Define Resources? Mention Its Features?

Humanities/ Social Science/ Class-X/ Resource & Development/Geo Ch-1/ ManishSir/
Opp Sanghati Club, Krishnanagar/ Agartala/ 7005582230/ 8414927264/ 2021-22
RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT/CLASS X/SOCIAL SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY/CHAPTER-1
1. Define resources? Mention its features?

- Resources- Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs,
provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be
termed as resources.
- Features-
- Resources have utility.
- These are useful to humans.
- They have value.
- They satisfy our needs.
- They are not free gifts of nature.
2. What are the different bases of classification of resources?
- Different bases of classification of resources.
- On the bases of origin-Biotic and abiotic
- On the basis of exhaustibility-renewable and non-renewable .
- On the basis of ownership-Individual, Community, national and international
- On the bases of status of development-potential, developed, stock and reserves
- Biotic resources-the resource which is obtained from the biosphere and which have life.
Example-Human beings ,flora and fauna, fisheries , livestock etc.
- Abiotic resource- All those things which are composed of non living things are called a biotic
resource. Example- rocks and metals.
- Renewable resources- The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical
or mechanical processes are known as renewable or replenish able resources.Example- Solar and
wind energy, water, forests and wildlife etc.
- Non-renewable resources- The resources which cannot be renewed or reproduced by physical,
chemical or mechanical processes are known as Non –renewable resources. Example-Minerals and
fossil fuels
- Individual resources- the resources which are owned privately by individuals are known as
individual resources.Example- plantation, pasture lands, ponds etc.
- Community resources- The resources which are accessible to all the members of the community.
Example- burial grounds, garaging grounds, public parks, playgrounds etc.
- National resources-All the resource belongs to the nation is termed as national resources.
Example-Forests, wildlife railways, roads, canals etc.
- International resources-the resources which are regulated by the international institutions are
called international Resources.Example- Oceanic resources etc.
1
- Potential resources- resources which are found in a region, but have not been
utilised.Example-wind and solar energy in Rajasthan and Gujrat.
- Developed resources- Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been
determined for utilisation is known as developed resources. The development of resources depends
on technology and level of their feasibility.Example- coal, iron etc.
- Stock- resources in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human
beings do not have the appropriate technology to access them are called stock. Example geothermal
energy, hydrogen in water etc.
- Reserves- Resources which can be put into use with the help of existing technical knowhow but
their use has not been started. These can be used for meeting future requirements. Example-water
in dams, forests etc.
3. Mentions some of the problems related to the indiscriminate use of the resources?
- Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
- Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which in turn, divided the society into two segments that
have and have nots or rich and poor.
- Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as global warming,
ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.
4. Why do we need to conserve resources? What was Gandhi’s view about conservation of
resources?
- Or, What is the relevance of the Gandhian model of resource conservation in today's world?
- We need to conserve resources because-
- Resources are vital for humans as well as for quality of life.
- The resources are limited on the earth’s surface ,but the demand for the resources is continuously
increasing due to the rapid growth population, industrialisation, urbanisation
- Our ever increasing needs and technological capacity to exploit resources have caused damage to
our environment.
- They are unequally distributed on the earth surface.
- Irrational consumption may lead to socio-economic problems.
- Gandhiji s view about conservation of resources-
- Gandhji was very apt in voicing his concern about resource conservation.There is enough for
everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.
- He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the
root cause for resource depletion at the global level.
- He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.
5. Resources are unequally distributed in India-Justify by giving examples.
- There are some regions which can be considered self-sufficient in terms of the availability of
resources and there are some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources.
2
- The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.
- Arunachal Pradesh has an abundance of water resources but lacks infrastructural development.
- The state of Rajasthan is very well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water
resources.
- The cold desert of Ladakh is relatively isolated from the rest of the country. It has a very rich cultural
heritage but it is deficient in water, infrastructure and some vital minerals.
6. What are the major steps taken at the international level towards sustainable development
/resource conservation? Sirmanish,9774690470
- At the International level, the Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a
more systematic way in 1968.
- The Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by Schumacher in his book Small is Beautiful
in 1974.
- The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global level was made by the
Brundtland Commission Report,1987 which was subsequently published in a book entitled Our
Common Future.
- Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
7. Mention the importance of land as a resource? manishSir,7005582230
- Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.
- It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, transport and
