UNIT – IV

Social Issues and the Environment

1. FROM UNSUSTAINABLE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Unsustainable Development:
Unsustainable development refers to growth that depletes natural resources faster than they can be
replenished, causes environmental degradation, and fails to meet the needs of future generations. Key
features include:
• Overexploitation of forests, fisheries, minerals, and fossil fuels
• Rapid industrialisation without pollution control
• Urbanisation leading to slums, waste, and loss of agricultural land
• Economic growth focused only on GDP, ignoring social and ecological costs

Sustainable Development (Brundtland Definition, 1987):

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs." – Brundtland Commission, Our Common Future.

Pillars of Sustainable Development:

Pillar Focus
Economic Efficient use of resources; long-term growth without waste
Social Equity, poverty alleviation, health, and education
Environmental Conservation of biodiversity, clean air, water, and soil

Key Principles:
• Inter-generational equity – preserving resources for future generations
• Intra-generational equity – fair distribution of resources among present populations
• Precautionary principle – avoid actions that may cause environmental harm
• Polluter pays principle – those who cause pollution must bear the cost
• SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals, 2015) – 17 global goals by UN for 2030

2. URBAN PROBLEMS RELATED TO ENERGY

Rapid urbanisation has created severe energy-related problems in cities:
• High energy demand: Cities consume ~75% of global energy due to industries, transport, lighting,
and appliances.
• Dependence on fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and gas dominate the urban energy mix, causing air pollution
and GHG emissions.
• Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect: Concrete structures absorb heat; cities are 2–5°C warmer than
rural areas.
• Traffic congestion: Vehicles are major consumers of petroleum and emitters of CO, NOx, and
particulates.
• Power cuts and load shedding: Demand exceeds supply in developing countries like India.
 • Energy poverty: Urban slum dwellers lack access to clean cooking and electricity.
• Waste of energy: Poor insulation in buildings, inefficient appliances, and light pollution.

Solutions:
• Promotion of solar rooftops and wind energy in cities
• Green buildings with energy-efficient designs (BEE star ratings)
• Public transport expansion (metro, BRT systems)
• LED street lighting and smart grids
• Energy auditing and conservation awareness

3. WATER CONSERVATION, RAIN WATER HARVESTING & WATERSHED

MANAGEMENT

Water Conservation:
India faces a serious water crisis – only 4% of the world's fresh water is available for 18% of global
population. Conservation methods include:
• Drip and sprinkler irrigation in agriculture
• Recycling and reuse of industrial and domestic wastewater
• Fixing leakages in distribution systems
• Public education on reducing water wastage
• Regulation of groundwater extraction

Rainwater Harvesting (RWH):

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for later use, especially to recharge
groundwater.

Methods of RWH:
Method Description
Rooftop RWH Rainwater collected from roofs via pipes into storage tanks or recharge pits
Surface runoff harvesting Collecting runoff from land surface into check dams or ponds
Percolation pits Rainwater directed into pits to recharge groundwater
Check dams / Johad Small dams across streams to store and recharge water (traditional method)

Watershed Management:
A watershed is an area of land that drains all streams and rainfall into a common outlet (river/lake).
Watershed management involves:
• Soil and water conservation in the catchment area
• Afforestation and prevention of overgrazing
• Construction of bunds, check dams, and contour trenches
• Reducing soil erosion and sedimentation
• Integrated land and water use planning
• Benefit: Improves groundwater recharge, reduces floods and droughts, increases crop yield
4. ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH
Environmental quality directly impacts human health. Major environmental health issues:

Environmental Factor Health Effects

Air pollution (PM2.5, NO2, SO2) Asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases
Water pollution (pathogens, heavy metals) Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, fluorosis, arsenicosis
Soil pollution (pesticides, heavy metals) Neurological damage, cancers, endocrine disruption
Noise pollution (>85 dB) Hearing loss, hypertension, stress, sleep disorders
Radiation (UV, ionising) Skin cancer, cataracts, immune suppression
Indoor air pollution (cooking smoke, radon) Respiratory diseases, especially in women/children

5. HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings regardless of nationality, gender, religion, or
ethnicity. Key aspects include:
• Civil and Political Rights: Right to life, liberty, fair trial, freedom of speech and religion
• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Right to work, education, healthcare, and adequate standard
of living
• Environmental Rights: Right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment (recognised by UN in
2022)
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948: 30 articles covering all fundamental
rights
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) India: Established in 1993 under the Protection of
Human Rights Act
• Article 21 of Indian Constitution: Right to life includes right to live in a clean environment

6. VALUE EDUCATION
Value education aims to inculcate moral, ethical, and social values in individuals to create responsible
citizens.

