Resources and Development Class 10 ||Geography|| Chapter 1 NCERT Notes
1. What are Resources?
Definition:
Resources are everything available in our environment that can be used to satisfy human needs, provided they are technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. They include natural, human-made, and human resources.
Classification of Resources:
On the basis of Origin:
- Biotic Resources: Derived from living organisms (e.g., forests, animals, fish).
- Abiotic Resources: Composed of non-living things (e.g., minerals, water, air).
On the basis of Exhaustibility:
- Renewable Resources: Can be replenished naturally (e.g., solar energy, wind energy, forests).
- Non-Renewable Resources: Have a finite stock and cannot be replenished once used (e.g., coal, petroleum).
On the basis of Ownership:
- Individual Resources: Owned privately by individuals (e.g., houses, land, plantations).
- Community Resources: Accessible to all members of a community (e.g., village ponds, grazing grounds).
- National Resources: Owned by the nation (e.g., railways, forests, wildlife sanctuaries).
- International Resources: Resources governed by international organizations (e.g., open oceans).
On the basis of Status of Development:
- Potential Resources: Resources found in a region but not yet utilized (e.g., wind energy in Rajasthan).
- Developed Resources: Resources that are surveyed, their quantity and quality determined, and are being used.
- Stock Resources: Have potential utility but lack appropriate technology for use (e.g., hydrogen as an energy source).
- Reserves: Resources that are part of stock but are usable with existing technology (e.g., water in dams for hydroelectric power).
2. Development of Resources
Why Resource Development?
- Over-utilization of resources leads to depletion of resources, which in turn creates global problems like environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change.
- Unequal distribution of resources leads to economic disparity and social tensions.
Sustainable Development:
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment, ensuring that these needs can be met not only in the present but also for future generations.
Principles of Sustainable Development:
- Respect and care for all forms of life.
- Improve the quality of human life.
- Conserve the Earth's vitality and diversity.
- Minimize the depletion of natural resources.
- Change personal attitudes and practices towards the environment.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992:
A historic conference in which leaders from over 100 countries came together to discuss global environmental and development issues. One of the significant outcomes was Agenda 21, a plan for achieving sustainable development in the 21st century.
3. Resource Planning in India
Resource Planning is the strategy for judicious use of resources, involving:
- Identification and inventory of resources: This includes mapping, surveying, and estimating the quantity and quality of resources available.
- Planning structure with appropriate technology, skill, and institutions: This ensures that resources are utilized efficiently.
- Matching resource development plans with national development plans: This ensures that the goals of resource development align with the overall development objectives of the nation.
Need for Resource Planning:
- India has an uneven distribution of resources. For example, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have abundant mineral deposits, but these regions face a lack of other resources like water and infrastructure.
- Some regions are resource-poor like Rajasthan (though it has potential for solar energy) while others, like Punjab, have fertile land.
4. Land as a Resource
Land is a crucial natural resource for all human activities. India has diverse relief features such as plains, mountains, and plateaus, each with different land use patterns.
Land Utilization:
- Forest cover: Approximately 22.5% of India's land is under forest cover.
- Net sown area: 46.24% of the land is used for cultivation.
- Non-agricultural land: Land not used for farming is used for settlements, roads, industries, etc.
Land Degradation:
Land degradation is the decline in land productivity due to human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, and mining. This leads to soil erosion, desertification, and loss of fertile soil.
Causes of Land Degradation:
- Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agriculture, construction, or mining.
- Overgrazing: Leads to the removal of vegetation cover, exposing the soil to erosion.
- Mining activities: Strip mining and open-cast mining destroy large areas of land.
- Over-irrigation: Causes waterlogging and salinization of soil.
- Industrial activities: Release of pollutants leads to soil and water contamination.
5. Soil as a Resource
Soil is one of the most important natural resources as it supports agriculture and other vegetation, which in turn supports life on Earth. India has diverse types of soils due to its varied relief and climate.
Types of Soil in India:
Alluvial Soil:
- Found in the northern plains (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra river valleys).
- Highly fertile and ideal for growing rice, wheat, sugarcane.
- Newer alluvium (khadar) is more fertile than older alluvium (bangar).
Black Soil (Regur Soil):
- Found in Deccan plateau regions (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat).
- Ideal for cotton cultivation due to its moisture-retentive capacity.
- Derived from lava rocks.
Red and Yellow Soil:
- Found in areas of low rainfall in eastern and southern India.
- Red due to iron oxide content and less fertile.
Laterite Soil:
- Found in tropical and subtropical regions with high rainfall.
- Poor in fertility but suitable for plantations like tea, coffee.
Arid Soil:
- Found in western Rajasthan.
- Sandy and saline, requiring irrigation for cultivation.
Forest and Mountain Soil:
- Found in hilly and mountainous regions.
- Rich in humus but poor in nutrients, supports forestry and fruit cultivation.
6. Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion refers to the removal of topsoil by natural forces like wind, water, or human activities. Erosion can degrade land and reduce its agricultural productivity.
Causes of Soil Erosion:
- Water erosion: Loss of soil due to the action of water, including sheet erosion and gully erosion.
- Wind erosion: Removal of soil by strong winds, common in arid and semi-arid areas.
- Human activities: Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and construction contribute to soil degradation.
Methods of Soil Conservation:
- Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines reduces water runoff and prevents soil erosion.
- Terrace farming: Steps are cut on the slopes to reduce water flow and prevent erosion.
- Afforestation: Planting trees to bind the soil and prevent erosion.
- Strip cropping: Growing crops in alternating strips to reduce soil erosion.
7. Conservation of Resources
Conservation of resources is vital for sustainable development. It involves:
- Judicious use of resources to prevent depletion.
- Adoption of sustainable practices like afforestation, reforestation, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy use.
- Public awareness to reduce wastage and over-exploitation.
These detailed notes cover the essence of Chapter 1: Resources and Development. Let me know if you need further elaboration on any section or help with additional questions! ✒️📖