Resource & Development

Everything in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs and is
technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable is
termed a 'Resource'.
CLASSIFICATION OF RESOURCES
On The Basis Of Origin
Abiotic
Biotic
Biotic Resources are living things that come from the biosphere. Examples
include plants, animals, humans, and bacteria.
Abiotic Resources are non-living things that come from the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Examples include rocks, minerals, water,
and air.

On The Basis Of Exhaustabiity

Renewable
Non-Renewable

Renewable Resources are those that can be replenished by natural

processes on a human timescale. Examples include solar energy, wind
energy, water, forests, and wildlife.
Non-Renewable Resources are those that cannot be replenished on a
human timescale. Examples include fossil fuels, metals, and gemstones.

On The Basis Of Status Of Development

Developed
Potential
Stock
Reserve
Potential Resources are those that exist in a region but have not yet been
developed. They may be undeveloped due to lack of technology, investment,
or political will.
Developed Resources are those that have been surveyed and their quality
and quantity have been determined. They are ready to be used for economic
or social benefit.
 Stocks are resources that exist in the environment but are not yet
accessible with current technology. They may be potential resources in the
future if technology advances.
Reserves are stocks that have been identified and are technically feasible
to extract. They are available for use now or in the future.

DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES
Resources have been used by human beings indiscriminately and this has led
to the following major problems :-

Depletion of resources to satisfy the greed of a few individuals.

Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which, in turn, divided the
society into two segments i.e., rich and poor.
It has led to global ecological crises such as global warming, ozone layer
depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
The first International Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
It was attended by more than 100 heads of state and govts, who came
together to address urgent problems of environmental protection and
socioeconomic development. The summit resulted in the signing of several
important agreements, including the Declaration on Global Climatic Change &
Biological Diversity, the Rio Convention, and Agenda 21. These agreements
laid the foundation for global cooperation on environmental issues in the
years to come.
Agenda 21
Agenda 21 is a plan of action for sustainable development adopted by world
leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) in 1992. It aims to combat environmental damage, poverty, and
disease through global cooperation. Agenda 21 also calls for local
governments to develop their own local Agenda 21 plans.

Sustainable Development
Sustainable economic development means 'development should take place
without damaging the environment, and development in the present should
not compromise with the needs of the future generations.
RESOURCE PLANNING
Resource planning is the process of identifying, inventorying, and developing
resources in a way that is sustainable and equitable. It is important in India
because the country has a diverse range of resources, but they are not evenly
distributed. Some regions are self-sufficient, while others have acute
shortages.
Resource planning involves three main steps:
Identification and inventory of resources: This involves surveying, mapping,
and estimating the quantity and quality of resources in a region.
• Development of resource plans: This involves developing plans for how
to use resources in a sustainable and equitable way.
Implementation of resource plans: This involves putting the plans into
action and monitoring their progress.
Resource planning is a complex process, but it is essential for the
sustainable development of India. By identifying and developing its
resources, India can ensure that everyone has access to the resources
they need to live a good life.

LAND RESOURCES
Land is a vital natural resource that supports all life 27 on Earth. India has a
variety of landforms, including mountains, plateaus, plains, and islands. These
landforms support a variety of plants, animals, and human activities

LAND UTILISATION
Land resources are used for the following purposes:
Forests
Land not available for cultivation
a) Barren and wasteland
b) Land put to non-agricultural uses
• Fallow lands
• Other uncultivated lands (excluding fallow land)
LAND DEGRADATION & CONSERVATION MEASURES
Human activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and quarrying,
have degraded land. Mining sites leave scars and pollute land and water.
Industrial effluents are also a major source of land and water pollution.

Reasons :-
Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion & desertification in Gujarat,
Rajasthan, & Madhya Pradesh.
Over-irrigation can lead to waterlogging & increased soil salinity &
alkalinity in Punjab, Haryana, & Uttar Pradesh.
Mining can leave behind unused & scarred land.
Mineral processing can generate dust that harms human health & pollutes
the environment.
Industrial waste can pollute land & water sources.

"There is enough for everybody's need and not for any body's greed.
Mahatma Gandhi.
SOIL AS A RESOURCE
Soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth and living organisms.
It is formed over millions of years and is essential for agriculture, water
filtration, and erosion prevention.

