Concept Notes 1: Classification of Resources & Sustainable Development
1. Interdependent Relationship: Nature, Technology & Institutions
An object becomes a "resource" only when human beings interact with nature through technological tools and create institutions to accelerate economic development.
[ PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ]
(Nature)
^
|
+------------------+------------------+
| |
[ TECHNOLOGY ] <== [ HUMAN BEINGS ] ==> [ INSTITUTIONS ]
2. The Comprehensive Classification of Resources
| Basis | Category | Defining Characteristics | Indian Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Biotic | Obtained from biosphere; possess life. | Flora, fauna, fisheries, livestock, human population. |
| Abiotic | Composed of non-living inorganic matter. | Rocks, metallic ores, iron, copper, bauxite. | |
| Exhaustibility | Renewable | Replenished by physical, chemical, or biological cycles. | Solar energy, wind power, running water, forests, wildlife. |
| Non-Renewable | Take millions of geological years to form; exhaustible. | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, non-recyclable minerals. | |
| Ownership | Individual | Owned privately by individuals. | Farmlands, urban plots, private houses, pasture wells. |
| Community | Accessible to all members of a settlement. | Village grazing commons, burial grounds, public urban parks. | |
| National | All resources within political boundaries + territorial waters. | Minerals, forests, rail networks; water up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km). | |
| International | Oceanic zones beyond 200 nautical miles of EEZ. | Open oceans requiring clearance from international bodies (e.g., ISA). | |
| Development | Potential | Present in a region but not fully utilized due to lack of capital. | Solar energy in Western Rajasthan, wind energy in Gujarat. |
| Developed | Surveyed, quantified, and currently actively utilized. | Coalfields of Jharia/Raniganj, Mumbai High offshore oil rigs. | |
| Stock | Potential to fulfill needs, but lack required technical know-how. | Extracting hydrogen fuel cleanly and cost-effectively from water ($H_2O$). | |
| Reserves | Subset of stock usable with existing technology, held for future. | River waters stored in dams for future hydroelectricity and irrigation. |
3. The Imperative of Sustainable Development
- Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, while inflicting zero damage on the environment.
- Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992): Convened in Brazil with over 100 heads of state; established the Declaration on Environment and Development and adopted Agenda 21.
- Agenda 21 Objectives: Combat poverty, environmental degradation, and disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs, and shared responsibilities. Mandates every local municipality to draw up its own Local Agenda 21.