The problem of rational utilization of natural resources is of greatest importance all over the world today. There are two main aspects of the problem: first — all natural resources are to be used more economically as they are not unlimited, and second — measures are to be taken to prevent harmful effect of waste products of industrial enterprises on the environment.

Now, in the period of most intensive development of in­dustry and agriculture, the programme of nature conservation is of special importance. According to this programme, prac­tical measures on rational and economic utilization of natural resources in different spheres of economy are planned.

One of the means to solve both aspects of the problem is to build complex enterprises. It means that the production process in the complex must be organized so that waste pro­ducts of one enterprise could be utilized and processed by another. On the one hand, it will have great economic ef­fect, and, on the other hand, will protect air and water from pollution.

Though complex enterprises will require rather big capital investments, it is better  both   from  economic and ecological point of view to prevent pollution of the atmosphere than to liquidate its effect.

For example, it has been shown that under the influence of air pollution the yield of wheat decreases by 40-60%.

When we use natural resources we should be careful not to destroy the balance of the biosphere in order to preserve nature not only for people living now, but also for those who will live many thousand years after.

To realize measures to be taken for nature conservation, to fulfil the programme on rational use and reproduction of natural resources, cooperation of specialists in different spheres of science and practical activities is wanted.

To solve ecological problems sociologists, biologists, econ­omists, physicists, biochemists, mathematicians, geologists, agronomists, foresters, engineers are coordinating their work. That is why some basic information on ecology is to be part of professional education of specialists in different spheres of science.