Alluvial Soil
Alluvial soil is the most important soil type in India, covering about 40% of
the country's land area.
It is formed by the deposition of silt, sand, and clay by rivers, and is found
in the northern plains, eastern coastal plains, and Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Alluvial soil is very fertile and contains an adequate proportion of potash,
phosphoric acid, and lime.
It is ideal for growing sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and other cereal and pulse
crops.
Alluvial soil can be classified as old alluvial (bangar) and new alluvial
(khadar).
Bangar soil is older and has a higher concentration of kanker nodules,
while khadar soil is newer and has more fine particles.

Black Soil
Black soil is a fertile soil found in the Deccan plateau of India.
• It is formed from the weathering of basalt rocks and is rich in organic
matter, calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime.
• Black soil is ideal for growing cotton, tobacco, and other crops that
require a lot of moisture.
The soil is sticky when wet and difficult to work on, but it can be tilled
immediately after the first shower or during the pre-monsoon period

Red & Yellow Soils

Red soil is the most widespread soil type in India, covering about 10.6% of
the country's land area.
It is found in the Deccan plateau, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Ganga plain, and
Western Ghats.
 Red soil is formed from the weathering of crystalline igneous rocks and is
rich in iron oxide.
Red soil is porous and well-drained, and does not hold moisture well.
Red soil is suitable for growing crops that are tolerant to drought, such as
millet, sorghum, and cotton.
Red soil can be improved by adding organic matter and fertilizers.

Laterite Soil
Laterite soil is a type of soil found in tropical and subtropical climates with
alternating wet and dry seasons.
It is formed by the leaching of minerals from the parent rock, leaving
behind a clayey soil that is low in nutrients and acidic in nature.
Laterite soil is found in the southern states of India, the Western Ghats,
Odisha, West Bengal, and the northeast.
It is not very fertile, but it is suitable for growing tea and coffee.
Laterite soil is also used to make bricks and tiles.

Arid Soil
Arid soil is a type of soil found in arid and semi-arid regions of India.
It is red to brown in color and sandy in texture.
Arid soil is low in organic matter and moisture.
It has a high salt content, and in some areas, common salt is obtained by
evaporating the water.
The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by kankar, which is a type of
calcium carbonate deposit.
Kankar can restrict the infiltration of water, making it difficult to grow crops
in arid soil.
Forest Soil
Mountain soil is a type of soil found in the hilly and mountainous areas of
India.
It is loamy and silty on the valley sides and coarse-grained on the upper
slopes.
Mountain soil is acidic with low humus content in the snow-covered areas
of the Himalayas.
Mountain soil is fertile on the river terraces and alluvial fans.
SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion is the removal of soil by the action of wind, water, or ice. It is a
natural process that has been occurring for billions of years, but human
activities have accelerated the rate of soil erosion in recent centuries

There are many different types of soil erosion, including

Sheet erosion: This is the most common type of soil erosion. It occurs when
a thin layer of topsoil is removed from a large area by rain or wind.
Rill erosion: This type of erosion occurs when small channels are created in
the soil by runoff water. These channels can eventually grow into gullies.
Gully erosion: This is a more severe type of soil erosion that occurs when
large channels are created in the soil by runoff water. Gullies can cause
significant damage to land and infrastructure.
Wind erosion: This type of erosion occurs when wind blows loose soil away
from an area. Wind erosion is most common in dry areas with little
vegetation.

Loss Due To Soil Erosion

Loss of agricultural productivity: Erosion can remove the topsoil, which is
the most fertile layer of soil. This can lead to decreased crop yields and
increased food prices.
Degradation of water quality: Erosion can carry sediment and pollutants
into waterways, which can degrade water quality and harm aquatic
ecosystems.
Damage to infrastructure: Erosion can cause damage to roads, bridges,
and other infrastructure.
Increased flooding: Erosion can increase the risk of flooding by reducing
the amount of vegetation that can absorb rainwater.
Different Ways Of Soil Conservation
Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines of the land helps to
slow down the flow of water, which can prevent erosion.

Terrace cultivation: This type of agriculture practice involves creating a

series of level terraces on a slope. This helps to prevent water from
eroding the soil.
Strip cropping: This method involves planting different crops in strips, with
strips of grass or other vegetation in between. This helps to break up the
wind and prevent erosion.

Shelter belts: Planting rows of trees to create shelter can help to stabilize
sand dunes and prevent erosion.