Introduction
Air, water, soil, minerals, coal, petroleum, animals and plants are referred to as natural resources.
Types of Natural Resources
There are two types of natural resources.Inexhaustible Natural Resource and Exhaustible Natural Resource.
Water
Water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. It is a universal solvent since it dissolves most of the compounds.
Air
Air is an inexhaustible natural resource, essential for the survival of all the living organisms on earth. Air is a mixture of different gases; nitrogen and oxygen are the major components.
Soil
Soil can be defined as the uppermost crust of earth mixed with organic material and in which animals and microorganisms live, and plants grow.
Minerals
Earth's crust is rich in inorganic materials. It includes ores, that are used on a large-scale to yield metals such as iron, aluminium, copper, tin, nickel, silver, gold, platinum etc.
Energy
Fuel wood, agricultural waste and cow dung (gobar), form the major sources of energy for rural India and most of the urban Indian population consumes energy from coal, petroleum, natural gas (CNG), hydel power (hydroelectricity), sun, wind and nuclear power.
Types of Non-conventional Energy Resources
Sun is the biggest source of non-conventional energy.
Flora and Fauna
Flora refers to plant species and fauna refers to animal species. Our country has a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Management and Replenishment of Natural Resources
With the exponential increase in human population and increased technological advancement, the natural resources are getting relentlessly exploited.
Conservation of Forests
Mutual relation exists between forests (trees), rainfall concentration, the amount of water in rivers and conservation of wild animals.
Conservation of Wild Life
Many animal species have either become extinct or are on the verge extinction. This is because of continuous and constant exploitation by man.
Public Awareness Programmes
An awareness should be created amongst the masses using the various media of communication like the TV, radio, newspapers and the magazines.
Soil Conservation
Soil conservation means protection, improvement and sustained renewal of soil at any place. Soil has to be protected from erosion and should also be replenished.
Question and Answers
Question and Answers 1
Question and Answers 2
Multiple Choice Questions
