VELAMMAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, MADURAI

(AUTONOMOUS)
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
SEMESTER-II/IV
21CH103 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE L T P C
(Common to all B.E / B.Tech. Programmes) 2 0 0 2
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 To describe the structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity
 To interpret the environmental impacts of natural resources.
 To demonstrate causes, effects and control measures of different types of pollution.
 To manipulate the importance of disaster management, environmental ethics and values.
 To dramatize the important social issues and sustainable practices.
UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY 6
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies - ecosystem- general structure and function of an ecosystem- ecological
succession-biodiversity-types-values of biodiversity- endangered and endemic species-red data book- hot spots of
biodiversity-criteria- hot spots in India-threats to biodiversity (man-animal conflicts, habitat loss, poaching)-case studies-
conservation of biodiversity- in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
UNIT-II NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 6
Natural resources-forest resource-ecological functions – causes, effects and control measures of deforestation-water
resource-sources-conflict over water-dams benefits and problems-food resource-overgrazing- impacts of over grazing-
impacts of modern agriculture-energy resource-environmental impacts of wind mills and solar panels- role of an individual in
conservation of natural resources.
UNIT III ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL 6
Air pollution-causes, effects and control methods - water pollution- causes, effects-waste water treatment-soil pollution-
causes, effects-solid waste management–e-waste- causes, effects and management-Pollution control acts-air(prevention and
control of pollution) act,1981-water(prevention and control of pollution) act,1974- wildlife (protection) act,1972 - e-waste
management rules,2016-case studies - role of an individual in control of pollution.
UNIT IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 6
Disaster management-causes, effects and management of- flood, landslide, earthquake and tsunami-case studies-
environmental ethics- value education-traditional value systems in India-water conservation-rain water harvesting-watershed
management.
UNIT V SOCIAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES 6
Unsustainable development- social issues-climate change-causes, effects and control measures-global warming-causes,
effects and control measures-Acid rain-causes, effects and control measures-ozone layer depletion-causes, effects and control
measures-nuclear accident and holocausts-EIA-Sustainable development-goals-target- green buildings- ISO 14000 series.
30 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES :At the end of the course, learners will be able to
CO 1 : Explain the concept, structure and function of an ecosystem and biodiversity.
CO2 : Demonstrate the environmental impacts of natural resources.
CO 3 : Illustrate the suitable management method for pollution control.
CO 4 : Relate the proper way of managing disaster with environmental ethics.
CO 5 : Apply social issues and adopt suitable sustainable practices.
Text Books:
1. Kaushik, A &Kaushik. C.P, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 6th Edition, New Age International, 2018.
2. Garg S.K &Garg, Ecological and Environmental studies, Khanna Publishers, 2015.
3. Wright &Nebel, Environmental science towards a sustainable future, 12thEditon, Prentice Hall of India Ltd, 2015.
Reference Books:
1. ErachBharucha, “Text book of Environmental studies for Undergraduate courses”, 3rd Edition, UGC, 2021.
2. Ravi P. Agrahari, Environmental ecology, Biodiversity, climatic change & Disaster management, 1st Edition, McGraw
Hill, 2020
3. Benney Joseph, “Environmental Science and Engineering”, 1st Edition, McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt Ltd, New
Delhi, 2017.

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 UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies:

ENVIRONMENT
The word Environment is derived from the French word ‘énviron’ meaning surrounding.
Environment can be defined as ‘the sum total of all living and non-living things interacting
with one another’.
Environmental Science
It is the study of the environment with its biotic and abiotic components and their inter
relationships.
Environmental Engineering
It is the application of engineering principles to protect and enhance the quality of the
environment for public health and welfare.
ECOSYSTEMS
ECOLOGY
Study of interactions that organisms have with each other, with other organisms, and with
abiotic components of their environment. (ECO = oikos – home; Logy – study of)
ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem is a community of different species of living organisms interacting with one
another and with the non-living components of their environment (things like air, water and
mineral soil)
Community – Populations of different species living in a particular place interacting with
one another
Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place.
BIOME
A biome is a large geographic area defined by characteristic climate features and dominant
plant and animal life. A biome can be made up of many ecosystems. For example a terrestrial
biome can consist of forest, grassland and desert ecosystems
BIOSPHERE
It is the ecological system of the whole globe

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 TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM

Components and Structure
1. Abiotic components – These are the non- living components of the ecosystem
Physical components – air, water, soil, climatic conditions
Chemical components – nutrients like carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen oxygen, sulphur, organic
and inorganic compounds
2. Biotic components –These are the living components of the ecosystem like plants,
animals, microorganisms etc. The status of the living components depend on how the
organisms get their food. They are broadly classifies into producers and consumers.
Producers / Autotrophs
These are of two types – photo autotrophs and chemoautotrophs
Photoautotrophs (auto – self; troph – food; photo – light) – these are green plants and trees
that produce food by photosynthesis using sun light.
Chemoautotrophs – these produce food by using chemical compounds as sun light is not
available – as in deep oceans –deep ocean flora like bacteria
Consumers /heterotrophs
Organisms that eat the producers and other organisms for food and energy are called
consumers. These can be classifies as
a. Herbivores – they are plant eaters –or eat the producers; hence they are called
primary consumers- deer, rabbit, giraffe, bison etc.
b. Carnivores – they are meat eaters – they feed on other consumers – secondary
consumers feed on herbivores – fox, snakes etc. Tertiary consumers feed on
secondary consumers – lion, tiger, vulture etc. The carnivore that is not eaten by
other animals is called the top carnivore or apex carnivore – lion.
c. Omnivores – these feed on both plants and animals – humans, many birds etc.
d. Detritivores – detritus eaters- these eat the dead animals and partially decomposed
dead matter – vulture, hawks, insects, earthworms etc.

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 e. Decomposers – these decompose the dead and decaying matter into simpler
organic and inorganic compounds and return the nutrients to the ecosystem –
bacteria, fungi
Each level in the biotic component is called a trophic level and the trophic levels form the
structure of the ecosystem. The structure can be represented as

FUNCTIONS OF THE ECOSYSTEMS

 Primary function – production of food (energy) – photosynthesis / chemosynthesis
 Secondary function – distribution of mass and energy
 Tertiary function – decomposition of dead and decaying matter
Energy and mass (material) flow are carried out through Nutrient cycle, food chains and food
web
Food Chain
• A food chain is a linear network based on the food eaten by organisms at various
trophic levels starting from producer (such as grass or trees) and ending at apex
predator (like lions or sharks), detritivores (like earthworms, ants and other insects),
or decomposer species (such as fungi or bacteria).
• A food chain shows how the organisms are related with each other by the food they
eat.
• Each level of a food chain represents a different trophic level
• There are two major types of food chains
 Grazing food chain – this starts with producers of the ecosystem and ends
with top carnivores
 Detritus food chain – this starts with dead and decaying organisms
consumed by detritivores and decomposers and the nutrients are cycled
back to the producers.

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Food Chains are not isolated. These are interconnected to form a complex network called
food web

FOOD WEB
An interconnection of food chains in which different organisms are connected at different
trophic levels leading to number of options of eating and being eaten.
For example a food web in a forest is shown below:

A general food web including human beings

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SIGNIFICANCE OF FOOD CHAIN AND FOOD WEB
• Energy flow in the ecosystem
• Mass or material cycle
• Population and ecological balance
• Bio-magnification of chemicals – heavy metals, pesticides etc.
Bio magnification, or biological magnification, is the increasing concentration of a
substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic
levels in a food chain.
ENERGY FLOW MODELS:
The energy flow models link the trophic levels with each other showing the inputs and
losses of energy at each trophic level. Lindeman (1942) was the first to propose such model
assuming that plants and animals can be arranged into trophic levels and the laws of
thermodynamics hold for plants and animals. He emphasized that the amount of energy at
trophic level is determined by the net primary production and the efficiency at which food
energy is converted into biomass.

There are 3 energy flow models:

1. Universal Energy flow model
2. Single Channel Energy flow model
3. Y-Shaped or Double Channel Energy flow model

UNIVERSAL ENERGY FLOW MODEL:

E.P. Odum (1968) gave Universal Energy Flow Model which represents the basis for
a general explanation of ecosystem trophic flows. The model can be applied to any living
component, whether it is plant, animal, microorganism, individual, population or trophic
group.

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ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
DEFINITION
 Ecological succession is an orderly process of changes in the community structure and
function with time
 This is due to modification of physical environment
 This ends with a stable ecosystem known as ‘climax’.
The changes happen through various stages called seres or seral stages.
Types of succession - Primary and secondary succession
The community (organisms) that is established first in a bare area is called pioneer
community. This is called primary succession
The organisms that are established due to the pioneering species are called secondary
community - this is called secondary succession
A seral community (or sere) is an intermediate stage found in ecological secondary
succession in an ecosystem advancing towards its climax community. In many cases more
than one seral stage evolves until climax conditions are attained.
Ecological succession that happen in different areas are named as sere or seral stages
1. Hydrosere or hydrarch –the ecological succession in a watery area like a pond or lake
or ocean
2. Mesosere or Mesarch – succession in an area with sufficient moisture
3. Xerarch or xerosere – succession in an area with no moisture – this can be of three
types
Lithosere – succession on bare rock
Psammosere – succession on sand
Halosere – succession on saline soil.
PROCESS OR STAGES (PHASES) OF SUCCESSION
Ecological succession takes place in a systematic way in an order.
The steps or stages of succession are
1. Nudation – this is the formation of the abiotic component of the ecosystem like a
bare rock or a water body. This is formed due to earthquake, volcanic eruption,
glaciers etc. Nudation can also be caused by manmade factors such as over grazing,
mining, quarrying, disease outbreak etc.
2. Invasion – this is the establishment of pioneer species in a nude area. The species
may develop due to dispersal of seeds or migration of animals and birds. These
pioneer species grow in number and the population of the pioneer species increases.

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 3. Competition and coaction – as secondary succession happens in the ecosystem,
more number of species will have share the food and other resources leading to
competition. The species will also influence one another in many ways. This is called
competition and coaction.
4. Reaction – as the population of the species increases in the ecosystem, the natural
resources such as food and water are used up. Hence the environment is modified, this
is called reaction. The reaction may lead to the environment becoming unsuitable for
one or more species to survive and allowing new species to succeed. This leads to
ecological succession and seral communities.
5. Stabilization – this finally results in some species surviving in the ecosystem and
stabilizing the population. This is called climax community. This is usually a forest.
Ecological succession - xerosere

Ecological succession in a pond - hydrosere

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MAJOR ECOSYSTEMS
Land ecosystems
1. Forest ecosytem
2. Grassland ecosystem
3. Desert ecosystem
Water ecosystems
1. Fresh water ecosystems
(i) Lentic – ponds and lakes
(ii) Lotic – rivers and streams
2. Marine ecosystem
3. Estuarine ecosystem

BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the biological variations or variations of life forms found on earth
It can also be expressed as Variety and variability in all organisms, including
domesticated organisms and the various ecosystems in which the organisms live.
Importance of biodiversity
1. A large number of plant species ensures more crop variety – food resources and
medicinal value increase
2. Species diversity ensures sustainability of all life forms – through food chain, food
web. Energy flow, nutrient cycle etc.
3. Healthy ecosystem with rich diversity can withstand natural disasters
4. Keeps the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere clean and productive
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 5. Loss of biodiversity affects the economy of the country and the society

TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
1. Genetic diversity is DNA /gene variations of individuals among the same species. –
Examples (i) different types of bananas, rice varieties, human beings etc.
2. Species diversity is the Number of species and abundance of each species in a given
location
A species is a kind of organism. It is a basic unit of biological classification, all
animals or plants that are the same kind belong to the same species. Wolves (Canis lupus) are
one species. Humans (Homo sapiens) are another species
3. Ecosystem Biodiversity It is the variation of the ecosystems – forest. Ocean, desert.
Grassland etc. Each eco system is distinct and unique due to its Variation in physical
parameters like moisture, temperature, altitude and rainfall and the genetic and species
diversity found in the ecosystem. Ecosystem biodiversity is of great importance. These
cannot be replaced.
VALUES OF BIODIVERSITY/ USES OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is of great importance to the earth. Each living organism, however small or big
has an important role play in sustaining life on earth and in preserving the environment
through food chain, food web, maintaining the energy flow etc. Hence the value of
biodiversity is manifold and it can be listed under 9 main headings.
1. Environmental value
 Soil becomes enriched with nutrients due to micro organisms
 Atmospheric CO2 is regulated by forests
 Water is filtered by soil and pure water reaches water table
 Rainfall is regulated by the forests
2. Social Value – cultural and spiritual
Attaching cultural and religious importance helps the moral wellbeing of humans and also
helps in developing and preserving local culture. Such practices help in conserving the
biodiversity and future generations are taught valuable lessons in respecting biodiversity.
 Holy plants – Tulsi, Neem tree, peepal tree, banyan tree
 Holy animals and birds – lion, tiger, elephant, snake, peacock etc.
3. Ecosystem Services - Biodiversity renders valuable services to the environment
 Maintaining nutrient cycling and energy flow
 Sustaining food chain and food web
 Population balance
 Habitat for plants, animals and humans
 Break down of pollutants
4. Economic Value – Biodiversity yields many products which the human beings have
learnt to use in a profitable way and help in their economy. Some of the economically
important products we get from biodiversity are
 Timber export
 Wood and fossil fuel reserves for energy
 Use of animals and plants for research and development
 Extraction of medicines and perfumes
 Silk, cotton and wool for use and export
5. Consumptive use value - Direct use of biodiversity by humans
 As food – Plants, animals and birds – varieties of fruits, rice, pulses,, rabbit, sheep,
goat, cow, hen,
Pigeons etc.

