Resources and Development
Everything we use is a resource — but only if we manage it wisely
Summary
Anything in our environment that can be used to satisfy our needs is a resource, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable. Resources are classified on the basis of origin (biotic and abiotic), exhaustibility (renewable and non-renewable), ownership (individual, community, national, international) and status of development (potential, developed, stock and reserves).
Unplanned exploitation has led to problems like depletion, accumulation of resources in a few hands, and ecological crises such as land degradation, global warming and pollution. The chapter argues for resource planning and sustainable development, citing Agenda 21 from the Rio Earth Summit of 1992.
It then focuses on land and soil as vital resources, describing land-use patterns, the need for land conservation, and the major soil types of India — alluvial, black, red and yellow, laterite, arid and forest soils — along with the causes of soil erosion and methods of soil conservation.
Key points to remember
- Resources are classified by origin (biotic/abiotic), exhaustibility (renewable/non-renewable), ownership and development status.
- Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations.
- Agenda 21 was adopted at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit for sustainable development.
- Alluvial soil is the most widespread and fertile, found across the northern plains.
- Black soil (regur) is ideal for cotton and is made of fine clayey lava material.
- Laterite soil develops in high-rainfall areas with leaching; suits tea, coffee and cashew.
- Soil erosion occurs through gully erosion (ravines), sheet erosion and wind erosion.
- Conservation methods include contour ploughing, terrace farming, strip cropping and shelter belts.
Important questions (board pattern)
- 3 marksClassify resources on the basis of exhaustibility with examples.
How to answer: Define renewable (solar, wind, water) and non-renewable (coal, petroleum, minerals); note time-scale of replenishment.
- 5 marksWhy is resource planning essential in India?
How to answer: Explain uneven distribution, over-use, need for sustainability; mention the three stages of planning.
- 3 marksDistinguish between black soil and laterite soil.
How to answer: Compare formation, colour, moisture retention and suitable crops (cotton vs tea/coffee).
- 3 marksExplain any three methods of soil conservation.
How to answer: Describe contour ploughing, terrace farming, strip cropping or shelter belts with how each checks erosion.
- 1 markWhat is sustainable development?
How to answer: Development that meets present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
Common exam traps
- Don't confuse the bases of classification — origin, exhaustibility, ownership and development are separate.
- Black soil is also called regur and is best for cotton, NOT laterite — match soils to correct crops.
- Potential, stock and reserve are different development categories; define each precisely.
- Remember Agenda 21 belongs to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, not any other conference.
Frequently asked questions
- What makes something a resource?
- It must be usable to satisfy a need and be technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable.
- Which soil is the most widespread in India?
- Alluvial soil, deposited by rivers across the northern plains; it is very fertile and supports intensive farming.
- What is the difference between stock and reserve?
- Stock is material we lack the technology to use yet; reserve is the part of a known resource we can tap with current technology.