Practices for Conservation of Resources

All of these

Reason — Conservation of natural resources includes preservation, maintenance, sustainable use, restoration and enhancement of natural resources. Since preservation, maintenance and sustainable utilisation are all part of conservation, all of the given options are correct.

Both (a) and (b)

Reason — The aim of conservation is twofold — to preserve the natural resources and ensure quality of the environment, and to ensure a continuous yield of resources by establishing a balanced cycle of harvest and renewal. Hence both the options are correct.

Both I and II are correct

Reason — Statement I is correct because sprinklers economise water and effectively irrigate even uneven land. Statement II is correct because drip or trickle irrigation supplies water directly to the roots through underground perforated pipes, conserving the water that would otherwise be lost through evaporation.

False

Reason — Contour ploughing means ploughing along the contours to prevent rainwater from washing the soil away. However, it is useful only when the land is totally flat and not in hilly terrains. Hence the statement is false.

Increases damage to environment

Reason — Recycling reduces damage to the environment rather than increasing it. Saving on natural resources, obtaining the commodity at a cheaper price, and saving energy and raw materials are all advantages of recycling, so "increases damage to environment" is not an advantage.

All of these

Reason — Energy can be conserved by reducing wastage and losses, improving efficiency through technological upgradation, and improving operation and maintenance. Hence all of the given options are correct.

Coal energy

Reason — Coal is a conventional (fossil fuel) source of energy and is exhaustible. Hydropower, wind power, and solar energy are non-conventional, renewable sources of energy. Hence coal energy is not a non-conventional resource.

Produces eco-friendly energy

Reason — The plant shown is a biogas plant. Biogas is produced from the decomposition of organic waste such as cattle dung and domestic waste. It is cheap, renewable and environment-friendly, so its main advantage is that it produces eco-friendly energy.

True

Reason — Solar energy is a renewable and pollution-free source of energy. It has come up as a major source for fulfilling the world's future energy requirements without causing pollution, so the statement is true.

Saves trees and reduces waste in landfills

Reason — Recycling newspapers reduces the demand for fresh paper, thereby saving trees, and also reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills. This benefits the environment by conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.

Use of sprinklers for irrigation

Reason — Sprinklers economise water and irrigate land efficiently. Using sprinklers along with rainwater harvesting helps conserve the stored water, whereas over-irrigation, deforestation, and reliance on fossil fuels do not support water conservation.

It uses cattle dung and organic waste abundantly available

Reason — Biogas is generated from the decomposition of organic wastes such as cattle dung and domestic waste, which are available in plenty in Indian villages. It is cheap, renewable, and environment-friendly, making it a practical fuel source in rural areas.

It is pollution-free and renewable

Reason — Solar energy is pollution-free and renewable, and it can be trapped more effectively in regions with long sunshine hours. This feature makes solar panels suitable for areas with long sunlight hours.

False

Reason — Rainwater harvesting is used to store rainwater collected during the monsoon so that it can be used during the dry months, and to recharge the groundwater. Its primary purpose is to ensure the supply of water in the dry months, not during the monsoon season. Hence the statement is false.

Controlled water movement across steps

Reason — In terrace farming, the mountain slope is cut into steps. This slows down and controls the flow of rainwater across the steps, so the soil eroded from one step gets deposited on the following steps. This controlled water movement significantly reduces soil erosion.

Conserves water by efficient irrigation

Reason — The system shown is a sprinkler. Sprinklers are a very effective and efficient technique that economise water and irrigate even uneven land. Hence the primary advantage of the system is that it conserves water by efficient irrigation.

both I and II are correct

Reason — Statement I is correct because biogas is generated from the decomposition of organic wastes such as manure and domestic waste. Statement II is correct because aerogenerators (wind turbines) are being used to generate electricity from wind energy. Hence both statements are correct.

Prevents water wastage through evaporation

Reason — In drip irrigation, water is supplied directly to the roots of the plants through underground perforated pipes. This prevents the wastage of water that would otherwise occur through evaporation, thereby conserving water.

Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Reason — Overgrazing removes the vegetation cover and exposes the soil to harsh winds and erosion. The continuous loss of fertile topsoil due to this exposure can ultimately lead to desertification. Hence R correctly explains A.

