CBSE Class 6- Science Chapter 11: Nature’s Treasures – Study Notes (PDF)

Study Notes: Nature’s Treasures (Class 6-NCERT(Curiosity) Science

1. Introduction to Nature’s Treasures

The chapter introduces the concept of natural resources through the story of Bhoomi and Surya visiting their grandmother, Ajji, in a village in the Western Ghats. Ajji describes the “treasures of nature” that enrich life, including pure air, fertile soil, sunlight, and the variety of trees that provide food and shelter. These natural resources are essential for the survival and comfort of all life forms on Earth.

2. Air

• Importance: Air, specifically the oxygen it contains, is crucial for the survival of most living beings. While one can survive for days without food or water, survival without oxygen is impossible for even a few minutes. Breathing exercises help get more fresh air into the lungs to stay healthy.
• Composition: The air surrounding Earth is a mixture of gases. Its composition is approximately:
  • Nitrogen: 78%
  • Oxygen: 21%
  • Argon, Carbon Dioxide, and other gases: 1%
• Wind: Moving air is called wind. It can be a gentle breeze or a powerful storm.
• Windmills: The energy of the wind can be harnessed by windmills. Wind rotates the wings of a windmill, which can be used to:
  • Run flour mills
  • Pull up water from wells
  • Generate electricity
• Windmill Farms in India: Large collections of windmills used to generate electricity are called windmill farms. Notable examples in India include:
  • Muppandal Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu
  • Jaisalmer Wind Park in Rajasthan
  • Brahmanvel Wind Farm in Maharashtra

3. Water

• Essential Uses: Water is precious and vital for daily activities such as drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, and cleaning. It is also indispensable for agriculture (growing crops) and industrial purposes.
• Distribution on Earth: Water covers about two-thirds of the Earth’s surface.
  • Saline Water: Most of this water is in oceans and seas and is saline (salty), making it unfit for domestic, agricultural, or industrial use.
  • Freshwater: A small fraction of Earth’s water is freshwater. It is found in ice sheets, snow, rivers, lakes, ponds, wells, and underground. Much of this is difficult to access.
• Water Conservation: Due to the limited availability of easily accessible freshwater, it is crucial to conserve it. Methods include:
  • Turning off taps when not in use.
  • Fixing water leakages.
  • Recycling water.
  • Water harvesting.
• Water Pollution: Freshwater sources are often polluted by human activities like throwing trash (plastic bags, wrappers) and dumping waste from homes and industries. Polluted water is unfit for consumption by living beings.
• Water Harvesting: This is a method of conserving water.
  • Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater in large quantities for later use. This is practiced in many homes, societies, and schools.
  • Stepwells: An age-old practice in India, especially in regions with water scarcity. They are known as Bawadi in Rajasthan and Vav in Gujarat. They store rainwater and also collect water seeping from nearby lakes and ponds.
• World Water Day: Observed annually on March 22nd.

4. Energy from the Sun

• Main Source of Energy: The Sun is the main source of energy on Earth, providing essential heat and light. All plants and animals are dependent on it.
• Direct Uses: The Sun’s energy is used for:
  • Enabling plants to make their own food (photosynthesis).
  • Drying clothes and food items like chillies and raw mangoes.
  • Driving the water cycle through evaporation.
• Solar Energy Technology: Solar energy can be captured and used through various technologies:
  • Solar Panels: Capture the Sun’s energy to produce electricity. They are used on rooftops, street lights, and traffic signals.
  • Solar Cookers: Use solar energy directly for cooking.
  • Solar Water Heaters: Use solar energy to heat water.
• Energy Flow: The Sun’s energy flows through the ecosystem. For example, grass uses sunlight to grow, and a cow gets energy by eating the grass. This demonstrates that even animals that don’t directly use sunlight depend on it for their food source.

5. Forests

• Definition: Forests are large areas with a dense growth of various types of plants, including herbs, shrubs, and trees.
• Importance:
  • Habitat: Forests are a natural home for many wild animals, birds, and insects, providing them with food and shelter.
  • Soil Conservation: The roots of plants hold the soil together, preventing it from being washed away (soil erosion).
  • Soil Enrichment: Leaves that fall from trees decay and enrich the soil with nutrients, which supports the growth of new plants. This is an example of recycling in nature.
• Threats: Forest cover is decreasing due to human activities, primarily the large-scale cutting of trees. It takes many years to grow a new forest.
• Conservation Efforts:
  • Van Mahotsav: A week-long forest festival celebrated in July in India, during which new trees are planted to increase the green cover.
  • Chipko Movement: A famous movement that started in the early 1970s in Uttarakhand. Local women hugged trees to protect them from being felled.

