Chapter 1: Resources and Development

1. What are Resources?

Everything available in our environment that can be used to satisfy human needs is called a
resource, but only when it fulfills the following conditions:

1. Technologically accessible – We must have the technology to use it.

2. Economically feasible – It should be affordable.

3. Culturally acceptable – It should be socially useful.

Explanation:

Not everything in nature is a resource. For example, water was not considered a resource
before humans learned how to use it properly. Similarly, some substances become
resources only when technology develops.

Human beings are the most important resource because they use knowledge and
technology to transform natural materials into resources.

2. Classification of Resources

Resources are classified to help us understand their nature, availability, and proper use.
NCERT classifies resources on four bases:

A. Classification on the Basis of Origin

(i) Biotic Resources:-

-Obtained from the biosphere

-Have life or are derived from living organisms

Examples: Plants, animals, forests, fisheries, livestock

(ii) Abiotic Resources

-Obtained from non‑living components of the environment

Examples: Rocks, minerals, metals, air, water

B. Classification on the Basis of Exhaustibility

(i) Renewable Resources

-Not exhausted if used carefully

Examples: Solar energy, wind energy, water, forests

These resources are also called replenishable resources.

(ii) Non‑Renewable Resources

-Form over millions of years

-Limited in quantity and can get exhausted

Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals

Some non‑renewable resources like metals can be recycled.

C. Classification on the Basis of Ownership

(i) Individual Resources

-Owned privately by individuals or families

Examples: Agricultural land, houses, wells

(ii) Community‑Owned Resources

-Used by all members of a community

Examples: Village grazing lands, ponds, public parks

(iii) National Resources

-Owned by the nation

-Includes land, rivers, minerals, roads, railways

Ocean resources up to 12 nautical miles from the coast belong to the nation.

(iv) International Resources

-Located beyond national boundaries

-Regulated by international institutions

Examples: Open oceans beyond 200 nautical miles

D. Classification on the Basis of Status of Development

(i) Potential Resources

Example: Wind and solar energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat

(ii) Developed Resources

-Surveyed, quality and quantity known, and being used

Example: Coal mines, irrigated agricultural land

(iii) Stock

-Resources available in nature but cannot be used due to lack of technology

Example: Hydrogen as a source of energy

(iv) Reserves

-Part of stock which can be used with current technology but saved for future

Example: Water stored in dams

3. Development of Resources

-Resources must be used judiciously. Over‑utilisation leads to:

-Depletion of resources

-Environmental pollution

-Unequal distribution

Therefore, planned development of resources is essential.

4. Sustainable Development

Sustainable development means using resources in such a way that present needs are
fulfilled without harming the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Examples:

-Using solar and wind energy instead of fossil fuels

-Plantation of trees

-Recycling and reuse of resources

5. Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992

-Held in Brazil
-Focused on global environmental protection

-Introduced the concept of sustainable development

Agenda 21:

-A global plan for sustainable development in the 21st century

-Aimed at poverty removal, environmental protection, and global cooperation

6. Resource Planning

Resource planning is a technique for proper utilisation of resources.

-Need for Resource Planning in India:

-Uneven distribution of resources

-Over‑use in some areas and under‑use in others

Steps of Resource Planning:

1. Identification and inventory of resources

2. Planning structure with technology and skills

3. Matching development plans with national plans

7. Land Resources

Land is a natural resource used for:

-Agriculture

-Housing

-Industries

-Transport and communication

-Land Use Pattern in India:

-Forests

-Net sown area

-Fallow land

-Barren and waste land

8. Land Degradation
Land degradation means decline in the quality of land.

Causes:

-Deforestation

-Over‑grazing

-Mining and quarrying

-Over‑irrigation

-Industrial effluents

Conservation Methods:

-Afforestation

-Regulated grazing

-Proper irrigation

-Treatment of industrial waste

9. Soil as a Resource

Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It supports plant growth and
agriculture.

Soil is formed by the weathering of rocks over a long period of time.

10. Classification of Soils in India

1. Alluvial Soil

-Most widely spread soil

-Found in Northern Plains

-Very fertile

Types: Khadar and Bhangar

Crops: Rice, wheat, sugarcane

2. Black Soil (Regur Soil)

-Formed from volcanic lava

-High moisture‑holding capacity

3. Red and Yellow Soil

-Red due to iron content

Crops: Millets, pulses

4. Laterite Soil

-Formed due to leaching

-Found in high rainfall areas

Crops: Tea, coffee (with fertilizers)

5. Arid Soil

-Sandy and saline

-Found in Rajasthan

6. Forest Soil

-Found in hilly and mountainous regions

11. Soil Erosion

-Removal of fertile topsoil by wind or water is called soil erosion.

Types:

-Sheet erosion

-Gully erosion

12. Soil Conservation Methods

-Afforestation

-Terrace farming

-Contour ploughing

-Strip cropping

-Shelter belts

---Chapter 1: Resources and Development

Q1. What is a resource?

Ans: Anything available in the environment which can be used to satisfy human needs and
is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable is called a
resource.

Q2. Who are the most important resources?

Ans: Human beings are the most important resources because they transform natural
materials into useful resources.

Q3. Name two renewable resources.

Ans:Solar energy and wind energy.

Q4. Name two non-renewable resources.

Ans:Coal and petroleum.

Q5. What is sustainable development?

Ans:Using resources to meet present needs without harming the ability of future
generations.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q6. Classify resources on the basis of origin.

Ans:1. Biotic resources: Obtained from living organisms (plants, animals).

2. Abiotic resources: Obtained from non-living things (rocks, minerals, water).

Q7. What are renewable and non-renewable resources?

Ans: Renewable resources can be replenished naturally, e.g., solar and wind energy.

Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and are limited, e.g., coal and
petroleum.

Q8. Why is resource planning important in India?

Ans: Resource planning is important in India because:

Resources are unevenly distributed

Q9. What is land degradation? Name two causes.

Ans: Land degradation is the decline in the quality of land.

Two causes are:

Deforestation

Over-grazing

Q10. Name any three soil conservation methods.

Ans: Afforestation

Terrace farming

Contour ploughing

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5 MARKS)

Q11. Classify resources on the basis of ownership.

Ans: Resources are classified into four types on the basis of ownership:

1. Individual resources: Owned by individuals (land, houses).

2. Community-owned resources: Used by all community members (ponds, parks).

3. National resources: Owned by the nation (roads, minerals, rivers).

4. International resources: Beyond national boundaries (open oceans).

Q12. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of status of development.

Ans: 1. Potential resources: Found but not fully used (solar energy in Rajasthan).

2. Developed resources: Surveyed and being used (coal mines).

3. Stock: Available but not usable due to lack of technology (hydrogen).

4. Reserves: Can be used with current technology but saved for future (water in dams).

Q13. What is sustainable development? Why is it necessary?

Ans: Sustainable development means using resources carefully so that present needs are
met without compromising the needs of future generations.
It is necessary because:

Resources are limited

Over-use causes environmental degradation

Future generations also need resources

Q14. Describe the major soil types found in India.

Ans:

India has six major soil types:

1. Alluvial soil: Very fertile, found in Northern Plains

2. Black soil: Good moisture retention, ideal for cotton

3. Red and yellow soil: Rich in iron

4. Laterite soil: Found in high rainfall areas

5. Arid soil: Sandy and saline, found in Rajasthan

6. Forest soil: Found in hilly regions

Q15. Explain soil erosion and its conservation methods.

Ans: Soil erosion is the removal of fertile topsoil by wind or water.

Conservation methods:

Afforestation

Terrace farming

Contour ploughing

Shelter belts.