Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Module:II
Syllabus Natural resources, their consumption & Protection: Water, Land Energy (Renewable, non-renewable, wind, solar, hydro, Biomass), Mineral, Forest, & Food resources, Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources, Equitable use of resources.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Resource: a source of supply or support that is generally held in reserves. Natural resource: are the materials which living organism can take from nature for their life or any component of the natural environment that can be utilised by man to promote his welfare. A natural resource can be a substance, an energy unit or a natural process or phenomena, e.g., Water, air, soil, minerals, coal, forests, crops and wildlife are all the examples of natural resources.
Non-Renewable Sources
Which cannot be regenerated.
e.g.fossil fuel like coal, petroleum, minerals etc. Once we exhaust these reserves, the same cannot be replenished.
Renewable Sources
Which are in-exhaustive and can be regenerated within a given span of time. e.g. forests, wildlife, wind energy,
biomass energy, solar energy, tidal energy, hydropower etc.
Even our renewable resources can become nonrenewable if we exploit them to such extent that their rate of consumption exceeds their rate of regeneration. It is very important to protect and conserve our natural resources and use them in a judicious manner so that we dont exhaust them.
1. Energy resource
1. Land resource
FOREST RESOURCES
One of the most important natural resources on this earth. Produce innumerable material goods, but also provide several environmental services which are essential for life. It is estimated that forests covered 1/5 of the earths entire land area.
USES OF FOREST
Forests are vital to the functioning of the planet. ecological
Overexploitation of forests
DEFORESTATION
o Major causes:
Population growth Shifting cultivation Fuel requirements Developmental projects Growing food need Overgrazing Fires Acid rain
Consequences:
Threatens the existence of many wildlife species Biodiversity is lost Hydrological cycle gets affected Problems of soil erosion Silting of water cources Decrease of recharge Desertification The carbon cycle
CASE STUDY
The Chipko movement Himalay case issue (Himalayan Trekking) Sandalwood case (Indian sandalwood trade)
WATER RESOURCES
Water is indispensable natural resources, on which all life depends. Water is needed for daily use by organisms, for irrigation, navigation, industrial use, electricity production and domestic use. Of the total water resource of the earth, 97.3% is salt water and rest fresh water.
FLOODS
When due to heavy rains or sudden snow melts, the quantity of water in streams exceeds their capacity and water overflows the banks and causes inundation of surrounding land. This condition is called flood. Causing massive loss of human life and damages to proporties. In 1970 flood, nearly one million people were drowned while more than one lakh people died in 1991 floods.
DROUGHTS
Drought is generally applied when the country receives less(< 75%) of long term average rainfall. Remedial Measures:
Carefully selected mixed cropping Social forestry and wasteland development Proper knowledge of ecological need
MINERAL RESOURCES
Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic, crystalline solid having a definite chemical composition and characteristics physical properties. There are thousands of minerals occurring in different parts of the world. India mined >80 minerals and contributing about 3% of gross domestic product. Can be grouped into:
Fuel minerals: coal, petroleum, natural gas Metallic minerals: iron ore, chromium ore, bauxite etc. Non-Metallic minerals:dolomite, phosphorite, clay etc.
Major effects: Land degradation Surface and ground water pollution Subsidence of land Loss of flora and fauna, resulting deforestation Air pollution-emission of harmful gases Rehabilitation problem Occupational health hazard
FOOD RESOURCES
Plants and animals are the main sources of human food. Main food resources: wheat, rice, maize, barely, pulse, vegetables and fruits. Animals-milk, butter, egg and meat Only 40% of the total area of the world can ever be used for cultivation of crop.
Undernourishment
Undernourishment: is the lack of sufficient calories in available diet. FAO (food and agricultural organization) : average minimum daily calorific requirement is 2500 calories per day. <90% daily requirement are said to be undernourished. Not have sufficient energy to lead an active and productive life. Consequently their body becomes susceptible to a no. of infectious diseases. serious undernourishment take <80% of daily calorific requirement-leads to stunned growth, mental retardation and other types of disorders.
Indians
are
still
Malnutrition
Is the lack or deficiency of specific constituents of food, such as proteins, vitamins or certain elements. This condition is very common in richer countries. Effects of malnourishment are longterm and result in number of diseases.
Impacts of Agriculture:
Deforestation Soil erosion Depletion of nutrients Serious health disease, e.g. blue baby syndrome. Eutrophication Water logging and Stalinization Biological magnification of non-biodegradable pesticides.
Effects:
Impacts related to high yielding varieties. Fertilizer related problems Micronutrient imbalance. Nitrate pollution Eutrophication Pesticides related problems Death of non-target organisms. Creating resistance in pets and producing new pets. Biological magnification Water logging Salinity problem
ENERGY RESOURCES
Energy consumption of a nation is usually considered as an index of its development Energy is vital for social and economic development. In India, the per capita energy consumption is only 221 kg of oil equivalent/year, a very low rate compared with other developed countries (3,306-7,655).