ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

NATURAL RESOURCES

A natural resource can be defined as any component of the natural environment that can be utilised by man to sustain his life and promote his welfare

Some resources such as air,water,food,and land are important because with out them life can not be sustained.They are called as life supporting systemsOther resources fulfil our needsBut the amount of natural resources per year began decreasingRapid rate of consumption may lead to complete depletion or loss of natural resources

REASONS FOR RAPID RATE OF CONSUMPTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

1.POPULATION INCREASE•About 80 million people are added every year to the worlds population•Global population may double every 30 years or so•This exponential growth of human population is causing a grate pressure on our resources and resulting a steady impoverishment of biological systems

2.INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONFundamental change in mans relationship with the nature began with scientific and industrial revolutionGrowth and development through science, technology and industrial expansionThis marked the beginning of the exponential rate of consumption of natural resources

OUR IMPROPER RESOURCE UTILISATION IS LEADING US TO GREAT DISASTERS

1.INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN WATER ECONOMYThe measures to conserve water resources includeNot keeping water taps runningCheck water leak and repairAdopt minimum water use patterns installing water saving toilets that use optimum water per flush

Adopting rain water harvesting devices in your house to conserve water for future useCollect waste water in your home and use it for watering kitchen gardenFilling water in washing machine to the level required for the cloths to be washedWatering lawn and kitchen garden plants in the evening to minimise evaporation losses and not watering them in the mid dayCooperate beach clean up activities in coastal areasSave wetlands ,lakes,ponds,wells,etc.

Observe march 22 as world water dayObserve February 2 as world wetland dayJoin youth water team or any such NGO engaged in water conservation

2.INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN FOREST CONSERVATIONThe measures to conserve forests ,save trees, and planting new trees include-Not felling the trees in forests ,farms,roads,or houses if they are greenNot uprooting the existing trees while constructing a house but planting fast growing plant species in open area of the housePlanting ornamentals,herbs,shurbs,or suitable trees in and around the house maintain lawn and garden in open place in your house ,if possible

Participating in community plantation programmesEncourage mass scale tree plantation programmesCooperate with NGOs engaged in saving treesPlant trees generously in barren fieldsTag tree plantation with year ceremonies such as birth day, marriage anniversary etc.Observe July 1-7 as vanmahotsava week

•Observe December 11 as mountain day –mountains being a souses of fresh water•Encourage ‘adopt a tree programme’ ie, ‘each one tree one’•Observe march 21 as forest day•Discourage using paper for correspondence and promote use of paper

3.INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN CONSERVATION OF MINERALSSome of the measures to conserve minerals are•Minimise the use of minerals which are likely to be depleted or exhausted•Minimise use of jewellery to conserve scarce minerals•Recycle and reuse minerals and glasses•Buy durable products that lasts long•Buy efficient vehicles•Repair and reuse bicycles•Use recyclable utensils

4.INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN FOOD SECURITYSome of the measures to achieve food security are Sustainable use of food and not wasting itEating only as much as required for sustenance of lifeConsuming local and seasonable vegetables and so as to save energy on their transportation, storage and preservation

Buy only organically grown foodDiscourage packed ,canned and preserved foodShift from non vegetarian to vegetarianObserve October 16 as world food day and November 21 as world fishery day

5.INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN ENERGY CONSERVATION AND SAVING ENERGYSome of the measures areTurning off lights ,fans, or other electric appliances when not in useReplacing tube lights with CFLs and LED sConstruct buildings in such a way that maximum amount of sunlight can be obtainedTry to dry cloths in sunlight instead of drier of washing machine

Using solar cookers for cooking foodBuying energy efficient appliances, always checking energy consumption figureMinimise use of automobiles by using bicycles, public transport, carpooling etc.Trying to reside near the place of work, if possibleKeeping vehicles tuned for low consumption of fuelChecking fuel consumption data while buying a new vehicleFollowing the advice given by petroleum conservation research association

Wearing adequate woollen clothes during winter instead of using heat convector Growing deciduous trees at proper place out side the house. they will cut off intense heat during the summers ,cut off electricity consumption and will provide a cool breezeObserve December 14 as world energy conservation day

6. INDIVIDUALS ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND SOIL PROTECTIONSome of the measures areReducing use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides to check soil pollutionUsing bio fertilizersUsing biological control measures for pest controlAvoid over irrigation without proper irrigation to prevent water logging

Discouraging monoculture practise in agricultureAdopting mix croppingAdopting drip irrigation to avoid washing out soil nutrientsObserving December 23 as world farmers dayObserving June 17 as a day to combat desertification and desertsObserve November 21-27 as national land resource conservation week

CARE FOR NATURE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS