Nature has bestowed upon our Mother Earth with large varieties of rocks, soils, minerals,
vegetation, animals, etc. We use these gifts of nature to fulfill our day to day needs. We need air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat. We get all these things from the earth. Hence, all the things
on earth, which are necessary for our existence on this planet, are known as resources. Even human
beings are considered as a resource because human beings are an asset. It is only with the help of
human skill that the other resources can be developed.
Human needs and wants are neither uniform in
all parts of the world nor static over the years. They
generally grow and become complex with the process
of change in the society. In ancient times, emphasis was
mainly given on satisfying the basic needs, such as food,
clothing and shelter which was derived from the natural
environment. Even today, the pygmies of Africa eat
edible plants, roots, flowers, fruits, and hunt animals.
In advanced societies, greater emphasis is laid on the
utilisation of resources for satisfying the multifarious
needs of human beings.
Utility and value of a resource varies from time
to time and place to place. Earlier human civilisations
flourished along the river valleys as they used water
for irrigating fields. Now, human beings are using
water for generating energy, irrigation, navigation
and industries, etc. China and United States of
America (USA) are generating more wind energy
than India.
• Over-irrigation is responsible for water logging and makes the soil infertile.
• Rivers are suitable for navigation in the middle and lower course.
UTILISATION OF RESOURCES
Resources become usable when they are processed. For example, cotton is converted into yarn.
On further processing, it is converted into fabric, then finally into garments. Thus, at various stages
value addition is possible by applying skill and technology. Generally, the utilisation of resources
depends upon various factors, such as:
• Availability of resources
• Skill of human beings
• Availability of capital
• Availability of water
• Advancement of technology (tools, machines, etc.)
• Availability of transport and communication facilities, etc.
In the initial stages of economic development, availability of resources played a very important
role. With the advancement of technology, availability of capital and skilled labour became a necessity
for the utilisation of resources. For example, USA is termed as a developed country because it
is economically self-sufficient and technologically advanced. On the other hand, India is still in a
developing stage. Though resources are essential for development, but their mere presence does
not guarantee development. Other factors also play a crucial role.
CLASSIFICATION OF RESOURCES
Read carefully the following flowchart.
Renewability Origin Occurrence Development
Renewable Non-renewable Biotic, Abiotic Natural Man-made Potenal Actual
Basis of Classification
Let us now learn about each one by one.
Classification Based on Renewability-
Renewable resources are also known as inexhaustible
resources. Resources, which can be renewed either naturally
or by human efforts, are known as renewable resources, for
example, solar energy, air and water. Some of the renewable
resources are always available and do not get exhausted by
human activities, for example, solar and wind energy. The
quality of these resources can be affected by
Wind mill.
Resources, which take millions of years to form or renew,
are known as non-renewable resources. They are also known
as exhaustible resources as they cannot be renewed. Energy
resources, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and other
minerals are the examples of non-renewable resources. There
is a concern about their over-exploitation. They are available in
limited amount on the earth’s surface and complete utilisation
of such resources would result in their exhaustion. These
resources have to be used very carefully as
complete exhaustion
of these resources would have an adverse effect on the future
generations. Some of the minerals like metallic ores (gold and silver) are recyclable. These metals
may be used again and again after processing.
Classification Based on Origin
Resources, which are obtained from biosphere and have life (living beings), are known as biotic
resources. For example, birds, animals, fish, forests, etc., are biotic resources. The biotic resources
provide a variety of useful products. They have the capacity to reproduce and regenerate. All biotic
resources are renewable, but some take a long period of time to be renewed, for example, the forests.
All non-living resources are known as abiotic resources, for example, land, water, minerals, etc.
The abiotic resources are not renewable except water which is inexhaustible. These resources are in great demand for the development of various industries and agriculture.
Classification Based on Occurrence
Resources, available from nature in the form of water, minerals, forests, etc., and used by human
beings to satisfy their needs, are known as natural resources. Many of these natural resources
(e.g. water) are essential for the survival of human beings and form the base for the development
of a country.
Resources created by human beings to satisfy their needs are known as man-made resources,
for example, roads, buildings, machines, etc. These resources are essential for us, but they are also
developed from natural resources.
The quality and the quantity of people of a country determine its human resource. Healthy and
well-educated people contribute to their respective societies in positive ways. Malnourished and
illiterate people, on the other hand, cannot contribute much to their respective societies. Human resources are well-developed in Japan as people are skilled and technically developed. African
nations, inspite of being rich in resources, are less developed as most of the people are unskilled
and illiterate.
Classification Based on the Development of Resources-
Available resources in a country, which are not fully tapped, are known as potential resources.
