CBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources– Detailed explanation of the chapter ‘Resources’ along with question answers. Given here is the complete explanation of the lesson, along with all the exercises, Question and Answers given at the back of the lesson.
See Video Explanation of Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources
Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 – Resources
Introduction
We are able to use different items such as utensils, electricity, clothes, furniture, etc since they have different usability. When any object or thing takes the form of a usable resource, it becomes Usability or Utility. Use of an object represents its value. Every resource is valuable in its own sense.
Resources Class 8 Video Explanation
Explanation
The meaning of ‘Value’ is worth. The importance of a resource lies on its economic value. For example, metals may have higher economic value than that of landscapes. Both of these examples of resources are capable of satisfying the needs of human beings.
The economic value of some resources changes with time. For example, the herbs that our grandmothers suggested for certain illnesses may have no commercial value in today’s time. However, if you get these remedies and herbs patented using certain procedures, and sell it with the help of a medical firm, the economic value of those remedies and herbs would increase directly.
There are two factors that are responsible for changing substances into resources. These are time and technology. Both are important for completing the needs of people. Even we ‘People’ are an important resource. The creation of new resources have taken place only because of ideas, discoveries, knowledge and inventions carried on by people of different niches. Every discovery and invention has led to several newer ones as well. Once fire was discovered, it led to people learning to cook as well. Similarly, as the wheel was discovered, different modes of transport were discovered. As the creation of hydroelectricity with the help of technology was introduced, the fast-flowing water has been identified as an important resource.
Types of Resources
We classify resources on the following basis:
- Natural Resources
- Human-made Resources
- Human Resources
Natural Resources
Those resources which you can easily draw from nature and can use them directly without any further modification are known as Natural Resources. The water found in lakes and rivers, the air around us used for breathing, minerals of different types, soils – all these are examples of the natural resources that are present around us. We use all such resources directly. These are also free gifts from nature.
Further, Natural Resources are classified into Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources.
Those resources which are capable of getting replenished or renewed quickly are known as renewable resources. . Wind and solar energy are examples of such resources.
Few of such resources are present in unlimited amounts and any human activity can have no severe impact on such resources. If you continue to use renewable sources such as soil, water or forest in a careless manner, their stock would be affected in a severe manner. Although water is considered as a resource which is available in unlimited amounts, however, since they are drying up in higher amounts and shortage of water has resulted in many regions across the world facing several water-related issues.
Those resources whose stock is available in limited amounts in different parts of the world are non-renewable resources. If any of these resources get exhausted, it will take thousands of years for them to get replenished or renewed again. As this time period is more than that of the lives of humans, these resources are called non-renewable resources. The examples of such resources are petroleum, coal and natural gases.
How these two natural resources are distributed depends on several physical factors such as altitude, terrain and climate. These natural resources have unequal distribution because our earth consists of physical factors of different types.
Human Made Resources
Sometimes different natural resources take the form of a resource only when their original form is changed by humans. Earlier people didn’t consider Iron Ore a resource until they learnt the method of extracting iron from this Ore. Natural resources are useful in constructing various things such as vehicles, roads, bridges, buildings and machinery which are considered Human-made resources. Technology is another important example of human made resources.
Human Resources
As people gain skills, knowledge and technical advancements they start making good use of nature so that more resources could be created. This is the reason why humans are also considered as a significant resource. With the help of Education and health, people are transformed into valuable resources. The improvement of different skills in order to create more resources is known as Human Resource Development.
Conserving Resources
Using natural resources carefully and giving them time so that they get replenished or renewed is called resource conservation. Conserving the resources for future usage and balancing their need at the same time is known as Sustainable Development. Resources can be conserved in different ways. A person can contribute by reducing, recycling and reusing the goods. Since the life of every human being is linked with each othere, making a difference ultimately matters.
The future of our mother earth and its inhabitants depends on our ability to maintain it. It is the duty of every person to ensure that:
- Renewable resources are used in a sustainable manner.
- The diversity of life on the earth is conserved.
- Damage to the natural environment system is minimal.
Here are some easy ways of conserving resources-
- Make shopping bags with old newspapers, discarded clothes
- Make baskets with bamboo sticks
- Switch off electricity when not in use
- Prevent wastage of water by checking leakages and closing taps when not in use.
- Reuse water for washing and watering plants.
| Here are some Principles of Sustainable Development |
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Question and Answer
Q1. Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?
Answer. The physical factors of the earth vary at different places. It depends on various factors such as altitude, land and climate. As these factors are different in different places of our planet, therefore resources are distributed unequally over the earth.
Q2. What is resource conservation?
Answer. When the valuable resources presented by nature are used ethically and protected, this process is called resource conservation.
Q3. Why are human resources important?
Answer. With the help of their skills and knowledge that people acquire after getting an Education, they attain the ability to create the best use of natural resources by creating various resources. This is the reason why human resources are important.
Q4. What is sustainable development?
Answer: The process of conserving natural resources and balancing their usage in today’s life so that it can be used for future is known as sustainable development.
- Tick the correct answer.
(i) Which one of the following does NOT make the substance a resource?
(a) utility
(b) value
(c) quantity
Ans. (c) quantity
(ii) Which one of the following is a human-made resource?
(a) medicines to treat cancer
(b) spring water
(c) tropical forests
Answer: (a) medicines to treat cancer
(iii) Complete the statement.
Non-renewable resources are
(a) those which have limited stock
(b) made by human beings
(c) derived from non-living things
Answer. (a) those which have limited stock.