EVS Short Notes

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GE2021

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 abioticand biotic components around man-all living and non living things surrounds man.

Env. Components can be divided into biotic and abiotic components.

According to ancient man the environment was the Panchaboodhas (i.e) air, water, land, sky and energy. Thehuman were disciples of nature. They were able to protect themselves from harmful one and protect theothers. But according to modern man the env. is only air land and water. Exploitation of various earthresources to satisfy the increasing needs of human population has resulted in 1) depletion of various resourcesof earth 2) pollution.

Principles of env. education:

1. Examine the major env. issues2. discover the root cause3. develop problem solving skills4. Promote co-operation in solving problems5. Emphasis active participation in prevention and solution to problems.

Scope of env. science:

1. Studying the interrelationship between the components of env.

2. Carrying out impact analysis and env. Audit3. Preventing pollution from existing and new industries4. Stopping the use of biological and nuclear weapons5.. Managing unpredictable disasters etc.

PUBLIC AWARENESS:

Env. Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is an important aspect whichserves 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

Reasons for env. Ignorance:

1. Science, technology and economics failed to integrate the knowledge on env. Aspects in curriculum2. The decision makers do not process env. Angle of decision making3. Consideration of economic growth, poverty eradication has lead to env. Degradation4. Only few developmental activities are made considering the env. Aspects.


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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 2002have 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 participatein action. Public participation is possible only when the public is aware about the ecological and

environmental issues. Eg. Ban- the littering of polythene.

Methods to propagate env. Awareness:

1. Among students through education introducing environmental studies in the curriculum.2. Among public through mass media- environmental programmmes through TV, radio etc.3. Among decision makers, planners, leaders etc.

Role of NGOs

1. Advise the government in interacting with ground level people

2. Organize public meetings to create environmental awarenessEg. Recent report of centre for science and environment on permissible limits of pesticides in cola drinks.

Public awareness is needed in the area1. Study of natural resources-conservation and management2. Ecology and biodiversity conservation3. Env. Pollution and prevention4. Social issues related to development and environment5. Human population and env.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Any component of the env. Which has intrinsic value of its own is called as resource. Any componentwhich can be transferred in a way such that it becomes more valuable and useful is termed as resource.

Resources

RenewableEg. Clean air, clean water

Non renewableGround water, minerals

ContinuousSolar energy, windenergy

ExtrinsicHuman skills

Considered to berenewable withconsiderable life span-as

long as they have thecapacity to renew unless they are affectedby catastrophes oranthrophogenic activity.

Available only in finitequantity their rate ofrenewal is so slow that

they are considered asnon-renewable

Considered to beavailable always.


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FOREST RESOURCES:

Forests are one of the most important resources of the world. Apart from having high commercial importancethey provide high environmental services also. They act as a blanket on the surface of the earth.

Around 1/3rd of world land area was found to be forests. 1/5th of world forests were found in Braziland 6-7% was in Canada and USA. But the matter under high concern is the declination of forest cover yearby year.

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 earths lungs2. Reducing global warming sink for carbon di oxide3. Wild life habitat 7 million species in tropical forests alone4. Regulation of hydrological cycle prevent surface run off giant sponges 50-80% moisture5. Soil conservation hold solid particles tightly and prevent soil erosion wind breaks

6. Pollution moderators: absorb toxic gases and purify air reduce noise pollution

OVER EXPLOITATION OF FORESTS:Human beings depend heavily on forests for food, shelter, wood, fuel and medicine with growing

civilization etc. shooted up resulting in large scale mining, road building and clearing of forests.Excessive use of charcoal, fuel wood, expansion of urban, agricultural and industrial areas and

overgrazing have lead to over exploitation and rapid degradation of forests.

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 countriesIt 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 ofachieving 33% forest area. But we still have only 19.27% of our land area covered by forests(satellite data).

MAJOR CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION:1. Shifting of Cultivation 300 million people 5 lakh hectares of forest for slash and burn culture2. fuel requirement3. raw materials for industrial use4. developmental projects5. growing food needs6. overgrazing

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION1. threatens many wild life species due to destruction of natural habitat2. biodiversity is lost along with that genetic diversity3. hilly regions are made prone to landslides


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4. soil erosion and loss of soil fertility5. hydrological cycle is affected

(loss of rainfall, flood, drought etc)

DAMS BENEFITS AND PROBLEMSRiver valley projects with big dams are considered to play a key role in the development of a country.

India has large number of river valley projects

1. These dams are regarded as symbol of national development.2. provides large scale employment of tribal people and increase the std. of living of them3. contribute for economic uplift and growth4. help in checking flood5. generate electricity6. reduce power and water shortage7. provide irrigation water8. provide drinking water to remote areas9. Promote navigation and fishery.

Environmental problems:

The environmental problems can be at upstream as well as downstreamLevelUpstream problems

1. Displacement of tribal people2. Loss of flora and fauna3. siltation and sedimentation near reservoir4. stagnation and water logging near reservoir5. growth of aquatic weeds6. micro climatic changes7. RIS causes earthquakes8. breeding of disease vectors

Downstream problems1. Water logging and salinity due to over irrigation2. micro climatic changes3. salt water intrusion at river mouth4. loss of fertility due to sediment deposits5. Out break of vector born diseases.

Timber extraction and mining:

The major activities in forest area are 1. Timber extraction 2. MiningThe important effects of timber extraction are

i) thinning of forestsii) loss of biodiversity, particularly tree breading speciesiii) soil erosion and loss of soil fertilityiv) migration of tribal people from one place to another in search of new forestv) extinction of tribal people and their culture

Mining: Mining is a process of removing ores from area which is very much below the ground level. Miningis done for the extraction of several minerals of metals like Fe, Mn, Au, Ag,etc. The minerals are especiallyfound in thick forests.


