PPT: Natural Resources and Their Use | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

 Page 1


Natural Resources 
and Their Use
Page 2


Natural Resources 
and Their Use
When does Nature Becomes a Resource:
Nature includes all living things (plants, 
animals) and non-living things (water, air, 
minerals) in our environment that are not 
made by humans.
Example: Trees, rivers, and coal occur 
naturally and are not man-made.
When humans use elements from nature for 
living or making things, they become resources
Examples: Cutting trees for furniture makes 
them a resource. Using water for drinking or 
farming makes it a resource
Page 3


Natural Resources 
and Their Use
When does Nature Becomes a Resource:
Nature includes all living things (plants, 
animals) and non-living things (water, air, 
minerals) in our environment that are not 
made by humans.
Example: Trees, rivers, and coal occur 
naturally and are not man-made.
When humans use elements from nature for 
living or making things, they become resources
Examples: Cutting trees for furniture makes 
them a resource. Using water for drinking or 
farming makes it a resource
Conditions for a Resource
Technologically 
Accessible
We need tools or 
technology to use it (e.g., 
machines to drill for oil)
Economically Feasible
It shouldn't cost too 
much to get or use (e.g., 
mining coal affordably)
Culturally Acceptable
It must respect beliefs 
(e.g., not cutting trees in 
sacred groves)
Page 4


Natural Resources 
and Their Use
When does Nature Becomes a Resource:
Nature includes all living things (plants, 
animals) and non-living things (water, air, 
minerals) in our environment that are not 
made by humans.
Example: Trees, rivers, and coal occur 
naturally and are not man-made.
When humans use elements from nature for 
living or making things, they become resources
Examples: Cutting trees for furniture makes 
them a resource. Using water for drinking or 
farming makes it a resource
Conditions for a Resource
Technologically 
Accessible
We need tools or 
technology to use it (e.g., 
machines to drill for oil)
Economically Feasible
It shouldn't cost too 
much to get or use (e.g., 
mining coal affordably)
Culturally Acceptable
It must respect beliefs 
(e.g., not cutting trees in 
sacred groves)
Some Important Natural 
Resources
Types of Resources:
Obvious Resources: Water, air, and soil, used for 
drinking, breathing, and farming
Less Obvious Resources: Coal, petroleum, precious 
stones, metal ores (like iron), and timber
Many formed over millions of years, like coal and oil
Page 5


Natural Resources 
and Their Use
When does Nature Becomes a Resource:
Nature includes all living things (plants, 
animals) and non-living things (water, air, 
minerals) in our environment that are not 
made by humans.
Example: Trees, rivers, and coal occur 
naturally and are not man-made.
When humans use elements from nature for 
living or making things, they become resources
Examples: Cutting trees for furniture makes 
them a resource. Using water for drinking or 
farming makes it a resource
Conditions for a Resource
Technologically 
Accessible
We need tools or 
technology to use it (e.g., 
machines to drill for oil)
Economically Feasible
It shouldn't cost too 
much to get or use (e.g., 
mining coal affordably)
Culturally Acceptable
It must respect beliefs 
(e.g., not cutting trees in 
sacred groves)
Some Important Natural 
Resources
Types of Resources:
Obvious Resources: Water, air, and soil, used for 
drinking, breathing, and farming
Less Obvious Resources: Coal, petroleum, precious 
stones, metal ores (like iron), and timber
Many formed over millions of years, like coal and oil
Meaning of 'Exploitation':
Usually, the word "exploitation" sounds like using 
something in a bad or unfair way. But, in this context, it 
simply means taking, using, and consuming natural 
resources.
Example: When we cut wood from trees in forests, we 
are using a natural resource to build something useful
4like houses.