Environmental

studies
Unit 1

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 Environment studies
PAPER 1
Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Studies
Unit 2: Ecosystems
Unit 3: Natural Resources
Unit 4:Environmental Pollution

Evaluation
End term paper: 30 marks
CA: 40 marks
Books
IA: 10 marks
E. Bharucha
Kaushik & Kaushik

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 Understanding Earth: Evolution

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 The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental
Studies
Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects a living organism.

Its components include

 physics,
 chemistry,
 biology,
 geology,
 engineering,
 economics,
 statistics,
 computer,
 sociology etc.

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 Scope of environmental studies:

 Industry (implement norms, green tech)

 Consultancy (formulate policies, strategies)
 NGOs (make people aware)
 Media and Advertising (News and Magazine)
R&D
 Academics
 Marketing (ISO-14000; eco friendly products)
 Law (NGT)
 National and International organization

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 Scope of environmental Science
 Scope in Academics, At every level of education
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental
 Scope in Industry- Industries have a separate
science
 Physical science- green house effect, environmental research and development section
 Scope in environmental consultancy- -work with central
acid rain, atmospheric science
 life science- zoology, botany, biodiversity and state pollution control boards, formulate pollution
 Mathematics- climate model, weather control policies, devise strategies
 Scope in NGO- make people aware
prediction
 Geology/ geography- knowledge of  Scope in research and development- develop
earth methodologies to monitor and control the source of
 Awareness- law, policies, sociology environmental pollution
 Management- commerce, economics,  Scope in marketing- develop eco-friendly products in
raw material and eco friendly products diverse fields
 Scope in media and advertising- requires manpower
with immense knowledge of environment
 Scope in Law- Environmental Lawyers
 Scope in national and international organisation-
organisation working on environment need skilled
people

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Environmental values:

Direct value – Consumptive (food, fuel wood, medicine etc.)

Productive (Commercial use) ( timber for construction, lake for recreation activities)

Indirect value – Wetland as flood buffer

Forests as carbon sinks
Aesthetic value Eg: a beautiful sunrise; cool breeze

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 Environmental services provided by natural
ecosystems

Local: Consumptive use by local people

Indicator of environmental health
Wildlife tourism, education and research

Regional: Prevent soil erosion

Maintain water regimes (Flood run-off)
Micro-climate control

Global: Photosynthesis
Maintain natural cycle: water, O2, CO2, nutrient in soil
Prevent green house effect
Buffer air and water pollution

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 Natural Resources
Biosphere= Atmosphere + Hydrosphere + Lithosphere

Atmospheres Hydrosphere Lithosphere

 Oxygen for respiration  Drinking, washing  Agriculture
 CO2 for photosynthesis and cooking  Construction (stone,
 Protection from UV-rays by  Agriculture sand and gravel)
 Industry  Micronutrients for
ozone layer
 Green house effect, flow of air,  Food resources (fish, plants
crustaceans,  Habitat for
air ways, water cycle and
rainfall seaweed) microscopic flora
 Cloud formation (sulphate)  Hydropower project and fauna
 Water cycle (helps in  Minerals for
and CCN
 wind power filtration (renew), industry (metal,
 Dispersion of air pollutants transport and medicine, cosmetics
storage of water) etc.)
 Oil, gas and coal for
energy
Facts:
 Water covers 70% of earth’s surface, but only 3% of this is fresh water. Of this, 2% is present in as polar ice caps and
only 1% is usable water in river, lakes and subsoil aquifers
 India uses 87% of its water for agriculture, 8% for industry and 5% for domestic purpose
 A person needs a minimum of 20-40 litres of water per day for drinking and sanitation

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, but the most frequently
quoted definition is from Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report
(WCED: World Commission of Environment and Development, 1987).

Sponsored by the United Nations (UN) and chaired by Norwegian Prime Minister
Gro Harlem Brundtland, the WCED explored the causes of environmental degradation,
attempted to understand the interconnections between social equity, economic growth,
and environmental problems, and developed policy solutions that integrated all three
areas.