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Mining can be carried out in two ways1. Surface mining2. underground mining or sub-surface mining]

The effects of under ground mining on forest reserves is comparatively less than that of surface mining

Relation between forest and climate change:

Forests both influence and influenced by climate change. They play an important role in the carbon cycle andthe 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, andlong-lasting. Even now, we can see how any extreme weather has great impact on forests. For example, the1999 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, acountry with forests earns emission credits, since its forests absorb carbon dioxide. These credits aretradable, 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 developingcountry.

Sustainable forest Management

Sustainable forest management (SFM) is the use of the worlds forest in such a way that they continue toprovide resources in the present, without depriving future generations of their use. One of the principles ofSFM is to fully involve local communities in forest management. Implementing this principle is difficultsince 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 Protoco

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 andidentify indicators for SFM, covering 85 per cent of the worlds forests. There are 140 countries with nationalprogrammes I in various stages of development.Certification of forest as coming from sustainable forests is another approachCertification is a voluntary market-based approach that enables us to identify forest products backed by highenvironmental standards. It focuses on the quality of forest management rather than on that of forest products

Three certification methods are in operation:1. Accreditation by the Mexico-based Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)2. ISO 14000 Environmental Management System (EMS) similar to ISO 9000 certification3. Pan-Europe Certification Scheme and national certification schemes by individual countries.

Environmental impacts of over extraction of mineral resources:

Depending on the conditions of terrain and depth of ore deposits 2 types of mining operations arecarried out. 1. Open cast mining and 2. Underground mining. In both types each steps in miningprocessing produce several environmental effects such as,

Deforestation takes place due to removal of vegetal covers.


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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 RESOURCESWater is an indispensible resource. Around 97% of world surface is covered with water. Most of the animalsand plants have 60-65% of water in their body.

Unique features of water1. High specific heat2. High latent heat of vapourisation3. Good solvent for oxygen, nutrients and pollutants4. Anomalous expansion on freezing5. High surface tension

Global distribution of water is very much random depending on the geographical conditions. Theavailability of water decreases in the following order.1. Tropical rain forest

2. Temperate regions3. DesertsWater is used for domestic, irrigation and also industrial purposesOut of the total available water 75% is used for agriculture, 20% for industrial usage. In our country ~93% ofwater 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 generallymade 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.

Over utilization of ground water:Over utilization of water leads to rapid depletion of water resources, ground subsidence, lowering of watertable and water logging.

Effects of over utilization of ground water:Reasons: Economic development, rapid industrial growth and population explosion

The use of ground water and surface water rates which are higher than that of recharge ultimatelyleads to


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Water scarcity

Water logging

Salination

alkalization

water pollution or contamination

creates declining of water levels

crops failure and reduction in agricultural production

over pumping of ground water create drought, famine and food shortage

over pumping of ground water sea water intrusion in coastal aquifers

land subsidence may due to over pumping of ground water

river pollution due to industrial activities and dumping of waste into rivers, which in turn force

to utilize the ground water, ultimately leads to over pumpingClean water is universal right. It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure the purity of water. Water is avaluable commodity and it has to be conserved.

Surface water:

When evaporation and transpiration rates are lower than the rainfall, surface water body like lake, riverpond, streams etc. are formed.

Flood: over flow of water, whenever the water in flow is greater than the carrying capacity of thechannels flood occurs.Causes:1. Heavy rainfall, snow melt, sudden release of water from dams.2. Prolonged down pour leading to overflowing of rivers and lakes3. Reduction in carrying capacity due to obstructions or sediments etc.4. Deforestation, overgrazing, mining increases water run off5. Removal of dense forests from hilly regions

Effects:1. Submerges the flooded area2. Loss of soil fertility due to soil erosion3. Extinction of civilization at costal area

Flood management:1. Dams and reservoirs can be constructed2. Embankments and proper channel management3. Flood way should not be encroached4. Forecasting or flood warning5. 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 compactedbecause of excess evaporation of water. Water cannot percolate into the soil. Roots cannot pass into the soilSoil 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 resultsThis leads to loss of useful species and many nutrients. Overgrazing leads to replacement of thorny plants inthe place of leafy, fruit bearing plants.


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HYV: The usage of high yield crop variety leads to monoculture same type of crop is planted on largescale. In case of any pathogenic effects, due to exactly uniform condition in the crop field, total loss isencountered.

Food resources:

PROBLEMS FACED BY FOOD RESOURCES

Overgrazing modern agriculture

Land degradation high yield variety cropsSoil erosion micronutrients imbalanceLoss of useful species nitrate pollution

EutrophicationPesticide related problemsWater loggingSalinity

Micronutrient imbalance: excessive use of macronutrients causes micronutrients imbalance. Ex. Zincdeficiency faced in Punjab and Haryana.

LAND RESOURCE

Land is critically important national resource which supports all living organisms including plants andanimals. 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 5million tones of nutrients. About 1/3 of this is lost in sea while the rest in reservoirs and rivers leading toflood.

About 38% of the area in India suffers from moderate to high degree of water based erosion. The percapita availability of land in the country has declined from 1.37 hectare in 1901 to 0.33 hectare in 2000. Allthese lands cannot be utilized for agricultural purpose. Some land would be required for other activities (tomaintain urban area).

Effective steps have to be taken for preventing diversion of land suitable for sustainable farming tonon-farm uses. Simultaneously, degraded lands and waste lands have to be improved by ecologicarestoration. The Department of Land Resources was setup in April 1999 by ministry of Rural Development toact 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 goodsand 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


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3. Carrying capacity or the number of people and animals the land can normally support withoutsignificant stress.

