Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
This section explores the critical relationship between resources, sustainability, and conservation. Resources are defined as the materials available in the environment that fulfill human needs when accessed technologically, economically, and culturally. These resources are categorized based on their origin, exhaustibility, ownership, and developmental status. Human activities, in pursuit of development, have led to the depletion of these resources, resulting in severe global ecological issues like land degradation, pollution, and inequitable distribution causing societal divides. The essential principle of sustainable development is introduced, advocating that current development should not compromise future needs.
In this context, conservation measures become imperative. Practical steps include afforestation, proper grazing management, and stabilization of vulnerable land areas. The emphasis is placed on planning and utilizing resources judiciously to maintain ecological balance and to promote sustainable living, resonating with historical views from thinkers like Gandhiji and the Brundtland Commission, which championed the balance between development and environmental mindfulness.