CBSE Class 10 NCERT Geography Notes based on the chapter 1 ‘Resources and Development’ are given here for students for a fine revision for Board exams. Click here for Q & Ans of this chapter.
1. Resources
Definition of Resource
- Resource: Anything available in our environment that can satisfy our needs, provided it is:
- Technologically accessible
- Economically feasible
- Culturally acceptable
- The transformation of environmental materials into resources involves an interactive relationship between:
- Nature
- Technology
- Institutions
- Human interaction with nature through technology leads to the creation of institutions to speed up economic development.
- Resources are not free gifts of nature:
- They result from human activities.
- Human beings are essential components in transforming materials into resources.
Classification of Resources
- On the Basis of Origin
- On the Basis of Exhaustibility
- On the Basis of Ownership:
- On the Basis of Status of Development
Development of Resources
Importance of Resources
- Vital for Human Survival: Resources are essential for maintaining the quality of life.
- Misconception: Resources were once believed to be free gifts of nature.
Problems Due to Indiscriminate Use
- Depletion of Resources: Overuse for satisfying individual greed.
- Unequal Distribution: Accumulation of resources in a few hands, creating social divisions (rich vs. poor).
- Ecological Crises: Global issues like global warming, ozone depletion, environmental pollution, and land degradation.
Need for Equitable Distribution
- Ensures sustained quality of life and global peace.
- Prevents endangering the planet’s future.
Resource Planning
- Essential for Sustainable Existence: Ensures all forms of life can continue to thrive.
- Sustainable Development: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable Development
- Definition: Development should not damage the environment and should not compromise future generations’ needs.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
- Event: First International Earth Summit, June 1992, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Purpose: Address urgent environmental and socio-economic development issues globally.
- Outcomes:
- Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity: Signed by world leaders.
- Global Forest Principles: Endorsed by the Rio Convention.
- Agenda 21: Adopted for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
Agenda 21
- Definition: Declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
- Aims: Achieve global sustainable development.
- Objectives:
- Combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease through global cooperation.
- Encourage every local government to create its own local Agenda 21.
Key Points to Remember
- Indiscriminate resource use leads to significant problems.
- Sustainable development and equitable distribution are essential for global peace and quality of life.
- International cooperation and local action plans (like Agenda 21) are crucial for achieving sustainable development.
Resource Planning
Importance of Planning
- Judicious Use: Planning ensures resources are used wisely.
- Diversity in Resources: India has diverse resource availability, requiring careful planning.
- Examples:
- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh: Rich in minerals and coal.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Abundant water resources but lacks infrastructure.
- Rajasthan: Rich in solar and wind energy but lacks water.
- Ladakh: Rich cultural heritage but deficient in water, infrastructure, and minerals.
Resource Planning Process in India
1. Identification and Inventory:
- Surveying, mapping, and measuring resources.
- Estimating both qualitatively and quantitatively.
2. Planning Structure:
- Developing structures with appropriate technology, skills, and institutions to implement resource development plans.
3. Integration with National Development:
- Aligning resource development plans with overall national development goals.
Historical Context and Challenges
- Post-Independence Efforts: Initiated with the First Five Year Plan.
- Necessary Conditions:
- Availability of resources.
- Technological advancements and institutional changes.
- Examples:
- Regions rich in resources but economically backward.
- Regions with poor resource bases but economically developed.
- Colonial History:
- Colonies were targeted for their rich resources.
- Superior technology of colonizers allowed exploitation of these resources.
- India’s development involves both resource availability and historical experiences.
Key Points to Remember
- Resource Availability: Essential but not sufficient alone for development.
- Technology and Institutions: Crucial for leveraging resources effectively.
- Historical Experience: Plays a significant role in the development process.
Resource planning is essential for sustainable development and economic growth. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes identification, technological advancement, and alignment with broader national goals. Understanding historical contexts and regional diversities helps in crafting effective resource planning strategies.
Conservation of Resources
Importance of Resources
- Essential for Development: Resources are crucial for any developmental activity.
- Problems from Overuse:
- Socio-economic issues
- Environmental problems
Need for Resource Conservation
- Conservation is necessary at various levels to prevent over-utilization and irrational consumption.
- Leaders and thinkers have long been concerned about conserving resources.
