resource and Development

Resource and Development

1. Resources:

   • Definition: Resources are materials that are useful, technologically accessible, economically viable, and culturally acceptable.
   • Types of Resources:
     • On the Basis of Origin:
       • Biotic: Obtained from the biosphere (e.g., forests, animals).
       • Abiotic: Composed of non-living things (e.g., rocks, metals).
     • On the Basis of Exhaustibility:
       • Renewable: Can be renewed or reproduced (e.g., solar energy, water).
       • Non-Renewable: Cannot be easily renewed (e.g., minerals, fossil fuels).
     • On the Basis of Ownership:
       • Individual: Owned privately by individuals (e.g., houses, cars).
       • Community: Available to all members of a community (e.g., parks, public grounds).
       • National: Owned by the nation (e.g., roads, canals).
       • International: Regulated by international institutions (e.g., oceanic resources beyond exclusive economic zone).
     • On the Basis of Status of Development:
       • Potential: Resources which are found in a region but have not been utilized (e.g., solar and wind energy in Rajasthan).
       • Developed: Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilization.
       • Stock: Materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but humans do not have the appropriate technology to access these (e.g., water is a compound of two inflammable gases, hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as a rich source of energy but we do not have the required technical know-how to use them for this purpose).
       • Reserves: The subset of the stock which can be put into use with existing technical know-how but their use has not been started (e.g., water in the dams, forests).

2. Development of Resources:

   • Resource Planning:
     • Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country.
     • Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill, and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
     • Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.
   • Sustainable Development:
     • Definition: Development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.
     • Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3 to 14 June 1992.
     • Agenda 21: It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It aims at achieving global sustainable development. One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

3. Land Resources:

   • Land Use:
     • Factors determining land use: physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types as well as human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions.
   • Land Degradation and Conservation:
     • Causes of land degradation: deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying, over irrigation etc.
     • Measures to control land degradation: afforestation, proper management of grazing, control on mining activities, proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment.

4. Soil as a Resource:

   • Classification of Soils:
     • Alluvial Soils: Most fertile and widely spread. Rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime. Found in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
     • Black Soils: Ideal for growing cotton. Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. Found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
     • Red and Yellow Soils: Develop on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall. Found in parts of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and southern parts of the middle Ganga plain.
     • Laterite Soils: Result of intense leaching due to heavy rainfall. Deficient in plant nutrients and are acidic in nature. Found in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
     • Arid Soils: Sandy in texture and saline in nature. Lack moisture and humus. Found in Rajasthan.
     • Forest Soils: Found in hilly and mountainous areas. The texture varies according to the mountain environment.
   • Soil Erosion and Conservation:
     • Causes of soil erosion: deforestation, overgrazing, construction and mining, faulty methods of farming.
     • Methods of soil conservation: contour ploughing, terrace cultivation, strip cropping, shelter