ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Unit 1: Environment and Natural Resources:

1. Multidisciplinary nature of environmental education; scope and importance.
2. Man as an integral product and part of the Nature.
3. A brief account of land, forest and water resources in India and their importance.
4. Biodiversity: Definition; importance of Biodiversity - ecological, consumptive, productive, social,
ethical and moral, aesthetic, and option value.
5. Levels of Biodiversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

Unit-2: Environmental degradation and impacts:

1. Human population growth and its impacts on environment; land use change, land degradation, soil
erosion and desertification.
2. Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, construction of dams, floods, conflicts over
water (within India).
3. Deforestation: Causes and effects due to expansion of agriculture, firewood, mining, forest fires and
building of new habitats.

4. Non-renewable energy resources, their utilization and influences.

5. A brief account of air, water, soil and noise pollutions; Biological, industrial and solid wastes in urban
areas. Human health and economic risks.
6. Green house effect - global warming; ocean acidification, ozone layer depletion, acid rains and
impacts on human communities and agriculture.
7. Threats to biodiversity: Natural calamities, habitat destruction and fragmentation, over exploitation,
hunting and poaching, introduction of exotic species, pollution, predator and pest control.

Unit 3: Conservation of Environment:

Concept of sustainability and sustainable development with judicious use of land, water and forest
resources; a forestation.
1. Control measures for various types of pollution; use of renewable and alternate sources of energy.
2. Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste.
3. Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
4. Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act.
5. International agreements: Montreal and Kyoto protocols; Environmental movements: Bishnois of
Rajasthan, Chipko, Silent valley

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 UNIT -1

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

* Environment Education:

Environmental education is the study of the environment. It is a process in which individuals explore the
environmental issues and take appropriate and required actions to improve the conditions or any
hitches in the environment.

Environmental Education (EE) is a process in which individuals gain awareness of their environment and
acquire knowledge, skills, values, experiences, and also the determination, which will enable them to act
- individually and collectively - to solve present and future environmental problems.

* Importance of Environmental Education :

Every human on this Earth has a role to play for the environment, and it gives us everything we need-
shelter, food, water, recreation, etc.

The points given below will help in understanding the importance of environmental education:

 Environmental education is one of the subjects in the curriculum in schools. When children
study the environment and its functions, they develop a sense of understanding of the
environment in the early stage of their life.
 It is important to increase the awareness of individuals about the environment. With the help of
environmental education, people's knowledge about the environment is instilled into every
country's citizens.
 There are a lot of environmental issues that the world is facing. To avoid them in the future,
people need to understand the environment and take proper care of it. It can only be done with
the help of environmental education.
 Environmental education polishes various other skills of an individual. The ability to make
decisions is strengthened with environmental education as people become more responsible
and aware.
 Individuals can deal with any environmental problem through environmental education. This, in
turn, increases problem-solving skills.
 One develops sensitivity towards the environment because of the environmental issues that
have been happening for a long time. In this way, each individual takes any action by keeping in
mind the harm it can cause to the environment.
 There is no particular viewpoint that is advocated through environmental education. All the
aspects are taken into consideration to reach an informed decision.

* Scope of Environmental Education :

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Environmental education has a wide scope as it is one of the most important areas of study. People
need to understand their duties and responsibilities towards the environment.

The scope of environmental education can be explained with the help of the points given below.

1.Biological Aspect:

The most important aspects of environmental education are biological aspects. The best example is
human beings. Other examples of biological aspects include animals, birds, insects, microorganisms, and
plants.

2.Physical Aspect

The physical aspect of environmental education is further divided into natural and man-made aspects.
Physical aspects include air, water, land, climate, etc. On the other hand, man-made aspects include
roads, highways, airports, railroads, buildings, bridges, dams, and reservoirs, etc., which humans make.

3.Socio-cultural Aspect :

These are the practices, cultures, and traditions which humans make to live in a society. It can include
rules, laws, religious beliefs, etc. Human beings, with their efforts, have created these.

* Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies :

The multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies allows for the examination of every element of an
organism's environment. The multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies fosters knowledge of
nature and how humans affect it.

* Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies Definition :

The word "environment" is derived from the French word "environ,” meaning surroundings.
Consequently, the term "environment" refers to everything around us. All living things are surrounded
by the elements and forces that make up their environment. Every organism must obtain its
requirements from its environment.

* Importance of Multidisciplinary Nature of Environment :

Environmental studies are crucial because they enable us to better understand our surroundings and the
workings of nature. The significance of environmental studies' multidisciplinary nature is highlighted by
a number of factors. They are as follows:

 It aids in the gathering of knowledge about current environmental concerns. It gives us the
information and abilities we require to address environmental issues like pollution, global
warming, and climate change.
 By giving a necessary comprehension of environmental systems and processes, it aids in the
preservation of ecological balance.

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  It informs us of the environmental changes brought on by anthropogenic factors.
 Additionally, it instructs us on how to evaluate various environmental systems and changes
brought on by human activity.
 Its objective is to protect and preserve biodiversity. It introduces us to various animal and plant
species. It offers us many methods for preserving and protecting them.
 It enlightens us to our duties in protecting the environment. Additionally, it alerts us to a
number of environmental issues that demand immediate attention.
 Environmental studies also cover issues like reducing energy use, hazardous emissions, water
usage, garbage disposal, and a host of other issues.
 Studying environmental studies allows people to interact and explore their natural environment.
It helps people gain a better understanding of how people work, the natural world, and various
environmental changes.

* Scope of Multi Disciplinary nature of environment:

The scope of Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies consists of various aspects such as
biological, cultural, social, and physical. It is also related to other subjects such as science, geography,
economics, statistics, health, technology, population, and ecology.

1.Biological aspects – This is one of the most essential aspects of environmental studies. It is the
solution of an organism, or a population, or a community to changes in its environment. Human beings,
plants, animals, microorganisms, birds, insets are all included in the biological aspects

2.Cultural aspects – The environment gives knowledge about different customs, laws, dresses, values,
and religious beliefs. They all are included under cultural aspects. Environmental studies help us in
understanding these diverse aspects.

3.Physical aspects – The environment which is shaped by human activities are considered as physical
aspects, for example, bridges, roads, buildings, industries, etc. Apart from them, natural resources such
as land, air, water, minerals, vegetation, landforms like hills, oceans, mountains, forests, etc.

4.Social aspects – It illustrates the standard of living, tastes, preferences, educational status, etiquettes
of individuals living in society. Environmental Studies give acquaintance about people who have
linguistic, cultural, and educational differences in societies.

* A Brief Account of Land Resources in India :

Introduction

Resources that we get from nature and that exist without any interference from humankind are called
natural resources. Sunlight, water, air, and landform altogether form the essential ecosystem in which
all organisms live. Over time humans have progressed, and to do that they have exploited all the natural
resources, but the land resource has been the one that has been exploited most.

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We have a limited amount of resources but human needs are unlimited. For human beings land has
many needs: it functions as an asset, produces food, stores water, has minerals for plant growth, and
more.

* Land Resources in India :

In India, Land resources includes 43% of plains, 30 % of mountains and 27% of plateaus. Most of plains
consist of agricultural land and industries, Mountains provides spot for tourism and perennial flow of
rivers. Plateaus are rich source of minerals, fuels and forests.

* Utilization of Land Resources in india :

Land resources in india is classified into:

a) Forests

b)Land not available for cultivation,

c)Fallow land,

d)Agricultural lands,etc.

* Forest:

In india around 22.8% of land covered with forests.

* Land not Available for cultivation:

The land is a bio-productive ecosystem on the surface of the earth. Soil, water, plants, and other biotas
make up this ecosystem. The natural resource of land is extremely precious. It is the place where all
living things call home. Waste and Barren land in India is about 18%. Wasteland in India can be
identified as desert, rocky, and arid areas; some other non-cultivation land can be used for railways,
roads, and others.

For example, Roads, buildings, factories, etc. constitute 4.95%.

Fallow Lands:

Land which is lacking cultivation for a year or lower than an agricultural year is known as the current
fallow year and is nearly 4.9%. Maximum land areas rather than the current fallow lands are of
underprivileged quality or may be considered as high-cost cultivation.

Net Sown Area

The net sown area is defined as the land area which is used for cropped land once a year and is under
consideration is known as the net sown area. The net sown area varies from area to area or state to
state. More than 45.5% of the area in India is cropped once a year.

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* Causes of Land Degradation:

1.Overgrazing

Regions that have a considerable livestock population tend to have overgrazed lands. The livestock
survives on grazing and leaves the ground devoid of nutrients. In such areas, small plants and grass can’t
grow. Most people in Asia and Africa depend upon rangelands and pastures with a low carrying capacity
to raise their livestock.

