Resources Class 8 Notes: CBSE Geography Chapter 1

What are Resources?

Anything that can be used to fulfil a need and has some value is a resource. Substances like water, electricity, vegetables, cars and textbooks all have a specific utility and hence they are considered as resources. Some resources are economically valuable while some are not. Beautiful scenery does not have an economical value like gold, but it is equally important to satisfy human utility. Some resources may gain value with time while some may lose their value. 

Time and Technology

Time and technology play a significant role in changing substances into valuable resources. These two factors are related to the needs of the people. As people themselves are the most significant resource, their ideas, knowledge, inventions and discoveries with time lead to the formation of more resources. With the advancement of technology, every discovery or invention leads to many other subsequent ones. Here are a few examples:

• The discovery of fire gave the idea of cooking.

• Agricultural development came out as a result of domestication of animals.

• The invention of the wheel caused the invention of various modes of transport.

• The technology to produce hydroelectricity has resulted in the successful harnessing of energy present in fast-flowing water.

Types of Resources

Resources are classified into natural, man- made and human resources.

Natural Resources are extracted from nature and are mainly utilised without making any change in their form. For example, air, water, minerals, etc.

Man Made Resources are the ones which are made by humans. They are derived from natural resources but are not used in their original form. For example, roads, machines, etc.

Human Resources are the quality and quantity of humans who can use their skills to create more resources for mankind. Every human is a resource if they can create man made resources. 

The natural resources can be either Renewable or Non-Renewable. Renewable resources can be renewed easily and quickly and they can be used for millions of years. For example, sunlight, wind, etc. but the non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and get renewed so they can be used only for a few centuries. For example, coal, petroleum, etc.

The training and improvement of skills of a human by education is called Human Resource Development. It enhances the mental and physical capability of humans so that they can be of use to humanity.

Conservation of Resources

The use of resources for need, without greed is called conservation of resources. It enables the resources to be renewed for future generations. Also, when the resources are used in a manner that they remain useful for the future generations too, it is called Sustainable Development. We can do this by recycling and reusing things. We can also follow a reduction of use for the unimportant things in our life.

Principles of Sustainable Development

• Respect and care for all forms of life

• Improve the quality of human life 

• Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity 

• Minimise the depletion of natural resources 

• Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment 

• Enable communities to care for their own environment

Practise Questions along with Answers

1. Explain how resources have value.

Ans: Resources have a value if they are of any use to the people, directly or indirectly. The resources can either have a commercial value or they do not have a commercial value. Here are some examples:

Platinum is a resource that has economic value as we make many valuable products from it like jewellery.

A beautiful landscape that you observe may not have economic value but is still said to be a resource as it is functional in providing pleasure to the human mind.

2. What is wind energy and why is it becoming important?

Ans: Wind energy is the use of power of wind to generate electricity which we can use for other purposes. A turbine is rotated using wind energy and this generates electricity we can use. 

As wind turbines are an environmentally clean and sustainable renewable form of electricity, wind power is gaining popularity. Wind energy is also emerging as an economically competitive source of energy as compared to most conventional power sources. 

3. Why is a human resource important?

Ans: Human resources are important because humans are sometimes skilled and can be trained to make the best use of nature in order to use the existing resources and also generate more resources using the knowledge and technology that they gain over time.

4. Mention and define the major types of natural resources.

Ans: Broadly, there are two types of resources:

Renewable Resources whose availability is not affected by human consumption. These resources get renewed quickly even with constant human usage. 

Non-Renewable Resources which have a limited supply and are highly affected by human consumption. These resources decline with human consumption. They take thousands of years to get formed. For example, coal and petroleum.

