1. What is meant by land? State the non- agricultural uses of land.

                  Land, water, forests and minerals are not man made. They are the gifts of nature. For the sake of convenience all natural resources are known as land. The non-agricultural uses of lands are for housing, factories, offices, schools and for other purposes.

2. List the important rivers and lakes of Andhra Pradesh.

                 The important rivers in Andhra Pradesh are Godavari, Krishna and Pennar(Penna). In addition to them, there are 37 minor rivers. The important lakes of Andhra Pradesh are the Pulicat lake and Kolleru lake. Pulicat lake is a salt water lake having an area of 460 sq.kms. Kolleru lake is a fresh water one having an area of 250 sq.km.

3. State the sources of irrigation in Andhra Pradesh.

   The sources of irrigation are classified into two categories. They are:
a) Surface water resources.
b) Underground water sources.

Surface water resources can be obtained by constructing dams across rivers and constructing tanks. About 40 percent of surface water is got through canals of dams. Canals and tanks act as source for 68% of irrigation. Underground water sources can be had by sinking wells. In recent years, tube wells are being used. The important minerals available in our state are coal, barytes, asbestos, mica, quartz, limestone and manganese. Other kinds of clay, and stones are prominently available. Recently petroleum and natural gases are also available in Krishna, Godavari basins. Andhra Pradesh has at present an area of 274 lakh hectares of land. Land utilisation in the state has been undergoing some changes for the last 35 years. Slight increase in the area under forest is observed.
However the percentage with reference to total area is far below the level prescribed by the National Forest Policy. The extent of barren land not useful for agriculture has declined. Encroachment on barren land has been increasing. The area under non-agricultural uses has been increasing due to urbanisation and industrialization. There was a marginal decline in the net area sown. Area sown more than once has more than doubled.

4. Review the utilisation of underground water in different regions of the state.

                  Underground water resources in the state are found to be estimated at 38,690 millions cubic metres. A part of it is lost on account of evaporation and overflow.In some parts it cannot be utilised on account on hills, forests and saline lands. On account of the above reasons only 70% of the ground water can be put to use. The dependable underground water is 70 percent in the different regions of the state,out of which only 42 percent can be used for domestic, industrial and agricultural needs of the state through various methods. This percentage has reached 59 in Rayalaseema, through the underground water resources therefore the future availability is only 41 percent. Future availability of water resources is 61 percent in coastal Andhra and Telangana. Hence it is quite essential to safeguard the underground water resources in Rayalseema. Several innovation methods are being introduced in the management of water resources. A few of them are to regulate the distance to open wells, refill tanks and borewells through percolation and to construct check dams.

5. Mention the advantages of forests.

                  They control the velocity of wind and speed in the flow of water. By this they protect the sub-soil and the fertility of land. They preserve wild life. They provide timber, tobacco and bamboo. These can be used for agricultural implements and furniture. These act as raw materials for many industries. They also provide tamarind, honey, lac, gum, soap-nuts, beedi leaves etc. They provide shelter to certain categories of tribals. They also promote ecological balance. Hence there is need for the protection of forests. That is why, there is a famous saying that "if forests are protected, they will protect mankind".

6. Explain the need of social forestry.

Social forestry scheme was introduced in our state in 1976.

To meet the needs of firewood of the urban poor

To supply cattle feed and light wood to rural people.

To extend the area under green cover.

To provide employment opportunities in rural areas.

To produce raw material for paper, rayon, match box and allied industries.

Natural sources are the gifts of the nature. They constitute land, water, forests and minerals. 

7.Write a short note on minerals

             Various minerals such as asbestos, barytes, limestone, mica, quartz etc., form the main raw materials for industries. Industrial development helps not only  the progress of economy but also  the well-being of society.

8. Define natural resources.

                    Plants, trees, minerals and water which God has created are sufficient for human beings as well as animals. They are called natural resources.

9. Write a short note on conservation of forests.

                 The Government has made plans to grow more trees. Van-mahotsava is celebrated every year to plant more trees. Thousands of school children participate in the Van-mahotsava and plant trees every year. Chipko Movement and Narmada Bachao Andolan are some of the movements to save forests and wild life in India. Chipko Movement was started by Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna in Tehri District of Uttar Pradesh. The women of a village in Tehri clung to the trees and protected them from being cut down. Shrimati Medha Patkar started a Movement named Narmada Bachao Andolan to save the forests and wild life in the Narmada region.

10.Which are the important industries in Andhra Pradesh?

 The important industries in Andhra Pradesh include Biotechnology, Information Technology, Business Management,  Pharmaceuticals and Construction.

11. Explain the need of social forestry