CHAPTER-1 RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
NOTES
1. Resource- A resource is anything available in our environment that can be used to fulfill our needs, for which technology is available, which is economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
2. Classification of Resources:
a) Based on Origin - Biotic and Abiotic
b) Based on Exhaustibility - Renewable and Non-renewable
c) Based on Ownership - Individual, Community, National, and International
d) Based on the Stage of Development - Potential, Developed Stock, and Reserves
3. Development of Resources- Just as resources are essential for human survival, they are equally important for maintaining the quality of life.
- For maintaining the quality of human life and global peace, the equitable distribution of resources in society has become essential.
4. Sustainable Development- Sustainable economic development means that growth should occur without harming the environment and that the current development process should not neglect the needs of future generations.
5. Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992-
- In June 1992, more than 100 heads of state gathered in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro for the first international Earth Summit.
- The event was organized to find solutions to emerging global environmental protection and socio-economic development issues.
6. Agenda 21- It is a declaration adopted by world leaders under the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
- Its objective is to achieve global sustainable development.
7. Resource Planning- Planning is a universally accepted strategy for the judicious use of resources.
- Some regions are self-sufficient in terms of resource availability, while others face a severe shortage of essential resources.
- Balanced resource planning is required at the national, provincial, regional, and local levels.
8. Resource Planning in India- Resource planning is a complex process that involves the following steps:
- Identifying resources in different regions of the country and creating an inventory.
- Preparing an appropriate technological, skill-based, and institutional planning framework to implement resource development plans.
- Establishing coordination between resource development plans and the national development plan.
- Since independence, efforts have been made to achieve the objectives of resource planning in India, starting with the First Five-Year Plan.
9. Conservation of Resources- Reckless consumption and overuse of resources can lead to various socio-economic and environmental problems. To prevent these issues, resource conservation is essential at different levels.
10. Land Resources- Land is a highly important natural resource.
Land Use- Land resources are used for the following purposes:
1. Forests
2. Land unavailable for agriculture
3. Other uncultivable land excluding fallow land
4. Fallow land
5. Net sown area– The land on which crops are grown and harvested is called the net sown area.
11. Land Degradation and Conservation Measures-
- Human activities have not only led to land degradation but have also intensified the natural forces that cause damage to the land.
- Some human actions, such as deforestation, overgrazing, and mining, have played a major role in land degradation.
- Leaving mining sites open with deep pits and debris after excavation has contributed to land degradation.
- Waterlogging caused by excessive irrigation is also responsible for land degradation, as it increases soil salinity and alkalinity.
Ways to Solve the Problems-
- Afforestation and proper management of pastures.
- Protection belts of trees, controlled grazing, and stabilizing sand dunes by planting thorny bushes.
- Proper management of barren land, controlled mining, and reducing water and land pollution by treating industrial wastewater before disposal.
12. Soil Resources- Soil is one of the most important renewable natural resources.
- The process of soil formation is influenced by key factors such as relief, parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation, other organic materials, and time.
- Soils in India are formed by the deposits brought by the three major river systems of the Himalayas: the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmaputra.
- Alluvial Soil- Alluvial soil contains different proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Based on age, alluvial soils are classified into two types: Old Alluvial (Bhangar) New Alluvial (Khadar)
1. Black Soil- These soils are black in color and are also known as Regur Soil. This soil is considered suitable for cotton cultivation.
- This type of soil is found in the northwestern parts of the Deccan Plateau (Basalt region) and is formed from lava parent rock.
- Black soil is composed of very fine particles, primarily clay.
- These soils are rich in essential nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime.
- Its plowing begins with the first showers of the monsoon.
2. Red and Yellow Soil- Red soil has developed in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau, in areas with low rainfall, on crystalline igneous rocks.
- The red color of these soils is due to the diffusion of iron in crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks. Their yellow color appears due to hydration.
3. Laterite Soil- The word "Laterite" is derived from the Greek word later, which means "brick."
- Laterite soil is formed in tropical and subtropical climatic regions due to the alternating wet and dry seasons.
- This soil is generally deep and acidic, with a pH of less than 6.0.
4. Desert Soil- These soils are red and brown in color. They are generally sandy and saline in nature.
- The calcium content increases beneath the soil surface, and lime nodules are found in the lower layers. This leads to the obstruction of water infiltration in the soil.
5. Forest Soil- These soils are generally found in hilly and mountainous regions with dense forest cover.
- In river valleys, they are loamy and silty in texture.
- In the lower regions of river valleys, especially on river terraces and alluvial fans, these soils are fertile.
13. Soil Erosion and Conservation- The process of soil being washed away or removed by natural forces is known as soil erosion.
- Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, construction, and mining often disturb the natural balance, leading to soil erosion by natural forces like wind, glaciers, and water.
- Gullies- Flowing water cuts through soft soil, forming deep channels known as gullies.
- Badland- Land that becomes unfit for cultivation due to excessive erosion is called badland.
- Sheet Erosion- Sometimes, water flows downward in a widespread manner, covering a large area. This process is known as sheet erosion.
- Wind Erosion- The process by which wind blows away soil from flat or sloped surfaces is called wind erosion.
- Contour Plowing- Plowing along the contour lines of sloped land reduces the speed of water runoff and is known as contour plowing.
- Strip Cropping- Strips of grass are grown between crops to reduce the impact of wind forces. This method is called strip cropping.
- Soil erosion- The process of soil being washed away or removed by natural forces is known as soil erosion.
