MODULE 2 - Natural Resources

Advanced Energy resources (Hydrogen, Solar, OTEC, Tidal and Wind), merits and
demerits, Water resources – cloud seeding, Mineral resources and Forest resources.
Strategies of management, concept of sustainability.

ENERGY

Energy is the capacity to do work. A plenty of energy is needed to sustain

industrial growth and agricultural production.

CLASSIFICATION OF ENERGY

1. Conventional energy: is in practice for long duration of time and well

established technology is available to tap and use them. e.g. Coal, oil, natural gas,
hydro power, nuclear power etc.

2. Non-conventional energy: source can be used with advantage for power

generation as well as other applications in a large number of locations and
situations. These energy sources cannot be easily stored and used conveniently.
e.g. Solar, wind, tidal and geothermal etc.

Based upon nature, energy sources are classified as

1. Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible and are renewed by nature

itself. Solar, wind, tidal, hydro and biomass are few examples.

2. Non-renewable energy sources are exhaustible within a definite period of

time depending upon its usage. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and nuclear fuels are
few examples.

Renewable Nonrenewable

1. sun 1. coal

2. water 2. natural gas

3. wood 3. petroleum
4. wind 4. nuclear fission

5. biomass

6. geothermal

7. ocean tides

HYDROGEN ENERGY
Hydrogen is light in weight, most abundant chemical element (about 90% of
material present on Earth contains hydrogen) of the earth, present in the form of
hydrocarbon, hydrides, organic compounds, water etc. Hydrogen is a cleanest
(burn without emission of carbon containing gases) and renewable source of
energy.

Technology for hydrogen generation

a) Electrolysis of water:
Electrolysis is a process in which electricity is used to decompose
water into hydrogen and oxygen. The cell is filled with pure water and two
electrodes (cathode and anode) are connected with external power source.
When a critical voltage is provide to electrodes then electrodes start to
produce hydrogen gas at cathode and oxygen gas at anode by electrolysis:
At anode 4OH 2H2O  O2  4e 
At cathode 2H aqe  H2
b) Steam methane reforming:
In this process, methane gas is converted into hydrogen gas in
presence of steam. The process comprises three steps; in first step methane is
mixed with steam and fed in catalytic reactor, where methane is converted in
carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In second step, produce carbon monoxide
fed in CO catalytic converter, where CO converts into hydrogen and carbon
dioxide in presence of steam. In last step, carbon dioxide and other
impurities are removed from gas stream and only pure hydrogen gas remains
left.

Energy generation

Fuel cell:
In fuel cell, electricity produces by combination of hydrogen with
oxygen and only water and heat are generated as by product. Fuel cell
consist two electrodes, one cathode and other one is anode. Hydrogen gases
enter through anode side where catalyst (platinum catalyst) converts
hydrogen molecules into hydrogen ions (protons) and release electrons. The
electrons go through the external circuit to produce electricity and hydrogen
ions migrate towards cathode side where hydrogen ions combine with
oxygen in presence of electrons to produce water molecule.

Advantage of hydrogen energy

i) Better energy-to-weight ratio.
ii) ii) Produce zero harmful gas.
iii) iii) Renewable.
iv) iv) High efficiency.

Disadvantage of hydrogen energy

i) Expensive to extract (because hydrogen does not present in pure
form).
ii) Highly inflammable.
iii) Hydrogen is difficult to storage and transport.
SOLAR ENERGY

The surface of the earth receives about 1014 kW from sun in the form of solar
energy which is approximately five orders of magnitude greater than that currently
being consumed from all resources. There are two obvious obstacles to harnessing
solar energy. Firstly it is not constantly available on earth. Thus some form of
storage is needed to sustain solar energy through the night and during rainy season.
Secondly the solar energy is diffused. Although the total amount of energy is
enormous, the collection and conservation of solar energy into useful forms must
be carried out over a large area which entails large capital investments. By using
solar radiation, water or any fluid can be heated by using a solar collector. Such
systems can provide hot water for different applications in industries directly or as
boiler feed and also in hostels, hotels and canteens. There are two types of solar
collectors in use:

Flat plate collector:

The absorber plate is metallic. It is usually coated black to absorb more heat
energy. Tubes, passages or channels integral with the collector carry water or other
working fluid. Insulation should be provided at the back and at the sides to
minimize the heat losses. Usually glass wool is used as insulation material. A
transparent cover (glass) will be provided at the top to permit the radiation from
the sun to the metal plate.