Landscapes generally undergo degradation but are usually compensated by natures inherent recoveringability. Whenever degradation occur exceeding natures 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 theoverall progress of the region as they obstruct the roads, communication media and water flow. There are twotypes of slides

1. slides due to natural factors2. 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:

Ways to reduce soil erosion:1. Terracing: Terracing reduces soil erosion on steep slopes by concerting the land into a series of broad

level terraces. This retains water for crops at each level and reduces soil erosion by water run off.2. Contour Farming: This method is adopted for gently sloped land. This involves planting crops in

rows across the contour of gently sloped land.3. Alley Cropping or Agro forestry: In this method crops are planted together in strips or alleys between

trees and shrubs that can provide fruits and fuel wood. The trees and shrubs provide shade whichreduce water loss by evaporation and preserve soil moisture.

Wind Breaks or Shelter Belts: Wind breaks and shelter belts or trees are established to reduce wind erosionand also for retaining soil moisture.

UNIT II

ECOSYSTEM:Living organisms cannot be isolated from their non-living environment because the later provides materialsand energy for the survival of the farmer. An ecosystem is therefore defined as a natural functional ecologicalunit comprising of living organisms and their non-living environment that interact to form a stable selfsupporting system .

Eg. Pond, lake, desert, grassland, forest, etc.

ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM:Energy is defined as the capacity ot do work. For living organisms, it is the basic force responsible forrunning all the metabolic activities. The flow of energy from producer level to top consumer level is calledenergy flow.The flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional. It flows from producer level to consumer level andnever in the reverse direction.


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The process of energy flow involves transfer of energy from autotrophs to various components of heterotrophsand help in maintaining bio diversity. The main source of energy in the ecosystem is sunlight. About 80% ofenergy is lost during flow of energy from one trophic level to the next one.

Sun Producer Herbivores Carnivores Top carnivores Decomposers

FOOD CHAIN

Plants by photosynthesis convert solar energy into protoplasm. Small herbivores consume the vegetablematter and convert into animal matter which in turn eaten by large carnivores. This sequence of eaten andbeing eaten , produces transfer of food energy known as food chain.

Producers Consumer I order Consumer II order Decomposers(Plants) (Deer) (Tiger, Lion) (Bacteria, fungi)

FOOD WEB:

The food relationship between various organisms is being depicted by linking all the possible prey andpredators of different food level. In an ecosystem linking of feeding habit relations will provide a food web.

Mouse snakeGrass Rabbit Hawk

Grasshopper Lizard

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS:

The energy biomass and number of organisms gradually decreases from the producer level to the consumerlevel. The total mass of herbivores in an ecosystem will generally be less than the total mass of plantsSimilarly 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. Inany ecological pyramid the producer forms the base and the successive levels form the tires which can makethe apex.

Types of ecological pyramids:a) pyramid of numbersb) pyramid of biomassc) pyramid of energy

Eg. Grassland ecosystem pyramid of number upright pyramid

grass

Worms

insects

birds


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Parasite ecosystem pyramid of number inverted pyramid

MAJOR TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS

FOREST ECOSYSTEM

Definition: It is a natural ecosystem consisting of dense growth of trees and wild animals

Types: tropical deciduous, evergreen, wet greenLittoral and swampsSub tropical

Characteristics:Abiotic: soil, sun light, temperature etc

Biotic : forest trees, shrubs and animalsStructure:

Producer : trees and shrubsConsumer : Primary elephants, deer etc.

Secondary snakes, birds, lizards etcTertiary lions, tigers etc

Decomposers : fungi, bacteria

Functional components:Ecological pyramids (upright)

Tree

Bacteria,fungi

Birds

Parasites

trees

deers

lizards

lions


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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM

Definition:

Deals with water bodies and biotic communities present in them-Classified as fresh water and marineecosystems. Fresh water systems are classified as lentic and lotic ecosystems.

Types:

1. Pond ecosystem: Small fresh water ecosystem seasonal in nature organisms: algae, aquatic plantsinsects, fishes etc. Ponds are very often exposed to anthropogenic pressure like cloth washingbathing, cattle bathing, swimming etc.

2. Lake ecosystem: Big fresh water ecosystem Zonation or stratification, especially during summer is acommon one.

Top layer shallow, warm, prone to anthropogenic activities Littoral zoneSecond layer enough sunlight, high primary productivity Limnetic zoneThird layer very poor or no sunlight Profundal zone

Eg. Dal lake in Srinagar, Naini lake in NainitalOrganisms: planktons phytoplankton eg. Algae zooplankton eg. Rotifers

Nektons that swims in water eg. FishesNeustons that float on the surface of waterBenthos that attached to sediments eg. Snails

Types of lakes : Many types- oligotrophic lakes with less nutrient content eutrophic lakes withvery high nutrient content due to fertilizer contamination desert salt lakes that contains high salinewater due to over evaporation volcanic lakes formed by water emitted from magma due to volcaniceruptions dystrophic lakes that contains highly acidic water (low pH) endemic lakes lakes thatcontain many endemic species etc.

3. Streams: fresh water ecosystem where water current plays a major role. Oxygen and nutrient contentare uniform. Stream organisms have to face extreme difference in climatic conditions but they do notsuffer from oxygen deficiency as pond and lake organisms. This is because large surface area ofrunning water provides more oxygen supply. The animals have very narrow range of tolerancetowards 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 dissolvedoxygen 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 areseen. 3. Third phase: river shapes the land lots of silts, nutrients are brought deposited in plainsand delta very rich in biodiversity.

