Unit – 3

Natural Resources

● Natural resources are the resources that exist without any actions or intervention of
human beings in nature.
● A natural resource is defined as a form of energy and/or matter which is essential for
the functioning of organisms, populations and ecosystems.
● A natural resource might be any natural substance that humans utilize. This includes
oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, sand, air, sunlight, soil, and water. Natural
resources may also include animals, birds, fish, and vegetation.
● Natural resources are strongly intertwined. Therefore, removing one item would have
an impact on the availability or quality of the others. If water is removed from a
region, the vegetation, soils, animals, and even the air in that region will suffer.

Classification of Natural Resources

Classification of natural resources can be done in several ways based on their origin, level
of development and uses, stock or deposits, and their distribution.
On the basis of their origin, natural resources can be classified into living or biotic and
non-living or abiotic resources.

● Living or Biotic Resources

If natural resources come from living things or organic materials, they are termed as
living or biotic resources. Biotic resources include plants, animals and fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are classified as biotic resources as they
are formed from the decay of organic matter over millions of years.

● Non-living or Abiotic Resources

On the other hand, if the resources are derived from nonliving or inorganic materials,
they are termed as abiotic resources. For instance, air, sunlight, and water are abiotic
natural resources. Minerals are also considered abiotic.
 On the basis of availability, natural resources can be classified as renewable and
non-renewable.
● Renewable Resources

Renewable resources are those that are either always available like water, air, and sun
or can be replaced or recovered in a reasonable amount of time like vegetative lands.
Animals can also be considered renewable since they may produce young ones to
replace adult animals.

Organic renewable resources are renewable resources that originate from living things
like trees and animals. Inorganic renewable resources are renewable resources that
originate from non-living sources such as water, sunlight, and wind.

● Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources are resources that can’t be replenished once they’ve been
depleted or can not be recovered in a reasonable amount of time. Fossil fuels, and
minerals are examples of non-renewable resources because, while they form naturally
through a process known as the rock cycle, the process can take thousands of years,
making them non-renewable.
If non-renewable resources come from non-living entities, they are referred to as
inorganic resources. Minerals, wind, land, dirt, and rocks are examples.
Some non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, are derived from living things.
They’re classified as organic non-renewable resources.

● Stock Resources
Stock is the resources for which presently, we don’t have any technology to extract
them. For e.g Water consists of Hydrogen and Oxygen. Hydrogen is considered as
one of the sources of energy but we do not know the technology to extract energy
from it.

Land Resources

The term “land resources” encompasses the physical, biotic, environmental,

infrastructural and socio-economic components of a natural land unit, including
surface and near-surface freshwater resources important for management.

✔ Types of Land use in India

The most important types of land use patterns in India are

1. Forest area – During 1950-51 the area under forest was only 40.48 million
hectares (14.2%) in India. But it has been increased to 80.20 million hectares
(24.39%) in 2017-2018. According to forest policy 1952, the reporting area of the
forest must be 33.3% of the total land
 2. Land not available for cultivation – The land used for human settlements,
transport routes, canals, the mountains, deserts, marshes, etc are coming under this
category.
3. Cultivable waste land - cultivable Wasteland refers to the land that can be used for
cultivation but is left uncultivated due to various reasons like lack of irrigation
facilities, water logging, poor soil quality, etc.
4. Fallow land - Fallow land is a piece of land that is normally used for farming but
that is left usually for a year with no crops on it for a season in order to let it
recover its fertility.
5. Net area sown - Net sown area is the land which is used for cultivation of crops
during the agricultural year. India has a net sown area of 46.2% of the total
reporting land in India

Land Degradation

Land degradation is defined as the temporary or permanent decline in the productive

capacity of the land o is a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is
affected by a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land.

✔ Causes of land Degradation

Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions,

particularly drought. It is also caused by human activities that pollute or degrade the
quality of soils and land utility. It negatively affects food production, livelihoods, and
the production and provision of other ecosystem goods and services.

