 |
| Impact of Misuse of Natural Resources |
|
| Natural resources characteristically exhibit two features. They are: |
| |
| 1) Physical limitations |
| |
| 2) Limitations of regeneration / production. |
| |
| Natural physical resources like geophysical, hydro-geological, edaphic, atmospheric resources exhibit physical limitations. Such limitations can be |
| |
 Physical restrictions in terms of quantity. |
| |
| Examples: Petroleum resources and mineral resources |
| |
 Physical restrictions in terms of space and time |
| |
| Example: Variations in water resources over larger geographical area. |
| |
 Restrictions in terms of a natural limit. |
| |
| Examples: Fertility of soil, atmospheric oxygen content etc. |
| |
| Similarly, natural biological resources like forests, wildlife, crop, animals and human resources exhibit limitations of regeneration / production. Such limitations can be |
| |
 Restrictions on rate of reproduction / regeneration. |
| |
| Example: A cattle has to pass 200 - 280 days to conceive. |
| |
 Restrictions on rate of production |
| |
| Example: A coconut tree cannot bear more than 200 nuts. |
| |
 Restrictions on prerequisites for reproduction |
| |
| Example: Mating is successful within a species / subspecies. |
| |
 Climatic restrictions on existence of life and reproduction |
| |
| Example: Apple cannot be grown in tropical region. |
| |
| Despite all sorts of misuses and attempts to modify all the natural resources according to human necessities, natural resources have exhibited one of above restrictions. In fact, such restrictions have limited the ambitions of human being to exploit the natural resources 'in the manner he wants'. |
| |
| But, misuse of natural resources has left large undisputable impact on the present and put several questions on the future of mankind. Many of these issues have no solutions, although in a simplified expression it could be declared that 'misuse of natural resources must be halted'. Some issues of environmental misuse are presented here. |
| |
 Based on the rate at which petroleum products are used, the present reserve of petroleum products in world will not last more than 80 - 100 years. Beyond this, what will be the state of transport sector? If extraction of petroleum is considered as misuse of natural resource then what effective practical alternative is available to replace petroleum? (Note that LPG gas also has restricted source) |
| |
 The manner in which mineral sources like copper, zinc, bauxite are explored, mankind is bound to face imperative situation to manage without them - as these sources are non - renewable. |
| |
 Power generation by hydroelectric projects caused many ecological problems like deforestation. Hence, power projects like thermal / atomic plants were initiated. But, they have also caused much stronger ecological imbalance like large scale CO2 pollution and widespread radiation risks respectively. What is the next viable solution to generate power? |
| |
 Use of pesticides has resulted in pesticide resistance in many pests besides break down of natural resistance mechanism by plants. Both, these issues have prompted the use of more stronger pesticides. This group of pesticides can kill all insects / animals including all beneficial predators / parasites of pests. The use of ecofriendly pesticides has not offered solutions to many pests (e.g., coconut mites). Where is the solution for pernicious problems? |
| |
 In many countries (including India) the land available for cultivation is restricted. The exploitation of hydrological, atmospheric and crop resources to increase the agricultural production is restricted by limitation of edaphic resources. How intensively the edaphic resources could be exploited without deterioration? If the cultivation is not intensified how is it possible to increase the food production without degradation of other natural sources? |
| |
| However, this does not mean that misuse of natural resources is always inevitable. Large number of situations require the better usage of natural resources without their damage / over use / imbalance. The ways in which they are misused as well as their limitations have to be realized. They deserve more planned use - as the natural reserves have their own limitations. |
| |
| Following are some examples, which indicate how natural resources could be protected. |
| |
| i) Promotion and use of non-conventional sources of energy like solar energy. |
| |
| ii) Promotion and development of mint - hydro projects so that resources are better utilized. |
| |
| iii) All types of power saving methods. |
| |
| iv) Use of public transport system instead of private vehicles. |
| |
| v) Plugging all the avenues of power wastages and losses. |
| |
| vi) Adopting IFS, INM and organic farming approaches to save the soil from agro-chemical invasion. |
| |
| vii) Stoppage of hunting, poaching and using animals for human entertainment. |
| |
| viii) Deforestation and encroachment of forests should be fully curbed. |
| |
| ix) Major air pollution routes should be blocked to protect environment. |
| |
