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LESSON NOTES
UNIT 1
DEFINITION, SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE
Environmental science is the study of nature and the facts about environment. Basically environment
can be defined as “all the social, economical, physical & chemical factors that surrounds man” (or) “all abiotic
and biotic components around man-all living and non living things surrounds man”.
According to ancient man the environment was the Panchaboodhas (i.e) air, water, land, sky and energy. The
human were disciples of nature. They were able to protect themselves from harmful one and protect the
others. But according to modern man the env. is only air land and water. Exploitation of various earth
resources to satisfy the increasing needs of human population has resulted in 1) depletion of various resources
of earth 2) pollution.
PUBLIC AWARENESS:
Env. Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is an important aspect which
serves the env. Protection.
/ Public awareness of env. Is at infant stage
/ 30-40% of public of developing country are aware of env. Problems but they do not bother about it.
/ Ignorance and incomplete knowledge has lead to misconceptions
/development and improvement in std. of living has lead to serious env. Disasters
/debate on env. Issues are treated as anti-developmental
1. Science, technology and economics failed to integrate the knowledge on env. Aspects in curriculum
2. The decision makers do not process env. Angle of decision making
3. Consideration of economic growth, poverty eradication has lead to env. Degradation
4. Only few developmental activities are made considering the env. Aspects.
Need for public awareness:
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held at Reo de Janeiro in 1992
(popularly known as ‘Earth Summit’) and world summit on sustainable development at Johannesburg in 2002,
have highlighted the key issues of global environmental concern. They have attracted the attention of people.
Any government at its own cannot achieve the goals of clear environment until the public participate
in action. Public participation is possible only when the public is aware about the ecological and
environmental issues. Eg. Ban- the littering of polythene.
Role of NGOs
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Any component of the env. Which has intrinsic value of its own is called as resource. Any component
which can be transferred in a way such that it becomes more valuable and useful is termed as resource.
Resources
Renewable Non renewable Continuous Extrinsic
Eg. Clean air, clean water Ground water, minerals Solar energy, wind energy Human skills
USES OF FOREST:
Commercial uses: Forests provide timber, fire wood, food material, resin, gum, non edible oils, drugs,
medicine, rubber, fibers, bamboo and many other important items.
Ecological uses:
1. Production of Oxygen: Photosynthesis – earth’s lungs
2. Reducing global warming – sink for carbon di oxide
3. Wild life habitat – 7 million species in tropical forests alone
4. Regulation of hydrological cycle – prevent surface run off – giant sponges – 50-80% moisture
5. Soil conservation – hold solid particles tightly and prevent soil erosion – wind breaks
6. Pollution moderators: absorb toxic gases and purify air reduce noise pollution
DEFORESTATION:
The total forest area of the world in 1900 was 7000 million hectares -1975 – 2900 mha – 2000 – 2300
mha.
Deforestation rate intemperate countries are relatively moderate. But it is alarming in tropical countries.
It is estimated that in next 60 years we would lose more than 90% of our tropical forest.
INDIAN STATUS:
Stabilized since 1982, with about 0.04% declaration per year between 1982 - 90. During this period it is
estimated that about 1.44 mha land was brought under afforestation. As per our NFP, we have a target of
achieving 33% forest area. But we still have only 19.27% of our land area covered by forests(satellite data).
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION
1. threatens many wild life species due to destruction of natural habitat
2. biodiversity is lost along with that genetic diversity
3. hilly regions are made prone to landslides
4. soil erosion and loss of soil fertility
5. hydrological cycle is affected
(loss of rainfall, flood, drought etc)
Environmental problems:
The environmental problems can be at upstream as well as downstream
Level
Upstream problems
1. Displacement of tribal people
2. Loss of flora and fauna
3. siltation and sedimentation near reservoir
4. stagnation and water logging near reservoir
5. growth of aquatic weeds
6. micro climatic changes
7. RIS causes earthquakes
8. breeding of disease vectors
Downstream problems
1. Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation
2. micro climatic changes
3. salt water intrusion at river mouth
4. loss of fertility due to sediment deposits
5. Out break of vector born diseases.
Mining: Mining is a process of removing ores from area which is very much below the ground level. Mining
is done for the extraction of several minerals of metals like Fe, Mn, Au, Ag,etc. The minerals are especially
found in thick forests.
Mining can be carried out in two ways
1. Surface mining
2. underground mining or sub-surface mining]
The effects of under ground mining on forest reserves is comparatively less than that of surface mining
Forests both influence and influenced by climate change. They play an important role in the carbon cycle and
the way we manage forests could significantly affect global warming.
Forests hold more than 50 per cent of the carbon that is stored in terrestrial vegetation and soil organic matter.
Hence, deforestation contributes significantly to net emissions of carbon dioxide into the atm.
If the predicted global warming occurs, the impact on forests is likely to be regionally varied, dramatic, and
long-lasting. Even now, we can see how any extreme weather has great impact on forests. For example, the
1999 storms in Europe caused heavy damage to forests and also to trees outside forest areas.
The Kyoto Protocol on climate change may have a great impact on forest management. Under the Protocol, a
country with forests earns emission credits, since its forests absorb carbon dioxide. These credits are
tradable, that is, a developing country can sell its credits to an industrialized country that has exceeded its
quota of emissions. The latter would invest in afforestation and reforestation projects in the developing
country.
Sustainable forest management (SFM) is the use of the world’s forest in such a way that they continue to
provide resources in the present, without depriving future generations of their use. One of the principles of
SFM is to fully involve local communities in forest management. Implementing this principle is difficult
since forest departments are usually very reluctant to lose their control over forest resources.
SFM has also become an element of climate change negotiations. As mentioned earlier, the Kyoto Protocol
would compensate countries for the benefits their forests provide to the world. The industrialized countries are
ready to support SFM in developing countries so that they can buy the credits and continue to pollute the atm.
By 2000, 149 countries were engaged in nine international initiatives to develop and implement criteria and
identify indicators for SFM, covering 85 per cent of the world’s forests. There are 140 countries with national
programmes I in various stages of development.
Certification of forest as coming from sustainable forests is another approach
Certification is a voluntary market-based approach that enables us to identify forest products backed by high
environmental standards. It focuses on the quality of forest management rather than on that of forest products.
Depending on the conditions of terrain and depth of ore deposits 2 types of mining operations are
carried out. 1. Open cast mining and 2. Underground mining. In both types each steps in mining
processing produce several environmental effects such as,
Deforestation takes place due to removal of vegetal covers.
Great volume of debris has been generated which disrupt the surface and ground water
circulation. It also reduces the water carrying capacity of streams very close to mining area
The stacking of over burden and building of spoil banks creates problems of landslides
Under ground fire in coalmines is a hazard that is difficult to control
Mining and ore processing normally causes air pollution and water pollution
The acid water generated in coalmines can pose a serious problem of water pollution, which
adversely affects the flora and fauna.
Deeper excavation of ground causes lowering of water table, which leads to drying of wells or
sea water intrusion
In stone quarries, blasting of rocks not only annoying the people nearby, but also cause hazard
from fly rocks and dusts and damage to buildings due to vibrations
The disposal of waste material produced after concentrations of ore create increase
concentration of heavy metals and toxic elements in the environment.
WATER RESOURCES
Water is an indispensible resource. Around 97% of world surface is covered with water. Most of the animals
and plants have 60-65% of water in their body.
Global distribution of water is very much random depending on the geographical conditions. The
availability of water decreases in the following order.
1. Tropical rain forest
2. Temperate regions
3. Deserts
Water is used for domestic, irrigation and also industrial purposes
Out of the total available water 75% is used for agriculture, 20% for industrial usage. In our country ~93% of
water is used for agricultural purposes.
Ground water:
9.86% of fresh water is ground water and it is 35-50% greater than surface water.
Aquifer: The layer of soil which is permeable has the ability to store water is called an aquifer. It is generally
made up of gravel, sand etc.
Unconfined aquifer: it is covered by permeable layer. The recharge of this layer is by rainfall or snowmelt.
Confined aquifer: sandwiched between impermeable layers. The recharge is through unconfined aquifer
layers.
Surface water:
When evaporation and transpiration rates are lower than the rainfall, surface water body like lake, river,
pond, streams etc. are formed.
Flood: over flow of water, whenever the water in flow is greater than the carrying capacity of the
channels flood occurs.
