Learning Objective
- Development of Resources
- Resource Planning
- Resource Planning
- Resource Planning in India
- Land Resources
- Land Utilisation
- Land Use Pattern in India
- Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
- Soil as a Resource
- Classification of Soils
- Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation
Resources are elements in our environment that fulfill our needs and are available through technology, affordability, and cultural acceptance. Humans play a vital role in this process by transforming environmental materials into usable resources.
Classification of Resources
Resources can be classified in the following ways:
(a) On the basis of origin – biotic and abiotic
(b) On the basis of exhaustibility – renewable and non-renewable
(c) On the basis of ownership – individual, community, national and international
(d) On the basis of the status of development – potential, developed stock and reserves
Development of Resources
Human indiscriminate resource use has caused:
- Depletion driven by greed, neglecting broader needs.
- Concentration of resources among few, widening societal gaps.
- Global ecological crises like warming, pollution, and degradation.
Resource planning is crucial for sustainable existence, where development meets present needs without compromising the futures.
Resource Planning
In India, resource availability varies regionally, with some areas self-sufficient while others face critical shortages. This highlights the need for balanced resource planning across national, state, regional, and local levels.
Resource Planning in India
Resource planning is a multifaceted process involving:
(i) Identifying and inventorying resources nationwide through surveys, mapping, and estimation.
(ii) Establishing a planning structure with suitable technology, skills, and institutions to implement development plans.
(iii) Aligning resource plans with national development goals.
Effective resource utilization requires technological advancements and institutional changes. India has pursued resource planning since its First Five Year Plan.
To curb irrational consumption and overuse, resource conservation across various levels is crucial.
Land Resources
India’s land features diverse relief forms: mountains, plateaus, plains, and islands. This land sustains natural life, economic activities, and vital infrastructure like transport and communication systems.
Land Utilisation
Land resources are used for the following purposes:
- Forests
- Land not available for cultivation
a) Barren and wasteland
b) Land put to non-agricultural uses
- Fallow lands
- Other uncultivated lands (excluding fallow land)
- Net sown area
Land Use Pattern in India
The use of land is determined
Physical factors: such as topography, climate, soil types
Human factors: such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions etc.
The data below represents the land use pattern in India.
- Waste land is the land put to other non-agricultural uses which include rocky, arid and desert areas, roads, railways, industry etc. Continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking appropriate measures to conserve and manage it, has resulted in land degradation.
Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
Human activities, like deforestation and mining, have led to significant land degradation in India. Efforts to mitigate this include:
- Afforestation and managing grazing sustainably.
- Planting shelter belts of plants to combat erosion.
- Stabilizing sand dunes with thorny bushes.
- Efficiently managing wastelands.
- Regulating mining activities.
- Treating and responsibly disposing of industrial effluents and wastes.
Soil as a Resource
Soil, vital for plant growth and supporting life, is a renewable resource formed over millions of years. Forces like temperature changes, water flow, wind, and biological activity shape it. Factors like parent rock, climate, vegetation, and time influence its formation. Chemical and organic processes, along with organic (humus) and inorganic materials, define soil composition.
Classification of Soils
India’s soils are classified based on factors like formation, color, thickness, texture, age, and properties. Types include:
Alluvial Soils
- Northern plains primarily consist of alluvial soil, deposited by major Himalayan rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. It’s also found in regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and eastern coastal plains, especially in deltas of rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
- Alluvial soil contains varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay, with larger particles in river valleys and coarser soil towards the upper sides. Based on age, it’s classified as old (Bangar) with more kanker nodules, and new (Khadar) with finer particles and higher fertility.
- Rich in nutrients like potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, alluvial soils support the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat, and other crops.
Black Soil
- Black soil, also known as regur soil, is characterized by its black color and is ideal for cotton cultivation. It forms due to climatic conditions and parent rock material, notably found in the Deccan trap (Basalt) region, comprising lava flows.
- Covering plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and extending into the Godavari and Krishna valleys, it consists of extremely fine clayey material known for moisture retention.
- Rich in nutrients like calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash, and lime, it’s sticky when wet and requires immediate tilling after rainfall or during the pre-monsoon period for ease of workability.
Red and Yellow Soils
- Red soil, originating from crystalline igneous rocks, occurs in low rainfall areas of the eastern and southern Deccan plateau. Its reddish hue results from iron diffusion in crystalline and metamorphic rocks, appearing yellow when hydrated.
- Distributed in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern regions of the middle Ganga plain, and along the Piedmont zone of the Western Ghats, this soil type is characteristic of these regions.
Laterite Soil
- Laterite soil forms in tropical and subtropical climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, resulting from intense leaching due to heavy rain. It’s acidic (pH<6.0) and often lacks essential plant nutrients.
- Found mainly in Southern states, the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, Odisha, parts of West Bengal, and northeast regions, it supports deciduous and evergreen forests but is humus-poor. Despite its nutrient deficiencies, laterite soil is excellent for cultivating tea and coffee.
Arid Soils
- Arid soils vary from red to brown and are typically sandy and saline. In some regions, high salt content allows for common salt extraction through water evaporation.
- These soils lack humus and moisture. Kankar, formed by increasing calcium content downwards, occupies lower soil horizons, limiting water infiltration due to its hard layers.
Forest Soils
Mountain soils are prevalent in hilly and mountainous regions, with loamy and silty texture in valleys and coarser grains on upper slopes. In Himalayan snow-covered areas, denudation occurs, resulting in acidic soil with low humus content. However, on river terraces and alluvial fans, these soils are fertile.
Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation
- Soil erosion, the removal of soil cover through natural forces or human activities, is exacerbated by deforestation, over-grazing, construction, mining, and poor farming methods.
- Running water creates gullies in clayey soils, rendering land unfit for cultivation, termed as bad land. Sheet erosion occurs when water flows as a sheet, washing away topsoil. Wind erosion involves loose soil being blown off flat or sloping land.
Different Ways for Soil Conservation
- Contour ploughing slows water flow along contour lines. Terrace cultivation in the Western and Central Himalayas helps control erosion.
- Strip cropping divides large fields into strips with grass between crops, reducing wind force. Shelter belts, rows of trees planted for stability, aid in stabilizing sand dunes and desert areas in western India.
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