What this chapter is about
This chapter helps you understand the wonderful gifts that nature gives us. These gifts are called natural resources. A natural resource is anything useful that we get from nature without humans making it. Air, water, soil, sunlight, plants, animals, and minerals are all natural resources.
You will learn how we use these treasures in our daily life. From the water we drink to the wood in our furniture, nature provides so much. You will also understand why some resources can be used again and again, while others get finished if we use too much.
After studying this chapter, you should be able to name different natural resources around you, explain how we depend on them, and think about ways to use them wisely so they last for future generations.
Key ideas
- Natural resources are useful things we get from nature, not made by humans. Examples include water, air, forests, soil, sunlight, and minerals like iron and coal.
- Renewable resources are those that nature can replace or that do not run out easily. Sunlight, wind, water, and forests (if we plant new trees) are renewable.
- Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and can get finished. Coal, petroleum (the oil we get petrol from), and natural gas are non-renewable.
- Forests give us wood, fruits, medicines, and clean air. They are home to many animals and birds.
- Water is essential for drinking, farming, cooking, and cleaning. Rivers, lakes, ponds, and groundwater are our main sources.
- Soil helps plants grow, which gives us food and oxygen. Healthy soil is a precious resource.
- We must use natural resources carefully. Wasting water, cutting too many trees, or polluting the air harms nature and ourselves.
Formulas and facts to remember
1. A natural resource is anything useful that comes from nature and is not made by humans.
2. Renewable resources can be replaced by nature in a short time or do not get used up — examples: sunlight, wind, water.
3. Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and can run out — examples: coal, petroleum, natural gas.
4. Forests provide wood, oxygen, fruits, medicines, and shelter for wildlife.
5. About 71 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water, but most of it is salty ocean water; only a small part is fresh water we can drink.
6. Soil is formed over thousands of years from rocks breaking down and mixing with dead plant and animal matter.
7. Conservation means using resources wisely so they last longer and are available for future generations.
Worked examples
Example 1: Sorting resources
Riya made a list: sunlight, coal, river water, iron ore, wind. She wants to sort them into renewable and non-renewable.
Step 1: Check each item. Can nature replace it quickly, or does it take millions of years?
- Sunlight — the Sun shines every day, so it is renewable.
- Coal — forms over millions of years underground, so it is non-renewable.
- River water — rain refills rivers, so it is renewable.
- Iron ore — a mineral that takes very long to form, so it is non-renewable.
- Wind — air keeps moving, so it is renewable.
Answer: Renewable — sunlight, river water, wind. Non-renewable — coal, iron ore.
Example 2: Water use at home
Arjun's family uses about 20 litres of water for drinking and cooking, 50 litres for bathing, 30 litres for washing clothes, and 10 litres for cleaning the house each day. What is the total daily use?
Step 1: Add all the amounts. 20 + 50 + 30 + 10 = 110 litres
Answer: The family uses about 110 litres of water every day.
Example 3: Thinking about forests
A village has a forest nearby. List two things the villagers might get from the forest and one way they can protect it.
Things they get: (1) Firewood for cooking. (2) Fruits and honey.
Way to protect: Plant new trees whenever old ones are cut, so the forest does not shrink.
Common mistakes
Thinking all water on Earth can be used for drinking → the fix: most water is salty ocean water; only a tiny part is fresh water.
Believing sunlight will run out like coal → the fix: sunlight is renewable; the Sun keeps shining every day.
Confusing natural resources with man-made things → the fix: a plastic bottle is man-made, but the petroleum used to make it is a natural resource.
Assuming planting one tree replaces a whole forest quickly → the fix: forests take many years to grow; we must protect existing trees too.
Forgetting that air is a resource → the fix: clean air is vital for breathing and is a natural treasure we must not pollute.
Quick revision
- Natural resources come from nature; we do not make them.
- Renewable resources can be replaced; non-renewable ones can run out.
- Water, air, soil, forests, and minerals are key natural treasures.
- Conservation means using resources wisely and not wasting them.
- Planting trees and saving water help protect nature's gifts.