Natural Resources and Their Use
Introduction
Natural resources are materials and substances provided by nature that humans use for survival, creating things, and generating energy. Examples include water, air, soil, coal, and timber. To live in harmony with nature, we need a regenerative economy that reuses resources, minimizes waste, and restores what’s depleted, as emphasized by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac. Understanding and managing these resources responsibly ensures they last for future generations.
Key Topics
1. Definition of Natural Resources:
Materials from nature used by humans (e.g., water, air, soil, coal, timber).
Become resources when they are:
- Technologically accessible: Can be extracted with available tools.
- Economically feasible: Affordable to use or extract.
- Culturally acceptable: Aligns with societal values (e.g., not cutting sacred trees).
2. Categories of Natural Resources:
Based on Use:
- Essential for Life: Air, water, food (from soil or living things).
- For Materials: Used to create objects (e.g., wood for furniture, marble for statues).
- For Energy: Sources like coal, sunlight, or wind for electricity.
Based on Renewability:
- Renewable: Replenish naturally if managed well (e.g., sunlight, water, timber).
- Non-Renewable: Take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, petroleum, metals).
3. Renewable Resources:
- Replenish through nature’s restoration and regeneration (e.g., forests regrow, rivers refill).
- Overuse can make them non-renewable (e.g., overcutting forests).
- Traditional practices, like limiting fishing during spawning seasons, maintain balance.
4.Non-Renewable Resources:
- Cannot be replenished quickly (e.g., India’s coal reserves may last ~50 years).
- Must be used carefully until renewable alternatives (like solar energy) are widely adopted.
5.Distribution of Natural Resources:
- Unevenly spread, influencing settlements, trade, and conflicts (e.g., Kaveri River water disputes).
- Natural Resource Curse: Resource-rich areas may face slow growth without proper industries.
- India counters this by investing in technology and skills.
6.Responsible Use (Stewardship):
- Use resources wisely to ensure sustainability.
- Issues from overuse: Pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change.
Examples:
- Punjab’s Groundwater Crisis: Over-pumping and chemical use harm sustainability.
- Cement Production: Pollutes air, water, and soil; alternatives like mud or recycled materials reduce impact.
7.Restoration and Regeneration:
- Restoration: Healing nature (e.g., replanting forests).
- Regeneration: Nature creating new life (e.g., soil enriched by fallen trees).
- Solutions: Water harvesting, organic farming (e.g., Sikkim’s 100% organic success).
8.Traditional Knowledge (Vrikshāyurveda):
- Ancient Indian science for plant care (e.g., natural pest control, mixed cropping).
- Promotes sustainable agriculture and healthy soil.
9.India’s Leadership in Renewable Energy:
- International Solar Alliance (2015): Promotes solar energy in sunny countries.
- Example: Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan powers 15% of the state’s needs.
Key Concepts:
1. Ecosystem Functions: Natural processes (e.g., trees producing oxygen).
2.Ecosystem Services: Benefits to humans (e.g., clean water, pollination).
3. Lokasangraha: Acting for the well-being of all (from Bhagavad Gita).
History’s Darker Periods:
- Study past wars and cruelty to understand causes and prevent recurrence.
- Approach with detachment and sensitivity; don’t blame today’s people for historical actions.
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