Natural Resources

www.Vidyarthiplus.
com
PREPARED BY:
MRS.ANITHA,
ASSISTANT PROFERSER,
DEP.OF CHEMISTRY,
VELLAMMAL ENGINEERING CLG,
CHENNAI-66,
www.Vidyarthiplus.com
Natural resources:
Natural resources are the source which are useful to man or it can be
transformed into a useful product.
Two types
Renewable resources
These resources are capable of being regenerated by ecological
processes within a reasonable time period. Example Soil, water, air
Non Renewable resources
These resources are not capable of being regenerated by ecological
processes.
RESOURCES
FOREST RESOURCES, ENERGY RESOURCES
WATER RESOURCES, LAND RESOURCES
MINERAL RESOURCES, FOOD RESOURCES
FOREST RESOURCES:
One of the important renewable natural resource on earth. 1/3rd of the
world’s land surface is covered with forest. Forest covering the earth
like a green blanket. Forest not only produce innumerable material
goods, but also provide several environmental services.
Types of forest:
Ever green forest:
Found in equatorial region. Where temperature and rain fall is high, due
to heavy rain the forest are ever green. (e.g) silent valley in kerela
Important trees teak and rosewood.
Deciduous forest:
These forest receive only seasonal rainfall. Therefore they loose their
leaves during summer season. Trees sandal wood.
Coniferous trees:
Trees contain needle shaped leaves (e.g) pine tree, spruce tree
Functions of forest:
1. It performs very important function both to human and to nature.
2. They are habitats to millions of plants, animals and wild life.
3. They recycle rain water.
4. They remove pollutant from air.

5. They control water quality.
6. They moderate temperature and weather.
7. They influence soil condition and prevent soil erosion.
8. They promote tourism.
Uses of forest:
1. Commercial uses
2. Ecological uses
Commercial uses:
1. Wood – used as a fuel
2. Supply wood for various industries – Raw materials as pulp, paper,
furniture timber etc.
3. Minor forest products – gum, dyes, resins
4. Many plants – Medicines
5. Supply variety of animal products – honey. Ivory, horns etc.
6. Many forest lands are used for - Mining, grazing, for dams and
recreation.
Ecological uses:
Forest provides number of environmental services.
1. Production of oxygen:
Photosynthesis produces large amount of oxygen which is essential for
life.
2. Reducing global warming:
Carbon dioxide is one of the main green house gas. It is absorbed by

plants for photosynthesis. Therefore the problem of global warming
caused by CO2 is reduced.
3. Soil conservation:
Roots of trees bind the soil tightly and prevent soil erosion. They also
act as wind breaks.
4. Regulation of hydrological cycle:
Watershed in forest act like giant sponges and slowly release the water
fore recharge of spring.
5. Pollution moderators:
Forest can absorb many toxic gases and noises and help in preventing air
and noise pollution.
6. Wild life habitat:
Forest is the homes of millions of wild animals and plants.
Over exploitation of forest:
Due to over population, there is a demand fort medicine, shelter, wood
and fuel increases. Hence exploitation of forest material going on
increases.
Reason for deficiency of forest:
In India the minimum area of forest required to maintain good ecological
balance is about 33% of total area. But at present it is only about 22%.
So over exploitation of forest material occur.
Cause of over exploitation:
1. Increasing agricultural production.
2. Increasing agricultural activities.
3. Increase in demand of wood resources.
Deforestation:
It is process of removal of forest resources due to natural or man made
activities (i.e.) destruction of forests.
Deforestation in India:
In India 1.3 hectare of forest land has been lost.
Causes of deforestation:
1. Developmental projects:
Developmental projects causes deforestation through two ways.

Through submergence of forest area.
Destruction of forest area.
(e.g) big dams, hydro electric projects, road construction etc.

2. Mining operations:
It reduces forest areas. (e.g.)Mica, coal, Manganese and lime stone.

3. Raw materials for industries:
Wood is an important raw material for various purposes. (e.g.) making

boxes, furniture and paper etc.
4. Fuel requirement:
Wood is the important fuel for rural and tribal population.