4. Oceans: Gigantic reservoirs of water covering >70% of earth surface 2,50,000 species hugevariety of sea products, drugs etc. provide Fe, Mg, oils, natural gas, sand etc. major sinks ofcarbon 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 worlds largesecological unit.


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Estuary: coastal area where river meet ocean strongly affected by tidal actions very rich innutrients 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

Energy flow:

Phytoplankton Insects small fishes huge fishes

Decomposition

sediments

GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM:

dominated by grass few shrubs and trees are also found rainfall average but erratic overgrazing leads todesertification.

Three types depending on the climate1. Tropical grass lands found near the boarders of tropical rain forests. Eg. Savannas in Africa.

Animals Zebra, giraffes etc. fires are common in dry seasons termite mounds produce methane leads to fire high in photosynthesis deliberate burning leads to release of high CO2 globalwarming.

2. Temperate grasslands flat and gentle slopes of hills. Very cold winter and very hot summer - drysummer fires do not allow shrubs and trees to grow soil is quite fertile cleaned for agriculture.

3. Polar grasslands found in arctic polar region organism arctic wolf, fox, etc. A thick layer of iceremains frozen under the soil surface throughout the year known as permafrost summer insects andbirds appear.

Components:

phytoplankton

Worms,insects

fishes

birds


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Structural Components:Abiotic: soil pH, nutrients, soil moisture, temp, climatic conditions, etc.Biotic: grass, caterpillar, butterfly, worms, insects, birds, etc.Functional components:Ecological pyramid

Energy flow:

Grass worms Insects small birds huge birds

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 racesvarieties and species. The sum of total of various types of microbes, plants and animals (producersconsumers and decomposers) in a system.Biomes can be considered life zones, environment with similar climatic, topographic and soil conditionsand 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 todeepest 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 expeditionsmainly in tropics, taxonomists estimate there are between 3-50 million different species may be alivetoday. Insects make up more than one half of all known species and may comprise more than 90% of alspecies on earth.

The concept of biodiversity may be analyzed in 3 different levels. They are1 ecosystem diversity

grass

Worms

insects

birds


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2 species diversity3 genetic diversity

Ecosystem or ecological diversity means the richness and complexity of a biological communityincluding tropic levels, ecological processes (which capture energy), food webs and material recycling.Species diversity describes the number of kinds of organisms within individual communities orecosystems.Genetic diversity is a measure of the variety of versions of same gene within individual species.

Biodiversity Hotspots:

Most of the worlds biodiversity are near the equator especially tropical rain forest and coral reefs. Of allthe worlds 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 anarea 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 biodiversityNew 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 ownsignificance.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 valuessocial 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 theyare or as a source of material to improve domestic crops. About 80,000 edible plants could be used byhuman.Drugs and medicine: Living organisms provides many useful drugs and medicines. The United NationsDevelopment 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 AntibioticQuinine chincona bark - Malaria treatmentMorphine poppy bark AnalgesicTwenty years before, once the drugs were not introduced, childhood leukemia was fatal. Now theremission rate for childhood leukemia is 99%.Ecological benefits:

Human life is inextricably linked to ecological services provided by other organisms. Soil formationwaste disposal, air and water purification, solar energy absorption, nutrient cycling and food production alldepend on biodiversity. In many environments, high diversity may help biological communities towithstand environmental stress better and to recover more quickly than those with fewer species.


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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.

Poaching of wild life

Due to poaching, illegal trade and smuggling activities most of our valuable fauna are under threatorganised crime has moved into illegal wild life smuggling because of huge profit Eg. Tiger, Deer forhides, Rhinoceros for horns, Elephant for ivory tusk, Sea Horse, Star turtle sold to foreign market.(Extinction, the elimination of species, is a normal process of the natural world. Species die put and arereplaced by others as part of evolutionary change.

Human caused reduction: The climate change caused by our release of green house gases in the atmcould have catastrophic effects. Human disturbance of natural habitat is the largest single cause pf loss ofbiological diversity. Woodlands and grasslands are converted now use about 10% of the worlds landsurface for crop production and about twice the amount for pasture and grasslands.)

Hunting: Over harvesting is responsible for depletion or extinction of many species.Eg. The American passenger pigeon was the worlds most abundant bird. In spite of this vast population,market hunting and habitat destruction caused the entire population to crash with in 20 years.

FragmentationHabitat fragmentation reduces the biodiversity because many animals like bears and large cats requirelarge territories to subsist. Some forest birds reproduce only in deep forest or habitat far from humansettlement. A large island for example, can support more individuals of given species and therefore lesslikely 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 toprotect our bio diversity by two ways.1. In-situ or on-site conversion2. Ex-situ conservation


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In-situ conservation:

Conservation of species in its natural habitat, in place wherethe species normally occurs

The strategy involves establishing small or large protectedareas, called protected areas

Today in world, there are 9800 protected areas and 1500national parks

Methods:1. Nature or biosphere reserves (Eg) Nilgiri Bio reserve2. national parks and sanctuaries (Eg) Mudumalai, vedanthangal3. on farm and home garden conservation for plants, vegetables and fruits to maintaintraditional crop varieties.

Ex- situ conservation:

It involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plant and animaspecies under partially or wholly controlled conditions in zoos, gardens and laboratories

The crucial issue for conservation is to identify those species which are

more at risk of extinction.Methods:

1. long term captive breeding2. shortage term propagation and release3. animal translocation and re introductions4. seed bank5. reproductive technology

(i) embryo transfer technology(ii) cloning

Biodiversity and National Environmental law:

All environmental problems are regional in nature but their effects are global. Hence environmentalproblems cane be resolved only by extensive co operation among nations. Laws serve to achieve globalobjective of environmental protection.

