As we all are already aware, materials and energy are essential for the survival and welfare of us, humans.

The sustenance and welfare of mankind depends upon the exploitation of natural resources. The utilization of soil, water minerals, coal, electricity, oil, gas and nuclear energy is very important for the development of a nation but it is also important to keep in mind that these resources will only last long if used judiciously.

The crisis in India:

 India is the second most populous country in the world and with the impact of population explosion, there is exhaustion of natural resources and environmental degradation at a very fast pace. Several states in India have been hit badly by the drought resulting in deaths of thousands each year. Temperatures are on the rise and the quality of air is decreasing rapidly. The strangest problem of all is that inpsite of India being rich in minerals the supply of various crucial minerals last year fell short of demand.

The first question which comes to our mind is that what could probably be the reason behind this?

 

So here are a few important factors which are causing the depletion of natural resources all around the world:

 

1. Rapid population increase leading to a surge in demand for resources

2. Pollution in rivers and air impacting our ecosystems

3. High standards of living resulting in huge consumption of resources

4. Deterioration of land due to excusive consumption of minerals by crops

With the advancement of social and Cultural Revolution the conflict between humans and nature started. Today the situation is such that many of our necessary resources are expected to get exhausted by the end of this century.

Following are the conservation approaches which one can adopt:

 

(i) To reduce wastes and to minimize demand

(ii) To change the way of life

(iii) To increase reclamation and recycling of materials