Environmental Science Module 4

MODULE 4
SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

UNIT 4 SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable development, Urban problems related to energy, Environmental ethics –Issues,

Solutions; Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion, Nuclear accidents and case
studies, Wasteland reclamation, Consumerism and waste products, Concept of green
technologies, Environment justice: National Green Tribunal and its importance;
Environment protection act, Air act, Water act, Wildlife protection act, Forest conservation
act, Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation, Public environmental
awareness.

4.1 SOCIAL ISSUES AND ENVIRONMENT

4.1.1 Introduction:
[Link] From Unsustainable to Sustainable Development
Man is part of the nature and he is bound to obey the laws of nature. He depends
on hisenvironment for basic things. More developmental activities are adopted in
order to increase the quality of life. For that he uses the available resources. The
Earth has limited supply of resources and renewable resources. These are to be
managed in a scientific manner for availing the generations to come. Hence
developmental activities are to be taken with more care about the environment and
its protection. It brings benefits to all not only to the present generation but also for
future generations.

Sustainable development: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising

the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.

Important components of Sustainable development:

1. Economic development

2. Community development

3. Environmental protection

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True sustainable development aims at optimum use of natural resources with high
degree of reusability, minimum wastage, least generation of toxic by-products and
maximum productivity. Aspects of sustainable development:

Inter generational equity-It states stat we should hand over a safe, healthy
andresourceful environment to future generation.

Intra generational equity:

A technological development of rich countries should support the economic
growth of poor countries and help in narrowing the wealth gap and lead to
sustainability.

[Link] Approaches for sustainable development:

1. Devloping appropriate technology-technology which is locally adoptable,
ecofriendly,resource efficient and culturally suitable should be adopted. It uses local
labour, less resources and produces minimum waste.
2. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R approach) –Optimum use of natural resources
using it again and again instead of throwing it on wasteland or water and recycling
the material in to further products. It reduces waste generation and pollution.
3. Providing environmental education and awareness-Thinking and attitude of
people towards earth and environment should be changed by providing
environmental awareness and education.
4. Consumption of renewable resources- It is very important to consume the natural
resources in such a way that the consumption should not exceed the regeneration

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capacity.
5. Non-renewable resources should be conserved by recycling and reusing.
6. By population control we can make sustainable development.

4.1.2 Urban problems related to energy:

Urbanization –Movement of human population from rural; areas to urban areas for
want of better education, communication, health, employment etc.
Causes:
Cities are the main centers of economic growth, trade transportation, medical
facilities and employment.
Urban sprawl:
The phenomenon of spreading of the cities in to sub-urban or rural areas is called
urban sprawl. Urban growth is so fast and is difficult to accommodate all commercial
industrial residential and educational facilities within the limited area.

4.1.3 Energy demanding activities:

Urban people consume lot of energy and materials in comparison with
rural people. This is because urban people have high standard of life and
their life style demand more energy.

Examples for energy demands:

1. Residential and commercial lightings.
2. Industries using large proportion of energy.
3. Usage of fans fridge, A.C, washing machines.

Control and prevention of pollution technologies need more energy.

Solution for urban energy problems:

1. Energy consumption must be minimized in all aspects.

2. Public transportation should be used instead of motor cycles and cars.
3. Using of solar energy and wind energy.
4. Production capacity must be increased.

4.2 WATER CONSERVATION

The original source of water is precipitation from the atmosphere. The water
available on the earth may occur in all three stages as gas, liquid or solid.
Temperature is the main factor in deciding the state of water. As a liquid, the water

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forms hydrosphere. About 75%of the Earth’s surface is covered by the hydrosphere.
The process of saving water for future utilization is called conservation of water.

Need for water conservation.

1. Better life style requires more fresh water.

2. Agriculture and Industrial activities require more fresh water.
3. As the population increases the requirement of water is also more.

4.2.1 Strategies of water conservation

1. Reducing evaporation losses

Evaporation of water in humid regions can be reduced by placing

horizontalBarriers of asphalt below the soil surface.

