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Resources and Development

Geography – Class 10
_ _
1. Resource
• Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs
provided it is-
⎯ Technologically accessible
⎯ Economically feasible
⎯ Culturally acceptable
• Resources are the functions of human activities. Interdependent relationship between
nature, technology and institutions

2. Classification of resources
Classification on the basis of Origin Board Questions:
Biotic Resources: Such resources are received from the living world Classify resources on the basis of
origin. (2018)
(biosphere) Examples- human beings, flora, fauna, fishes etc.
Abiotic Resources: All those things which are composed of non-living things are called abiotic resources.
Examples: rocks, metals, minerals etc.

Classification on the basis of Exhaustibility

• Renewable Resources: The resources which can be Board Questions:
1. Give one difference between renewable
renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical or and non-renewable resource. (2017)
mechanical processes are called renewable 2. Distinguish between the renewable and
non-renewable resources. (2011, 12)
resources. E.g. solar and wind energy, forests,
wildlife etc.
• Non-Renewable Resources: The resources which cannot be renewed or reproduced
are called non-renewable resources. E.g. minerals, fossil fuels.
On the basis of Ownership
• Individual Resources: These resources are owned by individuals. E.g. houses, land, wells, shops etc.
• Community Resources: These are resources which are
Board Questions:
accessible to all the members of a community. E.g. grazing
1. What is meant by the term
grounds, playground, public parks etc. ‘resource’? List the types of resources
• National Resources: These resources which belong to a nation. classified on the basis of its
Technically all the resources belong to a nation. The country ownership. (2012, 14)
can even acquire private property for public good. E.g. all the minerals, water resources, forests,
wildlife etc.
• International Resources: These resources which are regulated by international institutions. No
individual country can utilise these resources without the concurrence of international institutions.
E.g. resources beyond 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone belong to open ocean.
On the basis of Status of Development
• Potential resources: Such resources are found in a region but have not been utilised.
Examples: Such resources include solar, wind and Board Questions:
geothermal energy. 1. Distinguish between stock and
potential resources. Give one example
The western part of India (Gujrat and Rajasthan) have of each. (2012)
enormous potential for development of wind and 2. Differentiate between stock and
solar energy but so far these resources have not been reserve stating two points of
differences. (2011)
developed properly.
• Developed Resources: These are the actual resources which are surveyed and their
quality and quantity have been determined for utilisation. The development of
resources depends on technology and feasibility.
• Stock: Material in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs
but human beings do not have appropriate technology to access these are included
among stocks.
Example: Water is a compound of two inflammable gases oxygen and hydrogen. But
we do not have the technology to separate these to use as rich sources of energy.
• Reserve: Such resources can be used for meeting future requirements with the
available technology but their use has not been started. They can be used in future to
meet the needs and requirements.
Examples: water in dams, forests etc.

3. Resource Development
Indiscriminate use of resources has caused the following problems:
i. Depletion of resources due to human greed.
ii. The accumulation of resources in a few hands has divided the society into ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ or
the rich and the poor.
iii. Environmental pollution
iv. Ecological crises
v. Ozone layer depletion & global warming
vi. Land degradation
Sustainable Development Board Questions:
It refers to the development that takes place in such a manner that 1. What is sustainable economic
does not damage the environment and does not compromise with the development? Suggest any two ways
needs of the future generations. in which resources can be used
judiciously. (2015)
Rio De Janeiro summit 1992 2. “Sustainability of development is a
United Nations conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) new area of knowledge”. Do you
summit was held to address the issue of environmental damage and other socio- agree? Justify your answer. (2016)
economic issues as apart of clean and green environment. This summit was 3. How is the issue of sustainability
attended by more than 100 heads of states. It’s one of the highlights was the important for development? Explain
adoption of Agenda 21. with examples. (2018)
Agenda 21
It called upon the nations to work on the issues like
Board Questions:
• Environmental damage What is Agenda 21? List
• Poverty and diseases its two principals.
• Work collectively with mutual interests and shared responsibilities (2017)
• Local governments to draw their own Local Agenda 21

Resource Planning
India needs resource because there is uneven distribution of resources of resources across different regions in India.
i. The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Board Questions:
are rich in mineral and coal deposits. 1. Why is it essential to have resource
ii. Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water but lacks planning? Explain any three reasons. (2017)
infrastructural development. 2. “In India, some regions are rich in certain
iii. The state of Rajasthan lacks in water resources but has types of resources but deficient in some other
resources.” Do you agree with the statement?
great potential for solar and wind energy.
Support your answer with any three examples.
iv. Ladakh, a cold desert, has rich cultural heritage but it is (2017)
deficient in water and some vital minerals.

