NATURAL RESOURCES

Introduction

Natural resources are the various goods and services provided by nature, essential for our daily lives. These include living components such as plants, animals, and microbes (biotic), as well as non-living elements like air, water, soil, minerals, climate, and solar energy (abiotic). These resources are crucial for meeting physiological, social, economic, and cultural needs at both individual and community levels.

Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources are classified into two main categories: Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources.

1. Renewable Resources

Renewable resources can be replenished through natural cycles. These resources increase their abundance through reproduction and utilization of simple substances.
Examples: Plants (crops and forests) and animals.
Some renewable resources do not have a life cycle but can be recycled, such as wood, wood-products, pulp products, natural rubber, fibers (e.g., cotton, jute, animal wool, silk, synthetic fibers), and leather.
Water and soil are also classified as renewable resources.
Solar energy, although finite, is considered a renewable resource due to its inexhaustible supply on a human timescale.

2. Non-Renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources cannot be replenished through natural processes and are available in limited amounts. Once consumed, they cannot be replaced.
Examples: Fossil fuels (petroleum, coal), metals (iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc), minerals, and salts (carbonates, phosphates, nitrates).

Non-renewable resources are further divided into:

Recyclable: Non-renewable resources that can be collected and recycled after use. These include non-energy mineral resources found in the earth's crust (e.g., ores of aluminum, copper, mercury) and deposits of fertilizer nutrients (e.g., phosphate rock and potassium).
Non-Recyclable: Non-renewable resources that cannot be recycled, such as fossil fuels and uranium, which provide the majority of our energy requirements.

Natural Resources and Associated Problems

Unequal Consumption: The developed world consumes a disproportionate amount of natural resources. Developed countries have a per capita resource consumption up to 50 times greater than that of developing countries.
Industrial Waste and Greenhouse Gases: Advanced countries produce over 75% of global industrial waste and greenhouse gases.
Fossil Fuel Consumption: Developed countries consume energy from fossil fuels in much greater quantities, and their per capita food consumption and waste generation are also significantly higher.

Forest Resources

A forest is a biotic community predominantly composed of trees, shrubs, or woody vegetation, typically forming a closed canopy. India's forest cover is approximately 6,76,000 sq.km (20.55% of its geographic area), but ideally, it should be around 33% to maintain ecological balance. Currently, the forest cover is about 12%, necessitating both the protection of existing forests and efforts to increase forest cover.

Functions of Forests

Provide habitats for plants, animals, and wildlife.
Recycle rainwater and remove air pollutants.
Control water quality and moderate temperature and weather.
Influence soil conditions and prevent erosion.

Uses of Forests

Commercial Uses: Wood as fuel, raw materials for industries (pulp, paper, timber), minor products (gum, dyes, resins), medicinal plants, and animal products (honey, ivory).
Ecological Uses: Production of oxygen, reduction of global warming, soil conservation, regulation of the hydrological cycle, pollution moderation, and wildlife habitat.

Reasons for Forest Deficiency

The required minimum forest area for ecological balance in India is 33%, but currently, it is about 12%, leading to over-exploitation.

Over-Exploitation of Forests

Increasing demand for medicine, shelter, wood, and fuel due to overpopulation.

Causes of Over-Exploitation

Agricultural production and activities.
Demand for wood resources.

DEFORESTATION

Deforestation is the removal of forest resources due to natural or human activities.

Causes of Deforestation

Developmental Projects: Submergence and destruction of forest areas for projects like dams and roads.
Mining Operations: Reduces forest areas (e.g., mica, coal, manganese, limestone).
Industrial Raw Materials: Wood for various industrial uses.
Fuel Requirement: Wood as a primary fuel source in rural and tribal areas.
Shifting Cultivation: Replacement of natural forests with mono-specific plantations.
Forest Fires: Destruction of large forest areas.
Over-Grazing: Reduces cultivable land.

Consequences of Deforestation

Economic loss, loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, reduced stream flow, increased global warming, disrupted weather patterns and climate, soil degradation, increased soil erosion, induced landslides, increased flood frequency, and disrupted nutrient and water cycles.

Preventive Measures for Deforestation

Plant new trees to replace those cut down.
Discourage the use of wood as fuel.
Control forest pests with pesticides.
Implement modern techniques to control forest fires.
Control over-grazing by cattle.
Discourage migration into forested areas.
Conduct education and awareness programs.
Enforce the Forest Conservation Act strictly.

Case Study: Deforestation in the Himalayan Region

Deforestation in the Himalayas involves clearing natural forests and planting monocultures like eucalyptus, leading to soil nutrient depletion and desertification.

Major Activities in Forests

Timber Extraction

Timber extraction involves logging for building, furniture, and other uses, often resulting in deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Effects of Timber Extraction

Degraded forests, intensified floods, loss of biodiversity, climatic changes, forest fragmentation, exploitation of tribal people, soil erosion, and sedimentation of irrigation systems.

Case Study: Chipko Movement

The Chipko Movement, initiated by Dasohli Gram Swarajya Mandal in Gopeshwar, highlighted forest conservation. In 1731, Amrita Bai led the Bishnoi women in preventing tree cutting, sacrificing their lives to save the trees. In 1972, Bachnoi Devi led a similar movement in Uttar Pradesh.

Dams

There are over 45,000 large dams worldwide, crucial for irrigation and hydropower, particularly in China and India.

Problems with Dams

Destruction of forest areas, displacement of wildlife and tribal people, spread of waterborne diseases, increased soil salinity, and environmental losses.

Case Study: Sardar Sarovar Project

The World Bank's withdrawal from the Sardar Sarovar Project in 1993 highlighted the displacement of thousands of tribal people and environmental losses, raising questions about social and economic equity.

Mining

Mining is the extraction of minerals and fossil fuels from the earth.

Types of Mining

Surface Mining: Extraction from shallow deposits.
Underground Mining: Extraction from deep deposits.

Steps in Mining

Exploration
Development
Exploitation
Ore processing
Extraction and purification of minerals

Effects of Mining

Soil, water, and air pollution, habitat destruction, groundwater contamination, increased risk of landslides, noise pollution, and reduced forest size.