Introduction: Natural resources, classification of natural

resources, basic definitions and concepts

The word "resource" does not refer to a thing or a substance but to a function which a thing or a
substance may perform or to an operation in which it may take part, namely, the function or
operation of attaining a given end, such as satisfying a want. In other word the word resource is an
abstraction reflecting human appraisal and relating to a function or operation.

- Zimmermann, E. W. – world resource and industries ; (1951) .

Anything which may have some functions not only to satisfy human demand at a given end but
also to ensure preservation of biosphere should be considered as resource.

- Earth Summit (1992)

According to Encyclopedia of Social Sciences; (Vol-XI)

Resources are those aspects of man’s environment that render possible or facilitate the
satisfaction of human wants and the attainment of social objectives.

Natural resources can also be defined as the resources that exist naturally on the earth planet
independent of human actions for its generation or production. It refers to any source of wealth that
occurs naturally, such as land, water, soil, plant, animals and minerals, especially, fossil fuels,
coal, etc.

Natural resources are materials from the Earth that are used to support life and meet people's
needs.

A simple natural resources definition would define natural resources as 'things that occur naturally
and are of value to humans'.

Technical natural resources definition

A more technical explanation defines natural resources by what they are not. It is common for
environmentalists to define natural resources by what it is not. In this respect, a natural resource is
not:

Goods subjected to some processing, e.g automobiles

Products not extracted from the natural environment. E.g., food from agriculture is cultivated rather
than extracted.

Further, the technical definition would involve a look into the features/characteristics of natural
resources. Five features are pertinent:

1. Exhaustibility
 2. Uneven distribution in different countries: For instance over 80% of all known oil reserves
are within 3 countries
3. Externalities such as pollution that arise from extraction
4. Volatility: variation in the pricing
5. Dominance: many countries rely on a narrow range of natural resources for their export

Natural resources are thought of as natural capital different from human and physical capital.

In natural resources definition, it is vital to distinguish between natural resources as factors of

production and goods that can be traded. As factors of production, natural resources can form the

basis for various economic sectors. For instance, unique natural scenery may spur tourism. In

contrast, some natural resources such as minerals can be traded in the international market in their

raw form.

The earth’s physical environment provides the life support system and all the resources we use.

The physical environment has four spheres including the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and

lithosphere.

The 5 Most Important Natural Resources are:

1. Air: Clean air is important for all the plants, animals and humans to survive on this planet.
So, it is necessary to take measures to reduce air pollution.
2. Water: 70% of the Earth is covered in water and only 2 % of that is freshwater. Initiative to
educate and regulate the use of water should be taken.
3. Soil: Soil is composed of various particles and nutrients. It helps plants grow.
4. Iron: It is found as mineral silica and is used to build strong weapons, transportation and
buildings
5. Forests: Forests provide clean air and preserve the ecology of the world. Trees are being
cut for housing and construction projects

Some important characteristics of Resource are mentioned below-

Utility - Utility is what makes an object or substance a resource. The factors that determine the

utility of any natural resources foremost are human beings. Utility power of a resource is not

always same. For example, petroleum first used as fuel but later is also used in multipurpose

(nylon, fertilizer etc.).

Functionality- Another most important character is functionability. Zimmerman explains that the

development and functionality of resources is a dynamic process and explains what the relations

between the factors. Without functionability everything is a neutral staff.

Serviceability- It indicate whether it is easy or difficult to control access to a good or service. When

some mater can produce different output that can prove huge service to people.

Acceptability- When resource is accepted to all people from all community without barrier (religion,

caste, tribe.).

Demand- Huge demand is necessary to resource and this demand is everywhere.

Obsolescence- Resources have a power to be obsolescence. In respect of time any particular

resources are less used compare to its past and many time a new resource is take place in the

same position.

Limitation- In this earth environment has enough resources but due to over population, human

greed, unscientific use and other causes natural resources is depleted very soon. So, Malthus,

Meadows, Osborn and some other economist think natural resource is limited.

Accessibility/Feasibility - It indicate whether it is easy or difficult to control access. Some resource

may lying under Himalaya is lying as a neutral staff. If is accessible then it can changed into

resource. Another thing easy access leads more demand.

