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Primary Activities

NCERT Class 12 · Geography Based on NCERT Class 12 Geography textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explores the various types of economic activities, focusing on primary activities that directly utilize the earth's resources. It covers the evolution from hunting and gathering to modern commercial farming and mining, emphasizing how physical and socio-economic factors shape these activities. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that primary activities are the foundation of human sustenance and economic development, ranging from subsistence to highly capital-intensive commercial systems.
Key Concepts (27)
Economic activities
Human activities which generate income.
e.g. A farmer growing wheat for sale in the market is engaged in an economic activity.
Primary activities
Activities directly dependent on the environment as they refer to the utilisation of earth’s resources such as land, water, vegetation, building materials and minerals.
e.g. Fishing, forestry, agriculture, and mining are primary activities.
Red-collar workers
People engaged in primary activities, so called due to the outdoor nature of their work.
e.g. A farmer working in the fields is a red-collar worker.
Hunting and gathering
The oldest economic activity known, where humans depend on wild animals and edible plants from forests for sustenance.
e.g. Primitive tribes in the Amazon Basin still practice hunting and gathering.
Gathering
An economic activity practised in regions with harsh climatic conditions, involving primitive societies extracting plants and animals to satisfy needs for food, shelter and clothing, requiring small capital and low technology.
e.g. Women gathering oranges in Mizoram is an example of gathering.
Pastoralism
The domestication of animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport, practised at subsistence or commercial levels depending on geographical factors and technological development.
e.g. Nomadic herders in the Sahara rear sheep, goats and camels.
Nomadic herding (pastoral nomadism)
A primitive subsistence activity where herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport, moving from place to place with their livestock depending on the amount and quality of pastures and water.
e.g. The Gujjars and Bakarwals of the Himalayas practice nomadic herding.
Transhumance
The process of migration from plain areas to pastures on mountains during summers and from mountain pastures to plain areas during winters.
e.g. In the Himalayas, Gaddis migrate from plains to mountains in summers and back in winters.
Commercial livestock rearing
A more organised and capital intensive form of animal rearing, associated with western cultures, practised on permanent ranches with scientific breeding, disease control, and health care.
e.g. Sheep ranching in New Zealand is an example of commercial livestock rearing.
Subsistence agriculture
A type of farming where the farming areas consume all, or nearly so, of the products locally grown.
e.g. A small farmer in India growing rice only for his family's consumption.
Primitive subsistence agriculture (shifting cultivation)
A type of agriculture practised by many tribes in the tropics, where vegetation is cleared by fire, ashes add fertility, and the farmer shifts to another patch after 3-5 years when soil loses fertility.
e.g. Jhuming in North Eastern states of India is shifting cultivation.
Slash and burn agriculture
Another name for shifting cultivation, referring to the practice of clearing vegetation by fire.
e.g. Milpa in central America and Mexico is slash and burn agriculture.
Intensive subsistence agriculture
A type of agriculture largely found in densely populated regions of monsoon Asia, characterised by small land holdings, high yield per unit area but low per labour productivity.
e.g. Wet paddy cultivation in the Ganges delta is intensive subsistence agriculture.
Plantation agriculture
A profit-oriented large scale production system introduced by Europeans in colonies in the tropics, characterised by large estates, single crop specialisation, scientific methods, and cheap labour.
e.g. British set up large tea gardens in India and Sri Lanka.
Extensive commercial grain cultivation
A type of agriculture practised in the interior parts of semi-arid lands of the mid-latitudes, with very large farms, mechanised operations, low yield per acre but high yield per person.
e.g. Wheat farming on the Canadian Prairies is extensive commercial grain cultivation.
Mixed farming
A form of agriculture found in highly developed parts of the world, where equal emphasis is laid on crop cultivation and animal husbandry, with moderate farm sizes and high capital expenditure.
e.g. A farm in North-western Europe growing wheat and raising cattle.
Dairy farming
The most advanced and efficient type of rearing of milch animals, highly capital and labour intensive, practised mainly near urban and industrial centres.
e.g. Dairy farming in North Western Europe supplies fresh milk to nearby cities.
Mediterranean agriculture
Highly specialised commercial agriculture practised in countries on either side of the Mediterranean sea, known for citrus fruits, viticulture, olives and figs.
e.g. Grape cultivation for wine in southern California is Mediterranean agriculture.
Viticulture
Grape cultivation, a speciality of the Mediterranean region.
e.g. Best quality wines in the world are produced from grapes grown in the Mediterranean region.
Market gardening and horticulture