Process of Resource Planning

i. Inventory and identification of resources through surveying, mapping, measuring and estimation of
quality and quantity of resources. Board Questions:
ii. Examining the availability of resources from the view of 1. What are the three stages of
technology, economy, needs, skill, and institutional setup. resource planning? (2011, 12, 14, 15)
iii. Matching and comparison of resource development at regional, state national levels

Conservation of Resources
Need to Conserve Resources
• They are limited
• They are main source of our daily needs
• The future generations have the right to use the resources
• Non-renewable resources are depleting very fast
Methods to Conserve Resources
1. Afforestation
2. Stop over utilisation of resources
3. Sustainable development
4. Govt. laws, policies to conserve resources
5. General awareness among masses
6. Using non-renewable resources as alternatives
4. Land Resources
Solid part of earth Board Questions: IMPORTAND RELIEF FEATURES OF LAND
is called land. It is 1. ‘Land is a natural resource of
utmost importance.’ Justify the Plains Mountains Plateaus
a very important
statements with appropriate
natural resource. arguments. (2014)
We live on it, use 2. What area the main advantages of
27%
it for different India’s land under a variety of relief
43%
purposes and features. (2011)

perform different economic activities on it.

30%

Land utilisation Plains- agriculture and industry

Factors determining the use of land Mountains- Some perennial rivers, tourism, ecological
Physical factors: topography, climate, soil types
balance
Human factors: population density, technological
Plateaus- mineral reserves, fossil fuels and forests
capability, culture and traditions
1. Forests
2. Land not available for cultivation
(a) Barren and waste land (rocky, arid, desert, marshy) Land use data of
(b) Land put to non-agricultural uses, e.g. buildings, roads, factories, etc. India
3. Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land) Total geographical
(a) Permanent pastures and grazing land,
area 3287263 sq. km.
(b) Land under miscellaneous tree crops
groves (not included in net sown area)
Data available 93% of
(c) Culturable waste land (left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years).
the total geographical
4. Fallow lands
area. Rest 7% area
(a) Current fallow- (left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year),
includes N. E. states
(b) Other than current fallow-(left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years).
(rough topography)
5. Net sown area
excluding Assam and
It is the total cropped area sown once in an agricultural year.
J&K occupied by
Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as
Pakistan (POK) and
gross cropped area.
Land use Pattern in India
net sown area varies from state to state –
It is over 80% in Punjab & Haryana but less than
10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and
Andaman Nicobar
Islands.
Forest area- It has increased but still below than the
desired 33% as per the Forest Policy 1952. forests
help maintain ecological balance and support
livelihood of millions of people.
Land Degradation
Land degradation is the result of continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures
to conserve and maintain it. Human activities have not only brought about degradation of land but have also aggravated
the pace of natural forces to cause damage to land.
Board Questions:
Causes 1. What is the main cause of land
• Mining and Quarrying: Mines are abandoned after the degradation in Gujrat, Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh? How can it be
excavation work is over or
checked? (2012, 15)
• mine gets exhausted, leaving deep scars and traces of over- 2. Explain any three human activities
burdening. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and responsible for the degradation of
Odisha suffer from sever land degradation due to mining. land. (2012)
• Overgrazing: It is the main reason of land degradation in states like Gujrat, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Over irrigation: It causes water logging that leads to salinity and alkalinity in soil.
• Mineral processing: grinding of stones for cement and ceramic industry generates huge quantity of
dust in the atmosphere. These dust particles settle down on the soil affecting the pace of
infiltration of water into the soil.
• Industrial effluents: It is a major problem of the industrializing world. Industrial wastes cause water
pollution and degrade the nearby land.

Conservation methods
• Afforestation: planting trees on culturable waste land can Board Questions:
minimize land degradation. Describe any six measures of
controlling land degradation.
• Control on overgrazing: It will help in maintaining vegetation
(2011, 12, 15)
cover on land, check soil erosion and desertification.
• Planting of shelter belts: Such belts help check wind erosion of soil.
• Stabilisation of sand dunes: Growing thorny bushes can check movement of sand dunes.
• Proper management of wasteland: Land reclamation process can help in making wasteland useful
and productive.
• Proper agricultural practices: Crop rotation, strip farming etc.
• Proper disposal of industrial wastes: Treatment of effluents before discharging in water checks
water degradation.
• Control of mining activities: It is a major problem of many countries. Use of advanced technologies,
proper regulations and control is necessary.

3. Soil as a Resource
Soil is loose material formed on the surface of the earth’s crust. Soil is formed due
to denudation and weathering of rocks. It consists of organic and inorganic Board Questions:
materials, air, water and many organisms. Temperature, running water, wind 1. Explain any three factors
and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc. contribute to the responsible for soil formation. (2012)
formation of soil. It takes millions of years to form a few cm deep soil layer. Soil 2. Why is soil considered as a
is a living system as it is a medium of plant growth and supports life of different resource? Explain with five
organisms. arguments. (2015)
Classification of Soils
Soil is classified on the basis of its colour, thickness, texture, age, chemical and physical properties.
Alluvial Soils
These soils are the depositional work of three main Himalayan river Board Questions:
systems- the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. This is the mostly 1. Distinguish between Khadar soil
found soil in India. and Bangar soils. (2011)
Types on the basis of age: Khadar (new alluvium) and Bangar (old 2. Trace the features of alluvial soil
with reference to its formation, area,
alluvium)
classification and containing minerals.
Characteristics of alluvial soil: Most fertile, finely grained and have (2015)
proportions of sand, silt and clay. It is rich in potash, phosphoric acid 3. Describe any three main features of
and lime. It is deficient in nitrogen and humus. It is suitable for ‘Alluvial soil’ found in India. (2019)
cultivation of cereals, pulses, oil seeds, sugarcane etc.
Areas occupied: The entire northern plain, deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, and Kaveri, along the coast of
Kerala, Assam and some parts of Rajasthan and Gujrat.