6. Soil, Rocks, and Minerals

• Soil:
  • Formation: Soil is formed over thousands of years by the disintegration (breaking apart) of rocks due to the actions of the Sun, water, and living organisms.
  • Composition: Soil contains sand, pebbles, roots, insects, worms, and decomposed remains of plants and animals. Earthworms are natural agents that help turn and loosen the soil.
  • Importance: Fertile soil is essential for growing plants. The space between soil particles provides air and room for roots to grow.
• Rocks:
  • Uses: Rocks are used extensively in construction (houses, temples, roads, dams), for roofing (e.g., slate), as building materials (e.g., laterite bricks), and for making tools (e.g., hand axes, arrowheads).
  • Examples: Granite, sandstone, and marble are important types of rocks.
• Minerals:
  • Composition: Rocks are made up of minerals.
  • Uses: Important metals like aluminum, gold, copper, and iron are extracted from minerals. These are used to manufacture a vast range of products, including airplanes, cars, jewellery, cosmetics, and electronic equipment like mobile phones.

7. Fossil Fuels

• Formation: Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal) are formed from the remains of microorganisms and plants that were buried deep inside the Earth millions of years ago.
• Types and Uses:
  • Petroleum: The source of petrol, diesel, and kerosene, which are widely used as fuels for vehicles.
  • Natural Gas: Used for cooking (as LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and generating electricity. It is also used as a cleaner vehicle fuel in the form of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).
  • Coal: Mainly used for the production of electricity.
• Problems:
  • Limited Supply: Fossil fuels are found in limited quantities and take millions of years to form, making them a finite resource.
  • Pollution: Burning fossil fuels produces smoke and carbon dioxide, which causes large-scale air pollution.

8. Classification of Natural Resources

• Natural Resources: Resources that we get from nature, such as air, water, the Sun, forests, soil, and fossil fuels. They are essential to sustain life.
• Human-Made Resources: Resources created by human beings for their convenience, such as furniture, bicycles, and solar panels.
• Renewable Resources: Natural resources that get renewed, replenished, or restored by natural processes within a reasonable period.
  • Examples: Air, water, forests.
• Non-renewable Resources: Natural resources that are found in limited quantities and do not get replenished or produced within a reasonable period. Once used, they are exhausted.
  • Examples: Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas), minerals, soil, rocks.

9. Conservation and Responsible Use

The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to conserve all natural resources and use them responsibly and judiciously. This ensures that we can fulfill our present needs without harming the environment or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. M.K. Gandhi’s quote, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not for every man’s greed,” reinforces this message.

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Quiz: Short-Answer Questions

Instructions: Answer each of the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. According to Ajji, what are some of “nature’s treasures”?
2. What is the approximate percentage composition of the air we breathe?
3. Why is oxygen essential for our survival?
4. What is the definition of wind, and how is its energy utilized by windmills?
5. Name three major windmill farms in India and their locations.
6. Why is most of the water on Earth’s surface not suitable for human use?
7. What is rainwater harvesting?
8. Describe the traditional water harvesting system known as a stepwell.
9. Explain why the Sun is considered the main source of energy on Earth.
10. List two ways solar energy is harnessed using modern technology.
11. How does a cow indirectly get its energy from the Sun?
12. What is a forest, and what vital functions does it perform for wildlife?
13. Explain how forests contribute to the health of the soil.
14. What was the Chipko movement?
15. How is soil formed?
16. What are two historical uses of rocks by human beings?
17. What are rocks made of, and why are these components important?
18. What are fossil fuels, and how were they formed?
19. Name the three main types of fossil fuels mentioned in the text.
20. What is the difference between LPG and CNG?
21. What are the two main problems associated with the overuse of fossil fuels?
22. Define a renewable resource and provide two examples.
23. Define a non-renewable resource and provide two examples.
24. What are human-made resources?
25. According to the text, what is the importance of using natural resources responsibly?