For example, petroleum can be found in old sedimentary rocks of Himalayas or
hydroelectricity
can be generated by the force of falling water. The potential resources need detailed survey for
estimating their quantity and quality. A preliminary assessment by the US Geological Survey suggests
that the Arctic sea-bed may hold as much as 25% of the
world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas reserves. By one
estimate, 400 billion barrels of oil might lie beneath the
Arctic sea-bed.
The actual resources of a country are those which have
been thoroughly surveyed and their quantities have been
ascertained. The exploration, development and utilisation
of an actual resource depends upon the technology
available. For example, Saudi Arabia has 25.9% of the world
oil reserves.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
Sustainable development means development that takes place without damaging the
environment. It meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future
generations. Therefore, resources should be utilised judiciously so that after fulfilling our present
requirements, they are also conserved for the future generations. Most of our resources are limited
in their supply. Over-use of many valuable resources has led to their degradation or deterioration in
quality, for example, soil, land and water resources. Therefore, it is essential that we:
• use all renewable resources judiciously.
• minimise the depletion of natural resources.
• conserve the varied species.
The use of resources varies from one country to another. Due to technology and skilled human
resource, the developed countries like United Kingdom (UK) and USA make optimum use of resources
as compared to the developing countries like India. Distribution of resources across the world is
highly uneven. Rapid population growth has resulted in over-utilisation of the natural resources.
This has led to drastic depletion and degradation of natural resources. For example, over-utilisation
of soil has resulted in the depletion of the fertility of soil in many parts of the world. Thus, there
is an urgent need to maintain a balance between population, resource planning and conservation.
Resources should be used judiciously, otherwise mankind will have to face dire consequences.
Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the concern for the
conservation and management of resources as they are rapidly depleting and need to be
conserved.
Conservation means sustainable and optimum utilisation of resources. We must realise
that nature and its resources are not merely ours. They also belong to the future generation.
Thus, it is necessary to use the resources more efficiently and reduce wastage. Development
of technology, human skill and population control is essential for a long-term sustainability of
natural resources.
We have to create sustainable community for the sustenance of life on the planet, else the
ecological balance will be disturbed. Our Earth is the only habitable planet. So, spread awareness for
saving earth from further deterioration. Follow 5 R’s, i.e. reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and rethink.
Use the resources according to the ‘need’ and not according to the ‘greed’. Care for nature, it will
care for you.
vegetation, animals, etc. We use these gifts of nature to fulfill our day to day needs. We need air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat. We get all these things from the earth. Hence, all the things
on earth, which are necessary for our existence on this planet, are known as resources. Even human
beings are considered as a resource because human beings are an asset. It is only with the help of
human skill that the other resources can be developed.
Human needs and wants are neither uniform in
all parts of the world nor static over the years. They
generally grow and become complex with the process
of change in the society. In ancient times, emphasis was
mainly given on satisfying the basic needs, such as food,
clothing and shelter which was derived from the natural
environment. Even today, the pygmies of Africa eat
edible plants, roots, flowers, fruits, and hunt animals.
In advanced societies, greater emphasis is laid on the
 |
| hunting |
needs of human beings.
Utility and value of a resource varies from time
to time and place to place. Earlier human civilisations
 |
| ship |
for irrigating fields. Now, human beings are using
water for generating energy, irrigation, navigation
and industries, etc. China and United States of
America (USA) are generating more wind energy
than India.
• Over-irrigation is responsible for water logging and makes the soil infertile.
• Rivers are suitable for navigation in the middle and lower course.
UTILISATION OF RESOURCES
Resources become usable when they are processed. For example, cotton is converted into yarn.
On further processing, it is converted into fabric, then finally into garments. Thus, at various stages
value addition is possible by applying skill and technology. Generally, the utilisation of resources
depends upon various factors, such as:
• Availability of resources
• Skill of human beings
• Availability of capital
• Availability of water
• Advancement of technology (tools, machines, etc.)
• Availability of transport and communication facilities, etc.
In the initial stages of economic development, availability of resources played a very important
role. With the advancement of technology, availability of capital and skilled labour became a necessity
for the utilisation of resources. For example, USA is termed as a developed country because it
is economically self-sufficient and technologically advanced. On the other hand, India is still in a
developing stage. Though resources are essential for development, but their mere presence does
not guarantee development. Other factors also play a crucial role.
CLASSIFICATION OF RESOURCES
Read carefully the following flowchart.
Renewability Origin Occurrence Development
Renewable Non-renewable Biotic, Abiotic Natural Man-made Potenal Actual
Basis of Classification
Let us now learn about each one by one.
