Learning Objectives
- Understand the types and classification of resources
- Learn about land use patterns and land degradation in India
- Study soil types, soil erosion, and conservation measures
- Understand resource planning and sustainable development
Key Concepts
Types of Resources
Everything available in our environment that satisfies our needs is a resource, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
On the basis of origin: Biotic (living â forests, fisheries, livestock) and Abiotic (non-living â rocks, metals, water).
On the basis of exhaustibility: Renewable (replenishable â solar, wind, water, forests) and Non-renewable (limited stock â minerals, fossil fuels).
On the basis of ownership: Individual (private land, wells), Community (grazing grounds, ponds), National (all resources within political boundaries), International (beyond 200 nautical miles of EEZ).
On the basis of development: Potential (known to exist but not yet developed â Rajasthan's wind and solar energy), Developed (surveyed and quantity/quality determined), Stock (resources not accessible with current technology â hydrogen from water), and Reserve (subset of stock that can be used with existing technology but not yet started â water in dams for electricity).
Resource Planning in India
Resource planning is essential because resources are unevenly distributed in India. For example, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have abundant minerals but lack infrastructure; Rajasthan has solar and wind potential but scarce water. Planning involves: identification and inventory of resources, evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, and matching resources with national development plans.
India has made resource planning a priority since the First Five Year Plan (1951). The principle of sustainable development guides resource use â development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987).
Land Resources and Land Use
India's total geographical area is 3.28 million sq. km. Land use categories: forests, land not available for cultivation (barren land, built-up area), other uncultivated land (permanent pastures, miscellaneous tree crops), fallow land, and net sown area.
About 43% of land is net sown area. The National Forest Policy (1952) recommended 33% of the total land area under forests, but only about 22-23% is actually forested. Land degradation is caused by deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and over-irrigation (leading to waterlogging and salinity).
Soil as a Resource
Types of Soil in India:
Alluvial Soil: Most widely spread. Found in river valleys and coastal plains (Northern Plains, deltas). Very fertile, ideal for agriculture. Contains adequate potash, phosphoric acid, and lime. Divided into old alluvium (Bangar) and new alluvium (Khadar).
Black Soil (Regur): Found in the Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh). Ideal for growing cotton, hence called black cotton soil. Rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime. Develops deep cracks in summer, aiding self-aeration.
Red and Yellow Soil: Found in areas of low rainfall on crystalline igneous rocks. Eastern and southern Deccan Plateau. Red due to diffusion of iron in crystalline rocks. Yellow when hydrated.
Laterite Soil: Found in high temperature and heavy rainfall areas. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Odisha. Suitable for tea, coffee, cashew. Lacks humus due to high rainfall leaching.
Arid (Desert) Soil: Found in Rajasthan, Gujarat. Sandy, saline, lacks humus and moisture. Can be productive with irrigation (e.g., Indira Gandhi Canal).
Forest/Mountain Soil: Found in hilly and mountainous areas. Rich in humus but lacks potash, phosphorus, and lime. Loamy and silty in valley sides; coarse-grained on upper slopes.
Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion: Removal of topsoil by wind, water, or human activities. Types include gully erosion (forming badlands/ravines), sheet erosion, and wind erosion.
Conservation methods: Contour ploughing, terrace farming, shelter belts, strip cropping, plugging gullies by planting thorny bushes, and afforestation.
Summary
Resources are classified by origin, exhaustibility, ownership, and development status. Resource planning is essential due to uneven distribution across India. Land resources face degradation from deforestation, overgrazing, and mining. India has six major soil types, each with distinct properties and agricultural suitability. Soil erosion threatens agricultural productivity and must be addressed through conservation measures like terrace farming, contour ploughing, and shelter belts.
Important Terms
- Resource Planning
- Strategy for judicious use of resources to meet development goals
- Sustainable Development
- Development meeting present needs without compromising future generations
- Alluvial Soil
- Fertile soil deposited by rivers, most widespread in India
- Bangar
- Old alluvial soil found away from flood plains
- Khadar
- New alluvial soil found near flood plains, renewed every year
- Laterite Soil
- Soil formed in high temperature and heavy rainfall areas, lacks humus
- Gully Erosion
- Erosion forming deep channels called ravines or badlands
Quick Revision
- Resources classified by: origin, exhaustibility, ownership, development status
- India's total area: 3.28 million sq. km; net sown area: ~43%
- National Forest Policy recommends 33% forest cover
- Alluvial soil: most fertile, found in Northern Plains; Bangar (old) and Khadar (new)
- Black soil (Regur): best for cotton; found in Deccan Plateau
- Laterite soil: suitable for tea, coffee; found in Karnataka, Kerala
- Soil conservation: contour ploughing, terrace farming, shelter belts
Practice Tips
- Mark major soil types on a map of India â frequent map question
- Compare Bangar and Khadar soil in a table
- Know the characteristics and locations of all six soil types for board exams