Unit 3 - Natural Resources

&
Unit 5-Pollution
 Topics List Unit-wise

Unit-3 Natural Resources Unit -5 Pollution

• Land Resources • Land
• Water resources • Water
• Energy Resources • Air
• Case studies • Nuclear
• Noise, Thermal
• Solid Waste Management
• Case studies
 Natural Resources
• Definition: Materials or substances (living and non-living) obtained from nature for human sustenance.

Types of NRs

Renewable and Perpetual Non- Renewable

(E.g. Solar, Water, Air, Soil, Forests,
Grasslands, Aquatic systems etc.)

Fossil Fuels, Soil, Minerals, Wood/Timber

 Types of Natural Resources

Land Water Energy

Soil Renewable
Freshwater
Forest

Food (Agriculture,
Oceans
Fisheries etc.) Non-Renewable
Minerals
 Land Resources
• The old saying, “buy land – they’re not making any more of it”. Takes millions to billions of years in formation.

• Soil is a finite resource: Its loss and degradation are not recoverable within a human lifespan.

• Basis for food, feed, fuel, fibre and mineral production, water and for many critical ecosystem services.

• Need for various other human activities such as industrial setup, towns & cities build up, habitat for biodiversity
etc.

• Largest and most important natural resource, yet often overlooked.

• The natural area of productive soils is limited – Under increasing pressure of intensification and various competing
uses.

• Reclaiming wastelands is an important part of India’s planning for the future.

• Soils need to be recognized and valued for their productive capacities as well as their contribution to food security
and the maintenance of key ecosystem services.
 Types of Soils (India)
• Soil formed by weathering of rocks by water,
wind, biological and chemical actions.
• Varies from region to region depending upon
climate and geological conditions.

• Soils found in India are:

• Alluvial, Red, Loamy, peaty, Saline, Laterite,
Mountain soil, arid etc.
• Each soil has a specific composition
• Support different varieties of crops/vegetation
Soil Image Properties Location Crops

Alluvial Light grey to ash grey in color.
Dark, black in color- Rich in
nutrients.
Found near banks of Paddy, sugarcane,
river- Ganga, wheat, Rice, cotton,
Brahmaputra, Northern jute, potatoes etc
plains, some coastal
areas.

Black Large amount is clay. Retains Gujarat, Maharashtra, Cotton, sugarcane,

water. Good for crops requiring MP, Jharkhand, Andhra tobacco, maize, jowar,
water year-round. Contains Pradesh, Karnataka etc. chilly, wheat, rice,
lime, magnesia, iron. Thought vegetables, fruits etc.
to be formed due to lava
solidification.

Red & Yellow Red- iron
Yellow- Due to hydration.
Formed due to decomposition
of granite, gneisses.
Poor in nitrogen, phosphorous,
and humic acid.
Needs fertilizers.
Western Ghats, Goa, Red gram, castor seeds,
Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bengal gram,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, groundnuts, pulses,
Eastern parts of millets, cotton, tobacco
Rajasthan, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Assam,
Nagaland, UP, MP
Soil Image Properties Location Crops

Laterite Found in High Rainfall and high Western ghats, TN, Coffee, rubber, cashew
temperatures areas. Rains wash the Kerala, Assam hills, nuts, tapioca, Rice
topmost layers. Rich in iron and Odisha, MP, Karnataka
Aluminium. Poor in silica and
phosphates.
Good for construction material.
Need fertilizers for agriculture.
Arid or Sandy soil in extremely dry conditions. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Desert vegetation,
Desert With irrigation suitable for agriculture. Haryana, Parts of millet, barley, maize etc.
Punjab

Peaty Black loamy soil. High content of Bihar, TN, Uttranchal, Wheat, sugarcane, jute,
organic matter and humus. High rainfall Bengal, Kerala pulses, oil seeds,
and average temp. cotton, sugarcane.
Good for agriculture but requires
maintenance to prevent leaching.

Saline - High content of salts. Large amount of Dry and swampy areas. No agriculture.
K & Mg. Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP,
- Infertile. Maharashtra, Punjab
 Soils:
• Governs the settlements of human populations.

• Governs the agricultural crop productivity.

• Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy- Source of income, employment and
food security.

• Ensures food security and economic sustainability

• Types of crops:
• Food crops & Horticulture: Wheat, Rice, jowar, bajra, pulses, cereals, fruits, vegetables etc.
• Cash Crops: Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Silk, oil seeds etc.
• Some crops fall in both categories depending upon the consumption: Tea, coffee, Silk, coconut etc.
• Kharif: Dry & monsoonal Season like Rice.
• Rabi: Spring Harvest or Winter Crops like wheat
• Zaid: March to June. E.g. watermelon, vegetables, cucumber etc.
 Forest Resources:
• Ecosystem Services
Classification scheme of Forests

Source: Forest Survey of India

Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019

• Indian State of Forest Report

(ISFR) 2019 released on 30 Dec.
2019 by Env. Minister Sh. Prakash
Javadekar.
• Biennial report on the status of
forests in India.
• Total forest cover is 21.67% of
total geographical area.

Source: Forest Survey of India

 ISFR 2019
ØForest cover and tree cover is increased to 24.56%.
ØTarget 2030: 33% of Indian Geographical Area.
ØISFR 2019 includes:
• Forest cover
• Tree cover
• Mangrove cover
• Growing stock inside and outside forest areas
• Carbon stocks in India’s forests
• Forest fires monitoring
• Forest cover in different slopes and altitudes
ØIncrease in forest cover: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, J&K, HP.
ØDeclining in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland due to
shifting agriculture.
ØWetlands- maximum in Gujarat and WB. Mangrove cover increasing in Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Odisha. Decreasing in TN, WB, A&N Islands.
 ISFR 2019
• 60% of FC falls in tribal districts, where biggest conflicts like mining, dam, roads
construction have located. These areas are important for forest services estimation.
• FC in tribal areas is decreasing.
• For the first time: Tree biodiversity( tree, shrubs and herbs) included.
• Tree biodiversity maximum in AP, TN, Karnataka.
• The current carbon stock in country’s forests is 7124.6 million tonnes. Carbon stock
increased by 42.6 million tonnes from 2017. Annual increase in 21.3 million tonnes
which is 78.2 million tonnes CO2 eq. (On track of Paris Agreement Commitment).
• Dependence of fuelwood on forests is highest in the State of Maharashtra, whereas,
for fodder, small timber and bamboo, dependence is highest in Madhya Pradesh.
Annual removal of the small timber by the people living in forest fringe villages is
nearly 7% of the average annual yield of forests in the country.
• The analysis reveals that 21.40% of the forest cover of the country is highly to
extremely fire prone.
Threats to Forest Resources
• Deforestation & Degradation

• Agriculture

• Developmental activities

• Natural disasters
 Conservation of Forests
• Forest Protection Act 1980 – To curb the deforestation. To maintain the ecology and biodiversity of the forests.

• Amendment in 1988: Formation of Joint Forest Management (JFM) to increase collaboration of local communities and Forest
Deptt in sustainable management of forests.

• 1990 resolution provided more structured participation of local communities by forming Village Forest Communities (VFCs).
In 2002, new guidelines instructed in sharing 25% of income from area to go to communities.

• Advancement in monitoring of the existing forests as well as new tree cover patches.

• Industries involved in Non forest activities like mining must pay Net Present Value (NPV) (One time payment). This amount
goes to Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) used for afforestation and reforestation.
• Creation of Protected Areas (PAs).
• Large scale afforestation drive
• Creating awareness about conservation programs using multiple platforms.
• Need to understand individual responsibilities towards forests.
 3. Food Resources
• Food: Any substance consumed by people, plants or animals that provides nutrition and
energy needed to maintain life and growth.
• According to World Health Organization (WHO), healthy diet:
• Consists of balanced, diverse and appropriate selection of foods.
• Protects against malnourishment and Non-Communicable Diseases like diabetes, stroke,
heart diseases and cancer.
• Eradicating Hunger or Zero Hunger - 2nd Sustainable Development Goals. It usually is
associated with Zero Poverty (SDG 1).
• Definition of food security:
• Many definitions have been formulated since 1970s. Most used is given by World Food Summit 1996:

“Food security, at the individual, household, national, regional and global levels [is achieved] when all people,
at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary
needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.
 Why food security is important for a nation?
• Many nations like India have included Right to Food as fundamental right in their
constitutions.
• Articles 21, 39a and 47- Constitution of India.
• It is inherent to a life with dignity.

• Poverty and hunger go hand in hand.

• Important for physical and mental growth of the individual and thus all the aspects of
economic and social growth.

• Healthy individuals are able to contribute more to society and development .

• Reduces dependence upon other countries. Increases the self worth of a nation.

• With rising population, nations should be able to meet the food related demands of their
people.
 Major food resources
• Agriculture:
• Major source of food supply in the world. Out of 50000 edible plants in the world, only
15 contribute to 90% of world’s food intake with 2/3rd contribution coming from rice,
wheat and maize. Others include tubers, millets, sorghum, yam, taro, vegetables and
fruits.
• Animal husbandry/livestock farming/Ranching:
• Branch of agriculture. India home to largest livestock population in the world. Important for dairy,
meat and eggs production. Source of income and employment in rural economy.

Wheat Rice Maize/Corn

2nd Most produced, Most traded crop Widely produced, 3rd significant crop
Thinly traded
India, China, US, EU major producers Grown majorly under flooded conditions. USA- Major producer, consumer & Exporter

Major consumers: China, India, EU, RF, USA Major producers are China, India US, Russia, Ukraine, South America

EU uses wheat mainly for biofuel production Majorly used as livestock feed. As Livestock
increases, production increases.
Can be used for biofuel production.
• Fisheries:
• Vital for food security- Provide high quality, easily digestible protein. Helps fight
micronutrient deficiencies.
• Used for livestock feeding as well (Fish oil & fish meal).
• Important source of income, livelihood and trade around the world.
• Fisheries include aquaculture (fish farming in natural & man-made fish ponds) and
fishes caught in wild.
• Increase in per capita consumption over the years.
• Aquaculture is dominant in developing countries.
• China is the leading fish producer and exporter in the world followed by India
(aquaculture).
• India is self sufficient in food production.
• India (in the world) is:
• Largest producer(25%), consumer (27%) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
• Second largest producer: Rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnuts, fruits (10.9%) and
vegetables (8.6%).
• Largest producer of milk, jute.

• India still accounts for a quarter of the world’s hungry people

• Home to over 190 million undernourished people. Largest for a single country.
• An estimated 15.2% of the population of India are too malnourished to lead a
normal life. A third of the world’s malnourished children live in India.
• Incidence of poverty is now pegged at nearly 30 percent.
• Global Nutrition Report (2016) India rank:
• 114th out of 132 countries on under-5 stunting and
• 120th out of 130 countries on under-5 wasting and
• 170th out of 185 countries on prevalence of anaemia.
• Anaemia continues to affect 50 percent of women including pregnant women and 60 percent of
children in the country. Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, UN
• Global Nutrition Report (2020)- India may miss certain targets by 2025
• No progress in Anaemia prevention
• Little progress in preventing stunting among children under age 0-5 years.
• With 17.3% affected - No progress to curb wasting among children under 5 years of age.
Highest among the world.

Source: Global Nutrition Report 2020

 State of Food Security and Nutrition Report 2020 (SOFI 2020)
• Annual report published jointly Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) UN, IFAD, UNICEF,
WFP, and WHO.
• To inform on progress towards ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition
and to provide in depth analysis on key challenges in achieving this goal.
• The report targets a wide audience, including policy-makers, international organizations,
academic institutions and the general public.
• According to SOFI 2020:
• World is off-track the to achieve SDG 2.0 by 2030.
• # of people suffering from hunger increasing slowly since 2014.
• 746 million people facing food insecurity in 2019. Majority of them Asia and Africa.
• Increase in moderate and severe food insecurity.
• Growing no. of people have been found to be compromising on quality and/or quantity of
food consumed.
 Factors threatening Food Security
• Increasing population- More consumption than production in some parts of the world. By 2050, 9 billion population of world.
• Conflicts.
• Agricultural practices
• Chemical fertilizers, Pesticides and insecticides
• Excessive irrigation – waterlogging and salinity
• Use of High Yield Varieties
• Cultivation of few marketable crops only
• Animal husbandry:
• Overgrazing- Grasslands being converted to wastelands – no fodder for livestock.
• Grasslands being utilized for feed crop cultivation. E.g. soybeans for livestock feed.
• Soil erosion
• Water availability: 25% of world’s agriculture lies in water stressed areas.
• Overfishing
• Unhealthy competition – Under-quality overpriced food form rich nations affect the food prices in developing countries.
• Undermines native crop production
• compromise nutritive values
• Increase in unhealthy practices
• Climate change- affects the growth and pattern of certain crops. Rising temp. will lead to more droughts and spreading of diseases.
• Food wastage from production till consumption line.
 Remedial Measures
• Easier said than done – One of the most complex issues.
• Requires political, private and public collaboration.
• Indian schemes: National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), the Integrated Schemes on
Oilseeds, Pulses, Palm oil and Maize (ISOPOM), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, anganwadis, public distribution
systems, mid-day meals in schools etc.
• Need to curb land degradation by adopting proper land management techniques.
• Sustainable agricultural activities.
• Crop rotation technique- Growing different crops on the same agricultural area rather than one or two only.
• Disease resistant or pest-resistant seeds utilization.
• Use of organic fertilizers, pesticides/insecticides. Less dependence on chemicals.
• Agricultural sector needs more encouragement from government esp. small farmers - Will ensure productivity and
generation of employment.
• Preserving wild relatives of crops.
• Need to implement fair and equitable food distribution systems.
• Judicious use of water and energy resources. Encouraging growing of water intensive crops in areas where plenty of
water is available year-round.
• Reducing wastage of food.
 Links for further/detailed reading
• https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/57d27093-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/57d27093-en#section-
d1e16333
• http://www.fao.org/3/ca9692en/online/ca9692en.html#chapter-executive_summary
• https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-and-covid-19

• https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/what-does-un-environment-programme-bring-table-zero-
budget-natural-farming
• https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/nobels-shed-light-hunger-crisis
 Mineral Resources
• Minerals: Have specific chemical composition and physical properties.
• Classified in many ways as per need.
• Mainly classified as Metallic and Non-Metallic
 Mining
• Steps involved in mining process:
• Prospecting
• Exploration
• Development
• Exploitation
• Exploitation of a mineral deposit greatly depend upon above mentioned
steps.

