ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

1.LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE
There are five layers in the structure of the atmosphere depending upon temperature. These layers are:

• Troposphere
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere
• Exosphere

Troposphere

• It is considered as the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.

• The troposphere starts at the surface of the earth and goes up to a height of 8 kms (poles) to 18 kms
(equator). The main reason of higher height at the equator is due to presence of hot convection
currents that push the gases upward.
• All kinds of weather changes occurs within this layer.
• This layer has water vapor and mature particles.
• Temperature decreases with increasing height of atmosphere at the rate of 1 degree Celsius for every
165 m of height. This is called Normal lapse rate.

Stratosphere

• It is the second layer of the atmosphere found above the troposphere.

• It extends up to a height of 50 km from the earth’s surface.
• This layer is very dry as it contains little water vapour.
• This layer provides some advantages for flight because it is above stormy weather and has steady,
strong, horizontal winds.
• The ozone layer is found in this layer.
• The ozone layer absorbs UV rays and safeguards earth from harmful radiation.

Mesosphere

• The Mesosphere is found above the stratosphere.

• It is the coldest of the atmospheric layers.
• The mesosphere starts at 50 km above the surface of Earth and goes up to 80 km.
• The temperature drops with altitude in this layer.
• By 80 km it reaches -100 degrees Celsius.
• Meteors burn up in this layer.

Thermosphere

• This layer is found from 80 to 400 km.

 • Radio waves that are transmitted from the earth are reflected by this layer.
• The temperature starts increasing again with increasing height in this layer.
• Aurora and satellites occur in this layer.

Ionosphere

• The lower Thermosphere is called the Ionosphere.

• The ionosphere consists of electrically charged particles known as ions.
• This layer is defined as the layer of the atmosphere of Earth that is ionized by cosmic and solar
radiation.
• It is positioned between 80 and 400 km above the Mesopause.

Exosphere

• It is the outermost layer of the atmosphere.

• The zone where molecules and atoms escape into space is mentioned as the exosphere.
• It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.
2.What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each
other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between
organisms and their environment.

The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935.

The structure of an ecosystem has two main components, namely:

Biotic Components

Abiotic Components

Biotic Components- Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on
nutrition, biotic components can be categorized into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or
decomposers).

• Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can produce food
through the process of photosynthesis.

• Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are
further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers. Primary
consumers are always herbivores as they rely on producers for food. Secondary consumers depend on
primary consumers for energy. They can either be carnivores or omnivores. Tertiary consumers are
organisms that depend on secondary consumers for food. Tertiary consumers can also be carnivores
or omnivores
 • Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and
decaying organic matter. Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling
nutrients to be reused by plants.

Abiotic Components- Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It includes air,
water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind, altitude, turbidity, etc

4.Types of Ecosystem

• Terrestrial Ecosystem

• Aquatic Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are different types of terrestrial
ecosystems distributed around various geological zones. They are as follows:

• Forest Ecosystem

• Grassland Ecosystem

• Tundra Ecosystem
• Desert Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem

A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals and microorganisms that live in
coordination with the abiotic factors of the environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the
earth and are the major carbon sink.

Grassland Ecosystem

In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and herbs. Temperate grasslands and
tropical or savanna grasslands are examples of grassland ecosystems.

Desert Ecosystem

Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with little rainfall and scarce vegetation. The days
are hot, and the nights are cold.

Aquatic Ecosystem

Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can be further divided into two types,
namely:

• Freshwater Ecosystem

• Marine Ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands.
These have no salt content in contrast with the marine ecosystem.

Marine Ecosystem

The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more substantial salt content and greater
biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.

5.Food chain

The flow of energy from a producer, to a consumer and eventually, to an apex predator or a detritivore is
called the food chain. Give one example .

6.Food web is a network of interconnected food chains. It comprises all the food chains within a single
ecosystem. It helps in understanding that plants lay the foundation of all the food chains

7. Biodiversity -Biodiversity refers to a variety of plant and animal life on earth.

8. Types of Biodiversity

• Genetic Biodiversity

• Species Biodiversity

• Ecological Biodiversity

9. Causes of Biodiversity Loss/Threats of Biodiversity

• Habitat loss and fragmentation

• Over-exploitation

• Pollution
• Alien species invasions
10. Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity can be conserved by the following two methods:

In situ conservation – It involves the protection and conservation of a variety of animals and plant species
in its natural habitat. It includes biosphere reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, wild forests
etc. Name few National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries.