Key Historical Figures and Concepts
- Mahatma Gandhi:
- Quote: “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.”
- Viewpoint: Greed and selfishness, along with exploitative modern technology, cause global resource depletion.
- Against Mass Production: Preferred production by the masses over mass production.
- Club of Rome (1968):
- Advocated Resource Conservation: First systematic approach to resource conservation.
- E.F. Schumacher (1974):
- Book: Small is Beautiful
- Philosophy: Presented Gandhian ideas emphasizing small-scale, sustainable approaches.
- Brundtland Commission Report (1987):
- Concept Introduced: Sustainable Development.
- Publication: Our Common Future.
- Advocacy: Promoted sustainable development as a means for resource conservation.
- Earth Summit (1992):
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Contribution: Significant global effort towards resource conservation.
Key Points to Remember
- Sustainable Development: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It was introduced firsr by Brundtland Commission and Earth Summit.
- Rational Consumption: Essential to avoid socio-economic and environmental issues.
- Historical Advocacy: Prominent figures and international organizations have long emphasized the importance of resource conservation.
- Sustainable Development: Core principle for conserving resources and ensuring long-term environmental and economic stability.
Conservation of resources is vital to prevent socio-economic and environmental problems caused by irrational consumption and over-utilization. Historical leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and international bodies have long advocated for sustainable approaches to resource use. Emphasizing sustainable development is crucial for achieving long-term global stability and prosperity.
2. Land Resources
Importance of Land
- Natural Resource: Vital for human life, economic activities, and natural ecosystems.
- Supports:
- Natural vegetation
- Wildlife
- Human life
- Economic activities
- Transport and communication systems
- Finite Asset: Requires careful planning for various uses.
Land Relief Features in India
- Plains (43%):
- Facilitate agriculture and industry.
- Mountains (30%):
- Ensure perennial flow of some rivers.
- Provide tourism opportunities.
- Support ecological balance.
- Plateaus (27%):
- Rich in minerals, fossil fuels, and forests.
Land Utilization Categories
1. Forests: Land under forest cover.
2. Land Not Available for Cultivation:
- Barren and Waste Land: Land that cannot be used for cultivation.
- Non-Agricultural Uses: Land used for buildings, roads, factories, etc.
3. Other Uncultivated Land (Excluding Fallow Land):
- Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: Land used for grazing livestock.
- Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops: Groves not included in net sown area.
- Culturable Waste Land: Land left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years.
4. Fallow Lands:
- Current Fallow: Land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year.
- Other Than Current Fallow: Land left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years.
5. Net Sown Area: Physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested.
- Gross Cropped Area: Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area.
Key Points to Remember
- Finite Resource: Land needs to be managed and utilized efficiently due to its limited availability.
- Diverse Uses: Land supports various natural and human activities, making its proper planning essential.
- Different Types of Land Use: Understanding various categories helps in better land management and planning.
Land is a finite and vital resource that supports a wide range of natural and human activities. Efficient and careful planning is essential to manage land resources sustainably. Understanding the different land utilization categories helps in formulating better land management strategies to ensure sustainable development and resource conservation.
Land Use Pattern in India
Factors Determining Land Use
- Physical Factors:
- Topography
- Climate
- Soil types
- Human Factors:
- Population density
- Technological capability
- Culture and traditions
Total Geographical Area
- India’s Total Area: 3.28 million sq km.
- Data Availability: Available for 93% of the total geographical area.
- Exclusions: Most north-east states (except Assam), some areas of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China.
Land Use Categories and Changes
- Permanent Pasture: Decreased area; challenge in feeding cattle population.
- Fallow Lands:
- Poor quality or high cultivation costs.
- Cultivated once or twice in 2-3 years.
- Net Sown Area (NSA): If included, NSA is about 54% of the total reporting area.
- Variation in NSA:
- Over 80% in Punjab and Haryana.
- Less than 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Andaman Nicobar Islands.
- Forest Area:
- Lower than the desired 33% (National Forest Policy, 1952).
- Essential for ecological balance.
- Supports livelihoods of millions living on forest fringes.
- Waste Land and Non-Agricultural Uses:
- Waste Land: Rocky, arid, desert areas.
- Non-Agricultural Uses: Settlements, roads, railways, industry.
Consequences of Land Use Patterns
- Land Degradation:
- Continuous use without conservation measures.
