CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Natural
resources include the whole earth’s natural environment. A resource is anything
that meets or satisfies human need or want of civilization. Early societies
used wood rather easily taxed the extent of the earth’s resources turning to a
new one to fill their needs when the old were used up. The renewable resources
are fossils fuels, minerals etc. Man has been using these natural resources
increasingly over the years to provide him with food, materials, and energy.
The end result of this is the dangers of depletion of the non-renewable
resources.

Renewable
resources been used up faster than they are formed resulting in the pollution
of the environment. If our existence on this planet is to continue, we have to
conserve our natural resources (Ramalingan, et al, 1979). The term conservation
came from two Latin word “Con” meaning together while “servare” means to keep
or guard. Therefore, conservation literally means to keep together. Today, we
think of conservation as using our natural resources wisely rather than keeping
together in a status quo-situation. According to Ramalingua, et al (1979) to
conserve something means to protect it and keep it in a healthy condition. In
the present context conversation implies ensuring a high quality life for human
by the wise use and management of natural environment. This definition has a
broad scope, it thought about the protection of nature that is forest, soil,
wild life etc to enrich our lives, the controlled and planned, production of
useful materials, from the living environment such as crops, fisheries. The
controlled use of possible idea is a corporate concept, if manipulation and
decision making in regards to our natural resources but we must first know what
our natural resources are and what part they play in the ecosystem. Aido
Leopard (1979) a notable conservationist, pointed out that people must
understand ecological process to practice conservation. The main purpose of
conservation is to maintain a healthy6, functioning biosphere (part of the
earth were there are living things) that will also provide us with our needs,
including reservation of activities.

1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS     

The
study examines the essence and importance of the environment and its resources.
It is unfortunate that many people do not know the importance of the
environment to mankind and it determines the existence of man and other living
organisms. The reasons for the decrease in conservation of natural resources
are many. They include:

1. Inadequate
education, about the danger of pollution.

2. The
improper waste disposal

3. Poor
wastes management

4. Poor
ventilation

5. Improper
handling of crude oil which leads to water pollution

6. Indiscriminate
bush burning

7. Illegal
timber felling

Nature
provides us the basic needs like food, shelter, clothes, etc. for our survival.
We use air, water, soil, minerals, coal, petroleum, animals, plants etc. in our
daily life. But do you ever think, how long these precious materials of the
nature will be available for our use. The growing population, rapid
industrialization and urbanization have created heavy demand on all these
materials. It is feared that unless proper steps are taken to conserve them in
time, we will face tremendous hardship in future.

1.3
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY 

The
purpose of this research study is to create awareness in people on the essence
and importance of the environment. Definitely people should adopt the best
method of exploring the environment and care for nature and there are many
benefits derived when our environment is conserved.

1. Preservation
of natural forest

2. Preserving
the beauty of life

3. Wildlife
presentation

4. Improvement
of quality of life   

5. Improves
our revenue

1.4
RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In this course of study, the following research
questions are posed, if the nature resources are covered.

1. Are natural resources useful to mankind?

2. Does the conservation of natural resource encourage
wildlife continuity?

3. Does conservation preserve the beauty of nature?

4. Does a healthy environment improve our quality of
life?

5. Does conservation ensure continuous sources of
minerals for energy and foreign exchange?       

1.5
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This
project work is designed especially to provide people particularly arose in
Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo state with basic or fundamental
knowledge of conservation of nature resources. Information gathered from this
project work if available to those people in their various places, will go a
long way in solving the problem of conservation which include the nature
resources. A comprehensive analysis and description of the essence of
environment and its resources as provided in this project work will go a long
way to inspire and educate the researcher may and other researcher who may want
to  carry out further research into this topic. Information available in
this project work will add to the pool of already existing ideas to be used in
planning developing not only biology department, Ekiadolor, Benin but also the
nation at large.

1.6
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 

The
researcher has limited the scope of this study to Udo, Iguobazuwa, Iguelahor
College, Nikorogba, Okomu Oil in Ovia South West Local Government. The scope is
limited to farmers in rural areas and also to a few students who are into
research especially those in Biology Department of College of Education,
Ekiadolor, Benin. Also to timber fellers who always have influence in the
forest and finally the industrialist.

However
the research has some constraints which are;

Time: the time at the
disposal of the researcher which is allocated for the study was a major
limitation as the researcher has to combine other academic work with the study.

Finance:
The finance at the disposal of the researcher in the course of the study does
not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher
has other academic bills

1.7
DEFINITION OF TERMS

For
the purpose of clarification, the following terms which are used in the content
of the study are hereby defined.

Eco-System:
Is the sum total of the biotic and abiotic components interacting in the
environment.

Endangered
species: Are wildlife species (animals) which are useful to man
and for entertainment but are being endangered. They are being protected from
extinction e.g. stripped hydrias, giraffe, whales, kites, sparrow, hawks etc.

Extinction:
Is when animal’s species reptiles, birds and mammals have been hunted or killed
by man which makes them go into extinction.

Non-Renewable
Resources: Are those resources which cannot be replaced when the
initial stock is used up examples are petroleum, coal, gold etc.

Renewable
Resources: Are those resources which can be replaced when the
initial stock are used up.

Pollution:
Is the release or discharge of waste substance or energy into the environment
by man in quantities which are harmful to him or to other things or which in
some ways reduce the quality of human life.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This
research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as
follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the
(background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study,
research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of
the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents
the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the
subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the
research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on
the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations
made of the study.

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