ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY BR-651° Sahab Deen Maurya MA., D.Phil, Ex. Head, Department of Geography AD. College (University of Allahabad) Allahabad IPCL PRAVALIKA PUBLICATIONS | ""!/muuiitntian 11/10 University Road UE) Q9 AM tk. AdanConcept of Resource 1. MEANING AND DEFINITIO! RESOURCE Resources are those means which can satisfy human needs wholly or partly and are able to lead to human welfare. All the economic activities of man are depended on resources. Though thousand of natural elements are found in the environment oron the earth, all of them are not resources. Only those clements can be included in the list of resources Which are anyhow useful for human beings. Resources combine with human nature, knowledge. technology and social. economic and political organization and ability of man to utilize them. Thus, any element, thing or material which can be transformed in such a way that become valuable and useful for man, can be termed as a resource, Resource is a subjective concept as resources are created by man. They are expressions of human eppraisal which finds that something can serve as 4 means to given ends on which one can depend for aid or support. Resources may be of two types : (a) subjective or internal resources, and (b) objective or external resources. Resource may be regarded as a obstration reflecting human appraisal and relating toa function or operation. Thus, anything or any element of the environment that performs the functions which satisfy human need becomes a resource. Now coal is a valuable resource because it fulfils the human. needs. In prehistoric times early man has no knowledpe about the use of coal and many other minerals. For him coal was an useless black object, In modern times, coal is used as important source of energy, and thus has become a very useful resource. Thus, man himself and his ability and knowledge to use a thing or element are major and OF primary resources. Human culture is aiso regarded a resource because man develops resources with the help of his culture which reflects the human knowledge and ability to use tools and implements. means of transport, socio-cultural and economic institutions and organizations etc. Defini Resource is variously defined by social scientists, mainly economists and geographers Some significant defintions of resource is given below: (1) Eric Zimmermann : According to Zimmerman, an eminent economic thinker, any thing or material will be called a resource when it can be used for the satisfaction of any human need. To him, “Resource does not refer to a thing or a substance, but to a function that a thing er substance may perform to a operation in which it may take part, namely the function or operation of attending a given end. such as satisfying a want.” ( Zimmerman, 1951) (2) W. Zelinsky : Wilber Zelinsky, an American geographer has defined resource in this way : “Resources are substances or properties which satisfy human needs, and obviously they increase with the aims, talents and efforts of people on their economic and cultural atainments and on their ability to exploit resources”. (Zelinsky, W., 1966) (3) R.J. Johnston : In the Johnston's Dictionary of Human Geography, resource is defined as a concept employed to denote sources of human satisfaction, wealth or strength Gohnston RJ. et al. 1986. 489). (4) $.D. Maurya : Any feature of the environment that is of value to man or able to satisfy human needs in one way or the other is known as ns of Resource (13) —14 resource (Maurya, S.D., 2011, 290). : 2, NATURE OF RESOURCES It is quite clear from the definitions Bf resource given above that any element of pigs or human environment which is anyhow useful for human being is regarded as resource. Thus, resource may be both natural and human, Some most significant characteristics of resource are as follows (1) Resources have utility—Utility for man is the fundamental quality of resource. Only that element of the environment may become a resource which has capacity to fulfil human needs or aims. Resource does not exist without some one to use it. Thus, resources are those means which satisfy man’s need, wholly or partially and lead to human welfare. Though thousand of elements are found in the natural and cultural environments, not all of them are resources in the true sense of the term. These objects or elements become resources only when they combine with human knowledge and his ability to use them, Thus, any thing that perform the functions of satisfying human need becomes a resource. (2) Resources are dynamic—Resources are not static but they are dynamic and changeable. In the absence or lack of knowledge, skill and need, numerous elements of the environment remain useless and neutral and have no utility for ‘man. But with the development of knowledge and technology, human needs are increased and many clements which were previously useless for man, ‘ssn eae eae In the early times of |, man had no knowledge of f minerals and he did not know about ; merma: resources are ast inn has stated that extent, resources are man’. Economic Geography (3) Resources are both concrete ang abstract—Resource includes both concrete or visible and abstract or invisible facts which fulfil the human needs. Land, water, minerals, building, roads, railways, agricultural crops, factories, industrial production etc. are the example of concre'e resources. Human health, skil, scientific and technological knowledge. social institutions, political stability, international organizations and cooperations etc. are the example of abstract resources which are useful for man according to space and time. In this way, the utility of abstract or invisible elements or facts is not less than that of concrete or visible resources. Today technology is most important resource which is exported and imported or exchanged at international levels. Each new technology drive puts more resources into human hands for use. (4) Resources are functional or operational : According to Zimmermann, the word resource does rot refer to a thing or a substance but to a function which a thing or substance may perform or to an operation in which it may take part. Thus, anything that performs the function of satisfying. human need becomes a resource. Today a large number of natural and cultural elements are important resources because they perform the function of satisfying various human needs, 3. COMPONENTS OF RESOURCES On the basis of origin and nature, constituents of resources may be classified into three broad groups : (a) Physical elements, (b) Biological elements, and (c) Human elements. (a) Physical Elements—Physical resources include those elements on the earth’s surface, in the atmosphere and hydrosphere of the earth and other planetary physical elements which are anyhow useful for human beings. Such elements are landforms (mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys tc.), rocks, minerals, soils, water bodies, natural Vegetation, sea waves, tides, insolation, humidity, Precipitation etc, __ () Biolo biologi Natu logical Elements—Elements of ical environment are included in this category. "al Vegetation and animals including micro-Concept of Reso oIS organism are two broad groups of this category. and environment are interrelated and bushes and shrubs, lichens ete imterdependent. Resources are product of their Trees, grasses. are the major Constituents of floura of natural vegetation. All the animals and micro organisms living on the earth's surface, in the soil, water or atmosphere are included under animal or fauna group. (c) Human Elements —All those visible or invisible facts, created by or modified by man which fulfil or are able to fulfil the human needs are called human resources. Man-made or man- created resources include population, houses and buildings, settlements, means of transportation (roads, railways, air transport, water transport ¢tc.), means of communication like newspapers, radio, television, internet, books etc, agriculture related elements such as farms, crops, gardens, pastures, foofpaths, tanks, wells etc., industry related elements like factories, workshops, industrial products, mines, electric plants etc., and various elements related with trade (shops, trade organizations etc.), socio-cultural and political institutions and buildings ete. Besides these visible or concrete forms of human resources there are many invisible or abstract human resources also. Such resources include scientific knowledge, technology and skill, arts, languages, literatures etc. 4. INTERDEPENDENCE OF RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENT Today it is realized that socio-economic and politico cultural progress of a society or nation is possible within the larger system of ecology and earth's natural frame. Several people still depend directly on environmental resources, mostly in the developing countries for substenance. Maintenance of