ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 107
Social forestry: This forestry, is for private land. There are two main objectives of
social forestry:
(i) Use of public and common land to produce in a decentralized way firewood, fodder
and small timber for the local poor men and also to manage soil and water
conservation,
(ii) To relieve pressure on conservation forests. This programme is in fact for poor.
Agroforestry: Agroforestry is a system of land use where woody perennials are
deliberately used on the same land management units as annual agricultural crops and/or
animals, either sequentially or simultaneously, with the aim of obtaining greater outputs on
a sustained basis. “Here land is used for agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry.
Depending upon the situation we may also have a mix of three basic elements i.e., agriculture,
forestry and animal husbandry.
There should be massive afforestation arm/agroforestry programmes. Every village/
town/city must be able to meet firewood, fodder and small timber needs by growing trees
and shrubs in the land available in a cooperative system.
- Proper Management of Drinking Water
This Resource (water) is renewable. However, it is subject to abuse and misuse. Infact,
most of our water problems, are not those of quantity or even necessarily of quality, but are
rather caused by our way of thinking and attitudes. If man learns to live with man on a
cooperative basis, the water problem, like many other ecological problems, could be solved.
The replenishable ground water resources in India are sufficient to provide assured irrigation
to 40 million hectares. The present level of development is estimated at 25 million hectares,
i.e. about 40 per cent of the total irrigation potential created in the country.
Drinking water becomes more significant in a developing country because it serves as
a source of micronutrients that are so essential for good health. Deficiency or excess of the
essential trace elements can cause disorders. Drinking water is an important source of
intake of trace elements.
QUESTIONS- What is meant by Natural Resources? Explain Renewable and Non-renewable Natural
resources. - Discuss the use and importance of Forest Resources in India.
- Describe the main causes that are responsible for over consumption of forest.
- Define Deforestation. What are the chief effects of Deforestation?
- Give an account of the effects of timber extraction, mining dams on forests and tribal people.
- Write a note on Water resources.
Describe the main resources of water.
Discuss the use and over-utilization of surface and ground water. - Discuss the measures adopted to regulate the utilization of surface water and check its
over-utilization. - Discuss the measures adopted to regulate the utilization of underground water and check
it over-utilization.