● Deforestation: Forests play an important role in maintaining fertility of soil by

shedding their leaves which contain many nutrients. Forests are also helpful in
binding up of soil particles with the help of roots of vegetation. Therefore, cutting о
forests will affect the soil adversely.
● Agricultural practices: Over irrigating farmland leads to salinization, as the
evaporation of water brings the salts to the surface of the soil on which crops cannot
grow. Over irrigation also creates water logging of the top soil, so that crop roots are
affected and the crop deteriorates. The use of more and more chemical fertilizers
poisons the soil and eventually the land becomes unproductive.
● Overgrazing: Increase in livestock population results in overexploitation of pastures.
Due to this, grass and other types of vegetation are unable to survive and grow in the
area, and lack of vegetation cover leads to soil erosion.
● Pollution: Many forms of pollution can cause a lot of damage to the soil and to the
land, including chemical spills and industrial pollution.
● Population: More land is needed for producing food, fiber and fuel wood. So land is
degraded due to over exploitation. Increasing growth of population and demand for
 more residential areas and commercial sectors is also one of the reasons for land
degradation.
● Urbanization: Urbanization has major implications on the land degradation process
Urbanization reduces the agricultural land. Urbanization leads to deforestation, which
inturn affects millions of plants and animals .Foremost of all, it denudates the soil’s
vegetation cover, compacts soil during construction, and alters the drainage pattern..
● Industrialization: Industries and mining operations can pollute soils. Development of
industries for the economic growth of the country leads to excessive deforestation
and utilization of land in such as way that it has lost its natural up gradation quality.

✔ Effects of land degradation

The major outcomes of land degradations are as follows:
● Surface and groundwater resources have declined in quantity and quality as a result of
land degradation
● Decline in the productive capacity of the land (temporary or permanent)
● Decline in the lands “usefulness”.
● Loss of biodiversity
● Increased vulnerability of the environment or people to destruction or crisis
● Decline in the chemical, physical and /or biological properties of soil
● Impact on livestock and agriculture e.g. loss of animals due to dehydration. Reduces
yields.
● Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water.
● Water and food insecurity.

✔ Prevention and Control Measures for Land Degradation:

Following are some practices for controlling land degradation:

1. Strip farming: It is & practice in which cultivated crops are sown in alternative strips
to prevent water movement.
2. Crop Rotation: It is one of the agricultural practice in which different crops are grown
in same area following a rotation system which helps in replenishment of the soil.
3. Ridge and Furrow Formation: Soil erosion is one of the factors responsible for lad
degradation. It can be prevented by formation of ridge and furrow during irrigation
which lessens run off.
4. Construction of Dams: This usually checks or reduces the velocity of run off so that
soil support vegetation.
5. Contour Farming: This type of farming is usually practiced across the hill side and is
useful in collecting and diverting the run off to avoid erosion.

Desertification

Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry area of land becomes
increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife.
Causes of Desertification
● Overgrazing
Animal grazing is a huge problem for many areas that are starting to become desert
biomes. If there are too many animals that are overgrazing in certain spots, it makes it
difficult for the plants to grow back, which hurts the biome and makes it lose its
former green glory.

● Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the leading human causes of desertification. Forests are being
cut down at much larger scale than ever before, to be used as fuel, to provide
products we use in our daily life, or to simply create more space for agriculture to
sustain growing human population..When the trees and other vegetation in an area
are gone, there are no roots that would hold soils in place, there is no canopy that
would shield the ground from the direct rainfall or from the sun’s heat. The bare soil
then easier dries out and turns to dust, which can be blown and washed away in a
single storm.

● Urbanization and Other Types of Land Development

Development can cause people to go through and kill plant life. It can also cause
issues with the soil due to chemicals and other things that may harm the ground. As
areas become more urbanized, there are fewer places for plants to grow, thus causing
desertification.

● Climate Change
Climate change plays a huge role in desertification. As the days get warmer and
periods of drought become more frequent, desertification becomes more and more
eminent. Unless climate change is slowed down, huge areas of land will become
desert; some of those areas may even become uninhabitable as time goes on.

● Stripping the Land of Resources

If an area of land has natural resources like natural gas, oil, or minerals, people will
come and mine it or take it out. This usually strips the soil of nutrients, which in turn
kills the plant life, and eventually leads to the process of becoming a desert biome as
time goes on.

● Excessive Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides

Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides could eventually turn fertile land into desert
land. After a few years of intensive farming, the resulting arid land will no longer be
suitable for farming since the soil has been degraded too much. Thus it causes
desertification.

● Inefficient farming methods

 Over cultivation (too much farming of the same area of land) and monocropping
(planting the same crop every year) can harm the health of the soil by preventing it
from having sufficient time to recover its nutrients. Excessive soil tilling (disturbing
the soil too often or too deeply) can also affect the goodness of the land causing it to
dry up too quickly

● Soil Pollution
Most plants are quite sensitive to their natural living conditions. When soil becomes
polluted due to various human activities, the respective area of land may suffer from
desertification in the long run. Higher the level of pollution more will be the
degradation of soil over time.

● Natural Disasters
Natural calamities, such as drought, can cause land degradation in some
circumstances. There isn’t much that individuals can do in those situations besides
work to assist rebuild the land once it has been harmed by nature.

✔ Effects of Desertification
● Farming becomes next to impossible

If an area becomes a desert, then it’s almost impossible to grow substantial crops there
without special technologies. This can cost a lot of money to try and do, so many farmers
will have to sell their land and leave the desert areas.

● Hunger

Without farms in these areas, the food that those farms produce will become much
scarcer, and the people who live in those local areas will be a lot more likely to try and
deal with hunger problems. Animals will also go hungry, which will cause even more of
a food shortage.

● Flooding

Without plant life in an area, flooding is a lot more imminent. Not all deserts are dry;
those that are wet could experience a lot of flooding because there is nothing to stop the
water from gathering and going all over the place. Flooding can also negatively affect the
water supply

● Poor Water Quality

If an area becomes a desert, the water quality is going to become a lot worse than it would
have been otherwise. This is because plant life plays a significant role in keeping the
water clean and clear; without its presence, it becomes a lot more difficult

● Biodiversity Loss
In general, the destruction of habitats and desertification may also contribute to a loss of
biodiversity. While some species may be able to adjust to the altered environmental
conditions properly, many species will not be able to do so and may suffer from serious
declines in population.

● Overpopulation

When areas start to become desert, animals and people will go to other areas where they
can actually thrive. This causes crowding and overpopulation, which will, in the long run,
end up continuing the cycle of desertification that started this whole thing anyway.

● Poverty

Without food and water, it becomes harder for people to thrive, and they take a lot of time
to try and get the things that they need.

✔ Preventive Measures

● Firstly land and water management can be practiced to

prevent desertification. Sustainable practices are at the centre
of the prevention measures. Overgrazing, deforestation,
irrigation and other damaging soil practices need to be
checked and controlled.

● Secondly, protecting soil from wind and water erosion helps

prevent ecosystem services loss during droughts. Another key
factor is alternative farming and industrial techniques that are
less demanding on local land and natural resource use, such
as dryland aquaculture for fish production and industrial
compounds, limit desertification.

● Lastly, establishing economic opportunities outside drylands

and unpacking new opportunities for people to earn
sustenance, such as urban growth and infrastructure, could
reduce and stir pressures bearing the desertification methods.

Soil

● Soil is consideration to be the “Skin of the Earth “and interfaces with its lithosphere,
Hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
● Soil is a mixture of mineral and organic matter, gases, liquid, and the countless,
organisms that together support life on Earth.
● A typical soil is about 50% solids (45% mineral and 5% organic matter), and 50%
pores of which half is occupied by water and half by gas.

✔ Soil Formation

Soil formation is also termed as pedogenesis, which is the combined effect of physical,
chemical, biological and anthropogenic processes working on soil parent material.
Basically soil formation is the result of weathering of rocks and minerals. Though it is a
slow process and needs hundreds of years.

The five major factors responsible for the formation of soil are:

● Parent material in the form of rock and sediment builds the initial substrate for soil
formation. It defines a soil’s chemical and mineralogical composition and influences
soil texture and structure.
● Topography- The shape of the land surface, its slope and position on the landscape,
greatly influence the kinds of soils formed. The soil formation is also affected by
surface runoff or depth to water table. Soils that developed on higher elevations and
sloping areas are generally excessively drained or well drained. Steep, long slopes
mean water will run down faster and potentially erode the surfaces of slopes.
● Climate: The kind of climate determines the nature of weathering and type of
vegetation, which in turn affects the soil forming process.
● Living organisms: Organisms, including flora and fauna, are not an independent factor
in soil formation. Both continuously interact with climate, relief and soil parent
material over time. Vegetation delivers organic material for humus for
● Time: Soils take many years to form. Young soils have characteristics of their parent
material, but they change with the passing of time. Time also determines the thickness
of the soil.

✔ Four Soil Forming Processes

● Additions: Materials added to the soil, such as decomposing vegetation and
organisms (organic matter--OM), or new mineral materials deposited by wind or
wate
● Losses: Through the movement of wind or water, or uptake by plants, soil
particles (sand, silt, clay, and OM) or chemical compounds can be eroded,
leached, or harvested from the soil, altering the chemical and physical makeup of
the soil.
● Transformations: The chemical weathering of sand and formation of clay
minerals, transformation of coarse OM into decay resistant organic compounds
(humus)
● Translocations: Movement of soil constituents (organic or mineral) within the
profile and/or between horizons. Over time, this process is one of the more visibly
noticeable as alterations in color, texture, and structure become apparent.
Soil erosion
● It is a process in which the top fertile layer of soil is lost. Due to soil erosion, the
soil becomes less fertile. The top layer of soil is very light which is easily carried
away by wind and water. The removal of topsoil by the natural forces is known
as soil erosion.

✔ Causes of Soil Erosion

Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc., cause soil
erosion. The various factors of soil erosion are:

1. Wind

When strong winds blow, the topsoil along with the organic matter is carried away by the
wind. This happens more often when the land is not covered with grass or plants. Such
conditions are very common in desert and semi-desert regions where strong winds blow
very frequently.

2. Water

When it rains in the hilly areas, the soil gets washed away towards the plains. The running
water deposits the mineral-rich soil in the riverbed and over the years this deposition of
soil can change the course of the river. This can lead to floods which cause the destruction
of life and property. Water erosion leads to loss of agriculture potential.

3. Overgrazing

When cattle are allowed to graze on the same field repeatedly, all the available grass,
including the roots are eaten by them. This makes the topsoil vulnerable to wind and
flowing water, leading to soil erosion.

4. Deforestation

Humans have taken land from the forest to cultivate in order to feed the ever-increasing
population and to build houses, industries, etc. The roots of trees hold the soil together,
thus preventing the soil from getting uprooted. When large areas of the forest are cleared,
the topsoil gets eroded by wind and flowing water.

✔ Soil pollution

Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in

the soil, in very high concentrations to pose a risk to human health and the ecosystem. Or
in simple words Alteration in the natural soil due to human activities is termed Soil
Pollution.
 Effects on Human health
● As a result, these contaminants can enter the human body through a number of
pathways, including direct skin contact or inhalation of polluted soil dust.
● Headaches, nausea, vomiting, coughing, chest pain, wheezing, skin and eye irritation,
exhaustion, and weakness are some of the short-term impacts of human exposure to
polluted soil.
● Soil pollution has been connected to a number of long-term illnesses as well.
● High levels of lead exposure can cause lasting harm to the nervous system. Children
are especially sensitive to lead poisoning.
● Depression of the central nervous system, kidney damage, liver damage and cancer
are common complications.
● Many soil contaminants, including petroleum hydrocarbons and industrial solvents,
have been related to human congenital diseases.
● As a result, soil pollution can have a number of detrimental consequences for human
health.

Effects on Plants

In such a short period of time, plants are unable to adapt to the soil change chemistry.
Fungi and bacteria found in the soil that bind them together start to decline, which creates
an additional problem in soil erosion. Regular use of chemical fertilizers, inorganic
fertilizers, pesticides will decrease the fertility of the soil and alter the structure of soil.
This will lead to a decrease in soil quality and poor quality of crops. The fertility of the
soil diminishes slowly, making land unsuitable for agriculture and any local vegetation to
survive.

Effects on the Ecosystem

The soil is an important habitat for different types of microorganisms, birds, and insects.
Thus, change in the chemistry of soil can negatively impact the lives of living organisms
and can result in the gradual death of many organisms.

Water Sources Contamination

The surface run-off after raining will carry the polluted soil and enter into different water
resource. Thus, it can cause underground water contamination thereby causing water
pollution. This water after contamination is not fit for human as well as animal use due to
the presence of toxic chemicals.

Toxic Dust

The release of toxic and foul gases from landfills pollutes the environment and has
serious consequences for some people’s health. Furthermore, the unpleasant odour causes
inconvenience to others.

✔ Soil conservation
 Soil conservation includes all those measures which help in protecting the soil from
erosion and exhaustion.

● Afforestation and re-afforestation

Trees are planted in areas where they have been cleared or areas where trees have
never been planted. The planted trees help in controlling the effects of heavy
raindrops and the speed of the wind, which are major agents of erosion.

● Crop Rotation

Rotation of crops is the system in which a different crop is cultivated on a piece of

land each year. This helps to conserve soil fertility as different crops make different
demands on the soil. For example, potatoes require much potash but wheat requires
nitrate.

● Terrace Farming

Terracing and contour bunding which divides the hill slope into numerous small
slopes, checks the flow of water, promotes absorption of water by soil and saves soil
from erosion. Retaining walls of terraces control the flow of water and help in
reducing soil erosion

● Windbreaks

Windbreaks are rows of trees and bushes planted between fields of crops, reducing the
erosive power of the wind on the soil. Windbreaks also provide homes for living
things. From an economic standpoint, using trees that produce fruits and nuts
in windbreaks can diversify farm income.

● Checking Overgrazing:

Overgrazing of forests and grass lands by animals, especially by goats and sheep,
should be properly checked. Separate grazing grounds should be earmarked and
fodder crops should be grown in larger quantities. Animals freely move about in the
fields for grazing and spoil the soil by their hoofs which leads to soil erosion. This
should be avoided.

● Constructing Dams

Much of the soil erosion by river floods can be avoided by constructing dams across
the rivers. This checks the speed of water and saves soil from erosion.

✔ Deforestation

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees from a forest. Deforestation can

include clearing the land for farming or livestock, or using the timber for fuel,
construction or manufacturing.
✔ Causes of Deforestation
● To make more land available for housing and urbanization
● To harvest timber to create commercial items such as paper, furniture and
homes.
● To create ingredients that are highly prized consumer items such as the oil
from palm trees.
● To create room for the cattle ranching.

✔ Deforestation and climate change

● Forests store large amounts of carbon. Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere as they grow.
● When forests are cleared or burnt, stored carbon is released into the atmosphere,
mainly as carbon dioxide.
● Burning fossil fuels, in combination with destruction of carbon sinks due to
deforestation and other activities, has contributed to more and more carbon dioxide
building up in the atmosphere – more than can be absorbed from existing carbon sinks
such as forests. The build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is driving global
warming,
● It is not effective to “offset” greenhouse gas pollution from burning fossil fuels by
storing carbon in forests. This is because fossil fuels are pumping much more carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere than existing forests can absorb.
● At the same time, carbon stores in forests and other natural carbon sinks will become
increasingly unstable as climate change progresses.

Dams and their Impacts

● Dams are the massive artificial structure built across the rivers to store water
for much beneficial purpose.
● Dams destruct vast area of forest are. India has more than 1600 large dams.

✔ Effects of dams on forest

● Thousands of hectares of forest will be cleared.
● Killing of wild animals and destruction od aquatic life.
● Spreading of water borne diseases.
● Water logging increases the salinity of the soil.

Ex : Narmada sagar project it has submerged 3.5 lakhs hectares of forest

✔ Effects of Dam on tribal people

● Construction of big dams leads to the displacement of tribal people.
● Displacement and cultural change affects the tribal people both mentally
and physically.
 ● They do not accommodate the modern food habits and life style.
● Tribal people are all ill treated by the modern society.
● Many of the displaced people were not recognizes and resettled or
compensated
● Body conditions of tribal people will not suit with new areas and hence
they will be affected by many diseases.

Mining

The process of extraction mineral resources and fossil fuels like coal from the earth is
called as mining.

Effects of mining

● Mining activities have resulted in the loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
● Mining in a given area causes diseases such as fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis
in both workers and residents.
● Mining is a significant driver of deforestation. Not only do mines clear native forests
for mineral extraction, they also often establish new infrastructure, which indirectly
facilitates new access to land and further clearing.
● Water pollution – in mining areas, water from streams and rivers has become acidic
and unfit for drinking.
● Air pollution - In mining-rich areas, contaminated air with high particulate matter is
also a major issue.
● Noise pollution- The ore filled Lorries move in the middle of the village. Major
sources of noise are caused by drilling, blasting, compressors, pumps, loading,
processing plants.
● The child labours are increasing at an alarming rate.
● There is a lot of influence of mining on occupation and job also. The agrarian or
agricultural occupation has lost its charm. Agriculture is facing shortage of laborers.
● Frequent movement of ore filled Lorries in the village has created lot of congestion
and movement of public transport difficult.
● The mine owners and middlemen have destroyed the common property and resources
of many people. They have acquired rural tanks, ponds, lake and gomala’s

Water

Water is a transparent fluid which forms the world’s streams,lakes, oceans and rain.

Hydrology – It is the study of the movement, distribution and quality of water throughout the
Earth.
There are four main parts to the water cycle: Evaporation, Convection, Precipitation and
Collection.

1) Evaporation - Evaporation is when the sun heats up water in rivers or lakes or the ocean
and turns it into vapour or steam. The water vapour or steam leaves the river, lake or ocean
and goes into the air.

2) Convection - Convection in the water cycle is when the air near the surface is heated, then
rises taking heat with it. Water vapour in the air gets cold and changes back into liquid,
forming clouds. This is called condensation.

