The misuse and overuse of natural resources is a critical issue facing our planet today. The growing human population has led to an increase in pollution levels, deforestation , and the overuse of non-renewable resources. These factors have caused serious concern about the future availability of our natural resources. In this section, we will delve into some of the practices that lead to the misuse of resources and the resulting degradation.

Resource Degradation Due to Improper Use and Maintenance of Natural Resources

• Soil erosion and desertification: Soil erosion, a form of soil degradation, occurs when the topsoil is swept away by forces such as water and wind. This can be caused by harmful practices such as overstocking, overgrazing, deep ploughing, excessive crop farming , deforestation, lack of crop rotation, improper surface drainage, monoculture and overuse of fertilizers. This significantly decreases soil fertility and can make it unusable. In severe cases, it can cause areas of land to become dry and arid, resulting in loss of wildlife and vegetation over time. This process is known as desertification and is a major environmental issue worldwide.

Desertification

• Water-logging and soil salinity: Waterlogging refers to an excess of water in the soil, causing the groundwater table to rise too high for agricultural activities. Poor irrigation practices and inadequate drainage systems are the main causes of waterlogging. This can increase the salt content in the soil by drawing it up to the surface. High salt content can be harmful to agriculture, affecting plant growth and yield as the soil becomes more vulnerable.

These are just a few examples of how our precious and limited natural resources can be degraded due to misuse and poor maintenance.