Resources and Development - Long Answer Questions
Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
Development that takes place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise the needs of the future generations.
A declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro) to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on common interests. Aim: Every local government should draw its own Agenda 21.
A complex process involving: 1. Identification and inventory of resources (surveying/mapping). 2. Evolving a planning structure with technology/skills. 3. Matching resource plans with national development plans.
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion.
Deep channels cut by running water through clayey soils. The land becomes unfit for cultivation (Bad land/Ravines in Chambal).
When water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope so that the top soil is washed away.
Black Soil. Ideal for growing cotton. Found in Deccan trap (Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa). Made of lava flows.
Derived from Latin word 'later' meaning brick. Develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall (leaching). Good for cashew nuts (with manure). Found in Karnataka, Kerala, TN.
Khader: New alluvial soil, more fertile, fine particles. Bhangar: Old alluvial soil, has kankar nodules, less fertile.
The area up to 200 nautical miles from the coast where the country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit resources.
Materials in environment which have potential to satisfy needs but humans lack technology to access them (e.g., Hydrogen in water as energy source).
Subset of stock which can be put into use with existing technology but use has not started (kept for future).
Mining, Overgrazing, Over-irrigation (salinity), Industrial effluents.
Ploughing along the contour lines to decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.
Rows of trees planted to check wind movement and protect soil.
Red to brown in colour. Sandy/Saline. Found in Rajasthan. Lacks humus/moisture.
Area sown with crops at least once in a year.
Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area.
Mahatma Gandhi.
Resources and Development - Important Facts
Rio de Janeiro Summit (1992): First International Earth Summit.
Land use in India: 43% Plains, 30% Mountains, 27% Plateaus.
Forest area is 24.56% (Desired is 33%).
Waste land: Rocky, arid, desert areas.
Overgrazing is main cause of degradation in Gujarat/Rajasthan/MP.
Mining is main cause in Jharkhand/Chhattisgarh/Odisha.
Over-irrigation in Punjab/Haryana/UP causes salinity.
Alluvial soil covers 40% of India (Northern Plains).
Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks (Iron diffusion makes it red).
Black soil is rich in Calcium Carbonate, Potash, Lime (Poor in Phosphoric contents).
Laterite soil is acidic (pH < 6.0).
Sheet erosion is common in plains.
Terrace farming controls erosion in Himalayas.
Strip cropping uses grass strips to break wind force.
Resources are a function of human activities.
Biotic resources have life (Flora, Fauna).
Abiotic are non-living (Rocks, Metals).
Renewable: Solar, Wind, Water.
Non-renewable: Minerals, Fossil Fuels.
Individual Resources: Private land/house.
Community Resources: Grazing grounds, ponds.
National Resources: All minerals, water, forests within political boundary + 12 nautical miles sea.
International Resources: Open ocean beyond 200 nm.
Club of Rome advocated resource conservation in 1968.
Schumacher wrote 'Small is Beautiful' (1974).
Brundtland Commission Report (1987) introduced Sustainable Development.
Resources and Development - Important Dates/Terms
Rio Earth Summit
Brundtland Report
Small is Beautiful published