Resource and Development

• Resource and Development

Resources

• Resources are categorized based on origin (biotic and abiotic), exhaustibility (renewable and non-renewable), ownership (individual, community, national, and international), and development status (potential, developed, stock, and reserves).
• Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life, such as humans, flora, and fauna.
• Abiotic resources are composed of non-living things, for example, rocks and metals.
• Renewable resources can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes, e.g., solar and wind energy.
• Non-renewable resources occur over a very long geological time and cannot be easily replenished, such as minerals and fossil fuels
• Individual resources are owned privately by individuals, like a farmer owning land.
• Community owned resources are accessible to all members of the community, for example, public parks and playgrounds.
• National resources are owned by the nation, and the government has the power to acquire even private property for public good.
• International resources are regulated by international institutions; no individual country can utilize these without international consensus, for instance, oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles.
• Potential resources are found in a region but have not been utilized, such as solar and wind energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Developed resources are surveyed, and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilization.
• Stock refers to materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but humans do not have the appropriate technology to access these, e.g., water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen but we don't have the required advanced technology to use them as a rich source of energy.
• Reserves are the subset of the stock which can be put into use with existing technical knowledge but their use has not been started, e.g., water in dams, forests etc.

Development of Resources

• Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence and is crucial for regions with resource scarcity.
• Sustainable development means development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations
• The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992, addressed urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level.
• Agenda 21 aims at achieving global sustainable development and combating environmental damage, poverty, and disease through global cooperation.
• Resource planning in India involves identification and inventory of resources, evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set up for implementing resource development plans, and matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.

Land Resources

• Land is a finite resource, used for various purposes, including agriculture, forestry, mining, and building houses and roads.
• Land resources in India are classified into plains (43%), mountains (30%), and plateaus (27%).
• Land degradation is brought about by overgrazing, deforestation, mining and quarrying.
• Measures to control land degradation include afforestation, managing grazing, controlling mining activities, and proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents.

Soil Resources

• Soil is a vital renewable natural resource and the medium for plant growth.

• Soils are classified based on factors such as parent rock, climate, vegetation, and time.

• Alluvial soils are fertile and ideal for growing crops like sugarcane, paddy, and wheat.

• Black soils are ideal for growing cotton and are common in parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

• Red and Yellow soils develop on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall and are found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain.

• Laterite soils are the result of intense leaching due to heavy rainfall and are suitable for cultivation with proper use of fertilizers and irrigation techniques.

• Arid soils range from red to brown in color, are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.

• Forest soils are found in hilly and mountainous areas and their texture and quality depend on the location.

• Soil erosion is the destruction of the soil cover and subsequent washing down and is caused by human activities such as deforestation and overgrazing.

• Soil conservation methods include contour ploughing, terrace cultivation, strip cropping, and shelter belts, which help to reduce soil erosion.

• Forest and Wildlife Resources

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated crops, diverse in form and function, but closely integrated in a system through multiple network of interdependencies.
• Flora is the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
• Fauna is the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Conservation

• Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
• Deforestation causes imbalance in the environment, so conservation is very important.

Categories of existing plants and animal species

• Normal Species are species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, and rodents.
• Endangered Species are species which are in danger of extinction, such as black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque.
• Vulnerable Species are species whose population has declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate, such as blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin.
• Rare Species are species with small population may move into the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate, the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill.
• Endemic Species are species which are found in some particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers, such as the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig.
• Extinct Species are species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may occur, these species may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the entire earth, such as the Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck.

Forest Cover

• Forest cover in India is estimated at 24.56% of the total geographical area (as of 2019).
• Dense forests provide critical habitats for wildlife and contribute to ecological stability.

Community and Conservation

• In several parts of India, local communities have played a vital role in forest and wildlife conservation.

• Sacred groves, often dedicated to deities, are preserved by local communities and harbor rich biodiversity.

• The Chipko Movement, where villagers hugged trees to prevent deforestation, is an example of community-led conservation.

• Water Resources

Water Scarcity

• Water scarcity results from increased demand, overexploitation, and unequal access to water.
• Quantitative scarcity is when there is not enough water to meet the needs of the population.
• Qualitative scarcity is when water is of poor quality and unfit for use.

Water Management

• Rainwater harvesting and watershed management are methods to conserve and store water.
• Irrigation has changed cropping pattern, leading to salinity and waterlogging.
• Dams were built for irrigation, electricity generation, water supply for domestic and industrial uses, flood control, recreation, inland navigation and fish breeding.

Multi-Purpose River Projects

• Multi-purpose river projects integrate the management of water resources for various uses.
• Dams regulate water flow, prevent floods, and provide water for irrigation and industries.
• Jawaharlal Nehru called the dams as 'temples of modern India'.
• Inter-state water disputes arise due to the sharing of water from rivers flowing through multiple states.

Rainwater Harvesting

• Rainwater harvesting is a traditional method to collect and store rainwater for future use.

• In arid and semi-arid regions, rainwater harvesting is used to store water for drinking and irrigation.

• Rooftop rainwater harvesting involves collecting rainwater from rooftops and storing it in tanks or diverting it for groundwater recharge.

• In Gendathur, a remote backward village in Karnataka, rainwater harvesting has been used to meet their water needs.

• Bamboo-drip irrigation system is used in Meghalaya for irrigation.

• Agriculture

Types of Farming

• Subsistence farming is practiced to meet the needs of the farmer’s family, and commercial farming aims to sell the produce in the market.
• Intensive subsistence farming is practiced in areas of high population pressure on land, whereas primitive subsistence farming includes shifting cultivation and nomadic herding.
• Shifting cultivation is known as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture and is practiced in parts of northeast India.
• Commercial farming involves the use of higher doses of modern inputs, e.g., high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides in order to obtain higher productivity.

Cropping Seasons

• Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June (wheat, barley, peas).
• Kharif crops are grown with the onset of monsoon in different parts of the country and are harvested in September–October (paddy, maize, jowar, bajra).
• Zaid crops are grown in between the rabi and kharif seasons (watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber).

Major Crops

• Rice requires high temperature, high humidity and rainfall.
• Wheat requires a cool growing season and a bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• Millets include jowar, bajra and ragi, which have high nutritional value.
• Maize is used both as food and fodder.
• Pulses are leguminous crops and help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air.
• Sugarcane requires hot and humid climate.
• Oilseeds include groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesame and soyabean
• Tea is a beverage crop grown on well-drained soils in hilly regions.
• Coffee requires a warm and wet climate and well-drained loamy soils.
• Horticulture crops include fruits and vegetables.

Technological and Institutional Reforms

• Collectivization, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari were carried out after independence.
• The Green Revolution focused on increased agricultural production through the use of HYV seeds and fertilizers.
• The White Revolution (Operation Flood) aimed to increase milk production.
• Comprehensive Land Development Programme included both institutional and technical reforms.
• Crop insurance provides protection against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.
• Kissan Credit Card (KCC) and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) are beneficial to the farmers.
• Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on radio and television.

Food Security

• Food security ensures the availability, accessibility and affordability of food to all people at all times.
• The government maintains buffer stocks of food grains to ensure food security.
• The Public Distribution System (PDS) provides food grains and other essential items to consumers at subsidised prices.

Impact of Globalisation on Agriculture

• Globalisation has led to increased competition, export opportunities, and challenges for Indian agriculture.

• The Green Revolution had adverse environmental and socio-economic consequences.

• Diversification of agriculture towards high-value crops and organic farming are seen as ways to make Indian agriculture more competitive and sustainable.

• Manufacturing Industries

Importance of Manufacturing

• Manufacturing helps in modernizing agriculture and reduces the heavy dependence of people on agricultural income by providing them jobs in secondary and tertiary sectors.
• It also reduces regional disparities by establishing industries in backward areas.
• Export of manufactured goods expands trade and commerce, and brings in much needed foreign exchange.

Contribution of Industry to National Economy

• Manufacturing sector contributed 17% of GDP in 2017.
• The desired growth rate is 12% per annum.
• National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) has been set up to improve productivity through government policy interventions and productivity improvements.

Location of Industries

• Availability of raw material, labour, capital, power and market are important factors.
• Industries tend to locate where all or some of these factors are easily available.
• Government policies and specialized labor also influence the location of Industries.

Classification of Industries

• On the basis of source of raw materials: basic and consumer industries.
• According to their main role: basic or key industries and consumer industries.
• On the basis of capital investment: small scale and large scale industries.
• Based on ownership: public sector, private sector, joint sector and cooperative sector industries.
• Based on the bulk and weight of raw material and finished goods: heavy and light industries.

Industrial Pollution and Environmental Degradation

• Air pollution is caused by the emission of chemical and smoke from factories.
• Water pollution is caused by organic and inorganic industrial wastes and effluents discharged into rivers.
• Thermal pollution of water occurs when hot water from factories and thermal plants is drained into rivers and ponds before cooling.
• Noise pollution results from industrial and construction activities, machinery, generators, and transport equipment.

Control of Environmental Degradation

• Minimizing the use of water for processing by reusing and recycling it.

• Treating hot water and effluents before releasing them into rivers and ponds.

• Rainwater harvesting to meet water requirements.

• Treating industrial pollutants at the source to protect the environment

• Lifelines of National Economy

Transport

• Railways, waterways, airways, pipelines and roadways are major means of transportation.
• Roadways have preceded railways.
• Airways are the fastest, most comfortable and prestigious mode of transport.
• Pipelines are used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from fields to refineries, fertilizer factories and big thermal power plants.

Communication

• Personal communication and mass communication include television, radio, press, films, etc. are major means of communication in India.
• India’s postal network is the largest in the world.
• The internet provides electronic data interchange through e-mail, e-commerce, etc.

International Trade

• Exchange of goods among people, states and countries is referred to as trade.
• Export is the selling goods to other countries, import is buying goods from other countries.
• Balance of trade is the difference between export and import.
• Tourism promotes national integration, provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits, and helps in the development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.