Brief Explanation of Class 8 Geography chapter 1 Resources Notes:

This chapter is primarily concerned with resources such as transportation systems, power (electricity), food, and water. The chapter categorises these resources based on the usefulness that a product provides. One of the most important aspects of a resource is its usability and how the entire population of a country may profit from it. In other words, it must be valuable. Each thing or substance that has the potential to be valuable to humans is immediately turned into a resource on the spot. Furthermore, some resources are known to be efficient to use and to have inherent economic value. A student can learn about different types of resources in geography class 8. The notes contain very specific information on the topic, but it is best to consult the text-book before revising with class 8 geography chapter 1 notes.

Resources

Anything that can be converted into something of value is a resource. A resource is usually used to satisfy a need or a want of an economy. Resources are also involved in the ‘allocation of resources’ process that is involved in economics. That is the capacity for intersectionality that this chapter has. Moreover, resources are one of the most essential components of any business. Workforces, labour market, etc. are all examples of what all come under the umbrella term ‘resources’. 

Types of Resources 

Universally, there are considered three main types of resources under which all the other types are situated. The three kinds are natural; man-made; human. 

• Natural Resources

These types of resources are naturally found in nature itself as the name suggests. Some natural resources are the air we breathe, water for drinking or bathing, oil resources, minerals in the soil, the soil itself for plantation purposes, etc. Anything that can be found in nature which can be put to use by the human race is supposed to be a natural resource. Thus, renewable energies like the sun and wind energy also come under this definition. 

• Man-Made Resources

Some natural resources which can be moulded into resources by humans are considered a man-made resource. All man-made/human-made resources are essentially materials or substances found in nature that had to be refined and processed for humans to gain some sort of benefit out of it. 

• Human Resource

As mentioned earlier, labour markets and such constitute a resource. This resource is known as the human resource, and the NCERT class 8 geography chapter 1 notes elucidates further about its importance. Human resources are defined as a resource that refers to the number of people and the mental/physical capacity of people who are willing to work. The business sector especially treats human resource as one of the most valuable resources one can find.

Conserving Resources

The stock of natural resources is limited. It is better to conserve the natural resources by using them carefully so that they get the time to be renewed. Careful use of these resources balances the need for using them and the conservation for the future. Due to the excessive use of water, its scarcity can be seen in many places, and coal and petroleum are also going to be exhausted in the near future. It is our duty to preserve natural resources and to use them in a proper manner. Three most efficient ways to conserve natural resources are reducing the consumption of natural resources, reusing in them if possible, and recycling of discarded items.

5 Important Topics of Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources

Importance of Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources 

• Revision notes help us quickly understand and remember key concepts before exams.

• They save time by focusing on essential information and skipping unnecessary details.

• These notes simplify complex topics, making them easier to understand and use.

• They provide practical examples that show how theoretical knowledge is used in real-life situations.

• Revision notes ensure thorough preparation by covering all important topics in a structured manner.

• Accessible formats like PDFs allow for easy studying anytime and anywhere.

Tips for Learning the Geography Class 8 Chapter 1 resources

• Familiarise yourself with terms like natural resources, human resources, and sustainable development. Knowing these definitions helps in grasping the concepts better.

• Review the different types of resources discussed in the chapter—natural, human, and capital. Understand examples of each type and how they contribute to economic and social development.

• Learn about how resources are distributed globally and locally. Note the factors that influence their availability and how this affects different regions.

• Relate the concepts to real-life examples to see how resources are used in everyday life. This connection can make the information more relevant and easier to recall.

Conclusion 

The Class 8 Notes CBSE Geography Chapter 1 - Resources, available as a free PDF download, provide a comprehensive and structured overview of the concept of resources and their significance in our lives. These notes serve as a valuable resource for students to understand the various types of resources, their distribution, and the sustainable use of resources.

The notes begin by introducing the concept of resources and explain the difference between natural resources and human-made resources. They cover the three main categories of resources: natural resources, human resources, and capital resources. Students gain insights into the importance of conserving and managing resources for sustainable development.

Class 8 Notes CBSE Geography Chapter 1 delves into the classification of resources based on their origin, renewable and non-renewable nature, and exhaustibility. Students learn about the distribution of resources across different regions and the factors influencing their availability.

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