2. Reducing irrigation losses

Sprinkling and irrigation conserves water by 30- 40%. Irrigation in

early morning (or) later evening reduces evaporation losses.
Growing hybrid crop varieties also conserve water.
3. Reuse of water

Treated waste water can be reused for irrigation. Water from

washings, bath rooms [Link] be used for washing cars, gardening.

4. Preventing of wastage of water

Closing the taps when not in use and repairing any leakage from
pipes.

5. Decreasing run off losses

Run off, on most of the soils can be reduced by using contour

cultivation(or) Terrace farming.

6. Avoid discharge of sewage

Disposal into natural water resources should be avoided

4.2.2 Methods of water conservation

Rain water Harvesting and Watershed management

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1. Water Harvesting

It means capturing rain where it falls or capturing the run off in your
own village or town. And taking measures to keep that water clean
by not allowing polluting activities to take place in the catchment.

Therefore, water harvesting can be undertaken through a variety of

ways
• Capturing runoff from rooftops
• Capturing runoff from local catchments
• Capturing seasonal floodwaters from local streams
• Conserving water through watershed management
These techniques can serve the following the following purposes:
• Provide drinking water
• Provide irrigation water
• Increase groundwater recharge
• Reduce stormwater discharges, urban floods and overloading of
sewage treatment plants

In general, water harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater. The

rainwater collected can be stored for direct use or can be recharged into the
groundwater. Rain is the first form of water that we know in the hydrological cycle,
hence is a primary source of water for us. Rivers, lakes and groundwater are all
secondary sources of water. In present times, we depend entirely on such secondary
sources of water. In the process, it is forgotten that rain is the ultimate source that
feeds all these secondary sources and remain ignorant of its value. Water harvesting
means to understand the value of rain, and to make optimum use of the rainwater at
the place where it falls.

2. Rainwater harvesting.
It is a technique of collecting and storing rain water for use in
non-monsoon periods. In the present age, concrete houses, well-
built roads, footpaths and well –concreted courtyards have left
few open grounds. With the decrease in natural forest cover,
increase in concrete jungles and the decrease in exposed earth;

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very little open ground is left for water to soak in and thereby
increase the ground water table. So, artificial recharging of the
ground water is extremely essential. It is done through rain water
harvesting. For the purpose, rain water is collected at the roof top
or in an open well and then carried down for immediate use or it
is directed into the aquifer.
Rain water harvesting techniques
There are two main techniques for rain water harvesting:

1. Storage of rain water on the surface for future use

2. Recharge of ground water

Recharge of ground water is a recent concept and the structures used for the purpose
are:
• Pits
• Trenches
• Dug wells
• Hand pumps
• Recharge shaft
• Lateral shafts with bore wells
• Spreading technique

Objectives of rain water harvesting.

1. To raise the water table by recharging the ground water.

2. To minimize water crises and water conflicts

3. To reduce rain water run off and soil erosion.

4. To reduce the ground water contamination from intrusion of saline water

Concept of rain water harvesting

Rain water harvesting involves collecting water that falls on roof of house during
Rain and conveying water through PVC or Al pipe to a near by covered storage tank.

Method of rain water harvesting

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1. Roof top method: collecting rain water from roof of the building and storing
in theground. It is the low cost and effective technique for urban houses and
buildings.

2. The rain water from roofs, road surfaces, play grounds is diverted into the surface
tank or recharge pits. The pit base is filled with stones and sand which serves as a
filler.

Advantages:
Rise in ground water level and minimizing the soil erosion and flood Hazards.
Scarcity ofwater is reduced.

Rainwater harvesting systems channel rainwater that falls on to a roof into storage
via a system of gutters and pipes. The first flush of rainwater after a dry season
should be allowed to run to waste as it will be contaminated with dust, bird droppings
etc. Roof gutters should have sufficient incline to avoid standing water. They must
be strong enough, and large enough to carry peak flows. Storage tanks should be
covered to prevent mosquito breeding and to reduce evaporation losses,
contamination and algal growth. Rainwater harvesting systems require regular
maintenance and cleaning to keepthe system hygienic.

