Meaning and Classification of Resources
Resource:
Anything in the environment that can satisfy human needs and is accessible, feasible, and acceptable.
Human Role:
Humans use technology and institutions to convert natural things into usable resources.
Classification of Resources:
1. On the Basis of Origin:
Biotic: Living (plants, animals, humans)
Abiotic: Non-living (minerals, water)
2. On the Basis of Exhaustibility:
Renewable: Replenishable (solar, wind, water, forests)
Non-renewable: Limited and take millions of years (coal, petroleum)
3. On the Basis of Ownership:
Individual: Privately owned (farmland, wells)
Community: Common use (grazing grounds, ponds)
National: Belongs to the nation (railways, canals)
International: Managed by international bodies (oceans beyond 200 nautical miles)
4. On the Basis of Development:
Potential: Present but not used (solar in Gujarat, wind in Rajasthan)
Developed: Identified and used (water, electricity)
Stock: Usable but technology not available (hydrogen in water)
Reserves: Part of stock usable with existing technology (water in dams)
: Development and Conservation of Resources
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Development of Resources:
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Leads to economic growth.
Causes problems like depletion, pollution, global warming.
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Need for Sustainable Development:
Use resources wisely for present and future needs.
Avoid overexploitation.
Sustainable Development:
"Development without harming the environment and ensuring needs of future generations."
Rio Earth Summit, 1992:
Held in Brazil.
Attended by 100+ countries.
Adopted Agenda 21 to promote global and local sustainable development.
: Resource Planning in India
Need for Resource Planning:
Uneven distribution of resources in India.
Some states rich in resources but poor in development (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh).
Others have development but lack resources (Rajasthan, Ladakh).
Steps in Resource Planning:
1. Survey and mapping of resources.
2. Planning with technology and institutions.
3. Matching with national development plans.
Conservation of Resources:
Avoid misuse and wastage.
Use judiciously.
Follow Gandhiji’s principle: “Enough for everyone’s need, not for greed.”
Land Resources and Land Use
Land Resources:
India has diverse relief features: mountains, plateaus, plains.
43% plains – support agriculture and industries.
30% mountains – tourism, forest, water source.
27% plateaus – minerals, fossil fuels, forests.
Land Utilisation (Uses of Land):
1. Forests.
2. Land not available for cultivation:
Barren and wasteland.
Land used for non-agricultural purposes (buildings, roads).
3. Other uncultivated land:
Permanent pastures and grazing.
Land under miscellaneous tree crops.
Cultivable wasteland.
4. Fallow lands:
Current fallow.
Other than current fallow (1-5 years).
5. Net Sown Area (NSA):
Land sown more than once in a year is Gross Cropped Area.
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Land Use Pattern in India:
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Influenced by physical and human factors like topography, soil, climate, population density, and culture.
Changes in Land Use Pattern (1960–2015)
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Land Use Change from 1960-61 to 2014-15 (Pie Charts):
Increase in forest cover (18.11% → 23.39%).
Decrease in barren and uncultivable land.
Net sown area increased (45.26% → 46.24%).
Issues:
Total reporting area: 93% (not all states/UTs fully surveyed).
Forest and permanent pasture area decreased.
Some lands are cultivated more than once due to irrigation.
Net sown area ~54% of total reporting area.
High variation among states: Punjab & Haryana (~80%), Arunachal & Mizoram (<10%).
Land Degradation and Conservation
Land Degradation:
Causes: Overgrazing, deforestation, mining, over-irrigation, industrial waste.
Effects: Soil erosion, desertification, water pollution.
Conservation Measures:
Afforestation, grazing management.
Control mining & industrial waste.
Use of shelter belts, stabilization of sand dunes.
Treating waste lands and proper water disposal.
Soil as a Resource:
Renewable resource.
Supports life and agriculture.
Factors: Relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation, time.
Soil profile: Topsoil → Subsoil → Weathered rock → Bedrock.
Classification of Soils
1. Alluvial Soil:
Most widespread.
Found in Northern Plains and river valleys.
Very fertile; suitable for paddy, wheat, sugarcane.
Two types:
Bangar: Older, less fertile.
Khadar: Newer, more fertile.
2. Black Soil:
Also called Regur Soil or Black Cotton Soil.
Ideal for cotton.
Found in Deccan Plateau: Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat.
Clayey, moisture-retentive, rich in lime, potash, iron.
3.Red & Yellow Soil:
Found in eastern/southern Deccan plateau, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Western Ghats. Poor in humus, suitable
for crops like cashew.
4.Laterite Soil:
Found in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, WB, and NE states. Formed due to leaching. Acidic, low in
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fertility. Used for tea and coffee in hilly areas.
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5.Arid Soil:
Found in Rajasthan. Sandy texture, low moisture, rich in salts. Needs proper irrigation to be cultivated.
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6.Forest Soil:
Found in Himalayas and forested mountains. Acidic, low humus. Fertile in valley areas.
Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion: Removal of topsoil by wind, water, and human activity.
Types:
Gully erosion: Deep channels formed by running water.
Sheet erosion: Surface layer washed away by rain.
Wind erosion: Blows away top layer in dry regions.
Conservation methods:
Contour ploughing: Across slopes to stop runoff.
Terrace farming: Steps on hills to retain water.
Shelter belts: Rows of trees to reduce wind erosion.
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