NATURAL RESOURCES

The word resource means a source of supply. The natural resources include water, air, soil,
minerals, coal, forests, crops and wildlife are examples. All the resources are classified based
on quantity, quality, re-usability, men’s activity and availability.
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 term was introduced to a broad audience by E.F.
Schumacher in his 1970s book Small is Beautiful.
a) Renewable resource or inexhaustible resources
The renewable resources can maintain themselves or can be replaced if managed wisely. These
resources are constantly renewed in nature. The renewable resources are therefore not likely to
be lost due to excessive and unwise use.
b) Non-renewable resources or exhaustible resources
These resources once used are lost forever, as they are not restored. They include metallic
minerals and fossil fuels. At current rates of usage, all the industrial metals may lose for less
than a century and those of petroleum and natural gas may exhaust in 15-20 years.
Natural Resources and Associated Problems
Human population is growing day-by-day. Continuous increase in population caused an
increasing demand for natural resources. Due to urban expansion, electricity need and
industrialization, man started utilizing natural resources at a much larger scale. Non-renewable
resources are limited. They cannot be replaced easily. After some time, these resources may
come to an end. It is a matter of much concern and ensures a balance between population
growth and utilization of resources. This overutilization creates many problems. In some
regions there are problems of water logging due to over irrigation. In some areas, there is no
sufficient water for industry and agriculture. Thus, there is need for conservation of natural
resources. There are many problems associated with natural resources:

Forest resources and associated problems

1. Use and over-exploitation.
2. Deforestation.
3. Timber extraction.
4. Mining and its effects on forest.
5. Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people.
Water resources and associated problems
1. Use and overutilization of water.
2. Floods, droughts etc.
3. Conflicts over water.
4. Dams and problems.
Mineral resource and associated problems
1. Use and exploitation.
2. Environmental effects of extracting and using minerals.
Food resources and associated problems
1. World food problems.
2. Changes caused by agriculture and over grazing.
3. Effects of modern agriculture.
4. Fertilizer-pesticide problems.
5. Water logging and salinity.
Energy resources and associated problems
1. Growing energy needs.
Land resources and associated problems
1. Land degradation.
2. Man-induced landslides.
3. Soil erosion and desertification.
1.3 FOREST RESOURCES
Forests are one of the most important natural resources and a part of biosphere since these are
natural assets on this earth. Forests predominantly composed of trees, shrubs, woody vegetation
etc. Approximately 1/3rd of the earth’s total land area is covered by forests. Forests are
important ecologically and economically. Ecologically forests are to be considered as earth’s
lungs because they consume CO2 and release O2which is required for sustaining the life on
this earth. The poisonous gas CO2 is absorbed by the trees of forests and reduces the global
warming and helps to continue hydrological cycle, reduce soil erosion. Forest ecosystems are
extremely good & hold a good quantity of water. Economically forests provide timber, fodder
to grazing animals, firewood(conventional fuel), bamboos, rubbers, medicines, gums, resins,
food items etc.
USES OF FOREST
1. Watershed protection:
• Reduce the rate of surface run-off of water.
• Prevent flash floods and soil erosion.
• Produces prolonged gradual run-off and thus prevent effects of drought.
2. Atmospheric regulation:
• Absorption of solar heat during evapo-transpiration.
• Maintaining carbon dioxide levels for plant growth.
• Maintaining the local climatic conditions.
3. Erosion control:
• Holding soil (by preventing rain from directly washing soil away).
4. Land bank:
• Maintenance of soil nutrients and structure.
5. Local use - Consumption of forest produce by local people who collect it for subsistence –
(Consumptive use)
• Food - gathering plants, fishing, hunting from the forest. (In the past when wildlife was
Plentiful, people could hunt and kill animals for food. Now those populations of most Wildlife
species have diminished; continued hunting would lead to extinction.)
• Fodder - for cattle.
• Fuel wood and charcoal for cooking, heating.
• Poles - building homes especially in rural and wilderness areas.
• Timber – household articles and construction.
• Fiber - weaving of baskets, ropes, nets, string, etc.
• Sericulture – for silk.
• Apiculture - bees for honey, forest bees also pollinate crops.
• Medicinal plants - traditionally used medicines, investigating them as potential Source for
new modern drugs.
6. Market use - (Productive use)
• Most of the above products used for consumptive purposes are also sold as source of income
for supporting the livelihoods of forest dwelling people.
• Minor forest produce - (non-wood products): Fuel wood, fruit, gum, fiber, etc.which are
Collected and sold in local markets as a source of income for forest dwellers.
• Major timber extraction - construction, industrial uses, paper pulp, etc. Timber extraction is
done in India by the Forest Department, but illegal logging continues in many of the forests of
India and the world.
OVER EXPLOITATION OF FORESTS
Forest has been known to possess huge potential for human use and they have been exploited
since early times for their vast potential. Exploitation of forest has taken place to meet human
demands in the following ways:
- Due to wood cutting and large scale logging for raw materials like timber, pulp wood, fuel
wood etc
- Deforestation due to road construction
- Clearing of forest to create more agricultural lands to meet the food needs of growing
population
- Encroachment of forests leading to destruction of about 19.57 lakh hectares (2013)of forest
in the country
- About 78% of forest area is under heavy grazing
- Mining activities leads to clearing of forests
- Big hydro electric projects result in large scale destruction of forest
In India, Joint forest management has come up as innovative approach involving community
participation so that the rural economy is strengthened as well as forest resources are conserved
through public involvement
DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands. The term does
not include the removal of industrial forests such as plantations of gums or pines. Deforestation
has resulted in the reduction of indigenous forests to four-fifths of their pre-agricultural area.
Indigenous forests now cover 21% of the earth's land surface. Deforestation refers to the loss
of forest cover (or) the aimless destruction of trees. The clearing of forests across the earth has
been occurring on a large scale basis for many centuries. This process involves the cutting
down, burning and damaging of forests. Currently 12 million hectares of forests are cleared
annually and the current rate of deforestation continues, the world’s forests will vanish within
the next 100 years about 80% of the original forests on the earth have already been cleared.
