Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): As a strategy for sustainable development, India should make greater use of non-conventional sources of energy such as wind and solar power.
Reason (R): India is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power needs, and both of these have adverse environmental impacts.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): As a strategy for sustainable development, India should make greater use of non-conventional sources of energy such as wind and solar power. — True. Wind and solar power make electricity without harming the environment.
Reason (R): India is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power needs, and both of these have adverse environmental impacts. — True. Thermal plants give out carbon dioxide and fly ash; hydro projects flood forests.
Why R explains A?
Because the power India uses now harms the environment, it must turn to cleaner sources. That is the reason the book lists non-conventional energy as a strategy for sustainable development.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.5 Strategies for Sustainable Development … Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a green house gas. It also produces fly ash which, if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land and other components of the environment. Hydroelectric projects inundate forests and interfere with the natural flow of water in catchment areas and the river basins.” “7.5 Strategies for Sustainable Development … Wind Power: In areas where speed of wind is usually high, wind mills can provide electricity without any adverse impact on the environment. …” |