Chapter 11 The Priceless Wealth of Nature

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Chapter 11 The Priceless Wealth of Nature

  1. Natural Resources : These are the materials or substances provided by nature which are essential for the survival of all living beings. These include:
    • Air : Essential for breathing and essential for life.
    • Water:  Useful for drinking, growing food, and many daily activities.
    • Sunlight : Provides essential energy for plants and animals.
    • Forests:  serve as a source of housing and food, shelter and raw materials.
    • Soil : Essential for the growth of plants and supports agriculture.
    • Rocks and minerals : Important for construction and manufacturing.
    • Fossil fuels:  used for energy, transport and industry.
  2. Man-made resources : The resources created by humans to meet their needs, such as equipment, machines, vehicles, and infrastructure. These are made using natural resources.

Classification of Natural Resources

  1. Renewable Resources :

These are resources that are recovered naturally in a relatively short period.

Example:-

      • Air is constantly renewed by natural processes like the carbon cycle.
      • Water:  Cycled through the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation).
      • Forest:  Over time, trees regrow, replenishing the forest area.
      • Sunlight : A constant source of energy that will last for billions of years.
  2.  Non-Renewable Resources:

These are resources that exist in limited quantities and take millions of years to form. Once finished,

They cannot be easily compensated.

Examples include:

      • Fossil fuels : Such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.
      • Minerals:  Metals such as iron, gold, and copper are extracted from finite minerals.
      • Rocks : Used for construction and industrial purposes, they take millions of years to form.

Judicious Use : Since all organisms depend on natural resources for survival, it is necessary to use them wisely so as to prevent their depletion and ensure availability for future generations.

 

 

Bhumi and Surya Holidays: A Learning Experience

During school holidays, Bhumi and Surya visit their grandmother (Ajji)  in a village near the Western Ghats. They look at the many natural resources around them and learn valuable lessons from their gaze:

  • Air : The air in the village is fresh and cool, unlike the polluted air of the city.
  • Water : Bhumi and Surya help their grandmother water the plants and fill water ponds for the animals. Ajji teaches them the importance of saving water and using every drop efficiently.
  • Sunlight : Ajji explains how sunlight helps plants grow and how it is used for drying and storing peppers and other foods.

Air: A Critical Resource

  1. Importance of air: All living beings need air,  especially oxygen, to survive.
    • Breathing exercises: Hold your breath for as long as you can. You’ll notice how important oxygen is for your body to function. Most organisms, including humans, need oxygen to survive. Without it, life would not be possible.
  2. Composition of Air :
    • Air is a mixture of gases:
      • Nitrogen : 78% (the most abundant gas in the atmosphere).
      • Oxygen : 21% (required for respiration).
      • Other gases: 1% (includes carbon dioxide, argon and trace gases).
  1. Moving Wind : When the wind blows, wind is generated. The wind may be strong, as in a storm, or slow, as in the wind.
    • Activity: Making  a pinwheel: Build a pinwheel and see how it spins when you blow on it or run with it. It shows how the wind generates momentum. Windmills work similarly, using the energy of the wind to create electricity or to pump water.

 

Water: A Precious Resource

  1. Importance of water:  Water is essential for everyday activities such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning. It is also used in agriculture and industry.
    • Sources of Water : Water is available from various sources, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, and rainfall. However, most of the Earth’s water is salty and found in the oceans, making it unsuitable for drinking or agriculture.
  2. Water conservation : It is important to conserve water and avoid wastage.
    • Activity : Identify areas in your daily life where water is wasted, such as leaving the faucet open or watering plants inefficiently. Learn how to reduce this waste by using water-saving techniques and fixing leakages.

 

 

Water Pollution and its Impact

  1. Causes of Water Pollution : Polluted water is harmful to all organisms. Human activities, such as dumping garbage and industrial waste into rivers and lakes, pollute freshwater sources.
    • Effects of pollution : Polluted water is unsafe to drink and can cause health problems for humans and animals. It also harms aquatic life.
  2. Ways to reduce water pollution :
    • Proper disposal of garbage.
    • Treatment of industrial wastewater before it is discharged into rivers.
    • Avoiding the use of harmful chemicals near water sources.

Water Harvesting: Solving the Water Crisis

  1. Rainwater harvesting : A technique of collecting and storing rainwater for future use. In many parts of India, rainwater is collected during the monsoon season and used in the dry months.
    • Traditional methods: In Rajasthan and Gujarat, stepwells (stepwells and vavs)  are used to collect rainwater and water from nearby lakes and rivers. These structures store water for use in times of water crisis.

Energy from the Sun

  1. Solar energy : The sun provides heat and light, which is essential for life on earth.
    • Uses of Solar Energy :
      • Plants use sunlight to make food through photosynthesis.
      • Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
      • Solar cookers and water heaters use direct sunlight for cooking and heating.
  2.   All life on earth, directly or indirectly, depends on the sun for energy. Without it, food chains and ecosystems will collapse.

Forests: A Rich Source of Biodiversity

  1. Forests:  Large areas with dense vegetation including trees, shrubs, and herbs. These provide habitat for a wide variety of animals, birds, and insects.
    • Forest-derived products : Forests provide valuable resources, including timber, fruits, medicines, and raw materials for industries.
  2. Forest conservation : Human activities such as deforestation have led to a decrease in forest cover, threatening wildlife and biodiversity. It takes many years for new forests to grow, so conservation and regeneration of forests is essential.
    • Van Mahotsav : An annual tree plantation festival celebrated in India to raise awareness about forest conservation and increase the green cover.
  3. Chipko Movement : A historic environmental movement in which villagers embraced trees to save them from being cut, symbolizing the need to protect forests.

Soils, rocks and minerals

  • Soil : Essential for agriculture, soil aids in the growth of plants by providing nutrients and space for roots to grow.
    • Activity: Collect soil samples from different places and observe their colour, texture and structure. Different soils may contain different substances and organisms.
  • Rocks : Rocks used in construction and manufacturing are formed over millions of years. They are made up of minerals that are used to extract metals such as gold, iron, and copper.
    • Importance of rocks:  Rocks such as granite, sandstone, and marble are important building materials. Some rocks such as slate and laterite are used in roofing and construction works.

Fossil fuels: a limited resource

  • Fossil fuels : This includes coal, petroleum, and natural gas. These fuels are made from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried under the ground millions of years ago.
    • Uses : Fossil fuels are used to run vehicles, generate electricity, and heat homes.
    •  Non-renewable: Fossil fuels are limited and take millions of years to form, so if they are used excessively, they will eventually be exhausted.
  • Environmental impact : The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to air pollution and climate change.
  • Options :
    • Electric vehicles : These vehicles do not emit harmful emissions and help in reducing air pollution.
    • Renewable energy sources : Solar, wind and hydropower are clean alternatives to fossil fuels.

The Importance of Responsible Resource Use

  • Conservation : Bhumi and Surya learn that it is important to use natural resources responsibly so that they are available for future generations. Conservation efforts include:
    • Reducing wastage of water.
    • Protecting forests and wildlife.
    • Using alternative energy sources.
    • Recycling materials.
  • Activity : Make a list of natural resources used in daily activities. Suggest measures to conserve these resources and reduce their wastage.

 

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