Management of Natural Resources Notes
Management of Natural Resources
Natural resources are living and non-living components. Natural resources are components of life supporting system, source of food, shelter, energy, recreation, etc. Human beings have been exploiting the natural resources since their evolution on earth. The utilization of natural resources was small in early times due to less human population, absence of technology and abundance of resources. But now these have undergone serious damage and destruction. There are number of environmental problems which we are trying to solve through international and national laws and regulation.
Awareness about the problems caused by unthinkingly exploiting our resources has been a fairly recent phenomenon in our society. Pollutants present in various resources like water or air may be harmful.
Pollution of the Ganga :
The multicrore Ganga Action Plan started in 1985 to improve the quality of water in the Ganga. The Ganga runs its course of over 2500 km from Gangotri in the Himalayas to Ganga Sagar in the Bay of Bengal. The major polluting industries of the Ganga are the leather industries, especially near Kanpur, which use large amounts of Chromium, and much of it finds its way into the major flow of the Ganga. Apart from industry, one billion litres per day of raw sewage is also poured into the Ganga.
Every year, Americans throw away 50 billion food and drink cans, 27 billion glass bottles and jars, and 65 million plastic and metal jars and can covers. More then 36% of our waste is packaging material. Where dose it all go? Some 85% of our garbage is sent to dump, or landfill, where it can take from 100 to 400 years for things like cloth and aluminium to dump or to decompose. Its time to learn the three R’ s of the environment–Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.
(i) Reduce. Reducing the amount of waste you produce, is the best way to help the environment. For example:
(A) Save water by turning off tap while you brush your teeth. We can also save water by repairing our leaky taps.
(B) Save energy by turning off lights that you are not using.
(C) Do not buy products that have a lot of packaging.
(D) Save fuel and reduce pollution by using public transport.
(ii) Recycle. The process by which we create new products out of the old ones is called recycling. For example, paper bags, soda cans, plastic, glass, milk cartons etc., can be recycled.
In order to recycle, we first need to segregate our waste so that the material that can be recycled is not dumped along with other non-recyclable wastes.
(iii) Reuse : This is actually even better than recycling because the process of recycling uses some energy. In this process, we use things again and again. For example :
(A) Use steel/glass utensils instead of disposable plastic utensils.
(B) Use all writing papers from both sides.
(C) Use cloth bags to carry materials from market instead of plastic or paper bags.
(D) Used envelope can be reused by reversing it.
(E) The plastic bottles in which you buy various food items can be used for storing things in the kitchen.
Even while making everyday choices, we can make environment-friendly decisions. For doing this, we need to know moreabout how our choices effect the environment. These effects may be short term or long term. The concept of sustainable development encourages forms of growth that meet current basic human needs, while preserving the resources for the needs of future generations. Economic development is linked to environmental conservation. So, to achieve sustainable development we have to consider different aspects of development. Conservation, sustainability and biological diversity are interrelated. With the advancement in science and technology, natural environment is shaped, guided and directed by socio-economic considerations.
Why do we need to manage our resources ?
Soil, water, air, plants, animals, minerals and fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal are examples of natural resources which support and enhance the quality of human life. Natural resources are components of nature which are important to human kind. All the things that we use or consume like-food, clothes,books, furniture, vehicles are obtained from resources on this earth. The only thing we get from outside is energy which we receive from the sun. Even this energy is processed by living organisms and various physical and chemical processes on the earth before we make use of it.
Sustainable use of natural resources is an urgent matter in developing countries, where renewable resources are frequently the only foundation of support for human life. The concept of sustainable use does not apply to non-renewable resources, as they do not regenerate within a period of time meaningful to human being. These resources are not used sustainably, if used, they are simply consumed. Renewable resources, on the other hand, can be maintained in a state of dynamic equilibrium between consumption and renewal. The management of natural resources:
(A) Require long-term prospect so that these will last for the generation to come and will not merely be exploited for short term gains.
(B) Ensures equitable distribution of resources so that all and not just a handful of rich and powerful people, benefit from the development of these resources.
(C) Should also consider the amount of damage caused to the environment when these resources are extracted or used. For example, a large amount of slag which is discarded during mining of metal, should be safely disposed off to prevent pollution.
