Resources

• Introduction:
• Resources are anything available in our environment that can be used to satisfy our needs.
• Resources are not free gifts of nature but are a function of human activities.
• Humans transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.

Relationship between Resource, Technology and Institutions

• Technology
  • Technology improves our ability to extract and process resources while reducing our environmental footprint.
• Institutions
  • Institutions regulate resource use and distribution and can ensure their sustainable use and development.
• Resources
  • All three are intimately connected, with resources fueling technological innovation and institutional development.

Classification of Resources

• Based on origin:
• Biotic resources: 
  • Living resources, such as plants and animals.
• Abiotic resources: 
  • Non-living resources, such as minerals, water, and air.
• Based on exhaustibility:
• Renewable resources:
  • Resources that can be replenished over time, such as solar energy, wind power, and water.
• Non-renewable resources:
  • Resources that cannot be replenished over time, such as fossil fuels and minerals.
• Based on ownership
• Individual resources:
  • Resources that are owned by individuals, such as land and houses.
• National resources: 
  • Resources that are owned by nations, such as mineral deposits and oil reserves.
• Community resources:
  • Resources that are owned by communities, such as forests and grazing lands.
• International resources: 
  • Resources that are owned by the international community, such as the oceans and the atmosphere.
• Based on status of development
• Potential resources:
  • Resources that have the potential to be used but are not yet being used.
• Developed stock:
  • Resources that are being used but are not yet fully exploited.
• Reserves:
  • Resources that are known to exist and can be extracted economically.

Resource Development

• Resources are essential for human survival and well-being.
• In the past, resources were often seen as free gifts of nature and were used indiscriminately.
• This has led to problems, such as resource depletion, inequality, and environmental damage.
• Problem 1:
  • Depletion of Resources
  • Resources are finite.
  • If they are not used sustainably, they will run out.
  • This will have a negative impact on the economy and society.
• Problem 2:
  • Hoarding of Resources
  • When resources are concentrated in the hands of a few, it leads to inequality.
  • This can cause social unrest.
• Problem 3:
  • Environmental Damage
  • The indiscriminate exploitation of resources damages the environment.
  • This can have a negative impact on people and ecosystems.

RIO DE JANEIRO Earth Summit

• What is the Earth Summit?
  • A United Nations conference on environment and development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
  • Attended by more than 178 governments and thousands of representatives from NGOs
• What is Agenda 21?
  • A non-binding action plan for sustainable development.
  • Outlines a comprehensive set of goals and objectives for environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.

Agenda 21

• Key points of Agenda 21
  • Poverty eradication
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Sustainable energy
  • Sustainable cities
  • Protection of the oceans and seas
  • Protection of the atmosphere
  • Sustainable management of forests

Sustainable Development and 17 Goals

Resource Planning in India

• Sustainability
  • India has implemented innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture, such as using traditional knowledge and reducing chemical inputs.
• Renewable Energy
  • India has set ambitious renewable energy targets and is investing heavily in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
• Water Management
  • India is facing increasing water scarcity and has implemented policies to reduce water waste and protect water resources.
• India is a resource-rich country, but the distribution of resources is uneven.
• This calls for balanced resource planning at all levels.
• It can also help to prevent environmental degradation.
• Some regions are rich in certain types of resources, while others are deficient.
• Resource planning can help to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need.
• Resource planning is a complex process that involves identifying, inventorying, and developing resources.
• The availability of resources is a necessary condition for development, but it is not sufficient.
• There are also regions that have a poor resource base but are economically developed.
• India has made concerted efforts to achieve the goals of resource planning since the First Five Year Plan.
• There are many regions in India that are rich in resources but are economically backward.
• The goals of resource planning in India include:
  • Ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need.
  • Reducing environmental impacts.
  • Promoting sustainable development.
• There are many challenges to resource planning in India, including:
  • The vast size and diversity of the country.
  • The lack of adequate data and information.
  • The need for investment in technology and institutions.

In History

• History of colonization
• Rich resources in colonies were the main attractions for foreign invaders.
• Higher level of technological development of the colonizing countries helped them exploit resources and establish supremacy over colonies.
• Resources and development
• Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by appropriate technological development and institutional changes.
• India has experienced this in different phases of colonization.
• In India, development does not only involve the availability of resources, but also the technology, quality of human resources and the historical experiences of the people.

Land Resources

• Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.
• It supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, transport and communication systems.
• India has land under a variety of relief features.

Land in India

• About 43% of the land area is plain.
• This land is used for agriculture, industry, and human settlement.
• Mountains account for 30% of the total surface area.
• They are a source of water, minerals, and forests.
• Plateaus cover about 27% of the area of the country.
• They are rich in mineral resources.

Land Utilization

• Forest 
• Land used for growing trees and other vegetation. Covers about 23% of India’s land area.
• Land not available for cultivation:
• Land that is not suitable for growing crops, including barren and waste land, land put to non-agricultural uses, and other uncultivated land.

Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land

• Land used for grazing livestock.

Land Under Miscellaneous Tree Crops Groves

• Land used for growing non-agricultural tree crops, such as coconut, rubber, and tea

Current Fallow

• Land that is left uncultivated for one or less than one agricultural year.

NET Sown Area

• Land that is cultivated each year.
• Gross cropped area:
• The total area that is sown with crops each year, including land that is sown more than once.

Land Use in India

• Land use data is available for only 93% of India’s total geographical area
• The land under permanent pasture has decreased.
• Most of the other than the current fallow lands are either of poor quality or the cost of cultivation of such land is very high.
• The percentage of NSA in India comes to about 54% of the total reporting area.
• The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another.

Forest in India

• Forest area in India: 24.56% of the total land area (2019).
• Use of forests: Timber, fuelwood, fodder, food, medicines, tourism, and environmental services.
• Degradation of forest system: Deforestation, forest fires, overgrazing, and pollution.
• Land degradation is a serious problem in India.
• Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and quarrying are some of the main causes of land degradation.
• Land degradation can lead to soil erosion, waterlogging, salinization, and alkalinization.
• There are several ways to address land degradation, including afforestation, proper management of grazing, and control of mining activities.

Soil as a Resource

• Soil is a renewable resource that provides plants with nutrients and helps to retain water.
• Soil is home to a variety of organisms that help to decompose organic matter and cycle nutrients.
• Soil regulates the water cycle and protects us from erosion.

Alluvial Soil

• Characteristics:
• Predominant and vital soil type in India.
• Particle size varies with proximity to river valleys and slopes.
• Classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar).
• Bangar richer in fertility, finer particles; Khadar contains more kanker nodules.
• Composed of sand, silt, and clay in varying proportions.
• Deposited by major Himalayan river systems – Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
• Covers northern plains, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and eastern coastal plains.
• High fertility due to abundant potash, phosphoric acid, and lime content.
• Ideal for crops like sugarcane, paddy, wheat, cereals, and pulses.
• Crops thrive in these nutrient-rich soils.

Black Soil

• Formation influenced by climatic conditions and parent rock material.
• Primarily found in the Deccan trap (Basalt) region
• Formed from lava flows in the northwest Deccan plateau.
• Soil Composition:
  • Composed of extremely fine clayey material.
  • Known for moisture retention capacity.
• Nutrient Content:
  • Rich in essential nutrients like calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime.
  • Generally low in phosphoric content.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • Develops deep cracks during hot weather, aiding soil aeration.
  • Sticky when wet, challenging to work with unless tilled after rain or during pre-monsoon.
• Location:
  • Extends over northwest Deccan plateau.
  • Covers regions like Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
  • Extends southeast along the Godavari and Krishna valleys.

Red and Yellow Soil

• Formation and Location:
  • Develops on crystalline igneous rocks.
  • Common in low rainfall regions of the eastern and southern Deccan plateau.
  • Also found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain, and piedmont zone of the Western Ghats.
• Color and Composition:
  • Develops reddish color due to iron diffusion in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
  • Can appear yellow when hydrated.
• Distribution and Characteristics:
  • Found in regions with limited moisture.
  • Generally, less fertile than alluvial soils.
  • Often requires proper management for agriculture.

Laterite Soil

• Etymology and Characteristics:
  • “Laterite” originates from Latin “later,” meaning brick.
  • Develops in tropical and subtropical climates with alternating wet and dry seasons.
  • Forms due to intense leaching from heavy rainfall.
• Soil Properties and Composition:
  • Generally deep to very deep soil.
  • Exhibits acidity (pH<6.0).
  • Often deficient in plant nutrients.
• Distribution:
  • Mostly found in southern states of India.
  • Occurs in regions like the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Odisha, some parts of West Bengal, and North-east regions.
• Agricultural Potential:
  • Suitable for tea and coffee cultivation after adopting soil conservation measures.
  • Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala well-suited for cashew nut crops.

Arid Soil

• Appearance and Texture:
  • Range from red to brown in color.
  • Sandy texture.
• Climate and Characteristics:
  • Forms in arid, dry climates with high temperatures.
  • Fast evaporation, leading to moisture and humus deficiency.

Forest and Mountain Soil

• Found in hilly and mountainous regions with adequate rainfall.
• Loamy and silty on valley sides.
• Coarse-grained on upper slopes.
• In Himalayan snow-covered regions, they face denudation.
• Acidic with low humus due to snow impact.

Soil Erosion

• The carrying away of soil by the agents of denudation, such as weathering, running water and wind. 
• Wrong methods of farming, deforestation and other malpractices such as overgrazing also contribute to soil erosion. 
• Vegetation cover
• Plants and trees stop erosion by holding on to the soil. 
• Deforestation has led to less vegetation cover, resulting in soil erosion. 
• Deforestation is done due to the increasing need of population for land. 
• Anthropogenic Factors
• faulty agricultural practices lead to soil degradation.
• Overgrazing and mining also degrades the soil.
• Rainfall Pattern
• Heavy rainfall does more damage than uniform rainfall for a long period of time.
• The nutrients in the soil leads to leaching of nutrients leaving the top soil devoid of nutrients.
• Topography
• Sloped areas are more prone to erosion than plains. 
• Rivers and other water streams flow downhill taking the soil with them. 

Soil Conservation

• Soil conservation prevents erosion, maintains fertility
• Cause of erosion: nature or humans.
• Methods of Conservation : crop rotation, contour farming, terracing, cover cropping, no-till farming.