Specialised cultivation of high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers solely for urban markets, with small farms located near good transportation links.
e.g. The Netherlands specialises in growing tulips for export to European cities.
Truck farming
A type of market gardening where farmers specialise in vegetables only, the distance from the market governed by the distance a truck can cover overnight.
e.g. A vegetable farm located just outside a major city supplying fresh produce daily.
Factory farming
A modern development in industrial regions of Western Europe and North America where livestock, particularly poultry and cattle, are reared in stalls and pens, fed on manufactured feedstuff and carefully supervised against diseases.
e.g. A poultry farm with thousands of chickens in controlled environment sheds.
Co-operative farming
A group of farmers form a co-operative society by pooling in their resources voluntarily for more efficient and profitable farming, while individual farms remain intact.
e.g. In Denmark, practically every farmer is a member of a co-operative.
Collective farming
A type of farming based on social ownership of the means of production and collective labour, introduced in the erstwhile Soviet Union as the Kolkhoz model.
e.g. Farmers in the Soviet Union pooled land, livestock and labour, retaining only small plots for personal use.
Mining
The extraction of minerals from the earth, whose development began with the industrial revolution and whose importance is continuously increasing.
e.g. Coal mining in Jharia, India.
Open-cast mining (surface mining)
The easiest and cheapest way of mining minerals that occur close to the surface, with relatively low overhead costs and large rapid output.
e.g. A limestone quarry near the surface is mined using open-cast mining.
Underground mining (shaft method)
A mining method used when ore lies deep below the surface, requiring vertical shafts and underground galleries, with specially designed lifts, drills, and ventilation systems.
e.g. Gold mining in South Africa uses underground mining.
How It Works
Shifting Cultivation Cycle
  1. A patch of forest is cleared by cutting and burning vegetation (slash and burn).
  2. Ashes from the burnt vegetation add to the fertility of the soil.
  3. Crops are cultivated on the small patch using primitive tools like sticks and hoes.
  4. After 3 to 5 years, the soil loses its fertility.
  5. The farmer shifts to another part of the forest and clears a new patch for cultivation.
  6. The farmer may return to the earlier patch after some time when fertility is restored.
💡 The cycle of jhum becomes less and less due to loss of fertility in different parcels — this is a major problem of shifting cultivation.
Transhumance (Seasonal Migration of Nomadic Herders)
  1. In summer, herders move from plain areas to pastures on mountains.
  2. They graze their livestock on high altitude pastures during the summer months.
  3. In winter, they move back from mountain pastures to plain areas.
  4. This vertical migration is repeated annually.
💡 Transhumance is specifically vertical migration between plains and mountains, not horizontal movement across vast distances.
Commercial Livestock Ranching
  1. A permanent ranch is established, covering large areas divided into fenced parcels.
  2. The number of animals is kept according to the carrying capacity of the pasture.
  3. When grass in one parcel is grazed, animals are moved to another parcel.
  4. Only one type of animal is reared (specialised activity).
  5. Products like meat, wool, hides and skin are processed and packed scientifically.
  6. Products are exported to different world markets.
💡 Commercial livestock rearing is capital intensive and organised on a scientific basis with emphasis on breeding, genetic improvement, disease control and health care.
Underground Mining (Shaft Method)
  1. Vertical shafts are sunk from the surface to reach the deep ore deposits.
  2. Underground galleries radiate from the shafts to reach the minerals.
  3. Minerals are extracted and transported to the surface through these passages.
  4. Specially designed lifts, drills, haulage vehicles, and ventilation systems are used for safety and efficient movement.
💡 This method is risky due to poisonous gases, fires, floods and caving in leading to fatal accidents.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing Nomadic Herding with Commercial Livestock Rearing
✗ Both nomadic herding and commercial livestock rearing involve moving animals from place to place.
→ Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistence activity with constant movement, while commercial livestock rearing is organised on permanent ranches with fenced parcels and scientific management.
✓ Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistence activity where herders move with livestock in search of pastures, whereas commercial livestock rearing is a capital-intensive, specialised activity practised on permanent ranches with scientific breeding and disease control.
⚠ Mixing Up Shifting Cultivation Names
✗ Shifting cultivation is called Jhum in Indonesia.
→ Jhum is the name used in North Eastern states of India, not Indonesia. In Indonesia and Malaysia it is called Ladang.
✓ Shifting cultivation is called Jhuming in North Eastern states of India, Milpa in central America and Mexico, and Ladang in Indonesia and Malaysia.
⚠ Confusing Market Gardening with Truck Farming
✗ Market gardening and truck farming are the same thing.
→ Market gardening includes vegetables, fruits and flowers, while truck farming is a subset that specialises only in vegetables, with the name derived from the distance a truck can cover overnight.