Parabolic or concentrating collector

Highly polished metallic surfaces are used as the reflector. The reflector will have
a parabolic shape so that the sun rays striking the profile will be reflected on its
focal point. If a tube carrying a fluid is kept along the focal line, the fluid will be
heated to a very high temperature.
Advantages
1. Renewable source of energy

2. Pollution free

3. After the capital cost, the cost of power generation is quite low

4. Wide range of applications, powering street lights to satellites

Disadvantages
1. Capital cost is very high

2. Large area of land is required

3. Large number of solar panels are required

4. Affected by seasons.

TIDAL ENERGY

The periodic rise and fall of water level of sea which are carried by the
action of the sun and moon on water of the earth is called “tide”. The
large scale up and down movement of sea water represents an
unlimited source of energy. The main feature of the tidal cycle is the
difference in water surface elevations at the high tide and at the low
tide. If the differential head could be utilized in operating a hydraulic
turbine, the tidal energy could be converted into electrical energy by
means of an attached generator.

Tidal Power Plant

A Tidal power plant mainly consists of the following:

1. A barrage with gates and sluices

2. One or more basins

3. A power house

A barrage is a barrier constructed across the sea to create a basin for

storing water. The barrage has to withstand the pressure exerted by the
water head and also should resist the shock of the waves. A basin is
the area where water is retained by the barrage. Low head reversible
water turbines are installed in the barrage separating the sea from the
basin. During high tide, water will flow from sea to tidal basin
through turbine, thus producing electricity. During low tide, water will
flow from tidal basin to sea through turbine producing electricity.
Advantages
1. It is inexhaustible source of energy
2. No problem of pollution
3. The cost of power generation is quite low.
4. High output can be obtained compared to solar or wind energy
Disadvantages
1. Capital cost is very high.
2. As the head is not constant, variable output is obtained.
3. As the head is low, large amount of water is necessary for the turbine.
4. It will not operate when the available head is less than 0.5m

WIND ENERGY

The electrical energy can be generated by wind energy by utilizing the

kinetic energy of wind. The wind energy which is an indirect source of
energy can be used to run a wind mill which in turn drives a generator to
produce electricity. Wind mills are classified into two types:
[Link] Axis Wind Turbine
Horizontal axis wind turbines have the main rotor shaft running
horizontally. Fig shows a schematic arrangement of a horizontal axis
machine. This system consists of a tower mounted two bladed or multi
bladed rotor facing the wind, rotating around a horizontal axis and turning
an electrical generator. The Blades are generally made of composite
material, usually fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) because of its high strength
and light weight. Wind mills are manufactured with a capacity from a few
kilowatts to several megawatts in Europe, the USA, and other parts of the
world including India.

2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Vertical axis wind turbines have the main rotor shaft running
vertically. The tower construction is simple here because the generator and
gear box can be placed at the bottom, near the ground.

Advantages
1. Wind is Renewable and free of cost

2. Pollution free

3. Can be installed in remote villages, thus reducing costly transmission

lines
Disadvantages
1. Capital cost is very high

2. Large area of land is required

3. Maintenance cost is very high

WATER RESOURCES

'Water is the driver of Nature' - Leonardo daVinci

Water is an indispensable resource for life on earth. Approximately

70.8 % surface of earth is covered with water in the form of oceans. Out of this,
about 97% is not fit for human consumption, about 2% is locked as a glacier and
only less than 1% available as fresh water that can be used for human consumption
and other uses.

Water is a vital elixir for all living beings. Although it is a renewable

resource, scarcity of quality water is felt in many parts of the world. We need water
to grow food, keep clean, generate electricity, control fire, and last but not the
least, we need it to stay alive.

World Ocean water covers about 75 percent of the surface of the earth.
Therefore, the earth is called the water planet. Ocean water is saline and not fit for
human consumption. Fresh water is just about 2.7 percent of the total water. Global
warming and perpetuating water pollution have made a considerable part of
available freshwater unfit for human consumption. As a result, water is very
scarce.

Steps need to be taken to conserve water. Water is renewable, but its overuse
and pollution make it unfit for use. Sewage, industrial use, chemicals, etc. pollute
water with nitrates, metals, and pesticides.

Use of Water Resources

Water resources are used for agricultural, industrial, domestic, recreational,

and environmental activities. Majority of the uses require fresh water.
 However, about 97 percent of water found on the earth is salt water and only
three percent is fresh water. A little over two-thirds of the available fresh water is
frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. The remaining freshwater is found mainly as
groundwater and a negligible portion of it is present on the ground or in the air.

Following is a brief account of how water is used in different sectors.

Agricultural Use

Agriculture accounts for 69 percent of all water consumption basically in

agricultural economies like India. Agriculture, therefore, is the largest consumer of
the Earth’s available freshwater.

By 2050, the global water demand of agriculture is estimated to increase by

a further 19% due to irrigational needs. Expanding irrigation needs are likely to put
undue pressure on water storage. It is still inconclusive whether further expansion
of irrigation, as well as additional water withdrawals from rivers and groundwater,
will be possible in future.

Industrial Use

Water is the lifeblood of the industry. It is used as a raw material coolant, a

solvent, a transport agent, and as a source of energy. Manufacturing industries
account for a considerable share in the total industrial water consumption. Besides,
paper and allied products, chemicals and primary metals are major industrial users
of water.

Worldwide, the industry accounts for 19 percent of total consumption. In

industrialized countries, however, industries use more than half of the water
available for human use.
Domestic Use

It includes drinking, cleaning, personal hygiene, garden care, cooking,

washing of clothes, dishes, vehicles, etc. Since the end of World War II there has
been a trend of people moving out of the countryside to the ever-expanding cities.
This trend has important implications on our water resources.

Government and communities have had to start building large water-supply

systems to deliver water to new populations and industries. Of all water
consumption in the world, domestic use accounts for about 12 percent.

Use for Hydropower Generation

Electricity produced from water is hydropower. Hydropower is the leading

renewable source of electricity in the world. It accounts for about 16 percent of
total electricity generation globally. There are many opportunities for hydropower
development throughout the world.

Today, the leading hydropower generating countries are China, the US,
Brazil, Canada, India, and Russia.

Use for Navigation and Recreation

Navigable waterways are defined as watercourses that have been or may be

used for transport of interstate or foreign commerce. Agricultural and commercial
goods are moved on water on a large scale in a number of regions in the world.

Overutilization of Surface and Ground Water

Water scarcity has become a burning global issue. The UN has held several
conventions on water in recent decades. Continuous overutilization of surface and
ground water has led to virtual water scarcity in the world today.
 The depleting sources for high growth in human population over the
centuries and increased man-induced water pollution across the world have created
unforeseen water scarcity around the globe. As a result, there has been continuous
overutilization of the existing water sources due to mammoth growth in world
population.

Groundwater is the major source of water in many parts of the world.

However, there has been continuous depletion of this source due to its
overexploitation by rising human population and the rapid rise in industrialization
and urbanization in modern times.

Water is also used for recreational purposes such as boating, swimming, and
sporting activities. These uses affect the quality of water and pollute it. Highest
priority should be given to public health and drinking water quality while
permitting such activities in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers.

Consequences of Overutilization

Water scarcity now becomes an important topic in international diplomacy.

From village to the United Nations, water scarcity is a widely-discussed topic in
decision making.

Nearly three billion people in the world suffer from water scarcity.
International, intrastate and regional rivalries on water are not new to world. The
ongoing Jordan River conflict, Nile River conflict, and Aral Sea conflict are cases
in point. The intra-state issues such as Cauvery Water dispute in South India, 2000
Cochabamba protests in Bolivia is still a simmering cauldron causing periodic
tension at the national and regional levels.
 According to World Health Organization (WHO) sources, a combination of
rising global population, economic growth and climate change means that by 2050
five billion (52%) of the world’s projected 9.7 billion people will live in areas
where fresh water supply is under pressure. Researchers expect about 1 billion
more people to be living in areas where water demand exceeds surface-water
supply.

Climate Change

Scientists, environmentalists, and biologists worldwide are now alarmed that

climate change can have an impact on the drainage pattern and hydrological cycle
on the earth thereby severely affecting the surface and groundwater availability.

Climate change is believed to rise the global temperature at an increasing

pace. Temperature increase affects the hydrological cycle by directly increasing
evaporation of available surface water and vegetation transpiration.

As a result, precipitation amount, timing and intensity rates are largely

affected. It impacts the flux and storage of water in surface and subsurface
reservoirs.

Floods & Draughts

Floods and droughts are two well-known natural hazards in the world. The
former is due to excess in water flow and the latter is due to scarcity of [Link]
amount of rainfall received by an area varies from one place to another depending
on the location of the place. In some places it rains almost throughout the year
whereas in other places it might rain for only few days. India records most of its
rainfall in the monsoon season.
 Heavy rains lead to rise in the water level of rivers, seas, and oceans. Water
gets accumulated in the coastal areas, which results in floods. Floods bring in
extensive damage to crops, domestic animals, property and human life. During
floods, many animals get carried away by the force of water and eventually die.