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Quiz: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What percentage of the air is composed of nitrogen? a) 21% b) 1% c) 78% d) 50%
2. Moving air is called… a) A breeze b) A storm c) Oxygen d) Wind
3. Which of these is NOT a use for windmills mentioned in the text? a) Running flour mills b) Generating electricity c) Purifying water d) Pulling water from a well
4. Water in oceans and seas is described as… a) Freshwater b) Saline c) Potable d) Polluted
5. World Water Day is observed on which date? a) July 1st b) March 22nd c) January 26th d) August 15th
6. Stepwells are commonly known as Bawadi in which state? a) Maharashtra b) Gujarat c) Rajasthan d) Tamil Nadu
7. Which of the following captures the Sun’s energy to produce electricity? a) Solar cooker b) Solar water heater c) Solar panel d) Windmill
8. The week-long festival of planting trees celebrated in July is called… a) Chipko Movement b) Van Mahotsav c) World Water Day d) Earth Day
9. The Chipko movement began in the early 1970s in which region? a) Western Ghats b) Rajasthan c) Tamil Nadu d) Uttarakhand
10. Slate and laterite are examples of… a) Minerals b) Fossil Fuels c) Rocks d) Soils
11. Which important metals are extracted from minerals? a) Plastic and rubber b) Gold, copper, and iron c) Petrol and diesel d) Wood and paper
12. Petrol, diesel, and kerosene are all obtained from… a) Coal b) Natural Gas c) Petroleum d) Rocks
13. Which fuel is described as a cleaner alternative to petrol or diesel for vehicles? a) Kerosene b) Coal c) LPG d) CNG
14. Which of the following is classified as a renewable resource? a) Coal b) Minerals c) Forests d) Petroleum
15. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource? a) Air b) Sunlight c) Water d) Natural Gas
16. Furniture and bicycles are examples of… a) Natural resources b) Human-made resources c) Renewable resources d) Non-renewable resources
17. What natural agents help in turning and loosening the soil? a) Earthworms b) Birds c) Pebbles d) Sunlight
18. What is the primary cause of decreasing forest cover? a) Natural disasters b) Animal grazing c) Large-scale cutting of trees by humans d) Lack of rainfall
19. The process where fallen leaves decay and enrich the soil with nutrients is an example of… a) Pollution b) Water harvesting c) Recycling in nature d) Soil formation
20. The main pollutant produced by burning fossil fuels is… a) Oxygen b) Nitrogen c) Water vapour d) Smoke and carbon dioxide

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Answer Key

Short-Answer Questions

1. Ajji describes treasures like pure air, fertile soil that supports life, and plentiful sunlight. She also includes the different varieties of trees that provide food and shelter for animals.
2. The air is a mixture of gases composed of approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases like argon and carbon dioxide.
3. Oxygen is essential for survival because our bodies need it to perform their functions. Most living beings cannot survive for even a few minutes without it.
4. Wind is moving air. Its energy is utilized by windmills, where the wind rotates large wings or blades to power machinery for tasks like running flour mills or generating electricity.
5. The text mentions Muppandal Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu, Jaisalmer Wind Park in Rajasthan, and Brahmanvel Wind Farm in Maharashtra.
6. Most of the water on Earth is in oceans and seas, which is saline or salty. This saline water is not fit for domestic, agricultural, or industrial use.
7. Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting rainwater and storing it in large quantities for later use. It is a method for conserving precious freshwater.
8. A stepwell, known as Bawadi or Vav, is a traditional water harvesting structure. It not only stores rainwater but also collects water that seeps in from nearby lakes and ponds.
9. The Sun is the main source of energy because it provides the heat and light that all living things depend on. Plants use sunlight to produce food, which forms the base of the food chain for animals.
10. Modern technology harnesses solar energy through solar panels, which capture sunlight to produce electricity, and through devices like solar cookers and solar water heaters.
11. A cow gets energy indirectly from the Sun by eating grass. The grass, being a plant, needs sunlight to grow and produce its food, thereby transferring the Sun’s energy to the cow.
12. A forest is a large area with a dense growth of plants. It performs the vital function of providing food and shelter, acting as a natural home for many wild animals, birds, and insects.
13. Forests contribute to soil health in two ways. The roots of the trees hold the soil and prevent erosion, while the leaves that fall decay and enrich the soil with nutrients.
14. The Chipko movement was a conservation effort that started in the early 1970s in Uttarakhand. Local women actively participated by encircling and hugging trees to protect them from being cut down.
15. Soil is formed over thousands of years through the disintegration or breaking apart of rocks. This process is caused by the actions of the Sun, water, and living organisms.
16. Two historical uses of rocks by humans were making tools such as hand axes and creating weapons like arrowheads from stone.
17. Rocks are made up of minerals. These components are important because valuable metals like gold, copper, iron, and aluminum are extracted from minerals for manufacturing countless products.
18. Fossil fuels are fuels formed from the remains of microorganisms and plants that got buried deep inside the earth. Over millions of years, these remains were converted into petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
19. The three main types of fossil fuels are petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
20. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a form of natural gas primarily used for cooking. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a form of natural gas used as a cleaner fuel for vehicles.
21. The two main problems are that fossil fuels are in limited supply and will eventually run out (non-renewable), and their burning produces smoke and carbon dioxide, leading to air pollution.
22. A renewable resource is one that gets renewed or replenished by natural processes within a reasonable period. Examples from the text include air, water, and forests.
23. A non-renewable resource is one found in limited quantities that does not get replenished within a reasonable time. Examples include coal, petroleum, and minerals.
24. Human-made resources are useful things created by human beings for their convenience and comfort. Examples include furniture, electric bulbs, and solar panels.
25. It is important to use natural resources responsibly to fulfill our present needs while also saving them for the future. This ensures sustainability without harming the environment.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. c) 78%
2. d) Wind
3. c) Purifying water
4. b) Saline
5. b) March 22nd
6. c) Rajasthan
7. c) Solar panel
8. b) Van Mahotsav
9. d) Uttarakhand
10. c) Rocks
11. b) Gold, copper, and iron
12. c) Petroleum
13. d) CNG
14. c) Forests
15. d) Natural Gas
16. b) Human-made resources
17. a) Earthworms
18. c) Large-scale cutting of trees by humans
19. c) Recycling in nature
20. d) Smoke and carbon dioxide

