Strategies for Conservation Of Natural Resources

The term “environmental conservation” refers to the sustainable use and management of natural resources such as animals, water, air, and earth deposits. Natural resources are classified as renewable and non-renewable. Human activities have risen in recent years due to the explosion of the human population and habitat degradation, which has resulted in the decline of numerous species that were once common to near extinction. As a result, populations of uncommon or threatened species must be protected (Deborah, 1987). For the previous two decades, experts and environmentalists have been debating the subject of biological diversity and how to conserve it. 

Define Natural Resources: 

The Natural resources definition includes components of the environment that are vital to humans somehow. It includes the following: air, water, coal, animals, plants, and natural gas.

Need for Conservation of Natural Resources:

We recognise that nature provides for all of our basic requirements, but we have a tendency to excessively abuse it. If we continue to exploit nature, there will be no available resources in the future. Thus, conservation of nature is critical for the reasons listed:

• To maintain ecological equilibrium necessary for life to exist.

• To protect biodiversity

• To preserve resources for current and future generations.

• To assure the human race’s survival.

Conservation of Natural Resources and Traditions in India:

Our forefathers recognised the need for natural resource conservation. India has a heritage of appreciating and safeguarding nature and natural resources. Natural resources were safeguarded by establishing sacred groves/forests, sacred springs and lakes, sacred creatures, and so on, such as the river Ganges.

Conservation of natural resources such as forests has been practised in our country since the reign of King Ashoka. Sacred forests are multidimensional woodland sections devoted by tribal peoples to their gods and ancestral spirits. In these forests, tree felling, hunting, and other human disruptions were severely restricted. This technique is prevalent throughout peninsular, central, and eastern India. It has led to the conservation of numerous plants and animals.

Similarly, some bodies of water, such as the Khecheopalri lake in Sikkim, have been proclaimed holy by the local populace, thereby safeguarding aquatic flora and fauna. Worshipping specific plants such as banyan, peepal, and tulsi has conserved them and stimulated their growth. Throughout history, people have sacrificed their lives to safeguard trees.

One of the most recent examples is the Chipko movement in India. Women in the village of Gopeshwar, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand initiated this effort. They halted tree felling by hugging them as the lumbermen approached to chop them. This resulted in preserving around 12000 square kilometres of the fragile water catchment area. Similar moves occurred in other regions of the country as well.

Natural Resource Conservation:

Soil Conservation

Soil conservation is preventing soil erosion and enhancing soil fertility through various approaches.

1. Soil fertility maintenance: Soil can be preserved by applying manure and fertilisers regularly, as well as crop rotation.

2. Grazing control: Grazing should be restricted to designated locations.

3. Reforestation: Trees and plants help prevent soil erosion.

4. Terracing: Splitting a slope into multiple flat fields to manage water flow. It is primarily practised in hilly places.

5. Contour ploughing: Ploughing at an angle to the slope enables the furrows to absorb water and prevent soil erosion caused by rain.

Water Conservation

Water conservation and management are critical for humanity, plants, and animals to survive. This can be accomplished in the following ways:

1. Establishing vegetation in catchment regions to retain water in the soil, seeping into greater depths and contributing to groundwater creation.

2. Building dams and reservoirs to control water flow to the fields and to permit hydroelectric generating.

3. Sewage should be treated before being released into rivers, and only clear water should indeed be released.

4. Hazardous wastewater (effluents) should be handled to protect freshwater from chemical and thermal pollution.

5. Efficient utilisation of water in our daily lives.

6. Rainwater harvesting should be accomplished by storing rainwater and groundwater recharge.

Biodiversity Preservation

There are two fundamental strategies for biodiversity conservation:-

• In-situ (on-site) conservation: In-situ (on-site) conservation means protecting plants and animals in their native habitats or protected areas. Protected areas are areas of land or sea that have been set aside to preserve and protect biodiversity. For instance, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves are examples.

• Ex-situ (off-site) conservation: Ex-situ (off-site) conservation is the process of preserving plants and animals in their native environments. Botanical gardens, zoos, gene banks, DNA banks, seed banks, pollen banks, seedling and tissue culture facilities are only a few examples.

Energy Sources Conservation

Several approaches for energy conservation include the following: 

• Minimise reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

• Emphasis on the usage of renewable energy sources.

• Eliminate energy waste.

• Raising public awareness of the importance of energy conservation and prudent use.

• Increase reliance on biomass-based energy.

Conservation Legislation:

The Indian constitution has numerous acts and legislation aimed at the conservation of natural resources. Among them are the following:

• National Forest Policy, 1988

• Environment Protection Act, 1986

• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Conclusion:

Natural resources are components of the environment that are vital to humans somehow. The term conservation of natural resources refers to the sustainable use and management of natural resources such as animals, water, air, and earth deposits. If we continue to exploit nature, there will be no available resources in the future. Thus, conservation of nature is critical to protect our biodiversity and maintain balance. The Indian constitution has numerous acts and legislation to conserve natural resources, such as National Forest Policy, 1998. It includes conservation of soil, water and preservation of biodiversity.