UNIT V

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Introduction

The earth has plenty of resources that people can use to meet their needs. Plants and

animals are living things. Land, water and air are non living things. People use both living and non

living things on earth to satisfy their needs. The materials on earth that people use are called natural

resources. Natural resources have a somewhat unlimited supply in abiotic resources that is, if not

severely misused, however if misused they can easily become exploited like that of biotic resources.

HOW HUMAN DESTROY OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

When new roads are built mountains are chipped off killing both plants and animals. It

also creates destruction to their natural habitat. Rice fields are turned into residential or commercial

centers. People cut too many trees for lumber. When all the trees are gone, rains wash away the soil.

Industrialization brings people to build many factories. If not properly planned and maintained, these

factories emits harmful waste materials that pollutes the soil, air and water. Too much mining and

quarrying for the purpose of getting those precious metals and stones eventually erodes the soil. In

farming, some farmers use too much chemical fertilizers. Too much fertilizer destroys the quality of

the soil and is harmful to both human and animals. Burning plastics and garbage, and smoke belching

cars also pollutes the air and contributes to global warming.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

As the human population is continuously growing the consumption of natural resources is also

increasing. With the increasing industrialisation and urbanisation of the modern human society, the

use of all the resources is rising. If they are not properly used and well managed, a serious scarcity will

result. Therefore we need to conserve the natural resources. This will also upset the ecological

balance. Conservation is the proper management of a natural resource to prevent its exploitation,
destruction or degradation. Conservation is the sum total of activities, which can derive benefits from

natural resources but at the same time prevent excessive use leading to destruction or degradation.

NEED FOR CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES

We know that nature provides us all our basic needs but we tend to overexploit it. If we go on

exploiting the nature, there will be no more resources available in future. There is an urgent need to

conserve the nature. Some of the needs are :

 to maintain ecological balance for supporting life.

 to preserve different kinds of species (biodiversity).

 to make the resources available for present and future generation.

 to ensure the survival of human race.

1.) Soil

Soil is the uppermost layer of earth’s crust, which supports growth of plants. It is a complex

mixture of mineral particles (formed from rocks), humus (organic material formed from decaying

plant remains), mineral salts, water, air, and living organisms. Soil is renewable because its

productivity can be maintained with fertilizers and manures rich in humus. If the soil has been

removed from a certain place by erosion, it is practically non-renewable because formation of new soil

may take hundreds and thousands of years.

The removal of top layers of soil by wind and water is called soil erosion. top layers of soil

contain humus and mineral salts, which are vital for the growth of plants. Thus, erosion causes a

significant loss of humus and nutrients, and decreases the fertility of soil. Erosion of soil takes places

due to the effect of natural agents like wind and water. High velocity winds over lands, which have no

vegetation, carry away the loose top soil. Similarly in areas with no or very little vegetation, the

pouring raindrops carry away the soil. Besides the natural agents, there are some human activities,

which cause soil erosion. If the forests are cut down for timber, or for farming purposes, then the soil

is no longer protected from the effect of falling rains. Consequently, the top soil is washed away into
the rivers and oceans. Poor farming methods which is improper tillage and failure to replace humus

after successive crops and burning the stubble of weeds reduce the water-holding capacity of the soil.

So the soil becomes dry and can be blown away as dust. Overgrazing by flocks of cattle, buffaloes,

goats and sheep leave very little plant-cover on the soil. Their hooves make the soil dry and soil can be

blown away easily.

Conservation of Soil

Soil loses its fertility due to erosion. Soil conservation means checking soil erosion and improving

soil fertility by adopting various methods.

 Maintenance of soil fertility: The fertility can be maintained by adding manure and fertilizers

regularly as well as by rotation of crop.

 Control on grazing: Grazing should be allowed only on the areas meant for it and not on

agricultural land.

 Reforestation: Planting of trees and vegetation reduces soil erosion by both water and wind.

 Terracing: Dividing a slope into several flat fields to control rapid run of water. It is practised

mostly in hilly areas.

 Contour ploughing: Ploughing at right angles to the slope allows the furrows to trap water and

check soil erosion by rain water.

 2.) Water

Water is essential for survival of all living organisms. It is the most important component of

all life forms and necessary for sustaining life. It regulates climate, generates electricity and is also

useful in agriculture and industries. About 97% of the water on earth is saline in nature, which is found

in seas and oceans. The remaining 3% is fresh water, and most of which is stored in ice caps and

glaciers, and just about 0.36% is distributed in lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. Sea water supports marine life

and contributes to the production of fish and sea foods and several other commercial products (iodine,

agar, coral, pearls, etc.). Fresh water is needed by humans for their personal use, It is also used by

other animals, in agricultural, and for industrial purposes. Fresh water is a renewable resource as it is

continuously being produced through hydrological cycle (evaporation, condensation and precipitation)

Degradation of water is the decrease in quality and quantity of water on the earths surface. With

increase in population and industrial growth, water is being degraded day by day. Increasing

population means more water withdrawal and consumption, sewage disposal, waste water from

domestic and municipal sources, agricultural wastes, the continuous decrease of ground water are

some factors leading to water degradation.