On the other hand, droughts set in when a particular region goes without rain
for a long period of time. In the meantime, the soil will continuously lose
groundwater by the process of evaporation and transpiration. Since this water is not
brought back to earth in the form of rains, the soil becomes very dry.

The level of water in the ponds and rivers goes down and in some cases
water bodies get dried up completely. Ground water becomes scarce and this leads
to droughts. In drought conditions, it is very difficult to get food and fodder for the
survival. Life gets difficult and many animals perish in such conditions.

Frequent floods and droughts are mostly due to climate change and global
warming. Various environmental organizations world over are of the view that
climate change is a long-term change in weather patterns, either in average weather
conditions or in the distribution of extreme weather events.

Cloud seeding

cloud seeding, deliberate introduction into clouds of various substances that

act as condensation nuclei or ice nuclei in an attempt to induce precipitation.
Although the practice has many advocates, including national, state, and provincial
government officials, some meteorologists and atmospheric scientists question its
effectiveness.
 weather modification, the deliberate or the inadvertent alternation of
atmospheric conditions by human activity, sufficient to modify the weather on
local or regional scales.

About:

Cloud seeding is the process of spreading either dry ice or more commonly,
silver iodide aerosols, into the upper part of clouds to try to stimulate the
precipitation process and form rain.

Cloud seeding uses planes to spray clouds with chemicals to condense

smaller particles into larger rain droplets.

Cloud seeding increases rainfall rates by approximately 10% to 30% per

year and cloud seeding operations cost much less than the desalination process.
Cloud Seeding Methods:

Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding:

Disperses salts through flares or explosives in the lower portions of clouds.

The salt grows in size as water joins with them.

Static Cloud Seeding:

It involves spreading a chemical like silver iodide into clouds. The silver
iodide provides a crystal around which moisture can condense.

The moisture is already present in the clouds, but silver iodide essentially
makes rain clouds more effective at dispensing their water.

Dynamic Cloud Seeding:

It aims to boost vertical air currents, which encourages more water to pass
through the clouds, translating into more rain.

The process is considered more complex than static cloud seeding because it
depends on a sequence of events working properly.

Applications of Cloud Seeding:

Agriculture:

It creates rain, providing relief to drought-stricken areas.

E.g.: ‘Project Varshadhari’ in Karnataka in 2017.

Power Generation:

Cloud seeding experiments have shown to augment production of

hydroelectricity during the last 40 years in Tasmania, Australia.
Water Pollution Control:

Cloud seeding can help to maintain minimum summer flows of the rivers
and dilute the impact of treated wastewater discharges from municipalities and
industries.

Fog Dispersal, Hail Suppression, and Cyclone Modification:

During the winter the cloud seeding programme is used to increase the
mountain snowpack so that additional runoff is received during the spring melt
season.

“Project Sky Water” of the U.S.A. in 1962 for weather modification through
cloud seeding aimed at fog dispersal, hail suppression, and cyclone modification.

Tackle Air Pollution:

Cloud seeding can potentially be used to settle down toxic air pollutants
through the rain.

E.g.: Recently, the Central Pollution Control Board along with other
researchers mulled the use of cloud seeding to tackle Delhi’s air pollution.

Tourism:

Cloud seeding can transform typically dry areas much more hospitable to
enhance tourism.

What are the Challenges involved in Cloud Seeding?

Potential Side-effects:

The chemicals used in cloud seeding might be potentially harmful to plants,

animals, and people, or the environment.
Abnormal Weather Patterns:

It might ultimately change climatic patterns on the planet. Places that

normally receive moisture might start experiencing drought due to the artificial
process of adding chemicals to the atmosphere to stimulate rain.

Costly:

It involves processes such as delivering chemicals to the sky and releasing

them into the air by flare shots or airplanes, which involves huge costs and logistic
preparation.

Pollution:

As artificial rain falls, seeding agents like silver iodide, dry ice or salt will
also fall. Residual silver discovered in places near cloud-seeding projects is
considered toxic. As for dry ice, it can also be a source of greenhouse gas that
contributes to global warming, as it is basically carbon dioxide.

Mineral resources

Minerals are naturally occurring elements or compounds that have been

formed through slow inorganic processes. Modern civilization is based on the use
and exploitation of mineral resources. Minerals can be metallic and non-metallic.

Minerals are not evenly distributed in the Earth. Some countries are rich in
mineral deposits whereas others are devoid of it.