communications systems.
- It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
- Ninety five percent of our basic needs for food, shelter and clothing are obtained from land.
8. What percent of our country is covered by mountains, plains, and plateaus, also mention
their importance.
- Plain- About 43% of the land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry.
- Mountains- It accounts for 30%of the total surface area of the country and ensures perennial flow of
some rivers, providing facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
- Plateau- About 27% of the area of the country is the plateau region. It possesses rich reserves of
minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
9. Can you name some resource-rich but economically backward regions and one
resource-poor but economically developed region? manish sir,9436180185
- Jharkhand is rich in mineral resources but still it is economically backward due to the
following reasons-
- Illiteracy and lack of educational development.
- Lack of small scale industries.
- Various tribes reside in this region, whose pace of development is very low.
- Scarcity of agricultural land or rocky terrain.
3
- Assam is rich in minerals - petroleum, coal and forests and water resources but still economically
backward, it is so because-
- Terrorism and insurgency(people crossing international boundaries illegally)
- Floods occur almost every year during the rainy season.
10. What is soil erosion? Explain how soil is eroded?
- Soil Erosion- The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is called soil erosion.
- Soils get eroded in the following ways-
- The running water cuts through the clay soils and makes deep channels as gullies. The land
becomes unfit for cultivation.
- In dry and sandy areas, wind is the main cause of soil erosion. Exposed, loose sandy soil (top soil) is
easily blown away by wind and deposited in other areas.
- Deforestation in particular, leads to the frequency of floods which cause extensive damage to our
soils.
- Reckless felling of trees and overgrazing destroy the vegetation cover which provides protective
cover to the soil.
11. What do you mean resource planning? Does a country like India need resource planning?
- Or, Planning is a widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources in a country like
India- Justify with relevant points & examples.
- Resource Planning-Resource planning is meant for equitable distribution and judicious use of
resources.
- India needs resource planning because-
- Some regions are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other resources. For
example, Rajasthan is endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water resources.
- Some regions are self-sufficient in terms of availability of resources. For example-Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh are rich in minerals but lack others like infrastructure.
- Some regions have acute shortage of vital resources. For example, Ladakh is deficient in water and
infrastructure of development.
12. Why is equitable distribution of resources important? Discuss the process of resource
planning?
- Equitable distribution of resources is important for a sustained quality of life and global peace.
- Process of Resource Planning-
- Surveying- Surveys are conducted for the identifications of resources. Their quality and quantity are
estimated.
- Structuring- For the development of resources a structure of plan is prepared with suitable
technology, skill and institutional set up.
- Matching- The resource development plan is matched with the overall national development plan.
4
13. For the development of any region, availability of resources is not enough, technology for
proper exploitation of resources is also necessary. Justify. Sirmanish,9774690470
- More availability of resources in the absence of corresponding changes in technology hinders
development.
- In our country certain regions are rich in resources but economically backward due to the absence of
technological development. For example- Chhattisgarh.
- Certain regions are poor in resources but economically developed because of developed technology.
For example- Bangalore emerged as an IT centre only because of developed technological
knowhow.
- Various countries of Asia and Africa were dominated by European powers primarily due to higher
levels of technological development.
- Therefore resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate
technological development.
14. What do you understand about the reported area? What is the reported area of India and
why? Give two reasons.
- The percentage of total area for which land use statistics (data) are available, is termed as reported
area. India’s reported area is 93%.
- Reasons-
- The land use reporting for most of the north eastern states, except Assam has not been done.
- Some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have not been surveyed.
15. Compare between Biotic and Abiotic resources. Sirmanish,9436180185
Point of difference Biotic resources Abiotic Resources
Definition The resources which are obtained from All those things which are
the biosphere are biotic resources. composed of nonliving things are
called abiotic resources.
Origin They have life. They do not have life.
Examples These include flora and fauna,fisheries These include rocks, metals, land,
livestocks,human beings etc. air, mountains , rivers etc.
Minerals Minerals such as coal and petroleum are Minerals such as gold, iron,
included in this category because they copper, silver etc come in this
were formed from decayed organic category.
matter.
5
Classification Biotic resources can be classified as Abiotic resources can be classified

producers, consumers & decomposers. as renewable & non renewable
16. Compare between Khadar and Bhangar
Point of difference Khadar Bhangar
New/ Old It is new alluvial soil. It is old alluvial soil.
Fertile/ less fertile It is more fertile. It is less fertile.
Near/ far away It is found near the banks of rivers. It is found further away from the river.
Type of soil It has fine particles. It has kankar nodules in it.
17. Mention the features of each type of soil. Sir manish,9774690470

