GOVT.

HRANGBANA COLLEGE
VALUE ADDED COURSE
Lesson Plan

Subject Value Added Course - 103

Name of the Subject Environmental Science
Module Natural Resources
Module ID VAC-EVS-I-02
Learning Objectives After studying this module student will
❖ comprehend the meaning of natural resources
❖ understand types of resources
❖ know why resources are depleted
❖ learn the necessity of conserving resources
Learning Outcomes After studying this module student should be able to
❖ explain the difference between renewable, non-
renewable and perpetual natural resources
❖ discuss the measures to conserve water
❖ explain the necessity of conserving resources
❖ explain causes and ill effects of deforestation
❖ describe measures taken for conserving
resources
❖ explain the various energy resources

Course Coordinator B. Lalrawngbawla

Content Writer B. Lalrawngbawla
Content Reviewer Dr. Lalmalsawma Ralte

Keywords:

Module: Natural Resources

For his subsistence man has been dependent on nature. Which has given him resources
like land, water, air, forest, minerals etc man also needed plants and animals.
Utilisation of these natural resources is possible on the availability of appropriate
technology. With the help of technology, furniture, clothes, machines are made of
wood, cotton and metal respectively.

Thus land, water, minerals, forests and wildlife that man can transform them into more
valuable goods and can utilize to promote his welfare can be termed as a natural
resource.
Resources are objects, materials, creatures, or any form of energy found in nature that
can be used to perform any useful function. They are or may become of potential
economic interest due to their inherent properties.

Reserves are that part of a resource which has been fully evaluated and is found
commercially viable to work on the consideration of mining, metallurgical, economic,
marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors.

Based on their use, availability, origin and economic status, natural resources can be
classified into the following types: Perpetual, Renewable and Non-renewable natural
resources.

(A) Perpetual Resources: Perpetual resources are those natural resources that
naturally perpetuate themselves and are not affected by human use.

Examples: Sunlight, wind, rainfall water and tides.

The sun is the main source of energy for the earth. Green plants use this energy to
prepare food for all other organisms on this earth by the process of photosynthesis.
Thus, green plants convert solar energy into chemical energy which is stored in plants.
Animals also get their energy from plants. Therefore, all living organisms directly or
indirectly depend upon the sun as the source of their energy.

With the advancement in technology man harness solar power in the form of electricity.
Solar power is free from emission which helps in reducing pollution. It therefore holds
potential to replace other unclean sources of energy. However, the material and the
manufacturing process to build solar panels and batteries pollute the environment even
though the supply of sunlight is perpetual.

(B) Renewable Resources: Renewable resources are those natural resources that have
the inherent ability to renew or replenish themselves if given a reasonable amount of
time.

Examples: Soil, fresh water, forest, etc.

Water as a Renewable Natural Resource: Water is a renewable natural resource and

vital for all life. There is no substitute for water. Man uses water not only for drinking but
also for a number of other activities like bathing, cooking, washing, irrigation, power
generation and also as a means of transportation.

Our water requirement is fulfilled entirely by nature. We get water through rainfall and
from oceans, rivers, canals and wells. Whenever the water cycle in nature is disrupted,
the ecological balance in nature is disturbed.

Water is often wasted during its use. The rivers and canals near the big cities get
polluted due to industrial wastes or sewage which is thrown into them. Indiscriminate
felling of plants by man to satisfy his greed has also upset the water-cycle in nature. This
has resulted in water shortage. Water is renewable only if it is protected against
wastage, pollution and if a thick cover of forest plants is maintained.

Forest as a Renewable Natural Resource:

Forests are one of the most useful renewable resources. They are our national wealth.
They provide the best habitat for various kinds of wild animals. Forests are a must for
the survival of animals. They purify air, control pollution to some extent, regulate the
climate, control floods, prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility.

We also get numerous useful products like wood, rubber, gum, resin, honey, bee wax,
medicinal plants, bamboo, lac, timber etc. from plants. One of the most important uses
of forest is that it helps in maintaining the ecological balance of a place.

Deforestation involves the cutting down, burning, and damaging of forests.

Deforestation, over-grazing, forest fires, and several pests and diseases have destroyed
our forests. Forests are renewable resource only if man takes care to replant the trees
which he cuts down.