Conservation of Water

Conservation and management of water are essential for the survival of mankind, plants and

animals. This can be achieved by adopting the following methods:

 Growing vegetation in the catchment areas, which will hold water in the soil and allow it to

percolate into deeper layers and contribute to formation of ground water.

 Constructing mini-dams and reservoirs to regulate supply of water to the fields, as well as to

enable generation of hydroelectricity.

 Sewage should be treated and only the clear water should be released into the rivers.

 Industrial wastes (effluents) should be treated to prevent chemical and thermal pollution of

fresh water.
 Judicious use of water in our day-to-day life.

 Rainwater harvesting should be done by storing rainwater and recharging groundwater.

3.) Forests

Forests are one of the most important natural resources on this earth. They provide not only

innumerable material goods but cover the earth like a green blanket and a number of

environmental services. Forests are cut down for their commercial value, commercially forests

are of highly beneficial providing fuelwood, timber, medicines, drugs etc. They also serve a

number of ecological benefits by producing oxygen, reducing pollution, conserve soil, home

for wildlife and most of all reducing global warming. Forests are highly exploited for the

commercial value, however comparing to how much of a role forests play in the ecological

habitat, it is incomparable. Loss of forests can lead to detrimental issues like deforestation

which results from overgrazing, construction of dams, raw materials for industrial use, fuel

requirements, shifting cultivation etc. Other activities like timber extraction and mining also

play a role in degrading forest cover.

Conservation of Forest resources:

 For every tree cut down (deforestation), a sapling (afforestation) should be planted,

within the next few decades a new tree will grow in its place

 Prevention of forest fires.

 Selective Logging.

 More efficient use of logged wood.

 Substitution of synthetic products whenever possible.

 Correct use of farmland to enusre replenishment of nutrient value of soil.

 Construction of mini-dams for hydroeletric generation instead of big ones.

 Incessant mining should be avoided and appropriate use of mineral resources.

  Overgrazing should be prevented and cattle should be allowed to graze only in a

selected plot of land suitable for grazing.

Other Methods Of Conserving Natural Resources

Conservation of Mineral resources:

Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, natural gas, fuelwood and other energy generating mineral

resources can be conserved by resorting to non-conventional sources of energy.

Conventional resource usage can be reduced sigificantly by using other forms of energy

sources like those of non-conventional energy sources i.e., solar energy, tidal wave energy,

hydroeletrical power etc., these resources are less polluting, less degrading and better yet they

aid in storing of other conventional energy resources for the future generation and are less

damaging to the environment.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is essential for maintenance of ecosystem. It maintains gaseous composition of

atmosphere, controls climate, helps in natural pest control, pollination of plants by insects and birds,

soil formation and conservation, water purification and conservation, geo-chemical cycles etc. Though

biodiversity is so important for our survival, we are destroying it knowingly or unknowingly. It is

under threat due destruction of habitat by cutting down trees, filling up the wetland etc., population

explosion, industrialisation and urbanisation, pollution of soil, air and water changes the habitat

quality and may reduce or eliminate sensitive species, mining activities add to the pollution of air and

water and threaten the survival of the animals in the nearby areas, construction of dams, roads and

railways destroys huge patches of forests, grassland etc. thus, disturb the biodiversity, indiscriminate

killing of animals for different purposes has resulted in their reduction, introduction of exotic/foreign

species in an area threaten the survival of existing natural biodiversity; e.g., water hyacinth clogs

rivers and lakes and threatens the life of many aquatic species.
Conservation of Biodiversity

There are two basic strategies for conservation of biodiversity which is In-situ conservation and Ex-

situ conservation. In-situ (on site) conservation includes the protection of plants and animals within

their natural habitats or in protected areas. Protected areas are areas of land or sea dedicated to

protection and maintenance of biodiversity. For example: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries,

Biosphere Reserves, etc. Ex-situ (off site) conservation is the conservation of plants and animals

outside their natural habitats. These include Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Gene Banks, DNA Banks, Seed

Banks, Pollen Banks, Seedling and Tissue Culture etc.

Wildlife

Animals and plants living in their natural habitat constitute wildlife. The wildlife forms an

important resource as it plays a major role in maintaining ecological balance. It is used in

research as experimental material and also used for recreational purposes. Like other resources

it is also facing severe threat. Animals are threatened by the co-existence of man, throughout

time the animal species have experienced extinction through evolution and died as a result of

the changing ecological habitat, when this happens a new species emerges, but in more recent

times these once flourishing animal resources have begun to slowly die out as a result of mans

interfereance, animals have been constantly hunted for their meat, skin, fur, horns, tusks etc.

This has pushed the animal species to a critical level of existance which endangers them to

become extinct as a result of mans actions. The construction of wildlife sanctuaries, national

parks is merely a remedial measure and than a preventive one, what good will it serve when a

majority of animal species are already lost and in case of the presence of poachers, even at a

national level it is hard to prevent the animals from being hunted, if there is no participation

on the part of the local people, it will be all the more a difficult case to sustain and conserve

the animal species.

Need for Conservation of wildlife

 maintaining ecological balance for supporting life.

 preserving different kinds of species (biodiversity).

 preserving economically important plants and animals.

 conserving the endangered species.

Methods of Conservation of Wildlife

 Establishing biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.

 Afforestation (Tree planting programme).

 Special schemes for preservation of threatened species.

 Improvement of natural habitats of wildlife.

 Educating people about the need and methods of conservation of wildlife.

 Formulation of Acts and Regulations to prevent poaching (killing animals) for sports and

money.

CONCLUSION:

Till now we discussed how we have manipulated the existing natural resources using the advanced

science and technology to create our own environment. Thus, in the process of overexploitation of

natural resources, we have not only changed the natural environment but in some cases, destroyed it.

The modern industries, factories, cities, towns, roads, railways, dams etc. have replaced the natural

habitats of plants and animals. Thus, the natural resources are depleting gradually and a day will come

when most of these will not be available for our future generation. So it is high time to think about

maintaining a balance between environment and development so that both present and future

generations can derive proper benefits out of these resources. This can only be achieved by the process

of sustainable development. Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the

present generation and conserves it for the future generation.

 Conservation is the sum total of activities, which can derive benefits from natural resources

but at the same time prevent excessive use leading to destruction or neglect. Conservation and

management of natural resources are essential for the survival of mankind, plants and animals.

Therefore, the conservation of natural resources required cooperations from many agencies in

order to implement it. Governments policy, private agency, and public participation at all levels also

ensures conservation of pristine rural landscapes and species survival.

Substitutions and Recycling to conservation of energy resources:

Resources are features of environment that are important and value of to human in one form or the

other. However, the advancement of modern civilization has had a great impact on our planet's natural

resources. So, conserving natural resources is very essential today. There are many ways that one can

conserve natural resources. Most of the people use natural gas to heat their water and their home. For

conservation of natural resources like natural gas, one can get tank less water heater as it reduces the

usage of natural gas. The other way to save natural gas is the use of another energy source for instance

hydro, solar or wind power are all healthy and great alternatives to conserving natural resources. In

fact these energy sources are clean and healthy for environment. Moreover, these energy sources do

not emit or produced harmful gases or toxin into our environment like that of the burning fossil fuels

at the same time they are renewable as well as are not easy to deplete.

Today, most of the people are finding many ways for conserving natural resources. One of the

great option before is Hydro-power and solar power. Power can be generated from these sources and

these are the best ways for natural resources conservation like fossil fuels. There is also a way to

conserve natural resource like trees. It can be conserve through recycling process. Many products

come from the trees like papers, cups, cardboards and envelopes. By recycling these products you can

reduce the number of trees cut down in a year. One should make the most use of these paper products

without being wasteful and then recycle them. This is one great way for conserving natural resources.

Fossil fuels on Earth will not last forever; we need to conserve these fossil fuels. To conserve

fossil fuels one can choose to buy a hybrid car. Some of these cars will run on electricity combined

with using small amounts of gas. Some hybrid cars just run on electricity. Either way it is a great way

for conserving natural resources when it is concern with fossil fuels.

Other methods to substitute conventional energy resources is through the use of non-conventional

ones like, solar energy derived technology, hydroeletrical energy generation, thermal power plants

generate geo-thermal energy, tidal wave energy, windmills generate wind energy, biomass energy such

as biogas and biofuel, use of hydrogen as fuel.

 Efficient use of Natural resources:

Natural resources can be used more efficiently by making them less polluting, especially coal

using low sulphur coal or by removing sulphur from coal with the help of bacteria for leaching the

sulphur. Fossil fuels can be more efficiently used by substituting them with other non-conventional

sources, cars that run on eletricity and on low gas can be substituted for cars that consume large

amounts of diesel and petrol or using transport systems, riding a bicycle etc. We can also shift to less

polluting fuels like hydrogen gas. Reducing noise pollution by inhibiting laws, planting more trees,

use of sound absorbers. Water can also be recycled and re-used more efficiently by not releasing it into

open water sources so as not to cause damage to the surrounding water bodies, proper disposal of

waste products and filtering of harmful chemicals from the contaminated before releasing it into the

open water, organic waste matter can be used for composting and for fertilizing the soil, other

biodegradable waste products can be used for bio-gas generation. Solid wastes can be separated and

organic elements can be filled in a sanitary landfill and through microbial degradation can reduce soil

pollution, cattle manure can be used for methane generation along with human feaces.

Other effectives means of natural resources can be through non-conventional energy sources, once

again these sources have tremendous potential for energy generation and are far off better than

utilizing conventional sources because they are less damaging to the environment and more effective

and efficient.