Here is a comprehensive guide to Chapter 4, “Economic Structure and Potentialities,” from the “Swadesh Adhyayan” textbook, created specifically for AHSEC Class 12 students. This guide includes a summary, complete textual answers, previous years’ AHSEC questions, and other important questions.
Chapter 4: Economic Structure and Potentialities
Here is a comprehensive guide to Chapter 4 from the “Swadesh Adhyayan” textbook, created to help you prepare thoroughly for your upcoming AHSEC Class 12 exams. This guide includes a summary, complete textual answers, previous years’ AHSEC questions, and other important questions.
Summary Note
This chapter provides an overview of Assam’s economic structure, focusing on its rich resource base and the potential for industrial development. A “resource” is defined as any element that has utility, functionability, and dynamism. The chapter highlights that Assam is a “Treasure House of Minerals” and other natural resources.
Resource Base:
- Minerals: Assam has significant reserves of key minerals.
- Coal: Known as ‘Black Diamond,’ it is found mainly in Upper Assam (Makum, Jaipur-Dili) and Karbi Anglong.
- Petroleum & Natural Gas: Assam is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, contributing about 17% of India’s total crude oil production. It has several important oil fields and four refineries (Digboi, Noonmati, Bongaigaon, Numaligarh).
- Limestone: High-quality limestone is found in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, supporting the cement industry.
- Forest Resources: Assam is rich in tropical forests that provide valuable timber (like Sal, Teak), bamboo, cane, and medicinal plants. These resources support industries like plywood, paper, and handicrafts. The state is also rich in faunal resources, including the one-horned rhinoceros and various primate species.
- Water Resources: The Brahmaputra and Barak river systems provide immense potential for waterways, fishing, and hydroelectric power.
Economic Structure and Industries:
Despite its rich resource base, Assam’s industrial development is described as “insignificant” and “backward.” The major geographical causes for this inertia include:
- Locational Disadvantages: Being located in a corner of India, far from major markets.
- Poor Connectivity: Difficult terrain, numerous rivers, and recurring floods hinder the development of road and railway networks.
- Lack of Capital and Entrepreneurship: A scarcity of investment and a lack of entrepreneurial attitude among local youth.
- Inadequate Power Supply: The state fails to adequately tap its energy resources, leading to power deficits.
The existing industries are categorized as:
- Mineral-based: Oil refineries, cement plants, and coal mining.
- Forest-based: Plywood, paper mills, and bamboo/cane industries.
- Agro-based: Tea manufacturing (the largest industry), rice and flour mills.
- Cottage Industries: Sericulture (Eri, Muga, Pat silk), bell-metal and brass-metal industries (famous in Sarthebari and Hajo), and weaving.
The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for proper skill development, infrastructural facilities, and a supportive industrial policy to encourage entrepreneurs and fully utilize Assam’s vast economic potential.
Complete Textual Question and Answer
1. Which one of the following characteristics are essential to consider an object as resource?
Answer: (d) (a), (b), and (c) all of the above (The text on page 47 mentions Utility, Functionability, and Dynamism).
2. In which place of Assam coal (black diamond) was discovered first?
Answer: (d) Makum (Coal was discovered and mined in Makum in 1865).
3. In which year traces of crude oil was found?
Answer: (a) 1822 (The text states traces were detected as long back as 1822, though some sources also cite 1825).
4. What percentage of crude oil production of India is shared by Assam?
Answer: (d) 17%
5. To which of the following refineries crude oil from Assam has not yet been sent?
Answer: (b) Mathura
6. The percentage of methane gas contained in the natural gas is –
Answer: (d) 80 – 90%
7. Recent land-sat-imagery has proved that the percentage of forest cover in Assam is-
Answer: (c) 21% (The text on page 52 states recent data reveals the forest cover is about 21 per cent).
8. Which major projects utilise the natural gas produced in Assam?
Answer: The major projects that utilise natural gas produced in Assam are the Namrup Thermal Power Project, Namrup Fertilizer Factory, Assam Gas Company, and the Assam Gas Cracker project.
9. Name five places of Karbi Anglong possessing limestone.
Answer: Five places in Karbi Anglong possessing limestone are Dilai, Koilajan, Silbheta, Sainilangshu, and the text also mentions limestone deposits in the Dima Hasao district at Umrangso and Garampani.
10. In which city the Earth Summit was held 1992?
Answer: The 1992 Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro.
