Management of Natural Resources Class 10 Notes CBSE Science Chapter 16 (Free PDF Download)

• Natural resources are naturally occurring assets that are used to sustain life and meet our daily needs. 

• It includes forests, water, coal, natural gases, and petroleum reserves.

• Depletion i.e., reduction in number or quality of natural resources is increasing at an alarming rate.

• We should use our resources wisely so as to sustain the resources and conserve our environment.  

• One such measure to protect our environment was the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) taken by the national body to conserve River Ganga because it contained disease-causing microorganisms.

• We must follow three R’s to protect our environment and these are:

1. Reduce: Means to use less or to reduce our daily consumption of resources.  For example: Use less water for bathing, walking or cycling to save petrol

2. Recycle: This means processing wastes like plastic, paper, metals to new and usable products again.

3. Reuse: The process of using things again and again in order to protect the environment. 

For Example: Using same cloth bag for shopping rather than using many polythene bags

• Reusing the substances again is best because it does not need any external energy for the things to be used again.

Why do we need to manage our resources?

• Because the resources available to us are limited and take millions of years to form.

• With the human population increasing at a tremendous rate the demand for resources is also increasing which increases the use of resources.

• Exploiting or reckless use of natural resources causes damage to the environment.

• The management of natural resources should be in a sustainable manner so that these will last for generations to come. 

• And should be available to everyone i.e., should be equally distributed to everyone.

Forest and Wildlife:

• Forests are called the lungs of earth because it provides oxygen which is our most important demand for survival

• We depend on forests directly or indirectly for our survival. It provides home and food to innumerable species.

• Forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and floods and reduce climate change.

Stakeholders: 

Stakeholders are the people who depend upon forests for various perspectives of life. These include,

1. The forest department of the country 

2. The industrialists 

3. The wildlife and nature enthusiasts

• Some examples of local people working for the conservation of forests include the case of the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan who protected ‘khejri’ trees in Khejarli village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

• We have to conserve forests. The importance of forests cannot be underestimated.

• Forest resources should be used in a manner that is both environmentally and developmentally beneficial.

Sustainable Development:

• Sustainable development is the idea of utilizing natural resources in present without compromising the need of future generations.

• It can be achieved by using the resources judiciously and realizing the fact that if these resources get exhausted it will create problems.

Water for All:

• Water is a basic necessity for all biotic life. All organisms need water to exist and survive. 

• Water is essential because our daily activities are dependent on water.

• The lack of water and consumption of contaminated water can cause serious health issues.

• Despite having $71\%$ water available on earth in many areas water scarcity has been observed since the freshwater is only $3\%$.

• Despite nature’s monsoon bounty in India, we are unable to sustain underground water and water pollution has resulted in the loss of vegetation cover.

• Rainwater harvesting (for recharging groundwater), irrigation using dams, tanks, and canals help to sustain water resources.

Dams:

• It is the structure used to control the flow of water in rivers and canals.

• It is used to convert the kinetic energy of flowing water to electrical energy with the help of motors.

• The dam is a good alternative for non-renewable sources of energy and also causes less harm to the environment.

• It also helps in water storage which could be used at the time of water shortage in the area.

• The dam also assures the consistent flow of water in rivers and prevent floods and drought-like situations

• Although, the dam has adversely affected marine life as well as humans.

Water Harvesting:

• Water harvesting is the process of collecting rainwater and reusing it rather than making it run away.

• It is an age-old concept in India used in many states of India.

• Water harvesting techniques have many benefits such as help in irrigation, helps to recharge the natural well, etc. 

• Giving people control over their local water resources ensures that mismanagement and over-exploitation of these resources will be reduced.

• The advantages of groundwater are that it does not evaporate and does not provide breeding grounds.

Coal and Petroleum:

• Coal and petroleum were formed from the degradation of fossils millions of years ago.

• These are resources that will be exhausted in the future no matter how carefully we use them still we should use them in a sustainable manner.

• Combustion of coal and petroleum gives out products like carbon dioxide, water, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of sulphur which are poisonous at high concentrations.

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which when increased leads to global warming.

• Therefore, we need to use these resources judiciously and look for alternative sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, etc.

An Overview of Natural Resource Management:

• Natural resources are not available in abundance so we should realize that selfish goals will lead to the misery of lots of people.

• Sustainable management of natural resources is becoming important despite being a difficult task. We should try our best to conserve them.

• And use the natural resources very wisely so that our coming generation can also benefit.

Ch 16 Science Class 10 Notes: Overview of Natural Resource Management

It is not easy to maintain the sustainability of the natural resource. People will keep on using forest resources according to their interest and such selfish deeds will only give rise to misery. So, a strict law should be maintained and followed.

Ch 16 Science Class 10 Notes: Importance of Management of Natural Resource

Natural resource management is important for many reasons such as:

• To support balance in our ecosystem. 

• To help avoid more destruction of the world around us.

• To avoid overindulgence of natural resources.

The 3Rs of the Environment

Class 10 Science Chapter 16 notes also provide a brief explanation of the 3Rs of the environment. These are 1. Reduce 2. Reuse 3. Recycle

1. Reduce:  The best way we can manage waste is to avoid producing it. It can be done if we shop carefully and follow certain guidelines.

• We should buy in bulk. The ones which are larger and are in concentrated form cost less.

• We should avoid products which are over-packaged with papers and foils because they are difficult to recycle and are costly.

• Cloth napkins should be used instead of paper napkins.

2. Reuse: It makes environmental and economic sense to use the reuse products.

• According to Class 10th Science Chapter 16 notes, we should reuse products and save plastic bags, papers, toys and furniture.

• Products can be reused in different ways like using a coffee can to pack lunch or plastic dinner trays as a picnic dish.

• We should donate clothes and unused accessories for charities.

• Plastic wrap shouldn’t be used, rather reseal containers should be used.

• A ceramic coffee mug can be used instead of paper cups.

3. Recycle: This includes a series of steps that includes used processes and materials and remanufactures and selling the product in a new way.

• People should buy products that are made from materials which are collected as a recycled product in the community.

• We should use recycled paper for copier paper, newsletters and letterhead.

• Collection centres should be checked to see what they sell and materials should be collected from them.

• At the workplace, recycled materials should be purchased for manufacturing office supply and office equipment.

Class 10 Ch 16 Science Notes: Stakeholders of the Forest and Their Role

Class 10 Science Ch 16 notes mention the following people as the stakeholders:

People Who Live Around The Forest As Well As in The Forest:

• They get nuts and fruits for food, herbs for medicine, firewood for fuel, fodder for cattle and bamboo to make baskets and huts. They sustainably use the forest and do not damage the environment.

The Forest Department of the Government:

• Their source of revenue is selling timber. Natural vegetation in the forest is cleared to grow trees such as pine, tea, etc. As a result, the diversity is destroyed and the environment is harmed.

Industrialists:

• Different industries such as paper, timber, sports equipment depend on forest resources for providing the raw materials. Since they are responsible for destroying the forest to a large extent, efforts should be made by them to grow more trees in the area.

Wildlife and Forest Activists:

• The forest and wildlife activists, as per the notes of Ch 16 Science Class 10, should prevent the destruction that is caused to the environment. Initially, they started their work by conserving animals like elephants, tigers and lions. The forests should be conserved because they are the home of these animals.

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Conclusion

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