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1. Natural Resources And Their Use

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What Do You Already Know?

Check your existing knowledge about natural resources and the environment before we begin our journey.

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Foundational Understanding

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The Big Picture: Our Relationship with Nature

An introduction to the fundamental questions about natural resources and how everything we use connects back to nature.

Natural Resources and Their Use

The Big Questions:

How do we categorize natural resources?
What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?
What are the implications of unsustainable use and over-exploitation of natural resources?

"We must move toward a regenerative economy, an economy that operates in harmony with nature, repurposing used resources, minimizing waste, and replenishing depleted resources. We must return to the innate wisdom of nature herself, the ultimate regenerator and recycler of all resources."

— Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac in 'The Future We Choose'

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Building Your Vocabulary

Master these everyday English words to better understand the chapter content.

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Essential Technical Terms

Learn the key terminology you'll need throughout this chapter on natural resources.

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When Nature Becomes a Resource

Understanding the conditions that transform elements of nature into resources that humans can use.

When Does Nature Become a Resource?

Nature is the totality of life and non-life forms that are part of our environment but have not been created by humans.

Trees exist in forests whether humans are there or not. Rivers flow, mountains stand tall, and the sun shines—all independent of human existence.

But when does Nature become a resource?

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Nature to Resource: Visual Examples

See how different elements of nature are transformed into resources through human technology and effort.

A microhydel plant in Himachal Pradesh converting flowing water power into electricity

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Flowing river water (Nature) \to Electricity through microhydel plant (Resource)

An offshore oil rig extracting petroleum from below the seabed

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Petroleum under seabed (Nature) \to Extracted oil (Resource) - Requires advanced technology

Gentle ploughing with oxen causing minimal disturbance to underground ecosystem

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Soil ecosystem (Nature) \to Agricultural land (Resource) - Sustainable when done gently

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Wild bees and flowers (Nature) \to Honey (Resource) - Renewable if harvested sustainably

Tulasi puja ceremony for wellbeing with decorated plant

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Sacred Tulasi plant - An example where cultural values define what becomes a resource

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Test Your Understanding: Key Definitions

Fill in the blanks to reinforce your understanding of what makes something a natural resource.

Fill in each blank with the correct word.

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Natural resources are materials and substances that occur in and are valuable to . However, not everything in nature automatically qualifies as a resource. For an element of nature to become a resource, three conditions must be met: it must be accessible (we need the technology to extract it), economically (the cost of extraction should be practical), and culturally (the use must align with community values). When these conditions are satisfied and humans begin using these elements, they transform from mere natural entities into .

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← backNCERT 8 Social Science next →1.1 Categorization

1. Natural Resources And Their Use

What Do You Already Know?

The Big Picture: Our Relationship with Nature

Natural Resources and Their Use

Building Your Vocabulary

Essential Technical Terms

When Nature Becomes a Resource

When Does Nature Become a Resource?

Nature to Resource: Visual Examples

Test Your Understanding: Key Definitions

1.1 Categorization

1.2 Renewable Vs Non-Renewable

1.3 Real-World Crisis

1.4 Distribution & Conflicts

1.5 Solutions & Stewardship

1.6 Assessment & Reflection

What Do You Already Know?

The Big Picture: Our Relationship with Nature

Natural Resources and Their Use

Building Your Vocabulary

Essential Technical Terms

When Nature Becomes a Resource

When Does Nature Become a Resource?

Nature to Resource: Visual Examples

Test Your Understanding: Key Definitions