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  As fuel – wood, coal, petroleum – fossilized biodiversity
 As drugs – Siddha, Ayurvedic and Unani medicines – varieties of medicinal plants,
snake venom, bee venom, anti-malarial drugs, morphine and other alkaloids ;
antibiotics etc.
 As fibres Cotton, wool and silk
6. Productive use value or commercial value - Biodiversity yields many products that
can be marketed and sold.
 Timber  Silk  Redwood
 Cotton  Wool  Sandalwood
 Pearl  Musk  Teak
 Ivory  Rubber  Rice. Cereals, pulses.
millets
7. Ethical and moral values – The humans learn many lessons from biodiversity and
ecosystems
 Every life is important and due respect should be given to all organisms
 Abiotic components are important for life and need to be preserved and conserved
 Live and let live
 Not to pollute the environment
 Poaching and hunting should be avoided
 Over use and waste should be minimized
8. Aesthetic value – biodiversity offers beauty and appeal to the human senses and
helps in moral well-being
 Beauty of this planet
 Recreation – National parks and zoos
 Eco-tourism – safaris and camping
 Family outings
 Educational tours
9. Optional value - These are values that are available in nature but not yet discovered
 Cure for cancer/ AIDS
 New source / type of fuel
 To eradicate Ebola virus, Nipah virus etc.
Such uses may be existing within the depths of marine ecosystem, or a tropical rainforest
INDIA AS A MEGA- DIVERSITY NATION
The term mega diverse country refers to any one of a group of countries where the majority
of Earth's species and high numbers of endemic species are found.
Endemic species are species that are found only in a particular region and are native to
that region. Examples are
Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger and Nilgris tahr
India is one among 17 mega diverse nations.
India has about 8% of world’s biodiversity on 2% earth’s surface. This is because, India has a
vast variety of land forms and climate ranging from tropical to temperate.
Also there is a high variety of human influenced ecosystems like agricultural lands, domestic
plant and animals.
CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL UNION OF
CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES –IUCN
Endangered and critically endangered species – numbers have been reduced to a critical
level and habitats have been drastically reduced -if not protected will become extinct in the
near future
 Bengal tiger

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  Asiatic lion
 Snow leopard
 Black buck
 Red panda
 One horned rhinoceros
Vulnerable / threatened species
Species whose population is declining continuously due to loss of habitat or over
exploitation; Likely to become endangered if not taken care of.
 Nilgiris marten
 Nilgiris langur – endemic to western ghats
 Clouded leopard
 Sloth bear
 Indian cobra
Rare species
A rare species is a group of plants or animals that are very uncommon, scarce (with small
populations) or infrequently encountered.
Many move into the endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them
continue to operate.
 Himalayan brown bear,
 Desert fox
 Wild Asiatic buffalo
 Horn bill
Extinct species – in the wild and totally extinct
Extinction of a particular animal or plant species; no more individuals of that species is
anywhere in the world - the species has died out - Slowly Due to natural part of evolution; at
much faster rate than usual due to human intervention.
• Indian Cheetah: Indian Cheetah also known as Asiatic Cheetah
• Indian Aurochs
• Sivatherium: Sivatherium was a very large approximately 7ft tall extinct animal
• Sumatran Rhinoceros: The Sumatran Rhinoceros has been declared as one of the
extinct animal in India
• Pink-Headed Duck: Pink-headed Duck was a large diving blackish-brown duck; It
was one of the most beautiful birds in India
Endemic species - species being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an
island, nation, or country (are found only in a particular region and are native to that
region)
 Nilgiri Tahr – Western Ghats
 Nilgiri langur –Western Ghats
 Ganges river dolphins – River Ganges
 Gharial Crocodile – River Ganges
HOT SPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region which is rich in biodiversity that is
threatened with destruction. For example forests are considered as biodiversity hotspots.
There are two criteria for a region to be declared as hot spot:
 It must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet
(endemic species). A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.
 It must have threatened species
The term biodiversity hotspot specifically refers to 25 biologically rich areas around the
world that have lost at least 70 percent of their original habitat.
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HOT SPOTS IN INDIA
• Indo- Burma Hot spot
• Western Ghats – Sri Lanka hot spot
• Eastern Himalayas hot spot
Indo Burma Hotspot
The hotspot encompasses
• Tropical and subtropical broad leaf and coniferous forests and mangroves and
grasslands
• Six large mammal species have been discovered in the last 12 years- large-antlered
muntjac, the Annamite muntjac, the grey shanked douc, the Annamite striped rabbit,
the leaf deer and the saola
• Ten endemic species of the Indo-Burma are: Saola, Eld's Deer, Cat Ba langur, Fishing
cat, Giant ibis, Mekong giant catfish, Spoonbilled sandpiper, Red-headed vulture and
white-rumped vulture, Sarus crane and the Irrawaddy dolphin
At present only 5% of the region remains in original condition – It is one of the threatened
hot spots because of resource exploitation and habitat loss due to Agriculture, logging,
mining and deforestation by forest fire.
Western Ghats – Sri Lanka hot spot
• one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world
• world heritage sites
• Extends over Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has over 7,402
species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal
species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insects species and 290
freshwater fish species
• It is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats.
• At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats
• 16 mammals, 80% of 179 amphibian species and crocodile and snake species -
endemic
Threats – Agriculture, - tea and coffee, Timber extraction
Eastern Himalayas hot spot
 Central Nepal to China
 Coniferous and forests, shrubs and meadows
 Rare species of flora and fauna – snow leopard
 Exotic butterflies and birds
Threats - Agriculture and hunting
Endangered and endemic species of India
The following gives the 12 endemic and endangered species found only in India
S.No Name Habitat
1. Asiatic Lion Gir Forest, GUjarat
2. Sangai Deer Loktak Lake, Manipur
3. Lion Tailed Macaque Western Ghats, South India
4. Kashmir Stag Kashmir Valley
5. Nilgiri Tahr Nilgiri Hills
6. Purple Frog Western Ghats
7. Pygmy Hog Assam
8. Bronzeback Vine Snake Western Ghats
9. Nilgiri Blue Robin Nilgiri Mountain
10. Malabar Civet Western Ghats
11. Anaimalai Gliding Frog Anaimalai Hills
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 12. Namdapha Flying Squirrel Arunachal Pradesh
RED DATA BOOK`
• The Red Data Book is a public document
• Contains recordings of rare and endangered species including animals, plants and
fungi as well as some local subspecies, which are present within the region of the state
or country.
• Colour coded for different categories
• Provides complete information for research, studies and also for monitoring the
programs on rare and endangered species and their habits.
• Used to protect those species, which are in danger of being extinct, lost, harmed or not
able to continue their life cycle.
The Red List of 2019 was released at the Rio+20 Earth Summit. It contains 132 species of
plants and animals in India listed as critically endangered. According to the IUCN Red
List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature there are also 48 critically
endangered plant species in India (as of 5 September 2019).
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
There are serious threats to biodiversity due to human impact. A noted ecologist has recorded
that in recent years, 10000 species become extinct per year which is 27 per day! At the
current rate, nearly 2/3 of biodiversity may be lost by the middle of this century.
Some of the major threats to biodiversity as a result of human activities are
1. Destruction and loss of habitat
2. Poaching
3. Man-wild life conflicts
Destruction and loss of habitat
 Deforestation due to forest fires, logging, timber extraction, extension of agriculture
and urbanization
 When roads are laid through forests, and dams and houses are constructed, the forest
area is divided and disconnected. There is fragmentation of forests leading to habitat
loss and loss of biodiversity
 Wetlands which are unique ecosystems are damaged due to drainage and pollution
causing loss of biodiversity and habitat
 Degradation of habitat also happens when new species invade the ecosystem
Animals enter human habitats in search of food due to forest fires, urbanisation,
industrialisation, increasing population and land encroachment. This issue remains a matter
of concern and a multi-pronged approach is being adopted to address the situation," Orissa's
Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh told IANS.
A former official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) explains with an
example. “A territorial animal like a male tiger needs an area of 60-100 sq km. But the area
allocated to an entire tiger reserve, like the Bor Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, is 138.12 sq
km. This is barely enough for one or two tigers,” he says.
Bist underlines a similar case for elephants. “The elephants need to travel at least 10-20 km a
day. If a herd is restricted to an area of about 100 sq km, they are bound to move out in
search of food and water. Elephants are used to travelling long distances, most of which fall
outside the protected areas,” he says.
Poaching
Illegal hunting, stealing and sale of products of endangered species, is called
poaching.
• Poaching for food – subsistence poaching
• Poaching for money – commercial poaching

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Subsistence poaching - This involves the killing of animals for food: in Africa, this is
commonly referred to as hunting ‘bush meat’. Gorillas, monkeys, lions, elephants, zebra and
buffalo are killed for food.
Case study of poaching for pleasure and meat
InThe Hindu, 2006,
February May 26, 2016 Khan
Salman - The was
Q Branch police
convicted seized
under the26Wild
kg of seahorses,
Life Act for an endangered
poaching species at
a Chinkara
protected
Bhawad under
near Schedule
Jodhpur duringI the
of the Wildlife
shooting Protection
of film Act, Saath
Hum Saath 1972. Hain
One in
person, a singer
September engaged
1998. Salmanby a
Khan
smuggling
was gang
sentenced to as courierimprisonment
one-year to transport the contraband
and to Bengaluru,
was slapped a fine of Rswas detained
5,000.
Commercial
Salman Khan,poaching
Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam had been charged with hunting two black
bucks at Kankani village in September, 1998.

Animals like rhinoceros gorilla, tigers and elephants are hunted for furs, horns, tusks etc. and
beautiful fish, rare butterflies, sea horses and sea turtles are poached for ornamental purpose
sand exotic meat. Each of these products can fetch 100 to 10000 US dollars in the world
market.

Man – Animal Conflict – Clash between humans and animals

CAUSES OF CONFLICT
• DWINDLING HABITAT – TIGERS. ELEPHANTS, RHINOS, FOXES,
MONKEYS, BISONS Eetc. lose their habitat due to deforestation and hence wander
into human habitation looking for food, water and shelter.
• HABITAT FRAGMENTATION – when forests and grasslands are divided into
smaller areas due to mining or laying roads, the animals have to cross through human
habitat as their natural pathways are cut.
• HUMAN ENCROACHMENT INTO THE FOREST – Human beings enter into
forests for extension of agriculture, mining, timber extraction etc. thus disturbing the
animals in their natural environment.
• REDUCING WATER AND FOOD RESOURCES IN THE HABITAT – due to
human activities like deforestation, mining etc., the animals lose their food and water
resources
• TRENCHING AND ELECTRICAL FENCING – in order to prevent animals from
entering human habitation, deep trenches are dug around the forest area and electrical
fences are laid and these cause harm to wandering animals and they are enraged and
attack the human habitat.
• LACK OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS - A wildlife corridor is a link, which joins
two or more larger areas of similar wildlife habitat by native vegetation. Corridors are
critical for the maintenance of ecological processes including allowing for the
movement of animals and the continuation of viable population, When these are
removed animals enter into human habitation.

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 • GRAZING DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN FOREST BORDERS – When domestic
animals are allowed to graze in the forest borders, the wild animals learn to hunt them
and slowly enter into areas of human population.
Effects of man- animal conflict
• Injury and loss of life of humans and wildlife
• Crop damage, livestock destruction, predation of managed wildlife stock.
• Damage to human property.
• Change in trophic levels.
• Destruction of habitat for humans and animals
• Collapse of wildlife populations and reduction of geographic ranges.
• Spread of new diseases
Remedial measures to curb / reduce the conflict
• Awareness must be created on coexisting with the wildlife.
• A task force should be put together with experienced foresters to deal with conflict
• Extension of agriculture into forest lands should be prohibited
• Poaching should be severely punished
• Solar sensors (light or sound) can be installed to keep these animals away from the
fields instead of electrical fences
• Sound alarms can be activated on the entry of animals into human habitat
• Practices of chasing out animals by burning forest borders should be stopped
• Wildlife corridors should be provided for animal migration
• More national parks and sanctuaries should be created to provide natural habitat to
animals
• Water holes can be made available in the forests for the animals
Human-Elephant Conflict : Case Studies
The estimated elephant range in Orissa is approximately 1,000 sq. km. Out of the total
population of 1500-2000 elephants in state, more than 300 elephants are isolated in
scattered groups. Three Elephant Reserves (ERs) – the Mayurbhanj ER, Mahanadi ER
and Sambalpur ER were notified in the State in the years 2001 and 2002 to define the
prime elephant habitats and to launch various management interventions for conservation
of elephant. The extent of notified and proposed forest blocks in these three reserves is
4129 sq. km, and the geographical area covered by these three reserves is 8509 sq. km.
Growing anthropogenic pressure exerted on wildlife habitats is the main reason for
conflict with wildlife. The other reason is fragmentation and honeycombing of wild
animal habitats. The loss of corridors and migratory routes of long ranging animals like
elephant is the major reason for increasing man-elephant conflict in Orissa.
While 23 elephants were poached in Orissa, 19 were killed in this manner in Karnataka
during 2003-06,. A total of 117 elephants were poached in the last three years. Orissa
tops the number of elephant deaths, accounting for 55 killings due to various reasons,
followed by Karnataka with 52 and Assam, 48. While in Kerala 20 elephants were killed,
19 elephants were killed in Meghalaya
CONSERVATION OF BIO DIVERSITY
Realizing the importance of biodiversity and its contribution to human welfare, steps are
taken to conserve biodiversity
There are two ways of conservation of biodiversity
• In - situ conservation – conservation of wild life within their natural habitat
• Ex-situ conservation – conservation of wild life outside their outside habitat
In - situ conservation

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 • On-site conservation of genetic resources in natural populations
of plant or animal species, such as forest genetic resources in natural populations of
tree species.
• Process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat,
either by protecting the habitat or by defending the species from predators.
Methods of in-situ conservation
1. Biosphere reserves
2. National parks
3. Wild sanctuaries
4. Gene sanctuary
5. Community reserves
6. Sacred groves
`1. BIO SPHERE RESERVES – 18 in India -10 are part of World network biosphere
• Cover very large areas, often more than 5000 km2.
• Include national parks and sanctuaries
• used to protect species over a long period of time
• Preserving the ecosystem itself
The 10 Biosphere reserves in India which are part of world net work
Name States
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve West Bengal
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Uttarakhand
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Meghalaya
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Madhya Pradesh
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Odisha
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Great Nicobar
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Reserve
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Kerala and Tamil Nadu
The three functions of biosphere reserves are
1. Conservation of biodiversity – species and genes
2. Association of environment with development
3. Logistic (statistical) support – international network for research and monitoring
2. NATIONAL PARKS
• Purpose of protecting & propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.
• Smaller area – 100 – 500 sq. km
• As of July 2015 -103 national parks encompassing an area of
40,500 km2 (15,600 sq mi), comprising 1.23% of India's total surface area
• No human activity permitted inside the national park
• Visits as safaris permitted for tourism
Some national parks in India
1. Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital – Tigers, deer, leopards, jackals, red foxes,
black bear, sloth bear, and monkeys.
2. Kaziranga, Assam, Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer.
3. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat - one of the best places to spot wild Asiatic
lions in their natural habitat - sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar, black
buck

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 4. Sundarban National Park, West Bengal- Tiger reserve-saltwater crocodile,
wild boars, foxes, leopard cats, huge turtles, Ganges river dolphins
5. Eravikulam National Park, Munnar- Nilgiri Thar.-elephants, deer, jackals,
leopards, tiger, otters, mongoose, and a huge variety of birds and butterflies.

3. WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
• Area reserved for animals and birds – India has 543 wildlife sanctuaries
• Vedanthandal – birds
• Mudumalai – tiger, elephant and leopard
• Nal sarovar sanctuary, Gujarat – birds
 preserves only animals and birds
 Timber extraction, logging, private houses permitted
4. Gene sanctuary – plant life preservation – Large areas are set aside to grow trees and
plants and preserve the species.
• For citrus trees
• For pitcher plants
• For mango etc.
5. Sacred groves
Sacred groves are forest fragments of varying sizes, (one to 500 acres) which are
communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious attachment for the
protecting community. Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these
patches. There are 503 sacred groves in Tamil Nadu and they are called KOVIL KADU.
Advantages of In- situ conservation
• Species protected in natural habitat
• Less human intervention
Disadvantages
• Maintenance of habitat tedious due to large area and lack of appreciation for species

EX-SITU CONSERVATION
Ex-situ conservation is a process of conserving endangered plants or animals in the human
care by giving them shelter and protection
The conventional methods of ex- situ conservation are botanical gardens for rare and
endangered plants and zoos for rare and endangered animals that cannot survive in the wild
and aquariums – this is called captive breeding or livestock parks
Botanical gardens – Botanical gardens in Ooty and Kodaikanal.
Zoos in Trivandrum, Mysore and crocodile park – In Chennai
Techniques for ex-situ conservation
Ex-situ collections of plants are established by storing seeds, conserving pollen and through
the storage of plant shoots in conditions of slow or suspended growth
Ex-situ techniques applicable to animal populations include the storage of embryos,
semen/ovule/DNA
Techniques for ex- situ preservation
 Cryopreservation - The storage of seeds, pollen, tissue, or embryos,
semen/ovule/DNA in liquid nitrogen. This method can be used for virtually indefinite
storage of material without deterioration over a much greater time-period -National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources –NBPGR- and National Bureau of Animal
Genetic Resources –NBAGR – New Delhi
 Seed banking - The storage of seeds in a temperature and moisture controlled
environment. -Navdanya, Uttrakhand, India.