biodiversity, environmental-ecological balance and human destiny and progress are part of an integral game plan for continued existence of humanity on the planet earth” (Singh, K.N. and Siddiqui, A.R. 2012, 27). Resources become dynamic through human needs, requirements and demands, growth in population, progressing knowledge. technology, culture and decision process evolving through time. Actually, resources environment while they also promote and create a new environment. As Zimmermann has stated that ‘resources are not, they become’, denotes that resources are the creation of human knowledge and technology because only those elements of the environment are treated as resource which are useful for human beings. Size or extent is an important spatial attribute which matters much in the determination of social, economic and political status of an area or country. A large country like U.S.A., Canada China, Russia, India, Brazil etc. has the advantage of a multi resource base which is not available in small or very small countries. Larger countries have agricultural land, minerals and power resources on the large scale and thus are generally self dependent and possess economic and political powers of high level. Mountains are often considered as regions of scanty resources and sparse population. They are also called muscums of antiquities where life stands still because of their inaccessibility, difficult terrain and isolation. Mountains are also regarded the storehouse of minerals, water, vegetation and sources of scenic beauty. People are economically and socially developed only under special circumstances where minerals and hydel power backed by transport and trade facilities have provided attractive locations for mining and manufacturing. Plains in the different parts of the world are economically and socio-culturally more developed. They are chief agricultural regions of the world with greatest agricultural productivity. With the ‘easy means of transportation and communications, the major centres of industry, trade and commerce are concentrated there. Towns, cities and large population agglomerations are developed in prosperous plain areas. The Ganga valley in India the Indus valley in Pakistan, the Red basin in China, coastal plains of N.W. Europe, eastern plains of the U.S.A. etc. are the regions of highly dense population.lo: ¢ plateaus of the world are arid oF pursuits are Many lar semi-arid regions where economic limited, Some plateaus like those of east Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico have coffee and tea plantations while some of them endowed with rich mineral wealth, The plateaus of peninsular India abounds in several kinds of minerals including iron coal, manganese, copper, bauxite ete, Deccan plateau having very fertile black lava soil is an important agricultural region producing groundnut, tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, maize, jowar etc. Water is called life as it is an essential constituent of all living organism, Water is very important element of physical environment which plays a dominant role in the biogeochemical cycle through circulation of nutrients in the whole biosphere. Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on the earth. Ocean and seas are the largest source of fish supply. Fisheries are called the schools of seamanship. They are the source of various mineral resources. Being the oceanic water saline, itis main source of supply of common salt. In India, coastal areas of Gujarat are noted for the production of salt. Besides common salt, ocean is also the source of calcium, potash and phosphate. Oceans for a long time have acted a barriers between nations and people, but now they have become facilitators as carriers of trade and commerce. Infact the ocean transport is the cheapest form of transportation and oceanic routes have played the most important role in promoting international trade. ore, Among water bodies on land, river’s role is very important. They provide fress drinking water and water for irrigation and other uses including domestic and industrial uses. Rivers and lakes are also important for land water transport. A number of irrigation canals from rivers are built in various Parts of the world. Climate is most influencial element of Physical environment. The elements of climate e.g temperature, humidity, Precipitation etc. act on the terrestrial environment both singly and collectively, Eo Economic Geogr, Huntington considers climate as the sovera factor of environment and has developeg 3 climate optimum theory for development ofhuyrs civilization. According to him plants and animan grow best under optimum climatic conditions, also human process and civilization is influenced by optimum climatic conditions. Thus, climate one of the factors that promote civilization, Agriculture is highly dependent on climatig conditions. Minerals have been playing crucial role jn the economic development and growth of human civilization since long ago. Although uses of minerals had spread widely in the prehistoric and historic past but their real use and development started with the Industrial Revolution since mid- nineteenth century. Coal and hydel power replaced the energy resources while iron and other metals r were used for fabrication of industrial machinery _ and transport carriers. Present industrial-urbanized civilization is even more dependent on inanimate — resources of energy, e.g. coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydel power and atomic or nuclear energy. Various metals are needed for the fabrication of machinery while non-metals meet various common needs of every day life. Actually minerals constitute the life support system of an industry. The soil has very much importance in human life. Most of man’s food directly or indie comes from the soil. It provides physical supp to plant life. It also provides fodder and feed animals. Thus soil plays a significant role in hus economy especially in agriculture, anim husbandry alongwith agro-based industries. social requirements for cereals, beverages crops and garden crops differ so much that um the farmer has a sound knowledge ® properties, he is not likely to gain the most his land" (Leong and Morgan, 2009, 105). are mostly dependent on the soil for the SUPP food, fuel and fibre so that it is very that great care should be taken to 68 Protect, renew and maintain soil cy < Plants play very dominant role biosphere. neva aes producersConcept of Resource biosphere and provide directly or indirectly food to all terrestrial and aquatic organisms induding man. Forests provide wood which has always been used, whenever it was available as a fuel, both for domestic and industrial purposes. Wood is also a vital material in the building and construction industry and in furniture making. Wood or timber is also used as major raw material of the enormous pulp and paper industry. Forest products other than timber include (1) rubber and other gums, (2) cork, (3) tannin, (4) palm and cheaper products, and (5) herbs and other medicinal plants. It may be concluded that trees and plants have played very important role in the evolution of human civilization, Animals have alwyas represented an important part of the total environment in which man lives. In early times, man had to overcome large and fierce animals in order to survive. In the old stone age man began to domesticate animals mainly dogs. In modem period animals have many uses. They provide food in the form of meat, eggs or milk; clothing in the form of wool, furs, hair, hides, and many other products such as bones, horns, feathures etc., transport for people and goods, power to ploughing and driving machinery, and manure for fertilizing the agricultural lands. With the beginning of Industrial Revolution in late nineteenth century, with the emergence of new science and technology initiated the hostile relationship between man and his natural environment. The over use, misuse or abuse of various non-renewable natural resources has created environmental degradation and pollution at various levels in order to meet increasing needs of rapidly growing population, industrialization and urbanization. Some important aspect of environmental degradation and pollution are mentioned here. (1) Environmental pollution caused by man through overuse and misuse of resources include soil pollution (soil erosion, salinization, desertification), water pollution, air polution etc. (2) Deforestation is caused by clearing of forests through felling of trees for commercial 27. purposes and land for agriculture, settlement and other purposes. (3) Environmental degradation caused by constructions and excavations include construction of dams, reservoirs, embankments, roads, bridges, mining etc. (4) Mechanization of agriculture, overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides have i! pollution and has decreased soil created si fertility. (5) Industrial expansion