2.Deforestation

The main and the most significant cause of land degradation is the cutting down of trees or
deforestation. The trees’ roots help bind soil particles, thus maintaining their quality. When trees are cut
down, the soil particles tend to disperse, and the quality of the land is hampered.

3.Soil Erosion

After deforestation, the primary cause of land degradation is soil erosion. The washing away of the
upper layer of soil by water or wind also takes away the necessary nutrients with it. The quality of the
soil left behind is not good enough to grow anything.

4.Excessive Use Of Pesticides And Fertilisers

Although chemicals like these are used to increase food production and prevent pests, their excessive
use has led to the environmental threat of land degradation. The imbalance caused in the soil’s
nutrients due to these chemicals does not allow proper vegetation to grow at that place.

5. Population:

More land is needed for producing food,and fuel wood. So land is degraded due to over exploitation.

* A brief Account of Forest Resource:

Forest is an important natural resource. It is most important natural habitat for wild life. It is also utilized
by farmers for commercial and recreational purposes. Many herbivores find shelter and carnivores their
prey in the forest. Besides this, forest plays most important role from commercial point of view. Forest
based cottage industries, such as bee-keeping, bamboo mat and basket making provides small-scale
industry to the tribal people. Sal is a most important source for timber industries. It also provides raw
materials for pulp and plywood industry.

1. Significance of forests :

Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important uses of forest can be
classified as under

 Commercial values
 Ecological significance

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  Aesthetic values
 Life and economy of tribal

* Uses of the forest :

i) Commercial values:

Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood, timber, pulpwood etc. About 1.5
billion people depend upon fuel wood as an energy source. Timber obtained from the forest can used to
make plywood, board, doors and windows, furniture, and agriculture implements and sports goods.
Timber is also a raw material for preparation of paper, rayon and film.

Forest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.

Forest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.

Forest is important source of development of dams, recreation and mining.

ii) Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other products needed for tribal people and play a vital role in the
life and economy of tribes living in the forest.

iiI) Ecological uses:

Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species. They help in reducing
global warming caused by green house gases and produces oxygen upon photosynthesis.

Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps in soil conservation
but also helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.

iv)Aesthetic values:

All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the forest because forests have a
greatest aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for recreation and ecosystem research.

2 .Over exploitation of forests:

Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing population increased demand
of fuel wood, expansion of area under urban development and industries has lead to over exploitation
of forest .At present international level we are losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually.
Overexploitation also occurs due to overgrazing and conversion of forest to pastures for domestic use.

3 .Deforestation:

Forest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture ,harvesting for wood and timber ,
development and expansion of cities .These economic gains are short term where as long term effects of
deforestation are irreversible

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Deforestation rate is relatively low in temperate countries than in tropics If present rate of deforestation
continues we may losses 90% tropical forest in coming six decades

For ecological balance 33% area should be under forest cover but our nation has only 20.6% forest cover.

* Define Deforestation, Causes and effects of deforestation:

Deforestation can be defined as the large-scale removal of trees from forests (or other lands) for the
facilitation of human activities. It is a serious environmental concern since it can result in the loss of
biodiversity, damage to natural habitats, disturbances in the water cycle, and soil erosion. Deforestation
is also a contributor to climate change and global warming.

Deforestation refers to the decrease in forest areas across the world that are lost for other uses such as
agricultural croplands, urbanization, or mining activities. Greatly accelerated by human activities since
1960, deforestation has been negatively affecting natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and the climate.

* Causes of deforestation:

1. INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE:

Look no further than your dinner plate, because industrial agriculture accounts for around 85% of
deforestation worldwide. While this can mostly be attributed to meat production (beef in particular),
soy and palm oil plantations follow closely behind as causes for deforestation.

2. TIMBER LOGGING:

Around 380,000 hectares of forest are cut every year to meet the incredible global demand for wood
and wood products, accounting for around 60% of degradation. Another 25% of forest is degraded for
fuelwood and charcoal. From clear cuts to massive logging roads providing access to previously
untouched areas, these degraded forests are much more vulnerable to conversion to other land uses
like mining, agriculture, and settlement.

3. MINING:

Thanks to an ever-increasing demand for minerals, mining in tropical forests is on the rise. And because
large-scale mining is an intensive, industrial undertaking, it necessitates the development of massive
infrastructure, which only amplifies the degradation.

4. EXPANSION AND INFRASTRUCTURE:

As the tide of human population growth washes over the land, large swaths of forest get cleared to
make way for the expansion of cities and settlements. And with these settlements come even more
infrastructure and expansion.

5. CLIMATE CHANGE:

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Climate change is a leading cause of deforestation. Extreme weather events like wildfires (which are
responsible for an estimated 10% of degradation annually), droughts, and storm surges destroy millions
of hectares of forest every year — and their intensity is only increasing with global warming.

6.illegal Logging:

Apart from this, wood-based industries like paper, match-sticks, furniture, etc. also need a substantial
amount of wood supply. Wood is used as fuel, both directly and indirectly.

* Effects of Deforestation :

1.Loss of Habitat:

One of the most dangerous and unsettling effects of deforestation is the loss of animal and plant species
due to their loss of habitat. 70% of land animals and plant species live in forests. Not only does
deforestation threaten species known to us, but also those unknown.Effects of Deforestation on the
Environment

2.Increased Greenhouse Gases

To the loss of habitat, the lack of trees also allows a greater amount of greenhouse gases to be released
into the atmosphere. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as valuable
carbon sinks. Deforested areas lose that ability and release more carbon.

3.Water in the Atmosphere:

Trees also help to control the level of water in the atmosphere by helping to regulate the water cycle.

One of the most important forests for regulating water cycles across the planet is the Amazon rainforest.
Its millions of trees work together to release moisture into the air, creating atmospheric "rivers" that
regulate Earth's weather patterns.

In deforested areas, there is less water in the air to be returned to the soil. This then causes dryer soil
and the inability to grow crops.

4.Soil Erosion and Flooding:

Further effects of deforestation include soil erosion and coastal flooding. Trees help the land to retain
water and topsoil, which provides the rich nutrients to sustain additional forest life.

5.Acidic Oceans:

The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to deforestation and burning fossil fuels
make our oceans more acidic. Since the Industrial Revolution, beaches are already 30 percent more
acidic, posing ocean species and ecosystems at extreme risk.

6.Loss of Biodiversity:

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Deforestation leads to a huge loss of biodiversity. About 80% of the global biodiversity is located in
tropical rainforests. Forests not only provide habitats for wildlife but also foster medicinal conservation.

* Water Resource:

water resource, any of the entire range of natural waters that occur on the Earth, regardless of their
state (i.e., vapour, liquid, or solid) and that are of potential use to humans. Of these, the resources most
available for use are the waters of the oceans, rivers, and lakes; other available water resources include
groundwater and deep subsurface waters and glaciers and permanent snowfields.

* Uses of Water Resources:

Natural water resources include lakes, rivers, streams, ice pack, groundwater, precipitation and oceans.
As global climate change begins to affect the distribution of water resources in the United States, water
use in all sectors is coming under increasing scrutiny.

1.Hydropower:

Hydroelectric facilities use the power of flowing water to turn turbines that produce electricity.
According to the Department of Energy, the U.S. produces 95,000 megawatts of hydropower per year --
enough to power 28 million households or replace 500 million barrels of oil.

2.Irrigation:

Only 15 percent of cropland in the United States is irrigated, but that still totals about 55 million acres,
including land in highly productive areas such as California. Water for irrigation comes from either
groundwater or surface water, raising concerns that heavy use could deplete water supplies in a region
to the extent that nonagricultural users are negatively affected.

3.Navigation:

Navigable waterways are defined as watercourses that have been or may be used for transport of
interstate or foreign commerce. Agricultural and commercial goods are moved on water on a large scale
in the United States, making navigation an important economic concern. Federal regulations control
construction, excavation and disposal in and around navigable waters.

4.Residential, Commercial and Industrial Use:

Residential water use includes drinking, cleaning, personal hygiene, lawn care and car washing.
Americans get water from public water systems and from private supplies such as wells . In the
commercial and industrial sectors, most water is used for processing products, with cooling coming in
second. Water is also used for laundry, sanitation and landscaping.

5.Domestic Use:

Globally, household or personal water use is estimated to account for 15% of worldwide water use;
since water is one of the most important necessities of life, it is highly needed in our homes for various

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uses. Domesticwateruse iswaterused for indoor and outdoor household purpose for instance for
drinking, preparing food, bathing, washing of clothes and dishes, brushing of teeth, watering of yard and
garden.

6.Industrial use:

A large quantity of water is required by large industries like hydroelectric dams,thermoelectric power
plants for cooling and generation of power. Large industries like oreandoilrefineries use water in
chemical processes and manufacturing plants also use water as a solvent.

7.Agricultural use:

Some of the worlds farmers still farm without irrigation by choosing crops that match the amount of rain
that falls in their area. However, some years are wet and others are extremely dry, in this case, farmer
use water for irrigation to produce crops all year round.

8.Fishing:

Fishing is a major activity which is common among the riverine people through which they earn their
living. This activity is usually carried out all year round as to supply fish to various locations locally and
internationally.

9.Environmental use:

Environmental water may include water stored in impoundments and released for environmental
purposes, but more often is water retained in waterways through regulatory limits of abstraction.

* Biodiversity:

Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. It is the most complex and important
feature of our planet. Without biodiversity, life would not sustain. The term biodiversity was coined in
1985. It is important in natural as well as artificial ecosystems. It deals with nature’s variety, the
biosphere. It refers to variabilities among plants, animals and microorganism species.

Biodiversity includes the number of different organisms and their relative frequencies in an ecosystem.
It also reflects the organization of organisms at different levels.

Biodiversity holds ecological and economic significance. It provides us with nourishment, housing, fuel,
clothing and several other resources.

* Importance of Biodiversity (or) Value of Biodiversity:

1. Environmental Value:

The environmental value of biodiversity can be found by examining each ecosystem process and
identifying the ecosystem services that result. For instance, in wetlands the vegetation captures water-

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carried sediment and the soil organisms break down a range of nutrients and pollutants washed into the
area.

2. Social Value:

The social value of biodiversity includes aesthetic, recreational, cultural and spiritual values. To this can
be added health benefits resulting from recreational and other activities. While traditional societies
which had a small population and required less resources had preserved their biodiversity as a life
supporting resource, modern man has rapidly depleted it even to the extent of leading to the
irrecoverable loss due to extinction of several species.

3.Economic Value:

The economic potential of biodiversity is immense in terms of food, fodder, medicinal, ethical and social
values. Biodiversity forms the major resource for different industries, which govern the world economy.

4.Consumptive use value:

This is related to natural products that are used directly for food, fodder, timber, fuel wood etc. Humans
use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals on a daily basis. Many people around the world still
depend on wild species for most of their needs like food, shelter and clothing. The tribal people are
completely dependent on the forests for their daily needs.

5.Productive Use Value:

This is assigned to products that are commercially harvested and marketed. Almost all the present date
agricultural crops have originated from wild varieties. The biotechnologists continuously use the wild
species of plants for developing new, better yielding and disease resistant varieties.

6. Ethical and Moral Value:

It is based on the principle of ‘live and let others live’. Ethical values related to biodiversity conservation
are based on the importance of protecting all forms of life. All forms of life have the right to exist on
earth. Man is only a small part of the Earth’s great family of species.

7.Aesthetic Value:

The beauty of our planet is because of biodiversity, which otherwise would have resembled other
barren planets dotted around the universe. Biological diversity adds to the quality of life and provides
some of the most beautiful aspects of our existence. Biodiversity is responsible for the beauty of a
landscape.

* Importance of Biodiversity:

Biodiversity and its maintenance are very important for sustaining life on earth. A few of the reasons
explaining the importance of biodiversity are:

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* Ecological Stability:

Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem. They capture and store energy and also produce and
decompose organic matter. The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive.
A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can withstand environmental stress.

* Economic Importance:

Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products and
pharmaceuticals. Crops livestock, fishery, and forests are a rich sources of food. Wild plants such as
Cinchona and Foxglove plant are used for medicinal purposes. Wood, fibres, perfumes, lubricants,
rubber, resins, poison and cork are all derived from different plant species.

*Ethical Importance:

All species have a right to exist. Humans should not cause their voluntary extinction. Biodiversity
preserves different cultures and spiritual heritage. Therefore, it is very important to conserve
biodiversity.

Biodiversity in India

India is one of the most diverse nations in the world. It ranks ninth in terms of plant species richness.
Two of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots are found in India. It is the origin of important crop species
such as pigeon pea, eggplant, cucumber, cotton and sesame. India is also a centre of various
domesticated species such as millets, cereals, legumes, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic crops, etc.

* Types of Biodiversity:

There are the following three different types of biodiversity:

1.Species Biodiversity

2.Genetic Biodiversity

3.Ecological Biodiversity (or)Ecosystem diversity.

1.Species diversity

Species diversity refers to the variety of different types of species found in a particular area. It is the
biodiversity at the most basic level. It includes all the species ranging from plants to different
microorganisms.

No two individuals of the same species are exactly similar. For example, humans show a lot of diversity
among themselves.

2.Genetic diversity:

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It refers to the variations among the genetic resources of the organisms. Every individual of a particular
species differs from each other in their genetic constitution. That is why every human looks different
from each other. Similarly, there are different varieties in the same species of rice, wheat, maize, barley,
etc.

3.Ecological diversity (or) ecosystem diversity:

An ecosystem is a collection of living and non-living organisms and their interaction with each other.
Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations in the plant and animal species living together and
connected by food chains and food webs.

It is the diversity observed among the different ecosystems in a region. Diversity in different ecosystems
like deserts, rainforests, mangroves, etc., include ecological diversity.

Ecological diversity refers to the diverse array of ecosystems being seen in a huge geographical location.
India for example, has deserts, tropical rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, coral reefs, estuaries and
several other types of ecosystems. Therefore, India is said to have greater ecological diversity as
compared to a Scandinavian country which mostly has cold, subpolar ecosystems.

* 5 major threats to biodiversity:

1.Changes in the climate:

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns are referred to as climate change.

2. Changes in Habitat :

Natural occurrences such as droughts, illnesses, fires, hurricanes, mudslides, volcanoes, earthquakes,
small changes in seasonal temperature or precipitation, etc. can cause habitat alteration.

3. Pollution and nutrient loading :

When too many nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to water bodies, they can
function as fertilisers and encourage an excessive amount of algae growth.

4. Alien invasive species :

Alien species invasion is the decline or extinction of native species brought about by the deliberate or
accidental introduction of alien species.

5. Overexploitation:

When a renewable resource is harvested to the point of diminishing returns, it is referred to as

overexploitation. Overexploitation that continues could eventually cause the resource to disappear

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 UNIT -2

Environmental Degradation and Impacts

* Human population growth and its impacts on environment :

Population growth is the increase in the number of people in a population or dispersed group. Actual
global human population growth amounts to around 83 million annually, or 1.1% per year.The global
population has grown from 1 billion in 1800 to 7.9 billion in 2020. The UN projected population to keep
growing, and estimates have put the total population at 8.6 billion by mid-2030, 9.8 billion by mid-2050
and 11.2 billion by 2100.

Population growth is the increase in the number of humans on Earth. For most of human history our
population size was relatively stable. But with innovation and industrialization, energy, food, water, and
medical care became more available and reliable.

* Human population growth impacts the Earth system in a variety of ways, including:

* Increasing the extraction of resources from the environment. These resources include fossil fuels (oil,
gas, and coal), minerals, trees, water, and wildlife, especially in the oceans. The process of removing
resources, in turn, often releases pollutants and waste that reduce air and water quality, and harm the
health of humans and other species.

* Increasing the burning of fossil fuels for energy to generate electricity, and to power transportation
(for example, cars and planes) and industrial processes.

* Increase in freshwater use for drinking, agriculture, recreation, and industrial processes. Freshwater is
extracted from lakes, rivers, the ground, and man-made reservoirs.

* Increasing ecological impacts on environments. Forests and other habitats are disturbed or destroyed
to construct urban areas including the construction of homes, businesses, and roads to accommodate
growing populations.

* Over Population:

Overpopulation is an undesirable condition where the number of the existing human population
exceeds the actual carrying capacity of Earth. Overpopulation is caused by a number of factors. Reduced
mortality rate, better medical facilities, depletion of precious resources are few of the causes which
result in overpopulation.

* Various Causes of Overpopulation:

1. The Decline in the Death Rate:

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At the root of overpopulation is the difference between the overall birth rate and death rate in
populations. If the number of children born each year equals the number of adults that die, then the
population will stabilize.

2.Agricultural Advancements:

Technological revolutions and population explosions occur at the same time. There have been three
major technological revolutions. They are the tool-making revolution, the agricultural revolution, and
the industrial revolution.

3.Better Medical Facilities :

Following this the industrial revolution started. Technological advancement was perhaps the biggest
reason why the balance has been permanently disturbed.

* Environmental effects of overpopulation:

It is not novel to us that overpopulation does have a negative impact on the environment. The harmful
effect of overpopulation is not limited to harming the environment in a single or only one way. There
are multiple ways through which overpopulation affects the environment. Some of them are discussed
below-

• Farming impacts:

We all know that humans need food in order to survive and for getting food humans are dependent on
farming for a very long time.

• Eutrophication:

Eutrophication is the process that happens in a water body like a lake or any river. When too many
nutrients are added in the system of a lake or the river through the fertilizers or any other human
activity, it is called eutrophication.

