CBSE
Class 10
Class 12
Resources are classified into various categories such as natural and human-made, renewable and non-renewable, individual, community, national and international resources.
On the Basis of Exhaustibility: Resources can be classified into Renewable and Non-Renewable.
Resources which can be reproduced or renewed by the physical, chemical or mechanical process. Eg. Solar, wind etc are termed as Renewable Sources.
Resources which cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.Eg. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of such resources.
On the Basis of Origin: Resources can be classified into biotic and abiotic.
Resources obtained from the biosphere like forests, wildlife, fisheries, livestock, human beings etc are called biotic resources.
Resources which are obtained from non-living things are called Abiotic Resources. Example: Iron, copper, gold and lead are abiotic resources.
On the Basis of Ownership: Resources can be classified into Individual, Community, National and International.
These are owned privately by individuals. Plantation, pasture lands, ponds, water in wells etc. are some of the examples of resources ownership by individuals.
There are resources which are accessible to all the members of the community. Example: Parks, Playground etc.
Resources which belong to the nation. Eg. Roads, Railway, Mineral, Forests, Wildlife etc.
Resources which no individual country can utilize. Eg. Oceanic waters beyond 200 km.
On the Basis of the Status of Development: Resources can be classified into Potential, Developed Stock, Reserves etc.
Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised. Eg. Solar Energy in Rajasthan, Wind in Gujarat.
Resources which are surveyed and their quality and quantity have been determined for utilisation. The development of resources depends on technology and level of their feasibility.
Resources which are available but do not have the appropriate technology to access them. Example: Lack of technical know how to use hydrogen and oxygen as a source of energy.
Reserves are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the help of existing technical ‘know-how’ but their use has not been started. Water in the dams, forests etc. is a reserve which can be used in the future.