Natural Resources
Definition
- Natural resources are materials or components that occur naturally in the environment and are used by humans for survival, economic development, and maintaining ecological balance.
- FAO Definition (1997): “Natural resources are the natural endowments of land, water, vegetation, and wildlife that are used to satisfy human needs.”
Classification of Natural Resources
- Based on Origin
|
Type |
Examples |
|
Biotic Resources (from living organisms) |
Forests, wildlife, fish, fossil fuels |
|
Abiotic Resources (non-living) |
Water, air, minerals, sunlight, land |
- Based on Renewability
|
Type |
Description |
Examples |
|
Renewable Resources |
Replenish naturally within a short time |
Solar energy, wind energy, forests, water |
|
Non-Renewable Resources |
Limited in quantity; cannot be replenished quickly |
Fossil fuels, minerals, metals |
Fact: It takes millions of years for fossil fuels to form; hence they are exhaustible resources.
- Based on Availability
|
Type |
Examples |
|
Ubiquitous Resources (found everywhere) |
Air, sunlight |
|
Localized Resources (specific areas) |
Coal, petroleum, iron ore |
- Based on Development Stage
|
Type |
Description |
Example |
|
Potential Resources |
Available but not yet utilized |
Shale gas in India |
|
Developed Resources |
Surveyed and used presently |
Coal, hydroelectricity |
|
Stock Resources |
Known but cannot be used due to lack of technology |
Hydrogen as fuel |
|
Reserve Resources |
Can be used with existing technology |
Water in reservoirs |
Major Types of Natural Resources
i) Land Resources
- Total geographical area of India: 328.7 million ha
- Net sown area: ~140 million ha
- Forest area: ~24.6% of total (as per FSI 2023)
- Land degradation: Around 29% of India’s land is degraded due to erosion, salinity, and deforestation.
ii) Water Resources
- Total renewable water resources in India: ~1,869 billion cubic meters
- Utilizable water: 1,123 BCM (surface + groundwater)
- Per capita water availability (2021): 1,486 m³/year (declining trend)
- Major sources: Rivers (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari), groundwater, lakes, rainfall.
- Concern: Over-exploitation — India is the largest user of groundwater globally.
iii) Forest Resources
- India’s forest cover (FSI 2023): 21.7% of total area
- Tree cover: 2.9%
- Total green cover: 24.6%
- Biodiversity hotspot regions: Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, Sundaland.
- Major forest products: Timber, bamboo, resins, medicinal plants, fodder.
- Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): Contribute ~75% of forest export value.
iv) Mineral Resources
- India produces 95 minerals:
→ 4 fuels, 10 metallic, 23 non-metallic, and 55 minor minerals. - Major producers:
- Iron ore: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka
- Coal: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
- Mica: Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand
- Bauxite: Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand
- India’s Rank:
- 2nd in coal production (after China)
- 4th in iron ore reserves
v) Energy Resources
|
Type |
Description |
|
Conventional: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower |
|
|
Non-conventional: Solar, wind, biogas, tidal, geothermal |
- India’s energy mix (2023):
- Coal: 55%
- Renewable energy: 30%
- Hydro: 12%
- Nuclear: 3%
Target: India aims for 50% renewable energy capacity by 2030 under the Paris Agreement commitments.
vii) Wildlife Resources
- India has ~8% of global biodiversity.
- Protected areas:
- 108 National Parks
- 564 Wildlife Sanctuaries
- 99 Conservation Reserves
- 219 Community Reserves
- Flagship species: Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Indian Rhino, Snow Leopard.
- Projects: Project Tiger (1973), Project Elephant (1992).
Importance of Natural Resources
- Economic Development: Provides raw materials for industries.
- Employment Generation: Especially in agriculture, forestry, mining.
- Energy Supply: Vital for industrial and domestic activities.
- Ecological Balance: Forests, soil, and water regulate the environment.
- Food Security: Soil and water ensure sustainable agriculture.
