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By Shailendra Singh
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Updated on 5 Nov 2025, 18:50 IST
Natural resources are the foundation of human civilization, providing essential materials and energy for survival and development. Understanding their sustainable management is crucial for ensuring that current and future generations can meet their needs without depleting these vital resources.
This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of Chapter 16 from the Class 10 CBSE Science curriculum, providing detailed explanations, practical examples, and exam-oriented content to help students master this important environmental topic.
Natural resources are naturally occurring substances useful to humans in their unmodified (natural) form. They include air, water, soil, minerals, forests, wildlife, and fossil fuels.
Natural resources are classified into two main categories:
These are further divided into:
a) Renewable Resources
b) Non-Renewable Resources
Conservation is the controlled utilization of natural resources for the benefit of all life so that it may yield sustainable benefits to the present generation as well as future generations.
Sustainable development is development that can be maintained for a long time without undue damage to the environment. It aims to:
Advantages:
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Problems:
Examples of major dams in India:
Biodiversity is the existence of a wide variety of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a natural habitat within a particular environment, or genetic variation within a species.
Deforestation is the destruction, reduction, or removal of forest cover.
Main Causes:
Effects:
Afforestation is the practice of transforming an area into forest. Three types:
Creating an effective mind map helps consolidate information visually and aids in quick revision. Here's how to structure a comprehensive one-page mind map for this chapter:
"Management of Natural Resources" (center of page)
Sustainable natural resource management is guided by several core principles that ensure resources remain available for future generations while meeting current needs:
Management decisions must consider impacts beyond immediate gains, ensuring resources last for generations to come rather than being exploited for short-term benefits.
Application:
Resources should benefit all members of society, not just the wealthy or powerful. This requires:
Example: In the Arabari forest project, villagers received 25% of final harvest, ensuring they benefited from conservation efforts.
Resource extraction and use must maintain the balance of natural ecosystems by:
Effective management involves all stakeholders in decision-making:
Success story: The Chipko Andolan demonstrated how local participation could successfully protect forests.
Sustainable management requires:
Management strategies should be:
Indigenous and local knowledge about resource management should be:
Example: Traditional water harvesting structures (khadins, johads) have proven more sustainable than some modern alternatives.
Those who cause environmental damage should:
When potential environmental harm is significant:
Current generations have a responsibility to:
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining both water availability and soil quality through multiple interconnected mechanisms. Understanding these relationships is essential for effective environmental management.
Forests influence local and regional precipitation patterns through:
Impact: Deforested areas experience reduced rainfall over time. Studies show 20-30% rainfall reduction in extensively deforested regions.
Forests are integral to the hydrological cycle:
Forests facilitate groundwater replenishment through:
Evidence: Wells and springs in forested areas typically have better water availability than those in cleared lands.
Forests act as natural water purification systems:
Forests mitigate flooding through:
Contrast: Deforested areas experience flash floods during heavy rain and drought during dry periods.
Forests protect soil through multiple mechanisms:
Quantitative impact: Forested slopes may lose only 0.1-1 ton of soil per hectare annually, while cleared slopes can lose 50-200 tons per hectare.
Forests continuously enrich soil with:
Result: Forest soils typically have 2-5% organic matter compared to 1-2% in agricultural soils.
Forests create efficient nutrient cycles:
Cycle efficiency: Forests lose minimal nutrients to leaching compared to exposed soils.
Forest processes enhance physical soil properties:
Practical benefit: Forest soils have better water infiltration and holding capacity.
Forests support rich soil life:
Biodiversity impact: Forest soils may contain hundreds of earthworms per square meter and billions of microorganisms per gram.
Forests influence soil acidity/alkalinity:
Forest cover moderates soil conditions:
The relationship between forests, water, and soil creates a positive feedback loop:
Degradation spiral: When forests are removed, this cycle reverses:
Scenario: A forested hillside is cleared for agriculture
Water impacts:
Soil impacts:
Understanding these relationships supports conservation strategies:
Resource management approaches can be broadly classified into two paradigms: community-based (bottom-up) and top-down approaches. Understanding their characteristics, strengths, and limitations is crucial for effective conservation.