- Alluvial Soil-
- Formation- the entire Northern Plain is made of alluvial soil. These have been deposited by three
important Himalays river systems- The Indus, The Ganga & the Brahmaputra.
- Classifications- According to the size of their grains or components, this soil is classified as Duars,
Chos and Terai and according to the age this soil can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new
alluvial soil (Khadar).
- Soil Nutrients- This soil contains an adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime.
- Crops - This soil is ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse
crops.
- Composition- The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand , silt & clay.
- Colour- Brown in colour.
- Regions or States - This soil is found in the region of U.P., Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, some parts
of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Special features - This is the most widely spread and important soil. Alluvial soils as a whole are
very fertile.Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are
intensively cultivated & densely populated. Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline & can be
productive after proper treatment & irrigation.
- Black Soil-
- Colour - These soils are black in colour
6
- Another name- also known as regur soils. Black is ideal for growing cotton and it is known as black
cotton soil.
- Formation- These soils are made up of extremely fine clay material. Climatic conditions along with
the parent rock material are the important factors for the formation of black soil.
- Soil nutrients- They are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate magnesium, potash and
lime.These soils are generally poor in phosphoric contents.
- Crops- Cotton, Wheat, Jowar, linseed, sunflower, millets are the major crops grown in this soil.
- Special features- They develop deep cracks during hot weather, which helps in the proper aeration
of the soil.These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work on unless tilled immediately after the
first shower or during the pre-monsoon period. They are well known for their capacity to hold
moisture.
- States or Regions - This soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest
Deccan plateau & is made up of lava flows. They cover the plateau of Maharashtra, Saurashtra,
Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Red and Yellow soils-
- Colour- These soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic
rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
- Formation- Formed due to disintegration of metamorphic and igneous rocks.
- Crops- Rice, wheat, sugarcane, maize, groundnut, ragi, oilseeds,pulses, millets.
- Soil nutrients- Iron, Magnesium, Potash
- Special features -These soils are a type of soil which develops in a warm, temperate, moist climate
under deciduous or mixed forests and they have thin type organic and inorganic-mineral layers
- States or regions-They are found in Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Southern parts of the middle Ganga
plain, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, North eastern states.
- Laterite soil-
- Formation- The laterite soils develop in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This soil is
formed due to the intense leaching due to heavy rainfall.
- Colour- Red in colour due to little clay & more gravel of red sand stones.
- Special features-Humus content of the soil is low because most of the microorganisms particularly
the decomposers like bacteria get destroyed due to high temperature. They are mostly the end
product of weathering. Laterite means brick in Latin. They harden greatly on losing moisture.
- Crops- This soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee and cashew nuts, Rubber etc.
- Economic value- laterite soils provide valuable building material. These soils can be easily cut into
cakes but hardens like iron when exposed to air. It is the end product of weathering, it cannot be
weathered much further & is durable.
- States or regions- found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu, A. P & M.P etc.
- Arid Soils-
7
- Colour- Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.