Indian law for conservation of biodiversity:The wild species of the group and other related species constitute a rich gene pool in India. Thegovernment of India has enacted laws for the conservation of biological diversity.The habitat protection laws:This includes species protection laws and habitat protection laws which indirectly protect and conservethe biological diversity and its components.The wild life (protection) Act 1972:

Enacted1. to protect wild animals and birds which are in the verge of extinction2. to protect biological diversity in particular and environmental protection in general.3. for the protection of wild animals and birds and for all other matters connected there of or ancillary

and incidental there to.Biosphere Reserve and the wild life (protection) Act 1972:Biosphere reserves are complementary to the existing network of national parks and sanctuaries, this actis enacted to protect biosphere.


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UNIT III

POLLUTIONMarine Pollution

Dumping of waste and oil spillage in the oceans or seas, which create threats to marine ecosystem, is calledmarine pollution.

Sources:1. waste disposal2. oil spill3. thermal pollution (plants located nearby coastal areas)4. ship breaking activities5. aquaculture practices6. 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 thedisposal 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

Sound is mechanical energy from a vibrating sourceUnpleasant and unwanted sound is called noiseSound can propagate through air, liquid or solidSound is pressure perturbation in the medium through which it travels. Sound pressure creates alternatecompression and rarefaction. The number of c and r per unit time is called frequency.Sound pressure does not produce linear impact on human. A logarithmic scale has been devised. Noise ismeasure in terms of SPL which is a log ratio of sound P to a std. P. It has a dimensionless unit decibel (dB)The international reference P is 2X10 power -5 Pa. Sound can affect ears either by loudness or by pitch(frequency). The CPCB has recommended the permissible noise levels for various places.

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 dB2. Jet plane take off 150 dB


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3. Threshold of pain 140 dB4. Recorded music (max) 130 dB5. Construction works, news paper press 100 dB6. Motor cycle 90 dB7. Ordinary conservation 70/80 dB8. Air conditioning unit/ Light traffic 60 dB9. Normal living room 50 dB

10. Library or soft whisper 30 B11. Threshold of hearing 0 dB

Sources of noise pollution:1. Industrial units2. Transportation modes3. Construction activities4. Celebrations5. Electric home appliances

Nanjing 105 dBRome 90 dB

Calcutta 85 dBMumbai 82 dBDelhi 80 dB

Effects of noise pollution:

Interferes communication

Hearing damage (90 dB)

Physiological and Psychological disorders

Noise pollution during Diwali:The environmental (protection) (2nd amendment) Rule 1999 has given the permissible limit of noise level

produced from fire crackers to be 125 dB. According to recent test reports on fire crackers by NationalPhysical Laboratory, the fire crackers available in the market produce noise beyond the permissible limit.Atom bomb 135-138 dBHydrogen bomb

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 beprohibited.

2. For joined fire crackers the limit is taken as 5log 10 (N) dB; where N= no. of crackers joined together3. 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 institutionscourts, religious places, etc.

5. The State Education Resource Centre shall take appropriate steps to educate students about the illeffects of air and noise pollution.

Control of noise pollution:

Reduction in source of noise]

Noise making machines should be kept in containers with sound absorbing media

Proper oiling will reduce noise from machinery

Using silencers fibrous material


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Planting trees

Legislation can prevent excess sound production, unnecessary horn blowing etc.

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 compoundsParticulate pollutants smoke, dust, soot, fumes, aerosol, liquid droplets, pollen grainsRadio active pollutants Radon 222, Iodine 131, Sr 90

Sources of air pollution

Natural sources man made sources(anthropogenic)1. Volcanic eruption thermal power plants (fly ash, SO2)2. Forest fires industrial units3. Biological decay vehicle emission-

(CO-77%, HC-14%, NOX-8%)-(Heavy duty diesel vehicles- more NOX and SPMPetrol vehicles CO & HC)

4. Sea salt spray fossil fuel burning5. Pollen grains of flowers Agricultural activities

Metallurgical plants (SO2, CO2)Fertilizer plantsTextile millsRefineriesPaper and pulp mills

Classification of air pollutants:

Air pollutants

According to origin According to state of matter

Primary pollutants secondary pollutants(SO2, NOX, smoke) (PAN, SO3, aldehydes)

Gaseous air particulate airpollutants pollutants

(CO2, NOX) (dust, mist)


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Indoor air pollution:Radon is an important air pollutant. It can be emitted from building materials like bricks, concrete, tiles etcwhich are derived from soil containing radium. Burning of fuel produce pollutants like CO, SO2, soot andmany other like formaldehyde, benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) are toxic and harmful for health. BAP is also found incigarette smoke and is considered to cause cancer. A person using wood as fuel for cooking inhales BAPequivalent to 20 packets of cigarette a day.

Effects of air pollution:Effects on human:Human respiratory system has a number of mechanisms for protection from air pollution. Bigger particles (>10 micro m) can be trapped by the hairs and sticky muscus lining in the nose.

