UNIT-2

NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS

AND SOLUTIONS

2.1 Introduction
Natural resources are naturally occurring materials that are useful to man or
could be useful under conceivable technological, economic or social circumstances
or supplies drawn from the earth, supplies such as food, building and clothing
materials, fertilizers, metals, water and geothermal power. For a long time, natural
resources were the domain of the natural sciences.
These are the resources that are found in the environment and are developed
without the intervention of humans. Common examples of natural resources
include air, sunlight, water, soil, stone, plants, animals and fossil fuels.

2.2 Natural resources - Meaning

Natural resources are naturally occurring materials that are useful to man or
could be useful under conceivable technological, economic or social circumstances
or supplies drawn from the earth, supplies such as food, building and clothing
materials, fertilizers, metals, water and geothermal power. For a long time, natural
resources were the domain of the natural sciences.
Based on the availability are two types of natural resources:
1. Renewable: resources that are available in infinite quantity and can be
used repeatedly are called renewable resources. Example: Forest, wind,
water, etc.
2. Non-Renewable: resources that are limited in abundance due to their non-
renewable nature and whose availability may run out in the future are called
non-renewable resources. Examples include fossil fuels, minerals, etc.
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Difference between Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Renewable resource Non-renewable resource

It can be renewed as it is available Once completely consumed, it cannot

in infinite quantity be renewed due to limited stock

Sustainable in nature Exhaustible in nature

High cost and less environment-
Low cost and environment-friendly
friendly
Replenish slowly or do not replenish
Replenish quickly
naturally at all
The 5 Most Important Natural Resources are:
1. Air: Clean air is important for all the plants, animals, humans to survive
on this planet. So, it is necessary to take measures to reduce air pollution.
2. Water: %70 of the Earth is covered in water and only 2 % of that is
freshwater. Initiative to educate and regulate the use of water should be
taken.
3. Soil: Soil is composed of various particles and nutrients. It helps plants
grow.
4. Iron: It is made from silica and is used to build strong weapons,
transportation and buildings
5. Forests: As the population increases, the demand for housing and
construction projects also increases. Forests provide clean air and preserve
the ecology of the world.

2.3. LAND RESOURCES AND PREVENTION OF SOIL

EROSION
Land resources
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. Land, a critically important national resource, supports all living
organisms including plants as well as every primary production system such
as roads, industries, communication and storage for surface and ground water,
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 3
among others. Land is a major resource for agricultural development worldwide.
Land resource refers to the land available for exploitation, like non-agricultural
lands for buildings, developing townships etc. Land resources (natural resources)
(economically referred to as land or raw materials) occur naturally within
environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form.
Land Degradation: Land degradation is the process of deterioration of soil or loss
of fertility of soil. The causes of land degradation can be divided into natural
hazards, direct causes, and underlying causes. Natural hazards are the conditions
of the physical environment which lead to the existence of a high degradation
hazard, for example steep slopes as a hazard for water erosion. Direct causes are
unsuitable land use and inappropriate land management practices, for example
the cultivation of steep slopes without measures for soil conservation. Underlying
causes are the reasons why these inappropriate types of land use and management
are practiced; for example,-the slopes may be cultivated because the landless poor
need food, and conservation measures not adopted because these farmers lack
security of tenure.

2.3.1. Causes of land degradation

Population: The indirect activities included pressure on agricultural
intensification and population growth. About 220 million hectares of tropical
forest have been degraded 1975 and 1990 mainly for food production. With the
increase in population, more land is needed for producing food, fiber, and fuel
wood leading to increasing pressure on the limited land resources. Therefore, the
land gets degraded due to over exploitation.
Human Activities: Human induced causes many human activities are leads
to land degradation directly or indirectly include deforestation, overgrazing by
livestock, wrong irrigation practices, urban sprawl and commercial development,
pollution from industries, quarrying, and mining activities, Problems arising from
planning and management of canal irrigation etc.
Urbanization: Increased urbanization due to population growth reduces the
agricultural land. To compensate for loss of agricultural land, new lands comprising
of natural ecosystems such as forests are cleared. Therefore, urbanization leads to
deforestation which in-turn affects millions of plant and animal species.
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Fertilizers and Pesticides: Increased application of fertilizers and pesticides
are needed to increase farm output in new lands thereby leading to pollution of
land, water and soil degradation.
Damage to top soil: Increase in food production generally leads to damage
of top soil through nutrient depletion.
Some specific causes are:
a) Soil erosion: It is wearing away of the land surface by physical forces such as
rainfall, flowing water, wind, ice, temperature change, gravity or other natural
or anthropogenic agents.
b) Soil contamination: It includes contamination by heavy metals, acidification,
nutrient surplus (eutrophication), etc.
c) Soil salinisation: The salts which accumulate include chlorides, sulphates,
carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.
d) Soil sealing: The covering of the soil surface with impervious materials as a
result of urban development and infrastructure construction.
e) Overgrazing: Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing
for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods.
f) Acidification of Soil: Acid soils are toxic to plants because they can release
toxic levels of aluminium and other mineral elements.
g) Mining and quarrying activities: Due to this excavation process alter the
structure of the land, stacking of top soil, loss of soil due to dumping of the
mine wastes.
h) Improper crop rotations: It decreases fertility of soil.

2.3.2. Impact of land degradation

AALoss of soil organic matter and nutrients.
AALoss of soil structure.
AALoss of soil biodiversity.
AALoss of water holding capacity and water infiltration.
AASoil pollution.
AAReduced yields of crops.
AAReduced land value and resilience to future events.
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2.3.3 Impact on food security.

AAReduces ability to adapt to climate change.
AASustainable Land Management: Thus Sustainable Land Management
(SLM) is crucial to minimizing land degradation, rehabilitating degraded
areas and ensuring the optimal use of land resources for the benefit of
present and future generations.
AASustainable Land Management is based on four common principles:
AAland-user-driven and participatory approaches;
AAIntegrated use of natural resources at ecosystem and farming systems
levels. Some of the methods for sustainable management of land are:
AAManagement on overgrazing: Management practices like water
development, placement of salt and supplements, fertilizer application,
fencing, burning can control the overgrazing.
AAManaging irrigation: Irrigation system can be controlled like drip irrigation
to reduce soil erosion. Using high and low salt water was most effective in
maintaining the productive capacity of the clay soil.
AAManaging urban sprawl: The urban planning is the most important factor,
to control the urban sprawl. Fertile field near by the urbane area need to be
protected by the local government rules. There should be a proper waste
management system dumping of these waste generated as part of urban
sprawling will degrade the land, can cause soil salinity, acidity and loss of
it vegetative properties.
AAManaging mining and quarrying: The impact can be reduced by proper
management of mining process, using advanced technologies rather than
conventional methods. After mining by proper back filling, spreading the
soil back over the top, the land can be reclaimed.
AAManaging agricultural intensification: Agricultural intensification need to
be managed properly to reduce the environmental effect. This can be done
through education of the farmers.

2.3.4 Soil Erosion

‘Soil erosion’ has been defined as the gradual removal of the top soil by
running water, wind, glacier, sea-waves, anthropogenic agents and animals. – Soil
erosion is a universal phenomenon. – According to one estimate about 75, 000
million tonnes of soil is removed by these agents annually. Types of soil erosion
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Normal erosion: This is caused by the gradual removal of topsoil by natural
processes. The rate of erosion is slow.
Accelerated erosion: This is caused by manmade activities. In this case, the
rate of erosion is much faster than the rate of formation of soil.

