The modern economy is a resource-based economy and all the

development of a country or a region is based on resources,

especially on natural resources. Nature has given us abundant
resources in the form of water, air, heat, natural vegetation, soil, wild
animals, metals, fossil fuels, etc. and man by his technical skill and
knowledge is using all these resources in some way or the other right
from the dawn of civilisation.

Etymologically, 'resource' refers to two separate words - 're' and

'source' meaning any thing or substance that may occur unhindered
many times. Although, resources have been utilised by man right
from the beginning of human civilisation, but 'resource' as a concept
idea in 20th century became so popular that not only economists but
geographers and other academicians also started to study this
concept. This was also due to overexploitation of resources mostly by
colonial powers and it was felt that these resources were not
unlimited. Therefore, nations of the world have started to frame
policies for their utilisation because development of a nation is
always not only directed but also determined by its resources.

Definitions

'Resource' is a wider term and its dictionary definitions are:

 that upon which one relies for aid, support, or supply;
 means to attain given ends; and
 the capacity to take advantage of opportunities or to extricate
oneself from difficulties.

A resource satisfies individual human wants or attains social

objectives. It also refers to the positive interaction between
man and nature. Man is, of course, the most important and
integral part of resource creation, as he is at the top of the
hierarchy in resource consumption. Only the satisfaction of
human beings converts any thing or a substance into resource.

Resources are significant because:

(i) they satisfy human wants both individual and social,

(ii) they are a source or possibility of assistance,
(iii) they are a means of development and support,
(iv) they are an expedient,
(v) they have capacity to take advantage of opportunities, and
(vi) one relies on them for aid, support and supply.

In fact, "resources are those aspects of man's environment

which facilitates the satisfaction of human wants and the
attainment of social objectives".

A thing becomes resource by its function in relation to man,

therefore, it is said that resources do not exist, they become.
For example, a lump of coal is a resource not because of its
shape, colour or composition nor for its scarcity but because it
functions for satisfying some human wants. Thus, resource is
something functional but at the same time it must be beneficial
to man.
 Classification of resources

Conservation of resources

 The word 'conservation is derived from two Latin words,

'con' meaning 'together' and 'servare meaning to "keep'
or 'guard" Literally, therefore, conservation means "to
keep together".
 The conservation of natural resources is a concept that
deals with the rational use of resources so that harmony
between man's resource requirements and its
availability can be established. While renewable
resources need a proper resource management system
(a part of conservation), the non-renewable resources
require a long-term strategy for their proper use.
 This is not only necessary to assure long-term resource
use but also to protect the ecosystem. Nowadays, ever ,
every country is very particular regarding its natural
resources and tries to genuinely adopt conservation
policies.
 During the colonial period of 18th century to mid-20th
century most of the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin
America have suffered a lot due to their resource
exploitation by colonial powers. Gradually, all these
countries got their freedom but either for economic
needs or for political adjustment their natural resources
have been exploited unwisely, resulting in not only the
loss of several resources but also was responsible for
many problems of environmental degradation.
 The conservation movement, in its present form, was
first started in the USA but it was not limited to the US
only but started in European countries as well as in
Russia and soon all the countries of the world realised
the need to conserve natural resources. Therefore, apart
from national efforts by each country, efforts on global
level have also been started under United Nations.
Different agencies of the UN are now playing a key role
 in setting the world on the long road towards
conservation of natural resources and protection of the
environment. The increase in public support for
conservation measures both at international and local
levels has given this movement a new life, but still there
is a long way to go in this direction.

Forest Conservation
 Where geographical conditions permit vegetation to
take the form of trees, the forest is one of the major
forms of the natural landscape. The forest resources are
valuable as an integral part of the ecosystem, from the
commercial point of view, and as providers of shelter to
wildlife.
 Today forests provide the raw materials for over 5.000
products worth about 25 million dollars. They support
industry which employs 1.3 million people. In fact,
forests are still the natural habitats of several species of
plants and animals, as well as of several tribal groups of
the world.
 But, the most unfortunate setback came in the form of
commercial exploitation, which resulted in mass
destruction of forest cover year after year. Originally,
over two-fifth of the land area of the earth, exclusive of
the polar regions, or about 1,200 million hectares was
 covered with natural forests. But, now more than one-
third of this area has been robbed by man of its natural
protective cover and has been turned into barren land.
 The history of the exploitation of forests is as old as man
himself, but during carlier times it was balanced through
a natural growth process because at that time forest
cutting was done for personal or community use only.
But with the expansion of agriculture, forest lands have
been cleared. More destruction has been done after
industrial revolution and urbanisation. During the
colonial period commercial exploitation began and this
was the main cause of the depletion of forests. The
commercial use of forests nowadays has reached such
an extent that it has become a threat to the
environment in the form of:

(i) Increase in temperature,

(ii) Lesser precipitation,

(iii) Increased rate of soil erosion.

(iv) Increase in frequency and volume of floods,

(v) Loss of soil productivity.

(vi) Extinction of several species,

 (vii) Non-availability of several essential forest products,
and

(viii) Imbalance in ecosystem.

 The harmful effects of deforestation are so much that all

over the world people and authorities have realised that
forest resources must be conserved properly in order to
protect the ecosystem.

Methods of Forest Conservation

The following steps should be taken for the conservation of forests:

Regulated and Planned Cutting of Trees

One of the main reasons of deforestation is commercial felling of

trees. According to an estimate, about 1,600 million cubic metres of
wood have been used for various purposes in the world. Although
trees are considered as perennial resource, when exploited on a very
large scale, their revival cannot be possible. Therefore, cutting should
be regulated by adopting methods like:

(i) clear cutting.

(ii) selective cutting, and
(iii) shelter wood cutting.

The clear cutting method is useful for those areas where the same
type of trees are available over a large area. In that case, trees of
same age group can be cut down in a selected area and then marked
for replantation. In selective cutting only mature trees are selected
for cutting. This process is to be followed in rotation. Shelter wood
cutting is where first of all useless trees have been cut down followed
by medium and best quality timber trees. The time gap between
these cuttings is helpful in regrowth of trees. In regulated cutting only
one-tenth of the forest area is selected for use and rotational system
is always followed for their protection. The forest can be managed in
such a way that a timber crop may be harvested indefinitely year
after year without being depleted. This technique is called the
'sustained yield' method adopted by many countries of the world.

 Control over Forest Fire

Destruction or loss of forest by fire is fairly common, because

trees are highly exposed to fire and once started it becomes
difficult to control. Sometimes, the fire starts by natural
process, i.e. by lightning or by friction between trees during
speedy winds, while in most cases it is started by man either
intentionally or unintentionally.
In order to save forests from fire it is necessary
to adopt latest techniques of firefighting. Some of the fire
suppression techniques are to develop three metre wide fire
lanes around the periphery hery of the fire, back fires,
arrangement of water spray, fire retardant chemicals should be
sprayed from back tank and if possible by helicopters. There
must be a trained staff of firefighters to control the fire.

Reforestation and Afforestation

The sustained yield concept dictates that whenever
timber is removed, either by block cutting or by
selectine cutting, the denuded area must be reforested.
This may be done by natural or artificial methods.
Similarly, any forested land which has been destroyed by
fire or mining activities should be reforested. In rugged
terrain acrial seeding is the method of choice.

Besides all this, fresh afforestation programmes should

be started. New plantations will not only increase the
forest cover but also help in making up the eco-balance.
For afforestation, selection of trees should be done
according to local geographical conditions and care must
be taken during initial growth of the trees.

Check over Forest Clearance for

Agricultural and Habitation
Purposes
Most of the present-day agricultural land was once
forested and then cleared for the use of agriculture. But
now it has reached the stage where further clearance
will be dangerous for the entire ecosystem. There are
tribals in some parts of Asia, Africa and South America,
where shifting cultivation is still a part of their system of
land procurement. According to an estimate, about 40
million sq km of land is used for this purpose by 200
million tribals of the world. For the conservation of
forest, this should be checked and an alternative system
should be suggested to them. Similarly, for the
development of villages, towns and cities, forest lands
have been cleared and this process continues to this day
causing loss of forest cover. This also should be checked
and green belts around cities should be developed.

Protection of Forest
The existing forests should be protected. Apart from
commercial cutting. unorganised grazing is also one of
the reasons. There are several forest diseases resulting
from parasitic fungi, rusts, mistletoes, viruses and
nematodes which cause the destruction of trees. The
forests should be protected either by use of chemical
spray, antibiotics or by development of disease resistant
strains of trees.