Classification Based on Renewability-
Renewable resources are also known as inexhaustible
resources. Resources, which can be renewed either naturally
or by human efforts, are known as renewable resources, for
example, solar energy, air and water. Some of the renewable
resources are always available and do not get exhausted by
 |
| wind mill |
quality of these resources can be affected by
Wind mill.
Resources, which take millions of years to form or renew,
are known as non-renewable resources. They are also known
as exhaustible resources as they cannot be renewed. Energy
resources, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas and other
minerals are the examples of non-renewable resources. There
is a concern about their over-exploitation. They are available in
limited amount on the earth’s surface and complete utilisation
of such resources would result in their exhaustion. These
resources have to be used very carefully as
 |
| Coal (non-renewable resource) |
of these resources would have an adverse effect on the future
generations. Some of the minerals like metallic ores (gold and silver) are recyclable. These metals
may be used again and again after processing.
Classification Based on Origin
Resources, which are obtained from biosphere and have life (living beings), are known as biotic
resources. For example, birds, animals, fish, forests, etc., are biotic resources. The biotic resources
provide a variety of useful products. They have the capacity to reproduce and regenerate. All biotic
resources are renewable, but some take a long period of time to be renewed, for example, the forests.
All non-living resources are known as abiotic resources, for example, land, water, minerals, etc.
The abiotic resources are not renewable except water which is inexhaustible. These resources are in great demand for the development of various industries and agriculture.
Classification Based on Occurrence
Resources, available from nature in the form of water, minerals, forests, etc., and used by human
 |
| building |
(e.g. water) are essential for the survival of human beings and form the base for the development
of a country.
 |
| Water (natural resource) |
Resources created by human beings to satisfy their needs are known as man-made resources,
for example, roads, buildings, machines, etc. These resources are essential for us, but they are also
developed from natural resources.
The quality and the quantity of people of a country determine its human resource. Healthy and
well-educated people contribute to their respective societies in positive ways. Malnourished and
illiterate people, on the other hand, cannot contribute much to their respective societies. Human resources are well-developed in Japan as people are skilled and technically developed. African
nations, inspite of being rich in resources, are less developed as most of the people are unskilled
and illiterate.
Classification Based on the Development of Resources-
Available resources in a country, which are not fully tapped, are known as potential resources.
For example, petroleum can be found in old sedimentary rocks of Himalayas or
 |
| oil wells |
can be generated by the force of falling water. The potential resources need detailed survey for
estimating their quantity and quality. A preliminary assessment by the US Geological Survey suggests
that the Arctic sea-bed may hold as much as 25% of the
world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas reserves. By one
estimate, 400 billion barrels of oil might lie beneath the
Arctic sea-bed.
The actual resources of a country are those which have
been thoroughly surveyed and their quantities have been
ascertained. The exploration, development and utilisation
of an actual resource depends upon the technology
available. For example, Saudi Arabia has 25.9% of the world
oil reserves.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
Sustainable development means development that takes place without damaging the
environment. It meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future
generations. Therefore, resources should be utilised judiciously so that after fulfilling our present
requirements, they are also conserved for the future generations. Most of our resources are limited
in their supply. Over-use of many valuable resources has led to their degradation or deterioration in
quality, for example, soil, land and water resources. Therefore, it is essential that we:
• use all renewable resources judiciously.
• minimise the depletion of natural resources.
• conserve the varied species.
The use of resources varies from one country to another. Due to technology and skilled human
resource, the developed countries like United Kingdom (UK) and USA make optimum use of resources
as compared to the developing countries like India. Distribution of resources across the world is
highly uneven. Rapid population growth has resulted in over-utilisation of the natural resources.
This has led to drastic depletion and degradation of natural resources. For example, over-utilisation
of soil has resulted in the depletion of the fertility of soil in many parts of the world. Thus, there
is an urgent need to maintain a balance between population, resource planning and conservation.
Resources should be used judiciously, otherwise mankind will have to face dire consequences.
Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the concern for the
conservation and management of resources as they are rapidly depleting and need to be
conserved.
Conservation means sustainable and optimum utilisation of resources. We must realise
that nature and its resources are not merely ours. They also belong to the future generation.
Thus, it is necessary to use the resources more efficiently and reduce wastage. Development
of technology, human skill and population control is essential for a long-term sustainability of
natural resources.
We have to create sustainable community for the sustenance of life on the planet, else the
ecological balance will be disturbed. Our Earth is the only habitable planet. So, spread awareness for
saving earth from further deterioration. Follow 5 R’s, i.e. reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse and rethink.
Use the resources according to the ‘need’ and not according to the ‘greed’. Care for nature, it will
care for you.
Post a Comment
Please do not enter any spam link in the comment box