Ch 16 discusses sustainable management of natural resources — forests, wildlife, water, coal, and petroleum — emphasising the three Rs, stakeholder involvement, and long-term thinking.
Forests: source of timber, medicinal plants, maintain biodiversity, prevent floods, regulate climate. Stakeholders: local communities, government, industries, wildlife. Chipko movement (1970s): villagers hugged trees to prevent deforestation in Garhwal Himalayas. Sustainable management involves all stakeholders working together for conservation with livelihood.
Water scarcity despite rain: uneven distribution, pollution, wastage. Dams: store water for irrigation, drinking, electricity — but cause displacement, environmental damage, sedimentation. Rainwater harvesting: collecting and storing rainwater — rooftop collection, infiltration pits, percolation tanks. Traditional systems: khadin (Rajasthan), johads (Alwar), bamboo drip irrigation (Meghalaya).
Coal and petroleum: non-renewable, limited, polluting. Use judiciously: avoid wastage, use public transport, energy-efficient appliances. Three Rs: Reduce (use less), Reuse (use again without reprocessing), Recycle (reprocess into new products). Sustainable development: meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
Download: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/jesc116.pdf | Complete book: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/jesc1ps.zip
Sustainable development means using resources to meet our present needs while ensuring that enough resources are preserved for future generations. It involves: using renewable resources, managing non-renewable resources carefully, minimising pollution, conserving biodiversity, and involving local communities in decision-making.
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