The 17 SDGs are integrated- that

is, they recognize that action in
one area will affect outcomes in
others, and that development must
balance social, economic and
environmental sustainability.

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The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as
the Rio Conference or the Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference held in Rio
de Janeiro from June 3 to June 14, 1992.

Earth Summit was created as a response for member states to cooperate together
internationally on development issues. Due to issues relating to sustainability being too big
for individual member states to handle, Earth Summit was held as a platform for other
member states to collaborate.

The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents:

 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

 Agenda 21
 Forest Principles

Moreover, important legally binding agreements (Rio Convention) were opened for
signature:
 Convention on Biological Diversity
 Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
(Eg. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997.)
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The Rio Declaration consisted of 27 principles intended to guide countries in future sustainable
development. It was signed by over 175 countries.

The first principle states that sustainable development primarily concerns human beings, who are
entitled to live healthy and productive lives in harmony with nature.

Article 11 creates an expectation that states will enact environmental legislation.

Further articles include formulations of the precautionary principle, which should be "widely applied by
states according to their capabilities" (principle 15), and of the polluter pays principle, which states are
encouraged to adopt where it is in the public interest to do so and it will not distort international trade
and investment (principle 16). The final principle invites fulfillment of the other principles in a spirit of
good faith.

The Rio Declaration expresses a positive view of traditional ecological knowledge.

The Forest Principles (also Rio Forest Principles, formally the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative
Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable
Development of All Types of Forests) is a 1992 document produced at the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (the "Earth Summit"). It is a non-legally binding document that makes
several recommendations for conservation and sustainable development forestry.

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 Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable
development. Agenda 21 referring to the original target of the 21st century.

Agenda 21 is grouped into 4 sections:

 Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions is directed toward combating poverty, especially in
developing countries, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, achieving a more
sustainable population, and sustainable settlement in decision making.

 Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development includes atmospheric
protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conservation of biological
diversity (biodiversity), control of pollution and the management of biotechnology, and radioactive
wastes.

 Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups includes the roles of children and youth,
women, NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, and workers; and strengthening the role of
indigenous peoples, their communities, and farmers.

 Section IV: Means of Implementation includes science, technology transfer, education

international institutions, and financial mechanisms.

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 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, TARGETS AND INDICATORS

In September 2000, world leaders came together at the United Nations Headquarters in
New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a
new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound
targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become know as the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). The MDGs recognize the contribution that developed countries can make
through trade, development assistance, debt relief, and technology transfer.

To track the 8 MDG goals, a framework including a specific set of targets and indicators
were identified. The current list of official MDG indicators and targets, which was revised in
2007, supersedes the previous list.

• Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

• Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education
• Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women
• Goal 4. Reduce child mortality
• Goal 5. Improve maternal health
• Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8. Develop a global partnership for development

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was born at the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, Rio+20, in 2012.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United
Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure
that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“

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There are 17 goals and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030.

The list includes a reworking of the eight millennium development goals, such
as eradicating poverty and hunger, improving education, and achieving gender
equality, as well as new goals on water and sanitation, affordable energy, safer
cities and climate change related to sustainable development.

The 17 SDGs are integrated- that is, they recognize that action in one area
will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social,
economic and environmental sustainability.

Each of the 17 SDGs has specific targets to be achieved by 2030.

The goals and targets are universal, meaning they apply to all countries
around the world, not just poor countries. Reaching the goals requires action
on all fronts – governments, businesses, civil society and people everywhere
all have a role to play.

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for
all
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and
decent work for all.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster
innovation
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests,
combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 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
Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable
development: finance, technology, capacity building, trade, policy and institutional coherence, data
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monitoring and accounting etc 18
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 History of Environmentalism

Bishnoi of Rajasthan
Chipko andolan was started by Rajasthan’s Bishnoi community (In 1731). The incident has been etched in
the annals of history for the sacrifice of a group of villagers, who led by a lady named Amrita Devi, laid
down their lives while protecting trees from being felled on the orders of then King of Jodhpur. After this
incident, the king, in a royal decree, banned cutting of trees in all Bishnoi villages. In Khejarli village of
Rajasthan, 363 people of the Bishnoi tribe sacrificed their lives to save khejri trees.

