Unit 3
Natural resource and socio-economic development
Natural Resources Natural resources are the resources which exist without any actions of
human being. Resources which consist of
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water,
coal,
iron,
sunlight,
atmosphere,
soil,
minerals,
vegetation and
animal life
there are to main classification of natural resources
Renewable natural resource: Resources that can naturally replenish or regenerate over time.
This can include:
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Solar energy
Wind energy
Water (hydropower)
Biomass (plants, wood)
Geothermal energy
Non-renewable natural resources: Resources that exist in finite amounts and cannot be
replaced within a human timescale. Examples of this type of resources are:
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Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Minerals (like gold, iron, uranium)
Economic Benefits o attsrat ee orace
1. Sorace o Income tnd Emp oyments
Natural resources like minerals, forests, water, and fertile land create jobs in agriculture,
mining, forestry, fishing, and energy production.
2. Srppoats oa Indr tsait Gaowtsh
Raw materials from natural resources fuel industries such as construction,
manufacturing, and energy, driving economic development.
3. Expoats eevenre
Countries rich in natural resources often export them (e.g., oil, gold, coffee, gas), earning
valuable foreign currency.
4. In at tsarctsrae Deve opments
Resource-based income can be invested in roads, schools, hospitals, and other public
infrastructure.
5. Eneagy Paodrction
Resources like coal, oil, gas, and hydropower are essential for generating electricity and
powering economies.
6. Torai m Oppoatsrnitie
Natural attractions like forests, wildlife, mountains, and beaches can promote ecotourism, boosting local economies.
7. Agaicr tsrat Paodrctivitsy
Fertile land and adequate water resources enhance food production, ensuring food
security and agricultural trade
Sr tstintb e r e o nttsrat ae orace means managing them wisely to ensure they benefit
people today while remaining available for future generations. This approach is a key part of
r tstintb e deve opments, which focuses on meeting current needs without harming the ability
of future generations to meet theirs. When natural resources are used carelessly or excessively,
they can be damaged or depleted, which can slow down or prevent sustainable progress.
Therefore, protecting and conserving natural resources is essential to preserve the environment
and ensure its continued value for human well-being. The proper utilization of resources is
highly affected by the following factors:
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Availability of resources
Skilled man power
Availability of capital
Technology
Infrastructure
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Human demand for natural resources is increasing rapidly due to growing consumption
needs.
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People depend on the environment for essentials like:
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Food
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Water
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Fuel
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Medicine
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Soil
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Building materials
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Technological advancements have made it easier to exploit natural resources.
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Overuse of resources leads to:
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Pollution
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Environmental degradation
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Negative effects on human health and socio-economic development
Some environmental impacts are local or national, but many are global.
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Example: Burning fossil fuels increases global CO₂ levels, contributing to climate
change.
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Humans are the main contributors to environmental damage.
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The environmental impact depends on the level of consumption of:
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Land
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Water
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Air
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Fossil fuels
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Minerals
Unsustainable consumption causes:
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Air and water pollution
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Waste build-up
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Global warming
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Rising population and food insecurity may increase pressure on natural resources.
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Shifting consumption habits toward rare or locally unavailable products can worsen
resource strain and supply issues.
ee orace con eavttion is the responsible and efficient use of natural resources to ensure their
availability for future generations. It focuses on both renewable and non-renewable resources,
aiming to use them sustainably. Conservation also helps protect soil fertility and ensures a
steady supply of clean drinking water. Key practices include minimizing waste, reusing and
recycling materials, and safeguarding natural ecosystems like forests, rivers, and land.
The main goals of resource conservation are to:
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Paevents dep etion of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and minerals.
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Paotsects eco y tsem by reducing pollution and environmental damage.
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Paomotse r tstintbi itsy by encouraging responsible use of renewable resources like
water, air, and forests.
Met rae oa tshe Con eavttion o attsrat ee orace inc rde
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Use alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind energy.
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Plant more trees to enhance forest cover and reduce soil erosion.
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Use pipelines for transporting oil to prevent spillage and environmental damage.
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Treat and recycle industrial sewage and waste to reduce pollution.
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Reduce emissions by using clean technologies and adopting stricter regulations.
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Practice crop rotation to maintain soil fertility and reduce the need for chemical
fertilizers.
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Construct water reservoirs to store water for dry periods and ensure sustainable water
supply.
Soi con eavttion
The following are some of the methods in the conservation of soil:
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Terracing: constructing stair like structures along hillsides to reduce the speed of water
flows down the slope. Study the case study presented on the Konso cultural landscape.
Afforestation: planting new trees where none existed before.
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Crop Rotation: the planting of a serious of different crops in the same field over a period
of years.
Reforestation: trees must be replaced wherever they are cut down.
Shelter belts: are trees planted at the edge of farmlands to protect the soil from wind
erosion.
Check Dams: are small dams to trap silt washed from hills.
Strip cropping: involves the planting of two or more crops in the same field. The crops
may differ in height, time of harvest and use of nutrients.
Contour ploughing: is tilling the land across slopes, rather than up and down, to create
barriers to runoff
Water conservation
The following methods are useful to conserve water:
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Protection form pollutants
Rational use of groundwater
Modernizing traditional water harvesting methods
Using modern irrigation methods
Increasing forest cover
Proper use of water in industries
Water conservation by municipal (government) bodies (laws and policies)
Threats to Forests:
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Deforestation (logging, agriculture, urbanization)
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Illegal logging
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Mining and infrastructure projects
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Climate change
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Forest fires
Forest conservation
Conservation Strategies:
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Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting new trees and restoring degraded forest lands.
Sustainable Logging: Harvesting trees without damaging the forest ecosystem.
Protected Areas: Establishing national parks and reserves.
Community Forest Management: Empowering local communities to manage forests.
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Legal Frameworks: Enforcing forest protection laws and international agreements
Education and Awareness: Promoting eco-literacy and responsible consumption.