RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT

What is a Resource?
A resource is anything from our environment that we can use to
satisfy our needs. It must meet three conditions:
1. Technologically Accessible – We should have the technology
to use it.
2. Economically Feasible – It should be affordable to use.
3. Culturally Acceptable – It should be acceptable in society.
For example: Water, soil, minerals, forests, and solar energy are
all resources.
Development of Resources
Importance of Resources
Resources are essential for human survival and maintaining a good
quality of life. However, in the past, people used them
carelessly, thinking they were unlimited. This led to several
problems:
1. Overuse and Depletion – Resources are being used up to
satisfy the greed of a few people.
2. Unequal Distribution – Some people have control over most
resources, creating a gap between the rich and the poor.
3. Environmental Damage – Overuse has caused serious problems
like:
o Global warming
o Ozone layer depletion
o Pollution
o Land degradation
Need for Resource Planning
To ensure resources are available for future generations, we need
resource planning. This helps in:
 Fair distribution of resources
 Sustainable use without harming the environment
 Maintaining global peace and quality of life
Sustainable Development
 Sustainable development means using resources wisely, so
future generations also have enough.
 It focuses on development without harming nature.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992)
 Over 100 world leaders met to discuss environmental and
development issues.
 Key outcomes:
o Declaration on Climate Change and Biodiversity
o Global Forest Principles
o Agenda 21 – A plan for sustainable development in the
21st century.
Agenda 21

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  A global action plan signed in 1992 at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
 Aims to:
o Reduce environmental damage, poverty, and disease
o Promote global cooperation
o Encourage local governments to create their own local
Agenda 21 for sustainable development.

What is Resource Planning?

Resource planning is a strategy for the proper use of resources.
It helps in managing resources efficiently and ensuring their
availability for future generations.
Why is Resource Planning Important?
India has unequal distribution of resources, which makes planning
essential:
 Some regions have plenty of one resource but lack others.
 Some regions are self-sufficient, while others face severe
shortages.
Examples of Resource Distribution in India:
1. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh – Rich in minerals
and coal but may lack other resources.
2. Arunachal Pradesh – Has plenty of water but lacks
infrastructure.
3. Rajasthan – Has solar and wind energy but low water
availability.
4. Ladakh – Rich in culture, but lacks water, infrastructure,
and minerals.
Need for Balanced Resource Planning
To ensure fair distribution and proper use of resources, planning
should be done at:
✅ National level
✅ State level
✅ Regional level
✅ Local level
This helps in sustainable development and improves the overall
quality of life.
What is Resource Planning?
Resource planning is a complex process that involves:
1. Identification and Inventory of Resources – Mapping,
surveying, and estimating resources across different
regions.
2. Creating a Resource Development Plan – Using technology,
skilled workers, and institutions to implement the plan.
3. Aligning with National Development Goals – Ensuring that
resource development supports the country’s overall growth.

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Resource Planning in India
 India has been focusing on resource planning since the First
Five-Year Plan (1951-56).
 However, just having resources is not enough; technology and
institutional support are also needed.
Unequal Resource Development in India
 Some regions have rich resources but remain economically
backward.
o Example: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh – Rich in
minerals but economically underdeveloped due to lack of
industries and infrastructure.
 Some regions have few resources but are economically
developed.
o Example: Delhi, Punjab – Have limited natural resources
but are economically strong due to industrial and
agricultural growth.
Why Does This Happen?
 Lack of Technology & Infrastructure – Some regions cannot
fully utilize their resources.
 Historical Impact – Colonization led to resource
exploitation without development.
 Quality of Human Resources – Skilled workforce plays a major
role in economic growth.