5. Shifting cultivation:
Replacement of natural forest ecosystem for mono specific tree

plantation. (eg) teak
6. Forest fires:
Forest fire destructs thousands of forest.

7. Over grazing:
Over grazing by cattle reduces the cultivation land.

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION (or) ILL EFFECTS
(or) IMPACT OF DEFORESTATION
1. Economic loss
2. Loss of biodiversity
3. Destructs the habitats of various species
4. Reduction in stream flow
5. Increases the rate of global warming
6. Disruption of weather patterns and global climate
7. Degradation of soil and acceleration of the rate of soil erosion.

8. Induces and accelerates mass movement / land slides.
9. Increases flood frequency, magnitude / severity.
10. Breaks the water cycle
11. Breaks the nutrient cycle
12. Loss of forests put additional pressure on the pristine forests.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES (OR) AVOID OF DEFORESTATION

(OR) METHODS OF CONSEVATION OF FORESTS
1. New plants of more or less of the same variety should be planted to
replace the trees cut down for timber
2. Use of wood for fuel should be discouraged.
3. Forest pests can be controlled by spraying pesticides by using aero
planes
4. Forest fire must be controlled by modern techniques.
5. Over grazing by cattle must be controlled.
6. Steps should be taken by the government to discourage the migration
of people into the islands from mainland.
7. Education and awareness programmers must be conducted.
8. Strict implementation of law of Forest conservation Act.
Case study:
Deforestation in the Himalayan region, involves clearing of natural
forests and plantation of monoculture like eucalyptus. Nutrient in the
soil is poor, therefore soil losing their fertility. Hence Himalayan area
facing the serious problem of deforestation.
Mining:
The process of extracting mineral resources and fossil fuels like coal
from the earth.
Types of mining
1. Surface mining: mining of minerals from shallow deposits
2. Underground mining: mining of minerals from deep deposits
Steps involved in mining:
1. Exploration
2. Development
3. Exploitation
4. Ore processing
5. Extraction and purification of minerals
The extent of damage by under ground mining is less than that of surface
mining, which needs enormous amount of land area for it’s operation
and management.
Effects of mining:
1. Pollute soil, water and air.
2. Destruction of natural habitat.
3. Continuous removal of minerals leads to the formation of trench
where water is logged which contaminates the ground water.
4. Vibrations cause earth quakes.
5. Produces noise pollution
6. Reduces shape and size of the forest.
7. Some times land slides may also occur.
Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people:

Dams are the massive artificial structure built across the river to store
water for much beneficial purpose.
Dam – “Temple of modern India” – Nehru
Dams destruct vast area of forest area. India has more than 1600 large
dams.
Effects of dams on forest:
1. Thousands of hectares of forest have been cleared.
2. Killing of wild animals and destruction of aquatic life.
3. Spreading of water borne diseases.
4. Water logging reduces the salinity of the soil.
(e.g) Narmadha sagar project it has submerged 3.5 lakhs hectares of