Eco-friendliness-Eco-friendliness means not to harm to environment, other ways we cannot say it

is a resource. Lead is resource when it used in colour or used in mixed up with other metal, but

when lead it polluted the air then it considered as pollutant not a resource.

Ability to preserve biosphere- In 1992 Rio de Janeiro earth summit, it is said that Resource has
power to save the earth. From this approach Reserve forest, biotechnology and implication of law

in proper way also considered as resource.

Classification of Resources

On the Basis of ownership:

a. Individual: Resources owned by individuals are called Individual Resources. For example –

land owned by farmers, house etc.

b. Community: Resources owned by community or society are called Community Owned

Resources. For example – Graveyard, grazing land, ponds, burial grounds, park, etc.

c. National Resources: Resources owned by Individual Nations are called National Resources.

For example – Government land, Roads, canals, railway, etc.

d. International Resources: Resources regulate by International bodies are called International

Resources. For example – Ocean and sea beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone. No individual

country can utilize these resources without the permission of International bodies

On the Basis of origin:

a. Biotic Resources: All living organisms in our environment are called biotic resources. For

example, trees, animals, insects, etc.

b. Abiotic Resources: All non-living things present in our environment are termed as abiotic

resources. For example – earth, air, water, metals, rocks, etc.

On the basis of Exhaustibility:

a. Renewable Resources: Resources that can be replenished after a short period of time are

called Renewable Resources. For example – agricultural crops, water, forest, wildlife, etc.

b. Non-renewable Resources: Resources which takes million years of time to replenish are

called non-renewable resources. For example – fossil fuel.

Difference between Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Renewable resource Non-renewable resource

It can be renewed as it is available in infinite Once completely consumed, it cannot be renewed due to
quantity limited stock

Sustainable in nature Exhaustible in nature

Low cost and environment-friendly High cost and less environment-friendly

Replenish quickly Replenish slowly or do not replenish naturally at all

On the basis of Status of Development:

a. Potential Resources: Resources which are found in a particular region, but not yet used

properly. For example – Rajasthan and Gujarat receive plenty of solar energy and have plenty of

wind energy, but use of these resources so far has not been developed properly.

b. Developed Resources: Resources which are developed and surveyed for utilization and are

being used in present time are known as Developed Resources.

c. Stock: Resources that are available, but we do not have proper technology to used them

are called Stock. For example – water is made of oxygen and hydrogen, which can be used as fuel,

but because of lack of proper technology these are not being used.

d. Reserves: Resources which are available and the know how to use them is also present

but they are yet to be used are called Reserves. For example – river water which is not used to

generate electricity.

Natural resources are also categorized based on distribution:

1. Ubiquitous resources are found everywhere (for example air, light, and water).

2. Localized resources are found only in certain parts of the world (for example metal ores

and geothermal power).

Classification of resources based on touch ability:

1. Tangible resources: Whereas, tangible resources such as equipment have an actual

physical existence.
2. Intangible resources: Intangible resources such as corporate images, brands and patents,

and other intellectual properties exist in abstraction

Concept of Phantom Pile

Phantom piles: Application of new technology or some modern technique on any given substance
that it can produces extra resource— that extra resource is called Phantom Pile.
The name Phantom Pile means that it is technological knowledge that can derive extra resource
hidden within the substance. In reality, this invisible extra resource always lying within that
substance but man was not able to harness it due to inappropriate knowledge and technological
infrastructure.

Concluding Remarks
In essence, natural resources are found virtually everywhere on earth. However, scholars often
include the concept of ‘value’ in defining natural resources. Resources exist independently of
humans but can be defined as natural resources when they are of value to humans. Adjectives
such as ‘critical’ or ‘keystone’ are increasingly being used to describe some natural resources or
capital to show that some resources are more valuable than others.

All goods we use will either need natural resources (e.g. foods that require minerals from soil) or
will embody natural resources (e.g. a car will contain iron ore). The problem is that with economic
development and population growth, more and more natural resources are being extracted. This
unsustainable resource use is the cause of some of the major environmental problems of today.

The sustainable use, conservation and proper planning of resources through the implication of
Phantom Pile is essential in present time all over the world.