Class 8 CBSE Social Science (Geography) Chapter 4: Industries

1. Introduction to Industries

• Definition: Industries refer to economic activities concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories or workshops.
• They transform raw materials into finished products using machines, labour, and technology.
• Importance of Industries:
  • Provide employment to millions.
  • Contribute to national income and GDP.
  • Promote trade and export.
  • Lead to modernization and infrastructure development.
  • Reduce dependence on agriculture.
• Industries are the secondary sector of the economy (primary: agriculture/mining; tertiary: services).
• Example: Cotton (raw) → Yarn → Cloth (finished product).

2. Classification of Industries

Industries are classified based on different criteria:

A. Based on Raw Materials

• Agro-based: Use plant/animal products (e.g., cotton textile, sugar, jute).
• Mineral-based: Use minerals (e.g., iron and steel, cement).
• Chemical-based: Use chemicals (e.g., petrochemicals, fertilizers).
• Forest-based: Use forest products (e.g., paper, furniture).

B. Based on Size (Investment and Workforce)

• Large-scale: Huge investment, many workers, advanced technology (e.g., steel plants).
• Small-scale: Less investment, fewer workers, simple tools (e.g., handicrafts, pottery).
• Cottage: Family-based, home setup, manual (e.g., basket weaving).

C. Based on Ownership

• Public sector: Government-owned (e.g., BHEL, SAIL).
• Private sector: Individual/company-owned (e.g., Tata Steel, Reliance).
• Joint sector: Government + private (e.g., some oil companies).
• Cooperative: Owned by producers/workers (e.g., Amul).

D. Based on Output

• Basic industries: Produce goods for other industries (e.g., iron-steel).
• Consumer industries: Produce for direct use (e.g., soap, toothpaste).

3. Factors Affecting Location of Industries

Industries are not located randomly. Key physical and human factors:

Physical Factors:

• Raw materials: Near sources to reduce transport cost (e.g., sugar mills near sugarcane fields).
• Power: Availability of coal, electricity, or hydro-power.
• Water: Essential for processing (e.g., textile industries near rivers).
• Climate: Some need specific weather (e.g., cotton textiles in humid areas).
• Land: Flat, cheap land for factories.

Human Factors:

• Labour: Skilled/unskilled workers at low cost.
• Capital: Money for investment.
• Market: Near consumers to reduce distribution cost.
• Transport: Roads, railways, ports for raw materials and finished goods.
• Government policies: Subsidies, tax benefits in certain areas (e.g., SEZs).

Example: Pittsburgh (USA) – iron-steel due to coal, iron ore, rivers.

4. Major Industrial Regions

• World: Ruhr (Germany), Midwest (USA), Mumbai-Pune (India).
• India: Major regions – Mumbai-Thane, Kolkata-Hooghly, Bangalore-Tamil Nadu, Chhotanagpur, Ahmedabad-Vadodara.

5. Important Industries (Case Studies)

A. Iron and Steel Industry

• Called “backbone of modern industry” – used in machines, tools, construction.
• Raw materials: Iron ore, coking coal, limestone, manganese.
• Process:
  1. Smelting in blast furnace → Pig iron.
  2. Refining in open-hearth → Steel.
• Major centers in India: Jamshedpur (TISCO/Tata Steel), Bhilai, Durgapur, Bokaro, Rourkela (public sector).
• World: USA, China, Japan, Russia.
• Challenges: Pollution, high energy use.

B. Cotton Textile Industry

• Oldest in India; agro-based.
• Raw material: Cotton.
• Process: Ginning → Spinning → Weaving → Finishing.
• Centers in India:
  • Maharashtra (Mumbai – “Cottonopolis of India”), Gujarat (Ahmedabad – “Manchester of India”).
  • Others: Kanpur, Coimbatore, Kolkata.
• Shift: From Mumbai (humid climate) to interior due to power and market.
• World: China, India, USA.
• Issues: Competition from synthetics, power cuts.

C. Information Technology (IT) Industry

• Modern, knowledge-based; service-oriented but classified under industry.
• Involves software development, BPO, hardware.
• Factors: Skilled English-speaking youth, good infrastructure, government support (STPs).
• Centers in India: Bengaluru (“Silicon Valley of India”), Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, NCR.
• Importance: High exports (e.g., Infosys, TCS), employment for educated youth.
• Global: USA (Silicon Valley), India (2nd largest).

6. Rise of Major Industrial Cities

• Ahmedabad: Cotton textiles; near cotton fields, port (Kandla), market.
• Osaka (Japan): Cotton textiles; called “Manchester of Japan”; humid climate, port.
• Sakchi/Jamshedpur: Planned for Tata Steel; near iron ore (Singhbum), coal (Damodar), rivers.

7. Environmental Concerns and Pollution

• Industries cause: Air pollution (smoke, gases), water pollution (effluents), land degradation (waste dumping), noise.
• Effects: Health issues, acid rain, global warming.
• Solutions:
  • Treat effluents before discharge.
  • Use filters, electrostatic precipitators.
  • Recycle waste.
  • Government laws (e.g., Pollution Control Boards).
  • Shift to cleaner technologies.

8. Concept of Industrial Disaster

• Example: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) – Union Carbide factory leaked methyl isocyanate gas; thousands died, affected health long-term.
• Lessons: Safety norms, emergency plans.

Key Terms

• Smelting: Melting ore to extract metal.
• SEZ: Special Economic Zone – tax benefits for industries.
• BPO: Business Process Outsourcing.
• STP: Software Technology Park.
• Effluent: Liquid waste from factories.

Differences (Tables for Quick Revision)

Important Points for Exams

1. Why is iron-steel called basic industry? (Supplies to others.)
2. Factors for location of cotton textile in Mumbai/Ahmedabad.
3. Compare Osaka and Ahmedabad textile industries.
4. Role of IT industry in India’s economy.
5. Measures to control industrial pollution.
6. Classify industries with examples (any two bases).
7. Map work: Locate Jamshedpur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, etc.

Extra Tips

• Draw flowcharts: Iron-steel production process.
• Diagrams: Location factors (mind map).
• Case studies: Learn Bhopal tragedy facts.
• Current relevance: Make in India initiative promotes manufacturing.

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Chapter 5: Human Resources

 

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