This chapter talks about resources and its classification. Furthermore, going into the depth of the chapter, students will learn the development of resources and resource planning in India.
Resources can be classified as biotic, abiotic, renewable, non-renewable, individual, community-owned, national, international, potential and developed resources.
In India, there are some regions which can be considered self-sufficient in terms of the availability of resources and there are some regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources. This calls for balanced resource planning at the national, state, regional and local levels.
Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate technological development and institutional changes. India has made concerted efforts towards achieving the goals of resource planning since the First Five Year Plan launched after Independence.
To overcome irrational consumption and over-utilization of resources, resource conservation at various levels is important.
Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the earth.
Soil erosion is also a big problem in India which results due to several factors such as deforestation, over-grazing, construction, mining etc. Ploughing, terrace cultivation, strip cropping, shelter belts are some ways for soil conservation and reducing the chances of soil erosion.
Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying have contributed significantly to land degradation. Mining sites leave deep scars and traces of over-burdening the land. In recent years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution in many parts of the country.
The topics discussed in this chapter are as follows:
- Classification of Resources
- Development of Resources
- Resource Planning
- Land Resources
- Soil as a Resource
- Classification of Soils
- Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation