Management of Natural Resources Test - 15

Reduce the consumption of various resources wherever possible. For example- we can reduce the consumption of electricity by switching off lights and other appliances when they are not required. 
Recycle- There are many items which can be recycled again and again. Recycling is another way of reducing the demand for natural resources. For example- by recycling paper, we reduce the demand for wood and thus, help in saving the forest.
Reuse- Many items can be reused, many times. For example, the old newspaper can be used for packing many items. We can use one side printed sheets for our rough work at home/work.

Building big dams or raising their height have always been controversial issues. India is a fast-growing economy and the requirement for energy is increasing manifold. However, we are deficient in oil and gas resources. Our known coal deposits are lacking both in quantity and quality. Nuclear power is not entirely safe and may lead to radiation pollution. Further, there are many restrictions on the usage of nuclear technology and it is very expensive. 

In such a scenario, raising the height of existing dams for storing more water to generate more pressure for generating hydroelectricity can be considered as an alternative, but that comes with its share of challenges.

Raising the height of dams, for instance, will permanently submerge vast tracts of land. This will result in the dislocation of native people, permanent loss of indigenous plants and animals, and permanent farmland destruction. 

So, if any dam is to be raised in height, all aspects should be carefully considered, such as the reestablishment of local tradition, considerations for biodiversity protection, etc.

• Arabari is the name of a forest range in the West Midnapore district of West Bengal, India contiguous with the Dalma range of East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. 
• The predominant tree of the forest is sal (Shorea robusta). A number of elephants also travel down from the Dalma range into Arabari and often encroach and attack villages in West Midnapore. 
• The forest can be classified as part of the Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests. 

Large dams are built at high cost and result in submergence of large areas of natural forests, displacement of a large number of indigenous people and when built in the hilly area may also give rise to frequent earthquakes and landslides. Thus, big dams have high environmental, social and economic cost and all factors should be carefully studied before building a new dam. Also due to all these social, economic and environmental issues, large dams face opposition.

Almost all kinds of paper are recyclable. Newspaper, envelopes, textbooks, notebooks, drawing sheets, cardboard, etc. all can be recycled.

• Fossil fuel is the fuel derived from dead remains of plants and animals, which are buried underground for millions of years. For example - coal is obtained from the dead remains of plants while crude oil is obtained from the dead remains of animals. Kerosene is obtained by distillation of crude oil.
• Some other sources of energy which are not derived from dead remains of plants and animals (and are hence, not fossil fuels) are wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, etc.

So, the correct option is C.