Major causes of Deforestation:
a. Shifting cultivation : There are an estimated 300 million people living as shifting cultivators
who practice slash and burn agriculture and are supported so clear more than 5 lakh ha of
forests for shifting cultivation annually. In India, we have this practice of North-East and to
some extent in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and M.P. which contribute to nearly half of the forest
clearing annually.
b. Fuel requirements: Increasing demands for fuel wood by the growing population in India
alone has shooted up to 300-500 million tons in 2001 as compared to just 65 million tons during
independence, thereby increasing the pressure on forests.
c. Raw materials for industrial use: Wood for making boxes, furniture, railway-sleepers,
plywood, match boxes, pulp for paper industry etc. have exerted tremendous pressure on
forests. Plywood is in great demand for packing tea for Tea industry of Assam while fir tree
wood is exploited greatly for packing apples in J & K.
d. Development projects: Massive destruction of forests occurs for various development
projects like hydroelectric projects, big dams, road construction, mining etc.
e. Growing food needs: In developing countries this is the main reason for deforestation. To
meet the demands of rapidly growing population, agricultural lands and settlements are created
permanently by clearing forests.
f. Overgrazing: The poor in the tropics mainly rely on wood as a source of fuel leading to loss
of tree cover and the cleared lands are turned into the grazing lands. Overgrazing by the cattle
leads to further degradation of these lands.
g. Conversion of forests and woodlands to agricultural land to feed growing numbers of people
Major activities and threats to Forests resources:
1.Timber Extraction: Logging for valuable timber, such as teak and Mahogany not only
involves a few large trees per hectare but about a dozen more trees since they are strongly
interlocked with each other a by vines etc. Also road construction for making approach to the
trees causes further damage to the forests. The steps in timber extraction are:
a) Clear felling
b) Mechanized logging
c) Manual logging
d) Selective logging
2. Mining: Mining operations for extracting minerals and fossil fuels like coal often involves
vast forest areas. Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from deep
is done by sub-surface mining. More than80000 ha of land of the country is presently under
the stress of mining activities. Mining and its associated activities require removal of vegetation
along with underlying soil mantle and overlying rock masses. This results in defacing the
topography and destruction of the landscape in the area. Large scale deforestation has been
reported in Mussorie and Dehradun valley due to indiscriminating mining of various minerals
over a length of about 40 Km.
DAMS AND OTHER EFFECTS ON FOREST AND TRIBAL PEOPLE
Forest are directly are indirectly effected by the forest. Hydro-electric dams are main cause for
deforestation. About 40,000 large dams are currently obstructing Workloads Rivers.
Destruction of forest occurs for constructing big dams, which alters ecological balance. In these
way landslides, droughts and floods conditions may rise in area. Socio-economic problems
related to tribal and native people results from big dam construction. Dam construction
produces a number of health hazards. Thousands of workers who build the dams attacked by
the diseases like AIDS, measles, tuberculosis, syphilis etc. Dam building has resulted in wide
range human rights violations. Rehabilitation policy of the government is important and typical
when most of the displaced persons are tribal people. Tribal life and culture are mostly
associated with forest
CASE STUDIES:
Chipko movement related to mining or quarrying opposed by Sundarlal Bahuguna in North
India. The first Chipko action took place spontaneously in April 1973 and over the next five
years spread to many districts of the Himalaya in Uttar Pradesh. The name of the movement
comes from a word meaning 'embrace': the villagers hug the trees, saving them by interposing
their bodies between them and the contractors' axes. The Chipko protests in Uttar Pradesh
achieved a major victory in 1980 with a 15-year ban on green felling in the Himalayan forests
of that state by order of India's then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Since then the movement
has spread to Himachal Pradesh in the North, Kamataka in the South, and Rajasthan in the
West, Bihar in the East and to the Vindhyas in Central India. In addition to the 15-year ban in
Uttar Pradesh, the movement has stopped clear felling in the Western Ghats and the Vindhyas
and generated pressure for a natural resource policy which is more sensitive to people's needs
and ecological requirements. Sardar Sarovar – Narmada project is a multipurpose project in
Gujarat
➢ WATER RESOURCES
Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful. Uses of water
include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually
all of these human uses require fresh water.
Distribution of water on earth:
• 97% of the water on the Earth is salt water. Only three percent is fresh water; slightly over
two thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice. The remaining unfrozen freshwater is found
mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air.
Fresh water occurs mainly in two forms:
1. Ground water and 2. Surface water
1. Groundwater: About 9.86% of the total fresh water resources is in the form of groundwater
and it is about 35-50 times that of surface water supplied
USES OF WATER:
1. DOMESTIC USE: Water used in the houses for the purposes of drinking, bathing, washing
Clothes, cooking, sanitary & other needs. The recommended value according to Indian standard
specification for domestic use is 135 liters/day
2. INDUSTRIAL USE: Water is required for various industries such as cement, mining, textile,
leather industries.
3. PUBLIC USE: This includes water used for public utility purpose such as watering parks,
Flushing streets, jails etc.
4. FIRE USE: Water is used in case of accidents and to prevent the fire issues.
5. IRRIGATION: To grow crops which is the main sources for food?
6. OTHER USES: Hydro electric power generation requires water.

OVER UTILIZATION OF GROUND WATER AND SURFACE WATER

Over use of groundwater has following effects.
1. Lowering of water table: Excessive use of ground water for drinking, irrigation and
Domestic purposes has resulted in rapid depletion of ground water in various regions leading
to lowering of water table & drying of wells.
The reasons for shortage of water are:
a. Increase in population,
b. Increasing demand of water for various purposes.
c. Unequal distribution of fresh water.
d. Increasing pollution of water sources cause over exploitation.
2. Ground subsidence: When ground water withdrawal is greater than its recharge rate, the
sediments in the aquifer become compacted. This is called ground subsidence which may cause
damage of buildings, destroy water supply systems etc.
3. Drought. A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a
deficiency in its water supply whether surface or underground water. Generally, this occurs
when a region receives consistently below average precipitation.
We can define drought in four main ways:
a) Meteorological drought: related to rainfall amounts
b) Hydrological drought: determined by water levels in reservoirs
c) Agricultural drought: related to the availability of water for crops
d) Socioeconomic Drought: related to demand and supply of economic goods
a) Meteorological Drought: Meteorological drought is generally defined by comparing the
rainfall in a particular place and at a particular time with the average rainfall for that Place. The
definition is, therefore, specific to a particular location. Meteorological drought leads to a
depletion of soil moisture and this almost always has an impact on crop production.
b) Hydrological Drought: Hydrological drought is associated with the effect of low rainfall
on water levels in rivers, reservoirs, lakes and aquifers. Hydrological droughts usually are
noticed some time after meteorological droughts. First precipitation decreases and, Sometime
after that, water levels in rivers and lakes drop.
C) Agricultural Drought: Agricultural drought mainly effects food production and farming.
Agricultural drought and precipitation shortages bring soil water deficits, reduced ground water
or reservoir levels, and so on. Deficient topsoil moisture at planting may stop germination,
leading to low plant populations.
d) Socioeconomic Drought: Socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for an economic
good exceeds supply as a result of a weather-related shortfall in water supply. The supply of
many economic goods, such as water, forage, food grains, fish, and hydroelectric power,
depends on weather. Due to variability of climate, water supply is sufficient in some years but
not satisfactory to meet human and environmental needs in other year
➢ FLOODS
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is normally dry. The European
Union (EU) Floods Directive defines a flood as a covering by water of land not normally
covered by water. Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such as a
river or lake, in which the water overtops or breaks, resulting in some of that water escaping
its usual boundaries, or it may occur due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground
in an area flood. Floods can also occur in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the
river channel, particularly at bends in the waterway. Floods often cause damage to homes and
businesses if they are in the natural flood plains of rivers.
CONFLICTS OVER WATER
Water conflict is a term describing a conflict between countries, states, or groups over an
access to water resources. The United Nations recognizes that water disputes result from
opposing interests of water users, public or private.
A wide range of water conflicts appear throughout history, though rarely are traditional wars
waged over water alone. Instead, water has historically been a source of tension and a factor in
conflicts that start for other reasons. However, water conflicts arise for several reasons,
including territorial disputes, a fight for resources, and strategic advantage.
These conflicts occur over both freshwater and saltwater, and between international
boundaries. However, conflicts occur mostly over freshwater; because freshwater resources are
necessary, yet limited, they are the center of water disputes arising out of need for potable
water. As freshwater is a vital, yet unevenly distributed natural resource, its availability often
impacts the living and economic conditions of a country or region. The lack of cost-effective
water desalination techniques in areas like the Middle East, among other elements of water
crises can put severe pressures on all water users
According to the 1992 International Conference on Water and the Environment, Water is a
vital element for human life, and any human activity relates somehow to water. Unfortunately,
it is not a renewable resource and in the future it "might get worse with climate change. Water
conflicts occur because the demand for water resources and potable water extend far beyond
the amount of water actually available. Elements of a water crisis may put pressures on affected
parties to obtain more of a shared water resource, causing diplomatic tension or outright
conflict.
The Cauvery water dispute: Out of Indias 18 major rivers, 17 are shared between different
states. In all these cases, there are intense conflicts over these resources which badly seem to
resolve. The Cauvery river water is a born of contention between tamilnadu and Karnataka and
the problem is almost hundred years old. Tamilnadu occupying the downstream region of the
river wants water-use regulated in the upstream state Karnataka refuses to do so and claims its
privacy over the river as upstream user. The river water is almost fully utilized and both the
states having increasing demands for agriculture and industry. The consumption is more in
Tamilnadu than Karnataka where the catchment area is rockier. On June 2, 1990, the Cavery
Water dispute tribunal was set up which through an interim award directed Karnataka to ensure
that 205 TMCF of water was made available in Tamilnadus mettur dam every year, till a
settlement was reached. In 1991-92 due to good monsoon, there was no disputr as there was
good stock of water in Mettur , but in 1995, the situation turned into a crisis due to delayed
rains and an expert committee was set up to look into the matter which found there was a
complex cropping pattern in Cauvery basin. Sambra paddy in winter, Kurvai paddy in summer
and some cash crops demanded intensive water, thus aggravating the water crisis. Proper
selection of crop varieties, optimum use of water, better rationing and rational sharing patterns,
and pricing of water are suggested as some measures to solve the problem.
DAMS-BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS
Today there are more than 45,000 large dams around the world, which play an important role
in communities and economies that harness these water resources for their economic
development. Current estimates suggest some 30-40% of irrigated land worldwide relies on
dams. Hydropower, another contender for the use of stored water, currently supplies 19% of
the world’s total electric power supply and is used in over 150 countries. The world’s two most
populous countries – China and India – have built around 57% of the world’s large dams.
BENEFITS:
River valley projects with big dams have usually been considered to play a key role in the
development process due to their multiple uses. India has the distinction of having the largest
number of river valley projects. The tribal’s living in the area pin big hopes on these projects
as they aim at providing employment and raising the standard and quality of life. The dams
have tremendous potential for economic upliftment and growth. They can help in checking
floods and famines, generate electricity and reduce water and power shortage, provide
irrigation water to lower areas, provide drinking water in remote areas and promote
navigation,fishery etc
PROBLEMS:
• Fragmentation and physical transformation of rivers.
• Serious impacts on riverine ecosystems.
• Social consequences of large dams due to displacement of people.
• Water logging and Stalinization of surrounding lands.
• Dislodging animal populations, damaging their habitat and cutting off their migration routes.
• Fishing and travel by boat disrupted.
Large dams have had serious impacts on the lives, livelihoods, cultures and spiritual existence
of indigenous and tribal peoples. They have suffered disproportionately from the negative
Impacts of dams and often been excluded from sharing the benefits. In India, of the 16 to 18
million people displaced by dams, 40 to 50% were tribal people, who account for only 8% of
our nation’s one billion people.
1.5 MINERAL RESOURCES
A mineral is a naturally occurring substance of definite chemical composition and identifiable
physical properties. An ore is a mineral or combination of minerals from which a useful
substance, such as a metal, can be extracted and used to manufacture a useful product. The
geological processes are caused for the formation of the minerals over millions of years ago in
the earth’s crust. Minerals are generally localized in occurrence and the deposits are very
sporadic in distribution. Mineral resources are non-renewableand the mineral /ore is extracted
by the process of mining. Iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese and copper are important raw
materials for industrial use. Important non-metal resources include coal, salt, clay, cement and
silica. Stone used for building material, such as granite, marble, limestone, constitute another
category of minerals. Minerals with special properties that humans value for their aesthetic and
ornamental value are gems such as diamonds, emeralds and rubies. The luster of gold, silver
and platinum is used for ornaments. Minerals in the form of oil, gas and coal were formed when
ancient plants and animals were converted into underground fossil fuels.
Uses of minerals:
Minerals are used in a large number of ways for domestic, industrial, commercial Sectors etc…
1. Generation of energy by using coal (lignite / anthracite); uranium, gold, silver, platinum,
diamond are used in jewellery. Copper, aluminum etc are used as cables for transmission of
power.
2. Some of the minerals are used in ayurvedam as medicine. Gold is reputed to strengthen the
heart muscle and increase energy and stamina.
Mining and its Process:
Minerals and their ores need to be extracted from the earth’s interior so that they can be used.
This process is known as mining. Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other
geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, lode, vein, (coal) seam or reef, which
forms the mineralized horizon and package of economic interest to the miner.
Mining operations generally progress through four stages:
(1) Prospecting: Searching for minerals.
(2) Exploration: Assessing the size, shape, location,
(3) Development: Work of preparing access to the deposit so that the minerals can be extracted
from it.
(4) Exploitation : Extracting the minerals from the mines.
Types of mining:
The method of mining has to be determined depending on whether the ore or mineral deposit
is nearer the surface or deep within the earth. The topography of the region and the Physical
nature of the ore deposit is studied. Mines are of two types
a) Surface (open cut or strip mines)
b) Deep or shaft mines.
a) Surface Mining: Surface mining is used to obtain mineral ores that are close to Earth’s
Surface. The soil and rocks over the ore are removed by blasting. Typically, the remaining ore
is drilled or blasted so that large machines can fill trucks with the broken rocks. The trucks take
the rocks to factories where the ore will be separated from the rest of the rock. Surface mining
includes open-pit mining, quarrying, and strip mining.
1) Open-pit mining creates a big pit from which the ore is mined. The size of the pit grows until
it is no longer profitable to mine the remaining ore.
2) Strip mines are similar to pit mines, but the ore is removed in large strips.
3) A quarry is a type of open-pit mine that produces rocks and minerals that are used to make
buildings.
b) Underground Mining: Underground mining is used for ores that are deep in Earth's surface.
For deep ore deposits, it can be too expensive to remove all of the rocks above the ore.
Underground mines can be very deep. The deepest gold mine in South Africa is more than
3,700 meters deep (that is more than 2 miles)! There are various methods of underground
mining. These methods are more expensive than surface mining because tunnels are made in
the rock so that miners and equipment can get to the ore. Underground mining is dangerous
work. Fresh air and lights must also be brought in to the tunnels for the miners. Miners breathe
in lots of particles and dust while they are underground. The ore is drilled, blasted, or cut away
from the surrounding rock and taken out of the tunnel
Environmental effects:
Mineral extraction and processing in mines involves a negative impact on environment. Much
risk is involved in mining process because of high temperature, pressure Variations, fire
hazards and lack of ventilation in mines.
• Mining process involves removal of over burden of soil, ore extraction & transportation,
crushing & grinding of ore, water treatment of ore, storage of waste material. As a result of
these activities cause air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, loss of habitat of wildlife,
concentration of toxic substances in tailing ponds and spreading of dust.
• People working in mines often suffer from serious respiratory system and skin diseases.
• Mining often causes ground subsidence which results in tilting of buildings, cracks in houses,
buckling of roads, bending of rail tracks etc.
• Exploration process before a mining involves, geochemical, geophysical surveys. Drilling
activities which causes for air pollution, noise pollution etc...
• In addition, disturbance of all vegetation (flora) and fauna (animals) from that a region.
• Acid mine drainage (AMD), or acid rock drainage (ARD): The outflow of acidic water
from (usually abandoned) metal mines or coal mines. However, other areas where the earth has
been disturbed (e.g. construction sites, subdivisions, transportation corridors, etc.) may also
contribute acid rock drainage to the environment
1.6 FOOD RESOURCES
The main sources of human food are plants and animals. Human beings consume almost all
parts of plants in the form of cereals (wheat, barley, millet, rye, oats, maize, corn, rice etc.);
pulses (peas, red grams, green grams); vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, beans); fruits (banana,
orange, grapes, pineapple) and spices (pepper, cloves). Also a number of products such as milk,
butter, egg and meat supplement the requirements.
WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS
Since world’s population is growing every year and the demand of food is also increasing
continuously. Although world’s food production has increased almost three times during the
last
50 years, but at the same time rapid population growth outstripped the food production. So, the
world food problem is a complex one depending on food production, population increase, the
prevalence of poverty and environmental impacts.
Famines are due to lack of access to food but not lack of food. Modern agriculture is largely
based upon technological factors like the use of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, synthetic
pesticides etc…
The green revolution however changed traditional agricultural practices with a rapid increase
in food production in developing countries. An American agricultural scientist, Norman
Borlaug developed a high yielding variety of wheat through new concepts in plant breeding.
By the mid 1960’s, the green revolution was fully adopted in India.
CHANGES CAUSED BY AGRICULTURE AND OVER GRAZING
CHANGES CAUSED BY AGRICULTURE
There are two types of agricultural systems:
(1) Traditional system and (2) Modern and Industrialized system
(1) Traditional system:
The traditional system is again subdivided into two types namely:
(a) Traditional Subsistence Agriculture (TSA): In this system, only enough crops or
livestock are produced for the use of family and a little surplus to sell to meet the needs.
(b) Traditional Intensive Agriculture( TIA ):Farmers increase their inputs of human labor,
Water fertilizers to get higher yields for the use of their families and to sell small quantities for
getting income.
