Natural Resources of UP- Soil, Water, Air, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands

Resource

What is resource? — “Anything that can be used to satisfy a need is considered a resource.” When you look around, you can identify various types of resources. The water you drink when you’re thirsty, the electricity you use in your house, the rickshaw you take to get home from school, the textbook you study from – all these are resources. Your mother has prepared a tasty snack for you, and the fresh vegetables she used are also resources.

Water, electricity, rickshaw, vegetables, and textbooks all share something in common: they have been used by you, giving them ‘utility.’ ‘Utility’ or ‘usability’ is what makes an object or substance a resource.

How does something become a resource?

Things become resources only when they have value. Their use or usability gives them value, and all resources have some ‘worth.’ Value refers to worth.

Some resources have economic value, while others do not. For example, metals may have economic value, whereas a beautiful landscape may not. However, both are important and satisfy human needs.

Some resources can become economically valuable over time. Your mother’s home remedies may have no commercial value today, but if they are patented^* and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically valuable.

• Patent means the exclusive right over any idea or invention.^*

‘Time’ and ‘technology’^* are pivotal factors that can transform substances into resources, both closely tied to human needs. People themselves are the most vital resource, contributing their ideas, knowledge, inventions, and discoveries to create more resources. For instance, the discovery of fire facilitated cooking and various other processes, and the invention of the wheel led to the development of newer modes of transport. Additionally, technology enabling the generation of hydroelectricity has converted fast-flowing water into a significant resource.

• Technology is the application of latest knowledge and skill in doing or making things.^*

Types of Resources

Resources are typically categorized into natural, human-made, and human resources.

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from Nature and used without much modification are called natural resources. The air we breathe, the water in our rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals are all natural resources. Many of these resources are free gifts of nature and can be used directly.

Human Made Resources

Sometimes, natural substances become resources only when their original form has been changed. Iron ore was not a resource until people learnt to extract iron from it. People use natural resources to make buildings, bridges, roads, machinery and vehicles, which are known as human made resources. Technology is also a human made resource.

Human Resources

People can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they have the knowledge, skill and the technology to do so. That is why human beings are a special resource. People are human resources Education and health help in making people a valuable resource. Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create more resources is known as human resource development.

Land

Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. This is commonly termed as Land use.

Land use

The use of land is determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use pattern.

Land can also be classified on the basis of ownership as – private land and community land. Private land is owned by individuals whereas, community land is owned by the community for common uses like collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. These community lands are also called common property resources.

People and their demands are ever growing but the availability of land is limited. The quality of land also differs from place to place. People started encroaching the common lands to build up commercial areas, housing complexes in the urban areas and to expand the agricultural land in the rural areas. Today the vast changes in the land use pattern also reflect the cultural changes in our society. Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification are the major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and construction activities.

Land Utilisation (UP) (‘000’ hectare)
Items	2011-12	2018-19	2019-20
Reporting Area	24170	24170	24170
Forest	1656	1715	1771
Barren and uncultirable land	457	442	438
Land put to non agricultural uses	2893	3169	3278
Culturable waste land	420	388	387
Permanent Pasture and other grazing land	66	70	70
Land under Miscellaneous Trees, Crops and Goves	350	269	249
Current Fallows	1173	987	992
Other Fallows	533	594	618
Net Ares Sown	16623	16538	16368
Area Sown more than once	9105	10321	10741
Source : Statistical Diary Uttar Pradesh, 2022

Conservation of Land resource

The increasing population and their expanding needs have resulted in significant destruction of forest cover and fertile land, raising concerns about the loss of this vital natural resource. Hence, it is crucial to curb the current rate of land degradation. Common methods employed to conserve land resources include afforestation, land reclamation, controlled use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and implementing measures to prevent overgrazing.

Soil

Soil, a grainy substance covering the Earth’s surface, is intricately linked to land and is determined by various factors. Landforms dictate the type of soil, which is composed of organic matter, minerals, and weathered rocks resulting from the process of weathering. The right combination of minerals and organic matter determines soil fertility.

Factors of Soil formation

The factors influencing soil formation include the nature of the parent rock and climatic conditions. Additionally, topography, the presence of organic material, and the duration of the soil formation process also play vital roles. These factors vary from one location to another.

Degradation of soil

Soil erosion and depletion pose significant threats to soil as a resource, and these issues can arise due to both human activities and natural factors. Soil degradation is caused by factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, excessive use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, erosion due to rainfall, landslides, and floods.

Soil conservation measures

• Some methods of soil conservation are listed below:
• Mulching: Organic matter such as straw covers the bare ground between plants, aiding in the retention of soil moisture.
• Contour barriers: Stones, grass, and soil are employed to construct barriers along contours, with trenches created in front of these barriers to collect water.
• Rock dam: Rocks are stacked to reduce water flow, preventing the formation of gullies and minimizing soil loss.
• Terrace farming: Steep slopes are transformed into broad, flat steps or terraces, providing level surfaces for crop cultivation. These structures effectively decrease surface runoff and minimize soil erosion.
• Intercropping: Various crops are planted in alternating rows and sown at different times to shield the soil from erosion caused by rainwater.
• Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope creates a natural barrier, guiding water flow down the slope.
• Shelter belts: In coastal and arid areas, trees are planted in rows to obstruct wind movement and safeguard soil cover.

For more details see : Soils of Uttar Pradesh

Water

Water, a vital renewable natural resource, covers three-fourths of the Earth’s surface, earning it the title of the ‘water planet.’ Life originated in primitive oceans around 3.5 billion years ago, and even today, oceans, spanning two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, support diverse plant and animal species. However, ocean water is saline and unsuitable for human consumption.

Freshwater constitutes only about 2.7 percent, with nearly 70 percent locked in ice sheets, glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, and mountain regions, making them inaccessible. Merely 1 percent of freshwater is available for human use, found as groundwater, surface water in rivers and lakes, and water vapour in the atmosphere.

Freshwater is incredibly precious, constituting an unalterable volume on Earth. Although it seems abundant, it is in constant motion, cycling through oceans, air, land, and back again via processes like evaporation, precipitation, and run-off, known as the ‘water cycle.’

Human activities consume vast amounts of water not just for drinking and sanitation but also in production processes, agriculture, industries, and generating electricity through reservoirs and dams. Growing population, increasing demands for food and cash crops, urbanization, and higher living standards contribute to shortages in the supply of freshwater, either due to drying water sources or pollution.

In 1975, the consumption of water for human use was 3850 cu km/year. It soared to more than 6000 cu km/year in the year 2000.

An average urban Indian uses about 150 litres of water every day
Use	Litres per person per day
Drinking	3
Cooking	4
Bathing	20
Flushing	40
Washing clothes	40
Washing utensils	20
Gardening	23
Total	150

Country’s Overview
Total Precipitation	4000 bcm
Annual water availability	1869 bcm
Utilizable water (a+b)	1122 bcm (≈ 60% of Utilizable water)
a. Surface water	690 bcm
b. Groundwater	432 bcm

Groundwater Resources : INDIA Vs. UP Scenario

Status of Groundwater	India	UP
Annual Extractable Groundwater	392.70 bcm	65.32 bcm
Annual Groundwater Extraction 1.   Irrigation 2.   Domestic 3.   Industrial	248.69 bcm 221.45 bcm 24.86 bcm 2.38	45.84 bcm 40.89 bcm 4.95 bcm Not reported
Net Availability for future Use	144.01 bcm	19.48 bcm
Stage of groundwater Extraction	63.33%	70.18%

Key Highlights :

