Resource

Resources are anything that has utility and adds value to our life. Air, water, food, plants,
animals, minerals, metals, and everything else that exists in nature and has utility to
mankind is a ‘Resource’. The value of each such resource depends on its utility and other
factors. For example, metals are gold, silver, copper or bronze have economic value; i.e.,
they can be exchanged for money. However, mountains, rivers, sea or forests are also
resources but they do not have economic value.
There are two most important factors that can turn any substance into a resource- time and
technology. With the help of technology, innovation humans can transform a natural or
man-made substance into a resource. Like, minerals, fish or other marine creatures
sourced from the sea can be used for our food and medicines. Similarly, time also adds to
the value of a resource. For example, fossil deposits of organisms over hundreds of years
can turn into fossil fuels.
Years ago, the early man uses to depend solely on natural resources for his nourishment
and survival. Then humankind developed and we started making more efficient use of
these resources. And we also developed resources of our own by the advancement of
technology. Let us take a closer look at these resources.

Types of resource
Resources is a very broad term; it is basically anything that can be considered a
valuable addition. Anything from air to gold is all resources. Let us take a look at the
two broad types of resources – natural resources and man-made resources.
Natural resource
Anything and everything that is available naturally on earth is a natural resource. We
can further divide them into:
 Biotic & Abiotic
 Renewable & Non-renewable
 Potential, Developed, and Stock Resources
Man-made resource
When humans use natural things to make something new that provides utility and value
to our lives, it is called human-made resources. For instance, when we use metals, wood,
cement, sand, and solar energy to make buildings, machinery, vehicles, bridges, roads,
etc. they become man-made resources. Likewise, technology is also a man-made
resource. Man-made resources are mostly renewable. One can re-build a building or
fixed a broken machine.
And, because humans have the skills, intelligence, and knowledge, and use technology to
transform a natural resource into usable and valuable things, they themselves become a
resource. That is what we know as Human Resource.
National Resources
On the basis of ownership, resources can be divided into Individual, community,
National and International resources.
National Resources are owned by a nation or country. All the minerals, water resources,
forests, wildlife, land within the political boundaries and oceanic area up to 12 nautical
miles (22.2 km) from the coast termed as territorial water and resources therein belong
to the nation.
As resources have been used by human beings indiscriminately and this has led to the
following major problems.
 Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals.
 Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which, in turn, divided the society
into two segments i.e., rich and poor.
 It has led to global ecological crises such as global warming, ozone layer
depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.
Resource planning is essential for the sustainable existence of all forms of life.
Sustainable Economic Development means “development should take place without
damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise
with the needs of future generations.”
Resource Planning
In India, there are some regions which can be considered self-sufficient in terms of the
availability of resources and there are some regions which have acute shortage of some
vital resources. This calls for balanced resource planning at the national, state, regional
and local levels.
Resource Planning in India
Resource planning is a complex process which involves:
(i) Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This
involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and
measurement of the resources.
(ii) Evolving a planning structure endowed with appropriate technology, skill and
institutional set up for implementing resource development plans.
(iii) Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plans.
Government initiatives for preservation for National resources
Resources can contribute to development only when they are accompanied by
appropriate technological development and institutional changes. India has made
concerted efforts towards achieving the goals of resource planning, right from the First
Five Year Plan launched after Independence.

To overcome irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources, resource

conservation at various levels is important.
World Nature Conservation Day is observed on July 28th every year across the world to
create awareness of natural resources conservation and protect nature. With the rise in
the level of deforestation and losing wildlife, conservation of nature has become a top
priority. In India, due to the rise in urbanization, issues like loss of forest cover,
pollution, and loss of wildlife have increased. The government has taken initiative to
reverse the situation. Here are five Initiatives are taken by the Government of India:
 The vision of creating Nagar Van Udyan Scheme is to develop at least one City
Forest in each city having Municipal Corporation or Class 1 Cities to
accommodate a wholesome health environment and contribute to the growth of
clean, green, and sustainable India. Its objective is to create 200 City forests in
the country and to create awareness about the plants and biodiversity.
Conservation education to the people, who are unaware of the damages that can
happen due to their ignorance in the conservation of nature.
 Waste management under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a mass movement initiated
by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, in the year 2014. The
Abhiyan motives lie in the cleanliness of the environment. He hopes to create a
sense of sense of responsibility among the citizens to help achieve Mahatma
Gandhi’s aim for Clean India. The main objective of the Abhiyan is to recover
resources for utilization through recycling and creating employment in the
process.
 Project Tiger has been the most successful environmental project by the
Government. Project Tiger was adopted in the year 1973 to improve the
decreasing numbers of Tigers in India. It is a scheme sponsored by the Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and assists the tiger states for tiger
conservation. The objectives of the projects are to protect and restore habitat,
monitor them day-to-day, eco-development for local people, and relocation of the
people from the habitats of tigers.
 The Government of India initiated the National Wetland Conservation
Programme (NWCP) to conserve and make acute use of wetlands in the country,
therefore, preventing its further degradation. The scheme was introduced with
the objectives of undertaking extensive conservation measures in the wetlands
that need immediate help.
 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change launched the Green
Skill Development Programme in June 2017. Green skills include conserving and
protecting the green of nature alongside creating awareness among the youth to
develop skills and gain experience. In May 2018, during the launch of the GSDP
mobile app, Harsh Vardhan, the union minister for Environment, forest, and
climate change said that 2.25 lakh people will be employed through GSDP by the
next year and about five lakhs will be employed by 2021.

