EXERCISE

Q1. What is Economic Geography? What is its main subject matter? Mention the important branches of Economic Geography.
Answer: Economic Geography is a branch of human geography that studies human activities related to the production, distribution, consumption, and exchange of resources in spatial and temporal contexts.
The main subject matter of economic geography is the distribution of human economic activities and the factors and processes associated with it. This includes the study of how and why economic activities are located in certain places and their relationship to the environment.
The important branches of Economic Geography are:
● Agricultural Geography
● Industrial Geography
● Geography of Resources
● Transport Geography
● Marketing Geography
● Geography of Planning and Development
● Geography of Tourism

Q2. Write in brief about the scope of Economic Geography.
Answer: The scope of Economic Geography focuses on the location and characteristics of human economic activities and their relationship with nature and society. Traditionally, it seeks to answer:

1. Where is the economic activity located?
2. What are its characteristics?
3. To what other phenomena is it related?

Modern economic geography also studies why activities are located in certain places and whether they could be better located elsewhere.

According to George Chisholm, the subject aims to understand the trends and directions of economic development. Ultimately, economic geography deals with the relationship between human productive activities and environmental conditions.

Q3. What do you mean by economic activities of man? What are such economic activities?
Answer: The term “economic activities of man” refers to the various occupations and activities that humans engage in to produce, distribute, consume, and exchange resources.
There are four types of economic activities:

1. Primary Occupation: Activities where humans collect resources directly from nature, such as agriculture, fishing, forest resource collection, and mineral resource collection.
2. Secondary Occupation: Activities where humans use technology to transform natural resources into a usable form. Examples include manufacturing, construction, and repair work.
3. Tertiary Occupation: Activities that facilitate the movement of goods from producers to consumers. This includes transport, communication, marketing, wholesale or retail selling, and tourism.
4. Quaternary Occupation: Activities that support and make secondary and tertiary activities more efficient. Examples include banks and other financial institutions, media, administration, education, and research.

Q4. Write briefly about the subject matter of the important branches of Economic Geography.
Answer: The important branches of Economic Geography and their subject matter are:

1. Agricultural Geography: It studies agricultural activities, crop distribution, production, and trade of agricultural products.
2. Industrial Geography: It examines the location, types, and distribution of industries, along with production and marketing of goods.
3. Geography of Resources: It deals with types and distribution of resources, their exploration, production, use, and conservation.
4. Transport Geography: It studies transport systems, their role in resource distribution, economic activities, and development.
5. Geography of Marketing: It examines the need, establishment, and distribution of markets.
6. Geography of Planning and Development: It focuses on economic development, planning strategies, sustainable development, and regional growth.
7. Geography of Tourism: It studies tourism, its growth factors, types, and planning for tourism development.

Q5. Why ‘Resource Geography’ is known as an important branch of Economic Geography?
Answer: Resource Geography is considered an important branch of Economic Geography because economic development is highly dependent on the availability and quality of a country’s resources. The study of economic geography and its other branches is closely related to resource geography. Without resources, there would be no economic activities like production, distribution, or consumption, which are the main subject matter of economic geography.
Therefore, understanding resources, their distribution, conservation, and management is fundamental to understanding economic activities and development.

Q6. What is meant by ‘Resource’? Mention its main characteristics.
Answer: A resource is anything that is useful and necessary for human survival and development. Air, water, sunlight, soil, forests, animals, and minerals are all considered resources because they help people to live, work, and progress in life.

The main characteristics of resources are:

1. Utility: A resource must be useful to human beings in some way.
2. Functionality: It should have a function that supports human welfare, livelihood, and economic development.
3. Dynamism: Resources are not fixed or permanent. A material that is not useful today may become a resource in the future with the growth of knowledge, science, and technology. The value and importance of resources also change with time and society’s needs.

