Resources: Water, Mineral and Human | Social Science Olympiad Class 4 PDF Download

1. Water Resources

1.1 Why Water Is Important?

• Our body needs water: a 100 kg animal has about 65 kg of water, and some plants can be 99 % water!
  

• Water is as essential as air—you can’t go a day without it!

• Water is used for:

  • Drinking and cooking

  • Cleaning, flushing toilets, and carrying away waste

  • Factories and industries

  • Fishing and caring for forests

  • Generating electricity with dams (hydropower)

  • Growing crops on farms

1.2 Where Water Comes From

1. Surface Water

   • Rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams filled by rain.

2. Groundwater

   • Rainwater that seeps into the ground, collected in wells and tube-wells.

3. Atmospheric Water

   • Rain and snow from clouds (in India, monsoons bring most rain).

4. Ocean Water

   • Evaporates into the air, forms clouds, and returns as rain.

1.3 Using Water on Farms and in Power Plants

• Irrigation: Canals and pumps bring water to fields so crops can grow.

• Hydropower: Waterfalls turn turbines to make electricity.

1.4 Big Challenges with Water

• Uneven Rainfall: Some areas flood, others stay very dry.

• Wasting Water: When water seems plenty, we often waste it.

• Pollution: Dirty water can make people and animals sick.

1.5 How We Manage Water

• Too Much Water: Build dams to store rain and prevent floods; plant trees to stop soil washing away.

• Too Little Water: Collect rainwater, dig deeper wells, and build canals.

• Cleaning Water: National programs work to keep rivers clean, even when traditions make it hard.

2. Mineral Resources

2.1 What Are Minerals?

• Ores are rocks dug from deep underground (mines).

• Ores are refined to get pure metals (like iron, copper, aluminium) or other materials (like coal and petroleum).

Coal Railway Engine

2.2 Important Minerals in India

• Iron Ore: Found in Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa. Made into steel at Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, and Bokaro.

• Coal: Fuels steel mills and power stations.

• Petroleum: Piped from wells in Assam, Gujarat, and Bombay High; refined into petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, and more.

• Copper: First metal used by humans; makes electric wires.

• Manganese: Makes steel harder.

• Mica: Insulates electrical machines.

• Aluminium: Builds aircraft bodies.

• Limestone: Used in cement.

• Gold: Mined in Kolar, Karnataka.

2.3 Why We Must Conserve Minerals

• Minerals are limited—one day they will run out.

• We must avoid waste and look for renewable energy (wind, solar) to reduce pollution.

3. Human Resources

3.1 Who Are Human Resources?

• Every person—pilots, soldiers, actors, musicians, engineers, doctors, teachers—helps society.

• Together, skilled people form our country’s human resources.

3.2 Why Skills and Education Matter

• If a country has too few trained people, it cannot grow well.

• Education builds knowledge and skills for jobs and keeps roads, hospitals, and communications running smoothly.

3.3 Other Factors That Help Development

• Good transport and clear roads

• Strong communication (phones, internet)

• Accessible healthcare (hospitals, clinics)

• All these depend on educated and skilled workers.

Remember!

• Water is everywhere but not always where we need it—protect and share it.

• Minerals lie under the ground—use them wisely and explore clean energy alternatives.

• People are our greatest resource—learn well and help build a better nation.