S. No. Pollutant Sources Effects on human

1 Aldehydes Thermal

decomposition of fatsand oils

Irritates nasal and respiratory tracts

2 Ammonia Chemical processes,dye making,explosives andfertilizers

Upper respiratory passage

3 Arsenic Coal and oil furnaces Damages kidney, cause jaundice,lung and skin cancer

4 Carbon Monoxide Motor exhausts, oiland coal furnaces

damages lungs and heart

5 Cadmium oil and coal furnaces Damages kidney

6 Chlorine Chemical industries Attacks respiratory tracks, mucousmembranes

7 Hydrocarbons Unburnt gasolinevapours

Fog formed with combination ofNOx affects respiratory system

8 Hydrogen Sulfide Sewage treatment,refineries

Irritates eyes, causes nausea, badodour

9 Nitrogen oxides Motor vehicleexhaust

Bronchitis

10 Ozone Photochemicalreactions

Eye irritation, aggressive asthma

11 Sulphur dioxide Coal and oil

combustion

Obstructs breathing, irritates eyes

12 Suspended solids Industrialmanufactures

Eye irritation, asthma, airsuffocation, lung cancer

Control of air pollution:1. Using non conventional energy2. Using bio filters3. Planting more trees4. Reducing vehicle exhausts5. Using less polluting fuels


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6. Using mass transport7. Removal of particulate matter using electrostatic precipitator, cyclone filter etc.8. Setting of industries of EIA9. Removal of NOX from vehicle exhaust

Green house effect and global warming:

The raise of earths surface temperature due to intense green house effect is called global warming.Causes:Over the last century, the level of carbon dioxide in the atm. Has increase by 25%, the level of nitrous oxideby 19% and the level of methane by 100%. These 3 major global warming gases are released into the atm. byburning of fossil fuels, industrialization, mining, deforestation, exhaust from increasing automobiles and otheranthropogenic activities.Effects:

1. Increase evaporation of surface water influence climate change2. Leads to declining biodiversity3. Melting of mountain glaciers and polar ice, which cause rise in sea level4. Change the climate and rainfall reduction in food production

5. The biological productivity of ocean also decreased due to warming of earths surface6. With more carbon dioxide in the air, the plants will grow bigger with increase in yield and resulting inthe soils getting poor quality

7. If proper precautions are not taken, the conc. Of green house gases may double in the atm. with in next50 years, and will makes the average global temp. to 450 C.

Ozone layer depletion:Ozone is an important chemical species present in the stratosphere. Its conc. is about 10 ppm. It acts as aprotective shield for the life on the earth. Ozone is produced and also broken down by photochemical

reactions, thus maintaining equilibrium.

Causes for ozone layer depletion:1. Chlorine released from CFC and Bromine released from halogens are the most important chemicals

associated with ozone layer depletion2. The halogens are used in fore extinguishers and CFC are extensively used in air conditioners and

refrigerators.3. Methyl bromide used during packaging of fruits to prevent bacterial action flows out into the atm. as

soon as the packing is opened. This cause heavy damage to ozone.4. High altitude aircrafts and chemicals emitted by industrial plants and automobiles

Effects:1. Marked rise in cause skin cancer2. Damage immune system3. Eye ailment such as cataract4. Shorter life of paints and plastics5. Restricted growth and crop damage6. Destruction of aquatic life

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.


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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)

Classification of water pollutants:1. suspended matter

2. thermal discharge3. pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa fungi)4. natural organic pollutants5. synthetic organic pollutants6. inorganic chemicals7. radioactive waste, oil, sediments

Effects of water pollution1. Objectionable colour and odour is unacceptable and unsuitable for drinking and other purposes.2. highly turbid and very hard water is unpleasant to drink, food processing3. acid and alkaline water cause serious health problem

4. water borne infectious enteric disease like typhoid, cholera, dysentery, are the predominant healthhazard arising from drinking contaminated water5. radioactive pollution enter human body through food and get accumulated in thyroid gland, liver

bones and muscles6. biodegradable waster deplete D O in the receiving stream, affect the flora cause creates anaerobic

conditions7. non biodegradable waste and pesticides travel the food chain and ultimately reach human where they

accumulate in fatty tissues8. thermal discharge in stream depletes D O9. phosphate, nitrate, promote the growth of algae and encourage eutrophication10. Industrial effluents result in addition of poisonous chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, lead may reach

human body through contaminated food.

Control measure of water pollution1. lay down standard for

a. drinking waterb. disposal of waste water into water course/sewer/land

2. monitoring3. treatment

a. domestic treatment

screening

sedimentation

filtration, pH adjustment

disinfection

b. waste water treatment

preliminary treatment

primary treatment

secondary treatment

advanced treatment

UNIT IV


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Waste land reclamation:Any land which is not put to optimal use is defined as waste land. The waste land do not fulfill their lifesustain potential wasteland contributes about 20.17% of the total geographical area of India.

Reasons for formation

Over grazing and over exploitation

Toxic effluent discharged from sewage and industrial wastes Mining activities destroy forest and cultivable land

Use of pesticides also produce wasteland

Erosion, desertification, water logging also degrade land

Wastelands can be reclaimed by the following way

Conserving the soil land is brought under vegetal cover. This can be done by growing grasses and

shrubs

To reclaim the land/soil, effective participation of the people, voluntary agencies and government is

very important

CONSUMERISM AND WASTE PRODUCTS

Consumerism refers to the consumption of resources by the people. Early human societies used toconsume much less resources. But the consumerism has increased to a very large extent. Consumerism isrelated 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 by2045. 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 inan area causes degradation of limited resources poverty and under nourishments. Low DevelopedCountries (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). Populationsize is smaller but the resource consumption is high due to luxurious life style (i.e.) per capita consumption ishigh. More consumption of resources lead to high waste generation greater is the degradation of theenvironment.

According to Paul Ehrlich and John Hodlren modelOverall environmental impact = no. of people x per capita use of resources x waste generated per unit ofresources

Parameter MDC LDC

No. of people low HighPer capita consumption ofresources

high Low

Waste generated high Low

Over all environmental impact of these two types of consumerism may be same or even greater in caseof MDC.

Comparison of consumption and waste generation

Parameter Global value %


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USA India

Population 4.7 16

Production of goods 21 1

Energy use 25 3

Pollutants and wastes 25 3

CFC Production 22 0.7

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 tosafeguard forests and wildlife of the countryArticle 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 ourfundamental duties.

