Class 10 Geography - Chapter 1:

Resources and Development

1. What is a Resource?
Definition: Anything that can be used to satisfy a need and is technologically accessible,
economically feasible, and culturally acceptable is called a resource.

Types of Resources:

• Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living)

• Renewable and Non-renewable

• Individual, Community, National, and International ownership

• Potential, Developed, Stock, and Reserve status

2. Development of Resources
Resources are vital for human survival and development.

• Irrational use leads to depletion and environmental problems.

• Accumulation of resources in a few hands leads to an increase in the gap between the rich
and the poor.

3. Sustainable Development
Definition: Development that takes place without damaging the environment and ensures
future generations can meet their needs.

Principles:
1. Respect and care for all life forms

2. Improve quality of human life

3. Minimise depletion of natural resources

4. Enable communities to care for their environment

Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992):

• Held by the United Nations in Brazil.

• Over 100 heads of state participated to address urgent problems of environmental
protection and socio-economic development.
• Focused on global sustainable development.

Agenda 21:

• A global action plan adopted at the Rio Summit.

• Aimed to achieve sustainable development in the 21st century.
• Encouraged local governments to develop their own Agenda 21 based on community
needs.

4. Resource Planning in India

Definition: Resource planning is a technique or skill of proper utilization of resources. It
involves identifying, distributing, and planning the development and use of resources in a
sustainable and equitable manner.

Conservation of Resources:

• Conservation means using resources wisely and judiciously.

• It helps to preserve the environment and maintain ecological balance.
• Conservation ensures that resources are available for future generations.
• Methods include recycling, using renewable resources, reducing consumption, and
promoting sustainable development.

Importance:

• Uneven distribution of resources

• Planning ensures judicious use

Steps in Resource Planning:

1. Identification and inventory of resources

2. Evolving a planning structure
3. Matching resource development plans with national development plans
Map Idea: (Insert a map showing uneven distribution of resources – e.g. coal in Jharkhand,
solar in Rajasthan)

5. Land Resources
Land is a natural resource of utmost importance, crucial for agriculture, habitation, and
natural ecosystems.

Land Utilisation:

Land resources are used for the following purposes:

1. Forests: Areas covered with trees and vegetation that are crucial for biodiversity and
climate regulation.

2. Land not available for cultivation: Land that cannot be used for growing crops due to
various reasons.

- Barren and waste land: Unproductive land with little or no vegetation.

- Land put to non-agricultural uses: Land used for infrastructure such as buildings, roads,
and factories.

3. Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land): Land that is not used for cropping.

- Permanent pastures and grazing land: Land used for grazing livestock and maintaining
pastures.

- Land under miscellaneous tree crops groves (not included in net sown area): Land used
for growing non-cultivated trees.

- Culturable waste land: Land that has been left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural
years.

4. Fallow lands: Land that is left uncultivated to restore its fertility.

- Current fallow: Land left uncultivated for one or less than one agricultural year.

- Other than current fallow: Land left uncultivated for 1 to 5 agricultural years.

5. Net sown area: Land on which crops are sown and harvested during an agricultural year.
Area sown more than once in a year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped area.

6. Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

Causes of Land Degradation:

1. Deforestation: The large-scale removal of trees and forests, which disrupts ecosystems
and increases soil erosion.

2. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock that prevents the regeneration of plant life,
leading to land degradation and desertification.

3. Mining: The extraction of minerals from the earth, which can lead to soil erosion, loss of
vegetation, and contamination of nearby water sources.

4. Over-irrigation: The excessive use of water in irrigation, causing waterlogging and

salinization of the soil, rendering it infertile.

5. Industrial Effluents: Waste from industries, such as chemicals and pollutants, that
contaminate soil, air, and water, leading to degradation of land quality.

Measures to Control Degradation:

1. Afforestation: The process of planting trees on barren land to restore the ecosystem and
prevent soil erosion.

2. Proper grazing management: Ensuring that grazing by livestock is controlled to avoid

overgrazing, which leads to land degradation.

3. Control of mining activities: Regulating mining practices to minimize environmental

damage and prevent land degradation.

4. Scientific farming methods: Using advanced techniques, such as crop rotation and organic
farming, to protect soil fertility and reduce erosion.
7. Soil as a Resource
Soil is one of the most important natural resources. It provides nutrients and support to
plants and sustains life on Earth. The quality of soil impacts agriculture, forestry, and other
ecosystems.

Factors Affecting Soil Formation:

1. Parent rock: The mineral composition of the parent material that affects soil formation.

2. Climate: Temperature, humidity, and rainfall influence soil development.

3. Organisms: Decomposing plants, animals, and microorganisms contribute to soil fertility.

4. Relief: The topography of the land, such as slope and elevation, impacts the soil
formation.

5. Time: Soil takes time to develop and improve in fertility.

Types of Soil in India:

Type Characteristics States Found

Alluvial Fertile, made by rivers Northern Plains, Assam, Gujarat

Black Cotton soil, moisture-retentive Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat

Red Less fertile, rich in iron Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha

Laterite Rich in iron, poor in fertility Kerala, Assam, Karnataka

Arid Sandy, low moisture Rajasthan, Gujarat

Forest Found in hilly areas, acidic J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand

Alluvial Soil:

 Definition: Alluvial soil is formed by the deposition of sediments brought by rivers

and streams. It is fertile and supports the cultivation of various crops like rice,
wheat, and sugarcane.

 Locations: Found in the Northern Plains, Assam, Gujarat, and parts of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar.

Black Soil:

 Definition: Also known as Regur soil, black soil is rich in iron and clay. It is known
for its moisture-retentive capacity, which is beneficial for cotton farming.

 Locations: Mainly found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra

Pradesh.

Red Soil:

 Definition: Red soil is rich in iron, which gives it a red color. It is slightly acidic and
less fertile than alluvial soil, but suitable for crops like groundnut, maize, and pulses.

 Locations: Found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Laterite Soil:

 Definition: Laterite soil is formed in areas with high rainfall. It is rich in iron and
aluminum, making it ideal for forestry and plantations, but not for agricultural use
without proper treatment.

 Locations: Found in Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, and parts of Odisha and West
Bengal.

Arid Soil:

 Definition: Arid soil is dry and sandy in nature, with low moisture retention. It is
often saline or alkaline and is not suitable for farming unless irrigated or treated.

 Locations: Found in Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, and Haryana.

Forest Soil:

 Definition: Forest soil is found in forest regions and is acidic due to the
decomposing organic matter. It is rich in humus and ideal for forest vegetation,
though not very fertile for agriculture.

 Locations: Found in hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar
Pradesh
8. Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion refers to the removal of the topsoil by wind, water, or human activity. It leads to
a loss of fertile soil, affecting agricultural productivity.

Types of Soil Erosion:

1. Sheet erosion: The removal of thin layers of soil over large areas by water.

2. Gully erosion: The removal of soil along streams and rivers, forming deep gullies.

3. Wind erosion: The displacement of soil particles by wind, especially in arid regions.

Methods of Soil Conservation:

1. Terrace farming: Creating steps on slopes to prevent soil erosion by water.

2. Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines to reduce water runoff and soil
erosion.

3. Shelter belts: Planting rows of trees along fields to reduce wind erosion.

4. Strip cropping: Planting alternating strips of crops to protect soil from wind and water
erosion.