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Essay Questions and Answers (for teachers)

1. Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources, providing specific examples for each from the text. Why is this distinction important for conservation efforts?

Answer: The text classifies natural resources into two main categories: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those that are replenished or restored by natural processes within a reasonable period. Examples include air, which is constantly present; water, which cycles through evaporation and rain; and forests, which can regrow over time through the spread of seeds. In contrast, non-renewable resources are those found in limited quantities that are not replenished quickly once used. The text highlights fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) as primary examples, as they take millions of years to form. Other non-renewable resources mentioned are minerals, rocks, and soil, which also form over very long geological timescales. This distinction is critical for conservation because it dictates how we must manage these resources. While renewable resources must be used judiciously to avoid over-consumption and pollution, non-renewable resources must be conserved even more carefully because once they are exhausted, they are gone for good, forcing us to find alternatives.

2. Discuss the importance of forests as a natural resource, covering their role in the ecosystem and the threats they face, as described in the chapter.

Answer: The chapter presents forests as a vital natural resource with multiple crucial roles in the ecosystem. Firstly, they are a natural home to a vast diversity of wildlife, including animals, birds, and insects, providing them with essential food and shelter. Secondly, forests are key to soil conservation; the dense network of tree roots holds the soil together, preventing it from being washed away by rain or wind. Thirdly, forests actively enrich the soil through a natural recycling process, where fallen leaves decay and return nutrients to the ground, supporting new plant growth. However, this invaluable resource is under threat. The text states that forest cover has been decreasing over the years, mainly due to human activities like the large-scale cutting of trees for industry and housing. This deforestation has severe consequences, and the text emphasizes that it takes many years to restore a lost forest, underscoring the need for preservation efforts like Van Mahotsav and the Chipko movement.

3. Describe the formation, types, and impact of using fossil fuels. What solutions or alternatives does the text suggest for mitigating their negative effects?

Answer: Fossil fuels, as explained in the text, are formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient microorganisms and plants that were buried deep within the Earth. The intense pressure and heat converted these organic remains into energy-rich substances. The chapter identifies three main types: petroleum (which yields petrol, diesel, and kerosene), natural gas (used as LPG and CNG), and coal. These fuels are primarily used for transportation, cooking, and generating electricity. However, their use has a significant negative impact. They are non-renewable, meaning their supply is limited and will eventually run out. Furthermore, burning them releases smoke and carbon dioxide, which are major contributors to air pollution. To mitigate these effects, the text suggests conserving these fuels by walking or cycling for short distances and using public transport. It also points towards alternatives like electric vehicles that do not release smoke and using cleaner fuels like CNG.

4. Water is described as a “precious” resource. Explain the challenges related to water availability and quality, and describe two distinct water conservation methods mentioned in the text.

Answer: The chapter emphasizes that water is precious due to the challenges of its availability and quality. Although Earth’s surface is two-thirds water, most of it is saline ocean water, which is unfit for human consumption or agriculture. The usable freshwater is a very small fraction, found in rivers, lakes, and underground, and it is not always easily accessible. This limited supply is further threatened by pollution from human activities, such as dumping trash and industrial waste into water sources, rendering it unsafe. To address these challenges, the text describes two distinct conservation methods. The first is rainwater harvesting, a modern and traditional practice of collecting and storing rainwater for later use. The second is the use of stepwells (Bawadi/Vav), an age-old system in India for harvesting not only rain but also groundwater seepage, showcasing a sophisticated response to water scarcity.

5. How does the Sun function as the ultimate source of energy for life on Earth? Provide examples from the text involving plants, animals, and human technology.

Answer: The Sun is portrayed as the ultimate source of energy that sustains all life on Earth. Its primary role is providing the light energy that plants use to produce their own food through photosynthesis. This makes plants the foundation of most food chains. The text provides a clear example of this energy transfer with the cow that gets its energy by eating grass, which in turn grew using sunlight. Humans also utilize the Sun’s energy directly for practical purposes like drying clothes and preserving food such as chillies. Furthermore, human technology has evolved to harness this power more directly. The text highlights solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, solar cookers that use its heat for cooking, and solar water heaters, all of which reduce reliance on other energy sources.

6. Explain the process of soil formation and its importance. How do natural processes and human activities impact soil?

Answer: According to the text, soil is a precious resource formed over thousands of years by the disintegration of rocks. This slow process is driven by the actions of the Sun, water, and living organisms. Soil is crucial as it supports biodiversity and is essential for the growth of plants, which provide food for humans and animals. The spaces between soil particles provide air and room for roots to grow. Natural processes, as seen in forests, can enrich the soil when fallen leaves decay and add nutrients. Earthworms also naturally help by loosening the soil. Human activities can have both positive and negative impacts. Preparing the soil in a garden by gently digging and loosening it, as Ajji does, helps plants grow. However, large-scale cutting of trees (deforestation) negatively impacts soil quality because tree roots are essential for holding the soil and preventing it from being washed away.

7. Compare and contrast the use of windmills and solar panels as alternative energy sources. What makes them different from fossil fuels?

Answer: Windmills and solar panels are both presented as alternatives to traditional energy sources. Windmills harness the kinetic energy of the wind, using it to turn blades that can power mills or generate electricity. Solar panels, on the other hand, capture energy directly from sunlight and convert it into electricity. The key difference between them is their energy source: one uses moving air, and the other uses solar radiation. What makes both windmills and solar panels fundamentally different from fossil fuels is that they utilize renewable resources. The wind and the sun are perpetual natural phenomena, unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and will eventually be depleted. Consequently, wind and solar energy are more sustainable and, as implied with CNG and electric cars, are cleaner, as they do not produce the smoke and carbon dioxide pollution associated with burning coal, oil, or gas.

8. What is the Chipko movement and Van Mahotsav? What do these initiatives reveal about the tradition of conservation in India?

Answer: The Chipko movement and Van Mahotsav are two significant conservation initiatives in India mentioned in the text. The Chipko movement, which began in Uttarakhand in the 1970s, was a grassroots effort by common people, particularly local women, to prevent the cutting of trees by physically encircling and hugging them. Van Mahotsav is a week-long national festival celebrated in July, focused on planting new trees and raising awareness about respecting forests to increase the country’s green cover. These initiatives reveal a deep-rooted tradition of conservation in India. They show that environmental protection has been a concern for both ordinary citizens and the government, blending ancient traditions of respecting nature with modern organized efforts to preserve and regenerate natural resources for future generations.

9. The text mentions that rocks are made of minerals, which are used in many modern products. Discuss the importance of rocks and minerals in both ancient and modern human life.

Answer: Rocks and minerals have been vital to human civilization from ancient times to the modern day. In ancient times, as the text illustrates with images of hand axes and arrowheads, rocks were a primary material for making essential tools and weapons for survival. In the modern era, their use has expanded dramatically. Rocks like granite, marble, slate, and laterite are fundamental materials for construction, used to build everything from houses and roads to temples and dams. The minerals contained within these rocks are even more critical for modern technology. Metals such as gold, silver, copper, and iron are extracted from minerals and are indispensable in manufacturing airplanes, cars, jewelry, and complex electronic devices like mobile phones, which contain about a dozen different minerals. This shows a progression from using rocks for basic survival to refining their components for advanced technological applications.

10. Using the narrative of Bhoomi and Surya’s visit, explain the contrast between the environment in their Ajji’s village and the city. What does this contrast teach about the impact of human activities on natural resources?

Answer: The narrative of Bhoomi and Surya’s visit starkly contrasts the village and city environments. Their Ajji’s village, located on the edge of a forest in the Western Ghats, is characterized by fresh, cool air, fertile soil, and an abundance of plants and animals. It represents an environment where natural resources are plentiful and relatively unspoiled. In contrast, when they return to the city, they immediately notice a negative change. The air does not smell good; instead, they can smell smoke from vehicles, indicating that the air is polluted. There are also very few trees. This contrast directly teaches about the impact of human activities. The city, with its high density of vehicles burning fossil fuels and a lack of green cover, suffers from air pollution and a degraded natural environment. The village, with its proximity to the forest and reliance on more natural cycles, maintains healthier air and soil, illustrating that concentrated human activities, especially the heavy use of non-renewable resources, can significantly harm the quality of our essential natural treasures.

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Glossary of Key Terms

• Air: A mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth, composed mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), essential for the survival of most living beings.
• Bawadi: The name for stepwells, a traditional water harvesting system, commonly used in Rajasthan.
• Chipko Movement: A famous forest conservation movement that started in the early 1970s in Uttarakhand, where local women hugged trees to protect them from being cut down.
• Coal: A type of fossil fuel mainly used for the production of electricity.
• CNG (Compressed Natural Gas): A form of natural gas used as a cleaner fuel for vehicles compared to petrol or diesel.
• Forests: Large areas characterized by a dense growth of various types of plants, serving as a natural home for many wild animals.
• Fossil Fuels: Fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal, formed from the remains of microorganisms and plants buried deep inside the Earth over millions of years.
• Freshwater: Water that is not saline (salty) and is suitable for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. It is found in sources like rivers, lakes, and underground.
• Human-Made Resources: Resources created by human beings to meet their needs and make their lives comfortable, such as furniture, bicycles, and electric bulbs.
• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): A form of natural gas that has replaced traditional fuels like wood and coal for cooking in many households.
• Minerals: The substances that rocks are made of. Important metals like gold, copper, and iron are extracted from them.
• Natural Gas: A type of fossil fuel used for cooking, generating electricity, and as a fuel for vehicles (CNG).
• Natural Resources: Resources provided by nature that are essential to sustain all life forms, such as air, water, forests, and soil.
• Non-renewable Resources: Natural resources that are found in limited quantities and do not get replenished or restored within a reasonable period of time once used. Examples include fossil fuels, minerals, and rocks.
• Petroleum: A type of fossil fuel from which petrol, diesel, and kerosene are obtained.
• Rainwater Harvesting: A method of conserving water by collecting and storing rainwater in large quantities for later use.
• Renewable Resources: Natural resources that get renewed, replenished, or restored by natural processes within a reasonable period. Examples include air, water, forests, and energy from the Sun.
• Rocks: Natural formations made of minerals, used in construction and for making tools. Examples include granite, marble, and slate.
• Saline Water: Salty water, such as that found in oceans and seas, which is not fit for most human uses.
• Soil: A precious treasure formed from the disintegration of rocks over thousands of years, which supports the growth of plants and biodiversity.
• Solar Energy: Energy from the Sun, which is the main source of energy on Earth, providing heat and light.
• Solar Panel: A device that captures the Sun’s energy and produces electricity.
• Stepwells: An age-old water harvesting practice in India, known as Bawadi in Rajasthan and Vav in Gujarat.
• Sun: The main source of energy on Earth, providing heat and light essential for all living beings.
• Van Mahotsav: A week-long forest festival celebrated across India in July, during which new trees are planted to increase green cover.
• Water: An essential and precious natural resource needed for drinking, cooking, agriculture, and industry.
• Wind: Moving air. Its energy can be harnessed by windmills.
• Windmill: A machine with large wings that are rotated by the wind, used to run mills, pump water, or generate electricity.