(2) Modern and industrialized system: In the system of modern and industrialized
agriculture, a large extent of land will be brought under agriculture and huge quantities of
fuel, energy, water, chemical fertilizers, pesticides used to produce large quantities of single
crops purely for sale. This system is spreading in India in the name of Green revolution. But
this modern agricultural system has its own adverse effects on environment.
a. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers to boost up the crop yield, contaminate groundwater
with nitrate. The presence of excess of nitrate in drinking water is dangerous for human Health.
Excess Nitrate reacts with hemoglobin and causes for “Blue Baby Syndrome” which kill the
infants.
b. The excessive N P K fertilizers in agriculture fields are often washed off with water and
leads to algal blooming and Eutrophication. Phosphates have been accumulating in soils,
lake sediments for decades change the ecology. Increased levels of phosphates in water bodies
cause Eutrophication ( growth of unwanted plants ).
c. The excessive use of pesticides enters the food chain and become hazardous to human life.
d. A large area of fertile land has become saline in recent years due to excessive irrigation.
e. Consumption of fuel energy is more when shifting of human and animal labour to agriculture
machinery. Use of fuel leads to air pollution.
f. Continuing to increase input of fertilizers, water and pesticides eventually produces no
additional increase in crop yield but slows down the productivity of the crop.
g. Due to increased irrigation, the underground aquifers are slowly and constantly become
dry. The rate at which they are being depleted is much faster than its recharge.
h. Excessive application of chemical fertilizers can increase soil salt content. The percolation
of domestic and industrial sewage also increase the salinity of soil.
i. The stagnation of water in the soil in the upper layers causes for water logging which Causes
for less oxygen availability for respiration of plants. Modern, intensive agriculture causes many
problems, including the following:
• Artificial fertilizers and herbicides are easily washed from the soil and pollute rivers, lakes
and water courses.
• The prolonged use of artificial fertilizers results in soils with a low organic matter content
which is easily eroded by wind and rain?
• Dependency on fertilizers. Greater amounts are needed every year to produce the same Yields
of crops.
• Artificial pesticides can stay in the soil for a long time and enter the food chain where they
build up in the bodies of animals and humans, causing health problems.
• Artificial chemicals destroy soil micro-organisms resulting in poor soil structure and aeration
and decreasing nutrient availability.
• Pests and diseases become more difficult to control as they become resistant to artificial
Pesticides. The numbers of natural enemies decrease because of pesticide use and habitat loss.
WATER LOGGING
Water logging refers to the saturation of soil with water. Soil may be regarded as waterlogged
when the water table of the groundwater is too high to conveniently permit an anticipated
activity, like agriculture. In agriculture, various crops need air (specifically, oxygen) to a
greater or lesser depth in the soil. Water logging of the soil stops air getting in. How near the
water table must be to the surface for the ground to be classed as waterlogged varies with the
purpose in view. A crop's demand for freedom from water logging may vary between seasons
of the year, as with the growing of rice (Oryza sativa). In irrigated agricultural land, water
logging is often accompanied by soil salinity as waterlogged soils prevent leaching of the salts
imported by the irrigation water
SALINITY
Soil salinity is the salt content in the soil; the process of increasing the salt content is known as
salinization. Salt is a natural element of soils and water. Salinization can be caused by natural
processes such as mineral weathering or the gradual withdrawal of an ocean. It can also be
caused by artificial processes such as irrigation Salinization is a process that results from:
• High levels of salt in the water.
• Landscape features that allow salts to become mobile(movement of water table).
• Climatic trends that favors accumulation.
• Human activities such as land clearing, aquaculture activities and the salting of icy roads.
CHANGES CAUSED BY OVER GRAZING
Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time,
or without sufficient recovery periods. It can be caused by either livestock in poorly managed
agricultural applications, or by overpopulations of native or native wild. Overgrazing reduces
the usefulness, productivity, and biodiversity of the land and is one cause of desertification and
erosion. Overgrazing is also seen as a cause of the spread of invasive species of non-native
plants and of weeds. Overgrazing typically increases soil erosion. Reduction in soil depth, soil
organic matter and soil fertility impair the land's future natural and agricultural productivity.
Soil fertility can sometimes be mitigated by applying the appropriate lime and organic
fertilizers. However, the loss of soil depth and organic matter takes centuries to correct. Their
loss is critical in determining the soil's water-holding capacity and how well pasture plants do
during dry weather.
 ENERGY RESOURCES
Energy is defined by physicists as the capacity to do work. Energy is found on ourplanet in
a variety of forms, some of which are immediately useful to do work, while others require a
process of transformation. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but transformed from
one form to other. Energy is closely related to force. When a force causes an object to move,
energy is being transferred from the force to kinetic energy. Energy is present in a number of
forms such as mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological energy etc.. Energy production and
utilization have become essential to carry out many activities in modern life. Energy is one of
the important requirements that a country needs for its economic growth. At the same time,
energy production has its impact on environment due to pollution and finally affects the quality
of life of people.
GROWING ENERGY NEEDS
Energy plays a key role in the process of economic growth of a nation. The industrial
development of any country is dependent on the organized development of its power resources'.
Energy is also indispensable for agriculture, transport, business and domestic requirements. In
fact, electricity has such a wide range of applications in modern economic development that its
per capita consumption is, to a great extent, an index of the material advancement of the
country. Energy is the capacity for doing useful work. It is an essential input for economic
growth. This energy is used in the form of electrical energy, thermal energy, light, mechanical
energy and chemical energy etc. Energy is measured in joules in Si units. The annual per capita
energy consumption in developed countries ranges from 5 to 11 kW whereas in the developing
countries it is between 1 to 1.5 KW Only
Uses of Energy
1. Energy is a primary input in any industrial operation.
2. It is also a major input in sectors such as commerce, transport, tele-communications etc.
3. The wide range of services required in the household and industrial sectors.
4. Owing to the far-reaching changes in the forms of energy and their respective roles in
supporting human activities, research and training on various aspects of energy and
environment have assumed great significance.