2.3.5 Causes of soil Erosion

Running water:
a) Uniform removal of soil
b) Rill erosion
c) Gully erosion (e.g. northern Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, M.P. U.P)
Wind Erosion: Mainly in the arid and semi -arid regions.
Anthropogenic factors: Farmland can be degraded in several other ways
besides erosion. Physical degradation from mechanical tilling can lead to
compaction and crusting. Repeated cropping without sufficient fallow periods or
replacement of nutrients with cover crops, manure or fertilizer can deplete soil
nutrients. In addition over application of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and
pesticides can kill beneficial soil organism. – Poor water management on irrigated
crop land is a leading cause of degraded farmland. – Inadequate drainage can lead
to water logging of the soil or to Salinization, in which salt levels built up in the
soil to toxic levels. About 15 to 20 percent of the irrigated land is suffering from
some degree of waterlogging and salinization.
Biotic agents: Overgrazing, mining and deforestation are the major
biotic agents causing soil erosion. These processes disturb the top
soil thereby exposing the soil to various physical forces inducing
erosion.

Landslides cause soil erosion: Construction of dams, buildings and roads

removes the protective vegetal cover leading to soil erosion.

2.3.6 Harmful Effects of Soil Erosion

AALoss of fertile top soil leading to gradual loss of soil fertility and agricultural
productivity.
AALoss of mineral nutrients from soil through leaching and flooding.
AALoss of soil ability to hold water and sediment
AASediment runoff can pollute water courses and kill aquatic life
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 7
AALowering of the underground water table and decrease in the percentage
of soil moisture.
AADrying of vegetation and extension of arid lands
AAIncrease in frequency of droughts and floods.
AASilting of river and canal belts.

2.3.7 Prevention of Soil Erosion.

Adverse effect on economic prosperity and cultural development. Soil
Conservation: Unchecked soil erosion leads to poverty and reduces the strength
of a nation.
Some of the important steps for soil conservation areas under: •
Conservational till farming or no-till farming: Traditionally, land is ploughed
to make a planting surface. This disturbs the soil and makes it susceptible to
erosion. The no-till farming method makes minimum disturbance to the top soil
by making slits in the unploughed soil. Seeds, fertilizers and water are injected in
these slits.
Contour farming: In this method, crops are planted in rows along contours
of gently sloped land. Each row acts as a small dam to hold soil thereby slowing
water runoff.
Terracing: In this method, steep slopes are converted into a series of broad
terraces that run across the contour. This retains water for crops and reduces soil
erosion by controlling runoff.
Alley cropping or Agro forestry: This method involves planting crops in
strips or alleys between rows of trees or shrubs that provide fruits and fuel wood.
Hence, when the crop is harvested, the soil will not be eroded as the trees and
shrubs remain on ground holding the soil particles.
Wind breaks or shelter belts: In this technique, trees are planted in long
rows along the boundary of cultivated land which block the wind and reduce soil
erosion. Wind breaks help in retaining soil moisture, supply wood for fuel and
provide habitat for birds.

2.3.8 Desertification
Desertification is a type of land degradation in which relatively dry area
of land becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well
as vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as through
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climate change and through the overexploitation of soil through human activity.
The cause of desertification
Desertification is caused by two main categories of factors: natural factors
and, more importantly, human activities. The natural factors causing desertification
include the following:
1. The climate has a major influence through rainfall, solar radiation and wind,
which affect the rates of physical and mechanical erosion as well as chemical
and biological degradation of soil.
2. The relief of a land affects the rate of soil erosion by water.
3. The textile, structure, and chemical and biological status of soil are predominant
factors determining the soil properties in dry sub-humid zones. Human activities
play a crucial role in the vulnerability of land to desertification. The reasons
behind these activities are the increasing demand for food due to the rapid
population growth, and inappropriate agricultural practices. The following are
some of the human activities that cause desertification:

1. Uncontrolled use of fire for regenerating pasture, for hunting or for agricultural
clearing
2. Over-exploitation of woody resources, particularly for fuel wood and timber.
3. Over-grazing of selective vegetation
4. Removal of hedges, which can act as wind breaks, on soil so that the soil is
more susceptible to erosion by wind
5. Over-harvesting which results in abandoned fields
6. Agricultural practices that destroy the soil structure such as intensive ploughing
7. Agricultural practices that result in continuous removal of soil nutrients
8. Monoculture of cash crops, leading to severe reduction in soil fertility
9. Inappropriate irrigation of soil, leading to salinization, waterlogging and
abandoned fields eventually. Based on the above factors, we can see that soil
erosion is in fact a process of desertification. It usually involves the removal of
nutrient-rich topsoil, leaving coarse, sandy particles with poor water-retaining
ability. As a result, the soil becomes unsuitable for vegetation growth and is
turned eventually into a desert. The environmental impact of desertification
Farmlands are important natural resources. Humans rely on them for food.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 9
Desertification results in the loss of farmlands, and significantly threatens the
living standard and well-being of people inhabiting the areas concerned. This
also leads to social problems such as environmental refugees whose lands are
too eroded for cultivation or rearing livestock. Desertification also has serious
impact on the natural environment. It breaks down the fragile balance that
allows plant and animal life to develop in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid
zones. This breakdown of the equilibrium represents the start of a process that
destroys the natural and stable ecosystem.

2.3.9 Ecological implications of desertification

AADrifting of sand and its accumulation on fertile agricultural land.
AAExcessive soil erosion by wind and to some extent by water.
AADeposition of sand in rivers, lakes and other water bodies thereby
decreasing their water containing capacity
AALowering of water table leading to acute water shortage.
AAIncrease in area under wastelands.
AADecrease in agricultural production.
AAIncrease in frequency and intensity of droughts. Measures of Controlling
Desertification Intensive tree plantation in the transition zones.
AAMulching shifting sand dunes in deserts with different plant species.
Mulches serve as an effective physical barrier to the moving sand. Grazing
should be controlled and new pastures should be developed.
AAIndiscriminate felling of trees should be banned.
AAAlternative sources of fuel can reduce the demand for fuel-wood.
AASandy and wastelands should be put to proper use by judicious planning

2.4 F
 OREST RESOURCES AND PREVENTION OF
DEFORESTATION
2.4.1 Significance Of Forests
Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important
uses of forest can be classified as under
AACommercial values
AAEcological significance
AAAesthetic values
AALife and economy of tribal
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2.4.2 Uses of the forest
1.Commercial values
Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood, timber,
pulpwood etc. About 1.5 billion people depend upon fuel wood as an energy
source. Timber obtained from the forest can used to make plywood, board, doors
and windows, furniture, and agriculture implements and sports goods. Timber is
also a raw material for preparation of paper, rayon and film.
AAForest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.
AAForest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.
AAForest is important source of development of dams, recreation and mining.

2 Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other products needed for tribal people
and play a vital role in the life and economy of tribes living in the forest.

3 Ecological uses
Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species.
They help in reducing global warming caused by green house gases and produces
oxygen upon photosynthesis.
Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only
helps in soil conservation but also helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.

4 Aesthetic values
All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the forest
because forests have a greatest aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for
recreation and ecosystem research.

Over exploitation of forests

Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing
population increased demand of fuel wood, expansion of area under urban
development and industries has lead to over exploitation of forest .At present
international level we are losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually.
Overexploitation also occurs due to overgrazing and conversion of forest to
pastures for domestic use.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 11

2.4.3 Deforestation
AAForest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture ,harvesting for
wood and timber , development and expansion of cities .These economic
gains are short term where as long term effects of deforestation are
irreversible
AADeforestation rate is relatively low in temperate countries than in tropics If
present rate of deforestation continues we may losses 90% tropical forest
in coming six decades
AAFor ecological balance 33% area should be under forest cover but our
nation has only 20.6% forest cover.

