Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources
Land
Importance: Land is a critical natural resource, but only 30% of Earth’s surface is suitable for human habitation.
Land Use: Land is used for agriculture, forestry, mining, industry, and housing. It is divided into private land and community land.
Conservation: Afforestation, land reclamation, and controlled use of chemicals are essential for preserving land.
Soil
Formation: Soil forms through the weathering of rocks and is influenced by climate, topography, flora, fauna, and time.
Degradation: Soil faces threats like erosion, deforestation, and overuse of fertilizers.
Conservation Methods: Techniques include mulching, contour barriers, rock dams, terrace farming, intercropping, and shelter belts.
Water
Availability: Only 2.7% of Earth's water is fresh, with just 1% accessible for human use.
Problems: Overuse, pollution, and population growth lead to water scarcity.
Conservation: Techniques include treating waste before discharge, water harvesting, and efficient irrigation methods like sprinklers and drip irrigation.
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Importance: Plants and animals are essential to ecosystems, providing resources, food, shelter, and maintaining ecological balance.
Threats: Deforestation, poaching, and habitat destruction threaten biodiversity.
Conservation: Establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and enforcing laws protect these resources. Awareness programs like social forestry promote conservation.
Conservation of Natural Resources
Sustainable Practices: Using resources responsibly ensures their availability for future generations. Activities like social forestry and rainwater harvesting contribute to sustainability.
Principles of Sustainable Development:
Respect all life forms
Conserve biodiversity
Reduce resource depletion
Encourage eco-friendly attitudes and practices
Activities and Discussion Questions
Questions: Topics include factors affecting soil formation, causes of land degradation, and methods for water conservation.
Creative Exercises: Includes researching local land use changes, observing soil types, and forecasting future land use patterns.
