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Resources Mona and Raju were helping Amma to clean their house. “Look at all these things…. clothes, utensils, foodgrains, combs, this bottle of honey, book...

Resources Mona and Raju were helping Amma to clean their house. “Look at all these things…. clothes, utensils, foodgrains, combs, this bottle of honey, books…..Each of these has a use,” said Mona. “That is why they are important,” said Amma. “These are resources…..”. “What is a resource?” Let’s do was Raju’s question to Amma. “Anything that can be used List out five to satisfy a need is a resource”, replied amma. “Look around resources you use you and observe, you will be able to identify many types of in your home and resources. The water you drink when you are thirsty, the five you use in electricity you use in your house, the rickshaw you use to your classroom. get home from school, the textbook you use to study are all resources. Your father has prepared a tasty snack for you. The fresh vegetables he has used are also a resource”. Water, electricity, rickshaw, vegetable and textbook have something in common. They have all been used by you, so they have utility. Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource. “How does something become a resource?” Raju now wanted to know. Amma told the children that things become resources only when they have a value. “Its use or utility gives it a value. All resources have some value.” said Amma. Value means worth. Some resources have economic value, some do not. For example, metals may have an Glossary economic value, a beautiful landscape may not. But both Patent: It means are important and satisfy human needs. the exclusive right Some resources can become economically valuable over any idea or with time. Your grandmother’s home remedies have no invention. commercial value today. But if they are patented and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically valuable. 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 1 8/17/2022 11:34:40 AM  Time and technology are two important factors that Glossary can change substances into resources. Both are related Technology: It is to the needs of the people. People themselves are the the application of most important resource. It is their ideas, knowledge, latest knowledge inventions and discoveries that lead to the creation of and skill in doing more resources. Each discovery or invention leads to many or making things. others. The discovery of fire led to the practice of cooking and other processes while the invention of the wheel ultimately resulted in development of Activity newer modes of transport. The technology “A very Circle those valuable one!” resources from to create hydroelectricity Amma’s list that has turned energy in fast “So I am a are regarded flowing water into an resource too!” as having no commercial value. important resource. Types of Resources Resources are generally classified into natural, human made and human. Natural Resources Amma’s List Resources that are drawn from Nature and used without Cotton cloth much modification are called natural resources. The Iron ore air we breathe, the water in our rivers and lakes, the Intelligence soils, minerals are all natural resources. Many of these resources are free gifts of nature and can be used directly. Medicinal plants In some cases tools and technology may be needed to Medical knowledge use a natural resource in the best possible way. Coal deposits Natural resources can be broadly categorised into Beautiful scenery renewable and non-renewable resources. Agricultural land Renewable resources are those which get renewed Clean environment or replenished quickly. Some of these are unlimited Old folk songs and are not affected by human activities, such as solar and wind energy. Yet careless use of certain renewable Good weather resources like water, soil and forest can affect their Resourcefulness stock. Water seems to be an unlimited renewable A good singing voice resource. But shortage and drying up of natural Grandmother’s water sources is a major problem in many parts of the home remedies world today. Affection from Non-renewable resources are those which have a friends and family limited stock. Once the stocks are exhausted it may take thousands of years to be renewed or replenished. Since this period is much more than human life spans, 2 Resources and Development 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 2 8/17/2022 11:34:41 AM  such resources are considered non-renewable. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are some examples. Glossary Stock of Resource The distribution of natural resources depends It is the amount of upon number of physical factors like terrain, climate resources available and altitude. The distribution of resources is unequal for use. because these factors differ so much over the earth. Human Made Resources Sometimes, natural substances become resources only Let’s do when their original form has been changed. Iron ore Think of a few was not a resource until people learnt to extract iron renewable resources from it. People use natural resources to make buildings, and mention how bridges, roads, machinery and vehicles, which are their stock may get known as human made resources. Technology is also affected by overuse. a human made resource. “So people like us use natural resources to make human made resources,” said Mona nodding in understanding. Let’s do “Yes,” said Raju. Make a list of five human made Human Resources resources that you People can make the best use of nature to create more can observe around resources when they have the knowledge, skill and the you. “Crops ruined due to that’s it! drought”. Do you know? “Can I find Human Resource a solution?”