NCERT Notes Class 10 Social Science Geography Chapter 1 - Resources and Development
Resources and Development Study Notes, Questions and Answers
* Resources:
A resource is anything available in the environment that is useful to human beings and is economically feasible, technologically accessible, and culturally acceptable.
* Types of Resources:
Resources are classified into the following categories:
● On the basis of origin
a) Biotic resources: Resources obtained from the biosphere and living organisms like human beings, plants, and animals, etc.
b) Abiotic resources: Resources obtained from inanimate objects. Examples include rocks, metals etc.
● On the basis of ownership
a) Individual resources: Resources that have private individual ownership. Examples: houses, plots, etc.
b) Community owned resources: Resources that are shared by all the members within a community. Examples include public parks, playgrounds, etc.
c) National resources: Resources that belong to the nation. National resources include railways, forests, land within political boundaries and oceanic areas up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
d) International resources: Resources that are regulated by international bodies are termed international resources. Example: Oceanic area beyond 200 nautical miles of the exclusive economic zone.
● On the basis of exhaustibility
a) Renewable resources: Resources that have the capability to be regenerated by any physical, chemical, or mechanical process. Examples include solar and wind energy, water etc.
b) Non-renewable resources: Resources that are exhaustible and cannot be regenerated. Examples are fossil fuels, minerals etc.
● On the basis of the status of development
a) Potential resources: Resources that are available in a region but have not been put to use yet. For examples, the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have great potential for harnessing wind and solar energy, but these have not
been developed yet.
b) Developed resources: Resources whose potential has been properly analyzed based on their technological accessibility and economic feasibility, and quantity for utilization has been determined.
c) Stock: These are the resources that are present in abundance in our surroundings but have not been utilized yet due to the lack of adequate technology.
d) Reserves: These resources are considered a subset of stock. The technology required to utilize these resources is available, but their utilization has not begun yet. They have been reserved for future necessities.
* Development of Resources:
The irresponsible use of resources has led to many obstacles:
● Division of society into rich and poor.
● Exhaustion of resources.
● Global crises like global warming, ozone depletion etc. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable economic development which means that development without damaging the environment. It also means that development that is being
done for the present generation should not compromise the development of future generations.
* Resource Planning
Resource planning is the practice that is employed for the sensible use of resources which involves the following steps:
● Identifying and making an inventory of resources.
● Creating a proper planning structure, including all the technology and skills required.
● Matching the resource development plan with overall national development plans.
* Land Resources
The land is a very important resource as it supports natural vegetation, wildlife, and various economic activities. Distribution of land in India:
● 43%- Plain area for agriculture and industrial use.
● 30%- Mountain area for tourism and ecology.
● 27%- Plateau region which is rich in minerals and fossil fuels.
* Land Use Pattern in India
Determinants of use of land in India:
● Physical factors: climate, topography, and soil types
● Human Factors: population density, technological capability, traditions etc.
* Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
Deforestation, mining, and quarrying contribute significantly to land degradation.
Following these practices can help curb the problem of land degradation:
● Afforestation
● Control overgrazing
● Control over mining
● Management of wastelands
* Soil as A Resource
Soil is the most important renewable resource as it supports plant growth and the survival of living organisms.
* Classification of Soil
On the basis of various chemical and physical properties soil is classified as:
a) Alluvial soil
The alluvial soils are found all around the northern plains and are formed by the deposits of three Himalayan rivers namely, the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. Consisting of different proportions of sand, silt, and clay these soils are very fertile as they contain equal proportions of potash, phosphoric acid, and lime. They are ideal for growing sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops. These soils extend to the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat and can also be found in the eastern coastal plains- in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Krishna, the Godavari, and the Kaveri.
b) Black soil
Also known as black cotton soil, this soil is made up of lava flows and is spread around the Deccan Plateau. Black cotton soil is ideal for growing cotton. Climatic conditions and parent rock material are the two main factors that are
involved in the formation of black soil. They have a rich content of calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. They can hold moisture which makes them suitable for growing cotton. The states where black soil can be found are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
c) Red and yellow soils
These soils are developed on crystalline igneous rocks and are mainly found in the low rainfall areas of the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau. They are also found in areas of Chhattisgarh, Orissa, southern parts of the middle Ganga plains and along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats. The red colour of this soil is due to the diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. The soil appears yellow in colour when it occurs in a hydrated form.
d) Laterite soil
These soils are formed mainly due to leaching and are deficient in plant nutrients. They are found in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha, some part of West Bengal and northeastern states. These soils are very useful
for growing tea and coffee in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu where soil conservation techniques are employed to prevent erosion and leaching of the soil. The states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh cultivate cashew nuts in their red laterite soil.
e) Arid soil
These soils are found in areas with dry climate, high temperature and moisture. They have a very high salt content and lack humus and moisture. The lower layer of soil consists of Kankar due to increased calcium content. This Kankar layer restricts the movement of water deeper into the soil. These soils have been made suitable for cultivation after undergoing proper irrigation in Western Rajasthan.
f) Forest soil
As the name suggests, these soils are found in forest regions or mountainous regions. They are of different types according to the region they are found in like loamy and silty in valleys which is very fertile and coarse-grained in upper slopes. The soil that is found in snowy regions undergo degradation, are acidic in nature and have a very low content of humus.
* Soil Erosion and Soil Degradation
The displacement and washing down of the top layer of soil is called soil erosion. It is of two types:
a) Gully erosion
The formation of gullies or deep channels by running water that cuts through the clayey soil that results in the formation of badlands is called gully erosion.
b) Sheet erosion
In sheet erosion, large quantities of water flow in the form of sheets causing the removal of topsoil or soil erosion.
Contributing factors to soil erosion:
● Human activities- Deforestation, excessive grazing, mining
● Natural forces- Wind, glacier, and water flow.
* Measures to control soil erosion:
● Contour ploughing
Contour ploughing is a technique in modern farming that involves ploughing of soil along the contour lines. Ploughing around the contour lines provides many advantages. It prevents the water from running down the slope. Also, when the soil is ploughed along the contour lines the furrows that are created follow the lines that link points of the same height. This helps in stopping the downward flow of water and prevents erosion.
● Strip cropping
In order to conserve the soil, large fields can be divided into strips into plain areas. Under this, strips of grass are allowed to grow in between the row of crops. This strip of grass is effective in reducing the force of the wind and prevents wind erosion.
● Planting shelterbelts
The planting of trees in rows creates a shelter. The rows of trees that are planted in order to stop wind erosion are called shelterbelts. The planting of shelterbelts acts as a barrier between the wind and the soil and prevents wind erosion. They help in stabilizing sand dunes and spreading desert soil.
* Important Questions and Answers
1. Define resources. Give examples of any two renewable resources.
A resource is anything available in the environment that is useful to human beings and is economically feasible, technologically accessible, and culturally acceptable.
Example of renewable resources: Solar energy, Water
2. Give the classification of resources.
The various types of resources are classified as follows:
i) On the basis of origin
a) Biotic resources
b) Abiotic resources
ii) On the basis of exhaustibility
a) Renewable resources
b) Non-renewable resources
iii) On the basis of ownership
a) Individual resources
b) Community owned resources
c) National resources
d) International resources
iv) On the basis of status and development
a) Potential resources
b) Developed resources
c) Stock
d) Reserves
3. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of ownership with examples of each.
a) Individual resources: These are the resources that are owned privately by individuals.
Examples: houses, plots, plantations.
b) Community-owned resources: The resources that are shared between all the community members are known as community-owned resources. Examples include public parks, playgrounds, ponds.
c) National resources: These are the resources that are owned by the nation. Examples include railways, forests, land within political boundaries and oceanic
areas up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
d) International resources: Resources that are regulated by international bodies are termed international resources.
Example: Oceanic areas beyond 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zones belong to the open ocean and are not accessible to any country without prior consultations from international institutions.
4. What is meant by the term ‘Sustainable economic development’?
The term “sustainable economic development” means that development should take place without damaging the environment. It also implies that the development that is taking place in the present should not compromise the needs of the future generation.
5. Explain briefly about ‘Agenda 21.’
Agenda 21 is referred to as the declaration that was signed by more than 100 heads of state at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The main aim of ‘Agenda 21’ was to achieve sustainable development and combat various issues like environmental damage, poverty, and disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs, and shared responsibilities.
