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| Image Source: Internet (Edited) |
— Birupakhya Goutom Phukan
The Core Concept of Nature and Resources
In a general sense, 'Nature' refers to the absolute totality of living and non-living forms that exist within our environment but have not been created by human hands. However, when human society utilizes these natural elements for sustenance, or transforms them into new consumer products, these environmental elements transition into 'resources.' For instance, trees exist independently as a regular part of the natural environment, thriving without human presence. But when we fell a tree, harvest its wood, and manufacture chairs, tables, or household furniture out of it, that tree transforms into a vital natural resource for us.
Thus, all the essential elements available in nature that support the life, nourishment, and progress of living beings—and can be utilized for the welfare of society—are classified as natural resources. This vast spectrum encompasses the Earth's soil, water, air, minerals, vegetation, wildlife, and forest reserves, alongside the prevailing climate. According to the renowned naturalist Robert D. Hamrin, natural resources serve as the primary foundational sources for biological, chemical, and geological evolution. While no individual can manage them independently, it is through human skill, labor, and necessary technological knowledge that their true value and utility are unlocked.
Mineral Wealth of the Region and Assam
The northeastern region of India is exceptionally blessed with a treasure trove of valuable mineral assets. In particular, crude oil and natural gas are abundantly found in Assam, while rich reserves of coal and limestone are scattered across Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Historically, the extraction of gold from the sands of the Subansiri River dates back to before the eighteenth century. In addition, other essential minerals like granite, bauxite, china clay, and iron are available across the region, playing a critical role in industrial and economic advancement.
Among the prime mineral resources, crude petroleum and natural gas are highly available in Assam (specifically in Digboi, Naharkatia, and Duliajan), making it one of the oldest oil-producing regions across the entire Asian continent. Furthermore, there are active reserves in Arunachal Pradesh and other nearby places. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) operates as the most profitable public sector organization in the state. The coal extracted in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland is heavily utilized for thermal power generation and other heavy industries. Cement industry-grade limestone is found in massive abundance in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Granite and construction materials are readily found in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Assam. Other minerals like china clay, bauxite (in Arunachal and Nagaland), graphite (in Meghalaya), feldspar, silica sand, and uranium (in Meghalaya) are also present.
Considerable deposits of Rare Earth Elements (REEs)—critical for modern high-technology sectors like electronics, electric vehicles, and defense—have been identified in Assam and Meghalaya by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). India’s first large vanadium reserve was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, used in manufacturing steel alloys. However, many resources still remain completely unexplored.
Among minerals, in addition to various types of soil and rock formations, limestone, kerosene oil, petrol, diesel, candles, and coal are highly notable. Limestone is found in Bokajan and Lidu-Margherita; coal is extracted in Tipong-Bargolai; and petroleum has been discovered in Digboi, Duliajan, Hugrijan, Naharkatia, Moran, Rudrasagar, Lakuwa, Geleki, and other places. Besides these, petroleum and coal resources have been discovered in several other areas of Assam. Traces of gold have been found in some areas of the Goalpara district, and there remains a possibility of discovering copper and gold mines in Assam. Currently, Assam houses four active refineries in Digboi, Numaligarh, Noonmati, and Bongaigaon. On the other hand, a prominent cement factory has been established at Bokajan in the Karbi Anglong district.
Diversity of Water, Flora, and Wildlife Resources
Among water resources, Assam's rivers, streams, and the massive variety of fish found within them are included. Assam's rivers are perennial in nature, meaning there is never a shortage of water flow during both the rainy and dry seasons. These powerful currents are highly suitable for generating hydroelectric power.
Assam's wetlands shelter a vast array of valuable plant species. In Assam's forests, many trees and vines suitable for high-quality wood are found. Bamboo, heavily used in the paper industry, is abundantly produced; similarly, Shimul trees, essential for jute processing factories, are produced in large quantities in this region. A large variety of medicinal and spice plants are found across various locations of Assam as well as in other North-Eastern states. The mountains and forests of the North-Eastern states serve as home to various animals and birds. Among them, the tiger, bear, elephant, deer, wild pig, and peacock are noteworthy. Elephants and deer are highly valuable animals, and Assam alone boasts nearly 1,200 species of wild birds.
