Resources

0% Watched
Video progress will update as you watch

Description:

  • This chapter introduces the concept of resources as the foundation of human survival and development. A resource is anything that has utility (usefulness) and value to satisfy human needs. For example, water quenches thirst, forests provide oxygen and wood, and knowledge helps in solving problems—all of these are resources in different forms.

Types of Resources:

  • Natural Resources – These are obtained directly from nature, often without modification.
  • Human-Made Resources – Natural materials that humans have transformed into useful products using technology. For example, roads, buildings, bridges, machines, and vehicles.
  • Human Resources – People themselves are resources. Their knowledge, skills, health, and creativity make them capable of developing and managing other resources. Education and health care improve the quality of human resources.

Components of Environment

  • Natural Environment → Land, water, air, plants, animals.
  • Human-made Environment → Parks, buildings, roads, industries, monuments.
  • Human Environment → People, families, communities, religion, education, politics.

Importance of Conservation:

  • The chapter stresses that careless use of resources can lead to depletion and environmental imbalance. Even renewable resources like water, soil, and forests can become scarce if misused. Conservation means using resources carefully, recycling, reusing, and reducing waste.

Sustainable Development:

  • A central theme of the chapter is sustainable development, which means using resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It requires:
    • Respect and care for all life forms.
    • Conserving biodiversity.
    • Reducing pollution and waste.
    • Encouraging responsible consumption.

Link with Environment Studies:

  • This chapter strongly connects with EVS because it explains the interdependence between humans and the environment. It shows how nature provides essential resources, how humans transform and use them, and why balance and conservation are crucial for the planet’s survival.