forest.
Effects of dam on tribal people:
1. Construction of big dam leads to the displacement of tribal people.
2. Displacement and cultural change affects the tribal people both
mentally and physically.
3. They do not accommodate the modern food habits and life style.
4. Tribal people are ill treated by the modern society.
5. Many of the displaced people were not recognised and resettled or
compensated.
6. Body condition of tribal people will not suit with new areas and hence
they will be affected by many diseases.
Water resources:
Water is essential component of all living things. 80% of earth surface is
covered with water. All organisms are made up of mostly by water.
(e.g) Tree 60% by weight of water
Animals50 – 65% by weight of water
Water exist in three phases solid, liquid and gases. It is circulated in the
hydrological cycle.
Hydrological cycle:
Water from various water bodies
Evaporated by solar energy
Enters in to the atmosphere as clouds
Falls again on earth as rain or snow
Ultimately returns to the ocean.
This process is called hydrological cycle.
Distribution of water resources:
Fresh water resources
Surface water under ground water
Standing water bodies Flowing water bodies
1. Lakes 1. Streams
2. Reservoirs 2. Rivers
3. Estuaries
Surface water:
Water stored on the surface of earth.
Standing water bodies
Lakes:
Oligotrophic lakes:
These lakes are deep and clear. The nutrients amount is deficient.
Biological reactions are less.
Eutrophic lakes:
More nutrients and more turbid. It supports more life.
Dystrophic lakes:
Shallow coloured lakes and low PH.
Reservoirs:
Generally larger than lakes.
Estuaries:
These are deltas formed at the mouth of rivers, where they join the
ocean. The mixing of fresh and salt water gives estuaries.
Flowing water bodies:
Water flows in streams and rivers. It carries sedimentary materials and
dissolved minerals.
Under ground water:
Water available deep in the ground due to percolation of surface water.
It is the major source. It is very pure and used for almost all purposes in
the world.
Under ground water
Aquifer:
Layers of highly permeable rock containing water is called an aquifer.
Layer of sand and gravels are good aquifers. Clay and crystalline rocks
are not good aquifers.
Effects of over utilisation of water:
1. Decrease of ground water:

Increased usage decreases the ground water.
Insufficient rain fall
Building construction activities sealing the permeability of the soil.
2. Ground subsidence:
Ground water withdrawal is greater than it’s recharge rate, the sediments
in the aquifers get compacted. As a result shrinkage of land surface takes
place.
Problems:
a. Structural damages in the buildings
b. Fracture in pipes.
c. Reversing the flow of canals.
3. Lowering of water table:
Over utilisation of ground water in arid and semi arid regions for
agriculture disturbs the state of equilibrium of the hydrological cycle.
Problem:
a. lowering of water table
b. decrease the number of aquifers
c. Change the speed and direction of water.
4. Intrusion of salt water:
In coastal area over exploitation of ground water leads to the intrusion of
salt water from sea. Therefore that water cannot be used for drinking and
agriculture.
5. Over utilisation of water causes earth quakes, land slides and famine
6. Drying up of wells:
Due to over utilisation, ground water level decreases much faster than
can be regenerated. It leads to drying up of dug well and bore wells.
7. pollution of water:
Near the agricultural land ground water decreases therefore water

containing nitrogen enters into the ground and pollute the ground water.
Problem:
Water which contains excess nitrate content is not suitable for drinking.
Flood:
It is an over flow of water. It happens when the magnitude of flow of
water exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel within its bank.
Causes of flood:
1. Heavy rainfall, melting of snow (i.e) sudden release of water from
dams.
2. Reduction in the carrying capacity of the channel.
3. Deforestation, mining and over grazing increase the run off from rains
and the level of flood raises.
Effect of flood:
1. Water spreads in the surrounding area and submerges them.
2. Cultivated land affected.
3. Extinction of civilisation.
Flood Management:
1. Floods can be controlled by dams.
2. Channel management and embankment also control flood.
3. Flood hazards reduced by forecasting or flood warning.
4. Flood may also be reduced by reduction of run off by increasing
infiltration through appropriate afforestation in the catchment area.
Drought:
Drought is nothing but scarcity of water, which occurs due to
1. Inadequate rain fall
2. Late arrival of rain fall
3. Excessive withdrawal of ground water.
Lack of water for the narrow needs of agriculture, livestock, industry or

human population may be termed as a drought. Drought causes serious
damages to plants, animals and human life.
Types of drought:
1. Meteorological drought:
It occurs when the total amount of rain fall is less than 75% of the
normal rain fall. It will be severe if the rain fall is less than 50%.
2. Hydrological drought:
It occurs when the total amount of rainfall is less than the average rain
fall. It is generally associated with reduction of water in aquifers, lakes
and reservoirs.
3. Agricultural drought:
It occurs due to the shortage as well as timing of over all rain fall, which
intern reduce the ground water level and reservoir level. Agricultural
drought affects cropped plants.
4. Socio economic drought:
It occurs due to reduction in the availability of food and social security

