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❓ Important Questions
These questions cover sustainable development,
stakeholders, forests, wildlife, water management,
dams, rainwater harvesting and fossil-fuel conservation.
Section A – Very Short Answer
Q1
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets present needs without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Q2
What is a natural resource?
A naturally occurring material or system that is useful
to living organisms or human society.
Q3
Who are stakeholders?
People, communities, organisations or groups that use,
depend on, manage or are affected by a natural resource.
Q4
What is rainwater harvesting?
Collection and storage or recharge of rainwater for
future use or groundwater replenishment.
Q5
What are the 3Rs?
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Q6
Why are coal and petroleum called non-renewable?
They take extremely long geological periods to form
and are consumed much faster than they are replaced.
Section B – Short Answer Questions
Q7
Why is sustainable management of natural resources necessary?
Resources are limited, ecosystems can be damaged by
overuse and future generations also need access to them.
Q8
Why are forests important?
They support biodiversity, provide habitat, conserve soil,
influence water cycles and support human livelihoods.
Q9
Why should local communities be involved in forest management?
Many communities depend on forests and possess local knowledge.
Their participation can improve conservation and support livelihoods.
Q10
What is the importance of rainwater harvesting?
It conserves rainwater, reduces runoff and may help recharge
groundwater and supplement local water supplies.
Q11
State two advantages of large dams.
Water storage and irrigation; hydroelectricity is another
major benefit.
Q12
State two problems associated with large dams.
Displacement/submergence and changes to river ecosystems.
Section C – Reasoning Questions
Q13
Why is simply planting trees not enough to solve all forest-management problems?
Sustainable forests depend on biodiversity, local ecology,
soil, water, wildlife and community needs; plantations
cannot automatically replace natural forest ecosystems.
Q14
Why can a development project create conflict among stakeholders?
Different groups may have different priorities such as
livelihood, electricity, irrigation, profit, biodiversity
or cultural values.
Q15
Why should fossil fuels be conserved even when they are still available?
Their reserves are finite and their extraction and combustion
have environmental impacts. Efficient use extends resource availability.
Q16
Why can rainwater harvesting be especially useful in areas
where groundwater levels are declining?
Collected rainwater can be stored or directed to recharge
structures, potentially increasing local groundwater recharge.
Section D – Long Answer Questions
Q17
Explain the concept of sustainable management of natural resources.
Discuss long-term conservation, efficient use, ecosystem
protection, stakeholder participation and intergenerational equity.
Q18
Explain the role of stakeholders in forest management.
Discuss local communities, government, industries and
environmental organisations and how their interests may
overlap or conflict.
Q19
Explain the benefits and environmental/social concerns
associated with large dams.
Discuss water storage, irrigation and electricity along with
submergence, displacement and ecological changes.
Q20
Explain rainwater harvesting and its advantages.
Define harvesting, explain rooftop collection/recharge and
discuss conservation, groundwater recharge and reduced runoff.
Section E – Application / Competency
Q21
A village uses groundwater faster than rainfall can naturally recharge it.
What long-term problem can occur?
Groundwater levels can fall, wells may dry up and water
availability can become unreliable.
Q22
A town introduces rooftop rainwater harvesting. What two
environmental benefits can result?
Reduced rainwater runoff and increased local water storage
or groundwater recharge, depending on the system.
Q23
A forest-dependent community is excluded from all forest
management decisions. Why could this create difficulties?
The policy may ignore local livelihood needs and traditional
knowledge, reducing cooperation and potentially weakening
resource management.
Q24
A city reduces single-use consumption and increases recycling.
How does this support sustainable resource management?
It reduces demand for new raw materials, decreases waste
and improves material recovery.
Section F – Case-Based Questions
Case 1
A region proposes a large dam. Farmers support it because
of irrigation benefits, while local residents are concerned
about displacement. Identify the stakeholders and explain
why sustainable management requires balancing their interests.
Farmers, local residents, government agencies, environmental
groups and other affected communities are stakeholders.
Sustainable management requires evaluating economic,
social and ecological consequences rather than considering
only one group's benefit.
Case 2
A school collects roof rainwater and directs it to a recharge
pit. Explain the principle involved and one likely benefit.
Rainwater harvesting is being used. A likely benefit is
groundwater recharge and reduced dependence on external
water sources.
Section G – Diagram-Based Questions
Q25
Draw a rooftop rainwater harvesting system.
Show rooftop, collection pipe, filter and storage tank
or groundwater-recharge structure.
Q26
Draw a labelled diagram showing a dam and reservoir system.
Show reservoir, dam, water outlet and downstream river.
Q27
Prepare a simple concept map connecting natural resources,
stakeholders and sustainable management.
Connect resources → users/stakeholders → impacts →
conservation → sustainable management.
🌱 Final Exam Focus
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Sustainable development
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Stakeholders
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Forest conservation
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Chipko movement
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Water management
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Dams and their impacts
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Rainwater harvesting
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Coal and petroleum conservation
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3Rs
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Intergenerational equity