Geography Chapter - 1 Resources and Development

Geography 

Chapter - 1

Resources and Development

 What is a Resource?

A resource is anything that is useful, available in nature, and can be used to satisfy human needs. Resources can be natural (land, water, minerals) or man-made (roads, buildings, technology).

What is Development?

Development means the improvement in living standards, economic growth, and technological advancement. It includes better education, healthcare, and infrastructure to improve people's quality of life.

What is Resources and Development?

Resources and Development refers to the judicious use of resources for sustainable progress. It focuses on:

• Efficient use of natural and human-made resources.
• Ensuring resources are available for future generations (Sustainable Development).
• Planning and managing resources wisely for economic and social growth.

Types of Resources

A. On the Basis of Origin

• Biotic Resources – Derived from living organisms (e.g., forests, wildlife, livestock).
• Abiotic Resources – Derived from non-living things (e.g., minerals, water, air).

B. On the Basis of Exhaustibility

• Renewable Resources – Can be replenished naturally (e.g., solar energy, forests, wind).
• Non-renewable Resources – Limited supply, takes millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum).

C. On the Basis of Ownership

• Individual Resources – Owned by private individuals (e.g., farmland, houses).
• Community Resources – Used by a group or community (e.g., public parks, grazing lands).
• National Resources – Belong to the government of a country (e.g., rivers, forests, minerals).
• International Resources – Resources beyond national boundaries (e.g., oceanic resources under United Nations laws).

D. On the Basis of Development

• Potential Resources – Resources available but not yet used (e.g., wind energy in Rajasthan, solar energy in Gujarat).
• Developed Resources – Fully utilized with technology (e.g., coal, petroleum, hydroelectricity).
• Stock Resources – Available but not usable due to lack of technology (e.g., hydrogen as fuel).
• Reserves – Part of stock that can be used in the future (e.g., groundwater, fossil fuels).

Development of Resources

• Uncontrolled exploitation of resources leads to environmental problems like deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development means using resources judiciously to meet present needs without compromising the future.

Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Earth Summit, was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. It was one of the largest environmental conferences, with 172 countries participating.

1. Objectives of the Rio Earth Summit

• To discuss environmental issues and sustainable development.
• To find solutions for global environmental problems, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
• To promote economic development while protecting the environment.

2. Key Outcomes of the Rio Earth Summit

A. Agenda 21

• A global action plan for sustainable development in the 21st century.
• Focused on combating deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
• Encouraged local governments to create their own environmental action plans.

B. Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) 

• Led to the formation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Laid the foundation for future agreements like the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015).

C. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

• Aimed to protect plant and animal species.
• Promoted fair sharing of benefits from natural resources.

D. Declaration on Forest Principles 

• Stressed the need to conserve forests and use them sustainably.

3. Importance of the Rio Earth Summit

• It was the first global effort to address environmental issues seriously.
• Raised awareness about climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation
• Inspired governments worldwide to adopt policies for sustainable development.

Resource Planning in India

India has uneven distribution of resources. To ensure equal development, resource planning is necessary:

• Identification and mapping of resources.
• Development of technologies for resource utilization.
• Conservation of resources to prevent depletion.

Gandhi ji said :- " There is enough for everybody's need and not for anybody's greed."

• Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968 .
• Schumacher presented Gandhian philosophy in his book "Small is Beautiful".
• Brundtland Commission Report introduced the concept of 'Sustainable Development' in 1987.

Land Resources and Land Use in India

Land is an important resource for agriculture, industries, and infrastructure.

Factors Determining Land Use Pattern in India 

The land use pattern in India is influenced by physical, economic, and human factors. These factors determine how land is used for agriculture, forests, settlements, industries, and other purposes.

Physical Factors 

• Topography (Relief) – Flat and fertile lands (e.g., Indo-Gangetic plains) are used for agriculture, while hilly areas (e.g., Himalayas) are used for forests and plantations.
• Climate – Areas with good rainfall and moderate temperatures are suitable for farming, while arid regions (e.g., Rajasthan) are used for grazing or barren land.
• Soil Type – Fertile alluvial soil (Northern Plains) is used for intensive farming, while laterite soil (Western Ghats) is used for plantations.

Human & Political Factors

• Population Growth – High population areas (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) have more land under settlements and agriculture.
• Government Policies – Policies like forest conservation, land reforms, and industrial promotion affect land use patterns.
• Technology & Modernization – Advanced farming techniques and irrigation help expand cultivated land.

Land Use in India:

• Forest land (21%)
• Agricultural land (43%)
• Pasture and grazing land (4%)
• Waste land (8%)
• Non-agricultural use (roads, buildings, industries) (14%)

Problems of Land Degradation:

• Deforestation
• Overgrazing
• Soil erosion
• Over-irrigation (causing salinization)

Measures to Conserve Land:

• Afforestation and tree plantation
• Soil conservation techniques (terrace farming, contour plowing)
• Regulated grazing

Net Sown area or Gross crop area  :- The total area where crops are sown and harvested at least once in a year.

Soil as a Resource

Types of Soil in India

1. Alluvial Soil – Found in northern plains, very fertile, ideal for wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
2. Black Soil – Found in Deccan Plateau, rich in clay and minerals, good for cotton.
3. Red and Yellow Soil – Found in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, suitable for millets and pulses.
4. Laterite Soil – Found in Western Ghats, high rainfall areas, used for tea, coffee.
5. Arid (Desert) Soil– Found in Rajasthan, rich in salts, supports cactus and drought-resistant crops.
6. Mountain Soil – Found in Himalayas, good for tea, apples, and spices.

Soil Erosion and Conservation:

Causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, excessive farming.

Prevention: Terrace farming, shelterbelts, contour plowing, afforestation.

Gullies : - 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.

Sheet erosion : - When top layer of soil is washed away.

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