of the people in the affected areas. Socio economic drought leads to
famine.
Causes of drought:
1. When annual rain falls below normal and less than evaporation,
drought is created.
2. High population.
3. Intensive cropping pattern
(e.g.) Maharashtra
There has been no recovery from drought for the last 30 years due to
over exploitation of water by sugarcane crop.
Effects of drought:
1. Drought causes hunger, malnutrition and scarcity of drinking water an

also changes the quality of water.
2. Drought causes widespread crop failure leading to acute shortage of
food and adversely affects human and live stock population.
3. Worst situation of drought causes desertification.
4. Raw materials of agro based industries are critically affected during
drought time, hence industrial and commercial growth decreases.
5. Drought increases the degradation of natural resources.
6. Drought causes large migration of people and urbanisation.
Drought management:
1. Indigeneous knowledge is essential.
2. Rain water harvesting system.
3. Construction of reservoir to improve ground water level.
4. Modern irrigation technology (drip irrigation) very useful to conserve
water.
5. Afforestation activities also improve the potential of water in the
drought area.
6. Crop mixing and dry forming are the suitable methods which
minimise the risk of crop failures in dry area.
Conflicts over water:

Causes of water conflict:
1. Conflict through use:
Unequal distribution of water led to inter state and international disputes.

National conflicts:
a. Sharing of cauvery water between Karnataka and TamilNadu.
b. Sharing of Krishna water between Karnataka and Andrapradesh
c. Siruvani – TamilNadu and Kerala
International conflicts:
a. Indus – India and Pakistan
b. Colorado river – Mexico and USA
c. Bhramaputra – India and Bangladesh

2. Construction of dams or power stations:
For hydro electric power generation, dams are built across the river. It
creates the conflicts between the states.
3. Conflicts through pollution:
Water reservoirs like lakes and rivers are also used for industrial
purposes, therefore removal industrial wastes creates conflicts.
Management of conflicts over water:
1. Efforts to implement laws to check these practices to control water
pollution.
2. Conflicts over sharing of river water in the country are studied by
many organisation and several solutions are suggested.( The inter
linking of rivers has been one such solution)
Case study:
Conflicts on Indian River:
According to UN report, fresh water is a serious problem
1 billion people – no fresh drinking water
2 billion people – no water for proper sanitation.
(e.g) Damodhar River
Most polluted river from 45 major industries
Water resource Organisation Source
management S.No
1 Central water Surface water
commission
2 Central ground Ground water
water board
3 Indian Precipitation
meteorological
department
4 Central pollution Water quality
control board
5 Ministry of Water for irrigation
agriculture
6 Ministry of Environmental
environment and impact assessment
forest
7 Central public Water supply,
health and sanitation and
env.engg sewage disposal
8 Department of Hydro electric
power power
9 Department of Watershed
forest management

Natural Resources

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www.Vidyarthiplus.

4. They remove pollutant from air.

8. They promote tourism.

Carbon dioxide is one of the main green house gas. It is absorbed by

Developmental projects causes deforestation through two ways.

(e.g) big dams, hydro electric projects, road construction etc.

It reduces forest areas. (e.g.)Mica, coal, Manganese and lime stone.

Wood is an important raw material for various purposes. (e.g.) making

Wood is the important fuel for rural and tribal population.

Replacement of natural forest ecosystem for mono specific tree

Forest fire destructs thousands of forest.

Over grazing by cattle reduces the cultivation land.

7. Degradation of soil and acceleration of the rate of soil erosion.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES (OR) AVOID OF DEFORESTATION

Steps involved in mining:

Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people:

4. Water logging reduces the salinity of the soil.

(e.g) Narmadha sagar project it has submerged 3.5 lakhs hectares of

1. Decrease of ground water:

Near the agricultural land ground water decreases therefore water

Lack of water for the narrow needs of agriculture, livestock, industry or

It occurs due to reduction in the availability of food and social security

1. Drought causes hunger, malnutrition and scarcity of drinking water an

Conflicts over water:

Unequal distribution of water led to inter state and international disputes.

c. Bhramaputra – India and Bangladesh

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