Maharashtra State Board
Standard VI – Geography
Chapter 8 – Natural Resources
(A) What is the use of the following resources?
(1) Water
Ans: Water is used for drinking, bathing, cooking food, and washing dishes, clothes, fruits, and vegetables. It is also used for brushing teeth. Water is necessary for gardening, farming, and fisheries. It is essential for the survival of all living beings.
(2) Forests
Ans: Forests provide us with shelter, food, wood, paper, medicines, and livelihoods. They help in preventing soil erosion and maintaining the balance of nature. Forests also purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
(3) Animals
Ans: Animals provide us with useful products such as milk, wool, meat, eggs, and honey. The skin of some animals is used to make leather goods. Some animals help in ploughing fields and carrying loads. Many animals are also kept as pets.
(4) Minerals
Ans: Minerals are very useful in our daily life. Copper is used in making electrical equipment. Clay is used to make cement, bricks, and pots. Gold and silver are used for making jewellery. Graphite is used in pencils and machinery.
(5) Land
Ans: Land is used for farming, forestry, and mining. It is also used for constructing houses, roads, schools, and other buildings. Land provides space for all human activities.
(B) Complete the following flow chart.
Ans:
(C) Answer the following questions.
(1) What factors influence the formation of soil?
Ans: The formation of soil mainly depends on the parent rock, climate, organic matter, slope of the land, and time. These factors work together over a long period to form soil.
(2) Which products are obtained from forests?
Ans: We obtain products such as wood, rubber, resin, fruits, medicinal plants, honey, and bamboo from forests. Forests provide many useful products for our daily needs.
(3) What are the uses of minerals?
Ans: Minerals provide us with different metals and chemicals. Metals such as iron and aluminium are obtained from minerals. Minerals are also used to produce chemicals like gypsum, rock salt, and calcite. Some minerals are used in making medicines and other useful products.
(4) What are the purposes for which land is used?
Ans: Land is used for farming, mining, and forestry. It is also used for building houses, roads, schools, factories, and other structures. Land supports all types of human activities.
(5) Why is it necessary to conserve natural resources?
Ans: Most natural resources are limited in quantity. The increasing population and excessive use of resources have disturbed the balance of nature. If we do not use resources carefully, they may get exhausted. Therefore, it is necessary to conserve natural resources and use them wisely according to our needs.