Ex-situ conservation – It involves protection and conservation of rare species of animals and plants outside
their natural habitats. These include zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. Genes , seeds
and tissues are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 c called cryopreservation .

11. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the international legal instrument for "the
conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing
of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources" that has been ratified by 196 nations.
12.Environmental Pollution: Types, Causes and Effects

Environmental Pollution is the undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful impacts on plants,
animals, and human beings.

A substance that causes Pollution is known as a Pollutant.

Types of Environmental Pollution

• Air Pollution

• Water Pollution

• Soil Pollution

• Noise Pollution

• Radioactive Pollution

13.Air Pollution

Air Pollution occurs due to undesirable changes in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air
that exert harmful effects on all living beings.

Causes of Air Pollution

• Particulate pollutants which constitute metallic particles, dust particles, soot, aerosol, and smoke.

• Gaseous pollutants in the air constitute carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and
sulphur dioxide.

• Excessive use of fossil fuels by automobiles

• Smokestacks of thermal power plants, smelters, etc.

• Garbage decomposition

• Use of petrol and diesel

Effects of Air Pollution

The various effects of air pollutants on plants, animals, and humans are as follows:

On Plants

• It causes fruit damage and various leaf diseases like chlorosis, necrosis, and mottled spots on leaves.

• Decreases the growth yield of crops and causes premature death of plants.

• Weakens plants and increases infestation by pests.

 • Acid rain damages the aerial parts and also acidifies the soils. It leads to the production of free
radicals, thus, decreasing photosynthesis and productivity.

On Humans

• About 40% of human deaths occur due to air pollution.

• Causes an increase in susceptibility to diseases.

• Causes cancer and genetic mutations.

• Causes respiratory ailments like asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases.

• Causes cardiovascular diseases and damage to the central nervous system, resulting in premature
death.

• Causes immediate effects like inflammation, nausea, headache, and irritation to the eyes and nose.

14.Water Pollution

Water Pollution is defined as any undesirable change in physical, chemical, or biological properties of water
that may affect living beings adversely. Due to human activities, ponds, rivers, oceans, and estuaries are
getting polluted in several parts of the world.

Causes of Water Pollution

• Discharge of untreated domestic sewage into rivers leads to water pollution.

• Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture also causes water pollution.

• Discharge of toxic waste from factories and refineries. etc., pollute water.

• Oil spills that are an accidental release of oil by tankers in oceans may cause marine water pollution.

• Inappropriate disposal of litter such as plastic bags, wrappers and bottles, lead to Water Pollution.

Effects of Water Pollution

Water-borne diseases: Sewage gives the maximum opportunity for the pathogenic and non -pathogenic
microorganisms to grow. These pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms are responsible for several
water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, jaundice, hepatitis, etc.

15.Eutrophication:

Chemicals in a water body, encourage the growth of algae. These algae form a layer on top of the pond or
lake. Bacteria feed on this algae and this decreases the amount of oxygen in the water body, severely
affecting the aquatic life there.

16.Minamata and Itai Itai disease are due to the toxicity of mercury and cadmium respectively. The
Minamata disease is caused by severe mercury poisoning which can lead to insanity, paralysis, coma, and
even death within weeks after the first symptoms are seen.
17.Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other
microorganisms while they decompose organic matter under aerobic (oxygen is present) conditions at a
specified temperature.

18.Biomagnification or biological magnification is the process of accumulation of certain chemicals in

living organisms to a concentration higher than that occurring in the inorganic, non -living environment.”

One example of biomagnification is the accumulation of insecticide DDT which gets accumulated in
zooplanktons. Small fishes consume these zooplanktons. Small fishes are consumed by large fish which are
finally consumed by fish-eating bird present at the highest position in tropic level.

19.Soil pollution refers to the degradation of land due to the presence of chemicals or other man-made
substances in the soil For instance, any toxic chemicals present in the soil will get absorbed by the plants.
Since plants are producers in an environment, it gets passed up through the food chain.

Some of the common causes of soil pollution are:

• Improper industrial waste disposal

• Oil Spills

• Acid rain which is caused by air pollution

• Mining activities

• Intensive farming and agrochemicals (like fertilisers and pesticides)

• Industrial accidents

The effects of soil pollution

• Specific wastes, such as radioactive waste become particularly hazardous when they are not well-
contained. A well-documented example is a nuclear accident in Chernobyl, which has left an area of
2,600 km2 uninhabitable for several thousand years.