2.4.3.1 Causes of deforestation

Forest area in some developed area has expanded. However in developing
countries area under forest is showing declining trend particularly in tropical
region. Main causes of deforestation are

1. Causes of deforestation
a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation
This practise is prevalent in tribal areas where forest lands are cleared to grow
subsistence crops. It is estimated that principle cause of deforestation in tropics in
Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated to be 70, 50, and 35% respectively.
Shifting cultivation which is a practice of slash and burn agriculture are posses to
clear more than 5 lakh hectares of land annually. In India, shifting cultivation is
prevalent in northeast and to limited extent in M.P, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and
is contributing significantly to deforestation.

b) Commercial logging
It is a important deforestation agent. It may not be the primary cause but
definitely it acts as secondary cause, because new logging lots permits shifting
cultivation and fuel wood gatherers access to new logged areas.

c) Need for fuel wood

Increased population has lead to increasing demand for fuel wood which is
also acting as an important deforestation agent, particularly in dry forest.
d) Expansion for agribusiness
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With the addition of cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental
plants, there is stress to expand the area for agribusiness products which results
in deforestation.
e) Development projects and growing need for food
The growing demand for electricity, irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has
lead to destruction of forest. Increased population needs more food which has
compelled for increasing area under agriculture crops compelling for deforestation.
f) Raw materials for industrial use
Forest provides raw material for industry and it has exerted tremendous
pressure on forest. Increasing demand for plywood for backing has exerted
pressure on cutting of other species such as fir to be used as backing material for
apple in J&K and tea in northeast states.

2.4.3.2 Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects and damages the environment
and living beings 2. Major causes of deforestation are
AASoil erosion and loss of soil fertility
AADecrease of rain fall due to affect of hydrological cycle

Effects of deforestation
AAExpansion of deserts
AAClimate change and depletion of water table
AALoss of biodiversity ,flora and fauna
AAEnvironmental changes and disturbance in forest ecosystems

Timber extraction
There has been unlimited exploitation of timber for commercial use. Due to
increased industrial demand; timber extraction has significant effect on forest and
tribal people.

1.Logging
AAPoor logging results in degraded forest and may lead to soil erosion
especially on slopes.
AANew logging roads permit shifting cultivators and fuel wood gatherers to
gain access to the logging area.
AALoss of long term forest productivity
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 13
AASpecies of plants and animals may be eliminated
AAExploitation of tribal people by contractor.

2. Mining
Major effects of mining operations on forest and tribal people are:
AAMining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from
deep deposits is done by sub-surface mining. It leads to degradation of
lands and loss of top soil. It is estimated that about eighty thousands
hectare land is under stress of mining activities in India
AAMining leads to drying up perennial sources of water sources like spring
and streams in mountainous area.
AAMining and other associated activities remove vegetation along with
underlying soil mantle, which results in destruction of topography and
landscape in the area. Large scale deforestation has been reported in
Mussorie and Dehradun valley due to indiscriminating mining.
AAThe forested area has declined at an average rate of 33% and the increase in
non-forest area due to mining activities has resulted in relatively unstable
zones leading to landslides.
AAIndiscriminate mining in forests of Goa since 1961 has destroyed more
than 50000 ha of forest land. Coal mining in Jharia, Raniganj and Singrauli
areas has caused extensive deforestation in Jharkhand.
AAMining of magnetite and soapstone have destroyed 14 ha of forest in hilly
slopes of Khirakot, Kosi valley and Almora.
AAMining of radioactive minerals in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are
posing similar threats of deforestation.
AAThe rich forests of Western Ghats are also facing the same threat due to
mining projects for excavation of copper, chromites, bauxite and magnetite.

Effects of dams on forests and tribal people

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru referred dam and valley projects as “Temples of
modern India”. These big dams and rivers valley projects have multi-purpose
uses. However, these dams are also responsible for the destruction of forests.
They are responsible for degradation of catchment areas, loss of flora and fauna,
increase of water borne diseases, disturbance in forest ecosystems, rehabilitation
and resettlement of tribal peoples.
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AAIndia has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of
Maharashtra (more than 600), followed by Gujarat (more than 250) and
Madhya Pradesh (130).
AAThe highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the
largest in terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Satluj in Himachal
Pradesh. Big dams have been in sharp focus of various environmental
groups all over the world, which is mainly because of several ecological
problems including deforestation and socio-economic problems related to
tribal or native people associated with them.
AAThe Silent valley hydroelectric project was one of the first such projects
situated in the tropical rain forest area of Western Ghats which attracted
much concern of the people.
AAThe crusade against the ecological damage and deforestation caused due
to Tehri dam was led by Shri. Sunder Lal Bahaguna, the leader of Chipko
Movement.
AAThe cause of Sardar Sarovar Dam related issues have been taken up by the
environmental activitist Medha Patkar, joined by Arundhati Ray and Baba
Amte. For building big dams, large scale devastation of forests takes place
which breaks the natural ecological balance of the region.
AAFloods, droughts and landslides become more prevalent in such areas.
Forests are the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in the form of
biodiversity and by destroying them (particularly, the tropical rain
forests), we are going to lose these species even before knowing them.
These species could be having marvellous economic or medicinal value
and deforestation results in loss of this storehouse of species which have
evolved over millions of years in a single stroke.

Forest conservation and management

Forest is one of the most valuable resources and thus needs to be conserved.
To conserve forest, following steps should be taken.
1. Conservation of forest is a national problem, thus it should be tackled
with perfect coordination between concerned government departments.
2. People should be made aware of importance of forest and involved in
forest conservation activities.
3. The cutting of trees in the forests for timber should be stopped.
4. A forestation programmes should be launched
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 15
5. Grasslands should be regenerated.
6. Forest conservation Act should be strictly implemented to check
deforestation.
7. Awards should be instituted for the deserving.

2.5 Water resources and prevention of water scarcity

Water is a vital elixir for all living beings. Although it is a renewable resource,
scarcity of quality water is felt in many parts of the world. We need water to grow
food, keep clean, generate electricity, control fire, and last but not the least, we
need it to stay alive.
World Ocean water covers about 75 percent of the surface of the earth.
Therefore, the earth is called the water planet. Ocean water is saline and not fit
for human consumption. Fresh water is just about 2.7 percent of the total water.
Global warming and perpetuating water pollution have made a considerable part
of available freshwater unfit for human consumption. As a result, water is very
scarce.
Steps need to be taken to conserve water. Water is renewable, but its overuse
and pollution make it unfit for use. Sewage, industrial use, chemicals, etc. pollute
water with nitrates, metals, and pesticides.

2.5.1 Use of Water Resources

Water resources are used for agricultural, industrial, domestic, recreational,
and environmental activities. Majority of the uses require fresh water.
However, about 97 percent of water found on the earth is salt water and only
three percent is fresh water. A little over two-thirds of the available fresh water is
frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining freshwater is found mainly
as groundwater and a negligible portion of it is present on the ground or in the air.
Following is a brief account of how water is used in different sectors.

Agricultural Use
Agriculture accounts for 69 percent of all water consumption basically in
agricultural economies like India. Agriculture, therefore, is the largest consumer
of the Earth’s available freshwater.
By 2050, the global water demand of agriculture is estimated to increase
by a further 19% due to irrigational needs. Expanding irrigation needs are likely
to put undue pressure on water storage. It is still inconclusive whether further
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expansion of irrigation, as well as additional water withdrawals from rivers and
groundwater, will be possible in future.

Industrial Use
Water is the lifeblood of the industry. It is used as a raw material coolant, a
solvent, a transport agent, and as a source of energy. Manufacturing industries
account for a considerable share in the total industrial water consumption. Besides,
paper and allied products, chemicals and primary metals are major industrial users
of water.
Worldwide, the industry accounts for 19 percent of total consumption. In
industrialized countries, however, industries use more than half of the water
available for human use.

Domestic Use
It includes drinking, cleaning, personal hygiene, garden care, cooking,
washing of clothes, dishes, vehicles, etc. Since the end of World War II there has
been a trend of people moving out of the countryside to the ever-expanding cities.
This trend has important implications on our water resources.
Government and communities have had to start building large water-
supply systems to deliver water to new populations and industries. Of all water
consumption in the world, domestic use accounts for about 12 percent.

Use for Hydropower Generation

Electricity produced from water is hydropower. Hydropower is the leading
renewable source of electricity in the world. It accounts for about 16 percent of
total electricity generation globally. There are many opportunities for hydropower
development throughout the world.
Today, the leading hydropower generating countries are China, the US,
Brazil, Canada, India, and Russia.

