01.Resource and Development : Resource and the classification of resources

Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs is called a Resource.
It should be – technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. Only then, it can be termed as a ‘Resource’.
Examples are- Minerals, Forests, Fossil Fuels, etc.

(a) On the basis of Origin:

• Biotic – obtained from the biosphere and have life (human beings, flora, and fauna)
• Abiotic – all those things which are composed of non-living things (rocks and metals)

(b) On the basis of exhaustibility:

• Renewable – resources that can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical and mechanical processes (water, wildlife, forests)
• Non-renewable – resources which once get exhausted, cannot be remade. It takes millions of years in their formation(minerals, fossil fuels)

(c) On the basis of ownership:

• Individual (Personal) – owned by individuals. (own land, house)
• Community – resources that are accessible to all the members of the community (parks, playground)
• National – resources that belong to the nation. (roads, railways)
• International – resources that no individual country can utilize.  (oceanic waters beyond 200 km)

(d) On the basis of status and development:

• Potential – resources found in a region but not in use. (solar energy in Rajasthan, wind in Gujarat)
• Developed – resources that are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilization (Petroleum, liquid gas)
• Stock – resources available but do not have the appropriate technology to access (lack of technical know-how to use hydrogen and oxygen as a source of energy)
• Reserve – can be used for future needs (water in the dams)

Questions:

Q1. What do you understand as a ‘Resource’? Give examples.

Q2. Write the classification of resources on four different bases.

Q3. Give any two examples of non-renewable resources.

Q4. Explain four types of resources based on ownership and give one example of each type.

Q5. What is the difference between Stock and Reserve?