Our Natural Resources Chapter Notes | Social Studies Class 5 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

Natural resources are the gifts of nature that help us live and survive on Earth. They include things like air, water, sunlight, soil, plants, animals, and minerals. Some resources can be used again and again, while others get used up over time. This chapter teaches us about different types of natural resources, how they are useful to us, and why we need to take care of them. It also explains how human activities can harm these resources and what we can do to save them for the future.

Meaning of Resources

• Resources are things we get from nature to meet our needs.
• Examples include air for breathing, water for drinking, sunlight for energy, fossil fuels for cooking, and natural plants for food.
• These resources are found all around us in our environment.

Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources are divided into two types: renewable and non-renewable resources.

Renewable Resources

• Renewable resources are those that are always available in nature and can be used again and again.
• They do not get used up easily and are part of our natural environment.
• Examples include air, water, sunlight, soil, plants, and animals.
• Some of these resources can be used directly, while others need to be processed by humans before use.

Air

• Air is very important for all living beings to survive.
• It is made of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases.
• Oxygen in the air is needed by animals and humans to breathe.
• Carbon dioxide in the air is used by plants to grow and survive.

Wind Energy

• Wind is moving air, and humans use it to produce energy.
• Wind energy is turned into electricity using big fans called windmills.
• Windmills are used to power activities like pumping water and grinding grains.
• Wind energy is also used in schools, offices, homes, and factories to produce electricity.

Water

• Water is a very important natural resource for all living beings.
• About 70 percent of the Earth is covered with water, but only 3 percent of it is safe for drinking.
• Water is found in rivers, lakes, wells, and underground sources.
• Clean drinking water is necessary for humans, animals, and plants to survive.
• Water is also used to produce electricity, which is called hydroelectric power.
• Hydroelectric power is made in large dams built on rivers.
• Some major hydroelectric projects in India are the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Andhra Pradesh, the Idukki Dam in Kerala, and the Bhakra Dam on the borders of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Solar Energy

• Solar energy comes from the Sun and is the most important source of energy for all living creatures.
• Plants and trees grow on Earth because of sunlight.
• Sunlight causes many weather changes, like rain and wind.
• Humans use solar energy to produce heat and electricity with the help of scientists and engineers.
• Solar energy is clean and does not cause pollution, making it environment-friendly.
• Solar panels are used to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity and heat.
• This energy is used for cooking food, heating water, running cars, and other daily tasks.
• Solar water heaters are used to heat water using solar energy.

Soil, Plants and Animals

• Soil is a natural resource that helps humans, plants, and animals live on Earth.
• Soil helps plants grow by giving them a place to take root and providing nutrients.
• Plants growing in soil provide food for all living beings.
• Humans grow food by farming on land using soil.
• Plants and forests give humans and animals food, shelter, and oxygen.
• Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which is essential for survival.
• Plants also help control global warming and climate change by reducing carbon dioxide in the air.
• Plants help conserve soil and bring rainfall by keeping the environment balanced.
• Animals are a very useful natural resource for humans.
• Animals help spread plant seeds, which helps new plants grow.
• Animals provide food like milk, eggs, and meat to humans.
• Animals are used for transport in many places, like camels in desert areas.
• Animal skin and bones are used to make many products, like leather goods.
• Waste and dead remains of plants and animals are used as manure to help soil grow better crops.
• Dead plants and animals buried underground for many years turn into fossil fuels like coal and petroleum.

Non-Renewable Resources

• Non-renewable resources are those that are available in limited amounts in nature.
• Once they are used up, they cannot be replaced in a short time.
• These resources take millions of years to form.
• Examples include fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, and minerals like iron, copper, and aluminum.

Coal

• Coal is a black or dark brown rock formed from the remains of plants and animals buried underground millions of years ago.
• Coal is an important source of energy for humans.
• It is mainly used for cooking, heating, and producing electricity.
• Coal mines in India are found in states like West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.

Petroleum

• Petroleum is a thick black liquid found underground and is also called black gold.
• It is a fossil fuel that forms over millions of years from plant and animal remains.
• Deep wells are dug to pump out crude oil, which is thick and black in color.
• Crude oil is refined in oil refineries to make products like petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
• Petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG are used as fuel for cooking and running vehicles.
• In India, oil fields are located in Mumbai in Maharashtra, Ankleshwar in Gujarat, and Digboi in Assam.

Minerals
Minerals are natural resources found in the Earth like iron, copper, and aluminum.

Iron

• Iron is a mineral that can be melted to make metal products.
• Iron is a hard metal used to make machines, tools, buildings, bridges, and automobiles.
• Iron is also used to make everyday items like utensils and furniture.
• In India, iron is found in large amounts in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa.

Copper

• Copper is considered the first metal used by humans.
• It is a soft metal and easy to shape.
• Copper is used to make tools, utensils, and electrical wires.
• In India, copper is mostly found in the states of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh.

Aluminum

• Aluminum is a lightweight metal used to make parts of airplanes, cars, trains, and boats.
• It is also used to make everyday items like utensils, foils, and cans.
• In India, aluminum is found in states like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.

Fun Fact

Saudi Arabia is the largest oil-producing country in the world.

Conservation of Natural Resources

• Nature has given us many resources to help us live and maintain balance in the environment.
• However, our natural resources are getting harmed because of human activities.
• Non-renewable resources are being used up too quickly and are becoming hard to find.
• Activities like cutting trees, using pesticides and insecticides, smoke from factories and vehicles, wasting water, and using plastics cause pollution in air, water, and soil.
• Many plants and animal species are becoming extinct because of these harmful activities.
• We need to take steps to save our natural resources for the future.

Steps to Conserve Natural Resources

• Reduce the use of vehicles that run on petrol or diesel to save fuel.
• Stop cutting down trees and forests to protect plants and animals.
• Plant more trees to maintain the balance of nature.
• Save electricity by switching off lights, fans, air conditioners, and other devices when not in use.
• Do not waste water and fix any leaks in taps to save water.
• Avoid using plastics because they harm the environment.

Points To Remember

• Nature gives us many things to help us survive, and these are called natural resources.
• Natural resources are classified into two types: renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Resources that can be used directly and in large amounts in nature are called renewable resources.
• Examples of renewable resources include air, water, soil, plants, animals, and sunlight.
• Resources that are available in limited amounts and cannot be replaced quickly are called non-renewable resources.
• Examples of non-renewable resources include fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, and minerals like iron, copper, and aluminum.
• We must take steps to conserve our natural resources to protect the environment.

Glossary

• Inexhaustible: Something that has no end or is available in very large amounts.
• Abundance: A very large quantity of something.
• Processed: Prepared by a special method.
• Replenished: Renewed or restored.
• Fluid: A substance that has no fixed shape, like a liquid.
• Crude: In its natural or raw state.
• Refined: Purified or processed to remove impurities.
• Depleting: Reducing or using up.