Resources and Development — Class 10 Social Science
Geography — Contemporary India-II · Chapter 1
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Chapter summary
Key ideas & terms
- Resource
- Anything useful that satisfies human needs and is technologically and economically accessible.
- Renewable resource
- A resource that can be renewed or reproduced, such as water, forests and solar energy.
- Non-renewable resource
- A resource that takes very long geological time to form, such as minerals and fossil fuels.
- Sustainable development
- Development that meets present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
- Land degradation
- The decline in the quality and productivity of land due to misuse or overuse.
- Alluvial soil
- Fertile soil deposited by rivers, ideal for intensive agriculture.
- Black soil
- Clayey, moisture-retentive regur soil suited to growing cotton.
- Resource planning
- The judicious, balanced use of resources for sustainable development.
Extra questions & answers
Why is resource planning essential in India?
Because resources are limited and unevenly distributed and can be over-used or depleted; planning ensures their judicious use, conservation and balanced regional development.
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Name the major soil types found in India.
Alluvial, black (regur), red and yellow, laterite, arid (desert) and forest/mountain soils.
State three methods of soil conservation.
Contour ploughing along the slope, terrace farming on hillsides, and strip cropping or planting shelter belts to check wind and water erosion.
How is land degraded in India?
Through deforestation, overgrazing, over-irrigation that causes waterlogging and salinity, and mining and industrial waste that leave land barren.
How are resources classified on the basis of exhaustibility?
Into renewable resources, which can be renewed or reproduced (like water, forests and solar energy), and non-renewable resources, which take long to form (like minerals and fossil fuels).
Why is resource planning essential in India?
Because resources are limited and unevenly distributed and can be over-used; planning ensures their balanced, judicious use and sustainable development.
What is land degradation, and name two of its causes.
The decline in the quality and productivity of land; it is caused by deforestation, overgrazing, mining and over-irrigation that leads to waterlogging and salinity.
Name the major soil types found in India.
Alluvial, black (regur), red and yellow, laterite, arid (desert) and forest/mountain soils.
Suggest some methods of soil conservation.
Contour ploughing, terrace farming, strip cropping and planting shelter belts to check wind and water erosion.
Activity
1. Imagine, if the oil supply gets exhausted one day, how would this affect our life style?
If oil supplies were exhausted, petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and many petroleum-based products would become unavailable. Transport and trade would be severely disrupted, the cost of goods would rise, and industries using petroleum as fuel or raw material would be affected. People would have to depend more on public transport, electricity, bicycles and renewable sources such as solar, wind and bioenergy.
2. Plan a survey in your colony/village to investigate people’s attitude towards recycling of the domestic/agricultural wastes. Ask questions about :
The survey can cover households, shops and farms in the locality. Respondents may be asked how they separate, reuse or dispose of waste; whether they compost biodegradable material; and what prevents them from recycling. Their answers can be recorded in a table and compared to identify common practices, difficulties and possible improvements.
(a) What do they think about resources they use?
Most respondents are likely to consider water, food, fuel, electricity, soil and other materials essential for daily life. Many may recognise that these resources are limited and should be used carefully, though some may still waste them because of a lack of awareness or convenient alternatives.
(b) What is their opinion about the wastes, and its utilisation?
People may view waste as useless when it is mixed together, but many recognise that segregated waste can be utilised. Kitchen and agricultural waste can be composted or used for biogas, while paper, glass, metals and suitable plastics can be reused or recycled.
(c) Collage your results.
The collage may show photographs or drawings of waste segregation, compost pits, recycling bins, biogas plants and the reuse of containers. Survey findings can be displayed through brief captions such as: most families reuse bags and containers; some compost kitchen waste; recyclable materials are sold to scrap collectors; and better collection facilities and awareness are needed.
Activity
Prepare a list of resources found in your state and also identify the resources that are important but deficit in your state.
A model answer for Bihar: Important resources found in the state include fertile alluvial soil, rivers such as the Ganga and its tributaries, groundwater, agricultural land, forests in limited areas, limestone, pyrite and a large human-resource base. Resources that are important but deficient include extensive forest cover, major deposits of coal and metallic minerals, reliable electricity in some areas, modern irrigation facilities and adequately developed transport and industrial infrastructure.
Find out
What resources are being developed in your surroundings by the community/village panchayats/ward level communities with the help of community participation?
Local communities commonly help develop and maintain resources such as village ponds, rainwater-harvesting structures, wells, irrigation channels, grazing grounds, community forests, parks, sanitation facilities and waste-management systems. People may contribute labour, money, local knowledge and supervision, while the panchayat or ward body coordinates planning and maintenance.