Use for Navigation and Recreation

Navigable waterways are defined as watercourses that have been or may be
used for transport of interstate or foreign commerce. Agricultural and commercial
goods are moved on water on a large scale in a number of regions in the world.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 17
Water is also used for recreational purposes such as boating, swimming,
and sporting activities. These uses affect the quality of water and pollute it.
Highest priority should be given to public health and drinking water quality while
permitting such activities in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers.

2.5.2 Overutilization of Surface and Ground Water

Water scarcity has become a burning global issue. The UN has held several
conventions on water in recent decades. Continuous overutilization of surface and
ground water has led to virtual water scarcity in the world today.
The depleting sources for high growth in human population over the centuries
and increased man-induced water pollution across the world have created
unforeseen water scarcity around the globe. As a result, there has been continuous
overutilization of the existing water sources due to mammoth growth in world
population.
Groundwater is the major source of water in many parts of the world. However,
there has been continuous depletion of this source due to its overexploitation by
rising human population and the rapid rise in industrialization and urbanization
in modern times.

2.5.3 Consequences of Overutilization

Water scarcity now becomes an important topic in international diplomacy.
From village to the United Nations, water scarcity is a widely-discussed topic in
decision making.
Nearly three billion people in the world suffer from water scarcity.
International, intrastate and regional rivalries on water are not new to world. The
ongoing Jordan River conflict, Nile River conflict, and Aral Sea conflict are cases
in point. The intra-state issues such as Cauvery Water dispute in South India, 2000
Cochabamba protests in Bolivia is still a simmering cauldron causing periodic
tension at the national and regional levels.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) sources, a combination of
rising global population, economic growth and climate change means that by 2050
five billion (52%) of the world’s projected 9.7 billion people will live in areas where
fresh water supply is under pressure. Researchers expect about 1 billion more people
to be living in areas where water demand exceeds surface-water supply.
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2.5.4 Climate Change
Scientists, environmentalists, and biologists worldwide are now alarmed that
climate change can have an impact on the drainage pattern and hydrological cycle
on the earth thereby severely affecting the surface and groundwater availability.
Climate change is believed to rise the global temperature at an increasing
pace. Temperature increase affects the hydrological cycle by directly increasing
evaporation of available surface water and vegetation transpiration.
As a result, precipitation amount, timing and intensity rates are largely
affected. It impacts the flux and storage of water in surface and subsurface
reservoirs.

2.5.5 Floods & Draughts

Floods and droughts are two well-known natural hazards in the world. The
former is due to excess in water flow and the latter is due to scarcity of water.
The amount of rainfall received by an area varies from one place to another
depending on the location of the place. In some places it rains almost throughout
the year whereas in other places it might rain for only few days. India records
most of its rainfall in the monsoon season.
Heavy rains lead to rise in the water level of rivers, seas, and oceans. Water
gets accumulated in the coastal areas, which results in floods. Floods bring in
extensive damage to crops, domestic animals, property and human life. During
floods, many animals get carried away by the force of water and eventually die.
On the other hand, droughts set in when a particular region goes without
rain for a long period of time. In the meantime, the soil will continuously lose
groundwater by the process of evaporation and transpiration. Since this water is
not brought back to earth in the form of rains, the soil becomes very dry.
The level of water in the ponds and rivers goes down and in some cases water
bodies get dried up completely. Ground water becomes scarce and this leads to
droughts. In drought conditions, it is very difficult to get food and fodder for the
survival. Life gets difficult and many animals perish in such conditions.
Frequent floods and droughts are mostly due to climate change and global
warming. Various environmental organizations world over are of the view that
climate change is a long-term change in weather patterns, either in average
weather conditions or in the distribution of extreme weather events.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 19

2.6 M
 inerals resources and preventions and exploitation of
minerals
Minerals are essential for the formation and functioning of organisms,
plant animals and human beings. In the modern era, human life needs variety
of minerals to sustain industry based civilization. Mineral resources are broadly
defined as elements, chemical compounds, and mixtures which are extracted
to manufacture sustainable commodity. India has rich mineral resource base to
provide suitable base for industrial development in the country. Sufficient reserve
of nuclear energy minerals is available in India.
India’s reserves, as well as production are adequate in petroleum, ores of
copper, lead, zinc, tin, graphite, mercury, tungsten, and in the minerals required
for fertilizer industry such as sulphur, potassium and phosphorus.

2.6.1. Environmental Impacts of Mineral Extraction

Extracting and use of mineral resources can affect the environment adversely.
Environmental affect may depend on factors such as mining procedures, ore
quality, climate, size of operation, topography, etc. Some of major environmental
impacts of mining and processing operations are as under
1. Degradation of land.
2. Pollution of surfaces and ground water resources.
3. Effect on growth of vegetation due to leaching out effect of minerals.
4. Surface water pollution and groundwater contamination lead to occupational
health hazards etc.
5. Air pollution due to emission of gases.
6. Deforestation affects flora and fauna.
7. Rehabilitation of affected population.

2.6.2 Conservation of Minerals

Conservation of minerals can be done in number of ways and these are as
follows,
AAIndustries can reduce waste by using more efficient mining and processing
methods.
AAIn some cases, industries can substitute plentiful materials for scarce ones.
20 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AASome mineral products can be recycled. Aluminum cans are commonly
recycled. Although bauxite is plentiful, it can be expensive to refine.
Recycling aluminum products does not require the large amounts of
electric power needed to refine bauxite.
AAProducts made from many other minerals, such as nickel, chromium, lead,
copper, and zinc, can also be recycled.
AAStrict laws should be made and enforced to ensure efficient management
of mining resources.
Minerals are naturally occurring elements or compounds that have been
formed through slow inorganic processes. Modern civilization is based on the use
and exploitation of mineral resources. Minerals can be metallic and non-metallic.
Minerals are not evenly distributed in the Earth. Some countries are rich in
mineral deposits whereas others are devoid of it.
Use of mineral resources is an integral part and one of the key premises of
development worldwide. With rapid increase in population and a more rapid
increase in society’s development needs, the requirements for minerals have
grown and diversified manifold.
Extraction of minerals is carried out through mining. Minerals are extracted
from beneath the surface, processed, and used for different purposes.
Mineral resources, however, are exhaustible and finite, which means
excessive use may affect their availability in the future.

2.6.3 Exploitation of Mineral Resources

Exploitation of mineral refers to the use of mineral resources for economic
growth. Exploitation of mineral resources at a mindless speed to meet the growing
needs of modern civilization has resulted in many environmental problems.
Although, the exploitation of minerals began at a slow pace during the
industrial revolution in Western countries, during the 20th century, the exploitation
of some minerals, especially the fossil fuels increased exponentially to meet the
growing energy need. Today, about %80 of the world’s energy consumption is
sustained by the extraction of fossil fuels, which consists of oil, coal, and gas.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 21
Consequences of Exploitation of Mineral Resources.
Excessive exploitation of mineral resources has led to the following severe
problems.
AADeforestation and desertification
AAExtinction of species
AARapid depletion of high grade minerals
AAForced migration
AAWastage of upper soil layer and vegetation
AASoil erosion and oil depletion
AAOzone depletion
AAGreenhouse gas increase
AAEnvironmental pollution
AANatural hazards, etc.

2.6.4 Uses of Minerals

Due to increased population, there is increased demand of minerals by the
industry, transport, agriculture and defence preparation. Depletion of almost all
known and easily accessible deposits is anticipated in near future. Moreover, there
may be shortage of some crucial elements such as mercury, tin, copper, gold,
silver and platinum. The limited resource of phosphorus, which is an essential
component of chemical fertilizers, is another area of concern.

2.7 Food resources, food crisis and increasing food

production
Food is essential for growth and development of living organisms. These
essential materials are called nutrients and these nutrients are available from
variety of animals and plants. There are thousands of edible plants and animals
over the world, out of which only about three dozen types constitute major food
of humans.

1 Food sources
The majority of people obtain food from cultivated plants and domesticated
animals. Although some food is obtained from oceans and fresh waters, but the
great majority of food for human population is obtained from traditional land-
based agriculture of crops and livestock.
22 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
2 Food crops
It is estimated that out of about 2,50,000 species of plants, only about 3,000
have been tried as agricultural crops. Under different agro-climatic condition, 300
are grown for food and only 100 are used on a large scale.
Some species of crops provide food, whereas others provide commercial
products like oils, fibres, etc. Raw crops are sometimes converted into valuable
edible products by using different techniques for value addition .At global level,
only 20 species of crops are used for food. These, in approximate order of
importance are wheat, rice, corn, potatoes; barley, sweet potatoes, cassavas,
soybeans, oats, sorghum, millet, sugarcane, sugar beets, rye, peanuts, field beans,
chick-peas, pigeon- peas, bananas and coconuts. Many of them are used directly,
whereas other can be used by changing them by using different techniques for
enhancing calorific value.

3 Livestock
Domesticated animals are an important food source. The major domesticated
animals used as food source by human beings are ‘ruminants’ (e.g. cattle, sheep,
goats, camel, reindeer, llama, etc.).
Ruminants convert indigestible woody tissue of plants (cellulose) which are
earth’s most abundant organic compound into digestible food products for human
consumption. Milk, which is provided by milking animals, is considered to be the
complete food. Other domestic animals like sheep, goat, poultry and ducker can
be used as meat.

4 Aquaculture
Fish and seafood contributes 17 million metric tonnes of high quality protein
to provide balance diet to the world. Presently aquaculture provides only small
amounts for world food but its significance is increasing day by day.

2.7.1. World Food Problems

As per estimates of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 840
million people remain chronically hungry and out of this 800 million are living in
the developing world. In last decade, it is decreasing at the rate of 2.5 million per
year, but at the same time world’s population is increasing. Target of cutting half
the number of world’s chronically hungry and undernourished people by 2015
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 23
will difficult to meet, if the present trend continues. Due to inadequate purchasing
power to buy food, it is difficult to fulfil minimum calorific requirement of
human body per day. Large number of people are in India are poor which can be
attribute to equitable distribution of income. Food insufficiency can be divided
into two categories into under-nourishment and malnourishment. Both of these
insufficiencies are global problems.

1. Under-nourishment
The FAO estimates that the average minimum daily caloric intake over the
whole world is about 2,500 calories per day. People who receive less than 90% of
their minimum dietary intake on a long-term basis are considered undernourished.
Those who receive less than 80% of their minimum daily caloric intake
requirements are considered ‘seriously’ undernourished. Children in this category
are likely to suffer from stunted growth, mental retardation, and other social and
developmental disorders. Therefore, Under-nourishment means lack of sufficient
calories in available food, resulting in little or no ability to move or work.

2 Malnourishment
Person may have excess food but still diet suffers from due to nutritional
imbalance or inability to absorb or may have problem to utilize essential nutrients.
If we compare diet of the developed countries with developing countries people
in developed countries have processed food which may be deficient in fibre,
vitamins and other components where as in the diet of developing countries, may
be lack of specific nutrients because they consume less meat ,fruits and vegetables
due to poor purchasing power .
Malnourishment can be defined as lack of specific components of food such
as proteins, vitamins, or essential chemical elements.

The major problems of malnutrition are:

AAMarasmus: a progressive emaciation caused by lack of protein and
calories.
AAKwashiarkor: a lack of sufficient protein in the diet which leads to a
failure of neural development and therefore learning disabilities.
AAAnemia: it is caused by lack of iron in the diet or due to an inability to
absorb iron from food.
24 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AAPellagra: it occurs due to the deficiency of tryptophan and lysine, vitamins
in the diet.
Every year, food problem kill as many people as were killed by the atomic
bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. This shows that there is drastic
need to increase food production, equitably distribute it and also to control
population growth. Although India is the third largest producer of staple crops, it
is estimated that about 300 million Indians are still undernourished. India has only
half as much land as USA, but it has nearly three times population to feed. Our
food problems are directly related to population.

3 Balanced diet
Supply of adequate amount of different nutrient can help to improve
malnutrition and its ill effects. Cereals like wheat and rice can supply only
carbohydrate which are rich in energy supply, are only fraction of nutrition
requirement. Cereal diet has to be supplemented with other food that can supply
fat, protein and minor quantity of minerals and vitamins. Balanced diet will help
to improve growth and health.

2.7.2 Changes Caused by Agriculture and Overgrazing

From centuries, agriculture is providing inputs to large number of industries
involved in production, processing and distribution of food. Accordingly,
agriculture has significant effect on environment. The effects of agriculture on
environment can be classified as local, regional, and global level. The agriculture
also makes impact on the usage of land generally as follows:
1. Deforestation
2. Soil Erosion
3. Depletion of nutrients
4. Impact related to high yielding varieties (HYV)
5. Fertilizers related problems include micronutrient imbalance, nitrite
pollution and eutrophication.
6. Pesticide related problems include creating resistance in pests and producing
new pests, death of non-target organisms, biological magnification.
7. Some other problems include water logging, salinity problems and such
others.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 25
The carrying capacity of land for cattle depends upon microclimate and soil
fertility. If carrying capacity is exceeded than land is overgrazed. Because of
overgrazing the agricultural land gets affected as follows,
AAReduction in growth and diversity of plant species
AAReduce plant cover leads to increased soil erosion
AACattle trampling leads to land degradation

2.7.3 Effects of Modern Agriculture

For sustainable production modern techniques are used to enhance
productivity of different cropping systems under different agro-eco-zones.
Adoption of modern agricultural practises has both positive and negative effects
on environment. Effects of modern agriculture are briefly discussed under
different heads as under:

1 Soil erosion
Raindrops bombarding bare soil result in the oldest and still most serious
problem of agriculture. The long history of soil erosion and its impact on
civilization is one of devastation. Eroded fields record our failure as land stewards.

2 Irrigation
Adequate rainfall is never guaranteed for the dry land farmer in arid and
semiarid regions, and thus irrigation is essential for reliable production. Irrigation
ensures sufficient water when needed and also allows farmers to expand their
acreage of suitable cropland. In fact, we rely heavily on crops from irrigated lands,
with fully one-third of the world’s harvest coming from that 17% of cropland that
is under irrigation. Unfortunately, current irrigation practices severely damage the
cropland and the aquatic systems from which the water is withdrawn.

3 Agriculture and the loss of genetic diversity

As modern agriculture converts an ever-increasing portion of the earth’s land
surface to monoculture, the genetic and ecological diversity of the planet erodes.
Both the conversion of diverse natural ecosystems to new agricultural lands and
the narrowing of the genetic diversity of crops contribute to this erosion.
26 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
4 Fertilizer-pesticide problems
For photosynthesis apart from water, sunshine and CO2, plants need micro
and macro nutrients for growth. These nutrients are supplied in the shape
of fertilizers. There is lot of potential to increase food productivity by increasing
fertilizer use. On one hand application of artificial chemical fertilizers increases
the productivity at faster rate as compare to organic fertilizers, on the other hand
application of fertilizers can be a serious problem of pollution and can create
number of problems. Excessive level of nitrates in ground water has created
problems in developed countries. These are:
a. Accumulated phosphorous as a consequence of use of phosphoric fertilizer are
posing serious threat as residues in domestic water supply and for ecology of
river and other water bodies. Increased level of phosphates in different water
results in eutropication.
b. Effect of chemical fertilizer is long term, therefore leads to net loss of soil
organic matter.
To control insects, pests, diseases and weeds which are responsible for
reduction in productivity different chemicals are used as insecticides, pesticides
and herbicides. Successful control of insects, pests and weeds increases productivity
and reduces losses and provide security for harvest and storage. Applications of
these synthetic chemicals 
have 
great economic values 
and at the same
time cause number of serious problems such as:
a. Affects human health which includes acute poisoning and illness caused by
higher doses and accidental exposes
b. As long term effect, cause cancer, birth defects, Parkinson’s disease and other
regenerative diseases.
c. Long term application of pesticides can affect soil fertility.
d. Danger of killing beneficial predators.
e. Pesticides resistance and pest resurgence

5 Water Logging
High water table or surface flooding can cause water logging problems .Water
logging may lead to poor crop productivity due to anaerobic condition created in
the soil. In India, deltas of Ganga, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and some areas
of Kerala are prone to frequent water logging.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 27

6 Salinity
Due to adoption of intensive agriculture practices and increased concentration
of soluble salts leads to salinity. Due to poor drainage, dissolved salts accumulate
on soil surface and affects soil fertility. Excess concentration of these salts may
form a crust on the surface which may injurious to the plants. The water absorption
process is affected and uptake of nutrient is disturbed. According to an estimate,
in India, 7 million hectare of land is saline and area is showing in increasing
trends due to adoption of intensive agriculture practises.

2.7.4 Food crisis

India is the oldest living agrarian civilisation, with every fourth farmer of the
world being from India. Neoliberal reforms focusing only on corporate profits
have not just led to a deep existential crisis for farmers by threatening their lives
and livelihoods. It has also led to a hunger emergency with every fourth Indian
driven to hunger, and every second child suffering from severe malnutrition.
In the mid 1960’s the World Bank and the US government imposed the
high-cost Green Revolution, based on industrial chemical inputs. By the 1990’s
India had a 90 billion-dollar debt, with one third of the debt tied to loans for
Green Revolution infrastructure. By 1991, the World Bank imposed a structural
adjustment package to dismantle India’s food security and food sovereignty
regulatory framework. Coupled with globalisation and trade liberalisation, this
caused a deepening of the agrarian, hunger, and health crisis for both farmers
and consumers. This structural adjustment package alongside the IMF, and WTO
trade rules are now embodied in the Agriculture Agreement and TRIPs Agreement
and is now part of the National Agriculture Policy, demonstrating corporate rule
over our food and farming.
Today, farmers’ incomes fall even as the price of food increases, showing
how the agrarian and the food crises are two aspects of the same crisis.
Since food is the currency of life, the reduction of food to a commodity to be
traded for profits, creates hunger, while simultaneously undermining farmers
livelihoods and farmers rights. The neoliberal economic paradigm is an attempt
for recolonisation and the re-establishment of a corporate rule through the old
instruments of conquest, control, deregulation and wealth extraction, all in a new
form.
28 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
What is needed to address the farmer’s crisis is not an external trade
liberalisation that promotes corporate profits, but an internal shifting  of agriculture
that regenerates nature’s economy and the people’s economy, through liberating
farmers from corporate control and liberating food agriculture in the direction of
enhancing self-regenerative ecological processes. All of which would enhance
ecological and livelihood security and shift the focus from growing monoculture
commodities at high cost to growing biodiversity for health and resilience.

2.8. Energy resources

Energy is defined by physicists as the capacity to do work. Energy is found on
our planet in a variety of forms, some of which are immediately useful to do work,
while others require a process of transformation. The sun is the primary energy
source in our lives. Besides, water, fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum products,
water, nuclear power plants are sources of energy.

2.8.1 Growing Energy Needs

Energy has always been closely linked to man’s economic growth and
development. Present strategies for development that have focused on rapid
economic growth have used energy utilization as an index of economic
development. This index, however, does not take into account the long-term ill
effects on society of excessive energy utilization.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 29
For almost 200 years, coal was the primary energy source fueling the industrial
revolution in the 19th century. At the close of the 20th century, oil accounted for
39% of the world’s commercial energy consumption, followed by coal (24%) and
natural gas (24%), while nuclear (7%) and hydro/renewable (6%) accounted for
the rest.
Industrialization, urbanization, and unbelievable rise in human settlements
have multiplied the energy requirement by several times. Modern lifestyle and
man’s growing dependence on machines and equipment for his personal and
professional work has added to the energy demand. Global oil demand continues
to grow until 2040, mostly because of the lack of easy alternatives to oil in road
freight, aviation and petrochemicals, according to WEO-2016, published by
International Energy Agency.

2.8.2 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). We also get renewable energy from burning
trees and even garbage as fuel and processing other plants into bio-fuels.

Wind Energy
The moving air or wind has huge amounts of kinetic energy, and it can be
transferred into electrical energy using wind turbines. The wind moves the blades,
which spins a shaft, which is further connected to a generator, which generates
electricity. An average wind speed of 14 miles per hour is needed to convert
wind energy into electricity. Windgenerated electricity met nearly 4% of global
electricity demand in 2015, with nearly 63 GW of new wind power capacity
installed.

Solar Energy
Solar energy is the light and heat procured from the sun. It is harnessed using
an everevolving technologies. In 2014, global solar generation was 186 terawatt-
hours, slightly less than 1% of the world’s total grid electricity. Italy has the
largest proportion of solar electricity in the world. In the opinion of International
Energy Agency, the development of affordable, inexhaustible, and clean solar
energy technologies will have longer-term benefits.
30 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
Biomass Energy
When a log is burned we are using biomass energy. As plants and trees depend
on sunlight to grow, biomass energy is a form of stored solar energy. Although
wood is the largest source of biomass energy, agricultural waste, sugarcane
wastes, and other farm byproducts are also used to produce energy.

Hydropower
Energy produced from water is called hydropower. Hydroelectric power
stations both big and small are set up to produce electricity in many parts of the
world. Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region
generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. In 2015, hydropower
generated 16.6% of the world’s total electricity and 70% of all renewable
electricity.

Tidal and Wave Power

The earth’s surface is 70% water. By warming the water, the sun creates ocean
currents and the wind that produces waves. It is estimated that the solar energy
absorbed by the tropical oceans in a week could equal the entire oil reserves of the
world – 1 trillion barrels of oil.

Geothermal Energy
It is the energy stored within the earth (“geo” for earth and “thermal” for
heat). Geothermal energy starts with hot, molten rock (called magma) deep inside
the earth which surfaces at some parts of the earth’s crust. The heat rising from the
magma warms the underground pools of water known as geothermal reservoirs.
If there is an opening, hot underground water comes to the surface and forms hot
springs, or it may boil to form geysers. With modern technology, wells are drilled
deep down the surface of the earth to tap into geothermal reservoirs. This is called
direct use of geothermal energy, and it provides a steady stream of hot water that
is pumped to the earth’s surface.

2.9 Alternative energy resources

The resources that cannot be replenished through natural processes are
known as non-renewable resources. • These are available in limited amounts,
which cannot be increased. These resources include fossil fuels (petrol, coal etc.),
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 31
metals (iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc etc.), minerals and salts (carbonates,
phosphates, nitrates etc.). • Once a non-renewable resource is consumed, it is
gone forever. Then we have to find a substitute for it or do without it.

2.8.1. Non-renewable resources can further be divided into

two categories
AARe-cycleable – These are non-renewable resources, which can be collected
after they are used and can be recycled. These are mainly the non-energy
mineral resources, which occur in the earth’s crust (e.g. ores of aluminium,
copper, mercury etc.) and deposits of fertilizer nutrients (e.g. phosphate sock
and potassium and minerals used in their natural state (asbestos, clay, mica
etc.)
AAnon-re cycleable – These are non-renewable resources, which cannot be
recycled in any way. Examples of these are fossil fuels and uranium, which
provide 90 per cent of our energy requirements

And Some authors prefer to classify resources into biotic and abiotic resources
AABiotic resources – These are living resources (e.g. forest, agriculture, fish
andwild life) that are able to reproduce or replace them and to increase
AAAbiotic resources – These are non-living resources (e.g. petrol, land, minerals
etc.) that are not able to replace themselves or do so at such a slow rate that
hey are not useful to consider them in terms of the human life times.

