๐ Class 8 Social Science – Chapter 1
๐ฑ Natural Resources and Their Use | Amresh Academy
๐ Page 1 – The Big Questions
1. How do we categorise natural resources?
๐ On the basis of use:
- ๐ฌ️ Essential for life → Air, Water, Soil
- ๐ชต Materials → Wood, Metals
- ⚡ Energy → Coal, Sunlight
๐ On the basis of renewability:
- ♻️ Renewable → Solar, Wind
- ❌ Non-renewable → Coal, Petroleum
2. What is the connection between the distribution of natural resources and different aspects of life?
๐ Effects:
- ๐ People settle where resources are available
- ๐ญ Industries develop near resources
- ๐ข Trade increases between regions
- ⚔️ Conflicts may occur (water, minerals)
3. What are the implications of unsustainable use / over-exploitation of natural resources?
- ๐ซ️ Pollution
- ๐พ Loss of biodiversity
- ๐ก️ Climate change
๐ Example:
- ๐ง Overuse of groundwater → wells dry
- ๐ณ Deforestation → loss of wildlife
๐ Page 4
What might be the different criteria we can use to categorise natural resources?
๐ 1. Based on use:
- ๐ฌ️ Life → air, water
- ๐ชต Materials → wood, metals
- ⚡ Energy → coal, sunlight
๐ 2. Based on renewability:
- ♻️ Renewable → forests, wind
- ❌ Non-renewable → coal, oil
๐ 3. Based on origin:
- ๐ฑ Biotic → plants, animals
- ๐ชจ Abiotic → minerals
๐ Page 11
1. What do you think are the different inputs required to enable the use of the natural resources available in different geographical areas?
- ⚙️ Technology
- ๐ท Skilled workers
- ๐ Transport
- ๐ฐ Money
- ๐️ Government policies
- ๐ฅ Community support
- ๐ฑ Environmental protection
๐ All these help in safe & proper use of resources
๐ Questions and Activities
1. What can make what is today a renewable resource nonrenewable tomorrow? Describe some actions that can prevent this from happening.
๐ Answer:
♻️ Renewable becomes non-renewable when:
- ๐ณ Trees cut faster than they grow
- ๐ง Water used faster than recharge
- ☣️ Pollution damages resources
๐ Prevention:
- ๐ฑ Plant more trees
- ๐ง Save water
- ๐ฏ Reduce pollution
- ☀️ Use renewable energy
- ๐ Follow laws
2. Name five ecosystem functions that serve humans
๐ Answer:
๐ Important ecosystem functions:
- ๐ณ Trees give oxygen
- ๐ง Forests clean water
- ๐ Pollination helps crops
- ๐พ Soil supports farming
- ๐ Mangroves protect coasts
3. What are renewable resources? How are they different from non-renewable ones? What can people do to ensure that renewable resources continue to be available? Give two examples.
๐ Answer:
๐ Protection methods:
- ๐ฑ Plant trees
- ๐ง Save water
- ⚡ Use clean energy
4. Identify cultural practices in your home and neighbourhood that point to mindfulness in the use of natural resources.
๐ Answer:
๐ก Examples:
- ๐ฟ Tulsi worship
- ๐ง Rainwater collection
- ๐พ Organic farming
- ๐ณ Sacred groves
- ๐ Eco-friendly festivals
5. What are some considerations to keep in mind in the production of goods for our current use?
๐ Answer:
⚠️ Important points:
- ♻️ Use renewable resources
- ❌ Save non-renewable resources
- ๐ Reduce pollution
- ⚖️ Fair distribution
- ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง Future generation care
⚡ Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is a regenerative economy?
2. When do elements of Nature become ‘resources’?
3. What three conditions must an entity meet to be called a resource?
4. Name three obvious natural resources mentioned in the chapter.
5. Name two categories of natural resources based on their uses.
๐ Answer:
- ๐ฌ️ Essential for life
- ๐ชต Materials
6. List three natural sources of energy.
7. Define renewable resources.
8. What is restoration in the context of nature?
9. What is regeneration according to the book?
10. Give two examples of renewable resources.
11. What are non-renewable resources?
12. Name two non-renewable resources.
13. What is the ‘natural resource curse’?
14. What are ecosystem services?
15. Approximately how much oxygen does a mature tree produce per day?
๐ง Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is a “regenerative economy”?
- Reuses resources
- Reduces waste
- Protects nature
2. Explain when an element of nature becomes a resource.
3. What are the three essential criteria for a resource?
4. Describe restoration in nature.
5. Difference between ecosystem function & service?
6. What is natural resource curse?
7. Why is groundwater depletion serious in India?
8. How did Green Revolution cause problems?
9. What are ecosystem services? Give two examples.
10. What is Vrikshayurveda?
๐งพ Long Answer Type Questions
1. Define natural resources and conditions
2. Categorisation based on use
๐ Answer:
- ๐ฌ️ Life → air, water
- ๐ชต Materials → wood
- ⚡ Energy → coal
3. Renewable vs Non-renewable
๐ Answer:
♻️ Renewable:
- Can renew
- Example: solar
❌ Non-renewable:
- Cannot renew
- Example: coal
๐ Condition: Use carefully
4. Nature’s principle of restoration & regeneration
5. Effects of uneven distribution
๐ Answer:
- ๐ Settlement changes
- ๐ข Trade increases
- ⚔️ Conflicts
- ๐ญ Industry growth
- ๐ Disputes (rivers etc.)
