Class 12 : Grography (English) – Lesson 17.Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🔵 Introduction
Geography provides a spatial perspective for understanding social, economic, and environmental problems.
It analyses how location, distribution, and human-environment interactions influence the emergence and solution of issues like pollution, urbanisation, migration, and resource depletion.
💡 Concept: Geographical perspective helps in identifying patterns, causes, and regional variations of problems, enabling sustainable solutions.
🟢 1️⃣ Environmental Pollution
⚡ Meaning:
Pollution is the undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the environment caused by human activities.
✨ Types:
🌬️ Air Pollution: Emission from industries, vehicles; causes respiratory diseases.
💧 Water Pollution: Dumping of wastes, sewage into rivers; contaminates drinking water.
🌱 Soil Pollution: Use of pesticides, industrial effluents; reduces fertility.
🔊 Noise Pollution: Industrial noise, traffic, loudspeakers; leads to stress and hearing issues.
✔️ Measures:
🔹 Strict laws (Air & Water Acts)
🔹 Use of clean energy
🔹 Proper waste management
✏️ Note: Geography helps identify pollution hotspots and plan control strategies region-wise.
🟡 2️⃣ Urban Waste Disposal
🏙️ Rapid urbanisation leads to accumulation of solid, liquid, and hazardous wastes.
🔹 Sources: Households, industries, hospitals, construction sites.
🔹 Problems: Land degradation, water contamination, diseases.
🔹 Solutions:
✔️ Waste segregation (biodegradable/non-biodegradable)
✔️ Recycling and composting
✔️ Sanitary landfills
✔️ Awareness campaigns
💡 Concept: Spatial mapping of waste generation helps cities manage and plan better.
🔴 3️⃣ Urbanisation and Related Problems
🏘️ Meaning: Growth of towns and cities due to migration and natural increase.
⚠️ Problems:
Slums and housing shortages
Unemployment
Traffic congestion
Pollution and inadequate infrastructure
🌍 Geographical View: Urban problems vary by size, function, and location of cities.
✔️ Solutions:
Balanced regional development
Satellite towns
Efficient urban planning
🟣 4️⃣ Rural-Urban Migration
🚶 Definition: Movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of jobs and better living conditions.
🔹 Causes:
✔️ Rural poverty
✔️ Industrial jobs
✔️ Educational and health facilities
🔹 Consequences:
✔️ Urban overcrowding
✔️ Growth of slums
✔️ Pressure on resources
✔️ Rural depopulation
💡 Geographical Approach: Mapping migration corridors helps design regional development policies.
🔵 5️⃣ Land Degradation
🌾 Meaning: Decline in land productivity due to natural and human causes.
🔹 Causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, industrialisation.
🔹 Impacts: Soil erosion, loss of fertility, desertification.
🔹 Solutions:
✔️ Afforestation
✔️ Soil conservation
✔️ Sustainable land use planning
✏️ Note: Geography identifies vulnerable areas for targeted restoration.
🟢 6️⃣ Energy Crisis
⚡ Meaning: Growing gap between energy demand and supply.
🔹 Causes: Overdependence on fossil fuels, rising population, industrialisation.
🔹 Effects: Power shortages, increased cost, pollution.
🔹 Remedies:
✔️ Promotion of renewable energy (solar, wind)
✔️ Energy conservation
✔️ Efficient technology
💡 Concept: Spatial analysis of energy potential aids balanced energy planning.
🟡 7️⃣ Unemployment and Poverty
📊 Unemployment: Lack of job opportunities in urban and rural areas.
📉 Poverty: Inability to meet basic needs.
🧭 Geographical Factors:
Uneven development
Regional resource disparity
Population pressure
✔️ Measures:
✔️ Skill development
✔️ Decentralised industries
✔️ Rural employment schemes (MGNREGA)
🔴 8️⃣ Regional Disparities
🗺️ Meaning: Unequal development between regions.
🔹 Causes: Historical, economic, political, and physical differences.
🔹 Examples: Industrialised west vs agrarian east; urban vs rural.
🔹 Solutions:
✔️ Targeted investment
✔️ Infrastructure development
✔️ Inclusive planning
✏️ Note: Geography helps identify backward regions through spatial indicators.
🟣 9️⃣ Floods and Droughts
🌧️ Floods: Excess rainfall → inundation of land.
☀️ Droughts: Deficiency of rainfall → water scarcity.
🧭 Geographical Analysis: Identifies flood-prone and drought-prone zones.
✔️ Measures:
✔️ Flood control structures
✔️ Watershed management
✔️ Drought-resistant crops
🔵 10️⃣ Pollution and Health Issues
😷 Pollution causes respiratory and waterborne diseases.
🧠 Geographical mapping of disease patterns helps target interventions.
