Natural Resources and Their Distribution

Formed over very long geological periods.
Examples include mineral ores such as iron ore, copper, and gold, as well as fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
They have an extremely slow rate of formation and cannot be replenished once depleted.
Some resources, such as metals obtained from minerals, can be recycled and reused; others, like coal and petroleum, cannot be recycled or reused once burnt.
Available in limited quantities and unevenly distributed worldwide.

Resources are unequally distributed across the Earth due to physical factors, such as mineral deposits being concentrated in the Central Plateau while absent in the Thar Desert.
Technologically advanced nations like the USA utilize resources more effectively than economically weaker nations.
Unequal distribution has significant economic, social, and political implications for human settlements and livelihoods.
Regions with surplus natural resources trade with those in need of resources for development; for example, oil-rich countries export petroleum for transport and industry.

The Chipko movement was one of India's earliest initiatives for widespread environmental awareness.
Led by eco-activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, who educated villagers to protest forest destruction in the Himalayas.
Sunderlal Bahuguna is famous for the slogan: "ecology is the permanent economy."

Resource: Defined as something that satisfies a need and is easily extracted.
Categorization: Natural resources are categorized based on utility and renewability.
Sustainability: The practice of using resources in a way that does not harm the environment.
Judicious Use: Making wise and sensible choices regarding resource consumption to sustain global development.
Challenges include the overextraction of groundwater, while solutions include practices like organic farming.