NCERT Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I (Sanskrit): Chapter 1 — प्राकृ तिकानि सं संसाधनानि, तेषाम् उपयोगश्च
This chapter, "Natural Resources and Their Use," from NCERT Class 8 Social Science, emphasizes the need for a sustainable economy that works in harmony with nature. It highlights the importance of reusing resources, minimizing waste, and replenishing scarce resources. The text explains that nature itself is a cycle of regeneration and recycling. Resources become valuable when they are accessible through technology, economically viable to extract and use, and culturally acceptable. Examples like trees becoming resources when used for making wooden tools illustrate this concept. The chapter also touches upon the vast natural resources on Earth, formed over millions of years, including water, air, soil, coal, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores, and wood, which humans have learned to obtain and utilize.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I (Sanskrit) |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — प्राकृ तिकानि सं संसाधनानि, तेषाम् उपयोगश्च |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 321 |
Learning outcomes
- Define natural resources and their importance.
- Understand the concept of sustainability in resource management.
- Explain how natural elements become resources through human intervention and technology.
- Recognize the economic and cultural factors influencing resource utilization.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| संसाधनम् | Resource |
| अर्थव्यवस्था | Economy |
| पुनरुत्पादने | Regeneration |
| पुनः उपयोगं | Reuse |
| अपशिष्टं | Waste |
| न्यूनीकुर्यात् | Minimize |
| प्रकृतिः | Nature |
| पर्यावरणस्य | Environment |
| मानवनिर्मितानि | Man-made |
| उपभोगार्थं | For consumption |
| आर्थिकदृष्ट्या | Economically |
| सांस्कृतिकदृष्ट्या | Culturally |
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Practice questions
- प्राकृृतिक संसाधनानि कति प्रकारेण विभक्तानि सन्ति? Answer: प्राकृृतिक संसाधनानि मुख्यतया पुनरुत्पादने सक्षमाणि (renewable) तथा पुनरुत्पादने असक्षमाणि (non-renewable) इति द्विविधा भवन्ति।
- कदा प्रकृतेः तत्त्वानि संसाधनं भवन्ति? Answer: यदा जनाः स्वजीवनोपायरूपेण एतेषाम् अङ्गानाम् उपयोगं कुर्वन्ति, अथवा उपभोगार्थं तैः अंगैः नूतनानि वस्तूनि कल्पयन्ति, तदा प्रकृतेः एतानि तत्त्वानि संसाधनं भवन्ति।
- संसाधनस्य नामकरणं कदा सार्थथकं भवति? Answer: यदा कस्यापि वस्तुनः तन्त्रमाध्यमेन सुलभता भवति, तस्य उपयोगः आर्थि कदृष्ट्या लाभप्रदः भवति तथा तस्य दोहनं सांSKृति कदृष्ट्या स्वीकार्यं भवति, तदा तस्य 'संसाधनम्' इति नामकरणं सार्थथकं भवति।
- पाठ्ये उल्लिखितानि कतिपय प्राकृृतिक संसाधनानि लिखत। Answer: जलम्, वायुः, मृत्तिका, अङ्गारकं, पेट्रोेलियम, बहुमूल्यानि रत्नानि, धातु-अयस्कानि, काष्ठानि च।
Frequently asked questions
What is the core message of the chapter "Natural Resources and Their Use"?
The chapter emphasizes the need for a sustainable economy that works in harmony with nature, focusing on resource reuse, waste minimization, and replenishment.
When do elements of nature become resources?
Elements of nature become resources when humans utilize them for their livelihood, or create new things from them for consumption.
What makes a natural resource valuable?
A natural resource becomes valuable when it is accessible through technology, economically viable to extract and use, and culturally acceptable.
Can you give examples of natural resources mentioned in the chapter?
Yes, examples include water, air, soil, coal, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores, and wood.
How are natural resources formed?
Many natural resources on Earth were formed over millions of years through natural processes.
What is the significance of the quotes in the chapter?
The quotes highlight the importance of sustainable practices and working in harmony with nature for a better future economy.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I (Sanskrit) — Chapter 1 — प्राकृ तिकानि सं संसाधनानि, तेषाम् उपयोगश्च. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.