Conservation of Natural Resources

Introduction:
Natural resources are the resources provided to us by nature. Resources which are naturally
available to us such as air, water, sunlight, earth and the entire environment around us all
constitute natural resources. They are vital for our survival.

The Categorisation of Natural Resources:

There are many ways in which classification of natural resources is done. For instance, based on
their origin, the natural resources are categorised into two categories, biotic and
abiotic. Biotic resources are the term used to refer the resources which are obtained from the
living or which form the organic material. These include the animals the forests and the
resources thus obtained from them. Abiotic resources are the term used to refer to those resources
which are obtained from non-organic and non-living materials. Air, water, earth metals and all
such resources come under this category.
Similarly, based on the availability, natural resources are classified as renewable and non-
renewable. Renewable resources are the resources which are abundantly available to us and get
replenished easily. So, consuming them in any amount is not a challenge. Resources such as air,
water and windfall fall under this category. Non-renewable resources are the resources which are
available in limited amount and do not get replenished easily. They can also be defined as the
resources which are consumed in a faster manner as compared to the rate at which they are
replenished in the environment.
Important Natural Resources:
Although all natural resources are important for us, there are some which are of extreme
importance given their utility in our lives.

Air is one such resource. The oxygen we breathe, the carbon dioxide required by plants for
photosynthesis all come from the air only. Survival without air being around us is just
impossible. In fact, the unique combination of different gases in the atmosphere is what makes
earth a livable planet.
The soil is additionally a sustainable natural resource. Man depends on upon agriculture for food,
clothing, medicine and a number of other different requirements. The land is likewise being
utilized for industrialization and urbanization. We should, however, realize that the surface of the
earth is restricted as is its soil. Irregular and unnecessary chopping down of trees, mining for
minerals and metals which get washed away due to rains deplete the soil of the rich nutrients.
This affects the quality of plants as they do not get the required minerals from the soil. It might
even lead to avalanches causing substantial damage to human beings as well as other life in the
surroundings.
Moreover, due to improper agricultural practices, we often produce many crops of a similar type
without renewing the supplements that are consumed by plants from the land. In such cases, the
soil gets depleted of the nutrients and over the time may even become infertile. In such events,
due to lack of continued agriculture in such regions, the soil is often washed away with rains or
wind, causing soil disintegration. So, although the soil is a renewable resource we should make
our efforts to protect this important layer on the surface of the earth.

Water is another important natural resource which is vital for the existence of life on the earth. In
fact, there is not a viable alternative for water. Man utilizes water for drinking as well as for
various different activities such as showering, cooking, washing, water system, control age and
furthermore as a method for transportation through ships.
Our water requirement is satisfied by nature itself. There are no other means of water other than
nature. We get water through precipitation and from seas, streams, channels and wells. At
whatever point the water-cycle in nature is upset, the environmental equalization in nature is
disturbed. This affects the availability of water which directly affects all life-sustaining in the
surroundings.

Another important natural resource is the forests. Forests are a standout amongst the most
valuable resources. They are our national assets. They give the best living space to different sorts
of wild creatures.
Forests are an unquestionable requirement for the survival of most of the life. Although we don’t
live in forests, yet they are important for us. They filter air, control contamination to some
degree, manage the atmosphere, control surges, avoid soil disintegration and keep up soil
ripeness. We additionally get various helpful items like wood, elastic, gum, gum, nectar, honey
bee wax, restorative plants, bamboo, lac, timber and so on from plants. A standout amongst the
most vital employments of woods is that it helps in keeping up the biological uniformity of a
place.

Threats to Natural Resources:

Overuse as well as misuse of natural resources due to human activities over the years, have led to
the near extinction of valuable natural resources. More so some natural resources are being
depleted so fast it may not be possible for future generations to make use of them. Different
species have been affected due to these changes in temperature and climatic conditions.
The significant impact of environmental change and dangerous atmospheric changes in natural
resources has affected the biodiversity and the survival of species. For example, wildlife that
requires cool temperatures in high altitudes has been finding it difficult to survive due to the
increase in temperatures. Also, many species have become extinct as they could not adapt
themselves to the changing environment. This has mainly been due to our overuse of natural
resources.