Types of energy: There are three main types of energy;
A. Non-renewable B. Renewable C. Nuclear energy
A. Non – renewable energy resources
Fossil fuels: Fossil means the remains of an animal or a plant which have become hard and
turned into rock. All these found in earth’s crusts which have been formed in the past by the
geological processes. Fossil fuels are solid coal (lignite), liquid (crude oil / petroleum) and
gases (natural gas ).
a) Coal: Huge quantity of plant materials buried under earths crust and altered by
geological process and converted into carbon rich fuel. It is a non – renewable source
because it takes a very long period (million of years) for its formation. Coal is extracted
by the process of mining and involves accidents due to mine collapse, ground water
pollution, accumulation of poisonous material, explosive gases etc cause diseases. CO2
pollution leads to green house effect (global warming).
b) Crude oil: It is obtained in the form of liquid . The crude oil is heated up to 600oC in
the oil refinery and condense the vapours of hydro – carbons. Petrol another petroleum
products are refined fuels from crude oil. Petroleum products are used in large
quantities in the manufacture of detergents, plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals,
synthetic rubber etc.. The transport sector consumes about 40% of diesel; 25%
industries and 19%household and rest 16% agriculture and other sectors. .
c) Natural Gas: Gas deposits are trapped from the sedimentary formations by means
drilling holes into the rock formations. While burning of natural gas, the emission of
CO2 is less and thus reduces green house effect and global warming. A total of 734
billion cubic mts of gas is estimated as proven reserves.
B. Renewable energy resources: Renewable energy systems use resources that are constantly
replaced and are usually less polluting. Examples include hydropower, solar, wind, and
geothermal (energy from the heat inside the earth).
1. Solar energy: The energy which is derived from the sun is known as solar energy. It can be
used for direct heating or sun’s heat is converted into electricity. Photo voltaic cells convert
direct solar energy into electricity. A number of solar equipments have been developed to
utilize sun rays to heat water, to cook food, to pump water and to run certain machines and
used for street lighting, railway signals etc. But the major problem with solar energy is that
during cloudy weather it is available in less quantity than on sunny days.
How Solar Power Works
The sun's energy can be captured to generate electricity or heat through a system of panels or
mirrors.
• Solar, or photovoltaic, cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. Most photovoltaic cells
are made primarily of silicon, the material used in computer semiconductor chips, and arranged
on rectangular panels. When sunlight hits a cell, the energy knocks electrons free of their atoms,
allowing them to flow through the material. The resulting DC (direct current) electricity is then
sent to a power inverter for conversion to AC (alternating current).
• Solar thermal collectors use heat-absorbing panels and a series of attached circulation tubes
to heat water or buildings.
• Solar concentration systems use mirrors -- usually arranged in a series of long, parabolic
troughs, a large round dish, or a circle surrounding a "power tower" -- to focus the sun's
reflected rays on a heat-collecting element. The concentrated sunlight heats water or a heat
transferring fluid such as molten salt to generate steam, which is then used conventionally to
spin turbines and generate electricity.
• Passive solar design is the creative use of windows, skylights and sunrooms, building site and
orientation, and thermal construction materials to heat and light buildings, or to heat water, the
natural way.
2. Hydro-Power energy: Electrical power is generated by hydro-electric projects in which
dams are constructed across the river. The kinetic energy of water is converted into mechanical
energy by means of turbines and in turn, the mechanical energy is transferred into electrical
energy by generators. Hydro power projects lead to several environmental problems like
destruction of animal habitats, deforestation, migration of people etc..
3. Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy found within rock formations. Inside the earth the
temperature rises with depth. The temperature in earth’s crust is around 4000o C. Geysers ( a
natural spring that emits hot water ) and hot springs are examples for geothermal energy where
the steam and hot water come to the surface, in areas where the steam is tapped by drilling. The
obtained steam is then used to generate power. Air pollution results in case of geothermal
energy where the gases like H2S, NH3, CO2 present in the steam coming out of the geothermal
sources. The overall efficiency for power production is low (15%) as compared to fossil fuels
(40%).
4. Wind energy: Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the movement of
atmospheric air. Wind mills convert the wind energy into electrical energy. On an average
windmills can convert 30 – 40 % of available wind energy into electrical energy at a steady
wind speed of 8.5mts / sec. The efficiency of wind mill is increased with the speed of wind and
length of rotor blade. The total wind energy potential in India’s estimate is 25,000 MW of this
about6000 MW is located in Tamil Nadu; 5000 MW in Gujarat and contribute thestates of
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan forbalance quantity.
Merits & demerits of wind energy:
1. It is a non – polluting and environment friendly source of energy.
2. It is a renewable energy available at free of cost
3. Power generation is cheaper with nil recurring expenses.
4. Wind mills are suitable to erect at on shore, remote and rural areaswhere wind blows with
required intensity.
5. Favorable in geographic locations which are away from cities.
6. Wind turbine design, manufacturing, installation is complex due tovarying atmospheric
conditions.
7. Wind power doesn’t suitable for large scale generation.
5. Ocean energy: Seas and oceans are large water bodies . Seas absorb solar radiation and large
amounts of solar energy are stored in the tides and waves of the ocean. Ocean energy is non
polluting in nature and suitable at a few places only. Energy from seas or oceans is obtained
from the following:
(1) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: The oceans collect and store huge quantities of solar
on the surface of the water while the temperature of deepwater is very low. Using this
temperature difference it is possible to convert heat into electricity.
(2) Tidal energy: Tidal waves of the sea can be used to turn turbine and generate electricity.
Asia’s first tidal power plant of 800 - 1000 MW capacity is proposed to be set up at Kandla in
Gulf of Kutch.
6. Bio mass energy: Bio-mass is an organic material from living beings or its residues. It is a
renewable source of energy derived from the waste of various human and natural activities.
The bio-mass energy sources include Wood, animal manure, sugarcane waste, agriculture
crops, house hold waste, roots of plants, garbage etc. The simplest way of using bio-mass
energy sources is to allow them to dry out in the sun and burn them.
7. Bio-gas: Bio-gas is a sustainable source of energy by virtue of its production from available
natural organic wastes of cattle dung, human excreta, poultry waste, plant leaves, paddy husk
etc. Bio-gas is a mixture of methane (68%), CO2 (31%) and N2 (1%). Methane gas (CH4) is
produced by bio-gas plants and this gas is utilized as cooking gas whose calorific value varies
from 4400 – 6200 Kilo Calories / cum. Heat value of biogas can be improved by reducing its
CO2 content. Bio-gas production is carried out in an enclosed bio-gas plant made of bricks or
steel. A slurry of waste organic matter is fed into the plant through an inlet and gas formed is
tapped by an inverted drum. As gas is produced the drum rises and the gas may be drawn
through an outlet. Bio-gas is commonly produced from cattle dung in a bio gas plant known as
Gobar Gas plant. Bio-gas is a clean, cheap fuel that can be used for lighting purpose, lifting
water through small pumps.
C. Nuclear Energy or Atomic power: It is the energy which is trapped inside the atom. It is
non–renewable source of energy which is released during fission or fusion of certain
radioactive elements. The most important advantage of atomic power is the production of an
enormous amount of energy from a small quantity of radioactive element. For eg: 1 kg of
Uranium liberates energy equivalent to 30000 kgs of coal. Energy released during nuclear
reaction (mass – energy equation as per Albert Einstein’s formula E = mc2).
Nuclear Energy is produced by two processes namely (1) Nuclear Fission and (2) Nuclear
Fusion.
Nuclear Fission: The nucleus in atoms is split by fast moving neutrons and in turn a
tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat, light etc is released by a chain of reactions.
Uranium is used as fuel. The energy released slowly in this process is utilized to generate
electricity or else released suddenly all at once, results a tremendous explosion as in the case
of Atom bomb.
Nuclear Fusion: Nuclear energy can be generated by fusion process which involves two
hydrogen atoms combine to produce one helium atom. Eg: hydrogen bomb. The disposal of
nuclear wastes during mining, fuel production and reactor operation for a long time period
resulting in adverse effects on environment. Disposable of nuclear waste is a national and
global problem.
USE OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel. These alternatives
are intended to address concerns about such fossil fuels. The nature of what constitutes an
alternative energy source has changed considerably over time, as have controversies regarding
energy use. Today, because of the variety of energy choices and differing goals of their
advocates, defining some energy types as "alternative" is highly controversial.
In a general sense, alternative energy as it is currently conceived, is that which is produced or
recovered without the undesirable consequences inherent in fossil fuel use, particularly high
carbon dioxide emissions, an important factor in global warming. Sometimes, this less
comprehensive meaning of "alternative energy" excludes nuclear energy
• Solar energy is the generation of electricity from the sun. It is split up into two types, thermal
and electric energy. These two subgroups mean that they heat up homes and generate electricity
respectively.
• Wind energy is the generation of electricity from the wind.
• Geothermal energy is using hot water or steam from the Earth’s interior for heating buildings
or electricity generation.
• Biofuel and Ethanol are plant-derived substitutes of gasoline for powering vehicles.
• Nuclear binding energy uses nuclear fission to create energy.
• Hydrogen is used as clean fuel for spaceships, and some cars
CASE STUDIES
• In 1981, a plane called ‘The Solar Challenger ‘flew from Paris to England in 5hours,
20minutes. It had 16,000 solar cells glued to the wings and tail of the plane and they produced
enough power to drive a small electric motor and propeller. Since 1987, every three years there
is a World Solar challenge for solar operated vehicles in Australia where the vehicles cover
3000 kms.
• The world’s first solar-powered hospitals in Mali in Africa. Being situated at the edge of the
Sahara desert, Mali receives a large amount of sunlight. Panel’s of solar cells supply the power
needed to run vital equipment and keep medical supplies cool in refrigerators.
• In recent years, the popularity of building integrated photovoltaic’s (BIPV’s) has grown
considerably. In this application, PV devices are designed as part of building materials (i.e.
roofs and siding) both to produce electricity and reduce costs by replacing the costs of normal
construction materials. There are more than 3, 000 BIPV systems in Germany and Japan has a
program that will build 70,000BIPV buildings.
1.8 LAND RESOURCES
Land as a resource: Landforms such as hills, valleys, plains, river basins and wetlands include
different resource generating areas that the people living in them depend on. Many traditional
farming societies had ways of preserving areas from which they used resources. If land is
utilized carefully it can be considered a renewable resource. The roots of trees and grasses bind
the soil. If forests are depleted, or grasslands overgrazed, the land becomes unproductive and
wasteland is formed. Intensive irrigation leads to water logging and salinization, on which
crops cannot grow. Land is also converted into a non-renewable resource when highly toxic
industrial and nuclear wastes are dumped on it. Land on earth is as finite as any of our other
natural resources. While mankind has learnt to adapt his lifestyle to various ecosystems world
over, he cannot live comfortably for instance on polar ice caps, on under the sea, or in space in
the foreseeable future.
LAND DEGRADATION AND CONTROL OF LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation can be defined as any change in the land that alter its conditions or reduces
its quality. Land degradation occurs due to both natural disasters like volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, heavy rains, fire etc or human induced activities. The other causes of land
degradation consist of wind blow, salinity of water, water logging, soil acidity, loss of flora
and fauna.
Desertification is land degradation occurring in the arid, semi-arid regions of the world. These
dry lands cover about 40% of the earth’s surface and puts at risk more than 1 billion people
who are dependent on these lands for survival.
Land clearing and deforestation; Mining activity in forest areas; urban conversion; bringing
more land under cultivation; soil pollution; loss of organic matter in the soils; alkalinization of
soils; salinity of water etc leads to land degradation. Severe land degradation affects in
decreasing the mineral wealth and economic development of nations.
The methods that are followed for the prevention of land degradation are called soil
conservation methods. Some of the popular methods are;
(a) Contour farming: The land is prepared with alternate furrows (a long narrow cut in the
Ground) and ridges at the same level. The water is caught and held in furrows and stores which
reduces run off and erosion.
(b) Mulching: Stems of maize, cotton, tobacco etc are used as a mulch (decay of leaves) to
reduce soil moisture, evaporation.
(c) Crop rotation: Growing same crop year after year depletes the nutrients and land becomes
Unproductive. This is overcome by changing the crops and cultivating legumes (plants like
peas, beans) after a regular crop.
