Human Resources Class 8 NCERT Geography Chapter 6

Why People Are Called Human Resources

A resource is something that has value and can satisfy human needs. People are called human resources because they can create, improve and use other resources. A coal mine is useful only when people know how to extract coal safely. A fertile field becomes productive when farmers have seeds, tools, water and knowledge. The quality of people matters as much as their number. Education improves skills, health improves working ability, and training helps people use technology. Therefore, geography studies not just how many people live in a place, but also their distribution, age, gender balance, literacy and occupations.

Key Terms in Chapter 6 Human Resources

Population

The total number of people living in a particular area at a given time.

Population distribution

The pattern of where people live across the world, a country or a region.

Population density

The number of people living per square kilometre of land area.

Birth rate

The number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.

Death rate

The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, either within a country or between countries.

Literacy rate

The percentage of people who can read and write with understanding.

How to Explain Population Distribution Step by Step

1. Step 1: Look at physical factors — Check landforms, climate, soil and water. Plains, moderate climate and fertile soil usually attract more people. Deserts, dense forests, high mountains and very cold regions often have fewer people.
2. Step 2: Add economic reasons — People prefer places with jobs, industries, farming opportunities, markets and transport. A city with factories and services can support more population than an isolated region with few livelihood options.
3. Step 3: Include social and historical factors — Education, healthcare, safety, cultural centres and long-settled river valleys also influence where people live. Older settlements may remain crowded because roads, towns and trade networks developed there over time.
4. Step 4: Write a balanced answer — In exams, do not give only one reason. Combine physical, economic and social reasons to explain why a region is densely or sparsely populated.

Worked Examples: Thinking Like a Geographer

• Example 1: Why are river plains densely populated? Step 1: Identify the landform: river plains are usually flat. Step 2: Connect flat land with farming, roads, houses and transport. Step 3: Add water and fertile alluvial soil, which support agriculture. Step 4: Explain jobs and towns that grow around farming and trade. Final answer: River plains are densely populated because they provide fertile soil, water, easy transport, farming opportunities and space for settlements.
• Example 2: How does literacy improve human resources? Step 1: Literacy means the ability to read and write with understanding. Step 2: A literate person can learn skills, follow instructions, use technology and access information. Step 3: Better skills increase productivity in farming, industry and services. Step 4: Literate citizens can also make better health, work and social decisions. Final answer: Literacy improves the quality of human resources by increasing skills, productivity, awareness and participation in development.
• Example 3: A district has high birth rate and falling death rate. What may happen to population? Step 1: High birth rate means many children are being born. Step 2: Falling death rate means fewer people are dying, often due to better healthcare and food. Step 3: When births are much more than deaths, natural increase is high. Final answer: The district population is likely to grow rapidly unless migration or other factors balance the increase.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not write that population is always a burden. People become resources when they are healthy, educated and skilled.
• Do not confuse population distribution with population density. Distribution means where people are located; density means people per square kilometre.
• Do not explain dense population using only climate. Add soil, water, transport, jobs, education and healthcare where relevant.
• Do not forget migration when explaining population change. Population changes because of births, deaths and movement of people.
• Use correct terms such as birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, age composition and literacy rate in long answers.

CBSE Answer Writing Tip

For 3-mark or 5-mark answers, use the pattern: define the term, give two or three reasons, and add one example. For example, if asked why some areas are sparsely populated, mention harsh climate, difficult terrain, poor soil, lack of water and fewer job opportunities. A labelled point-wise answer is easier for the examiner to read and helps you avoid vague statements.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why are people considered the most important resource? A: Step 1: A resource has value only when it can be used to satisfy needs. Step 2: People use knowledge, skills and labour to develop land, water, minerals and technology. Step 3: Education and health improve people’s ability to create value. Final answer: People are the most important resource because they develop and use all other resources through their knowledge, skills and work.
• Q: Differentiate between population distribution and population density. A: Step 1: Population distribution tells us the pattern of where people live. Step 2: Population density tells us how many people live in each square kilometre. Step 3: Use an example: two regions may have people spread unevenly, but density gives a measurable number. Final answer: Distribution means the spatial spread of population, while density means the number of people per square kilometre.
• Q: Give three reasons why deserts usually have sparse population. A: Step 1: Deserts receive very little rainfall, so water is scarce. Step 2: High temperature and dry climate make daily life and farming difficult. Step 3: Poor vegetation and fewer economic activities reduce job opportunities. Final answer: Deserts are sparsely populated because of water scarcity, harsh climate and limited farming or employment opportunities.
• Q: Explain how birth rate, death rate and migration change population. A: Step 1: If birth rate is higher than death rate, population increases naturally. Step 2: If death rate is higher than birth rate, population may decrease. Step 3: Immigration adds people to a place, while emigration reduces people from a place. Final answer: Population changes due to births, deaths and migration; growth is high when births and immigration are more than deaths and emigration.

Frequently Asked Questions