Geography.Chapter 1
Resources: Utilization and Development.
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 River - used for navigation
Do You Know? Over - irrigation is responsible for water logging and makes the soil infertile. Rivers are suitable for navigation in the middle and lower course.
Utilization 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 utilization of resources depends upon various factors, such as:
Availability of resources
Skills 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 labor became a necessity for the utilization 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 critical role.
Classification of Resources.
Read carefully the following flowchart. Basis of Classification Renewability Origin Occurrence Development Renewable Non - Renewable Biotic Abiotic Natural Man - made Potential Actual Let us now learn about each one by one. Classification Bas 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 improper usage. Windmill (renewable resource) 2
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 utilization of such resources would result in their exhaustion. These resources have to be used very carefully as complete exhaustion 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 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 Water (natural resource) Buildings (man - made resource) 3
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 utilization of an actual resource depends upon the technology available. For example, Saudi Arabia has 25.9% of the world oil wells oil reserves.
Sustainable Devlopment 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 utilized 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. minimize 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 resources, 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 - utilization of the natural resources. This has led to drastic depletion and degradation of natural resources. For example, over - utilization 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 utilization of resources. We must realize 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. Keywords
Depletion: when quantity or number of something continuously reduces. the
deterioration process of gradually becoming worse.
Irrigation: watering the land or crops through canals, tubewells, drip or sprinkler method, etc. navigation: movement of ships, boats, etc. , from place to place through waterways.
Skill : ability to perform certain task with efficiency.
State lacking in movemen
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