Natural Resources: Types, Uses & Environmental Challenges

🔸 What Are Natural Resources?

Natural resources are materials from nature used by humans for survival and development.
👉 They can be renewable (replenished naturally) or non-renewable (finite supply).

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🔹 Classification of Natural Resources

✅ Renewable Resources:

✔️ Replenish naturally (e.g., sunlight, wind, water, forests)
✔️ Can be used sustainably

❌ Non-renewable Resources:

❗ Limited supply – once used, cannot be regenerated easily
➤ Recyclable: Can be reused (e.g., aluminum, copper)
➤ Non-recyclable: Cannot be reused (e.g., fossil fuels, uranium)

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🌲 1. Forest Resources

➤ Deforestation

➤ Cutting down forests for farming, cities, industries
🔁 Effects:
→ Loss of biodiversity
→ Soil erosion
→ Climate change
→ Displacement of tribal communities

➤ Timber Extraction

🌲 Overharvesting of wood
→ Forest degradation
→ Ecosystem imbalance

➤ Other Threats to Forests

⛏️ Mining and 🏞️ dam construction can damage forests and affect tribal life

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💧 2. Water Resources

➤ Overuse and Over-utilization

🚰 Excess withdrawal from rivers, lakes, and underground
→ Water scarcity
→ Depleted groundwater
→ Conflicts among users

➤ Floods

🌧️ Heavy rainfall = overflowing rivers
→ Property damage
→ Waterborne diseases
→ Population displacement

➤ Dams – Benefits & Problems

✅ Generate hydroelectricity
✅ Water storage for agriculture
❗ But...
→ Displace people
→ Submerge forests
→ Disturb aquatic life

➤ Conflicts

⚔️ Disputes over water between states or countries (e.g., river sharing)

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⛏️ 3. Mineral Resources

➤ Use and Exploitation

→ Mining for metals, fuels, etc.
→ Environmental pollution (air & water)
→ Habitat destruction
→ Health issues in nearby areas

➤ Overexploitation

→ Depletion of minerals
→ Long-term damage to land and ecosystems

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🍚 4. Food Resources

➤ World Food Problems

🌍 Uneven food distribution
→ Hunger & malnutrition
→ Food wastage in rich nations
→ Poverty and climate change worsen it

➤ Modern Agricultural Practices

→ Overuse of fertilizers & pesticides
→ Soil nutrient loss
→ Waterlogging & salinity
→ Loss of traditional farming diversity

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🔋 5. Energy Resources

➤ Renewable Energy Sources

🌞 Solar, 🌬️ wind, 💧 hydropower
✅ Clean and sustainable
✅ Less environmental impact

➤ Non-renewable Energy Sources

🛢️ Coal, oil, natural gas
❌ Finite and polluting
→ Release greenhouse gases → Global warming

➤ Need for Alternatives

🚀 Promote eco-friendly sources to reduce pollution and ensure energy security

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🌾 6. Land Resources

➤ Land Degradation

→ Deforestation, mining, poor farming practices
→ Loss of fertile soil
→ Reduced agricultural output

➤ Soil Erosion

🌬️ Wind + 💦 water remove topsoil
→ Lower crop yield
→ River siltation

➤ Desertification

🌵 Fertile land → desert due to:
→ Overgrazing
→ Deforestation
→ Climate change

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🌱 Role of Individuals in Conservation

👉 Use resources wisely
👉 Avoid wastage
👉 Plant trees
👉 Promote sustainable practices
👉 Use renewable energy

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🌐 Equitable Use for Sustainable Lifestyles

⚖️ Fair sharing of resources among people and generations
→ Essential for long-term survival

→ Focus on sustainable development