WHY TO MANAGE RESOURCES?

WHY TO MANAGE RESOURCES?

Not just roads and buildings, but all the things we use or consume – food, clothes, books, toys, furniture, tools and vehicles – are obtained from resources on this earth. The only thing we get from outside is the energy which we receive from the Sun. Even this energy is processed by living organisms and various physical and chemical processes on the earth before we make use of it.

Why do we need to use our resources carefully? Because these are not unlimited and with the human population increasing at a tremendous rate due to improvement in health-care, the demand for all resources is increasing at an exponential rate. The management of natural resources requires a long-term perspective so that these will last for the generations to come and will not merely be exploited to the hilt for short-term gains. This management should also ensure equitable distribution of resources so that all, and not just a handful of rich and powerful people, benefit from the development of these resources

Another factor to be considered while we exploit these natural resources is the damage we cause to the environment while these resources are either extracted or used. For example, mining causes pollution because of the large amount of slag which is discarded for every tonne of metal extracted. Hence, sustainable natural resource management demands that we plan for the safe disposal of these wastes too.

The present-day global concerns for sustainable development and conservation of natural resources are of recent origin as compared to the long tradition and culture of nature conservation in our country. Principles of conservation and sustainable management were well established in pre-historic India.

Our ancient literature is full of such examples where the values and sensitivity of humans towards nature was glorified and the principle of sustainability was established at its best.

During the Vedic period, both productive, as well as the protective aspect of forest vegetation, were emphasised. Agriculture emerged as a dominant economic activity during the later Vedic period. This was the time when the concept of the cultural landscape such as sacred forests and groves, sacred corridors and a variety of ethno-forestry practices were evolved that continued to the post-Vedic period, besides a wide range of ethno- forestry practices were infused with the traditions, customs, and rituals and followed as a means for the protection of nature and natural resource.

More to know

Indian texts such as Upanishads and Smritis contain many descriptions on the uses and management of forests and highlight sustainability as an implicit theme. One hymn from Atharva Veda ||12.1.11||, later translated into English in the book Atharva Veda — the Sanskrit Text with English Translation, written by Devi Chand in 1997, reads

“O Earth! Pleasant be thy hills, snow-clad mountains and forests; O numerous coloured, firm and protected earth! On this earth I stand, undefeated, unslain, unhurt.”

Another hymn that reveals utilisation and regeneration principles from Atharva Veda ||12.1.35|| reads:

“Whatever I dig out of you, O Earth! May that have quick regeneration again; may we not damage thy vital habitat and heart.”

Activity 16.5:

Observe various traditional practices for the conservation of nature in your day-to-day life. Share within the peer group. Make a report and submit

Questions:

1.  What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?

2.  What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?

3.  How would these advantages differ from the advantages of using a long-  term perspective in managing our resources?

4.  Why do you think that there should be an equitable distribution of resources? What forces would be working against an equitable distribution of our resources?

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK