When does nature become a resource?

When humans use it for their needs

Which condition makes a natural element a resource?

Economically feasible and culturally acceptable

Which is an example of a renewable resource?

Timber from forest (sustainably used)

Which of the following statements is true about non-renewable resources?

They can be regenerated quickly

They take millions of years to form

What does ‘restoration’ in nature mean?

Returning to its healthy state after damage

Why is water considered a renewable resource?

It evaporates and returns as rain

Which practice in fishing helps maintain fish populations?

Avoiding fishing during breeding season

The term 'stewardship' means:

Careful management of resources

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science - Exploring Society India and Beyond Chapter 1 – Natural Resources and Their Use

Name: Natural Resources and Their Use – Class 8 Social Science - Exploring Society India and Beyond
Uploaded: 2026-04-15
Description: Natural resources are valuable gifts of Nature that must be used wisely. Renewable resources should be preserved and restored, while non-renewables should be used responsibly to ensure sustainability and fairness.

Class 8 Social Science - Exploring Society India and Beyond

Last Updated: 15 April 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Natural resources are valuable gifts of Nature that must be used wisely. Renewable resources should be preserved and restored, while non-renewables should be used responsibly to ensure sustainability and fairness.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

प्राकृतिक संसाधन प्रकृति के अनमोल उपहार हैं जिन्हें समझदारी से उपयोग करना चाहिए। नवीकरणीय संसाधनों को संरक्षित और पुनर्जीवित करना चाहिए, और गैर-नवीकरणीय संसाधनों का जिम्मेदारी से उपयोग करना चाहिए।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (61 questions)

Q1. How are natural resources categorized?

Q2. Which of the following is a renewable resource?

Q3. What is meant by the term 'resource curse'?

Q4. Who are the authors of 'The Future We Choose'?

Q5. Which of these is a non-renewable resource?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

regenerative

Meaning: Able to restore and renew itself or the environment

अर्थ: पुनर्जीवनकारी; जो खुद को या पर्यावरण को फिर से स्वस्थ कर सके

"A regenerative economy restores forests and clean water."

economy

Meaning: The system of making, using, and sharing wealth and resources

अर्थ: अर्थव्यवस्था; धन और संसाधनों के उत्पादन व वितरण की व्यवस्था

"Energy choices shape a country’s economy."

harmony

Meaning: A peaceful and balanced way of working together

अर्थ: सामंजस्य; मिल‑जुल कर संतुलित ढंग से काम करना

"We must live in harmony with nature."

repurposing

Meaning: Using something again for a new purpose

अर्थ: पुनःउपयोग हेतु रूपांतरण

"Repurposing plastic into paving blocks reduces waste."

replenishing

Meaning: Filling up again; restoring what is used

अर्थ: पुनःपूर्ति; जो घटा है उसे फिर भरना

"Planting trees is key to replenishing groundwater."

innate

Meaning: Natural; existing from birth

अर्थ: जन्मजात/स्वाभाविक

"Nature has an innate ability to heal itself."

regenerator

Meaning: Something that brings something back to a healthy state

अर्थ: पुनर्जनक/पुनर्जीवक

"Soil microbes act as a regenerator of soil health."

recycler

Meaning: A person or thing that processes waste into reusable material

अर्थ: पुनर्चक्रणकर्ता

"A recycler turns old paper into new notebooks."

categorize

Meaning: To group things based on shared features

अर्थ: वर्गीकृत करना

"We categorize resources as renewable and non‑renewable."

distribution

Meaning: The way something is spread out or shared

अर्थ: वितरण

"The uneven distribution of water affects farming."

implications

Meaning: Possible results or effects of an action

अर्थ: निहितार्थ/परिणाम

"Overuse of coal has serious climate implications."

unsustainable

Meaning: Cannot continue for long without damage

अर्थ: असतत/लंबे समय तक न चल सकने वाला

"Unsustainable fishing harms ocean life."

exploitation

Meaning: Using something unfairly or too much

अर्थ: दोहन/शोषण

"The exploitation of forests leads to loss of wildlife."

offshore

Meaning: Away from the coast, in the sea

अर्थ: समुद्र‑तट से दूर

"An offshore rig extracts oil from under the sea."

seabed

Meaning: The bottom of the sea

अर्थ: समुद्रतल

"Pipes are laid on the seabed to carry gas."