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  Tissue culture (storage and propagation) - Somatic tissue can be stored in vitro for
short periods of time. This is done in a light and temperature controlled environment
that regulates the growth of cells. - National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture
Repository – NFPTCR – conservation of crops and trees by tissue culture
Advantages:
 Rare and critically endangered species may be saved – Example- Showy Indian
clover, is an example of a species that was thought to be extinct, but was
rediscovered in 1993 in the form of a single plant at a site in western Sonoma County,
USA. Seeds were harvested and currently grown in ex situ facilities.
 Ex-situ conservation provides research opportunities on the components of biological
diversity.
Disadvantages:
 Ex-situ conservation removes the species from its natural habitat
 The species may lose their genetic variations and adaptability
 The methods are costly
****************

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 UNIT-II
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources are materials made available by Nature for living organisms,
especially humans, can use for their survival and comfortable living.
Examples are
Air, water, soil, minerals, forests, biodiversity (plants and animals), energy sources such as
coal, petroleum, natural gas etc.
Classification of natural sources

Types of natural resources

• FOREST
• WATER
• MINERAL
• FOOD
• LAND
• ENERGY
FOREST RESOURCES
Uses / benefits of forests
Human beings receive a variety of benefits from forests. These can be discussed as follows:
1. COMMERCIAL USE
Forests provide products such as food, timber, firewood, wood pulp, gums, resins, oils,
rubber, fibres, medicines, bamboo, fodder, ivory, musk, honey etc. which have commercial
value and help in economy of the individual and the country. Forest lands also give minerals.
Forests promote tourism and this provides employment for many and helps in economic
growth.
2. ECOLOGICAL USE
Forests are very important to maintain the ecosystem and in protecting the environment.
Some examples of ecological uses of forests are
 Production of oxygen
 Absorption of CO2
 Reducing global warming
 Providing Habitat for wildlife
 Support for biodiversity
 Soil conservation
 Minimizing soil erosion and preventing floods

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  Regulation of hydrological cycle - transpiration
 Balancing energy flow and mass flow
 Moderating the amount of pollutants
3. AESTHETIC VALUE
 Beauty
 Serene atmosphere
 Recreation
4. TOURIST ATTRACTION
 Visiting national parks
 Safaris
 Interaction with tribal people
 Improvement in economy
5. PROTECTION VALUE
Forests is the habitat (living place) for many animals and gives shelter to human beings
OVER EXPLOITATION OF FORESTS (OVER UTILIZATION OF FORESTS)
The various types of resources we get from the forests are
• Timber Food for
• Firewood
• Wood pulp plants and animals resources
• Gums
• Resins humans for personal
• Oils resources with and Medicines use
• Rubber commercial value
• Fibres
• Medicines
• Bamboo
• Fodder

Over Exploitation is taking more than what the forests can give in a given period of
time so that the resource is depleted (reduced or completely exhausted).
Causes of over exploitation of forests:
• Timber extraction – for houses, buildings, furniture, paper, construction of railroads,
boats
• Utilizing medicinal plants
• Over Harvesting of food resources
• Over Grazing of animals
DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is the complete destruction of the forest area and forest cover resulting in
permanent damage to the environment and ecosystem. Deforestation happens due to both
man-made and natural causes.
Natural causes of deforestation
 Forest fires
 Land slides
 Drought
Man-made causes
 Over population – leading to demand for food and shelter
 Extension of agriculture – tea and coffee plantations, extension of banana plantations
etc.

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  Over grazing of animals in the forests
 Developmental projects - road ways, railways, buildings, dams
 Mining – for coal, oil, minerals
 Logging – (timber extraction) cutting down of trees for commercial and social
purposes
 Wood for Fuel
 Forest fire – due to human carelessness, global warming etc.
MAJOR CAUSES /ACTIVITIES IN THE FORESTS THAT LEAD TO
DEFORESTATION
There have been and still there are major activities by mankind in forest areas that continue to
result in deforestation. These are
1. Timber extraction
2. Mining
3. Construction of dams
TIMBER EXTRACTION
Forest is the major resource of timber (wood). Forest degradation and deforestation is
created by large scale cutting of trees in the forest.
Causes of (reasons for) timber extraction
1. Construction purpose
Wood is required for making furniture, doors, windows, roofing, floorings, boats, railway
sleepers etc. Valuable trees like teak, sal, mahogany, red wood etc. are felled in large
numbers for such purposes.
Wood ids also required for making crates and packaging boxes.
2. For Fuel
Rural and tribal people rely on fire wood for cooking. Also small and medium scale
industries still rely on fire wood for fuel need. Hence a large amount of forest is destroyed for
firewood
3. For Paper
Paper and cardboard are made from wood.
4. Medicinal needs
Every plant in the forest has unique medicinal value. Barks, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots
are used in different types of medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha etc.
5. Commercial value
Trees of high commercial value such as sandal wood and red wood have been completely cut
down from forest areas leaving bare land inside the forest.
Effects / Consequences of Timber Extraction
Loss of biodiversity – many plants, trees and animals and birds disappear due to timber
extraction
 Habitat loss – Animals and birds lose their living environment
 Less rainfall - hydrological cycle is affected and amount of rainfall decreases.
 Micro climate change – climate changes within the locality
 Global warming
 Tribal people affected – tribes lose their food and fuel sources and also their homes
and livelihood. They have to be relocated to a different place.
 Man- animal conflict- As forest animals lose the habitat they wander into human
settlements and destroy crops, domestic animals and even pose a threat to human lives
resulting in constant man- animal conflict.
Preventing Deforestation
 Afforestation-planting new sapling and trees in order to increase forest cover
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  Suitable conservation laws- Forest conservation act should be implemented strictly.
The government and the local NGO should be alert and act as watch dogs.
 Industrial area should be chosen away from forest. The draught prone and desert areas
can be chosen.
 Shift cultivation can be avoided.
 ‘Vanamahotsava’ should be celebrated to create awareness about the importance of
forest.

MINING
Mining is a process of extracting mineral resources and fossil fuel like coal from
underground. These deposits are found in the forests and mining mainly affects the forest
area and the tribal people living in the forest.
EFFECTS OF MINING
 Defacing the landscape – the land surface becomes ugly and unsightly
 Ground subsidence – due to mining, the subsidence of soil happens.
 Deforestation along with removal of underlying soil mantle.
 Loss in biodiversity loss in habitat for birds and animals
 Soil erosion
 Water, soil and air pollution – ground water and surface water will be contaminated
with toxic chemicals. Soil will be polluted chemicals. Air will be polluted with toxic
gases and suspended particulate matter (SPM)
 Huge trenches leading to water logging and ground water pollution
 Noise pollution
 Landslides
 Can lead to earthquakes
 Deprivation of homeland and livelihood for tribal people and their culture
 Occupational health hazards like respiratory diseases, skin problems, asbestosis,
silicosis for miners and workers
CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS
Dams are constructed across rivers. Rivers originate in mountains and flow though forests.
Hence for constructing a dam a large amount of forest has to be destroyed.
The effects of constructing dams are
Problems or ill effects of dams
UPSTREAM PROBLEMS
1. deforestation and loss in biodiversity
2. displacement of tribal people
3. loss of agricultural lands and villages
4. changes in river ecosystem
5. siltation and sedimentation in reservoirs
6. water logging near reservoirs
7. reservoir induced seismic activity
8. microclimate change
DOWN STREAM PROBLEMS
1. as there is less water flow downstream, soil becomes saline
2. salt water from sea enters into river mouths
3. decrease in soil fertility
4. flash floods
5. outbreak of diseases

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 6. microclimate change
Effects of over exploitation and deforestation
• Global warming – more CO2 in the atmosphere as green trees is not enough to absorb
the CO2 from the atmosphere.
• Loss of genetic diversity / biodiversity – when the forests are destroyed, many plants
and animals lose their lives and habitat. Hence population of animals and plants is
reduced leading to loss in biodiversity
• Soil erosion – as the trees are cut down. Water flow from rains and floods is not
checked and hence the top soil is carried away with the water leading to the removal
of top soil. This affects the fertility of the soil.
• Landslides – when a large number of trees are cut in a mountain area, the soil
becomes loose and movable and this can result in landslides.
• Floods – As trees are cut and forest area removed, excessive rain water can flow
freely and fast and this leads to floods.
• Reduction in rainfall – change in hydrological cycle. Trees absorb CO2 and hence are
very important in regulating the temperature of the atmosphere. When trees are cut,
the atmospheric temperature is high and hence rainfall is reduced. This in turn reduces
the ground water and water in ponds, lakes and rivers upsetting the hydrological cycle
and causing water scarcity.
• Loss of food – Forests supply food for animals and when forest is destroyed, animals
lose their source of food and the population of animals and birds decreases.
• Loss of habitat for tribes – tribal people living in forests depend on the forests for
their food and shelter. When forests are destroyed, tribal people lose their homes and
source of food.
• Loss of employment /work for tribal people – tribal people are employed for forest
activities and they earn their livelihood by such work. Due to deforestation, tribes lose
their employment.

me case studies of deforestation

1. Desertification of Khasi Hills in Meghalaya
The demand for timber in the State of Meghalaya during the last few decades was very
great. In spite of government restrictions and regulations, people felled thousands of trees.
Consequently, many of the thick and dense forests were turned into arid and semi-arid
lands, devoid of plants and vegetation. The scene was very tragic in West Khasi Hills and
East Garo Hills. Within a few years, the thick-forested areas were turned into semi-deserts.
2. Disappearance of tea gardens in Chota Nagpur
Chota Nagpur plateau had many tea plantations which were laid by removing the forest
area of the plateau. As the forest area decreased, the rainfall in the subsequent years
decreased and hence the tea plantations did not receive enough water for growth, slowly
the tea plantations dried up and now the plantation area has dried up and desertification
has set in.
3. Chipko movement
This movement was started in the year 1973 to protest against deforestation and prevent
trees being cut down. The members were called as ‘tree huggers’ and the movement
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became world known for its non-violent way of protesting against deforestation. As an
extension of the Chipko movement, protesters in West Bengal have saved 4000 trees from
destruction in 2017.
 WATER RESOURCES
Water is conserved in the environment by the hydrological cycle.
Out of the total water on earth 97.5% is ocean water – salty water – and unfit for use. Only
2.5 % is fresh water. Most of the fresh water is locked as ice in polar region and only 0.5% is
available as ground water and surface water (rivers and lakes), water in the living organisms
and water in the atmosphere.
Therefore, fresh water is very precious and we have to use the same very carefully.
SOURCES OF FRESH WATER
Surface water - rivers, lakes and ponds
Ground water – aquifers are the sources of ground water
A layer of sediment or rock that is highly permeable and contains water is called an aquifer.
There are two types of aquifers
Unconfined aquifers – these are overlaid with permeable rocks and water can penetrate from
above due to rainfall or snow melt.
Confined aquifers -
Confined aquifers are those which are sandwiched between two impermeable layers of rock
or sediments and are recharged only in those areas where the aquifers intersect the land
surface. Sometimes the recharged area is hundreds of kilometres away from the location
aquifer

WATER USE AND OVEREXPLOITATION

Uses of water – consumptive use
On an average,
70% of water is used for agriculture
20% is used in industrial sector
10% for household purposes.
Per person per day the use of water is approximately 200 litres in India
Water is also used for generation of electricity which is a non- consumptive use.
OVER EXPLOITATION OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES
Over exploitation is the using water more than what is required and also wasting water. This
overexploitation leads to serious problems.
1. Ground Subsidence – When ground water is used more quickly compared to the
recharge, the sediments of the aquifer get compacted, this is called ground subsidence.
This will cause damage to buildings, cracking of pipe lines and reverse flow in sewers
2. Lowering of water table - water table refers to the level of water in the unconfined
aquifer. Over exploitation of water lowers the water table. Hence wells have to be
sunk deeper to withdraw water from the unconfined aquifer.
3. Water logging – when excessive water is used for irrigation, the water table rise
gradually and the soil will be saturated with water and will become unfit for
cultivation

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 4. Intrusion of sea / salt water - In coastal areas ground water depletion can lead to
intrusion of sea water into the water table –water becomes saline
5. Pollution of water - mixing of sewage with fresh water due to subsidence
Reasons for over exploitation of water resources –
 Population growth
 Urbanization
 Development of industries
 Climate change
DAMS – BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS
Dams are constructed across rivers for many purposes
Multipurpose dams are constructed for supply of drinking water, water for irrigation, for
generation of hydroelectric Power and flood control

Benefits of dams
• control of floods
• for irrigation and increase in agriculture productivity
• drinking water supply
• electricity generation
• recreation
• fishery
• navigation
• employment
However, Construction of dams also lead to environmental problems
Problems or ill effects of dams
UPSTREAM PROBLEMS
1. deforestation and loss in biodiversity
2. displacement of tribal people
3. loss of agricultural lands and villages
4. changes in river ecosystem
5. siltation and sedimentation in reservoirs
6. water logging near reservoirs
7. reservoir induced seismic activity
8. microclimate change
DOWN STREAM PROBLEMS
1. as there is less water flow downstream, soil becomes saline
2. salt water from sea enters into river mouths
3. decrease in soil fertility
4. flash floods
5. outbreak of diseases
6. microclimate change
Sardar Sarovar Project – Case study related to construction of dam
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity dam on the River Narmada near Navagam, Gujarat, India.
The dam construction submerged 37000 ha of forests and 3 villages
Four Indian states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Rajasthan, receive water and
electricity supplied from the dam. Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is the largest structure to be
built. It is one of the largest dams in the world. It is a part of the Narmada Valley Project. The
project will irrigate more than 18,000 km2 (6,900 sq m), most of it in drought prone areas
of Kutch and Saurashtra

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CASE STUDIES ON CONFLICTS OVER WATER
Rivers which are a major source of water run through different countries or different states
within a country. Due to increase in population and due to greater demand for water, states or
countries fight for water. Also international and national policies have resulted in unequal
sharing of water. This also has resulted in conflicts over water.
Causes for conflict
1. unequal distribution of water among the countries or states
2. construction of dams or power stations upstream in the course of the river by a
country or state
3. Pollution of river water by upstream states or countries resulting in the downstream
population receiving polluted water.
Examples –
International conflicts
1. India and Pakistan conflict over River Indus and its tributaries
2. India and Bangladesh fight over Brahmaputra River
3. Mexico and USA have conflict over river Colorado

National Conflicts
1. Sharing of Kaveri water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
2. Sharing od Krishna Water between Karnataka and Andra Pradesh
3. Sharing of Siruvani water between Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Management of water conflicts
At the local level: ‘neerkatti’ (villager) - mediates the water related problems for agriculture -
based on the experience and knowledge of local terrain - the amount and time of water supply
from storage tanks decided
At the national and international level: water conflicts involve political and economic issues.
The country or the state has to approach the respective apex court.
FOOD RESOURCES
Energy is the Capacity to do work. The Source of energy for living organisms is the food that
is eaten; Metabolism of food gives energy
Basic six components of food
Daily requirement  2000 calories for normal adults
Nutrition
Nourished and normal nutrition – Taking a balanced diet providing all components and
about
2000 calories / day
Under nourished / under nutrition – Not enough food to supply the required 2000 cal/ day.
Malnourished / malnutrition – lack of intake of any one component like proteins, vitamins
etc. leading to deficiency diseases.
Effects of under and mal nutrition

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MAJOR SOURCES OF FOOD
• Croplands – Agricultural lands – rice, wheat and other millets pulses, green and root
vegetables, fruits
• Rangelands – cattle farms - sheep, goats, cattle (cows), poultry farms etc. Cattle farms
give dairy products and meat
• Oceans - source of sea food
As population increased, the demand for food also increased and technologies were
developed to increase the sources of food. However, increase in food resources has led to
unforeseen environmental damage. The causes for the environmental damage are (i)
over grazing and (ii) agricultural practices
1. Over grazing
Cattle are allowed to graze on grasses that are grow on common land. As the cattle
population increased, the carrying capacity of the grazing land has been crossed
(Carrying capacity of a system is the maximum population that the system can
support without permanent damage to the system – that is on a sustainable basis). This
has led to problems such as
a) Land degradation
Overgrazing removes the vegetation and hence soil is exposed to direct sunlight.
Hence the moisture content decreases and soil is compacted. Hence fresh
vegetation cannot grow. As detritus organisms die, nutrient recycling is affected
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 and soil loses its nutrients. As soil is compacted, rain water cannot percolate and
water is lost as surface run off.
b) Soil Erosion
As the vegetation is removed from the soil, as water flows or wing blows, the top
soil is carried away leading to soil erosion.
c) Loss of useful species
As nutritious and juicy grass and plants are eaten up, new species like thorny
bushes grow on the land. These are less nutritious and may be unfit for cattle
consumption. Also the nature of the soil changes and soil erosion increases.
2. Agricultural practices
Traditional agricultural practices like
Slash and burn or
Shifting cultivation resulted in deforestation, soil erosion and decrease in soil
nutrients.
Benefits or positive impacts of modern agriculture / Modern agricultural practices
• Hybrid seeds
• BT modified pest resistant varieties -
• High yield
• Larger lands
• Irrigation
• Energy subsidies
• High tech equipment
• Use of fertilizers and pesticides
Negative Impact of modern agriculture
• Due to High yielding variety (HYV) – High Yielding seeds give mono crops and
hence the same nutrients of the soil are depleted – soil nutrient balance is affected.
Also spread of disease in crop is easier as the all the crops will be equally susceptible
to the pathogen.

