Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
On the basis of continuity, the resources are classified as under:
(1) Renewable Resources
(2) Non-renewable Resources.
1. Renewable Resources
Resources, which can be renewed along with their exploitation, are always available for
use. Hence they are called renewable resources. For instance, forests are renewable. If trees are felled for wood, original forest covers may be maintained through planning new trees i.e. a forestation. Likewise, solar energy and wind energy are examples of renewable resources.
2. Non-renewable Resources
The formation of some resources like iron ore, coal, mineral oil etc. has taken several
thousand years. Once they are used in unlimited way, they cannot be easily replaced. Thus, their exploitation at large scale will result in their fast depletion. Some such resources are called non-renewable resources or exhaustible.
3. Cyclic Resources
For resources there is no final use as they can be used continuously. For example, water
used in industry and domestic ways can be cleaned and used again for similar or other
purpose. Such resources are given the name of Cyclic Resources.
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