• Loss of freshwater:

Due to overpopulation and our constant need for factory-made products, there has occurred a loss of
fresh water in the rivers and oceans. Factories discharge all its waste material in the rivers and lakes
which results in loss of freshwater. Pollution in water bodies is not only limited to the source of factory
waste.

• Global warming and climate change:

Another negative impact that overpopulation has had on the environment is clearly visible in the form of
global warming and climate change. Scientists all across the world are worried about the changing global
weather cycle and constant rise in the average world temperature.

• Extinction of species:

16
Climate change, global warming, and overpopulation have terrifying effects on other species. Terrifying
to the levels of the whole species being extinct from the face of the earth.

• Increased habitat loss:

Due to the population burst, humans needed more home, more space to spend their lives. This only
meant cutting down the forest, captivating the natural habitat of animals, and disrupting their
ecosystem.

• Depletion of natural resources:

It is only natural that a large number of resources would be used to fulfil the demand of a population
that is huge in number. It is already an established fact in economics that there are limited resources
and the wants are unlimited.

* Land Use Change:

Land use change is a process by which human activities transform the natural landscape, referring to
how land has been used, usually emphasizing the functional role of land for economic activities.

Land use change is a process by which human activities transform the natural landscape, referring to
how land has been used, usually emphasizing the functional role of land for economic activities. Land
use changes are often nonlinear and might trigger feedbacks to the system, stress living conditions, and
threaten people with vulnerability .

* Land Degradation:

Land degradation is one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and it will worsen
without rapid remedial action. Globally, about 25 percent of the total land area has been degraded.
When land is degraded, soil carbon and nitrous oxide is released into the atmosphere, making land
degradation one of the most important contributors to climate change. Scientists recently warned that
24 billion tons of fertile soil was being lost per year, largely due to unsustainable agriculture practices. If
this trend continues, 95 percent of the Earth’s land areas could become degraded by 2050.

* Soil Erosion:

In this process, the soil particles are loosened or washed away in the valleys, oceans, rivers, streams or
far away lands. This has been worsening due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation.

Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. It results in a
continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.

Soil Erosion Definition:

“Soil erosion is the natural process in which the topsoil of a field is carried away by physical sources such
as wind and water.”

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* Causes of Soil Erosion:

There are many reasons why soil erosion occurs:-

1.Flooding due to heavy rainfall:

The high intensity of rainfall causes soil erosion. There are four types of soil erosion due to rainfall:
Sheet erosion. Splash erosion, Rill erosion, and Gully erosion.

2.Agricultural activities:

Another main cause of soil erosion is farming practices, they disturb the ground. The trees are cut down
and the lands are plowed for the germination of new seeds. Most crops are grown during springs and
most of the soil is eroded during winters because the land lies fallow during winters.

3.Grazing:

The grazing animals remove the plants or vegetation from the land through their feeding habit at a
place. The only left is topsoil. They also pull out plants by their roots, due to which soil loosens up and
more erosion will occur.

4.Mining:

In the Mining process, a large number of trees were cut down to make the field fit for logging. due to
which holden soil get lose and erosion occur in a frequent manner.

3.Constructional activities:

The construction also leads to soil erosion. for construction purposes, the forests and grasslands are
cleared which exposes the soil making it more favorable to erosion.

* Types of Soil Erosion :

The thing that we can do to improve the stability or quality of our crops is to reduce soil erosion.
Different forms of soil erosion are as:

1.Rain Drop or Splash Erosion:

This kind of erosion is caused due to falling rainfall or raindrops over a soil surface which may cause the
structure of the soil to be known as raindrop or splash erosion.

2.Rill Erosion:

This kind of erosion, basically, is water erosion in which the erosion takes place when the water forms
small channels or streams in the soil as it flows off-site. It is the most common form of erosion, It
observes during heavy rain.

3.Sheet Erosion:

18
When a high amount of wind travels over the lands or fields that lead to the removal of soil in thin layers.
Land areas with loose topsoil have greater chances to come under the category of sheet erosion.

4.Gully Erosion:

Gully erosion occurs due to the removal of soil along drainage lines by surface water runoff. Gully
Erosion in India is most commonly found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West
Bengal, and Rajasthan.

* Effects of Soil Erosion

The major effects of soil erosion include:

1.Loss of fertile land: Due to Soil erosion, the top layer is the fertile layer (which contains all the organic
compounds required for the growth of plants) which means there is fertility loss of soil, The soil which
has no fertility or the top layer leads to non-productive fields.

2.Air Pollution: The soil which is dust particles in the air cause polluted air. Toxic substances such as
pesticides and petroleum mixed with soil particles can be extremely hazardous when inhaled. that also
lead to pulmonary diseases in humans.

3.Waterways pollution: The agricultural soil contains insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, and several
different chemicals. where the soil flows pollute the water bodies.

* Over Exploitation of Water :

Water exploitation is referred to the extraction of water for irrigation and human consumption. Water
exploitation is greatly connected with agriculture especially in the Mediterranean coastal region where
intensive irrigated agriculture is widespread. Nevertheless, in many areas a large contribution to water
exploitation is connected with the industrial and residential sectors and, seasonally, with tourism.

* Over Exploitation (or) Utilization of Water Resources:

1.Ground Water :

Groundwater is the water present beneath Earth's surface in rock and soil pore spaces and in the
fractures of rock formations. About 30 percent of all readily available freshwater in the world is
groundwater.A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable
quantity of water.

2. Surface Water :

Surface water is any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs,
and creeks. The ocean, despite being saltwater, is also considered surface water. Surface water
participates in the hydrologic cycle, or water cycle, which involves the movement of water to and from
the Earth’s surface. Precipitation and water runoff feed bodies of surface water.

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* TYPES OF SURFACE WATER :

There are three types of surface water.

1.Perennial surface water

2.Ephemeral surface water

3.Man-made surface water

1.Perennial or permanent surface water persists throughout the year i.e. it contains water at all times.

Examples are rivers, swamps, and lakes.

2.Ephemeral or semi-permanent refers to bodies of water that are only present at certain times of the
year.

Ephemeral surface water includes small creeks, lagoons, and water holes.

3.Man-made surface water is found in artificial structures or infrastructure designed by humans such as
lakes, dams constructed wetlands, and artificial swamps.

* USES OF SURFACE WATER:

Approximately 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by surface water.

Water bodies serve many critical functions for the environment and for human life.

* Construction of dams :

dam, structure built across a stream, a river, or an estuary to retain water. Dams are built to provide
water for human consumption, for irrigating arid and semiarid lands, or for use in industrial processes.

* Types :

1) Diversion Dam

Like the name says, a diversion dam is used to divert water. They provide pressure to push water into
ditches, canals, or other areas used for conveyance. Diversion dams are typically lower in height and
have a small water storage area in it’s upstream.

2) Buttress Dam

Buttress dams can take many forms, but they all consist of a sloping deck supported by intervals of
buttresses. There are three main buttress dams, including: multiple arch type, massive head type, and
deck type. Buttress dams usually use less concrete than other dams but are not necessarily cheaper.

3.Storage Dam:

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These dams are not mean to divert or keep water out, but to keep water in. Storage dams are
constructed to store water during the rainy seasons, supply water to the local wildlife, and store water
for hydroelectric power generation, and irrigation. Storage dams are the most common types of dams.

4. Detention Dam:

Detention dams are specifically constructed for flood control by retarding flow downstream, helping
reduce flash floods (to some extent). The water is retained in a reservoir to be later gradually released.

5.Gravity Dam:

A gravity dam is a massive, man-made concrete dam designed to hold large volumes of water. Because
of the heavy concrete used, it is able to resist the horizontal thrust of the water, and gravity essentially
holds the dam to the ground. They are used to block rivers in wide valleys and must be built on a strong
foundation of bedrock.

* Renewable Resource

A renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished naturally over time. As a result, it is
sustainable despite its consumption by humankind.

Renewable resources are considered especially important for their potential to replace non-renewable,
or finite, resources in the production of energy. Additionally, renewable resources can offer cleaner
energy solutions than those provided by non-renewable resources such as coal and fossil fuels.

Examples of renewable resources include the sun, wind, water, the earth's heat (geothermal), and
biomass.

* Renewable energy:

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they
are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished.
Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of
millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas
emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

1.SOLAR ENERGY:

Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather.
The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is about 10,000 times greater than the rate at
which humankind consumes energy. Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting,
electricity, and fuels for a host of applications.

2.WIND ENERGY:

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Wind energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air by using large wind turbines located on land
(onshore) or in sea- or freshwater (offshore). Wind energy has been used for millennia, but onshore and
offshore wind energy technologies have evolved over the last few years to maximize the electricity
produced - with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters.

