Conservation means the management of the resources for the benefit of the present as well as future generation. It does not mean the total curtailment of consumption but rather the controlled use of resources for greater benefits. Conservation of resources primarily includes reduction of wastage, controlled use and increased benefits. The term ‘sustainable development’ is frequently used to express the approaches to resource conservation. The importance of resource conservation has been provided in the following points –

a) Resource conservation is needed to maintain the essential ecological processes and life support system which in turn ensures the survival of all living species.

b) It is needed to satisfy the future need as a growing population size causes an increased demand for resources.

c) Finite nature of conventional resource forms like fossil fuels makes it imperative that resources are conserved to expand the time span of usage.

d) Resource conservation reduces environmental pollution and hence is important as environmental quality affects all species on earth.

Methods of resource conservation include the following –

a) Substitution – Development of substitutes is a major principle of resource conservation. Non -renewable energy resources like fossil fuels may be substituted with renewable energy resources.

b) Recycling – Certain resources can be recycled up to a certain limit and hence the declining trend in its quantity can be arrested for a time span. Iron is such a resource. If iron scraps are recycled in the iron and steel industry it can lower the dependence on raw iron.

c) Alternative technology – Alternative technology can protect the material environment, create a longer lifespan for finite resources and increase satisfaction from the same amount. It needs to be environmentally friendly and less exploitative for it to be successful.

d) Reduction of wastage – if wastages are reduced, a greater quantity of resources are available for consumption, and it will lead to resource conservation.

e) Development of awareness – No conservation programme can be successful if the people are not involved. Awareness regarding the importance of resources is imperative for its conservation.

f) Increased efficiency – Increased resource demand is met by the increased functional resource value from the same quantity of resource input. For e.g., modern fuel-efficient cars can cover longer distances for the same amount of petrol.

Thus, from the above discussion, we can establish that resource conservation is the need of the hour and there are a variety of ways in which it can be achieved.