Top-down management involves government agencies or centralized authorities making decisions about resource use with limited input from local communities.
Important features:
Colonial Era:
Post-Independence:
Case Study - Traditional Surveillance Failure:
In West Bengal's Sal forests (Midnapore district):
Community-based management involves local communities in decision-making, implementation, and benefit-sharing regarding natural resources.
Features:
Based on understanding that:
Context:
Approach:
Results:
Lessons:
Context:
Approach:
Spread:
Impact:
Lessons:
Traditional practice:
Top-down intervention:
Consequences:
Lesson:
Background:
Historic sacrifice (1731):
Modern impact:
Lessons:
| Aspect | Top-Down Approach | Community-Based Approach |
| Decision-making | Centralized (government) | Decentralized (local communities) |
| Knowledge base | Scientific/technical experts | Traditional + scientific knowledge |
| Enforcement | External policing | Community self-monitoring |
| Benefits | Revenue to government | Shared with local communities |
| Flexibility | Standardized, uniform | Context-specific, adaptive |
| Cost | High enforcement costs | Lower, distributed costs |
| Sustainability | Often short-term focus | Long-term local interest |
| Legitimacy | Legal/bureaucratic | Social/cultural |
| Examples | Colonial forest management | Chipko Andolan, Arabari revival |
| Strengths | Consistent standards, technical capacity | Local ownership, cost-effective |
| Weaknesses | Alienation, high costs, rigidity | Potential elite capture, scale limits |
Recognizing limitations of both extremes, India developed Joint Forest Management:
Features:
Spread:
Challenges:
Effective resource management increasingly recognizes need for:
Water harvesting the collection and storage of rainwater for productive use—has been practiced in India for millennia. These traditional and modern methods are crucial for addressing water scarcity, recharging groundwater, and supporting sustainable development.
Core concept: Collect rainwater where it falls rather than letting it run off.
Main approaches:
Benefits:
Using the Khadin system (Rajasthan) as example:
| Region | Structure | Description |
| Rajasthan | Khadins, Tanks, Nadis | Earthen embankments collecting runoff in arid regions |
| Maharashtra | Bandharas, Tals | Check dams across seasonal streams |
| Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh | Bhundhis | Ponds and tanks for irrigation |
| Bihar | Ahars and Pynes | Ahars (reservoirs), Pynes (channels bringing water) |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kulhs | Diversion channels from streams for irrigation |
| Jammu | Ponds | Community water storage structures |
| Tamil Nadu | Eris (Tanks) | Cascading tank systems |
| Karnataka | Kattas | Small check dams in streams |
| Kerala | Surangams | Horizontal wells tapping groundwater |
Design:
Function:
Advantages:
Sustainability:
Concept: Collect rainwater falling on roofs and store or recharge groundwater
Components:
Urban application:
Calculation example:
Advantages:
Design:
Function:
Types:
Benefits:
Limitations:
Design:
Function:
Site selection criteria:
Impact:
Design:
Revival:
Impact:
Success factors:
Design:
Function:
Benefits:
Design:
Function:
Advantages:
Maintenance:
Design:
Function:
Application:
Benefits:
Concept: Integrated management of entire water catchment
Components:
Advantages:
Techniques:
Application:
Modern additions:
Impact:
Central Government Schemes:
State Initiatives:
Documented benefits:
Economic impact:
Social impact:
Adaptive management is a systematic approach to resource management that treats interventions as experiments, learns from outcomes, and adjusts strategies accordingly. It recognizes uncertainty in ecosystem responses and aims for continuous improvement.
1. ASSESS → 2. DESIGN → 3. IMPLEMENT → 4. MONITOR → 5. EVALUATE → 6. ADJUST → (return to 1)Detailed steps:
Complexity: Ecosystems are complex with many interacting factors
Variability: Natural systems change with seasons, climate, and disturbances
Long timescales: Many ecological processes occur over decades
Human dimensions: Social, economic, and cultural factors constantly evolve
Surprises: Unexpected outcomes are common in management
Multiple objectives: Often need to balance conservation, development, and equity
This is an excellent example of adaptive management in practice:
Forest officer A.K. Banerjee recognized:
New approach:
Learning was applied more broadly:
Ongoing adjustments:
The Ganga Action Plan demonstrates both the need for and challenges of adaptive management in water resource management.
