Resource planning is a strategy or technique for the judicious and systematic use of resources. It is essential for the sustainable development of a country, especially one like India which has immense diversity in the availability of resources.
The process of resource planning typically involves three main stages:
\[\begin{array}{rl} 1. & \text{Identification and Inventory of Resources: This involves surveying, mapping, and making a qualitative and quantitative estimation of the resources across the regions of a country.} \\ 2. & \text{Developing a Planning Structure: This involves creating a suitable planning framework equipped with appropriate technology, skills, and institutional setup for implementing resource development plans.} \\ 3. & \text{Matching Resource Development Plans with National Development Plans: This involves aligning the resource development plans with the overall national development goals and objectives.} \\ \end{array}\]
In simple terms, resource planning means deciding how to use a country's resources in the best possible way to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.