Activity
Try to do a comparison between the two pie charts (Fig. 1.4 ) given for land use and find out why the net sown area and the land under forests have changed from 1960-61 to 2019-20 very marginally.
The charts show that the net sown area changed only from 45.26% in 1960–61 to 45.64% in 2019–20, while forest land increased from 18.11% to 23.41%. Net sown area could not expand greatly because land is limited and increasing areas are required for settlements, roads, industries and other non-agricultural uses. Forest area grew slowly because afforestation was partly offset by deforestation, mining, development projects, agricultural expansion and urbanisation.
EXERCISES
1. Multiple choice questions. (i) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab? (a) Intensive cultivation (b) Deforestation (c) Over irrigation (d) Overgrazing
(c) Over irrigation
(ii) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised? (a) Punjab (b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh (c) Haryana (d) Uttarakhand
(d) Uttarakhand
(iii) In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found? (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Maharashtra (c) Rajasthan (d) Jharkhand
(b) 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.
Black soil is widely found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. It has a high capacity to retain moisture and is particularly suitable for the cultivation of 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.
Alluvial soil is found in the eastern coastal deltas. It is made of sand, silt and clay, is generally very fertile, and contains adequate potash, phosphoric acid and lime.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Soil erosion in hilly areas can be controlled by terrace cultivation, contour ploughing, afforestation and restricting overgrazing. These measures slow the flow of rainwater and help bind the soil.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words. (i) Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960–61?
Land in India is used for forests, cultivation, pastures, tree crops, fallow land and non-agricultural purposes such as buildings, roads and industries. Some land is barren or otherwise unavailable for cultivation. The land-use pattern is influenced by physical factors such as relief, climate and soil, and by human factors such as population density, technology, traditions and economic activities. The net sown area differs greatly among states because their physical and economic conditions vary. Forest land has not increased greatly since 1960–61 because afforestation has been offset by the clearing of forests for agriculture, settlements, mining, industries, roads, dams and other development projects. Pressure from a growing population and excessive use of forest resources have also limited the increase in forest cover.
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
Technical development has enabled people to identify, extract, process and transport natural resources on a much larger scale. Advanced machinery allows deep mining, large-scale logging, intensive agriculture and rapid industrial production. Economic development raises incomes and increases the demand for houses, vehicles, electricity, consumer goods and infrastructure. Industries consequently require more minerals, fossil fuels, water, land and forest products. Improved transport and global trade also make resources from distant regions easily available, encouraging greater consumption. In addition, rapid urbanisation creates demand for roads, buildings and services. When production and consumption are driven by profit and convenience without proper planning, resources are exploited faster than nature can replace them. Therefore, technological and economic progress must be accompanied by conservation, recycling and equitable resource use.
PROJECT/ACTIVITY
1. Make a project showing consumption and conservation of resources in your locality.
The project may begin with a survey of how households, shops and public institutions consume water, electricity, fuel, food, paper and other materials. It can identify problems such as leaking taps, unnecessary lighting, excessive packaging and mixed waste. Conservation measures may include rainwater harvesting, repairing leaks, using efficient lights, switching off unused appliances, walking or using public transport, composting biodegradable waste, separating recyclables, reusing containers and planting trees. The project can present observations, photographs, survey results and a practical action plan for the locality.
2. Have a discussion in the class – how to conserve various resources used in your school.
The class discussion may recommend switching off lights, fans and computers when not needed; using daylight and energy-efficient equipment; repairing leaking taps; harvesting rainwater; using both sides of paper; reusing books and supplies; separating recyclable and biodegradable waste; composting garden and food waste; avoiding single-use plastics; and protecting trees and green spaces. Students can form teams to monitor water, electricity, paper and waste consumption.
3. Imagine if oil supplies get exhausted, how will this affect our life style?
The exhaustion of oil would greatly affect transport, industry, agriculture and daily life. Petrol, diesel and aviation fuel would disappear, making travel and the movement of goods difficult and expensive. Tractors, generators and many machines would need alternative energy sources. Products made from petroleum, including many plastics, synthetic materials and chemicals, would also become scarce. Society would have to rely more on renewable electricity, public transport, bicycles, electric vehicles and locally produced goods.
4. Solve the puzzle by following your search horizontally and vertically to find the hidden answers. (i) Natural endowments in the form of land, water, vegetation and minerals.
RESOURCES
(ii) A type of non-renewable resource.
MINERALS
(iii) Soil with high water retaining capacity.
BLACK
(iv) Intensively leached soils of the monsoon climate.
LATERITE
(v) Plantation of trees on a large scale to check soil erosion.
AFFORESTATION
(vi) The Great Plains of India are made up of these soils.
ALLUVIAL