Resources and Development — Notes
1. What is a Resource?
A resource is anything available in our environment that can satisfy human needs, provided it is:
- technologically accessible,
- economically feasible, and
- culturally acceptable.
Resources are not simply free gifts of nature. Human beings, technology and institutions together transform materials from the environment into useful resources.
Classification of Resources
| Basis | Types |
|---|---|
| Origin | Biotic, Abiotic |
| Exhaustibility | Renewable, Non-renewable |
| Ownership | Individual, Community, National, International |
| Status of development | Potential, Developed, Stock, Reserves |
2. Development of Resources
Resources are essential for human survival and quality of life. However, indiscriminate use of resources has created serious problems:
- depletion of resources,
- concentration of resources in the hands of a few,
- inequality between rich and poor,
- global warming,
- ozone layer depletion,
- environmental pollution,
- land degradation.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development means development that does not damage the environment and does not compromise the needs of future generations.
Core idea:
Use resources wisely today so that they remain available tomorrow.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
The Earth Summit focused on environmental protection and socio-economic development. It supported initiatives such as:
- Forest Principles,
- Agenda 21,
- cooperation for sustainable development.
Agenda 21: A programme for achieving global sustainable development through cooperation and shared responsibility.
3. Resource Planning in India
Resource planning is necessary because resources are unevenly distributed across India.
Why is planning needed?
Different regions have different resource strengths and shortages. For example:
- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh → rich in minerals and coal.
- Arunachal Pradesh → abundant water resources but limited infrastructure.
- Rajasthan → strong solar and wind potential but water shortage.
- Ladakh → rich cultural heritage but shortages of water, infrastructure and some minerals.
Therefore, resource planning is required at:
national → state → regional → local levels.
Three Main Steps
- Identification and inventory of resources
Surveying, mapping and estimating resources. - Planning structure
Developing suitable technology, skills and institutions. - Matching resource plans with national development plans.
Important Concept
Resources alone do not guarantee development.
Development also depends on technology, institutions, human resources and historical conditions.
4. Conservation of Resources
Excessive and irrational use of resources can create social, economic and environmental problems.
Therefore, resources must be conserved and used carefully.
Important developments in resource conservation include:
- Club of Rome — 1968
- Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful — 1974
- Brundtland Commission Report — 1987
- Earth Summit — 1992
The Brundtland Commission helped establish sustainable development as an important approach to resource conservation.
5. Land Resources
Land is a vital natural resource because it supports:
- natural vegetation,
- wildlife,
- human life,
- agriculture and other economic activities,
- transport and communication.
Since land is finite, it must be carefully planned and managed.
Major Relief Features of India
- Plains — about 43%: useful for agriculture and industries.
- Mountains — about 30%: important for rivers, tourism and ecology.
- Plateaus — about 27%: rich in minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
6. Land Utilisation
Land is broadly used as:
- Forests
- Land not available for cultivation
- barren and waste land
- buildings, roads, factories, etc.
- Other uncultivated land
- permanent pastures and grazing land
- miscellaneous tree crops and groves
- culturable waste land
- Fallow land
- current fallow
- other than current fallow
- Net sown area
Key Terms
Net Sown Area (NSA): Physical area on which crops are sown and harvested.
Gross Cropped Area: Net sown area + area sown more than once during an agricultural year.
Factors Affecting Land Use
Physical factors: topography, climate, soil.
Human factors: population density, technology, culture and traditions.
7. Land Degradation
Land degradation means deterioration in the quality and productive capacity of land.
Major Causes
- deforestation,
- overgrazing,
- mining,
- quarrying,
- over-irrigation,
- industrial waste and effluents.
Examples
- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha: mining-related deforestation.
- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra: overgrazing.
- Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh: over-irrigation causing waterlogging, salinity and alkalinity.
Conservation Measures
- afforestation,
- proper grazing management,
- shelter belts,
- controlling overgrazing,
- stabilising sand dunes with vegetation,
- proper management of wastelands,
- controlled mining,
- treatment and proper disposal of industrial waste.
8. Soil as a Resource
Soil is a major natural resource and the medium for plant growth.
Soil formation depends on:
- relief,
- parent rock,
- climate,
- vegetation and organisms,
- time.
Natural forces such as running water, wind, glaciers, temperature changes and decomposers contribute to soil formation. Soil contains both organic matter (humus) and inorganic materials.
9. Major Soil Types of India
A. Alluvial Soil
Distribution: Mainly the Northern Plains; also found in river deltas of the eastern coast.
Formation: Deposited mainly by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems.
Features:
- very fertile,
- contains sand, silt and clay in varying proportions,
- generally suitable for intensive cultivation,
- supports crops such as sugarcane, paddy, wheat, cereals and pulses.
Two age-based varieties
Bangar: Older alluvial soil.
Khadar: Newer alluvial soil and generally more fertile than Bangar.
B. Black Soil
Also called regur soil or black cotton soil.
Distribution: Deccan Plateau, including areas of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Important features:
- black in colour,
- clayey,
- excellent moisture-retaining capacity,
- rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime,
- generally poor in phosphoric content,
- develops deep cracks during hot weather.
Main crop: Cotton.
C. Red and Yellow Soil
Distribution: Parts of the eastern and southern Deccan Plateau, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, parts of the middle Ganga plain and the Western Ghats region.
Colour: Red colour develops because of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. In hydrated conditions, it appears yellow.
D. Laterite Soil
Formation: Develops in tropical and subtropical climates with alternating wet and dry seasons.
Main process: Intense leaching caused by heavy rainfall.
Features:
- generally acidic,
- often deficient in plant nutrients,
- prone to erosion and degradation,
- can support crops such as tea and coffee after suitable conservation measures.
Important areas: Western Ghats, parts of Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and the North-East.
E. Arid Soil
Distribution: Mainly dry regions.
Features:
- red to brown,
- generally sandy,
- often saline,
- low in humus and moisture,
- may contain a lower layer of kankar due to calcium accumulation.
With proper irrigation, these soils can become cultivable, as seen in western Rajasthan.
F. Forest Soil
Found mainly in hilly and mountainous areas.
Features vary with altitude and local conditions:
- loamy and silty in valley areas,
- coarse-grained on upper slopes,
- acidic and low in humus in some snow-covered Himalayan areas,
- valley soils and river terraces can be fertile.
10. Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is the removal and washing away of the soil cover.
It occurs naturally through:
- water,
- wind,
- glaciers.
Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, construction and mining can accelerate it.
Types of Soil Erosion
Gully erosion: Running water cuts deep channels in the soil. Such degraded land may become unsuitable for cultivation; in the Chambal basin, these are called ravines.
Sheet erosion: Water flows as a sheet over an area and removes the topsoil.
Wind erosion: Wind carries away loose soil from flat or sloping land.
11. Soil Conservation Methods
Contour Ploughing
Ploughing along contour lines slows the movement of water down slopes.
Terrace Farming
Steps are cut into slopes to reduce soil erosion. It is well developed in parts of the Western and Central Himalayas.
Strip Cropping
Large fields are divided into strips, with strips of grass between crops to reduce the force of wind.
Shelter Belts
Rows of trees act as wind barriers and help stabilise sand dunes, especially in western India.
Quick Revision Sheet
Resource → Anything technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable.
Sustainable development → Development that protects present needs without compromising future generations.
Resource planning → Identification + planning structure + integration with national plans.
Net sown area → Area actually sown and harvested.
Gross cropped area → Net sown area + repeatedly sown area.
Black soil → Cotton + high moisture retention.
Alluvial soil → Northern Plains + very fertile.
Laterite soil → Heavy rainfall + intense leaching.
Arid soil → Sandy + saline + low humus.
Soil erosion → Removal of topsoil.
Contour ploughing → Reduces water flow on slopes.
Terrace farming → Steps on slopes.
Strip cropping → Grass strips reduce wind force.
Shelter belts → Tree rows that reduce wind erosion.
Exam Tip
For strong answers, remember this pattern:
Definition → Key features → Example/region → Effect or importance → Conservation/solution
This structure helps you write short but complete answers instead of filling pages with unnecessary information.