4.3 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

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4.3.1 Water shed (or) drainage basin: It is defined as land area from which water
drainsunder the influence of gravity into stream, lake, reservoir (or) other body of
surface water. Watershed management of rain fall and resultant run off is called
watershed management.

Factors affecting watershed:

1. Overgrazing . deforestation , mining , construction activities

affect and degradewatershed.
2. Droughty climate also affects the water shed.

Need or objectives of watershed management

1. To raise the ground water level.

2. To protect the soil from erosion by run off.

3. To minimize the risks of floods, drought and landslides.

4. To generate huge employment opportunities in backward rain fed areas to

ensure security for livelihood.

[Link] Watershed management techniques

• Trenches (pits) were dug at equal intervals to improve ground water storage.

• Earthern dam or stone embankment must be constructed to check run off

water.
• Farm pond can be built to improve water storage capacity of the catchment’s
area.
[Link] Maintenance of watershed
1. Water harvesting: Proper storage of water in water shed can be used indry
season In low rainfall areas.

2. Afforestation and Agro-forestry help to prevent soil erosion and retention of

moisture in watershed areas.

3. Reducing soil erosion: Terracing, contour cropping minimize soil erosion and
run offon the slopes of water sheds

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4. Scientific mining and quarrying minimize the destructive effect of mining in water
shed areas Public participation is essential for water shed management. People
should be motivated for maintaining water harvesting structures implemented by the
government.

4.4 RESETTLEMENT & REHABILITATION

Based on the resettlement schemes proposed by each affected village and present
policies, laws and regulations of different levels of governments and the resettlement
requirements of ADB, the Resettlement Plan of Lauding Expressway Project was
preparedby PPTA consulting team and the staff from NPAEC under GPCD assisted
by design institute and Local County and township governments.

Target and Task

The overall objective of resettlement and rehabilitation is to ensure that the affected
production base will be restored, the affected labor force will be re-employed, and
income and livelihood of affected people will be improved or at least restored to
their previous levels before resettlement.

At present, the rural population of project impact area is mainly engaged in

agricultural actives, with most of their income coming from planting, economic
trees, and animal husbandry. According to the actual production and living standard
among affected villages, and the approved economic and social development plans
for the relevant counties, the target of

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Resettlement and rehabilitation is set as follows:

(1) The resettle’s grain production level will be self-sufficient after

resettlement.

(2) The income per capita shall be recovered to the standard before
resettlement.

(3) The affected public infrastructures, school, hospitals, social welfare

level, natural environment and traffic condition etc. shall be improved after
resettlement.

Resettlement Task

In 2005, there were 2,829 households with 13,149 persons to be resettled or

rehabilitated, in which 520 households and 2,352 persons will need house relocation.

The basic resettlement policy of Lauding Expressway Project is to respect the wishes
of affected People and maintain their current production and living traditions. Based
on consultation of local affected peoples, the economic rehabilitation will be based
on developing replaced farming Resources within their own townships and villages.
Planting will be the focus of economic Rehabilitation strategy by developing new
farmland and improving the remaining farmland in the affected villages, and
supplemented by developing various other income generation opportunities in the
project areas. In other words, the resettlement and rehabilitation strategy will first to
reestablish the physical production bases for the affected persons, which will provide
a long-term development potential by fully utilizing local land resources.

Resettlement Principle
Under such policy, a number of resettlement and rehabilitation principles have been
developed for the Project.

(1) The resettlement plan will be based on detailed inventory for land
acquisition and houses Demolition, and adopted compensation standards and

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subsidies.

(2) The resettlement shall be combined with the local development, resource
utilization and Economic growth as well as environment protection. Considering the
local conditions, a Practical and feasible resettlement plan should be developed to
restore or improve their Economic production and createbasic conditions for long-
term development.

