Sustainable Management Of Natural Resources

Two measures for better management of water resources are-

a. Adopting rainwater harvesting techniques so that we can capture and store rainwater for future use. Construction of dams to store water for irrigation purposes.

b. At individual level, we can repair faulty taps, pipes and prevent water loss. We should close the water taps when not in use.

Management of natural resources requires a long-term perspective so that it helps in sustainable development and it should be available for our future generations too.

Exploiting resources for long-term prospective meet the needs of future generation also. The management of natural resources for future use is a sustainable practice. The judicious use of natural resources in present generation enables the future generation too, to use them for their benefits.

Chipko movement was originated from a small village Reni in 1974 where a group of women under the leadership of Gaura Devi protest against indiscriminate felling of trees by hugging them. The Chipko movement spread slowly to other parts under the leadership of Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna of Silyara in Tehri region. Chipko movement is the movement where people form a circle around the tree and hug them to prevent falling of trees. The local people of Tehri-Garhwal district of UP realize the importance of forests and protest against felling of trees as well as giving forest products to other regions.

It helped in saving trees which ultimately result in conserving soil and water sources which maintain balance in our nature.

Reuse is considered better than recycling as recycling consume some energy to generate new things which is not seen in case of reuse. Reuse prevents environment pollution by not creating any waste. Reuse also saves money as material is used again without any process.

Two sources are burning of fossil fuels and exhausts from automobiles. Both produce carbon dioxide gas which is a major greenhouse gas.

Mining causes soil erosion, loss of biodiversity. The chemicals released from mining activities cause contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water. Dust from mining causes air pollution. Mining activities too cause noise pollution. In this way, mining practices cause air, water, soil and noise pollution.

Four such activities are-

a. By reusing things instead of throwing away. Example – old clothes, toys etc. can be given to needy people, plastic bottles of jam, pickles can be used to store other things etc.

b. We can recycle things like paper, plastics, metals, glass etc.

c. We can use waste water that is produced from water purifier in watering plants, moping floor, cleaning vehicles etc.

d. Using CFls bulbs, fluorescent tubes which consume less energy instead of conventional bulbs or tubes.

Two ways to conserve forests are-

a. Large-scale afforestation programmes.

b. By implementing law for severe punishment to anyone who is involved in illegal cutting down of trees.

The Great Himalayan National park contains Alpine meadows within its reserved areas which were once grazed by Nomadic shepherds but this practice has been stopped now. So grasses have become very tall now which then fall over and prevent fresh growth in alpine meadows. This is an example which shows that the prejudice against the traditional use of forest areas has no basis.

Khadins, tanks and nadis are the old-age water harvesting techniques/structures of Rajasthan still in use today. Khadins is a traditional way of harvesting rainwater and it is mainly followed by people of Rajasthan. These are very long earthen embankments which are built across the lower edge of the sloping farmlands which are called bund. Rainwater flows down the slopes and fills the bunds to form a reservoir. Pathways are made from bund to nearby well which are mainly dug behind the bund where water seeps and fills the wells.

Two reasons for launching Ganga Action plan are-

a. To improve quality of water of River Ganga.

b. To reduce the pollution load of River Ganga and make people aware of preventing pollution of Ganga river.

This plan was launched in 1985 by Mr. Rajeev Gandhi.

Coliform bacteria were found in water of Ganga indicating contamination.

Forests where a large number of flora and fauna species are found are termed as biodiversity hotspots. The criteria for measuring biodiversity are-

a. Number of species found in that area.

b. Range of different life forms like algae, bacteria, mosses, flowering plants, insects, animals, birds etc.

The three R’s means Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce means less use of resources like switching off lights, fans, television, computers, music players when not in use. Closing the taps while brushing teeth, repairing the faulty taps from which water leaks. Reuse means using things again and again like we can write on both sides of a paper, we can give our unused and old things to needy and poor people, bottles of jams, jellies, pickles when finished can be used to store other things etc. Recycle means using recycling technology new things can be produced from old ones like old newspaper, glass bottles, plastics etc. 3R’s approach is the best technique to save our environment.

Four benefits provided to local people were employment in silviculture and harvesting operation, collection of firewood, collection of fodder at nominal price, use of forest products etc.

Wildlife maintains an ecological balance of nature. It provides a great biological diversity. Many valuable products like musk, ivory, leather etc. are obtained from them. Forests provide us various valuable products like honey, medicines, lac, gums, resins, wood, prevent soil erosion and flood, brings rainfall, release oxygen to atmosphere which is a life supporter. Forests are habitat of variety of living organisms. Loss of biodiversity would lead to ecological imbalance so we need to conserve forests and wildlife.

There should be an equitable distribution of resources because everyone has equal rights to use natural resources and gets benefits from them. Everyone whether rich or poor has equal rights to get benefits from natural resources. Geographical factors and economic factors are the forces working against an equitable distribution of our resources. The rich and powerful people take advantage and get more benefits by using resources as compared to poor people. Over exploitation and mismanagement of resources also works against equitable distribution of our resources. So natural resources should be managed in such a way that everyone should get equal benefits from our natural resources.

Local people know the practices to use these resources in a sustainable manner without causing any harm or damage to environment. Because as we have seen in our past how local people protect the Sal forests of Arabari and tribal women of Tehri-Garhwal district of UP protest against the felling of trees by hugging them. So the local people who live in or around forest are referred to as “stakeholders” for conservation of forests.

i. Sustainable development implies various forms of growth in all levels like agriculture, ecological, social, natural resources etc. and meets the current basic needs.

ii. It helps in preserving resources for future generations too.

iii. It leads to conservation of environment and leads to economic development.

The aim of water harvesting is to collect and store rainwater by using special techniques for future use when there is shortage of water or during non-rainy days. This water can be used for irrigation or it can be purified and can be used for drinking and other domestic purposes.

Burning of fossil fuels releases various types of gases like carbon dioxide, oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen etc. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and when released in large quantities formed as a layer on our atmosphere causing greenhouse effect. It traps the sunlight rays inside the surface of earth thus the temperature of earth increases. Hence the consequence of greenhouse effect is global warming. Besides the oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen etc. which are released into the atmosphere are the main causes of acid rain.

i. Social problems – Vast area of land get submerged under water so many people become homeless. It also leads to unequal distribution of water. People close to the source will get enough water for agriculture whereas those far from the source cannot get sufficient water.

ii. Environmental problems – Large-scale deforestation, loss of flora and fauna of that particular area, displacement of large number of people living in that area etc.

a. Industrialization causes air, water, soil and noise pollution.

b. Effluents released from industries to nearby water bodies destroy the quality of water.

c. Toxic gases release into air pollutes it and causes many respiratory disorders.

d. Constant running of heavy machines causes noise pollution.

The problems which arise due to construction of big dams are:

a. Social problems – Vast area of land get submerged under water so many people become homeless. It also leads to unequal distribution of water. People close to the source will get enough water for agriculture whereas those far from the source cannot get sufficient water.

b. Economic problems – It involves a huge expenditure and low benefits as compared to the cost.

c. Environmental problems – Large-scale deforestation, loss of flora and fauna of that particular area, displacement of large number of people living in that area etc.

Fossil fuels are obtained by degradation of dead remains of plants and animals which are buried under the surface of earth over a million years ago. They are called so as they are produced by degradation of biomass over a million years ago. They are an important source of fuels. The two fossil fuels are coal and petroleum.

Three reasons are-

a. We should manage our available resources carefully so that our future generations can take benefits from them.

b. Every one of us can take benefits from them without any shortage.

c. Some resources are non-renewable so we should use them wisely without leading to any exhaustion of these resources.

Four human activities that cause pollution of river water are-

a. Disposal of sewage, human unburnt corpses.

b. Bathing and washing of clothes.

c. Bathing of domestic animals

d. Immersion of ashes, garbage disposal.

We should use them judiciously because-

a. They are an important source of fuels. Petroleum products like petrol, diesel etc. are used as fuel in automobiles. Coal is used in thermal power plants to generate electricity and also used as a fuel for domestic purposes.

b. They took millions of years to get formed hence if consumption will over exceeds it may lead to exhaustion of these resources.

c. We should use them judiciously so that our future generations can take benefits from them.

d. Burning of these fuels cause pollution, global warming so we should use them wisely.

Small check dams hold water and prevent soil erosion, they help in recharging groundwater. So they are build across flooded gullies.

Reduce, reuse and recycle are three Rs which helps us to conserve our resources for long-term use.

Sal forests were mainly found in the Arabari forests of Bengal.

The program should involve protection of all physical and biological components present in forests like flora, fauna, soil etc.

People living in and around forest should be involved in conserving forests because they have better knowledge of using these resources without causing any harm to them.

Lead battery manufacturing factory use acids in lead batteries which has lower pH and when discharged into nearby water bodies are more likely to lower pH value of water.

Afforestation means planting of more trees which will bring rainfall thus increasing ground water level.

All three i.e. social, economic, environmental reasons are main opposition for contruction of large dams.

These are all ancient or traditional methods of water harvesting. These structures are prepared to capture and store rainwater for various uses. These structures are known by different names in different states of India.

Wind, wood and sun are not included under fossil fuels. Coal and petroleum are main fossil fuels.

Using windmills to generate power for irrigation is one of the eco-friendly activity. We can harness wind energy to generate electricity which is one of the inexhaustible natural resources and is an eco-friendly approach.

Sustainable development means growth in every sector without causing any damage to our environment to meet demands of both present and future generations. Four main stakeholders should accept the growth that will be taking place in every sector, as stakeholders play an important role towards sustainable development.

True

Diversity refers to flora, fauna of that particular region and loss of these may cause an ecological imbalance as they play an important role in maintaining our diversity.

False

Non-judicious use of forest resources creates a large impact on biodiversity as forests are the main habitats of all flora and fauna species and damaging them might create havoc on the lives of all living beings living in that area.

True

We should use our natural resources cautiously to meet our needs as well as for social and economic development.

False

Environment includes all biotic and abiotic components and their interaction.

True

If we want our economic and social development by causing harm to our environment it will destroy our environment but if we will follow sustainable development it will lead to conservation of our environment.

False

Chipko movement was first started in a small village Reni in 1974 by a group of women under leadership of Gaura Devi.

False

Destruction of forests leads to soil erosion where the top fertile soil is removed causing great effect on quality of soil. It reduces rainfall thus affecting water bodies.

True

Local people can effectively use forest resources without harming them, they have great knowledge of these resources. So active participation of local people leads to efficient management of forests.