Q7. ‘Resource is Dynamic’. – Explain.
Answer: The statement “Resource is Dynamic” means that the usefulness and value of resources are not fixed; they change over time with the progress of human knowledge, needs, and technology. A material that may not be considered a resource today can become valuable in the future. For example, coal and petroleum were once useless until humans discovered their energy potential. Similarly, a river that causes destructive floods can be converted into a useful resource by building dams to generate hydropower, irrigation, and flood control, as seen in the Damodar river. Hence, resources are dynamic because their importance and use depend on human efforts, science, and technological development.

Q8. Briefly discuss about the necessities of resources with examples.
Answer: Resources are essential for human survival as well as socio-economic progress. They help to meet our basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. For example, air, water, soil, and plants are fundamental for life; fertile soil grows crops, and water is required for drinking, cooking, and agriculture. Resources are also vital for economic growth since minerals, coal, and petroleum act as raw materials and energy sources for industries. They improve living conditions by supporting man-made resources like technology, roads, and houses. With the advancement of knowledge and technology, new resources are created, such as dams that provide irrigation and hydropower besides controlling floods.

Q9. Write in brief about the relationship between resource and man.
Answer: Man and resources share a close and dynamic relationship because man is both a consumer and a producer of resources. As a consumer, humans depend on natural resources like air, water, soil, and plants to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as to improve living standards. As a producer, human knowledge and skills transform natural materials into usable forms—for example, wood into paper or houses. Humans also create resources like roads, schools, and technology. Moreover, man himself is a resource, called Human Resource, since education, skill, and innovation help in proper utilization of all other resources. This shows their interdependence and ever-changing relationship.

Q10. Briefly discuss about the relationship between resource and science-technology.
Answer: Resources and science-technology are closely related, as science and technology help in discovering, utilizing, and conserving resources. The usefulness of many materials can only be realized through human knowledge and technology. For example, coal was once useless until science made it a valuable source of energy. Similarly, technology can transform a river’s destructive floods into hydroelectric power through dams. Science and technology also create man-made resources such as industries, vehicles, and communication systems, which further promote development. Moreover, they play a key role in resource conservation through recycling, alternative energy use, and pollution control. Thus, science and technology are essential for transforming raw materials into resources and ensuring their sustainable use.

Q11. Write about classification of resources with examples.
Answer: Resources can be classified in various ways based on different criteria. A broad classification is as follows:

1. Based on Process of Origin

• Natural Resources: Resources that are naturally formed and distributed on Earth, such as air, water, soil, plants, animals, minerals, and sunshine.
• Man-made Resources: Resources created by humans using technology to convert natural materials into more usable forms, such as paper from bamboo, cloth from cotton, roads, houses, and factories.
• Human Resource: Humans themselves, with their skills, education, knowledge, and ability to create and use other resources.

2. Based on Structure/Composition

• Biotic Resources: Resources that have life, including plants, animals, and crops.
• Abiotic Resources: Non-living resources, such as soil, rock, water, air, and minerals.

3. Based on Availability/Durability

• Renewable (Inexhaustible) Resources: Resources that can regenerate or be renewed after use, such as sunshine, air, water, plants, and animals.
• Non-Renewable (Exhaustible) Resources: Resources that cannot be regenerated after use and will eventually be depleted, such as coal, mineral oil, natural gas, gold, and iron.

4. Based on Ownership

• Individual (Personal) Resources: Things owned by an individual, like land, household property, or personal skills and education.
• National Resources: Resources under a country’s control or possession, such as rivers, transport networks, national parks, and government systems.
• International Resources: Resources belonging to all countries, such as the open oceans, seas, and the atmosphere, managed for the welfare of all mankind.

Q12. What is meant by natural resource? Write briefly with examples.
Answer: Natural resources are materials and substances that are formed and distributed on Earth by natural processes. They are not created by human effort but are used by humans to meet their needs and for various economic activities. Natural resources may exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and can be metallic or non-metallic.