Overall Scheme of Resettlement

Since the construction of Lauding Expressway Project will only acquire limited land
acquisition and demolition along the road alignment line, it will not have significant
negative impacts on production and livelihood for most affected villages. A series
of consultation meetings were held among affected villages and townships.
According to the resettle’s opinion and suggestion, and combined with the actual
condition of affected area, the basic rehabilitation scheme was determined as
follows:

(1) Project affected persons will be resettled within their original villages and
village groups, so
that their way of production, living and social relationship can be maintained, which
will be beneficial for them to restore or improve their production and income level
after resettlement.

(2) In order to reduce the impacts on the production and livelihood among
resettle’s, the demolished houses will be dismantled after the new houses built. The
reconstruction of houses will adopt two approaches. For most relocated households,
they will choose to rebuild their houses by themselves, and all salvage materials will
belong to them. The second approach is for those who live near towns, their
rehabilitation will be carried out by local government in order to promote small town
development and save farmland.

(3) The rural relocated households will be resettled in their original villages. For
those who lose
Some farmland, the land-based rehabilitation will be adopted with a combination of
developing new farmland, redistributing remaining farmland and receiving their
share ofresettlement subsidy among affected village groups.

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Environmental Ethics
It refers to issues, principles and guidelines related to human interactionswith their
Environment.

(OR)

Ethics is a branch of philosophy. It deals with morals and values. An ethic is a

principle or value that we use to decide whether an action is good or bad.
Ethics differs from country to country.

Functions of Environment:
1. It moderates climate conditions of the soil.

2. A healthy economy depends on healthy environment.

3. It is the life supporting medium forall organisms.

4. It provides food, air, water and other important natural resources to the human
beings
Environmental problems: Deforestation activities, population growth and
urbanization water Pollution due to effluents and smoke from industries, Scarcity.

Solution to environmental problems:

Reduce the waste matter and energy resources.

Recycle and reuse as many of our waste product and resources as possible. Avoid
over exploitation of natural resources.
Minimse soil degradation and Protect the biodiversity of the earth. Reduce
population andincrease the economic growth our country.

Ethical guidelines on environmental protection:

1. The earth is the habitat of all living species and not of human beings alone.
2. Natural resources and energies are depleting fast. We must protect them.
3. Involve yourself in the care of the earth and experience nature.
4. Respect nature, you are a part of it.
5. Think of the global cause and act for local protection

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6. Keep yourself informed about ecological changes and developments.

7. Observe austerity, reserve scarce resources for the future and the future
generations.
8. We must be cooperative, honest, affectionate and polite to society and
nature.

4.5 CLIMATE:

It is the average weather of an area. It is the general weather condition, seasonal

variations of the region. The average of such conditions for a long period is called
climate.

Causes of climate changes:

1. Presence of green house gases in the atmosphere Increases the global
temperature.
2. Depletion of ozone layer increases the global temperature.

Effects of climate change:

1. Small climate changes disturb agriculture which leads To migration of animals
and human.
2. Climate change may upset hydrological cycle which results in floods and
droughts in different parts of the world.

3. Global pattern of winds and oceans currents also gets disturbed by climate
change.

Green house effect: Green house gases are CO2, Methane. Nitrous oxide NO2, CFC
Among these CO2 is the most important green house gas. O3 and SO2 act as
serious pollutants causing global warming. Progrssive warming up of a gas
surface due to blanketing effect of man made CO2 atmosphere.

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4.6 GLOBAL WARMING:

Green house gases in the atmosphere are transparent to light but absorb IR radiation.
These gases allow sunlight to penetrate the atmosphere and are absorbed by the earth
surface. This sunlight is radiated back as IR which is absorbed by gases. As a result
the earth surface and lower atmosphere becomes warm. This is called global
warming.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING:

1. Sea level increases as result of melting and thermal expansion of ocean.

2. High CO2 level in the atmosphere have a long term negative effect on crop
productionand forest growth.
3. Global rainfall pattern will change. Drought and floods will become more
common. Raising temperature will increase domestic water demand.
4. Many plants and animal species will have a problem of adapting. Many will be at
the risk of extinction, more towering verities will thrive.

