NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Geography Part B Chapter 9 Geographical Perspective on Selected issues and problem

92. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(i) Describe the nature of water pollution in India.

Ans. Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to the degradation of the quality of water considerably.

1. Surface water available from rivers, canals, lakes, etc. It contain small quantities of suspended particles, organic and inorganic substance. When concentration of these substance increasing the water become polluted and unfit for use to the extent that even the self-purifying capacity of water is unable to purify it.
2. Human beings pollute the water through industrial, agricultural and cultural activities with industry being the most significant contributor, producing several undesirable products including industrial wastes, polluted waste water, poisonous gases,
   chemical residuals, numerous heavy metals, dust, smoke, etc. disposed off in running water or lakes which destroy the bio-system of these waters. Major water polluting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals.
3. Various types of chemicals used in modern agriculture such as inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are other pollution generating components which infiltrate the soil to reach the ground and surface water.
4. Cultural activities such as pilgrimage, religious fairs, tourism, etc. cause water pollution in India.
5. Though river pollution is common to all rivers, yet pollution of river Ganga flowing through one of the most populous regions of India is of great concerns.

(ii) Describe the problem of slums in India.

Ans. The urban centres in India are differentiated areas in terms of the socio-economic, politicocultural and other indicators of development, characterised by well-developed urban infrastructures for the high income group and at the other extreme by the slums, “jhuggijhopari”, which are clusters and colonies of shanty structures.

1. Slums are inhabited by the people forced to migrate from the rural areas to the urban centres in search of livelihood but could not afford proper housing due to high rents and costs of land.
2. These are environmentally incompatible, residential areas of least choice, dilapidated houses, poor hygienic conditions and ventilation, lack basic amenities like drinking water, light and toilet facilities, etc. with serious health and socio-environmental hazards like open defecation, unregulated drainage system and overcrowded narrow street patterns.
3. Most of the slum population works in lowpaid, high risk-prone, unorganized sectors of the urban economy, are undernourished, prone to different types of diseases and illness and cannot afford proper education for their children.
4. Poverty makes them vulnerable to drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism, escapism, apathy and social exclusion.

(iii) Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation.

Ans. Measures for the reduction of land degradation are as following:

1. The farmers should be given proper training about the use of chemicals and fertilizers.
2. Industrial waste water should be recycled after proper treatment and be used for purpose like irrigation.
3. Plastic and its use should be restricted.
4. Human and household waste can be converted into useful manure.
5. Slum dwellers should be provided with the facility of public toilets.