Natural Resources and Their Use

CHAPTER 1: NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR USE

THE BIG QUESTIONS

1. How do we categorise natural resources?

2. What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?

3. What are the implications of unsustainable use/over exploitation of natural resources?

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WHEN DOES NATURE BECOME A RESOURCE?

Definition of Nature and Resources

**Nature** refers to the totality of life and non-life forms that are part of our environment but have not been created by humans. These include trees, water, air, soil, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores, and timber.

**Natural Resources** are materials and substances that occur in Nature and are valuable to humans. However, not everything in Nature automatically becomes a resource. For an entity to be called a resource, three conditions must be met:

1. **Technological Accessibility** - We must have the technology to access it. For example, petroleum deep under the ocean may not be accessible if we lack the technology.

2. **Economic Feasibility** - The extraction and use must be economically viable. The cost of extraction should not exceed the value obtained from the resource.

3. **Cultural Acceptability** - The exploitation of the resource should be culturally acceptable. For example, cutting trees in sacred groves may be technically and economically possible but culturally unacceptable in many Indian traditions where Nature is considered sacred.

Examples

**Trees** exist as part of the environment, but they become a resource only when we cut them and convert their wood into furniture.

**Water** is a resource when we can access it through wells, rivers, or other means to use for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.

In many indigenous traditions of the world, Nature is considered sacred and is viewed as a nurturer and nourisher rather than merely a resource for extraction.

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CATEGORIES OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural resources can be categorized using different criteria. The two main ways are:

Category 1: Based on Uses

#### **Resources Essential for Life**

These are resources without which life cannot exist on Earth:

**Air we breathe** - obtained from the atmosphere

**Water we drink** - obtained from rivers, ponds, and groundwater

**Food we eat** - obtained through cultivation of soil or raising of living things

Key point: We cannot manufacture these resources; we must obtain them from Nature as they exist.

#### **Resources for Materials**

Human beings create physical objects and items of beauty from Nature's gifts. India's geographical diversity provides a wide variety of such resources:

Wood can be transformed into furniture or carved into art pieces

Marble can be used for construction and sculpture

Coal, copper, gold, and other minerals serve as raw materials for industries

These materials enrich our lives through utility and aesthetic value

#### **Resources for Energy**

Energy is essential for modern living - electricity for buildings, transportation, and all types of production processes. Energy can come from diverse natural sources:

**Coal** - fossil fuel used in thermal power plants

**Petroleum** - fossil fuel used for transportation and industry

**Natural gas** - fossil fuel used for cooking and power generation

**Water/Hydroelectric power** - renewable energy from flowing water

**Sunlight/Solar energy** - renewable energy from the sun

**Wind energy** - renewable energy from wind patterns

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Category 2: Based on Renewability - Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

#### **Understanding Nature's Cycles**

Nature functions in two important ways:

1. **Restoration** - The process of returning something to its original healthy state if it has been degraded or damaged. Examples:

A cut on your skin heals naturally

A forest recovers after a wildfire

2. **Regeneration** - Nature's ability to create new life and conditions for thriving. Example: Planting trees in areas that lost them due to human activity restores the ecosystem, bringing back food, shelter, and life for birds, squirrels, and other creatures.

Nature operates in **cycles with no waste**. In a forest ecosystem:

A tree falls and decomposes

Bacteria, fungi, and insects feed on it

The tree becomes part of the soil, enriching it

New trees and plants grow from seeds

The cycle repeats

#### **Renewable Resources**

**Definition**: Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over time through Nature's restoration and regeneration processes.

**Characteristics of renewable resources**:

They exhibit restoration and regeneration characteristics over time

They can be used continuously if managed sustainably

They follow Nature's cycles of restoration

**Examples of renewable resources in India**:

**Sunshine** - Most of India has abundant sunshine year-round, providing unlimited solar energy if harnessed sustainably

**River water** - Rivers are naturally fed by rain and melting glaciers, making water a renewable resource as long as precipitation and glacial melt continue

**Forests and timber** - Forests renew themselves naturally through seed growth and vegetation cycles. We can take timber from forests in limited quantities for a long time if we allow the forest to regenerate

**Soil** - Soil replenishes itself through natural processes including decomposition of organic matter

**Wind energy** - Wind is continuously generated through atmospheric processes

**Critical Condition for Renewability**:

For renewable resources to remain renewable, **the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed**. If we harvest beyond Nature's capacity to regenerate, these resources become depleted.