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5. As the earth becomes warmer the floods and drought becomes more frequent.
Therewould be increase in water-borne diseases.

MEASURES TO CHECK GLOBAL WARMING:

• CO2 emission can be cut by reducing the use of fossil fuel.

• Plant more trees.
• Shifting from coal to natural gas.
• Stabilize population growth.
• Remove efficiently CO2 from smoke stocks.
• Removal atmospheric CO2 by utilizing photo synthetic algae.

4.7 ACID RAIN:

Normal rain water is always slightly acidic (pH 5-5.6) because of Co2 present in the
atmosphere gets dissolved in it. Because presence of SO2 and NO2 gases as
pollutants in the atmosphere. The pH of the rain is further lowered. This type of
precipitation of wateris called acid rain.

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Formation:
Acid rain means the presence of excessive acids in the rain water. The thermal power
plants industries and vehicles release NO2 and SO2 in to the atmosphere due to the
burning of coal and oil. These gases reacts with water vapor in the atmosphere and
from acids like HNO3, H2SO4. These acids descends on to the earth as acid rain
through rain water.

EFFECTS:

Effect on human being:

Human nervous system respiratory system and digestive system are affected
by acidrain. It cause premature death from heart and lung disorder like asthma,
bronchitis.

On building:
At present Taj Mahal in Agra is suffering due to SO2 and H2SO4 fumes from
Madura refinery.
Acid rain corrodes houses, monuments, statues, bridges and fences.

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Acid rain causes corrosion of metals.

Terestrial and lake Ecosystem.

Reduce the rate of photosynthesis and growth in terrestrial vegetation.

Acid rain retards the growth of crops like beans potato, carrot, spinach. Acid rain
reduces fish population, black flies, mosquitoes, deer flies occurs largely which
causes number of complications in ponds rivers and lakes.
Activity of bacteria and other microscopic animals is reduced in acidic water. The
dead materials are not rapidly decomposed. Hence the nutrients like N, P are locked
up in dead matter.

Control of acid rain:

Emission of No2 and SO2 from industries from power plants should be reduced by
usingpollution control equipments.
Liming of lakes and soils should be done to correct the adverse effect of acid
rain. Inthermal points low sulphur content coal should be used.

4.8 OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Ozone gas is present in the atmosphere. It is highly concentrated at the
stratosphere between 10 to 50 Km above the sea level and is called as ozone layer.

Importance: O3 protects us from damaging UV radiation of the sun. It filters UV-

B radiation. Now days certain parts of O3 layer is becoming thinner and O3 holes are
formed. Because of this more UV–B radiation reaches the earth’s surface. UV –B
radiation affects DNA molecules, causes damages to the outer cell of plants and
animals.

It causes skin cancer and eye disease in human beings.

Formation of O3: It is formed in the atmosphere by photochemical reaction

O2 + hv ------------) O* + O*

The atomic oxygen reacts with molecular

O2 to form O3 O* + O2 + M ----------) O3 + M

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Where M = third body like nitrogen.

Causes of O3 layer depletion: Refrigerators , air conditioners , aerosol sprays and

cleaning solvents release CFC s into the atmosphere. CFCs releases chlorine which
breakes O3 to O2

Cl + O3 ----------- ) Cl O + O2 (g)
Cl O + O* --------- ) Cl + O2

Each chlorine atom is capable of breaking several O3 molecules. It is a chain

reaction.1% loss of O3 results in 2% increase in UV rays reaching the earth surface.

Ozone depletion chemicals CFC, HCFC, BFC. Sometimes atmospheric sulfur

dioxideIs converted in to H2SO4 which increases the rate of O3 layer depletion.

Effects ozone layer depletion:

Effects on human beings

1. UV rays causes skin cancer.
2. Increases the rate of non melanin skin cancer in fair colored people.
3. Prolonged expose to UV rays leads to actinia Katatities (slow blindness) and
cataracts.

