Chapter 1 — Resources and Development
What is a Resource?
• Anything that satisfies human needs and is technologically accessible, economically
feasible & culturally acceptable.
• Types:
o Natural (biotic / abiotic)
o Human made
o Human resources (skills, population)
Classification (Important!)
• On basis of origin:
o Biotic (plants, animals)
o Abiotic (minerals, water)
• On basis of exhaustibility:
o Renewable (sunlight, forests, water)
o Non-renewable (minerals, fossil fuels)
• On basis of ownership:
o Individual, Community, National, International
• On basis of status of development:
o Potential, Developed, Stock, Reserves
Resource Planning (3 steps)
1. Inventory: Survey & mapping
2. Planning: Matching resources with development needs
3. Implementation: Tech + institutional support
India example: Unequal distribution — Jharkhand rich in minerals but poor in infrastructure.
Land Resources in India
• Uses: Forest (22.5%), Barren (8%), Non-agricultural (5%), Fallow (8%), Net sown (45%)
[approx].
• Land Degradation causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, over-irrigation, industrial
waste.
• Measures: Afforestation, controlled grazing, contour bunding, strip cropping, land
reclamation.
Soil as Resource
• Types in India:
o Alluvial (most fertile, N-Ganga plain)
o Black (cotton, Deccan)
o Red & Yellow (S. plateau)
o Laterite (high rainfall)
o Arid (Rajasthan)
o Forest soils
• Soil Erosion: Water & wind.
o Control: Contour ploughing, terraces, shelter belts.
Possible Questions
• Define resource planning; give its steps.
• Causes & control of land degradation.
• Differentiate alluvial & black soil.
• Why is land use planning essential in India?
Chapter 2 — Forest and Wildlife Resources
Biodiversity
• Rich flora & fauna due to varied climate.
• IUCN categories: Normal, endangered, vulnerable, rare, endemic, extinct.
Depletion Causes
• Deforestation, grazing, mining, industrialisation, shifting cultivation, construction (dams,
roads).
Conservation Measures
• Project Tiger (1973)
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
• Reserved & Protected forests
• Community efforts (e.g., Bishnoi movement, Chipko)
Types of Forests (Legal)
• Reserved (most restricted)
• Protected
• Unclassed (NE states & islands)
Biodiversity Hotspots in India
• Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundalands, Western Ghats.
People’s Movements
• Chipko (Uttarakhand) – hugging trees
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) – local + govt.
Possible Questions
• Explain any 3 measures to conserve forests.
• Differentiate reserved & protected forests.
• Mention any 2 community movements for biodiversity.
• What is the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?
Chapter 3 — Water Resources
Water Availability
• India has 4% world’s water, 16% population.
• Fresh water sources: Surface (rivers, lakes), Ground water.
Need for Conservation
• Over-exploitation → water scarcity.
• Causes: Overuse in irrigation, urbanisation, industrial demand, pollution.
Multi-purpose River Valley Projects
• Dams for irrigation + hydro-power + flood control + drinking water + navigation +
recreation.
• Examples:
o Bhakra Nangal (Sutlej)
o Hirakud (Mahanadi)
o Damodar Valley
o Narmada (Sardar Sarovar)
o Tehri (Bhagirathi)
Rainwater Harvesting
• Rooftop collection, recharge pits, bunds.
• Examples: Rajasthan (Johads), Tamil Nadu (compulsory).
Problems with Big Dams
• Displacement, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, siltation, interstate conflicts.
Possible Questions
• Why is water scarcity increasing?
• Explain multipurpose project with examples.
• Define rainwater harvesting & give its benefits.
• Criticism of large dams.
Chapter 4 — Agriculture
Importance
• 2/3 population → agriculture; food security.
Types of Farming
• Primitive subsistence: Slash & burn (Jhumming).
• Intensive subsistence: Small land, labour intensive.
• Commercial farming: Cash crops, machines, HYV seeds.
• Plantation: Tea, coffee, rubber.
Major Crops
• Food grains: Rice (Kharif), Wheat (Rabi), Millets (jowar, bajra), Maize.
• Pulses: Tur, moong, urad.
• Cash crops: Sugarcane, cotton, jute.
• Others: Tea, coffee, rubber, oilseeds.
Seasons
• Kharif (June–Sept): Rice, maize.
• Rabi (Oct–March): Wheat, barley.
• Zaid (summer): Watermelon, cucumber.
Problems in Agriculture
• Small holdings, low productivity, monsoon dependency, poor tech, debt.
Reforms
• Green Revolution, MSP (Minimum Support Price), crop insurance, consolidation of land.
Possible Questions
• Differentiate subsistence & commercial farming.
• State two features of plantation agriculture.
• Major rice & wheat growing states.
• Problems faced by Indian farmers.