Lesson: Management of Natural Resources
What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment friendly?
We can make the following changes in our habits to be more eco-friendly:
(a) Avoiding wastage of water, electricity and food
(b) Recycling and reusing wastes
(c) Using unleaded petrol in vehicles
(d) Using public transport as much as possible
What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Exploiting resources with short term aims only solves short term problems.
This may help in overcoming current issues and providing quick solutions.
However, no sustainable development is possible with such aims.
How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-term perspective in managing our resources?
Exploiting resources with short term goal helps in overcoming current issues and providing quick solutions.
However, no sustainable development is possible with such aims.
On the other hand, it is important to have a long-term perspective in managing our resources. This not only ensures a safe present for us, but also a safe future for us, as well as for future generations.
Why do you think there should be equitable distribution of resources?
What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our
resources?
By equitable distribution of resources, we mean judicious and uniform distribution of resources among all stake holders in an ecosystem.
When resources are planned keeping in mind the long-term perspective and addressing needs of everyone, it is more likely to have a balanced and sustainable growth.
Some of the forces that work against the equitable distribution of resources are:
(a) Disparity of income between people
(b) Economic and military power of different nations
(c) Lack of awareness
(d) Human greed, commercialisation and industrialisation
Why should we conserve forests and wildlife?
Forest is a major source of energy and resource for us. Forest not only releases a large quantity of oxygen, but also helps in reducing the pollution due to industries and other man-made activities. From forests we get wood, papers, medicines and other raw materials for industries. Forest and other wild life are part of an ecosystem.
Conservation of forest requires the conservation of the wild life as well.
Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Conversion of forests into national parks, sanctuaries, motivating local people to be stake holders in the development of forests, passing laws against deforestations, cutting trees, planting more trees, etc. can help in conserving forests.
Compare the water harvesting system with the probable systems in hilly/mountainous areas or plains or plateau regions.
In plains: The water harvesting structures are crescent-shaped earthen embankments. These are low, straight, and concrete.
In hilly regions: The system of canal irrigation can be used for water harvesting. This involves collection of rain water in a stream, which is then diverted into man-made channels down the hill sides.