3) Precipitation - Precipitation occurs when so much water has condensed that the air cannot
hold it anymore. The clouds get heavy and water falls back to the earth in the form of rain,
hail, sleet or snow.

4) Collection- This is when water that falls from the clouds as rain, snow, hail or sleet,
collects in the oceans, rivers, lakes, streams. Most will infiltrate (soak into) the ground and
will collect as underground water.

✔ Drought
A Drought is a period of below- average precipitation in a given region, resulting in a
prolonged shortages in the water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water or
ground water. A drought can last for months or years or may be declared after as few
as 15 days.

✔ Effects of Drought

The effects can generally be categorized as environmental, economic and social

✔ Environmental impacts
● Drying out of water bodies.
● Reduction in soil quality
● Unsuitable conditions for plant and vegetation survival.
● Migration and even death of animals and wildlife
 ✔ Economic Impacts
● Increased budgetary spending by farmers
● Reduces crop yields.
● Industrial and governmental losses.

✔ Social Impacts
● Hunger, anemia, malnutrition and deaths
● Migration of people and anxiety.

Alternative energy sources

Alternative energy refers to energy sources other than fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum,
and diesel) and includes all renewable and nuclear energy sources.

Wind energy

Wind energy is the generation from wind, commonly by propeller – like turbines

This is one of the cleanest and most accessible sources of energy. It is sustainable and does
not release carbon emissions as a by-products.

Name Location State Capacity (MW)

Muppandal windfarm Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu 1500

Jaisalmer Wind Park Jaisalmer Rajasthan 1064

Brahmanvel windfarm Dhule Maharashtra 528

Dhalgaon windfarm Sangli Maharashtra 278

Vankusawade Wind Park Satara District Maharashtra 259

Solar Energy

This is probably the most commonly known source of alternative energy, and for good
reason. Solar energy is completely renewable, and the costs expended on installation can be
made back through energy bill savings. The only potential setback of solar panels is that they
are prone to deterioration over time and aren’t completely weather-safe in countries with
erratic weather conditions.

Solar Power Plant State DC Peak Power (MW) Commissioned

Bhadla Solar Park Rajasthan 2,245 2020

Pavagada Solar Park Karnataka 2,050 2019

 Solar Power Plant State DC Peak Power (MW) Commissioned

Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park Andhra Pradesh 1,000 2017

NP Kunta Andhra Pradesh 978 2021

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Madhya Pradesh 750 2018

Hydro Electricity

Hydro electric energy captures energy from the falling water

Tehri Dam Bhagirathi Uttarakhand 2400 MW

Srisailam Dam Krishna Andhra Pradesh 1670 MW
Sardar Sarovar Narmada Gujarat 1450 MW
Nathpa Jhakri Satluj Himachal Pradesh 1500 MW
Bhakra Dam Satluj Punjab 1325 MW

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is the use of the earth’s internal heat to boil water for heating buildings

Biofuel and Ethanol

Biofuel and ethanol are plant-derived gasoline substitutes for powering vehicle. Biofuel are
somewhat similar to biomass, but biofuel use biological matter ( animal and plant ) to create
energy. Biofuel is renewable when plants are used because, of course, plants can be grown.
However, they do require dedicated machinery for extraction, which can indirectly contribute
to increased emissions even if biofuels themselves don’t.

Example : Pongamia pinnata, Jatropha curcas

Review questions

2 marks

1. What are Natural Resources?

2. What are renewable natural resources?
3. What are non renewable natural resources?
4. What are stock natural resources ? Give example
5. What are Biotic natural resources?
6. What are abiotic natural resources ?
7. What is fallow land?
8. What is land degradation? Give two causes of land degradation.
9. What is strip farming?
10. What is crop rotation?
11. What is contour farming?
12. What is Desertification?
13. What is deforestation? Give two causes of deforestation.
14. What is soil?
15. What is soil erosion?
16. What is hydrology?
17. What is drought?

5 marks

1. Write a note on classification of natural resources?

2. Explain the types of land use in India?
3. Explain the impacts of land degradation?
4. Explain the control measures for land degradation?
5. What are the causes of desertification?
6. What are the effects and preventive measures of desertification?
7. How the soil formation happens? Explain.
8. What are the causes of soil erosion? Explain.
9. What are the negative impacts of soil pollution? Explain.
10. Explain few soil conservation measures in detail.
11. How deforestation impact the climate change/ Discuss.
12. Explain the impacts of dam’s construction?
13. Explain the impacts of mining?
14. Explain the water cycle in detail.
15. Write a note on drought.
16. Write a note on alternative sources of energy.