Write a short note on the natural resources?

(a) Natural resources – Meaning: Natural resources are available with nature. Land, water, minerals and forests are some of the natural resources. Minerals are non-renewable resources.
(b) Exhaustion of natural resources and other problems: If the natural resources such as minerals are used indiscriminately, they will be exhausted. For example, if people in the world continue to use crude oil in the present manner, it will run out of stock in 43 years. Then there are countries like USA which are using their military and economic power to get maximum oil from other countries. India is dependent on other countries for oil and spending a lot off foreign exchange on its import.
(c) Steps for solving various problems: In view of the above problems following steps should be taken for the sustainability of development:
(i) Natural resources like crude oil should not be used indiscriminately.
(ii) Alternate modes of energy 1.e., solar energy or wind energy and others should be used so that a part of limited natural resources may be preserved for future generations.
(iii) There should be planned and judicious use of natural resources.
(iv) In countries like India where a large amount of foreign exchange is being spent on import of crude oil, efforts must be made for its planned and judicious use. Individuals should be discouraged to use own vehicles/cars for going to their work place. They should use public transport system. The government on its part, should provide better transport facilities.