Forests and wildlife
Forests :
The word forest has been derived from a Latin word ‘Foris’ which means outside. The word might have been given to uninhabited area outside the boundaries of village or town. But, at present, we can say that any land managed for different purpose of forestry that may be covered with trees, shrubs, etc. is a forest. Following types of forests are found in our country:
(i) Tropical rain forests.
(ii) Tropical deciduous forests.
(iii) Temperate broad leaved forests.
(iv) Temperate needle-leaved forests or coniferous forests.
Forests are our natural treasures. They provide us with a large number of products like fuel wood, timber, fodder, fibres, fruits, herbal drugs, etc. Forests play an important role in maintaining a regular supply of oxygen in the air. Large number of animals and birds live in the forests. At present the forest covered area is reduced to around 14 percent, which should be 33 percent.
Uses of Forests
Forests are of great economic, ecological and aesthetic importance. Some important uses of forests are as follows:
(i) Forests are source of timber used in construction of houses, furniture, railway sleepers, boats, etc.
(ii) Firewood or fuelwood is also obtained from forests.
(iii) A variety of gums and resins are obtained from forest trees.
(iv) Natural rubber is obtained from the latex of rubber tree.
(v) Some grasses and forest trees are source of important essential oils.
(vi) A variety of fruits like almond, walnut, chilgoza, coconut, cashewnut, etc. are also obtained from forests.
(vii) Forests help in conservation of soil and protect it from erosion.
(viii) They also regulate carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air.
(ix) Forests help in bringing rainfall.
(x) They provide shelter to wild animals.
(xi) A large number of drugs, spices and other useful products are also obtained from forests.
Forest Conservation
Forests are ‘biodiversity hot spots’. One measure of the biodiversity of an area is the number of species found there. One of the main aims of conservation is to try and preserve the biodiversity we have inherited. Loss of diversity may lead to a loss of ecological stability.
Conservation of forest resources has also become very important due to overgrowing demand for timber and other forest products. A large scale deforestation has reduced the forest cover. Therefore, conservation of forests is almost necessary. Reforestation and afforestation programs are being carried out to conserve the forests. Forests must be managed scientifically for the production of various useful substances, without causing damage to them. Various laws and acts have been framed to protect and conserve our forest wealth.
Wild Life
The term wildlife probably originated in 1913 in a book, Our Vanishing Wildlife by William Hornaday, Director of the New York Zoological Park. Webster’s dictionary defines wildlife as ‘living beings that are neither human nor can be domesticated’. According to Oxford dictionary, wildlife is ”the native flora and fauna of a particular region”.
Generally, we all think that only large animals, carnivores, small animals and birds constitute the wildlife. But, now the term wildlife includes much more than the above mentioned life forms. Now, plants, micro-organisms and all other lesser known living beings, too, fall within wildlife.
One essential characteristic feature of wildlife is that they grow and survive in a particular area, without the care of man. Thus, wildlife refers to all organisms- plants, animals and microbes living or growing in nature without human control.
A number of wildlife species have either become extinct or going to be extinct very soon. It is estimated that as many as 500 million kinds of plants, animals and micro-organisms have made earth their home since life began. Presently, it is believed that there are only 5 to 10 million species alive and rest have become extinct.Extinction in biology refers to disappearance of a species from earth when its last surviving member dies. Extinction of each species erases its gene pool forever.
About 10% of the living species are in the danger of extinction. Many factors contribute to the extinction of wildlife. Some of these factors are-hunting, destruction of habitats, introduction of exotic species, use of pesticides, etc.
(i) Hunting : Large scale killing of wild animals has started for trade in animal products, such as hides, skin, fur, leather, feathers, horns, ivory, meat, etc. Animals like jaguar, tiger, snow leopard and cheetah are hunted for their skins, elephants for their ivory tusks and rhinoceros for their horns. Dodo, a unique bird of Maurishus has disappeared mainly due to excessive hunting.
(ii) Destruction of wildlife habitat : Habitat refers to the area where species seek food, get shelter and reproduce. The major cause of extinction of wildlife is due to destruction or alternation of their habitat. Habitat is disturbed or destroyed due to various factors such as developmental work, deforestation, pollution, urbanisation,expanding agriculture, etc.
