⚡ RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Class X | Contemporary India – II | Chapter 1
Complete Notes + All Exercise Answers + In-Chapter Q&A
1. What is a Resource?
Definition: Everything available in our environment which can satisfy our needs — provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
Resources are NOT free gifts of nature — they are a product of human activities. Humans use technology and create institutions to transform materials into resources.
Classification of Resources
🗂️ Classification of Resources
RESOURCES
By Origin
Biotic
(living)
(living)
Abiotic
(non-living)
(non-living)
By Exhaustibility
Renewable
Non-Renewable
By Ownership
Individual
Community
National
International
By Development
Potential
Developed
Stock
Reserves
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Biotic | Obtained from biosphere; have life | Humans, flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock |
| Abiotic | Composed of non-living things | Rocks, metals, soil |
| Renewable | Can be renewed by physical/chemical/mechanical processes | Solar, wind, water, forests, wildlife |
| Non-Renewable | Formed over millions of years; cannot be quickly replenished | Minerals, coal, petroleum |
| Individual | Privately owned by individuals | Farmland, plots, ponds, wells |
| Community | Accessible to all members of community | Village commons, public parks, playgrounds |
| National | All resources within political boundary of country | Minerals, forests, territorial water (up to 12 nautical miles) |
| International | Beyond 200 nautical miles (Exclusive Economic Zone); regulated by international institutions | Oceanic resources in open ocean |
Status of Development
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Potential | Available but not yet used | Solar/wind energy in Rajasthan & Gujarat |
| Developed | Surveyed; quality & quantity determined; ready for use | Coal mines in Jharkhand |
| Stock | Available but technology not yet sufficient to use | Hydrogen as fuel source |
| Reserves | Can be used with existing technology but use not yet started | River water for hydroelectric power |
2. Development of Resources
Indiscriminate use of resources has caused serious problems:
- Depletion of resources due to greed of few individuals
- Accumulation in few hands → society divided into rich and poor
- Global ecological crises: global warming, ozone depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation
🌱 Sustainable Development: "Development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise the needs of future generations." — Brundtland Commission, 1987
Important International Events
| Year | Event | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Club of Rome | First systematic advocacy for resource conservation |
| 1974 | Schumacher — "Small is Beautiful" | Revived Gandhian philosophy on resource conservation |
| 1987 | Brundtland Commission Report | Introduced concept of Sustainable Development ("Our Common Future") |
| 1992 | Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit | Signed Global Climatic Change & Biodiversity Declaration; adopted Agenda 21 |
📋 Agenda 21: Declaration signed at 1992 UNCED, Rio de Janeiro. Aims at global sustainable development through cooperation to combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease. Every local government must draw its own Local Agenda 21.
✍️ Gandhiji's Quote: "There is enough for everybody's need and not for anybody's greed." He identified greedy individuals and exploitative modern technology as root causes of resource depletion.
3. Resource Planning
Resource planning = judicious use of resources. Crucial for India due to enormous regional imbalance in resource availability.
Regional Imbalances in India
| State/Region | Rich In | Deficient In |
|---|---|---|
| Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, M.P. | Minerals & coal | Development & industry |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Water resources | Infrastructure |
| Rajasthan | Solar & wind energy | Water |
| Ladakh | Cultural heritage | Water, infrastructure, some minerals |
Three Steps of Resource Planning in India
- Identification & Inventory — Surveying, mapping, qualitative & quantitative estimation
- Planning Structure — Evolving plans with appropriate technology, skills & institutions
- Matching Plans — Aligning resource development plans with national development plans
India has made efforts for resource planning since the First Five Year Plan after Independence.
4. Land Resources
Land supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, and transport systems. It is a finite asset.
🗺️ India's Land Under Relief Features
43%
Plains — Agriculture & Industry
30%
Mountains — Rivers, Tourism, Ecology
27%
Plateaus — Minerals, Fossil Fuels, Forests
Total Geographical Area of India = 3.28 million sq km | Data available for 93% only
Land Utilisation Categories
- Forests
- Land not available for cultivation — Barren/waste land + non-agricultural uses (buildings, roads, factories)
- Other uncultivated land — Permanent pastures, tree crops, culturable waste land (uncultivated 5+ years)
- Fallow lands — Current fallow (≤1 year) + other fallow (1–5 years)
- Net Sown Area (NSA) — Land actually under cultivation
Gross Cropped Area = Net Sown Area + Area sown more than once in an agricultural year
Key Facts
- Forest area is far below the desired 33% (National Forest Policy, 1952)
- NSA is over 80% in Punjab & Haryana; under 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Permanent pasture land has also been decreasing
5. Land Degradation & Conservation
95% of our basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) come from land. Continuous use without conservation leads to land degradation.
Causes of Land Degradation (State-wise)
| Cause | Affected States |
|---|---|
| Mining & deforestation | Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha |
| Overgrazing | Gujarat, Rajasthan, M.P., Maharashtra |
| Over-irrigation (waterlogging → salinity/alkalinity) | Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh |
| Mineral dust (cement, ceramic industries) | Industrial areas (retards water infiltration) |
| Industrial effluents | Industrial & suburban areas across India |
Conservation Measures
- Afforestation and proper management of grazing
- Planting shelter belts of trees
- Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes
- Proper management of waste lands
- Control of mining activities
- Proper treatment and disposal of industrial effluents
6. Soil as a Resource
Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It takes millions of years to form a few cm of soil. It is a living system supporting plant growth and organisms.
Factors of soil formation: Relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation, other life forms, time
🪨 Soil Profile
Top Soil — humus & minerals (most fertile)
Subsoil — weathered rocks, sand & silt clay
Substratum — weathered parent rock material
Unweathered Parent Bed Rock
Types of Soils in India
| Soil Type | Colour | Region | Main Crop | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial | Grey/ash | Northern Plains, river deltas (E coast) | Rice, wheat, sugarcane | Most widespread; very fertile; rich in K, phosphoric acid, lime |
| Black (Regur) | Black | Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, M.P., Chhattisgarh | Cotton | Holds moisture; develops deep cracks; formed from Deccan basalt |
| Red & Yellow | Red/Yellow | E & S Deccan, Odisha, MP, W Ghats | Millets, pulses | Iron-rich; looks yellow in hydrated form |
| Laterite | Brick red | S states, W Ghats, Odisha, W Bengal, NE | Tea, coffee, cashew | Intensely leached by heavy rain; acidic; poor in nutrients |
| Arid | Red to brown | Western Rajasthan | After irrigation | Sandy, saline; lacks humus; Kankar layer at bottom |
| Forest Soil | Variable | Hills & mountain areas | Varies | Loamy/silty in valleys; coarse on upper slopes |
Remember: Alluvial (Khadar = new & fertile) vs (Bangar = old, less fertile) | Laterite derived from Latin word "later" = brick
7. Soil Erosion & Conservation
Soil erosion = denudation of soil cover and subsequent washing down. Normally balanced by soil formation. Human activities disturb this balance.
🌊 Gully Erosion
Running water cuts deep channels (gullies). Land becomes "bad land." In Chambal basin → called ravines.
💧 Sheet Erosion
Water flows as a sheet over slopes, washing away the top soil layer.
🌬️ Wind Erosion
Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land, especially in arid regions.
Soil Conservation Methods
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Contour Ploughing | Ploughing along contour lines to slow water flow down slopes |
| Terrace Cultivation | Steps cut on slopes to restrict erosion — well-developed in W & Central Himalayas |
| Strip Cropping | Large fields divided into strips with grass grown between crops to break wind force |
| Shelter Belts | Rows of trees planted to block wind; helps stabilise sand dunes in western India |
📝 Exercise 1 — Multiple Choice Answers
(i) Which type of resource is iron ore?
✅ (d) Non-renewable — Iron ore is a mineral formed over millions of years and cannot be quickly replaced.
(ii) Tidal energy cannot be put under which type of resource?
✅ (b) Human-made — Tidal energy is a natural renewable resource, not made by humans.
(iii) Main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
✅ (c) Over-irrigation — Excess irrigation leads to waterlogging, increasing salinity and alkalinity in soil.
(iv) In which state is terrace cultivation practised?
✅ (d) Uttarakhand — Terrace farming is well-developed in the Western and Central Himalayas.
(v) Black soil is predominantly found in?
✅ (b) Maharashtra — Black/regur soil covers the Deccan trap (basalt) region: Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, M.P., Chhattisgarh.
📝 Exercise 2 — Short Answer Questions (30 words)
Q. (i) Name three states with black soil and the crop mainly grown in it.
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have black soil. Cotton is the main crop — that is why black soil is also called black cotton soil.
Q. (ii) What type of soil is found in river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three features.
Alluvial soil is found in deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers. Three features: (1) Rich in potash, phosphoric acid & lime; (2) Very fertile — ideal for rice, wheat & sugarcane; (3) Densely cultivated and populated regions.
Q. (iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas?
(1) Contour ploughing — plough along contour lines to slow water. (2) Terrace cultivation — cut steps/terraces on slopes. (3) Afforestation — plant trees to bind soil and reduce runoff on hillsides.
Q. (iv) What are biotic and abiotic resources? Give examples.
Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life — e.g., humans, forests, wildlife, fisheries, livestock. Abiotic resources are composed of non-living things — e.g., rocks, metals, soil, minerals.
📝 Exercise 3 — Long Answer Questions (120 words)
Q. (i) Explain land use pattern in India. Why has land under forest not increased since 1960-61?
India's land (3.28 million sq km) is used for: forests, net sown area, fallow lands, permanent pastures, non-agricultural uses, and waste land. About 43% is plain, 30% mountains, 27% plateau. NSA exceeds 80% in Punjab/Haryana but is under 10% in Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Why forest area hasn't increased:
- Rapid population growth demands more agricultural land
- Industrial development and infrastructure (roads, buildings) consumes forest land
- Poor enforcement of the National Forest Policy (1952) target of 33%
- Encroachment by communities dependent on forest for livelihood
Q. (ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
- Technology enables access to previously unreachable resources (deep mines, offshore oil)
- Better machinery increases speed and volume of resource extraction
- Economic development raises living standards and demand for goods
- Industrialisation demands more energy, minerals, and land
- Mass production encourages consumerism and surplus goods
- Developed nations consume resources disproportionately
- This leads to over-exploitation of both renewable and non-renewable resources
Therefore, sustainable development and resource planning are essential to ensure availability for future generations.
📚 In-Chapter Questions — Answers
Q. Are resources free gifts of nature?
No. Resources are not free gifts of nature. They are a function of human activities. Humans use technology and institutions to transform available materials into usable resources.
Q. Difference between Stock and Reserves?
Stock: Material that could satisfy human needs but cannot be used due to lack of technology. (E.g., hydrogen as fuel.) Reserves: Subset of stock that can be used with existing technology but use has not yet started. (E.g., river water for hydroelectricity.)
Q. Name resource-rich but economically backward and resource-poor but economically developed regions. Why?
Rich but backward: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha (mineral-rich, poor infrastructure). Poor but developed: Japan, Singapore (low natural resources, high technology). Reason: Development depends not just on resources but on technology, quality of human resources, and historical experiences.
Q. Why is resource planning necessary?
Resource planning is necessary because: (1) India has regional imbalances in resource availability; (2) Over-exploitation causes ecological crises; (3) Equitable distribution ensures sustained quality of life; (4) Future generations must also have access to resources (sustainable development).
Q. What is Agenda 21?
Agenda 21 is a declaration signed by world leaders at the 1992 UNCED Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It aims at achieving global sustainable development through global cooperation to combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease. Every local government must draw its own Local Agenda 21.
⚡ Quick Revision — Points to Remember
ResourceTechnologically accessible + economically feasible + culturally acceptable
Biotic vs AbioticBiotic = living (flora, fauna) | Abiotic = non-living (rocks, metals)
Renewable vs Non-RenewableRenewable = replenished (solar, wind) | Non-Renewable = finite (minerals, fossil fuels)
Stock vs ReservesStock = no technology | Reserves = technology exists, use not started
Agenda 211992 Rio Summit | Global sustainable development declaration
Alluvial SoilMost widespread & fertile | Northern Plains | Rice, wheat, sugarcane
Black SoilBest for cotton | Holds moisture | Deccan trap (basalt) region
Laterite SoilIntensely leached | Good for tea & coffee | S India & W Ghats
Soil ConservationContour ploughing, terracing, strip cropping, shelter belts
Land DegradationMining (JH/CG) | Overgrazing (RJ/GJ) | Over-irrigation (PB/HR)
Sustainable DevelopmentBrundtland 1987 | Present needs without compromising future
India's Land43% Plains | 30% Mountains | 27% Plateaus | 3.28 million sq km total
Resources and Development | Class X Geography | Chapter 1 · Notes prepared for student use