- Serious repercussions on society and the environment.
Key Points of Fig 1.4 (1960-61 vs. 2014-15)
Land Use Categories (1960-61)
- Forest: 18.11%
- Barren and Uncultivable Waste Land: 12.01%
- Area Under Non-Agricultural Uses: 4.95%
- Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: 4.71%
- Area Under Misc. Tree Crops and Groves: 1.50%
- Culturable Waste Land: 6.23%
- Fallow Other Than Current Fallow: 3.73%
- Current Fallow: 3.50%
- Net Sown Area: 45.26%
Land Use Categories (2014-15)
- Forest: 23.3%
- Barren and Uncultivable Waste Land: 5.5%
- Area Under Non-Agricultural Uses: 8.7%
- Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: 3.3%
- Area Under Misc. Tree Crops and Groves: 1%
- Culturable Waste Land: 4%
- Fallow Other Than Current Fallow: 4.9%
- Current Fallow: 3.6%
- Net Sown Area: 45.5%
Conclusion: India’s land use pattern is influenced by both physical and human factors, and careful planning is essential due to its finite nature. While there have been shifts in land use categories over the years, challenges such as land degradation, insufficient forest cover, and the need for sustainable land management remain critical for ecological balance and economic development.
Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
Importance of Land
- Essential for Basic Needs: 95% of food, shelter, and clothing needs are met from land.
- Intergenerational Sharing: Responsibility to share land resources with future generations.
Causes of Land Degradation
- Human Activities:
- Deforestation: Clearing forests for various purposes.
- Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock.
- Mining and Quarrying: Leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening.
- Over Irrigation: Leading to waterlogging, salinity, and alkalinity.
- Industrial Activities: Dust from mineral processing and industrial effluents.
- Natural Forces: Human activities exacerbate natural forces causing land damage.
Examples of Land Degradation in India
- Mining:
- States: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha.
- Consequence: Severe deforestation and land degradation.
- Overgrazing:
- States: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.
- Consequence: Major reason for land degradation.
- Over Irrigation:
- States: Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh.
- Consequence: Waterlogging, increased salinity, and alkalinity.
- Industrial Pollution:
- Sources: Mineral processing, industrial effluents.
- Consequence: Dust and waste contribute to land and water pollution.
Conservation Measures
- Afforestation: Planting trees to restore forest cover.
- Grazing Management: Proper control and management of grazing practices.
- Shelter Belts: Planting shelter belts to protect land from wind and water erosion.
- Sand Dune Stabilization: Growing thorny bushes to stabilize sand dunes in arid areas.
- Waste Land Management: Proper utilization and management of waste lands.
- Control of Mining Activities: Regulating and rehabilitating mining sites.
- Industrial Waste Treatment: Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents after treatment.
Key Points to Remember
- Human Responsibility: Human activities are a major cause of land degradation, and responsible actions are needed to mitigate this.
- Diverse Strategies: Multiple approaches are required to address different causes of land degradation effectively.
- Sustainable Practices: Implementing sustainable land use practices ensures the long-term health and productivity of land resources.
Land degradation is a critical issue caused by both human activities and natural forces. Addressing this requires a combination of conservation measures such as afforestation, proper grazing management, and industrial waste treatment. By adopting sustainable practices, we can ensure the responsible use of land resources for current and future generations.
3. Soil as a Resource
Importance of Soil
- Renewable Resource: Soil is a vital natural resource that supports plant growth and sustains various living organisms.
- Formation Factors: Soil formation is influenced by relief, parent rock, climate, vegetation, other forms of life, and time.
- Natural Processes: Temperature changes, water, wind, glaciers, and decomposers contribute to soil formation.
Soil Composition
- Organic Material (Humus): Decomposed plant and animal material.
- Inorganic Material: Minerals and rock particles.
Soil Types in India
India’s diverse relief features, landforms, climate, and vegetation result in various soil types:
1. Alluvial Soils
- Distribution: Found in northern plains, eastern coastal plains, and river valleys.
- Formation: Deposited by rivers like the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
- Properties: Composed of sand, silt, and clay. Fertile with potash, phosphoric acid, and lime. Suitable for crops like sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and pulses.
- Age Classification: Old alluvial (Bangar) with higher kanker nodules and new alluvial (Khadar) which is more fertile.