**Real-life examples of disrupted regeneration**:

1. **Forest Depletion** - If we harvest timber faster than the forest can grow new trees, we will eventually deplete the forest completely. This is happening in many parts of India due to clearing forests for agriculture and development.

2. **Glacier Melting in the Himalayas** - A combination of factors has disturbed Nature's cycles:

Fossil fuel-driven industrialisation

Cutting down of forests for agriculture

Rising temperatures due to climate change

Result: Glaciers in the Himalayas are melting at a rate faster than precipitation can replace them. This has serious implications for water security for populations in the plains that depend on the Himalayas as the 'water tower'

3. **Overfishing Crisis** - Traditionally, communities had a system of regulating fishing during the spawning season to maintain fish populations. However:

Commercialisation of fishing led to **over-fishing**

Fish like tuna have undergone rapid and extensive population decline

Tuna is crucial for maintaining ocean ecosystem balance by consuming smaller fish and shrimps

Despite international agreements to control fishing, tuna remains in decline

4. **River Pollution** - Industries need to produce goods we consume, but the process creates waste:

Wastes are frequently discharged into rivers without proper treatment

These wastes cannot naturally decay to become food for lifeforms

This disrupts Nature's cycle of restoration and regeneration

Rivers become poisoned and cannot support life

**Ecosystem Functions and Ecosystem Services**:

**Ecosystem Functions** - The inherent natural processes. For example, trees naturally produce oxygen

**Ecosystem Services** - When these natural processes benefit humans. A forest naturally filters water, prevents soil erosion, and provides habitat for animals. We benefit from clean water, protected farmland, and pollinated crops - these are ecosystem services

**Important Facts**:

A mature tree produces about 275 litres of oxygen per day (varies by tree type)

A human being needs about 350 litres of oxygen every day (varies by activity, height, weight, etc.)

#### **Non-Renewable Resources**

**Definition**: Non-renewable resources are created over long geological periods and cannot be replenished at the rate at which humans use them.

**Characteristics**:

They take millions of years to form

Once extracted, they cannot be naturally regenerated

They are finite in quantity

The rate of extraction far exceeds the rate of formation

**Examples of non-renewable resources**:

**Fossil Fuels**:

Coal - formed from ancient plant material over millions of years

Petroleum - formed from decomposed marine organisms over millions of years

Natural gas - formed from decomposed organic matter

**Minerals and Metals**:

Iron ore

Copper

Gold

Bauxite

**India's Coal Reserves - A Case Study**:

India has significant quantities of coal reserves

Coal is mined to meet the growing need for energy as population expands and development accelerates

**Important prediction**: Coal reserves in India may last another 50 years at current consumption rates

The demand for electricity has been continuously increasing

**Strategy**: Until more sustainable alternatives become widely available, we need to use coal judiciously (wisely and carefully)

**Implication**: We must transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to ensure energy security for future generations.

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DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Uneven Distribution

**Key Principle**: Natural resources are not evenly distributed across the planet or within countries. This uneven distribution shapes:

Human settlements and population distribution

Trade patterns between regions and countries

International relations

Conflicts and wars over resource control

Many wars have been fought, and continue to be fought, to gain control over natural resources.

