Resources and Development

Geography • Class 10 Social Science • NCERT • CBSE

Resources are everything available in the environment that satisfies human needs. They can be natural or human-made, biotic or abiotic, renewable or non-renewable. Soil is the most important natural resource — India has eight major soil types, with alluvial soil being the most widespread.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of resources based on exhaustibility?
Renewable resources: Can be replenished naturally — solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, water, forest (if sustainably managed). Non-renewable resources: Finite, exhausted when used — coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore. Distinction matters for conservation planning — non-renewables must be used carefully.
What is alluvial soil and why is it the most important soil in India?
Alluvial soil is deposited by rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries). It covers about 40% of India's land area (mainly Northern Plains). It is the most productive agricultural soil — highly fertile, well-drained, easy to till. Supports major crops: wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulses. Two types: Khadar (newer, more fertile) and Bhangar (older, less fertile).
How can soil erosion be prevented?
Methods: (1) Contour ploughing — plough along contour lines, not downslope. (2) Terrace farming — cut horizontal steps on hillsides. (3) Strip cropping — alternate strips of crops and grass. (4) Shelter belts — plant trees in rows to reduce wind erosion. (5) Afforestation — plant trees on barren land. (6) Check dams — slow water flow and trap soil. (7) Banning overgrazing.

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