sustenance

Meaning: Something that supports life or health

अर्थ: जीवन‑निर्वाह/आजीविका

"Clean water is vital for human sustenance."

accessible

Meaning: Easy to reach or use

अर्थ: सुलभ

"Solar power is becoming more accessible to villages."

feasible

Meaning: Possible and practical to do

अर्थ: व्यवहार्य/संभव

"Rainwater harvesting is a feasible solution for schools."

culturally acceptable

Meaning: Approved by the traditions and values of a community

अर्थ: सांस्कृतिक रूप से स्वीकार्य

"Cutting trees in sacred groves is not culturally acceptable."

connotation

Meaning: A suggested meaning or feeling beyond the basic meaning

अर्थ: निहित अर्थ

"The word ‘exploitation’ has a negative connotation."

extraction

Meaning: Taking out something from where it is found

अर्थ: निष्कर्षण/खनन

"Extraction of minerals must follow safety rules."

utilization

Meaning: The act of using something effectively

अर्थ: उपयोग/प्रयोग

"Efficient utilization of water saves energy too."

indigenous

Meaning: Original to a place; native

अर्थ: स्वदेशी/मूलवासी

"Indigenous practices often protect local forests."

sacred

Meaning: Holy or deeply respected

अर्थ: पवित्र

"Many communities protect sacred lakes and trees."

groves

Meaning: Small groups of trees; orchards

अर्थ: उपवन/वन‑खण्ड

"Sacred groves conserve rare plants."

cornerstone

Meaning: A basic and most important part

अर्थ: आधारशिला

"Energy is the cornerstone of modern life."

renewable

Meaning: Can be naturally replaced in a short time

अर्थ: नवीकरणीय

"Wind is a renewable source of energy."

non‑renewable

Meaning: Cannot be quickly replaced once used

अर्थ: अनवीकरणीय

"Coal is a non‑renewable resource."

restorative

Meaning: Helping to return to a healthy state

अर्थ: पुनर्स्थापनात्मक

"Planting native species has a restorative effect."

regeneration

Meaning: Natural process of growth after loss or damage

अर्थ: पुनर्जनन/पुनर्जीवन

"Wetland regeneration brings birds back."

ecosystem

Meaning: A community of living things and their environment

अर्थ: पारितंत्र

"A river ecosystem includes fish, plants, and microbes."

decompose

Meaning: To break down into simpler parts

अर्थ: अपघटित होना/सड़‑गलना

"Leaves decompose and enrich the soil."

precipitation

Meaning: Water that falls from clouds as rain, snow, etc.

अर्थ: वर्षण/वृष्टि

"Less precipitation reduces river flow."

overfishing

Meaning: Catching fish faster than they can reproduce

अर्थ: अत्यधिक मछली पकड़ना

"Overfishing causes tuna populations to drop."

decline

Meaning: A steady decrease

अर्थ: ह्रास/गिरावट

"There is a decline in groundwater levels."

ecosystem services

Meaning: Benefits people get from nature’s functions

अर्थ: पारितंत्र सेवाएँ

"Pollination and clean water are ecosystem services."

erosion

Meaning: Wearing away of soil or rock by wind or water

अर्थ: अपरदन/कटाव

"Trees prevent soil erosion on hills."

pollutants

Meaning: Substances that make air, water, or soil dirty

अर्थ: प्रदूषक

"Factory pollutants can poison rivers."

stewardship

Meaning: Careful, responsible management of something

अर्थ: संरक्षण‑प्रबंधन/संरक्षक जिम्मेदारी

"Resource stewardship means using water wisely."

biodiversity

Meaning: Variety of living things in an area

अर्थ: जैव विविधता

"Organic farms often support more biodiversity."

sustainability

Meaning: Using resources so they last for the future

अर्थ: सततता/स्थिरता

"Sustainability guides our energy choices."

overexploited

Meaning: Used too much, beyond safe limits

अर्थ: अतिदोहित/अति‑दोहन किया हुआ

"Many aquifers are overexploited in cities."

pesticides

Meaning: Chemicals used to kill pests

अर्थ: कीटनाशक

"Overuse of pesticides harms soil life."