Causes:
1. Heavy rainfall, snow melt, sudden release of water from dams.
2. Prolonged down pour leading to overflowing of rivers and lakes
3. Reduction in carrying capacity due to obstructions or sediments etc.
4. Deforestation, overgrazing, mining increases water run off
5. Removal of dense forests from hilly regions
Effects:
1. Submerges the flooded area
2. Loss of soil fertility due to soil erosion
3. Extinction of civilization at costal area
Flood management:
1. Dams and reservoirs can be constructed
2. Embankments and proper channel management
3. Flood way should not be encroached
4. Forecasting or flood warning
5. Decrease of run off by infiltration through afforestation or rain water harvesting etc.
Overgrazing: Grass is a good binder of soil. Overgrazing leads to loss of vegetal cover. Soil gets compacted
because of excess evaporation of water. Water cannot percolate into the soil. Roots cannot pass into the soil.
Soil texture is lost, fertility is lost and at last leads to soil erosion.
Soil erosion: when uncovered, waterless soil is acted upon by heavy wind and rainfall soil erosion results.
This leads to loss of useful species and many nutrients. Overgrazing leads to replacement of thorny plants in
the place of leafy, fruit bearing plants.
HYV: The usage of high yield crop variety leads to monoculture – same type of crop is planted on large scale.
In case of any pathogenic effects, due to exactly uniform condition in the crop field, total loss is encountered.
Food resources:
PROBLEMS FACED BY FOOD RESOURCES
Micronutrient imbalance: excessive use of macronutrients causes micronutrients imbalance. Ex. Zinc
deficiency faced in Punjab and Haryana.
LAND RESOURCE
Land is critically important national resource which supports all living organisms including plants and
animals. The soil profile of land determines its ability to serve socio-economic needs.
It has been estimated that more than 5000 million tonnees of top soil is eroded annually along with 5
million tones of nutrients. ‘About 1/3 of this is lost in sea while the rest in reservoirs and rivers leading to
flood.
About 38% of the area in India suffers from moderate to high degree of water based erosion. The per
capita availability of land in the country has declined from 1.37 hectare in 1901 to 0.33 hectare in 2000. All
these lands cannot be utilized for agricultural purpose. Some land would be required for other activities (to
maintain urban area).
Effective steps have to be taken for preventing diversion of land suitable for sustainable farming to
non-farm uses. Simultaneously, degraded lands and waste lands have to be improved by ecological
restoration. The Department of Land Resources was setup in April 1999 by ministry of Rural Development to
act as nodal agency for land resource management.
Land Degradation:
Land degradation is defined as the reduction in soil capacity to produce in terms of quality, quantity goods and
services. The definition is also based on
1. Sustainability or ability to produce continuously and indefinitely.
2. quality of land resource that makes it sustainable or resistant to degradation
3. Carrying capacity or the number of people and animals the land can normally support without
significant stress.
Landscapes generally undergo degradation but are usually compensated by nature’s inherent recovering
ability. Whenever degradation occur exceeding nature’s restorative capacity, the result will be a disaster.
Man induced landslides:
The hill slopes are prone to land slides, landslips, rockslides etc. These hazardous features have reduced the
overall progress of the region as they obstruct the roads, communication media and water flow. There are two
types of slides
1. slides due to natural factors
2. slides induced by man and his activities
Some of the human activities that cause land sliding are
massive deforestation
erratic agricultural practices
road building
unscientific quarrying etc.
engg. Constructions
Soil Conservation:
UNIT II
ECOSYSTEM:
Living organisms cannot be isolated from their non-living environment because the later provides materials
and energy for the survival of the farmer. An ecosystem is therefore defined as a natural functional ecological
unit comprising of living organisms and their non-living environment that interact to form a stable self
supporting system .
Eg. Pond, lake, desert, grassland, forest, etc.
FOOD CHAIN
Plants by photosynthesis convert solar energy into protoplasm. Small herbivores consume the vegetable
matter and convert into animal matter which in turn eaten by large carnivores. This sequence of eaten and
being eaten , produces transfer of food energy known as food chain.
FOOD WEB:
The food relationship between various organisms is being depicted by linking all the possible prey and
predators of different food level. In an ecosystem linking of feeding habit relations will provide a food web.
Mouse snake
Grass Rabbit Hawk
Grasshopper Lizard
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS:
The energy biomass and number of organisms gradually decreases from the producer level to the consumer
level. The total mass of herbivores in an ecosystem will generally be less than the total mass of plants.
Similarly the total mass of carnivores will be less than the total mass of herbivores. The graphical
representation of the number, biomass and energy of various energy levels is called ecological pyramid. In
any ecological pyramid the producer forms the base and the successive levels form the tires which can make
the apex.
birds
insects
Worms
grass
Parasites
Birds
Tree
FOREST ECOSYSTEM
Definition: It is a natural ecosystem consisting of dense growth of trees and wild animals
Characteristics:
Abiotic: soil, sun light, temperature etc
Biotic : forest trees, shrubs and animals
Structure:
Producer : trees and shrubs
Consumer : Primary – elephants, deer etc.
Secondary – snakes, birds, lizards etc
Tertiary – lions, tigers etc
Decomposers : fungi, bacteria
Functional components:
Ecological pyramids (upright)
lions
lizards
deers
trees
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
Definition:
Deals with water bodies and biotic communities present in them-Classified as fresh water and marine
ecosystems. Fresh water systems are classified as lentic and lotic ecosystems.
Types:
1. Pond ecosystem: Small fresh water ecosystem – seasonal in nature – organisms: algae, aquatic plants,
insects, fishes etc. Ponds are very often exposed to anthropogenic pressure like cloth washing,
bathing, cattle bathing, swimming etc.
2. Lake ecosystem: Big fresh water ecosystem – Zonation or stratification, especially during summer is a
common one.
Types of lakes : Many types- oligotrophic lakes – with less nutrient content – eutrophic lakes – with
very high nutrient content due to fertilizer contamination – desert salt lakes – that contains high saline
water due to over evaporation – volcanic lakes – formed by water emitted from magma due to volcanic
eruptions – dystrophic lakes – that contains highly acidic water (low pH) – endemic lakes – lakes that
contain many endemic species – etc.
3. Streams: fresh water ecosystem where water current plays a major role. Oxygen and nutrient content
are uniform. Stream organisms have to face extreme difference in climatic conditions but they do not
suffer from oxygen deficiency as pond and lake organisms. This is because large surface area of
running water provides more oxygen supply. The animals have very narrow range of tolerance
towards oxygen deficiency. Thus stream are worst victims of industrial pollution.
River ecosystem: large streams flowing from mountain highlands are rivers.
Three phases: 1. mountain highlands – rushing down water fall of water – large quantity of dissolved
oxygen – plants attached to rocks and fishes that require more oxygen are found. 2. Second phase –
gentle slopes of hills – warmer – supports the growth of plants and fishes that require less oxygen are
seen. 3. Third phase: river shapes the land – lots of silts, nutrients are brought – deposited in plains
and delta – very rich in biodiversity.
4. Oceans: Gigantic reservoirs of water covering >70% of earth surface – 2,50,000 species – huge
variety of sea products, drugs etc. – provide Fe, Mg, oils, natural gas, sand etc. – major sinks of
carbon di oxide – regulate biochemical cycles.
Two zones: coastal zone – warm, nutrient rich, shallow – high sunlight – high primary productivity.
Open sea – away from continental shelf – vertically divided in to 3 zones. 1. euphotic zone –
abundant sunlight 2. bathyal zone – dim sunlight 3. abyssal zone – dark zone – world’s largest
ecological unit.
Estuary: coastal area where river meet ocean – strongly affected by tidal actions – very rich in
nutrients – very rich in biodiversity also – organisms are highly tolerant – many species are endemic –
high food productivity – however to be protected from pollution.
Characteristics:
Structural Components:
Abiotic: pH, nutrients, D.O, temp, climatic conditions, etc.
Biotic: Phytoplankton, fishes, snails insects, birds, etc.
Functional components:
Ecological pyramid
birds
fishes
Worms,
insects
phytoplankton
Energy flow:
Decomposition
sediments
GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM:
dominated by grass – few shrubs and trees are also found – rainfall average but erratic – overgrazing leads to
desertification.
Components:
Structural Components:
Abiotic: soil pH, nutrients, soil moisture, temp, climatic conditions, etc.
Biotic: grass, caterpillar, butterfly, worms, insects, birds, etc.
Functional components: birds
Ecological pyramid
insects
Worms
grass
Energy flow:
Decomposition
sediments
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the abbreviated word for “biological diversity” (bio-life or living organisms,
diversity-variety). Thus biodiversity is the total variety of life on our planet, the total number of races,
varieties and species. The sum of total of various types of microbes, plants and animals (producers,
consumers and decomposers) in a system.
Biomes can be considered life zones, environment with similar climatic, topographic and soil conditions
and roughly comparable biological communities (Eg. Grassland, forest). The biomes shelter an
astounding variety of living organisms (from driest desert to dripping rain forest, from highest mountain to
deepest ocean trenches, life occurs in a marvelous spectrum of size, shape, colour and inter relationship).
The variety of living organisms, the biodiversity, makes the world beautiful.
There are 1.4 million species known presently. But based on new discoveries, by research expeditions,
mainly in tropics, taxonomists estimate there are between 3-50 million different species may be alive
today. Insects make up more than one half of all known species and may comprise more than 90% of all
species on earth.
Biodiversity Hotspots:
Most of the world’s biodiversity are near the equator especially tropical rain forest and coral reefs. Of all
the world’s species, only 10-15% live in North America and Europe.
The Malaysian Peninsula, for instance, has at least 8000 species of flowing plants, while Britain, with an
area twice as large, has only 1400 species. South America has 200 000 species of plants.
Areas isolated by water, desert or mountain can also have high conc. of unique species and biodiversity.
New Zealand, South Africa and California are all mid-latitude area isolated by barriers that prevent mixing
up of biological communities from other region and produce rich, unusual collection of species.
Significance of Biodiversity:
Biosphere is a life supporting system to the human race. Each species in the biosphere has its own
significance.
It is the combination of different organisms that enables the biosphere to sustain human race.
Biodiversity is vital for a healthy biosphere.
Biodiversity is must for the stability and proper functioning of the biosphere.
Besides these biodiversity is so important due to having consumptive use values, productive use values,
social values, ethical values and aesthetic values.
Benefits of biodiversity:
We benefit from other organism in many ways. Even insignificant organisms can play irreplaceable
roles in ecological systems or the source of genes or drugs that someday become indispensable.
Food: Many wild plant species could make important contributions to human food suppliers either as they
are or as a source of material to improve domestic crops. About 80,000 edible plants could be used by
human.
Drugs and medicine: Living organisms provides many useful drugs and medicines. The United Nations
Development Programme derived from developing world plants, animals and microbes to be more than
$30 billion per year.
Eg. For natural medicinal products
Penicillin – fungus is the source – Antibiotic
Quinine – chincona bark - Malaria treatment
Morphine – poppy bark – Analgesic
Twenty years before, once the drugs were not introduced, childhood leukemia was fatal. Now the
remission rate for childhood leukemia is 99%.
Ecological benefits:
Human life is inextricably linked to ecological services provided by other organisms. Soil formation,
waste disposal, air and water purification, solar energy absorption, nutrient cycling and food production all
depend on biodiversity. In many environments, high diversity may help biological communities to
withstand environmental stress better and to recover more quickly than those with fewer species.
Threats to biodiversity:
Due to
Habitat loss
Deforestation activities (cutting trees for timber, removal of
medicinal plants)
Production of hybrid seeds requires wild plants as raw material,
farmers prefer hybrid reeds, many plant species become extinct
Increase in the production of pharmaceutical companies made
several number of medicinal plants and species on the verge of extinction.
Removal of forest-cover for road laying and also due to soil
erosion
Illegal trade of wild life
Population explosion, construction of dam, discharge of
industrial effluents use of pesticides.
Human caused reduction: The climate change caused by our release of green house gases in the atm.
could have catastrophic effects. Human disturbance of natural habitat is the largest single cause pf loss of
biological diversity. Woodlands and grasslands are converted now use about 10% of the world’s land
surface for crop production and about twice the amount for pasture and grasslands.)
Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation reduces the biodiversity because many animals like bears and large cats require
large territories to subsist. Some forest birds reproduce only in deep forest or habitat far from human
settlement. A large island for example, can support more individuals of given species and therefore less
likely to suffer extinction due to genetic problems and natural catastrophes.
Commercial products:
Smuggling of fuels, hides, horns and folk medicines also affect the biodiversity in an abrupt manner.
Conservation of biodiversity
In general biodiversity is generally disturbed by human activities. To solve the problems, it is essential to
protect our bio diversity by two ways.
1. In-situ or on-site conversion
2. Ex-situ conservation
In-situ conservation:
Conservation of species in its natural habitat, in place where
the species normally occurs
The strategy involves establishing small or large protected
areas, called protected areas
Today in world, there are 9800 protected areas and 1500
national parks
Methods:
1. Nature or biosphere reserves (Eg) Nilgiri Bio reserve
2. national parks and sanctuaries (Eg) Mudumalai, vedanthangal
3. on farm and home garden conservation for plants, vegetables and fruits to maintain
traditional crop varieties.
UNIT III
POLLUTION
Marine Pollution
Dumping of waste and oil spillage in the oceans or seas, which create threats to marine ecosystem, is called
marine pollution.
Sources:
1. waste disposal
2. oil spill
3. thermal pollution (plants located nearby coastal areas)
4. ship breaking activities
5. aquaculture practices
6. nuclear test conducted in seas and oceans
Effects:
disturb entire aquatic or marine ecosystem
oil has suffocation effect on most aquatic animals
smaller animals can be caught in oil envelope and die
thermal pollution may increase the temp. of water and DO may be depleted which causes danger.
There may be chances for bioaccumulation and bio magnification in the food chain due to the
disposal of non-degradable wastes
Oil promotes anaerobic conditions by preventing diffusion of oxygen from air
Disposal of radio active wastes cause chronic, acute and genetic damage
Affects the recreational activity along the beaches
Noise Pollution
Area Permissible
noise level(dB)
Day Night
Industrial 75 70
Commercial 65 55
Residential 55 45
Silent Zone 50 40
Sounds and their decibel scale:
1. Rocket engine – 180 dB
2. Jet plane take off – 150 dB
3. Threshold of pain – 140 dB
4. Recorded music (max) – 130 dB
5. Construction works, news paper press – 100 dB
6. Motor cycle – 90 dB
7. Ordinary conservation – 70/80 dB
8. Air conditioning unit/ Light traffic – 60 dB
9. Normal living room – 50 dB
10. Library or soft whisper – 30 B
11. Threshold of hearing – 0 dB
Sources of noise pollution:
1. Industrial units
2. Transportation modes
3. Construction activities
4. Celebrations
5. Electric home appliances
Nanjing – 105 dB
Rome – 90 dB
Calcutta – 85 dB
Mumbai – 82 dB
Delhi – 80 dB
The Union Government and all the state governments shall follow the guidelines of amendment 89 of env.
(Protection) Rule 1986 framed under Env. (Protection) Act 1986 which says
1. The manufacture, sale or use of fire crackers generating noise level exceeding125dB shall be
prohibited.
2. For joined fire crackers the limit is taken as 5log 10 (N) dB; where N= no. of crackers joined together
3. The use of fire crackers shall not be permitted except between 6.00a.m and 10p.m.
4. No crackers burning is permitted in/near silent zone – areas near hospitals, educational institutions,
courts, religious places, etc.
5. The State Education Resource Centre shall take appropriate steps to educate students about the ill
effects of air and noise pollution.
AIR POLLUTION:
It is an atm. condition where certain substances are present in conc. which can cause undesirable
effects on man and his environment.
Ex. Gases, particulate matter, radioactive substances etc.
Gaseous pollutants – sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, volatile organic compounds
Particulate pollutants – smoke, dust, soot, fumes, aerosol, liquid droplets, pollen grains
Radio active pollutants – Radon 222, Iodine 131, Sr 90
Air pollutants
WATER POLLUTION:
Presence of foreign impurities (organic, inorganic, biological) in such quantities so as to constitute a
health hazard by lowering the water quality and making it unfit for use.
Cause:
Point source Ex: flow of water pollutants from sewerage system, industrial effluent etc.
Non-point source Ex: agricultural land (pesticides, fertilizers, mining, construction sites)
UNIT IV
Consumerism refers to the consumption of resources by the people. Early human societies used to
consume much less resources. But the consumerism has increased to a very large extent. Consumerism is
related to both population size and increase in demands due to change in life style.
Population has increased tremendously. World Bank estimates our population to reach 11 billion by
2045. Two types of conditions of population and consumerism exists.
1. People over – population: When there are more people than available food, water and other resources in an
area – causes degradation of limited resources – poverty and under nourishments. Low Developed Countries
(LDC) are more prone to these conditions. There is less per capita consumption although the overall
consumption is high.
2. Consumption over – population: These conditions occur in more developed countries (MDC). Population
size is smaller but the resource consumption is high due to luxurious life style (i.e.) per capita consumption is
high. More consumption of resources lead to high waste generation – greater is the degradation of the
environment.
Over all environmental impact of these two types of consumerism may be same or even greater in case
of MDC.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
1972 June 5th – Environment was first discussed as an agenda in UN conference on Human Environment.
There after every year 5th June is celebrated as Environment Day.
Constitutional Provisions:
Added in 1976 – Article 48A – “The state shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to
safeguard forests and wildlife of the country”
Article 51A (g): “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures”.
By these two articles one constitution makes environment protection and conservation as one of our
fundamental duties.
It deals with conservation of forest and includes reserve forest, protected forest and any forest land
irrespective of ownership.
Salient features
1. State government can use forest only forestry purpose.
2. Provision for conservation of all types of forests. Advisory committee appointed for funding
conservation
3. Illegal non-forest activity within a forest area can be immediately stopped under this act.
4. Non forest activity means clearing land for cash-crop agriculture, mining etc.
However construction in forest for wild life or forest management is exempted from non forestry activity.
1992 Amendment:
1. This amendment allows transmission lines, seismic surveys, exploration drilling and hydro electric project
in forest area without cutting trees or with limited cutting of trees – prior approval CG to be sought.
2. Wild life sanctuaries, National parks etc. are prohibited from exploration except with CG prior approval.
3. Cultivation of coffee, rubber, tea (cash crop), fruit bearing trees, oil yielding trees, trees of medicinal
values are also prohibited in reserved forest area with out prior approval from CG. Has this may create
imbalance to ecology of the forest.
4. Tusser (a type of silk yielding insect) cultivation in forest area is allowed since it discourages
monoculture practices in forests and improves biodiversity.
5. Plantation of mulberry for rearing silk worm is prohibited.
6. Proposal sent to CG for non-forestry activity must have a cost benefit analysis and environmental
impact statement (EIS).
Maintaining and restoring the wholesomeness of water by preventing and controlling its pollution. The
salient features and provisions of Act are summed as follows.
1. Maintenance and Restoration of Quality – surface and ground water
2. Establishment of central PCB and state PCB
3. Confers powers and functions to CPCB and SPCB
4. The act provides for funds, budgets, accounts and audits of the CPCB & SPCB
5. The act provides penalties for the defaulters and duties and powers
CPCB:
1. Advices CG in matters – prevention and control of water pollution
2. Co ordinates SPCB and provide technical assistance and guidance
3. Training programs for prevention and control of pollution by mass media and other ways
4. Publishes statistical and technical details about pollution
5. Prepares manual for treatment and disposal of sewerage and trade effluents
6. Lays std for water quality parameters
7. plans nation-wide programs for prevention, control or abatement of pollution
8. Laboratories for analysis of water, sewage or trade effluents
SPCB:
SPCB has similar functions as SPCB and governed by CPCB
1. SPCB advises state government w.r.t. location of any industry that might pollute
2. Lays std for effluents to take samples from streams, wells or trade effluents or sewage passing through
an industry. Samples taken are analysed at recognized labs. If the sample is not confirming to the
water quality std, then the unit is neglected
3. Every industry to obtain consent from PCB before commencing an effluent unit by applying in
prescribed form with fee.
POPULATION GROWTH
Science and technological advancement has increased the expectancy of human. People started living with
good sanitation food and medical facilities increase in population exponentially. In agriculture based families
children are said to be assets who help the parents in fields. Therefore, in developing countries the population
increase is at a rate of 3.4% per year.
Population explosion:
Population explosion means the tremendous increase in the number of people. It is a known fact that the
increase of population is playing vital role of all environmental damage. Most of our natural resources are
under threat because of the population growth. If the exploitation of resource is going on in this trend, the
resources will be exhaust shortly. Population explosion increase disease, economic inequity and
environmental abuse. Therefore we need population stabilization to achieve good health, education and
prosperity.
Reason for population explosion:
1. Increase in birth rate in developed countries due to illiteracy
2. Invention of modern medical facilities reduces mortality rate.
Human rights:
1. Human rights means that a human being must enjoy on this earth
2. Foundation of human was laid in 13th century. But positive hopes for all people for a happy, dignified
and secured living condition wee raised only after “Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR)
by UNO on 1012.1948
3. It highlights on protection to all individuals against injustice and human right violation
4. UNDHR defines specific rights to life, liberty, security, freedom of thought, association, freedom of
movement right of equal pay for equal work, right to form or join union, right to health care, education
etc.
5. Universal declaration rights are universal but disparity between developing and developed countries.
6. Poverty and population leads to violation of human rights.
WHO estimates
-One out of every five is malnourished, lacks clean drinking water, lacks hygienic conditions and
health facilities.
-one out of 3 lack fuel for cooking
-1/5 is desperately poor
-every year 40 million people die due to contaminated water
7. Acute scarcity of employment
8. Merit of universal education and child labour prevention is of much less importance than his struggle
for existence
9. Developed and developing country give importance only to ‘respect to human rights’ and ‘non social –
economic rights’ respectively.
Environment is defined as man along with his surroundings, which consists of biotic, abiotic and sociological
components. Therefore, when we cause danger to these components, which surrounds us, they in turn affect
our health.
The environmental dangers created by man are many: Population explosion, unregulated urbanization,
creating water, air and landscape pollution, deforestation, desertification, use of pesticides in agriculture etc.
Every one of these has implications for the health of the individual as well as society as a whole. None can be
ignored because the scale of potential calamity is increasing day by day.
Health hazards may be arising from: water contamination or pollution, air pollution, use of pesticides enters
through food chain, radiation effect of nuclear water, diseases caused from improper disposal of solid wastes
and also due to noise pollution.
Environmental Ethics
Over exploitation of forests, land, water as well as various living components of biosphere and failure to
tackle the problem of pollution and environmental degradation are exposing the humanly to the thread of a
global environment crisis.
It emphasis that real development cannot occur unless the strategies which are formulated are
implemented are environmentally sustainable. Even though our government is formulating several rules,
regulations, policies, laws, it is the duty of each and every one to protect our nature.
Therefore human beings are ethically responsible for the preservation of the world’s ecological
integrity. The environment ethics literally means conscious efforts to protect environment and to maintain its
stability from the pollutants. Following are some of the ways to safeguard environment.
1. To sacrifice the consumption of some of the good which reduces environment quality
2. Minimize the resource utilization and conservation
3. Adopt sustainable and ecofriendly development.
(Eg) reduction of waste, recycling, waste management and harvesting non conventional energy
If we change as individuals then the society will also change by itself. The society is nothing but an extension
of the individual.
VALUE EDUCATION:
Education is one of the most important tools in bringing about socioeconomic and cultural progress of a
country. The objective of education should not be merely coaching the students to get through the exams with
good results and get some good job. Education does not simply mean acquiring information but using the
resources within the limits of ethical value.
The scientific and technological advancements have shrunk the world into a village. But in the drive to
development man has become too materialistic, self centered and over ambitious. Value based education has a
very significant role in providing proper direction to youth to inculcate positive attitude and to teach them the
distinction between right and wrong. It teaches them to be compassionate, peace loving, helpful, generous
and tolerant so that they can move towards more harmonious, peaceful, enjoyable and sustainable future.
Value education help in arriving value based judgments based on practical understanding of various natural
principles.
Value education increases awareness about our national history, our cultural heritage, national pride,
constitutional rights and duties, national integration, community development and environment.
It is crucial to the retention of national identity, peaceful and harmonious society. Education should give
overall development of the student personality. The main of education is to produce citizens with sound
character and health. Good citizens are the only hope for the progress and prosperity of the country. Life
based upon good principles is an essential requisite.
Therefore moral education should be included in the school curriculum. The curriculum should provide
enough opportunity for pupils to acquire a considerable amount of knowledge that is essential for morally
responsible living in our democratic society.
Value education shall prepare individuals for participation in social life and acceptance of social rules.
Schools should provide a healthy environment for sharing responsibilities of community life and
relationships.
Following the Supreme Court directives 1998 environmental education has been included in the curriculum
right from the school stage to university level. The objective of it is to make everyone environment literate.
Let us see how environmental education can be made value based one.
1. Preparation of text books materials on environmental education – to built a positive attitude towards
environmental factors.
2. Social values like love, tolerance, compassion can be woven into env. Education. This will help to
nurture all forms of life and biodiversity.
3. Cultural and religious values: Our culture and religions teach us not to exploit nature – but to perform
such functions which project and sacred nature. Therefore these values can be added up with env.
Education.
4. Env. Education should stress on earth centric views rather than human centric view such that it include
the ethical values.
5. Global values: Stress on the concept human is part of nature and all natural processes are inter linked
and they are in harmony. If this harmony is disturbed it may lead to imbalance in ecology and
catastrophic results.
6. Spiritual values: highlights on self contentment, discipline, reduction of wants etc. This will reduce our
consumerist approach
If the mentioned values are incorporated in env. education, the goal of sustainable development and
env. conservation can be easily attained. Value based env. education can bring about a total
transformation of our mind set, our attitudes and life style to protect nature.
Eg.
1. Instruments for monitoring and analysis of meteorological parameters, the acoustic sounding system,
radar is used
2. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) – performs complex chemical and heavy metal analysis
in water and waste water.
3. Inductive coupled plasma spectrometer (ICPS), attached with powerful computers to facilitate easy
manipulations, is used for waste water analysis.