Hunting and Gathering
The earliest humans relied heavily on their surrounding environments for survival, obtaining their food primarily through hunting animals and foraging for edible plants in nearby forests. These primitive societies were especially dependent on wild animals, with those living in extremely cold or hot climates surviving almost exclusively on hunting. Coastal communities continue to fish, though this activity has modernized significantly due to technological advancements. However, overhunting, including illegal poaching, has led to the extinction or endangerment of many species. Initially, early humans used basic tools like stone, twigs, and arrows for hunting, which limited the number of animals they could kill.
In India, hunting has been banned primarily due to the need to protect wildlife and preserve biodiversity, which was threatened by excessive hunting and poaching.
Gathering and hunting are considered the oldest forms of economic activity. These activities are still practiced in regions with harsh climates and involve primitive societies that rely on both plant and animal resources for their basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. These practices require minimal capital investment and are characterized by a low level of technology, low yields per person, and little to no surplus production.
Modern gathering has evolved to be somewhat market-oriented and commercial in nature. Gatherers now collect valuable plant resources such as leaves, bark, and medicinal plants, which are sold after simple processing. Various parts of plants are used for different purposes, such as bark for quinine, tanin extracts, and cork; leaves for beverages, drugs, cosmetics, fibers, thatch, and fabrics; nuts for food and oils; and tree trunks for rubber, balata, gums, and resins. An example of a commercial product from gathering is chicle, used in chewing gum, which is derived from the sap of the sapodilla tree.
Despite these uses, gathering is unlikely to become significant on a global scale as the products cannot compete effectively in the world market, especially with the availability of synthetic alternatives that are often of better quality and cheaper.
Chapter 4 Primary Activities| Class 12 Geography Notes
Primary activities are the main source of economic development. It involves the production of raw materials directly from natural resources. These activities lead to a base for various industries. It is important for sustaining human life and civilization.
Let us learn more about primary activities in this article!