Resources and Their Classification

Definition of Resources

Resources refer to materials or phenomena used by humans to satisfy their needs and support life.
They play a crucial role in production, economic activities, and daily living. Everything in our
environment that is technologically accessible, economically affordable, and culturally acceptable is
termed as a 'Resource'. Humans play a key role in converting materials from the environment into
usable resources.

Classification of Resources

Resources are classified based on different criteria:

1. On the Basis of Origin

o Biotic Resources: Derived from living organisms (e.g., plants, animals, fisheries,
human beings, forests, microorganisms).

o Abiotic Resources: Derived from non-living things (e.g., rocks, minerals, water, air,
metals, energy sources like sunlight and wind).

2. On the Basis of Exhaustibility

o Renewable Resources: Can be replenished naturally within a short time (e.g., solar
energy, wind energy, forests, water, biomass, geothermal energy).

o Non-Renewable Resources: Exist in limited quantity and take millions of years to

form (e.g., fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas, and minerals such as iron,
copper, gold).

3. On the Basis of Ownership

o Individual Resources: Owned by private individuals (e.g., houses, farms, plots,

personal vehicles, land owned by farmers).

o Community-Owned Resources: Accessible to all members of a community (e.g.,

playgrounds, wells, grazing grounds, public parks, village ponds).

o National Resources: Owned by the government within a country’s political

boundaries (e.g., roads, minerals, forests, railways, water bodies, wildlife reserves).

o International Resources: Regulated by international institutions beyond national

boundaries (e.g., oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles, outer space
resources, Antarctic resources).

4. On the Basis of Development Status

o Potential Resources: Resources found in a region but yet to be utilized (e.g., solar
and wind energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat, tidal energy in coastal areas).

o Developed Resources: Resources whose quantity and quality have been determined
for use (e.g., coal reserves being mined, developed irrigation systems, hydropower
projects).
 o Stock: Resources available in the environment but not accessible due to a lack of
technology (e.g., hydrogen as an energy source, underground water in deep
aquifers).

o Reserves: A subset of stock that can be utilized with existing technology but remains
unused (e.g., water stored in dams, petroleum reserves in deep seas, strategic
mineral reserves).

Development of Resources

Excessive exploitation of resources has led to several problems, such as:

 Depletion of resources for short-term gains.

 Unequal distribution, creating social and economic disparities.

 Environmental crises like global warming, pollution, deforestation, and desertification.

Sustainable Economic Development

Sustainable development ensures resource use without compromising the needs of future
generations while protecting the environment. It promotes efficient utilization, conservation, and
equitable distribution of resources.

Resource Planning

Resource planning is essential to ensure the equitable distribution and sustainable use of resources.
It involves:

1. Surveying and Mapping: Identifying and taking inventory of resources across regions
through geological surveys, satellite imagery, and remote sensing techniques.

2. Technology and Institutional Setup: Implementing appropriate technology, institutional

frameworks, and policies for effective resource management.

3. Integration with National Plans: Ensuring that resource planning aligns with national
economic goals, land reforms, and conservation strategies.

Resource Planning in India

India's diverse population and uneven resource distribution necessitate centralized planning. Steps
include:

 Identifying available resources through land surveys and mapping.

 Estimating regional needs based on population density and economic development.

 Formulating strategies for balanced distribution and utilization through policies like the
National Land Use Policy and Integrated Watershed Management Programme.

Conservation of Resources

Unregulated consumption leads to ecological imbalances. Conservation efforts include:

 Sustainable resource use policies.

 Efficient waste management and recycling practices.

  Promoting renewable energy sources.

 Encouraging afforestation and reforestation.

 Soil and water conservation techniques.

Land Resources

Land is a crucial resource that supports life and human activities. Its relief features include:

 Mountains (30%) – Provide forest resources, biodiversity, and act as water catchment areas.

 Plateaus (27%) – Rich in minerals, fossil fuels, and suitable for industrial development.

 Plains (43%) – Fertile lands for agriculture, habitation, and industrialization.

Land Utilization

Land is used for:

 Forests – Essential for ecological balance, timber, and biodiversity.

 Non-agricultural purposes – Used for settlements, industries, roads, and other

infrastructure.

 Barren and wastelands – Land that is unsuitable for agriculture or habitation.

 Agricultural activities – Cultivation of crops and rearing of livestock.

 Fallow lands – Temporarily uncultivated land, including current and permanent fallow.

Land Use Pattern in India

Land use is influenced by:

 Physical factors: Topography, climate, soil fertility, water availability.

 Human factors: Population density, cultural traditions, infrastructure, and technological

advancements.

Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

Causes of land degradation:

 Deforestation due to agriculture and urbanization.

 Overgrazing leading to soil erosion and desertification.

 Mining and quarrying causing loss of topsoil and biodiversity.

 Industrial waste disposal contaminating soil and water bodies.

Conservation measures:

 Afforestation and reforestation.

 Sustainable grazing practices.

 Proper mining regulations and land reclamation techniques.

 Industrial waste treatment and pollution control measures.

  Watershed management and contour bunding.

Soil as a Resource

Soil is a crucial renewable resource formed over millions of years by natural forces like temperature
changes, water, wind, and organic decomposition. It supports agriculture, forestry, and construction.

Classification of Soils in India

1. Alluvial Soil – Found in the northern plains and coastal regions; highly fertile, rich in potash
and phosphorus; suitable for wheat, rice, and sugarcane.

2. Black Soil – Rich in moisture retention and clay content; ideal for cotton cultivation; found in
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.

3. Red and Yellow Soil – Found in low rainfall areas; rich in iron content; suitable for millets,
pulses, and oilseeds.

4. Laterite Soil – Found in high rainfall regions; supports tea, coffee, cashew cultivation; prone
to leaching.

5. Arid Soil – Found in desert areas; lacks humus and moisture; requires irrigation for
cultivation.

6. Forest Soil – Found in mountainous regions; loamy and silty with varying fertility; supports
horticulture and plantations.

Soil Erosion and Conservation

Soil erosion results from:

 Deforestation and unscientific farming practices.

 Overgrazing by livestock.

 Natural factors like wind and water flow leading to sheet and gully erosion.

Soil Conservation Methods:

 Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along natural contours to reduce water runoff and prevent soil
loss.

 Terrace Farming: Creating terraces on slopes to prevent soil erosion and retain moisture.

 Strip Cropping: Planting grass strips between crops to hold soil and reduce erosion.

 Shelter Belts: Planting trees as windbreaks to reduce wind erosion and protect crops.

 Crop Rotation and Cover Crops: Maintaining soil fertility and reducing soil depletion.