SOCIAL SCIENCE (VIII) LESSON -1 NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR USE (LESSON NOTES)

         

SOCIAL SCIENCE (VIII) LESSON -1

NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR USE

(LESSON NOTES)

 

Introduction :-

v Nature: -

Ø The form of life and non-life of environment which have not be created by  humans is referred as nature. Examples: air, water, soil, trees, minerals, animals.

v Nature as Resources:

Ø When human beings started to modified the natural elements or use these for consumption they called as resources.  For Example-Trees are part of nature. when trees are cut and used to make furniture, they become a resource.

Ø Conditions for Nature to Become a Resource

§  For any natural entity to be called a resource, it must fulfill the following conditions:

(a)  Technologically accessibility :- Humans must have the technology to access and extract it. Example: Petroleum under deep oceans is not a resource if technology is unavailable.

(b)  Economic Feasibility:- Extraction and use must be cost-effective. If the cost of extraction is too high, it cannot be considered a resource.

(c)  Cultural Acceptability:- Use of the resource should be socially and culturally acceptable. Example: Cutting trees in sacred groves may be culturally unacceptable

v Earth's Natural Treasures

Ø Earth contains many valuable materials formed over millions of years. Humans have learned to use these resources over time. Examples of Natural Resources

§  Basic resources: air, water, soil

§  Energy resources: coal, petroleum

§  Mineral resources: metal ores, precious stones

§  Forest resources: timber

v Definition of Natural Resources

Ø Natural resources are materials and substances that occur naturally in the environment and are useful and valuable to humans. Examples air, water, soil, minerals, forests, and sunlight.

v Natural Resources based on their uses.

(a) Resources Essential for Life: - These resources are necessary for survival. Life on Earth cannot exist without them. Humans cannot manufacture these resources. Examples: Air (from the atmosphere) Water (from rivers, lakes, ponds) Soil and food (from agriculture and living organisms)

(b) Resources for Materials: -These resources are used to make useful and decorative objects. They help in construction, tools, and art. India’s diverse geography provides many such resources. Examples: Wood (used for furniture and carvings) Marble (used in buildings and statues) Minerals like coal, gold, and iron

(c)  Resources for Energy:- Energy resources support modern life and development. They are used for electricity, transport, and industries. Examples: Coal, Petroleum and natural gas, Water (hydropower), Sunlight (solar energy) Wind (wind energy)

v Natural resources based on stock:

Ø The natural resources can be classified into renewable and non-renewable natural resources based on stock.

Natural Resources on the basis stock
Renewable Resources	Non-Renewable Resources
The resources which get renewed or replenish by the nature if their natural rhythm of restoration is not disturbed.	The resources which take thousands year to renew.
They are available continuously if managed properly.	These resources have limited stock.
Excessive use can turn renewable resources into depleted resources.	Excessive use can turn non-renewable resources into extinct.
Example-Solar, Wind, Water , forest, soil etc.	Example-Coal, Petroleum, Fossil Fuel, Natural gas etc.

 

v Distribution of Natural Resources and its Implications

Ø Natural resources are not evenly distributed across our planet or even within countries. This uneven distribution shapes human settlements, trade patterns, international relations, and conflicts too. Many wars have been fought, and continue to be fought, to gain control over natural resources.

Ø For example -Industries located near natural resources create employment opportunities for the local people. knowledge and skills, these can create unique products like the Wootz steel. Townships grow around them and expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life.

Ø However, these benefits are often accompanied by costs such as

§   People displaced from their homes to facilitate such developments.

§  Their sacred places are under threat, leading to conflicts.

§  Threat to water security in plains.

§  Natural resources leads to tensions across states as well as countries as Kaveri River water among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry; Brahmaputra river between India and Bangladesh.

v Natural Resource Curse (Paradox of Plenty)

Ø The natural resource curse refers to a situation where countries rich in natural resources grow more slowly than countries with fewer resources. It is also called the “Paradox of Plenty”.

Ø Having abundant natural resources does not automatically ensure economic prosperity.

Ø India has largely avoided the natural resource curse. It has invested in: Industrial development, Manufacturing sectors, Technology and human resources.

v Responsible and Wise Use of Natural Resources: Stewardship

Ø Sustaining life on Earth requires that we respect Nature and use natural resources in a way that enables the restoration and regeneration of renewable resources, and the responsible and judicious use of non-renewable ones.

Ø Scientists studying these aspects have warned that the irresponsible treatment of natural resources has led to pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, which has been taking place at an increased pace in recent years.

v Restoration and regeneration of renewable resources: -

Ø Restoration means bringing back natural resources to their original condition and Regeneration refers to allowing renewable resources to naturally renew and sustain themselves. Excessive use of natural resources beyond their regenerative capacity causes long-term damage Lets us see with these two examples: -

v    Over-Extraction of Groundwater

·        Groundwater is widely used by farmers for irrigation. In many Indian states, extraction rate is higher than recharge rate. Continuous overuse causes:

¨     Falling water table

¨     Increased cost of groundwater extraction

¨     Eventual shortage or complete depletion

¨     Many Indian cities are predicted to run out of groundwater in the future.

Ø Strategies to Raise Groundwater Levels

§  Rainwater harvesting to increase natural recharge

§  Rejuvenation of ponds and tanks

§  Reducing wasteful water consumption

§  Recycling and reusing water

 

v Soil Degradation: -

Ø The improper use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has led to soil degradation which cause

§  Loss of soil nutrients and fertility 

§  Reduction in soil’s natural ability to regenerate

§  Harm to microorganisms essential for soil health

Ø Traditional Practices for Soil Conservation

§  Use of cow dung and natural fertilisers

§  Mulching to retain moisture and nutrients

§  Multi-cropping to maintain soil fertility

§  Avoidance of harmful chemicals

v Overexploitation of groundwater: - a Caselet from Punjab

Ø Punjab was home to the Green Revolution that contributed to India becoming self-sufficient in food.

Ø In the 1960s, farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy. These required more water so farmers began to extract groundwater to meet this need.

Ø Modern farming techniques also required the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers.

Ø The combined effect of these factors is that the groundwater level in a large part of Punjab has become inaccessible till depths of about 30 metres; and the chemicals from the pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in the groundwater causing health hazards.

 

v The case of cement

Ø As we know that in present time Cement is most important raw material for construction but cement industry listed as one of the most polluting industries

Ø The process of production releases fine dust that enters our lungs and those of animals damaging them, settles on leaves of plants decreasing their yields, and causes soil and water pollution too.

Ø The Central Pollution Control Board has created guidelines for cement factories to ensure that the pollution is minimised or eliminated.

Ø In addition, there is a move towards creating alternative materials that reduce pollution. These include the use of traditional materials like stone and mud, new plant-based materials and recycled materials from waste plastic.