MEV 014: Unit 14 – Resource Conservation

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 UNIT 14: RESOURCE CONSERVATION

14.0 Introduction

Resources such as water, soil, forests, air, and minerals are essential for human survival and economic development. However, increasing population and industrialization have led to rapid depletion and degradation of natural resources. Resource conservation is therefore critical to ensure the sustainable use of natural assets for present and future generations. This unit discusses the importance of conserving resources, the planning involved, and methods like natural resource accounting and traditional knowledge protection.

14.1 Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to:

·         Understand the concept and significance of resource conservation.

·         Learn the key steps involved in resource conservation planning.

·         Understand the role of natural resource accounting in policy-making.

·         Explain resource management planning approaches.

·         Recognize the value of traditional knowledge and customary laws.

·         Understand implications for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in biodiversity.

14.2 Concept of Resource Conservation and Its Importance

Resource conservation refers to the planned and wise use of natural resources to prevent overexploitation and ensure sustainability. It includes strategies to preserve, restore, and manage natural resources for ecological balance and long-term availability.

14.2.1 Importance of Resource Conservation

·         Sustainability: Ensures resources remain available for future generations.

·         Ecological Balance: Prevents degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss.

·         Economic Stability: Supports agriculture, industry, and energy sectors.

·         Disaster Mitigation: Reduces vulnerability to floods, droughts, and climate change.

·         Social Equity: Promotes fair access and benefits, especially for marginalized communities.

Examples of resource conservation include rainwater harvesting, afforestation, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable farming.

14.3 Planning for the Conservation of Resources

Resource conservation requires systematic planning involving multiple stakeholders and scientific methods. Planning helps identify priorities, set goals, and allocate resources efficiently.

14.3.1 Steps in Resource Conservation Planning

1.      Resource Assessment: Identify and quantify natural resources in an area.

2.      Problem Identification: Analyze causes of degradation (e.g., pollution, deforestation).

3.      Goal Setting: Define clear conservation goals (e.g., reduce water wastage by 30%).

4.      Policy Development: Create supportive laws and incentives.

5.      Community Participation: Involve local people in planning and implementation.

6.      Monitoring and Evaluation: Assess effectiveness and modify strategies as needed.

7.      Capacity Building: Train people in conservation techniques and awareness programs.

Example: Integrated Watershed Management involves all these steps for soil and water conservation.

14.4 Natural Resource Conservation

This involves conservation of key natural resources like:

·         Water: Rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, reducing industrial use.

·         Soil: Terracing, organic farming, erosion control.

·         Forest: Afforestation, community forestry, sustainable logging.

·         Air: Reducing vehicle emissions, promoting renewable energy.

·         Minerals: Recycling, efficient extraction, substitution.

Programs like Joint Forest Management (JFM) and National Afforestation Programme support conservation at local and national levels.

14.5 Natural Resource Accounting

Natural Resource Accounting (NRA) is a tool to quantify and monitor the use and value of natural resources within a country’s economic system. It helps in understanding how economic growth affects the environment.

14.5.1 Types of Environmental Accounting

1.      Physical Accounting: Tracks the quantity of natural resources (e.g., groundwater levels).

2.      Monetary Accounting: Assigns economic value to environmental resources and services.

3.      Green GDP: Adjusts Gross Domestic Product by accounting for environmental costs like deforestation or pollution.

4.      Ecosystem Valuation: Estimates the value of services provided by ecosystems (e.g., wetlands purifying water).

Example: If deforestation causes soil erosion, NRA calculates its economic loss to agriculture and water systems, which helps shape better forest policies.

14.6 Resource Management Planning

Resource Management Planning (RMP) is the process of designing and implementing strategies for sustainable use and development of natural resources.

Key principles of RMP:

·         Integrated Approach: Combining economic, social, and environmental concerns.

·         Precautionary Principle: Preventing damage rather than curing.

·         Participatory Planning: Involving local stakeholders.

·         Equity and Justice: Fair distribution of resources and benefits.

Examples:

·         Water Resource Planning: Basin-level water budgeting and equitable distribution.

·         Land Use Planning: Identifying suitable land for agriculture, forest, or settlement.

Effective RMP ensures conflict reduction, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

14.7 Protecting Traditional Knowledge, Customary Laws, and Practices

Indigenous and local communities have developed valuable traditional knowledge over centuries on how to use resources sustainably. Recognizing and protecting this knowledge is essential for conservation and community rights.

Traditional knowledge includes:

·         Medicinal plant use

·         Sustainable farming and fishing practices

·         Weather prediction methods

·         Seed conservation

14.7.1 Customary Law

Customary laws are unwritten community rules and practices that govern access to land, water, and forests. They often ensure sustainable use and conservation.

Examples:

·         Sacred groves protected by tribes.

·         Rotational grazing systems.

·         Community seed banks.

Legal recognition of customary law is important to empower communities and promote sustainable resource use.

14.8 Implications for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol, which ensures:

·         Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

·         Recognition of the contributions of local communities and knowledge holders.

·         Legal frameworks for benefit sharing (e.g., India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002).

Example: If a company uses a traditional medicinal plant for a commercial product, part of the profits must go to the community that holds knowledge about that plant.

Benefits of ABS:

·         Encourages conservation of biodiversity.

·         Promotes respect for indigenous knowledge.

·         Ensures community development through financial or other benefits.

14.9 Let Us Sum Up

Resource conservation is essential for sustainable development and ecological balance. It involves the planned use, monitoring, and protection of natural resources like water, soil, forests, and biodiversity. Key tools include resource conservation planning, natural resource accounting, and resource management planning. Traditional knowledge and customary laws play a vital role and must be protected and integrated into modern conservation efforts. The Access and Benefit Sharing framework ensures that communities are fairly compensated when their resources or knowledge are used. A holistic and participatory approach is the key to successful and sustainable resource conservation.

 

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