Decreased air pollution

Reason — Investing in public transport reduces the number of private vehicles on the road. Fewer vehicles burn less fuel and release fewer harmful emissions, which decreases air pollution. Hence the primary environmental benefit is decreased air pollution.

Renewable and pollution-free

Reason — The picture shows solar panels. Solar energy is a renewable and pollution-free source of energy because it uses sunlight, which is inexhaustible and does not cause any pollution.

High installation cost

Reason — Setting up a tidal energy power plant requires expensive technology and infrastructure, which makes its installation cost very high. This is a major limitation of tidal energy, even though it is a clean source of energy.

Conservation of resources is important because of the following reasons:

1. Depleting Resources — Natural resources are depleting at a very fast rate due to overuse, growing population and industrialisation.

2. For Future Generations — Conservation ensures that resources are used in a proper way so that a part of them is left for use by future generations.

The aim of conservation of resources is twofold:

1. To preserve natural resources and ensure quality of environment — Conservation seeks to hold and control the supply of natural resources so that they are not wasted, and the quality of the environment is maintained.

2. To ensure continuous yield of resources — Conservation aims to ensure a continuous yield of resources by establishing a balanced cycle of harvest and renewal, so that the resources are not exhausted.

Aerogenerators are used to generate electricity from wind. Wind makes the blades of the turbine spin, producing kinetic energy, which is converted into electrical energy by a generator.

Wind as an energy source will never run out. In India, wind energy is being used for running mills, irrigating fields, and carrying out other farm activities.

Conservation of soil also helps to conserve water resources in the following ways:

1. Slows Down Water Flow — Practices like terrace farming and contour ploughing slow down the flow of rainwater and recharge the groundwater.

2. Retains Moisture — Mulching covers the soil and prevents evaporation, so the soil retains moisture for a longer time.

3. Maintains Water Cycle — Afforestation protects the soil and helps forests retain water, which maintains the natural water cycle.

LPG and CNG are environment-friendly fuels for the following reasons:

1. LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) — When LPG is used in place of firewood, it saves thousands of living trees from being cut, thereby reducing deforestation.

2. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) — When CNG is used in automobiles in place of petrol or diesel, it burns more cleanly and produces fewer harmful emissions.

We should promote the use of renewable resources because of the following reasons:

1. Replacement for Depleting Resources — Conventional resources are depleting very fast and will be exhausted forever, so renewable resources bring hope for the sustained socio-economic development of humanity.

2. Will Not Run Out — Renewable energy sources naturally replenish themselves and will not run out, unlike non-renewable resources.

3. Pollution-Free and Clean — Renewable energy sources are clean to use as there are no or fewer greenhouse gas emissions. For example, solar energy is pollution-free.

4. Employment Generation — Renewable energy technologies could produce many jobs in the future.

Conservation of Resources — Conservation of natural resources means holding or controlling the supply of these resources in such a way that a part of them is left for the future. Depletion of natural resources has led to serious efforts to conserve them. Conservation includes preservation, maintenance, sustainable use, restoration and enhancement of natural resources.

Conservation of Minerals — Most of the minerals are exhaustible, so they need to be conserved. Minerals can be conserved by the following practices:

1. Better Technology — Using better and modern technology for the extraction and processing of minerals reduces wastage.

2. Efficient Utilisation — Minerals should be utilised efficiently so that minimum quantity is wasted.

3. Reuse and Recycling — Reuse and recycling of minerals (such as metals) reduces the demand for fresh extraction.

4. Special Conservation Programmes — Programmes such as the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board, the National Wastelands Development Board, and the Hill Area Development Programme help in conserving mineral resources.

Recycling — Recycling means salvaging used materials in order to reuse them. It helps to save money and valuable natural resources and also minimises pollution. Recycling is mostly done in the industrial sector and is of two types — internal recycling and external recycling.

Advantages of Recycling — Recycling has the following advantages:

1. Saving on Natural Resources — Recycling reduces the use and demand for fresh natural resources.

2. Cheaper Commodities — Recycled materials help to obtain the commodity at a cheaper price.

3. Saving Energy and Raw Materials — Recycling saves both energy and raw materials needed for manufacturing.

4. Reduces Environmental Damage — Recycling reduces damage to the environment. For example, recycling of paper saves trees.

5. Fewer Quarries — Recycling glass means fewer sandpits and limestone quarries are needed, which means lesser environmental pollution.

Renewable Energy Sources — Renewable energy sources are non-conventional sources of energy that naturally replenish themselves and do not get exhausted with use. They are inexhaustible and can be used again and again. The rapid depletion of conventional energy resources has prompted people to tap these renewable sources, which are clean and last for a longer period of time.

Three examples of renewable energy sources are:

1. Solar Energy — Energy obtained from sunlight, trapped using solar cells, which is steady and pollution-free.

2. Wind Power — Energy obtained from moving air using aerogenerators, which never runs out and causes no pollution.

3. Hydropower — Energy obtained from flowing or falling water, used to spin turbines and generate electricity.

(Other examples include tidal energy and biogas/bioenergy.)

The difference between internal recycling and external recycling is given below:

S.No.	Basis	Internal Recycling	External Recycling
1.	Meaning	The process in which waste material is reclaimed as part of the manufacturing process.	The process in which worn out or used objects are recollected and reused for manufacturing new objects.
2.	Place	It is carried out within the factory itself.	It is carried out after the product has been used by consumers.
3.	Source of Waste	The waste comes from the manufacturing process itself.	The waste comes from used or discarded consumer products.
4.	Example	Trimming of copper pipings cut to standard lengths and its waste being melted for reuse.	Worn out paper or glass bottles being recollected and reused, for example newspaper recycling.

The difference between conventional and non-conventional energy resources is given below:

S.No.	Basis	Conventional Energy Resources	Non-Conventional Energy Resources
1.	Meaning	The traditional sources of energy that have been in use for a long time.	The newer, alternative sources of energy that are being developed to replace conventional sources.
2.	Availability	They are exhaustible and get depleted with use.	They are inexhaustible and replenish themselves naturally.
3.	Pollution	They cause a lot of pollution.	They cause little or no pollution.
4.	Examples	Coal, petroleum, natural gas.	Solar energy, wind power, hydropower, tidal energy, biogas.

Why conventional energy resources cannot fulfil energy requirements:

Conventional energy resources such as coal and petroleum cannot fulfil energy requirements because they are exhaustible and are being depleted at a very fast rate. If the present rate of use continues, these resources will be exhausted forever. In addition, they cause heavy pollution of air, water and soil. Because of this fast depletion, people have been compelled to find and tap non-conventional sources of energy that may last for a longer period of time.

Technology plays an important role in the conservation of resources in the following ways:

1. Efficient Utilisation of Minerals — Better technology helps in extracting and using minerals efficiently, thereby reducing wastage of exhaustible resources.

2. Improving Energy Efficiency — Technological improvement helps save energy by reducing wastage and losses. Energy-efficient machines and appliances also conserve energy.

3. Recycling of Wastes — New technologies help recycle industrial and other wastes for reuse. For example, waste paper can be recycled to produce paper again.

4. Harnessing Renewable Energy — Technology helps in using non-conventional sources of energy. Solar cells use sunlight, aerogenerators use wind, and biogas plants convert organic waste into fuel.

5. Finding Alternatives — Technology helps find substitutes for scarce resources, such as LPG in place of firewood and CNG in place of petrol or diesel.

Thus, technology conserves resources by reducing wastage, promoting recycling and developing renewable alternatives.

Replacing traditional fuels like firewood with alternatives such as LPG and CNG has the following environmental benefits:

1. Saves Trees and Forests — Easy and economic supply of LPG in place of firewood can save thousands of living trees from being cut. This helps in conserving forests and reducing deforestation.

2. Reduces Air Pollution — LPG and CNG burn more cleanly than traditional fuels. When CNG is used in automobiles in place of petrol or diesel, it produces fewer harmful emissions.

3. Protects Soil — Since fewer trees are cut, the vegetation cover is preserved. This helps protect the soil from erosion and maintains soil fertility.

4. Conserves Exhaustible Fuels — Use of CNG helps reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, which are exhaustible conventional fuels.