Topic :- Role of individual in conservation of natural

resources.
A Project report submit in the partial fulfilment
Of the requirement for the award of degree of
Bachelor of Technology (Electronics & Communication Engineering)

SUBMITTED BY: - SUBMITTED TO: -

Abhi Tyagi Mrs. Nitika Dagar
251901014
ECE-A

University Institute of Engineering and Technology

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra – 136119
 TABLE OF CONTENT
Sr. Topic
No.

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Forest Resources and Its Conservation

4. Food Resources and its Conservation

5. Water Resources and Conservation

6. Mineral Resources and Conservation

7. Conclusion
 Abstract

Until recently, mankind acted as if he could endlessly exploit the

Earth‘s ecosystems and natural resources like oil, forests and
grasslands and extract minerals and fossil fuels. However, in
the last few decades, it has become increasingly evident that
the global ecosystem has the capacity to sustain only a limited
level of utilization. Biological systems cannot go on replenishing
resources if they are overused or misused. Increasing pressure
destabilizes their natural balance. Even biological resources
traditionally classified as ‗renewable‘- such as those from our
oceans, forests, grasslands and wetlands-are being degraded
by overuse and are permanently destroyed. And no natural
resource is limitless. Non-renewable resources will be rapidly
exhausted if we continue to use them as intensively as at
present. At this juncture, resource conservation has become an
important subject for one and all to utilize the resources in safe
manner and pass them to future generations.
 Introduction

Resource‘ conservation has become the main focus in all

sectors of the society as it is the sustenance for all living beings
including human beings. There are multiple factors that are
responsible for resource depletion and its quality alteration.
Possessive‘ mentality of the human being is the major factor
that cause other factors to trigger this problem. Human being
has been gifted with higher intelligence compare to other living
beings. That intelligence has been used to exploit the resources
in various ways to increase the comforts of life and changing
life style altogether from the life of living harmonious with
nature to going against the nature and its natural supporting
system. To achieve this comfort of life, science and technology
has been used over past few decades. Then onwards the real
problems of environment have started coming. For example,
plastic bags, plastic bottles etc artificial goods are invented by
the scientists and it has been projected that it is convenient to
carry and light in weight but actual question of how to handle it
(waste materials) after it has been utilized for certain purpose.
Now while realizing the actual problem of its non-degradable
quality (takes pretty long time to degrade naturally in nature),
the government has started announcing the slogans such as say
no to plastic‘. This is only one sample example but there are
other several totally unpredictable ways that our newer
inventions are causing severe damaging effects on the
environment. Now the situation has been come to decide
whether to continue our life style depending on modern
technological gadgets and destroy the world‘s natural
ecosystem or mould our life to live harmonious with nature and
utilize the resources for higher purpose of life. Along with
human beings there are millions of living beings using the
multiple resources for their sustenance. The bare fact is that
except human being no other living being can damage the
nature and its resources by its utilization of the resources. So,
we the human beings have very high role to play while
exploiting the resources to conserve them concerning future
needs in safe manner by the forth coming generations.
 Forest Resources and Its
Conservation

