By reviewing Kerala Syllabus 8th Standard Social Science Notes Pdf and Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Notes Questions and Answers Kerala SCERT Solutions, students can improve their conceptual understanding.
Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Notes Questions and Answers
Class 8 Social Science Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Notes Questions and Answers
Class 8 Social Science Chapter 6 Question Answer Kerala Syllabus
Question 1.
For what purposes gold is being used?
Answer:
- Manufacturing of electronic goods
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Jewellery making
- Investment purposes
Question 2.
Apart from gold, can you mention other materials used to meet the needs in our daily life?
Answer:
Iron, Aluminium, Copper, Rubber, Plastic, etc.
Question 3.
a) Can we use all the natural resources as we wish?
b) Why can’t all resources be used the same way?
Answer:
a) No
- Not available everywhere
- Runs out with use
- Environmental impact
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Question 4.
Water, Metals, Solar energy, Coal, Wind and Petroleum.
Classify and list out renewable and non-renewable resources from the above given resources.
Answer:
| Renewable | Non-Renewable |
| • Water • Solar-energy • Wind |
• Metals • Coal • Petroleum |
Question 5.
Petroleum, iron ore, bauxite.
Identify the minerals containing metal from the list provided.
Answer:
Iron ore, Bauxite.
Question 6.
Identify the uses of the given metallic and non-metallic minerals and complete the table.
Answer:
| Metallic minerals and uses | Non-metallic minerals and uses |
| • Iron – Construction | • Graphite – Pencil making |
| • Gold – Making ornaments | • Petrol – Fuel for vehicles and machines |
| • Copper – Electrical Industry, Utensils | • Clay – Making bricks, pottery |
Question 7.
Locate in the map the major minerals and the states where they are distributed.


Answer:
| Minerals | States |
| Gold | Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Jharkhand |
| Iron | Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,Uttar Pradesh,Karnataka,Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra. |
| Coal | Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal,Meghalaya,Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh. |
| Manganese | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,Maharashtra,Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar. |
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Question 8.
Look at the map and complete the given table.


Answer:
| Major manufacturing industries | States |
| Iron-Steel Industry | Odisha,West Bengal,Chhattisgarh |
| Cotton Industry | Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat,Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar. |
| Petrochemical Industry | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam. |
| Silk Industry | Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,, Telangana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan. |
Question 9.
‘Iron industry is the foundation of the Indian economy.’ Discuss and write notes.
Answer:
The extent of industrial growth of each country is determined on the basis of iron and steel consumption. The iron and steel industry supports the other industries and service sectors and increases the country’s income. In addition, by creating employment opportunities, the standard of living of the people is also raised. In this way, the iron and steel industry plays an important role in the growth of the Indian economy.
Question 10.
In the given map, locate the iron and steel industries and the states where they are located.


Answer:
| States | Iron and Steel industries |
| Odisha | Rourkela, Paradweep, Kendujhargarh |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro, Jamshedpur |
| West Bengal | Bumpur, Durgapur |
| Chhattisgarh | Raigarh, Bhilai |
| Maharashtra | Chandrapur |
| Karnataka | Ballari |
| Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam |
| Tamil Nadu | Salem |
Question 11.
Identify the factors that influenced the Tata Iron and Steel Plant from the figure.

Answer:
- Availability of water (river)
- Proximity to port (Kolkata)
- Market (Kolkata, Mumbai)
- Availability of Raw Materials
- Availability of cheap electricity
- Availability of skilled workers
Question 12.

