India: Resources and Environment

Endangered species are those that are at risk of extinction in the near future due to factors like habitat loss, poaching, climate change, or declining population numbers. These species require conservation efforts to prevent them from becoming extinct. Normal species have stable populations, vulnerable species are at risk but not immediately threatened, and rare species have small populations but are not necessarily endangered.

Endemic species are those that are found naturally only in a particular geographic area and nowhere else, often due to isolation by natural barriers like islands, mountains, or specific ecological conditions. Examples include kangaroos in Australia or lemurs in Madagascar. This restricted distribution makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat changes.

The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is extinct in India since the 1950s, and the pink-headed duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) has not been reliably sighted since the 1940s and is considered extinct. Both species no longer exist in the wild.

Resources are classified by origin into biotic (living organisms like plants, animals) and abiotic (non-living things like minerals, water, air). Renewable vs non-renewable is classification based on exhaustibility, not origin.

The Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal has been seriously threatened by ongoing dolomite mining operations in the region, which has caused significant ecological damage to the habitat.

In soil science and agriculture, land that becomes unfit for cultivation due to erosion, waterlogging, or other degradation is termed as 'bad land'. This is standard terminology in land classification.

Unclassed forests are forest lands and waste lands belonging to both government and private individuals (including communities). They are distinct from Reserved forests (government-owned, most protected) and Protected forests (government-owned with some protection).

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is built on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh. Its waters are used for irrigation in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, as well as for hydroelectric power generation at the Bhakra and Ganguwal power houses.

Bewar or Dahiya is the primitive form of shifting cultivation practiced in Madhya Pradesh. Other forms include Podu/Penda in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Masole/Jhum in northeastern states.

Rocks are naturally occurring solid aggregates of minerals. Minerals are the homogenous substances (with definite chemical composition) that combine to form rocks. A single rock can contain one or multiple minerals.

India is both the largest producer and largest consumer of pulses in the world. Pulses (dal) are a primary source of protein in the Indian diet, and India cultivates varieties like chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil, and urad on millions of hectares.

National Highways are the primary road system of India, connecting major cities, ports, and state capitals. They are laid and maintained by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India).

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments in layers or beds over time. These layers often contain minerals that have settled out of water or air, leading to the occurrence of minerals in beds or layers. Examples include coal beds, iron ore bands, and limestone layers.

Rice is a water-intensive Kharif crop requiring substantial rainfall. 100 cm is the standard minimum threshold cited in agricultural geography textbooks. Options A, B, and D (120, 150, 130 cm) represent higher thresholds that are not the standard answer.

This appears to be a metallurgy question about manganese content in steel production. 10 kg per tonne represents a 1% manganese content, which is plausible for certain steel grades. However, this ratio can vary significantly depending on the specific steel alloy being produced.

India's ranking in crude steel production changes frequently as production increases. Ninth may have been correct at a specific point in time, but rankings are highly date-dependent. India has been rapidly increasing its steel production capacity in recent years.

Lignite is correctly identified as the lowest grade of coal with high moisture content (often 35-45%) and soft texture. It's brownish-black and has lower carbon content than bituminous coal or anthracite. Dolomite is a mineral, not coal type.

Milpa is the Mesoamerican (particularly Mexican) term for slash and burn agriculture, an indigenous farming practice. Vietnam, Brazil, and Central Africa have different local names for similar practices.

Rajasthan's arid climate and traditional water scarcity made rooftop rainwater harvesting essential for drinking water storage. This practice is historically well-documented in Rajasthan's desert regions like Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

Tea, coffee, banana, rubber, and sugarcane are perennial crops grown on large estates called plantations. They are not seasonal crops like kharif (monsoon), rabi (winter), or zaid (summer). Plantation crops require years to mature and produce.

Zaid crops are grown in the short summer season between Rabi (winter) and Kharif (monsoon) seasons. Watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, vegetables, and fodder crops are classic examples of Zaid crops grown from March to June.

Bamboo drip irrigation is a traditional indigenous practice in Meghalaya, particularly used by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes for betel leaf and black pepper cultivation. Bamboo pipes channel water from mountain streams to plantations without pumps.

Chandragupta Maurya's reign (321-298 BCE) is noted for extensive infrastructure development including dams, lakes, and irrigation systems under the guidance of his advisor Chanakya (Kautilya). The Arthashastra describes these public works.

Potential resources are those that exist in a region but have not been developed or utilized yet. They have the potential for future use given appropriate technology and investment. Developed resources (D) are already being used, individual resources (A) are owned by individuals, and community resources (B) are accessible to all.