Types of Values:
• Personal values: Honesty, integrity, self-discipline, empathy
• Social values: Respect for others, justice, equality, cooperation
• Environmental values: Respect for nature, conservation ethics, sustainability
• National values: Patriotism, democratic spirit, secularism

Importance in Environmental Context:

Value education fosters environmental ethics – the belief that humans have moral responsibility towards
nature. It promotes the concept of 'live and let live', reducing resource exploitation and encouraging
conservation behaviour.

7. HIV/AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome) is the advanced stage of HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.

Modes of Transmission:
• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person
• Sharing contaminated needles/syringes (intravenous drug users)
• Blood transfusion with infected blood
• Mother to child (vertical transmission – during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding)

Prevention:
• Safe sex practices (use of condoms)
• Screening of blood before transfusion
• Use of sterile needles and syringes
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive pregnant mothers
• Awareness campaigns – National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)
Environmental Connection: Poor sanitation, malnutrition, and lack of healthcare access in
environmentally degraded areas increase vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.

8. WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE

Women and Environment:

• Women are most affected by environmental degradation – they collect water and fuel wood, and
cook indoors (indoor air pollution)
• Chipko Movement (1973) – women hugged trees to prevent deforestation; a landmark eco-feminist
movement
• Empowered women better manage household resources, practice conservation, and promote
sustainable lifestyles
• Schemes: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mahila Shakti Kendra, MGNREGA (benefits rural women)

Child Welfare and Environment:

• Children are most vulnerable to environmental hazards (lead poisoning, polluted water, pesticide
exposure)
• Right to Education Act, 2009 ensures environmental education in schools
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme – addresses malnutrition
• ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) – nutrition, health, and education for children below
6 years
• Child labour in hazardous industries (brick kilns, chemical factories) poses environmental health
risks

9. ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN ENVIRONMENT AND

HUMAN HEALTH
Information Technology (IT) plays a crucial role in monitoring, managing, and protecting the
environment:
 IT Application Role in Environment / Health
Remote Sensing & GIS Mapping deforestation, land use change, flood zones, biodiversity
Environmental Monitoring Systems Real-time air/water quality monitoring (CPCB CAAQMS network)
Telemedicine Healthcare delivery to remote/rural areas with poor environment
Big Data & AI Predicting climate patterns, disease outbreaks, pollution spread
E-governance Online filing of pollution complaints; PARIVESH portal (MoEFCC)
Smart Cities IoT sensors for waste management, traffic, energy, water systems
Biotechnology databases Genome mapping of pathogens linked to environmental diseases

Negative Effects of IT on Environment:

• E-waste (electronic waste) – toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) pollute soil and water
• Energy consumption of data centres (high carbon footprint)
• Electromagnetic radiation from towers

10. ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION IN INDIA

(a) Environment Protection Act, 1986

Enacted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984). It is an umbrella legislation empowering the Central
Government to protect the environment.
• Empowers government to set standards for emissions and effluents
• Prohibits discharge of environmental pollutants beyond prescribed standards
• Enables closure, prohibition of industries causing pollution
• Authority to collect samples and inspect industrial sites
• Penalty: Imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fine up to Rs. 1 lakh
• EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) notification under this Act – mandatory for major projects

(b) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

Enacted to prevent, control, and abate air pollution in India.
• Established Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State PCBs (SPCBs)
• Requires industries to obtain 'Consent to Establish' and 'Consent to Operate' from SPCBs
• Designates air pollution control areas
• Prohibits use of non-compliant fuels or appliances in designated areas
• Regulates vehicular emissions through emission norms
• Penalty: Imprisonment up to 6 years and fine

(c) Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

India's first major environmental legislation, enacted to prevent water pollution.
• Establishes CPCB at the national level and SPCBs at state level
• Prohibits discharge of pollutants into water bodies beyond permissible limits
• Industries must obtain consent before discharging effluents
• Powers to inspect, take samples, and close polluting units
 • Penalty: Imprisonment up to 3 months and/or fine
• Cess (tax) on water used by industry for encouraging conservation