2. Black Soil
- Distribution: Deccan trap region, including Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and along the Godavari and Krishna valleys.
- Formation: Developed from basalt rock. Ideal for cotton cultivation.
- Properties: Clayey, moisture-retentive, rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. Poor in phosphoric content. Develops deep cracks in hot weather.
3. Red and Yellow Soils
- Distribution: Eastern and southern Deccan plateau, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, parts of the Ganga plain, and Western Ghats.
- Formation: Developed on crystalline igneous rocks. Red color due to iron diffusion; yellow when hydrated.
- Properties: Less fertile, can be improved with fertilizers.
4. Laterite Soil
- Distribution: Southern states, Western Ghats, Odisha, West Bengal, and North-east regions.
- Formation: Result of intense leaching in tropical and subtropical climates.
- Properties: Acidic, nutrient-deficient, prone to erosion. Suitable for tea, coffee, and cashew nut cultivation after soil conservation techniques.
5. Arid Soils
- Distribution: Western Rajasthan and other arid regions.
- Properties: Sandy, saline, low humus and moisture. High calcium content in lower horizons. Can be made cultivable with proper irrigation.
6. Forest Soils
- Distribution: Hilly and mountainous areas with sufficient rainforests.
- Properties: Loamy and silty in valleys, coarse-grained on upper slopes. Acidic with low humus content in snow-covered areas. Fertile in lower valley parts and river terraces.
Soil Conservation Measures
- Afforestation: Planting trees to prevent soil erosion.
- Proper Grazing Management: Controlling grazing to avoid overuse.
- Shelter Belts: Planting trees or shrubs to reduce wind erosion.
- Sand Dune Stabilization: Using thorny bushes to stabilize sand dunes.
- Waste Land Management: Reclaiming and managing waste lands.
- Control of Mining Activities: Regulating mining to prevent land degradation.
- Industrial Waste Treatment: Proper disposal of industrial effluents to reduce pollution.
Key Points to Remember
- Diverse Soil Types: India has a variety of soils due to its diverse relief features, climate, and vegetation.
- Soil Conservation: Essential to maintain soil health and prevent degradation.
- Sustainable Practices: Implementing sustainable soil management practices ensures long-term productivity and ecological balance.
Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation
Soil Erosion
- Definition: Denudation (wearing away) of soil cover and its subsequent washing down.
- Balance: Soil formation and erosion occur simultaneously, typically balanced. This balance can be disturbed by human activities and natural forces.
Causes of Soil Erosion
1. Human Activities
- Deforestation: Removing trees reduces root systems that hold soil in place.
- Over-grazing: Livestock overgrazing removes vegetation that protects soil.
- Construction: Building activities disturb soil structure and expose it to erosion.
- Mining: Excavation and mining activities remove soil layers and leave land exposed.
2. Natural Forces
- Water: Running water creates deep channels (gullies) and sheet erosion.
- Wind: Blows away loose soil, particularly in flat or sloping lands.
- Glaciers: Erode soil and rock through movement and melting.
Types of Soil Erosion
- Gully Erosion: Deep channels formed by running water, creating bad lands (e.g., ravines in the Chambal basin).
- Sheet Erosion: Thin layers of soil are removed over a large area by water flowing down slopes.
- Wind Erosion: Wind blows away loose soil from flat or sloping land.
Soil Conservation Methods
1. Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along contour lines to slow water flow and reduce erosion.
2. Terrace Cultivation: Cutting steps on slopes to create flat areas for farming, reducing water runoff and erosion.
- Examples: Western and central Himalayas.
3. Strip Cropping: Dividing large fields into strips with grass left to grow between crops, breaking the wind’s force and reducing erosion.
4. Shelter Belts: Planting lines of trees to act as windbreaks and stabilize soil.
- Benefits: Helps stabilize sand dunes and desert areas in western India.
Key Points to Remember
- Balance Disruption: Human activities often disrupt the natural balance between soil formation and erosion.
- Preventive Measures: Various agricultural practices and planting techniques can significantly reduce soil erosion.
- Long-term Benefits: Implementing soil conservation methods ensures sustainable land use and protects agricultural productivity.
Map Work
Syllabus for 2024-25: Identification of major soil types (You will be shown area or region of soil type, and you will just have to identify the soil type)
