Natural Resources and Their Use Class 8 Social science Chapter 1 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Nature consists of everything around us that is not made by humans, like water, air, soil, minerals, forests, and living organisms. 

Things from nature start becoming “resources” when people use them for their needs, like making furniture from wood or extracting oil for fuel. For any natural thing to be a resource, it should be possible to access it with our available technology, and it must make economic sense and be accepted by society.

Categories of Natural Resources Resources can be grouped based on the way we use them. Some resources are essential for life, such as air, water, and the soil where food grows. These are basic to our survival and cannot be produced artificially. 

Other resources are used for making materials—like minerals, wood, or marble for construction and art. A third category provides energy: coal, petrol, gas, sunlight, wind, and water are needed to generate electricity, move vehicles, and run factories.

Renewable and Non-renewable Resources Natural resources can also be classified as renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those that can be naturally restored and regenerated, like sunlight, wind, water, and forests—if we use them wisely and let them recover. For example, if we take wood from forests in a controlled way, the trees can regrow. But overusing them can disturb nature’s cycles, leading to loss of resources.

Non-renewable resources are those formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced as quickly as we use them. Examples include fossil fuels like coal and oil, and minerals such as iron, copper, or gold. 

India has notable coal reserves, but these might only last about 50 more years at current usage levels, which highlights the need for careful management and finding alternatives.

Resource Distribution and Its Effects Natural resources are not spread out evenly across Earth or even within a country. This uneven distribution shapes where people live, where industries are built, and how countries interact—sometimes even leading to conflict. 

Areas with rich resources often attract people for jobs and development, but there can be negative side-effects like displacement or environmental issues.

Different Indian states and regions have access to different resources. For example, minerals might be found in certain states but not in others, and rivers often cross political boundaries. Sharing resources like water can lead to disputes both within countries (for example, among Indian states over river water) and between countries.

Resource Use, Sustainability, and the 'Resource Curse' Having lots of resources doesn’t always mean a country or region will be rich—sometimes it’s the opposite. This is called the “resource curse,” when areas with plenty of natural resources develop more slowly. 

This can happen if the country sells raw material instead of developing industries or skills to create finished products. India has generally done better by developing industries and skills to use its own resources wisely.

The key to sustainable living is to use resources in a way that lets nature restore itself. Over-using groundwater, for example in Punjab, has led to a serious drop in water tables, making wells run dry and risking future farming. 

Across India, overuse of chemicals in farming has degraded soils. There are traditional and scientific ways to help restore soil and water, like water harvesting and organic farming, as seen in Sikkim, which has become a fully organic-farming state.

Traditional Wisdom and Modern Solutions India has ancient traditions, like Vṛikṣāyurveda, which provide guidance on sustainable farming and care for plants. These include crop rotation, natural pest control, and soil protection. 

By learning from these theories and combining them with modern science, materials and methods, people can create solutions that are kinder to nature and good for local economies. For example, using mud or recycled materials instead of cement for building reduces pollution.

Steps Toward Sustainable Resource Use Sustainable use means balancing needs today with the future. Over-consuming non-renewable resources makes it harder for future generations to meet their needs. 

Steps to help include switching to renewables like solar and wind power (for example, India’s International Solar Alliance and large solar parks), using water responsibly, and reducing waste. Protecting forests, using traditional water harvesting, and organic farming are all practices that help keep ecosystems in balance.

People should be mindful that resource use and pollution do not affect all groups equally. Sometimes, poorer areas or communities living near factories or polluted rivers suffer more. Ensuring fairness in who gets access to clean water, fresh air, and other basics is essential.

In summary, natural resources are vital for life and progress, but they must be used carefully. Classifying resources as renewable or non-renewable helps us understand how to use them sensibly. 

Learning from examples, past mistakes, and both traditional and scientific knowledge helps make sure Earth’s gifts will support not just us, but generations to come. Responsible stewardship—acting for the wellbeing of all—is at the heart of sustainable living.

Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1 Notes – Natural Resources and Their Use (NCERT) for Easy Revision

These Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1 Notes cover all key points about natural resources, their categories, and sustainability. Students learn about renewable and non-renewable resources, resource distribution, and traditional wisdom for conservation. Concise bullet points and examples make revision effective and easy to remember.

With these notes, CBSE students can prepare quickly for exams by understanding resource-related challenges and solutions. The revision content follows the latest NCERT syllabus and is valuable for grasping the connection between natural resources, sustainable use, and responsible stewardship in India and the world.