Use of mineral resources is an integral part and one of the key premises of
development worldwide. With rapid increase in population and a more rapid
increase in society’s development needs, the requirements for minerals have grown
and diversified manifold.
 Extraction of minerals is carried out through mining. Minerals are extracted
from beneath the surface, processed, and used for different purposes.

Mineral resources, however, are exhaustible and finite, which means

excessive use may affect their availability in the future.

Exploitation of Mineral Resources

Exploitation of mineral refers to the use of mineral resources for economic

growth. Exploitation of mineral resources at a mindless speed to meet the growing
needs of modern civilization has resulted in many environmental problems.

Although, the exploitation of minerals began at a slow pace during the

industrial revolution in Western countries, during the 20th century, the exploitation
of some minerals, especially the fossil fuels increased exponentially to meet the
growing energy need. Today, about 80% of the world’s energy consumption is
sustained by the extraction of fossil fuels, which consists of oil, coal, and gas.

Consequences of Exploitation of Mineral Resources.

Excessive exploitation of mineral resources has led to the following severe

problems.

 Deforestation and desertification

 Extinction of species
 Rapid depletion of high grade minerals
 Forced migration
 Wastage of upper soil layer and vegetation
 Soil erosion and oil depletion
  Ozone depletion
 Greenhouse gas increase
 Environmental pollution
 Natural hazards, etc.

Forest resources

Forest is important renewable resources. Forest vary in composition and

diversity and can contribute substantially to the economic development of any
country .Plants along with trees cover large areas, produce variety of products and
provide food for living organisms, and also important to save the environment.

It is estimated that about 30% of world area is covered by forest whereas 26% by
pastures. Among all continents, Africa has largest forested area (33%) followed by
Latin America (25%), whereas in North America forest cover is only 11%. Asia
and former USSR has 14% area under forest. European countries have only 3%
area under forest cover. India’s Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total
geographical area of the country as of 2005.

Significance of forests

Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important uses of
forest can be classified as under

 Commercial values
 Ecological significance
 Aesthetic values
 Life and economy of tribal

Commercial values
  Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood,
timber, pulpwood etc. About 1.5 billion people depend upon fuel
wood as an energy source. Timber obtained from the forest can used
to make plywood, board, doors and windows, furniture, and
agriculture implements and sports goods. Timber is also a raw
material for preparation of paper, rayon and film.
 Forest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.
 Forest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.
 Forest is important source of development of dams, recreation and
mining.

Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other products needed for tribal people
and play a vital role in the life and economy of tribes living in the forest.

Ecological uses
Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species.
They help in reducing global warming caused by green house gases and produces
oxygen upon photosynthesis.
Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps
in soil conservation but also helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.
Aesthetic values
All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the forest
because forests have a greatest aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for
recreation and ecosystem research.
Over exploitation of forests
Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing
 population increased demand of fuel wood, expansion of area under urban
development and industries has lead to over exploitation of forest .At present
international level we are losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually.
Overexploitation also occurs due to overgrazing and conversion of forest to
pastures for domestic use.

Deforestation

1. Forest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture ,harvesting for
wood and timber , development and expansion of cities .These economic
gains are short term where as long term effects of deforestation are
irreversible
2. Deforestation rate is relatively low in temperate countries than in tropics If
present rate of deforestation continues we may losses 90% tropical forest in
coming six decades
3. For ecological balance 33% area should be under forest cover but our nation
has only 20.6% forest cover.
Causes of deforestation
Forest area in some developed area has expanded. However in developing
countries area under forest is showing declining trend particularly in tropical
region. Main causes of deforestation are
a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation
This practise is prevalent in tribal areas where forest lands are cleared to grow
subsistence crops. It is estimated that principle cause of deforestation in tropics in
Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated to be 70, 50, and 35% respectively.
Shifting cultivation which is a practice of slash and burn agriculture are posses to
clear more than 5 lakh hectares of land annually. In India, shifting cultivation is
prevalent in northeast and to limited extent in M.P, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and
is contributing significantly to deforestation.

b) Commercial logging
It is a important deforestation agent. It may not be the primary cause but definitely
it acts as secondary cause, because new logging lots permits shifting cultivation
and fuel wood gatherers access to new logged areas.

c) Need for fuel wood

Increased population has lead to increasing demand for fuel wood which is also
acting as an important deforestation agent, particularly in dry forest.

d) Expansion for agribusiness

With the addition of cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental
plants, there is stress to expand the area for agribusiness products which results in
deforestation,

e) Development projects and growing need for food

The growing demand for electricity, irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has lead
to destruction of forest. Increased population needs more food which has
compelled for increasing area under agriculture crops compelling for deforestation.