6. Write a note on black soil. Give examples of three states that have black soil.
As the name suggests, black soils are black. They are also known as regur soil and black cotton soil as it is ideal for growing cotton. Climatic conditions and parent rock material are the two main factors that are involved in the formation of black soil. They have a rich content of calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. They can hold moisture which makes them suitable for growing cotton. Three states where black soil can be found are Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
7. What are the different types of soil erosion?
Mainly three types of soil erosion are seen in India:
a) Gully erosion: The formation of deep channels or gullies by cutting water through clayey soils resulting in the formation of ‘Badlands’ is called gully erosion.
b) Sheet erosion: When water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope, it results in the washing away of the top layer of soil. This is called sheet erosion.
c) Wind erosion: The blowing away of loose and dry soil from flat and sloping lands due to strong winds is called wind erosion.
8. Mention the factors that determine land use in India.
There are two types of factors that determine land use in India:
Physical factors
a) Topography
b) Climate
c) Soil type
Chemical factors
a) Technological capabilities
b) Population density
c) Culture and traditions
9. “Resource planning is essential for sustainable development.” Elaborate.
For the judicious utilization of resources, it is essential to practice sustainable development. Sustainable development aims at development without inflicting any damage to the environment. Sustainable development practices ensure that the development in the present does not compromise with the necessities of the future generation. Hence, resource planning is essential for equitable distribution and proper utilization of resources.
10. What are the different types of soils that are found in India? Write three characteristics of alluvial soil.
There are six different types of soil that are found in India namely:
a) Alluvial soil
b) Black soil
c) Laterite soil
d) Red and yellow soil
e) Arid soil
f) Forest and mountainous soil
The three major characteristics of alluvial soil are:
a) Alluvial soils are the most widely spread soil in India, and they are very fertile. They are mainly composed of sand, silt, and clay.
b) They contain proper proportions of potash, lime, and phosphoric acid, which makes them ideal for growing sugarcane, wheat, and paddy.
c) The areas with alluvial soil are densely populated and highly cultivated due to the high fertility of the soil.
* TextBook Exercise Page No 12
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following type of resource is iron ore?
(a) Renewable
(b) Biotic
(c) Flow
(d) Non-renewable
Answer: Non-renewable
(ii) Under which of the following type of resource tidal energy cannot be put?
(a) Replenishable
(b) Human-made
(c) Abiotic
(d) Non-recyclable
Answer: Replenishable
(iii) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Intensive cultivation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Over irrigation
(d) Overgrazing
Answer: Over irrigation
(iv) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?
(a) Punjab
(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh
(c) Haryana
(d) Uttarakhand
Answer: Uttarakhand
(v) In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand
Answer: Maharashtra
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Answer: 3 states are
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Madhya Pradesh
The crop grown is cotton.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Answer:
The type of soil found in river deltas is Alluvial Soil.
Very fertile, and therefore good for the cultivation of crops
Consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay
It has a good quantity of potash, lime and phosphoric acid, which is good for the growth of paddy and sugarcane.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Answer:
The main techniques that can be used are given below.
Contour ploughing
Terrace farming
Strips of grass are allowed to grow between the crops. This method is known as strip cropping.
(iv) What are the biotic and abiotic resources? Give some examples.
Answer:
Biotic resource:
These are resources that are obtained from the biosphere
These resources have life
Examples are plants, animals, fish, human beings, livestock etc.
Abiotic resource:
These resources are composed of non-living things
Examples are water, minerals, metals, wind, solar energy etc.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Explain the land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?
Answer:
The use of land is determined both by physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types as well as human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions etc. The pattern of the net sown area varies greatly from one state to another. It is over 80 per cent of the total area in Punjab and Haryana and less than 10 per cent in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman Nicobar Islands. Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33 per cent of geographical area, as it was outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952). It was considered essential for the maintenance of the ecological balance. A part of the land is termed as wasteland and land put to other non-agricultural uses. Wasteland includes rocky, arid and desert areas and land put to other non-agricultural uses includes settlements, roads, railways, industry etc. Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage has resulted in land degradation.
(ii) How has technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Answer:
There are various reasons for this.
Large scale production led to over utilisation of resources.
Technological advancement led to greater exploitation of resources.
Improved medical and health resources led to huge consumption of resources.
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