Agricultural System and Heritage Textiles
The soil in Assam is naturally highly fertile, making it perfectly suited for cultivating almost all kinds of crops. Rice stands out as Assam's main primary crop. Alongside it, some amounts of maize, potatoes, and oilseed crops are also cultivated. Local farmers have benefited significantly by growing wheat over the past two to three years on a small scale. Crops like cotton, sesame, bananas, turmeric, betel nuts, coconuts, and others grow exceptionally well here. Although scientific methods are used to some extent for sunflower cultivation, general fruit cultivation is not carried out systematically in a similar manner. Assam's soil is also highly suitable for the cultivation of cashew and cocoa, but due to a lack of enterprising people and local initiative, these two crops are not widely cultivated in Assam.
Assam is globally well-known for its historic tea cultivation. Additionally, Assam naturally produces exquisite varieties of silk, jute, and mulberry. Due to the abundance of native trees like the Sal tree and the Bamboo tree, several types of jute items are produced in Assam. Sualkuchi's legendary Muga silk and handcrafted jute, along with the exquisite traditional hand-woven fabrics of the Palashbari region, enjoy widespread fame throughout the entire Indian subcontinent.
Scientific Classification of Natural Resources
Depending on various factors such as chemical composition, origin, use, and abundance, natural resources are categorized in various ways
1. Based on Origin and Chemical Composition:
Inorganic Resources: Elements representing non-living nature, which include air, water, and raw metals.
Organic Resources: Living components or elements derived from life, which include plants, animals, decomposers, coal, wood, mineral oil, etc .
Mixed Resources: A complex combination of organic and inorganic resources, with natural soil being a prime example.
2. Based on Location and Ownership:
National Resources: Assets like minerals, soil, and underground assets that are strictly confined within the political boundaries of a country.
Multinational Resources: Natural features shared and used by multiple countries, such as transboundary rivers, lakes, and migratory bird paths .
International Resources: Shared global assets utilized by all countries of the world, including the open oceans, global air, and sunlight.
3. Based on Abundance and Usage:
Furthermore, depending on abundance and usage, natural resources can be divided into two core categories: inexhaustible resources and exhaustible resources .
Inexhaustible Resources: Natural resources that are unlikely to be depleted no matter how much they are used by humans, such as air, sand, water, and tidal energy.
Exhaustible Resources: Natural resources that are highly likely to be depleted as a result of excessive or reckless use, such as plants, water, soil, and various metals.
These exhaustible resources can be further divided into two sub-categories:
Renewable Resources: Natural resources that can be actively restored by nature and regenerated within a given span of time, including plants, soil, water, animals, forests, wildlife, and solar energy. However, many renewable resources like forests and groundwater do not have a rapid recovery rate and are highly susceptible to depletion by over-use.
Non-renewable Resources: Natural resources that cannot be recreated by nature after use or those that are formed very slowly over time, such as fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, minerals, and various metals.
The Necessity of Conservation and Present Economic Challenges
Thus, the North East has been beautifully blessed with valuable natural resources. But no resource in the world is permanent. Therefore, each and every Assamese must take clear responsibility for conserving these resources, so that Assam can establish a renowned identity in the world for its natural assets. We need to become highly vigilant about the rate at which we use renewables so as not to overexploit them; similarly, a judicious and wise use of non-renewables will enable stretching their use for a much longer period of time.
It is well known that a state which is rich in natural resources is generally highly prosperous in industries and trade. However, despite having sufficient natural resources, Assam and the wider North East still lag behind significantly in industrial and commercial development. Moreover, the people from these states have not been able to benefit fully even from the resources that have already been discovered. Assam’s inability to fully benefit from its rich natural resources stems from an underdeveloped, externally controlled industrial structure and deep economic dependency, ultimately leading to low average incomes, high unemployment, and continuous resource drain .