Types and Distribution of Natural Resources in India – UGC NET – Notes

Introduction

Natural resources are naturally occurring items that are helpful for human beings to survive and thrive. Natural resources have long been the realm of the natural sciences. These are resources discovered in the environment and created without the intervention of people. Air, sunshine, water, soil, stone, plants, animals, and fossil fuels are all examples of natural resources. 

• Natural resources are resources that exist in the absence of human intervention.
• This comprises sources of value such as commercial and industrial utility, aesthetic value, scientific curiosity, and cultural worth.
• It encompasses the sun, the atmosphere, water, land, all minerals, all plants, and all animal life on Earth.
• Natural Resources are substances that exist naturally and are deemed valuable in their natural state.
• Its worth is determined by the quantity available and the demand for it.
• Based on place of origin Natural resources can be categorised in a variety of ways.
  • Biotic resources
  • Abiotic resources
• All biological elements of the environment are considered biotic resources. Biotic resources include forests and forest products, crops, birds, animals, fish, and other marine life.
• These resources rejuvenate and duplicate themselves, making them renewable. Although coal and mineral oil are biological resources, they are nonrenewable.
• All non-living elements of the environment are considered abiotic resources.
• Abiotic resources include land, water, air, and minerals such as iron, copper, gold, and silver. Because they cannot be regenerated or replicated, they are finite and non-renewable.
• Natural resources can be classified into the following categories based on their rate of recovery:
  • Non-Conventional
  • Conventional

Definition

• In simple term, natural resources are material and constituent formed within environment or any matter or energy that are resulting from environment, used by living things that humans use for food, fuel, clothing, and shelter.
• These comprise of water, soil, minerals, vegetation, animals, air, and sunlight. People require resources to survive and succeed. Everything which happens naturally on earth are natural resources that is minerals, land, water, soil, wind that can be used in many ways by human being. It can be explained by several environmentalist scholars that a natural resources is any kind of substance in its natural form which is needed by humans.
• Natural resources are generally defined as all those things given by nature on, above and under the surface of the earth. In this broad sense natural resources include land, water, forests, fisheries and animals, mineral ores and sources of energy like coal, petroleum, gas and uranium, etc.
• There is no direct link between the availability of natural resources and the level of economic development. There are many countries which are rich in natural resources but still they are underdeveloped.
• In fact, for the economic development of a country, optimum exploitation of natural resources is more important than their availability. Nevertheless, importance of natural resources cannot be undermined. Natural resources of a country influence not only economic growth but also its economic structure.
• The type of resources available, their quantities, their distribution within the different regions of a country determine, to a considerable extent, the type and scale of industries that can be developed.
• In the Third World countries where level of development is still very low, natural resources are of considerable importance. Most of these countries lack capital, technical know-how and enterprise, and therefore only limited substitution of capital and labour for land and natural resources is possible, liven now, in most of these countries the economic life is largely determined by available resources. India is rich in natural resources.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

• Renewable energy sources, often known as non-conventional energy, are continuously renewed by natural processes.
• Natural replenishment of renewable resources is possible. Some of these resources, such as sunlight, air, wind, and water, are always present and their amounts are unaffected by human usage.
• Although many renewable resources do not regenerate as quickly as others, they are nonetheless vulnerable to overuse and depletion.
• So long as the pace of replenishment/recovery exceeds the rate of consumption, resources are regarded as renewable in terms of human usage.
• When compared to non-renewable resources, they are easier to restore.

Solar Energy

India is among the Tropical countries which receive ample solar insolation throughout the year. India receives around 5,000 trillion kWh of energy per year, with most sections receiving 4-7 kWh per sq. m every day. Solar energy has made a considerable impact on the Indian energy environment in recent years. India recently overtook Italy as the world’s fifth-largest solar power deployment country. India’s Solar power capacity has expanded by more than 11 times in the last five years. 

How is the Power generated from Solar Energy?

• In an hour and a half, the amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface is enough to power the entire world’s energy consumption for a year.
• Photovoltaic (PV) panels or mirrors that concentrate solar radiation are used in solar technologies to convert sunlight into electrical energy.
• This energy can be converted into electricity or stored in batteries or thermal storage.
• While every location on Earth receives some sunlight over the course of a year, the amount of solar radiation reaching any given spot on the planet’s surface varies.
• Solar technologies capture this radiation and convert it to the energy that can be used.
• When the sun shines on a solar panel, the PV cells in the panel absorb the energy from the sun.
• This energy causes electricity to flow by causing electrical charges to move in response to an internal electric field in the cell.

Technology Adopted in Solar Energy:

Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Cells

• Solar photovoltaic (SPV) cells convert sunlight into electricity.
• A solar cell is a semi-conducting device made of silicon and/or other materials that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight.

Solar thermal:

Solar thermal power plants, also known as concentrated solar power systems, use concentrated solar radiation as a high-temperature energy source to generate electricity via the thermal route.

Need of Solar Energy in India:

Energy Security:

• India’s energy needs are largely met by nonrenewable energy sources.
• Due to the scarcity of these fossil resources, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important.
• Solar energy’s abundance can meet India’s clean energy needs.
• India relies on imports to meet its energy needs, resulting in significant costs and uncertainty in terms of energy security.

Environment Concern:

• Thermal energy, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, meets a large portion of India’s energy demand.
• It also pollutes the environment.
• Solar energy is a clean source of energy that can be used as a substitute.

Economic Development:

• As a developing economy, India requires adequate electricity for industrial and agricultural growth.
• India also requires self-sufficiency and low-cost power generation, as well as reliable supply, to boost its industries and economy.

Social development:

• Power outages and the lack of electricity, particularly in rural areas, lead to poor human development.
• The majority of energy demands are met by subsidized kerosene, resulting in a loss to the exchequer.

Potential of Solar Power in India:

• Solar power is a rapidly growing industry in India, as part of the country’s renewable energy sector.
• As India is located in the tropical belt, it benefits from 300 days of peak solar radiation, which equates to 2300-3,000 hours of sunshine, or over 5,000 trillion kWh.
• As of January 31, 2022, the country’s solar installed capacity was 50.303 GW.
• The Indian government set a goal of 20 gigawatts of capacity for 2022, which was met four years ahead of schedule.
• The goal was raised in 2015 to 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022 (including 40 GW from rooftop solar), with a target investment of $100 billion.
• India proposed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a founding member, and it is headquartered in India.
• To harness abundant solar power on a global scale, India has proposed the concepts of “One Sun, One World, One Grid” and “World Solar Bank.”

Solar Power Potential of Indian States

Government Initiatives:

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is India’s nodal agency for dealing with the country’s renewable energy issues.
• The National Solar Mission is a major initiative of the Indian government and state governments to promote environmentally sustainable growth while also addressing India’s energy security issue.
• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a non-banking financial institution that provides term loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the administrative control of this Ministry.
• The National Institute of Solar Energy was established as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MoNRE), which is the apex body for research and development.
• Creation of solar parks and ultra-large solar power projects, as well as improving grid connectivity infrastructure.
• To promote rooftop solar power projects in India, the Sustainable Rooftop Implementation of Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme was created.
• Suryamitra is a program that trains qualified workers.
• Large energy consumers are required to purchase renewable energy.
• A green energy corridor and national green energy program were also initiated.

International Initiatives:

• India’s commitment to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels as part of the INDC at the Paris climate agreement.
• With the help of technology transfer and low-cost international finance, including from the Green Climate Fund, to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
• India spearheaded the formation of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which now includes over 122 countries, the majority of which are sun-drenched countries that lie entirely or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
• To raise more than US$ 1000 billion in investments by 2030 for a massive solar energy deployment, and to pave the way for future technologies that are better suited to the needs.

Major Solar Power Parks in India:

Bhadla Solar Park:

• Bhadla Solar Park, the world’s largest solar park, is located in Bhadla, Phalodi tehsil, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India and spans a total area of 14,000 acres.
• The climate in the area has been described as “almost unlivable.” Bhadla’s average temperature is between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius.
• Hot winds and sand storms are common.

Pavagada Solar Park:

• Pavagada Solar Park is a solar park in Pavagada taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka, that spans 53 square kilometers (13,000 acres).
• After the 2245 MW Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, the Solar Power Park has a capacity of 2,050 MW, making it the world’s second-largest photovoltaic solar park.
• It was finished in the year 2019.

Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park:

• Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, with a capacity of 1,000 MW, is a solar park with a total area of 5,932.32 acres in Panyam Mandal of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Solar power developers and the Central and State governments put in around? 7,000 crores (US$980 million) to build the park.
• Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited commissioned it on March 29, 2017. (APSPCL).

NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park:

• The NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park, also known as the Ananthapuram Ultra Mega Solar Park, is a solar park in Nambulapulakunta Mandal, Ananthapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, India, that covers a total area of 7,924.76 acres.
• Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited owns the plant, which was completed in May 2016. (APSPCL).

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park:

• The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar project is the country’s first solar project to achieve grid parity.
• It is India’s largest solar power plant and Asia’s largest single-site solar power plant.
• Rewa is India’s first project to provide power to a cross-state open access customer, the Delhi Metro.
• This is also India’s first project involving the use of solar power for railway traction.
• For its transaction structure, the project received the President’s Award from the World Bank Group.

Charanka Solar Park:

• Gujarat Solar Park-1 is also known as Charanka Solar Park.
• It is under construction on a 2,000-hectare (4,900-acre) plot of land near Charanka village in Patan district, Gujarat.

Kamuthi Solar Power Project:

• The Kamuthi Solar Power Project is a 2,500-acre photovoltaic power plant.
• This power plant is located in Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, 90 kilometers from Madurai.

Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park:

• The Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park is a solar park in the Mylavaram Mandal of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, that covers a total area of 5,927.76 acres.
• Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited (PSPCL), a joint venture of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation, and New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd, is implementing the project.

Major Solar Power Park in India

Advantages of Solar Energy:

• Solar energy is available at all times of the day, even during peak load demand.
• Solar energy conversion equipment has a longer life expectancy and requires less maintenance, resulting in increased energy infrastructure security.
• Low operating costs and capital returns from grid tie-up (Net Metering).
• They do not pollute the environment and produce clean energy, unlike traditional coal-fired thermal power plants.
• Free solar energy is abundant in almost every part of the country.
• There are no overhead wires, so there is no transmission loss.

Limitations of Solar Energy:

• Material and installation costs are higher at first (however, with the reduction in the cost of solar over the last 10 years, solar is becoming more cost feasible every day)
• Since efficiency is not yet at 100%, it necessitates a large amount of space.
• There is a requirement for a large battery bank because there is no solar power at night.
• The size of solar panels varies depending on geographical location for the same amount of power generation.
• Solar panels are not mass-produced due to a lack of material and technology.
• Cloudy days don’t produce nearly as much energy as sunny days.
• During the winter, solar output is reduced.

Challenges in Installation:

• India’s solar industry is largely based on imported components.
• The WTO is challenging India’s domestic content requirement clause.
• India is confronted with the difficult task of balancing its budget. Prioritizing domestic objectives as well as WTO commitments.
• Local manufacturers’ profits are being eroded as a result of product dumping.
• Domestic Indian manufacturers are not technologically or economically capable of competing with Chinese firms.
• China’s strong manufacturing base is posing a serious threat to domestic producers.
• Due to India’s high population density, land availability for solar plants is limited.
• India’s solar waste, which is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2050, must also be addressed