Conservation of Resources

 Overuse and wastage of resources lead to social, economic,

and environmental problems.
 Gandhiji’s View:
o “There is enough for everybody’s need but not for
anybody’s greed.”
o He believed greed and modern technology were causing
resource depletion.
o He promoted production by the masses instead of mass
production to ensure sustainability.
Need for Sustainable Resource Use
 Proper planning, technology, and conservation efforts are
essential to ensure resources are available for future
generations.
Global Efforts for Resource Conservation
1. Club of Rome (1968)
o First advocated systematic resource conservation at the
international level.
2. Schumacher’s Book – Small is Beautiful (1974)
o Reintroduced Gandhian philosophy on sustainable living.
o Emphasized small-scale, local economies for balanced
resource use.
3. Brundtland Commission Report (1987)

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 o Introduced the concept of Sustainable Development.
o Published as Our Common Future.
o Advocated resource conservation for future generations.
4. Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro (1992)
o A major international conference on environment and
development.
o Led to global agreements on sustainable development.
These efforts highlight the importance of balanced resource use
to ensure a sustainable future.
Land Resources
 Land is a natural resource essential for human life,
economic activities, transport, and communication.
 Since land is limited, it must be used wisely.
Land Distribution in India
India has different landforms:
1. Plains (43%) – Suitable for agriculture and industry.
2. Mountains (30%) – Provide water sources, tourism, and
ecological balance.
3. Plateaus (27%) – Rich in minerals, fossil fuels, and
forests.

Land Utilization
Land in India is used for various purposes:
1 Forests – Land covered with trees and vegetation.
2 Land Not Available for Cultivation
 Barren & waste land – Land unsuitable for farming.
 Non-agricultural use – Used for buildings, roads, factories,
etc.
3 Other Uncultivated Land (Excluding Fallow Land)
 Permanent pastures & grazing land – Used for livestock.
 Tree crops & groves – Not included in net sown area.
 Culturable waste land – Left uncultivated for more than 5
years.
4 Fallow Lands (Temporarily Unused for Farming)
 Current fallow – Left uncultivated for less than a year.
 Other than current fallow – Left uncultivated for 1-5 years.
5 Net Sown Area (NSA)
 Land where crops are grown and harvested.
 Gross Cropped Area (GCA) = NSA + Area sown more than once in
a year.
Land Use Pattern in India
Land use in India is influenced by both physical and human
factors:
 Physical factors: Topography, climate, soil types.
 Human factors: Population density, technology, culture, and
traditions.

Key Features of Land Use in India

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1 Decline in Permanent Pastures
 Pasture lands have decreased.
 Impact: India has a large cattle population, leading to
overgrazing and land degradation.
2 Net Sown Area (NSA) Variation
 NSA in India is about 54% of the total reporting area.
 States with high NSA: Punjab & Haryana (over 80%).
 States with low NSA: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands (less than 10%).
3 Low Forest Cover
 National Forest Policy (1952) recommends 33% forest cover,
but India has far less.
 Importance: Forests maintain ecological balance and support
millions of people who depend on them for livelihood.
4 Waste Land & Non-Agricultural Land Use
 Waste land: Includes rocky, arid, and desert areas.
 Non-agricultural land: Used for settlements, roads,
railways, industries, etc.
5 Land Degradation
 Reason: Continuous land use without conservation measures.
 Effects: Soil erosion, desertification, loss of agricultural
productivity, and environmental damage.

Need for Sustainable Land Management

 Reforestation and afforestation programs.
 Proper grazing land management.
 Soil conservation techniques.
 Balanced urbanization and industrial development.
Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
Land is a crucial resource that we share with past and future
generations. However, human activities and natural forces have
led to its degradation.

Causes of Land Degradation

1 Deforestation – Clearing forests for agriculture, industries,
and settlements reduces soil fertility.
2 Overgrazing – Excessive grazing by cattle damages grasslands
and leads to soil erosion. (Common in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra.)
3 Mining & Quarrying –
 Leaves deep scars on the land.
 In Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, mining
causes severe deforestation.
4 Over-Irrigation –
 Leads to waterlogging, increasing salinity and alkalinity in
the soil.
 (Common in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh.)
5 Industrial Pollution –

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  Dust from cement and ceramic industries settles on land,
reducing water infiltration.
 Untreated industrial waste pollutes land and water bodies.

Conservation Measures to Prevent Land Degradation

Afforestation – Plant more trees to prevent soil erosion.
Proper Grazing Management – Regulate grazing to avoid overuse of
grasslands.
Stabilizing Sand Dunes – Grow thorny bushes in desert areas to
control shifting sands.
Waste Land Management – Reclaim and use abandoned lands for
sustainable purposes.
Mining Control –
 Proper land restoration after mining.
 Avoid excessive exploitation of minerals.
Industrial Waste Treatment – Ensure proper discharge and
treatment of industrial waste before disposal.
Soil Conservation Techniques –
 Use shelter belts (rows of trees to block wind).
 Practice crop rotation and contour plowing.
Soil as a Resource
Soil is a renewable natural resource that supports plant growth
and sustains life. However, it takes millions of years for soil
to form just a few centimeters in depth.

Factors Influencing Soil Formation

The formation of soil is influenced by:
Relief – The shape and slope of the land.
Parent Rock – The type of rock from which soil originates.
Climate – Temperature, rainfall, and weathering processes.
Vegetation & Organisms – Decomposers, roots, and bacteria
contribute to soil fertility.
Time – Soil formation is a slow process that occurs over
thousands of years.
Natural Forces – Wind, water, glaciers, and chemical changes
play a role in soil development.

Classification of Soils in India

India has a diverse geography, leading to different soil types
based on texture, fertility, and formation processes.
1. Alluvial Soil
 Most widespread and fertile soil in India.
 Formed by deposits from rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and
Brahmaputra.

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  Found in the northern plains, parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat,
and coastal deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and
Kaveri rivers.
 Composition: Sand, silt, and clay in varying proportions.
Types of Alluvial Soil
1 Bangar (Old Alluvial Soil)
 Contains Kankar (lime nodules).
 Less fertile than Khadar.
2 Khadar (New Alluvial Soil)
 Finer particles, more fertile.
 Ideal for agriculture.
Crops Grown
 Sugarcane, paddy, wheat, pulses, and cereals.
 Highly fertile, supporting dense population and intensive
farming.
In dry areas, alluvial soils become alkaline but can be
improved with proper irrigation and treatment.

Types of Soil in India

India has diverse soil types based on climate, topography, and

parent rock material. Here’s a summary of major soil types:

1. Black Soil (Regur Soil)

Rich in nutrients (calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, lime).

Highly moisture-retentive but poor in phosphorus.
Forms deep cracks in summer, aiding aeration.
Sticky when wet, making tilling difficult.
Found in: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
Best suited for: Cotton, wheat, millets, pulses, oilseeds.

2. Red and Yellow Soil

Formed on crystalline igneous rocks in low rainfall areas.

Red due to iron content; turns yellow in hydrated form.
Found in: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Western Ghats, parts of West
Bengal, Deccan Plateau.
Best suited for: Pulses, millets, oilseeds.

3. Laterite Soil(Latin: Later = Brick)

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 Highly leached due to heavy rainfall and acidic (pH <6.0).
Low fertility but supports forests (rich in humus).
Prone to erosion in hilly areas.
Found in: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra,
West Bengal, Northeast.
Best suited for: Tea, coffee, cashew, rubber.

4. Arid Soil
Sandy texture, saline in nature.
Low in moisture, humus, and fertility.
Kankar (calcium carbonate) layers restrict water infiltration.
Found in: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana.
Can be made fertile with irrigation (e.g., Indira Gandhi Canal).
Best suited for: Barley, millets, pulses (with irrigation).
5. Forest Soil
Varies by altitude:
 Loamy and silty in valleys
 Coarse-grained on upper slopes
Fertile in lower valleys, acidic in snowy areas.
Found in: Himalayas, Western & Eastern Ghats.
Best suited for: Tea, coffee, spices, apples, cherries.

Soil Erosion & Conservation

Causes of Soil Erosion:
Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, faulty farming.
Natural forces: Wind, water, glaciers.
Types:
 Gully erosion – Deep channels (Chambal ravines).
 Sheet erosion – Surface layer washed away.
 Wind erosion – Soil blown off by wind.

Conservation Methods:

Contour Ploughing – Ploughing across slopes to slow water flow.

Terrace Farming – Step-like structures on hills to prevent
erosion.
Strip Cropping – Grass strips between crops to break wind force.
Shelter Belts – Rows of trees to prevent wind erosion.

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