fertilisers

Meaning: Substances added to soil to help plants grow

अर्थ: उर्वरक

"Organic fertilisers improve soil structure."

degradation

Meaning: Damage or reduction in quality

अर्थ: क्षरण/ह्रास

"Soil degradation lowers crop yields."

refurbished

Meaning: Repaired and improved for use again

अर्थ: नवीनीकृत/मरम्मत कर सुधारा हुआ

"The old fort was refurbished with local stone."

sandstone

Meaning: A rock made of compacted sand grains

अर्थ: बलुआ पत्थर

"Jaisalmer has many buildings of yellow sandstone."

guidelines

Meaning: Official rules or advice on how to act

अर्थ: दिशानिर्देश

"Factories must follow pollution control guidelines."

alternative

Meaning: Another choice that can replace something

अर्थ: विकल्प/वैकल्पिक

"Mud and bamboo offer a green alternative to cement."

coalition

Meaning: A group of people or countries joined for a common goal

अर्थ: गठबंधन

"The solar alliance is a global coalition for clean energy."

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science - Exploring Society India and Beyond Chapter 1 – Natural Resources and Their Use

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (61 questions)

Q1. How are natural resources categorized?

Q2. Which of the following is a renewable resource?

Q3. What is meant by the term 'resource curse'?

Q4. Who are the authors of 'The Future We Choose'?

Q5. Which of these is a non-renewable resource?

Q6. When does nature become a resource?

Q7. Which condition makes a natural element a resource?

Q8. Which is an example of a renewable resource?

Q9. Which of the following statements is true about non-renewable resources?

Q10. Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?

Q11. What does ‘restoration’ in nature mean?

Q12. What does ‘regeneration’ in nature mean?

Q13. What happens if renewable resources are overused?

Q14. What type of energy is derived from flowing water?

Q15. The coal reserves in India may last approximately how many years?

Q16. What does the uneven distribution of natural resources lead to?

Q17. Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service?

Q18. The term ‘exploitation’ in this context means:

Q19. Which of the following is NOT a use of natural resources?

Q20. In which Indian state is the Dudhsagar waterfall located?

Q21. Which is an example of cultural restriction on resource use?

Q22. Why is water considered a renewable resource?

Q23. The power of flowing water converted to electricity is called:

Q24. The Bhagavad Gita’s concept of ‘lokasangraha’ promotes:

Q25. Which traditional Indian science focuses on the care of plants and trees?

Q26. Which Indian state became 100% organic?

Q27. Which practice in fishing helps maintain fish populations?

Q28. What is the main reason for the groundwater crisis in Punjab?

Q29. Which map shows groundwater levels in Punjab?

Q30. The ‘resource curse’ is also called:

Q31. Which is an example of responsible water management?

Q32. Which of the following is a non-renewable energy source?

Q33. The Bhadla Solar Park is located in which state?

Q34. What does sustainable use of resources mean?

Q35. What kind of economy do social scientists advocate for?

Q36. Which natural resource forms over millions of years?

Q37. Which is a benefit of sustainable forestry?

Q38. Who benefits most from ecosystem services?

Q39. Which natural resource determines settlement patterns?

Q40. Overuse of chemical fertilisers leads to:

Q41. What is the International Solar Alliance?

Q42. Which of the following is a cultural value toward nature?

Q43. What does ‘economically feasible’ mean?

Q44. What happens when industries dump untreated waste into rivers?

Q45. Why was Punjab earlier considered successful agriculturally?

Q46. Which type of pollution is caused by cement industries?

Q47. Which natural element provides oxygen to humans?

Q48. Which of the following countries co-launched the International Solar Alliance with India?

Q49. The term 'stewardship' means:

Q50. What was Pema’s success story from Sikkim based on?

Q51. What kind of energy does petroleum provide?

Q52. Which of these is an example of traditional water conservation?

Q53. Which Indian tradition connects with offering gratitude to the Sun?

Q54. What is meant by 'judicious use' of resources?

Q55. What happens when groundwater extraction exceeds recharge?

Q56. Which is an example of a non-renewable mineral resource?

Q57. Which term refers to benefits humans receive from ecosystems?

Q58. Which of these shows regenerative practice?

Q59. Which natural process purifies water naturally?

Q60. Which country has one of the world’s largest solar parks?

Q61. Which of these describes Nature’s cycle?