generally sandy in texture. Forest Soils: - Found in the hilly and mountainous areas where adequate rain forests are available. The soil texture varies according to the loamy and silty in valley sides.
2.
Forest and wildlife, are vital to the quality of life and environment in the subcontinent.
3.
Option A
4.
Software industry has been a major foreign exchange earner in the last two or three years because of its fast growing Business Processes Outsourcing (BPO) sector.
5.
Toxic gas leaks can be very hazardous with long-term effects.
6.
Option A
7.
Indian government
8.
Gendathur
9.
micro organisms
10.
The textile industry occupies unique position in the Indian economy, because it contributes significantly to industrial production, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings.
11.
Electrical energy comes from hydroelectric power.
12.
We should conserve and manage our water resources to safeguard ourselves from health hazards, to ensure food security as well as for continuation of our livelihood and productive activities. Taking into consideration the problem of water scarcity and decreasing freshwater resources, the need of the hour is to conserve and manage our water resources. Over-exploitation and mismanagement of water resources can be controlled through conservation and management of water resources. Conservation can also prevent degradation of our natural ecosystem as well as control the ecological crisis that may arise due its scarcity. Two points that should be kept in mind for efficient management of water are : (i) Prevention of water pollution, so that available water sources are not rendered unusable. (ii) Integrated Water Resource Management should develop water saving technology and recycling and reuse of water. Rainwater harvesting should be promoted.
13.
Option A
14.
In India, much of its forest and wildlife resources are either owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other government departments.
15.
Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc contribute to the formation of soil.
16.
Yellow and red soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
17.
Human beings
18.
water pollution
19.
Option B
20.
The chemical industry is its own largest consumer.
