Summary
• Environment refers to the natural elements that make up the earth and surround living organisms
• The abiotic or physical aspects of the environment refer to elements like air, soil, water etc. The biological or biotic components of environment are the plants and animals
• Natural resources constitute the air, water, soil, minerals, coal, petroleum, animals and plants. Everything that we use or consume like food, clothes, vehicles, roads and buildings come from these resources
• Over exploitation of our natural resources is due to burgeoning population explosion and rapid lifestyle changes with technological transformation
• The need to manage our resources is because of water scarcity and pollution, heavy land cultivations, soil contamination and erosion, forest habitat loss and air pollution causing global warming and climatic change
• Apply the maxim of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ in our lives to reduce pressure on the environment
• Forests are an area of diverse biodiversity consisting mainly of trees, shrubs, wild plants, a variety of organisms and wild life
• Management of forest resources has to take into account the interests of various stakeholders as well as involve their participation in local conservation management
• Various stake holders have varying needs from the forest including habitation, fuel and fodder, revenue earnings, commercial profit making and a need to maintain the biodiversity of forests
• The fraction of fresh water available for humans is estimated at less than 0.003% of the total global water availability
• Water conservation and management relate to three main sources of water: surface water, ground water and rain water
• Dams are huge consistent supply of water resources and electric power needed for modern agriculture and urban life. They have social, economic and environmental implications
• Alternatives to large dams are locally made rain water harvesting structures and water conveyance systems
• Rainwater harvesting can be surface runoff harvesting or roof top harvesting. Both collect rainwater runoff from surfaces to direct it into open tanks or wells to recharge subsurface aquifers
• Fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are extremely important energy resources which are getting exhausted
• Hydrocarbon fuel based resources create pollution levels and green house gases. Their management is related to improved technology and finding alternative energy sources taking this into account
• An overall prudent and sustainable uses of resources both at an individual and collective level can benefit a wide cross section of society as well meet the future generations
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