Model Answer

Introduction

Planned development became a cornerstone of India’s economic strategy post-independence, addressing numerous challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and underdeveloped industries. Among the various phases of this strategy, the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961) stands out as a significant milestone.

Foundation of the Plan

The Second Five-Year Plan was based on the Nehru-Mahalanobis strategy, emphasizing industrialization, particularly in capital goods. This approach shaped India’s planning practices for over three decades, succeeding the First Five-Year Plan that primarily dealt with immediate post-partition challenges.

Key Contributions

1. Industrial Growth: The Plan prioritized public investment in industries, particularly capital goods, leading to rapid industrialization. This shift laid the groundwork for a robust industrial sector, enhancing productive capacity .
2. Infrastructure Development: It contributed significantly to the development of both physical and human infrastructure. Establishing institutions of higher learning in scientific fields played a crucial role in enhancing human capital.
3. Increased Investment: The Plan raised investment rates, fostering both domestic and foreign savings. This surge in investment facilitated economic growth, with savings rates rising substantially during this period (Source: Planning Commission Reports).
4. Agricultural Progress: Initiatives like land reforms and the Community Development Programme bolstered agricultural production, while also promoting small-scale industries, thus expanding employment opportunities.
5. Public Sector Growth: The Plan enhanced the public sector’s role, allowing it to dominate capital goods industries and shape the economic landscape.

Criticism and Challenges

Despite its achievements, the Second Five-Year Plan faced criticism for prioritizing industrialization over agriculture, resulting in unequal wealth distribution and unemployment. Critics argued that mere economic growth would not eradicate poverty .

Conclusion

In summary, the Second Five-Year Plan was a transformative phase in India’s planned development, establishing essential infrastructure and promoting industrial growth. Its legacy continues to influence India’s economic policies today.

Model Answer

Biome is a geographical region characterized by distinct plant and animal communities. The defining factors of biomes include climate conditions such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, and soil type, which influence the types of species that can thrive in these environments.

Biomes of the World

1. Aquatic Biomes
   • Freshwater biomes include lakes, rivers, and ponds with less than 1% salt content.
   • Marine biomes cover 75% of Earth’s surface, including oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries, which are vital for marine biodiversity.
2. Grasslands
   • Dominated by grasses and found in regions with warm, dry climates.
   • Tropical grasslands (Savannas) are near the equator and have scattered trees.
   • Temperate grasslands are further from the equator, with few trees and less rainfall, examples include prairies and steppes.
3. Forests
   • Tropical forests are warm and humid, near the equator, rich in biodiversity.
   • Temperate forests experience four seasons and are found at higher latitudes.
   • Boreal forests (Taiga) are cold, with long winters and are located in high latitudes, mainly in northern parts of the globe.
4. Deserts
   • Dry regions with less than 50 cm of rainfall annually. Deserts cover about 20% of Earth’s surface and host specially adapted wildlife like reptiles and small mammals.
   • They are categorized into hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold deserts.
5. Altitudinal Biomes
   • Arctic and alpine biomes have harsh conditions, with temperatures ranging from -34 to 12°C and minimal precipitation.
   • Vegetation is limited to shrubs, mosses, and lichens due to poor soil quality and permafrost, which inhibits plant growth.

These biomes are shaped by climate, influencing biodiversity and adaptation strategies of the species within them.

Model Answer

The spatial distribution of both volcanoes and earthquakes across the globe exhibits a striking similarity, with both phenomena occurring along well-defined belts or zones. This pattern is largely explained by the Theory of Plate Tectonics, which associates these events with the movement and interactions of Earth’s tectonic plates.

Key Belts for Earthquakes and Volcanoes

1. Circum-Pacific Belt (Ring of Fire):
   • This is the most active zone for both earthquakes and volcanoes. It includes the Pacific Ocean’s eastern and western coastal areas, island arcs, and volcanic islands scattered across the Pacific. Most of the largest earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in history have occurred herelpide Belt (Alpine-Himalayan Belt).
   • Running from Java to Sumatra, through the Himalayas and Mediterranean, this belt also hosts significant earthquake activity. Similarly, volcanic zones are found in the Alpine mountain chains and along the Mediterranean Sea, showing a close correlation between earthquakes and volcanic activity in this region.
2. Ridge Belt:
   • Volcanoes along the mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates diverge, also align with areas of frequent seismic activity. As plates pull apart, magma rises to form new oceanic crust, causing both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

The Role Tectonics

Both earthquakes and volcanoes are closely linked to the movement of tectonic plates. Earthquakes occur due to the release of energy from fault lines, while volcanoes form at convergent and divergent plate boundaries. The motion and interaction of plates—whether colliding, pulling apart, or sliding past each other—result in seismic and volcanic activity in these specific zones.