Strategy:
Results:
Monitoring revealed:
Recognized that:
Adjusted strategies:
New programs:
Remaining problems:
Current adaptive responses:
This example shows how excluding traditional practices without understanding their ecological role can have unintended consequences—and how recognizing this requires adaptive management.
Strategy:
Rationale:
Learning:
Implications:
Potential adjustments:
This grassroots initiative demonstrates community-led adaptive management in water conservation.
Approach by Tarun Bharat Sangh (NGO):
First efforts:
Scaling up:
Adaptations based on experience:
Challenges encountered:
Responses:
Policy influence:
Current approach includes:
Based on these cases, effective adaptive management requires:
Despite benefits, adaptive management faces obstacles:
Strategies that help:
Adaptive management is increasingly important given climate uncertainty:
Climate challenges:
Adaptive management response:
Example: Water harvesting structures in Rajasthan being modified:
Q1: What are natural resources?
Answer: Natural resources are naturally occurring substances useful to man in their unmodified (natural) form. Examples include air, water, soil, minerals, forests, and wildlife.
Q2: Name two fossil fuels.
Answer: Coal and petroleum (crude oil) are two fossil fuels formed from degradation of ancient biomass millions of years ago.
Q3: What does pH of water indicate?
Answer: The pH of water indicates its acidity or alkalinity. Pure, uncontaminated water should have a pH of 7 (neutral). Deviation from this indicates contamination.
Q4: Which organism indicates contamination of water by disease-causing organisms?
Answer: Coliform bacteria indicate contamination of water by disease-causing organisms. These bacteria are found in human intestines, and their presence shows fecal contamination.
Q5: Why are forests considered as 'biodiversity hotspots'?
Answer: Forests are called 'biodiversity hotspots' because they contain a large number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms within their ecosystem—greater diversity than most other habitats.
Q6: Expand CNG.
Answer: CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas, a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel for vehicles.
Q7: List the five things whose use can be reduced to save the environment.
Answer:
Q8: What are the two main categories of conservation?
Answer:
Q9: What would be the advantages of exploiting resources with short-term aims?
Answer: Exploiting resources with short-term aims provides immediate advantages such as:
However, this approach is unsustainable and leads to resource depletion, environmental damage, and compromises the needs of future generations.
Q10: Find out the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region.
Answer: Traditional water harvesting systems vary by region:
These systems collect and store rainwater for irrigation, drinking, and groundwater recharge. (Answer should be tailored to student's actual region.)
Q11: Can you suggest some changes in your school which would make it environment-friendly?
Answer:
Q12: What can you as an individual do to reduce your consumption of various natural resources?
Answer: As an individual, I can:
Q13: What changes can you make in your habits to become more environment-friendly?
Answer:
Q14: Suggest some approaches towards the conservation of forests.
Answer:
Management approaches:
Types of forestry:
Protected areas:
Q15: What changes would you suggest in your home in order to be environment-friendly?
Answer:
Apply the Three R's:
Additional measures:
Q16: We saw in this chapter that there are four main stakeholders when it comes to forests and wildlife. Which among these should have the authority to decide the management of forest produce? Why do you think so?
Answer:Local people who live in or around forests should have primary authority to decide forest management because:
However, this should be in partnership with government (technical expertise, legal framework) and with consideration for other stakeholders (industry needs balanced with conservation, nature enthusiasts providing advocacy).
Examples supporting this:
Q17: What is biodiversity? Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Answer:
Definition of Biodiversity:
Biodiversity is the existence of a wide variety of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a natural habitat within a particular environment. It also includes genetic variation within species. It is measured by:
Why We Should Conserve Biodiversity:
Conservation Measures:
Q18: Write a note on the Ganga Action Plan.
Answer:
Background:
Need for Action Plan:
Initiation: Department of Environment initiated Ganga Action Plan in December 1984 for immediate reduction of pollution load on River Ganga.
