ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS IN PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THEIR EQUITABLE MAINTENANCE.

Natural resources are regarded as the Earth’s Life Support System because right from birth, any living organism is dependent on the natural resources for living. Natural Resources consist of Forest Resources, Water Resources, Mineral Resources, Food Resources, Land Resource and Energy Resource.

Due to population explosion in human beings, there has been a consistent increase in the demand of these natural resources for a better living. As a result these are being exploited.

I suggest the following measures to preserve and protect our natural resources.

Every state must have at least 33% of its area under forests. Patrolling must be done frequently by the forest officials. Strict action must

be taken against smugglers of precious forests resources such as sandalwood, rosewood, ebony, etc, and also against those who indulge in animal trafficking or illegal animal skin trading.

Paper must be recycled and reused to save the trees from being cut. Electronic gadgets can be a good alternative. For example, we use too many papers and books for writing, or practicing right from childhood. Instead of this if tablets are used for this purpose it would probably save lakhs of trees from being cut. Similar use of such gadgets is possible in many cases instead of paper.

More and more plants and trees must be grown in our surroundings to reduce air pollution, global warming.

People, basically students, villagers and tribal people must be educated on the importance of forests in the ecosystem.

Rain water harvesting can be helpful. This can be implemented at a low cost even at our homes, schools and colleges.

With regards to the annual Ganesh festival, either only eco-friendly Ganesh idols must be used for immersion or no idol must be allowed to be immersed in water bodies. Government must ban any manufacture and

sale of non-eco friendly Ganesh Idols(basically plaster of paris idols) for the purpose of immersion. This can save the water bodies from being polluted. I think people have polluted enough of India’s lakes because of this festival. They have not yet realized the magnitude of pollution that has already occurred and also which is occurring every year due this festival. Because if they did, they would use eco-friendly idols instead of non-eco friendly ones, preferably of smaller size or just stop immersing the idols. Moreover this polluted water may mix up with aquifer and pollute the fresh, under ground water as well.

Sewage and effluent treatment plants must be made mandatory for industries releasing them, so that the industrial waste that will be released in river streams or oceans, seas, will not pollute water. Factories and Industries violating rules that lead to water pollution must be prosecuted by the Indian Government.

Government must regularly check the manufacture and sale of insecticides and pesticides that are banned in India for usage in agriculture.

Farmers must be educated on the use of various insecticides and pesticides. Awareness on Organic Farming must be created among the farmers across

India. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs and LED Light bulbs can be used

instead of conventional light bulbs, because the former consume less energy and last longer than latter.

An attempt must be made to recycle and reuse electronic waste instead of dumping them.

Walking or Cycling may be preferred to other vehicles for a short distance travel, because this will not cause any air pollution.

In many occasions, reusable cloth, fiber bags can be used instead of plastic bags, to avoid pollution caused by plastic.

Bio-Technology, Chemical Engineering can be a great tool in conserving our natural resources. For example there is a known species of bacteria that can feed on oil. This can be used (after proper testing) to clear the oil in oceans and other water bodies, spilled due to oil spills. Likewise, it is a

known fact that algae produce electricity through photosynthesis to power its own cells. Efforts are on to use this electricity from algae effectively.

I believe it is every human being’s responsibility to care for these natural resources and every effort counts.