• Use of fertilizers
1. As the fertilizers are mainly NPK fertilizers, the concentration of these
elements in the soil increases leading to Micronutrient (Zn , Boron, Mn etc.)
imbalance
2. Nitrate pollution – Nitrate fertilizers are water soluble- and excess use of salts
leaches into water sources – Babies drinking water with excess nitrates develop blue
baby Syndrome –decrease in oxygen carrying capacity of blood- This may may cause
death
3. Eutrophication - (over nutrition)
Nitrogen and Phosphorous fertilizers are washed off into water bodies – small lakes or
ponds – As these are fertilizers, there is excessive algae growth – algal bloom –Dead
algae cover the lake bottom and use up oxygen for decomposition – fish and other
organism die – water dries up - lake disappears
 Use of pesticides
1. Over use of pesticides causes soil pollution, water pollution and air pollution – as
pesticides are sprayed
2. Death of not-target useful insects and worms, like earth worms
3. Due to over use of Pesticides, pests mutate into super pests which resist the
pesticide and do not die, are developed and this leads to increase in use of new
pesticide (example rat poison)

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 4. Bio magnification affecting higher trophic level consumers including humans
 WATER LOGGING
Increase in irrigation causes water to stagnate in the fields and hence Soil becomes
saturated with water. Therefore, soil air decreases and Roots become loosely held.
Crop yield decreases Example - Punjab and Haryana – River Indus
• SOIL SALINITY – increase in salt content of the soil
Due to over irrigation soil becomes water logged. During dry weather, water
evaporates leaving behind salts in the upper soil. Soil becomes saline and alkaline
and Land becomes unfit for further cultivation
CASE STUDIES
1. Pesticide residue in Coco Cola soft drink- In 2003, CSE released information that 11
soft drinks including coco cola had pesticide residues more than the permissible limits
(As per BIS and EU). This led to public outcry of banning the drink and boycotting
the purchase of coco cola. The reason for pesticide residue was given as
contamination of ground water (used in making coco cola) due to percolation of water
from agricultural lands sprayed with pesticides. The coco cola company withdrew the
batch of drinks and promised to ensure customer safety.
2. Bio magnification of DDT
The persistence of DDT in the environment and bio magnification of this compound
has led to serious health effects in many organisms. In humans, more recent studies
have shown that DDT may be associated with instances of cancer, infertility,
miscarriage, and diabetes. DDT has perhaps most famously been linked to the
population decline of bird species high on the food chain such as the bald eagle and
peregrine falcon, via eggshell thinning. Both species rebounded after the US congress
put limits on the use of DDT in 1972.
In Malaysia, the spraying of DDT may have caused the deaths of large numbers of
wasps which usually ate moth pests. These moths fed on straw in the thatched roofs of
the houses of the people in the region. Without wasps to control the moth population,
the moths increased in number and collapsed many thatched roofs by eating the straw.
Interestingly, the moths were able to distinguish between straw containing DDT and
the straw that was DDT-free. This ability to avoid DDT-laden straw also contributed
to the survival of the moths.
In another case in Bolivia, a 1965 investigation discovered that spraying of DDT
caused the deaths of many cats in a village. The CDC in Atlanta confirmed the high
concentration of DDT in the cats. Without the cats to control the rat population, there
was an outbreak of Bolivian haemorrhagic fever. So, in this village, the DDT killed
the malaria-carrying mosquitoes, but it also led to the outbreak of another deadly
disease!)
3. Water logging and salinity – In Haryana State canal irrigation was introduced. This
resulted in the increase of water table leading to water logging salinity of soil. This
caused huge loss due to decrease in crop yield.
Similarly, the Indira Gandhi Canal project caused water logging in Rajasthan
METHODS OF MINIMIZING FERTILIZER USE
1. Use of organic manure
2. Testing of soil before plantation to assess the nutrient available in the soil and to plan
the application of the fertilizer
3. To apply the fertilizer at the proper time of growth of crops so that the crops will
completely absorb the fertilizer.

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 4. Use of slow-release fertilizers to help maintain soil fertility and to ensure absorption
by crops
5. Control of soil erosion to avoid leaching of fertilizers into water bodies.
METHODS OF MINIMIZING PESTICIDE USE
1. Crop rotation – crops are changed every year so that a particular type of pests cannot
survive and multiply.
2. Planting tall trees around an agricultural land to minimize pests from flying in
3. Changing the time of crop plantation so that adult pests will not have food and hence
die
4. Use of plant diversity (Inter cropping, poly culture and agro forestry) to control pests.
5. Destroy diseased or infected plants
ENERGY SOURCES
The sources of energy can be classified into
1. Renewable energy sources – sources from which energy can be produced repeatedly
without the source getting exhausted. Examples are solar, wind, ocean, geothermal
energy etc.
Nuclear energy can be considered as a renewable energy source. A small amount
uranium / thorium generates a large amount of energy and hence the amount of
uranium and thorium available now will meet the energy demands for a long time.
2. Non- renewable energy sources – sources from energy can be produced but the source
will exhaust with in a period of time – Examples-Coal, petroleum and natural gas-
these are called fossil fuels as they have been formed by fossilized animals and plants
over millions of years.
Environmental Impacts of wind mills
 Habitat loss and fragmentation
 Increase the death rate of birds and bats
 Generate noise
 Aircraft warning lights of wind mills create light pollution
 Wind turbines, produce negligible amounts of CO2, CO, SO2, NO2, Hg
and radioactive wastes
 wind turbines emit slightly more Particulate matter (PM)
 Weather and climate change
 Affects the radar / mobile communication
Off shore
 The risk to seabirds being struck by wind turbine blades or being displaced from
critical habitats
 Underwater noise associated with the installation process; altering the behavior
of marine mammals, fish and seabirds by reasons of either attraction or avoidance
 Potential disruption of the near-field and far-field marine environments.
Environmental Impacts of solar panels
 Land clearing soil compaction
 Alteration of drainage channels
 Increased erosion
 Chemical spills contamination of groundwater or the ground surface
 Hazards to air quality
 Air particulate matter which has the effect of contaminating water reservoirs
 Thin-film panels, dangerous heavy metals, such as Cadium Telluride
Other Impacts
 Influencing the socio-economic state of an area

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  Affects Cattle rearing
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVING WATER
1. Turn off taps when not in use
2. Fill the washing machines with water only to the required level
3. Reuse the soapy water after washing clothes to clean back yards or toilets
4. Use flush tanks that require less amount of water to flush the toilets
5. Water the gardens early morning or late evening to avoid loss of water by evaporation
6. Build rain water harvesting system for your houses / locality
7. Encourage farmers of your area to use drip irrigation
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVING ENERGY
1. Turn off the fans and lights when not in use
2. Dry the clothes in the sun instead of using a drier
3. Build houses that will allow natural light to come in during the day time
4. Grow trees and plants around your hose to reduce the summer heat
5. Use public transport of vehicle pools to save fuel
6. Use solar water heaters for hot water needs
7. Recycle and reuse paper, metals and glass
8. Use moderate temperatures in room Air conditioners.
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVING SOIL
1. Do not cut down trees
2. Grow plants and shrubs in the soil around your house
3. Use sprinklers for watering the gardens
4. Compost the garden waste and kitchen waste and use the compost soil as fertilizer for
the garden
5. Do not waste food
6. Ask the farmers in your locality not to over irrigate the fields and use inter cropping
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONSERVING FORESTS
1. Do not support deforestation
2. Do not use items made illegal forest products
3. Do not use bags, coats made of animal fur and ivory products
4. Minimize use of paper – Use more paper less technology
5. Recycle your furniture and do not buy furniture made of exotic wood
Develop a deep respect for Nature and Natural resources.

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 UNIT III
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL
INTRODUCTION
Pollution can be defined as undesirable change in physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of components of environment that is harmful to life and property
Pollution is caused by the introduction of pollutants to the environment.
Pollutants can be defined as the AGENTS THAT CAUSE POLLUTION –these may be
GASES, LIQUIDS, SOLIDS or SUSPENDED PARTICLES in air or water; suspended
particles in air are called – Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)
Sources of pollutants – are the causative factors which generate the pollutants.
Effects of pollutants / pollution are the harmful damage caused by the pollutants to the
environment, biodiversity and human health and well - being
Control of pollution is the ways by which the pollution can be mitigated (reduced) by
removing the pollutants and / or eliminating or altering the sources of pollutants.
Classification of pollutants
Pollutants are classified into bio degradable and non- biodegradable pollutants.

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Soil and land pollution
4. Marine pollution
5. Noise pollution
6. Thermal pollution
7. Nuclear pollution and nuclear hazards
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution refers to introduction of pollutants into the atmosphere by man- made or
natural causes which has immediate and long term effects on human health and environment.
Atmosphere is divided into layers based on the height from the surface of the earth.
The following diagram shows the various layers of the atmosphere.
The major discussion of air pollution is the pollution of the troposphere and the depletion of
ozone in the stratosphere.

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 Normal Composition of air in
troposphere (normally called as
Thermosphere atmosphere)
Nitrogen – 78.08%
Oxygen – 20.95%
Argon – 0.93%
Other gases -0.04%

Therefore, air pollution can also be defined as change in the composition of air by
increasing the amount of gases or particulates by man- made or natural process which affects
human health and harms the environment.
TYPES OF AIR POLLUTANTS
1. Primary pollutants- These are directly emitted by point sources (identifiable sources)
–examples - CO – vehicles; SO2 and NOX – power plants.
2. Secondary pollutants - These are not directly emitted by a source but are formed in
the atmosphere due to reaction of primary pollutants with one another or other gases
present in the atmosphere – example – PAN, Ozone, acids like sulphuric and nitric
acids
Sources of air pollutants
Natural sources
1. Volcanic eruptions
2. Natural forest fires
3. Marshy land
4. Radioactive mineral deposits
Man- made sources
1. Thermal power plants – Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, fly ash
2. Vehicles – Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, carbon soot and other SPM
3. Industries – volatile organic compounds (VOCs), SPM, and other harmful gases
Common air pollutants, their sources and effects
Pollutant Sources Effects
1. Ozone - Secondary Pollutant near the Photochemical reaction asthma attacks in
ground (the troposphere), it is a major between NOx and volatile people who have
part of smog. organic compounds in asthma
presence of sunlight Can cause sore
Ozone in the upper atmosphere NO2 + hν → O+ NO throats, coughs,
(stratosphere), is protective layer which O + O → O and breathing
2 3
screens out harmful ultraviolet rays. difficulty.
Ozone is mostly found in the
Too much
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 summer. exposure may
cause death.
Ozone can also
hurt plants and
crops.
2. Carbon monoxide -. Colourless and Burning fossil fuels Dizziness and
odourless Cigarette smoking. tiredness
Vehicle exhaust headache;
Furnaces in industries Causes death in
high
concentration.
3. Nitrogen dioxide – A reddish-brown Power plants and cars. High levels of
gas with a fishy odour When nitrogen in the air reacts nitrogen dioxide
with oxygen at very high causes
temperatures (lightning coughs
strike). Breathlessness.
Respiratory
infections.
Forms acid rain,
which can harm
plants and
animals.
4. Suspended Particulate matter. Solid or Road dust, sea spray, and Enter the lungs
liquid matter that is suspended in the air. construction materials, soot, and cause health
(SPM) asbestos problems.
Particles usually are less than 0.1 mm Burning of fuels in More frequent
wide and can be as small as 0.00005 automobiles and power plants, asthma attacks,
mm. and from industrial exhaust respiratory
problems,
Premature death.
5. Sulfur dioxide. A Colourless corrosive Burning of coal or oil in People with
gas with irritating smell power plants. asthma or
Factories that make chemicals, emphysema find it
paper, or fuel. more difficult to
breathe.
Irritates eyes,
noses, and throats.
Harm trees and
crops, damage
buildings,
Decreases
visibility
Forms acid rain,
which can harm
plants and animals
and soil fertility

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6. Lead- Lead comes from cars in areas High amounts of
A blue-gray metal that is very toxic and where unleaded gasoline is not lead can be
is found in a number of forms and used. dangerous for
locations. Lead can also come from small children and
power plants and other can lead to lower
industrial sources. Indoor, IQ and kidney
Lead paint is an important problems.
source of lead, especially in For adults,
houses where paint is peeling. exposure to lead
Lead in old pipes can also be a can increase the
source of lead in drinking chance of having
water. heart attacks or
strokes.
7. Chromium Industries using or Respiratory
A silvery white metal that is very toxic manufacturing chromium problems
and is released as chromium compounds Living near a hazardous waste Intestinal ulcers
facility that contains Cancer
chromium Causes water and
Cigarette smoke soil pollution

8. Toxic air pollutants - arsenic, chemical plants Toxic air

asbestos, benzene, and dioxin. Burning fossil fuels pollutants can
cause cancer.
Can also cause
birth defects. Skin
and eye irritation
and breathing
problems
Asbestos and
formaldehyde, can
be found in
building materials
and can lead to
indoor air
problems.
Many toxic air
pollutants can also
enter the food and
water supplies.
9. Hydrocarbons -HCs Vehicles, dry cleaning, Paints Carcinogenic,
Causes
Photochemical
smog
Harmful to plants
and animals
10. Stratospheric ozone depleters - From air conditioners and If the ozone in the

