Key Concepts: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

When Does Nature Become a Resource?

Nature includes all things not made by humans—air, water, trees, minerals, etc..

An element becomes a resource when humans use it for their sustenance or transform it for consumption (e.g., trees for wood, petroleum for fuel).

Three conditions must be satisfied:
1. Technological accessibility 
2. Economic feasibility
3. Cultural acceptability 

Simply put: a resource is any part of nature that is useful, usable, and valued by people.

• Technologically Accessible: A natural resource we can get or use because we have the tools or machines needed.
• Economically Feasible: Using or obtaining a resource is possible without incurring excessive costs or effort.
• Culturally Acceptable: When using a resource fits with people's beliefs and traditions. For example, cutting trees in sacred forests might be unacceptable.

Exploitation: Taking and using natural resources. Here, it means the careful use of resources, not necessarily harming them.

Categories of Natural Resources

Resources are categorised by use and regeneration:

By Use:

• Essential for life: Air, water, soil, and food.
• Materials and beauty: Wood, marble, metal ores, coal, gold.
• Energy sources: Coal, water, petroleum, wind, and solar energy.

By Regeneration:

• Renewable resources: Can naturally replenish if not overused (solar energy, wind, flowing water, timber, fish). Depend on restoration and regeneration cycles.
• Non-renewable resources: Formed over millions of years; exhaustible and not quickly replaced (coal, petroleum, minerals). Require careful, limited use.

Key principle: Even renewable resources can become non-renewable if overexploited.

Distribution of Natural Resources and its Implications

Resources are unevenly distributed across the world and even within countries.Distribution of Natural Resources in the World

Impact areas:
1. Human Settlements: Towns and cities often grow near natural resources.
2. Economic Opportunities: Local industries, jobs, and infrastructure develop around resource sites.
3. Conflicts: Disputes may arise over access and sharing (e.g., river water among states, mineral-rich regions).
4. Trade and Development: Locations with resources can boost trade, but don’t guarantee prosperity for all.

Example: The distribution of coal, oil, and mineral deposits in India shapes industry, employment, and even national trade policies.

The ‘Natural Resource Curse’

Definition: Regions rich in resources sometimes experience slower economic growth—a paradox called the "resource curse" or "paradox of plenty."

Why does this happen?

• Overdependence on resource extraction may prevent the growth of diversified industries.
• Wealth from resources may benefit only a few, causing social and economic challenges.

India’s case: Investments in technology and skills have helped avoid this to some degree, but balancing extraction with sustainability remains a challenge.

Responsible and Wise Use of Natural Resources: Stewardship

Stewardship means respecting and caring for resources:

• Use only what is needed.
• Replenish what is taken to maintain restoration and regeneration cycles.
• Combine traditional knowledge (like water harvesting, crop rotation, organic inputs) with modern methods for sustainability.

Exploiting Natural Resources

Examples:

• Groundwater Crisis: Overuse for irrigation causes depletion (e.g., Punjab), requiring restoration efforts like recharging wells and rainwater harvesting.
• Soil Degradation: Excess chemical fertiliser use harms soil; organic methods offer alternatives.
• Cement Pollution: Modern building materials pollute; the use of local mud and stone can reduce harm.
• Success story: Sikkim transformed farming to fully organic, improving ecology and farmer incomes.

Responsible and Judicious Use of Resources

Judicious use means:

• Stretching non-renewable resources to last until sustainable alternatives are found.
• Monitoring the rate of renewable resource use to prevent depletion.
• Ensuring fair access to basic resources like water and air for all sections of society.

Example of Renewable Resources

Moral guidance: Ancient texts and traditions emphasise acting for the well-being of all—lokasangraha (common good) is key.
In practice:

• Switch to sustainable energy (solar, wind).
• Recycle, minimise waste, and support responsible consumption.