• Sub-surface and Deep Mines

 Significance of MR
Provides essentials
Employment
minerals for economic
opportunities.
growth

Infrastructure
development – Real Fertilizers
estate

Technological
development – cars,
electronics, energy
 Indian Scenario
• 11 states producing 90% of minerals in India: Andhra Pradesh, Orrisa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB,
Maharashtra, TN, Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan, Karnataka.
• Examples of few important mines in India:
• Jharia Coal Mines,
• Singhrauli Coal Fields, MP (Largest Gondwana Coal)
• Jaduguda Uranium Mines, Jharkhand
• Singhbhaum iron ores- Jharkhand, Bailadila Iron ore, Chhattisgarh,
• Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka etc.
• For more: Refer the chapter pdf provided.

• India mines 95 minerals. India has good amount of energy mineral resources.

• India is:
• Second largest crude steel producer - 111.2 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel production in 2019.
• Largest producer of sheet mica in the world and has the seventh largest bauxite reserves at around 2,908.85
MT in FY19.
• 4th largest iron ore producer in the world.
• Iron ore production in the country increased to 206.45 million tonnes (MT) in FY20. In FY20, India’s iron and
steel export were valued at US$ 9.28 billion.
• On the verge of becoming 2nd largest coal producer in the world. Coal India is the largest coal produceing
company in the world.
(Source: https://www.ibef.org/industry/metals-and-mining-presentation)
 • Ecological destruction- biodiversity loss
• Pollution- Air and water, Noise
• Land degradation
Drawbacks of • Land subsidence
Mining • Diseases- Pneumoconiosis or black lung disease
• Mine accidents – Blasts, Fire, flooding. Roof collapsing etc.
• Illegal labour
• Rehabilitation and resettlement of local people, tribal people and forest dwellers
 Mitigation Measures (Mining)
• Proper planning of all activities before the beginning of mining should be done.
• Reducing waste. Focus on recycling and reuse of various metals.

• Appropriate restoration methods should be strictly carried out. Local communities can be involved in
the restoration process.

• Penalties should be levied on offenders.

• Technology should be developed to minimize the ecological destruction.

• Biological and chemical methods can also be utilized in post processing of ores.

• Taking stringent pollution control measures.

• Regularization of illegal mines would help in stopping illegal child labour as well as provide income
source to poor villages.
• Creating awareness among the workers involved. Proper training and basic protective gear should be
provided to all workers.
 Land/Soil Pollution (Summary)
• Land degradation- temporary or permanent reduction in land productivity
• Deforestation
• Ecological destruction – biodiversity loss
• Unsustainable agricultural practices
• Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides
• Excessive irrigation- water logging, salinity, lowering ground water table
• Fixed crop pattern like Rice-wheat-rice.
• Developmental activities
• Mining, Dam, Road construction
• Urbanization- solid waste, land fills leakage, sewage sludge
• Industrial waste- toxic waste, hot water, radioactive waste
• Desertification
• Overgrazing
• Soil erosion
• Droughts
• Invasive species
• Climate change effects exacerbate the situation.
Mitigation measures to Land Pollution
• First and foremost: Keeping the area vegetated with local varieties of plants.
• Increasing afforestation activities- Involve local communities (JFM, NTFP etc.).
• Changing agricultural practices- Reduce dependence upon chemicals,
optimizing irrigation, ensuring proper trading of crops, encouraging and
marketing local produce, reducing slash & burn practices. Promote
terrace/contour farming, windbreaks etc.
• Other techniques may include use of activated charcoal, phytoremediation.
• Emphasis on restoration programs of degraded lands. Building of check dams
can reduce soil erosion.
• Ensuring compliance of restoration methods by the companies after
development project is over.
• Proper disposable of wastes. Implementing strict “Polluter Pays” rule.
• Reducing waste- to optimize consumption of resources.
• Adopting Reduce, reuse and recycle concept.
• Formation and implementation of effective land use policy.
• Using various techniques like microbial decomposition of organic wastes,
using organic waste like cow-dungs and sewage sludge for biofuel production.
• Taking measures to curb global warming and climate change.