and expanding urban growth have put enormous strain on wilderness areas and virgin natural forests. (6) over exploitation of exhaustible resources like fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum etc.) has created energy crisis on the one hand and has polluted air on the other. The most significant reason of the environmental degradation and crisis is the fast detereorating relationship between man and environment mainly due to rapid rate of exploitation of natural resources, improved technological development, industrial expansion and rapidly growing population. (5) CLASSIFICATION OF RESOURCES On the basis of origin and nature, all the resources are basically classified into two broad categories ; (A) natural resources and (B) human resources. Their characteristics and types are discussed below. (A) NATURAL RESOURCES All the elements, materials and forces of nature which are used or usable by man to his own ends are called natural resources. They are originated through natural processes and are integral part of physical or natural environment which is the some total of all conditions, agencies and influences which affect the development, growth, life and death of an organism, species or race. Physical or natural environment is the sum of all conditions which surround human race of a fixed place and time. Natural resources are related with and constituents of following natural elements. su(1) Land foi Land forms are designated ay relief features on the earth's surface. Mountain, plateau and plain are main relief features, Q2) Water bodies Oceans, seas, lakes, rivers ete, are main water bodie (Climate temperature, wind, atmospheric pressure, humidity, preeipitation (rainfall, snowtall, 1, dew ete.) are major climatic elements (4) Rocks and minerals locks are igneous, sedimentary oF matamorphic, Minerals allic and non-metallic, Honore, manganese, »pper, wold, silver, diamond ete, are important minerals, Coal, petroleum, natural gas, weanium, radium, thorium ete, are energy resources (5) Soils Major soils include alluvial, laterite, chernozem, desert, chestnut, black lava, red and yellow ete, (6) Natural vegetation grasslands, bush, shrub, serub ete, (7) Animal life ‘This includes animal insects, repliles, fish, micro-organism etc, aren bau Vorests, birds, ‘Types of Natural Resources Natural resources may be classified in various ways, These resources are classified on the basis of (1) distribution and occurence of resources, (2) use of resources, and (3) renewnbility of resources, (1) Classification based on distribution an occurence Zimmerman his classified the resources into four categories on the basis of their spatial distribution, amount and frequency of oceurence which are as under : (a) Ubiquities + Ubiquitous resources which are found everywhere such as oxygen in air, Such rewurces have abundant supply, (b) Commonatities + Resources that occur in many places such ay fertile soils, forests, grassland, water ete, (c) Rarities ; Rare resources which are rarely found only in few places. Uxamples include tin, gold, bauxite, coal ete, — me Urey aid (A) Upiquitien § Sieh eanuscs Wiad aay only in one place, Commercial rygle se sty example which cours anh i CGresubanys C2) Classification bused on use fh pemureny Mesources wre elussifiead on tse bays 0A thay use inlay A cabeyenies : (a) Unie Wwornaicrss, Cy unusable resources, (6) puleniial eapunais, sug (i) latent reanurces - (4) Unused resources : Unwed trrueng include the pesources of an wen Which ae yo unused, For instance, most forest ond sinwaal resources of South Ameren were 16h ye tn Jong time until the continent vise cneniz0d by he Huropeans, (h) Unusable resources Such resus which can not he used again in newer future Vxumple includ y deep wines which cau wap be workout at further depth bees unisasle. (c) Potential resources Such resources can be developed and used in near future wits advanced technology. Al present less than 9 percent of the potential hydrocleetric power in wopleal Africa has been developed which van be develo : with wowing technology and loval needs in uae ‘ future, ‘ (4) Latent resource Such resmurces yet have been unknown to man, For example, ' petroleum was latent resource lying unknown wd unused before the eiyhteenth century when distillation process was developed and combustion 9 engine was invented. Likewise there are several , Jatent resources in the enviroment which are yo " unknown to man, “ (3) Cluvsificution bused om renewubitity ah)! resources 5 a Owen (1971) hus classified resources on Oe my busis of renewabiity inty two broad catezories : how (4) Inexhuustible pesourees, and (b) I shaustible dn resources, det (a) Inexhaustible resources 5 Such pl resources do nol completely exhausted bul afte ne use remain in the changed fon, Laaunple include yee solu energy, win, water ee (h) Exhaustibte resousens 5 Such resanesConcept of Resource 19 are either lost for ever after use or may be renewable in some Way. Renewable resources are forests (plants), wild life, (animals), fertile soils etc. Non renewable resources include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas ete. R.F. Dasmann (1976) has classified natural resources into 4 categories on the basis of their renewability : (a) Non-renewable resources : Such resources once used are lost for ever. Example include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas, wild life etc. (b) Renewable resources : All the biological living elements that can be reproduced in future are called renewable resources. Plants and animals "are renewable resources. But all the living communities are not necessarily renewable mainly due to destructive human activities, (©) Recyclable resources : Such resources canbe reproduced and used again and again. Metals are recyclable resources. } (d) Inexhaustible resources : Those fesources which will continue and available to the __ earth as long as the earth and humanity, whether they are in use or unused. Sun light, water and wind or air are the examples of inexhaustible resources. (B) HUMAN RESOURCES Man being the producer and consumer of all the resources, is himself an important resource. The use for man is the basic quality of resource which depend on the human knowledge and capacity in any space and time. Actually, human knowledge is greatest resource which makes any element, useful for man. As stated above any element or material in itself is not a resource, but it becomes a resource with the development of human knowledge to use it. The quantity, value, limit of utilization, methods of progress etc. are jetermined by social, economic, cultural and political organizations, technology, scientific knowledge etc., so that itis said that there is more Fesources in man than in land. In each space and time, total Population, ulation density, living standard, life style, human needs, efficiency, scientific and technical knowledge, availability of capital, resource ownership, government policy and stability. international relation etc. are such factors which decide and affect the quantity, value, method of extraction etc of resources. Natural environment is the resource base but resources are created by human knowledge utility. The coal is now a most significant source of energy and which is called black gold, in the absence of knowledge of its utilization, it was non-usable black thing for thousands of years. ‘The resources which are the result of human efforts and activities are known as human resources. Human resources make cultural landscape which is a concrete and characteristic product of the complicated interplay between a given human community having certain cultural preferences and potentials and a particular set of natural environment. It is a heritage of several eras of natural evolution and of many generations of human effort. Thus, the landscape of an area created by or modified by human activities is known as cultural landscape. Human resources are primarily the products of cultural landscapes. Thus, however, human resources include human population and its activities, agricultural fields, crops, gargens, means of irrigation (well, tanks, tubewells, river canals etc.), houses. rural and urban settlements, factories and the'r products, offices, means of transportation and communication etc. Human resources belong to a particular set of cultural phenomena on the surface of the earth. Major constituents of human resources are as follows : (1) Human population : Population refers the total number of inhabitants of an area, village, town, city, country or other areal unit. It is the treasure of all knowledge, technology, activity, production, consumption etc. (2) Houses and buildings : Houses or human dwellings form an universal element of the cultural landscape. It provides an unfailing testimony of the complex relationship between dwelling unit and other human structures where people congregate -_nv ark oF store things: Houses ate ‘or Where they P materials like mud, Duilt with various types & bricks, stones, conerete, cement, [tons sand ote (a) Settlements Settlements We predominantly occupied human dwelling place, They are often classified into two broad categories (a) ral settlement, an (b) urban settlement (4) Agricultural fields and associated elements : Ag cultural or farming: includes Cultivated land, erops and tree erops, meaclows and pastures (8) Factories and industry ‘elements : Such elements include factori shops, manufactured goods, machinery, yor industrial complex ete, (6) Mining related elements + Mining is concerned with the extraction of mine and metallic ores from the earth, Mines, extraction ses and mine products are major s group. city and power generation : Electricity is the power generated in dynamos in is derived from turbines. Ele tricity is of two types : (@) thermal electricity which is produced by steam turbines driven by heat from coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear energy and geothermal or solar energy, (b) hydroelectricity which is produced by hy draulic turbines driven by water power. (8) Means of transport and communication : Means of transport include road, rail, water and air transport. Means of communication are news paper, radio, television, post and telegraph, internet, books, letters etc. (9) Trade related elements + Such elements include buildings, stores, warehouses, markets, exchange centres etc. (10) Social, cultural, financial and political institutions : These institutions are specific types of cultural landscape. They include educational institutions, religious buildings, banks and other financial centres, government offices, judicial courts, hospitals, police stations, military camps ete. proc’ constituents of th (7) Elect which energy i Poonomie Geography URE 6. CONCEPT OF RB ADEQUACY The concept of resource adequacy deetatey that howmany resources will be adequate for existing population of a country or region, Ttmay pe determined on the basis aFestimation of demand and supply of resources, The balance between population and resources of a spatial unit is called optimum population, The deviations from the equilibrium state between populativan aand resource give rise to over population and under population, Optimum population ts basically an economic concept which denotes balanced population: resource relationship in an area. But there come in al difficulties in its measurement, Optimum is a relative term which is measured in || terms of quality of human life. The adequacy of resources to the existing population of a region is evaluated by the size of population which yields the highest quality of life. ‘Adequacy of resources may provide the high quality of life. According to Chandna, “The quality of life means that each inhabitant receives adequate , amount of food, energy, water, and air of high quality, adequate raw material to permit him to make all the things and devices he needs, adequate medical care, recreational facilities and cultural | outlets etc.” (Chandna, 2009, 418). If there is adequate supply of resources ina region, then ti * existing population of that region may be called optimum population. Thus, optimum. population } : ' numerable pra is one that enjoys full employment, @ satisfactory standard of living, daily per capita intake of sufficient calories of food, longevity of life with good health, full availability of pure drinking water and air, rational development of resources, Gverall balanced population resource ratio. To know about the adequacy of resources io ' a country, the information and Knowledge of its “ total population, expected consumption level,! I of technology and total production is essenti (1) Population Size : Demands and of resources depend on the size of total ee lation needs . Moe jres less items. while less population requi21 demand of food, cloth and housing ete. is directly by population size. Desired consumption level jetermined by living standard of population. A society of higher living standard is dominated by er needs while a society of lower living standard has much need and demand of consumer goods or resources fulfilling primary needs, For example the desired consumption level of population in the Anglo America and other Wester countries is much higher than the desired consumption level of developing countries of the world. (3) Level of technology : The rate and quantity of production of resources is determined by the existing level of technology. Technology relates to our knowledge and skills in exploiting resources. (4) Total production : The quantity of total supply is determined by total production. Generally per capita availability of resources increases with rease in total production. That is why, total Production is considered as synonimous with total ‘supply In a region a country, the total demand of resources is determined by its total population and standard of living. The supply of resources is based ‘imarily on available natural resources and human. »wledge, skill and technology. It is also notable that skilled man is not only consumer of resources but he makes effort to increase production ‘capacity using the scarse resources with scientific ‘methods. Man does not merely consume the limited wurces, he increases their productivity and in light of scarcity of natural resources tries to it his population by reducing existing birth rate. presents an example where an unexpected in living standard has been attained not to economic development but by ensuring -d decrease in the growth rate of population. is process is also attained by many developed tries of the west. It is possible to distinguish the relation of lation and its resource potential with a nce analysis. Ackerman has devised an govern equation of limited variants by using so many nts. This equation is primarily based on two : (1) demand (consumption) of resources, upply (production) of resources. Total population and living standard are considered as synonimous with demand, and total resource ba and cultural characteristics excluding living standard as synonimous with supply. This equation is given below : Px LS=RQ+EP+TR+1+UT Or _ RQFEP+TR+I+UT Ls While, = Total Population iving standard = Resource base = Scale and quantity of economic production = Quality of physical characteristics of resources = Resource obtained from trade = Institutional characteristics (social, economic and po! stitutions) = Utilization techniques Applying the above formula, it may be calculated that how much resource would be adequate or sufficient for a population of definite living standard. Similarly, by dividing combined quantity of total resources by level of living standard, the size of population consuming the resource may also be calculated. But the evaluation and conversion of all the resources of productions of a country or region in a single measurement unit is very complex and difficult process. Therefore, such type of calculation does not prevail in general practice. 7. DYNAMIC FUNCTIONAL THEORY OF RESOURCES All natural elements or matters on the earth are functionally static and fixed and only those Parts of these matters which are related with human population, remain dynamic. Neutral elements become resources only when they obtain ee, ~ UT —in needs. needs the quality and capacity to satisfy hur Resources become dynamic through hun and demands, advancing culture, knowledge, technology ete. evolving through time, Every new economic, cultural and technological phage of human process creates new wants and demands and adds newly created resources in the already existing resource package in use. Usually each new technology creates more resources for human use. Neutral stuffs change into resources by advancing, human knowledge, efforts and skills. Thus, however, man is capable to expand the stock of resources, Human efforts and capabilities lead to cognition and creation of new packages of resources with advancing needs and demands, knowledge and technology. Every new invention or innovation brings out newer substitutes. For example with technical breakthroughs, copper has been substantially replaced by aluminium and glass fibre. With growing population, the needs and wants, enhanced socio-economic and politico cultural knowledge and technology tend to increase and advance and all these brings cumulative change in existing resources and also create several resources. Human wants and skills have been responsible for changing neutral stuffs into dynamic resources. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, atomic minerals etc. have been existed in or at the earth surface since time immemorial and were lying unused as neutral stuffs. They became very important energy resources when man developed and attained knowledge and skill of their utilization as fuel. Similarly, the huge deposits of a number of minerals such as iron ore, copper, bauxite, manganese, tin, lead etc. were lying unknown to man for centuries. ‘They became resources with increasing human knowledge and skills for their use. In short, man has developed and changed numerous neutral stuffs into useful resources, Resources have quality to satisfy human needs or wants and they are beneficial for man, Economic Geography Thus, the resources are functionally related with human population. The soils remained a neutral stuff untill man started tilling and ploughing the land for growing crops. A number of cultural elements such as education, training, technological skill, economic policies which are operational become resources. According to Ackerman, technology is the most important resource. Technology is the systematic application of scientific knowledge to industrial process or in solving the problems arising from the interaction of people with their environment. Technology not only has the potential for creating resource but also plays most important role in the proper utilization and management of the available resources. Now developed countries of the world are advanced in technology while . developing and least developed countries are deficient in modern developed technology. In recent decades, several resources have either reduced or completely exausted because of overuse and misuse or abuse by man. Many mineral deposits have exausted and wastelands are expanding mainly due to their misuse. The conversion of forests to other uses such as agricultural farms, industrial establishments, settlements etc. has resulted in large scale deforestation. The contraction or reduction in resources results in expansion of resistances. Unproductive soils, wastelands, destructive floods, desertification, deforestation etc. are the various types of resistances that have increasing trend because of overuse and misuse of resources. Thus, however, resources are dynamic which are eithet expanding or diminishing (contracting). ' With growing human capacity, skill and technology, many new resources appear on the ‘one hand and forgotten resources also come in use, Before 50-60 years, due to lack of means of transportation and proper processing techniques only mineral reserves of high grade mirals were extracted, But now with the development of new # advanced technology, the mineral reserves of low grade also are extracted and used. ,Concept of Resource Phantom pile showing expansion of functional capacty ‘Gn } misuse Zimmermann’s Phantom theory is illustred by figure 3.1. The figure shows, though the resource ‘eserves tend to decrease by their use and misuse, ‘but by the progress in technology, per unit capacity total utilization capacity may be increased times. It is clear from above analysis that resources are not static and fixed or limited but they are ic and changeable which move or transfer time and technological development. With the development of human civilization and technology, Tesources expands in number, size, quantity and use, 8. HYPOTHESIS OF RESOURCE SCARCITY The concept of resource scarcity was initial Phantom| Fig, 3.1 Zimmermann's Phantom Pile Theory introduced and developed by the classical economists in nineteenth century. They argued that the nature can provide only a bare survival packet of resources for human beings. The Nature provides so many such resources which are not adequate for the growing modern industrial economy. This concept states that natural resources are mostly scarce. The modem economic activities and processes in general creates problems of selective choices which thereby lead to scarcity of resources of different types in time and space. The scarcity of resources has been an obstacle in free trade and market-created operations. There are three main types of resource scarcity : (a) physical scarcity, (b) economic scarcity, and (c) geopolitical scarcity. _a) Physical scarcity but not bounded. 5 scarce, its ease. The scarcity of ‘h absolute and relative. ars when the supply of ¢ are inadequate to meet \d. The decreasing supply rces may be an absolute Relative scareity occurs when es are found in the distribution ofa resource dequacy of the total supply. The y of petroleum created by the OPEC es during 1970s is the example of relative CO} (b) Economic scarcity ity of ar Generally physical ce leads to increase in the rate urce value or price appreciation in the With supply a level of scarcit ise. Generally, economic s badly affected by economic scarcity supply of materials than their s. Consequently, rise in price of s tends to decrease the demand which slackens the economy. (c) Geopolitical scarcity : The basic cause of geopolitical scarcity is related with physical or economic scarcity of resources primarily based on geopolitical grounds. “Many scholars in the West following the 1973 oil crisis thought that there could be a Third World War, a “resource war’ between the economic, political and military super power of the Western industrial economies on one hand, as they need then for their smooth economic development and the developing world and former Soviet Block which possess them more, on the other. While the former are the largest consumers of global resources, the latter hold larger resources and reserves of oil and gas etc.” (Singh, K.N. and Siddiqui, A.R. 2012, 45). ‘The long-term scarcity of strategic resources supply has been a scaring problem for many nation es particularly the developed countries, zed countries do not like 19 dence on key suppliers of world because of unreliable trend of -zional and national geopolitical policies During 1960s and 1970s, several questions being raised linking economic growth, population growth and detereoration of environment. The Club of Rome was founded in 1968 by an international group of economists, scientists, managers. technologists. philosophers ete. which drew attention of some governments towards environmental detereoration. An international investive team headed by Prof. Dennis Meadows. ‘was appointed by the Club of Rome in 1970. The Club of Rome developed the special model on ‘Limits to Growth’. The model suggests what is likely to happen if many current trends of economic, demographic and resource utilization will be continued in future. The model describes the dynamic interaction of five major variables = population. natural resources. pollution, percapita industrial production, and per capita food ba consumption. The model is based on following assumptions : (@ Stock of exploitable non-renewable resources changing re is finite. Gi) Amount of food growing land is finite. ii) The capacity of the environment to absorb pollution is limited. The yield of food from each unit of land is finite. (iv) \ The ‘Limit to Growth’ model projects f consequences of continued growth in world ' population, food supplies, industrial output, resource depletion and environmental pollution over a long duration within the next hundred years. The model suggets that the growth of industrial sector is not compatible with earth's finite resources and the capacity to carry and absorb population. According to report, the current rate of growth in population, industrial output, food production and pollution is not sustainable, The people's need of food and other resources can not be met indefinitely over certain population levelConcept of Resource because agricultural land becomes infertile due to overuse and the non-renewable resources are to be exhausted. Physical environment also can absorb wastes and pollutants only a certain limit, The earth’s capacities of food supply, resource availability and pollution and waste absorbing are limited. Consequently, continued growth of population and industrial output will out run the natural limits of the earth, In the words of members of the Club of Rome. the earth is like a space-ship having a limited quantity of fuel and other resources. It has limited life-sustaining capacity. If these resources are used rationally, these will be sufficient to sustain human population for a long period, otherwise the end of humanity is quite near and imminent. The authors of ‘Limit to Growth’ suggest some remedial measures which are : (1) putting limits to all growth or imminent barrier to economic expansion, (2) zero population growth or population stabilization, (3) discontinuation of industrialization and drastic technological revision, ‘and (4) to put away pollution and exhaustion of resources etc. This will bring both ecological and economic stability and continued huamn survival on the earth. The Limit to Growth model has been criticized ‘on many points : (1) The structure of the model is based on tthe direct relationship between concept of fixed supply of resources and exponential economic and population growth. It is primarilybased on Malthusian reasoning. But resources or not fixed but are essentially dynamic in relation to human ~ dynamic resources. (2) The biophysical environment is finite but unbounded in resource squeezability. (3) The model ingnores to scientifically assess human adaptability and crisis-management ‘Capacity as well as possibilities of technolo, Progress. (4) The model is based on aggrepate world ‘data, The results may be different if the authors Limit to Growth had used regional data, 125 AND 9, RESOURCE MANAGEME! CONSERVATION Resource management refers a system of control and careful utilization of resource which involves evaluating the extent of existing resources, seeking new resources and making more efficient use of existing resources. Resource management is a broad multi-disciplinary approach concerned with the management of all natural resources (renewable and non-renewable both) managed cither by bublic sector agencies or by private enterprize (Maurya $.D. 2011, 290). Conservation is the act of careful management and maintenance of natural resources, various methods are applied for this task. (A) Resource Management Resource management is one of the main aspects or components of environmental management. The aim of resource management is (1) to classify the natural resources, (2) to survey and evaluate the existing natural resources, and (3) make perservation and conservation of both renewable and non-renewable natural resources. The resource management is actually an interdisciplinary field. The emergence of resource science which envolves the study of classification, evaluation, utilization and management of natural resources has opened a new vista in environmental and resource studies, Inspite of the development of resource science there are still certain problems in the field of resource management because of difference of opinions and concepts of various aspects of Tesources and their management between different academic disciplines, between resource scientists and decision and policy makers, and between social groups and environmentalists/conservationists groups and decision and policy makers. Similarly, ther ¢ is difference of opinions among resource Scientists about the approaches to resource management because of the fact that many of the ecological probleins are of global nature or of long- term dimension and many of the problems are multidimensional (Singh, S, 2006, 469).26:: Based on the dimension and multiplicity of ecological problems caused by resource utilization, there are two approaches to the resource nagement ; (1) holistic approach, and (2) monistic approach. ma (1) Holistic approach : Holistic approach of resource management suggests to consider all the ecological problems coming out of resource utilization together. In this way all resource problems should be solved together but not one by one. This approach is most ambitious and aims at long-term solution of resouce problems and ecological balance. (2) Monistic approach : This approach suggests for short-term solution for specific problems. According to this approach, efforts should be made to tackle one problem at a time and thus cach problem should be solved one by one rather than tackling all the problems together at the same time, Aspects of Resource Management There are three major aspects of resource management : (1) survey of natural resources, (2) evaluation of natural resources, and (3) conservation and preservation of natural resources. (1) Survey of Natural Resources : The first step in the resource management of a region or country to make an exhaustive survey of all the existing natural or environmental resources. Natural resources are constituents and components of natural or biophysical environment, so that natural resources include all the physical and biological elements which are anyhow useful for man. Thus, the mass data base of natural resources are collected through extensive survey using both field survey methods and remote sensing techniques, Here it i generalized methodology for the survey of ig Natural resources which can be applied to ‘Tegions or countries. Only some local and vidual surveys of natural resources or gical resources have been done in various of the world which are based on different Is and techniques and are not comparable, Economic Geography (2) Evaluation of Natural Resources ; Evaluation of natural resources is concerned with the value judgement of natural resources of a particular regions or country. Such evaluations largely help in assessing the suitability of an area for different type of uses of natural resources and in formulating programmes and policies for management and conservation of natural resources. Many criteria and approaches are adopted for the evaluation of natural resources, C.C. Park (1980) and Savindra Singh (2006) have grouped all the available approaches to ecological evaluation into following four categorie: (a) Individual species approach : This approach is based on the evaluation of individual species wherein evaluation is generally based on the degree of uniqueness of species. (b) Ecological zone approach : This approach is based on the evaluation of ecological zones within an area wherein evaluation is generally based on ecological diversity. (©) Habitat approach : Habital approach is based on the evaluation of habitats wherein evolution is based on the characteristics of individual species. (d) Composite approach : This approach is based on the evaluation of habitats and ecological zones wherein evaluation is based on vegetation and other criteria simultaneously. (3) Conservation and Preservation of Natural Resources : The terms conservation and preservation are generally used as synanyms but they differ significantly in their meaning. “In ecological context preservation means upkeep of rare and endangered species of plants and animals in specially protected areas so that their populations. may increase to optimum level. No use of such resources is permitted. On the other hand conservation is a process which aims to proper use, preservation and management of natural resources in such a way that they are always available for judicious use by humans as well as the ecological balance is maintained (Singh, S- 2006, 483-84). In the words of R. Beazley (1967), conservation means, “the establishment andont of Re pservation of economically, socially and political! acceptable norms. standards, patterns or models of behaviour is the use of natural resources by a given society.” E.P. Odum (1971). a famous conservationist has stressed on two basic aims of conservation : (1) to ensure the preservation of a quality environment that has aesthetic, recreational and economic value, and (2) to ensure a continuous yield of useful plants, animals and materials by establishing a balanced cycle of harvest and renewal of resources. Today conservation of natural resources has become necessary because every increasing population. urbanization and industrialization. arising probiems of environmental degradation and pollution through deforestation. soil erosion. desertification due to rapid rate of rapacious exploitation of natural resources and modern production processes and advanced technologies have threatened the stability and survival of natural ecosystem and existence of several elements of the environment including plant and animal species. (B) Resource Conservation Resource conservation is an important aspect or part of resource management. Resource conservation is concerned with the careful management and maintenance of natural resources. Resource conservation means that resources should be used in a manner so that they will be also available to future generation in adequate quantities. According to Zimmermann (1955), conservation is a means to minimize the present consumption of resources in order to fulfill long- term future purposes. Resource conservation aims stoppage of overuse and misuse of resources involving rational use of resources, and it is the of saving. Ultimately, the term resource nservation is strongly associated with provement in the process and methods of resource utilization. In the words of Peter Hagget, “Resource vation is the scheduling of resource use so to provide the greatest yield for the greatest ber over a longest time period.” For an ource Pot economist’s point of view. conservation is the art and science of managing resources while using in such a way that the maximum human needs and wants will be satisfied. It involves the resources both for the present as well as for future needs and wants as they occur. Thus. conservation involves the protection. maintenance. preservation and sustainable use of natural resources under which all type of growth and development and resource uses are to be carried on. 1. Major Dimensions of Resource Conservation Resource conservation is the method of managing resources while using in such a way that they can satisfy the maximum human needs and wants. It is associated with improvement the process and method of rescurce utilization. ‘Among many aspects or dimensions of resource conservation, its major dimensions are as follows: (1) Water conservation, (2) Soil