Topics in the Chapter RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT CLASS 10 NOTES
• Resources
• Classification of Resources
→ On the basis of origin
→ On the Basis of Exhaustibility
→ On the Basis of Ownership
→ On the Basis of the Status of Development
• Development of Resources
• Resource Planning
• Land Resources
→ Land Resources in India
• Land Use Pattern in India
• Land Degradation and Conservation measures
• Soil as a Resource
• Classification of Soils
→ Alluvial Soils
→ Black Soil
→ Red and Yellow Soils
→ Laterite Soils
→ Arid Soils
→ Forest Soils
• Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation
Resources
• Everything 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’.
Classification of Resources
• The resources can be classified as:
→ On the basis of origin – biotic and abiotic
→ On the basis of exhaustibility – renewable and non-renewable
→ On the basis of ownership – individual, community, national and international
→ On the basis of status of development – potential, developed stock and reserves.
On the Basis of Origin
• Biotic Resources: These are obtained from biosphere and have life such as human beings, flora and fauna,
fisheries, livestock etc.
• Abiotic Resources: All those things which are composed of non-living things are called abiotic resources.
For example, rocks and metals.
On the Basis of Exhaustibility
• Renewable Resources: The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical or
mechanical processes are known as renewable resources. For example, solar and wind energy, water,
forests and wildlife, etc.
• Non-Renewable Resources: The resources once consumed cannot be replaced are known as non-
renewable resources. These resources take millions of years in their formation.For example: Oil, Coal etc.
On the Basis of Ownership
• Individual Resources: The resources owned privately by individuals are called Individual resources. For
example: Plot, houses etc. owned by a person.
• Community Owned Resources: The resources which are accessible to all the members of the community.
For example: Public parks, picnic spots owned by a community.
• National Resources: The resources which come under nation are known as National Resources.
Technically, all the resources belong to the nation.
• International Resources: The resources lying beyond 200 kms of Exclusive Economic Zone in the oceans
are called International Resources. No one can use these resources without the permission of international
institutions.
On the Basis of the Status of Development
• Potential Resources: Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised. For example: the
regions Rajasthan and Gujarat have enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy.
• Developed Resources: Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been
determined for utilisation.
• Stock: The resources that have been surveyed, but cannot be used due a lack of technology. For example:
water is a compound of two inflammable gases; hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich source
of energy but we don't have technical know-how to use them.
• Reserves: The resources that have been surveyed and we can use them with present technology but their
use has not been started are known as Reserves. For example: the water in the dams, forests etc.
Development of Resources
• Resources are vital for human survival.
• It was believed that resources are free gifts of nature so, human beings used them indiscriminately and
this has led to the following major problems:
→ Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
→ Accumulation of resources in few hands which divides the society into rich and poor.
→ Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as, global warming, ozone
layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.
• For a sustained quality of life and global peace, an equitable distribution of resources has
become essential.
• For using resources judiciously, we need to adopt sustainable economic 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 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.
Land Resources
• Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.
→ It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, transport and communication
systems.
• Land is present in limited size so we must use them effectively.
Land Resources in India
• About 43 percent of the land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry.
• About 30 percent of the total surface area of the country are mountains which ensure perennial flow of
some rivers and provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.
• About 27 per cent of the area of the country is the plateau region that possesses rich reserves
of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.
Land Use Pattern in India
• The use of land is determined by:
→ Physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types
→ Human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions etc.
• Land use data, however, is available only for 93 per cent of the total geographical area because the land
use reporting for most of the north-east states except Assam has not been done fully.
→ Also, some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have also not been surveyed.
Land Degradation and Conservation measures
• Human activities such as deforestation, over grazing, mining and quarrying contributed in land
degradation.
• Measures to control land degradation:
→ Afforestation
→ Planting of shelter belts of plants
→ control on over grazing
→ stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes
→ Proper management of waste lands
→ control of mining activities
Soil as a Resource
• Soil is the most important renewable natural resource.
• It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
Classification of Soils
On the basis of the factors responsible for soil formation, colour, thickness, texture, age, chemical and
physical properties, the soils of India can be classified in different types:
• Alluvial Soils:
→ Entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil.
→ Also found in the eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the
Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.
→ Fertile soil therefore, fit for agriculture purpose.
→ Regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated.
→ Rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and
other cereal and pulse crops.
• Black Soil:
→ Black in colour and are also known as regur soils.
→ Ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil.
→ Found in the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh also along
the Godavari and the Krishna valleys.
→ Made up of extremely fine i.e. clayey material.
→ Well-known for their capacity to hold moisture.
→ Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime.
• Red and Yellow Soils:
→ Found in the areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau.
