Reserves
Also called: Reserve resources · Topic: Natural Resources: Classification, Planning and Sustainable Use · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 1 "Resources and Development"
Meaning
Reserves are the part of the stock that we can use with today's technical know-how, but whose use has not started. We keep them for future needs. So reserves are a smaller group inside the stock. The difference is that for reserves, the technology already exists.
Example
The water held behind the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu, on the Kaveri river, is a reserve. We can use it at any time. It is stored so it can meet needs later, for example in the dry season.
Don't confuse with
- Stock: this could meet needs, but we do not yet have the technology to use it.
- Potential resource: this is found and usable but simply not yet put to use. It is not set aside on purpose for the future.
Related concepts
- Community-owned resource
- International resource
- Potential resource
- Developed resource
- Stock
- Tragedy of the commons