Proper Utilisation of Forest Products

and Forests
Generally, forests have been cut for logs and rest of the
tree stump, limbs, branches and foliage, etc. are left out
in the forest as worthless debris. Further waste occurs at
the sawmill. There is a need to use all this waste
material. Now several uses have been developed and
products like waterproof glues, board, etc. can be
obtained.

Similarly, forests can easily be used or developed as

tourist centres. By using them as tourist centres the
country can earn substantial foreign exchange. This
practice has been adopted by many countries, both
developed and developing The concepts of national
park' and 'game sanctuary' have now become popular.

Role of Government in Forest

Conservation

Although the government of every country is very particular

about conservation of its forest resources and have several
rules and laws for the protection of forest their effective
implementation is necessary. Both national and provincial
governments can take some steps in this direction, such as:

(i) Pass acts for the conservation of forests,

(ii) Survey of the forest resources,

(iii) Categorisation of forest resources.

(iv) Categorisation of forest areas and proper delimitation of

reserved forest areas,

v) Find out the areas where reforestation can be done,

(vi) Regulate the commercial use of forest products,

(vii) Protect forest from fire, mining and other natural

calamities,

(viii) Develop national parks,

(ix) Encourage forests developmental activities like social

forestry, agro-forestry, etc. and

(x) Prepare master plans, both for long-term and short-term

period, etc.

Conservation of Water
Water is an indispensable component of our ecosystem
and the essence of our life On an average, each
individual uses 50 litres of water per day in rural areas
and 150 litres in urban areas. Apart from drinking
purposes, water is used for irrigation as well as in
industries. Wherever available about 12,000 m³ to
14.000 m³ water is used annually to irrigate 1 hectare of
land. The main source of water is rainfall occurring
through 'hydrological cycle', while other sources include
under- ground water and water from the melting of
snow. The oceans are full of water but because of
salinity this water is not usable, so is the case with
several inland seas. In fact, usable water is very limited
and there are areas in the world where water is a scare
commodity. The unfortunate situation is that wherever
water is available. users never think about its proper use
and they not only misuse it but waste a large quantity of
it too. Therefore, conservation of water is a necessity for
all the countries of the world so that minimum water
requirement can be fulfiled. A few steps in this direction
are:

Proper Distribution System of Water

The water distribution system should be such that loss of
water should be minimum and it should remain free
from pollution. According to local/regional conditions
the distribution system should be developed. A few
general steps for distribution of water are:

(i) As far as possible water distribution should be done

through pipes so that loss will be minimum and water
will remain free from pollutants.
(ii) If water storage place is small it should be cemented
and if its size is big, the selection of site should be done
where non-porous rocks exist.

(iii) The channels and distributors of canals should be

cemented, and in fields also either pipes should be used
or cemented channels (nala) be constructed.

(iv) For irrigation, sprinkle and drip system should be

used.

(v) If possible, water tanks should be covered to avoid

evaporation and also for cleanliness.

Rational Use of Underground Water

Underground water is also a main source of water
specially in arid and semi-arid regions. The
overexploitation of underground water often results in
the lowering of water table, intrusion of saline water,
subsidence of land, etc. The prime need is the proper
and limited use of water and also geological and
hydrological survey of the region for assessment of
water availability.

Purification of Waste Water

The system of the recycling of water should be used so
that waste water can be used for irrigation purposes.
There are several mechanical devices for the waste
water treatment, some methods are expensive also. But
the government agencies and industrial establishments
should establish treatment plants. This will also help in
control of water pollution.

Control over Deforestation

The loss of vegetation is also a cause of drought and
reduction of rainfall and indirectly a cause of lowering of
the water table. In order to maintain humidity in the
atmosphere which helps in rainfall and to minimise
evaporation rate forest cover should be maintained.

Protection of Water from Pollution

Apart from availability of water, quality of water is also
important, in other words water should be free from
pollution. Nowadays, several techniques such as
physico-chemical purification methods - hydrolysis,
electrolysis, ion-exchange. absorption, coagulation,
chlorination, ozonisation, etc. are in use. Similarly.
biological purification method is also in use.

The conservation of water can be done only by water

management system. Apart from above mentioned
measures, water can be obtained from desalination of
sea water and even by artificial rain-making. Apart from
conservation of water. mutual cooperation in use of
water resources is necessary.

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