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Effects on aquatic system:

1. UV rays affects phytoplankton fish, larval crabs.
2. phytoplankton consumes large amounts of CO2.
3. Decrease in phytoplankton results in more amount of CO2 in atmosphere. This
contributes to global warming.

4. Ozone Depleting chemicals can causes global warming.

Control measures : Manufacturing and using of O3 depleting chemicals should be

stopped. Use of methyl bromide .which is a crop fumigant should be controlled.

Replacing CFC’s by other maerials which are less damage

4.9 NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS AND HOLOCAUST

Energy released—during a nuclear reaction is called nuclear energy. Nuclear fission

and Nuclear fusion are used to prepare nuclear energy. During nuclear accidents
large amount of energy and radioactive products are released into the atmosphere.

Types of nuclear accidents :-

Nuclear Test- Nuclear explosions –release radioactive particles and radioactive

rays into the atmosphere.
Nuclear power plant accidents: Nuclear power plants located in seismic vulnerable
area may cause nuclear accidents which releases radiation.

Improper disposal of radioactive wastes: Drums with radioactive wastes, stored

underground rust and leak radioactive wastes into water, land and air.

Accidents during transport . Trucks carrying radioactive wastes (or) fuels in

[Link] major accident at a nuclear power plant is a core melts down.

Effects of nuclear radiation

1. Radiation affects DNA in cells.

2. Exposure to low dose of radiation (100to 250 rds ) people suffer from fatigue,
vomiting ,and loss of hair.
3. Exposer to high radation (400- 500 rds ) affect bone marrow ,blood cells , natural
resistance fail of blood clot.
4. Exposure to very high dose of radiation (10000rds) kills organisms by damaging

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the tissues of heart and brain.

Nuclear Holocaust : -Destruction of Biodiversity by nuclear equipments and

nuclearbombs is called nuclear holocaust.
Effects of nuclear holocaust.
Nuclear winter, Nuclear bombardment will cause combustion of wood, plastics,
forests etc.
Large quantity of soot will be carried out into the atmosphere.
Black soot absorbs all UV radiation and will not allow the radiation to reach the
earth. Therefore cooling will result. This reduces evaporation of water. In
stratosphere there won’t be significant moisture to rain out the black soot. Due to
nuclear explosion a process opposite to global warming will occur. This is called
Nuclear winter.

Nuclear holocaust in Japan

In 1945 two nuclear bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
About 100000 people were Killed and the cities were badly destroyed. This
explosion emitted forceful neutrons andgamma radiation.
Radioactive Strontium liberated in the explosion replaced calcium in the bones.
Large scale bone deformities occurred in the people of these cities.

4.10 WASTE LAND RECLAMATION

Waste land. The land which is not in use is called waste land. Waste land is
unproductive,unfit for cultivation and grazing etc. 20% of the geographical area of
India is waste land.

Types of waste land:

1. Uncultivable waste land.
2. Cultivable waste land.
Uncultivable waste land: Barren rocky areas, hilly slopes,sandy deserts.

Cultivable waste land: These are cultivable but not cultivated for more than 5 years.
Ex. Degraded forest land.

Causes of waste land formation:

1. over exploitation of natural resources.

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2. Industrial and sewage wastes.

3. Due to soil erosion, deforestation, water logging, salinity etc.
4. Mining activities destroy the forest and cultivable land.

Objects of waste land reclamation:

1. To prevent soil erosion, flooding and landslides.

2. To avoid over exploitation of natural resources.
3. To improve the physical structure and quality of the soil.
4. To conserve the biological resources and natural ecosystem.

Methods waste land reclamation:

Drainage: Excess water is removed by artificial drainage. This is for water logged
soil reclamation.
Leaching: Leaching is a process of removal of salt from the salt affected soil by
applying excess amount of water. Leaching is done by dividing the field into small
plots. In continuous leaching 0.5to 1.0cm Water is required to remove 90% of
soluble salts.