(iii) Introduction of exotic species: Intentional or chance introduction of exotic species into new geographical areas byman adversely affects the native species. In many cases, this exotic species has been a superior predator, parasite or competitor and has brought about extinction or near extinction of native species. The bird Dodo became extinct by 1681 due to hunting and introduction of pigs in the island.
(iv) Use of pesticides : Pesticides are used to kill insect pests of crops. But their use proved harmful to many wild animals. These harmful chemicals gradually accumulate in the bodies of worms, insects and small animals. These, in turn, are eaten by birds, which thus acquire these chemicals. Effects have been seen in birds like falcon, osprey and bald eagle. The extinct animals are gone forever. We can never bring them back. So, we must conserve our wildlife for future generations.
Stakeholders
While making policies and laws for conservation of forests, we need to consider the following stakeholders:
(i) The people who live in or around forests are dependent on the forests.
(ii) The forest department which controls the resources of the forests.
(iii) The nature and wildlife conservationists who want to conserve nature in its pristine form.
(iv) The industries who use and depend upon forest produce.
People living in and near the forests need large quantities of firewood or small timber. For example, they use bamboo for making their huts, baskets for collecting and storing food materials etc. They use forest wood for making implements for agriculture, fishing and hunting. They also gather fruits, nuts, medicines and fodder from the forests. They use forests as grazing grounds for their cattle.
Local people had been living in forests for centuries, before Britishers came and took over most of our forest areas. Local people were using forests in the sustainable manner, without disturbing their ecology. When Britishers took control of the forests, these local people were forced to depend on smaller areas. Britishers exploited forests ruthlessly and the forest resources started becoming over-exploited. Even after independence, our forest department officials did nothing to save these forests. They even ignored both local knowledge and local needs in their management practices. They cleared vast areas of forests and converted them into monocultures of Pine or Eucalyptus. They destroyed a large amount of biodiversity from the forests. They caused a great harm to people living in or near the forests, because the needs of local people for fodder, fruits, nuts, medicines can no longer be met from such forests. Such forests helped only a specific type of industries and, thus, generated revenue for forest department.
Nature and wildlife conservationists are interested in conservation of biodiversity, but are not in favour of local people living in the forests. Their attitude has been one of keeping local people and turn a blind eye to the deforestation caused by industries. However, studies by ecologists have shown that the traditional use of forests by local people have no effect on forest and wildlife. There are enough instances of local people working traditionally for conservation of forests. Take, for example, the case of the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, for whom conservation of forest and wildlife has been a religious tenet. Our government has recently instituted an Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award for wildlife conservation in the memory of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, who in 1731 sacrificed her life along with 363 others for the protection of khejri trees in village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Water Harvesting
In recent years,many parts of our country have been facing crisis of groundwater availability. Thus there is a greater need for surface water collection, storage, treatment and supply at household level for domestic use. Many indigenous water saving methods have been used by local communities to capture whatever water falls on their land, like digging small pits and lakes, building small earthen dams and reservoirs and setting up of top rain water harvesting units. In different parts of our country, rain water harvesting is practised in different ways.
In Madhya Pradesh, check dams, tanks and community lift irrigation schemes were used to overcome drought. As a result, the food production increased by 38% in between 1990 and 1995.
In Andhra Pradesh also, percolation tanks and check dams were constructed to overcome drought. Even in Maharashtra, percolation tanks were used to convert drought-prone areas into green lands.
In Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Gramin Vigyan Vikas Samiti motivated people to build storage tanks. Water harvesting techniques are highly specific for specific areas and the benefits are also localized. Khadin system of water harvesting is shown in fig.
Figure : Khadin system of water harvesting
These days, roof top rain water harvesting is practised. It is a method of direct collection of rain water from roof top of building – our houses as well as those of industries. The rain water collected can be stored for direct use (figure) or can be allowed to reach the ground water. Once the water reaches the ground water, water table is raised. It is thus, a solution to the problem of depleting ground water.
