Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Class 10 NCERT

Why Do We Need to Manage Our Natural Resources?

Natural resources are not unlimited. Because of the rapid growth of the human population and industrialization, the rate at which we are consuming these resources is far greater than the rate at which they are naturally replenished. Sustainable management means utilizing natural resources in a way that meets current human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

We need to manage our resources carefully for three main reasons:

1. Long-term perspective: Resources must last for future generations and not be exhausted for short-term gain.
2. Equitable distribution: Resources should be shared fairly among all segments of society, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a rich and powerful minority.
3. Environmental protection: Extracting, processing, and using natural resources causes environmental damage (e.g., deforestation for mining, greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels). Proper waste disposal and ecological conservation must run parallel to resource exploitation.

Traditional Resource Exploitation vs. Sustainable Resource Management

How Traditional Water Harvesting Works (The Khadin System)

1. Step 1: Construction of the Embankment (Khadin Bund) — A long, curved earthen embankment called a bund is built across a sloping agricultural field. This acts as a barrier to flowing monsoon rainwater.
2. Step 2: Water Accumulation and Infiltration — The rainwater pools behind the bund, filling the reservoir area. The water slowly seeps down into the ground, recharging the local water table and saturating the soil.
3. Step 3: Silt Settlement — As the water stands, suspended soil and organic matter settle down, depositing a fertile layer of silt over the agricultural land behind the bund.
4. Step 4: Drainage and Cultivation — Excess runoff water is drained off via spillways to prevent flooding of the field. Once the standing water dries or is drained, the saturated, fertile soil is used to grow moisture-demanding winter crops (Rabi crops) without requiring extra irrigation.

Exam Guide: Stakeholders of Forests

• Local People: Those living in or around the forest who depend on forest products (like firewood, thatch, and bamboo) for their daily needs. They have traditionally used resources sustainably without causing major destruction.
• Forest Department: The government body that owns the land and controls forest resources. Traditionally, they ignored local needs, leading to monoculture plantations of pine, teak, or eucalyptus, which destroy biodiversity.
• Industrialists: Business owners who look at forests as source materials for factories (e.g., paper mills, timber industries). They are not interested in localized sustainable development; if one forest is cleared, they move to another.
• Wildlife and Nature Enthusiasts: Conservationists who want to preserve nature and wildlife in their pristine, natural state. Their views have shifted from keeping local communities out to actively involving them in conservation (e.g., the Joint Forest Management program and the Chipko Movement).

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Explain the 5 Rs to save the environment with a real-life example for each. A: Step 1: Refuse - Say no to things people offer you that you don't need. Example: Refusing single-use plastic carry bags at the grocery store. Step 2: Reduce - Use less resources. Example: Turning off unnecessary lights and fans to save electricity, or fixing leaking taps. Step 3: Reuse - Use things again and again instead of throwing them away. Example: Reusing empty glass or plastic jars of jams and pickles to store kitchen spices. Step 4: Repurpose - When a product cannot be used for its original purpose, adapt it for a new use. Example: Using a cracked ceramic mug to grow small plants. Step 5: Recycle - Collect used paper, plastic, metal, and glass items to manufacture new products. Example: Collecting old newspapers to make recycled paper pulp. Final answer: The 5 Rs provide a hierarchical structure for waste management, shifting from absolute prevention (Refuse) to active material recovery (Recycle).
• Q: What are the main disadvantages of building large dams? Explain three major problems. A: Step 1: Social Problems - Large dams displace vast numbers of local peasants and tribals without giving them adequate compensation or rehabilitation, leaving them homeless and landless. Step 2: Economic Problems - Dams consume huge amounts of public funds with questionable direct economic returns compared to alternative smaller-scale water management projects. Step 3: Environmental Problems - Dams lead to massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity as vast areas of forest are submerged, and ecological imbalance in the river systems. Final answer: The three major problems associated with large dams are Social (displacement), Economic (high public expenditure), and Environmental (loss of biodiversity and deforestation).
• Q: What is the main objective of Joint Forest Management (JFM)? Give a historical success story of community participation. A: Step 1: Definition - JFM is an initiative launched in the 1980s by the Indian government to involve local communities in protecting and managing degraded forests. Step 2: The Agreement - In return for their active participation in protecting the forest, local communities are given sustainable access to non-timber forest products (like fruits, fodder, and medicine) and a share in the harvested timber. Step 3: Success Story - The Arabari Forest Range of West Bengal in 1972 is a classic example. Forest officer A.K. Banerjee involved villagers in protecting 1,272 hectares of badly degraded Sal forest. In return, villagers got employment, fuel wood, and fodder. The forest recovered dramatically, and its value rose from zero to over Rs. 12.5 crores. Final answer: The main objective of JFM is to protect forests by empowering local communities, offering them a direct stake in forest resources, as demonstrated successfully in the Arabari forest range.
• Q: Why are coal and petroleum considered non-renewable sources of energy? Why should we manage their consumption? A: Step 1: Formation Process - Coal and petroleum are fossil fuels formed millions of years ago from the deep burial of plant and animal remains under high pressure and temperature. Because their formation takes millions of years, they cannot be replenished quickly. Step 2: Depletion and Pollution - At our current rate of consumption, these reserves will be exhausted in a few decades (coal for about 200 years, petroleum for about 40 years). Moreover, burning them releases carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides, causing global warming and air pollution. Step 3: Management Strategy - Managing their use involves switching to renewable energy (solar, wind) and using energy-efficient appliances (like LED bulbs, public transport) to make reserves last longer and keep pollution low. Final answer: Coal and petroleum are non-renewable because they take millions of years to form. We must manage their consumption to prevent rapid depletion and to mitigate severe environmental pollution.

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