Categorising Natural Resources
Categorisation helps us communicate ideas effectively. In Science, you classify things as living or non-living. Similarly, in Geography, we categorize resources based on specific criteria. One major method is based on their use.
1. Resources Essential for Life
These are resources without which biological survival is impossible. We cannot “manufacture” these; we can only take them from Nature.
- Air: Taken from the atmosphere.
- Water: Taken from rivers, ponds, and aquifers.
- Soil/Food: Cultivation relies on soil and biological organisms.
2. Resources for Materials
Humans create physical objects using gifts from Nature. We transform raw materials into utilities or art.
- Wood: Transformed into chairs, paper, or statues.
- Minerals: Gold for jewelry, marble for construction, iron for machinery.
- India’s Diversity: India’s vast geographical diversity provides a wide array of material resources, from timber in the northeast to marble in Rajasthan.
3. Resources for Energy
Energy is the cornerstone of modern civilization. It powers buildings, transportation, and industrial production.
- Fossil Fuels: Coal, petroleum, natural gas.
- Renewables: Sunlight, wind, flowing water.