In a lake, fish are being caught faster than they can breed. Which of the following statements about this case is correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Fish are renewable, but here extraction exceeds regeneration, so the use is not sustainable
Fish are a renewable resource. But renewable resources stay available only if the rate of extraction does not exceed the rate of regeneration. Here fish are caught faster than they breed, so the use is not sustainable.
Option (1) Fish are non-renewable, so every catch reduces the stock for ever — Incorrect. Fishes in the ocean are an example of a renewable resource.
Option (2) Fish are renewable, so no rate of catch can ever exhaust the stock — Incorrect. A renewable resource can still be exhausted if it is taken out faster than it regenerates.
Option (3) Fish are renewable, but here extraction exceeds regeneration, so the use is not sustainable — Correct. Both steps are right: renewable, but over-used.
Option (4) The catch is within carrying capacity, as fish regenerate through natural processes — Incorrect. Use is within carrying capacity only when extraction is not above regeneration; here it is above.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 Environment — Definition and Functions … Functions of the Environment: The environment performs four vital functions (i) it supplies resources: resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are the trees in the forests and the fishes in the ocean. …” “7.4 Sustainable Development … (iii) renewable resources should be extracted on a sustainable basis, that is, rate of extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration …” |