Examples include:

• Air, water, and sunshine: Fundamental resources necessary for life and found in abundance.
• Plants and animals: Biotic resources providing food, raw materials, and other essential products.
• Minerals: Resources like coal, mineral oil, and natural gas used in industries and as energy sources.
• Rivers and soil: Important for agriculture, transport, and human development.

Natural resources can also be classified as renewable (e.g., sunshine, water, forests) or non-renewable (e.g., coal, mineral oil, minerals).

Q13. What is man-made resource? Write in brief about its use with examples.
Answer: A man-made resource is a material or product created by humans by converting natural resources into a more usable form with the help of knowledge, skill, and technology. These resources are the result of human effort and play an important role in the progress of society.

Man-made resources are widely used in different fields. Roads, bridges, houses, and buildings are essential for transport, communication, and settlement. In industries, natural raw materials are processed into useful products such as paper from bamboo, cloth from cotton, and plastics or paints from plants and minerals. Machines, vehicles, and agricultural tools are also man-made resources that make human life easier. Even institutions like banks, schools, and administrative bodies are considered man-made resources as they support economic and social development.

Q14. What are the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources? Discuss briefly with examples.
Answer: Renewable or inexhaustible resources are those that can naturally regenerate and do not get exhausted if used wisely. Examples include sunshine, air, water, plants, animals, and crops. These resources are generally abundant, though some can be depleted due to overuse or environmental factors, such as species extinction. Solar panels and wind turbines show how renewable resources are used as alternative energy sources.

On the other hand, non-renewable or exhaustible resources cannot be regenerated once used and will eventually run out. Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, and minerals like copper, gold, limestone, iron, and silver are examples. They form over millions of years, are limited in supply, and must be managed carefully to avoid rapid depletion.

Q15. What is meant by ‘Conservation of Resources’? What is its necessity?
Answer: Conservation of resources means using them fully and efficiently without causing destruction or misuse. It does not mean leaving resources unused, but managing them wisely so they continue to benefit humanity for a long time. For example, conserving mineral oil involves extracting it carefully and using it over an extended period.

Resource conservation is necessary because many natural resources, especially non-renewable ones, are limited and can be exhausted. Rapid population growth and development have increased resource consumption, putting pressure on nature. Overuse can also cause environmental damage like pollution. Conservation supports sustainable development, ensures resources for future generations, and protects habitats, preventing the extinction of plants and animals. It helps in the long-term well-being of both humans and the planet.

Q16. Write in brief about the methods of resource conservation.
Answer: A successful resource conservation program requires a well-planned approach. The key methods include:

1. Alternative Resources and Innovation: Use renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power, and develop efficient methods to convert natural resources into usable forms.
2. Recycling and Waste Control: Reuse materials such as metals, plastics, and industrial waste, and minimize wastage during production.
3. Education and Awareness: Promote knowledge among people about proper resource use and the importance of conservation.
4. Assessment and Planning: Evaluate current resource reserves, forecast future needs, and implement conservation laws to ensure sustainable use.

Q17. Write in brief about the organizations associated with resource conservation and their role.
Answer: Due to increasing population and environmental challenges, many organizations work at international and national levels to promote resource conservation.

At the international level, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), founded in 1948, focuses on conserving natural resources, biodiversity, and the global environment. It also initiated organizations like the WWF for Nature and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, which protect specific species and ecosystems. The United Nations celebrates June 5th as World Environment Day to raise awareness about environmental protection.

In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change formulates conservation laws, while the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) conducts forestry research and training. NGOs such as CSE, Greenpeace India, Wildlife Trust of India, and in Assam, Aaranyak and the Assam Science Society, actively work to conserve resources and protect the environment.

Q18. Write short notes:
(a) Resource (b) Human Resource (c) Wealth (d) Renewable Resource (e) Personal Resource (f) National Resource (g) Biotic Resource (h) Resource Conservation (i) Resource Recycling (j) IUCN
Answer:
(a) Resource: Resources are all the materials and substances that are essential for human life and can be used to fulfill human needs and desires. These materials acquire the status of a resource when they possess the properties of utility and functionality. Resources are dynamic and can be natural (e.g., air, water), man-made (e.g., roads, technology), or human (e.g., skills, knowledge).

(b) Human Resource: Human resource refers to the population itself, particularly their skills, knowledge, intelligence, education, and desire, which enable them to make natural resources useful. Man is the creator and consumer of resources, and a country’s development is greatly influenced by the quality and efficiency of its human resources.

(c) Wealth: According to the principles of economics, wealth refers to materials that have a value in exchange. Wealth is generally limited in supply and can be transferred from one person to another through money. Examples include land, houses, and company shares. While all wealth is a resource, not all resources are considered wealth, as some resources like air and sunshine are abundant and cannot be exchanged for money. Also, wealth can have harmful effects, whereas a resource is always intended to be useful for human welfare.

(d) Renewable Resource: These are resources that can be regenerated or replenished after use and do not get exhausted. They are also known as inexhaustible resources. Examples include solar energy, wind energy, water, plants, and animals. While they can be overused to the point of temporary or permanent loss (e.g., extinction of species), they have the potential to renew themselves through natural processes.

(e) Personal Resource: Also known as individual resources, these are resources that are in the possession of an individual person. They can be physical, such as land or household properties, or personal attributes like good character, education, and working skills.

(f) National Resource: National resources are all the resources that are under the responsibility or ownership of a country. This includes not only natural resources within its geographical boundaries (e.g., land, rivers, wildlife sanctuaries) but also man-made infrastructure like transport networks and administrative systems. For example, the Kaziranga National Park is a national resource of India.

(g) Biotic Resource: Biotic resources are resources that have life or are derived from living organisms. They are a part of the biosphere and can be classified as natural and renewable. Examples include plants, animals, fishes, and crops. Although coal and mineral oil are of organic origin, they are considered abiotic resources in their present non-living state.

(h) Resource Conservation: Resource conservation is the practice of using any resource completely and efficiently without causing destruction or misuse. Its main goal is to ensure that resources are available for a long time for the benefit of humanity. Conservation is vital for managing both renewable and non-renewable resources to prevent environmental degradation and ensure sustainable development.

(i) Resource Recycling: Recycling is a method of resource conservation where usable disposed materials are collected and processed to be reused, thereby reducing the need for new raw materials. This process is particularly useful for materials with limited reserves, such as paper, plastic, and metal scraps. By recycling, waste is controlled and the pressure on natural resources is reduced.

(j) IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization formed in 1948 under the initiative of the British biologist Julian Huxley, with the support of UNESCO. Its primary objective is to conduct research and take appropriate measures for the conservation of the global natural environment, natural resources, and biodiversity. The IUCN also played a role in establishing other international environmental bodies like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Q19. Write the differences between:
(a) Resource and Wealth (b) Economic Geography and Resource Geography (c) Resource and Neutral Staff (d) Biotic and Abiotic Resource (e) Renewable and Non-Renewable Resource (f) Personal resource and National resource (g) Man-made Resource and Human Resource (h) Recycling of Resource and Innovation
Answer:

(a) Resource and Wealth : A resource is any material essential for human living and always has utility, benefiting human welfare. Not all resources can be exchanged or have a market value, such as air or sunshine, and some resources, like air, are found in abundance.

On the other hand, wealth refers to materials that have a value in exchange. While wealth may have utility, it can also be harmful, such as poisons or chemical pesticides. All wealth can be transferred from one person to another and has a market price, like land or machinery, but its supply is relatively limited compared to natural resources.

(b) Economic Geography and Resource Geography : Economic geography studies human activities related to the production, distribution, consumption, and exchange of resources in space and time. It has a broader scope, covering all human economic activities and their relationship with the environment. Resource geography, on the other hand, is a specialized branch of economic geography that focuses specifically on the types, distribution, and management of resources, including their exploration, production, and conservation.

