25-06-2013, 11:30 AM
NATURAL RESOURCES
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Resource is a source of supply or support held in reserve.
In simple terms anything or substance which is useful to mankind is a resource. Resource is something which is used by man to satisfy his needs and aspirations.
Natural resources are being obtained from earth and its atmosphere. Therefore they are also called Earth Resources. Nature has given us abundant resource in the form of air, heat, natural vegetation, soil, wild animals, metals, fossil fuels etc.
Forest resources:
It is highly complex, changing environment made up of a living and nonliving things. Living things include trees, shrubs, wildlife etc. and non-living things include water, nutrients, rocks, sunlight and air. Forest varies a great deal in composition and density and is distinct from meadows and pastures. Forest is important to humans and the natural world. For humans, they have many aesthetics, recreational, economic, historical, cultural and religious values. Forest provides fuel, wood, timber, wildlife, habitat, industrial, forest products, climate regulations, medicinal etc.
Forests have a tremendous importance to the humans. They constitute important components of our environment. Forests are important renewable natural resource. Forest ecosystem is dominated by trees, the species varying in different parts of the world. Forests are intimately linked with our culture and civilization. They contribute significantly to the economic development of our country.
Functions of Forests
• The functions of forest may broadly classified into following categories
1. Protective Function
2. Productive Function
3. Regulative Function
4. Accessory Function
Water resources:
These 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. 97% of the water on the Earth is salt water. However, only three percent is fresh water; slightly over two thirds of this is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining unfrozen freshwateris found mainly as groundwater, with only a small fraction present above ground or in the air.
Types of water resources:
The water resources are divided into different categories on the basis of their composition and also on the basis of their uses for the benefit of the humanity. Some important types of water resources that are used to provide the useful sources of water are as follows
1. Surface water resources (Rivers, streams, torrents, tanks, springs, lakes, reservoirs….)
2. Ground water resources (open wells, tube wells, artesian wells, percolation tanks, sewage disposal…)
3. Salt water resources (oceans, seas …)
4. Auxiliary water resources (it is a type water which requires sort of treatment before their utilization)
The goals of water conservation efforts include as follows:
1. Sustainability: To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of fresh water from an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.
2. Energy conservation: Water pumping, delivery and waste water treatment facilities consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world over 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water management.
3. Habitat conservation: Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build new dams and other water diversion infrastructures.
4. Use minimum amount of water for all domestic purposes.
5. Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly.
6. Reuse the soapy water, after washing clothes, for washing off the courtyards, drive ways, etc..,
7. Built rainwater harvesting system in your house.
Minerals Resources
Mineralsare commercially valuable nonrenewable resources. A metal having definite chemical properties and indefinite physical properties is technically called mineral
Mineral resources in India are adequately rich, widespread and are of huge varieties which provide the nation with a strong industrial base. The most important mineral resources which India possesses include Manganese ore, Coal, Bauxite, Mica Iron, Monazite, and Salt.