Introduction to Natural UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL Resources RESOURCES Structure 1.1 Introduction Objectives 1.2 What is a Resource? Types of Natural Resources 1.3 India – General Information Climate Agro-climatic Zones Physiogeography of India 1.4 Natural Resources Land and Soil Water Energy Resources Minerals Forests Plant Resources Wildlife Resources 1.5 Summary 1.6 Terminal Questions 1.1 INTRODUCTION Nature has bestowed us with many gifts. They are commonly called as natural resources. The natural resources have made this planet livable and have supported the evolution and sustenance of living organisms. Natural resources are of utmost importance to all living beings particularly to humans. In this unit, we will be discussing about natural resources such as land, water, energy, minerals, forests and wildlife. Natural resources can be classified as physical resources or biotic resources and in another way as renewable or non-renewable resources. India is a vast country and is blessed with many natural resources. We will discuss some general features about India. The availability and distribution of these resources will be described in detail so that you can appreciate the resource wealth of our country. We are fortunate in having all the vital natural resources such as land, water, minerals and a large variety of living organisms. A brief discussion of various natural resources would form part of this unit. However, in Units 2 and 3, you would study about them in more detail. The consumption of natural resources is increasing because of many factors such as increasing population, increasing pace of development including industrialization, urbanization, mining and related activities etc. However, the amount of natural resources is limited and they are depleting at a very fast rate. Thus, there is an urgent need for their conservation. This aspect of natural resources is dealt in Unit 4. Objectives After studying this unit, you should be able to: • explain the meaning of the term resource; • distinguish between different types of resources; • discuss the importance of natural resources; 7 Natural Resources: Physical • describe important features of India − geographical setting, climate, physical features, rainfall, natural resources etc.; and • explain the distribution of various natural resources in India and highlight their importance. 1.2 WHAT IS A RESOURCE? A resource is anything we get from the environment to meet our needs and wants. Some resources are directly available for use. The examples of such resources being freshwater, air, plants and animals. Natural resources are the raw materials available in the environment that organisms use for their survival. They may be either biotic (forests and wildlife) or abiotic (water, soil, air and minerals) in nature. The food you eat, the cloths you wear, and the roof over your head − all of these are necessary for your survival and they come from natural resources. Natural resources are, of course, the physical bases for human life. The fertile farmland, for example, is a natural resource that supports food production. However, a fast flowing river is an example of a potential resource for producing hydroelectricity. In the case of the fertile farmland and fast flowing river, useful products such as food and electricity can be derived, but the value of the wilderness area or mountain cannot be expressed in similar material terms. This is not to say that they have no value, but their value is of a kind different from that of the farmland and the river. The wilderness and mountains too are also important natural resources. They are of enormous aesthetic value. Natural resources can be defined as those parts of nature that can provide goods and services for humans including opportunities for recreation, the appreciation of scenic beauty, and the disposal of wastes. The natural resources can be bro adly categorized into the following three categories: • One category of resources consists of raw materials and energy resources used by humans. Usually these are used as inputs into the economic system. These have traditionally been regarded as natural resources. Their examples are minerals, ores, coal and oil. • The natural environment also provides the essential life-support system for humans, including oxygen to breath and water to drink as well as material goods such as food. • Thirdly, another group of resources comprises parts of the environment that can provide services rather than material goods. They provide the sump into which the waste products of the economic system and human life, in general, are disposed. In addition to purification of air, other natural processes such as nitrogen fixation, soil formation and its fertility are very important for the survival of human beings. 1.2.1 Types of Natural Resources Natural resources can be classified in various ways. The natural resources are divided into two categories viz. abiotic (or physical resources) and biotic resources. The biotic resources constitute plants, animals and micro-organisms whereas the abiotic resources include non-living materials such as land, soil, water, metals and minerals. Anot her common categorization of natural resources is into renewable and non - renewable resources, or alternatively as flow or stock resources. Solar energy, and water are examples of flow resources, which are permanently available (at least on the 8 human time scale) in a continuous supply. On the other hand, the stock resources are Introduction to Natural those whose quantities are fixed and they keep decreasing with their human use. The Resources examples of stock resources being fossil fuel deposits, mineral deposits etc. The former are not affected by human use while the latter group of resources can be modified very easily in the course of their human use. Renewable resources are those natural resources that can be replaced by nature over a period of time. Trees, wildlife and soil are renewable resources. Air, water and sunlight are also renewable resources on which all life depends. However, their excessive use or reckless exploitation can destroy and permanently wipe them out Fossil fuels are fue ls made up of dead remains of organisms irreversibly e.g. excessive hunting of wildlife species can lead to their extinction. that lived millions of years ago. Fossil fuels such as − Non -renewable resources are those natural resources that are available only in petroleum, coal, oil and natural limited amounts and are not easily replaced by nature. Many of the products you gas as well as mineral and depend on every day are made from non-renewable resources. Plastic toothbrushes, metal ores represent non- renewable resources which polystryrene cups and gasoline − all are made from petroleum which is a non- keep on decreasing with renewable resource and is a fossil fuel. growing human use. There is another category of natural resources which are − aesthetic or amenity resources. Examples of such resources are solitude, the scenic beauty and peaceful surroundings. As the population levels rise and a need to get away from the crowd increases, aesthetic resources become more and more important. SAQ 1 What is a natural resource? How are natural resources useful to us? .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... SAQ 2 What do you understand by abiotic and biotic resources? Explain using examples. .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... 1.3 INDIA – GENERAL INFORMATION India is the second most populous country in the world and ranks second only to China. In 2004, it had a population of 1,065,070, yielding an average population density of 358 persons per sq.km. (928 per sq.km). An estimated 72 percent of India’s inhabitants live in rural areas. The popu lation grew by 21.3 percent between 1990 and 9 Natural Resources: Physical 2000. The population statistics is given in Table 1.1 and the population density of India is shown in Fig.1.1. 10 Introduction to Natural Resources National Flag National Emblem Fig.1.1: Population Density Map of India-2001 Table 1.1: Population growth in India Sl.No. States/Union Territories 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 1. Uttar Pradesh 60274 70144 83849 105137 132062 166198 2. Maharashtra 32003 39554 50412 62783 78937 96879