11. Which two faunas of Assam have been declared as endemic and endangered by IUCN and enlisted in the Red Data List?
Answer: Two such faunas mentioned in the text are the pigmy hog (found only in Assam) and the Hoolock gibbon.
12. How many National Parks are located in Assam?
Answer: According to the text (page 54), there are 5 national parks in Assam.
13. Give an example of foot-loose industry.
(This question requires general knowledge as the term is not defined in the chapter.)
Answer: A foot-loose industry is one that is not tied to a specific location by its raw material or market needs and can operate in a wide variety of places. Common examples include software development, diamond cutting, or electronics manufacturing.
14. Which are the major pillars of Human Resource Development?
Answer: The four major pillars of Human Resource Development (HRD) are Equality, Production, Durability, and Rights.
15. Name the two agents of erosion that affects the roads and the railway lines in Assam during summer?
Answer: The two agents of erosion mentioned are the heavy downpour from monsoons, which causes surface and gully erosion, and the turbulent flow of numerous rivers and tributaries, which causes bank erosion and floods.
16. The rope-way is in operation in between which two places of Assam?
Answer: One ropeway mentioned carries limestone from Dillai in Karbi Anglong to the Bokajan Cement Factory. Another ropeway connects Guwahati with North Guwahati across the Brahmaputra river.
17. Name the two places on either ends of Gohain Kamal Ali constructed by Koch King Naranarayan.
Answer: The Gohain Kamal Ali, constructed by Koch King Naranarayana, connected Cooch Behar with Narayanpur (in present-day Lakhimpur).
18. Name the two major cities connected by National Highway 40 (NH 40).
(This question seems to have a typo in the book, as NH 40 does not connect major cities within Assam. It likely refers to another highway.)
Answer: The text does not specify cities connected by NH 40. However, it mentions that NH 37 connects Goalpara with Saikhowaghat, and NH 52 connects Baihata Chariali with the eastern parts. Silchar has good road connectivity with Guwahati via Meghalaya.
19. Write within 30 words the importance of wetlands in Assam.
Answer: Wetlands in Assam are very important as they support a rich diversity of amphibians, mammals, and fishes, including many ornamental fish species. They are congenial for the growth and development of indigenous fish fauna and provide habitats for many migratory birds.
20. Write within 50/60 words about the ‘Silk Route’ and ‘Steel-Well-Route’.
Answer: The ‘Silk Route’ and ‘Steel-well Route’ are mentioned as historical trade routes that are yet to be opened in the modern context. The text states that Assam is cut off from China and other South-east Asian countries because these routes are not functional. Their opening would significantly improve connectivity and trade, helping to overcome Assam’s locational disadvantages.
21. Explain at least 5 factors leading to industrial inertia in Assam.
Answer: Five factors leading to industrial inertia (backwardness) in Assam are:
- Locational Disadvantages: Assam is located in the north-eastern corner of India, far from major industrial and market centers, and connected to the rest of India by a narrow corridor.
- Poor Transport System: The region’s uneven topography, numerous rivers, and frequent floods and landslides make the development and maintenance of road and railway connectivity difficult and expensive.
- Inadequate Power Supply: Despite being rich in energy resources like coal, oil, and hydro-potential, the state has not adequately tapped them, leading to a power deficit that discourages industrial growth.
- Paucity of Capital: There is a lack of capital investment for infrastructural development. Capitalists from outside the state are hesitant to invest due to the uncertain socio-political environment.
- Lack of Entrepreneurship: The region lacks a strong entrepreneurial attitude among the indigenous youth, who are often not prepared to take the risks associated with starting new industries.
22. Explain any five problems faced by the bell and the brass-metal industry in Assam.
Answer: Five problems faced by the bell and brass-metal industry in Assam are:
- Paucity of Raw Materials: There is a shortage of raw materials, which has compelled artisans to recycle old and damaged utensils.
- Competition from Outside Traders: The collection of old materials for recycling is now largely in the hands of traders from outside the state.
- Market Flooded with Substitutes: The market has been flooded with sub-standard and machine-made substitute commodities that are sold at a much lower rate.
- Use of Chemical Coating: These substitute products often use chemical coatings to attract customers, further undercutting the traditional, authentic products.
- Lack of a Bold Policy: The concerned government departments have not come forward with a bold policy to protect this traditional cottage industry from the challenges it faces.
