SCIENCE PPT ON

CONSERVATION OF
NATURAL RESOURCES

What are Natural Resources

Natural resources are the
material which gifted by
nature, and we use them as
resources in our day to day
life. Thus mining, petroleum
extraction, fishing, hunting,
and forestry are generally
considered as naturalresource industries.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Importance of natural
resources

Natural resources play a

significant part in our lives.
It will be really difficult to
imagine the world without
the natural resources. The
globe without natural
resources will be the as the
globe without nature. The
resources not only add to
our lives, they serve the
realm of progress.

NATURAL RESOURCES ARE

OF TWO TYPES :RENEWABLE NATURAL
RESOURCE

NON-RENEWABLE NATURAL
RESOURCE

Those resources
which can be
replenished in a
short period of
time like air,
water, sunlight,
forests etc.

Those resources
which cannot be
replenished in a
short period of
time like minerals
(coal, petroleum,
natural gas, metals
etc.) because they
take millions of
years to be formed.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

As the human population is continuously growing the
consumption of natural resources is also increasing. With
the increasing industrialization and urbanization of the
modern human society, the use of all the resources is rising.
If they are not properly used and well managed, a serious
scarcity will result. Therefore we need to conserve the
natural resources. This will also upset the ecological
balance.
Conservation is the proper management of a natural
resource to prevent its exploitation, destruction or
degradation.
Conservation is the sum total of activities, which can derive
benefits from natural resources but at the same time prevent
excessive use leading to destruction or degradation.

Need for Conservation of Natural

Resources
We know that nature provides us all our basic needs but we tend
to overexploit it. If we go on exploiting the nature, there will be
no more resources available in future.
There is an urgent need to conserve the nature. Some of the needs
are :
to maintain ecological balance for supporting life.
to preserve different kinds of species (biodiversity).
to make the resources available for present and future generation.
to ensure the survival of human race.

Conservation of Natural Resources and

Traditions of Philippines

The country is widely acknowledged as having an outstanding

endowment of natural resources, which could provide essential
ecosystem services to the population.
Demands arising from development and utilization activities,
population expansion, poor environmental protection, and external
factors such as climate change, however, have placed the countrys
environment and natural resources under grave threat.
For the medium-term, an environment that is healthy, ecologically
balanced, sustainably productive, climate change resilient, and one
that provides for present and future generations of Filipinos is
envisioned.
This vision will be pursued through an integrated and communitybased ecosystems approach to environment and natural resources
management, precautionary approach to environment and natural
resources, sound environmental impact assessment (EIA) and costbenefit analysis (CBA).
These, then, are all anchored on the principles of shared responsibility,
good governance, participation, social and environmental justice,
intergenerational space and gender equity, with people at the core of
conservation, protection and rehabilitation, and developmental
initiatives.

Conservation of Natural Resources and

Traditions of Philippines

Goal 1. Improved Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of

Natural Resources

In order to improve the conservation, protection, and rehabilitation

of the countrys natural resources, the sector shall pursue their
sustainable use and integrated management. Natural resources
management activities shall be directed at enhancing the state of
the different ecosystems and the natural resources within them to
provide
resource-dependent
communities
with
sustainable
livelihoods. Priority shall be given to the implementation of national
action plans on forest, biodiversity, coastal and marine resources
and wetlands. Mechanisms and policies will be pursued to rationalize
the use of the countrys land and mineral resources. In line with the
National Framework Strategy on Climate Change, integrated
ecosystem-based management will continue to be adopted as a
major strategy for sustainable natural resource management as well
as a means to adapt to climate change scenarios. As a safeguard for
all undertakings with a potential impact on the environment and
natural resources, a mechanism for third party cost-benefit
analysis31 and monitoring shall be enforced that takes
environmental and social costs and benefits into account.

Conservation of Natural Resources and

Traditions of Philippines

Goal 2. Improved Environmental Quality for a Cleaner and

Healthier Environment

In order to provide communities with a healthier environment,

the quality of the air, land and water must improve. Vital to the
improvement of environmental quality is the full implementation
of laws and other regulatory measures. Measures to reduce
pollution and waste generation will also be pursued. The
promotion of green jobs and the greening of industry are win-win
solutions that should be pursued.
Reduce air pollution in Metro Manila and other major urban
centers
Reduce water pollution to improve water quality in priority rivers
and other economically and ecologically important water bodies
Reduce wastes generated and improve waste disposal
Establish a healthier and livable urban environment

Conservation of Natural Resources and

Traditions of Philippines

Goal 3. Enhanced Resilience of Natural Systems and Improved

Adaptive Capacities of Human Communities to Cope with
Environmental Hazards Including Climate Related Risks