The Bishnois, a Vaishnavite sect, living in western Rajasthan on the fringe of the Thar desert, have for
centuries, been conserving the flora and fauna to the extent of sacrificing their lives to protect the
environment. The basic philosophy of this religion is that all living things have a right to survive and share all
resources.

In the fifteenth century, Jambhoji, a resident of a village near Jodhpur, had a vision that the cause of the
drought that had hit the area and hardship that followed was caused by people’s interference with nature.

Thereafter, he became a sanyasi or a holy man and came to be known as Swami Jambeshwar Maharaj. This
was the beginning of the Bishnoi sect. He laid down 29 tenets for his followers which included a ban on
killing animals, a ban to the felling of trees – especially the khejri – which grows extensively in these areas,
and using material other than wood for cremations. Nature protection was given foremost importance in
these tenets. Since then, the sect has religiously followed these tenets.
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There are many stories about how the Bishnois have beaten up hunters and poachers for intruding in their area.
The sacrifice made by Amrita Devi and over 350 others is a heart-rending example of their devotion. The
Maharaja of Jodhpur wanted to build a new palace and required wood for it. To procure this his men went to
the area around the village of Jalnadi to fell the trees. When Amrita Devi saw this she rushed out to prevent the
men and hugged the first tree, but the axe fell on her and she died on the spot. Before dying she uttered the
now famous couplet of the Bishnois, ‘A chopped head is cheaper than a felled tree’. People from 83 surrounding
villages rushed to prevent the men from felling the trees and by the end of the day more than 350 had lost their
lives.

When the king heard about

this, he was filled with
remorse and came to the
village to personally apologize
to the people. He promised
them that they would never
again be asked to provide
timber to the ruler, no khejri
tree would ever be cut, and
hunting would be banned
near the Bishnoi villages. The
village of Jalnadi thus came to
be called Khejarli.

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 Chipko movement
The Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation in 1973 that was aimed at protection and conservation of
trees, but, perhaps, it is best remembered for the collective mobilisation of women for the cause of
preserving forests, which also brought about a change in attitude regarding their own status in society. The
uprising against the felling of trees and maintaining the ecological balance originated in Uttar Pradesh’s
Chamoli district (now Uttarakhand) in 1973 and in no time spilled onto other states in north India. The
name of the movement ‘chipko’ comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees and
encirled them to prevent being hacked.

 The struggle Chipko's

first battle took place in
early 1973 in Chamoli
district, when the
villagers of Mandal, led
by Chandi Prasad Bhatt
and the Dasholi Gram
Swarajya Mandal
(DGSM), prevented the
Allahabad-based sports
goods company, Chandi Prasad Bhatt Gaura Devi Sunderlal Bahuguna
Symonds, from felling 14
ash trees.

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 Sunderlal Bahuguna is a noted Garhwali environmentalist, Chipko movement leader.
 first as a member of the Chipko movement in the 1970s, and later spearheaded the
Anti-Tehri Dam movement starting 1980s, to early 2004

 Mr Bahuguna coined the Chipko slogan: 'ecology is permanent economy'.

 Sunderlal Bahuguna helped bring the movement to prominence through about 5,000-
kilometer trans-Himalaya march undertaken from 1981 to 1983, travelling from village
to village, gathering support for the movement.

 He had an appointment with the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and that
meeting is credited with resulting in Mrs. Gandhi's subsequent 15-year ban on cutting of
green trees in 1980. He was also closely associated with Gaura Devi, one of the pioneers
of the movement.
 2009: Padma Vibhushan Award by
government of India for
environment conservation

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Gaura Devi, the head of the village Mahila
Mangal Dal, led the first all-women action to
save their community forest in March 1974.
Gaura Devi mobilized 27 women and girls in the
village(Reni village of Garhwal), and together
they went to the forest and confronted the
lumbermen. Standing in front of the trees that
had been marked for felling, Gaura Devi
addressed the men: “Brothers! This forest is the
source of our livelihood. If you destroy it, the
mountain will come tumbling down onto our
village.”
She then placed herself in front of a gun
brandished by one of the men. “This forest
nurtures us like a mother; you will only be able
to use your axes on it if you shoot me first.”
Initially met with abuse and threats, the women
refused to move out of the way of the
lumbermen. Composed of mountain farmers
from Himachal Pradesh who understood only
too well what Gaura Devi was talking about, the
lumbermen quickly lost heart. After a three day
stand off, they finally withdrew without having
accomplished their task.
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  Appiko Andolan
 The famous Chipko Andolan (Hug the Trees Movement) of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas inspired the
villagers of the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka Province in southern India to launch a similar movement
to save their forests. In September 1983, men, women and children of Salkani "hugged the trees" in Kalase
forest. (The local term for "hugging" in Kannada is appiko). Salkani village is located in Sirsi Tehsil of Uttara
Kannada district in Karnataka, India.

 Appiko Andolan gave birth to a new awareness all over southern India.

 Appiko movement led by Panduranga Hegde

 During the 50s, the Indian government launched several development plans in the Western Ghats of
Karnataka state. This area had been declared in fact “backward” and major industries were set up in order to
promote the exploitation of natural resources. Forests turned to be sources of timber and eucalyptus and
teak plantations, while many villages were being displaced by the construction of hydropower plants. The
Supa dam, for example, was built over the river Kali in 1976. Large tracts of forests were submerged in the
reservoir and many communities were displaced.

 The destruction of mixed semi-evergreen forests denied people access to biomass for fodder, food, fertiliser,
etc. The deforestation led to severe soil erosion and drying up of perennial water resources. Moved by these
impacts, the youth of the Salkani village launched a movement locally known as Appiko Chaluvali (Appiko
means “to hug” in Kannada).

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 The Appiko Movement is trying to save the Western Ghats by spreading its roots all over
southern India. The movement's objectives can be classified into three major areas.
 First, the Appiko Movement is struggling to save the remaining tropical forests in the
Western Ghats.

 Second, it is making a modest attempt to restore the greenery to denuded areas.

 Third, it is striving to propagate the idea of rational utilization in order to reduce the
pressure on forest resources.

To save, to grow and to use rationally - popularly known in Kannada as Ubsu ("save"), Belesu
("grow") and Balasu ("rational use") - is the movement's popular slogan.

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 The Appiko Movement Methods
 First area of the Appiko Movement is to save the remaining tropical forests in the Western
Ghats

 The Appiko Movement uses various techniques to raise awareness: foot marches in the interior
forests, slide shows, folk dances, street plays and so on.

 The movement has achieved a fair amount of success: the state government has banned the
felling of green trees in some forest areas; only dead, dying and dry trees are felled to meet local
requirements. The movement has spread to the four hill districts of Karnataka Province and has
the potential to spread to the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu Province and to Goa Province.

 The second area of the Appiko Movement's work is to promote afforestation on denuded lands.
In the villagers to grow saplings. Individual families as well as village youth clubs have taken an
active interest in growing decentralized nurseries.

 The villagers have initiated a process of regeneration in barren common land. The Youth Club
has taken the responsibility for the project and the whole village has united to protect this land
from grazing, lopping and fire.

 In the areas in which topsoil is washed off, tree planting - especially of indigenous, fast-growing
species - is done.

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 The third major area of activity in the Appiko Movement is related to the rational use of
the ecosphere through introducing alternative energy sources to reduce the pressure on
the forest.

 The activists have constructed 2,000 fuel-efficient chulhas ("hearths") in the area, which
save fuelwood consumption by almost 40 percent. The other way to reduce pressure on
the forest is through building gobar (gas plants). An increasing number of people are
building bio-gas plants. However, the Appiko activists are more interested in those
people who are from poorer sections - who cannot afford gas plants - so they emphasize
chulhas.

 The movement's aim is to establish a harmonious relationship between people and

nature, to redefine the term development so that ecological movements today form a
basis for a sustainable, permanent economy in the future.

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