✔️ Clean energy, proper sanitation, and healthcare access are essential.
✨ Summary
🌍 Geography provides a spatial framework to study environmental and socio-economic issues.
📊 It focuses on distribution, causes, and impacts of problems.
🧩 Helps in regional planning, policy-making, and sustainable solutions.
🧠 Key Issues: Pollution, waste, urbanisation, migration, land degradation, energy crisis, poverty.
📝 Quick Recap
✔️ Pollution – Air, water, soil, noise
✔️ Urbanisation – Slums, congestion, infrastructure issues
✔️ Migration – Rural to urban flow, overcrowding
✔️ Land degradation – Deforestation, erosion
✔️ Energy crisis – Overuse of fossil fuels
✔️ Regional disparity – Unequal growth
✔️ Geography – Provides data & spatial planning
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1 (i)
Which one of the following rivers is highly polluted?
(a) Brahmaputra
(b) Satluj
(c) Yamuna
(d) Godavari
🟢 Answer: (c) Yamuna
✔️ The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers in India due to discharge of industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and domestic waste, especially near Delhi and Agra.
🔵 Question 1 (ii)
Which one of the following diseases is caused by water pollution?
(a) Conjunctivitis
(b) Diarrhoea
(c) Respiratory infections
(d) Bronchitis
🟢 Answer: (b) Diarrhoea
✔️ Diarrhoea is caused by contaminated water containing pathogens. Polluted water leads to waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
🔵 Question 1 (iii)
Which one of the following is the cause of acid rain?
(a) Water pollution
(b) Land pollution
(c) Noise pollution
(d) Air pollution
🟢 Answer: (d) Air pollution
✔️ Acid rain occurs due to air pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) mixing with atmospheric moisture, forming acids.
🔵 Question 1 (iv)
Push and pull factors are responsible for—
(a) Migration
(b) Land degradation
(c) Slums
(d) Air pollution
🟢 Answer: (a) Migration
✔️ Push factors (poverty, unemployment) and pull factors (jobs, better facilities) cause rural-urban migration.
✳️ Question 2 – Short Answers (about 30 words each)
🔵 (i) What is the difference between pollution and pollutants?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Pollution is the undesirable change in environment quality.
✔️ Pollutants are substances (solid, liquid, gas) causing pollution like smoke, plastic, and chemicals.
🔵 (ii) Describe the major source of air pollution.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ The main sources are industries, vehicles, thermal power plants, and burning of fossil fuels.
✔️ They release harmful gases like CO₂, SO₂, NOₓ, causing smog and acid rain.
🔵 (iii) Mention major problems associated with urban waste disposal in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Accumulation of solid waste in cities.
✔️ Contamination of land and water.
✔️ Growth of disease vectors like flies and mosquitoes.
✔️ Shortage of dumping grounds.
🔵 (iv) What are the effects of air pollution on human health?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Causes respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis.
✔️ Irritates eyes and skin.
✔️ Long-term exposure may cause lung cancer and heart problems.
✳️ Question 3 – Long Answers (about 150 words each)
🔵 (i) Describe the nature of water pollution in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Water pollution in India is a serious problem caused by industrial effluents, domestic sewage, and agricultural runoff.
✔️ Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna receive untreated waste from cities.
✔️ Pollutants increase BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), reduce dissolved oxygen, and kill aquatic life.
✔️ Contaminated water spreads diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.
✔️ Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides adds toxic substances to groundwater.
✔️ Control measures include strict laws, sewage treatment plants, and public awareness.
🔵 (ii) Describe the problem of slums in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Slums are overcrowded settlements lacking basic amenities like water, sanitation, and housing.
✔️ They arise due to rural-urban migration and lack of affordable housing.
✔️ Problems: Poor sanitation, health hazards, unemployment, and social insecurity.
✔️ Slums exist in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata.
✔️ Measures: Affordable housing, urban renewal, and slum rehabilitation programmes.
🔵 (iii) Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Afforestation: Planting trees to control erosion.
✔️ Contour ploughing: Prevents soil loss on slopes.
✔️ Use of organic manure: Maintains fertility.
✔️ Controlled grazing and mining: Reduces damage.
✔️ Watershed management and terracing: Conserves soil and water.
✔️ Sustainable land use planning is essential for long-term productivity.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔷 Section A – MCQs (1 mark each)
🔵 Question 1:
Which one of the following rivers is highly polluted in India?
🔴 1️⃣ Ganga
🟢 2️⃣ Yamuna
🟡 3️⃣ Godavari
🔵 4️⃣ Narmada
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Yamuna
🔵 Question 2:
Which disease is caused by the consumption of polluted water?
🔴 1️⃣ Malaria
🟢 2️⃣ Diarrhoea
🟡 3️⃣ Pneumonia
🔵 4️⃣ Asthma
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Diarrhoea
🔵 Question 3:
Which of the following pollutants is mainly responsible for acid rain?
🔴 1️⃣ Sulphur dioxide
🟢 2️⃣ Carbon dioxide
🟡 3️⃣ Methane
🔵 4️⃣ Hydrogen
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Sulphur dioxide
🔵 Question 4:
Push and pull factors are responsible for which of the following?
🔴 1️⃣ Floods
🟢 2️⃣ Migration
🟡 3️⃣ Drought
🔵 4️⃣ Land degradation
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Migration
🔵 Question 5:
Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
🔴 1️⃣ Sewage drains
🟢 2️⃣ Factory discharge
🟡 3️⃣ Agricultural runoff
🔵 4️⃣ Oil refineries
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Agricultural runoff
🔵 Question 6:
Which one of the following is a cause of land degradation?
🔴 1️⃣ Deforestation
🟢 2️⃣ Terrace farming
🟡 3️⃣ Afforestation
🔵 4️⃣ Organic farming
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Deforestation
🔵 Question 7:
Which state of India faces the problem of fluoride-contaminated water?
🔴 1️⃣ Kerala
🟢 2️⃣ Rajasthan
🟡 3️⃣ Assam
🔵 4️⃣ Bihar
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Rajasthan
🔵 Question 8:
Which of the following gases is a greenhouse gas?
🔴 1️⃣ Nitrogen
🟢 2️⃣ Methane
🟡 3️⃣ Oxygen
🔵 4️⃣ Helium
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Methane
🔵 Question 9:
Which of the following is an effect of air pollution?
🔴 1️⃣ Soil erosion
🟢 2️⃣ Acid rain
🟡 3️⃣ Desertification
🔵 4️⃣ Waterlogging
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Acid rain
🔵 Question 10:
Which of the following is the main cause of slum formation?
🔴 1️⃣ Urban migration
🟢 2️⃣ Industrial pollution
🟡 3️⃣ Over-irrigation
🔵 4️⃣ Forest clearance
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Urban migration
🔵 Question 11:
Which one of the following acts deals with the prevention of water pollution?
🔴 1️⃣ Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
🟢 2️⃣ Air Pollution Control Act, 1981
🟡 3️⃣ Environment Protection Act, 1986
🔵 4️⃣ Forest Conservation Act, 1980
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
🔵 Question 12:
Which city in India is most affected by air pollution due to vehicular traffic?
🔴 1️⃣ Delhi
🟢 2️⃣ Mumbai
🟡 3️⃣ Kolkata
🔵 4️⃣ Jaipur
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Delhi
🔵 Question 13:
Which disease is caused by nitrate-contaminated water?
🔴 1️⃣ Blue Baby Syndrome
🟢 2️⃣ Cholera
🟡 3️⃣ Typhoid
🔵 4️⃣ Jaundice
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Blue Baby Syndrome
🔵 Question 14:
Which of the following is an example of a push factor of migration?
🔴 1️⃣ Employment opportunities
🟢 2️⃣ Political unrest
🟡 3️⃣ Urban facilities
🔵 4️⃣ Higher wages
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Political unrest
🔵 Question 15:
Which one of the following is the major cause of noise pollution in cities?
🔴 1️⃣ Factories
🟢 2️⃣ Transport
🟡 3️⃣ Construction
🔵 4️⃣ Loudspeakers
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Transport
🔵 Question 16:
Which region is affected by arsenic contamination in groundwater?
🔴 1️⃣ West Bengal
🟢 2️⃣ Rajasthan
🟡 3️⃣ Punjab
🔵 4️⃣ Odisha
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ West Bengal
🔵 Question 17:
Which of the following is not a form of pollution?
🔴 1️⃣ Water
🟢 2️⃣ Soil
🟡 3️⃣ Sound
🔵 4️⃣ Literacy
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ Literacy
🔷 Section B – Source-Based Questions (3 marks each)
🔵 Question 18:
Study the situation of water pollution in Indian rivers and answer the following:
🟢 (a) Mention two main causes of water pollution in India.
🟢 (b) Name two rivers that are highly polluted.
🟢 (c) State one effect of water pollution.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) Industrial discharge and domestic sewage.
✳️ (b) Ganga and Yamuna.
✳️ (c) Waterborne diseases and loss of aquatic life.
🔵 Question 19:
Observe the issue of urban waste and answer:
🟢 (a) Why is waste management a major problem in Indian cities?
🟢 (b) Mention two effects of improper waste disposal.
🟢 (c) Suggest one solution.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) Due to overpopulation and inadequate infrastructure.
✳️ (b) Land and water pollution, health hazards.
✳️ (c) Segregation and recycling of waste.
