Chapter - Resource and Development Notes

 

Class 10 - Geography 

Chapter 1: Resources and Development

1. Resource

Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided it is:

  • Technologically accessible
  • Economically feasible
  • Culturally acceptable

can be termed as a Resource.

2. Types of Resources

Resources are classified on the following bases:

(a) On the Basis of Origin:

  • Biotic: Obtained from the biosphere; e.g., human beings, flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock.
  • Abiotic: Composed of non-living things; e.g., rocks, metals.

(b) On the Basis of Exhaustibility:

  • Renewable: Can be renewed or reproduced through physical, chemical or mechanical processes. E.g., solar and wind energy, water, forests.
  • Non-renewable: Formed over millions of years; cannot be replenished easily. E.g., fossil fuels, minerals.

(c) On the Basis of Ownership:

  • Individual Resources: Owned privately. E.g., land owned by farmers.
  • Community Owned Resources: Accessible to all members. E.g., grazing grounds, village ponds, public parks.
  • National Resources: Belong to the nation. Government has the right to acquire private property for public use.
  • International Resources: Regulated by international institutions. E.g., oceanic resources beyond 200 km of Exclusive Economic Zone.

(d) On the Basis of Development Status:

  • Potential Resources: Found in a region but not yet utilized. E.g., wind and solar energy in Rajasthan.
  • Developed Resources: Surveyed and quality/quantity determined.
  • Stock: Resources available but not being used due to lack of technology.
  • Reserves: Part of the stock that can be used with available technology.

3. Development of Resources

Resources are essential for human survival and maintaining life quality. However, their indiscriminate use has led to:

  • Depletion due to greed
  • Resource concentration among a few
  • Ecological crises: global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, land degradation

Gandhiji's view: "There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed."

4. Resource Planning in India

Resource planning is essential and involves:

  1. Identification and inventory of resources (surveying, mapping, estimation).
  2. Developing planning structures with proper technology and skills.
  3. Matching resource plans with national development goals.

5. Conservation of Resources

Conservation is essential at individual, community, national and international levels to ensure sustainable development and protect resources for future generations.

6. Land Utilisation in India

Land resources are used for:

  • Forests
  • Land not available for cultivation:
    • Barren and waste land
    • Non-agricultural uses (buildings, roads, etc.)
  • Other uncultivated land:
    • Permanent pastures, miscellaneous tree crops, culturable wasteland
  • Fallow lands:
    • Current fallow (1 year or less)
    • Other fallow (1–5 years)
  • Net sown area: Total area sown in one year
  • Gross cropped area: Net sown area + area sown more than once

7. Land Use Pattern in India

  • Total geographical area: 3.28 million sq. km
  • Land use data available for ~93% of area
  • Less net sown area in NE states and Andaman & Nicobar
  • More net sown area in Punjab and Haryana
  • Decrease in permanent pastures
  • National Forest Policy adopted in 1952
  • Wastelands: Rocky, arid, desert regions
  • Land under non-agricultural use: Roads, railways, settlements

8. Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

Degraded land in India: ~130 million hectares

Causes:

  • Deforestation (Jharkhand, MP, Odisha)
  • Overgrazing (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra)
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Over-irrigation (Punjab, Haryana, Western UP)

Conservation Measures:

  • Afforestation
  • Proper grazing management
  • Regulated mining
  • Efficient irrigation practices
  • Contour ploughing and terracing

Diagram: Classification of Resources

RESOURCES
├── Natural
│   ├── Renewable (e.g., water, forests, solar)
│   └── Non-renewable (e.g., minerals, fossil fuels)
├── Human
│   ├── Structures
│   └── Institutions

Prepared for Class 10 Exam

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