• Groundwater plays a vital role in Uttar Pradesh’s socio-economic development, serving irrigation, drinking water, industries, horticulture, and infrastructure.
• Covering 28.68% of the Ganga basin, the state boasts a rich water potential, despite hydrogeological challenges like saline belts and discontinuous aquifers.
• Currently, 70% of agricultural irrigation, 90% of rural water needs, 75% of urban consumption, and 95% of industrial demands in the state are met by groundwater.
• The introduction of low-cost pump sets during the Green Revolution led to a tubewell revolution in the early 1980s, significantly increasing irrigated areas.
• However, the widespread cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane has led to groundwater depletion. Changes in land use, urbanization, and industrial development have further strained groundwater resources.
• The 2017 Ground Water Resource Assessment underestimated extraction levels, especially in industrial and infrastructural sectors, indicating a need for accurate assessments and sustainable management. 

Problems of Water availability :

Uttar Pradesh, India, with a population of over 200 million, faces severe water scarcity, holding only 7.33% of the country’s renewable water resources. Its average annual rainfall of 228.28 billion cubic meters (BCM) is unequally distributed, leaving only about 118.47 BCM usable. This scarcity is amplified by factors such as over-exploitation of groundwater, climate change-induced erratic rainfall, and pollution from industrial and agricultural waste.

The consequences are dire, impacting agriculture, industry, and public health. Over 60% of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, and waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera are on the rise. Agriculture, vital to the state’s economy, suffers from declining crop yields, forcing farmers to abandon their land. Despite government initiatives like Atal Jal Yojana and Bundelkhand Vikas Pariyojana, the challenge persists.

Efforts to combat water scarcity include groundwater recharge promotion, water efficiency improvements in agriculture, and pollution reduction measures. However, awareness and conservation efforts are crucial. Uttar Pradesh must prioritize sustainable water management, safeguarding this precious resource for its people.

Conservation of Water resources :

Access to clean and sufficient water sources is a global challenge, necessitating conservation efforts. Despite water being renewable, overuse and pollution render it unusable. Discharging untreated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents contaminates water with nitrates, metals, and pesticides. These non-biodegradable chemicals enter human bodies through water, posing health risks. Controlling water pollution requires treating effluents before releasing them into water bodies.

Forests and vegetation reduce surface runoff and recharge underground water. Water harvesting and properly lining irrigation canals minimize losses. Sprinklers and drip irrigation methods effectively conserve water by reducing seepage and evaporation, especially in arid regions. Adopting these practices helps preserve this invaluable resource.

Air

The air of Uttar Pradesh is a natural resource that is essential for life and human well-being. It is a mixture of gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases. The air quality in Uttar Pradesh varies depending on the location and the time of year. In general, the air quality in Uttar Pradesh is worse in urban areas than in rural areas.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, faces significant challenges in managing its air quality. The region is burdened with high levels of pollution due to factors such as industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and dust from construction sites and agricultural practices. These pollutants, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, have adverse effects on human health, leading to respiratory issues, heart diseases, and even cancer.

To address this pressing issue, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented various measures. These include promoting public transportation and electric vehicles, upgrading industrial pollution control equipment, planting trees, and raising public awareness about air pollution. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop a comprehensive air quality monitoring system to track pollution levels across the state.

Despite these initiatives, the battle for clean air remains ongoing. Encouraging energy conservation, supporting renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, and investing in research for advanced pollution reduction technologies are crucial steps. Collaborative efforts between the government, businesses, and the public are essential to create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone in Uttar Pradesh.

Clean air not only improves human health by reducing respiratory issues but also enhances agricultural productivity and protects infrastructure from damage. Moreover, it attracts tourists, thereby contributing to the state’s economy and residents’ overall quality of life. Recognizing air as a vital natural resource, ongoing efforts and awareness campaigns are vital to ensuring a breathable future for Uttar Pradesh.

Forest : Natural vegetation

Natural vegetation refers to a plant community left undisturbed for an extended period, allowing individual species to adapt to climate and soil conditions. In simpler terms, it is a plant community untouched by human interference, known as intact vegetation.

