Importance of conservation of natural resources

Project Abstract

The conservation of natural resources is of paramount importance in maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Natural resources such as water, air, soil, minerals, forests, and wildlife play a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. However, the rapid exploitation and degradation of these resources due to human activities pose serious threats to the environment and future generations. Conservation efforts are essential to ensure the long-term availability of natural resources and to mitigate the adverse impacts of overexploitation. Sustainable management practices, including reducing waste, promoting recycling, and adopting renewable energy sources, are key strategies in conserving natural resources. Additionally, protecting ecosystems and wildlife habitats through measures such as establishing protected areas and wildlife reserves is crucial for preserving biodiversity. Conservation of water resources is particularly critical due to increasing water scarcity and pollution. Implementing water-saving technologies, improving irrigation practices, and reducing water pollution are vital steps in conserving this precious resource. Similarly, sustainable forestry practices, such as reforestation and forest protection, are essential for maintaining forest ecosystems and combating deforestation. Efforts to conserve soil resources involve practices like erosion control, soil conservation, and sustainable agriculture techniques to prevent soil degradation and loss of arable land. The conservation of minerals is also important as they are finite resources that are essential for various industries. Recycling and efficient use of minerals can help reduce the environmental impact of mining and extraction activities. Conservation of natural resources not only benefits the environment but also has economic and social implications. Sustainable use of resources can lead to cost savings, job creation, and improved quality of life for communities dependent on natural resources. Furthermore, conserving ecosystems and biodiversity can provide ecosystem services such as clean air, water, and food security, which are essential for human well-being. In conclusion, the conservation of natural resources is a multifaceted issue that requires collective action at local, national, and global levels. By implementing sustainable practices, protecting ecosystems, and promoting awareness about the importance of conservation, we can ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come. It is imperative that policymakers, businesses, and individuals prioritize conservation efforts to safeguard the environment and secure the well-being of present and future populations.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><b>INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY</b></p><p>Natural<br>resources include the whole earth’s natural environment. A resource is anything<br>that meets or satisfies human need or want of civilization. Early societies<br>used wood rather easily taxed the extent of the earth’s resources turning to a<br>new one to fill their needs when the old were used up. The renewable resources<br>are fossils fuels, minerals etc. Man has been using these natural resources<br>increasingly over the years to provide him with food, materials, and energy.<br>The end result of this is the dangers of depletion of the non-renewable<br>resources.</p><p>Renewable<br>resources been used up faster than they are formed resulting in the pollution<br>of the environment. If our existence on this planet is to continue, we have to<br>conserve our natural resources (Ramalingan, et al, 1979). The term conservation<br>came from two Latin word “Con” meaning together while “servare” means to keep<br>or guard. Therefore, conservation literally means to keep together. Today, we<br>think of conservation as using our natural resources wisely rather than keeping<br>together in a status quo-situation. According to Ramalingua, et al (1979) to<br>conserve something means to protect it and keep it in a healthy condition. In<br>the present context conversation implies ensuring a high quality life for human<br>by the wise use and management of natural environment. This definition has a<br>broad scope, it thought about the protection of nature that is forest, soil,<br>wild life etc to enrich our lives, the controlled and planned, production of<br>useful materials, from the living environment such as crops, fisheries. The<br>controlled use of possible idea is a corporate concept, if manipulation and<br>decision making in regards to our natural resources but we must first know what<br>our natural resources are and what part they play in the ecosystem. Aido<br>Leopard (1979) a notable conservationist, pointed out that people must<br>understand ecological process to practice conservation. The main purpose of<br>conservation is to maintain a healthy6, functioning biosphere (part of the<br>earth were there are living things) that will also provide us with our needs,<br>including reservation of activities.</p><p><b>1.2<br>STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS &nbsp; &nbsp; </b></p><p>The<br>study examines the essence and importance of the environment and its resources.<br>It is unfortunate that many people do not know the importance of the<br>environment to mankind and it determines the existence of man and other living<br>organisms. The reasons for the decrease in conservation of natural resources<br>are many. They include:</p><p>1. Inadequate<br>education, about the danger of pollution.