NCERT Class 8 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I: Chapter 1 — Natural Resources and Their Use
This chapter, "Natural Resources and Their Use," from NCERT's Class 8 Social Science book "Exploring Society: India and Beyond Part-I," delves into the categorization and significance of natural resources. It begins by defining what constitutes a resource, emphasizing that elements of nature become resources when humans utilize them for sustenance or consumption. The chapter highlights that accessibility, economic feasibility, and cultural acceptability are crucial for an entity to be recognized as a resource. It introduces the concept of a regenerative economy, which operates in harmony with nature by minimizing waste and replenishing resources. The text also touches upon the distribution of natural resources and the implications of their unsustainable use. This chapter aims to foster an understanding of responsible resource management among students, crucial for sustainable development and environmental consciousness within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Natural Resources and Their Use |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 394 |
Learning outcomes
- Define natural resources and explain when nature becomes a resource.
- Identify the criteria for an entity to be considered a resource (technological accessibility, economic feasibility, cultural acceptability).
- Understand the concept of a regenerative economy and its importance.
- Recognize the significance of sustainable use of natural resources.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Regenerative economy | An economy that operates in harmony with nature, repurposing used resources, minimizing waste, and replenishing depleted resources. |
| Resource | Elements of Nature that humans use for their sustenance or create new things from them for consumption. |
| Exploitation | Extraction, utilisation, and consumption of Natural resources. |
| Sustenance | The maintaining of life or health; nourishment. |
| Depleted | Diminished in strength, quantity, or value. |
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Practice questions
- What is the difference between nature and a resource? Answer: Nature refers to all life and non-life forms in our environment not created by humans. Nature becomes a resource when humans use these elements for their sustenance or create new things from them for consumption.
- What three conditions must be met for an entity to be called a resource? Answer: An entity must be technologically accessible, its exploitation should be economically feasible, and it should be culturally acceptable.
- What is the meaning of 'exploitation' in the context of natural resources? Answer: In this context, 'exploitation' means the extraction, utilisation, and consumption of natural resources.
Frequently asked questions
What is a natural resource according to the chapter?
A natural resource is an element of nature that humans use for their sustenance or create new things from it for consumption.
What are the key factors that determine if something is a resource?
For something to be a resource, it must be technologically accessible, economically feasible to exploit, and culturally acceptable.
What is the goal of a regenerative economy?
A regenerative economy aims to operate in harmony with nature by repurposing used resources, minimizing waste, and replenishing depleted resources.
What does 'exploitation' mean when discussing natural resources?
In this context, 'exploitation' refers to the extraction, utilization, and consumption of natural resources.
What are some examples of natural resources mentioned?
Examples include water, air, soil, coal, petroleum, precious stones, metal ores, and timber.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-I — Chapter 1 — Natural Resources and Their Use. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.