3.GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:

Geothermal energy utilizes the accessible thermal energy from the Earth’s interior. Heat is extracted
from geothermal reservoirs using wells or other means.

Reservoirs that are naturally sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas
reservoirs that are sufficiently hot but that are improved with hydraulic stimulation are called enhanced
geothermal systems.

4.HYDROPOWER:

Hydropower harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations. It can be generated
from reservoirs and rivers. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-
river hydropower plants harness energy from the available flow of the river.

5.OCEAN ENERGY:

Ocean energy derives from technologies that use the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater - waves or
currents for instance - to produce electricity or heat.

6.BIOENERGY:

Bioenergy is produced from a variety of organic materials, called biomass, such as wood, charcoal, dung
and other manures for heat and power production, and agricultural crops for liquid biofuels.

* non-renewable Resources(or) Non Conventional Resource:

Energy exists freely in nature, some of them are infinitely available, called renewable, and some are
called non-renewable. It is our responsibility to ensure the proper use of renewable and non-renewable
energy. Non-renewable energy is limited resources that will eventually run out over the time frame.
Non-renewable energy is one that does not renew itself at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic
extraction in meaningful human time-frames.

Non-renewable energy is energy from fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, and uranium.
Unlike renewable energy, non-renewable energy needs human intervention to make it suitable for
consumption.

Types of Non-renewable energy :

Non-renewable energy is mainly fossil fuels. Apart from fossil fuels, nuclear fuels are also non-renewable.

Fossil Fuels:

22
Fossil Fuels are formed from the remains of animals and plants. Fossil fuel is divided into three
categories and is stated below: Natural Gas, Coal ,Oil

Crude oil

Crude oil, also referred to as petroleum oil, is the only non-renewable resource that is extracted in liquid
form. It is found between the layers of the earth’s crust, or between the rocks, and it is retrieved by
drilling a vertical well into the ground and ocean floor.

Natural gas

Natural gas is a gaseous non-renewable resource that is found below the earth’s crust but near crude oil
deposits in the subsurface. Natural gas primarily consists of methane, but may also contain other forms
of natural gas such as propane, ethane, and butane.

Coal:

Coal is created by compressed organic matter, and it contains carbon and hydrocarbon matter. It is
formed from plant-filled swamps that have been covered by sediments for millions of years. Coal is
extracted by digging up the ground and taking out the coal solids for processing into energy.

Nuclear Fuels:

Nuclear technology relying on fission requires naturally occurring radioactive material as fuel. Uranium
is the most common fission fuel and is present in the ground at relatively low concentrations and mined
in 19 countries. Nuclear power provides about 6% of the world’s energy and 13–14% of the world’s
electricity.

Non-Renewable Resources Examples:

Following are examples of non-renewable resources:

 Coal
 Rare earth elements
 Petroleum products
 Gold
 Uranium
* Advantages of Non-renewable energy:

* The non-renewable source of energy is affordable. For instance diesel and oil.

* It is easily accessible and more compatible.

* The non-renewable source of energy is easy to store.

23
 * Disadvantages of Non-renewable energy:

* Non-renewable energy cannot be replaced once its energy source is used up.

* The by-products of non-renewable energy cause environmental damage. It also increases

greenhouse gases.

* Transporting fossil fuels, Mining and extraction activities can cause accidents and result in oil spills,
nuclear meltdowns, pipeline leaks, and even explosions which cause harmful effects on the
environment.

* Mineral Resources:

Definition:

Minerals provide the material used to make most of the things of industrial- based society;

roads, cars, computers, fertilizers, etc. Demand for minerals is increasing world wide as the
population increases and the consumption demands of individual people increase. The mining of
earth’s natural resources is, there­fore accelerating, and it has accompanying environmental
consequences.

Mineral resources can be divided into two major categories.

1.Metallic Mineral Resources

2.Non-metallic Mineral Resource

* Types of Minerals Resources:

There are metals that are hard and conduct electricity and heat with characteristics of lustre or shine.
Such metals are called metallic minerals. For example Silver, Chromium, Tin, Nickel, Copper, Iron, Lead,
Aluminum, Gold, and Zinc.

* Characteristics of Metallic Minerals:

* Metallic Minerals show a metallic shine in their appearance.

* The potential source of the metal can be got through mining.

* Contains metals in their chemical composition.

* Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form.

*Air Pollution:

Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the contamination of air
by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects plants, animals and humans drastically.

24
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature, which is known as global warming.

* Air Pollution Definition :

“Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules, etc. into the air
that is harmful to human health and the environment.”

* Causes of Air Pollution:

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

1.Burning of Fossil Fuels:

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide released by
incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

2.Automobiles:

The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment. These
are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.

3.Agricultural Activities:

Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The insecticides,
pesticides and fertilisers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate it.

4.Factories and Industries:

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, hydrocarbons
and chemicals. These are released into the air, degrading its quality.

5.Mining Activities:

In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of equipment. The
dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air, but also deteriorate the health
of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

6.Domestic Sources:

The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air. The
smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not only
pollutes the air but also affects breathing.

* Effects of Air Pollution:

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

25
1.Diseases:

Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The cases
of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas are more
prone to pneumonia and asthma.

2.Global Warming:

Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the air.
This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s temperature is
known as global warming.

3.Acid Rain:

The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in the air.
The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid rain which damages
human, animal and plant life.

4.Ozone Layer Depletion:

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the

major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the harmful
ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.

* Water Pollution:

Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies. Water pollution is caused when
water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers get contaminated with industrial
and agricultural effluents.

When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all lifeforms that directly or indirectly depend on this
source. The effects of water contamination can be felt for years to come.

* Sources Of Water Pollution:

The key causative of water pollution in India are:

 Urbanization.
 Deforestation.
 Industrial effluents.
 Social and Religious Practices.
 Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.
 Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides and pesticides.

*Effects Of Water Pollution:

26
 The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of pollutants and their concentration. Also, the
location of water bodies is an important factor to determine the levels of pollution.

 Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are extremely polluted. This is the result of dumping
garbage and toxic chemicals by industrial and commercial establishments.
 Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases such as hepatitis through faecal
matter in water sources. Poor drinking water treatment and unfit water can always cause an
outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, etc.
 The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and destructured because of water pollution.

* Causes of Water Pollution:

1. Industrial Waste:

Industries and industrial sites across the world are a major contributor to water pollution. Many
industrial sites produce waste in the form of toxic chemicals and pollutants, and though regulated, some
still do not have proper waste management systems in place.

2. Marine Dumping:

The process of marine dumping is exactly what it sounds like, dumping garbage into the waters of the
ocean. It might seem crazy, but household garbage is still collected and dumped into oceans by many
countries across the world.

3. Sewage and Wastewater :

Harmful chemicals, bacteria and pathogens can be found in sewage and wastewater even when it’s been
treated. Sewage and wastewater from each household is released into the sea with fresh water.

4. Oil Leaks and Spills :

The age-old phrase “like water and oil” is used when describing two things that do not mix easily or at all.
Just as the saying states, water and oil do not mix, and oil does not dissolve in water.

5. Agriculture:

In order to protect their crops from bacteria and insects, farmers often use chemicals and pesticides.
When these substances seep into the groundwater, they can harm animals, plants and humans.

6. Global Warming:

Rising temperatures due to global warming are a major concern in terms of water pollution. Global
warming causes water temperatures to rise, which can kill water-dwelling animals. When large die-offs
occur, it further pollutes the water supply, exacerbating the issue.

* Soil Pollution:

27
Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in the soil, in
very high concentrations to pose a risk to human health and the ecosystem. Or in simple words
Alteration in the natural soil due to human activities is termed Soil Pollution.

* Causes of Soil Pollution:

* Man-Made Pollutants:

Anthropogenic (man-made) soil pollution originates in several types of processes, some deliberate
(industrial) and some accidental. Human-caused soil pollution can work in conjunction with natural
processes to increase the toxic contamination levels in the soil.

1 .Accidental spills and leaks during storage, transport or use of chemicals (e.g. leaks and spills of
gasoline and diesel at gas stations);

2 .Foundry activities and manufacturing processes that involve furnaces or other processes resulting in
the possible dispersion of contaminants in the environment;

3.Mining activities involving the crushing and processing of raw materials, for instance, heavy metals,
emitting toxic substances;

* Natural Pollutants:

Apart from the rare cases when a natural accumulation of chemicals leads to soil pollution, natural
processes may also have an influence on the human released toxic chemicals into the soil, overall
decreasing or increasing the pollutant toxicity and/or the level of contamination of the soil.