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Chemicals that can destroy the ozone in refrigerators stratosphere is
the stratosphere. Jet exhaust destroyed, people
These chemicals include Fire extinguishers. are exposed to
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons Chemical industries. more UV
(organic compounds that contain radiation from the
halogens- Chlorine and bromine) sun (ultraviolet
radiation).
This can lead to
skin cancer and
eye problems.
Higher ultraviolet
radiation can also
harm plants and
animals.
11. Greenhouse gases. Gases that stay in Carbon dioxide is the most The greenhouse
the air for a long time and warm up the important greenhouse gas. It effect can lead to
planet by trapping sunlight. This is comes from the burning of changes in the
called the “greenhouse effect“ because fossil fuels in cars, power climate of the
the gases act like the glass in a plants, houses, and industry. planet.
greenhouse. Some of the important Methane is released during the Some of these
greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, processing of fossil fuels, and changes might
methane, and nitrous oxide. also comes from natural include
sources like cows and rice  more
paddies. temperature
Nitrous oxide comes from extremes,
industrial sources and  higher sea
decaying plants. levels,
 changes in
forest
composition,
and
 damage to
land near the
coast.
 Human health
might be
affected by
diseases that
are related to
temperature or
by damage to
land and water
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
In-door air pollution is the pollution of the air inside the houses.
The major in-door pollutants are
1. RADON GAS – is one of the major indoor pollutants
It is a colorless gas generated from radium found along with uranium deposits in igneous
rock and soil and
DEPT.OF CHEMISTRY, VCET Page 37 of 72
moves up from earth’s crust through foundations and cracks in buildings
When building materials are made from such rocks, building materials can emit radon
May also be found in water sources.
Causes lung cancer and deaths due to lung cancer
2. CARBON MONOXIDE
It is a colorless, odorless gas emitted due to incomplete indoor combustion of fuels - in rural
areas and in fireplaces using wood/ coal
Causes head ache, vomiting, unconsciousness, and death
3. BAP – BENZO-- PYRENE (Benzo Alpha Pyrene)
It is a pale-yellow volatile solid found in the vapor state in cigarette smoke, burning wood,
burning diesel in home generators
Causes Cancer
Control measures/mitigation of Indoor air pollution
• drying fuel wood before use
• use of alternative cooking fuel like LPG, biogas
• installing chimneys in kitchens
• improved ventilation of the cooking and living area
• keeping young children away from smoke
• avoiding smoking cigarettes inside the house
Photochemical smog
Photochemical smog is a thick smoke formed as a result of photochemical reaction
of Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere in presence of sunlight
Toxic Products formed are
• Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
• Peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN)
• Tropospheric ozone
• More Volatile organic compounds
Effects of photochemical smog
On human health
Photochemical smog causes damage on the lungs and heart.
It causes painful irritation of the eye and respiratory system. It reduces lung function and
causes difficulty in breathing;
High levels of smog also cause asthma attacks because the smog causes allergy
On environment
Photochemical smog causes problems for plants and animal life.
Ozone in the smog causes dead patterns on the upper surfaces of the leaves of trees.
It also can interfere with the growth and productivity of trees.
The effects of smog on animals are also similar to its effect on humans; it decreases lung
capacity and lung elasticity.
CONTROL MEASURES / MITIGATION OF AIR POLLUTION
Natural balance of air pollutants
Nature has a mechanism of controlling the amount of pollutants in air and maintaining the
natural composition of air. These methods are
1. Dispersion of gaseous pollutants by wind
2. Gravitational settling of SPM due to gravitational force
3. Flocculation of colloidal suspensions by salts present in the atmospheric moisture
4. Rain wash out – washing out of gases and particulates by rain
But in recent years, the level of pollution is too high to depend only on natural balance.
Hence a few methods have been adopted to control air pollution.

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Control methods of pollutants at Source /mitigation procedures of air pollution at
source
The pollutants are removed at the source of emission so that these are not released into the
atmosphere.
These methods are used to reduce particulate and smoke emissions from industries
1. An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a filtration device that removes fine particles,
like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using electrical voltage. The outgoing gas is
free of particulates. The dust and other particulate matter stick to the electrode plates.

2. Baghouse filter is an air pollution control device that removes particulates out of air
or gas released from industries and power plants. Bag house filters are long,
cylindrical bags (or tubes) made of woven fabric as a filter medium. The dirt and
particulates are filtered by the fabric and clean air flows out.

3. Cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from an air or gas without

the use of filters. Air flows in a conical pattern, beginning at the top (wide end) of the
cyclone and ending at the bottom (narrow) end. Larger (denser) particles strike the
outside wall, then fall to the bottom of the cyclone where they can be removed. Clean
air flows out at the top

4. Wet Scrubbers -Wet scrubbers for removing particles and/or gases from industrial
exhaust.
Dirty gas is sprayed with water. Particulate or gases are collected in the scrubbing
liquid. Both particulate and soluble gas removed by this method
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Other General Methods of Control / mitigation of Air Pollution
1. Use of fossil fuels with less sulphur content
2. Reduced use of vehicles
3. Planting trees on busy roads to absorb noise, dust and CO2
4. Locating industries out of city limits
5. Fitting all vehicles with catalytic convertors to reduce Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon
and nitrogen oxide emissions
6. Installing equipment like bag house filters, cyclone separators, wet scrubbers etc. to
purify the gases emitted
7. Proper disposal of collected waste
8. Monitoring the level of pollution.
WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of water making it unfit use.
Sources of water pollution can be classified as
Point sources - specific and defined sources from which pollutants are discharged -sources
of pollutants known . Examples are domestic sewage, industrial effluent, oil wells, tanneries
etc.
Non- point sources – sources are distributed and cannot be specified or defined. Run off
water collects the pollutants and discharges into water bodies – Examples are agricultural
fields, rain water flowing over roads, floods, atmospheric deposition etc.
The sources of pollution of ground and surface water, pollutants, and their effects are given
below:
S. NO Sources of pollution Pollutants Effects
1. Human waste, decaying Pathogens like Infectious diseases like
matter in water bacteria, virus, fungus, typhoid, jaundice, cholera,
protozoa, parasitic diarrhoea etc.
worms
2. Sewage water, food Oxygen demanding The bacteria decomposing the
industries, paper mills wastes – organic organic waste can use up the
compounds dissolved oxygen of water and
Oxygen dissolves in thus affect aquatic life. The
water to a small extent water may develop turbidity
and the normal and odour and degrade the
dissolved oxygen quality of water
(DO) in water is 8-10
ppm
3. . Surface run off, industrial Inorganic salts of toxic Water is unfit for human use

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 effluents, domestic waste metals like As, Pb, Damage to liver and kidneys
water fluoride Excess fluoride causes
fluorosis.
The salts are toxic to fish and
other aquatic life
Crop damage if the water is
let into agricultural lands.
4. Industrial effluents, Organic Chemicals Damage to nervous system
surface run off from like pesticides, and cancer
agricultural lands cleaning solvents and Causes death of fish and other
detergents organisms
5. Agricultural runoff, house Nutrients like nitrates Cause Eutrophication of water
hold detergents and phosphates bodies – eutrophication means
over nutrition. As nitrates and
phosphates are nutrients, the
water plants like algae grow
extensively in the water
bodies using the water – algal
bloom – and when the plants
decay use up the dissolved
oxygen in the water. The fish
and other aquatic organisms
die and cause further decay.
Water body becomes marshy
and finally dries up.
Excess nitrate in the drinking
water can cause death of
babies due to
methemoglobinemia or blue
baby syndrome as the oxygen
carrying capacity of blood is
reduced in the presence of
nitrates.
6. Soil erosion Sediments containing Water becomes turbid and
toxic chemicals unfit for domestic purposes.
7. Nuclear power plants, Radioactive isotopes Water is unfit for use
uranium ore processing like iodine, radon, Cause cancer and genetic
units and natural sources uranium and thorium disorders
Water quality parameters for drinking water
Water should meet certain quality standards if it has used to be for drinking.
Physical parameters
1. Water should be clear and colourless
2. It should be odourless
3. It should be pleasant to taste
Chemical parameters and their significance
1. pH range – 6.5-8.5
2. chloride – less than 250 ppm – excess will give a salty taste to water
3. sulphate – less than 250 ppm; excess sulphate will cause diarrhoea

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 4. total hardness – less than 500 ppm – if present in excess, water cannot be used for
drinking and cooking
5. total dissolved salts – TDS – less than 500 ppm
6. fluoride – less than 1.5 ppm – excess will cause fluorosis
7. nitrate – less than 45 ppm - excess will cause blue baby syndrome
8. Heavy metals like lead, chromium and arsenic – less than 0.05 ppm – should not be
present as they are toxic to human system
Characteristics of river water quality / waste water quality
1. DO - Dissolved Oxygen - Oxygen present in air dissolves to a certain extent in water
– to the extent of 8 ppm. This DO is important to support aquatic lifelike fish and
other organisms.
Waste water usually has some microorganisms growing which use up the dissolved
oxygen. Hence the DO of waste water will be less than 8 ppm. Hence it should be
ensured that wastewater has at least a minimum of 5 – 6 ppm before being discharged
into rivers.
2. BOD - Biological Oxygen Demand /Biochemical Oxygen Demand
It is the amount of dissolved oxygen present in water required for decomposition of
biological matter present in water. As the BOD varies with temperature and rate of
growth of microorganisms, it is usually measured at 20C after 5 days of incubation
for growth of microorganisms- BOD5.
Higher the BOD, the lesser is the quality of water.
3. COD- Chemical Oxygen Demand
It is the measure of oxygen required for the oxidation of organic pollutants present in
water. It is determined by using oxidizing agents like acidified potassium dichromate
or acidified potassium permanganate.
The higher the COD, the lesser is the quality of water.
CONTROL MEASURES / MITIGATION PROCEDURES OF WATER POLLUTION
1. Less use of fertilizers and pesticides – changing to bio fertilizers and pesticides
2. Collection of run – off and treating the water
3. Industrial effluent treatment before discharge
4. Use of phosphate free detergents that available in the market
5. Creating awareness through media among the public on the effects of water pollution.
6. Suitable treatment of sewage and industrial waste water before discharge into land or
water bodies
7. Recycling waste water for reuse
8. Modification of suitable laws and implementation of the same to mitigate water
pollution.
METHODS OF WASTE WATER/ SEWAGE WATER TREATMENT
Reasons for waste water treatment
1. to reduce the organic matter of waste water
2. to reduce the offensive odour of waste water
3. to remove the suspended solids
4. to reuse the water for suitable purpose
Treatment processes
Primary treatment
• Removal of debris by passing through screens or filters
• Sedimentation – either gravity or adding chemicals like alums to sediment suspended
solids.
35% BOD and 65% suspended solids removed

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Secondary treatment
This is biological treatment using microorganisms – removes 90% BOD and 90% suspended
solids
1. Trickling filters

2. Activated sludge process

In activated sludge process, waste water containing organic matter is aerated in an
aeration basin with microbial suspension
Micro-organisms metabolize the suspended and soluble organic matter.
In activated sludge systems the new microorganisms formed in the reaction are
removed from the liquid stream in the form of a flocculant sludge in settling tanks.
A part of this settled biomass, described as activated sludge is returned to the aeration
tank and the remaining forms waste or excess sludge.

The excess sludge is disposed of by using in Landfills, by Incineration, as low grade fertilizer
or by dumping into the sea.
Tertiary treatment
The waste water form secondary treatment is treated with lime to remove the phosphate ions.
The ammonium ions are removed by increasing the pH to 11.
The water is then passed through activated carbon to adsorb fine organic compounds.
It is finally disinfected with chlorine.
LAND AND SOIL POLLUTION
Soil or Land pollution means degradation or destruction of earth’s surface and soil, directly
or indirectly as a result of human activities
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The pollution lessens the quality and/or productivity of the land as an ideal place for
agriculture, forestation, construction etc.
Sources of Soil Pollution
• Domestic wastes
Garbage, waste materials like glass, paper, plastics, cans, carry bags, waste cloth, Bathing
water,
• Industrial waste
Effluents from chemical, paper; cement, textile, pharmaceutical. Fertilizer, pesticide,
industries ; metal refineries, distilleries, mines, sewage waste ( human and animal excreta)
• E- waste – dumped electronic items
• Nuclear waste
Soil pollutants
• Detergents
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Organic dyes
• Particulates
• Acids and alkalis
• Radioactive metals- Strontium -90, Iodine -131, Cesium- 137
• Pathogenic microorganisms
Effects of soil pollution
• Soil becomes unfit for agriculture – becomes highly acidic or alkaline,
• Spread of diseases due to pathogenic microorganism
• Bio-magnification of heavy metals and pesticides that ultimately enter into human
systems.
• Eutrophication of water bodies
• Radioactive isotopes enter into human system – Sr-90 and cause cancer
• Contamination of ground water -
• Effects on biodiversity – soil organisms are affected and soil ecosystem is degraded.
Control / mitigation of Soil Pollution
• Treatment of effluent before discharging into the soil
• Segregation of solid waste and appropriate disposal –
 Biodegradable – for composting and vermicomposting
 Non- biodegradable –land fills
• Biogas generation - sludge as manure
• Reduce, recycle , reuse
• Ban on toxic chemicals that get biomagnified
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OR WASTE SHED MANAGEMENT
Rapid population growth and urbanization have contributed to the enormous
generation of solid waste. If not disposed of properly, the solid wastes can cause huge
damage to the environment and human health. Hence managing the disposal of solid waste in
the responsibility of the government and the society.
Sources and classification of Municipal Solid wastes (MSW):
Urban Waste – Domestic waste, commercial waste, construction waste etc.
Industrial waste – Chemical wastes, thermal power plant wastes (Fly ash) Nuclear power
plants (nuclear spent fuel) Other Industrial wastes
Hazardous waste – Toxic wastes (Acute and chronic toxic wastes), reactive wastes (wastes
that will react with soil or water to produce more toxic compounds), waste from slaughter
houses, corrosive wastes, radioactive wastes, infectious wastes, heavy metals etc.

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Biomedical waste (hospital waste) – human tissue, amputated and removed organs, expired
medicines, plastic wastes, syringes etc.
Effects of improper disposal of Municipal solid waste
Accumulation of municipal solid waste on the road sides without collection and proper
disposal will lead to the following derogatory effects.
1. Rain water and surface run off carry the wastes that are soluble in water and when
such polluted water percolates, the ground water is contaminated.
2. The decomposing waste will give off bad smell
3. The wet waste will breed mosquitoes
4. Rats and flies feeding on the waste will spread infectious diseases
5. Decomposing wet waste may generate methane under anaerobic conditions and this
will contribute to global warming
6. Burning of waste will liberate many volatile organic compounds which are toxic to
human and animal health
7. Burning of waste will also liberate carbon dioxide which causes global warming
Hence municipal solid waste should be properly disposed of.
Minimizing solid wastes
This can be done by the 3R method – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Reduce –reduction in the use of raw materials for housing, industries etc. to reduce
generation of solid waste.
Reuse – The materials which can be repaired or set right can be reused instead of discarding.
Recycle – the solid waste can be recycled into a new product and used to extend the life time
of the material – examples are recycling of metals, recycling of plastics, recycling of paper
etc.