Objectives:
Measures Implemented:
Phase I (1985-2000):
Challenges:
Phase II and Beyond:
Current Status:
Lessons:
Q19: Find out about the traditional systems of water harvesting/management in your region. Describe their structure and functioning.
Answer: (Using Khadins of Rajasthan as detailed example)
Traditional Water Harvesting: Khadins of Rajasthan
Context: Rajasthan is an arid region with low, erratic rainfall (150-800 mm annually). Traditional water harvesting was essential for survival. Khadins have been used for centuries.
Structure of Khadin System:
Functioning:
During Monsoon:
Post-Monsoon:
Crops:
Benefits:
Maintenance:
Modern Status:
Lessons:
Other Regional Systems:
(Students should provide details relevant to their actual region)
Q20: Compare the approaches of conservation of forests—as suggested by stakeholders during British rule and in independent India.
Answer:
Approach:
Key Features:
Initial Period (1947-1970s): Similar to British approach:
Shift in Approach (1970s onwards):
Recognition of Problems:
New Conservation Philosophy:
| Aspect | British Rule | Independent India (Recent) |
| Primary objective | Commercial exploitation, revenue | Conservation, sustainable use, people's welfare |
| Decision-making | Centralized, exclusionary | Increasingly participatory, community involvement |
| Role of local people | Alienated, criminalized | Partners in management, benefit-sharers |
| Knowledge base | External experts only | Integration of traditional and scientific knowledge |
| Forest use | Large-scale commercial felling | Regulated use, focus on regeneration |
| Benefit distribution | Revenue to colonial government | Shared with local communities |
| Success | Environmental degradation, conflict | Gradual improvement, examples of successful revival |
Conclusion:
The shift from British-era exploitation and post-independence centralized control to community-based participatory management represents a fundamental change in forest conservation philosophy. While challenges remain, the recognition that local communities are crucial partners in conservation has led to more successful and sustainable forest management in many areas.
Natural Resources:
Conservation:
Three R's:
Sustainable Development: Development maintainable long-term without environmental damage; meets present needs without compromising future
Ganga Action Plan (1984):
Stakeholders in Forests:
Chipko Andolan (1970s):
Arabari Forest Revival (1972-1983):
Amrita Devi Bishnoi (1731):
Causes:
Effects:
Conservation Measures:
Traditional Structures by Region:
| Region | Structure | Type |
| Rajasthan | Khadins, Tanks, Nadis | Embankments, reservoirs |
| Bihar | Ahars and Pynes | Reservoirs and channels |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kulhs | Diversion channels |
| Tamil Nadu | Eris | Cascading tanks |
| Maharashtra | Bandharas, Tals | Check dams |
| Karnataka | Kattas | Stream check dams |
| Kerala | Surangams | Horizontal wells |
Khadin Components:
Advantages of Groundwater Storage:
Advantages:
Problems:
Major Dams:
Importance:
Threats to Wildlife:
Conservation Measures:
Definition: Variety of species (plants, animals, microorganisms) in a habitat; genetic variation within species
Importance:
Conservation:
Formation:
Problems:
Steps to Reduce Consumption:
Pollution Control:
Forest and Wildlife:
Special Programs:
Resource: Material held in reserve that can be transformed into more valuable/useful item
Natural Resource: Naturally occurring substance useful in unmodified form
Conservation: Controlled utilization of natural resources for sustainable benefit to present and future generations
Sustainable Development: Development maintainable long-term without undue environmental damage
Biodiversity: Variety of species and genetic variation in a habitat
Deforestation: Destruction, reduction, or removal of forest cover
Afforestation: Practice of transforming area into forest
Water Harvesting: Collection and storage of rainwater for productive use
Stakeholders: Groups/individuals with interest in resources who affect or are affected by management
In Situ Conservation: Conservation in natural habitat
Ex Situ Conservation: Conservation outside natural habitat
| Concept | Formula/Relationship | Explanation |
| pH of pure water | pH = 7 | Neutral; contamination changes pH |
| Three R's | Reduce + Recycle + Reuse | Environmental conservation principle |
| Water harvesting potential | Area (m²) × Rainfall (m) = Volume (m³) | Calculate harvestable rainwater |
| Biodiversity measure | Number of species OR Range of life forms | Quantifies biological variety |
| Forest coverage (India) | ~23% of land area | Current forest percentage |
| Sustainable development | Present needs ≤ Available resources, Future needs protected | Balance between use and conservation |
| Coliform presence | Indicator of fecal contamination | Water quality assessment |
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Natural resources are materials found in nature that humans can use without modifying them. These include air, water, soil, forests, minerals, and wildlife. They're essentially gifts from nature that support life and development.
