Natural Science

 RESOURCES IN INDIA and its Types like Renewable Resources and Non Renewable Resources       Natural resources include air, water, soil, minerals, fossil fuels, plants, wild life etc. Many natural resources are used as raw materials. They play a vital role in the economic development of any region. Natural resources are classified on several basis. Based on continued availability, the resources are categorized into two types. Renewable Resources are those which have natural regeneration after their utilization.      Solar energy, wind energy, biogas, tidal energy, wave energy etc. are the Renewable resources . Non- Renewable resources are the sources that cannot be replaced again after utilization. Coal, petroleum, natural gas etc. fall under this category. MINERALS      Mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties. The process of extracting mineral from the earth...

  About El Nino and La Nina Effect 1. What is ENSO?      ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) is a natural climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean that causes major global weather changes. It has three phases: El Niño – Warming of ocean surface La Niña – Cooling of ocean surface Neutral – Normal conditions      ENSO affects rainfall, temperatures, and wind patterns around the world 2. El Niño – The Warm Phase 🔹 Definition:      El Niño is the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, near the equator. 🔹 Key Features: Weak or reversed trade winds Warm water shifts east toward South America Rainfall moves eastward across the Pacific 🔹 Global Effects:               Region              -          Weather Changes South America   -           Heavy rain, floods Au...

Introduction to Weather Prediction: What is Weather Prediction?      Weather prediction, or weather forecasting, is the application of science and technology to estimate the state of the atmosphere for a future time at a given location. Weather forecasts are crucial for agriculture, aviation, transportation, disaster preparedness, and everyday planning. Elements of Weather to Predict...      Forecasters study and predict multiple atmospheric conditions, including: Temperature Humidity Wind speed and direction Air pressure Cloud cover Precipitation (rain, snow, hail) Visibility History of Weather Forecasting: Ancient Methods: Early civilizations observed clouds, wind direction, animal behavior, and celestial events. 19th Century: Telegraphs allowed fast sharing of weather observations. 20th Century: Weather balloons, radar, and computer models revolutionized accuracy. Today: Satellites, AI models, and supercomputers provide precise, real-time data. Metho...

 Transport System in India Introduction India's transport system is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. With a vast geography and a population of over 1.4 billion, an efficient transport network is crucial for economic development, social integration, and national security. The Indian transport system comprises roadways, railways, airways, waterways, and pipelines, all playing a vital role in connecting remote areas with economic centers. Evolution and Structure of Transport in India Historical Background Ancient Period: In ancient times, transportation in India was largely dependent on human and animal power. Bullock carts, palanquins, and boats were commonly used. Medieval Period: Roads like the Grand Trunk Road built during Sher Shah Suri’s reign improved connectivity in North India. British Period: The British colonial rule introduced railways in 1853, starting with a 34 km line from Mumbai to Thane. Ports like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata developed under Britis...

Livestock in India: A Historical and Contemporary Overview Introduction      India is one of the largest producers of livestock in the world, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods, food security, and national income. Livestock plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of India, with over 20.5 million people depending on it for their livelihood, especially small and marginal farmers and landless laborers. Historical Background of Livestock in India      Livestock has been an integral part of Indian civilization since the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE). Archeological evidence from sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa reveals that cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo were domesticated for milk, meat, hides, and agriculture. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest Indian scriptures (c. 1500 BCE), mentions cows as symbols of wealth and prosperity, referring to them as “Aghnya” (not to be killed).      During the Maurya Empire (321–1...

 MAJOR CROPS CULTIVATED IN INDIA The major crops of India are divided into four major categories as follows:   1. Food crops (wheat, maize, rice, millets, pulses etc.).   2. Cash crops (sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, oilseeds etc.).   3. Plantation crops (tea, coffee and rubber).   4. Horticulture crops (fruits, flowers and vegetables).  1. Food Crops       Due to its large population, Indian agriculture is largely dominated by the food crops.  Rice       Rice is an indigenous crop. India is the second largest producer of rice in the world after China. It is mainly a tropical crop, growing mainly with mean temperatures of 24°C and annual rainfall of 150 cm. Deep fertile clayey or loamy soils are suited well for rice cultivation. It also needs abundant supply of cheap labour.      Rice in India is sown in three ways:   i) Broadcasting,  ii) Ploughing or drilling...

AGRICULTURE AND FARMING AND ITS TYPES            Agriculture is the process of producing food for people, fodder for cattle, fiber and many other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). Determinants of Agriculture:  Agriculture in India is determined by a set of factors. Some of the important factors:  1. Physical factors: relief, climate and soil.  2. Institutional factors: Size of farm holdings, land tenure, and land reforms.  3. Infrastructural factors: Irrigation, power, transport, credit, market, insurance and storage facilities.  4. Technological factors: High yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and machinery. Types of Farming  a) Subsistence Farming       A considerable proportion of farmers in the country practice subsistence farming. Farmers grow crops with the help of family members and consumes almo...