- Special features - They are sandy in texture and saline in nature.The soil lacks humus and
moisture.It becomes productive if irrigated. The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by Kankar
because of the increasing calcium content downwards. Poor in organic matter.
- Crops - Barley, cotton, millets, maize, pulses, dates, are some crops grown.
- Soil nutrients- calcium carbonate, calcium, phosphate, nitrates.
- States or regions- This soil found in Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana
- Forest Soils-
- Special Features- These soils are found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain
forests are available. This soil is very rich in humus.They are found in varied texture. They are loamy
and silty in valley sides anhe forest sod coarse grained in the upper slopes.
- Soil Nutrients -They are deficient in potash, phosphorus and lime.
- Mountain soil color in snowy areas is white and in deserts is pale brown. It might be sometimes
grayish color and dark brown, etc..
- Crops – These soils are good for cultivating tea, spices, wheat, maize, barley, coffee and tropical
fruits, and temperate fruits.
- States or regions- The soils found in the lower parts of the valleys particularly on the river terraces
and alluvial fans are fertile. This soil is found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand and North Eastern States.
18. Write short note on Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit,1992 sirmanish,9436180185
- Where & When- The summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992. It was the first Earth
Summit where 100 heads of the nations participated.
- Objectives- the summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection
and socio economic development at the global level.
- Outcomes of the Summit-
- The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity.
- The Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted Agenda 21 for achieving
Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
- Agenda 21- It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Objectives of Agenda 21-
- It aims at achieving global sustainable development.
- It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on
common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.
- One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local
Agenda21.
19. How have technological and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
8
- Progression in mainly increased his needs and requirements which has led to technological and
economic development and use of numerous resources.
- Demand for agricultural products has led to excessive utilization for fertilizers and pesticides.
- The use of conventional and non conventional sources of energy has increased due to huge
consumption in industries and automobiles. Therefore there is a shortage of mineral resources .
- Increase in population and the rise in purchasing power has increased the demand for consumer
goods. This has put a pressure on the forest and wildlife resources.
20. Explain the land use pattern in India and why the land has under forest not increased much
since 1960-61.Sir manish,9436180185
- Land use pattern- Use of land is determined by physical & human factors. It means utilization of
land for various purposes such as cultivation ,grazing of animals, mining, construction of buildings,
roads, railways etc.
- Land survey record- The total geographical area of India is 3.28 million sq km out of which land
data is available for only 93%of the total geographical area.
- The % of area under forest in 22.57%, Net sown area-45.5%, Barren and waste land 5.5 %, Area
under non-agricultural use 8.7 % and others ( 2014-15 record)
- Overgrazing -The land under permanent pasture has also decreased; this created a situation for
overgrazing .
- Poor quality Fallow land-Most of the fallow lands except the current fallow are either of poor quality
or the cost of cultivation of such land is very high.If we add the land cultivated once or twice in about
two to three years and the net sown area, it comes to 54% of the total reporting area.
- Variation in Net sown area- The pattern of net sown area varies from state to another. It is over
80% of the total area in Punjab and Haryana and less than 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram etc.
- Forest below ecological norms- Forest land (22.57% ) in the country is far lower than the desired
33% of geographical area, according to National Forest Policy (1952)
- A part of the land is termed as waste land and land put to other non agricultural uses. Waste lands
include rocky, arid and desert areas and land put to other non-agricultural uses includes settlements,
roads, railways, industry etc.
21. What is Agenda 21? List its two principles.
- Agenda 21 was adopted at the first international Earth Summit held in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
- The two principles are as follows:
- To combat environmental damage, poverty disease through global cooperation on (common
interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.)
- Every local government should draw its own local Agenda
22. Which is the main cause of land degradation in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh?
How can it be checked ? Explain.
- Main cause: large scale overgrazing has caused severe land degradation.
- Measures to check include:
9
- Afforestation and proper management of grazing.

