Explain the different types of natural resources in India. How are they being conserved through government…

Question

Explain the different types of natural resources in India. How are they being conserved through government initiatives?

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

India's natural resources are renewable (forests, water, soil, wildlife), non-renewable (minerals and fossil fuels) and biological (biodiversity and protected areas). The government conserves them through the Forest Policy's one-third forest cover goal, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Atal Bhujal Yojana, the MMDR Act and the Forest Rights Act.

**Introduction**

India’s vast natural resources, renewable, non-renewable and biological, are essential for development but face threats from overuse and climate change, necessitating robust conservation efforts.

**Types of Natural Resources**

SKETCH: tree | Classification of Natural Resources in India
- Renewable Resources
  - Forests
  - Water
  - Soil
  - Wildlife
- Non-Renewable Resources
  - Minerals
  - Fossil Fuels
- Biological Resources
  - Biodiversity
  - Protected Areas

1. **Renewable Resources**: Forests cover 24% of India; the Green India Mission⟦2⟧⟦1⟧ under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) promotes afforestation and ecosystem restoration. ==Andhra Pradesh⟦4⟧⟦3⟧’s Joint Forest⟦5⟧ Management and social forestry programs== enhance local involvement in forest conservation.

2. **Non-Renewable Resources**: India’s mineral wealth includes coal, iron ore, and barytes, with ==Andhra Pradesh holding 86.11% of India’s barytes reserves==. The Mines and Minerals Act regulates extraction, but CAG audits highlight revenue and compliance gaps in Andhra Pradesh’s mining sector.

**Conservation through Government Initiatives**

3. **Water Resource Management**: Schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Atal Bhujal Yojana⟦6⟧ promote groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting. The Polavaram Project⟦7⟧ in Andhra Pradesh exemplifies large-scale water development but faces delays, cost escalations, and rehabilitation challenges.

4. **Community Participation and Legal Frameworks**: The Forest Rights Act empowers indigenous communities; ==Andhra Pradesh’s local panchayats actively manage resources==, reflecting decentralization. Constitutional provisions under Articles 48-A and 51-A(g) mandate environmental protection.

**Way Forward**

5. **Strengthen Capacity and Monitoring**: Enhance community capacity building and use satellite remote sensing for real-time monitoring to ensure compliance.

6. **Integrate Resource Efficiency**: Promote sustainable technologies in agriculture and urban planning to reduce resource depletion.

**Conclusion**

Sustained government initiatives and community engagement are vital for conserving India’s natural resources and ensuring ecological balance.

Explain the different types of natural resources in India. How are they being conserved through government initiatives?

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