Different Lands, Different Lives — NCERT Solutions

Given: This is a personal/group activity. A sample filled table is provided below as a guide.

(a) Which type of place do you find interesting?
Sample answer: I find coastal regions most interesting because the sea, sandy beaches, colourful shells, and the sound of waves make it a very exciting and beautiful place to visit.

(b) Similarities and differences:

• Similarities: All places have people living and working there; all have some form of food, shelter, clothing, and festivals.
• Differences: The climate, vegetation, food, clothing, and houses are very different. Mountain regions are cold with pine trees, while deserts are hot and dry with cacti. Coastal regions have coconut trees and fish-based food, while plains have fertile soil and crops like wheat and mustard.

(Note: The answer is based on a typical agricultural scene from the plains of Punjab as described in the chapter.)

1. What kind of land do you see in the picture?
The land is flat and open — it is a fertile plain. Large green fields of crops (such as wheat and mustard) can be seen stretching across the landscape.

2. List the activities that people are engaged in:

• Farming and tilling the fields
• Harvesting crops
• Carrying bundles of harvested grain
• Some people may be seen operating farm equipment or ploughs

3. Which animals do you see in the picture?
Animals such as bullocks/oxen (used for ploughing), cows, and buffaloes are commonly seen in agricultural plains.

4. Do you notice anything unique about the clothing of the people?
Yes. People in the plains of Punjab typically wear colourful traditional clothes. Men wear kurta-pyjama or dhoti with a turban (pagri), while women wear salwar-kameez with a dupatta. The clothes are bright and reflect the vibrant culture of the region.

Given: This is a personal/reflective question. A sample answer is provided.

Name of the food item: Dal-chawal (Lentil soup with rice) — popular across many plains regions of India.

Ingredients:

• Lentils (dal) — such as arhar (pigeon pea) or moong dal
• Rice
• Onion, tomato, garlic, ginger
• Spices: turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, red chilli powder, salt
• Ghee or oil for tempering
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

(Students should write the food popular in their own region and list its actual ingredients.)

(Note: The answer is based on a typical Rajasthani desert scene as described in the chapter.)

1. What kind of land do you see?
The land is dry, sandy, and flat with sand dunes. It is a desert region (like the Thar Desert in Rajasthan). There is very little water and the soil is not fertile for farming.

2. What types of plants do you see? How are they different from plants in your locality?
Plants like cacti, thorny shrubs, and khejri trees are seen in the desert. These plants have thick stems or waxy leaves to store water and survive in dry conditions. They are very different from the lush green trees, paddy fields, or coconut trees found in plains or coastal areas.

3. Is there something unique about the way people are dressed?
Yes. People in the desert wear bright, colourful clothes — women wear ghaghra-choli (long skirts and blouses) with heavy jewellery, while men wear dhoti and a large turban (pagri). The turban protects them from the harsh sun and sandstorms. Clothes are often made of cotton to keep them cool.

4. How do you think people travel in deserts?
People travel on camels, which are called the 'ships of the desert'. Camels can walk long distances in the sand without needing much water. Jeeps and other vehicles are also used on roads.

5. What do you like the most in the picture?
Sample answer: I like the colourful clothes and the beautiful sand dunes the most. The golden colour of the sand and the bright dresses of the people make the picture very lively and attractive.

Given: This is a personal/family interaction activity. A sample table is provided below.

(Students should fill in the dance forms and folk music specific to their own region after asking their family members.)

Concept: Water availability depends on rainfall, vegetation, and geography.

Answer:
Water is scarce in the desert because:

1. Very little rainfall: Deserts receive very little rain throughout the year. Without rain, rivers and ponds do not form.
2. High temperatures: The extreme heat causes whatever little water is present to evaporate quickly.
3. Sandy soil: The sandy soil cannot hold water — it drains away very fast.
4. No rivers or lakes: Most desert areas do not have permanent rivers or lakes nearby.
5. No dense vegetation: There are very few trees and plants to hold moisture in the ground.

Because of all these reasons, people in deserts store rainwater in underground tanks called tankas and use water very carefully.

(Note: The answer is based on a typical coastal scene from Puri, Odisha, as described in the chapter.)

1. Activities that people are doing:

• Fishing in the sea using boats and nets
• Selling fish at the market
• Creating sand art on the beach
• Swimming and playing in the water
• Collecting sea shells
• Tourists enjoying the beach

2. Trees near the sea and how they differ:
Coconut trees, casuarina trees, and mangroves are found near the sea. These trees have deep roots to hold on in sandy, salty soil and can withstand strong winds.

• Difference from desert plants: Desert plants like cacti are short, thorny, and store water. Coastal trees are tall, have broad or feathery leaves, and grow in humid conditions.
• Difference from plains plants: Plains have crops like wheat and mustard. Coastal trees are mainly non-crop trees suited to salty, sandy soil.

