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

Introduction to Natural Resources

Everything we use (water, food, materials) comes from nature. These materials provided by nature become a resource only when humans know how to use it.

Examples:

  • Trees → Furniture

  • Water → Drinking, irrigation

​​​When Does Nature Become a Resource?

Nature includes all living and non-living things found naturally. When humans extract or use these elements, they become resources.

Conditions for a Resource

For a natural thing to be classified as a resource, it must be accessible, affordable, and culturally accepted.Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Some Important Natural Resources

Some resources are obvious and widely used; others are hidden and formed over millions of years.

  • Obvious Resources: Air, water, and soil — needed for breathing, drinking, and farming.

  • Less Obvious Resources: Coal, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores, and timber — used in energy, industry, and trade.

  • Exploitation: Using natural resources; can be fair (sustainable use) or unfair (overuse/wastage).

Categories of Natural Resources

Based on Use

  • Natural resources are classified by how humans utilise them.

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Based on Renewability

Natural resources are classified by whether they can be naturally replenished or not.

  • Renewable Resources → Can be replaced or regenerated naturally.
    Examples: Air, water, soil, forests, sunlight, wildlife.

  • Non-renewable Resources → Limited in supply; take millions of years to form.
    Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, metals, precious stones.

Let's explore the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Nature’s Cycles

  • Restoration = healing (e.g., forests regrow after fire).

  • Regeneration = creating new life (fallen tree decomposes → enriches soil).

  • Balance disturbed by: deforestation, overfishing, overuse of fossil fuels.

Human Impact on Natural Resources and Environment

Human activities affect natural resources and ecosystems in many harmful ways. These actions disturb environmental balance, reduce biodiversity, and threaten future sustainability.

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Distribution of resources — implications

Distribution of resources in India is uneven. Some states like Jharkhand and Odisha are rich in coal and minerals, while Punjab and Haryana have fertile soil, and southern states depend more on water and forests. This affects settlement, development, and sometimes causes disputes.

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Stewardship: Actions → Benefits

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

Case studies

Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Science  Class 8 - New NCERT

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FAQs on Cheatsheet: Natural Resources and Their Use - Social Science Class 8 - New NCERT

1. What are natural resources and how do they differ from other types of resources?
Ans.Natural resources are materials and components that can be found within the environment, used for economic gain or ecological benefit. They differ from other types of resources, such as human-made resources, because they are naturally occurring and are classified into renewable (like forests and water) and non-renewable (like fossil fuels and minerals) resources.
2. How does nature become a resource for human use?
Ans.Nature becomes a resource when humans identify and utilize its elements for various purposes, such as food, energy, and raw materials. This transformation often involves extracting, processing, and managing these resources sustainably to meet human needs without depleting them.
3. What are some examples of renewable and non-renewable resources?
Ans.Renewable resources include solar energy, wind energy, forests, and fish stocks, which can regenerate naturally over time. Non-renewable resources consist of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as minerals like gold and iron, which, once extracted, cannot be replaced within a human timeframe.
4. Why is the sustainable management of natural resources important?
Ans.Sustainable management of natural resources is crucial to ensure that these resources are available for future generations. It helps prevent depletion, protect ecosystems, and maintain biodiversity. Sustainable practices aim to balance human needs with environmental health.
5. How do human activities impact natural resources and their availability?
Ans.Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, overfishing, and urbanization can significantly impact the availability of natural resources. These practices can lead to resource depletion, habitat destruction, and ecological imbalance, making it essential to implement conservation strategies to mitigate these effects.
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