The rapid growth of population in recent decades and the increase in per capita consumption has put a great pressure on the limited (exhaustible) mineral resources available on the earth due to high economic development. Prices are hiked and the developing countries find it difficult to purchase essential commodities.
Industrial development has led to deforestation, thus, disturbing the ecological balance. This has led to increased floods, depletion of soil, etc.
The demand for land for construction, etc. has increased. The need for conservation of mineral resources is important as (i) minerals are exhaust able, non- replenishable, (ii) if the minerals will get exhausted, civilization will crumble, (iii) industrial growth will come to a stand still.
Conservation of mineral and other resources can be done by adopting the following steps –
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Wise and judicious use of resources.
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Avoid wasteful methods.
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Find substitutes for the scarce minerals, e.g., copper is limited and aluminum is a good substitute.
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Recycling of scrap.
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New techniques must be developed to use low grade ores.
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Deforestation must be stopped.
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Encourage Afforestation.
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Proper methods of cultivation to prevent soil erosion (terrace farming, step farming) should be adopted.
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Dams should be constructed to reduce the intensity of floods and regulate the flow of the rivers, provide water for irrigation, and for generating of hydroelectricity.
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Swampy marshy land must be reclaimed.