*Natural processes leading to soil pollution:

1.Natural accumulation of compounds in soil due to imbalances between atmospheric deposition and
leaking away with precipitation water (e.g., concentration and accumulation of perchlorate in soils in
arid environments)

2.Natural production in soil under certain environmental conditions (e.g., natural formation of
perchlorate in soil in the presence of a chlorine source, metallic object and using the energy generated
by a thunderstorm)

3.Leaks from sewer lines into subsurface (e.g., adding chlorine which could generate trihalomethanes
such as chloroform)

* Noise Pollution :

The word noise is derived from the Latin word ‘Nausea’, which means sickness in which one feels the
need to vomit. Noise is the unpleasant and undesirable sound which leads to discomfort in human
beings. Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines, loudspeakers, crackers, etc.
When used at high volume, some other appliances also contribute to noise pollution, like television,
transistor, radio, etc.

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Types of Noise Pollution :

Following are the three types of pollution:

1.Transport Noise

2.Neighbourhood Noise

3.Industrial Noise

1.Transport Noise:

It mainly consists of traffic noise which has increased in recent years with the increase in the number of
vehicles. The increase in noise pollution leads to deafening of older people, headache, hypertension, etc.

2.Neighbourhood Noise:

The noise from gadgets, household utensils etc. Some of the main sources are musical instruments,
transistors, loudspeakers, etc.

3.Industrial Noise:

It is the high-intensity sound which is caused by heavy industrial machines. According to many
researches, industrial noise pollution damages the hearing ability to around 20%.

* Causes and Sources of Noise Pollution:

Following are the causes and sources of noise pollution:

* Industrialisation: Industrialisation has led to an increase in noise pollution as the use of heavy
machinery such as generators, mills, huge exhaust fans are used, resulting in the production of
unwanted noise.

*Vehicles: Increased number of vehicles on the roads are the second reason for noise pollution.

*Events: Weddings, public gatherings involve loudspeakers to play music resulting in the production of
unwanted noise in the neighbourhood.

*Construction sites: Mining, construction of buildings, etc add to the noise pollution.

* Global Warming :

Global Warming Definition

“Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the greenhouse effect
caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.

* Introduction:

29
Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the temperature near the earth’s surface.
This phenomenon has been observed over the past one or two centuries. This change has disturbed the
climatic pattern of the earth.

* Causes of Global Warming :

Following are the major causes of global warming:

Man-made Causes of Global Warming

1.Deforestation

Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby
maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic and commercial
purposes.

2.Use of Vehicles:

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions. Vehicles burn
fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the atmosphere resulting
in a temperature increase.

3.Chlorofluorocarbon:

With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs into the
environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer.

4.Industrial Development:

With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly. The
harmful emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.

5.Agriculture:

Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.

*Effects of Global Warming:

Following are the major effects of global warming:

1.Rise in Temperature

Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth’s temperature. Since 1880, the earth’s
temperature has increased by ~1 degrees.

2.Threats to the Ecosystem

30
Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to the loss of plant and animal lives. Increase
in global temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.

3.Climate Change:

Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at some places and floods
at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.

4.Spread of Diseases

Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the movement of
mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.

* Acid Rain Definition:

Acid rain is made up of highly acidic water droplets due to air emissions, most specifically the
disproportionate levels of sulphur and nitrogen emitted by vehicles and manufacturing processes. It is
often called acid rain as this concept contains many types of acidic precipitation.

* Causes of Acid Rain :

1. The causes of acid rain are Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with the wet components
of rain.

2. Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made
i.e as the emissions that are given out from industries or by natural causes like lightning strike in the
atmosphere releasing nitrogen oxides and volcanic eruptions releasing sulphur oxide

*Effects of Acid Rain:

1.Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all nutrients which are
required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects agriculture by the way it alters the
composition of the soil.

2.Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes, which further results in leaching of heavy metals
such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water.

3.It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.

* Green House Effect:

A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. The sun’s radiations warm the
plants and the air inside the greenhouse. The heat trapped inside can’t escape out and warms the
greenhouse which is essential for the growth of the plants. Same is the case in the earth’s atmosphere.

* Greenhouse Effect Definition:

31
“Greenhouse effect is the process by which radiations from the sun are absorbed by the greenhouse
gases and not reflected back into space. This insulates the surface of the earth and prevents it from
freezing.”

* Effects of Greenhouse Effect :

The main effects of increased greenhouse gases are:

1.Global Warming:

It is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. The
main cause for this environmental issue is the increased volumes of greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide and methane released by the burning of fossil fuels, emissions from the vehicles, industries and
other human activities.

2.Depletion of Ozone Layer:

Ozone Layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is found in the upper
regions of the stratosphere. The depletion of the ozone layer results in the entry of the harmful UV rays
to the earth’s surface that might lead to skin cancer and can also change the climate drastically.

3. Smog and Air Pollution:

Smog is formed by the combination of smoke and fog. It can be caused both by natural means and man-
made activities.

In general, smog is generally formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases including nitrogen
and sulfur oxides. The major contributors to the formation of smog are automobile and industrial
emissions, agricultural fires, natural forest fires and the reaction of these chemicals among themselves.

4.Acidification of Water Bodies:

Increase in the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air has turned most of the world’s water bodies
acidic. The greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater and fall as acid rain. This leads to the acidification
of water bodies.

5.Runaway Greenhouse Effect:

This phenomenon occurs when the planet absorbs more radiation than it can radiate back. Thus, the
heat lost from the earth’s surface is less and the temperature of the planet keeps rising. Scientists
believe that this phenomenon took place on the surface of Venus billions of years ago.

* Ozone Layer Depletion:

Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This happens
when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the

32
ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly
than it is created.

* Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion:

Ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The main causes
responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:

1.Chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are released by
solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.

2.Unregulated Rocket Launches:

Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets results in much more depletion of the ozone
layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer by the year
2050.

3.Nitrogenous Compounds:

The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion of the ozone
layer.

4.Natural Causes:

The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots and
stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.

* Hunting and Poaching :

* Hunting: It is defined as the action of killing or capturing unique species of animals/wildlife.

Poaching: It is defined as the unlawful capturing or hunting of unique fauna. It has its roots connected
with land use rights.

* CAUSES OF HUNTING AND POACHING :

1. Mafia Network: The key issue is the strong network of mafia that keeps criminals under control from
all around the world. These criminals are involved in the illegal trade of wildlife.

2. Habitat Fragmentation: Human settlement is responsible for habitat fragmentation that leads to the
displacement of wildlife and illegal activities associated with wildlife.

3. Exotic Food: Globally, people lust for exotic food that does not include traditional food but consists of
weird wildlife food dishes.

4. Requirement for Body Parts: Hunting and poaching is often carried out for body parts of animals.
People wear jewelry made of animal horns.

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 Unit -3
Conservation of Environment
* Sustainability Development:

Sustainable development is defined as the development that meets the present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The statement is reliable and
provides a goal to which many people desire, though it provides no guidance or no assurance on how to
assess progress towards sustainable development. The term sustainability is often referred to as
“sustainable development”.

* Sustainability Development :

The main aim of the sustainable development is address to basic needs of common people the primary
needs are

1. Environmental awareness
2. Modified eco-friendly technology
3. Policy makers

* Factors influence sustainability development :

a. Natural resources should be continuously available

b. Sustainability development should be ensure the preservation of ecological diversity &
stability
c. Man’s health & happiness should be increased by the developmental process
d. Man’s scientific & technical achievements should continue to improve comfort & quality
of life

e. Sustainability Development with Judicious land, Water, Forest Resources

f. Natural resources exist naturally with out human intervention
g. Resources determine the economy of an area
h. With judicious utilization of these resources a country can sustain the resources for
future generations
i. The consequences of indiscriminate of use of modern resources are dreadful

* Land :

 On land we stand, strive, thrive and to it we are all consigned. Human beings as well as animals,
living or dead, require it everywhere every time.
 From it accrue grains/gains of type and kind pursued. It enjoys a sui generis status.
 It is the means and source of wealth and ease. Its misuse/disuse is a definite loss to the
holder/country till rectification.
 * The continuous recurrence of this activity has acquired the name of ‘the real estate business’
with its confirmed utility which mostly trades in sale & purchase of dwelling units.

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 * Water :

 Water is a vital life support for plants, animals and human beings and is hence something we
cannot do without.
 In our daily lives, we use water mainly in cooking and washing.
 Drinking water from the tap spares waste, money, time and energy Tap water is less
expensive than packaged water, produces no waste and does not need transport over long
distances.

* Forest :

 Forests are renewable resources which need to be protected.

 Managing of forest resources widely and judicious to make them available for future
generations communities have to develop judicious land use practices for both conserving
ecosystem .
 Sustainable forest development is also emerging forest products .
 Many consumers are buying products obtained from sustainable managed forests.

