Geography | Primary Activities (Fundamentals of Human Geography)

Primary Activities:

• Primary activities include the extraction and utilization of natural resources. They involve hunting and gathering, pastoralism, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and mining.
• These activities form the base of the economic structure and provide raw materials for secondary activities (manufacturing).

Hunting and Gathering:

• One of the oldest economic activities carried out by humans.
• Practiced in regions with harsh climatic conditions and by primitive societies for subsistence.
• Gathering involves collecting plants and animal products from nature, such as fruits, nuts, leaves, bark, and honey.

Pastoralism:

• Nomadic herding or pastoral nomadism involves moving with livestock in search of pastures and water.
• Practiced in regions with vast open spaces and varied climates.
• Important regions include the Sahara, Central Asia, and the Arctic Tundra.

Types of Agriculture:

1. Subsistence Agriculture:
   • Practiced mainly for self-consumption with little surplus for trade.
   • Two types: Primitive subsistence agriculture (shifting cultivation) and Intensive subsistence agriculture.
   • Shifting cultivation, also known as ‘slash and burn’ agriculture, involves clearing forest areas and using them for cultivation until soil fertility declines.
2. Commercial Agriculture:
   • Oriented towards market production with high inputs of capital and technology.
   • Examples include commercial grain farming, mixed farming, and plantation agriculture.
   • Plantation agriculture involves large-scale cultivation of a single crop like tea, coffee, rubber, or sugarcane, usually in tropical regions.
3. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture:
   • Practiced in densely populated areas with small land holdings.
   • High labor input with family labor and use of farmyard manure.
   • Dominant crops include rice, wheat, and other cereals.

Fishing:

• An important primary activity providing food and employment.
• Divided into two types: Marine fishing (in oceans and seas) and Inland fishing (in rivers, lakes, and ponds).

Forestry:

• The management and conservation of forests for timber, fuelwood, and other forest products.
• Provides habitat for wildlife and contributes to ecological balance.

Mining:

• Extraction of minerals from the earth’s surface or below the surface.
• Minerals include metallic minerals (iron, copper), non-metallic minerals (limestone, mica), and energy minerals (coal, petroleum).

Assignments for CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter “Primary Activities – Fundamentals of Human Geography”

1. Case Study Analysis: Analyze the impact of commercial agriculture on local economies in a specific region.
2. Research Project: Investigate the role of pastoralism in sustaining livelihoods in the Sahara region.
3. Debate Preparation: Prepare for a debate on the sustainability of shifting cultivation in the modern era.
4. Chart Creation: Create a flowchart illustrating the different types of primary activities and their sub-categories.
5. Role Play: Conduct a mock conference where students represent different primary activity sectors, discussing their importance and challenges.

Conclusion

The chapter “Primary Activities – Fundamentals of Human Geography” provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundational economic activities that rely directly on natural resources. It highlights the diversity and importance of primary activities in sustaining human life and economic development.