→ Also found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and along the
piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
→ Develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
• Laterite Soils:
→ Develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
→ Found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam.
→ Suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilizers.
→ Low Humus content because decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to high temperature.
• Arid Soils:
→ Found in the western parts of Rajasthan.
→ After proper irrigation these soils become cultivable.
→ Lacks humus and moisture because dry climate, high temperature make evaporation faster.
→ Salt content is very high and common salt is obtained by evaporating the water.
• Forest Soils:
→ Found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available.
→ Feature differs based on location.
→ Loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes.
→ Silt in the lower parts of the valleys particularly on the river terraces and alluvial fans are fertile.
Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation
• Natural ways of Soil erosion: Wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion.
• Human activities: Deforestation, over-grazing, construction and mining etc., contributes in soil erosion.
• Measures to control Soil erosion:
→ Strip cropping
→ Planting shelter belts
→ In the hilly areas, using contour ploughing and terrace farming.
1. What is soil? Analyse the factors which help in the formation of soil.
Answer
The uppermost layer of earth is called soil. It is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the
medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
The four main factors which help in the formation of soil are:
• Relief, parent rock or bed rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important
factors in the formation of soil.
• Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers,
activities of decomposers etc. contribute to the formation of soil.
• Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil are equally important.
2. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of ownership.
OR
Provide a suitable classification for resources on the basis of ownership. Mention main features of such
resources.
Answer
Classification of resources on the basis of ownership:
• Individual Resources: Resources which are owned privately by individuals such as plots, houses,
plantation, pasture lands, ponds etc.
• Community Owned Resources: Resources which are accessible to all the members of the community
such as grazing grounds, burial grounds, village ponds etc.
• National Resources: All the resources within the political boundaries and oceanic area upto 12 nautical
miles (22.2 km) from the coast termed as territorial water and resources therein belong to the nation.
• International Resources: The oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic
Zone belong to open ocean and no individual country can utilise these without the concurrence of
international institutions.
3.“Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence.” Discuss.
Answer:
Sustainable existence is a component of sustainable development which aims at development without
damaging the environment and at the same time conserving for future generation. Therefore, resource
planning is necessary for judicious, rational and equitable distribution and proper utilisation of
resources. It has become essential for a sustained quality of life and global peace.
4.Why is ‘Resource Planning’ necessary? Give reasons.
Answer:
Planning is necessary for proper and judicious utilisation of resources.
Renewable energy solutions
Reasons for resource planning:
1. Resource availability is not the same in all parts of the country.
2. Resources, especially non-renewable resources, need extra care as they Cannot be renewed.
3. There is acute shortage or deficiency of some resources.
4. Resource planning helps in proper utilisation of resources by reducing wastage. It takes care of
future needs and may sustain the environment.
5.“The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generation”.
Justify the statement by giving suitable examples. (2012)
Or
Why is the issue of sustainability relevant for development?
Answer:
Present sources of energy in India are coal, petroleum, natural gas, solar energy, wind energy, hydel
power, electricity, wood for fire, cow dung etc. Most of these are non-renewable sources of energy
which may get exhausted after some time. These are available in limited quantities. The present rate of
consumption is higher than the rate at which these resources are being replenished and should be
preserved for our future generations.
In fifty years’ time, India may depend largely on non-conventional sources of energy which are available
in abundance such as solar energy, hydel energy, wind energy etc. The total hydel power potential in
India is estimated at 1,50,000 MW of which only one-sixth has been developed so far.
1. Development of a country needs to be continuous. Every country would like to have the level of
development go up further.
2. Many scientists have warned that the present levels of development cannot be sustained for the
future as the present rate of consumption of both renewable and non-renewable resources is very
high. Rapid industrialisation has led to environment degradation.
3. Sustainability development aims at development without damaging the environment and at the
same time conserving for the future.
4. Sustainability of development is essential not only for the present generation but also for
future generations to ensure a good life.
6.Explain three types of soil erosion mostly observed in India. Mention human activities that are
responsible for soil erosion. (2012)
Answer:
1. Gully erosion
The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels,
called gullies. They make the land unfit for cultivation. Such lands are called ‘Badlands’.
2. Sheet erosion
Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In this case top layer of the soil is
washed away.
3. Wind erosion
Wind blows off loose and dry soil from flat and sloping land causing erosion.
7.Write some measures/ways to solve problems of land degradation. (2014)
Answer:
Measures to conserve land:
1. Afforestation.
2. Proper management of grazing to control over-grazing.
3. Planting of shelter belts of plants.
4. Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
5. Control of mining activities.
6. Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment.
7. Proper management of waste-lands
8. Avoid over-irrigation, especially in dry areas.
9. Avoid overuse of fertilisers and pesticides.
