GRADE X GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 1: RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

NOTES

CLASSIFICATION OF RESOURCES

Resources can be classified in the following ways-

1. Based on Origin: (i)Biotic (ii)Abiotic

2. Based on exhaustibility: (i) Renewable (ii) Non-Renewable
3. Based on ownership: (i) Individual (ii) Community (iii) National
4. Based on status of development: (i) Potential (ii) Developed (iii) Stock (iv)International
(iv) Reserve

Sustainable Development- Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

EARTH SUBMIT, 1992- BRAZIL

● The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also

known as the 'Earth Summit', was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3-14 June 1992.
● This global conference brought together political leaders, diplomats, scientists,
representatives of the media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 179
countries for a massive effort to focus on the impact of human socio-economic activities
on the environment.
● The Rio de Janeiro conference highlighted how different social, economic and
environmental factors are interdependent and evolve together, and how success in one
sector requires action in other sectors to be sustained over time.
● The primary objective of the Rio 'Earth Summit' was to produce a broad agenda and a
new blueprint for international action on environmental and development issues that
would help guide international cooperation and development policy in the twenty-first
century.
● One of the major results of the UNCED Conference was Agenda 21, a daring program of
action calling for new strategies to invest in the future to achieve overall sustainable
development in the 21st century.
● The targets of Agenda 21 are as the following:
− It targets accomplishing Global Sustainable Development.
− It is an Agenda to battle ecological harm, destitution, sickness, and so forth.
 − In Agenda 21, necessities of shared duties were talked about. model: polio drops.
− One of its significant destinations is that each nearby govt. should draw its own Agenda
21.

The Earth Summit-outcomes:

● It produced several conventions about climatic changes and protection of biodiversity and
forestry.
● The leaders at the summit also signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and
biological Diversity. They endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted agenda 21
for achieving sustainable development in the 21st century.
● These global Forest Principles comprise non-legally binding principles aimed at
achieving a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable
development of all types of forests. These principles make certain recommendations for
the conservation of forests.
● The summit also brought forth the questions pertaining to the protection and management
of ‘The Global Commons’.
● The leaders pledged to cooperate and work towards environmental protection.

Soil: The loose material or the upper layer of the mantle rock consisting mainly of very small
particles and humus which can support the growth of plants is known as “soil”.

(i) Alluvial soil

 ● Alluvial soils are widespread in the northern plains and river valleys.
● It covers about 40% of the total land area of the country.
● This soil is mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas.
● In the Peninsular region, they are found in deltas of the east coast and in the river valleys.
● The color of the alluvial soil varies from light grey to ash grey.
● The alluvial soil varies in nature from sandy loam to clay.
● They are rich in potash but poor in phosphorus.
● Two different types of alluvial soils have developed in the Upper and Middle Ganga
plains – Khadar and Bhangar.
o Khadar is the new alluvium and occupies the flood plains of the rivers. Khadar is
enriched with fresh silt deposits every year.
o Bhangar is the old alluvium, deposited away from the flood plains.
● Both Khadar and Bhangar soils contain concretion (kankars) of impure calcium
carbonate.
● These soils are loamier and more clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plains and the
Brahmaputra valley.
● Alluvial soils are intensely cultivated – wheat, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseed, etc. are
mainly cultivated.

(ii) Black Soil

 ● Black soil is also known as “Regur Soil” or the “Black Cotton Soil”.
● It covers about 15% of the total land area of the country.
● It covers most of the Deccan Plateau – parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Tamil Nadu. In the upper reaches of the Godavari and
Krishna, and the north-western part of the Deccan Plateau, the black soil is very deep.
● The color of these soils varies from deep black to grey.
● The black soil is generally clayey, deep and impermeable. They swell greatly and become
sticky when wet in the rainy season. In the dry season, the moisture evaporates, the soil
shrinks and develops wide cracks.
● Black soil is rich in iron, lime, aluminum, magnesium and contains potassium. However,
these soils are deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter.
● Cotton, pulses, millets, castor, tobacco, sugarcane, citrus fruits, linseed, etc. are mainly
cultivated in black soil.