1. Petroleum/Crude Oil

All petroleum resources are non renewable.

32 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AAPetroleum oil, also known as crude oil, is top of the list of non renewable
resource extracted in liquid form. Petroleum is a fossil fuel that takes
millions of years to form naturally. Fossil fuels form when sea animals
and plants die, and the remains are buried under sand, silt, and mud.
AAOver a long period, high heat and underground pressure turn the remains
into fossil fuels. As such, this resource cannot be replaced faster than
humans consume it.
AACrude oil is located between rocks or layers of the earth’s crust. Currently,
there are large pockets of this non-renewable energy source underground
worldwide.
This energy resource is retrieved by drilling vertical wells into the ground or
ocean floors. The petroleum is pumped to the earth’s surface, taken to a refinery,
and utilized to create various products, including diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and
propane. Petroleum is also part of the chemical composition of numerous plastics
and synthetics.
It is considered that fossil-based energy resources such as petroleum oil will
eventually become too expensive to harvest, and human society will have to rely
on other energy resources. Since the conception of combustion engine technology,
petroleum oil and other fossil fuels have been in continuous demand.
Today’s largely fossil-fuel based-economy is criticized for the lack of
renewability. Oil reserves are being consumed faster than new oil fields are
discovered.

2. Natural Gas

Natural gas is a good example of a non renewable resource

 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 33
AANatural gas, also called fossil gas, is a naturally occurring non-renewable
hydrocarbon gaseous resource located below the earth’s crust.
AANatural gas consists primarily of methane. However, it may also contain
other gases, including ethane, propane, butane, and minute amounts of
carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen.
AANatural gas is odorless and colorless, so a sulfur-like odor is added for
detection in case of leakage.
AASince natural gas is a fossil fuel, it is formed when decomposing animal
and plant layers are exposed to great pressure and heat under the earth’s
surface for millions of years.
This non-renewable resource is found in deep underground rocks and
near other hydrocarbon reservoirs such as coal beds. Natural gas is used as an
energy source for electricity generation, cooking, and heating. It is also utilized
as a vehicle fuel and chemical feedstock to produce plastics and other organic
chemicals.
Before it is used as fuel, natural gas is processed to eliminate impurities such
as water. Like crude oil, humans are consuming natural oil reserves faster than
new gas deposits are discovered.

3. Earth Minerals

Minerals cannot be replaced – they take millions of years to form

Earth minerals are non-renewable solid chemical compounds with
specific naturally occurring crystal structures and fairly well-defined chemical
compositions.
34 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
Earth minerals are present in large amounts in the earth’s crust and include
gemstones, salt, diamonds, clay, granite, quartz, slate, and gravel.
Humans can only extract earth minerals concentrated through natural
geological processes such as pressure, heat, weathering, organic activity, and
other processes sufficiently to be economically viable to mine.
Geological processes that form and lead to the concentration of earth minerals
usually take tens of thousands to millions of years via plate tectonics, crustal
recycling, and tectonic subsidence.
Earth mineral deposits that humans can extract economically viably are
non-renewable in human time-frames. Some earth minerals are rare and more
exhaustible than others. The minerals occur in very small concentrations.
The process necessary to separate the minerals from the natural rock where
they are found is extremely challenging, requiring numerous extraction and
purification phases. These minerals are highly sought after in certain industries,
such as electronics.

4. Coal – Is coal renewable or nonrenewable?

Coal, like gas, is a good example of a non renewable resource

Coal is a valuable combustible black or brownish sedimentary rock burned to
generate non-renewable energy.
Coal comprises mostly carbon, with variable amounts of hydrogen, sulfur,
nitrogen, and oxygen. This non-renewable energy resource is a fossil fuel formed
when dead plant material decays into peat.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 35
Over millions of years, high pressure and heat convert the dead plant material
into coal. This process is referred to as carbonization. Large coal deposits come
from former wetlands that populated the earth’s surface millions of years ago.
There are four types or ranks of coal- anthracite, lignite, bituminous, and sub-
bituminous. The rankings are based on the amount of carbon present in the coal,
with anthracite possessing the highest concentration and lignite having the lowest.
Coal is mainly used as a fuel.
In 2020, coal supplied more than a third of the world’s electricity and a quarter
of the world’s main energy. Burning coal also produces valuable byproducts used
to manufacture plastics, cement, bitumen, and other products. Coal is mined
through underground mining and surface mining.
Because it takes millions of years to form, coal is categorized as a non-
renewable energy source. Currently, there is a global initiative to phase out the
use of coal due to its negative impact on health and the environment. The coal
industry is already declining as people look to move to environmentally-friendly
renewable energy sources.

5. Groundwater

The water cycle is a natural resource, but water is a non renewable in short supply
Water resources are multidimensional. Water can be both a renewable and
non-renewable resource depending on the scenario. Groundwater is a very
important resource worldwide, providing significant percentages of public water
supply.
36 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
People in rural populations get most of their water supply from domestic
groundwater sources. Groundwater bodies (deep aquifers) are considered non-
renewable resources because they have a negligible replenish rate on the human
time scale. Groundwater resources are replenished by precipitation. However, this
happens gradually at a rate much slower than groundwater consumption.
Natural groundwater reservoirs take many years to develop. Also, humans
can only recover a part of groundwater found in the subsurface in an economically
viable manner that doesn’t present adverse consequences. Constant pumping of
groundwater worldwide leads to a major depletion of groundwater reservoirs.
This pumping can lead to low lake levels, reduced river flows, and reduced
wetland discharges. This, in turn, can cause water supply shortages and affect
aquatic habitats.
All these factors contribute to the non-sustainability and non-renewability
status of groundwater. There are increasing efforts to manage groundwater
sustainably.

6. Land Surface/Soil

Can soil be made renewable?

The concept of land surface or soil renewability is also multidimensional.
Soil can be classified as a renewable and non-renewable resource depending on
several factors and the scope of comparison.
AAWater covers more than 70 % of the earth’s surface. The remaining portion
is the land surface and serves as the base for terrestrial life.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 37
AAHuman societies and their activities thread the health of the land surface
or soil and cause enduring damage. This reduces the usability of the land
surface significantly. In this regard, soil and land are non-renewable
resources.
AASoil has numerous vital functions beneficial to humans, animals, and
plants. These soil functions can be categorized into four main groups.
They include habitat, regulation, scientific, and economic functions.
Regulation functions include nutrient and water storage, pollutant filtration,
and water and solute buffering. Habitat functions include providing a home
to numerous microorganisms, animal and plant biodiversity. Plants use soil as
an anchor to produce and sustain the earth’s biomass, which provides food for
humans.
Scientific functions include storing information from the past. This archive is
a vital data source for archaeologists and other researchers. Economic functions
include producing various materials such as gravel, sand, clay, peat, and wood.
Human processes, including soil sealing, compaction, erosion, desertification,
and non-renewable agriculture, can destroy soil fertility and viability. Soil fertility
takes thousands of years to develop and thousands more to recover if damaged.
These aspects contribute to the land surface being considered a non-renewable
resource.

7. Plastic

Plastiocs are a new additon to the group of none renewable resources

38 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AAThe consumer-driven society today necessitates the use of plastic to
manufacture numerous products.
AAPlastic refers to various synthetic and semi-synthetic materials with
polymers as their main component.
AAPlastic is a non-renewable resource since it is made from natural gas
liquids, liquid petroleum gases (LPG), and natural gas, according to the
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
These fossil fuels are the most commonly utilized non-renewable energy
source. However, plastic is recyclable, meaning it can be melted and remolded
into other products. Plastic is adaptable and thus can be molded, pressed, or
extruded into various solid object shapes.
Plastic adaptable nature plus other properties, including lightness, durability,
flexibility, and production cost-efficiency, means this non-renewable resource has
plenty of applications.
The applications include packaging materials, construction (doors, pipes,
gutters), medical devices, textiles, consumer goods, electronics, transportation,
and machine components. It’s worth noting that plant-based bioplastics are
renewable resources.

