APS and College for Boys, Chaklala Garrison Rwp

LAND AND ENVIRONMENT

Chapter #03

Q1) Narrate the location of Pakistan?

Ans) Pakistan occupies significant position in the region. In the north and north east, Pakistan
shares a 592 Km long border with the People’s Republic of China. In the North West a narrow
strip of Afghanistan’s Wakhan area about 16Km wide at its narrowest point, separates Pakistan
from the area which is now a part of the independence Central Asian Muslim state of Tajikistan.
In the west nearly 2250 Km long borderline known as the Durand Line (demarcated in 1893 by
the British government) separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. Pakistan shares 850 Km border
line with Iran. Pakistan has about 1600 km long common border with India. Arabian Sea lies in
the south of Pakistan.

Q2) Define the importance of Pakistan’s location with respect to its neighbours?

Ans) Pakistan is surrounded by the three very important countries of the world Russia, China
and India. Most of the world trade between east and west countries passes through Indian
Ocean. Therefore, Karachi and Gwadar sea ports are considered very important ports of the
regions.
Westernpowers attach great importance to Pakistan. Only Pakistan is in a position to provide
transit trade to Afghanistan and Central Asian States, as these countries are either landlocked
or have no warm water seaports.

Pakistan commands the sea lanes from oil rich Gulf States including Saudi Arabia to the Arabian
Sea and most of the air traffic between East and West. Most of the airplanes use Pakistan’s air
space to travel between east and west.

Q3) What are the physical features of Pakistan?

Ans) On the basis of physical features, the land of Pakistan is divided into five different regions.

Mountainous Region

This division includes the northern, north –western and south-western mountain ranges.

Plateaus
There are two big plateau regions in Pakistan these are the Potwar Plateau and the Baluchistan
Plateau.

Ms.Saba Batool
Plains
The plains area of Pakistan is divided into two main parts, first is called Upper Indus Plain and
the second one is Lower Indus Plain.
Deserts
Thal, Cholistan, Nara, Tharparkar and Karan desrts extend over large areas of Pakistan.
Q4) Why does climatic change occur?

Ans) Climate change refers to significant and long-term alterations in the Earth's climate
patterns. It is primarily driven by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil,
and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases like
carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to global warming
and various climatic changes. The consequences of climate change include rising global
temperatures, more frequent and severe extreme weather events, melting ice caps and
glaciers, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. Climate change is a pressing global
issue with far-reaching environmental, social, and economic implications, and efforts are being
made worldwide to mitigate its impacts and adapt to the changing climate.

Q5) What are the major zones on the basis of temperature variation in Pakistan?

Ans) Pakistan is divided into four major zones on the basis of temperature variation.

1. Highlands (Northern and North-Western mountains region

2. Plains (Upper and Lower Indus Plains)
3. Balochistan plateau and Thar desert
4. Coastal areas

Q6) Name the climatic regions of Pakistan?

Ans) On the basis of climatic conditions the land of Pakistan is divided into four major regions.

1. Sub- tropical continental highland type.

2. Sub-tropical continental plateau type.
3. Sub- tropical continental plain/low-land type.
4. Sub-tropical coastal type.

Q7) Write a note on important glaciers of Pakistan?

Ans) Glaciers

Most of the major rivers of Pakistan receive water or originate from the glaciers of Himalaya,
Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges

Ms.Saba Batool
Glaciers of Karakoram: Largest glaciers of the Pakistan are located in karakoram Range. Siachan
is 72 miles long. The glacier’s melt waters are the main source of Shyokriver. River Braldu
originates from Biafo and River Hunza from Batura glaciers respectively.

Glaciers of Hindu Kush: River Kunarh receives water from Trichmir and Rich and other glaciers
of Hindu Khush Range.

Glaciers of Himalaya: Southern Rupal is a glacier of the Himalaya range, its water falls in the
River Astore and Northern Rupal falls in the River Indus.

Q8) Write a note on Indus River?

Ans) The Indus River is one of Asia's major rivers, flowing through China, India, and Pakistan. It
originates in Tibet, China, and flows westward for approximately 3,180 kilometers (1,976 miles)
before emptying into the Arabian Sea in Pakistan. The Indus River is vital for agriculture,
providing water for irrigation and domestic use for millions of people in Pakistan. It has
historically played a significant role in the region's civilizations and continues to be essential for
the livelihoods of those living along its banks.

Q9)What is natural vegetation ?

Ans) Natural vegetation

Natural vegetation means the plants that have not been grown by humans. It doesn't need help
from humans and gets whatever it needs from its natural environment.

Q10) Write down the characteristics of desert areas?

Ans) A desert is a landscape or region that receives very little rainfall, making the conditions
unsuitable for plant and animal life. Deserts are basically regions characterized by three main
features - low rainfall, scanty vegetation and extreme temperatures.

Q11) Write a note on coastal areas of Pakistan?

Ans) Along a coastline of 1046 km, the western coast of Pakistan is spread across 750 km. It is
arid and features sandy coast, mountains, headlands and protected sanctuaries. The eastern
coast stretches up to 296 kilometres and is mostly covered by the Indus Delta, its associated
tidal creeks and dense mangroves. The main features of coastal plains include low elevation, a
geologic border with inland areas, an ocean on one side, and fertile soil.

Q12) Write a note on mountainous region of Pakistan?

Ms.Saba Batool
Ans) Pakistan is blessed with a long range of mountains that are an attraction for geologists and
mountain climbers from all over the world. Pakistan has more than a hundred peaks that are
above 7,000 meters. Out of the world's 14 highest peaks, four are in Pakistan. Pakistan is home
to the second highest mountain K2 and the three highest mountain ranges in the world
(Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayas).

Q13) What is meant by global warming?

Ans) Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature
due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This increase in temperature is
primarily caused by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation,
which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Global
warming is a major driver of climate change and has far-reaching impacts on weather patterns,
sea levels, ecosystems, and human societies.

Q14) What is Green House Effect?

Ans) The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth's atmosphere trap the
Sun's heat. This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is one of the things that make Earth a comfortable place to live.

Q15) Write the advantages of forests?

Ans) Forests play a vital role in the economy of a country. Some advantages of forests are as
follow,

• Forests are home to more than half of the world’s land-based species of animals, plants,
and insects.
• Forests are instrumental in maintaining the oxygen and temperature levels of the
atmosphere.
• Forests prevent soil erosion and floods.
• Forests have particularly rare plants with medicinal value that helps in fighting diseases.
• They absorb harmful gases, helping to fight global warming.

Q16) What is Deforestation? Write down the major causes of deforestation.

Ans) Deforestation is the process of clearing or removing forests or trees from a particular area,
typically for the purpose of making way for agriculture, urban development, mining, or other
human activities. This often leads to the permanent loss of forested land and its ecological
impact, including the destruction of wildlife habitats and the release of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Ms.Saba Batool
The major causes of deforestation are:

1. Agriculture: Clearing forests for farming and livestock grazing.

2. Logging: Cutting down trees for timber and wood products.

3. Infrastructure: Building roads, highways, and urban development.

4. Mining: Extracting minerals and resources from forested areas.

5. Fire: Natural and human-induced wildfires that destroy forests.

6. Climate Change: Increased temperatures and droughts impacting forests.

7. Land Conversion: Converting forests for industrial or commercial use.

Q17) What is environmental pollution?

Ans) Environmental pollution is the contamination of the natural environment by harmful

substances and pollutants, often due to human activities. This pollution can harm ecosystems,
wildlife, and human health through air, water, soil, noise, light, thermal, and radioactive
pollution. Efforts to mitigate pollution involve regulations and practices aimed at reducing and
preventing harmful environmental impacts.

Q18) Narrate the components of the environment?

Ans) There are two factors which play important role in the formation of our environment.

1. Abiotic Factors: For example natural properties of the soil, rocks, sunshine, water and
air.
2. Biotic Factors: Humans, animals and plants.

Ms.Saba Batool