How Distribution Affects Human Life and Economy

#### **Positive Effects**

1. **Employment and Economic Growth**:

Industries located near natural resources create employment opportunities for local people

Townships grow around resource extraction sites

Economic opportunities expand for businesses and service providers

More modern facilities and improved quality of life become accessible

2. **Trade and Development**:

National and international trade depend on the geographical location of natural resources

Combined with human knowledge and skills, resources can create unique products. For example: **Wootz steel** - a high-quality steel produced in ancient India using locally available iron ore and traditional smelting techniques, which was highly valued in international trade

Trade fuelled the development of large empires in India

#### **Negative Effects and Conflicts**

1. **Displacement and Social Conflict**:

People living in resource-rich areas have been displaced from their homes to facilitate resource extraction

Sacred places come under threat, leading to conflicts

Indigenous communities' traditional lands and rights are often violated

2. **Inter-State and International Tensions**:

Nature does not pay attention to political boundaries

This leads to tensions regarding the sharing of natural resources across states and between countries

**Example - Kaveri River Water Sharing**:

The Kaveri River flows through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry

Water allocation disputes have occurred between these states

Negotiations and deft (skillful) management have been required to maintain peace and ensure fair sharing

Multiple interstate water disputes still exist in India due to competing demands for limited river water

**Example - Brahmaputra River**:

A shared river between India, China, and Bangladesh

Creates potential for international tensions over water sharing and dam construction

3. **The Natural Resource Curse**:

**Definition**: The **'Natural Resource Curse'** or **'Paradox of Plenty'** is a phenomenon where regions rich in natural resources often experience slower economic growth and development than those with fewer resources.

**Why does this happen**?

Having abundant natural resources does not guarantee economic prosperity

Economies are frequently unable to develop industries that convert raw resources into products of higher value

Resources remain as raw materials rather than being processed into finished goods

The wealth from resource extraction flows to a small elite, with limited benefits for the general population

Economies become dependent on single resource exports, making them vulnerable to price fluctuations

**India's Approach**:

India has generally avoided the natural resource curse by investing in the development of industries to convert resources into higher-value products

Building manufacturing capacity and industrial expertise has helped India benefit more from its natural resources

Investment in technology, education, and skill development has enabled resource conversion

**Key Challenge**:

Despite avoiding the curse, the challenge of balancing resource extraction with sustainability remains. Understanding and managing natural resources is a starting point, but success requires:

Human knowledge and skills

Good governance

Strategic planning

These factors determine whether resources become lasting benefits or temporary windfalls

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RESPONSIBLE AND WISE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES: STEWARDSHIP

Core Principle of Stewardship

**Stewardship** means responsible and wise management of natural resources. It requires that we:

Respect Nature

Use natural resources in a way that enables **restoration and regeneration of renewable resources**

Ensure **responsible and judicious use of non-renewable resources**

Why Stewardship is Crucial

Scientists studying environmental issues have warned that **irresponsible treatment of natural resources has led to**:

**Pollution** - contamination of air, water, and soil

**Biodiversity loss** - decline in the variety of life on Earth

**Climate change** - global warming and altered weather patterns

These problems are occurring at an **increased pace in recent years**

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RESTORATION AND REGENERATION OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES

#### **Case Study 1: Groundwater Depletion**

**The Problem**:

Many farmers in India extract groundwater for irrigation purposes

In most states, **the extraction rate is greater than the rate at which the water table is replenished**

Over time, this deficit builds up

Results:

Higher cost of groundwater extraction

Eventually, unavailability of groundwater

Many growing cities will run out of groundwater soon

**Solutions Being Attempted**:

Traditional practices of **water harvesting**

**Rejuvenation of ponds and tanks**

Cutting down on wasteful consumption of water

Processing and reusing water

Rainwater harvesting techniques

#### **Case Study 2: Soil Degradation from Chemical Use**

**The Problem**:

Improper use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to **soil degradation**

Modern agriculture abandoned traditional soil management practices

Loss of soil fertility and health

Crop failures due to soil damage

**Traditional Farming Practices** (That We Must Learn From):

Soil was considered part of Mother Earth

Use of **cow dung and other natural fertilizers**

**Mulching** - covering soil with organic material to retain moisture and prevent erosion

**Multi-cropping** - growing different crops in sequence to maintain soil health

These practices enabled **holistic soil management**

**Current Need**:

We must learn from these traditional practices and apply them to prevent further degradation

We need to **replenish and rejuvenate our soil**

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CASELET: OVEREXPLOITATION OF GROUNDWATER - A PUNJAB CRISIS

#### **Background**

Punjab was the birthplace of the **Green Revolution** - a major agricultural transformation that:

Fed a large proportion of India's population

Contributed to India becoming self-sufficient in food production

Made Punjab the "breadbasket of India"

#### **What Happened**

**In the 1960s, farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties (HYV) of wheat and paddy**:

Traditional seeds were replaced with modern, scientifically developed varieties

These high-yielding varieties produced more grain but **required significantly more water**

**Farmers began to extract groundwater extensively**:

Shift from traditional irrigation methods to tube wells and bore wells

**Supply of free electricity for irrigation** led to the over-pumping of groundwater

Farmers had no incentive to conserve water because they paid no cost for electricity

**Modern farming techniques introduced new problems**:

Chemical pesticides were used for pest control

Chemical fertilizers were applied to increase yields

These chemicals seeped into groundwater

#### **The Crisis Today**

**Groundwater Depletion**:

In a large part of Punjab, groundwater levels have become inaccessible until depths of about 30 metres

This means farmers must dig wells much deeper than before

Cost of extraction increases with depth

Eventually, groundwater extraction becomes economically unviable

**Chemical Contamination**:

Chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have dissolved in the groundwater

This causes serious **health hazards** for people consuming contaminated water

Diseases like cancer have been linked to consumption of pesticide and fertilizer-contaminated water

**Sustainability Crisis**:

Nature has been exploited beyond regeneration capacity, at least in the short term

The very practices that made Punjab prosperous are now threatening its future

**Wider Implications**:

This concern is **not particular to Punjab**

It affects many other states in India, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains

Over-exploitation of groundwater is a national-level concern requiring urgent intervention

#### **Lessons from Punjab**

1. **Short-term Gain, Long-term Pain**: Agricultural practices that brought immediate prosperity created long-term environmental damage

2. **Need for Policy Changes**: Free electricity policy led to over-pumping; pricing water usage could encourage conservation

3. **Importance of Sustainable Practices**: Traditional farming methods were more sustainable; modern methods must incorporate conservation principles

4. **Inter-generational Responsibility**: Current generation has benefited from groundwater; future generations face scarcity and health risks

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KEY CONCEPTS SUMMARY

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

| Aspect | Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |

|--------|-------------------|----------------------|

| **Formation** | Continuously regenerated by Nature | Formed over millions of years |

| **Time Scale** | Regenerate within human lifetime | Cannot be regenerated in meaningful timeframe |

| **Rate of Use** | Should not exceed regeneration rate | Extraction rate far exceeds formation rate |

| **Examples** | Water, soil, forests, wind, solar energy | Coal, petroleum, metals, minerals |

| **Management** | Must maintain natural cycles | Must be used judiciously and transitioned away from |

| **India's Challenge** | Overharvesting disrupts regeneration | Only 50 years of coal reserves left |

Three Conditions for Becoming a Resource

1. **Technological Accessibility** - We must have the technology to extract and use it

2. **Economic Feasibility** - The extraction cost should not exceed the resource's value

3. **Cultural Acceptability** - Exploitation must be culturally appropriate

Three Uses of Natural Resources

1. **Essential for Life**: Air, water, food

2. **For Materials**: Wood, marble, coal, metals

3. **For Energy**: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, water, sun, wind

Distribution and Its Effects

**Positive**:

Employment opportunities

Economic growth

Trade and commerce

Development of unique products

**Negative**:

Social displacement

Conflicts and wars

Inter-state tensions

Environmental degradation

Natural resource curse

Stewardship Principles

1. **Respect Nature** - Recognize Nature's intrinsic value

2. **Maintain Regeneration** - Don't harvest faster than nature regenerates

3. **Use Wisely** - Reduce waste and consumption

4. **Plan Strategically** - Balance development with sustainability

5. **Learn Traditionally** - Apply time-tested sustainable practices

6. **Think Long-term** - Consider impacts on future generations

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IMPORTANT FACTS AND FIGURES

**Mature tree oxygen production**: Approximately 275 litres per day

**Human oxygen requirement**: Approximately 350 litres per day

**India's coal reserves**: Estimated to last another 50 years at current consumption rates

**Punjab's groundwater depth**: Now inaccessible until 30 metres in many areas (indicating severe depletion)

**Green Revolution era**: 1960s - when Punjab shifted to high-yielding varieties

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IMPORTANT LOCATIONS AND RESOURCES (From Map)