✓ Market gardening specialises in high value crops like vegetables, fruits and flowers for urban markets, whereas truck farming is a type of market gardening that specialises only in vegetables.
⚠ Thinking Extensive Commercial Grain Cultivation Has High Yield Per Acre
✗ Extensive commercial grain cultivation has high yield per acre.
→ The chapter clearly states there is low yield per acre but high yield per person due to large farm size and mechanisation.
✓ Extensive commercial grain cultivation has low yield per acre but high yield per person because of large farm size and mechanised operations.
⚠ Confusing Co-operative Farming with Collective Farming
✗ In co-operative farming, farmers pool all their resources and land becomes socially owned.
→ In co-operative farming, individual farms remain intact and farming is a matter of cooperative initiative. In collective farming, all resources like land, livestock and labour are pooled based on social ownership.
✓ In co-operative farming, farmers voluntarily pool resources but individual farms remain intact, whereas in collective farming, all resources are pooled under social ownership and collective labour.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of activity
Nomadic Herding
Commercial Livestock Rearing
Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistence activity with constant movement, while commercial livestock rearing is a capital-intensive, specialised activity on permanent ranches with scientific management.
Land use and labour
Primitive Subsistence Agriculture (Shifting Cultivation)
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
Shifting cultivation involves clearing new forest patches every 3-5 years with primitive tools, while intensive subsistence agriculture involves permanent small land holdings with intensive use of family labour and high yield per unit area.
Ownership of resources
Co-operative Farming
Collective Farming
In co-operative farming, individual farms remain intact and farmers voluntarily pool resources, whereas in collective farming, all resources (land, livestock, labour) are socially owned and pooled.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2-3 MCQs (1 mark each), 1-2 Short Answer questions (3 marks each), 1 Long Answer question (5 marks) — total approximately 10-12 marks.
Most asked: Types of agriculture (subsistence, commercial, plantation, mixed, dairy, Mediterranean, market gardening) · Nomadic herding vs commercial livestock rearing · Shifting cultivation and its regional names · Factors affecting mining activity · Characteristics of plantation agriculture
Don't skip: Differentiate between Nomadic Herding and Commercial Livestock Rearing (5 marks); Discuss the important characteristic features of plantation agriculture (5 marks); Explain the different types of subsistence agriculture (3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Primary activities are directly dependent on the environment and include hunting, gathering, pastoralism, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and mining.
  2. People engaged in primary activities are called red-collar workers due to the outdoor nature of their work.
  3. Hunting and gathering is the oldest economic activity known.
  4. Gathering is practised in high latitude zones (northern Canada, northern Eurasia, southern Chile) and low latitude zones (Amazon Basin, tropical Africa, northern Australia, interior Southeast Asia).
  5. Nomadic herding or pastoral nomadism is a primitive subsistence activity where herders move with livestock in search of pastures and water.
  6. Transhumance is the seasonal migration from plains to mountains in summer and back in winter.
  7. Commercial livestock rearing is capital intensive, organised on permanent ranches with scientific breeding and disease control.
  8. Shifting cultivation is also called slash and burn agriculture and is known as Jhuming in North East India, Milpa in Central America, and Ladang in Indonesia.
  9. Intensive subsistence agriculture is characterised by small land holdings, high yield per unit area, and low per labour productivity.
  10. Plantation agriculture was introduced by Europeans in tropical colonies and features large estates, single crop specialisation, and scientific methods.
  11. Extensive commercial grain cultivation has low yield per acre but high yield per person due to mechanisation.
  12. Mixed farming gives equal emphasis to crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
  13. Dairy farming is the most advanced and efficient type of rearing milch animals, practised near urban centres.
  14. Mediterranean agriculture is known for citrus fruits, viticulture (grape cultivation), olives, and figs.
  15. Market gardening specialises in high value crops like vegetables, fruits and flowers for urban markets.
  16. Truck farming is a type of market gardening that specialises only in vegetables.
  17. Co-operative farming involves voluntary pooling of resources while individual farms remain intact.
  18. Collective farming (Kolkhoz) is based on social ownership of means of production and collective labour.
  19. Mining profitability depends on physical factors (size, grade, mode of occurrence) and economic factors (demand, technology, capital, labour, transport costs).
  20. Open-cast mining is used for minerals close to the surface, while underground mining (shaft method) is used for deep ore deposits.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Which of the following best describes why gathering is practised primarily in high-latitude and low-latitude zones rather than temperate regions?

  • A. Temperate regions lack forests for gathering activities
  • B. Gathering is adapted to harsh climates where farming is difficult; temperate zones favour agriculture instead ✓
  • C. High-latitude zones have better soil quality for plant growth
  • D. Low-latitude zones receive more rainfall than temperate regions

Answer: B — Gathering thrives in harsh climates (deserts, tundra, rainforests) where primitive communities extract plants for subsistence; temperate regions are suitable for agriculture, so gathering is not the primary activity.

Q2. A geographer observes that a community in the Himalayas moves from mountain pastures in winter to plain areas and returns to mountains in summer. What is this movement called?

  • A. Nomadic herding
  • B. Transhumance ✓
  • C. Commercial ranching
  • D. Pastoral settlement

Answer: B — Transhumance is seasonal vertical migration between plains and mountains following pasture availability; nomadic herding is broader horizontal movement across regions.

Q3. Which statement about commercial livestock ranching is correct?

  • A. It is practised by nomadic communities moving across deserts
  • B. It focuses on multiple animal types in one ranch to maximize profits
  • C. It involves permanent fenced parcels with scientific breeding and disease control ✓
  • D. It is primarily subsistence-based with minimal market involvement

Answer: C — Commercial ranching is permanent, capital-intensive, science-based with specialised single-animal breeding, genetic improvement, and health care—unlike nomadic or subsistence activities.

Q4. Why has the global importance of gathering as an economic activity declined?

  • A. All forests have been converted to agricultural land
  • B. Synthetic products of better quality at lower prices have replaced natural gathered items ✓
  • C. Climate change has made all gathering zones uninhabitable
  • D. International laws completely ban gathering worldwide

Answer: B — Market competition from synthetic alternatives (cheaper, better quality) has reduced demand for gathered forest products like rubber, gums, and medicinal items.

Q5. Assertion: Pastoral nomadism is declining in many regions. Reason: Climate change has made all grasslands unsuitable for grazing. Which is correct?

  • A. Both assertion and reason are true, and reason explains assertion
  • B. Assertion is true, but reason is false; actual causes are political boundaries and settlement plans ✓
  • C. Assertion is false; nomadic herding is increasing due to better pastures
  • D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer: B — Nomadic herding numbers are declining due to imposition of political borders and government settlement schemes, not primarily climate change affecting grazing suitability.

Q6. A region has average annual rainfall of 800mm, flat plains, and river access. Based on physical geography, which primary activity would be most suitable?

  • A. Gathering from tropical forests
  • B. Nomadic herding across deserts
  • C. Agriculture (subsistence or commercial) ✓
  • D. Hunting in boreal forests

Answer: C — Adequate rainfall, flat plains, and water access create ideal conditions for agriculture; gathering needs harsh climates, herding needs pastures, and hunting suits colder zones.

Q7. Which is NOT a region where pastoral nomadism is traditionally practised?

  • A. Sahara and Asiatic deserts (goats, sheep, camels)
  • B. Arctic and sub-Arctic regions (reindeer)
  • C. Temperate grasslands of North America (cattle ranching) ✓
  • D. Tibetan Plateau and Andes (yak and llamas)

Answer: C — Temperate North America practises commercial livestock ranching (permanent, capital-intensive), not traditional pastoral nomadism; the other regions show classic nomadic herding zones.

Q8. Modern market-oriented gathering differs from traditional subsistence gathering in that it:

  • A. Uses less advanced technology and produces lower yields
  • B. Harvests medicinal plants, bark, and leaves for commercial sale after simple processing ✓
  • C. Is practised only in high-latitude zones
  • D. Provides complete food security to all gatherers

Answer: B — Market-oriented gathering targets valuable products (quinine from bark, medicines, cosmetics) and sells them after basic processing, unlike subsistence gathering for personal use only.

Q9. Comparing nomadic herding in Africa and commercial ranching in Australia: (i) Nomadic herding depends on natural pasture cycles; (ii) Commercial ranching uses fenced parcels with regulated grazing. Which statement(s) is/are correct?

  • A. Only (i) is correct
  • B. Only (ii) is correct
  • C. Both (i) and (ii) are correct ✓
  • D. Neither (i) nor (ii) is correct

Answer: C — Both statements accurately distinguish nomadic herding (mobile, nature-dependent) from commercial ranching (fixed, managed, scientific)—core difference in pastoral systems.

Q10. In a case study, a region experiences frequent droughts and sparse vegetation. Which primary activity would be most sustainable in this environment, and why?

  • A. Intensive agriculture because crops are drought-resistant
  • B. Pastoral nomadism because herders follow seasonal water/pasture availability ✓
  • C. Gathering because drought plants contain more medicinal value
  • D. Commercial livestock ranching because fenced pastures retain more moisture

Answer: B — Pastoral nomadism is adapted to sparse vegetation and water scarcity through seasonal mobility; fixed agriculture or ranching would fail in drought-prone regions.

Flashcards

What are primary activities?

Economic activities directly dependent on Earth's resources like land, water, vegetation, and minerals—includes hunting, gathering, pastoralism, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and mining.

Why are hunters and gatherers called 'red-collar workers'?

Because they work outdoors directly in nature collecting and extracting resources from the environment.

What is the main difference between gathering and hunting?

Gathering extracts plants and edible vegetation from forests for food, shelter, and clothing, while hunting targets wild animals for subsistence.

Where is gathering practised geographically?

High-latitude zones (Canada, northern Eurasia, Chile) and low-latitude zones (Amazon, tropical Africa, northern Australia, Southeast Asia) with harsh climates.

What is nomadic herding (pastoral nomadism)?

A subsistence activity where herders move with livestock following pastures and water, depending on geographical conditions and seasonal availability.

Define transhumance.