(iii) Red and Yellow Soil

● It covers about 18.5 % of the total land area of the country.

● It is found in regions of low rainfall (eastern and southern parts of the Deccan Plateau).
Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghats, a long stretch of area is occupied by red
loamy soil. This soil is also present in parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh and in the
southern parts of the Middle Ganga Plain.
● The red color is due to the presence of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. The
soil appears yellow when it is in hydrated form.
 ● The fine-grained red and yellow soil is usually fertile while the coarse-grained soil is less
fertile.
● This type of soil is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus.
● Wheat, cotton, oilseeds, millets, tobacco, and pulses are mainly cultivated in red and
yellow soil.

(iv) Forest Soil

● This type of soil is found in forest regions where rainfall is sufficient.

● The texture of the soil depends on the mountain environment where they are found.
● These soils are coarse-grained in the upper slopes and loamy and silty on valley sides.
● In the snowbound areas of the Himalayas, these soils undergo denudation and are acidic
with low humus content. The soils found in the lower valleys are fertile.
● Also called mountain soil.

(v)Laterite Soil
● The name has been derived from the Latin word “later” which means brick.
● It accounts for about 3.7% of the total area of the country.
● These are typical soils of the monsoon climate which is characterized by seasonal
rainfall. With rain, lime and silica leach away, and soil rich in iron oxide and aluminum
are left leading to the formation of laterite soil.
● Laterite soil is deficient in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium; however,
iron oxide and potash are in abundance.
● Although low in fertility, they respond well to manures and fertilizers.
 ● Laterite soils are found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and hilly
regions of Assam and Odisha.
● Red laterite soil in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are well suited for tree crop
cultivation like cashew nuts.
● Laterite soil hardens rapidly and irreversibly on exposure to the air, a property that leads
to its use as building bricks in southern India.

(vi) Arid Soil

● Also known as desert soil, it accounts for over 4.42 % of the total land area of the
country.
● The color ranges from red to brown.
● Desert soils are sandy to gravelly in texture, have low moisture content and low water-
retaining capacity.
● These soils are saline in nature and in certain regions, the salt content is so high that
common salt is obtained by evaporating water.
● These soils have normal phosphate content but are deficient in nitrogen.
● Due to increased calcium content in the lower horizons of the soil, there is the formation
of ‘kankar’ layers. These kankar layers restrict the penetration of water and as such when
water is made available through irrigation, the soil moisture is readily available for
sustainable plant growth.
● Desert soils are profoundly found in western Rajasthan and contain little humus and
organic matter.
Soil Erosion:

● The removal of soil from one place to another by some natural agent is called soil
erosion.
● “Soil erosion is the natural process in which the topsoil of a field is carried away by
physical sources such as wind and water.”
● Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. It
results in a continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.
Cause of Soil Erosion

● Rainfall and Flooding

● Agriculture

● Grazing

● Logging and Mining

● Construction

● Rivers and Streams

Effects of Soil Erosion

● Loss of Arable Land

● Clogging of Waterways

● Desertification

● Destruction of Infrastructure
● Prevention of Soil Erosion

To prevent soil erosion, there are some methods that can be used are explained below:

● Mulching – In the mulching method, bare ground between plants is covered with a layer
of organic matter like straw which helps to retain soil moisture.
● Contour Barriers – A contour barrier means building a barrier with stones, grass, and soil
along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.
● Rock Dam – In the rock dam method, rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water
which prevents gullies and further soil loss.

● Terrace Farming – Terrace farming is a farming method in which steep slopes are made so
that flat surfaces are available to grow crops. This reduces surface run-off and soil erosion.
.

● Intercropping – In intercropping, different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown
at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
● Contour Ploughing – Contour ploughing is done by ploughing parallel to the contours of a
hill slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope.

● Shelter Belts – In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind
movement to protect soil cover.
 QUESTION/ANSWERS

Q1. “Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries.”

Justify the statement.

Ans. Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries.

(i) The increase in pollution in land, water, air, noise and resulting in degradation of the

the environment cannot be overlooked.

(ii) Pollution of river waters affects all as most of the rivers pass through different states.

(iii) Air pollution caused by the presence of a high proportion of undesirable gasses adversely
affects human health and the atmosphere as a whole.

(iv) Thermal pollution of river water affects aquatic life irrespective of state and national
boundaries.

Q2. How have technical and economical Developments led to more consumption of resources?

Ans.
(i) Technological development has led to more industries and therefore use of natural resources
has increased.

(ii) There has been more development of new resources which has helped in the economic mobility
of the resources.

(iii) As means of transportation and communication are developing fast, they help in the mobility

of the resources.

(iv) Due to technological advancement, techniques of mining and quarrying are also improving,

leading to safer mining and resources and more economic development.

(v) Green Revolution led to the introduction of latest mechanical devices, fertilizers, HYV seeds,

etc, leading to more production and consumption of resources.

Q3. What do you understand about resource planning? What were Gandhi’s views on resource
conservation?

Ans. Resource planning is a complex process, which involves:

(i) Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves
surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.
(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set
up for implementing resource development plans.
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.
Gandhi voiced his concern about resource conservation in the following words: “There is enough
for everybody’s need and not for anybody's greed.” He placed the greedy and selfish individuals
and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global
level. He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.

Q4: What has significantly contributed to land degradation?

Ans. Some human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying too have
contributed significantly in land degradation. Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is
complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh and Orissa deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation. In
states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the main
reasons for land degradation. In the states of Punjab, Haryana,western Uttar Pradesh, over
irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity
and alkalinity in the soil. The mineral processing like grinding of limestone for cement industry
and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge quantities of dust in the atmosphere.
It retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil after it settles down on the land. In recent
years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution in
many parts of the country.

ASSIGNMENT

Q1. What are potential resources?

A. resources which can be renewed or reproduced
B. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized
C. Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilization
D. those things which are composed of non-living things

Q2. What are developed resources?

A. Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for
utilization
B. resources which can be renewed or reproduced
C. those things which are composed of non-living things
D. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized

Q3.What is stock?
A. resources which can be renewed or reproduced
B. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilized
C. Materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs but human
beings do not have the appropriate technology to access these
D. solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife

Q4. Human beings used resources indiscriminately and this has led to the following major
problems, What are these problems?
A. Not well planned use of these resources.
B. Wastage of resources
C. Not many problems.
D. Accumulation of resources in few hands

Q5.What is Sustainable Development?

A. Well planned use of resources and development
B. Accumulation of resources and then using them accordingly
C. development should take place without damaging the environment keeping in mind the future
generations
D. Using materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs
Q6. Give examples of National resources?
A. plots, houses
B. public parks, playgrounds, grazing grounds, burial grounds
C. oceanic resources
D. minerals, water resources, forests, wildlife, land

Q7. What is a resource?

A. Extracts from nature
B. Man Made products
C. Extracts from environment- technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally
acceptable
D. Any thing from which a product can be manufactured

Q8. Are resources free gifts of nature? And how?

A. Yes they are
B. They are not , Resources are a function of human activities
C. Yes Resources are nurtured by nature
D. No, Any thing from which a product can be manufactured

Q9: Where are Biotic Resources obtained from?

A. from biosphere and have life such as human beings, flora and fauna, fisheries, livestock
B. composed of non-living things
C. reproduced by physical, chemical or mechanical processes
D. Minerals and fossil fuels

Q10: Give examples of renewable resources.

A. Minerals and fossil fuels
B. solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife
C. rocks and metals.
D. flora and fauna, fisheries, livestock