conservation. (3) Forest conservation, (4) Conservation of mineral and energy resources Wild life conservation. (6) (1) Water Conservation Next to air, water is the second most important constituent of life support system. Water is a replenishable resource which is used for drinking and other domestic purposes, irrigation, industrial use, transportation, production of hydroelectricity and disposal of waste etc. In many areas, water shortage is the main problem while in other areas there is too much water which creates flooding which brings immense human suffering and destruction. The shortage of fresh water causes striking Joss in crop and adversely impacts human survival. In order to maintain and increase water supplies various useful strategies can be pursued, some of them are given below : (i) Water should be used much more efficiently, Every year large amount of irrigation are lost by seepage. Seepage of water may be wiomnes te WMiter ernie yay NS OAR IY mS Way OF RVers oO) OT Sewage water fy Toe eis PNARR, SOANARE Wake YORN TO NemuAgE TORENT PANE. AY Hee many OLY ANN WNT PRO Heloase the efuent ANHES Sueh PNM sewage water meay DO USAT AYE Various purposes inching Nt NOSED Water ‘Soa Water is pat diokae without ok. TA many soa coastal countries with SDotage of Hesh water are dperauing desalination Piants that remove Sat for soa water to pratce Madle waier reat Os) Development of droughtresistant and SSoeSISIAAT CPAPS MAY serve important role i § Water crisis in areas of fresh water shortage (8) Rain making by cloud.seoding is a novel Ad to increase water supply in atid and semis areas bat itis highly expensive and also may c some eoonomie, political and environmental Peobiem r (Now rain water harvesting has become Sery common for water conservation, It is soncemed with storing water and using it during water shortage period on of surface water as well ground water must be controlled applying suitable measures. Now several rivers and lakes are seriously polluted with run off from lead, zine and silver mines, industries of pesticides, chemical fertilizers ete. and from agricultural farms ete. Q) Soil Conservation Soil conservation involves all those measures which manage to prevent and control the soil degradation, soil erosion and loss of soil fertility as well as attempt to increase and maintain the soil fertility. Important measures for soil conservation are as follows (i) Contour ploughing or ploughing ~ following the contours in slopy or hilly areas is AAptent fo contiol oil cession and Protect feytiy walls a tho telynees (The methont ot eto rotation is applied iy Poteet the voll nutrient ps wet and essential SOONUONTS Chop rotation inetides alternate SOtsonaT OF annua Aotation af sueh SHOPS which, eNtractaitforwnt sets of nutrients to varying exten QW Cover CHOPS altel gree ManUTiNg aie WUPOHANE Meas OF Soil CONsEIVation. Cover SHS are BHMEN geNLAlly iH fallow Lands Detione SOUR season and during their growing period Uhey are plough and mutetedt ites the sail Thig helps maintaining and Aherwasing ferhlity of the: soil (Wy) Breht fonoing is an important measure te Swntrol and check the outtlow of water and soil, Avis built by raising mud embankments and groving tall grasses or dense thickets on them, Quick growing trees and bush plants may be Dlantedt along theld boundary which are used as Wind breaker, Such green belt plantation provide satty for field enops fiom strong winds and soil thom desertification in arid and seminarid areas, (y) In onder to protect soil ferti ty, over irrigation should be avoided, Checking the over irrigation and water logging areas, soil is protected. from salinization, and alkaltization, Providing adequate drainage to water logging areas, the increasing loss of fertile land may be controlled and reduced, (vi) Over grazing on hilly or stopy lands leads to soil erusion, To protect land trom soil erosion, over gazing must be stopped, For this purpose, the size of livestock on pasturland may be controlled acconting to its grazing capacity. (vii) Reclamation of alkaline and saline soils through advanced scientific methods is the significant measure for the protection of soil fertility, (3) Forest Conservation Forests are renewable natural resouree, They play significant role in the economic development of the country by providing several goods and food items and employment to people and raw materialsResource ahe industry. The forests are counted among, 1 post wiskespread and widely exploited naturi jaourves of the World, Forests are exhaustible ui have been severely depleted in many areas of the world, After Industrial Revolution of mid nineteenth country, human activity has dramatically altered the forest cover to such a great extent that today only about 60 percent of the original forest cover has been reduced. About $0 percent of the world’s tropical rainforests have been cleared and deforestation has accelerated during the last two centuries, The forest cover has been reduced rapidly in the tropical and sub-tropical areas, The effects of deforestation include ; fire wood scarcity, loss of gene pool, climatic change, searcity of timber and many other industrial raw materials, extinction of various species of plants and wild animals, The conservation and protection of forests resources are desirable and necessary not only for the sustainable economic development ofa country but also for the maintenance of environmental and ecological balance for local, regional or global levels. The issue of forest conservation has drawn international attention to prevent excessive deforestation mainly in forest rich tropical regions. For the protection and conservation of forests, ~ following measures may be applied : (i) Forest protection : For the forest ‘onservation, the first task is to protect the existing forests. This goal can be achieved through government legislation and by arousing public consciousness and interest in the importance of forest resources. Insects and diseases must be controlled and checked by regular inspection, Spraying with insecticides and other protective Measures to prevent the spread of pests. (ii) Selective tree cutting ; Selective felling of mass felling of trees according to the istified requirement and demand may save unnecessary destruction of forest trees and other valuable resources. Through the increasing demand for timber is mostly for certain species of only but unfortunately several species of trees sser values and even young plants are my (ee destroyed to get access to the desired trees, This is necessary to check such operations, (lil) Afforestation and reforestation ; Afforestation involves the planting of new land with trees to create a forest for commercial or other purposes, Reforestation, refers the planting of trees on land which was previously forested but now the trees have been removed for any reasion, In India, programmes of social forestry, economic forestry, community forestry, agro- forestry etc, have been launched at bottom level mainly to help and pursuade villagers and farmers to help themselves by growing trees on community or social or private lands for their own provisions of timber, firewood, fruits, leaves etc, (iv) Reduction of wastage : The wastage of timber at industrial plants could be reduced by using trees more intensively. Timber consumption can also be reduced by the greater reuse of waste paper in the production of newsprint and other paper products of inferior quality. Such practices may be helpful for the conservation of forests. (4) Conservation of Mineral and Energy Resources Many mineral resources have been tapped from the earth’s surface for thousands of years. At present, the surface of the earth is seriously frightened with mines and carelessly discarded mineral wastes. Most of the useful minerals are non-renewable and have fi reserves, though they can be recycled over and over extending their life times. Until recently most industrial countries have treated these finite resources considering they were not exhaustible and had little consequence to future human well being. Presently very huge quantity of mineals is extracted from the earth's crust. Many valuable minerals occur in the earth’s crust either ina pure form like gold or exist as chemical compound. It is estimated that known reserves of most of the valuable minerals will be aout 80 percent depleted by or before the year 2050. In order to forstall the depletion of key mineral resources, concerted efforts have become most essential. In different countries of the world, methods30: of conservation of mineral resources may differ depending on the level of their existing technology. The following common measures may be adopted to conserve mineral resources. (i Exploration of new minerals : Many new mineral reserves should be explored, particularly in inaccessible areas like in high mountains, polar lands, ocean beds etc. and these mineral deposits should be worked