Did you notice the news headlines above? What are the problems mentioned here?
Answer:
- Water scarcity
- Air pollution
- Slum Settlements
- Water Pollution
Question 13.
Discuss the issues related to pollution and prepare placards, posters and slogans to create awareness.
Answer:
(Hints)
Issues related to pollution – Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Urban problems, etc.
Slogans:
- “Be Part of the Solution, Not the Pollution”
- “Clean City, Green City, My Dream City”
- “Every Drop Matters-Say No to Water Waste!”
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Question 14.
Organise a debate on ‘Manufacturing Industries: Prospects and Constraints’.
Answer:
(Hints: Organise a debate by using the given prospects and constraints)
Prospects:
- Economic Growth
- Employment Generation
- Development of Infrastructure
- Self-Reliance
- Improves Living Standards
Constraints:
- Environmental Pollution
- Overuse of Resources
- Labour Exploitation
- Urban Problems
Question 15.
Discuss in different groups the various activities that you can do in school to conserve resources and prepare a concept map and present it.
Answer:
(Hints: prepare a concept map regarding the given resource conserving activities.)
Activities for Conserving Resources in School:
- Energy Conservation:
- Turn off lights and fans when not in use.
- Use LED bulbs in classrooms.
- Water Conservation:
- Fix leaking taps and pipes immediately.
- Start a “Water Savers Club” to check daily usage.
- Paper Conservation:
- Use both sides of paper for writing.
- Start a “Paper Reuse Box” for scraps.
- Recycling and Waste Management:
- Set up separate bins for plastic, paper, and organic waste.
- Conduct recycling drives for old notebooks and newspapers.
Class 8 Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Questions and Answers Extended Activities
Question 1.
Collect pictures of important minerals and prepare an album.
Answer:

Question 2.
Organise an awareness class in your area about pollution.
Answer:
(Hints)
- Form a Team
- Fix the Date, Time & Venue
- Prepare the Content
- What is pollution? (Air, Water, Soil, Noise)
- Causes of pollution
- Effects on health and the environment
- Simple steps to reduce pollution
- Create Visual Aids (Posters, charts, banners, and models)
- Interactive Activities
Question 3.
Prepare a digital magazine on the conservation of resources.
Answer:
(Hints: Prepare a digital magazine including the given steps)
- Step 1: Choose a Title and Theme
- Step 2: Design the Cover Page
- Step 3: Add Contents
- Step 4: Add a Fun Zone
- Step 5: Use Visuals (Images, clipart, icons, and simple charts)
- Step 6: Final Page – Conclusion
Question 4.
Organise an awareness class on sustainable development in your area.
Answer:
(Hints)
- Form a Team
- Fix the Date, Time & Venue
- Prepare the Content
- What is Sustainable Development?
- Key Goals of Sustainable Development:
- How it affects our community and future
- Create Visual Aids (Posters, charts, banners)
- Interactive Activities
Question 5.
Prepare and include a map of India’s mineral resources and manufacturing industries in ‘My own atlas.
Answer:


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Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Class 8 Notes Pdf
Std 8 Social Science Resource Utilisation and Sustainability Notes
- Anything that is environmentally available, technologically accessible, culturally acceptable and capable of meeting our needs is called a resource.
- Humans are considered resources as they can create many resources using their abilities, skills and technology.
- Depending on human needs any object can be turned into a resource with time and technology. Likewise, human skills are also used as resources. This is called human resource.
- On the basis of origin, resources can be mainly classified into two.
- Natural resources
- Man-made resources
- Minerals are naturally forming organic and inorganic substances with chemical and physical properties.
- Minerals which will be mixed with impurities are mined from the earth in raw form. This is called ore.
- Minerals can be classified into two types based on their composition and physical characteristics.
- Metallic Minerals
- Non-Metallic Minerals
- Minerals distributed across various states of India, play an important role in the country’s production and industrial sectors.
- The iron and steel industry is called a basic industry as it provides the raw materials and products required for other industries.
- India is one of the largest producers of iron and steel in the world.
- The beginning of the modern iron and steel industry in India dates back to 1907 when the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) was established at Sakchi (Jamshedpur).
- Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) came into existence in West Bengal in 1919 and Mysore Iron and Steel (Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel) Company in Karnataka in 1923.
- Odisha is the major iron and steel industrial state of India.
- Both geographical and non-geographical factors influence the distribution of manufacturing industries.
- A five-year plan is a system designed by the government to achieve set goals for the economic and social progress of a country within a five-year period.
- Pollution is the undesirable consequences on the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, water and soil.
- Conservation of resources is the process of ensuring their availability by avoiding over-exploitation through judicious use.
- Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
INTRODUCTION
The Earth’s natural resources are essential for meeting the basic needs of human beings, such as food, water, shelter, and energy. However, the rapid growth of population and industries has led to the overuse and misuse of these resources. The chapter “Resource Utilisation and Sustainability” helps us understand how to use resources wisely and efficiently, without harming the environment. However, it also highlights the negative effects of industrial growth, such as pollution, which harms the environment and human health. To solve these problems, the chapter stresses the need for the conservation of resources and promotes sustainable practices that protect nature while supporting development.
RESOURCES
Metals like gold, iron, silver, etc. are available from nature. Besides, physical materials such as air, water and soil are also used to fulfil our needs.
- Anything that, is environmentally available, technologically accessible, culturally acceptable and capable of meeting our heeds is called a resource.
- Resources include not only material things like water, air and soil but also non-material things like knowledge and health.
- Humans are considered resources as they can create many resources using their abilities, skills and technology.
- Depending on human needs any object can be turned into a resource with time and technology. Likewise, human skills are also used as resources. This is called human resource.
- On the basis of origin, resources can be mainly classified into two.