Expanding human establishments needed space which was

obtained at the expense of natural vegetation which in turn was
modified or destroyed. A number of products, such as food,
timber, fore wood, fruits and nuts come from forests. Human
need, therefore, started a systematic exploitation of forest
wealth which intensified as the size of human population grew.
Exploitation turned into over exploitation. Even the
technological advancement of modern times has not reduced
society‘s dependence on forest products. As nations develop,
wood remains the basic raw material for construction, furniture,
railway ties, paper, cell phones, rayon, plastics and so many
things.
Importance of Forests to Human Society: often we do
not realize the tremendous importance of forests to the human
society. Apart from providing a number of products forests
perform an irreplaceable ecological service. In brief, the diverse
functions of forests can be stated as follows:
1. Forests provide a number of products such as timber, fire
wood, nuts, fruits and seeds, medicinal plants etc without which
human life shall become miserable.
2. Forests shape natural environment by influencing such
factors as temperature, humidity and precipitation.
3. Forests shape the natural environment by affecting its
consumption, structure, the chemical properties, water contents
etc. and play an important role in bio-geo-chemical cycles of
water, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur and a
number of other elements.
4. Forests help in checking soil erosion by obstructing currents
of water or air. Roots of plants bind the soil particles together in
larger lumps which are helpful in preventing erosion.
5. Forests influence flood conditions by intercepting surface
runoffs, infiltration, evaporation etc. which is helpful in water
retention by the soil and in recharging ground water resource.
6. Forests help in public health protection by reducing physical
and chemical contaminants of the environment. Forest soils and
vegetation acts as an effective sink for a number of pollutants.
7. Forests provide suitable habitats for a number of important
plant and animal species. They help in maintaining a broad
genetic base from which future strains and varieties could be
developed.
Conservation of Forests: To maintain a healthy environment
and obtain a sustainable supply of a number of forest products,
natural forests should be carefully managed and conserved. The
measures to conserve forests ,save trees, and planting new
trees include-
• Not felling the trees in forests, farms, roads or houses if
they are green
• Not uprooting the existing trees while constructing
a house but planting fast growing plant species in
 open area of the house
• Planting ornamentals, herbs, shrubs or suitable trees in
and around the house
• maintain lawn and garden in open place in your
house ,if possible
• Participating in community plantation programmes
• Cooperate with NGOs engaged in saving trees
• Plant trees generously in barren fields
• Tag tree plantation with year ceremonies such as birth
day, marriage anniversary etc.
• Observe July 1-7 as vanmahotsava week
• Encourage ‘adopt a tree programme’ i.e., ‘each one tree
one’
• Observe march 21 as forest day And Discourage using
paper for correspondence.
 Food Resources and its
Conservation