Irrigation practices: High frequency irrigation with controlled amount of water

helps tomaintain better availability of water in the land. Application of green manure
and bio fertilizers improves saline soil.
Application of gypsum: Soil sodality can be reduced with gypsum. Ca of gypsum
replaces sodium from the exchangeable sites. This converts clay back into calcium
clay.

Social Forestry programme: These programs involve strip plantation on road,

canal sidesand degraded forest land etc.

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4.11 COSUMERISM AND WASTE PRODUCTS

The consumption of resources by the people is called consumerism. It is

related to both increase In population size as well as increase in our
demand due to change in life [Link] needs increases The consumerism
of resources also increases.

TRADITIONAL FAVOURABLE RIGHTS OF SELLERS

1. The right to introduce any product.

2. The right to change any price.
3. The right to use incentives to promote their products

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO BE KNOWN TO BUYERS

1. Ingredients of the products.

2. Manufacturing date and expiry date. Whether the product
has been manufactured against an established law of nature
or involved in right variation.

Objectives of consumerism.
1. It improves the right and powers of buyers.
2. It involves making manufacturer liable for the entire life cycle of a product
3. It force the manufacturer to reuse and recycle the product after usage.
4. Active consumerism improves human health and happiness and also it saves
resources.

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Sources of wastes are agriculture, mining, industrial and municipal wastes.

Example for waste products. It includes paper, glass, plastic, garbage, food waste,
Scrap, construction and factory wastes.

E- waste: Electronic equipments like computer, printers, mobile phones,

calculator etc., After usage thrown as waste.
Effects of waste: Waste from industries and explosives are dangerous to human life.
Dumped wastes degrade soil and make it unfit for irrigation.
E-wastes contain more than 1000 chemicals which are toxic and cause
environmental Pollution. In computers lead is present in monitors, cadmium in chips
and cathode ray tube, pvc in cables. All these cause cancer and other respiratory
problems if inhaled forlong long periods.
Plastics are non-degradable and their combustion produces many toxic gases.

Factors affecting consumerism and generation of wastes:

People over population –Over population cause degradation of sources, poverty

and premature deaths. This situation occurs in less developed countries (LDC’s). In
LDC’s the per capita consumption f resources and waste generation are less.
Consumption Over population: It occurs when there are less people than the
available Resources due to luxurious life style per capita consumption of resources
is very high. Consumption is more and waste generation is more. Environment is
also degraded.

4.12 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS

4.12.1 WATER (prevention and control of pollution ) Act.1974.
This act provides for maintaining and restoring the sources of water. It also
providefor preventing and controlling water pollution.
Features of water act.

1. This act aims to protect the water from all kind of pollution and to preserve the
quality of water in all aquifers.
2. The act further provides for the establishment of central board and state boards
for prevention of water pollution.
3. The states are empowered to restrain any person from discharging a pollutant (or)
sewage (or) effluent into any water body with out the consentof the board.

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4. The act is not clear about the definition of pollutant, discharge of pollutant
Toxic pollutant.

State pollution control board

The consent of this board is needed

1. To establish any industry or any treatment and disposal system or any extension
or addition which likely discharge Or trade effluent into a stream or well or river or
on land.
2. To use any new or altered outlet for the discharge of sewage.
3. To begin to make any new discharge of sewage.
Act also empowers the state board to order closure or stoppage of supply of
Electricity, water or any other service to the polluting unit.
4.12.2 AIR PREVENTION ACT 1981
This act was enacted in the conference held at Stock Holm. It envisages the
establishments of central and State control boards to monitor air quality andpollution
control.
Important features:
1. The central board may lay down the standards for quality of air.
2. The central board co-ordinates and settle the disputes between state boards. [Link]
central board provides technical assistance and guidance to state [Link] state
boards are empowered to lay down the standards for emission of air pollutants from
industries or other resources.
3. The state boards are to examine the manufacturing processes and control
equipment for for the prescribed standards.
4. The direction of central board is mandatory on state boards.
5. With out the consent of the central board operation of an industrial unit is
prohibited in heavily polluted area.
6. Violation of law is punishable with imprisonment for three months or fine of Rs
10000 or both.
This act applies to all pollution industries. This act empowers the stateboard to order
closure of any industrial unit or stoppage of water supply or stoppage of electricity.

4.12.3 FOREST (COSERVATON) ACT 1980

This act is enacted in 1980. It aims to arrest deforestation. This act covers all
types of Forests including reserved forests, protected forests and any forest land.

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Important Features of the act:

1. The reserved forests shall not be diverted or dereserved without the

permission of central govt.
2. The forest land may not be used non-forest purposes.
3. This act stops illegal activities with in forest area.
Features of amendment act of 1988

1. Forest departments are departments are forbidden to assign any forest land by
wayof lease or to any private person or NG body for re- afforestation.
2. For re-afforstation clearance of any forest land is forbidden.
3. The division of forest land for non –forest uses is punishable.

4.12.4 WILD LIFE ACT 1972.

This act was amended in 1983, 1986, and [Link] act is aimed to protect and
preserve all animals and plants that are not Domesticated. India has 350 species of
mammals, 1200 species of birds and about 20000 known species of insects. Some
of them are listed as endangered species in wild life protection act. Wild life is
declining due to human action. Wild life products like skins, firs, feathers, Ivory
etc. have decimated the population of many species. Wild life population monitored
regularly and management strategies formulated to protect them.

Important Features
1. The act covers the rights and non- rights of forest dwellers.
2. It allows restricted grazing in sanctuaries but prohibits in national parks.
3. It also prohibits the collection of non timber forest.
4. The rights of forest dwellers recognized by forest policy of 1988 are taken
away by Amended wild life act of 1991.

4.12.5 ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT 1986

This act empowers the central govt. to fix the standards for quality of air, water, soil,
and noise. The central govt. formulates procedures and safe guards for handling of
hazard substances.
Important features:
1. this act empowers the govt. to lay down procedures and safe guards for the

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prevention of accidents which cause pollution and remedial measures if accidents

occur.
2 The [Link] the authority to close or prohibit or regulate any industry or
its operation if the violation of provisions of the act occurs.

3. Violation of the act is punishable with imprisonment for 5 years or fine of one
lakh orboth.
4. If violation continues an additional fine of Rs5000 per day may be imposed for
entireperiod of Violation of rules.
5. The act empowers the officer of the central [Link] inspect the sight or the plant
or machinery for preventing pollution and to collect samples of air, water, soil
and othermaterials from any factory or its premises for testing.

4.13 PUBLIC AWARENESS

In order to conserve our environment each and every one must be aware about our
environment problems and objectives of various environmental policies at natural
andlocal level.

Objectives of public awareness:

1. To create awareness among rural and city people about ecological Imbalance,
local environment and technological development.

2. To organize meetings, tree plantation programs, group discussion on

development, exhibitions.
3. To focus on current environment problems and situations.
4. To train our planners, decision makers, politicians and administrators.
5. To eliminate poverty by providing employment that over comes the basic
environmental issues.

METHODS TO CREATE ENVIRONMNTAL AWARENESS

1. Environmental education must be imparted to the students in schools and colleges.

2. Media like TV Radio and cable network can educate the people on environmental
issues through Cartoons, documentaries, street plays.
3. Cinema about environmental education should be prepared and screened in
theatres compulsorily. This films may be released with tax free to attract the

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public.
4. All the newspapers and magazines must publish the environment related
problems.
5. Special audio visual and slide shows should be arranged in public places.
6. Voluntary organizations like NCC, NSS, and ROTRACT Club should be
effectivelyutilized for creating environmental awareness.
7. Arranging competitions like story and essay writing painting competition on
environmental issues for student as well as public. Attractive prizes should be
awarded for the best effort.

8. Public leaders cine actors and popular social reformers can make an appeal to the
public about the urgency of environmental protection.

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