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What are the reasons for depleting nature of our mineral resources?
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Following are the reasons for depleting nature of our mineral resources:

  1. Rapid population increase:

    There has been a tremendous increase in India’s population and it has now crossed 103 crores (1.03 billion). An increase in population will decrease all types of natural resources and result in environmental pollution. Ultimately, there will be short supply, as well as deterioration in quality of natural resources. This is because increase in population will increase the demand of natural resources and environment. At present, the world population is increasing by two per cent every year. The industrialized countries have annual growth rate of 0.5 to 1 per cent and on the other hand the developing countries have the growth rate of 2 to 3 per cent. The per capita use of energy and mineral resources shows a difference between the developing and developed countries of the world. The developed countries consume less but their resources are enough. The population and per capita consumption have a considerable impact on the environment. The world cannot meet the continuously increasing demand for natural resources.

  2. Pollution:

    We are deteriorating our environment due to increasing population and industrial revolution. We are polluting atmosphere, lakes, streams, rivers by sewage, industrial wastes, heat, radioactive materials, detergents, fertilizers and pesticides. Besides these, we are releasing a number of toxic materials into our surroundings. The uncontrolled and indiscriminate use of pesticides has disturbed the entire food chains by which animals including man are affected. It has been estimated that average individual has about 7 parts per million (ppm) DDT in his body which affects in long-term. Recent researches have revealed that this proportion of DDT in our body has deleterious effects on heart and liver and higher concentration may cause several other diseases including cancer. Many gases, e.g., carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are known to cause respiratory troubles. The unplanned and uncontrolled industrial growth may adversely affect or destroy the health of the society.

  3. Consumption of materials:

    Due to tremendous increase of population, most of the natural resources are being rapidly consumed. This high rate of consumption has disturbed our ecosystems. But, on the other hand, many of the natural resources are essential basic human needs. Many industries require raw materials which are essential for the advancement of the country. However, their rapid consumption will affect adversely the quality of our environment either by unwise use of natural resources or by increasing pollution.

  4. Deterioration of land:

    Due to excessive consumption of minerals of the soil by cropping or soil erosion or other natural events, fertility of soil is lost and the land deteriorates gradually. Sometimes drought also results in deterioration of land and many nutrients of the top soil are destroyed and soil fertility is lost. As a result of cropping, the cycling of soil mineral nutrients is greatly reduced. Erosion has also depleted soil fertility because most of the minerals remain in the upper part of the soil and they are easily removed by wind or washed away by water. Sometimes water erosion takes its toll of fertile soils.

    Man has also deteriorated agricultural land and ultimately caused the loss of national economy. It is commonly seen that man cannot degrade one part of his environment without simultaneously affecting other parts. For proper economic development lands for cropping, forest, recreation, transportation and wildlife are needed but their availability is reducing day by day. Therefore, integrated policy of resource management should be practiced, otherwise unexpected future shortage might upset the national economy.

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