For example, sunlight provides energy, forests give us oxygen and timber, and water sustains all living beings. Understanding natural resources is crucial because our survival and development depend entirely on how we manage and conserve these materials.
Renewable resources can replenish themselves naturally through quick recycling and won't get exhausted with proper management. Examples include forests (trees grow back), wildlife (populations reproduce), and soil (regenerates through natural processes).
Non-renewable resources cannot replenish themselves and will eventually run out with continued use. These include minerals, coal, and petroleum, which took millions of years to form. Once used, they're gone forever.
Difference: Time scale of replacement renewable resources regenerate within human lifetimes, while non-renewable resources take geological time scales (millions of years) to form.
Sustainable development means using resources in a way that meets today's needs without damaging the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Think of it like this: if you have a pizza, sustainable consumption means eating only your fair share and leaving some for others, rather than finishing it all yourself.
Key principles:
Real example: Planting two trees for every one cut down is sustainable; cutting all trees without replanting is not.
Forests are called biodiversity hotspots because they contain an exceptionally large number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms—more diversity than almost any other habitat type.
Why forests have such high biodiversity:
Example, a single tropical forest hectare might contain 100+ tree species, thousands of insect species, hundreds of bird species, and countless microorganisms. This incredible variety makes forests crucial for maintaining Earth's biological wealth and ecological balance.
Water harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater where it falls, for productive use later. Instead of letting rainwater run off and go waste, we capture and store it.
Main methods:
Why it's important:
Benefits:
Modern relevance: With groundwater levels falling rapidly across India, water harvesting is crucial for water security. States like Rajasthan have successfully revived dried rivers through traditional water harvesting structures.
The Arabari case (1972-1983) is one of India's most successful examples of community-based forest management.
Background:
The Failed Approach:
The New Strategy (1972): Forest officer A.K. Banerjee recognized the approach wasn't working and made revolutionary changes:
Key Innovations:
Remarkable Results (1972-1983):
Broader Impact:
India has comprehensive environmental legislation covering different aspects of conservation:
POLLUTION CONTROL LAWS:
1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
2. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
3. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
4. Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
FOREST AND WILDLIFE LAWS:
5. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
6. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
7. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1995
ENVIRONMENTAL TRIBUNALS:
8. National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995
9. National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS:
10. Kyoto Protocol (1997)
Why These Laws Matter:
Challenge: Laws exist, but enforcement often weak. Success requires both strong legal framework AND effective implementation with community participation.
Students can transform their schools into eco-friendly spaces through multiple practical initiatives:
WATER CONSERVATION:
ENERGY CONSERVATION:
WASTE MANAGEMENT:
GREENERY & BIODIVERSITY:
AWARENESS & EDUCATION:
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION:
INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES:
CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION:
STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES:
Impact: Even small changes can make significant difference. For example:
Based on previous years' board exam patterns, focus on these high-priority topics:
TOP PRIORITY (Most Frequently Asked):
1. Three R's (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse)
2. Stakeholders in Forest Management
3. Chipko Andolan
4. Water Harvesting Methods
5. Sustainable Development
6. Classification of Natural Resources
MEDIUM PRIORITY (Frequently Asked):
7. Arabari Forest Case Study
8. Dams - Advantages and Problems
9. Deforestation
10. Conservation Types
11. Biodiversity
12. Ganga Action Plan
LOWER PRIORITY (Occasionally Asked):
13. Amrita Devi Bishnoi
14. Fossil Fuels
15. Afforestation Types
16. Environmental Laws
QUESTION TYPE PREPARATION:
MUST-KNOW DATA: