PREPARED BY DR.

ARUN LUIZ T

NATURAL RESOURCES

1. FOREST RESOURCES

USES / FUNCTIONS OF FORESTS

I. Ecological functions
A. Watershed protection
1. Reducing the rate of surface run-off of water
2. Preventing flash floods and soil erosion
3. Producing prolonged gradual run-off and thus safeguarding against
drought.
B. Erosion control
1. Holding soil (by preventing rain from from directly washing soil away)
2. Litter helps in maintaining soil fertility
C. Land bank
1. Maintaining soil nutrients and structure.
D. Atmospheric regulation
1. Absorption of solar heat during evapotranspiration
2. Maintaining carbon dioxide levels for plant growth
3. Maintaining the local climatic conditions

II Productive functions
1. Food: (comsumptive use) gathering plants, fishing, hunting from the forest.
2. Fodder for cattle
3. Fuel wood and charcoal for cooking and heating
4. Timber for house hold articles and construction
5. Fiber for weaving baskets, ropes, nets, strings, etc.,
6. Sericulture for silk
7. Apiculture for rearing bees for honey (bees as pollinators)
8. Medicinal plants for traditional medicines, investigating them as potential
source for new modern drugs
III. Recreational And Educational Functions
1. Eco tourism
IV. Developmental Functions
1. Employment functions
2. Revenue
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DEFORESTATION : Removal of forest.

CAUSES

1. Agriculture: Conversion of forests to agricultural land to feed growing
numbers of people.
2. Increase in population: The need for forests resources increases with
increasing population.
3. Commercial logging: Destroys trees as well as opening up forest for fire
wood and building material.
4. Mining: Surface and sub-surface mining for the extraction of mineral
resources cause extensive deforestation.
5. Forest fires and volcanic eruption : Natural deforestation.
6. Overgrazing: Overgrazing by cattles cause deforestation.
7. Developmental projects: Constructing roads, railway tracks etc.
8. Dams and reservoirs: Dams & Hydroelectric projects in forest area
cause deforestation.
9. The cash crop economy: Raising cash crops (pepper, rubber etc)by
cutting down forest for increased economy.

CONSEQUENCES

1. Global warming: Increasing CO
2
levels lead to rise in temperature of
earth.
2. Soil erosion: Removal of trees will lead to easy removal of top soil
by water, wind etc.
3. Loss of habitat: Forest animals and plants will lose their natural habitat.
4. Loss of soil fertility: Absence of leaf litter can reduce soil fertility.
5. Change in rainfall pattern: Can cause decrease in rainfall (alter
hydrological cycle).
6. Lowering of water table: Deforestation may result in lowering of water
table.
7. Shifting of tribal people: Large scale deforestation may result in shifting
of tribal population to urban areas.
8. Loss of biodiversity: Deforestation will lead to the loss of biodiversity.
9. Loss of forest products: Many forest products like honey, medicinal
plants etc will become costly.
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

10. Loss of Genetic and species diversity: Deforestation will lead to loss of
many variety of flora and fauna.
11. Desertification: Large scale deforestation may lead to forest becoming
arid, semi-arid or desert.

CONCEPTS IN CONSERVATION (ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL)
1. Restraining cutting of trees and submerging the forests
2. Reforestation
3. Afforestation
4. Control forest diseases and forest fire
5. Recycling forest products
6. Replacing forest products
7. Avoids diversion of forest lands for other activities through acts like Forest
Conservation Act and Wild life (protection) Act
8. Bringing awareness among people ex: Chipko movement, Appiko ,
Narmada Bachao Andolan
9. Implementing peoples participatory programmes. Ex: Joint Forestry
Management (JFM)

2. WATER RESOURCES

Over exploitation of ground water

CAUSES

1. Agriculture: To meet greater agricultural demands.
2. Increase in population: To satisfy the needs of larger population.
3. Inadequate rainfall/ Drought: To meet severe weather conditions.

CONSEQUENCES

1. Lowering of water table: Can result in lowering of water table.
2. Ground subsidence: Large scale withdrawal of ground water can result
in sinking of the ground surface (ground subsidence).
3. Water logging: Can result in stagnation of water or water logging.
4. Salinity: Rapid removal of ground water can cause the intrusion of sea
water which results in increase in salinity
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

5. Water pollution/Chemical contamination: Water pollution can be a
result.
6. Decline in agricultural production: Can cause decrease in agricultural
crop production.
7. Drying up of lakes, rivers and water bodies: Can cause drying up of
many surface water bodies.
8. Desertification: Loss of underground water may convert semi-arid places
into desert.
9. Increase in pumping depths, reduction in well/tube well yields and
rise in the cost of pumping ground water.

