Question

Match the following

Potential resources	Petroleum in Mumbai High
Development resources	Monazite sand in Kerala
Stock	Ganga river water for the purpose of hydro-power
Reverse	Atmospheric Nitrogen for agriculture

Answer 1

Hint: The four categories given in List 1 are the different categories into which resources are divided on the basis of their status of development. The status of development of these resources is decided on the basis of certain factors like, availability of technology for their extraction, willingness to use, ability to use, etc.

Complete answer:
Potential resources – These are resources for which we have the appropriate technology and the willingness to use, but we are still not using them. We might use them in future when the needs arise. The monazite sands in Kerala are an example of this type of resource. They contain cerium and radioactive thorium and are found in the coastal areas of Kerala. We have not yet used these resources, and hence we call them potential resources.

Developed resources – These are the resources for which we do have the technologies, we also have the willingness and are currently using them for various purposes. For e.g. Petroleum in Mumbai High, or even other fossil fuels. These are all resources which are extensively extracted and used efficiently. Thus, it is a developed resource.

Stock – These are resources for which we do not have appropriate technologies. In some cases, we might have the technology but it may not be economically feasible. Atmospheric Nitrogen for agriculture is one such example. We know that plants require nitrogen for their growth. They cannot use nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. Hence, it has to be converted or fixed by some reactions. These reactions are done by microbes. We humans do not have the technology to help plants absorb atmospheric nitrogen directly. Hence, it is a stock resource.

Reserves – These are resources for which we have the appropriate technologies, but as the name suggests these types of resources are saved or reserved for future uses. For e.g. the water in river Ganga or in other dams which are collected for generating hydro-energy. These resources can be used, but are not used as they are reserved for the future.

Thus, the correct matches are;
Potential resources - Monazite sand in Kerala
Developed resources - Petroleum in Mumbai High
Stock - Atmospheric nitrogen for agriculture
Reserves - Ganga river water for the purpose of hydro-power

Note: Resources are materials and substances that we use to fulfil our needs and wants. They can be classified into various categories on the basis of origin, ownership, exhaustibility and status of development (as discussed above). On the basis of origin, resources are classified into – biotic and abiotic. On the basis of exhaustibility, they are classified into – renewable and non-renewable. On the basis of ownership, they are classified into – individual, community, national, and international.