Social Science Answer The Following Questions In Brief.[5 Marks Each]

Natural resources are broadly classified into four divisions:

1. On the basis of level of development and use.
2. On the basis of origin.
3. On the basis of stock.
4. On the basis of distribution.

1. On the basis of level of development and use: Natural resources are divided into two sub-divisions that is actual resources and potential resources.

1. Actual resources: Actual resources are those resources whose quantity is known and is used in the present.
2. Potential resources: Potential resources are those resources whose entire quantity may not be known and these are not being used at present. These resources may be used in the future sometimes.

2. On the basis of origin: On the basis of their origin, the natural resources can be biotic or abiotic.

1. Biotic resources: Biotic resources include all the living resources and can reproduce.
2. Abiotic resources: Abiotic resources are non-living resources and they cannot be renewed or reproduced.

3. On the basis of stock: On the basis of stock, natural resources are of two types: renewable resources and non-renewable resources.

1. Renewable resources: It can be used endlessly, as it is renewed or replenished quickly. Some of these are unlimited and are not affected by human activities.
2. Non-renewable resources: These resources are limited in stock. Once they end up, then they cannot be replenished in a short period of time. It takes thousands of years to be renewed or replenished.

4. On the basis of distribution: On the basis of distribution natural resources can be ubiquitous or localised.

1. Ubiquitous resources: These resources are available everywhere on the earth like the air we breathe.
2. Localised resources: These resources are found only in certain places on the earth like copper and iron-ore.

1. Time and technology are two important factors that can change substances into resources.
2. Both are related to the needs of the people.
3. People themselves are the most important resource.
4. It is their ideas, knowledge, inventions and discoveries that lead to the creation of more resources.
5. Each discovery or invention leads to many others.

Resources are broadly classified into natural, human-made and human. Natural resources are those that are taken from nature. They are used without modifying them, i.e. in the same form as they exist in. Rivers, lakes, air, soils, minerals, trees, mountains, etc. are natural resources. Human-made resources have not been provided to us by nature. Human beings have used their intelligence to manufacture them for their own use. Examples include vehicles, buildings, roads, telephone, etc.
Human resources include people who serve us in any way. A teacher, doctor, carpenter, cobbler, etc are human resources.
On the basis of level,of development, a resource can be actual or potential. An actual resource is one which is used currently. We know their quantity. A potential resource is one whose utility is not known at present or is not used despite having utility; instead it may be useful at some time in future. It means that it has the potential to have utility, although it does not have any today.
On the basis of origin, a resource can be abiotic or biotic. A biotic resource is one that has life. An abiotic resource is non-living. Natural resources may also be classified as renewable and non¬renewable. A renewable resource can be used without any risk of its ending up. They exist in unlimited quantity. On the other hand, use of non-renewable resources need to be controlled since once they end up, they cannot be renewed.
On the basis of distribution, a resource can be ubiquitous or localised. A ubiquitous resource is found everywhere. A localised resource is however found in certain parts of the world only.

The resource referred to by the poet is the water. It is one of the most indispensable resources of life. It can be said to be one of the preconditions of life, like air. Firstly, water serves the most basic purpose of drinking, without which life is not possible. In the absence of water, one would be unable to clean clothes, utensils, or even take a bath. Farmers depend on water for irrigation. Rainwater is so important for proper agriculture. Water is also used in cooking food. Nowadays water has proved to be a useful source of electricity. Besides human beings, plants require water for their growth. Water is also required for various industrial purposes in factories. In short, no form of life can go on without water.

Some Principles of Sustainable Development:

1. Respect and care for all forms of life.
2. Improve the quality of human life.
3. Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.
4. Minimise the depletion of natural resources.
5. Change personal attitude and practices toward the environment.
6. Enable communities to care for their own environment.