- Planting of shelterbelts of plants.
- Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
- Control on overgrazing.
23. Explain the factors that influence the formation of soil?
- Important factors that contribute to the formation of soil are-
- Rocks- Rocks disintegrate & decompose under the process of weathering & form soils. The type of
parent rock helps determine the kinds of particles in a soil.
- Climate- Climate affects the amount of biological & chemical activities in a spoil. High temperature &
humidity encourage chemical decomposition & disintegration
- Topography- Land surface features also affect the amount of soil development in an area.
- Plants & Animals- The remains of dead plants & animals add organic material to the soil. It is
known as humus.
- Time- Time is an important factor in the formation of soil. Soil that is exposed to intense soil
formation processes for long periods of time, becomes deep & well developed.
24. Describe any measures to control land degradation?
- Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent.
- Planting of shelterbelts , control on overgrazing stabilisation of sand dune by growing thorny
bushes.
Proper management of wastelands , control of mixing activities,
- Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatments can reduce land
and water degradation in industrial and sub-urban areas are some of the methods to check land
degradation.
25. Why is soil considered as a resource? Explain with five arguments
- Soil is considered as a resource because it is used to satisfy our needs.
- It is the most important renewable natural resource.
- It is the medium of plant growth.
- It supports different types of living organisms on the Earth.
26. Explain any three human activities responsible for land degradation in India.
- OR How are human activities responsible for the degradation of land?
- Mining: Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars in states
such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Deforestation due to mining has
caused severe land degradation.
- Over irrigation: Over irrigation in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, has
caused water logging and increase in salinity of soil.
- Overgrazing: Overgrazing in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
is a huge cause due to cattle population.
10
- Industries: Mineral processing industry like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite
and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge quantities of dust , this retards the process of
infiltration of water into the soil.
- Industrial waste: industrial effluents also have become a major source of land degradation.
27. Indiscriminate use of resources had led to numerous problems.-Justify these statements.
- Resources are vital for human survival and it was believed that resources are a free gift of nature.
- The indiscriminate use of resources led to the following problems:
- To satisfy the greed of gew individuals, depletion of resources has continued.
- Due to the accumulation of resources in few hands, the society gets divided into two segments, i.e,
rich and poor.
- Indiscriminate use of resources has led to ecological crises, e,g, ozone layer depletion , land
degradation, global warming and environmental pollution.
28. Suggest some methods of soil conservation/ to check soil erosion according to the Indian
conditions.
- Methods of soil conservation:
- Contour Ploughing- Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the
slopes, this is called contour ploughing.
- Terrace Farming- Step or terrace cultivation on slopes restricts erosion.Western and central
Himalayas have well-developed terrace farming.
- Strip cropping:- Here large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between
the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind.
- Shelterbelt plantation: Trees are planted in rows. These shelter belts have led to the stabilisation of
sand dunes and in stabilising the desert in western India.
29. Describe the importance of judicious use of resources.
- Ans. The importance of judicious use of resources are:
- (a) Multiple environmental & socio economic problems may arise if resources are used in an
indiscriminate manner.
- (b) Most of the resources are non-renewable. The continuous usage of these resources may result in
exhaustion of the resources. This may stunt development & growth of the people.
- (c) It will enhance the status of a person & would not impede development in general for future
generations. They have to be used with caution.
30. What were the main features of the earth summit held at Rio de Janeiro in 1992?
- Three main features of the Earth Summit of 1992 held at Rio de Janeiro:
- (a) It was the first international Earth Summit in which more than 100 heads of states met.
- (b) The summit was convened to address urgent problems of environmental protection &
socio-economic development at the global level.
11
- (c) This Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles & adopted Agenda 21 for achieving
Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
31. Why is the issue of sustainability important for development? Explain.
- Ans. Sustainable economic development means development that is viable keeping the
requirements of both the present & future generations at par.
- It is a development that doesn’t compromise with the environment, provides equal opportunities to
grow, utilises resources for both the present & upcoming generations.
- The issue of sustainability is important for development because without the same, man will use
resources without care, destroying the environment, preventing all chances of survival &
development in future.
- If not for sustainability, people would start exploiting finitely available resources & end up finishing
them soon, thus destroying Earth’s balance.
- Global warming, ozone layer depletion & environmental pollution have been caused due to this
ignorance. Sustainability is vital for maintaining global peace & quality of life. So, the need of the
hour is to use resources wisely, so as to sustain our planet Earth.
32.
Basis of Renewable Resources Non-renewable Resources

Distinction
Definition The resources which can be renewed or The resources which cannot be
reproduced by physical, chemical or renewed or reproduced by physical,
mechanical processes are known as chemical or mechanical processes
renewable or replenishable are known as renewable or
resources. replenishable
resources.
Exhaustible They are inexhaustible sources. They are exhaustible resources.

/inexhaustible
Longevity They can be renewed or replenished. They cannot be recovered. They

have a fixed quantity. Reformation
takes millions of years.
Classification They are further classified into They are further classified into
Continuous or flow & Biological recyclable & non recyclable
resources. resources.
Cost The upfront cost of renewable energy is Non-renewable energy has a

high. – For instance, Generating electricity comparatively lower upfront cost.
using technologies running on renewable
energy is costlier than generating it with
fossil fuels
12
Infrastructure Infrastructure for harvesting renewable Cost-effective and accessible

Requirements energy is prohibitively expensive and not infrastructure is available for
easily accessible in most countries. non-renewable energy across most
countries
Renewability Resources that are renewable, may be Their formation takes a long
temporally diminished but may be geological period, millions of years &
renewed again by natural process & no such process has been
proper management. discovered yet which might renew
them sooner.
Environmental These are environmental/eco-friendly These are environmentally harmful