As per the National Forest Policy of 1988, it is imperative to expand forests to cover 33.33% of the country’s total area, with specific allocations for hilly and plains regions. Similarly, the forest policy of Uttar Pradesh mandates that 33.33% of the state’s area should be forested. Presently, only 6.15% of the state’s total geographical area has forest cover, and tree cover is at 3.08%, totaling 9.23% of the area.

Considering the pressures from population growth, agriculture, and industrialization, extensive afforestation efforts are underway in the state to address this challenge.

distribution of natural vegetation :

The growth of vegetation depends primarily on temperature and moisture. The major vegetation types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, & scrubs.

Generally, forests found in the state are tropical, but on the basis of some specialities, they are divided into three parts.

• tropical moist deciduous,
• tropical dry deciduous and
• tropical thorny forests.

The state’s population has significantly increased since independence, leading to the clearance of vast forest areas for agriculture to sustain the growing numbers. Consequently, forest cover is rapidly diminishing statewide. Urgent conservation efforts are imperative to preserve this invaluable resource.

Conservation of natural vegetation :

Forests constitute our wealth, providing shelter to animals and maintaining the ecosystem. Climate changes and human interventions can disrupt natural habitats for both plants and animals, rendering many species vulnerable, endangered, or even extinct. Human-induced factors like deforestation, soil erosion, construction activities, and forest fires accelerate the extinction of these valuable resources.

National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are established to safeguard our natural vegetation and wildlife. Preserving lakes and wetlands is crucial to prevent depletion of this precious resource.

The environmental balance remains intact when the relative number of species is undisturbed. Unfortunately, human activities in various parts of the state have disrupted the natural habitats of many species. Indiscriminate killings have led to the extinction of several birds and animals, while others are on the brink of disappearing forever.

Promoting awareness initiatives such as social forestry and Vanamohatsava at the regional and community levels is essential. Encouraging school children to engage in activities like bird watching and attending nature camps can enhance their appreciation for the diverse habitats of various species.

• Natural Vegetation

Benefits from Forests

Forests hold immense significance in the progress of human civilization, with indirect benefits often surpassing direct ones. They are a renewable resource that significantly enhances the environment’s quality.

Forests play a vital role in shielding our land from wind and water-borne erosion, as well as floods. The fertility of the soil is augmented by the fallen leaves in forests. Moreover, they contribute significantly to maintaining the balance of CO2 and O2 in the atmosphere, influencing the climate and adding to the natural beauty of our surroundings. Forest-covered areas are known to receive more rainfall, making them crucial in regions with excess precipitation. Additionally, forests provide sanctuary to a plethora of animals and plants, thereby preserving biological and environmental equilibrium.

Forest resources also offer diverse products essential to our daily lives:

• The resin obtained from pine is used to make birch sap, viroja and turpentine oil.
• Paper is obtained naturally from the Bhojpatra tree found near the snow line on the mountains. Bhojpatra paper has been in use in our country since ancient times.
• Kattha (catechu) is made from the juice of the Acacia catechu tree (khair tree).
• Matchsticks and boxes are made from the wood of Semal and Gurel trees.
• The color obtained from the bark of Babool is used for dyeing leather and for other uses.
• Beedis are made from tendu leaves (persimmon leaves).
• Poles and furniture are made from cane.
• Paper is made from the pulp of grasses like cane, bamboo and many other trees.
• Pattal and Dona are made from Sakhu and Mahua leaves.
• Rubber is made from the sap of the rubber tree.
• Toddy is obtained from the sap of palm and date palms.
• Harad-Baheda, Guggul, honey, wax, mahua, gum, chironji and lac etc. are useful forest products.
• About 1,000 types of trees are found in UP from which wood is obtained.
• About 200 types of grasses are found in the Gangetic plains.
• Medicinal plants Rouwolfia serpentine, Viola serpens, Podo phylleum, Hexandrum & Euphekra gerardiana are found in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• In the Bundelkhand and Bghelkhand regions of UP, mainly Dhaka, Teak, Mahua, Salai, Chironji & Tendu trees are found.