(d) Strip cropping: It consists of planting crops in rows or strips along contours to check flow
of water.
LANDSLIDES AND MAN INDUCED LAND SLIDES
Landslides always exist on this planet and the term land slide is used to describe a wide variety
of process that result a downward movement of rocks under gravitational forces. In other
words, mass movement of rocks, debris and soil down a slope of land.
Landslides are primarily associated with steep slopes. Surface run-off and changes in drainage
also cause for landslides. Landslides can also be initiated by rainfall; earthquakes; volcanic
activity, changes in groundwater movement or any combination these factors. Debris-flows can
travel down a hillside of speeds up to 200 miles per hour (more commonly, 30 – 50 miles per
hour) depending on the slope angle, water content, and type of earth and debris in the flow.
While landslides are a naturally occurring environmental hazard they have recently increased
in frequency in certain areas due to human activities.
Building excavations collapses in mining (e.g.: coal mine) causes landslides. However,
landslides can be triggered by the human beings by induced changes in the environment.
Simply landslides can be explained in three ways:
(a) Inherent of rocks (weakness in the structure of a rock )
(b) Due to heavy seismic or volcanic activity and
(c) Due to various environmental conditions.
SOIL EROSION AND CAUSES FOR SOIL EROSION
The top layer of the earth is called as soil. Soil erosion occurs due to deforestation, overgrazing,
industrialization; desertification etc.
a. Deforestation: Mining, industrial, urban development etc causes deforestation and leads to
exposure of the land to wind and rains causing soil erosion. Cutting trees leads to deforestation
which in turn loss of organic matter in the soils.
b. Overgrazing: When sufficient amount of grass is available for the organisms usually the
entire land /area may be subjected to exhaust and the land is exposed without grass and
ultimately the land expose to wind/rain causing soil erosion. .
c. Industrialization: Different processes carried out by industries and mining operations cause
soil pollution which leads to degradation of land
DESERTIFICATION:
Desertification is the process which turns productive into non- productive desert as a result of
poor land-management. Desertification occurs mainly in semi-arid areas (average annual
rainfall less than 600 mm) bordering on deserts. In the Sahel, (the semi-arid area south of the
Sahara Desert), for example, the desert moved 100 km southwards between 1950 and 1975.
CAUSES OF DESERTIFICATION
* Overgrazing is the major cause of desertification worldwide. Plants of semi-arid areas are
adapted to being eaten by sparsely scattered, large, grazing mammals which move in response
to the patchy rainfall common to these regions. Early human pastoralists living in semi-arid
areas copied this natural system. They moved their small groups of domestic animals in
response to food and water availability. Such regular stock movement prevented overgrazing
of the fragile plant cover.
* Cultivation of marginal lands, i.e lands on which there is a high risk of crop failure and a very
low economic return, for example, some parts of South Africa where maize is grown.
* Destruction of vegetation in arid regions, often for fuelwood.
* Poor grazing management after accidental burning of semi-arid vegetation.
* Incorrect irrigation practices in arid areas can cause salinization, (the buildup of salts in the
soil) which can prevent plant growth. When the practices described above coincide with
drought, the rate of desertification increases dramatically.
Increasing human population and poverty contribute to desertification as poor people may be
forced to overuse their environment in the short term, without the ability to plan for the long
term effects of their actions. Where livestock has a social importance beyond food, people
might be reluctant to reduce their stock numbers.
EFFECTS OF DESERTIFICATION
Desertification reduces the ability of land to support life, affecting wild species, domestic
animals, agricultural crops and people. The reduction in plant cover that accompanies
desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion by wind and water. South Africa losing
approximately 300-400 million tonnes of topsoil every year. As vegetation cover and soil layer
are reduced, rain drop impact and run-off increases. Water is lost off the land instead of soaking
into the soil to provide moisture for plants. Even long-lived plants that would normally survive
droughts die. A reduction in plant cover also results in a reduction in the quantity of humus and
plant nutrients in the soil, and plant production drops further. As protective plant cover
disappears, floods become more frequent and more severe. Desertification is self-reinforcing,
i.e. once the process has started, and conditions are set for continual deterioration.
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUALCONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Different natural resources like forests, water, soil, food, mineral and energy resources play a
vital role in the development of a nation. With our small individual efforts we can together help
in conserving our natural resources to a large extent. Following are the ways:
a) Conserve Water:
1. Don’t keep water taps running while brushing, shaving, washing or bathing.
2. In washing machines fill the machine only to the level required for your clothes.
3. Install water saving toilets that use not more than 6 liters per flush.
4. Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly.
5. Reuse the soapy water of washing from clothes for gardening, driveways etc.
6. Water the plants and the lawns in the evening when evaporation losses are minimum.
Never water the plants in mid-day.
7. Install a system to capture rain water.
b) Conserve energy:
1. Turn off lights fans and other appliances when not in use.
2. Obtain as much heat as possible from natural sources. Dry the clothes in sun instead
of direr if possible.
3. Use solar cooker for cooking which will be more nutritious and will save your LPG
Expenses.
4. Build your house with provision for sunspace which will keep your house warmer and
will provide more light.
5. Drive less, make fewer trips and use public transportations whenever possible.Share
a car-pool if possible.
6. Control the use of A.C.
7. Recycle and reuse glass, metals and papers.
8. Use bicycle or just walk down small distances instead of using vehicle.
Protect the Soil:
1. Grow different types of ornamental plants, herbs and trees in your garden. Grow grass
in the open areas which will bind the soil and prevent its erosion.
2. Make compost from your kitchen waste and use it for your kitchen-garden.
3. Do not irrigate the plants using a strong flow of water as it would wash off the soil.
4. Better use sprinkling irrigation.
Promote Sustainable Agriculture:
1. Do not waste food; Take as much as you can eat.
2. Reduce the use of pesticides.
3. Fertilize your crop with organic fertilizers.
4. Use drip irrigation.
5. Eat local and seasonal vegetables.
6. Control pest

Case studies:

1. National solar mission

2. Cauvery water conflict
3. Sardar sarovar dam
4. Chippko movement
5. Appiko movement
6. Tarun Bharat Sangh