out. (ii) Conservation of minerals during mining : The incomplete mining of mineral deposits is one of the major problems associated with mineral exploitation. In most cases, mining companies work only thick seams of mineral deposits, while thin seams are left out. Now it is needed that mining is carried out obtaining even deposits of lesser quality. Maximum extraction of metals : In order to conserve minerals, such refining technology must be used so that maximum content of metals can be obtained. Besides, most of the by-products should be utilised in one or the other way. (iv) Exploration and use of substitutes of minerals : Now it is the demand of time to explore substitutes of non-renewable and very useful minerals. By the use of these substitutes rare minerals may lost longer. For example, many metals may be replaced with plastic. (v) Recycling of metals : Reuse of raw materials through recycling is an important measure of conservation of minerals. (vi) Exploration and use of non-traditional energy resources : Today important traditional energy resources are coal, petroleum or mineral oil, natural gas, uranium, etc. Now about 85 to 90 percent energy demand is fulfilled by fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas, All these energy resources are exhaustible and non- renewable, A small amount of energy is obtained from hydel power which is renewable resource, In order to conserve non-renewable energy resources, it is essential to explore and use of substitutes of such resources. For this purpose, non-traditional energy resources like solar energy, : Economic Geography tital energy, biomass energy, geothermal ene etc, may he developed with advanced technologie. These resources are sustainable and may continye for long time. They can supplement and replagg traditional fossil fuels that are soon exhaustible or will be too costly in future. They can broaden the global fuel base and minimise our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. (5) Wild life Conservation Wildlife management and conservation includes the protection, increase and maintenance of wild animals in a maximum number that a particular natural habitat can support. Conservation isa process which aims at proper use, preservation and management of resources in such a way that are always available for judicial human use, Recently rapidly increasing population, urbanization, industrial expansion, land use changes, deforestation, environmental degradation and pollution and even most modem technologies etc. have seriously threatened the stability and survival of ecosystems and existence of several plant and animal species. The ecologically important species of plants and animals are classified into three categories : (a) endangeied species, (b) threatened species, and (c) extinct species. The conservation and preservation of ecological resources include the following measures (Singh, S, 2006, 484) : (i) Provision of natural reserves, (ii) Establishment of parks and sanctuaries, (ii) Establishment of protected areas for endangered species, (iv) Formulation enactment and forceful implementation of laws, (v) Habitat improvement programmes, (vi) Effective means of census operation t0 have regular measurement of population sizes of endangered species. (vii) Provision for large-scale drive for treatment of animals during widespread epidemics, (viii) Establishment of research centres t0 study the biological behaviour of wild animals, and (ix) Provision for elementary environmentalConcept of Resource education to cneral public about the environmental Males of al resources ete, uree Conservation and able Development Resource conse resources for a long term and con Production. The concept development or the sustai tinuous, of sustainable inability of resources solely le of resource conservation, ic development and resource use since the Industrial Revolution has been directly related with over Utilization, missuse and environmental degradation and Pollution, With advancing technology, several communities and countries have grown weather using more sources and producing more pollution and degradation of environment. In the 1980s, a new worldwide awareness of the environment and human society emerged. The concept of sustainable development émerged as an alternative paradigm of economic development in 1987 when United Nation’s Bruntland Commission Report on “Environment and Development’ was Published. It appealed for sustainability as a governing Principle for all development initiatives, The Concept of sustainable development is basically an improvement on the Concept of economic growth OF economic development. Sustainability strongly Teinforces permeation of quality into development efforts. A blue print named Agenda-21 issued by the United Nation’s ‘Earth Summit? (June, 1992) Provided guiding principles for sustainable lopment. Its most significant principles are follows : (i) Human beings are at the centre of inable development in harmony with nature, Gi) Environmental Protection shall continue integral Part of development. Peace, development and environmental tion are interdependent and indivisible, Thus, however, Sustainability stands for which can be ensured Providing the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing of ever vation implies rational use of un Freeh Population and its spiralling demands by ‘ant Of production and greater capacity for human well-tby generation, In the late 1980s, the term “sustainable development’ became widespread and was widely used in the context of the future carth’s nature resource, The Sustainability of resources involved three approaches :(1) environmental sustainability, (2) economic Sustainability and (3) social sustainability, (1) Environmental sustainabil 'y involves maintaining the physical conditions of the environment. The basic objectives of environmental Sustainability are to maintain integrity, carrying capacity and biodiversity of natural environment, (2) Economic sustainability refers ‘maintaining sufficient resource capital to support human needs indefinitely by providing the basis of Production. Its objectives include continued economic growth, equity and effi iency, cing as the present Thus, the idea of sustainability implies a much longer time frame than what we use in Present day resource use decisions. We have an obligation Not only to present Seneration but also to (future) generations, Pre particularly non-renewab| be used in such a Way as to leave for future generations the same Opportunities as present Society enjoy. According to Burntland Report, Sustainable development means development that meets the needs and aspirations of the Present without compromising the ability of future Benerations to meet their own needs. The changes in resource-use methods obtaining or using (1) waste Tecycling, (2) waste reduction, (3) design for reuse and recycling, and coming sently all the Tesources, le natural resources mustee , ieee onomic Geogr ition — bee: they may become useful in fi (4) changing the structure of resource utili . tur et. may Tea to sustainability oF esourees, Such the use of improved technology, Te with changes of resource use must be implemented (S) In order to maintain the conti iimmadiately and rapidly so that significant progress availability of Fesources, substit 'Uous may be made in the coming few decades. UES OF scar resources must be used. The renewable subst 3. Planning Measures for Resource may be more beneficial. a Conservation (6) With increasing demand for growin Resouirve conservation is concemed with the Population, more and more substitute oraltene sattonal use of resources for a long term without eSources should be discove red with the help of ay interruption or discontinuity, Following are 8dvanced modern technology. some significant’ measures for resource (7) Forest resources must be maintaneg conservation in a region, through the implementation of the Programmes and (1) The first attempt must be to assess the Schemes of afforestation and reforestation, resource base of the areal al unit which may be a (8) For the proper conservation of natural region of country, Fesources of a region or country, essential traini (2) The exhaustive or Non-renewable 4nd education must be provided to local inhabitants Sarees should te exploited most carefully and f0F rational use of resources, because the. Scientifically for essential use only, Cooperation of people for this purpose is mos (3) Attempt should be made to increase the _ €sential. e\isting productivity of resources. For instance, (9) The governmentalso should be conscious suil fertility may be increased by the use of proper forconservation of resources. Effective legislation manures, fertilizers and crop rotation. for the conservation of non renewable resources (4) The resources which are inferior or less Must be made by the government and its excution usefull at present should not be avoided or wasted —_%!S0 must be ensured,