Natural Resources and Their Use

1. The Big Questions of the chapter

This chapter (from Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Part 1) opens with three "Big Questions" that the whole chapter answers:

• How do we categorise natural resources?
• What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?
• What are the implications of unsustainable use / over-exploitation of natural resources?

The opening quote by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac sets the tone: we must move toward a regenerative economy that works in harmony with Nature, minimising waste and replenishing depleted resources.

2. When does Nature become a Resource?

"Nature" means the totality of life and non-life forms in our environment that were not created by humans. Trees, for instance, exist independently of us. They become a resource only when humans use them for sustenance or convert them into something for consumption — when we cut a tree and turn its wood into furniture, we see the tree as a resource.

But not everything in Nature is automatically a resource. For an entity to be called a resource, it must satisfy three conditions:

• Technologically accessible — we must have the technology to reach and extract it (e.g. petroleum deep under the ocean is useless without rigs).
• Economically feasible — its extraction cost must not be too high.
• Culturally acceptable — using it must be acceptable to the community (e.g. cutting trees in sacred groves may not be acceptable).

Here the word "exploitation" is used in a neutral sense — it simply means the extraction, utilisation and consumption of natural resources, not something negative. The Earth holds treasures formed over millions of years: obvious ones like water, air and soil, and less obvious ones like coal, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores and timber.

In short: "natural resources" are materials and substances that occur in Nature and are valuable to humans. (Think of it: even the plastic button on your shirt traces back to Nature — petroleum.)

3. Categories of natural resources — by use

In science we categorise things using shared characteristics (criteria) and give the categories names, so we can discuss ideas without describing them every time. One way to categorise resources is by the uses we put them to:

• Resources essential for life — the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat (grown in soil). We cannot make these ourselves; life on Earth could not exist without them.
• Resources for materials — Nature's gifts that humans turn into useful or beautiful objects: a piece of wood becomes a chair or a carved statuette. India's geographical diversity gives a wide variety — "from wood to marble, and coal to gold".
• Resources for energy — energy is a cornerstone of modern living (electricity for buildings, transport, production). It comes from diverse sources: coal, water, petroleum, natural gas, sunlight, wind, etc.

4. Renewable and non-renewable resources

A second way to categorise resources is by whether they are renewable or not. This rests on a key principle of Nature.

Restoration is the process of returning something to its original healthy state after it has been degraded (a cut on your skin heals; a forest recovers after a wildfire). Regeneration goes beyond restoration — it is Nature's ability to create new life and the conditions for thriving.

Nature works in cycles where there is no waste: a fallen tree decomposes with bacteria, fungi and insects, becomes part of the soil and enriches it; new trees grow from seeds, and the cycle starts again.

Renewable resources

These can renew themselves over time: rivers fed by rain and melting glaciers, forests that regrow, soil that replenishes naturally. Solar energy, wind energy, energy from flowing water, and timber from forests are renewable — but only if managed sustainably. The condition is that the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed. If we harvest timber faster than the forest can grow trees, we will deplete the forest.

Irresponsible human action has disturbed many of Nature's cycles. Fossil-fuel-driven industrialisation and the cutting down of forests for agriculture are two factors that have led to rising temperatures. As a result, glaciers in parts of the Himalayas are melting faster than precipitation can replace them, threatening the water security of plains populations dependent on this "water tower".

Non-renewable resources

These are created over very long periods and cannot be replenished at the rate we use them. Examples: fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) and minerals/metals like iron, copper and gold. India has significant coal reserves, but it is estimated they may last only about another 50 years while demand keeps rising. Until sustainable options become widely available, we must use coal judiciously.

5. Distribution of natural resources and its implications

Natural resources are not evenly distributed across the planet or even within a country. Fig. 1.11 in the book shows India's uneven spread of coal, oil, iron ore and bauxite (e.g. coal at Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro; oil at Mumbai High, Digboi; iron ore at Bailadila, Kudremukh; bauxite at Amarkantak, Koraput).

This uneven distribution shapes:

• Human settlements and the growth of townships around resource-rich areas.
• Employment — industries near resources create jobs and improve quality of life.
• Trade patterns and international relations — national and international trade depend on the geographical location of resources. Combined with human skill, this can create unique products like Wootz steel; trade fuelled the rise of large empires in India.
• Conflicts — many wars have been fought to control resources. Benefits also bring costs: people in resource-rich areas are sometimes displaced, and their sacred places come under threat, leading to conflicts.

Because Nature does not respect political boundaries, sharing resources causes tensions. Example: the sharing of Kaveri (Cauvery) river water among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry required negotiation and careful management to keep peace and ensure fair sharing.

6. The 'Natural Resource Curse'

Having abundant natural resources does not guarantee economic prosperity. Some resource-rich regions actually grow more slowly — economists call this the 'natural resource curse' or the 'paradox of plenty'. Often such economies fail to develop the industries that convert raw resources into higher-value products.

India has generally avoided this curse by investing in industries to meet its growing needs. The lesson: resources alone are not enough — human knowledge, good governance and strategic planning decide whether resources become lasting benefits or temporary windfalls.

7. Responsible and wise use: Stewardship

Sustaining life on Earth requires that we respect Nature and use resources in a way that enables the restoration and regeneration of renewables and the responsible, judicious use of non-renewables. We must act as stewards (caretakers) of natural resources.

Scientists warn that the irresponsible treatment of resources has caused pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change at an increasing pace. (Biodiversity loss = the decline in the variety of life on Earth.)

(a) Restoration & regeneration of renewables — groundwater

Many farmers extract groundwater for irrigation faster than the water table can be replenished. This builds a deficit, raises extraction costs, and can make water unavailable — many growing cities may run out of groundwater soon. Remedies: traditional water harvesting, rejuvenation of ponds and tanks, cutting wasteful use, and processing and reusing water.

(b) Soil and chemical inputs

Improper use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides leads to soil degradation. Traditional farming treated soil as part of Mother Earth, using cow dung, natural fertilisers, mulching and multi-cropping for holistic soil management. We must replenish and rejuvenate our soil.

8. Caselets and examples (very exam-useful)

• Punjab groundwater (1960s onwards): the shift to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy (the Green Revolution) needed more water; free power encouraged over-pumping; chemicals dissolved in the water. Result — groundwater in much of Punjab is now inaccessible till about 30 m depth, with chemicals causing health hazards; almost 80% of Punjab is classified as 'over-exploited'. Food security was ensured short-term, but long-term consequences must now be healed.
• The case of cement: cement is essential (houses, bridges, roads) but its production is one of the most polluting industries — fine dust harms lungs, settles on leaves reducing yields, and pollutes soil and water. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has guidelines to minimise this; alternatives include stone, mud, plant-based materials and recycled waste plastic. (Fig. 1.18 — Jaisalmer fort, a mud structure; Fig. 1.19 — Auroville earthen building.)
• Vṛikṣhāyurveda: an ancient Indian botanical science (formalised in Surapala's text around the 10th century CE) advising which plants suit which soils, seed preservation, irrigation, natural pest repellents, crop rotation and gentle ploughing to retain soil moisture and protect soil organisms.
• Sikkim organic farming: Pema's family farm switched from chemicals to compost and neem/garlic pest repellents and multi-cropping. In 2016 Sikkim became a 100% organic state; biodiversity flourished, tourism rose, and farmers' incomes grew by about 20% — a global model of sustainable farming.
• Solar energy & ISA: India and France launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015 for sunshine-rich countries. The Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan symbolises India's solar shift; one large Rajasthan solar park can power about 15% of the state's current needs.
• Ecosystem facts: a mature tree produces about 275 litres of oxygen per day, while a human needs about 350 litres per day. A forest filtering water, preventing soil erosion and giving habitat are ecosystem functions; when humans benefit from them, we receive ecosystem services.

9. Responsible use of non-renewables & fairness

For non-renewables, we must use them so they last long enough for humanity to find sustainable alternatives — for example, switching to renewable energy for as many purposes as possible.

We must also remember that access to resources — even basic ones like water and clean air — is often unfair to some sections of society. In cities, many areas lack adequate drinking water, and air pollution from industries and fossil fuels hits those least able to protect themselves. The chapter ends with the idea of lokasangraha (from the Bhagavad Gītā) — transcending personal desire to act for the wellbeing of all.

10. Key terms & definitions

• Natural resource — a material or substance that occurs in Nature and is valuable to humans.
• Renewable resource — one that can renew/regenerate over time (sun, wind, flowing water, forests, soil) — if used sustainably.
• Non-renewable resource — one formed over very long periods that cannot be replenished at the rate of use (coal, petroleum, iron, copper, gold).
• Restoration — returning something to its original healthy state after damage.
• Regeneration — Nature's ability to create new life and the conditions for thriving (beyond restoration).
• Exploitation (neutral) — the extraction, utilisation and consumption of natural resources.
• Ecosystem functions — Nature's inherent ways of working (a forest filtering water, producing oxygen).
• Ecosystem services — the benefits humans receive from those functions (clean water, pollinated crops).
• Natural resource curse / paradox of plenty — resource-rich regions failing to prosper.
• Stewardship — acting as responsible caretakers of natural resources.
• Biodiversity loss — the decline in the variety of life on Earth.
• Sacred groves — patches of forest protected by communities for cultural/religious reasons.
• Arghyam — an offering, generally of water, as a mark of respect or gratitude.

11. NCERT "Questions and activities" — answered

Q1. What can make what is today a renewable resource non-renewable tomorrow? Describe actions that can prevent this.
Using a renewable faster than its rate of restoration/regeneration breaks Nature's rhythm — e.g. cutting timber faster than forests regrow, or extracting groundwater faster than the water table refills. Prevention: harvest within natural limits, replant native trees, practise rainwater/water harvesting, rejuvenate ponds and tanks, reuse water, avoid overfishing, and shift to renewable energy.

Q2. Name five ecosystem functions that serve humans.
(i) Trees producing oxygen; (ii) forests filtering water for clean supply; (iii) preventing soil erosion; (iv) providing habitat for animals; (v) pollination of crops. (Also: decomposition that enriches soil; climate regulation.)

Q3. What are renewable resources? How are they different from non-renewable ones? How can we keep renewables available for future generations? Give two examples.
Renewable resources renew themselves over time (e.g. solar energy, forests); non-renewable ones (coal, petroleum) form over millions of years and cannot be replenished at the rate of use. We keep renewables available by using them within their rate of regeneration — sustainable harvesting, replanting, water harvesting and not disturbing Nature's cycles.

Q4. Identify cultural practices in your home and neighbourhood that point to mindfulness in the use of natural resources.
Examples: offering arghyam (water) to the Sun in gratitude; Tulasī puja and treating plants/rivers as sacred; protecting sacred groves; reusing water; using cow dung and natural fertilisers; refraining from fishing in the spawning season.

Q5. What are some considerations to keep in mind in the production of goods for our current use?
Use resources judiciously; prefer renewable materials and energy; minimise waste and pollution (treat industrial waste before discharge); recycle and reuse; choose less-polluting alternatives (stone, mud, recycled plastic); and ensure the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration is not disturbed — i.e. produce sustainably for present and future generations.

12. Quick revision checklist

• Resource = useful + accessible + economically feasible + culturally acceptable.
• By use: essential for life / materials / energy.
• Renewable (sun, wind, water, forests, soil) vs non-renewable (coal, petroleum, iron, copper, gold).
• Nature = restoration + regeneration in waste-free cycles; renewables stay renewable only within their rate of regrowth.
• Uneven distribution → settlements, trade, conflicts (Kaveri); 'resource curse' = plenty without prosperity.
• Stewardship: restore renewables, use non-renewables judiciously; shift to renewable energy (ISA, Bhadla).
• Caselets: Punjab groundwater, cement pollution, Sikkim organic, Vṛikṣhāyurveda.