Definition of Resources

Resources are elements in our surroundings that can be used to meet human needs and are both economically
and culturally feasible as well as technologically accessible. Humans are integral to resources, transforming
environmental materials into usable resources.

Classification of Resources

1. On the Basis of Origin:

o Biotic: Living things from the biosphere (e.g., people, animals, plants).
o Abiotic: Non-living elements (e.g., metals, rocks).
2. On the Basis of Exhaustibility:
o Renewable: Can be replenished through natural processes (e.g., solar energy, wind, forests).
o Non-renewable: Form over geological timescales and can be exhausted (e.g., fossil fuels,
minerals).
3. On the Basis of Ownership:
o Individual: Owned by private individuals (e.g., land, houses).
o Community: Accessible to all members of a community (e.g., public parks).
o National: Belong to a nation (e.g., railways, forests).
o International: Managed by international bodies (e.g., ocean resources beyond national
jurisdictions).
4. On the Basis of Development Status:
o Potential: Existing in an area but not yet utilized (e.g., solar energy in deserts).
o Developed: Assessed and utilized resources (e.g., water resources).
o Stock: Natural materials with potential uses but inaccessible due to technological constraints
(e.g., hydrogen energy).
o Reserves: Part of stock ready for use with current technology (e.g., water in dams).

Development of Resources

Human overuse and unequal distribution of resources have led to significant problems:

• Depletion due to excessive use by a few.

• Resource accumulation in few hands, creating social inequality.
• Ecological crises like global warming, pollution, and land degradation.

Sustainable Economic Development emphasizes that development should not harm the environment and
must consider future generations' needs.

Resource Planning

Resource planning is vital for sustainable development, especially in a country like India with varying
regional resource availability. It involves:

1. Identifying and inventorying resources through surveys and mapping.

2. Developing plans with appropriate technology and institutions.
3. Integrating resource plans with national development strategies.

Resource planning has been a focus in India since the First Five Year Plan post-independence to ensure
balanced and equitable resource use.

Land Resources
Land is a critical natural resource supporting life and activities. India’s land use includes forests, non-
agricultural uses, fallow lands, and net sown areas. Land degradation from deforestation, overgrazing, and
industrial activities requires conservation measures like afforestation and proper waste management.

Soil as a Resource

Soil is essential for plant growth and supports diverse life forms. It forms over millennia through natural
processes involving climate, organisms, and parent rock material. Indian soils are classified into several
types:

1. Alluvial Soils:
o Found in northern plains and river deltas.
o Fertile, with varying sand, silt, and clay proportions.
2. Black Soil:
o Found in the Deccan plateau, rich in clay, and ideal for cotton.
o Retains moisture well.
3. Red and Yellow Soils:
o Develop in low rainfall areas on igneous rocks.
o Found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and other regions.
4. Laterite Soil:
o Forms in tropical regions with heavy rainfall.
o Acidic and low in nutrients, used for tea and coffee.
5. Arid Soils:
o Found in arid regions, sandy and saline.
o Poor in humus and moisture.
6. Forest Soils:
o Located in hilly and mountainous areas.
o Loamy and silty in valleys, coarse on slopes.

Soil Erosion and Conservation

Soil erosion, caused by human activities and natural forces, leads to land degradation. Practices like contour
ploughing, terrace cultivation, strip cropping, and shelter belts help in soil conservation.

• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along contour lines to reduce runoff.

• Terrace Cultivation: Creating steps on slopes to slow water flow.
• Strip Cropping: Alternating rows of crops with grass strips to reduce wind erosion.
• Shelter Belts: Planting trees to protect fields from wind and stabilize sand dunes.

These measures help maintain soil health and productivity, essential for sustainable agriculture and
environmental balance.