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01 Resources and development G

ResourceEverything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.
Resources are a function of human activities. 
Human beings themselves are essential components of resources. 
They transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.
Classification of Resource
(a) On the basis of origin – Biotic and Abiotic
(b) On the basis of exhaustibility – Renewable and Non-renewable
(c) On the basis of ownership – Individual, Community, National and International
(d) On the basis of status of development – Potential, Developed stock and Reserves.
Development of Resources : 
Resources are vital for human survival as well as for maintaining the quality of life.
Resources are free gifts of nature.
Resources were indiscriminately by human beings because of which some major problems arise:
Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
Accumulation of resource in few hands which have divided the society into two segments - haves resources  and have not resources  
Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to  global warming , ozone layer depletion , environmental pollution and land degration .
Therefore, a fair distribution of resources therefore is essential for a sustained quality of life and global peace. 
Sustainable development
Sustainable Development is the kind of development that meets the needs and demands of the present generation without compromising the availability of resources for future generations and without harming the natural resources and environment.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
The first International Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992.
This Summit was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socioeconomic development at the global level.
Agenda 21 
It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Agenda 21 was adopted at first International Earth Summit held in 1992 at Rio de Janerio Brazil.
It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. 
Its aims is to achieve global sustainable development.
One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.
Resources Planning
Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources. It is important in a country like India, which has enormous diversity in the availability of resources. 
There are regions which are rich in certain types of resources but are deficient in some other resources. 
There are some regions which can be considered self sufficient in terms of the availability of resources and there are some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources. 
For example
Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water resources but lacks in infrastructural development. 
The state of Rajasthan is very well endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks in water resources. 
The cold desert of Ladakh has very rich cultural heritage but it is deficient in water, infrastructure and some vital minerals. 
Process of Resource planning
Resource planning is a complex process which involves : 
(i) identification and inventory of resources- This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources. 
(ii) To develop a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans. 
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.
Conservation of Resources:
Irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation is important. 
Gandhiji expressed his concern about resource conservation in these words  “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.” 
According to Gandhiji the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology are responsible for resource depletion at the global level.
He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.
Conservation of Resources at international level 
The Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968.
In 1974, Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by Schumacher in his book "Small is Beautiful". 
The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global level was made by the 
Brundtland Commission Report, 1987 introduced the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ and advocated it as a means for resource conservation which was subsequently published in a book entitled Our Common Future. 
Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
Land Resources
The land is a natural resource of utmost importance. 
About 43 % of the land area of india is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry. 
About 30 % of the land area of india is mountainous which ensure flow of some rivers and provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects
About 27 %of the area of the country is the plateau region which is rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
Land Utilisation :
Land resources are used for the following purposes:
1. Forests :  Areas demarcated by the government where forests can develop.
2. Land not available for cultivation
(i) Barren and Wastelands : The land which cannot be brought under cultivation with the available technology.
(ii) Land put to Non-agricultural Uses : This type of land is used to build settlements, infrastructure, industries, shops, etc.
3. Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land)
(i) Permanent pastures and grazing land : It includes all types of grazing land. Most of this type of land is owned by the Gram Panchayat or the Government.
(ii) Land under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves  : The land under
orchards and fruit trees are included in this category. This land is not included in the net sown area. 
(ii) Cultruable waste land : Land which is left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years
4. Fallow lands
(i) Current fallow- Land which is left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year
(ii) Other than current fallow- Land which is left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years.
5. Net Area Sown:  The physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested is known as net sown area
Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped area 
Land use pattern in India
The use of land is determined both by physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types as well as human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions etc.
Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33 per cent of geographical area, as it was outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952). 

Land Degradation : 
The decrease in the quality of land due to human and natural activities which makes it unfit for cultivation is known as land degration.
Causes of land degradation :
Mining : Mining sites are left with deep pits and debris after excavation
Overgrazing is the main reasons for land degradation in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
Deforestation (due to mining) is the  reasons for land degradation in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha 
Mining sites are unused after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening. 
Over irrigation is responsible for land degradation in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, 
Due to Over irrigation, salinity and alkalinity of the soil increases.
Industrial effluents : Cement industry and ceramic industry generate dust which settles down on the land and slow the process of infiltration of water into the soil.
Measures for Land conservation in arid areas  :
Afforestation and proper management of grazing.
Planting of shelter belts of plants
Control on overgrazing
Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes .
Control on mining activities.
Proper management of waste lands
Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents
Soil As A Resource
Soil is a renewable natural resource but takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cm in depth .
The soil is a living system. 
Relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.
Soil consists of organic (humus) and inorganic materials
Classification of Soils
Alluvial Soils
This is the most widely spread and important soil.
Alluvial soils are very fertile. 
The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil which have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. 
This soil is found in a narrow corridor in Rajasthan and Gujarat and also in the delta of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri rivers.