Utility resources as they do not harm the as they create a lot of pollution &
environment. degrade the environment.
Example Sunlight, wind, water are flow resources Fossil fuels like Coal, minerals etc.
whose stock is continuous. their quantity is more or less fixed.
33. Do you think that resources are free gifts of nature as is assumed by many? Justify your
answer with any three suitable arguments.
- They are not free gifts of nature as:
- (i) Resources are a function of human activities.
- (ii) Human beings themselves are essential components of resources.
- (iii) They transform material available in our environment into resources & use them. For example, a
river is a natural resource but a river becomes a resource when its water is used for irrigation or
power production.
34. What is the importance of natural resources?
- (i) Resources are used to satisfy human wants.
- (ii) Resources are the base of economic development, for example, water, fossil fuel, solar energy
are required for power production.
- (iii) Resources are vital for human survival as well as maintaining the quality of life.
- (iv) Land which is a natural resource supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life & all economic
activities.
- (v) Water which is another natural resource is essential for human, plant & wildlife.
35. How have technical & economic development led to more consumption of resources?
- Resources have to be available for development. Due to the absence of technology, many resource
rich regions remain backward.
- Reasons:
- (a) Technology is used to exploit resources in India. The consumption of resources is increasing due
to the use of technology & the quality of human resources in agriculture, mining & industries.
- (b) With the use of technology, humans interact & modify nature & create institutions to increase the
consumption of resources for economic development.
13
- (c) Human made resources, like houses, buildings, roads, industries, etc. require more resources for
consumption.
36. What is resource planning? Why is the planning of resources essential? Mention any two
reasons.
- Resource planning is the most widely accepted strategy of development & judicious use of
resources.
- Resources planning is essential because:
- (i) Resources are limited in supply.
- (ii) Overutilization or overexploitation of resources must be stopped.
- (iii) Resources are unevenly distributed over the surface of the earth.
37. Explain the major factors which are responsible for the formation of soil.
- Factors responsible for soil formation:
- (a) Weathering: It is the process by which rocks are broken down while being at one place. The
physical & chemical processes affect weathering with the help of climate. The disintegration of rock
is the basic material for soil formation.
- (b) Climate: Climate as a factor of soil formation, plays a major role in lending texture to the
unconsolidated particles in the soil. It gives physical structure to the soil.
- (iii) Decomposition: It is the process by which the decayed material is changed into humus. It is
basically responsible for determining the type of soil & its colour.
- (iv) Relief: The slope of land & its general features determine the thickness of the soil between the
surface & bedrock.
- (v) Time: It is the most essential factor in soil formation. It is the time frame during which physical,
chemical & biological processes operate in the soil. All the above processes are involved in soil
formation. Soil formation would be incomplete without the work of insects & worms in the soil. Their
work consists of mixing the minerals & organic content in the soil.
38. Describe the steps involved in resource planning.
- In order to correlate resources to their needs, the following steps are essential for the planning of
resources.
- (i) Survey: This is done by preparing an inventory of the resources. An expert body, like the
Geological Survey of India in the case of mineral resources, uses various methods & techniques to
identify & locate resources in different geographical areas. After that, an inventory is made.
- (ii) Evaluation: This process of planning requires determining the types of resources that are likely
to exist in an area or the region. Evaluation is done with respect to the need & availability of
technology as well as the economy.
- (iii) Exploitation: Resources, after survey & evaluation, have to be used & reused. These steps are
taken to exploit the resources within a certain geographical area & time period. Planning of
resources also involves correlating resources to their future needs.
14
39. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “There is enough for everyone’s need & not for anybody’s
greed”. What did he emphasise in this line?
- Ans. In these lines, Mahatma Gandhi tried to emphasise the following points:
- (i) Human greed for resources.
- (ii) Selfish individuals as the root cause for depletion of resources at the local, relional, national &