On the other hand, resource geography provides foundational knowledge about resources, which is crucial for understanding economic activities. It is considered a major sub-field within economic geography, emphasizing how resources support and influence human economic behavior.

(c) Resource and Neutral Staff : A resource refers to materials that are useful and functional for human living. They have utility, either currently being used or with the potential to be used. Through human knowledge and technology, resources can be efficiently utilized for various purposes, contributing to human welfare and socio-economic development.

On the other hand, neutral stuff consists of materials or phenomena found on Earth that are not currently useful to humans and are not harmful either. They lack known utility at a given time, but with scientific discovery and technological advancement, they can potentially become valuable resources in the future, such as coal before its practical use was discovered.

(d) Biotic and Abiotic Resource : Biotic resources are living or derived from living organisms, such as plants, animals, crops, and humans. They come from organic matter and are mostly renewable, providing food, raw materials, and other essentials for human use.

On the other hand, abiotic resources are non-living, like soil, rocks, water, air, minerals, coal, and mineral oil. They are formed from inorganic matter and can be either renewable (e.g., water) or non-renewable (e.g., minerals). Renewable resources can regenerate naturally and are generally abundant, like air, water, and plants, but still need conservation. Non-renewable resources, such as coal, mineral oil, and metals, are limited and require careful use to avoid depletion.

(e) Renewable and Non-Renewable Resource : Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally after use, such as sunshine, air, water, plants, animals, and crops. They are generally abundant but can be overused, so conservation is necessary to prevent depletion or extinction.

On the other hand, non-renewable resources cannot be regenerated once consumed and include coal, mineral oil, natural gas, and metals like copper and gold. Their supply is limited, and careful planning and controlled use are essential to ensure they last as long as possible.

(f) Personal resource and National resource : Personal resources are owned by individuals and include things like land, household property, education, skills, and good character. They are limited to a person’s possessions and attributes and help in personal development and livelihood.

On the other hand, national resources are under the control or responsibility of a country. They include transport networks, rivers, bridges, forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and government systems. These resources serve the entire nation and are crucial for economic development, public welfare, and national progress.

(g) Man-made Resource and Human Resource : Man-made resources are created by humans from natural materials using technology. They include tangible or intangible products and infrastructure, such as roads, houses, and factories, which serve as tools for economic and social development.

On the other hand, human resources refer to the population itself, with its skills, knowledge, education, and efficiency. Humans are the creators and driving force behind the use, management, and development of all other resources, making them indispensable for progress and innovation.

(h) Recycling of Resource and Innovation : Recycling of resources involves reusing discarded materials and waste to reduce the consumption of new raw materials. Its primary goal is to conserve resources by extending the life of existing materials and minimizing waste. This method focuses specifically on waste management and helps in maintaining the balance of resource use.

On the other hand, innovation is the process of developing new ideas, methods, or technologies to make resource use more efficient and productive. It has a broader scope, including finding alternative resources, improving production efficiency, and discovering new applications for materials.

Q20. Choose the correct answer:

(a) Which of the following is man-made resource? (1) Rivers (2) Mineral Oil (3) Irrigation Canal (4) Forest
Answer: (3) Irrigation Canal

(b) Which one of the following is abiotic resource? (1) Air (2) Plants (3) Animals (4) Fungus
Answer: (1) Air

(c) Which one of the following is non-renewable resource? (1) Air (2) Water (3) Crops (4) Coal
Answer: (4) Coal

(d) Which one of the following animals is about to be extinct? (1) One-horned Rhino (2) Pygmi Hog (3) Giraffe (4) Gayal (Mithun)
Answer: (2) Pygmi Hog

(e) The organization IUCN is under which of the following organizations? (1) UNESCO (2) UNO (3) WWF (4) UNEP
Answer: (2) UNO