Black Soil / Regur Soil Board Questions:

1. Mention any three main features of
These soils were formed due to weathering of Lava rocks in the
‘Black soil. (2012, 15, 19)
Deccan Trap (basalt) region. 2. Which geographical factors are
Characteristics: Black in colour. Extremely fine with clayey material. responsible for evolution of black soil?
Rich in nutrients like potash, magnesium, lime and calcium. Why is it considered the most suitable for
Deficient in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. Black soil has large growing cotton? (2012)

capacity to hold water. These soils develop large and deep cracks which help in aeration. Black soils are
suitable for cotton.
Areas occupied: North West Deccan plateau covering Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh and parts of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Red and Yellow soil

Such soils are formed by the weathering of igneous and metamorphic Board Questions:
1. Distinguish between red soil and
rocks. These soils surround the black soils mostly on their east and
laterite soil stating any three points of
south. distinction. (2015)
Characteristics: The presence of iron renders the red colour to the soil.
It is deficient in nitrogen, humus and phosphoric acid and lime. These are suitable for cultivation of cotton,
rice, pulses, tobacco, jowar etc.
Areas Occupied: In the low rainfall Eastern and southern Parts of Deccan plateau. Parts of Orrisa,
Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Piedmont zone of Western Ghats.

Laterite Soil
It the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick. It develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall
which results in intense leaching. These are made up of clay and gravel of red sand stone.
Characteristics: Red in colour. Poor in nitrogen, potash, organic matter (poor humus content). Lateritic soils
are mostly deep to very deep, acidic (pH < 6.0).
But such soils can be made suitable for cultivation by adding manures and fertilizers. After adopting
appropriate soil conservation techniques particularly in the hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu,
this soil is very useful for growing tea and coffee.
Areas Occupied: Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha, some parts of West Bengal and North-east
regions.
Arid Soil Board Questions:
Such sols are formed under the arid and semi-arid conditions. 1. Mention any three features of arid
Characteristics: Red in brown in colour. Very low nitrogen and humous soil. (2014)
2. describe nay five different
content. Sandy and saline in nature. Low moisture content. Due to high
characteristics of ‘Arid Soils’. (2015)
temperature evaporation rate is higher. In the lower horizons Kankars
are found that restrict infiltration of water. Such soils are cultivatable under proper irrigation system. Indira
Gandhi Canal has increased the cultivation area in the arid reasons of Western Rajasthan.
Areas Occupied: Western Rajasthan.

Forest Soil
These soils are formed due to the deposition of organic matter derived from the forest growth.
Characteristics: Abundance of humus but acidic and low humus in snow covered areas. Soil textures varies
from mountain to mountain. They are loamy and silty in valley sides and coarse grained in the upper slopes.
Areas Occupied: hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available- Jammu & Kashmir,
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and eastern hilly areas.

Soil Erosion:
Wearing away, washing, washing down or removal of the top soil Board Questions:
1. Mention any two activities which are
cover by natural agencies like water, wind, glacier is termed as soil
responsible for the process of soil
erosion. erosion. Explain the two types of soil
Soil formation and soil erosion go simultaneously in an almost erosion mostly observed in India. (2012)
balanced manner but this balance is disturbed because of human
activities like- deforestation, over-grazing, construction work and mining, defective methods of farming
etc.

Types of Soil Erosion

Gully Erosion: In areas of clayey soil, running water cuts through making deep channels called gullies.
These are termed as ‘bad lands’ and are unfit for cultivation. Such bad lands are called ‘ravines’ in the
Chambal Basin.
Sheet Erosion: When water flows down the slope as a sheet, the top soil is washed away. This is termed as
sheet erosion.
Wind erosion: wind erosion is generally confined to arid and semi-arid areas with high temperature. Due to
the removal of vegetation the top soil becomes extremely loose to be easily carried away by wind in large
quantities.

Methods to Control Soil Erosion

Contour Ploughing: This type of farming is practiced in the hilly areas. Ploughing is done along the contours
to prevent water from running down the slopes.
Strip Farming: In strip cropping, large fields are divided into strips in between, grasses are left to grow
which help in restricting the force of wind.
Terrace Cultivation: To restrict soil erosion, steps are cut on the slopes making terraces.
Shelter Belts: To reduce the force of wind, lines of tress are planted to create shelter belts. It helps in
checking wind erosion of soil.
Afforestation: It helps in checking soil erosions as well as improving environment and maintaining
ecosystem.
Schemes of Government: Land reclamation schemes to convert ravines and bad lands into cultivable lands.
Plugging gullies and leveling surface, control and afforestation are also included in govt. programs. Indira
Gandhi Canal in Rajasthan has brought a lot of area under cultivation.