international levels.
- (iii) Gandhi was against mass production of goods, as is evident from the above statement. Instead,
mahatma Gandhi emphasised production by the masses which would ensure both the judicious use
of resources, promote employment & shed dependence on foreign imports.
40. What do you know about the Earth Summit? What were its aims?
- Ans. Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992: In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de
Janeiro in Brazil, for the first international Earth Summit.
- The Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection &
socio-economic development at the global level.
- The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climate Change & Biological Diversity.
- The Rio Convention endorsed the Global Forest Principles & adopted Agenda 21 for achieving
Sustainable Development in the 21st century. It aims at achieving global sustainable development.
41. Describe the steps taken for resource conservation at the world level.
- Role of Club of Rome- At the international level, the Club of Rome advocated resource
conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968.
- Role of Schumacher- In 1947, the Gandhian Philosophy was presented once again by Schumacher
in his book ‘Small is Beautiful’.
- Brundtland Commission Report- The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at
the global level was made by the Brundtland Commision Report 1987. This report introduced the
concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ & advocated it as means for resource conservation.
- Our Common Future- The report was later published in a book entitled ‘Our Common Future’.
- Rio De Janeiro earth Summit- Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
42. What steps can be taken to promote soil conservation?
- Methods for soil conservation:
- (a) Afforestation: In some areas, the original vegetation cover has been removed, such as in the
Shivalik hills. In such areas, afforestation & reforestation is needed to hold the soil. Advancement of
deserts can be checked by planting trees along the margins of deserts.
- (ii) Controlled grazing: The number of cattle to be grazed on slopes should be according to the
carrying capacity of the pastures.
- (iii) Terraced agriculture: Slopes must be cut into a series of terraces (fields) for cultivation, so as
to slow down the flow of rainwater.
15
- (iv) River dams: River dams are built in the upper course of rivers to control floods & check soil
erosion.
- (v) Contour ploughing: Control ploughing, terracing & binding is done to check soil wash on slopes,
ploughing is done at right angles to the hill slopes.
- (vi) Crop Rotation: Crop rotation system should be applied & the land should be allowed fallow for
some time. Soil fertility can be maintained in this way.
- (vii) Other Methods: In areas of heavy rain, basin type of cultivation can be adopted. Tall trees
should be grown as wind break & shelter belts in areas of strong winds. Strip cropping restricts soil
erosion.
43. “Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries''.
Support the statement with examples.
- Ans. Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries & can
be seen in other parts of the country or world. This can be understood by following points-
- (i) Land degradation affects the agricultural productivity of land as well as food security. Food
requirements of that region will be completed by importing food from other regions. It will create
additional pressure on the land resources of exporting regions.
- (ii) Addition of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is responsible for increase in temperature. It
affects every part of the world whether it is a developed or developing country.
- (iii) Addition of chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is responsible for ozone depletion in the
Antarctic region.
44. Explain the term ‘Development’. How is it linked with sustainability? Explain with an example.
- Ans. Development refers to the all round growth in which there is a reduction in inequality, poverty,
illiteracy & diseases along with an increase in the real per capita income.
- In other words, there is improvement in the economic welfare of the people & their standard of living
rises.
- Sustainability is linked with development as it works for the welfare of the people & society in terms
of conserving natural & human resources, while meeting the present needs simultaneously.
- As today, a fair distribution of resources has become absolutely essential for a sustained quality of
life & global peace & can be achieved through proper planning which is related to sustainable
development.
45. Distinguish between red soil and laterite soil starting any three points of distinction.
Point of difference Red Soil Laterite Soil
Formation - Red soil develops on crystalline - Laterite soils develop in