f) Raw materials for industrial use

Forest provides raw material for industry and it has exerted tremendous pressure
on forest. Increasing demand for plywood for backing has exerted pressure on
cutting of other species such as fir to be used as backing material for apple in J&K
and tea in northeast states.
[Link] Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects and damages the environment and
living beings .Major causes of deforestation are
 Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility
 Decrease of rain fall due to affect of hydrological cycle
 Expansion of deserts
 Climate change and depletion of water table
 Loss of biodiversity ,flora and fauna
 Environmental changes and disturbance in forest ecosystems
2.2.4 Case studies

1. Jhum cultivation
Jhum Agriculture or shifting agriculture has destroyed large number of hectare of
forest tracts in North-Eastern states and Orissa. Jhum agriculture is subsidence
agriculture in which tract of forest land is cleared by cutting trees and it is used for
cultivation. After few years, when productivity of the land decreases, cultivators
abandon the land and clear next tract. As a result of this practise, combined with
increasing population there is rapid deforestation as more and more cultivators
clear forest to cultivate land. Also, with increase in population there is cultivators
are forced to return to previous tracts of land in relatively shorter durations, not
allowing the land to regain its productivity.

2. Chipko movement
The Chipko movement or Chipko Andolan is a social-ecological movement that
practised the Gandhian methods of satyagraha and non-violent resistance, through
the act of hugging trees to protect them from being felled. The modern Chipko
movement started in the early 1970s in the Garhwal Himalayas of
Uttarakhand,with growing awareness towards rapid deforestation. The landmark
event in this struggle took place on March 26, 1974, when a group of peasant
women in Reni village, Hemwalghati, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India,
acted to prevent the cutting of trees and reclaim their traditional forest rights that
were threatened by the contractor system of the state Forest Department. Their
actions inspired hundreds of such actions at the grassroots level throughout the
region. By the 1980s the movement had spread throughout India and led to
formulation of people-sensitive forest policies, which put a stop to the open felling
of trees in regions as far reaching as Vindhyas and the Western Ghats.

3. Western himalayan region.

Over the last decade, there has been widespread destruction and degradation of
forest resources in Himalayas, especially western Himalayas. This has resulted in
various problems such as erosion of top soil, irregular rainfall, changing weather
patterns and floods. Construction of roads on hilly slopes, have not only
undermined their stability, but also damaged protective vegetation and forest
cover. Tribes in these areas are increasingly facing shortage of firewood and
timber, due large scale tree cutting. Increased traffic volumes on these roads leads
to increased pollution in the area.

4. Timber extraction
There has been unlimited exploitation of timber for commercial use. Due to
increased industrial demand; timber extraction has significant effect on forest and
tribal people.
Logging

 Poor logging results in degraded forest and may lead to soil erosion
especially on slopes.
 New logging roads permit shifting cultivators and fuel wood gatherers to
gain access to the logging area.
 Loss of long term forest productivity
 Species of plants and animals may be eliminated
 Exploitation of tribal people by contractor.
[Link]
Major effects of mining operations on forest and tribal people are:
 Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from
deep deposits is done by sub-surface mining. It leads to degradation of lands
and loss of top soil. It is estimated that about eighty thousands hectare land
is under stress of mining activities in India
 Mining leads to drying up perennial sources of water sources like spring and
streams in mountainous area.
 Mining and other associated activities remove vegetation along with
underlying soil mantle, which results in destruction of topography and
landscape in the area. Large scale deforestation has been reported in
Mussorie and Dehradun valley due to indiscriminating mining.
 The forested area has declined at an average rate of 33% and the increase in
non-forest area due to mining activities has resulted in relatively unstable
zones leading to landslides.
 Indiscriminate mining in forests of Goa since 1961 has destroyed more than
50000 ha of forest land. Coal mining in Jharia, Raniganj and Singrauli areas
has caused extensive deforestation in Jharkhand.
 Mining of magnetite and soapstone have destroyed 14 ha of forest in hilly
slopes of Khirakot, Kosi valley and Almora.
 Mining of radioactive minerals in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are
posing similar threats of deforestation.
 The rich forests of Western Ghats are also facing the same threat due to
mining projects for excavation of copper, chromites, bauxite and magnetite.

Effects of dams on forests and tribal people

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru referred dam and valley projects as “Temples of
modern India”. These big dams and rivers valley projects have multi-
purpose uses. However, these dams are also responsible for the destruction
of forests. They are responsible for degradation of catchment areas, loss of
flora and fauna, increase of water borne diseases, disturbance in forest
ecosystems, rehabilitation and resettlement of tribal peoples.