WILDLIFE [PROTECTION] ACT, 1972:

Land mark in the history of wildlife legislation.1976 the powers are transferred from state to central government.[I B of W L] was created in 1952 in our country which after WLA, 1972, took up the task of setting Nationalparks and sanctuaries.

Wildlife [protection] Act

1 Defines wild life related terminology.2 Provide appointments of advisory Board, wildlife warden, their powers & duties etc.3 Prohibition of hunting of endangered species [was first] mentioned.4 List of endangered species is provided.5 Guides central 200 authorities.6 Provides grants for setting up of national parks, wild life sanctuaries etc.7 The Act imposes ban on trade & commence of scheduled animals.8 Provides legal proves to officers to punish the offenders.9 Provide captive breeding programme for endangered species.

Many conservation projects for endangered species were started under this act.Lion 1972;Tigers 1973Crocodile [1974];Deer 1981.

Forest (conservation) Act, 1980

It deals with conservation of forest and includes reserve forest, protected forest and any forest landirrespective of ownership.


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Salient features1. State government can use forest only forestry purpose.2. Provision for conservation of all types of forests. Advisory committee appointed for funding

conservation3. 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 projectin 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 medicinalvalues are also prohibited in reserved forest area with out prior approval from CG. Has this may createimbalance to ecology of the forest.4. Tusser (a type of silk yielding insect) cultivation in forest area is allowed since it discouragesmonoculture 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 environmentalimpact statement (EIS).

Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974:

Maintaining and restoring the wholesomeness of water by preventing and controlling its pollution. Thesalient features and provisions of Act are summed as follows.1. Maintenance and Restoration of Quality surface and ground water2. Establishment of central PCB and state PCB3. Confers powers and functions to CPCB and SPCB

4. The act provides for funds, budgets, accounts and audits of the CPCB & SPCB5. The act provides penalties for the defaulters and duties and powers

CPCB:1. Advices CG in matters prevention and control of water pollution2. Co ordinates SPCB and provide technical assistance and guidance3. Training programs for prevention and control of pollution by mass media and other ways4. Publishes statistical and technical details about pollution5. Prepares manual for treatment and disposal of sewerage and trade effluents6. Lays std for water quality parameters7. plans nation-wide programs for prevention, control or abatement of pollution8. Laboratories for analysis of water, sewage or trade effluents

SPCB:SPCB has similar functions as SPCB and governed by CPCB1. SPCB advises state government w.r.t. location of any industry that might pollute2. 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 thewater quality std, then the unit is neglected

3. Every industry to obtain consent from PCB before commencing an effluent unit by applying inprescribed form with fee.


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Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981Salient features

1. Prevention, control and abatement of air pollution2. Air pollution has been defined as the presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance (including

noise) in the atmosphere in such a concentration that may be or tend to be harmful to human being orany other living creature or plants or property or environment.

3. Noise pollution inserted in 19874. CPCB & SPCB similar to water pollution board5. Section 20 provides for emission std to auto mobile6. Section 19 provides for SG to declare air pollution control area in consultation with SPCB7. Direction of PCB can be appealed in the appellate authority.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986CG is to take action to protect and improve environment and SG to co ordinate actions. CG to set up

1. Std of quality of ]air, water or soil2. Maximum permissible limits of concentration of pollutants (including noise pollutant)3. procedures and safe guard for handling hazardous items

4. Prohibition of using hazardous items5. Prohibition and restriction of certain industries in certain area6. Procedure and safe guard for prevention of accidents

Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986SPCB is to follow the guidelines provided in schedule VI. Some are as follows

1. Advises industries for treating the waste water and gases use of technology achieve prescribed std.2. Encourage recycling and reusing the wastes3. Encourage recovery of biogas, energy and reusable matter4. Discharge of effluents and emissions into environment is permitted by SPCB after taking into account

capacity of the receiving water body

5. To emphasize clean technology to increase fuel efficiency and decrease environmental pollutantsThe act provides for environmental Audit for checking complying with the environmental laws andregulations.

ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION MAJOR ISSUES

1. Target of 33% of land to be covered by forest not achieved2. Rivers turning to open sewers3. Big towns and cities polluted4. Wild life endangered5. EFP (Effluent Treatment Plant) or Air Pollution Control devices are expensive leads to closure of

units. Government should provide subsidy for small units.6. Pollution control laws not backed up by policy pronouncements or guidelines7. Chairman of PCB political nominee. Hence political interference.8. Involving public in decision making envisaged by policy statement of the ministry of environment and

forest (1992) is only in paper.

Draw backs of wild life (protection) act

Fall out of Stockholm conference not localized

Ownership certificate of animals article illegal trading

Trade through J & K. This act not applicable to J&K


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Offender to get just 3 years imprisonment and or Rs.25000/- fine.

Draw backs of the forest (conservation) act 1980

Inheritance of exploitative and consumerist elements of the British period

Tribal people (i.e.) inhabitants of forest are left by the act

Instead of attracting public support (tribal) it has intrigued in the human rights.

Protection of trees, birds and animals have marginalized poor people.

UNIT V

POPULATION GROWTH

Reasons for the exponential growth:

Stone age quite stableDroughts, outbreak of diseases lead to human deaths. 14th century A.D experienced large scale mortality dueto plague about 50% of people in Asia and Europe died due to the disease.

Science and technological advancement has increased the expectancy of human. People started living withgood sanitation food and medical facilities increase in population exponentially. In agriculture based familieschildren are said to be assets who help the parents in fields. Therefore, in developing countries the populationincrease is at a rate of 3.4% per year.