igneous rocks in areas of low areas with high temperature
rainfall. and heavy rainfall.
Region - Red soils are found in parts of - Laterite soil is mainly found
16
Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Southern Karnataka, Kerala and the

parts of the middle of Ganga plain hilly areas of Odisha and
and along the piedmont zone of Assam
the(Western Ghats).
Special features - Red and Yellow soils develop a - In laterite soil,humus

radish colour due to diffusion of iron content is very low.
in crystalline and metamorphic
rocks.
46. What is the role of human resource development?
- (i)Resources are functions of human activities
- (ii)Human beings interact with nature through technology,and create institutions to accelerate their
economic development.
- (iii)Human beings transfer materials available in our environment into resources,and use them
- (iv)For example,a river is a natural endowment and it becomes a resource when its water is used for
irrigation or power production.
47. The earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed
of even one person. How is this statement relevant to the discussion of
development?Discuss.
- (i)Resources are vital for any developmental activity.
- (ii)The irrational consumption and over utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and
environmental problems.
- (iii)Indiscriminate exploitation of resources led to global ecological crises such as global
warming,environmental pollution etc.
- (iv)The greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology is the root cause
for resource depletion at the global level.
- (v)If the present trend of resource depletion by a few individuals and countries continues, the future
of our planet is in danger.
- (vi)There is a need for sustainable development. It means development should take place without
damaging the environment and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of
future generations.
48. Explain the relationship between nature,technology & Institutions?
- The process of transformation of things available in our environment involves an interactive
relationship between nature, technology and institutions.
- Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to accelerate their
economic development.
- The availability of resources is a necessary condition for the development of any region,but mere
availability of resources in the absence of corresponding changes in technology and institutions may
hinder development.
17
- There are many regions in our country that are rich in resources but these are included in
economically backward regions.
- On the contrary there are some regions which have a poor resource base but they are economically
developed.
- Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate
technological development and institutional changes. India has experienced all this in different
phases of colonisation.
- Therefore, in India, development, in general, and resource development in particular does not only
involve the availability of resources, but also the technology, quality of human resources and the
historical experiences of the people.
49. What do you know about the Club of Rome ?
- The Club of Rome was founded on 7th April, 1968.
- The Club of Rome was founded in April 1968 by Aurelio Peccai, an Italian industrialist, and
Alexander King, a Scottish scientist. It was formed when a small international group of people from
the fields of academia, civil society, diplomacy, and industry met at Villa Farnesina in Rome, hence
the name.
- The Club of Rome stimulated considerable public attention with the first report to the club, The Limits
to Growth Published in 1972, its computer simulations suggested that economic growth could not
continue indefinitely because of resource depletion. The 1973 oil crisis increased public concern
about this problem. The report went on to sell 30 million copies in more than 30 languages, making it
the best-selling environmental book in history.
- The Club of Rome is composed of "scientists, economists, businessmen, international high civil
servants, heads of state and former heads of state from all five continents who are convinced that
the future of humankind is not determined once and for all and that each human being can
contribute.
- The Club of Rome is a nonprofit nongovernmental organization (NGO) that serves as an
international think tank on global issues. The Club of Rome is run by an Executive Committee of
eleven members that appoints a president, vice presidents, a secretary-general, and a treasurer.
50. What do you know about Sukhomajri and the district of Jhabua? What can we learn from
these two places?
- Sukhomajri, a tiny village in Haryana, about 40 kms away from Chandigarh in the foothills of the
Shivalik, is another outstanding example of ordinary people's initiative to eradicate rural poverty
through participation, rainwater harvesting, afforestation and apt management of local natural
resources.
- Jhabua is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The town of Jhabua is the
administrative headquarters of the district.
- The village of Sukhomajri and the district of Jhabua have shown that it is possible to reverse land
degradation.
- An example of restoration of degraded land is the village of Sukhomajri in Haryana. The village
adopted rainwater harvesting in the 1970s and ensured reliable water supply. As a result, it was able
to grow trees in land that was earlier barren.
18
- Tree density in Sukhomajri increased from 13 per hectare in 1976 to 1,272 per hectare in 1992.
- Regeneration of the environment leads to economic well-being, as a result of greater resource
availability, improved agriculture and animal care, and consequently, increased incomes.
- Average annual household income in Sukhomajri ranged from Rs 10,000-15,000 between 1979 and
1984.
- People’s management is essential for ecological restoration. With people being made the
decision-makers by the Madhya Pradesh government, 2.9 million hectares or about 1 percent of
India’s land area, are being greened across the state through watershed management.
19

Define Resources? Mention Its Features?

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Define Resources? Mention Its Features?

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Humanities/ Social Science/ Class-X/ Resource & Development/Geo Ch-1/ ManishSir/

Opp Sanghati Club, Krishnanagar/ Agartala/ 7005582230/ 8414927264/ 2021-22

RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT/CLASS X/SOCIAL SCIENCE/GEOGRAPHY/CHAPTER-1

1. Define resources? Mention its features?

Point of difference Biotic resources Abiotic Resources

Origin They have life. They do not have life.

Classification Biotic resources can be classified as Abiotic resources can be classified

16. Compare between Khadar and Bhangar

Point of difference Khadar Bhangar

New/ Old It is new alluvial soil. It is old alluvial soil.

Fertile/ less fertile It is more fertile. It is less fertile.

Type of soil It has fine particles. It has kankar nodules in it.

17. Mention the features of each type of soil. Sir manish,9774690470

- Colour- Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.

- Afforestation and proper management of grazing.

Basis of Renewable Resources Non-renewable Resources

Exhaustible They are inexhaustible sources. They are exhaustible resources.

Longevity They can be renewed or replenished. They cannot be recovered. They

Cost The upfront cost of renewable energy is Non-renewable energy has a

Infrastructure Infrastructure for harvesting renewable Cost-effective and accessible

Environmental These are environmental/eco-friendly These are environmentally harmful

Point of difference Red Soil Laterite Soil

Formation - Red soil develops on crystalline - Laterite soils develop in

Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Southern Karnataka, Kerala and the

Special features - Red and Yellow soils develop a - In laterite soil,humus

You might also like