On the basis of age , alluvial soil can be classified into two parts.
Old alluvial (Bangar) - It has higher concentration of kanker nodules
                                      It has more fine particles 
                                      It is more fertile than the bangar. 
New alluvial (Khadar) -It has less concentration of kanker nodules
                                      It has less fine particles than the bangar. 
                                      It is less fertile than the bangar. 
Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for sugarcane, paddy, wheat and  pulse crops.
Black Soil
These soils are black in colour and are also known as regur soils. 
Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black
cotton soil. 
Black soil is typical of the north-western region of Deccan Traps (basalt) and is made up of lava flows.
Black soil is majorly found on plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The black soils are made up of extremelyfine clayey material and which are known for capacity to hold moisture .
It is rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime .
During hot weather they develop deep cracks, which helps in proper aeration of the soil.
Red and Yellow Soils
Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau. 
Yelllow and red soils are also found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and  piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
It looks reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
It looks yellow  due to hydrated.
Laterite Soil
Laterite is Latin word ‘later.’ which means brick. 
The laterite soil develops under tropical and subtropical climate.
Laterite soils develops in an area with high temperature and heavy rainfall ?
Laterite soils are acidic (pH < 6.0) with low humus content and generally deficient in nutrients.
Lateritic soils mostly occur in southern states, Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha, some parts of West Bengal and North-east 
Red laterite soil in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is very useful for growing tea and coffee. 
Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for  cashew nut.
Arid Soils
Arid soils red to brown in colour. 
They are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature. 
Due to the dry climate and high temperature, soil lacks humus and moisture. 
After proper irrigation these soils become cultivable (in western Rajasthan).
Forest Soils
These soils are found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available. 
The soils texture varies according to mountain environment where they are formed. 
They are loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes. 
In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, these soils are acidic with low humus content. 
The soils found in the lower parts of the valleys particularly on the river terraces and alluvial fans are fertile.

Soil Erosion 
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is called soil Erosion
The processes of soil formation and erosion continue simultaneously
Caused of  soil Erosion :
Deforestation, Over-grazing, Construction and Mining 
Soil erosion is also caused due to defective methods of farming. Like Ploughing in a wrong way. Natural forces like wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion. 
Types of Soil Erosion : 
Gullie erosion: The running water cuts through the clayey soil and makes deep channels as gullies. The unfit land caused by gullies is called bad land or ravines. 
In the Chambal basin such lands are called ravines.
Sheet erosion: Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. Due to this top soil is washed away.This process is known as sheet erosion.
Wind erosion : Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion. 
Soil Conservation
Contour ploughing :  Ploughing along the contour lines on the sloppy regions is called contour ploughing.
Contour plowing slows the flow of water down slopes.
Terrace cultivation Western and central Himalayas sloped land is successively cut into flat steps for crop cultivation and crops are cultivated on them.
Terrace cultivation restricts erosion. 
Strip farming : Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. This method is known as strip cropping.
Shelter belts : Lines of trees are planted to create shelter which is called shelter belt. These shelter belts  break the force of wind.
These shelter belts have important role for the stabilization of sand dunes and deserts in western India.
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  1. Which relief features of India has 30 percent of the total surface area of country? 
    Mountain
  2. Which state has the largest area under black soil? 
    Maharashtra.
  3. Which soil types is made up of lava flows? 
    Black soil. 
  4. Which regions of India have well developed terrace farming? 
    Western and central Himalayas 
  5. What are resources which are found in a region but have not been utilised called? 
    Potential resources. 
  6. In which states has mining caused severe land degradation? 
    Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. 
  7. What is the percentage share of plains in the total land area?
    43%. 
  8. Which type of soil is most suitable for growing the crop of cashew nut ?
    Red Laterite soil
  9. Name the land with deep channels that is unfit for cultivation.
    Bad land.
  10. Which cold desert is relatively isolated from the rest of the country? 
    Ladakh 
  11. In which states laterite soil is found? 
    Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and hilly areas of Odisha and Assam.
  12. In which states overgrazing is responsible for land degradation? 
    Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. 
  13. In which states is black soil found? 
    Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. 
  14. What is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab? 
    Over irrigation. 
  15. Which soils develops in an area with high temperature and heavy rainfall ?
    Laterite Soil 
  16. Which type of soil in India is most widespread and important ?
    Alluvial soil
  17. Which soil is ideal for growing cotton? 
    Regur soil. 
  18. How much percentage of forest area is desired in a geographical area to maintain ecological balance as outlined in the National Forest Policy?
    33%
  19. How is overgrazing responsible for land degradation in Gujarat ?
    Overgrazing →Deforestation →Soil erosion →Land degradation
  20. Gully erosion is common in which basin? 
    Chambal Basin.
  21. Which soil type is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rainfall ?
    Laterite soil. 