8. Nuclear Fuels

Nuclear fission is non renewable – it’s also a dangerous resource

Nuclear power provides up to 14% of the world’s electricity and 6% of the
world’s energy supply.
Nuclear fuels(isotopes)such as Uranium U-235 are rare in their natural state
and are thus non-renewable even though small amounts go a long way.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 39
For instance, one pound of Uranium can produce more energy than three
million pounds of combusted coal. Nuclear fuels such as Uranium are located in
certain rock formations.
These materials are mined for use as fission materials in slow-reaction
nuclear power production plants. Nuclear fission reactors split atoms and release
large amounts of energy from enriched Uranium’s nucleus.
Nuclear reactions produce heat that the water in the nuclear reactor absorbs.
The water turns into steam and drives a turbine and generator to produce electricity.
Nuclear fission power has one major drawback, which is radioactive nuclear
waste. Also, nuclear energy is challenging to harvest. The power plants are
sophisticated and have complex operations, with many countries lacking the
personal and resources to run reliable and safe nuclear energy programs.

9. Biomass Energy

Biomass is a very poor way to use a non reneawble resource

Biomass energy is usually considered a renewable energy source. However, it
can also be classified as a non-renewable resource in some cases.
Biomass energy leverages the energy naturally found in plants and plant
material. This type of energy is heavily reliant on biomass feedstocks.
Biomass feedstocks refer to plants and plant materials that are processed and
combusted to generate power. They can include crops such as soy, corn as well
as wood.
Destructive agricultural practices where people don’t replant biomass
feedstocks as fast as they consume them can render the biomass energy a non-
renewable energy source.
40 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
10. Metals

Mining metals as a resource also pollutes the environment

All Metals are non-renewable resources. Metals are found in natural sediment
rock ores in the earth’s crust. The earth has a finite amount of metal ores.
This finite nature becomes more apparent when you consider humans can
only mine metal ores naturally concentrated by geological processes. These
natural processes take millions of years.
Localized deposits of metal ores near the earth’s surface are non-renewable
resources in human time-frames.
There is also an environmental and financial cost to extracting and refining
metal ores into a viable metal product. The metal-making process involves ore
identification, mining, crushing, grounding, separation, and refinement.

2.10 Sum Up
AANatural resources are naturally occurring materials that are useful to man
or could be useful under conceivable technological, economic or social
circumstances or supplies drawn from the earth, supplies such as food,
building and clothing materials, fertilizers, metals, water and geothermal
power.
AABased on the availability are two types of natural resources:
AARenewable: resources that are available in infinite quantity and can be used
repeatedly are called renewable resources. Example: Forest, wind, water, etc.
AANon-Renewable: resources that are limited in abundance due to their non-
renewable nature and whose availability may run out in the future are called
non-renewable resources. Examples include fossil fuels, minerals, etc.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 41

The 5 Most Important Natural Resources are:

AAAir: Clean air is important for all the plants, animals, humans to survive on
this planet. So, it is necessary to take measures to reduce air pollution.
AAWater: 70% of the Earth is covered in water and only 2 % of that is
freshwater. Initiative to educate and regulate the use of water should be taken.
AASoil: Soil is composed of various particles and nutrients. It helps plants grow.
AAIron: It is made from silica and is used to build strong weapons,
transportation and buildings
AAForests: As the population increases, the demand for housing and
construction projects also increases. Forests provide clean air and preserve the
ecology of the world.
AA‘Soil erosion’ has been defined as the gradual removal of the top soil by
running water, wind, glacier, sea-waves, anthropogenic agents and animals. –
Soil erosion is a universal phenomenon.
AADesertification is a type of land degradation in which relatively dry area of
land becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as
vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as through
climate change and through the overexploitation of soil through human
activity.
AAIndia has rich mineral resource base to provide suitable base for industrial
development in the country. Sufficient reserve of nuclear energy minerals is
available in India.
AAMinerals are naturally occurring elements or compounds that have been
formed through slow inorganic processes. Modern civilization is based on
the use and exploitation of mineral resources. Minerals can be metallic and
non-metallic.
AAFood is essential for growth and development of living organisms. These
essential materials are called nutrients and these nutrients are available
from variety of animals and plants. There are thousands of edible plants and
animals over the world, out of which only about three dozen types constitute
major food of humans.
42 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AALarge number of people are in India are poor which can be attribute to
equitable distribution of income. Food insufficiency can be divided into
two categories into under-nourishment and malnourishment. Both of these
insufficiencies are global problems.

The major problems of malnutrition are:

AAMarasmus: a progressive emaciation caused by lack of protein and
calories.
AAKwashiarkor: a lack of sufficient protein in the diet which leads to a
failure of neural development and therefore learning disabilities.
AAAnemia: it is caused by lack of iron in the diet or due to an inability to
absorb iron from food.
AAPellagra: it occurs due to the deficiency of tryptophan and lysine, vitamins
in the diet.
AAEnergy is defined by physicists as the capacity to do work. Energy is found on
our planet in a variety of forms, some of which are immediately useful to do
work, while others require a process of transformation. The sun is the primary
energy source in our lives. Besides, water, fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum
products, water, nuclear power plants are sources of energy.
AARenewable 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).
AAThe resources that cannot be replenished through natural processes are
known as non-renewable resources. These are available in limited amounts,
which cannot be increased. These resources include fossil fuels (petrol, coal
etc.), metals (iron, copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc etc.), minerals and salts
(carbonates, phosphates, nitrates etc.).
AASome authors prefer to classify resources into biotic and abiotic resources

AABiotic resources – These are living resources (e.g. forest, agriculture, fish
andwild life) that are able to reproduce or replace them and to increase
AA Abiotic resources – These are non-living resources (e.g. petrol, land,
minerals etc.) that are not able to replace themselves or do so at such a
slow rate that hey are not useful to consider them in terms of the human
life times.
 NATURAL RESOURCES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 43
AAAll petroleum resources are non renewable. Petroleum oil, also known as
crude oil, is top of the list of non renewable resource extracted in liquid form.
Petroleum is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form naturally. Fossil
fuels form when sea animals and plants die, and the remains are buried under
sand, silt, and mud.
AANatural gas is a good example of a non renewable resource. Natural gas, also
called fossil gas, is a naturally occurring non-renewable hydrocarbon gaseous
resource located below the earth’s crust.
AAEarth minerals are non-renewable solid chemical compounds with specific
naturally occurring crystal structures and fairly well-defined chemical
compositions.
AACoal, like gas, is a good example of a non renewable resource. Coal is a
valuable combustible black or brownish sedimentary rock burned to generate
non-renewable energy.
AAThe water cycle is a natural resource, but water is a non-renewable in short
supply. Water resources are multidimensional. Water can be both a renewable
and non-renewable resource depending on the scenario. Groundwater is a
very important resource worldwide, providing significant percentages of
public water supply.
AASoil can be classified as a renewable and non-renewable resource depending
on several factors and the scope of comparison.
AAWater covers more than 70 % of the earth’s surface. The remaining portion is
the land surface and serves as the base for terrestrial life.
AAPlastiocs are a new additon to the group of none renewable resources. The
consumer-driven society today necessitates the use of plastic to manufacture
numerous products.
AANuclear fission is non renewable – it’s also a dangerous resource. Nuclear
power provides up to 14% of the world’s electricity and 6% of the world’s
energy supply.
AABiomass is a very poor way to use a non reneawble resource. Biomass energy
is usually considered a renewable energy source. However, it can also be
classified as a non-renewable resource in some cases.
44 Sri Manakula Vinayagar Publications
AAMining metals as a resource also pollutes the environment. All Metals are
non-renewable resources. Metals are found in natural sediment rock ores in
the earth’s crust. The earth has a finite amount of metal ores.

Quesitions: