Geography

Chapter: Resources and Development

[Topics:
1.Resource and Its Classification
2.Development of Resources
3.Resource Planning – Resource Planning in India and Conservation of Resources
4.Land Resources, Land Utilisation, Land Use Pattern in India
5.Soil as a Resource, Soil Classification, Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation]
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Topic 1: Resources and Its Classification:
1. What do resources mean? Or Define ‘Resources’.
Everything available in our environment which is technologically accessible, economically feasible and
culturally acceptable and can satisfy human needs is known as resources.
2. Give the classification of resources. Or What are the basis on which resources can be classified? What is
the importance of resources?
Resources can be classified on the following basis:
i. Origin – Biotic and Abiotic Resources
ii. Exhaustibility – Renewable and Non Renewable Resources
iii. Ownership – Individual, Community, National and International Resources
iv. Status of Development – Potential Resources, Developed Resources, Stock and Reserves
Importance of Resources: Resources are important for human survival and they maintain quality of life.
3. Describe various classification of Resources:
Biotic Resources Abiotic Resources
i. Obtained from biosphere i. obtained from non-living materials
ii.Example: Flora, Fauna, fisheries, livestock, ii. Example: Rocks, metals, land, mountains, rivers
human beings
iii. can be renewed iii. cannot be renewed

Renewable Resources Non-Renewable Resources

i. can be renewed by physical or chemical process i. cannot be renewed or reproduced
ii.Example: solar, wind energy, forests, water ii. Example: Minerals and Fossil Fuels
iii. can be renewed in shorter period iii. take millions of years to form

Individual Resources Community owned Resources

i. owned privately by individuals i. owned by the community
ii.Example: Houses, Plots, Wells, Farm land ii. Example: Public parks, ponds, grazing area
iii. for personal use of individual iii. accessible to all members of the community

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 National Resources
i. belong to a nation (both land and sea resources
upto 12 nautical miles i.e.22.2 km from sea coast)
ii.Example: Minerals, water resources, forests, etc
within an country
iii. can be used by the people and government of
the individual country
International Resources
i. do not belong to a particular country; belong to
the world.
ii. Example: Oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical
miles of Exclusive Economic Zone
iii. can be used by the International Community;
require the concurrence of international
institutions like UN

Stock Reserves
i. resources which can satisfy human needs but i. can be utilized with the available technology and
cannot be used without appropriate technology can be used for future requirements.
(i.e technology is not yet available to use this)
ii.Example: water is a compound of ii. Example: River water – for generating
two inflammable gases; hydrogen and oxygen. The hydroelectric power.
hydrogen and oxygen from water can be used as a
rich source of energy.
But we do not have the required technical
‘know-how’ to use them for this purpose.

Potential Resources Developed Resources

i. Resources are found in a region, but have not i. are surveyed and their quality and quantity have
been utilized and have not developed properly. been determined for utilisation
ii.Example: Wind and Solar Energy in Rajasthan ii. Example: Minerals and Energy Resources

Topic 2: Development of Resources

4. Define ‘Sustainable Development’.

Sustainable 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.
5. What is Agenda 21? List its main principles.
Agenda 21 is the declaration signed by the world leaders of countries in 1992 at the Rio de Janerio, Brazil at
the first Earth Summit.
It is an agenda: i.To combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on
common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities.

ii.To protect Biological Diversity and solve Climate Change related problems
iii.To bring socio economic development i.e. sustainable development
iv.Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

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6. Explain the problems that have resulted due to the indiscriminate use of Resources. Or what problems
have occurred due to indiscriminate use of resources?

i. Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

ii. Accumulation of resources in few hands, which, in turn, divided the society into two segments i.e. haves
and have nots or rich and poor.
iii. Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as, global warming,
ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

Topic 3: Resource Planning

7. What is Resource Planning? What are the complex processes or steps involved in resource planning?

Resource Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources. Resource planning is a
complex process which involves:
(i) identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves
surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
(ii) Evolving 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.

8. Why does India need a Balanced Resource Planning?

Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence of all forms of life. But India needs a balanced
resource planning. Let us see the resource rich and resource deficient regions of India.