🔷 Section C – Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)
🔵 Question 20:
What is meant by pollution? Classify its types.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Pollution is the undesirable alteration in the environment by harmful substances.
✔️ Types:
✳️ Air Pollution
✳️ Water Pollution
✳️ Land Pollution
✳️ Noise Pollution
🔵 Question 21:
Explain the major causes of migration in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Push factors: Poverty, unemployment, natural disasters.
✔️ Pull factors: Better job opportunities, education, healthcare in cities.
✔️ Together, they lead to large-scale rural-urban migration.
🔵 Question 22:
What are the major causes of land degradation?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Deforestation and overgrazing.
✔️ Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
✔️ Mining, industrial waste, and urbanisation.
🔵 Question 23:
Mention any three effects of air pollution.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Causes respiratory diseases.
✔️ Leads to acid rain.
✔️ Damages crops, monuments, and reduces visibility.
🔷 Section D – Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)
🔵 Question 24:
Explain the nature and causes of water pollution in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Nature: Water pollution in India is severe in rivers and lakes due to industrialisation and urbanisation. It reduces water quality and harms aquatic life.
✔️ Causes:
✳️ Industrial waste: Discharge of chemicals, heavy metals, and dyes into rivers.
✳️ Domestic sewage: Untreated household waste and detergents pollute water bodies.
✳️ Agricultural runoff: Pesticides and fertilisers mix with streams and groundwater.
✳️ Religious activities: Immersion of idols and dumping of waste materials.
✔️ Consequences: Waterborne diseases (cholera, diarrhoea), death of fish, and scarcity of safe drinking water.
✔️ Measures: Implementation of Namami Gange Programme, treatment plants, and public awareness.
🔵 Question 25:
Describe the problem of urban waste disposal in India and suggest solutions.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Problem: Rapid urbanisation and population growth lead to huge waste generation.
✔️ Issues:
✳️ Inadequate waste collection and disposal systems.
✳️ Unscientific dumping contaminates land and groundwater.
✳️ Poor segregation leads to accumulation of plastics and hazardous materials.
✔️ Impacts: Health hazards, spread of diseases, foul smell, and environmental degradation.
✔️ Solutions:
➤ Source segregation into biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
➤ Recycling and composting.
➤ Establishment of sanitary landfills.
➤ Implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission.
🔵 Question 26:
Discuss the causes and consequences of land degradation in India.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Causes:
✳️ Deforestation for agriculture and settlements.
✳️ Overgrazing and soil erosion.
✳️ Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
✳️ Mining and industrial effluents.
✔️ Consequences:
➤ Decline in soil fertility.
➤ Loss of vegetation cover.
➤ Increased desertification.
➤ Reduced agricultural productivity.
✔️ Remedial Measures:
🌿 Afforestation, contour ploughing, use of organic manure, controlled grazing, and reclamation of saline lands.
🔵 Question 27:
What are the causes and effects of air pollution in India?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Causes:
✳️ Industrial emissions of SO₂, NOₓ, CO, and particulates.
✳️ Vehicular exhausts in urban areas.
✳️ Burning of fossil fuels and crop residues.
✳️ Construction and mining activities.
✔️ Effects:
⚡ Health problems like asthma and bronchitis.
⚡ Acid rain damaging crops and monuments.
⚡ Depletion of ozone and global warming.
⚡ Decline in air quality index (AQI).
✔️ Control Measures: Adoption of clean technology, pollution control laws, promotion of electric vehicles, and afforestation.
🔵 Question 28:
Explain the problems of slums in Indian cities.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Definition: Slums are overcrowded, poorly built urban settlements lacking basic amenities.
✔️ Causes:
✳️ Rapid rural-urban migration.
✳️ High cost of housing.
✳️ Urban unemployment and poverty.
✔️ Problems:
⚠️ Lack of clean water and sanitation.
⚠️ Health hazards and diseases.
⚠️ Crime and social insecurity.
✔️ Solutions:
📘 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, slum redevelopment, employment generation, and urban infrastructure planning.
🔷 Section E – Map-Based Questions (5 marks each)
🔵 Question 29:
On an outline map of India, identify and label any five of the following:
🟢 (a) Most polluted river
🟢 (b) A state affected by fluoride contamination
🟢 (c) A state affected by arsenic contamination
🟢 (d) A major metropolitan city with severe air pollution
🟢 (e) Region facing desertification
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) Yamuna River – Uttar Pradesh/Delhi
✳️ (b) Rajasthan – Fluoride contamination
✳️ (c) West Bengal – Arsenic contamination
✳️ (d) Delhi – Severe air pollution
✳️ (e) Western Rajasthan – Desertification
🔵 Question 30:
On a map of India, locate and label five major urban slum cities.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Mumbai
✔️ Delhi
✔️ Kolkata
✔️ Chennai
✔️ Bengaluru
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