Population characteristics and variation among nations:

1. Exponential growth: 1,3,5 If a quantity varies by a fixed % 10^1, 10^2 etc.2. Doubling Time Td = 70/r 2%3. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 1.9 developing countries. 4.7 developing countries and 6.1 in 19504. Infant mortality: % of infants died out of those born in a year last 50 years.5. Replacement level: Under low life expectancy and high infant mortality 2.7 in developing countries

and 2 in developed countries.6. Life expectancy: The average no. of years a new born baby is expected to live.

The life expectancy of global males and females has risen from 40 to 55.5 years. In India 22.6 and23.3 in 1900 & 60.3 and 60.5 in 2000.

In Japan and Sweden 77-77.4 & 82-84 years.

Population explosion:

Population explosion means the tremendous increase in the number of people. It is a known fact that theincrease of population is playing vital role of all environmental damage. Most of our natural resources areunder threat because of the population growth. If the exploitation of resource is going on in this trend, theresources will be exhaust shortly. Population explosion increase disease, economic inequity andenvironmental abuse. Therefore we need population stabilization to achieve good health, education andprosperity.


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Reason for population explosion:1. Increase in birth rate in developed countries due to illiteracy2. 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, dignifiedand 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 violation4. 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, educationetc.

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 employment8. Merit of universal education and child labour prevention is of much less importance than his struggle

for existence9. Developed and developing country give importance only to respect to human rights and non social

economic rights respectively.

Environment and human health:

Environment is defined as man along with his surroundings, which consists of biotic, abiotic and sociologicalcomponents. Therefore, when we cause danger to these components, which surrounds us, they in turn affectour health.The environmental dangers created by man are many: Population explosion, unregulated urbanizationcreating 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 beignored 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 entersthrough food chain, radiation effect of nuclear water, diseases caused from improper disposal of solid wastesand also due to noise pollution.

Environmental Ethics

Over exploitation of forests, land, water as well as various living components of biosphere and failure totackle the problem of pollution and environmental degradation are exposing the humanly to the thread of aglobal environment crisis.

It emphasis that real development cannot occur unless the strategies which are formulated areimplemented are environmentally sustainable. Even though our government is formulating several rulesregulations, policies, laws, it is the duty of each and every one to protect our nature.


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Therefore human beings are ethically responsible for the preservation of the worlds ecologicaintegrity. The environment ethics literally means conscious efforts to protect environment and to maintain itsstability 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 quality2. Minimize the resource utilization and conservation3. Adopt sustainable and ecofriendly development.

(Eg) reduction of waste, recycling, waste management and harvesting non conventional energyIf we change as individuals then the society will also change by itself. The society is nothing but an extensionof the individual.

VALUE EDUCATION:

Education is one of the most important tools in bringing about socioeconomic and cultural progress of acountry. The objective of education should not be merely coaching the students to get through the exams withgood results and get some good job. Education does not simply mean acquiring information but using theresources within the limits of ethical value.

The scientific and technological advancements have shrunk the world into a village. But in the drive todevelopment man has become too materialistic, self centered and over ambitious. Value based education hasa very significant role in providing proper direction to youth to inculcate positive attitude and to teach themthe distinction between right and wrong. It teaches them to be compassionate, peace loving, helpful, generousand 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 naturalprinciples.

Value education increases awareness about our national history, our cultural heritage, national prideconstitutional rights and duties, national integration, community development and environment.

It is crucial to the retention of national identity, peaceful and harmonious society. Education should giveoverall development of the student personality. The main of education is to produce citizens with soundcharacter and health. Good citizens are the only hope for the progress and prosperity of the country. Lifebased upon good principles is an essential requisite.Therefore moral education should be included in the school curriculum. The curriculum should provideenough opportunity for pupils to acquire a considerable amount of knowledge that is essential for morallyresponsible 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 andrelationships.

Value based environmental education:Environmental education is something that every person should be well versed with. The principles ofecology and fundamentals of environment help to create a sense of earth citizenship and a sense of care for theearth and its resources - a sense of commitment towards the management of the resources in a sustainable wayso that our children and grand children too have a safe and clean planet.

Following the Supreme Court directives 1998 environmental education has been included in the curriculumright from the school stage to university level. The objective of it is to make everyone environment literateLet us see how environmental education can be made value based one.


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1. Preparation of text books materials on environmental education to built a positive attitude towardsenvironmental factors.

2. Social values like love, tolerance, compassion can be woven into env. Education. This will help tonurture all forms of life and biodiversity.

3. Cultural and religious values: Our culture and religions teach us not to exploit nature but to performsuch 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 includethe ethical values.

5. Global values: Stress on the concept human is part of nature and all natural processes are inter linkedand they are in harmony. If this harmony is disturbed it may lead to imbalance in ecology andcatastrophic results.

6. Spiritual values: highlights on self contentment, discipline, reduction of wants etc. This will reduce ourconsumerist approachIf the mentioned values are incorporated in env. education, the goal of sustainable development andenv. conservation can be easily attained. Value based env. education can bring about a totatransformation of our mind set, our attitudes and life style to protect nature.

Computer based instruments for environment studies:There are several on-line use instruments by which data can be collected automatically at fixed interval oftime.

Eg.1. Instruments for monitoring and analysis of meteorological parameters, the acoustic sounding system

radar is used2. 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 easymanipulations, is used for waste water analysis.

Application of computers in the field of Environment & human health:1. Unknown parameters can be stimulated by computer techniques2. EIA(Environmental Impact Assessment) problems can be analyzed3. Inventories of emission sources are compiled and maintained4. Net-work analysis, statistical analysis and the status of environmental pollutions can be high lighted5. Comprehensive administrative system can be developed by using computer network techniques.6. Remote sensing-Graphical Interface System is useful for coral reef mapping and ocean resources

They are also useful to access the loss of biodiversity/hot spots etc.

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