The availability and renewability of natural resources varies. Resources can be classified into two categories based on their renewable potential.
| Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |
| • Resources that do not get depleted after use and can be reused are renewable resources. • These are resources that are continuously produced in nature and are always readily available to man. • Examples: Sunlight, wind, and waves |
• Non-renewable resources have been formed over millions of years and they decrease in quantity with use. • Examples: iron, gold, coal, and petroleum. |
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A fully solar-powered airport Kochi International Airport is the first airport in the world to run entirely on solar energy. It is the first airport in India to be started as a public-private partnership initiative. |
Mumbai High (Bombay High)
Mumbai High is a large oil field located 160 km away in the Arabian Sea. It is one of the largest offshore oil fields in India. Discovered in 1974, this oil field is managed by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Kolar Gold Mine

It is the oldest and largest gold mine in India. In 1804, when John Warren made a resource map for the British government, the village of Urigam in Karnataka and its surrounding area was found as the land of gold. This is renamed as K.G.F. (Kolar Gold Field). From 1880 to 1956, the Kolar Gold Field (K.G.F) produced more than 800 tonnes of gold and marked India’s place on the world gold map. Kolar in. Karnataka became one of the oldest industrial cities in India due to its gold deposits.
MINERALS
- Minerals are naturally forming organic and inorganic substances with chemical and physical properties. Examples: petroleum, iron ore, and bauxite.
- We cannot use these minerals directly.
- Minerals found in the Earth’s crust in the form of ores become usable only after mining and processing.
- Minerals which will be mixed with impurities are mined from the earth in raw form. This is called ore.
- These ores can be converted into valuable minerals only through refining processes.
Minerals can be classified into two types based on their composition and physical characteristics.

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METALLIC MINERALS
- They are naturally occurring substances in nature that contain traces of metal.
- The metal extracted from the metallic minerals through the refining process is usually hard and lustrous.
- Example: Extraction of aluminium from bauxite.
- Metallic minerals are classified into two types based on the presence of iron.
| Ferrous metals | Non-ferrous metals |
| Appear grey | Appear in different colours |
| Magnetic in nature | Non-magnetic |
| Heavy | Relatively light weight |
|
Iron Ores Based on the iron content, iron ore can be classified into four-Magnetite; Hematite Limonite, and Siderite. Magnetite is called black ore. Good quality magnetite is found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. |
NON-METALLIC MINERALS
- Minerals that do not contain metals are called non-metallic minerals.
- For non-metallic minerals properties such as hardness, lustre and ductility are relatively low.
- Non-metallic minerals are classified into two groups
- organic minerals and inorganic minerals.
- Biominerals such as coal and petroleum contain organic components whereas inorganic minerals such as graphite and clay contain inorganic components.
India is rich in diverse minerals. The country’s geological features have contributed to its mineral diversity. Minerals are unevenly distributed in different states of India.
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Mining It is the process of finding and extracting valuable materials from the Earth’s surface or underground. Mining is classified into surface mining and underground mining. |
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN INDIA
Minerals distributed across various states of India, play an important role in the country’s production and industrial sectors. Minerals which are extracted through different refining processes are the main raw materials for industries. On the basis of raw materials, manufacturing industries can be main classified as follows.

- Among the mineral-based industries, the iron and steel industry is the foundation of industrial development.
- The iron and steel industry is called a basic industry as it provides the raw materials and products required for other industries.
- Iron and steel industry is also known as heavy industry. India is one of the largest producers of iron and steel in the world.
|
Heavy Industry Iron and steel industries are also called heavy industries due to the large amount of raw materials used and the size and weight of the products from them. |
IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY IN INDIA
The extent of industrial growth of each country is determined on the basis of iron and steel consumption. The iron and steel industry supports the other industries and service sectors and increases the country’s income. In addition, by creating employment opportunities, the standard of living of the people is also raised. In this way, the iron and steel industry plays an important role in the growth of the Indian economy.
- Since ancient times, Indians have been well-versed in metallurgy.
- The beginning of the modern iron and steel industry in India dates back to 1907 when the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) was established at Sakchi (Jamshedpur).
- Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) came into existence in West Bengal in 1919 and Mysore Iron and Steel (Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel) Company in Karnataka in 1923.
After independence, the iron and steel industry in India grew rapidly. During the Second Five-Year Plan, three integrated iron and steel projects were started at Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur with the help of the Soviet Union, Germany and Britain respectively. Later, the management and responsibility of these were taken over by the government organisation, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

- Odisha is the major iron and steel industrial state of India.
- The reasons for the growth of the iron and steel industry in Odisha compared to other states of India are:
- Odisha’s geographical location and mineral and water availability
- High grade iron ore deposits are found in Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj districts and coal in the Talchcr region.
- An excellent railway network and highways connecting the factories of Rourkela and Kalinganagar with the main markets of India facilitated industrial development.
- long coastline and ports facilitated domestic and
international trade, making Odisha the centre of the iron and steel industry.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
• Both geographical and non-geographical factors influence the distribution of manufacturing industries.

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Manufacturing Industry In the manufacturing industry, the raw materials are processed using machines to make highly valuable products for marketing in local and distant markets. |
Five-Year Plan
A five-year plan is a system designed by the government to achieve set goals for the economic and social progress of a country within a five-year period.
POLLUTION
- Pollution is the undesirable consequences on the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, water and soil.
- Unscientific human activities cause pollution. This threatens the sustainability of the Earth and affects the regenerative capacity of the environment.
VARIOUS TYPES OF POLLUTION
- Air Pollution: Thc smoke emitted from industries which contain toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane, pollute the atmosphere. This poses a serious threat to nature and human health.
- Water Pollution: Waste water discharged from industries and toxins from chemical industries pollute rivers, lakes and other water bodies. It harmfully affects aquatic life and humans.
- Soil Pollution: The waste and e-waste emitted from industries alter the natural structure of the soil. This has a detrimental effect on the agricultural sector and the environment.
- Noise Pollution: Excessive noise emitted from industries adversely affects the physical and mental health of the people in the surrounding areas.
Problems created by Industries
- Resource Depletion: Unscientific use of resources in industries to increase production leads to resource depletion and environmental problems. Examples include deforestation, loss of soil fertility, and depletion of water and mineral resources.
- Regional Inequality: The unbalanced distribution of natural resources and inadequate basic facilities have resulted in a concentration of industrial development in certain regions. Differences can be seen in the income and living standards of the people in these areas. This causes regional disparity in industrially backward areas.
- Migration: Migration is the permanent or temporary movement of people from one region to another. People migrate from less developed areas to developed industrial areas for employment and better living conditions. As a result of this, population density increases in this area.
- Urbanisation: Urbanisation is the increase in size and population of cities as a result of migration from rural areas to urban areas and natural population growth in cities. This has led to a massive increase in the size and population of cities and it results in socio-economic and environmental changes.
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CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES
Conservation of resources is the process of ensuring their availability by avoiding over-exploitation through judicious use. The objectives of conservation of resources are to conserve resources for future generations, maintain the balance of the environment, and minimise impacts on nature and human beings.
The main resource conservation methods are:
- Recycling of resources
- Water conservation
- Energy conservation
- Forest conservation
- Soil conservation
- Air conservation
- Mineral Resource conservation
The concept of resource conservation is to prevent the depletion of natural resources and ensure their availability for future generations. Currently, sustainable development is an important policy followed by the countries of the world to conserve resources.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Economic growth can be achieved through a balance between the welfare of the environment and the standard of living of the people. Recycling, reducing usage, and reusing resources are ways to achieve sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of seventeen goals proposed by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve them by 2030.
