Growing up with Nature — NCERT Solutions

Given: We need to think about how our daily life would change without electricity for two days.

Concept: We depend on electricity for many activities in our daily life. Without it, we would have to find alternative ways to do things, just as people did in the past and as many villages still do.

Changes we would see:

1. Lighting: We would have to use candles, lanterns, or oil lamps instead of electric bulbs and tube lights.

2. Cooking: We could not use electric stoves, microwaves, or induction cooktops. We would have to cook on a gas stove or a wood fire.

3. Entertainment: Televisions, computers, mobile phones (once discharged), and music systems would not work.

4. Fans and Air Conditioners: We would feel hot in summer without fans or ACs. We would use hand fans made of paper or palm leaves.

5. Refrigerator: Food stored in the refrigerator might spoil. We would have to buy fresh food daily.

6. Water supply: In many areas, water pumps run on electricity. Without electricity, water supply could be disrupted.

7. Schools and offices: Work on computers would stop. We would go back to writing on paper.

Positive changes: We might spend more time outdoors, talk to family members, play traditional games, and observe nature more closely — just like Reena and Amit did in the village!

Final Answer: Without electricity, our lives would slow down significantly. We would rely on natural light, manual work, and traditional methods — reminding us how important it is to save electricity and also to learn from traditional ways of living.

Given: We need to find festivals and rituals in our locality that are connected to plants and animals.

Concept: India has a rich tradition of worshipping and protecting nature through festivals and rituals. These practices show our deep respect for plants and animals.

Sample Answer (students should add festivals specific to their own region):

Note: Students should ask their grandparents or elders about local festivals in their own state and add those to the table.

Final Answer: India celebrates many festivals connected to plants and animals, such as Vat Purnima (Banyan tree), Nag Panchami (Snake), and Pongal (Cow). These traditions reflect our culture of respecting and protecting nature.

Given: We need to identify things we use from nature in our daily life under different activities.

Concept: Nature provides us with food, clothing, medicine, shelter, and many other things we need every day. We are completely dependent on nature for our survival.

Answer:

Final Answer: Nature provides us with food (fruits, grains, vegetables), clothing (cotton, wool, silk), healthcare (neem, tulsi, turmeric), and shelter (wood, clay, bamboo). We depend on nature for almost everything in our daily life.

Given: We need to think about what happens when we overuse different natural resources.

Concept: Natural resources are available in limited quantities. When we use them faster than nature can replenish them, they get depleted, causing serious problems for all living beings.

Answer:

Water: If we overuse water, the water level in rivers, lakes, and underground sources (groundwater) will fall. This will lead to water scarcity, droughts, and shortage of drinking water for people, animals, and plants.

Soil: If we overuse soil by excessive farming without rest, or by cutting trees (deforestation), the soil loses its nutrients and fertility. This leads to soil erosion, landslides, and reduced crop production.

Sea products: If we overuse sea products by catching too many fish (overfishing) or collecting too many shells and corals, the population of sea creatures will decrease. This disturbs the balance of the ocean ecosystem and can lead to extinction of certain species.

Any other (Air): If we overuse air by releasing too much pollution from factories and vehicles, the air becomes dirty and unfit to breathe. This causes diseases like asthma and contributes to climate change.

Final Answer: Overusing natural resources leads to their depletion — water scarcity, loss of soil fertility, extinction of sea creatures, and air pollution. We must use natural resources carefully and responsibly to protect our environment.

Given: We need to suggest ways to protect the natural environment in different places.

Concept: Every individual can contribute to protecting nature by making small but meaningful changes in their daily habits. Conservation of nature is everyone's responsibility.

Answer:

At Home:

• Save water by closing taps when not in use.
• Switch off lights and fans when leaving a room to save electricity.
• Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags.
• Compost kitchen waste (vegetable peels, fruit scraps) to make manure for plants.
• Grow a small kitchen garden or herbal garden at home.
• Use solar energy if possible.

At School:

• Plant trees and flowering plants in the school garden.
• Avoid wasting paper — use both sides of a sheet.
• Keep dustbins in classrooms and use them properly.
• Participate in cleanliness drives.
• Spread awareness about saving nature among classmates.

In Parks:

• Do not pluck flowers or break branches of trees.
• Do not litter — use dustbins.
• Keep food and water for birds and squirrels.
• Do not harm insects, birds, or animals found in the park.

In Our Locality:

• Organise clean-up drives in the neighbourhood.
• Say no to plastic — avoid using plastic bags and bottles.
• Plant trees on roadsides and empty plots.
• Avoid burning garbage as it pollutes the air.
• Spread awareness about protecting sacred groves and local forests.

Final Answer: We can protect nature by saving water and electricity at home, planting trees at school, not littering in parks, and organising clean-up drives in our locality. Small actions by every individual together make a big difference.

Given: We need to design a herbal garden by drawing and naming our favourite herbs.

Concept: Herbs are plants that are used for their medicinal, flavouring, or aromatic properties. Growing a herbal garden at home or school helps us stay connected to nature and provides us with natural remedies.

Sample Herbal Garden Design:

Divide the garden space into sections and plant the following herbs:

1. Tulsi (Indian Basil) — Place in the centre or a prominent spot. Used for treating cough, cold, and fever. Also used in worship.

2. Aloe Vera — Place in a sunny corner. Used for skin care, burns, and hair care.

3. Mint (Pudina) — Place near a water source as it needs moisture. Used in chutneys, drinks, and for treating stomach problems.

4. Turmeric (Haldi) — Plant in a warm, sunny area. Used as a spice and for healing wounds and infections.

5. Ginger (Adrak) — Plant in a shaded area. Used for treating cough, cold, and digestive problems.

6. Neem — Plant as a tree on one side. Used as a natural antiseptic and mosquito repellent.

7. Lemongrass — Plant along the border. Used in teas and as a natural insect repellent.

Note: Students should draw each herb in the garden space provided in the textbook, label them with their names, and colour the drawings. They may also include herbs they like less but know are useful.

Final Answer: A herbal garden can include Tulsi, Aloe Vera, Mint, Turmeric, Ginger, Neem, and Lemongrass. Each herb has special medicinal or culinary uses, and growing them connects us to nature and traditional knowledge.