New schemes
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change implemented the National
River Conservation Programme, sub-schemes of Conservation of Natural Resources
and Ecosystems, Green India Mission, and National Afforestation Programme, National
Coastal Management Programme, National Mission on Himalayan Studies under
Climate Change Program under the Central Sector & Centrally Sponsored Schemes of
Government of India.
These schemes act as corrective measures for the conservation of the environment and
the viable development of various ecosystems. The Ministry also monitors the
implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
and has been carrying out enabling activities and other obligations of the Convention.
The funding under the Central Sector Schemes is 100 percent from the Government of
India. Under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, as per the revised funding pattern from
2015-16 onwards, the Government of India’s share is 50 percent for the rest of India
and 80 percent for the North Eastern States and 3 Himalayan States i.e., Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the environment sector. The share of
the Government of India is 60 percent for the rest of India in the schemes related to
forestry and wildlife and 90 percent in respect of the North Eastern States and 3
Himalayan States.
Acts passed by the Indian government
Indian Government has passed Acts to conserve nature which is explained below:
The Wildlife Act was one of the most prominent Acts enacted for protecting wild
animals and birds. Control of wildlife was transferred from the State list to the
Concurrent list in 1976, thus giving powers to the Central government to enact this
legislation. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 also included the Constitution of the
Indian Board of Wildlife (IBWL), which actively took up the charge of setting up
wildlife natural parks and sanctuaries. The main objective of the enactment of the Act
was to put restrictions on hunting or poaching wildlife animals and birds. The Act
includes rehabilitation of endangered or threatened species.
Preservation of biological diversity by setting up sanctuaries and parks and granting
permission to hunt the wildlife for specific purposes such as scientific research, scientific
management, and collection of specimens for museums and zoological gardens, etc.
Collaborating with NGOs to create awareness for the promotion of saving and
preserving wildlife diversity. This Act is adopted by all the states except the state of
J&K, they have their own sets of acts.
The Forest Conservation Act comprises all types of forest including reserve forests,
protected forests, or any forests irrespective of their ownership. The Act extends to the
whole of India except J&K. The Forest Conservation Act,1980 has ample provisions
promoting the elimination of deforestation and stating to encourage afforestation on the
non-forest areas. It has imposed restrictions on the de-reservation of the forest without
any prior Central government approval and prohibits allotment of any forest land for
non-forest purposes. Forest-dwelling tribal communities have rich knowledge and have
good experience but their contribution mostly goes unnoticed and honoured.
Amended Forest Act, 1992: The Act made some provisions for allowing non-forestry
activities with the prior approval of the central government. Wildlife sanctuaries,
natural parks are entirely prohibited from being used for any exploration or survey
without prior approvals from the Central Government. Cultivation of tea, coffee, spices,
rubber, palms, oil-bearing plants, and cash crops comes under non-forestry activities,
therefore, are prohibited and are not allied in the forest lands.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act provides prevention and control
of any water-related pollution. It focuses on the maintenance and restoration of water
quality on the surface and ground. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974 has set up two boards: Central and State. These boards are assigned with
powers and functions to control pollution. The Act has been provided with funds,
budgets, and account for these boards. The Act restricts the disposal of any poisonous,
polluting matter in the flow of the water. The Act also includes punishment and fines
for any violation of the provisions.
Conclusion
All human-made resources are dependent on the availability of the natural resources.
We need to understand the value of each natural element and then need to conserve
those resources. Because we should be able to use them throughout our lifetime and also
save them for our future generations.
For example, if we do not start saving water, very soon, human society will start facing
severe scarcity of water. Likewise, if we cut down all forests, eventually, there would be
no wood left for us to build homes or make fire. It will also increase the level of carbon
dioxide. As a result, it will only harm human life. In other words, conservation of
resources is necessary for the betterment of human life.
By carefully utilizing each natural resource and allowing it to renew itself within
nature, we can help in resource conservation. We must also focus on sustainable
development- a way of optimally using and balancing the use of each resource. And, by
doing so, we can all contribute to a healthy and resourceful planet.
Exposure to nature is beneficial and is important for the survival of living beings. It’s
high time to focus on protecting the natural resources and safeguarding the
environment. The Government of India has done quite a remarkable job to combat the
emerging deterioration in the conservation of nature but we still have to go a long way.