We are able to produce much more food than ever before by

over-exploiting our natural resources. Food production depends
on a number of factors, not all of which are available
everywhere on our planet. These factors include availability of
appropriate biotic resources, land and fertile soil which supply
nutrients, availability of fresh water, suitable conditions of
environment and technical skill.
Adverse Consequences of Modern Agriculture: Much of
the adverse consequences of today‘s agricultural stem not from
food production but from over-exploitation of our natural
resources. In order to grow more and more food we have been
over expanding agriculture and using means and methods
which are corroding our natural resource base. It is strange that
we are doing all this to produce food stuff which is either fed to
the animals or simply wasted.
• Faulty agricultural practices result in wastage
and degeneration of soils: Though an essential
natural resource, we often fail to realize the tremendous
importance of soils underneath us. Mankind can live
without fossil fuels but it can not survive the depletion of
this thin crust of lose material on which we depend for our
future supplies. However, with an ever increasing
population and pressure of demand on our natural
resources, degeneration of soils has already begun. About
thirty years ago, we were already losing almost 7 million
hectares of useful cropland every year (UN, FAO Report
1980). This figure has gone up considerably now. Modern
practices of intensive agriculture contribute much to the
deterioration of agricultural soils. Much of the
degeneration stems from stress, exposure and damage to
the microbial communities of soil. Plain land exposure to
battering actions of wind, rain and water currents leads to
soil erosion. Chemical fertilizers have to be added to
maintain the productivity. As organic matter gradually
disappears, soil crumb structure degenerates and soil is
reduced to a heap of sand, silt and clay. In poorly drain
soils regular use of chemical fertilizers causes problems
of salinity, alkalinity and acidity. The entire fertilizer
molecule is not required by the plants. Some of the
constituents ions are taken up, others are left behind
which accumulate in the system and cause problems later.
For example application of (NH4)2SO4 as fertilizer cause
the soil to become acidic as ammonium ions are
selectively absorbed while sulphate ions are left behind
which make the soil acidic. Normal soil micro-flora is
disturbed. In addition, problems due to over irrigation by
tube well or river water leads to salt-infected soil.
Pesticides sprayed on crops are ultimately washed down
to the soil where they kill or damage the microbial
community. Normal functions of soil are disturbed. Shifting
cultivation, contributes much to wastage and degeneration
of fertile soils in the tropical regions and plant cover are
not provided to the soil before next cycle of farming is
started. The productivity has to be maintained by use of
 chemical fertilizers. The frazile soil is soon converted to a
useless heap of sand, silt, and clay. The pressure of
demand on agricultural products causes people to extend
cultivation on marginal soils, like hill tops and slopes,
desert and semi-desert regions. This is more hazardous.
• Heavy overdrafts on our fresh water resources
cause ecological setbacks: Nearly 78% to 82 % of the
water drawn from our fresh water resources is used in
food production activities of man. A huge quantity of water
evaporates from land and sea surface every year. The total
amount of water which is replaced by each year by
precipitation ( snow, rains or dew) constitutes the safe
limit upto which we can draw and use the water. However,
the world is withdrawing from surface and ground water
deposits much more water than the total quantity which is
replenished annually. It is not a sustainable practice. It
tends to disturb the ecology of the locality concerned. Huge
irrigation projects have been launched the world over, to
store and divert fresh water of rivers to places which lack
adequate water through a net work of canal. These lands
are usually poorly drained and have been under rain fed
cultivation which they supported well as ideal water for
irrigation is rainwater as it falls directly in our fields.
During its passage on rocks and soil surface it collects
plenty of salts and turns into hard water. Repeated
irrigation by waters which carry more dissolved salts, in
poorly drained soils causes problems of salinity and
alkalinity. After a few decades of boom in productivity the
soils become too saline to support cultivation and precious
 land which did provide something when under rain fed
agriculture, though meager, is completely lost.
• Rapid depletion of our forest wealth: By faulty
agricultural practices we are losing millions of hectares of
fertile land every year on one hand, while on the other we
try to expand to expand cultivation by clearing more and
more forested land. The overall effect of this is the gradual
reduction of our forest cover. Expansion of agriculture is
the primary cause of extensive destruction of natural
vegetation. Human requirement for timber, fuel wood and
space also says bare large protion of otherwise fertile land
every year. This leaves the soil unprotected for the
battering action of strong wind and rapidly flowing waters.
Many soils under intensive agriculture are already in a
fragile state. To this added large areas of adjoining
deforested land. There is little obstruction to the flow of
strong winds and water currents. Strong winds promote
rapid drying and carry away the precious soil as dust or
sand storm to be deposited elsewhere. Similarly rains
which often tend to visit such areas in strong torrents
cause extensive erosion of fertile soils. With soil erosion
follows desiccation and desertification.
• Rapid depletion of our biotic resource: Heavy
dependence on a few selected strains of a few species and
synthetic varieties is gradually reducing the biotic
resource base on which all humanity depends for its food
supplies. To maximize yield and profits we grow only those
strains and varieties which are well suited to the
conditions of the environment, disease resistant and
 provide optimum yield. A victim of human apathy,
thousands of indigenous strains and varieties are
disappearing each year. The species or varieties in which
he is no longer interested are vanishing one after the
other. How long they will survive in gunny bags and tin
containers? They have to be cultivated regularly, if we
have to keep them alive and in variable state. These straits
and varieties have been under cultivation since times
immemorial during which they have evolved and withstood
vagaries of a persistently changing environment and
cultural conditions. Their genetic make up contains
answers to many unforeseen problems, genes or traits
which we could require in the species and varieties we
shall be cultivating in future.
Conservation of Food Resources:
Food is one of the basic necessities for sustenance of human
beings. Understanding the various important elements that
support the agriculture and appreciating the nature which
