Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Natural resources are finite, and as the human population grows at an alarming rate, the demand for all resources grows at an accelerating rate. Natural resource management necessitates a long-term view for such resources to survive for future generations rather than being overused for a brief advantage. This management should also promote fair resource distribution so that everyone, not just a few wealthy and powerful individuals, benefits from the growth of these resources. The Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (Forests and Wildlife) is crucial for the environment. Through the sustainable development of forests, we can preserve biodiversity in nature.

Sustainable development:

1. The conception of sustainable development encourages forms of growth that meet current introductory to mortal requirements while conserving the resources for the needs of unborn generations.
2. Therefore, sustainable development implicates a change in every possible aspect of life. 

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Need to manage our resources:

1. To meet the exponentially increasing demand for resources because of the increase in the human population. 
2. To ensure equitable distribution of resources so that all, and not just a handful of rich and powerful people, benefit from the development of these resources. 
3. To minimise the damage caused by exploring natural resources to the environment.
4. Mining causes pollution because a large amount of waste is discarded.
5. Sustainable natural resource management plans for the safe disposal of these wastes too. 
6. To adhere to the present-day global concerns for sustainable development and conservation of natural resources.
7. To conform to our country’s long tradition and culture of nature conservation.
8. Vedic period: Both productive and protective aspects of forest vegetation were emphasised.
9. Later Vedic period: The concept of a cultural landscape such as sacred forests and groves, sacred corridors, and various ethnic-forestry practises evolved.
10. Post-Vedic period: A wide range of ethnic-forestry practises were infused with the traditions, customs and rituals and followed as a means to protect nature and natural resources.

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Forests and Wildlife:

1. Forests are biodiversity hotspots.
2. The biodiversity of an area could be defined as the number of species found in the respective area. 
3. One of the critical aims of conservation is to preserve inherited biodiversity.
4. Management of forest resources must consider the interests of various stakeholders.

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Stakeholders:

Following are the various stakeholders:

1. The People who live in or around forestlands are dependent on forestlands. Products found in the forest are required for their everyday life. The Forest Department of the Government is the one that owns this land and controls the resources from forests for the people. 
2. The Industrialists used forest produce to manufacture various items such as bidis from tendu leaves, paper from trees, etc.
3. Wildlife and Nature enthusiasts want to conserve nature in its possible pristine form.

Forest produces and the Local People:

1. The local people need large quantities of firewood, small timber and thatch.
2. One of the materials is bamboo used to make swaths for huts and baskets for collecting sources and storing food accoutrements. 
3. Implements for a particular purpose as agriculture, fishing and hunting are made of wood.
4. Forests are sites for fishing and hunting.
5. In addition to the people just gathering fruits, nuts and medicines from the forests, their cattle also graze in forest areas or feed on the fodder collected in and around the forest.

Management of Forests:

1. The damage caused to forestlands cannot be attributed to only the native people.
2. One can not turn a blind eye to the deforestation caused by needs by the industrialists or development systems that build roads or dams.
3. Management of protected areas by keeping the local people out or using force cannot possibly achieve success at the end of the day.
4. Participation of the native people can indeed lead to the effective management of forest lands. 

Chipko Andolan (‘Hug the Trees Movement’):

It resulted from a grassroots level effort to complete the alienation of individuals from their forests.

1. The movement began in a remote village area called Reni in Garhwal, high-up in the Himalayas during the early 1970s. 
2. The village women clasped the tree trunks and prevented the felling of the trees. 
3. The movement snappily spread across communities and media and forced the government to redefine their pretences in the use of forestlands. 

Conclusion

Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (Forests and Wildlife) safeguards the biodiversity that humans have inherited. Forests are referred to as biodiversity hotspots. The number of species present in a given place is one indicator of its biodiversity. However, the diversity of living forms such as microorganisms, insects, birds, and reptiles is equally significant. The lack of diverse selection may result in the loss of natural ecosystems. We should manage forest resources in an ecologically and developmentally sound way. That is, while the environment is conserved, the advantages of regulated exploitation should pass to the local people, a system in which local wealth creation and ecological protection go together.