In today’s class, we will discuss Conservation of natural resources.
Conservation of Natural Resources
Meaning of conservation
Conservation is the diligent and wise use of the earth’s resources to achieve the highest quality of living for all mankind on a sustainable basis.
Meaning of natural resources
Natural resources simply mean the endowments of nature from which man satisfies his basic needs. Conservation of natural resources can, therefore, be referred to as “the controlled exploitation and diligent use of available natural resources in such a way as to sustain their availability”. It is the preservation of the amount of natural environment. Through rational use and skilful management of the natural environment, its resources can be improved, maintained, and protected for the benefit of mankind.
Natural resources can be classified as:
Natural abiotic resources, are non-living or non-renewable. E.g. ores and materials extracted from the ground. Natural biotic resources, which are living or replaceable e.g. wildlife, forest, water, air, sunlight, etc.
Natural resources that need to be conserved are:
Natural forest
Animal/wildlife
Water
Soil
Air
Mineral resources
The importance of the conservation of natural resources
There is an urgent need for the effective conservation of natural resources if mankind is to get maximum and lasting benefit from nature.
The following are reasons why we conserve natural resources:
1. The natural forest is getting depleted through overlogging and overgrazing.
2. Risk of extinction of indigenous wildlife and fish species through uncontrolled hunting and fishing.
3. Rapid soil degradation through poor land use and obsolete agricultural practices.
4. Pollution of surface and groundwater resources through indiscriminate disposal of all kinds of wastes.
5. Desert encroachment.
6. Bad mining practice.
7. High population growth.
Resources that need to be conserved are:
1. Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels (crude oil), minerals.
2. Renewable resources like water, wildlife, and forests.
Ways of ensuring the conservation of natural resources
The responsibility for the conservation of natural resources should be the collective effort of both the government and individuals.
These efforts should include the following:
1. Government agencies: The primary task of these bodies is to see to the protection and conservation of specific areas of concern. Examples are the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Forest Reserve Authority, the Conservation Foundations, etc.
2. Legislation: These are usually laws and treaties put in place by National and international governments and organizations to protect the undue exploitation of endangered species and other forms of resources. Examples are the Anti-whaling law, the prohibition of bush burning and tree felling, and the law against gas flaring.
3. Conservation Education: This effort aims at bringing awareness and public enlightenment to the general public on the essence of conservation.
4. Erection of parks and reserves: This strategy involves identifying unique areas and setting them aside for the protection and conservation of plants and animals. E.g., Yankari, Kainji, Olokemeji forest.
Problems militating against efforts at conserving natural resources
1. Overpopulation leads to an increasing demand on limited resources, thereby causing undue exploitation of resources.
2. Inadequate awareness is due in part to the failure of governments in conservation education and ineffective public awareness campaigns.
3. Poor funding resulting in the poor or non-implementation of government policies and programmes on conservation.
4. Limited land for the establishment and maintenance of games and forest reserves and other related conservation projects.
The benefits of conservation
1. Improvement of the quality of human life in a clean and healthy environment.
2. Preservation of the beauty of the natural environment of scenery such as lakes, waterfalls, mountains etc.
3. Boost of tourism to national parks and reserves.
4. Great scientific benefits as living organisms are studied in their natural habitats.
5. Protection of rare and/or endangered species of organisms.
6. Prevention and control of erosion and desert encroachment.
7. Prevention of exploitation of mineral resources.
8. Increased revenue for the government and individuals.
In our next class, we will discuss Reproduction. We hope you enjoyed the class. Send your questions in the comment section below, and we will respond.