Region / State Rich in Poor in

Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Minerals and Coal Deposits Infrastructural development
Madhya Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh Water Resources Infrastructural development
Rajasthan Solar and Wind Energy Water Resources
Cold desert of Ladakh region Cultural Heritage Water, Infrastructure, and some
in J & K vital Minerals
From the above examples, it is clear that India has resource rich and resource poor regions. So, balanced
resource planning is necessary to have sustainable development all over India.

9. “Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate
technological development and institutional changes.” Explain.

i. The availability of resources is a necessary condition for the development of any region, but mere
availability of resources without technology and institutions may not bring desired developments.

ii. Some regions in India are rich in resources but backward in terms of development. Example: Chattisgarh,
Jharkhand states.

iii. In the past, the colonizing countries with the help of technological development have exploited the
resources of poor countries and established their supremacy over colonies.

So, resources alone cannot bring development. Resources should be accompanied by technological
developments and institutional changes.

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 Topic 4: Land Resources, Land Utilisation and Land Use Pattern

10. Why is land resource utmost important?

Human beings have to live on land and perform our economic activities. We need land for performing
various other activities. It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, transport
and communication systems. So, land is natural resource of utmost importance.

11. Which are the factors determine the land use pattern?

 Topography
 Climate,
 Soil Types
 Human Factors such as:
1. Population Density
2. Technological Development
3. Culture and Traditions

12. Write about land utilisation pattern in India or Write about the land availability data in India. Or On the
basis of purposes of use, classify the lands:

LAND UTILISATION

Land resources are used for the following purposes:

1. Forests

2. Land not available for cultivation

(a) Barren and waste land

(b) Land put to non-agricultural uses, e.g. buildings, roads, factories, etc.

3. Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land)

(a) Permanent pastures and grazing land,

(b) Land under miscellaneous tree crops, groves (not included in net sown area),

(c) Culturable waste land (left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years).

4. Fallow lands

(a) Current fallow-(left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year),

(b) Other than current fallow-(left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years).

5. Net sown area

[Note: Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped
area. For example if a farmer has a 1 acre field, he has a net sown area of 1 acre (if and when it is sown). If
it is sown 3 times in a year, then that farmer has a gross cropped area of 3 acres.]

13. Explain the causes of land degradation in India.

Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-
burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa deforestation due to mining
have caused severe land degradation. In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. In the states of Punjab, Haryana, western

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Uttar Pradesh, over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase
in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

Industrial waste effluents have become major source of land and water pollution in many parts of India.

State Causes of land Degradation

Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Deforestation due to Mining
Orissa
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Over grazing
Maharashtra
Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh Over irrigation leading to water logging and
increasing salinity and alkalinity in the soil
Many parts of India Industrial effluents

14. Explain any three steps taken to solve the problem of land degradation in India.

i. Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent.

ii. Planting of shelter belts of plants,

iii. Control on over grazing,

iv. Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny plants are some of the methods to check land
degradation.

v. Proper management of waste lands,

vi. Control of mining activities,

vii. Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment can reduce land and
water degradation in industrial and suburban areas.

Shelter Belts and Wind Breaks (Source: Oklahoma Forestry Services)

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 Topic 5: Soil, Classification of Soils, Soil Erosion and Conservation

15. What are the factors that are responsible for soil formation? Or On what basis soil can be classified in
India.

Factors responsible for soil formation are:

 Relief
 Parent rock or bed rock
 Climate
 Vegetation
 Other forms of life
 Time
 Color
 Thickness
 Texture
 Age
 Chemical Properties
 Physical Properties

On the basis of the above mentioned factors, soil can be classified in India.

16. What are the factors that have contributed to various types of soils in India?

 Varied Relief Features

 Landforms
 Climatic realms
 Vegetation types

17. Classify Alluvial soils according to its age.

According to their age alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar).

The bangar soil has higher concentration of kanker nodules than the Khadar. It has more fine particles and ismore
fertile than the bangar.

18. Write about Duars, Chos and Terai.

The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. As we move inlands towards the river valleys, soil
particles appear somewhat bigger in size. In the upper reaches of the river valley i.e. near the place of the break of
slope, the soils are coarse. Such soils are more common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai. [Duars are
the alluvial floodplains at foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India and Bhutan. Terai is a belt of marshy
land at the foot of Himalayan mountains in North India.

19. Describe different types of soils found in India.

Type of Soil Main Characteristics Where it is found? Crops

1.Alluvial Soil i. consists of various proportion of sand, silt and i. Norther Plains Wheat
clay ii. River Deltas in Eastern Sugarcane
ii. contains adequate proportion of potash, Coastal plains. Especially Pulses
phosphoric acid and lime-good for growing Kaveri Delta, Mahanadi Delta, Rice
different types of crops Krishna Delta and Godavari
iii. Very fertile soil. So intensively cultivated and Delta.
densely populated.

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 Type of Soil Main Characteristics Where it is found? Crops
2. Black Soil i. Extremely fine clay material This type of soil is typical of Cotton
or Regur Soil ii. capacity to hold water is high the Deccan trap (Basalt)
iii. Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash region spread over northwest
and lime Deccan plateau and is made
iv. lacks phosphoric contents up of lava flows. They
cover the plateaus of
Maharashtra, Saurashtra,
Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh and
extend in the south east
direction along the
Godavari and the Krishna
valleys.
3. Red and i.Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks In the eastern and southern ---
Yellow Soil in areas of low rainfall parts of the Deccan plateau.
ii. These soils develop a reddish colour due to Yelllow and red soils are also
diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic found in parts of Orissa,
rocks. Chhattisgarh, southern parts
iii. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated of the middle Ganga plain and
form. along the piedmont zone of
the Western Ghats.
4. Laterite i. Laterite has been derived from the Latin word Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Tea, Coffee,
Soil ‘later’ which means brick. The laterite soil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Cashewnut
develops in areas with high temperature and the hilly areas of Orissa and
heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense Assam.
leaching due to heavy rain.
ii. Humus content of the soil is low because most
of the micro-organisms, particularly the
decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to
high temperature.

5. Arid i. sandy in texture and saline in nature. Rajasthan ----

ii. Due to the dry climate, high temperature,
evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and
moisture.
iii.The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by
Kankar because of the increasing calcium content
downwards. The Kankar layer formations in the
bottom horizons restrict the infiltration of water.
After proper irrigation these soils become
cultivable
6. Forest Soil i. loamy and silty in valley sides and i. Jammu and Kashmir ----
ii. coarse grained in the upper slopes. ii. Himachal Pradesh
iii. In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, these iii. Uttrakhand
soils experience denudation and are acidic with iv. Sikkim
low humus content. v. part of Arunachal Pradesh
iv.The soils found in the lower parts of the valleys
particularly on the river terraces and alluvial fans
are fertile.

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20. What is soil erosion?

The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion.

21. Explain the causes of soil erosion.

Human activities like:

 deforestation,
 over-grazing,
 construction and
 mining etc.,

Natural forces like:

 wind,
 glacier and
 water lead to soil erosion. The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as
gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known as bad land. In the Chambal basin such lands are
called ravines.
 Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the top soil is washed away.
This is known as sheet erosion. Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion.
 Defective methods of farming. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for the
quick flow of water leading to soil erosion.

22. Suggest steps to be taken to control the soil erosion.

 Contour Ploughing - Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
This is called contour ploughing.
 Terrace Farming - cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts erosion. Western
and central Himalayas have well developed terrace farming. (Hilly areas like Waynad in Kerala, Ooty in
Tamil Nadu terrace cultivation is seen).
 Strip Cropping - Large fields can be divided into strips. 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 - Planting lines of trees to create shelter also works in a similar way. Rows of such trees are
called shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilisation of sand dunes
and in stabilising the desert in western India.

Contour Ploughing Terrace Farming

Strip Cropping Shelter Belts

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On the given political outline map of India, shade three states that are having forest and mountainous soils.

(Refer Text Book Page No. 9 ).

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