  22. Who wrote the book ‘Small is Beautiful’?
    Schumacher
  23. Which type of soil is found in the river deltas of the Eastern Coast?
    Alluvial Soil
  24. Classify resources on the basis of origin.
    On the basis of origin – Biotic resources  and Abiotic resources. 
  25. Classify resources on the basis of exhaustibility
    On the basis of exhaustibility – Renewable resources and Non-renewable resources 
  26. Give one example of the main commercial crop cultivable in laterite soil.
    Cashewnuts/ Tea/Coffee-Any one
  27. Give one example of the Community Owned Resources
    Ponds/ Public Parks,/Playgrounds 
  28. What are the methods of checking soil erosion? 
    Strip cropping, terrace farming and contour ploughing. 
  29. Read the features of a soil given below and name the related soil.
    (i) It consists of properties of sand, silt and clay.
    (ii) It is described on the basis of age. 
    (iii) It is very fertile. 
    Alluvial Soils
  30. Read the following features of a soil and name the related soil :
    (i) Develops in high rainfall area 
    (ii) Intense leaching process takes place.
    (iii) Humus content is low.  
    Laterite Soil
  31. Read the features of a soil given below and name the related soil.
    (i) These soils range from red to brown in colour. 
    (ii) Generally sandy in Texture and saline.
    (iii) Soil lacks humus and moisture.
    Arid Soils
  32. How are mining activities responsible for land degradation in Jharkhand ?
     Mining → Deforestation  →  Land degradation
    Mining activities also caused deep scars and traces of overburdening
  33. How is cement industry responsible for land degradation?
    Grinding limestone for the cement industry generates dust which settles down on the land and slow the process of infiltration of water into the soil.
  34. How is over irrigation responsible for land degradation in Punjab?
    Over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.
  35. Match the column - 1 with column - 2 and choose the correct option 
    Column - 1                Column - 2
    (Resources)               (Example)
    (I) Biological               1. Coal
    (II) Renewable             2. Wildlife
    (III) Non-renewable     3. Solar Energy
    Column - 1                Column - 2
    (Resources)               (Example)
    (I) Biological               2. Wild life
    (II) Renewable             3. Solar Energy
    (III) Non-renewable     1. Coal
  36. Describe any three main features of ‘Alluvial soil’ found in India.
    (i) Alluvial soil is widely spread over the northern plains by the three Himalayan river systems - The Indus, The Ganga and The Brahmputra.
    (ii) Most fertile soil among all soil types.
    (iii) Alluvial soil classified as Bhangar and Khader.
    (iv) It contains potash, Phosphoric acid and lime
  37. What is Agenda 21? List its two principles. 
    Agenda 21is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The two principles are as follows: a. To combat environmental damage, pov¬erty, disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. b. Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.
  38. Describe any three main features of ‘Black soil’ found in India.
    (i) Black soil is black in colour and also known as Regur Soil.
    (ii) Black soil is well known for its capacity to hold moisture
    (iii) It is rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash & lime.
    (iv) It is ideal for growing cotton.
    (v)  It is made up of lava flow
  39. Describe the different steps of ‘resource planning.
    Or How is resource planning a complex process? Explain.
    (i) dentification and inventory of resources- surveying, mapping,
    qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement.
    (ii) Evolving a planning structure- appropriate technology, skill and
    institutional setup.
    (iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national
    development plans.
  40. Match Column 1 (Soil Erosion) with Column 2 (Explanation) and select the correct option from the following :
    Column 1                Column 2  
    A. Gully Erosion  ➥I. Water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope
    B. Wind Erosion  ➥II. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e., up and down the slope form channels for quick flow of water
    C. Sheet Erosion  ➥III. The running water cuts through clayey soils and makes deep channels
    D. Defective methods of farming  ➥ IV. Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land
    A. Gully Erosion  ➥III. The running water cuts through clayey soils and makes deep channels
    B. Wind Erosion   ➥ IV. Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land
    C. Sheet Erosion    ➥I. Water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope
    D. Defective methods of farming  ➥ II. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e., up and down the slope form channels for quick flow of water
  41. Distinguish between Khadar and Bangar soil.
    Bangar - It is an old alluvial soil.
                    It has higher concentration of kanker nodules
                    It has more fine particles 
                    It is more fertile than the bangar. 
    Khadar - It is a new alluvial soil
                    It has less concentration of kanker nodules
                    It has less fine particles than the bangar. 
                    It is less fertile than the bangar. 
  42. Explain with examples, the ways to solve the problem of land degradation in the Himalayan region.
    (i) Contour Ploughing – Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
    (ii) Terrace cultivation : Terrace cultivation restricts soil erosion. 
    (iii) Strip farming : Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. 
    (iv) Shelter belts : Lines of trees are planted to create shelter which is called shelter belt. These shelter belts  break the force of wind.
    These shelter belts have important role for the stabilization of sand dunes and deserts in western India.






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