provides the suitable environment for agriculture, we need to
develop the gratitude for the environment and conserve the
food resources for the benefit of present generation and future
generation too.
Some of the measures to achieve food security are
• Sustainable use of food and not wasting it
• Eating only as much as required for sustenance of life
• Consuming local and seasonable vegetables and so as to
save energy on their transportation, storage and
preservation
• Buy only organically grown food and Discourage packed
,canned and preserved food
• Shift from non-vegetarian to vegetarian
• Observe October 16 as world food day and November 21 as
world fishery day
 Water Resources and
Conservation
Water is the basic need of a living organism. No one can live
without water. The demand for fresh water is likely to exceed its
supply by the first or second decade of the next century. An
acute crisis is expected to follow in some regions of the world.
The shortage of water make many localities barren, devoid of
life. Fertile land will become dessert. Conservation of fresh
water is therefore, an absolute necessity of today. Some of
these may be summarized as follows:
(a). Water Economy, Re-Use and Recycling: Water is drawn in
past so many years more than the actual need. Much of the
surplus water is returned to surface flow in impure state. A
little care can reduce the over-consumption. We waste the
water because of it is easily available. If a water meter is
installed and money charged for every bucket of water we use,
water consumption in domestic establishments, livestock
management and industries shall drastically decline.
(b). Development of an Efficient Distribution System: Water
Resources are not distributed evenly. Some localities have
plenty of water. Others have little of it. Therefore, transport of
water from one place to another become an essential part of
water conservation efforts. Surplus river water can be diverted
to drier regions through a system of canals and pipes.
(c). Reduction of Pollution and Recycling of Water: Pollution
spoils huge quantities of our surface water. All the waste water
should be diverted to treatment plant instead of releasing them
into our surface water. Biological treatment followed by
treatment with a suitable disinfectant should done to remove
biodegradable organic waste from waste water.
(d) Enhancement of Surface Storage Capacity: By erecting
embankments and dams we can store large amount of water
which can be utilizable for longer time.
(e) Improvement of Underground storage Capacity: An effective
method of recharging ground water that providing good plant
cover over the soil surface. Plant obtain most of their water
from soil moisture and keep the surroundings cool and humid,
thereby, preventing excessive loss of water through
evaporation. As a result of which more water percolates down
the soil surface to add to the ground deposits.
The measures to conserve water resources include
• Not keeping water taps running and Check water leak and
repair
• Adopting rain water harvesting devices in your house to
conserve water for future use
• Adopt minimum water use patterns & installing water
saving toilets that use optimum water per flush
• Collect waste water in your home and use it for watering
kitchen garden
• Filling water in washing machine to the level required for
the cloths to be washed
• Cooperate beach clean-up activities in coastal areas
• Observe march 22 as world water day
• Observe February 2 as world wetland day
• Join youth water team or any such NGO engaged in water
conservation.
 Mineral Resources and
Conservation
We have attained such an enormous level of consumption of our
mineral wealth that good quality deposits of many elements
have already disappeared while many others are in the process
of being depleted. These resources belong to our children and
grand children as much as they do to us. It is high time now that
we should seriously think about conserving them. Important
steps which may be taken to make these deposits last longer
are:
(a). Economy in use of Resource: Most of the minerals are cheap
because of the importance of mining industry in the
development of a country, Governments provide plenty of
subsidies in the form of land at a throw away prices, cheap
power, subsidized fossile fuels, large loans and generous tax
exemptions. The simplest way to conserve mineral resources is
to practice economy in the use of metals and minerals. Careful
use, or use only where it is necessary can reduce much of
consumption of metals and minerals.
(b) Making finished products long lasting: The use and throw
away practice of western society after a product has lost its
utility is a wasteful practice. The mineral components in the
product are also discarded and wasted. Metal containing
products, for example automobiles, should be so manufactured
as to last longer, and be reparable to be used again pr their
components if in working condition may be used again and
again.
(C ) Re-use and Recycling of metals: As rapid consumption of
virgin minerals depletes our resources – why not use mineral
products more efficiently or again and again. A machine having
brass components can be pulled apart, its components used to
make another object of utility.
(d) Use of cheaper substitutes: There are a number of finished
products in which cheaper material other than metals may be
used. Why use a metal bucket when cheaper plastic bucket are
available.
Some of the measures are
• Minimise use of automobiles by using bicycles, public
transport, carpooling etc
• Trying to reside near the place of work, if possible
• Keeping vehicles tuned for low consumption of fuel
• Observe December 14 as world energy conservation Day
• Observing June 17 as a day to combat desertification and
deserts
 Conclusion

Reducing the unsustainable and unequal use of resources, and

controlling our population growth are essential for the survival
of our nation and, indeed, of humankind everywhere. Our
environment provides us with a variety of goods and services
necessary for our day to day lives, but the soil, water, climate
and solar energy, which form the abiotic support that we derive
from nature, are in themselves not distributed evernly
throughout the world or within countries. A new economic order
at the global and at national levels must be based on the ability
to distribute benefits of natural resources by sharing them more
equally among the countries as well as among communities
within countries such as our own. It is at the local level where
people subsists by the sale of locally-collected resources, that
the disparity is greatest. Development has not reached them
and they are often unjustly accused of exploiting natural
resources. They must be adequately compensated for the
removal of the sources to distant regions and thus develop a
greater stake in protecting natural resources.
There are several principles that each of us can adopt to bring
about sustainable lifestyle. This primarily comes from caring for
our mother earth in all respects. A love
and respect for nature is the greatest
sentiment that helps bring about a
feeling for looking at how we use natural
resources in a new and sensitive way.