NATURAL RESOURCES

Natural resources: any material which can be transformed in a way that it becomes more valuable and useful
can be termed as resource. In other words, it is possible to obtain valuable items from any resources.
Resource, therefore, are the means to attain given ends. The aspect of satisfaction is so important that we
consider a thing or substance a resource, as so long it meets our needs. Life on this planet depends upon a
large number of things and services provided by the nature, which are known as Natural Resources. Thus
water, air, soil, minerals, coal, forests, crops and wild life are all examples of natural resources.

Classification of natural resources

Depending upon availability of natural resources can be divided into two categories such as (1) renewable and
(2) Nonrenewable resources.

1.Renewable resources

Renewable resources are in a way inexhaustible resources. They have the ability to replenish themselves by
means such as recycling, reproduction and replacement. Examples of renewable resources are sunlight,
animals and plants,soil,water,etc.

2. Non-Renewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources are the resources that cannot be replenished once used or perished. Examples of
non-renewable resources are minerals, fossil fuels, etc.

I: Forest Resources

Forest is an important renewable resource. Forest vary in composition and diversity and can contribute
substantially to the economic development of any country .Plants along with trees cover large areas, produce
variety of products and provide food for living organisms, and also important to save the environment.
It is estimated that about 30% of world area is covered by forest whereas 26% by pastures. Among all
continents, Africa has largest forested area (33%) followed by Latin America (25%), whereas in North America
forest cover is only 11%. Asia and former USSR has 14% area under forest. European countries have only 3%
area under forest cover. India’s Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country
as of 2005.

Significance of forests

Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important uses of forest can be classified as
under:

 Commercial values
 Ecological significance
 Aesthetic values

1. Commercial values

 Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood, timber, pulpwood etc. About 1.5
billion people depend upon fuel wood as an energy source. Timber obtained from the forest can used to
make plywood, board, doors and windows, furniture, and agriculture implements and sports goods.
Timber is also a raw material for preparation of paper, rayon and film.
 Forest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.
 Forest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.
 Forest is important source of development of dams, recreation and mining.
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2. Ecological uses

-Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species. They help in reducing global
warming caused by greenhouse gases and produces oxygen upon photosynthesis.
-Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps in soil conservation but also
helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.

3. Aesthetic values

All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the forest because forests have a greatest
aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for recreation and ecosystem research.

Over exploitation of forests

Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing population increased demand of fuel
wood, expansion of area under urban development and industries has led to over exploitation of forest. At
present international level we are losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually. Overexploitation also
occurs due to overgrazing and conversion of forest to pastures for domestic use.

Deforestation

Forest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture, harvesting for wood and timber, development and
expansion of cities. These economic gains are short term where as long term effects of deforestation are
irreversible.

Causes of deforestation

Forest area in some developed area has expanded. However, in developing countries area under forest is
showing declining trend particularly in tropical region. Main causes of deforestation are:

a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation

This practice is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned while post-
disturbance fallow vegetation is allowed to freely grow while the cultivator moves on to another plot. . It is estimated
that this is the principal cause of deforestation in tropics in Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated to be
70, 50, and 35% respectively.

b) Commercial logging

It is an important deforestation agent. It may not be the primary cause but definitely it acts as secondary cause,
because new logging lots permits shifting cultivation and fuel wood gatherers access to new logged areas.

c) Need for fuel wood

Increased population has led to increasing demand for fuel wood which is also acting as an important
deforestation agent, particularly in dry forest.

d) Expansion for agribusiness

With the addition of cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental plants, there is stress to expand
the area for agribusiness products which results in deforestation.

e) Development projects and growing need for food

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The growing demand for electricity, irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has lead to destruction of forest.
Increased population needs more food which has compelled for increasing area under agriculture crops
compelling for deforestation.

f) Raw materials for industrial use

Forest provides raw material for industry and it has exerted tremendous pressure on forest. Increasing demand
for plywood for backing has exerted pressure on cutting of other species such as fir to be used as backing
material.

Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects and damages the environment and living beings .Major causes of
deforestation are:

 Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility

 Decrease of rain fall due to effect of hydrological cycle
 Expansion of deserts
 Climate change and depletion of water table
 Loss of biodiversity, flora and fauna
 Environmental changes and disturbance in forest ecosystems

Timber extraction

There has been unlimited exploitation of timber for commercial use. Due to increased industrial demand;
timber extraction has significant effect on forest and tribal people.

Logging

 Poor logging results in degraded forest and may lead to soil erosion especially on slopes.
 New logging roads permit shifting cultivators and fuel wood gatherers to gain access to the logging
area.
 Loss of long term forest productivity
 Species of plants and animals may be eliminated
 Exploitation of tribal people by contractor.