* Afforestation:

 A Forestation is the efforts to plant trees in barren lands so as to create a forest

 It helps to check the over Use of natural resources by providing an alternative
 Necessary to combat the issues of global warming,soil erosion,pollution and the maintenance of
bio diversity and ecological balances
 Nearly 25% of India’s total land area is now disaster,floods,landslide

* Control measures for various types Of pollution :

* Definition:

Pollution is an undesirable change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of our land, air or
water caused by excessive accumulation of pollutants (i.e. Substances which cause pollution).

* KINDS OF POLLUTION :

The pollution is of four major types namely

1. air pollution,

2 . water pollution,

3. land pollution and

4. noise pollution.

* Control of air pollution :

Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air pollution:

1.Avoid Using Vehicles:

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People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather, they should prefer public modes of
transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but also conserves
energy.

2.Energy Conservation:

A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch off the
electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the individual level. Use of
energy-efficient devices such as CFLs also controls pollution to a greater level.

3.Use of Clean Energy Resources:

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various countries,
including India, have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner environment.

 The particulates emitted by industries should be controlled by devices such as scrubbers,

precipitators and filters.
 Use of unleaded or low sulphur fuel is to be encouraged.
 Shifting to non-conventional sources of energy (e.g solar energy, hydel energy, tidal energy,
etc.,) in order to reduce the dependance of conventional sources.
 Smoking in public places should be prohibited, because the cigarette smoke contains carcinogens
such as benzopyrene. An average smoker runs the risk of developing heart and lung diseases.
 Planting of trees along the road sides and around industrial areas

* Control of water pollution :

 Sewage treatment plants should be installed to treat sewage before releasing into water bodies.
 Excessive use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers should be avoided.
 Biological control of insect pests and organic farming is to be followed in order to reduce the
dependence on pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.
 By legislation and strict enforcement.
 By creating social awareness among people about the water pollution and the need for pure
water

* CONTROL OF SOIL POLLUTION :

 Management of soil wastes include collection and categorization of wastes.

 Recovery of resources like scrap metals, plastics, etc., for recycling and reuse and safe
disposal with a minimum environmental hazards is to be followed.
 Other notable methods of waste disposal include incineration (burning in the presence
of oxygen) and pyrolysis (burning in the absence of oxygen).
 Afforestation and reforestation should be undertaken on a large scale to prevent soil
erosion and loss of soil nutrients .

* Control measures of Noise Pollution:

 The industries should be established away from residential areas.

 Trees should be planted along roadside or highways to reduce noise levels.
 The industrial machinery and motor vehicles should be properly maintained in order to
minimize the noise.

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  The use of loudspeakers and bursting of crackers should be restricted.
 Effort must be made to create awareness among people about the harmful effects of
noise and the need to control it.

* Use of Renewable and Alternate of Energy :

Renewable energy is generated by sources that can be replenished within a relatively short period of time.
Renewable energy sources have been used to generate heat and power for much of human history, and
more relatively recently, electricity.

* Alternative Sources of Energy:

Alternative sources of energy can be defined as the use of sources of energy other than the traditional
fossil fuels (such as oil, coal, and natural gas), which are shorter in supply and which are considered
harmful to the environment. It includes all renewable and nuclear energy sources.

The most commonly used alternative sources of energy include the following:

 Wind Energy
 Solar Energy
 Geothermal Energy
 Bioenergy
 Hydroelectric Energy
 Hydrogen Energy
 Nuclear Energy
 Tidal Energy

* Solid Waste Management:

The term "solid waste management" refers to the collection, treatment, and disposal procedure for solid
wastes. Wastes are gathered from various sources and are disposed of through the waste management
process, which involves the collection, transportation, treatment, analysis, and disposal.

*Control measures of urban and industrial wastes:

An integrated waste management strategy includes three main components:

1. Source reduction

2. Recycling

3. Disposal

* Reduction in use of raw materials:

Reduction in the use of raw materials will correspondingly decrease the production of waste.
Reduced demand for any metallic product will decrease the mining of their metal and cause less
production of waste.

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* Reuse of waste materials:

The refillable containers which are discarded after use can be reused. Villagers make casseroles
and silos from waste paper and other waste materials. Making rubber rings from the discarded cycle
tubes which are used by the newspaper vendors, instead of rubber bands, reduces the waste generation
during manufacturing of rubber bands. Because of financial constraints poor people reuse their
materials to the maximum.

* Recycling of materials:

Recycling is the reprocessing of discarded materials into new useful products. For e.g. formation
of some old type products e.g. old aluminum cans and glass bottles are melted and recast into new cans
and bottles. Formation of new products: Preparation of cellulose insulation from paper, preparation of
fuel pellets from kitchen waste. Preparation of automobiles and construction materials from steel cans.

The process of reducing, reusing and recycling saves money, energy, raw materials, land space and also
reduces pollution. Recycling of paper will reduce ,cutting of trees for making fresh paper. Reuse of
metals will reduce mining and melting of ores for recovery of metals from ores and prevent pollution.

* Conservation of Biodiversity:

The variability of life on Earth is called Biodiversity. Biodiversity takes into account all the living
organisms present on Earth. Healthy and good biodiversity indicate a healthy and good ecosystem. Hence,
biodiversity is very important. A healthy ecosystem also includes the availability of pure water, pure air,
healthy land, a good climate, and the availability of nutrients on Earth. Therefore, biodiversity
conservation plays an important role in the quality of life of all living organisms.

* Biodiversity Conservation Methods :

Two types of methods are employed to conserve biodiversity. They are- In situ conservation and Ex-situ
conservation.

Following are some of the ways through which Biodiversity can be conserved:

1. In-situ Conservation
2. Ex-situ Conservation

1) In Situ Conservation :
In Situ Conservation refers to the preservation and protection of the species in their natural habitat. It
means the conservation of genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species. In situ
conservation involves the management of biodiversity in the same area where it is found.

 In situ, biodiversity conservation has many advantages

 It preserves species as well as their natural habitat.
 It ensures protection to a large number of populations.
 It is economic and a convenient method of conservation
 It doesn’t require species to adjust to a new habitat.

2) Ex Situ Conservation:

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Ex Situ Conservation means conservation of life outside their natural habitat or place of occurrence. It is
the method in which part of the population or the entire endangered species is taken from its natural
habitat which is threatened and breeding and maintaining of these species take place in artificial
ecosystems. These artificial ecosystems could be zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, etc.

* Ex Situ Conservation :

 Essential life-sustaining conditions like climate, food availability, veterinary care can be altered
and are under human control.
 Artificial breeding methods can be introduced leading to successful breeding and creating many
more offspring of the species.
 The species can be protected from poaching and population management can be efficiently done.
 Gene techniques can be applied to increase the population of the species and they can again be
reintroduced into the wild.

* Environment Laws :

environmental law, principles, policies, directives, and regulations enacted and enforced by local,
national, or international entities to regulate human treatment of the nonhuman world.

Environment Protection Act 1986:

The main objective of this Act is to provide the protection and improvement of environment
(which includes water, air, land, human being, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and
properties) and for matters connected therewith. There is a constitutional provision also for the
environment protection. Article 48A, specify that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve
the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country and every citizen shall
protect the environment (51 A). The Environment (Protection) Act is applicable to whole of India
including Jammu & Kashmir. Some terms related to environment have been described as follows in
the act;

Section 2 of Environment Protection Act

Section 2 of the Act defined various terms used in its provisions. These definitions are as follows:

1.Environment: Environment has been defined to include air, water, and land, and the inter-relationship
among and between air, water, land and human beings, other living creatures, microorganisms, plants
and property.

2.Environment pollutant:A pollutant is any substance in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state, which when
present in a certain concentration can be injurious to the environment.

3.Environment pollution: The presence of an environmental pollutant in the environment is called

environment pollution.

4.Handling: Handling, in respect of any substance, is deemed to imply its “manufacture, processing,
treatment, package, storage, transportation, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale or
its transfer.”

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5.Hazardous substance: It refers to any substance or preparation which can cause harm to humans,
plants, other living creatures, property, or the environment due to its chemical or physico-chemical
properties or handling.

* Aims and Objectives of the Environment Protection Act:

The chief aims and objectives of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 are listed below.

 Implementing the decisions made at the United Nations Conference on Human Environment
held in Stockholm.
 Creation of a government authority to regulate industry that can issue direct orders including
closure orders.
 Coordinating activities of different agencies that are operating under the existing laws.
 Enacting regular laws for the protection of the environment.
 Imposing punishments and penalties on those who endanger the environment, safety and
health. For each failure or contravention, the punishment includes a prison term of up to five
years or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both. This can also be extended for up to seven years in
cases.
 Engaging in the sustainable development of the environment.
 Attaining protection of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

* Wildlife Protection Act :

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is an Act of the Indian Parliament designed to conserve plant and
animal species. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 governs wildlife conservation and protection in India.
The Act arose during a period in India when environmental law was quickly expanding. The Act was
created with the understanding that prior legislation, such as the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act
of 1912, were insufficient.

