1. Natural resources and their use
When Does Nature Become a Resource?
🌍 What is Nature?
Nature includes all living and non-living things that exist around us but are not made by humans.
Examples: Trees, rivers, air, animals, minerals, etc.
🔧 When Does Nature Become a Resource?
When humans use elements of Nature for their needs, they become resources.
Example: A tree is part of Nature. But when we use its wood to make furniture, we call it a resource.
⚙️ Conditions for Something to Become a Resource:
For any natural thing to be called a resource, three conditions must be met:
1. Technologically Accessible – We must have the tools or machines to use it.
2. Economically Feasible – It should be affordable to extract and use.
3. Culturally Acceptable – Society should allow or agree with using it.
Example: Some forests may not be used if they are considered sacred.
⛏️ Types of Natural Resources:
Common Examples: Water, air, soil
Hidden Treasures: Coal, petroleum, metals, precious stones, timber
🧠 What is Meant by 'Exploitation' of Resources?
In this context, exploitation means the use, extraction, and consumption of natural resources.
It does not mean harming Nature, but rather using it wisely.
Categories of Natural Resources
📚 Why Do We Categorise?
In Science, categorisation helps us group things based on common features.
It makes it easier to understand, discuss, and remember different concepts.
For example: Living and Non-living are simple categories.
🌿 How Are Natural Resources Categorised?
Natural resources can be grouped in two main ways:
🔹 1. Based on Their Use:
✅ a. Resources Essential for Life
These are things we cannot live without.
Example:
Air – We breathe it.
Water – We drink it.
Soil and food – Help us grow crops.
We cannot create these things; we only use what Nature provides.
✅ b. Resources for Materials
These are used to make things we need or use for decoration.
Examples:
Wood – To make chairs, statues, etc.
Marble, coal, gold – Found in different parts of India.
✅ c. Resources for Energy
Energy powers our lives – from lights and fans to machines and vehicles.
Sources include:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas
Sunlight, wind, and water (for hydroelectricity)
🔹 2. Based on Their Availability:
✅ a. Renewable Resources
These are resources that can be naturally replaced or restored over time.
Examples:
Sunlight, Wind, Water (from rivers, rain), Timber (from forests, if managed properly)
Condition: We must use them wisely and allow Nature time to regenerate.
🌍 Problem: Overuse and pollution can stop Nature from restoring itself.
E.g.: Cutting forests too fast, Polluting rivers, Melting glaciers due to global warming
✅ b. Non-Renewable Resources
These resources take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced quickly.
Once used, they are gone forever (or for a very long time).
Examples: Coal, Petroleum, Minerals and metals like iron, copper, and gold
⚠️ India’s coal reserves may only last 50 more years, so we must use them carefully.
Distribution of Natural Resources and Its Implications
🌍 Distribution of Natural Resources
Natural resources like water, coal, oil, minerals, forests, etc. are not spread evenly across the Earth.
Some places have more resources, and others have very few.
🧭 Why is Distribution Uneven?
Nature decides where resources are found — based on geography, climate, and geological conditions.
Political borders (like country or state lines) do not match natural resource locations.
⚙️ Implications of Uneven Distribution
1. 🏙️ Human Settlements and Towns
People often settle where resources are available.
Industries are set up near resource-rich areas (like coal mines, rivers).
This leads to:
Employment opportunities
Growth of towns and cities
Better facilities like schools, hospitals, roads, etc.
2. 🛠️ Economic Development
Resources help in starting industries, making products, and growing the economy.
Example: Wootz steel was made using special Indian techniques and local materials.
Countries trade these products, earning money and recognition.
3. 💼 Trade and International Relations
Natural resources are key to national and international trade.
Countries import or export resources based on what they have or need.
This can improve relations between countries — but can also cause tensions.
4. ⚔️ Conflicts and Wars
Control over resources has led to many wars in history and even today.
People may be displaced (forced to leave) their homes when factories, dams, or mines are built.
Sacred places or homes of local people (like tribal communities) may be destroyed, leading to protests and conflicts.
5. 🌊 Sharing of Resources Across Political Borders
Resources like rivers often flow through multiple states or countries.
Example: The Kaveri River flows through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
These regions must share the water fairly.
Sharing often needs negotiations, legal agreements, and peaceful management.
Such situations are even more difficult when two countries are involved.
📌 Key Takeaways:
Natural resources are not equally spread across the Earth.
This causes economic changes, conflicts, cooperation, and development.
Responsible management and fair sharing of resources are essential to maintain peace and sustainability.
The ‘Natural Resource Curse’
❓ What is the Natural Resource Curse?
The Natural Resource Curse (also called the Paradox of Plenty) is a situation where:
A country has a lot of natural resources, but still remains poor.
These countries often experience slow development and weak economies despite being rich in resources.
🧠 Why Does This Happen?
Having many natural resources does not automatically lead to wealth. Some reasons include:
1. ❌ Poor Planning or Corruption: Leaders may not use the money from resources properly.
2. 🏭 Lack of Industry: Countries may just sell raw materials without building industries to make valuable products.
3. ⚖️ No Balance: Resources may be used up too quickly, without thinking about future generations.
4. 💥 Conflicts and Mismanagement: Sometimes resources lead to fighting or waste instead of development.
What About India?
- India has many natural resources (like coal, iron, forests, rivers).
- But it has mostly avoided the natural resource curse because:
- It has invested in industries that use resources wisely.
- It works to meet the needs of a growing population.
- It tries to balance resource use with sustainability.
✅ How to Avoid the Natural Resource Curse?
Countries can avoid the curse by:
1. 📚 Using Knowledge – Understanding how to use resources well.
2. 🧑⚖️ Good Governance – Honest and smart government decisions.
3. 🛠️ Strategic Planning – Long-term thinking, not just short-term profits.
4. 🌱 Sustainability – Using resources without harming the environment or future needs.
💡 What We Learn?
- Just having resources is not enough – how we use, manage, and plan with them matters more.
- A country becomes truly rich when it combines natural wealth with human intelligence and careful planning.
Stewardship means taking care of Nature like a guardian.
It includes using natural resources in a wise, responsible, and fair way so that they last for future generations.
🌍 Why Should We Use Resources Responsibly?
Irresponsible use of resources leads to:
- Pollution
- Loss of biodiversity (variety of life on Earth)
- Climate change
- We must allow renewable resources to regenerate and restore, and use non-renewable resources judiciously (carefully and wisely).
💧 Examples of Overuse and Its Effects
1. Groundwater Overuse
Farmers extract too much groundwater for irrigation.
Water is used faster than it is naturally refilled.
This leads to:
- Higher cost to extract water
- Water shortages
- Possible water crisis in cities
- Solutions include:
- Traditional water harvesting
- Recharging ponds and tanks
- Reducing waste and reusing water
2. Soil Degradation
- Chemical fertilisers and pesticides damage soil.
- Traditional farming used:
- Cow dung, natural compost
- Mulching and multi-cropping
- These methods protected soil health and kept farming sustainable.
🚨 Case Study: Punjab Groundwater Crisis
- Punjab was central to the Green Revolution.
- Farmers used high-yielding crops that needed more water.
- Free electricity led to over-pumping of groundwater.
- Result:
- Groundwater levels dropped to 30 metres deep.
- Water pollution due to chemicals
- Health risks
- Short-term food gain caused long-term environmental damage.
🏗️ Case Study: Cement Industry
- Cement is needed for buildings, bridges, roads, etc.
- But it's also one of the most polluting industries.
- It produces fine dust that:
- Harms lungs
- Reduces crop yields
- Pollutes soil and water
Solutions:
Pollution control guidelines by the government
New eco-friendly materials: stone, mud, plant-based materials, recycled plastic
🌿 Case Study: Organic Farming in Sikkim
- Pema's family switched from chemical to organic farming.
- Used compost, natural pest repellents, and multi-cropping.
- Yields improved after a few years.
- In 2016, Sikkim became 100% organic!
- Increased income for farmers
- Healthier soil
- More biodiversity
- Boost in tourism
☀️ India's Role in Renewable Energy
🔆 The International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Started in 2015 by India and France
A group of sun-rich countries working together to use solar energy.
Focus on:
- Funding solar projects in developing nations
- Sharing technology
- Making solar energy affordable
🏞️ Bhadla Solar Park
One of the largest solar parks in the world, located in Rajasthan.
Shows India's move towards clean and renewable energy
⚖️ Fair Access and Justice
- Many people do not have equal access to basic resources:
- Water shortages in poor city areas
- Air pollution harms those who cannot protect themselves
- Environmental justice means making sure everyone has access to clean and safe resources.
📖 Indian Philosophy: Lokasangraha
The Bhagavad Gītā speaks of "lokasangraha" — working for the good of all, not just personal benefit.
It's time to think beyond ourselves and protect Nature for everyone.
📌 Key Points to Remember
Stewardship Taking care of Nature and using resources wisely
Biodiversity loss Fewer species due to pollution and overuse
Water and soil Overuse leads to crisis and health risks
Punjab & Sikkim Real examples of damage and recovery
Cement industry Needed but polluting; new eco-materials help
Solar Energy India leads with ISA and big solar parks
Justice Resources must be fairly shared
Lokasangraha Work for the benefit of all, not just self.
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