(C) Non-renewable or Exhaustible Resources: Non-renewable resources are those

natural resources that cannot be regenerated or renewed or replaced within a time
framework.

Examples: Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.), nuclear power.

(D) Intangible Resources: Intangible resources are those natural resources that are
available in huge quantities, but at the same time can be destroyed easily. The tourism
industry is based on serenity, beauty, diversity, open space and satisfaction. However, a
small piece of trash can easily destroy the beauty of any place. Thus, intangible
resources are both exhaustible and inexhaustible.

Biotic and Abiotic Natural Resources

Based on their origin, natural resources are of the following two types:

(A) Biotic Resources: Biotic resources have originated from some living organism or
have life.

Examples: Renewable: Livestock, fisheries, flora, fauna and humans.

Non-renewable: Coal, petroleum, etc.

(B) Abiotic Resources: Abiotic resources are of non-living origin.

Examples Minerals, rocks, water, etc.

Depletion of Resources:

The main causes of depletion of resources are as follows:

(i) Over-Population: The demand for natural resources is increasing as the human
population is increasing at a tremendous rate.

(ii) Urbanization: More and more cities and towns are coming up for providing shelter
and other basic necessities for the ever-increasing population. This has resulted in the
depletion of some resources.

(iii) Industrialization: Several new industries are being established in rural as well as
urban areas to generate employment and to produce consumer articles for daily use.
This has resulted in over-exploitation of our natural resources.

(iv) Deforestation: Deforestation means large scale cutting down of forests. The
depletion of forests has also reduced the other renewable resources like soil, water and
wildlife.

(v) Mining and Quarrying: Unscientific mining and quarrying for the extraction of
minerals and ores have also depleted resources.

(vi) Over-Grazing: Over-grazing by cattle in general and sheep and goat in particular
increase soil erosion.

(vii) Intensive Agriculture: Repeated growing of the same crop year-after-year and
excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides reduces soil productivity and makes the soil
sick.

(viii) Insecticides: Pollution of environment, rivers, ponds, dams and oceans by

insecticides and waste products of the industries have depleted wildlife.

(ix) Forest Fires: Forest fires not only destroy vegetation but also wildlife.

(x) Hunting: Many species of plants and animals have become extinct due to
indiscriminate hunting.
(xi) Pollution: Pollution of air, water and soil is also depleting natural resources to a great
extent.

(xii) Soil Erosion: Carrying away of top soil, which is rich with nutrients, by water or wind
is called soil erosion. This causes damage to soil as well as plants.

Conservation of Renewable Natural Resources:

Man’s progress in the present days in this world is directly dependent on renewable
natural resources. If we wish to make steady progress, we should conserve natural
resources so that they last longer for human welfare. It is, therefore, necessary that
natural resources are used judiciously.

Conservation is defined as the judicious and wise use of natural resources without
wasting them and replacing them whenever possible. Thus, these resources can be
utilized without causing any ecological- imbalance. We should use only what is
necessary.

Management of the human use of natural resources to provide the maximum benefit to
current generations while maintaining capacity to meet the needs of future generations.
Conservation includes both the protection and rational use of natural resources. Earth’s
natural resources are either non-renewable, such as minerals, oil, gas, and coal, or
renewable, such as water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops.

Conservation entails actions to use these resources most efficiently and thereby extend
their life as long as possible. By recycling aluminium, for example, the same piece of
material is reused in a series of products, reducing the amount of aluminium ore that
must be mined. Similarly, energy-efficient products help to conserve fossil fuels since
the same energy services, such as lighting or transportation, can be attained with
smaller amounts of fuel.

It may be expected that the biggest challenge of resource conservation would involve
non-renewable resources, since renewable resources can replenish themselves after
harvesting. In fact, the opposite is the case. Historically, when non-renewable
resources have been depleted, new technologies have been developed that effectively
substitute for the depleted resources. Indeed, new technologies have often reduced
pressure on these resources even before they are fully depleted.
Probable Questions:

1. What are the different types of natural resources?

2. Distinguish between reserves and resources.
3. Give the classification of natural resources.
4. Why do we conserve natural resources?
5. State the merits and demerits of using solar energy
6. Write five causes of depletion of natural resources.
7. What do you mean by conservation of natural resources?
8. What are Intangible Resources? Give examples.
9. Write a short note on deforestation.
10. Why is water an important resource?