Shelter

Environmental Studies (Paper I — Classes I-V) — PSTET

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Overview

Shelter is a fundamental human need alongside food, water and clothing. In the PSTET Environmental Studies section, this topic explores how houses differ across regions of India based on climate, available materials and cultural practices. Understanding shelter connects children to their immediate environment while building awareness of geographical and socio-economic diversity.

For the exam, expect questions on why certain house types exist in specific regions (e.g., sloping roofs in heavy-rainfall areas), traditional building materials, and how shelter needs vary with climate. This topic integrates science concepts (materials, climate adaptation) with social awareness (different lifestyles, occupations affecting housing). Questions typically test application — given a climate or region, identify the appropriate house type or material.

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Key Concepts

• **Shelter as a basic need**: Houses protect us from heat, cold, rain, wind, wild animals and provide security and privacy. Every living being needs shelter — humans, animals, birds and insects.

• **Climate determines house design**: Hot regions need thick walls and flat roofs for coolness; heavy-rainfall areas need sloping roofs for water drainage; cold regions need insulated houses that retain heat; coastal areas need elevated houses to prevent flooding.

• **Local materials shape construction**: People traditionally build houses using materials available nearby — mud, bamboo, wood, stone, brick, thatch, ice (igloos), or leaves. This reduces cost and suits local climate.

• **Permanent vs temporary houses**: Permanent houses (pucca) are made of bricks, cement and concrete. Temporary houses (kachcha) use mud, straw and bamboo. Semi-permanent houses combine both materials.

• **Special houses for special needs**: Houseboats in Kashmir and Kerala, stilt houses in Assam and coastal areas, tents of nomads (Rajasthan, Ladakh), caravans of travelling communities — each serves a specific purpose.

• **Urbanisation changes housing**: Cities have flats and apartments due to limited space. Villages have individual houses with courtyards. Slums represent inadequate shelter in urban areas.

• **Animals and their shelters**: Birds build nests, rabbits dig burrows, bees make hives, spiders spin webs. Teaching children about animal shelters builds ecological awareness.

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Formulas / Key Facts

| Region/Climate | House Type | Key Features | Materials Used | |----------------|------------|--------------|----------------| | Rajasthan (Hot desert) | Thick-walled houses | Small windows, flat roofs, whitewashed walls | Mud, stone, lime | | Kerala/Assam (Heavy rainfall) | Sloping roof houses | Steep roofs for water drainage | Wood, bamboo, tiles, thatch | | Kashmir (Cold mountainous) | Wooden houses with sloping roofs | Thick walls, small windows, sloping roofs for snow | Wood, stone, mud | | Ladakh (Extreme cold) | Stone houses with flat roofs | Very thick walls, flat roofs (less snow), small windows | Stone, mud, wood | | Coastal areas (Flooding risk) | Stilt houses | Raised on poles above ground/water | Bamboo, wood, coconut leaves | | Arctic region | Igloos | Dome-shaped, traps warm air inside | Ice blocks |