Discarding and disposing of solid waste

Solid wastes that cannot be reused or recycled has to be discarded or dumped into the
environment. However proper disposal processes have to be planned in order to avoid
environmental hazards.
Process of Municipal solid waste management/ waste shed management / Handling and
Disposal of
Municipal solid
waste

The common methods used for disposal of solid wastes are

1. Modern Sanitary land Fill
2. Incineration
3. Composting
1. Modern Sanitary land fill

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In this method Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is used for filling trenches and ditches dug for
purposes like surface mining, open drainage etc.
The solid waste is transported to the site, and compacted into the trench/ ditch using
machines. The top is covered with soil and the site is used for planting vegetation.
The rain water that may leach the toxic components is collected separately and sent to the
treatment plant
Methane that may be produced due to anaerobic digestion of organic waste is collected
through an out let and used as a fuel.
Ground water is periodically tested for pollutants
Advantages
• No need to segregate the waste
• Non –biodegradable waste is managed
• Waste land is used
• Easy method
• Nutrients returned to soil
Disadvantages
• Large area needed
• Land should be away from the urban area
• Should be managed properly- otherwise - bad odour, water contamination and
methane leak will happen.
2. Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves burning of Municipal solid waste or
Refuse Derived Fuel [(RDF) - segregated solid waste that can be burnt and used as fuel] at
1000C. The waste is converted into ash, flue gas and heat energy is liberated. The heat
energy may be used to generate electricity.
Advantages
 Renewable source of energy
 The ash content after analysis and chemical treatment can be used as fertilizers

Disadvantages
 The gases have to scrubbed before the hot air is let out into the atmosphere to avoid
air pollution
 Incinerator have to placed away from the urban area
3. Composting
Composting is the breaking down organic (biodegradable) waste into humus. Humus is a
group of organic compounds obtained by chemical and biological decomposition of organic
solid waste residues by microorganisms
Process of composting
1. Segregated biodegradable waste with water and adequate supply of air, is Inoculated
with soil microorganisms.
2. The mixture periodically turned for proper aeration.
3. Bacteria, fungi, worms etc. convert organic compounds in the waste into inorganic
nutrients.
The compost soil is rich in nutrients and can be used as Soil conditioner in gardens,
landscaping, horticulture and in agriculture as a natural fertilizer. It is also a natural pesticide.
Advantages
 All biodegradable waste is recycled
 This method helps in minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
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 Disadvantage
 Only biodegradable waste can be recycled.
E-waste:
E-waste is electronic products that are unwanted, not working, and nearing or at the end of
their “useful life.” Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are
everyday electronic products.
Sources of E-Waste
 Large household appliances like refrigerators/freezers, washing machines,
dishwashers,televisions.
 Small household appliances which include toasters, coffee makers, irons, hairdryers.
 Personal computers, telephones, mobile phones, laptops, printers, scanners,
photocopiers etc.
 Lighting equipment such as fluorescent lamps.
 Electronic or Electrical tools i.e. handheld drills, saws, screwdrivers etc.
 Toys, leisure and sports equipment.
 Monitoring and control instruments.
 Automatic dispensers.
Effects of E-Waste
The effects of improper disposal of E-waste on the environment pose very real threats and
dangers to the global environment at large. Improper disposal of these wastes affect the soil,
air and water components of the environment.
 Effects on Air: Most common result of E-waste on air is through air pollution.
Burning of e waste can release hydrocarbons within the atmosphere that pollutes the air.
 Effects on Soil: E-waste an have a negative effect on the soil. As e-waste breaks
down, it releases toxic heavy metals. Such heavy metals include lead, arsenic, and
cadmium. When these toxins penetrate the soil, they influence the plants and trees. Thus,
these toxins can enter the human food supply, which can lead to birth defects as well as a
number of other health complications.
 Effects on Water: Heavy metals like mercury, lithium, lead present in electronics
(found in mobile phone and computer batteries), etc., when not disposed properly, these
heavy metals penetrate from soil to groundwater which then run to the surface as streams
or small ponds of water.

Management of e-waste:
Various methods of treatment and disposal system include:
 Land Filling– Disposal of Electronic Waste is mainly through land filling. Mostly,
the discarded electronic goods finally end-up in landfill sites along with other municipal
waste or are openly burnt releasing toxic and carcinogenic substances into the atmosphere.
 Incineration– In this complete combustion process, the waste material is burned in
specially designed incinerators at a high temperature (900-1000o C). It reduces waste
volume and some environmentally hazardous organic substances are converted into less
hazardous compounds.
 Recycling of E-Waste – Recycling involves dismantling, processing and end
processing. Comparatively, the value of recycling from the element could be much higher
in comparison to other treatments.
 Re-use– It includes direct second hand use or use after slight modifications to the
original functioning equipment like Inkjet cartridge is used after refilling. Old working
computers can be donated to schools or organization working in the field of education.
Computers beyond repairs can be returned back to the manufacturers. This can

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 considerably reduce the volume of E-Waste generation converted into less hazardous
compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS
In order to protect and conserve the environment and natural resources and ensure
sustainable development, the Government has put forward laws that should be strictly
obeyed. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards have
been set up to ensure the enforcement of these laws. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
(TNPCB) has its head office in Chennai and offices at all District headquarters.
1. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986
Objectives
o to protect and improve environment
o To prevent hazards to all living organisms
o To maintain harmony between humans and environment
Features of the ACT
Government can lay down rules and procedures for prevention of accidents that might cause
pollution and remedial measures if accidents happen
1. Can close an industry for violation of act
2. 5 years imprisonment and 1 lakh or more fine for defaulters
3. Additional fine of Rs. 5000 per day if the violation continues
5. An officer would inspect the sites and collect samples for analysis
2. WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT 1972, 1991
Objectives
1. To maintain essential ecological processes and life supporting systems
2. To preserve biodiversity
3. To ensure sustained use of species
Features
1. Covers rights and non- rights of forest dwellers
2. Instructs What is allowed in sanctuaries and not allowed in national parks
3. Prohibits collection of non-timber from forests
3. FOREST (CONSERVATION) ACT 1980, 1988
Objectives
1. To protect and conserve forests
2. To ensure judicious use of forest products
Features
1. Forest departments are forbidden to lease or rent forest land to any private person
2. Prohibition of clearance of forest land for afforestation
3. Diversion of forest land to non- forest use is an offence and punishable under the act
4. Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act 1981
Enforcement machinery - Central and State Control Boards
Objectives
1. To prevent , control and abate air pollution
2. To maintain quality of air
Role of Central Board
 to lay down standards for quality of air
 provide technical assistance to state boards
 To settle disputes between state boards
 Directions of Central board are mandatory to State Boards
Role of State Board
Empowered to lay down standards of emissions from industries, vehicles and other sources

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 1. Collect and disseminate information related to air pollution and also act as
inspectorates.
2. Examine the manufacturing processes and installation of equipment as per norms
3. To direct state government to declare areas as heavily polluted and to take control
measures
4. Not to permit erection of industries within city limits
5. To punish violators with imprisonment for three months and /or fine of Rs 10000/-
5. Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act 1974/1988
Enforcement machinery - Central and State Control Boards
Objectives:
1. To prevent, control and abate water pollution
2. To maintain quality of water
Role of Central Board
 to lay down standards for quality of water in all aquifers
 provide technical assistance to state boards
 To settle disputes between state boards
 Directions of Central board are mandatory to State Boards
Role of State Board
1. Empowered to lay down standards for discharging effluents into the water body
2. Collect and disseminate information related to water pollution and also act as
inspectorates.
3. Penal action for contravention in terms of imprisonment / Rs. 5000 a day fine
4. Not to permit erection of industries without effluent treatment plant
5. To stop supply of water, electricity or other services to polluting units
6. E- Waste Management Rules 2016 – salient features
1. collect e-waste generated during the manufacture of any electrical and electronic
equipment and channelise it for recycling or disposal;
2. ensure that no damage is caused to the environment during storage and transportation
of e-waste; (4) maintain records of the e-waste generated, handled and disposed in
Form-2 and make such records available for scrutiny by the concerned State Pollution
Control Board;
3. (5) file annual returns in Form-3, to the concerned State Pollution Control Board on or
before the 30th day of June following the financial year to which that return relates.
4. provide contact details such as address, e-mail address, toll-free telephone numbers or
helpline numbers to consumer(s) or bulk consumer(s) through their website and
product user documentation so as to facilitate return of end-of-life electrical and
electronic equipment;
5. affix a visible, legible and indelible symbol on the products or product user
documentation to prevent e-waste from being dropped in garbage bins containing
waste destined for disposal;
6. filing annual returns in Form-3, to the Central Pollution Control Board on or before
the 30th day of June following the financial year to which that return relates

ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN PREVENTION AND MINIMIZATION/

MITIGAITON OF POLLUTION
Each and every individual has a responsibility in minimizing and controlling pollution. The
punch line for this individual responsibility is Think Globally, Act Locally -That is, each
one should keep the welfare of the whole society in mind and take actions at the local (area,
village, neighbourhood etc) level to prevent and control pollution.

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Some steps that each individual can implement at the local level are
1. Plant more trees
2. Use CFC free refrigerators and coolants
3. Say No to plastics carry bags
4. Use ecofriendly products like bags made of cotton and jute
5. Do not buy ‘use and throw’ products
6. Carry out proper servicing and maintenance of vehicles
7. Carry out regular emission checks for vehicles
8. Use bicycles for short distances
9. Use rechargeable batteries
10. Promote and purchase organic products
11. Increase reuse and recycling
12. Use non –phosphate detergents
13. Reduce high decibel horns and speakers
14. Use less paper
15. Respect and follow laws related to pollution and environment
16. Follow a set of Personal ethics and social ethics

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UNIT IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster is a calamity concentrated in time and space causing extensive damage to human
beings, ecology and economy of a society
The losses are so high that the affected community or society cannot manage the disaster
using its own resources.
Disasters are routinely divided into natural or human-made
Various phenomena like earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes,
tornadoes, blizzards, tsunamis and cyclones are all natural disasters.
Human-made disasters are caused by the failure of human made system or technology error.
Examples are stampedes, fires, transport accidents, industrial accidents, oil spills, landslides,
floods and nuclear explosion etc.
Disaster Management
Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all human aspects of disasters.
It involves
 Preparedness for the disaster,
 Response to the disaster
 Recovery from the disaster.
Examples of disasters and disaster management
1. FLOODS
Flood can be called as an overflow of a large amount of water beyond normal limits of rivers
or streams, especially over what is normally dry land.
Causes of floods
1. Heavy rainfall
2. Sudden Snow melt
3. Sudden release of water from dams due to excessive inflow into the dams
4. Accumulation of sediments and debris on the river beds
5. Deforestation
6. Encroachment along the river banks by construction of buildings, roadways etc. thus
reducing the natural course of river
7. Construction of buildings on dried lakes and ponds thus increasing water runoff.
Effects of floods
i. Agricultural lands are destroyed due to crops being submerged in water.
ii. Cattle and other livestock are carried away by the floods
iii. Houses are damaged and destroyed, particularly mud houses in the villages.
iv. Floods cause disruption of all transport and communication.
v. There is shortage of drinking water and food supply.
vi. They cause a rise in diseases because of waterlogging. Malaria and diarrhoea are common
diseases during floods.
vii. They cause decay of organic matter, leading to growth of infection-spreading germs.
ix. People suffer from damage to life and property leading to economic loss.
Prevention of floods
1) If an area is prone to floods, houses in the region should be constructed on raised
platforms.
2) River banks should also be raised.
3) Houses should be insured to protect against economic losses.
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4) Encroachment of buildings on river banks and catchment areas like lakes and ponds
should be prevented.
5) Dams can be constructed to prevent against losses from floods.
6) Afforestation programs should be supported
7) Rivers should be cleared of harmful garbage like plastics and sediments removed.
8) Linking rivers can be planned to divert flood water.
9) Floods should be well forecasted through satellites and warnings systems should be in
place.
10) GIS maps should be prepared for areas that are prone to floods.
11) Rivers should also be mapped and the surrounding areas appropriately prepared for
floods.
12) Awareness should be created among people in being prepared for floods and
emergencies.
Management of floods
 Fire and rescue services should be on the alert and use pumps to pump off excess water
 Electricity should be cut off to prevent accidents
 People should be evacuated from low lying areas
 Emergency medical care should be available
 People should not move through flood water to avoid loss of life and to avoid diseases
 The flooded area should be thoroughly disinfected after the floods to avoid spreading of
diseases
1. CYCLONES
Cyclone is a swirling atmospheric disturbance
in which strong winds blow in a circle, and rotate in
the same direction as rotation of the earth. They are
formed over oceans in low pressure regions and move
with high speed towards coastal regions. The winds
carry rain clouds and move over 500-600 miles.
Cyclones cause heavy rains and landslides.
Cyclones are referred to as typhoons in the Pacific
Ocean, cyclones in the Indian Ocean and hurricanes in
America.
They usually occur in tropical regions due to high
temperature and humidity.
About 65-75 cyclones arise in the world every year.
They are very common in India because of its long
coastline.
Effects of cyclone

Effects of cyclone
1. Tropical cyclones cause heavy rainfall and landslides.
2. Coastal businesses like shipyards and oil wells are destroyed.
3. They harm the ecosystem of the surrounding region.
4. Civic facilities are disturbed.
5. Agricultural land is severely affected, especially in terms of water supply and soil
erosion.
6. It causes harm to human, plant and animal life.
7. Communication systems are badly affected due to cyclones.
Management of cyclone
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1. Satellite, Radar and Numerical Weather Prediction data along with GIS are used to predict
the formation, path and breaking time of cyclone on the coastal areas.
2. People along the coast are given warning about the onset of cyclone through all media
3. Rescue services are placed in readiness to help the people in affected areas
4. Water, food and medical supply are kept in standby to support the affected people.
In the 2014 cyclone in Oddisha (Hud Hud cyclone) and in 2013 (Phailin cyclone) in Andra
Pradesh, only 23 people were reported dead due to early cyclone warning systems and
preparedness. But in the 1999 cyclone, due to lack of such technology, 10000 people were
reported dead.
Cyclone Ockhi 2017, along Chennai coast – 245 dead and 991 missing and severe damage to
the extent of 500 crore rupees.
3. LANDSLIDES
Landslides are downward and outward movement of a part of a slope made of rocks, sand or
debris due to gravitational forces down the hills or mountains.
Causes of landslides
Heavy rains,
Deforestation
Mining
Construction of dams on hilly regions
Adding weight to fragile land mass by
Road construction and transport
Effects of landslides
Damage to life and property
Disruption in transport and communication
Soil erosion
Management of landslides
i. Soil can be hardened using thermal treatment.
ii. Accumulated water should be properly drained.
iii. Proper vegetation like crops and forests to be planted to bind the soil.
iv. Long-term planning in hilly regions to protect from landslides.
v. Concrete support can be given to weak slopes.
4. EARTHQUAKES
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release
of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic (energy) waves
Tectonic plates are pieces of Earth's crust and uppermost mantle, together referred to as the
lithosphere that move slowly relatively to each other. When plates slide past each other, stress
builds up in both plates, because of friction and when it exceeds the threshold of the rocks,
the energy is released causing earthquakes.
The magnitude of earthquakes are measured in the Richter scale
Causes of earthquake
Natural causes
Breaking of geological faults (discontinuity in rocks),
Volcanic activity,
Landslides,
Man-made causes Mine blasts, Nuclear Tests.
In recent studies, geologists claim that global warming is one of the reasons for increased
seismic activity. According to these studies melting glaciers and rising sea levels disturb the
balance of pressure on Earth's tectonic plates thus causing increase in the frequency and
intensity of earthquakes

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 Richter Magnitude of
scale earthquake
<4 Minor
4-4.9 Light
5-5.9 Moderate
6-6.9 Strong
7-7.9 Major
8 and >8 Great
Effects of earthquakes
1. Damage to buildings
2. Landslides
3. Volcanic activity
4. Tsunami
5. Floods
6. Fires
7. Loss of life
8. Permanent change on the ground surface
Management
1. Constructing earthquake proof buildings
2. GIS and remote sensing technology to map earthquake prone areas and increase the
preparedness
3. Special training to rescue services to handle the after effects of the earthquake
4. Giving awareness to the public as to what to do and what not to do if they feel a
tremor
5. TSUNAMI
Tsunami is a high velocity movement of large body of water in the ocean
Causes of tsunami
 Underwater earthquakes
 Under water volcanic eruptions
 Under water nuclear testing.
Effects
 Tsunami causes unmeasurable damage to environment and human lives.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami is the most devastating disaster of its kind in
modern times.
A tsunami cannot be precisely predicted, even if the magnitude and location of an earthquake
is known
Regions with a high tsunami risk typically use tsunami warning systems to warn the
population before the wave reaches land.
A tsunami warning system is being installed in the Indian Ocean.
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OF INDIA – NDMA
(ndma.gov.in)
On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management
Act, which envisaged the creation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed
by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach
to Disaster Management in India.

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 VISION
"To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and
sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of
prevention, preparedness and mitigation."
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
NDMA, as the apex body, is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for
Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.
Towards this, it has the following responsibilities: -
 Lay down policies on disaster management;
 Approve the National Plan;
 Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India
in accordance with the National Plan;
 Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State
Plan;
 Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the
Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster
or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
 Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster
management;
 Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
 Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be
determined by the Central Government;
 Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or
preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or
disasters as it may consider necessary;
 Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of
Disaster Management.
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS- ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Environmental ethics refers to the issues, principles and guidelines relating to human
interaction with nature and natural environment so as to preserve the same.
Issues related to environmental ethics
1. Overexploitation of natural resources
2. Deforestation
3. Waste of resources
4. Land degradation
5. Air, water, and land pollution
The following guidelines can be adopted for the protection of the environment.
 Change from human centric thinking to earth centric thinking
 Earth is for all organisms – not for human alone
 Earth resources are limited and we should be conscious of it
 Living in tune with Nature
 Love and honour the earth as it provides sustenance for living
 NO right to exploit or over use the resources
 Should not use power to destroy or degrade Nature
 Be conscious of future generations and their needs
 Should not be self-centred and greedy
 Should live in peace

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 VALUE EDUCATION
Value-education is the aggregate of all the process by means of which a person develops
abilities, attitudes and other forms of behavior of the positive values in the society in which
he lives.”
Values are Important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about
what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable.
Value education helps in the Development of various aspects of personality like
 physical
 emotional
 social
 Spiritual
along with intellectual and skill development
Values have major influence on a person's behavior and attitude and serve as broad
guidelines in all situations.
Some common values are fairness, tolerance, unity, simplicity, trust, honesty, integrity,
courage and love
NEED/IMPORTANCE OF VALUE EDUCATION
• to enhance the holistic growth of human beings
• to promote sustainable life style
• to increase knowledge about culture, history, patriotism, spirituality and nature
• to respect all life
• to develop positivity
Types of values
1. Individual values
For the individual- principles by which a person lives
Shaped by family and teachers - conscience, tolerance, honesty, integrity,
2. Cultural values
Values of right and wrong, good and bad, Do’s and Don’ts based on the place and time
3. Social Values
Tolerance, service, responsibility, justice
4. Spiritual values
Self- discipline, contentment, selflessness, free from negativity
5. Global values
Planet as a whole, humanity, Harmony with nature
Methods of imparting value education
1. Telling - This method can be adopted in schools and the teacher takes up the
responsibility of imparting values
2. Modelling – The teachers use a personality as a role model for imparting values
3. Role playing – The students are asked to play different roles as in a play to bring out
the values
4. Problem solving – A problem or a situation warranting the exercise of values is
presented to the students and they are asked to arrive at an amicable solution without
compromising on values
5. Reading biographies. Inspirational books – youth are encouraged to read inspirational
books to absorb the need for values.
6. Listening to inspirational Songs – youth can be encouraged to listen to songs with
motivating lyrics to appreciate and imbibe values
7. Watching Inspirational movies – youth can be taught critical appreciation of movies
and to filter and absorb the values projected in the movies

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VALUE BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Value based environmental education helps develop the following
1. Make one conscious about the need to understand the consequences of human
actions and the manner in which harm to nature can be reduced.
2. Enable an individual to engage himself in a set of activities which result in
regeneration of environmental resources.
3. make individuals and communities understand the complex nature of the
natural and the man-built environments due interaction of their biological,
physical, social, economic and cultural aspects
4. acquire the knowledge, values, attitudes and practical skills to participate in a
responsible and effective way in solving environmental problems,
manage the quality of the environment
TRADITIONAL VALUE SYSTEMS IN INDIA
Values can be defined as certain attitudes and beliefs that a person follows in his conduct.
Those standards as per which an individual judges his own actions, whether he is right or
wrong can be called as values. Value system comprises of all those beliefs and viewpoints
that the parents pass on their next generation, they further pass it on to their offspring and so,
the legacy goes on and on. Now let us come to the 'Indian Family Value System' - what is it
and how does it influence individuals. In the Indian culture, there are certain rules and
regulations that each and every child is taught right from his childhood.
Examples of Indian family values are
 young person should always touch the feet of his elders
 He /She should never speak in a high or rude tone to those who are older to him
 should always give respect to elders
 should not consume alcohol and tobacco or smoke cigarettes
 should respect women;
 should always speak truth and try to engage in non-violent behaviour; and so on.
 Some other values that are part of India's cultural heritage are:
 Living peacefully and respecting each other's rights.
 Never ever compromising on integrity for the purpose of prosperity.
 Maintain strong bonds with the family members as well as relatives.
 Being hospitable to everyone who comes to your home, irrespective of his caste,
creed, financial position or status.
 Treating guest as God i.e. 'Atithi Devo Bhava'.
 Remembering and bowing to God first thing in the morning.
 Indulging in yoga and meditation.
 Always taking the advice of elders in case of any important decision.
 Worship nature and conserving water
WATER CONSERVATION
Water is one of the major resources that needs to be conserved.
Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities to sustainably manage
the natural resource of fresh water, to protect the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and
future human demand.
Need for water conservation
1. Over exploitation of ground water resources has decreased the water table
2. Deforestation has upset the hydrological cycle resulting in less and unseasonal rain
fall

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 3. Urbanization has increased the demand for water for construction activities, domestic
equipment and modernized bathrooms.
4. Agricultural and industrial activities have increased the demand for water.
Effect of over exploitation
Water scarcity leading to drought
Conflicts over water both at the local level and state levels.
Methods of water conservation
I. Minimizing run - off losses
 Contour cultivation and terrace farming on slopes to reduce run- off and allow water
to infiltrate the soil
 Tilling and leaving agricultural residues on the soil helps in penetration of water into
the soil
II. Minimizing loss by evaporation
 Evaporation of water from soil surface can be minimized by placing asphalt barriers
below the soil.
 A layer of a co-polymer of starch and acrylonitrile (called ‘super slurper’) absorbs
water 1000 times its weight and this can be layered under the soil to slow down
evaporation. This can be used in humid regions
III. Storing water in the soil
 This can be used in humid regions. Water is stored in the root zone. Water can be
added to the surface level in the fields during the non- cultivation season and the
water retained can be used for cultivation in the following season.
IV. Reducing irrigation losses
 The irrigation canals can be lined with cement and covered to minimize loss of water
due to seepage and evaporation
 Irrigation should be done early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation
 Drip and sprinkling irrigation can be adopted, this saves 30-50% water
 Hybrid crop varieties can be developed which require less water.
V. Reduce, reuse and recycle of water
 Taps should be turned off when not in use
 Washing machines should be filled with water only to the required level
 Toilets that require less amount of water to flush should be used
 Kitchen wash water can be used for gardening
 The soapy water after washing clothes can be reused to clean back yards or toilets
 Waste water recycling units (effluent treatment plants) can be installed in apartments
and enclaves and recycled water can be used for flushing toilets and for gardening.
 Corporations can charge rates proportionate to use by installing water meters.
Rain Water Harvesting and Water Shed Management For Collection And Conservation
Of Water
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Rain water harvesting is a technique of collecting and storing rain water. This
prevents waste of rain water from run off or seepage into unproductive soil.
This is done by constructing water storage structures like tanks, percolation ponds,
dug wells etc.
The needs/objectives and advantages of rain water harvesting are
 To reduce run-off loss and soil erosion
 To avoid floods
 To meet the demand for water

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  To raise the water table
 To store and supply water during periods of scarcity
Traditional techniques of rain water harvesting
 Construction of percolation ponds
 Digging wells to drain run-off water
 Check dams to store excess flow in river water
 Under ground or ground level tanks to collect and store rain water
Modern rain water harvesting method
Roof top rain water harvesting
This is a low cost and effective method for urban housing and buildings. The rain water that
flows on the roof is collected through pipes and discharged into storage tanks either at the
ground level or below the surface of the ground. The stored water is filtered and used for
gardening, washing etc. If it is RO treated, then the water also be used for domestic purposes.
The pictures below illustrate the harvesting of rain water in different methods

A collection ridge is constructed for

sloped roofs to collect the rain water.
The water flows through pipes and is
sent to a closed storage tank at the
ground level.
This is a very cheap method and
highly suitable to semi urban and
rural houses.

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 This construction is suited for urban houses
Rain water from roof top is collected and
sent to
1. An underground tank (recharge pit)
where water is filtered through
coarse sand and gravel etc.
2. Filtered water passes through the
open bottom to recharge the
unconfined aquifer.
3. Water is drawn from the unconfined
aquifer through shallow bore wells.

This diagram shows the method for rain

water harvesting in apartment buildings,
schools and offices. The rain water is
collected through pipes from the ceiling
and sent to an underground tank fitted
with a filter to filter the impurities.
Excess water from this tank is pumped
to a send tank.
When the second tank is full, the water
is automatically pumped to the storage
tank for distribution. This water can be
used for washing, cleaning and in
toilets.
WATER SHED MANAGEMENT (methods of watershed management)
A watershed is the area of land that drains the rain water falling over it to a particular lake,
river or other water body under the influence of gravity – (catchment area)
It is fed by channels through which rain water flows down due to gravity and has one outlet
leading to a river, lake or dams.
Watershed technology is used in rain- fed, sloped areas.
When a drop of water falls inside a watershed (the land area), it flows toward that main body
of water. This flow can happen in one of two ways: by soaking into the ground or by running
off the land surface directly into the water body.
If it soaks into the ground, it becomes part of the groundwater supply.
The quality and quantity of run – off water is affected by alteration to the watershed – land,
like mining, agriculture, roadways, urban development and activities of people within the
watershed.

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 Need/Objectives /Advantages of water
sheds
1. To rehabilitate water sheds through land
management
2. To improve domestic water supply,
irrigation and power generation
3. To minimize soil erosion and water
retention so as to increase productivity of
soil.
4. To increase the ground water table
Management of water sheds/ methods of water shed 5. management
To minimize the risk of floods,
 Afforestation and agroforestry- to minimise soil landslides
erosion and surface
and run off
drought
 No till farming and Contour cropping to check the flow of water and direst towards
the lake or river 6. To control pollution
 construction of bunds, trenches and channels to direct water to the to the river or lake
7. water
 Construction of underground barriers to direct the To conserve wild life aquifers
to the unconfined
 Construction of ponds to collect the water in the catchment areas.

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UNIT V SOCIAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Human beings live in a natural and social environment. The wellbeing and the comfortable
life style of humans depend not only on material things and the money owned by an
individual but also on the resources we use from nature and how we intelligently use the
resources.
Human activities have, over a period of time, shown many developments that have
resulted in improving the life style. However, the human kind is now at cross roads, with a
compulsion to decide whether the developments should be sustainable or not to ensure the
same kind of life style to the future generations.
As every aspect of development utilizes natural resources, we are fast depleting
natural sources without any concern for the future generations. Thus, development has
resulted in environmental problems and degradation.
Hence there is an urgent need for all the nations to plan and work towards sustainable
development.
The social issues that slow down sustainable development are
1. Urban problems related to energy
2. Water conservation
3. Resettlement and Rehabilitation issues
4. Climate Change
5. Global Warming
6. Acid Rain and Ozone layer Depletion
7. Nuclear Accidents and Holocaust
8. Wasteland Reclamation
9. Consumerism and waste products
GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet
or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the lowest level of
the atmosphere, the troposphere,
Weather refers to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate is the
term for the averaging of atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time
Most of these climate changes are due to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the
amount of solar energy our planet receives.
However the unusual climate change the earth has experienced over the last 50-75 years is
mainly due to human activities. The earth is not able to manage and sustain the effects of this
human made climate change and hence the environment is affected. The main consequence of
the human activities is global warming and related climate change
What is global warming?
Global Warming is due to greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases absorb the Infrared
radiation emitted from the earth’s surface and reemit the radiation back to the earth.
This warms the surface of the earth. When the amount of these gases in the atmosphere
increases due to pollution, the warming up of the earth’s surface also increases. This is called
global warming.
Global warming is caused by high level of gases like
 Carbon di oxide
 Methane,
 CFC and
 Nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere
These gases are called greenhouse gases. The major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and
methane
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(Green house is a glass structure in which plants that need tropical climate are grown. The
glass allows sun’s radiation to enter the glass house and the inside is warmed up. The heat
rays do not leave the glass house as it is a closed structure – example locked car parked in
the sun)

Causes of global warming

1. Burning of fossil fuels
2. Emissions from vehicles
3. Burning of wastes
4. Cooling equipment using CFCs
Effects of global warming
1. Climate change due to global warming
 longer and hotter heat waves,
 more frequent droughts,
 heavier rainfall
 more number of and more powerful cyclones.
 Increase in ocean temperatures
2. Other effects of global warming
 Melting glaciers,
 Water shortages
 Increase the risk of forest fires.
 Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding
 Damage or destruction of agriculture and fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and Alpine meadows could drive many plant
and animal species to extinction.
 Outbreak of Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease due to increased higher levels
of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favourable to pathogens and mosquitoes.
Reducing or mitigating global warming
1. Planting more trees to absorb CO2
2. Switching over to alternate and renewable sources of energy – this will reduce
burning of fossil fuels in thermal power plants
3. Using energy star / energy saving electrical appliances
4. Minimizing production of waste – burning of waste will generate carbon dioxide and
using them for landfills will generate methane.
5. Reducing the use of vehicles – taking public transport / carpooling will help reduce
CO2 emission

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 6. Conserving water
7. Spreading awareness about global warming and methods to control.

ACID RAIN / ACID SNOW/ ACID FOG

Caused by Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX)
Sources
Natural
• Volcanic eruption
Major Man-made sources:
• Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. .
• Vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.
Winds can blow SO2 and NOX (NO and NO2) over long distances and across borders making
acid rain a problem for everyone and not just those who live close to these sources.
The reactions leading to acid rain are
• SO2 + H2O -> H2SO3
• 2H2SO3 + O2 -> 2H2SO4
• 2NO2 + H2O -> HNO3
Effects
1. Corrosion of bridges, monuments, , statues, buildings
2. Blackening of marble structures – Taj Mahal
3. Lakes, water bodies – become acidic- Aquatic ecosystem and aquatic life affected
4. Soil becomes acidic – Crops and plants , forests affected. Agriculture yield decreases.
5. Activity of microorganisms changed – soil nutrition reduced.
Control measures
1. Reduce the use of fossil fuels
2. Check emissions before release into atmosphere
3. Use of pollution control equipment
4. Liming of soil and water bodies to neutralize the acid

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Ozone in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere), is protective layer which screens out harmful
ultraviolet rays. Stratospheric ozone is formed naturally by chemical reactions involving solar
ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) and oxygen molecules, which make up 21% of the atmosphere.

3O2 UV light 2O3

Thus formation of ozone absorbs UV radiation and helps in protecting the earth from harmful
UV radiation,
(UV A radiation – 320-400 nm- not absorbed by ozone layer – reaches the surface of the
earth
UV B radiation – 280-320 nm – harmful radiation - absorbed by ozone layer – does not reach
the earth’s surface- earth is protected by the ozone layer
UV C radiation -100-280 nm – very harmful radiation - completely absorbed by ozone layer)
Thickness of ozone layer is measured in Dobson Units –
100 DU = 1mm thickness of pure ozone at 1 atm pressure and at 0C
Polar regions – 450 DU
Temperate latitude – 350 DU
Tropics – 250 DU

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Stratospheric ozone depletion -decreasing the thickness of the ozone layer in the
stratosphere (holes in ozone layer).Chemicals that can destroy the ozone in the stratosphere -
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons (organic compounds that contain halogens- Chlorine and
bromine)
Sources
• Air conditioners and refrigerators
• Jet exhaust
• Propellants
• Fire extinguishers.
• Chemical industries.
The reactions are
 CFCl3 + UV radiation → Cl· + ·CFCl2
 Cl· + O3 → ClO + O2
 ClO + O3 → Cl· + 2 O2
Effects of ozone layer depletion
 Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, animals and plants due to
higher levels of UVradiation reaching us on earth.
 UV rays cause different types of skin cancer
 Exposure to UV rays can cause early cataract formation in the eyes.
 Plant growth as well as its physiological development are affected
 Changes in UV levels are known to affect the development and growth of phytoplankton
and hence the
 Marine food chain.
 Animals are affected in the same way as the humans by exposure to UV radiation. They
also develop cancers and other disorders.
Control measures
 Replace halon-based fire extinguishers with others using foam.
 Use cars only when necessary. The less we use our cars, the less pollutants we will emit
into the atmosphere.
 Buy refrigerators or air conditioner equipment without CFCs as refrigerant.
 Do not use cleaning solvents containing CFCs
NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS AND HOLOCAUST
Definition
A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the International Atomic agency as an “event
that has led to significant consequences to people, the environment or the facility”. Examples
include lethal effects to individuals, large radioactivity release to the environment, or “reactor
core melt.”
Effects of nuclear holocaust
 The radioactive fallout causes radioactive material to deposit itself over large areas of
ground.
 Genetic damage and cancer of the exposed population
 Increase in psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression
 Economic loss due to decrease in trade
 Social effects due to fall in immigration
CASE STUDIES
Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster – Nuclear pollution - Nuclear Holocaust
The Chernobyl disaster, also referred to as the Chernobyl accident, was a nuclear
accident. It occurred on 25–26 April 1986 in the No.4 light water graphite moderated

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reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster was given the Level 7 event
classification of the International Nuclear Event Scale (The maximum value)
During the accident, steam-blast effects caused two deaths within the facility; one
immediately after the explosion, and the other, by a lethal dose of radiation.
Over the coming days and weeks, 134 servicemen were hospitalized with acute radiation
symptoms, of which 28 firemen and employees died in the days-to-months afterward from
the effects of acute radiation syndrome(ARS). In addition, approximately fourteen radiation
induced cancer deaths followed within the next ten years.
By 2006, Chernobyl may have caused about 1000 cases of thyroid cancer and 4000 cases of
other cancers in Europe,
The four most harmful radionuclides spread from Chernobyl were iodine-131, caesium-
134, caesium-137 and strontium-90,
After the disaster, four square kilometres of pine forest directly downwind of the
reactor turned reddish-brown and died, earning the name of the "Red Forest".
Some animals in the worst-hit areas also died or stopped reproducing. Horses left on an island
in the Pripyat River 6 km from the power plant died when their thyroid glands were destroyed
by radiation doses. Some cattle on the same island died and those that survived were stunted
because of thyroid damage
The Fukushima disaster was the most significant nuclear incident since the April 26,
1986 Chernobyl disaster and the second disaster to be given the Level 7 event classification
of the International Nuclear Event Scale
It was an energy accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima Prefecture, initiated primarily by the tsunami following
the Tōhoku earthquake on 11 March 2011;
There have been no fatalities linked to radiation due to the accident, A screening program a
year later in 2012 found that more than a third (36%) of children in Fukushima
Prefecture have abnormal growths in their thyroid glands. As of August 2013, there have
been more than 40 children newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer and other cancers
in Fukushima prefecture as a whole. In 2015, the number of thyroid cancers or detections of
developing thyroid cancers numbered 137.
Contamination of seeping groundwater by melted-down nuclear fuel, happened due to
groundwater flowing in and mixing with highly radioactive water inside the wrecked reactor
buildings.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental
impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-
economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
Objectives of EIA:
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental,
social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making.
 It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and
design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local
environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.
 By using EIA both environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as
reduced cost and time of project implementation and design, avoided treatment/clean-up costs
and impacts of laws and regulations.
Stages / Processes of EIA:
a. Screening to determine which projects or developments require a full or partial
impact assessment study;

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 b. Scoping to identify which potential impacts are relevant to assess (based on
legislative requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge and public
involvement), to identify alternative solutions that avoid, mitigate or compensate
adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of not proceeding with the
development, finding alternative designs or sites which avoid the impacts,
incorporating safeguards in the design of the project, or providing compensation
for adverse impacts), and finally to derive terms of reference for the impact
assessment;
c. Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives , to
predict and identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or
development, including the detailed elaboration of alternatives;
d. Reporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA report,
including an environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical
summary for the general audience.
e. Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), based on the terms of
reference (scoping) and public (including authority) participation.
f. Decision-making on whether to approve the project or not, and under what
conditions; and
g. Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental auditing. Monitor
whether the predicted impacts and proposed mitigation measures occur as
defined in the EMP. Verify the compliance of proponent with the EMP, to ensure
that unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation measures are identified and
addressed in a timely fashion.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present generation
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
This means optimum use of natural resources with high degree of reusability,
minimum wastage, least generation of toxic products and maximum productivity
Need for Sustainable development / Goals of sustainable development
1. To minimize the depletion of natural resources while designing and executing new
developments.
2. To execute development that can be maintained and sustained without causing
further harm to the environment.
3. To provide methods for modifying existing developments to make
them environmentally- friendly facilities and projects.
Dimensions of sustainable development
The main dimensions of sustainable development are
1. Economic
2. Environment and
3. Social community
All the three are interdependent as shown in the diagram.
The overlapping of the three dimensions is the key
aspect of sustainable development.
The two aspects of sustainable development are
i. Inter -generation equity
ii. intra-generation equity
i. Inter- generation equity – this emphasizes in handing over, a safe, healthy and resourceful
environment to our future generations by (a) reducing over-exploitation of natural resources

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(b) reducing environmental pollution (c) reduce the generation of waste and (d) by
maintaining ecological balance.
ii. Intra-generation equity – this lays emphasis on the right of every nation to have equal
access to all natural resources in the present times. This will minimize the gap between under
developed, developing and developed nations and promote economic growth for the under-
developed and developing nations by providing technological help.
The two types of equity can be achieved by
 Developing appropriate technology that will preserve nature – Design With Nature
 Reduce, Reuse and Recycle,
 Environmental education and awareness
 Conservation of non-renewable energy
 Use of renewable resources
 Population control
 Resource utilization as per carrying capacity
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of seventeen pointer targets that all the
countries which are members of the UN agreed to work upon for the better future of the
country.
The 17 goals under the Sustainable Development Goals are as mentioned below:
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all stages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and decent work for all
9. Built resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation
10. Reduce inequalities within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern
13. Take urgent actions to combat climate change and its impact
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
managed forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt
biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access
to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development
Sustainable Development Goals in India
India’s record in implementing Sustainable Development Goals
 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is being
implemented to provide jobs to unskilled labourers and improve their living standards.
 National Food Security Act is being enforced to provide subsidized food grains.
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  The government of India aims to make India open defecation free under its flagship
programme Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
 Renewable energy generation targets have been set at 175 GW by 2022 to exploit
solar energy, wind energy and other such renewable sources of energy efficiency and
reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Heritage
City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) schemes has been launched
for improving the infrastructure aspects.
 India has expressed its intent to combat climate change by ratifying the Paris
Agreement.
Millennium Development Goals
 To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
 To achieve universal primary education
 To promote gender equality and empower women
 To reduce child mortality
 To improve maternal health
 To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
 To ensure environmental sustainability
 To develop a global partnership for development

GREEN BUILDING
Introduction
The housing sector in India is growing at a rapid pace and contributing immensely to
the growth of the economy. This promise well for the country and now there is an imminent
need to introduce green concepts and techniques in this sector, which can aid growth in a
sustainable manner. Green concepts and techniques in the residential sector can help to
address national issues like handling of consumer waste, water efficiency, reduction in fossil
fuel use in commuting, energy efficiency and conserving natural resources. Most importantly,
these concepts can enhance occupant health, happiness and wellbeing.
What is green building?
A Green building should create delight when entered, serenity and health when
occupied and regret when departed’ – Perhaps this is one of the most inspiring definitions of
a green building, articulated in the book ‘Natural Capitalism’.
A green building uses less energy, water and non-renewable natural resources,
creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard
building.
Green Building concept is essentially the increase of efficiency with resources for
building activity, which includes energy, waste and materials. An attempt is made to reduce
the building impact on the environment and health through better sustainable sites,
sustainable architecture, sustainable development and integration of energy conservation. The
appearance of a Green Building will be similar to any other building. However, the difference
is in the approach, which revolves round a concern for extending the life span of natural
resources; provide human comfort, safety and productivity. This approach results in reduction
in operating costs like energy and water, besides several intangible benefits.
Some of the Salient Features of a Green Building are:
• Minimal disturbance to landscapes and site conditions:
• Use of Recycled and Environmental Friendly Building Materials.
• Use of Non-Toxic and recycled/recyclable Materials.
• Efficient use of Water and Water Recycling.

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 • Use of Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly Equipment.
• Use of Renewable Energy.
• Indoor Air Quality for Human Safety and Comfort.
• Effective Controls and Building Management Systems.
Need for Green Building
The environmental impact of the building design, construction and operation industry
is significant. Buildings annually consume more than 20% of the electricity used in India.
Green building practices can substantially reduce or eliminate negative environmental
impacts and improve existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices.
As an added benefit, green design measures reduce operating costs, enhance building
marketability, increase worker productivity and reduce potential liability resulting from
indoor air quality problems.
Benefit of Green Building
A Green Building can have tremendous benefits, both tangible and intangible. The
immediate and most tangible benefit is in the reduction in operating energy and Water costs
right from day one, during the entire life cycle of the building. The Energy savings could
range from 25 – 40 % depending on the extent of green specifications.
Building Management System (BMS)
Building Management System (BMS) is one of the important components in
constructing a green building. It ensures that the building remains green, through its life.
BMS basically a solution, which is put into a facility to ensure an environment that is safe,
secure, comfortable and energy efficient.
Benefits of Building Management System (BMS) :
• Operational energy saving to the extent of 15% - 20%.
• Maintenance of comfort conditions.
• Enhances indoor air quality.
• Provides critical alarms and remedial actions.
Energy Saving Approach in Buildings
The Following measures can be adopted:
• Minimize exposure on the south and west.
• Use simulation tools and techniques which can help in designing the orientation to
minimize heat ingress and enhance energy efficiency.
b) Building Envelope
The following envelope measures can be considered: • Select high performance
glazing with low U-value, low Shading Coefficient and high VLT (Visual Light
Transmittance). • Insulate the wall. The options for insulation materials can be – Extruded
polystyrene, expanded polystyrene (thermocol), Glass wool etc., • Brick wall with air cavity
can also significantly reduce the heat ingress. • Hollow blocks, fly ash bricks and Autoclaved
Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks are also good insulators. • The heat ingress through the roof
can be as high as 12% -15%. Insulating the roof can substantially reduce the heat ingress.
• Consider shading devices for window openings.
Green Building Material and Equipment
High performance glass, Wall & Roof insulation, Low VOC paints, adhesives &
sealants, CRI certified carpets, FSC Certified wood, high albedo roofing material, Fly ash
blocks, Ecofriendly chemicals waterless urinals, high CoP chillers, CO2 sensors, root zone
treatment plants, wind towers.
Rating System for Green Building
The IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) has launched two rating programmes
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) India NC (New Construction) and

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LEED India CS (Core & Shell). In new construction it may sub divided for individual homes
and multi- dwelling units. The LEED green building rating system evaluates environmental
performance from a whole building perspective over a building’s life cycle, providing a
definitive standard for what constitutes a green building. The LEED green building rating
system developed by the US Green Building Council is now recognized as an international
rating system and followed by more than 24 countries. The LEED rating system has been
indigenized by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to suit the national context and
priorities.
Maximum possible points for rating system for different type of buildings are as
follows:
Sr No Items Core and Shell (CS) New construction (NC).
Individual homes Multi-dwelling
units
1. Sustainable site / site 14 09 10
efficiency
2. Water efficiency 06 23 23
3. Energy efficiency 14 20 19
4. Material and resources 11 13 10
5. Indoor air quality 11 10 09
6. Innovation and design 05 04 04
process
Total 61 79 75
Green building may be classified on the basis of obtaining of points as Leed certified,
Leed silver, Leed gold, and Leed platinum.
Requirement of points for classification are as under:
Classification Core and Shell (CS) New construction (NC)
Individual homes Multi dwelling units
Leed certified 23-27 32-39 30-37
Leed Silver 28-33 40-46 38-44
Leed Gold 34-44 47-54 45-52
Leed platinum 45-61 55-79 53-75
Green Building Movement in India
The Green Building movement in India is a step in this direction – to minimize the negative
impact of construction activity on the environment. The Green Building movement in the
country spearheaded by CII has gained tremendous impetus over the last six years. With a
modest beginning of 20,000 sq. ft. of green footprint in the country in the year 2003, today
about 80 green buildings with a footprint of over 25 million sq. ft. are being constructed in
India. India ranks fourth in the world after USA, Australia and Canada.
 A period of at least one month is given for public inspection and submission of
comments towards the EIS for final decision.
 After final review a decision is ultimately taken to either approve of reject the
proposed project.
ISO 14001:
 ISO 14001 is an international standard for designing and implementing an
environmental management system (EMS).
 ISO 14001 requirements provide a framework and guidelines for creating
environmental management system.
 The most recent version of the environmental management system requirements was
published in 2015, and is referred to as “ISO 14001:2015.”
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Environmental management system
An environmental management system (EMS) is comprised of the policies, processes, plans,
practices and records that define the rules governing howcompany interacts with the
environment. The ISO 14001 requirements provide a framework and guidelines for creating
environmental management system
Importance of ISO 14001
 preventing companies from causing negative impacts on the environment
 to reduce their environmental footprint.
Sections in ISO 14001
The ISO 14001 structure is split into ten sections. The first three are introductory, with the
last seven containing the requirements for the environmental management system.
 Section 4: Context of the organization
 Section 5: Leadership
 Section 6: Planning
 Section 7: Support
 Section 8: Operation
 Section 9: Performance evaluation
 Section 10: Improvement.

These sections are based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which uses these elements to
implement change within the processes of the organization in order to drive and maintain
improvements within the processes.

*****

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