Why Conserve Natural Resources?

All living organisms, especially humans, depend immensely on natural resources for their
survival. An average person in Asia consumes about 14 kgs of natural resources per day. Natural
resources provide us with food to eat. They give us vegetables, fish, nuts, medicines and drinking
water. The utensils like spoons, forks and knives that are required to eat are also made from the
raw materials that these natural resources provide. All our transportation vehicles, including cars,
trains and aeroplanes, make use of natural resources not only in their physical structures but also
need resources to run on.

All the stone, wood, plastic and metal that is required to build houses and roads also comes from
these natural resources. Due to various reasons, these limited natural resources have been
exploited and face the risk of depletion. Environmental pollution is a major threat to natural
resources. The chemicals discharged from factories seep into the soil and water, thus harming its
properties and making it unfit for use. The untreated discharge also poses a great danger to
aquatic life. The rapid increase in the human population is the single most significant reason why
natural resources fall short.

The demand for them has drastically increased. Because of more people to feed and house, more
land is required for cultivation and housing. This forces the need to cut down forests for
urbanisation and agricultural activities. Due to various human activities, there is a great deal of
climate change that has taken place. Excessive flooding, severe droughts, punishing forest fires,
etc. are responsible for the extinction and vulnerability of many types of flora and fauna.

Ways to Conserve Natural Resources

Conservation of natural resources implies using limited resources judicially and economically,
saving species from the verge of extinction, restoring habitats and protecting biological diversity.
Following are some ways that can be followed to conserve them-:

 Instead of using fossil fuels for energy, try switching over to alternatives. Make use of
wind energy and solar energy. They are cheaper and also renewable. They do not destruct
the ozone layer, unlike the burning of coal, charcoal, etc.
 Planting trees serve multiple benefits. They help to prevent soil erosion by holding it in its
roots. Trees also help in the conservation of wildlife as they pose as homes to numerous
species of insects, animals and birds.
  Water conservation is another crucial step that we all can take up at an individual level.
Make sure that the taps in your bathrooms and kitchens are closed when not in use and
always check for any leaks. Taking shorter showers is also advisable. Reusing water is
another technique that everyone at home can follow. For example, the water that you use
to wash vegetables and fruits can be used to wash your car.
 It is of utmost importance to treat industrial and human waste before discharging them into
water bodies. They should be treated so that the harmful chemical elements in them are
reduced.
 The untreated discharge of factories and sewage plants causes water pollution, which
poses a threat not only to human life but to aquatic life as well.

The activity of hunting or poaching is responsible for the extinction of many exotic species.
Hunters sell animal skin and teeth in the black market and earn huge revenues. The government
should formulate stricter policies and regulations to curb this unholy practice. One other way of
reducing our dependence on finite fossil fuels such as petroleum and diesel is by purchasing
hybrid cars. Hybrid cars run on electricity and do not require the use of non-renewable resources
that further pollute the environment.

Reducing the use of plastic should be encouraged. Always carry a cloth or jute bag with you
whenever you visit your local grocery store or go shopping. Plastic is non-biodegradable and is a
major polluter. Hence, its use should be minimised. Farmers should practice crop rotation.
Planting the same crop again and again on the same piece of land can cause the soil to lose its
fertility.

Conclusion:
Natural resources are excessively basic for our survival on this planet. Without them, we can’t
imagine our human life. All natural resources are either specifically or in a certain way
associated with others. A few natural resources are produced or extracted from different
resources, for instance, oxygen and wood are produced by plants and trees, energy can be
produced from wind, water and sunlight in various structures. Similarly, coal is extracted from
the earth.

It is our utmost duty to protect natural resources. There are already some laws in place, formed
by the Government in this regard. We just need to follow those regulations and not wait others to
lead us. We must realise that it is the availability of these resources that life has been possible on
the earth. Without these resources, the earth would have just like any other lonely planet in the
solar system.