Based on the mineral distribution map of India (Fig. 1.11):

**Coal Mining Areas**:

Jharia (Jharkhand)

Bokaro (Jharkhand)

Raniganj (West Bengal)

Talcher (Odisha)

Korba (Chhattisgarh)

Chandrapur (Maharashtra)

Singhareni (Telangana)

Neyveli (Tamil Nadu)

**Iron Ore Deposits**:

Keonjhar (Odisha)

Mayurbhanj (Odisha)

Gua (Odisha)

Bailadila (Chhattisgarh)

Bellari (Karnataka)

Chitradurga (Karnataka)

**Bauxite Deposits**:

Koraput (Odisha)

Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh)

Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka)

Kudremukh (Karnataka)

**Oil Fields**:

Moran, Makum, Digboi (Assam)

Hugrijan, Naharkatia, Janji (Assam)

Kalol, Ankleshwar (Gujarat)

Bassein, Mumbai High (Maharashtra)

Ratnagiri (Maharashtra)

**River Systems**:

**Brahmaputra** and its branches (Assam and Northeast)

**Ganga**

**Yarlung Tsangpe** (Tibet/China - international water source)

**Kaveri** (shared by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry)

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VOCABULARY TERMS

**Arghyam**: Offering, generally of water, as a mark of respect or gratitude

**Biodiversity Loss**: The decline in the variety of life on Earth

**Ecosystem Functions**: The inherent natural processes of an ecosystem

**Ecosystem Services**: Benefits that humans receive from ecosystem functions

**Exploitation**: In this context, extraction, utilization, and consumption of natural resources (not necessarily negative)

**Mulching**: Covering soil with organic material to retain moisture and prevent erosion

**Natural Resource Curse/Paradox of Plenty**: A phenomenon where regions rich in natural resources often experience slower economic growth

**Non-Renewable Resources**: Resources created over long periods that cannot be replenished at the rate we use them

**Regeneration**: Nature's ability to create new life and conditions for thriving

**Renewable Resources**: Resources that can be replenished naturally over time through Nature's processes

**Restoration**: The process of returning something to its original healthy state if degraded

**Stewardship**: Responsible and wise management of natural resources

**Sustainability**: Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

**Wootz Steel**: A high-quality steel produced in ancient India, highly valued in international trade

**Water Tower**: A geographic area (like the Himalayas) that produces and stores water in the form of glaciers and snow, supplying water to lower regions

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KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR STUDENTS

1. **Natural resources don't automatically become resources** - they must be technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable to use.

2. **Resources fall into three categories**: essential for life (air, water, food), for materials (wood, metals, minerals), and for energy (coal, petroleum, solar, wind).

3. **Renewable resources need careful management** - if we harvest faster than nature can regenerate, they become depleted. Examples include forests, water, and soil.

4. **Non-renewable resources are finite** - coal, petroleum, and metals take millions of years to form and cannot be regenerated at the rate we use them. India's coal will last only 50 more years.

5. **Uneven distribution shapes human life** - where resources are located determines where settlements grow, where industries develop, and where conflicts occur.

6. **Natural resource abundance doesn't guarantee prosperity** - the "natural resource curse" shows that many resource-rich regions remain underdeveloped.

7. **Punjab's groundwater crisis shows what unsustainable use means** - short-term gains (high agricultural production) led to long-term problems (groundwater depletion and contamination).

8. **Stewardship is essential** - we must respect Nature, maintain its cycles, reduce waste, and think about future generations when using natural resources.

9. **Traditional practices offer wisdom** - indigenous farming methods like using natural fertilizers and multi-cropping were sustainable; we must learn from them while developing modern solutions.

10. **Balance is key** - the challenge is not to stop using resources but to use them wisely so they continue to benefit current and future generations.