Rao, D.P. 
0 Exploitation, mis-management and neglect can ruin the fragile natural resources 
ts and become threat to human survival. Archaeological evidences, in fact, have 
Ss | revealed that land degradation was responsible for extinction of the Harappan 
te | Civilization in Western India, Mesopotamia in Western Asia and the Mayan culture 
n in Central America (Olson, 1981). In India, the deterioration of erstwhile forest 
s. ecosystem of Cherapunji, Meghalaya state of North-eastern India is an example 
io of the devastating effects of overexploitation of natural resources. Meeting food 
id and fibre demands in the next century will require higher productivity levels for 
land now in production, the addition of new land not currently in production and 
the restoration of degraded lands to reasonable of productivity (Pierce and Lal, 
1991). 
Water resources, both surface as well as ground water is very crucial for 
id sustaining flora and fauna. Over exploitation of ground water and wastage of 
n precipitation water as run-off are the major issues which are to be addressed in 
ar the context of sustainable development. In addition, pollution of water by 
Ig mining waste, solid wastes and sewage need to be checked. Anthropogenic 
le | activities along the coast may further deteriorate the delicate coastal ecosystem. 
al In the event of major climatic change, coastal areas are going to be affected 
ar more. In addition, exploitation of marine resources especially off-shore oil 
ar drilling and ocean water pollution due to effluents from industries, solid wastes 
id and oil-spilled over from ships may affect the ocean environment. 
of 
n World soils contain about three times more reserves of organic carbon than 
world vegetation -1500 billion versus 560billion metric tons, respectively (Parr et 
P, al., 1989). Soil degradation contributes to an increase in atmospheric carbon 
tO dioxide through rapid decomposition of organic matter. In addition, rapid 
n industrialization and deforestation have led to building up of greenhouse gases 
of in the atmosphere resulting in global warming. Carbon dioxide concentration 
à, has increased from 280ppm during 1850 to 350ppm at present. Similarly, the 
5; concentration of methane (CH4) has increased from 0.85ppm during 1850 to 
0 1.7ppm at present. Furthermore, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) with very long 
). residence time (over 100 years) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have further added to 
y environmental problem. The increase in the concentration of green house gases 
id has resulted in the average increase in the global mean temperature of 0.5K. 
a, Even with the adoption of revised Montreal Protocol regulation, the global mean 
nt temperature rise is likely to reach 3K which can result in the rise of sea level by 
of 18-20cm, leading to recession of shoreline by 27-30m, change in rainfall pattern 
ly particularly in the tropical regions, fall in food production by about 15.0 per cent 
ly and 10.0per cent depletion of ozone (Rao, 1991). The process of this 
d degradation, unless detected early and action taken to arrest or mitigate may 
lead to further environmental deterioration. 
  
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B7. Amsterdam 2000. 1233