Natural Resources and their Use

 

Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use – Notes

🌱 1. When does Nature become a Resource?

• Nature includes all living and non-living things not made by humans.
• When humans use natural things for their needs, they become resources.
  • Example: Trees → wood → furniture
• For something to be a resource, it must be:
  • Technologically accessible
  • Economically feasible
  • Culturally acceptable
• Natural resources include:
  • Basic: air, water, soil
  • Others: coal, petroleum, metals, timber

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🌍 2. Categories of Natural Resources

(A) Based on Use

1. Resources essential for life

• Air, water, food
• Cannot be created by humans
• Necessary for survival

2. Resources for materials

• Used to make objects
• Examples:
  • Wood → furniture
  • Marble → buildings
  • Metals → tools

3. Resources for energy

• Provide power for daily life
• Examples:
  • Coal, petroleum
  • Sunlight, wind, water

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(B) Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

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🔄 3. Renewable Resources

• Resources that can renew or regenerate naturally
• Examples:
  • Sunlight, wind, water, forests

Key Points:

• Nature works in cycles (no waste)
• Renewal depends on:
  • Not disturbing natural cycles
• If overused → they can get depleted

Problems:

• Cutting forests too fast
• Melting glaciers
• Pollution of rivers

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⛔ 4. Non-renewable Resources

• Form over millions of years
• Cannot be replaced quickly

Examples:

• Coal, petroleum
• Minerals (iron, gold)

Key Points:

• Limited in quantity
• Must be used carefully (judicious use)
• Example: Coal in India may last only ~50 years

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🌎 5. Distribution of Natural Resources and its Implications

• Resources are unevenly distributed
• This affects:
  • Settlement patterns
  • Trade
  • Economy
  • Conflicts and wars

Effects:

• Industries develop near resources
• Provide jobs and development
• But also:
  • Displacement of people
  • Environmental damage

Example:

• River water disputes (like sharing of river water)

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⚠️ 6. The ‘Natural Resource Curse’

• Having many resources does NOT always mean wealth

Why?

• Lack of industries
• Poor management
• No value addition

Key Idea:

• Countries must use resources wisely with:
  • Technology
  • Planning
  • Good governance

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🌿 7. Responsible and Wise Use of Natural Resources (Stewardship)

• Use resources in a way that:
  • Supports restoration
  • Supports regeneration
• Problems due to misuse:
  • Pollution
  • Climate change
  • Loss of biodiversity

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💧 8. Restoration and Regeneration of Renewable Resources

(A) Groundwater Problem

• Overuse → water table falls
• Solutions:
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Reusing water
  • Reducing wastage

(B) Soil Degradation

• Caused by:
  • Chemical fertilizers
  • Pesticides

Solutions:

• Organic farming
• Natural fertilizers
• Crop rotation
• Multi-cropping

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📍 Case Study: Punjab Groundwater Crisis

• Green Revolution → high water use
• Over-pumping groundwater
• Result:
  • Water level dropped deeply
  • Water became polluted

Conclusion:

• Short-term benefit → long-term damage

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🏭 9. The Case of Cement (Industrial Impact)

• Cement is important but:
  • Causes air, water, soil pollution
• Dust harms:
  • Humans
  • Plants

Solutions:

• Pollution control rules
• Use alternatives:
  • Mud, stone
  • Recycled materials

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🌾 10. Traditional Knowledge: Vrikshayurveda

• Ancient Indian science of plant care

Features:

• Soil-based planting
• Natural pest control
• Crop rotation
• Mixed cropping

Importance:

• Promotes sustainable agriculture

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🌱 11. Case Study: Sikkim Organic Farming

• Shift from chemical farming → organic farming

Results:

• Better soil health
• Increased biodiversity
• Higher farmer income
• Growth in tourism

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⚡ 12. Responsible Use of Non-renewable Resources

• Use carefully so they last longer
• Shift to renewable sources like:
  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy

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☀️ 13. International Solar Alliance

• Started by India and France (2015)
• Aim:
  • Promote solar energy use
• Benefits:
  • Clean energy
  • Economic growth

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⚖️ 14. Inequality in Resource Distribution

• Not everyone gets equal access
• Problems:
  • Lack of clean water
  • Air pollution
• Poor people suffer more

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 Final Summary

• Natural resources are gifts of nature
• They must be used wisely and sustainably
• Overuse leads to:
  • Pollution
  • Resource depletion
• Future depends on:
• Responsible use
• Conservation
• Sustainable practices

1. When does nature become a resource?

Nature becomes a resource when humans use natural things for their needs. For example, trees are part of nature, but when we use wood to make furniture, they become resources. A resource must be easily available, technologically accessible, affordable to use, and culturally acceptable. Thus, usefulness to humans makes nature a resource.

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2. What are the different categories of natural resources based on their use?

Natural resources are divided into three categories based on use. Resources essential for life include air, water, and food. Resources for materials help in making objects like wood and metals. Resources for energy include coal, petroleum, sunlight, and wind, which provide power for daily life and development.

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3. What are renewable resources? Give examples.

Renewable resources are those that can be naturally restored or regenerated over time. Examples include sunlight, wind, water, and forests. These resources can last forever if used properly. However, if they are overused or mismanaged, they can get depleted and lose their ability to regenerate.

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4. What are non-renewable resources? Why should they be used carefully?

Non-renewable resources are formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced quickly. Examples include coal, petroleum, and minerals. They are limited in quantity, so we must use them carefully. If overused, they may get exhausted, creating problems for future generations and increasing dependency on scarce resources.

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5. How does the uneven distribution of natural resources affect human life?

Natural resources are not equally distributed across the world. This affects where people live, trade activities, and industrial growth. Areas rich in resources develop faster, while others may struggle. It can also lead to conflicts and wars. Thus, distribution of resources plays an important role in shaping human life and economies.

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6. What is meant by the ‘natural resource curse’?

The natural resource curse means that countries with abundant natural resources may still remain poor. This happens due to poor management, lack of industries, and overdependence on raw materials. Without proper planning and technology, resources are not used efficiently, and economic development becomes slow instead of improving. For example, countries like Nigeria, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo face such challenges despite being rich in oil or minerals.

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7. Why is the responsible use of natural resources important?

Responsible use of natural resources is important to maintain balance in nature. Overuse leads to pollution, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. If resources are not used wisely, future generations will suffer. Sustainable use helps in conserving resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring long-term development.

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8. Explain the problem of groundwater depletion with an example.

Groundwater depletion occurs when water is used faster than it is replenished. In Punjab, excessive use of water for farming reduced groundwater levels. Free electricity led to overpumping. As a result, water became scarce and polluted. This shows that careless use of resources can create serious long-term problems.

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9. How can traditional practices help in conserving natural resources?

Traditional practices like rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and crop rotation help conserve natural resources. They maintain soil fertility, reduce pollution, and support biodiversity. For example, Sikkim adopted organic farming, which improved soil health and farmers’ income. Such practices are sustainable and protect nature for future generations.

CHAPTER QUESTIONS

1. What can make what is today a renewable resource non-renewable tomorrow? What actions can prevent this?

A renewable resource can become non-renewable if it is used faster than it can regenerate. For example, cutting forests too quickly or overusing groundwater. To prevent this, we should use resources wisely, plant more trees, conserve water, reduce pollution, and follow sustainable practices so that nature gets time to restore itself.

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2. Name five ecosystem functions that serve humans.

Ecosystem functions are natural processes that benefit humans. Five important functions are:

• Trees producing oxygen
• Forests filtering water
• Soil supporting plant growth
• Pollination of crops by insects
• Forests preventing soil erosion
• Rivers give water
• Soil grows food
• Bees help in pollination
• Prevention of floods by wetlands

These functions help maintain life and provide essential services like clean air, water, and food.

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3. What are renewable resources? How are they different from non-renewable ones? How can we ensure their availability? Give two examples.

Renewable resources are those that can regenerate naturally, like sunlight and water. Non-renewable resources, like coal and petroleum, take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly. To conserve renewables, we must avoid overuse and pollution. For example, using solar energy and protecting forests ensures their availability for future generations.

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4. Identify cultural practices in your home and neighbourhood that show careful use of natural resources.

Many cultural practices show respect for nature, such as not wasting food, saving water, and using natural materials. Worship of plants like Tulsi, rainwater harvesting, and using cloth bags instead of plastic are common practices. These habits reflect mindfulness and help in conserving natural resources in daily life.

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5. What are some considerations to keep in mind in the production of goods for our current use?

While producing goods, we should reduce pollution, use resources efficiently, and avoid waste. Industries should follow environmental rules and use eco-friendly materials. It is also important to think about long-term effects on nature and society. Sustainable production helps protect resources and ensures they remain available for future generations.