Grasslands

Grasslands, prevalent worldwide in diverse climates, are ecosystems dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, boasts rich natural resources, notably in the Terai region. This narrow strip along the Himalayan foothills is lush with green grasslands, vital for wildlife habitat, including tigers and rhinos. Additionally, these grasslands aid in soil conservation and water filtration, contributing significantly to the region’s ecological balance.

Uttar Pradesh is home to diverse grassland ecosystems, including:

• Terai Grasslands: Located in the southern part of the state along the Nepal border, Terai grasslands feature tall grasses and scattered trees, hosting wildlife such as tigers, rhinos, elephants, and deer.
• Bundelkhand Grasslands: Situated in the central part, Bundelkhand grasslands feature short grasses and thorny shrubs, providing habitats for species like blackbuck, chinkara, and hyenas.
• Gangetic Plain Grasslands: Found in the eastern region, Gangetic plain grasslands showcase tall grasses and scattered trees, supporting wildlife like nilgai, hog deer, and swamp deer.

Grasslands are crucial natural resources as they offer various benefits, including:

• Food and Grazing: Grasslands serve as the primary food source for grazing animals like cattle, sheep, and goats, and provide habitat for diverse wildlife.
• Soil Conservation: Grasslands prevent soil erosion by anchoring soil particles with their roots and enhance soil quality by adding organic matter.
• Water Filtration: Grasslands filter rainwater and reduce runoff, thereby improving water quality.
• Carbon Storage: Grasslands store significant amounts of carbon in their soil and biomass, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Grasslands in Uttar Pradesh face several challenges, including:

• Habitat Loss: Grasslands are shrinking due to agricultural expansion, development, and land use changes.
• Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock damages grasslands and reduces their productivity.
• Invasive Species: Plants like lantana and Prosopis juliflora invade grasslands, displacing native grasses and plants.

The government of Uttar Pradesh is taking various measures to protect and manage grasslands, including:

• Establishing Protected Areas: Uttar Pradesh has established protected areas like Dudhwa National Park and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, which encompass grassland habitats.
• Promoting Sustainable Grazing: Collaborating with farmers, the government encourages sustainable grazing practices to minimize the impact on grasslands.
• Controlling Invasive Species: The government is actively controlling invasive species in grasslands using methods such as mechanical removal and herbicides.

Grasslands are a vital part of Uttar Pradesh’s natural heritage. By safeguarding and managing these ecosystems, the state can ensure that they continue to provide numerous benefits to both people and wildlife for years to come.

Wetlands

A wetland is an area of ​​land that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water. Wetlands are characterised by their unique vegetation, which is adapted to live in wet conditions. Wetlands are found all over the world and play an important role in the environment.

Some Key features of wetlands :

• Water
• Soil
• Vegetation
• Animals

Some Important Benefits of wetlands :

• They provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals
• They help to regulate water flow & Flood control
• They help to purify water
• They provide recreational opportunities
• Carbon storage
• They help to recharge groundwater

Wetlands are an important part of the environment, and they play a vital role in our ecosystem. It is important to protect wetlands and to ensure that they are not degraded or destroyed.

Threats to wetlands :

• Development
• Pollution
• Invasive species
• Climate change

Steps to save wetlands

• Enacting laws to protect wetlands.
• Educating the public about the importance of wetlands.
• Rehabilitating degraded wetlands.
• Supporting organisations that are working to protect wetlands.

Wetlands are an important part of our planet, and we need to do everything we can to protect them.

There are over 100 wetlands in Uttar Pradesh, of which 10 have been designated as Ramsar sites.

There are a total of 75 Ramsar sites in India, out of which 10 are located in Uttar Pradesh.

For more details see :  Wetlands in UP