Question

(a) What is a natural resource? Name three important natural resources.
(b) Why do we need to manage our natural resources?

Answer 1

(a) Natural resources are the things present in the environment that can be used by humans. Three important natural resources are water, fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum, and forest and wildlife.

(b) We need to manage our natural resources. The reasons for this are given below:

• They are limited in amount. We need to manage them so that they can fulfil the need of the present as well that of the coming generations.
• This will prevent their exploitation for short term gain.
• This will ensure equal distribution of natural resources so that everyone can benefit from their development.
• This will also minimise the damage to the environment, which is caused during the extraction and usage of natural resources.