. refers to the number (quantity) and abilities (mental and physical) of the people. Though, “…its all thanks there are differing to the knowledge, views regarding education and treatment of skill… we could find humans as a a solution… resource, one cannot deny the fact that it is the skills of human that Read and Ponder: Humans are interdependent on help in transfering each other. Farmers provide food grains for every one. the physical Scientists suggest various means to combat problems material into a related to agriculture and improve farm production. valuable resource. Resources 3 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 3 8/17/2022 11:34:42 AM  technology to do so. That is why human beings are a special resource. People are human resources. Education and health help in making people a valuable resource. Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create more resources is known as human resource development. Conserving Resources Mona had a nightmare. She dreamt that all the water on the earth had dried up and all the trees cut down. There was no shade and nothing to eat or drink. People were suffering and roaming around desperately looking for food and shade. She told her mother about the dream. “Amma can this really happen?” she asked. Glossary “Yes,” Amma replied. “If we are not careful then even Sustainable renewable resources can become very scarce and the Development non-renewable ones can definitely get exhausted”. “What Carefully utilising resources so that can we do about it,” Raju asked. “Lots,” replied Amma. besides meeting Using resources carefully and giving them time to get the requirements renewed is called resource conservation. Balancing of the present, also the need to use resources and also conserve them for takes care of future generations. the future is called sustainable development. There are many ways of conserving resources. Each person can contribute by reducing consumption, recycling and reusing thing. Ultimately it makes a difference because all our lives are linked. That evening the children and their friends made packets and shopping bags out of old newspapers, discarded clothes and baskets from bamboo sticks. “We will give a few to every family we know,” said Mona. “After all it is for a very good cause,” said Mustafa, “To save our resources and to keep our earth alive”. “I am going to be very careful not to waste paper,” said Jessy. “Many trees are cut down to make paper,” she explained. “I will see that electricity is not wasted in my house,” shouted Mustafa. “Electricity comes from water and coal.” 4 Resources and Development 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 4 8/17/2022 11:34:44 AM  “I will make sure that water is not wasted at home,” Some Principles of said Asha. “Every drop of water is precious” Sustainable Development “Together we can make a difference!” chorused the Respect and care for all children. forms of life Improve the quality of These are some of the things Mona, Raju and their human life friends did. What about you? How are you going to help Conserve the earth’s in conserving resources? vitality and diversity The future of our planet and its people is linked with Minimise the depletion our ability to maintain and preserve the life support of natural resources Change personal system that nature provides. Therefore it is our duty to attitude and practices ensure that : towards the environment all uses of renewable resources are sustainable Enable communities the diversity of life on the earth is conserved to care for their own the damage to natural environmental system is environment. minimised. Exercises 1. Answer the following questions. (i) Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth? (ii) What is resource conservation? (iii) Why are human resources important? (iv) What is sustainable development? 2. Tick the correct answer. (i) Which one of the following does NOT make substance a resource? (a) utility (b) value (c) quantity (ii) Which one of the following is a human made resource? (a) medicines to treat cancer (b) spring water (c) tropical forests (iii) Complete the statement. Non-renewable resources are (a) those which have limited stock (b) made by human beings (c) derived from non-living things 3. Activity “Rahiman paani raakhiye, Bin paani sab soon. Resources 5 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 5 8/17/2022 11:34:44 AM  Paani gaye na ubere Moti, manus, choon…” [Says Rahim, keep water, as without water there is nothing. Without water pearl, swan and dough cannot exist. ] These lines were written by the poet Abdur Rahim Khankhana, one of the nine gems of Akbar’s court. What kind of resource is the poet referring to? Write in 100 words what would happen if this resource disappeared? For Fun 1. Pretend that you live in the prehistoric times on a high windy plateau. What are the uses you and your friends could put the fast winds to? Can you call the wind a resource? Now imagine that you are living in the same place in the year 2138. Can you put the winds to any use? How? Can you explain why the wind is an important resource now? 2. Pick up a stone, a leaf, a paper straw and a twig. Think of how you can use these as resources. See the example given below and get creative! You can use a stone… Use/Utility To play stapu toy As a paper-weight tool To crush spices tool To decorate your garden/room decoration piece To open a bottle tool In a catapult weapon You can use a leaf… Use/Utility 6 Resources and Development 2024-25 Chapter-1.indd 6 8/17/2022 11:34:45 AM