3. Fun activities on a beach:

• Building sandcastles
• Collecting colourful sea shells
• Swimming in the sea
• Playing beach volleyball
• Watching the sunrise or sunset
• Trying sand art

4. Special features of dresses in coastal regions:
People in coastal regions wear light, cotton clothes because the climate is hot and humid. In Odisha, women wear sarees (often white with red borders, called sambalpuri or ikat sarees), and men wear dhoti. Fishermen often wear minimal clothing to move freely while working in water. The clothes are suited to the warm and wet coastal climate.

Given: This is a hands-on creative activity.

Steps to create a Sea Shell Photo Frame (sample project):

Materials needed:

• A cardboard piece (for the frame base)
• Sea shells of different shapes and sizes
• Glue
• Paint (optional)
• A photograph

Steps:

1. Cut the cardboard into a rectangular frame shape.
2. Paint the cardboard in a colour of your choice (blue or sandy yellow works well).
3. Once dry, arrange the sea shells around the border of the frame.
4. Glue each shell firmly in place and let it dry.
5. Place your favourite photograph inside the frame.
6. Display your creation in the class!

Creative twist: You can also add small pebbles, dried starfish, or coloured sand between the shells to make it look more like the seashore.

(Students are encouraged to use locally available materials and add their own unique design.)

Concept: Different landforms lead to different ways of living.

Conclusion: Life in coastal regions revolves around the sea and water, while life in the desert revolves around surviving with very little water. Both regions have unique cultures, food, and traditions shaped by their environment.

Concept: Environmental responsibility and the importance of clean ecosystems.

Answer:
It is very important to keep our beaches clean because:

1. Protects marine life: Plastic waste and garbage thrown on beaches can enter the sea and harm sea creatures like turtles, dolphins, fish, and corals.
2. Keeps water clean: Dirty beaches pollute the seawater, making it unsafe for swimming and fishing.
3. Supports fishermen: Fishermen depend on the sea for their livelihood. A polluted sea means fewer fish and less income for them.
4. Promotes tourism: Clean and beautiful beaches attract tourists, which helps the local economy.
5. Prevents disease: Garbage on beaches can breed mosquitoes and other insects, spreading diseases.
6. Preserves natural beauty: Beaches are natural treasures. Keeping them clean ensures that future generations can also enjoy them.

What we can do: Avoid throwing plastic or garbage on beaches, participate in beach clean-up drives, use dustbins, and spread awareness about keeping beaches clean.

Given: Six sea creatures are shown in the pictures. Their names are already provided in the text.

Identification and brief description of each:

1. Sea Turtle: A large reptile that lives in the sea. It has a hard shell on its back and uses its flippers to swim. Sea turtles come to sandy beaches to lay their eggs.

2. Corals: Tiny sea animals that live in colonies and form colourful coral reefs. Coral reefs are home to thousands of sea creatures and are sometimes called the 'rainforests of the sea'.

3. Crab: A sea creature with a hard shell, ten legs, and two claws (pincers). Crabs can walk sideways and live both in water and on the shore.

4. Seaweed: A type of plant (algae) that grows in the sea. It is green, brown, or red in colour and provides food and shelter for many sea animals.

5. Dolphin: A highly intelligent sea mammal known for its playful nature. Dolphins swim in groups called pods and communicate using clicks and whistles.

6. Starfish: A star-shaped sea creature with five arms. It lives on the ocean floor and can regrow a lost arm. It is not actually a fish — it belongs to a group called echinoderms.

Concept: A cyclone is a powerful storm with very strong winds and heavy rainfall that forms over the sea and hits coastal areas.

Adverse effects of a cyclone:

1. Loss of human lives: Strong winds and floods caused by cyclones can kill many people.
2. Destruction of homes: Houses, especially those made of mud or light materials, are blown away or flooded.
3. Damage to crops and trees: Standing crops are destroyed, leading to food shortages. Trees are uprooted.
4. Harm to animals: Animals lose their shelter and food sources. Many animals may die.
5. Disruption of transport: Roads, bridges, and railways are damaged, cutting off affected areas.
6. Power and communication failure: Electricity poles and communication towers are destroyed.
7. Flooding: Heavy rains cause rivers to overflow, flooding villages and towns.
8. Economic loss: Fishermen lose their boats and nets; farmers lose their crops; businesses are shut down.

Concept: Disaster preparedness saves lives and reduces damage.

Ways communities can be better prepared for cyclones:

1. Early warning systems: Governments and weather departments should issue timely warnings through radio, TV, mobile alerts, and sirens so people can evacuate in time.
2. Evacuation plans: Communities should have clear plans for moving people to safe shelters before the cyclone hits.
3. Building cyclone shelters: Strong, elevated shelters should be built in coastal areas where people can take refuge.
4. Awareness and drills: Regular mock drills should be conducted so that people know what to do during a cyclone.
5. Storing essentials: Families should keep emergency kits with food, water, medicines, torches, and important documents ready.
6. Planting mangroves: Mangrove forests along the coast act as a natural barrier and reduce the impact of cyclones and waves.
7. Community support networks: Neighbours should look out for each other, especially the elderly, children, and differently-abled people.
8. Learning from Odisha: The Government of Odisha has shown that with early warnings, advance preparation, and effective management, lives can be saved even during powerful cyclones.