Answer:

Planning is a strategy used by countries and organizations to make sure that their resources are used efficiently and effectively, ensuring sustainable development and meeting the needs of the population. It involves setting clear objectives, devising strategies, and allocating resources in such a way that the long-term goals are achieved without depleting available resources. Planning helps balance the use of resources in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, infrastructure, education, and health.

Key Points to Explain Planning:

1. Optimal Resource Use: Through planning, a country can ensure that resources are allocated where they are needed most, thus avoiding wastage. For instance, a nation may plan its water resources to ensure equitable distribution between agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses.
2. Long-Term Sustainability: Planning helps in maintaining a balance between the current and future needs of the population. For example, if a country focuses on sustainable energy sources like wind or solar power, it can reduce reliance on non-renewable resources like coal, ensuring the longevity of energy sources.
3. Economic Growth: A well-planned economy can boost production and employment. The Five-Year Plans in India are a clear example of national planning that allocates resources to different sectors, such as education, health, and infrastructure, to promote economic growth.
4. Equity: Planning helps to reduce inequalities by ensuring that resources are distributed in a way that meets the needs of all sections of society. For instance, subsidies for the rural poor or education for underprivileged sections of society can be part of a national plan.
5. Examples of Planning:
   - India’s Five-Year Plans: These plans were a way to judiciously use the country’s resources. Each plan focused on different aspects, such as agriculture, industrialization, health, and education, and tried to achieve balanced development.
   - Land Use Planning: In countries like Japan, land use is planned meticulously to balance urbanization with agriculture and conservation, ensuring that natural resources are not overused.