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Environmental Problems and Ecological Issues Notes

The document outlines various environmental problems and ecological issues in India, including air and water pollution, soil degradation, deforestation, and climate change, along with their causes and impacts. It also discusses key ecological issues such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem imbalance, and highlights government initiatives and international agreements aimed at addressing these challenges. Lastly, it emphasizes the need for sustainable development and public participation to effectively tackle environmental concerns.

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262 views3 pages

Environmental Problems and Ecological Issues Notes

The document outlines various environmental problems and ecological issues in India, including air and water pollution, soil degradation, deforestation, and climate change, along with their causes and impacts. It also discusses key ecological issues such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem imbalance, and highlights government initiatives and international agreements aimed at addressing these challenges. Lastly, it emphasizes the need for sustainable development and public participation to effectively tackle environmental concerns.

Uploaded by

prachikharb18
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Environmental Problems and Ecological

Issues
1. Meaning and Difference
- Environmental Problems: Issues that negatively impact the environment (air, water, soil,
biodiversity).
- Ecological Issues: Broader concerns related to the interaction between organisms and
their environment, including balance of ecosystems.

2. Major Environmental Problems in India


 a. Air Pollution

- Causes: Vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, crop residue burning.


- Impacts: Respiratory diseases, acid rain, climate change.
- Examples: Delhi’s air pollution crisis, AQI exceeding safe limits.

 b. Water Pollution

- Sources: Industrial effluents, sewage discharge, agricultural runoff.


- Effects: Contaminated drinking water, loss of aquatic life.
- Examples: Pollution in Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

 c. Soil Degradation

- Causes: Overuse of chemical fertilizers, deforestation, erosion.


- Consequences: Reduced agricultural productivity, desertification.

 d. Deforestation

- Reasons: Urbanization, mining, agriculture.


- Impact: Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, disturbed rainfall pattern.

 e. Waste Management

- Issues: Inadequate segregation, plastic pollution, e-waste.


- Examples: Overflowing landfills in urban areas like Mumbai, Delhi.

 f. Climate Change

- Factors: Greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation.


- Results: Global warming, rising sea levels, erratic monsoons.

 g. Noise Pollution
- Sources: Traffic, construction, loudspeakers.
- Effects: Hearing loss, stress, wildlife disturbance.

3. Key Ecological Issues


 a. Loss of Biodiversity

- Causes: Habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation.


- Impacts: Disruption of food chains, extinction of species.

 b. Ecosystem Imbalance

- Reasons: Invasive species, climate change, human intervention.


- Examples: Decline of pollinators like bees affecting crop production.

 c. Depletion of Natural Resources

- Examples: Groundwater overuse, overfishing, forest exploitation.

 d. Human-Wildlife Conflict

- Cause: Encroachment into forests.


- Examples: Elephant attacks in Odisha, tiger-human conflicts in MP.

 e. Wetland Degradation

- Wetlands like Chilika Lake, Vembanad are losing ecological function due to encroachment
and pollution.

4. Government Initiatives & Policies


Initiative Objective
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) To reduce particulate pollution in cities.
Namami Gange Mission Rejuvenation of river Ganga.
Swachh Bharat Mission Sanitation and waste management.
CAMPA Fund Compensatory afforestation.
Plastic Waste Management Rules Ban on single-use plastics.
Project Tiger / Project Elephant Conservation of flagship species.

5. International Environmental Agreements


Agreement Focus
Paris Agreement (2015) Climate change mitigation.
Montreal Protocol Phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Biodiversity protection.
UNFCCC Framework for tackling climate change.
6. Challenges in Addressing Environmental Issues
- Population pressure
- Lack of awareness and education
- Policy implementation gaps
- Industrial and political resistance
- Urbanization and infrastructure pressure

7. Way Forward / Solutions


- Promoting sustainable development
- Use of renewable energy
- Afforestation and reforestation
- Better urban planning
- Strict environmental laws
- Public participation and awareness

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