NCERT Book Class 8 Social Science (Geography) Chapter 1 Resources

Resources

Mona and Raju were helping Amma to clean their house.
“Look at all these things…. clothes, utensils, foodgrains,
combs, this bottle of honey, books…..Each of these has a
use,” said Mona. “That is why they are important,” said
Amma. “These are resources…..”. “What is a resource?”
Let’s do
was Raju’s question to Amma. “Anything that can be used
List out five
to satisfy a need is a resource”, replied amma. “Look around resources you use
you and observe, you will be able to identify many types of in your home and
resources. The water you drink when you are thirsty, the five you use in
electricity you use in your house, the rickshaw you use to your classroom.
get home from school, the textbook you use to study are all
resources. Your father has prepared a tasty snack for you.
The fresh vegetables he has used are also a resource”.
Water, electricity, rickshaw, vegetable and textbook
have something in common. They have all been used by
you, so they have utility. Utility or usability is what makes
an object or substance a resource.
“How does something become a resource?” Raju now
wanted to know. Amma told the children that things become
resources only when they have a value. “Its use or utility gives
it a value. All resources have some value.” said Amma.
Value means worth. Some resources have economic
value, some do not. For example, metals may have an
Glossary
economic value, a beautiful landscape may not. But both
Patent: It means
are important and satisfy human needs. the exclusive right
Some resources can become economically valuable over any idea or
with time. Your grandmother’s home remedies have no invention.
commercial value today. But if they are patented and sold by
a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically
valuable.

Chapter-1.indd 1 8/17/2022 11:34:40 AM