Question

What is meant by sustainable management? The environmentalists are insisting upon “sustainable natural resources management.” State its four advantages.

Answer 1

Hint: Here, the natural resources are used while protecting the environment and maintaining the balance of natural biodiversity. It is beneficial to the environment as it makes the environment remain favorable for longer times.

Complete answer:
All the living organisms on the earth are dependent on the natural resources for fulfilling their needs but humans have always used these resources excessively and this causes a reduction in that particular resource and an imbalance in the environment. To preserve the natural resources even while using them for human needs, a plan was developed which is known as sustainable management. In this plan the natural resources are used in such a way that preserves the environment and in this way, the resources can be used in the future also. In other words, it is an approach to grow by using natural resources in such a way that allows the environment to renew or restore those resources so that they can be available in the future and continue to exist for others too. It includes –
-Using recycled materials
-Relying more on renewable resources
-Reducing the use of different types of pollutants and finding their alternatives that are environment friendly
-Storage and use of rainwater and reducing the excessive use of groundwater
-If trees are being used for furniture and paper-like products then planting enough trees to maintain the adequate forest area.
The practice of sustainable management has many advantages, some have been mentioned below –
Biodiversity conservation – reducing the use of pollutants is beneficial for the organisms living in water, soil, and air, and they favorably grow and reproduce. Also, maintaining the forest area prevents natural habitat destruction for many wild animals, and in this way the huge biodiversity of the earth is conserved.
Ensures future resources for economic stability – the products obtained from forests and other plants contribute to a greater extent to the economy of any population. Due to the conservation of forest resources, they can be used for longer times in the future that will help in maintaining a stable economy.
Waste minimization – using recycled products minimizes waste content and also proves to be beneficial in reducing the environmental pollution.
Reduces the impact of a natural disaster – though there is not any system of an exact forecast for natural disasters, the environmentalists suggest that if we protect the resources of nature, it will also protect us. The natural disasters are often a result of environmental imbalance. So, practicing sustainable management reduces the chances of natural disasters.
Note: Population control, conservation of human resources, and conservation of cultural heritage are also the parts of a sustainable management approach. In this approach, it is always kept in mind that any type of development must be done within the carrying capacity of the earth. The resources are limited thus they should be used intelligently whenever needed.