(a) Anything in the environment which can be used by human beings is called a natural resource. The important natural resources are forest and wild life, water and coal.

(b) We need to manage our natural resources because:

1. The resources of the earth are limited and our population is increasing day by day.
2. The proper management of natural resources takes into consideration long term perspective and prevents their exploitation to the hilt for short term gains.
3. The proper management can ensure equitable distribution of natural resources so that all the people can benefit from the development of these resources.
4. The proper management will take into consideration the damage caused to the environment during the extraction or use of the natural resources and find ways and means to minimise this damage.