</p><p>2. The<br>improper waste disposal</p><p>3. Poor<br>wastes management</p><p>4. Poor<br>ventilation</p><p>5. Improper<br>handling of crude oil which leads to water pollution</p><p>6. Indiscriminate<br>bush burning</p><p>7. Illegal<br>timber felling</p><p>Nature<br>provides us the basic needs like food, shelter, clothes, etc. for our survival.<br>We use air, water, soil, minerals, coal, petroleum, animals, plants etc. in our<br>daily life. But do you ever think, how long these precious materials of the<br>nature will be available for our use. The growing population, rapid<br>industrialization and urbanization have created heavy demand on all these<br>materials. It is feared that unless proper steps are taken to conserve them in<br>time, we will face tremendous hardship in future.</p><p><b>1.3<br>PURPOSE OF THE STUDY </b></p><p>The<br>purpose of this research study is to create awareness in people on the essence<br>and importance of the environment. Definitely people should adopt the best<br>method of exploring the environment and care for nature and there are many<br>benefits derived when our environment is conserved.</p><p>1. Preservation<br>of natural forest</p><p>2. Preserving<br>the beauty of life</p><p>3. Wildlife<br>presentation</p><p>4. Improvement<br>of quality of life &nbsp; </p><p>5. Improves<br>our revenue</p><p><b>1.4<br>RESEARCH QUESTIONS</b></p><p>In this course of study, the following research<br>questions are posed, if the nature resources are covered.</p><p>1. Are natural resources useful to mankind?</p><p>2. Does the conservation of natural resource encourage<br>wildlife continuity?</p><p>3. Does conservation preserve the beauty of nature?</p><p>4. Does a healthy environment improve our quality of<br>life?</p><p>5. Does conservation ensure continuous sources of<br>minerals for energy and foreign exchange? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p><b>1.5<br>SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>This<br>project work is designed especially to provide people particularly arose in<br>Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo state with basic or fundamental<br>knowledge of conservation of nature resources. Information gathered from this<br>project work if available to those people in their various places, will go a<br>long way in solving the problem of conservation which include the nature<br>resources. A comprehensive analysis and description of the essence of<br>environment and its resources as provided in this project work will go a long<br>way to inspire and educate the researcher may and other researcher who may want<br>to carry out further research into this topic. Information available in<br>this project work will add to the pool of already existing ideas to be used in<br>planning developing not only biology department, Ekiadolor, Benin but also the<br>nation at large.</p><p><b>1.6<br>SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY </b></p><p>The<br>researcher has limited the scope of this study to Udo, Iguobazuwa, Iguelahor<br>College, Nikorogba, Okomu Oil in Ovia South West Local Government. The scope is<br>limited to farmers in rural areas and also to a few students who are into<br>research especially those in Biology Department of College of Education,<br>Ekiadolor, Benin. Also to timber fellers who always have influence in the<br>forest and finally the industrialist.</p><p>However<br>the research has some constraints which are;</p><p><b>Time</b>: the time at the<br>disposal of the researcher which is allocated for the study was a major<br>limitation as the researcher has to combine other academic work with the study.</p><p><b>Finance:</b><br>The finance at the disposal of the researcher in the course of the study does<br>not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher<br>has other academic bills</p><p><b>1.7<br>DEFINITION OF TERMS</b></p><p>For<br>the purpose of clarification, the following terms which are used in the content<br>of the study are hereby defined.</p><p><b>Eco-System</b>:<br>Is the sum total of the biotic and abiotic components interacting in the<br>environment.</p><p><b>Endangered<br>species</b>: Are wildlife species (animals) which are useful to man<br>and for entertainment but are being endangered. They are being protected from<br>extinction e.g. stripped hydrias, giraffe, whales, kites, sparrow, hawks etc.</p><p><b>Extinction</b>:<br>Is when animal’s species reptiles, birds and mammals have been hunted or killed<br>by man which makes them go into extinction.</p><p><b>Non-Renewable<br>Resources</b>: Are those resources which cannot be replaced when the<br>initial stock is used up examples are petroleum, coal, gold etc.</p><p><b>Renewable<br>Resources</b>: Are those resources which can be replaced when the<br>initial stock are used up.</p><p><b>Pollution</b>:<br>Is the release or discharge of waste substance or energy into the environment<br>by man in quantities which are harmful to him or to other things or which in<br>some ways reduce the quality of human life.</p><p><b>1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>This<br>research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as<br>follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the<br>(background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study,<br>research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of<br>the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents<br>the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the<br>subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the<br>research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on<br>the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations<br>made of the study.</p><br> <br><p></p>