Resources and Development

Resources are the greatest blessing of nature. These resources help in the existence of human life along with the development in all the spheres. If we talk about human life or other forms of life, these resources play a vital role. Here, we've provided a summary of resources and development. Go through it to find out why resource utilisation and development planning is important.

What Do You Mean By Resource Development?

Resource development means the development of natural resources effectively and efficiently without harming the environment or human existence. The benefits of resource development are not only for the present but also for future generations.

Types of Resources

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A. In Terms of Origin - Biotic and Abiotic:

Under this, resources can be classified into two types :

• Biotic Resources are part of the biosphere which have life. For example, Human Beings, animals, fisheries, etc.

• Abiotic Resources are non-living things that do not have life such as rocks, metals or non-metals, etc.

B. In Terms of Exhaustibility - Renewables and Non-Renewable:

These are divided into two parts :

• Renewable resources are those

resources that can be renewed with some processes are abundant in nature such as solar energy, wind energy, forests, etc.

• Non-renewable resources are those which are not abundant in nature. It took millions of years for the formation which can be exhausted one day. For example Coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.

C. In Terms of Ownership - Individual, Community, National and International:

These can be divided into the following four categories :

• Individual Resources are those which are privately owned by an individual. For example, land owned by a farmer, plot, houses, flats, or other property owned in urban areas, etc.

• Community Owned Resources are those resources that are owned and used by the community people and not owned by a single person. For example public parks, playgrounds, burial grounds, etc.

• National Resources are those which come under the territory of any nation. Resources coming under 12nm from the coast of the country are called national resources. A nation can acquire private property as well for public welfare.

• International Resources are those which do not belong to anyone particular country such as open sea and space etc. These resources are managed by international institutions.

D. In Terms of Status of Development - Potential, Mineral Reserves and Stock

These can be classified into the following four categories :

• Potential Resources are those resources of any region which have great potential but have not been utilized. Such as oil reserves of the Middle East, dark soil of the Deccan plateau, etc.

• Developed Resources are those which have been surveyed for the determination of their presence but their development is based on technology or their feasibility levels.

• Stock is a form of those resources which are abundant in nature but human beings do not know how to utilize them. For example, Hydrogen can be a great source of energy but we don't know how to use it.

• Reserves are considered to be part of stocks. These resources can be used with presently available technology but have not been started yet. For example water in the dams is a reserve.

Development of Resources

Resources are the vital gift of nature which is most important for human survival on this earth. The world has developed so much because of the availability of a wide range of resources. Extreme usage of natural resources for centuries led to the major problems:

• Continuously depletion of resources for the fulfilment of greedy human needs

• Division of the society into two parts ie. Haves and have nots because of the accumulation of major resources in a few rich hands.

• The emergence of global crises such as pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, climate change, etc.

Resource Utilisation and Development Planning

If we continue to use and exploit the resources, then the future of the earth and human existence is in danger. Therefore, resource planning is necessary for equitable distribution and proper utilization as well as the development of the resources.

It plays an important in a country like India. There are regions that have huge resources but lack other facilities. For example, there are huge water resources available in Arunachal Pradesh but it lacks infrastructural development. Rajasthan also has great potential for solar energy development but has not been yet utilized.

Thus, resource planning is required at local, regional, state, and national levels.

Steps in Resource Planning

• Identification and documentation of the various resources of the country through survey, mapping, measurement, etc.

• Creation of planning structure to implement the resource development plans with the help of skills, technology, and set up institutions.

• Complement the resource plans with national plans.

Conservation of Resources

Extreme usage of resources will lead to various problems for the environment and human existence. Therefore, the conservation of resources is necessary to conserve them for future generations.

Land Utilisation and Planning

The lithosphere is an important part of the biosphere where life actually exists. The land is utilized for various purposes like forests, agriculture, non-agriculture purposes, houses, etc. Following land conservation and planning steps can be taken to protect the land resource :

• Keeping a check on the various human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining, etc.

• Waste disposal is done by the industries in water which leads to land degradation also needs to be check.

• Managing and using the waste Lands.

• Usage of barren land for non-agricultural purposes.

Soil Conservation

It takes a number of years for the formation of the soil which helps in plant growth and is the home of various living organisms. Excessive use of soil leads to soil erosion and degradation. The following methods can be adopted for the conservation of the soil.

• Ploughing should be done in the right way as per the form of the soil

• Contour ploughing can be done to decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.

• Terrace farming can be adopted in hilly areas

• Strip cropping can be done by forming strips of grass in large areas.

Did You Know?

We have read the summary of resources and development. Now, let us find out an interesting fact about it. The first-ever environmental summit at the international level was done in the year 1992 in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where more than 100 states participated to discuss and finding solutions to environmental problems. This summit is called Earth Summit 1992 as well.