Seasonal vertical migration of herds from plain pastures in winter to mountain pastures in summer, practised in Himalayas and tundra regions.

Name two differences between nomadic herding and commercial livestock ranching.

Nomadic herding is mobile and subsistence-based; commercial ranching is permanent, capital-intensive, science-based, and produces exported products like meat and wool.

Which countries practise commercial livestock rearing?

New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States of America.

Why has the number of pastoral nomads been decreasing?

Due to imposition of political boundaries by nations and new settlement plans that restrict traditional grazing territories.

What is subsistence agriculture?

Farming system where almost all locally grown products are consumed by the farming community with little or no surplus for market sale.

Important Board Questions

Define gathering and state two regions where it is practised. (2 marks) [2 marks]

Gathering = extraction of edible plants/vegetation for subsistence (food, shelter, clothing). Cite high-latitude zones (Canada, Eurasia) or low-latitude zones (Amazon, Congo, SE Asia) with specific climate characteristics.

Explain the difference between nomadic herding and commercial livestock ranching with respect to settlement, technology use, and market orientation. Provide one example of each from the textbook. (5 marks) [5 marks]

Nomadic herding: mobile, subsistence-based, pastoral communities (Gujjars, Bakarwals). Commercial ranching: permanent fenced ranches, capital-intensive, science-based, export-oriented (Australia, New Zealand, USA). Show contrast in organisation, capital, and market linkage.

Analyse why pastoral nomadism is declining globally. Using the concept of transhumance, explain how environmental factors (pasture/water) differ from political/administrative factors in controlling herder movement. (6 marks) [6 marks]

Environmental factors: seasonal pasture availability drives transhumance (vertical migration in Himalayas between plains and mountains). Political factors: imposition of national boundaries and government settlement plans restrict traditional grazing territories and movement routes. Show that modern decline is administrative, not purely environmental.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Primary Activities

Q1. Assertion (A):

Hunting and gathering are the oldest economic activities known to human civilization.

Reason (R):

Early human beings depended entirely on wild animals they hunted and edible plants they gathered from forests to satisfy their basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. The reason correctly explains why hunting and gathering are the oldest activities—they were the original survival strategies before agriculture and domestication. Hunting and gathering directly enabled human survival in primitive conditions.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Transhumance involves permanent settlement in a single geographic location throughout the year.

Reason (R):

Herding communities in mountainous regions move to highland pastures in summer and to lowland areas in winter based on pasture and water availability.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — Both the assertion and reason are false. Transhumance by definition involves seasonal migration between different elevations, not permanent settlement in one location. The reason correctly describes transhumance, contradicting the false assertion about permanent settlement.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Subsistence gathering in the Amazon Basin cannot compete with industrially produced synthetic products in global markets.

Reason (R):

Synthetic products often have better quality and lower prices than naturally gathered items, and gathering operations produce little surplus for commercial export.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. The reason correctly explains why subsistence gathering cannot compete—synthetic alternatives are superior and cheaper, and gathering inherently produces minimal surplus. This is supported by the text's statement that 'products cannot compete in the world market.'

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Primary Activities

Case Study:

The Gujjar pastoral communities in the Himalayas have practiced transhumance for centuries, migrating from the Indo-Gangetic plains to alpine meadows in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu-Kashmir during summer months (June-August) when lower regions face drought conditions and mountain pastures are at peak forage production. With their herds of goats and sheep, they follow predictable routes across traditional territories. However, in the past two decades, the creation of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and international borders has restricted access to key seasonal pasture areas. Government settlement schemes encourage permanent village establishment in plains regions, and documentation requirements for cross-border movement have become stricter.

Q1. Which geographic factor primarily drives the Gujjar pastoral migration pattern described in the passage?

  • A. Cultural preference for mountain living and traditional customs
  • B. Seasonal variation in pasture availability and forage quality at different elevations ✓
  • C. Government policies requiring documented movement between states
  • D. The presence of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in mountain regions

Answer: B

Q2. According to the passage, which of the following represents an external constraint that threatens the viability of Gujjar pastoral nomadism?

  • A. Availability of natural pastures in both plains and mountains
  • B. The size and type of livestock currently held by Gujjar communities
  • C. Imposition of political boundaries and creation of protected areas restricting traditional migration routes ✓
  • D. The seasonal timing of summer and winter weather patterns

Answer: C

Q3. If Gujjar communities permanently settle in plains villages as encouraged by government schemes, what economic consequence would most likely result?

  • A. Increased income through commercial agriculture and access to urban markets
  • B. Loss of seasonal access to high-elevation pastures, reducing herd carrying capacity and income sustainability ✓
  • C. Greater access to veterinary services and modern animal breeding facilities
  • D. Transition to commercial livestock ranching with fenced parcels and scientific management

Answer: B

Q4. The passage suggests that Gujjar pastoral systems are being transformed by both geographic and political factors. Which statement best summarizes this dual pressure?

  • A. Environmental degradation and climate change make pastoralism uneconomical compared to agriculture
  • B. Mountain ecosystems are incapable of supporting continued livestock grazing at traditional scales
  • C. Government settlement schemes are designed to improve pastoral communities' access to market economies
  • D. Natural seasonal patterns of pasture availability can no longer be followed due to boundary restrictions and protected area designations ✓

Answer: D

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Primary Activities

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/1/1 · 1 mark

Which one of the following is the low latitudes zone of subsistence gathering practiced in the world?

  • Northern Canada
  • Northern Eurasia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Southeast Chile

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/1/1 · 1 mark

Study the map showing areas of 'extensive commercial grains farming' carefully and answer questions that follow:

Write the geographical name of the area marked as A

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/1/2 · 1 mark

Which one of the following is the subsistence gathering zone in the high latitudes ?

  • Southern Chile
  • South-east Asia
  • Amazon Basin
  • Tropical Africa

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/1/3 · 1 mark

In which one of the following countries, the 'slash and burn cultivation' is known as 'Milpa'?

  • Mexico
  • Malaysia
  • Indonesia
  • India

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/1 · 1 mark

Which one of the following types of farming is most labour intensive?

  • Horticulture
  • Subsistence agriculture
  • Co-operative farming
  • Collective farming

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/1 · 5 marks

"The earliest human beings depended on their immediate environment for their sustenance." Examine the statement with reference to hunting and gathering.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/2 · 1 mark

Which one of the following is the least labour intensive cultivation methods?

  • Plantation agriculture
  • Subsistence agriculture
  • Extensive commercial cultivation
  • Market Gardening and Horticulture

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/2/3 · 1 mark

Read the following statements about 'agribusiness' carefully and choose the correct option: I. It is a commercial farming on an industrial scale. II. Its raw materials are received from forests. III. It is highly structured, mechanised and large in size. IV. Its example is tea plantation.

  • Only I, III and IV are correct
  • Only I, II and IV are correct
  • Only I, II and III are correct
  • Only II, III and IV are correct

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/3/1 · 1 mark

Areas of Nomadic Herding [Map-based question]

Identify the area of nomadic herding marked as 'A' on the map.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/4/1 · 1 mark

In which of the following regions, 'dairy farming' is well-developed ?

  • West Indies
  • Madagascar
  • Malaysia
  • New Zealand

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/5/1 · 1 mark

[Map-based question — Areas of Dairy Farming]

Name the largest dairy farming region of the world.

CBSE 2026 · Set 64/5/2 · 3 marks

Areas of Dairy Farming - [Map showing dairy farming regions]

(18.1) Name the largest dairy farming region of the world.

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Class 12 Geography Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 759 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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Class 12 Geography Map Work

All 99 places on the CBSE 2026-27 map list, with where each is and what to remember, marked with the board years (2022–2026) each was asked. Free PDF download.

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