DAMS

Dam is a solid barrier constructed at a suitable location across a river valley to
store flowing water.

BENEFITS

Generate electricity
They can help in checking floods and famines
Reduce water and power shortage
Provide irrigation water to lower areas
Provide drinking water in remote areas
Promote navigation, fishery, etc.,
Promote tourism
Dams are regarded as a symbol of national development
Have tremendous potential for economic growth.
Aim at providing employment and raising the standard and
quality of life

PROBLEMS

Impacts at the upstream level
Displacement of tribal people
Loss of forest, flora and fauna
Changes in fisheries and the spawning grounds
Siltation and sedimentation of reservoirs
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

Loss of non-forest land
Stagnation and water logging near reservoir
Breeding of vectors and spread of vector-borne diseases
Reservoir induced seismicity (RIS) causing earthquakes
Growth of aquatic weeds
Microclimatic change

Impacts at the downstream

Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
Micro-climatic changes
Reduced water flow and silt deposition in river
Flash floods
salt water intrusion at river mouth
Loss of fertility along the river since the sediments carrying
nutrients get deposited in the reservoir
Outbreak of vector-borne diseases like malaria

FLOODS

An overflowing of a large amount of water into the banks when river carries water
beyond its normal capacity.

CAUSES

1. Excessive rainfall: High rainfall/heavy monsoon may result in floods.
2. Global warming: Increase in temperature may result in melting of snow
which may result in floods.
3. Dams: Water release by dams can cause floods.
4. Change in direction of river: Any change in river path can lead to floods.
5. Deforestation: Removal of trees result in rapid stream flow which result in
floods.





PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

CONSEQUENCES

1. Destruction of life and property: Can cause severe damage to life and
property.
2. Decline in agricultural production: Submergence of fields can lead to
decreased harvest.
3. Water logging: Can result in stagnation of water or water logging over a
long period.
4. Increased soil fertility (Good): Downstream soil quality will be better
due deposition of top soil.
5. Increased fish output (Good): Can result in increased fish production

CONTROL MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION OF FLOOD

1. Building dams: Building dams across the river can help to regulate the
water flow.
2. Networking of rivers: Interconnecting various rivers can result in the
steady water flow.
3. Watershed management: Proper and scientific watershed management
practices can control floods.
4. Control of deforestation: Effective check on deforest can cause steady
river flow.
5. Floodwalls: Floodwalls built on the banks of flood prone rivers can
reduce the impact of heavy floods.

DROUGHTS

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall (precipitation) which can
result in severe waters shortage and decline in agricultural production.

CAUSES

1. Less rainfall/ Failure of monsoon: Less rainfall/ monsoon failure may
result in severe water scarcity leading to drought.
2. Deforestation: Unscientific cutting down of trees can result in change in
hydrological cycle.
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

3. Overgrazing: Cattles may eat away the vegetation converting the land
into dry, arid or semi-desert lands which may lead to drought.
4. Unscientific agricultural practices: Erroneous, intensive agricultural
methods, unscientific practices may lead to water scarcity leading to
drought.
5. Mining: Mining practices can cause severe irrecoverable damage
(pollution, acid drainage) to many eco-system.


CONSEQUENCES

1. Malnutrition: Lack or shortage of food can result in malnutrition.
2. Decline in agricultural production: Droughts results in heavy decline in
agricultural production.
3. Famine/ Stravation / Death: Severe drought can result in famine and
death.
4. Increased food prices: Food commodities can become expensive due to
severe shortage in supply and high demand.
5. Outbreak of epidemic: Contaminated water and low quality food can may
result in the outbreak of various epidemics.
6. Migration: People and animals may migrate to another place for want to
better resources.
7. Severe damage to ecosystem: Prolonged drought can result in changes
in biotic components of the eco-system.


CONTROL MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION OF
DROUGHT

1. Building dams: Dams can store water which can be used at the time of
drought.
2. Networking of rivers: Networking of various rivers can result in the
steady water flow even during water shortage.
3. Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting methods can enable to
store water during rains, to be used later.
4. Watershed management: Proper and scientific watershed management
practices reduce the intensity of droughts.
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

5. Control of deforestation: Effective check on deforest can cause steady
river flow.
6. Scientific agricultural practices: Dry farming techniques, drip irrigation,
mixed cropping etc can reduce the frequency of drought.

WATER CONFLICTS

NATIONAL

CAUVERY WATER DISPUTE

RIVER: Cauvery
ORIGIN: Talakaveri, Karnataka
LENGTH: 765 KM
STATES INVOLVED: Karnataka, Tamilnadu (Major)
Kerala, Pondicherry (Minor)
UPSTREAM: Karnataka
DOWNSTREAM: Tamilnadu
DAM: Mettur dam, Krishna Raja Sagara Dam
HISTORY: The history of this conflict rests in two controversial agreementsone
signed in 1892 and another in 1924between the erstwhile Madras Presidency
and Princely State of Mysore.
KARNATAKAS CLAIM: Karnataka claims that agreements were written heavily
in favour of the Madras Presidency, and demanded a renegotiated settlement
based on "equitable sharing of the waters".
TAMILNADUS CLAIM: Tamil Nadu pleads that it has already developed almost
3,000,000 acres of land and as a result has come to depend very heavily on the
existing pattern of usage. Any change (decrease) in amount of water, it says, will
adversely affect the livelihood of millions of farmers in the state.
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

THE CRISIS OF 19951996
In 1995, the monsoons failed badly in Karnataka and Karnataka had to give
water to Tamilnadu. Farmers of Karnataka protested against this and formed
human barricade infront of the dam to stop release of water. Tamilnadu protested
against this and the condition was taken up by various political parties and
became a burning issue.
RESULT AND VERDICT
The Government of India constituted a tribunal in 1990 to look into the matter.
After hearing arguments of all the parties involved for the next 16 years, the
tribunal delivered its final verdict on 5 February 2007. In its verdict, the tribunal
allocated 419 billion ft (12 km) of water annually to Tamil Nadu and 270 billion
ft (7.6 km) to Karnataka; 30 billion ft (0.8 km) of Kaveri river water to Kerala
and 7 billion ft (0.2 km) to Pondicherry.
INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS
RIVER: Nile (Worlds longest river)
ORIGIN: White nile
LENGTH: 6,650 Km
COUNTRIES INVOLVED: NINE COUNTRIES
Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya,
Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.
CONTROL AND CONFLICT: Of the four major tributaries to the Nile, three
originate from Ethiopia - the Blue Nile, Sobat and Atbara (85% of water in nile).
Ethiopia is planning to control more water. Sudan is also planning to divert more
water. This could badly affect The gift of nile- Egypt. The population of Egypt is
expected to double in next 20 years and will require more water. Almost all
countries want more water from nile.
PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

NILE BASIN INITIATIVE (NBI)
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a partnership among the Nile conflict countries
states that seeks to develop the river in a cooperative manner, share substantial
socioeconomic benefits, and promote regional peace and security. It was
formally launched in February 1999 by the water ministers of 9 countries that
share the river.
3. MINERAL RESOURCES

MINING

Mining is the process of extracting ore or minerals from the ground.

IMPACTS OF MINING

1. Deforestation: Large area of forest is usually cleared for various mining
(surface and subsurface) activities.
a) Loss of biodiversity
b) Loss of genetic and species diversity
c) Loss of habitat for plants and animals
d) Species may become extinct
2. Land subsidence: Underground mining may cause land subsidence.
This may cause cracking of roads, bending of railway tracks etc.
3. Groundwater and surface water contamination : Mining activities can
result in acid mine drainage, heavy metal contamination etc.
4. Air pollution: Mining process like smelting, roasting etc can introduce lot
of pollutants and particulate matter into air.
5. Soil erosion: Mining leads to erosion of the exposed soil. This may be
carried as sediment into streams, rivers and lakes.
6. Occupational health hazards: Most of the miners suffer from various
respiratory and skin diseases due to constant exposure to chemicals and
toxic substances.



PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

4. FOOD RESOURCES

Environmental impacts related to food resources
A. Overgrazing
B. Impacts of traditional agriculture
1. Deforestation
2. Soil erosion
3. Depletion of nutrients
C. Impacts of modern agriculture
1. Fertilizer related problems
2. Pesticide related problems
3. Water logging
4. Salinity problems

A. OVERGRAZING
The rapid consumption of grass by cattle stock without giving enough time
to regenerate is known as overgrazing

IMPACTS OF OVERGRAZING

1. Land degradation and desertification: Overgrazing may result in the
removal of vegetation which leads to land degradation and desertification.
2. Soil erosion: Removal of vegetation by cattle stock exposes the topsoil
which can removed by water, air etc.
3. Loss of useful species: Overgrazing can adversely affect the
composition of plant population and its regeneration capacity.

B. IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE

1. Deforestation: Forests are cleared for creating more land for
cultivation.
2. Soil erosion: Conventional tilling methods make top soil lose which can
be easily removed by water, wind etc.
3. Depletion of nutrients: Repeated monoculture can lead to depletion
of soil nutrients and loss in fertility.
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C. IMPACTS OF MODERN AGRICULTURE


(i) Fertilizer related problems

a) Micronutrient imbalance
Plants require nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) in large quantities
called macronutrients. Other elements like zinc, iron, selenium etc are required in
small quantities called micronutrients. Farmers use macronutrients in large
quantities for boosting plant growth. This can result in the deficiency of
micronutrients affecting soil productivity and fertility.
b) Nitrate pollution
Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers leaches into the soil and contaminate
surface water and ground water.Nitrates in excess can cause harmful biological
effects. High concentrations can cause methaemoglobinemia.
In presence of nitrate, haemoglobin is oxidized into Methemoglobin. Latter has a
decreased affinity for oxygen and can cause reduced oxygen intake to muscles
and tissues. Infants may develop a condition called Blue baby Syndrome or
Infantile methaemoglobinemia when concentration of nitrates exceed 25
mg/L.

c) Eutrophication
Excessive use of phosphorus and nitrogenous fertilizers reaches the water
bodies. This can lead to over nourishment of lakes. This is known as
eutrophication ( eu = more and trophic = nutrition).Due to this algae can grow
faster using up nutrients.

CONSEQUENCES
Increased biomass of phytoplankton
Decreases in water transparency (increased turbidity)
Colour, smell, and water treatment problems
Dissolved oxygen depletion
Loss of desirable fish species
Decreases in aesthetic value of the water body
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(ii) Pesticide related problems

a) Creation of super pests: Indiscriminate use of pesticides may give rise to
pests which are immune to pesticides known as super pests.
b) Death of non target organism: Pesticides not only kills target pests but
also several non-target species that are useful to us.
c) Biological magnification: Many pesticides are non-biodegradable and
keep accumulating(magnifying) as it moves to higher level in food chain.
d) Can induce cancer: Many of the pesticides are known to carcinogens.
e) Can make the environment toxic: Toxic nature of the pesticides can
cause toxicity to the environment.
The ideal pest-killing chemical has these qualities:
a. Kill only target pest.
b. Not cause genetic resistance in the target organism.
c. Disappear or break down into harmless chemicals after doing its job.
d. Be more cost-effective.
PEST CONTROL METHODS
Use of biological predators
Use genetically modified plant species
Fool the pest through cultivation practices.
Provide homes for the pest enemies.
Implant genetic resistance.
Bring in natural enemies.
Use pheromones to lure pests into traps.
Use hormones to disrupt life cycles.

(iii) Water logging
CAUSES
a) Over irrigation: Over irrigation of croplands by farmers can result in water
logging.
b) Lack of proper drainage: Lack of proper drainage facility can result in
water logging


PREPARED BY DR.ARUN LUIZ T

CONTROL MEASURES
a) Preventing excessive irrigation: Adequate irrigation and not over
irrigation can check water logging.
b) Biodrainage trees: Planting biodrainage trees like eucalyptus can reduce
water logging.
(iv) Salinity
CAUSES
a) Over irrigation: Over irrigation of croplands by farmers can result in
salinity.
b) Saltwater intrusion: Intrusion of sea water to farmlands can also result in
the increase in salt content of the soil.
CONTROL MEASURES
a) Flushing with fresh water: Excess can be washed away by flushing with
water.

5. LAND RESOURCES

SOIL EROSION
Removal of top soil from one place to another by various agents like water,
wind etc
CAUSES
a) Deforestation: Removal of trees make top soil lose and hence can be
easily removed.
b) Agricultural practices: Tilling and ploughing exposes top soil and is
prone to erosion.
CONTROL MEASURES
1. Adopt farming practices that conserve soil fertility
a. No till farming: No-tillage or zero tillage is a farming system in which
the seeds are directly deposited into untilled soil.
b. Contour farming: Contour farming is the farming practice of plowing
across a slope following its elevation contour lines. (DRAW FIGURE)
c. Terracing: A piece of sloped land that has been landscaped into a
series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which
resemble steps, for more effective farming. (DRAW FIGURE)
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d. Strip Cropping: Strip cropping alternates strips of closely sown crops
such as wheat, or other small grains with strips of row crops, such as
corn, soybeans, cotton etc. (DRAW FIGURE)
e. Alley Cropping: Alley cropping is the planting of trees or shrubs in two
or more sets of single or multiple rows with crops cultivated in the alleys
between the rows of woody plants. (DRAW FIGURE)
f. Shelter Belt/ Wind breakers: A windbreak or shelterbelt is a plantation
usually made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted in such
a manner as to provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from
erosion. (DRAW FIGURE)
2. OTHER METHODS TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION
Control deforestation.
Afforestation
Prepare erodability maps to control soil erosion
Maintenance of vegetal cover
Channel beds & sides protected by vegetation, trees, bushes
Construction of series of check dams
In deserts building wind breakers perpendicular to wind movement
Along coasts Mangroves are effective

6. ENERGY RESOURCES

SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy can be converted as
i) Photovoltaic conversion
ii) Thermal conversion

ADVANTAGES
a) Renewable and continuous: Doesnt exhaust in another million years.
b) No green house gases: solar energy devices create no pollution.
c) Long life time for photovoltaic cells: Photovoltaic cells last for more
than 10 years
d) Quick installation: Solar powered panels and products are typically
extremely easy to install.
e) Low environmental impact: The environmental impact made is positive
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f) Can be moved easily: Solar energy based devices are very convenient to
handle.
g) Low maintenance: The maintenance expenditure is very less.
h) Government incentive: Tax incentives, various credits and rebates
encourage people to go green.
i) Can be used for many purposes: Solar devices include solar panel,
solar water heater, solar cooker, solar powered vehicles.

DISADVANTAGES
a) Expensive: The Solar Cells/ Solar Panels tend to be very expensive when
you first purchase them.
b) Cannot be used all the time: Solar power cannot be harnessed during a
storm, on a cloudy day or at night.
c) Large area: A solar energy installation requires a large area for the
system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity.
d) Affected by pollution: Pollution can degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic
cells
e) Low efficiency: Solar cells have less efficiency (~ 25%).

WIND ENERGY

ADVANTAGES
a) Renewable and continuous: Doesnt exhaust, a continuous source of
energy.
b) No green house gas emission: wind energy devices create no
atmospheric pollution.
c) Moderate capital cost: Capital cost is moderate.
d) Quick construction: Wind mills are relatively easy to install.
e) Low environmental impact: The environmental impact made is positive
f) Can be located at sea
g) Land below wind mill can be used for cultivation

DISADVANTAGES
a) Reliability factor: Biggest disadvantage is the reliability of the wind
(steadiness, speed and direction of the wind).
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b) Noise pollution: wind energy devices cause noise pollution (similar to a
small jet engine).
c) Affects radio signal receiving: Can disturb radio transmission.
d) Can kill migratory birds: Wind mill blades can kill birds during flight.

BIOMASS ENERGY

ADVANTAGES
1) Its a renewable source of energy.
2) Its a comparatively lesser pollution generating energy.
3) It provides manure for the agriculture and gardens.
4) Biomass energy is relatively cheaper and reliable.
5) It can be generated from everyday human and animal wastes, vegetable and
agriculture left-over etc.
6) Heat energy that one gets from biogas is 3.5 times the heat from burning
wood.
DISADVANTAGES
1) Cost of construction of biogas plant is high, so only rich people can use it.
2) Continuous supply of biomass is required to generate biomass energy.
3) Some people dont like to cook food on biogas produced from sewage waste.
4) Biogas plant requires space and produces dirty smell.
5) Due to improper construction many biogas plants are working inefficiently.
6) It is difficult to store biogas in cylinders.
7) Transportation of biogas through pipe over long distances is difficult.
8) Crops which are used to produce biomass energy are seasonal and are not
available over whole year.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal energy is the energy obtained from the inside of the earth.
ADVANTAGES
1. Geothermal energy generally involves low running costs
2. Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels
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3. Geothermal energy does not create any pollution and help in creating clean
environment.
4. Direct Use: Since ancient times, people having been using this source of
energy for taking bath, heating homes, preparing food and today this is also used
for direct heating of homes and offices.
DISADVANTAGES

1. Not Widespread Source of Energy
2. High Installation Costs
3. Suited to only select locations.
4. Geothermal Energy cannot be easily transported

OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses the temperature difference
between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface ocean waters to run a
heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity.
ADVANTAGES

1. Completely sustainable power supply
2. No pollution, no greenhouse gases: cold and warm water come in,
medium temperature water goes out.
3. Works day and night with only routine pump maintenance and little
ongoing costs.
4. Open system version produces desalinated water as well.

DISADVANTAGES
1. Needs a large difference in temperatures (surface and deep) for best
results.
2. Extremely low efficiency requires disproportionately large power plants,
which require energy and materials to build
3. Minor inefficiencies can destroy net power generation completely
4. Seawater is corrosive
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5. Storms can do great damage
6. Sea life grows on any surface, creating inefficiencies
7. Needs a constant supply of warm and cold water, so only suitable for
tropical locations.

TIDAL ENERGY

ADVANTAGES
1) Tidal energy is an inexhaustible source of energy.
2) Tidal energy is environment friendly energy and doesn't produce greenhouse
gases.
3) As 71% of Earths surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate this
energy on large scale.
4) The rise and fall of tides can be predicted as they follow cyclic fashion.
5) Efficiency of tidal power is far greater as compared to coal, solar or wind
energy. Its efficiency is around 80%.
6) Although cost of construction of tidal power is high but maintenance costs are
relatively low.
7) Tidal Energy doesnt require any kind of fuel to run.
8) The life of tidal energy power plant is very long.
9) The energy density of tidal energy is relatively higher than other renewable
energy sources.

DISADVANTAGES
1) Cost of construction of tidal power plant is high.
2) There are very few ideal locations for construction of plant and they too are
localized to coastal regions only.
3) Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage to power
generation units.
4) Influences aquatic life adversely and can disrupt migration of fish.
5) The actual generation is for a short period of time. The tides only happen
twice a day so electricity can be produced only for that time.
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6) Frozen sea, low or weak tides, straight shorelines, low tidal rise or fall are
some of the obstructions.
7) This technology is still not cost effective and more technological
advancements are required to make it commercially viable.
8) Usually the places where tidal energy is produced are far away from the
places where it is consumed. This transmission is expensive and difficult.

HYDROPOWER

ADVANTAGES:
1. Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.
2. If electricity is not needed, the sluice gates can be shut, stopping electricity
generation. The water can be saved for use another time when electricity
demand is high.
3. Dams are designed to last many decades and so can contribute to the
generation of electricity for many years / decades.
4. The lake that forms behind the dam can be used for water sports and leisure /
pleasure activities. Often large dams become tourist attractions in their own right.
5. The lake's water can be used for irrigation purposes.
6. The build up of water in the lake means that energy can be stored until needed,
when the water is released to produce electricity.
7. When in use, electricity produced by dam systems do not produce green
house gases. They do not pollute the atmosphere.
DISADVANTAGES:

1. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high
standard.
2. The high cost of dam construction means that they must operate for many
decades to become profitable.
3. The flooding of large areas of land means that the natural environment is
destroyed.
4. People living in villages and towns that are in the valley to be flooded, must
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move out. 5. The building of large dams can cause serious ecological damage.
6. Although modern planning and design of dams is good, in the past old dams
have been known to be breached (the dam gives under the weight of water in the
lake). This has led to deaths and flooding.
7. Dams can cause reservoir induced seismicity.
8. Building a large dam alters the natural water table level.


HYDROGENPOWER

ADVANTAGES:
1. Pollution free (only emits water)
2. Renewable (as source for hydrogen is water)
3. No moving parts (reliable and quiet)
4. Operates at higher efficiencies than internal combustion engines since
more fuel is directly converted to electricity
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Currently more expensive than other energy sources
2. Existing infrastructure has not been built to accommodate hydrogen fuel
3. The process of extracting hydrogen may require fossil fuels (thus
generating pollution)
4. Hydrogen is difficult to store and distribute
5. Should be stored with care (Explosive)


SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987)
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OBJECTIVES
Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
Effective protection of the environment
Prudent use of natural resources
Maintenance of high & stable levels of economic growth &
employment