 India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of
Maharashtra (more than 600), followed by Gujarat (more than 250) and
Madhya Pradesh (130).
 The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the
largest in terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Satluj in Himachal
Pradesh. Big dams have been in sharp focus of various environmental
groups all over the world, which is mainly because of several ecological
problems including deforestation and socio-economic problems related to
tribal or native people associated with them.
  The Silent valley hydroelectric project was one of the first such projects
situated in the tropical rain forest area of Western Ghats which attracted
much concern of the people.
 The crusade against the ecological damage and deforestation caused due to
Tehri dam was led by Shri. Sunder Lal Bahaguna, the leader of Chipko
Movement.
 The cause of Sardar Sarovar Dam related issues have been taken up by the
environmental activitist Medha Patkar, joined by Arundhati Ray and Baba
Amte. For building big dams, large scale devastation of forests takes place
which breaks the natural ecological balance of the region.
 Floods, droughts and landslides become more prevalent in such areas.
Forests are the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in the form of
biodiversity and by destroying them (particularly, the tropical rain forests),
we are going to lose these species even before knowing them. These species
could be having marvellous economic or medicinal value and deforestation
results in loss of this storehouse of species which have evolved over millions
of years in a single stroke.
Forest conservation and management
Forest is one of the most valuable resources and thus needs to be conserved. To
conserve forest, following steps should be taken.

1. Conservation of forest is a national problem, thus it should be tackled with

perfect coordination between concerned government departments.
2. People should be made aware of importance of forest and involved in forest
conservation activities.
3. The cutting of trees in the forests for timber should be stopped.
4. A forestation programmes should be launched
 5. Grasslands should be regenerated.
6. Forest conservation Act should be strictly implemented to check
deforestation.
7. Awards should be instituted for the deserving.

Strategies of management, concept of sustainability.

Sustainability is more than just a nice-to-have for modern businesses. It’s a
key differentiator for companies to stand out and thrive in a dynamic market.
Sustainability management enables you to plan, implement, and track your
sustainability goals through a streamlined workflow.
Concept of sustainability
Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural
resources, we also need social and economic resources.
Environmental sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural
resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and
in the future.
What is environmental sustainability?
According to the U.N Environment Programme2, environmental
sustainability involves making life choices that ensure an equal, if not better, way
of life for future [Link] sustainability aims to improve the
quality of human life without putting unnecessary strain on the earth's
supporting ecosystems. It’s about creating an equilibrium between consumerist
human culture and the living world. We can do this by living in a way that doesn’t
waste or unnecessarily deplete natural resources.
In simple terms, environmental sustainability is the practice of interacting
with the planet responsibly. We do it to avoid depleting natural resources and
compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their daily needs.
Why is sustainability important?
Environmental sustainability is important because of how much energy, food
and human-made resources we use every day. Rapid population growth has
resulted in increased farming and manufacturing, leading to more greenhouse gas
emissions,unsustainable energy use, and deforestation.
In other words, we need more energy and materials than ever before. Despite
this, our planet can only provide so many resources before they begin to deplete.
For this reason,businesses must step in and do their part. They have more power
than any group of individuals, and they can help secure a livable future by
investing in sustainable and responsible practices like reducing waste, using
commercial clean energy, and paying fair wages.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development can be defined as an approach to the economic
development of a country without compromising with the quality of the
environment for future generations.
In the name of economic development, the price of environmental damage is
paid in the form of land degradation, soil erosion, air and water pollution,
deforestation, etc. This damage may surpass the advantages of having more quality
output of goods and services.
Sustainable Development Goals
1) To promote the kind of development that minimises environmental
problems.
2) To meet the needs of the existing generation without compromising with
the quality of the environment for future generations.
Achieving Sustainable Development
There are two primary ways in which environmental sustainability can be
achieved: by
individuals and by corporations and government bodies.
 As individuals, we can take small but effective steps towards a more
sustainable lifestyle, like using less water, reducing our meat consumption and
switching to reusable products to reduce our dependence on single-use plastics.
 From a corporation’s perspective, environmental sustainability may
involve switching to renewable energy in warehouses, factories and offices or
cutting down on single-use plastics in manufacturing.
Sustainable development can be achieved if we follow the following points:
 It can be achieved by restricting human activities.
 Technological development should be input effective and not input
utilising.
 The rate of consumption should not surpass the rate of salvation.
 For renewable resources, the rate of consumption should not surpass the
rate of production of renewable substitutes.
 All types of pollution should be minimised.
 It can be achieved by sensible use of natural resources.
Examples of Sustainable Development
 Wind energy
 Solar energy
 Crop rotation
 Sustainable construction
 Efficient water fixtures
 Green space
 Sustainable forestry
What are the three types of sustainable development?
The three types of sustainable development are:
  Economic viability
 Environmental protection
 Social equity
The two examples of sustainable development are:
1. Solar energy: Harnessing the solar energy to reduce pollution in the
environment.
2. Crop Rotation : Planting different types of crops on the same land on a
rotational basis for improving soil fertility.
Advantages of sustainability management
Increased social responsibility
Systematizing your sustainability efforts makes your organization more
socially responsible by consistently tracking your progress against predefined
goals. In addition, a management framework encourages you to take more
conscious action to fulfill your responsibilities toward the environment and
contribute to social welfare.
Reduced environmental impact
A sustainability management framework outlines the key actions you must
take to meet your targets. This means you're strategically planning for a positive
environmental impact, like reducing your carbon footprint, recycling at a bigger
scale, and removing single-use plastics, among other aspects.
Improved economic performance
Sustainability can directly impact your company’s profitability. As a result,
investors are increasingly considering ESG factors for taking up any projects.
Besides, global ESG assets are projected to exceed $53 trillion by 2025,
accounting for a third of the world's total assets under management. So building
your environmental value can translate to economic gains too.
Compliance with regulations and laws
 Environmental regulations and climate-related laws are subject to change at
any time. Therefore, violating these norms can be detrimental to your business.
However, with a management framework, you can effectively maximize
compliance with sustainability regulations and stay ahead of the curve to face
regulatory changes.
Enhanced reputation and brand image
Consumers worldwide are more inclined toward eco-conscious brands.
Accenture’s study proved this by revealing that 60% of people make more
sustainable and environmentally friendly purchases. If you follow a sustainability
strategy, you can position yourself as a mission-driven company and strengthen
your image. On top of enhancing your reputation, it can also drive more sales.

Save big with energy-efficient resources

An added advantage of implementing a sustainability management
framework is the reduced costs of standard utilities and equipment. In addition,
you can use energy-efficient lighting, recycled supplies, and eco-friendly
packaging to save more on your operational needs.

Sample Questions
1. This is an example of non-polluting renewable type of energy
i. tidal
ii. wind
 iii. solar
iv. all of these
2. Which of the following source of energy can be replenished after a short period of
time?
a) Solar energy
b) Hydro energy
c) Coal
d) Both (a) and (b)

3. Which one of the following is a branch of forestry?

a) Protection Forestry
b) Deforestation
c) Forest Management
d) Restricted Forestry
4. Mining is an important factor behind deforestation
a) True
b) False
5. Which one of the following is not direct use of forest products?
a) Bamboo for baskets
b) Medicine
c) Gums and resins
d) Grass for grazing
6. Which is not a source of fresh water?
a) Glaciers and ice sheets
b) Groundwater
c) Surface run off
d) Oceans
7. Which of the following is not a measure of sustainable water management?
a) Preventing leakage from dams and canals 11
b) Reducing the rate of surface run-off water.
c) Preventing loss in the municipal pipes.
 d) Building small reservoirs in place of a few mega projects.
8. What form of energy is radiated by the earth and trapped by greenhouse gasses to
cause global warming?
a) Radio waves.
b) Infrared light.
c) Ultraviolet light.
d) Visible light.

9. Which one of the following type of resource is iron ore.

a) Renewable
b) Biotic
c) Flow
d) Non-renewable
10. Deforestation may reduce the chances of
a) frequent landslides
b) erosion of surface soil
c) rainfall
d) frequent cyclones
11. The energy produced by the hydel-power plant is
a) Non-polluting and non-renewable
b) Polluting and non-renewable
c) Non-polluting and renewable
d) Polluting and renewable
12. Water logging is a phenomenon in which
a) Crop patterns are rotated
b) Soil root zone becomes saturated due to over irrigation
c) Erosion of soil
d) None of the above
13. Which of these does not constitute to be a reason for the loss of forests?
a) Extinction of species
b) Increasing use of sood
 c) Building dams and mining
d) Extensive usage of fuel woods
14. What biomass energy source has the highest potential in the world?
a) Industrial waste
b) Fibrous waste of the paper industry
c) Fibrous waste of the sugar industry
d) Animal Waste
15. World Energy Needs are rising due to _________
a) deforestation
b) increasing population and Industrialization
c) inflation
d) natural calamities