NATURAL RESOURCES

AND THEIR CONSERVATION

 Natural resources are naturally occurring substances that are considered valuable in their relatively unmodified (natural) form. A natural resource's value rests in the amount of the material available and the demand for it. The latter is determined by its usefulness to production.

A commodity is generally considered a natural resource when the primary activities associated with it are extraction and purification, as opposed to creation.

Thus, mining, petroleum extraction, fishing, hunting, and forestry are generally considered natural-resource industries, while agriculture is not. The term was introduced to a broad audience by E.F. Schumacher in his 1970s book Small is Beautiful.

Classification Of Natural Resources

 Renewable resources are ones that can be replenished naturally. Some of these resources, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., are continuously available and their quantity is not noticeably affected by human consumption. Though many renewable resources do not have such a rapid recovery rate, these resources are susceptible to depletion by over-use. Resources from a human use perspective are classified as renewable only so long as the rate of replenishment/recovery exceeds that of the rate of consumption. Non-renewable resources are resources that form extremely slowly and those that do not naturally form in the environment. Minerals are mostly included in this category.Resources are non-renewable when their rate of consumption exceeds the rate of replenishment/recovery. For instance fossil fuels are in this category because their rate of formation is extremely slow (potentially millions of years. Some resources actually naturally deplete in amount without human interference, the most notable of these are the radio-active elements such as uranium, which naturally decay into heavy metals. Of these, the metallic minerals can be re-used by recycling them. But coal and petroleum cannot be recycled

Natural resources
Ecoregion Geostrategy Mineral exploration Refining

Sustainable forestry
Fish Wood

Prospecting
Soft energy path Environment

Metal
Minerals List of natural gas fields List of minerals Petroleum politics Mining

Landscape
Land Soil Causes of war Pure water

Need For Conservation Of Natural Resouces

We know that nature provides us all our basic needs but we tend to overexploit it. If we go on exploiting the nature, there will be no more resources available infuture. There is a need to conserve the nature.

Some of the needs are :

to maintain ecological balance for supporting life. to preserve different kinds of species (biodiversity). to make the resources available for present and future generations. to ensure the survival of human race.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Natural Resources can be conserved by using Inexhaustible resources such as : Solar Energy Nuclear Energy Wind Energy Thermal Energy Hydrogen Energy Bio Gas/Fuel Hydro-Electric Power Geo-Thermal Energy Combinated Energy Consumption

1.Solar Energy :
Solar Energy can be harnessed with help of solar panels or collectively using Power Towers. It can be used for Heating, Electricity generation & Desalination of seawater.

2.Nuclear Energy :
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fusion to generate heat and do useful work. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 1314% of the world's electricity.

Nuclear fuel cycle

3.Wind Energy :
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships.

4.Thermal Energy:
Thermal energy is generated and measured by heat of any kind. It is caused by the increased activity or velocity of molecules in a substance, which in turn causes temperature to rise accordingly. There are many natural sources of thermal energy on Earth, making it an important component of alternative energy.

How Thermal Energy Is Generated

5.Hydrogen Energy:
Hydrogen is the primary fuel for the hydrogen based fuel cells and power plants.Power can be generated for industrial, residential and transport purposes by using hydrogen.

6.Bio Gas / Fuel :

Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen waste can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas. Biogas originates from biogenic material and is a type of biofuel.

7.Hydro-Electric Power
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy. Once a hydroelectric complex is constructed, the project produces no direct waste, and has a considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than fossil fuel powered energy plants.

8. Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the natural heat of the earth. The earths temperature varies widely, and geothermal energy is usable for a wide range of temperatures from room temperature to well over 300F.

9. Combinated Energy :

Solar and diesel combinated powered

yacht

Distribution Of Natural Resouces In India

STEPS TAKEN BY THE G.O.I TOWADS CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES:

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, amended in 1983, 1986 and 1991 The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,amended in 1988. The Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1977, amended in 1991 Setting Up Of Institutions Such As Department of Environment in 1980 and the integrated Ministry of Environment & Forests in 1985. Surveys by the All India Soil, and Land-Use Survey Organization.

Prior clearance of projects requiring diversion of forests for non- forest purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
Popuation Control. National Environmental Awareness Campaigns Formulation of a National River Action Plan.

For sustainable management of agriculture and irrigation, the action points have been suggested .
Mining Act Of 1952

.Among Many More .

Ways WE Can Conserve Natural Resources

By following the Three Rs : Reduce,Reuse,Recycle. By avoiding over use of exhaustible resources and switching to exhaustible

resources .
Conserve water and electricity-they are the basic needs of human life Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs Consider adding a solar water heater to your home

If you have a diesel car, consider using biodiesel

Consider composting. Use environmentally friendly cleaners instead of chemicals Recycle your electronic gadget

Car Pool
Discourage Deforestation .Plant A Tree Instead .

Thank You !