Chapter 1: Resources and Development

1. Introduction to Resources

• Definition: Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it  is
•  technologically accessible
•  economically feasible, and
•  culturally acceptable,

is termed a ‘Resource’. Examples: Minerals, forests, fossil fuels, etc.

2. Classification of Resources

Resources can be classified based on various criteria:

A. On the Basis of Origin

1. Biotic Resources: Obtained from the biosphere ( area where life is possible/nature) and have life (e.g., human beings, flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock).
2. Abiotic Resources: Composed of non-living things (e.g., rocks, metals).

B. On the Basis of Exhaustibility

1. Renewable Resources: Can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes (e.g., solar and wind energy, water, forests, wildlife).
2. Non-Renewable Resources: Occur over a very long geological time and cannot be renewed (e.g., minerals, fossil fuels).

C. On the Basis of Ownership

1. Individual Resources: Owned privately by individuals (e.g., land, houses).
2. Community Resources: Accessible to all members of the community (e.g., parks, playgrounds).
3. National Resources: Belong to the nation (e.g., roads, railways).
4. International Resources: No individual country can utilize these resources (e.g., oceanic waters beyond 200 nm).

D. On the Basis of the Status of Development

1. Potential Resources: Found in a region but not yet utilized (e.g., solar energy in Rajasthan).
2. Developed Resources: Surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilization.
3. Stock: Resources available but lack the technology to access them (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen as a source of energy).
4. Reserves: Subset of stock, which can be used for future needs (e.g., water in dams).

3.     Development of Resources

Resources play a crucial role in sustaining human life.

• In the past, resources were often regarded as free gifts from nature. This mindset led to indiscriminate use, resulting in several significant challenges:

→ Rapid depletion of resources driven by the greed of a few individuals.

→ Unequal distribution of resources, concentrating wealth in the hands of a few, and deepening the divide between rich and poor.

→ Overexploitation of natural resources, triggering severe global environmental crises such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, pollution, and land degradation.

• To ensure a sustainable quality of life and promote global harmony, the fair and equitable distribution of resources is essential.
• Achieving this requires adopting practices that promote sustainable economic development, ensuring responsible and balanced use of resources.

Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach fosters long-term environmental balance, social equity, and economic prosperity.

Resource Development: The process of using resources for economic growth, which involves the transformation of resources into usable forms.

• 4. Resource Planning in India

1. Definition: Resource planning is the strategic process of managing and utilizing resources in a systematic and efficient manner to ensure their optimal use while meeting current and future demands.
2. Steps in Resource Planning:

• Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country.
• Evaluating current and future needs based on population growth, technological advancements, and economic activities.
• Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill, and institutional set-up.
• Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

5. Land Resources

Land is a vital natural resource, supporting agriculture, industries, forests, and infrastructure. In India, land is unevenly distributed and used for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, pasture, and settlements.

India has a total land area of 3.28 million square kilometers, but not all of this land is available for productive use due to diverse geographical features, such as mountains, plateaus, deserts, and plains.

Out of total land area

About 43 percent of the land area is plain, which provides support for agriculture and industry,

About 30 percent of the total surface area of the country are mountains which ensure perennial flow of some rivers and provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.

Land Use in India

Land in India is primarily used for the following purposes:

1. Forests: A significant portion of India’s land is under forest cover, although it is below the recommended national goal of 33% forest cover.
2. Net Sown Area (NSA): Land used for growing crops is called net sown area. This covers a large part of India’s land and varies from state to state.
3. Non-Agricultural Land Use: This includes land used for buildings, roads, railways, industries, and other non-agricultural purposes. Urbanization and industrialization have significantly increased the demand for non-agricultural land.
4. Barren and Waste Land: Some areas, like deserts, rocky surfaces, and marshlands, are unsuitable for cultivation and are categorized as wasteland.
5. Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: A small portion of the land is used for livestock grazing.
6. Other Uncultivated Land: This includes land not used for agricultural purposes, such as barren land, uncultivated land due to natural conditions or regaining fertility, Current fallow land (remain uncultivated for 1 year). Other than current fallow (Remain uncultivated more than 1 year but less than 5 year)

Land Degradation: Land degradation refers to the deterioration of the land’s quality and productivity due to various natural and human-induced factors. This process reduces the land’s ability to support agricultural activities, maintain ecological balance, and provide ecosystem services.

Causes of Land Degradation:

• Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture or urbanization leads to soil erosion and loss of nutrients.
• Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock depletes vegetation, leading to soil erosion and reduced soil fertility.
• Overexploitation: Intensive farming and mining deplete soil nutrients and disrupt natural processes.
• Urbanization: Expansion of cities and infrastructure reduces the amount of land available for agriculture and natural habitats.
• Industrial Activities: Pollution from industries can degrade land quality by contaminating soil and water.
• Improper Agricultural Practices: Practices such as monoculture, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improper irrigation can lead to soil degradation and salinization.

Consequences of Land Degradation:

• Soil Erosion: Loss of the topsoil layer, which is essential for plant growth, leading to reduced agricultural productivity.
• Desertification: Conversion of fertile land into deserts due to factors like drought and deforestation.
• Reduced Agricultural Productivity: Decreased soil fertility and water retention capacity lead to lower crop yields.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction results in the loss of plant and animal species.
• Increased Flooding: Erosion and reduced vegetation cover can lead to increased runoff and flooding.

Mitigation Measures:

• Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees to restore degraded land and prevent soil erosion.
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Implementing crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic farming to maintain soil health.
• Soil Conservation Techniques: Using contour ploughing, terracing, and building check dams to reduce soil erosion.
• Regulated Grazing: Managing livestock numbers and grazing patterns to prevent overgrazing.
• Land Use Planning: Implementing zoning laws and sustainable land management practices to balance development with conservation.

Addressing land degradation is crucial for maintaining soil health, supporting agriculture, and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

6. Soil as a Resource

• Soil Formation: The process by which soil is formed from the parent material through weathering and other processes.
• Types of Soils in India:

1. Alluvial Soil: Found in the river deltas of the eastern coast.
2. Black Soil: Found in the Deccan plateau.
3. Red and Yellow Soil: Found in parts of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain.
4. Laterite Soil: Found in areas of high temperature and heavy rainfall.
5. Arid Soil: Found in the western parts of Rajasthan.
6. Forest Soil: Found in the hilly and mountainous areas.

7. Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation

• Soil Erosion: The removal of the topsoil by various agents like wind, water, and human activities.
• Methods of Soil Conservation:

1. Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines.
2. Terrace Farming: Steps are cut on the slopes making terraces.
3. Strip Cropping: Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops.
4. Shelter Belts: Rows of trees are planted to create shelter.

Table: Classification of Resources

Table