(d) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Enacted to protect wildlife and their habitats across India.
• Provides for protection of wild animals, birds, and plants
• Establishes National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves
• Prohibits hunting, poaching, and trade of protected species
• Six schedules listing protected species (Schedule I – highest protection)
• Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992) launched under this Act
• TRAFFIC India monitors illegal wildlife trade
• Penalty: Imprisonment up to 7 years for hunting Schedule I species

(e) Forest Conservation Act, 1980

Enacted to check indiscriminate diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
• Prior approval of Central Government required for diversion of forest land
• Compensatory Afforestation (CA) mandatory when forest land is diverted
• CAMPA Fund (Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority) manages CA
funds
• No state government can de-reserve forests without Central clearance
• Significantly reduced rate of deforestation after enactment

11. ISSUES IN ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

Despite strong laws, environmental enforcement in India faces major challenges:
• Weak institutional capacity: PCBs are understaffed and underfunded; inspections are infrequent
• Corruption: Industrial units often bribe officials to avoid compliance
• Legal delays: Environmental cases in courts take years to resolve
• Overlapping jurisdictions: Multiple ministries (Environment, Industry, Water, Forest) create
confusion
• Poor monitoring: Many industrial areas lack real-time effluent/emission monitoring
• Political interference: Industries with political connections often get exemptions or delayed action
• Lack of public awareness: Communities do not know their rights or how to file complaints
• Inadequate penalties: Fines are too low to deter large industries
• Industry resistance: Compliance increases costs; industries lobby against strict norms

Reforms Needed:
• Strengthening CPCB and SPCB with more staff and technology
• Real-time online monitoring of industrial emissions and effluents
• Fast-track environmental courts (NGT – National Green Tribunal, est. 2010)
• Citizen suits – empowering citizens to file environmental complaints
• Corporate Environmental Responsibility (similar to CSR)
12. PUBLIC AWARENESS
Public awareness is the foundation of environmental protection. An informed citizenry pressures
governments and industries to be accountable.

Methods of Spreading Environmental Awareness:

• Formal Education: Environmental Studies (EVS) made compulsory at school/college level by
Supreme Court (1991 – M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India)
• Media: TV, radio, newspapers, social media campaigns (e.g., Swachh Bharat Mission)
• NGOs: Organisations like WWF India, CEE (Centre for Environment Education) conduct
workshops
• Government programmes: National Green Corps (NGC) – eco-clubs in schools
• World Environment Day (5 June): Annual awareness event
• Eco-labelling: BEE star ratings on appliances; ISI marks; Green Building certifications (GRIHA,
LEED)
• Citizen Science: Involving public in biodiversity surveys, pollution monitoring

Role of Public Awareness in India – Key Examples:

Movement / Event Issue Addressed
Chipko Movement (1973) Deforestation in Uttarakhand
Narmada Bachao Andolan Dam-induced displacement and ecosystem loss
Silent Valley Movement Protection of rainforest in Kerala
Bishnoi Community Wildlife and tree protection (historical roots)
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (2014) Sanitation, hygiene, solid waste management

QUICK REVISION SUMMARY

Topic Key Point to Remember

Sustainable Development Meets present needs without compromising future – 3 pillars: Economic, Social, Environm
Urban Energy Problems High demand, fossil fuel dependence, UHI effect, energy poverty
Rainwater Harvesting Rooftop, percolation pits, check dams; recharges groundwater
Watershed Management Conserve catchment area; bunds, afforestation, check dams
Environment & Health Air/water/soil/noise/radiation pollution cause diseases
Human Rights UDHR 1948; Article 21; clean environment = human right (UN 2022)
Value Education Inculcates environmental ethics; responsibility towards nature
HIV/AIDS Attacks immune system; transmitted via blood, sex, needles, mother-child
Women & Child Welfare Most vulnerable to environmental hazards; Chipko, ICDS, MGNREGA
Role of IT Remote sensing, GIS, CAAQMS, Smart Cities; BUT e-waste is a concern
Environment Protection Act, 1986 Umbrella Act; EIA; 5 yr imprisonment; post-Bhopal
Air Act, 1981 CPCB/SPCB; consent to operate; vehicular emissions
Water Act, 1974 First env. law; CPCB/SPCB; effluent discharge norms; cess
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 6 schedules; Project Tiger; no hunting; 7 yr penalty
Forest Conservation Act, 1980 Central approval for diversion; CAMPA; compensatory afforestation
Enforcement Issues Corruption, weak PCBs, legal delays, poor monitoring
Public Awareness EVS in curriculum; World Environment Day; NGOs; eco-clubs

— End of Unit IV Notes —