NATURAL RESOURCES

The material or things that provides us useful items and generally found in the form of
stock in nature are called natural resources.

The things that are required to satisfy our various needs can be termed as resources.

The environmental factors which are useful to man in certain respects are resources.

Resources donot means mere thing or material but also the functions performed by
them.

Several functions are performed by the different material to satisfy human needs, these
materials are also called resources.

Types of Resources
 On the basis of chemical composition organice and inorganic resources are two
types of resources.
 On the basis of availability and abundance resources are divided as
Inexhaustible and Exhaustible resources. The resources which will never run
out and supply of which will always be available are inexhaustible resources
but exhaustible resources will come to end sooner or latter by use, the supply
of these resources are limited.
 Resources can also divide as non-renewable and renewable resources.
Renewable resources can be produced or created by nature with the help of
natural cycles. Non-renewable resources can not be produce or created by
nature once they are used.

Forest Resources
only plants are capable to produce food on earth. All biotic factors depends on
plants directly or indirectly. In the process of photosynthesis with the help of
sunlight, water, minerals and carbon dioxide plants produces food. Different
types of medicines are derived from plants. Air purified by some plants. The
roots of plants keep the soil particles firmly together and helps in controlling soil
erosion. Forest keeps climate humid. The forest located on banks of river helps
in controlling floods. Forest are necessary to keep the climate pleasant. Raw
material for industries comes from forest. Food, clothing, shelter and basic
needs of man are fulfill by forest.
Water Resources
Nearly 71% of the surface of earth is covered by water. 97% of water is in the
sea which can not be used for drinking purpose. The remaining 3% water is
held in ice sheets, glaciers, river, lakes, wells, etc. which is potable. This clearly
indicates that water is also a rare natural resources. The power of falling water
is ued to generate electricity. Many chemical industries, leather industry, brick
making industries, pottery industries required water on large scale. Water also
required for constructional purpose. River and ocean water are used for
transport.
Mineral Resources
Mineral resources are exhaustible resources. Mineral resources are divided as
metallic and non-metallic resources.
Uranium, thorium, iron etc. are metallic resources. Asbestos, phosphorous,
sulphur, calcium etc. are non-metallic resources. The metallic and nonmetallic
minerals are used to produce many useful things. Uranium and thorium are
used to produce atomic energy and electricity. Asbestos is used in glass
making. Gold is used for making ornaments. Iron and aluminium is used to
manufacture domestic utensils and machine used in industries. Many minerals
are used in medicines. Distribution of minerals is uneven.
Energy Resources
Energy resources are of two types, conventional and non-conventional energy
resources. Fossil fuel like coal, mineral oil and natural gaes are conventional
resources. The fossil fuel are produced from the parts of plants and animals.
Long back forest were buried deep in earth. Due to high temperature buried
trees were converted into coal. The stocks of mineral oil inside earth were
formed because of the accumulation of oily matter that secretes from remains
of plants and animals. Conventional energy resources are exhaustible
resources.
Nonconventional energy resources are non-exhaustible and renewable
resources. Solar energy, wind energy and wave energy etc. are non-
conventional energy resources. These are relatively new and used in some
limited fields because they are in the experimental stage. Non-conventional
energy resources are non polluting resources.
Solar energy means the heat comes from sun. it is available in all parts of
the world. But the amount of solar energy changes from place to place which
affects on its use.
Wind energy means harnessing the power of blowing winds by setting up
wind mills. It is available everywhere over the surface of the earth. Wind energy
cannot be stored. Wind energy becomes economical only if the velocity of wind
is sufficiently high.
Wave energy:- The level of the sea water is not stable. During 24 hr. or in a
day the level of the sea water rises twice and decreases twice. When level of
 the sea water decline, is called as low tide and when rises called as high tide.
During period of high tide mighty sea waves are created and those waves dash
on sea coast. The force of these sea waves are used to produce energy. The
force of this water is used to generate electricity.
Conservation of Resources
Conservation of resources means the scheduling of resources use so as to
provide the greatest yield for the greatest number over the longest time period.
Conservation of resources means the optimum allocation of natural, huan and
cultural resources in the scheme of national development where by maximum
economic and social security will be assured.