Strengthen institutional capacities of

national and local governments
Enhance the resilience of natural
systems
Improve adaptive capacities of
communities

As a Responsible Citizen
We have to conserve
mainly

Soil
Water
Forests
Biodiversity

Some of the
Methods to Conserve our
basic Natural Resources

Conservation of
Soil

In the previous section we learnt about the various

causes of soil erosion. Soil loses its fertility due to
erosion. So we need to conserve the soil. Soil
conservation means checking soil erosion and
improving soil fertility by adopting various methods.
Let us know some of these methods.
1. Maintenance of soil fertility: The fertility can be
maintained by adding manure and fertilizers
regularly as well as by rotation of crop.
2. Control on grazing: Grazing should be allowed
only on the areas meant for it and not on agricultural
land.
3. Reforestation: Planting of trees and vegetation
reduces soil erosion by both water and wind.
4. Terracing: Dividing a slope into several flat fields
to control rapid run of water. It is practiced mostly in
hilly areas.

Conservation of Water
Conservation and management of water are essential
for the survival of mankind, plants and animals. This
can be achieved adopting the following methods:
1. Growing vegetation in the catchment areas,
which will hold water in the soil and allow it to
percolate into deeper layers and contribute to
formation of ground water.
2. Constructing dams and reservoirs to regulate
supply of water to the fields, as well as to enable
generating hydroelectricity.
3. Sewage should be treated and only the clear
water should be released into the rivers.
4. Industrial wastes (effluents) should be
treated to prevent chemical and thermal pollution
of fresh water.
5. Judicious use of water in our day-to-day life.
6. Rainwater harvesting should be done by

Different methods of water harvesting

Conservation of
Now Biodiversity
you have an idea of the importance of

biodiversity for our survival and how it is

destroyed. Let us know how to protect the
biodiversity. There are two basic strategies for
conservation of biodiversity:
(i) In-situ conservation
(ii) Ex-situ conservation
(i) In-situ (on site) conservation includes the
protection of plants and animals
within their natural habitats or in protected areas.
Protected areas are areas of land or sea dedicated
to protection and maintenance of biodiversity. For
example: e.g., National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries,
Biosphere Reserves, etc.
(ii) Ex-situ (off site) conservation is the
conservation of plants and animals outside their

Conservation of Forests
Forests is an important part of the
environment, because trees clean the air
and keep the atmosphere cool. We cannot
live without plants, because the oxygen
need for breathing is produced by plants.
Trees absorb sunlight and reduce the heat.
Plants provide fodder for animals, firewood,
timber, medicines, honey, wax, gum, lac and
food for us. Tree roots penetrate deep into
the soil and from cavities in the ground. The
dry leaves which fall on ground, cover the
soil and absorb more rain water, which
slowly percolates through the soil. Thus, a

For the conservation of forests, following methods can be

taken:

(a) Conservation of forest is a national problem so it must be tackled with

perfect coordination between forest department and other departments.
(b) People's participation in the conservation of forests is of vital
importance. So, we must get them involved in this national task.
(c) The cutting of trees in the forests must be stopped at all costs.
(d) Afforestation or special programmes like Van Mahotsava should be
launched on grand scale.
(e) Celebrations of all functions, festivals should precede with treeplantation.
(f) Cutting of timber and other forest produce should be restricted.
(g) Grasslands should be regenerated.
(h) Forest conservation Act 1980 should be strictly implemented to check
deforestation.
(i) Several centres of excellence have been setup and awards should be
instituted.

By our Indian Constitution

LEGISLATION FOR CONSERVATION

Various acts and laws have been

passed in Indian constitution for
conservation of
natural resources. Some of them are:
Environment Protection Act, 1986
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
National Forest Policy, 1988
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and
amended in 1991

What is Environment?
Our Environment is our surrounding. This includes
living and non-living things around us. The nonliving components of environment are land, water
and air. The living components are germs, plants,
animals and people. All plants and animals adjust
to the environment in which they are born and
live. A charge in any component of the
environment may cause discomfort and affect
normal life. Any unfavorable change or
degeneration in the environment is known as
Environmental Pollution.
We need to protect our environment to live
happily.

How to Maintain a Good Environment?

For better environment, all its components
should be protected from pollution and the
surroundings should be clean. We need to
take good care of our land, water resources,
forests and atmosphere . it is also necessary
to ensure a balance between these resources
and living creatures, to meet our needs.

We can
protect our
environment
in many ways.
Let us act now
and persuade
others to join
us. This will
ensure safety
for our future

By:ASIF K ASHRAF
X-A
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