Mining

Major effects of mining operations on forest are:

 Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from deep deposits is done by sub-
surface mining. It leads to degradation of lands and loss of top soil.
 Mining leads to drying up perennial sources of water sources like spring and streams in mountainous
area.
 Mining and other associated activities remove vegetation along with underlying soil mantle, which
results in destruction of topography and landscape in the area.

Forest conservation and management

Forest is one of the most valuable resources and thus needs to be conserved. To conserve forest, following
steps should be taken.

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  Conservation of forest is a national problem; thus it should be tackled with perfect coordination between
concerned government departments.
 People should be made aware of importance of forest and involved in forest conservation activities.
 The cutting of trees in the forests for timber should be stopped.
 A forestation program should be launched
 Grasslands should be regenerated.
 Forest conservation Act should be strictly implemented to check deforestation.
 Awards should be instituted for the deserving.

II: WATER RESOURCES

Water is an indispensable resource for life on earth. Approximately 70.8 % surface of earth is covered with
water in the form of oceans. Out of this, about 97% is not fit for human consumption, about 2% is locked as a
glacier and only less than 1% available as fresh water that can be used for human consumption and other
uses.

Water is a very important source and essential for life because it has very unique characteristic such as
1. Water exists as liquid over a wide range of temperature 0-1000C with highest specific heat and latent
heat of vaporization.
2. Water is excellent solvent and act as carrier of nutrient and helps to distribute them to the cells in the
body, regulates the body temperature and support structure and can dissolve various pollutant and can
act as carrier of large number of microorganisms
3. It is responsible for hydrological cycle which acts as resource of water to the earth. It is estimated that
about 1.4-inch-thick layer of water evaporates and majority of water returns to earth through
hydrological cycle.

Water Use

More than 99% of earth water is unavailable for use; only 1% water is available for people, animal, plants and
earth. There is an uneven distribution of water resources, tropical rain forest is receiving maximum rainfall
whereas desert receive only little rainfall.

Due to its unique properties water is of multiple uses for all living organisms. Water is absolutely essential for
all the living organisms. One can survive for weeks without food but cannot survive more than a few days
without water. Since the earliest days of mankind water availability was the major factor to decide the place of
human settlements. Water dissolves nutrients and distributes them in different parts of plants and regulates the
temperature and removes the waste.

Fresh water crisis

On global scale water availability is not a problem itself, but it’s availability in right form, right time and right
place is a problem. Irregularities in duration and intensity of rainfall cause floods and droughts. Out of the total
water reserves of the world, about 97% is salty water (marine) and only 3% is fresh water.

Due to increased demands overuse of groundwater for drinking, irrigation and domestic purposes has led to
rapid depletion of groundwater in various regions leading to lowering of water table.

Pollution of many of the groundwater aquifers has made them unfit for consumption. Rivers and streams have
long been used for discharging the wastes. due to industrialization river water are being polluted because
industrial residues are pushed into the river. Civilizations have grown and flourished on the banks of rivers, but
being over populated due to fast growth are polluting the natural resources of water.

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Problems associated with water resources
These are some problems associated with use of water
 Water Scarcity (precipitation/evapotranspiration balance, temporal availability, per capita availability)
 Floods and droughts (spatio-temporal distribution; regular floods related to heavy winter or spring
rains, increasing damage level due to shifting land use (settlements in flood zones) recurrent summer
droughts coinciding with peak demand periods for agriculture and tourism)
 Groundwater availability and quality (aquifer size and access, yield, saltwater intrusion, pollution of
shallow aquifers)
 Watershed degradation (deforestation, land use, increasing impervious (sealed) areas due to
urbanization the main concern here is land use change (primarily deforestation and urbanization) and
its effects on runoff patterns (flooding) and water quality including erosion/sediments with subsequent
problems such as reservoir siltation/capacity loss)
 Coastal interaction (salinity intrusion in groundwater and estuaries, coastal pollution due to pollution
runoff)

Over-Exploitation of Water

1 Groundwater

About 9.86% of the total fresh water resources are in the form of groundwater and it is about 35-50 times that
of surface water supplies.

Effects of extensive and reckless groundwater usage:

1. Subsidence
2. Lowering of water table
3. Water logging

2 Surface water

Surface water mainly comes directly from rain or snow covers. The various surface sources are natural lakes
and ponds, rivers and streams, artificial reservoirs. Availability of surface water decides the economy of the
country. On one side surface water availability affects the productivity, but on the other side water sources may
cause floods and drought. Due to unequal distribution, water may lead to national (interstate) or international
disputes. Sharing of surface water due to these disputes is affecting productivity of different agro eco-zone and
creating problems for government.

Recently many water conflicts at national and international levels relating to sharing of surface water are
catching the headlines of newspaper.

Dams - Benefits and Problems

Water is a precious resource and its scarcity is increasing at global level. There is a pressure to utilise surface
water resources efficiently for different purposes. According to World Commission on Dam Report -2001 there
are 45000 large dams spread over 140 countries

Major benefits of dams

The major benefits of dams are:
1. Hydroelectricity generation
2. Year round water supply to ensure higher productivity
3. Equal water distribution by transferring water from area of excess to area of deficit
4. Helps flood control and protects soil
5. Assure irrigation during dry periods

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6. River valley projects provide inland water navigation, employment opportunities and can be used to develop
fish hatcheries and nurseries
7. River valley projects have tremendous potential for economic upliftment and will help to raise the standard of
living and can help to improve the quality of life

Disadvantages/problems

Although dams have proved very useful over the centuries but recent past big dams has created lot of human
as well as environmental issues
1. Submergence of large areas may lead to loss of fertile soil and displacement of tribal people
2. Salt left behind due to evaporation increase the salinity of river water and makes it unusable when reaches
down stream
3. Siltation and sedimentation of reservoirs not only makes dams use less but also is responsible for loss
of valuable nutrients
4. Loss of non-forest land leads to loss of flora and fauna
5. Changes in fisheries and the spawning grounds
6. Stagnation and water logging near reservoir leads to breeding of vectors and spread of vector-borne
diseases
7. Growth of aquatic weeds may lead to microclimatic changes.

III: MINERAL RESOURCES

Minerals are essential for the formation and functioning of organisms, plant animals and human beings. In the
modern era, human life needs variety of minerals to sustain industry based civilization. Mineral resources are
broadly defined as elements, chemical compounds, and mixtures which are extracted to manufacture
sustainable commodity.

Exploitation of Minerals

Depending on their use, mineral resources can be divided into several broad categories such as elements for
metal production and technology, building materials, minerals for the chemical industry and minerals for
agriculture. When usually we think about mineral resources we often think of metals but the predominant
mineral resources are not metallic. The picture of annual world consumption of some elements is as under:
 Sodium and iron are used at a rate of about 0.1 to 1.0 billion metric tons per year.
 Nitrogen, sulphur, potassium and calcium are primarily used as fertilizers at a rate of about 10 to 100
million metric tons per year.
 Zinc, copper, aluminium and lead are used at a rate of about 3 to 10 million metric tons per year;
 Gold and silver are used at a rate of about 10 thousand metric tons per year.

Out of all the metallic minerals, iron consumption is 95% of the metals consumed. Thus, with the exception of
iron, the non-metallic minerals are consumed at much greater rates than the elements used for their metallic
properties.

Uses of Minerals

Due to increased population, there is increased demand of minerals by the industry, transport, agriculture and
defence preparation. Depletion of almost all known and easily accessible deposits is anticipated in near future.
Moreover, there may be shortage of some crucial elements such as mercury, tin, copper, gold, silver and
platinum. The limited resource of phosphorus, which is an essential component of chemical fertilizers, is
another area of concern.

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Environmental Impacts of Mineral Extraction
Extracting and use of mineral resources can affect the environment adversely. Environmental affect may
depend on factors such as mining procedures, ore quality, climate, size of operation, topography, etc. Some of
major environmental impacts of mining and processing operations are as under

1. Degradation of land.
2. Pollution of surfaces and ground water resources.
3. Effect on growth of vegetation due to leaching out effect of minerals.
4. Surface water pollution and groundwater contamination lead to occupational health hazards etc.
5. Air pollution due to emission of gases.
6. Deforestation affects flora and fauna.
7. Rehabilitation of affected population.

Conservation of Minerals
Conservation of minerals can be done in number of ways and these are as follows,
 Industries can reduce waste by using more efficient mining and processing methods.
 In some cases, industries can substitute plentiful materials for scarce ones.
 Some mineral products can be recycled. Aluminum cans are commonly recycled. Although bauxite is
plentiful, it can be expensive to refine. Recycling aluminum products does not require the large
amounts of electric power needed to refine bauxite.
 Products made from many other minerals, such as nickel, chromium, lead, copper, and zinc, can also
be recycled.
 Strict laws should be made and enforced to ensure efficient management of mining resources.

References:
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=89582
http://www.earthwatch.org/rcc_india
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHE1oUFO_-U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y945x25tNLU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5H0wCs3k4g&feature=related
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhkjzd_learn-our-water-resources-animation_fun

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