Chapter 1: Resources and Development

1. Introduction to Resources

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".

The Interdependent Relationship

Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to accelerate their economic development. Resources are not free gifts of nature; they are a function of human activities. Human beings themselves are essential components of resources as they transform environmental materials into usable forms.

Fig. 1.1: Interdependent relationship between nature, technology, and institutions

2. Classification of Resources

Resources are broadly classified into the following categories:

Fig. 1.2: Classification of resources

A. On the Basis of Origin

Biotic Resources: Obtained from the biosphere and have life (e.g., humans, flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock).

Abiotic Resources: Composed of non-living things (e.g., rocks and metals).

B. On the Basis of Exhaustibility

Renewable Resources: Can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes (e.g., solar and wind energy, water, forests).

Non-Renewable Resources: Occur over a very long geological time and take millions of years to form (e.g., minerals and fossil fuels). Some, like metals, are recyclable, while others, like fossil fuels, are not.

C. On the Basis of Ownership

Individual Resources: Privately owned by individuals (e.g., houses, plots, plantation, pasture lands).

Community Owned Resources: Accessible to all members of a community (e.g., village grazing grounds, burial grounds, public parks, picnic spots).

National Resources: Technically, all resources within the political boundaries and oceanic area up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the coast belong to the nation.
International Resources: Regulated by international institutions. Oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to the open ocean.

D. On the Basis of Status of Development

Potential Resources: Found in a region but not yet utilized (e.g., solar/wind potential in Rajasthan and Gujarat).

Developed Resources: Surveyed for quality and quantity and ready for use.

Stock: Materials with potential to satisfy needs, but we lack the technology to access them (e.g., hydrogen from water as an energy source).

Reserves: A subset of stock that can be used with existing technology but hasn't been started yet (e.g., water in dams or forests for future use).

3. Development of Resources

Indiscriminate use of resources has led to major problems:

Depletion of resources for satisfying individual greed.
Accumulation in few hands, dividing society into rich and poor.
Global ecological crises (global warming, ozone depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation).

Sustainable Development

This means development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise the needs of future generations.

Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992: More than 100 heads of states met in Brazil to address environmental protection and socio-economic development.

Agenda 21: A declaration to achieve global sustainable development and combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease.

4. Resource Planning

Planning is essential for the judicious use of resources, especially in a diverse country like India.

Example of Resource Diversity: Jharkhand is rich in minerals but Rajasthan lacks water; Arunachal has water but lacks infrastructure.

Resource Planning in India

It involves three complex steps:

Identification and Inventory: Surveying, mapping, and measuring resources.

Evolving Planning Structure: Setting up appropriate technology, skill, and institutional frameworks.

Matching Plans: Aligning resource development with overall national development goals.

5. Land Resources

Land is a natural resource of utmost importance supporting vegetation, wildlife, and human economic activities.

Relief Features in India

Plains (43%): Provide facilities for agriculture and industry.

Mountains (30%): Ensure perennial flow of rivers and provide tourism potential.

Plateaus (27%): Rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels, and forests.

Fig. 1.3: India : Land under important Relief Features

Land Use Pattern in India

The use of land is determined by physical factors (topography, climate, soil) and human factors (population density, technology).

Total geographical area: 3.28 million sq km.
Reporting area: Data available for only 93%.

National Forest Policy (1952): Outlined the desired forest area as 33% of total land.

6. Land Degradation and Conservation

Ninety-five per cent of our basic needs are obtained from land. Human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, and mining have led to land degradation.

Conservation Measures

Afforestation and proper management of grazing.
Shelter belts for plants and stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
Proper management of waste lands and control of mining activities.

7. Soil as a Resource

Soil is the most important renewable natural resource and a living system. Its formation depends on relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation, and time.

Fig. 1.5: Soil Profile

Classification of Soils in India

Alluvial Soils: Most widespread and important; found in the entire northern plains.
Black Soil: Also known as 'regur' or black cotton soil; ideal for growing cotton.
Red and Yellow Soils: Develop on crystalline igneous rocks; red due to diffusion of iron.
Laterite Soil: Develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
Arid Soils: Range from red to brown in colour; generally sandy in texture and saline.
Forest Soils: Found in hilly and mountainous areas; loamy and silty in valley sides.

Soil Type	Major Regions	Major Crops Grown
Alluvial Soil	Northern plains (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra basins), coastal plains, and river deltas (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri).	Wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, pulses, and oilseeds.
Black Soil (Regur)	Deccan Trap region (Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh) and Godavari/Krishna valleys.	Cotton (Primary crop), tobacco, citrus fruits, castor, and linseed.
Red & Yellow Soil	Parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern middle Ganga plain, and piedmont zone of Western Ghats.	Wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, millets, oilseeds, and potatoes.
Laterite Soil	Hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and hilly regions of Odisha and Assam.	Tea, coffee, cashew nuts, and rubber.
Arid Soil	Western Rajasthan, northern Gujarat, and southern parts of Punjab and Haryana.	Drought-resistant crops like bajra, pulses, fodder, and guar.
Forest/Mountain Soil	Hilly and mountainous areas with sufficient rain forests (Himalayas).	Fruits (orchards), coffee, tea, and spices.
Peaty & Marshy Soil	Coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), and parts of Bihar and Kerala.	Primarily used for paddy (rice) cultivation.

8. Soil Erosion and Conservation

Soil Erosion: The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down.

Conservation Methods

Contour Ploughing: Plowing along contour lines to decelerate water flow.
Terrace Cultivation: Steps cut out on slopes to restrict erosion.
Strip Cropping: Large fields divided into strips; grass left to grow between crops.
Shelter Belts: Planting lines of trees to create shelter.