* Protected Areas under the Wildlife Protection Act:

There are five types of protected areas as provided under the Act. They are described below.

1. Sanctuaries: “Sanctuary is a place of refuge where injured, abandoned, and abused wildlife is allowed
to live in peace in their natural environment without any human intervention.”

They are naturally-occurring areas where endangered species are protected from poaching, hunting,
and predation. Here, animals are not bred for commercial exploitation.

2. National Parks: “National Parks are the areas that are set by the government to conserve the natural
environment.”A national park has more restrictions as compared to a wildlife sanctuary.

3.Conservation Reserves: The State government may declare an area (particularly those adjacent to
sanctuaries or parks) as conservation reserves after consulting with local communities.

4. Community Reserves: The State government may declare any private or community land as a
community reserve after consultation with the local community or an individual who has volunteered to
conserve the wildlife.

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5. Tiger Reserves: These areas are reserved for the protection and conservation of tigers in India. They
are declared on the recommendations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

* Forest Conservation Act 1980 :

The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 (FCA, 1980) is an act by the Parliament of India which ensures
conservation of forest and its resources.It was enacted by the Parliament of India in order to control the
ongoing deforestation of the forests of India. It came into force on October 25, 1980 containing five
sections. Amid news reports mentioning future amendments to the FCA 1980 by the Environment
Ministry, the act and its provisions become important from the current affairs perspective.

* Need for Forest Conservation Act, 1980

Forests are an important resource that nature can bestow upon mankind. Therefore, it is the duty of
every citizen to preserve the ecosystems of forests. But due to rapid deforestation, the cycle of nature is
itself being disrupted. Therefore, the need to bring about a law to ensure the preservation of forest was
needed.

One of the first legal drafts to protect forest tracts was the Indian Forest Act, 1865 replaced by a 1927
version of the same act. However, it was more geared towards protecting the commercial interests of
the British Empire in India.

The act gave authority to the British to restrict tribal activities by levying taxes on timber and forest
services. In other words, it mainly regulated the cutting of timber and flow of raw materials rather than
protecting forests.

Upon independence, the President of India enforced the Forest (Conservation) Ordinance in 1980 which
was later repealed by virtue of Section 5 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Under the 1980 Act, the
restriction was made on the use of the forests for non-forest purposes.

* Objectives of the Forest Conservation Act 1980:

* The aim of the Forest is to preserve the forest ecosystem of India by fulfilling the following objectives:

* Protect the forest along with its flora, fauna and other diverse ecological components while preserving
the integrity and territory of the forests.

* Arrest the loss of forest biodiversity

* Prevent forest lands being converted into agricultural, grazing or for any other commercial purposes
and intentions

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* The Forest Conservation Act of 1980 (FCA, 1980) is an act by the Parliament of India which ensures the
conservation of forests and their resources.

* The forest Conservation Act, 1980 came into force to address deforestation.

* It prohibits the felling of forests for any “non-forestry” use without prior clearance by the central
government.

* It prohibits the State Government, except prior permission from the central government for issuing
orders directing:-

* International Agreements :

Politics, Law and Economics is a peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary journal that focuses on the theoretical,
methodological and practical dimensions of cooperative solutions to international environmental
problems. The journal explores both formal legal agreements such as multilateral treaties, and less formal
cooperative mechanisms such as ministerial declarations and producer-consumer agreements.

* Kyoto Protocal :

Kyoto Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, keeping in mind
the socio-economic development of the concerned countries and the polluter pays principle. It is one of
the important international environment protocols.

The protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012. 36 countries had
participated in the first commitment period. 9 countries opted for flexibility mechanisms since their
national emissions were greater than their targets. Hence these countries funded emissions reductions
in other countries.

Although the 36 developed countries had reduced their emissions, global emissions increased by 32 %
from 1990 to 2010. The financial crisis of 2007-08 was one of the major contributors to the reduction in
emissions.

*Montreal and Kyoto Protocols :

 Montreal protocol agreement signed on 16th sep 1987 to protect ozone layer
 It was designed to stop the production and import of ozone depleting substance and reduce their
concentration
 Montreal protocol is widely considered as the most successful environment protection agreement
 The United Nations industrial development organization became an implementing agency of
Montreal protocol in 1992 and is proud to be associated with its success
 The Montreal protocol has sent clear signals to the global market that them are more than 280 m
cases of skin cancer, 1.6 m skin cancer deaths and more than 45 m cases of cataracts in U.S by
the end of the century
 The Montreal protocol’s scientific assessment panel estimates that with implementation of
Montreal protocol we can expect near complete recovery of ozone layer

* Kyoto Protocol :

 It was adopted on 11th dec 1997.

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  Complex ratification process so it came into force in 2005. There are 192 parties .
 It is an international agreement aimed to reduce CO2 emissions and the presence of
greenhouse gases in atmosphere.
 The main objective is industrialized nation needed to lesser the CO2 emission.
 The protocol was adopted in Kyoto.
 Japan in 1997.
 According to the protocol there should be an overall reduction of at least 5% in levels of
greenhouse gases by 2008-12.
 6 B tonnes of CO2?is released every year.
 Deforestation is responsible for about 1.6 B tons of carbon release per year.

* Environmental Movements—> Bishnois , Chipko, Silent Valley :

 The bishnois, a vaishnavite section are from thar desert, Rajasthan

 To conserve the flora & fauna to the extent of sacrificing their lives
 The basic philosophy of this religion is that all living things have a right to survive
 In 15th century, thambhoji a resident had a vision that the cause of drought was the ppl’s
interference with nature
 He became sanyasi and came to knows as swami jawbeshwar maharaj
 This was the beginning of bishnois Act
 He laid down 29 tenets which included a ban on killing animals, a ban on cutting khejri, which
grows extensively in these areas using material other than wood for cremation
 There are many stories about bishnois for beaten up hunters and poachers for introducing in their
area
 In 1730, AD in Rajasthan a women named
 Amrita Devi along with 350 others sacrificed their lives in protecting the khejri trees
 The bishnois will go to extent to protect the wildlife and the forest around them

* Chipko Movement :

“Chipko” means “to hug” in this non- violent movement the activists would hug the trees and refuse the
budge until the loggers backed off." Chipko movement, also called Chipko andolan, nonviolent social and
ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, aimed at protecting
trees and forests slated for government-backed logging. The movement originated in the Himalayan
region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) in 1973 and quickly spread throughout the Indian
Himalayas. The Hindi word chipko means “to hug” or “to cling to” and reflects the demonstrators’
primary tactic of embracing trees to impede loggers.

* The movement:

In 1964 environmentalist and Gandhian social activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt founded a cooperative
organization, Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh (later renamed Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandal [DGSM]), to
foster small industries for rural villagers, using local resources. When industrial logging was linked to the
severe monsoon floods that killed more than 200 people in the region in 1970, DGSM became a force of
opposition against the large-scale industry.

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  The Chipko movement was first initiated in India in 1970
 This movement was launched by villagers who strongly felt the need to protect their trees and
forests
 At that time the govt had ordered for large - scale deforestation and logging
 This order had worried and angered the villagers who didn’t want to destroy their
environment
 Mr. sunderlal bahuguna enlightened the villagers by conveying the importance of trees in the
environment
 This movement launched first in Uttarakhand’s Chandi district in 1973
 This movement soon spread to the entire Himalayam region

* Silent Valley Movement :

Silent Valley Movement was a movement against the state to protect Silent valley, an evergreen tropical
forest in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India. It was started in 1973 to save the Silent Valley Reserve
Forest from being flooded by a hydroelectric project.

* History :

 The British named the area ‘Silent Valley’ because of a perceived absence of noisy Cicadas.
 The Kuntipuzha is a major river that flows 15 km southwest from Silent Valley.
 It takes its origin in the lush green forests of Silent Valley.
 In 1928, the location on the Kunthipuzha River at Sairandhri was identified as an ideal site for
electricity generation.
 Initially, the decision was made by the British government to build a dam across the river, which
originates from the forest.
 In 1958, a study and survey of the area were conducted, and a hydroelectric project was
proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

The plans for a hydroelectric project that threatened the park’s high diversity of wildlife stimulated an
Environmentalist Social Movement in the 1970s called ‘Save Silent Valley’ which resulted in the
cancellation of the project.

 The Kerala state electricity board (KSEB) proposed a hydro electric dam across the kuntipuza
river that runs through silent valley
 In feb 1973, the planning commission approved the project at a cost of about 25 crores
 Many feared that the project would submerge 8.3 SQ.KM of untouched moist evergreen forests
 Several NGOs strongly opposed the project and urged the govt to abandon it
 Due to public pressure, Indira Gandhi declared that silent valley will be protected in June 1983
 In 1985 prime minister Rajiv Gandhi formally in angurated the silent valley national park.

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