Figure: Roof top rain water harvesting
Chipko Movement
This organised movement was started in December 1972, by the women of Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The workers of logging contractor started cutting the trees when the men folk were absent. Hence, the women of the village reached the spot and started hugging the tree trunks. Thus, they prevented the workers from felling the trees and the contractors had to withdraw ultimately.
This movement continued under the leadership of Mr. Sunderlal Bahuguna in various villages of Tehri Garhwal. He presented the plans of Chipko movement for the protection of soil and water through a ban on tree felling in the Himalayas at the UNEP meeting held in London in 1982.
The Chipko plan is a slogan of five “F’s”– food, fodder, fuel, fibre and fertilizer trees, to make communities self sufficient in all their basic needs and to generate permanent economic prosperity and happiness to mankind.
Results of Chipko Movement :
(i) It forced the government, to whom the forests belong, to rethink their priorities before making use of the forest resources.
(ii) The replenishment of the forest trees occured due to awareness among the people.
(iii) The destruction of forests could be prevented because the local people were aware of the fact that destruction of forests always cause loss of forest products forever and degrade the quality of soil and water.
Fossil fuels – Coal and Petroleum
Fossil fuels, coal and petroleum, are important sources of energy for us. Energy needs of humans are increasing day by day because of its use to provide comforts of modern life, meeting our basic needs as well as for manufacturing a large number of goods on which our lives depend. These energy requirements have largely been met by the reserves of coal and petroleum.
Fossil fuels, as you know, are formed from the remains of plants and animals which were buried millions of years ago. Fossil fuels are present in Earth in limited quantities and soon these reserves will be exhausted. Because of their inability to regenerate fast enough, fossil fuels are termed non-renewable sources of energy. We need to therefore conserve these resources and avoid their wastage. At the same time, it should be understood that excessive use of fossil fuels causes pollution and even leads to global warming.
How this happens :
When coal and petroleum are burnt, carbon dioxide, water and oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur are formed. When combustion takes place in insufficient air, then carbon monoxide is formed instead of carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen and sulphur are poisonous at high concentrations. Oxides of nitrogen and sulphur also result in acid rain, after coming in contact with rain. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand when produced in large quantities leads to an increase in atmospheric temperature. This phenomenon is termed global warming. It is, thus, very obvious that we need to use these resources only in small quantities.
Steps to protect the environment :
Every one of us has a right to clean air, water and food. This right can be fulfilled by maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Here are a few tips to achieve this goal.
(A) Keep yourself informed : It is important that you are ‘in the know’ about what is happening on the environment front. Read about how untreated sewage is thrown in the rivers, go to public lectures about pollution, and keep in touch with new policies that effects your environment. The more informed you are, the better equipped you are to fight such issues.
(B) Consume less : Motto : Refuse …Reduce…Re-use…Recycle. This means consuming fewer resources, reusing whatever you possibly can and, finally, recycling what cannot be re-used. This process greatly reduces the garbage.
(C) Help reduce air-pollution: Use public transport. Travel in buses, trains and walk short distance. If you must take car and taxi, try car pool or share a cab as far as possible.
(D) Watch out for vehicle emission : If you have your own vehicle, make sure that the engine is checked regularly, and obtain a pollution- under- control (PUC) certificate for your vehicle.
(E) Say ‘No’ to plastic bags: One of the biggest sources of pollution in Indian cities is the ubiquitous plastic bag. Refuse plastic bag and carry cloth shopping bag with you.
(F) Separate your garbage : India has one of the world’s most efficient recycling mechanisms. Use the service of your raddiwalla. Newspapers, bottles, cans and other such recyclables can fetch you money and in the process you help in saving the environment. Ragpickers, too, perform a vital function for the city. Kitchen garbage (biodegradable) should be separated from non-biodegradable waste.
(G) Compost your organic waste : Convince your neighbours to start a vermiculture bin and produce manure.
(H) Stop burning garbage : Convince your neighbours to avoid burning solid wastes. It may seem harmless but smoke emitted from leaves contributes to air pollution. Also when there are plastics in the heap, dangerous toxic fumes are emitted. Leaves can be converted to fertilizer through composting and plastic can be recycled.
(I) Reject disposable: Use reuseable bottles and not disposable, wasteful cans. Drink your coffee or tea from a mug and not from styrofoam cups; reduce your consumption of disposable plates, razors, nappies, etc.
(J) Reduce your paper consumption: Use both sides of the paper and make rough notepads out of waste paper and old calendars. Re-use envelops.
(K) Be an aware consumer : Read labels and buy vegetables, pulses and other foodstuff that are organic and do not use pesticides which pollute our soil and ruin our health. Likewise, choose cosmetics and household products that use natural ingredients and no chemicals.
(L) Never litter : Keep your streets, gardens and society clean. Do not even drop a single wrapper anywhere, and stop others from doing so.
(M) Avoid chemical pesticides and other toxic substances : Avoid using pesticides in your home as these may contain dangerous endocrine disrupters that can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to contaminants you breathe in through your lungs. Try natural, herbal alternatives.
(N) Save water : May be you don’t have to pay very much for water, but it is a precious natural resource. Do not leave taps open while brushing your teeth or shaving or while washing utensils. You could also put some glass bottles or bricks in your flush tank so that you save water every time you flush. Some estimates suggest that about 16 litres of water goes down the drain with one flush.
(O) Fight for open spaces : Open spaces with trees serve as lungs and are home to an amazing number of birds.
(P) Save trees : Trees help to combat pollution. Protect when you see a tree being axed. Plant a tree but remember that your responsibility does not finish there. Build a tree guard, water and nourish the seedling till it grows into a tree.
(Q) Support a conservation group : Support conservation organizations that are doing something to protect the green tracts and our environment. Support them in any capacity that you can – by campaigning and putting in some time.
National parks and sanctuaries :
(i) Jim Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal (tiger).
(ii) Kanha National Park, M.P. (tiger).
(iii) Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan (winter home of migratory birds, most commonly Siberian crane).
(iv) Nandankanan Biological Park near Bhubaneswar (captive breeding of white tigers).
(v) Simplipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa(tiger).
(vi) Gir Sanctuary, Gujarat (Asiatic lion, chital, sambhar).
(vii) Kaziranga Sanctuary, Assam (one horned rhinocerous).
(viii) Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana (birds).
(ix) Bandipur Sanctuary, Karnataka (Indian elephant).
(x) Madumalai Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu (Indian elephant).
(xi) National Botanical Garden, West Bengal (rare species of plants).
(xii)Desert National Park, Rajasthan (black buck, great Indian bustard,chinkara, neelgai).
Environmental Organizations
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) :
NGOs are very important agents in imparting environmental education to the masses. NGOs also provide a very valuable channel for feedback. These organizations have made people aware of the environment problems which are caused due to uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources.
Some of the important NGOs working in the field of environment are as follows:
(i) Kalpavriksh, New Delhi – Started a movement against the destruction of Delhi’s green areas.
(ii) Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, Trichar (Kerala) – Work on protection of environment.
(iii) Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandal, Gopeshwar (U.P)- Started Chipko Movement.
(iv) World Wide Fund for Nature – India (WWF India) – Conservation of country’s natural heritage.
(v) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai – Preservation of nature and protection of wild life.
International Organizations :
(i) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
(ii) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
(iii) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
National Organizations :
(i) Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL).
(ii) Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife.
(iii) Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI).
(iv) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
(v) Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (DNES).
(vi) National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
Environmental Laws
Environmental laws have been enacted from time to time for (i) Dealing with pollution, and (ii) Conservation of natural resources.
Environment Pollution Control laws :
(i) The Indian Forest Act, 1927.
(ii) The Forest (Conservation) Act,1980.
(iii) The Motor Vehicles Act, 1938, amended in 1988.
(iv) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
(v) The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and its amendments.
(vi) The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and its amendments.
(vii) The Environment (Prevention) Act, 1986 and its amendments.
(viii)The Factories Act (Pollution and Pesticides), 1948.
(ix) The Insecticides Act, 1968.
(x) Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1985.
Wildlife Protection Acts :
(i) Madras Wildlife Act, 1873.
(ii) All India Elephant Preservation Act, 1879.
(iii) The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912.
(iv) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amended in 1991.
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