1. Resources and Development

  •  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.
  • 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 generation.
  • Conservation of natural resources means judicious and planned use of natural resources so that we can get the maximum possible benefit from these resources over the longest possible period of time.
  • Conservation of natural resources means judicious and planned use of natural resources so that we can get the maximum possible benefit from these resources over the longest possible period of time.
  • Rendering the land unfit for cultivation is called degradation of land.
  • Oil 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 soil is a living system.
  • India has varied relief features, land forms, climatic realms and vegetation types. These have contributed in the development of various types of soils.
  • Alluvial soil : This type of soils are found in Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra river valley basins.
  • Black soil : These soils are black in colour and are also known as Regur soils.
  • Red and Yellow soils : These soils develops on crystalline igneous rocks in the areas of low rainfall in the eastern and the southern parts of the Deccan plateau.
  • Laterite soil : This soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
  • Arid soil : These soils range from red to brown in colour. This is generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.
  • Forest soil : These soils are found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available.
  • The removal of the soil by the forces of nature particularly by wind and water, is called soil erosion.
  • The resources which have the possibility to satisfy human needs but human beings do not have the appropriate technology to use are called stocks. 
  • Examples : Hydrogen can be used as a rich source of energy but we do not have the knowledge to use it.
  • Reserves can be used for meeting future requirements.
  • The use of land in India is determined by the following two factors-
  • i)     Physical factors : Topography, climate, soil types.
  •  ii)    Human Factors : Population density, technological capability, culture, traditions, etc.
  • Land Degradation is the process in which the quality of land is destroyed due to the continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking measures and managing it. 
  • On the basis of age, the alluvial soil  can be classified into two types:
  •  Old (Bangar) : The Bangar soil has a higher concentration of Kanker nodules. It is less fertile than the Khadar.
  •  New (Khadar) : It has less concentration of Kanker nodules than Bangar. It is more fertile than the Bangar.
  • Black soil is found in the northwest of the Deccan Plateau and is made up of lava flows.
  •  Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau.
  • Arid soil is found in Western Rajasthan where it becomes cultivable after proper irrigation.
  • Soil erosion is a slow process that occurs when the effect of water or wind removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate.
  • Man-made resources are created by humans using raw materials obtained from natural resources. 
  • Examples : Plastics, rubber, paper, brass, and various other materials.
  • Laterite soil is extremely valuable for growing tea and coffee.