Natural Resources
Our nature is bountiful. It has variety of plants, animals, minerals,
fuels, water, soil etc. on which man is dependent for his daily needs
and luxuries. All such substances used by man for sustenance and welfare
are called resources.
Man is dependent on plants and animals. Plants and animals in turn are dependent on natural substances like air, water, soil, minerals etc. All such resources existing in nature are called natural resources.
Man is dependent on plants and animals. Plants and animals in turn are dependent on natural substances like air, water, soil, minerals etc. All such resources existing in nature are called natural resources.
Energy From Sun
The sun is the main source of energy for the earth. Green plants use
this energy to prepare food for all other organisms on this earth by the
process of photosynthesis. Thus, green plants convert solar energy into
chemical energy which is stored in plants. Animals also get their
energy from plants. Therefore, all living organisms directly or
indirectly depend upon the sun as the source of their energy.
Types Of Natural Resources
There are two types of natural resources:
1.Renewable resources
2.Non-renewable resources
Renewable Natural Resources
Renewable resources are those which are regenerated through
natural-cycles. For example, oxygen in the air is regenerated through
photosynthesis by the plants and fresh water is renewed through the
water- cycle.
Therefore, air and water are renewable resources. Sun, plants, animals, wind and soil are other renewable resources. There are chances that these renewable natural resources may exhaust after some time. This is because of the limited availability of substances in nature.
(i) Water as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Therefore, air and water are renewable resources. Sun, plants, animals, wind and soil are other renewable resources. There are chances that these renewable natural resources may exhaust after some time. This is because of the limited availability of substances in nature.
(i) Water as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Water is a renewable natural resource and vital for all life. There
is no substitute for water. Man uses water not only for drinking but
also for a number of other activities like bathing, cooking, washing,
irrigation, power generation and also as a means of transportation.
Our water requirement is fulfilled entirely by nature. We get water through rainfall and from oceans, rivers, canals and wells. Whenever the water-cycle in nature is disrupted, the ecological-balance in nature is disturbed.
(ii) Soil as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Soil is also a renewable natural resource. Man depends on agriculture for food, clothing, medicine and many other necessities. Land is also being used for industrialization and urbanization. We know that the surface of the earth is limited and so is its soil.
Random and excessive cutting down of trees, quarrying for minerals and ores followed by heavy rains leads to washing away of the rich top soil necessary for plants. It may even lead to landslides causing great damage to man.
(iii) Forest as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Forests are one of the most useful renewable resources. They are our national wealth. They provide the best habitat for various kinds of wild animals. Forests are a must for the survival of animals. They purify air, control pollution to some extent, regulate the climate, control floods, prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility.We also get numerous useful products like wood, rubber, gum, resin, honey, bee wax, medicinal plants, bamboo, lac, timber etc. from plants. One of the most important uses of forest is that it helps in maintaining the ecological-balance of a place.
Our water requirement is fulfilled entirely by nature. We get water through rainfall and from oceans, rivers, canals and wells. Whenever the water-cycle in nature is disrupted, the ecological-balance in nature is disturbed.
(ii) Soil as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Soil is also a renewable natural resource. Man depends on agriculture for food, clothing, medicine and many other necessities. Land is also being used for industrialization and urbanization. We know that the surface of the earth is limited and so is its soil.
Random and excessive cutting down of trees, quarrying for minerals and ores followed by heavy rains leads to washing away of the rich top soil necessary for plants. It may even lead to landslides causing great damage to man.
(iii) Forest as a Renewable Natural Resource:
Forests are one of the most useful renewable resources. They are our national wealth. They provide the best habitat for various kinds of wild animals. Forests are a must for the survival of animals. They purify air, control pollution to some extent, regulate the climate, control floods, prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility.We also get numerous useful products like wood, rubber, gum, resin, honey, bee wax, medicinal plants, bamboo, lac, timber etc. from plants. One of the most important uses of forest is that it helps in maintaining the ecological-balance of a place.
Non-renewable Natural Resources
Non-renewable resources are those which are not replaced in the environment after their utilization. Metals, coal, natural gas, minerals etc. are non-renewable resources. Man has to be very careful in using these resources so that he may obtain the maximum benefit from them. This is because these resources are limited in quantity and are not renewable.
Conservation of Renewable Natural Resources:
Man’s progress in the present days in this world is directly dependent on renewable natural resources. If we wish to make steady progress, we should conserve natural resources so that they last longer for human welfare. It is, therefore, necessary that natural resources are used judiciously.
Conservation is defined as the judicious and wise use of natural resources without wasting them and replacing them whenever possible. Thus, these resources can be utilized without causing any ecological- imbalance. We should use only what is necessary.
(A) Conservation of Soil:
The conservation of land or soil is known as soil conservation.
It is done by:
(i) Prevention of Soil Erosion:
(a) Trees should not be cut down unless absolutely necessary. Only a few trees should be cut down at one time and whenever possible trees should be planted (afforestation). Plants like bamboos and other suitable species should be planted. These plants help as soil binders by not allowing top soil to run down with the flow of water. The roots of these plants hold the soil firmly together.
(b) Trees should be planted in rows. Trees planted in rows act as wind-breakers. They break the force and speed of a strong wind and prevent it from carrying away the fertile top soil and help to prevent wind erosion.
(c) In agricultural fields, there should be proper irrigation and drainage system so that top soil is not washed away with the flow of water.
(B) Conservation of Water:
There are two main methods for conservation of water:-
(i) Maintenance of the Water-Cycle:
(a) Healthy forests are essential for facilitating rainfall in various regions. Therefore, the water-cycle will depend on the preservation and planting of trees.
(b) The water in swamps, marshes, tanks and lakes must be carefully guarded. Wetland areas should not be filled with mud and reclaimed as land as they play an important role in the water-cycle.
(ii) Prevention of Water Pollution:
(a) Industrialists should be advised not to empty their industrial wastes directly into lakes and rivers. If at all the waste is to be poured into running waters or lakes, the waste material should be treated and filtered out.
(b) The organic wastes from cities (sewage) should not be allowed to pollute the surrounding water. Special sewage plants should be made to bring about oxidation of sewage. Finally, the water free of sewage should be released into rivers or lakes.
2. Conservation of Non-Renewable Natural Resources:
Since non-renewable resources cannot be replaced once they are exhausted, we should use these as sparingly as possible. Among these the important ones are minerals, coal and oil. Alternatively, we should search for such sources of power generation which will not be exhausted i.e. wind and solar energy.
Industries which recover and recycle waste materials should be encouraged because they play a major role in conserving natural resources. Wasteful use of resources should be discouraged.
After recognizing the impact of human interference causing changes in the environment, every citizen should try to conserve the natural resources and the natural environment. Only then can man hope to lead a heal their life in future.
“This universe is the creation of the Supreme Power, meant for the benefit, of all His creations, Individual species, must, therefore, learn to enjoy, its benefits, by forming a part of the system, in close relation, with other species. Let not anyone species, encroach upon the others rights.”
Man’s progress in the present days in this world is directly dependent on renewable natural resources. If we wish to make steady progress, we should conserve natural resources so that they last longer for human welfare. It is, therefore, necessary that natural resources are used judiciously.
Conservation is defined as the judicious and wise use of natural resources without wasting them and replacing them whenever possible. Thus, these resources can be utilized without causing any ecological- imbalance. We should use only what is necessary.
(A) Conservation of Soil:
The conservation of land or soil is known as soil conservation.
It is done by:
(i) Prevention of Soil Erosion:
(a) Trees should not be cut down unless absolutely necessary. Only a few trees should be cut down at one time and whenever possible trees should be planted (afforestation). Plants like bamboos and other suitable species should be planted. These plants help as soil binders by not allowing top soil to run down with the flow of water. The roots of these plants hold the soil firmly together.
(b) Trees should be planted in rows. Trees planted in rows act as wind-breakers. They break the force and speed of a strong wind and prevent it from carrying away the fertile top soil and help to prevent wind erosion.
(c) In agricultural fields, there should be proper irrigation and drainage system so that top soil is not washed away with the flow of water.
(B) Conservation of Water:
There are two main methods for conservation of water:-
(i) Maintenance of the Water-Cycle:
(a) Healthy forests are essential for facilitating rainfall in various regions. Therefore, the water-cycle will depend on the preservation and planting of trees.
(b) The water in swamps, marshes, tanks and lakes must be carefully guarded. Wetland areas should not be filled with mud and reclaimed as land as they play an important role in the water-cycle.
(ii) Prevention of Water Pollution:
(a) Industrialists should be advised not to empty their industrial wastes directly into lakes and rivers. If at all the waste is to be poured into running waters or lakes, the waste material should be treated and filtered out.
(b) The organic wastes from cities (sewage) should not be allowed to pollute the surrounding water. Special sewage plants should be made to bring about oxidation of sewage. Finally, the water free of sewage should be released into rivers or lakes.
2. Conservation of Non-Renewable Natural Resources:
Since non-renewable resources cannot be replaced once they are exhausted, we should use these as sparingly as possible. Among these the important ones are minerals, coal and oil. Alternatively, we should search for such sources of power generation which will not be exhausted i.e. wind and solar energy.
Industries which recover and recycle waste materials should be encouraged because they play a major role in conserving natural resources. Wasteful use of resources should be discouraged.
After recognizing the impact of human interference causing changes in the environment, every citizen should try to conserve the natural resources and the natural environment. Only then can man hope to lead a heal their life in future.
“This universe is the creation of the Supreme Power, meant for the benefit, of all His creations, Individual species, must, therefore, learn to enjoy, its benefits, by forming a part of the system, in close relation, with other species. Let not anyone species, encroach upon the others rights.”
SAVE NATURE,SAVE LIFE