• Loss of soil nutrients, which renders the soil unfit for agriculture

• Impacts the natural flora and fauna residing in the soil

• Degrades vegetation due to the increase of salinity of the soil

20.RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION

It occurs when there is a presence or depositions of radioactive materials in the atmosphere or environment,
especially where their presence is accidental and when it presents an environmental threat due to radioactive
decay.

The destruction caused by the radioactive materials is because of the emissions of hazardou s ionizing
radiation (radioactive decay) like beta or alpha particles, gamma rays or neurons in the environment where
they exist.
Causes of Radioactive Pollution

1. Nuclear Accidents From Nuclear Energy Generation Plants

In the postmodern world, various forms of energy are being discovered. Among them is nuclear energy,
which is touted to be the most potent source of energy due to its high latent power. Reports indicate that the
high latent power is due to its high level of radiation .Its use is, therefore, prohibited, but research is
underway to determine its environmental safety and to put in place the most appropriate precautionary
measures for its use. In some cases and countries, however, nuclear power plant accidents like the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), Chernobyl disaster (1986), and Three Mile Island accident
(1979) left many dead and even many more affected by the radiation released.

2. The Use of Nuclear Weapons as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

The use of nuclear missiles and atomic bombs, a form of nuclear energy, in the Second World War explains
not only the cause but also the damaging nature of radioactive pollution or contamination.

The effects of those two strikes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that prompted the end of the war in 1945 have
been seen to date with children born with complications such as mental retardation as well as conditions like
autism and other disorders. The number of cancer cases present in the two towns is more than those of the
rest of Japan.

Effects of Nuclear Pollution

🠶 Weakens the immune system of the body.

🠶 When the radioactive material is shipped via water then it can also cause toxicity in water and we use the
same water for various purposes.

🠶 Nuclear pollution is another major cause of earth warming.

🠶 Skin Diseases.

🠶 Damages the reproductive organs.

🠶 Destroys the Retina of Eyes.

🠶 Shortening of life span.

🠶 Cancer

21.Solid waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal and monitoring of
solid waste materials

REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE

• Reduction is the most important strategy of the three Rs.

• It focus on the source of the waste, or where the waste is originally coming from. Source reduction is
carried out when products are designed, manufactured, packaged, and used in a way that lim its the amount
or toxicity of waste created.
• The second most important strategy of the three Rs is to Reuse, which is when an item is cleaned and the
materials are used again.

• The third R in the hierarchy is Recycle, which means reprocessing of dispo sed material into new and useful
products.

22.COMPOSTING

• It is controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus.

• Composting is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms under
controlled conditions.

• It can be anaerobic and aerobic.

• This process takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

23.LANDFILLING

• A landfill site is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste
treatment.

• Waste is directly dumped into mining voids or borrow pits. Disposed waste is compacted and covered with
soil.

24.Sanitary landfills:

•Sanitary Landfills are designed to greatly reduce or eliminate the risks that waste disposal may pose to the
public health and environmental quality

25.INCINERATION

• Incineration is a waste management technology that involves the combustion of organic materials and/or
substances. • It is carried out at high temperature.

26.PYROLYSIS

• Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of

oxygen.

27.Biomedical waste is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or
animals or in research activities in these fields or in the production or testing of biological.

•Medical solid waste includes both non-hazardous and hazardous waste constituents.
28.Electronic waste (E-WASTE) is of concern largely due to the toxicity and carcinogenicity of some of
the substances if processed improperly. Toxic substances in electronic waste include lead, mercury and
cadmium. • Carcinogenic substances in electronic waste may include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

29.Hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a planet. The hydrosphere includes water that is on the
surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. A planet's hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or ice. On
Earth, liquid water exists on the surface in the form of oceans, lakes and rivers. Helps to maintain the
hydrological cycle. Plays a vital role in the earth’s climate.

30.Biogas

Biogas is the mixture of gases (about 60% methane) produced by anaerobic bacterial digestion of organic
matter. Biogas consists mainly of methane (CH 4; ca. 60%) and CO2 (ca. 40%) plus traces of hydrogen (H2)
and several other gases. It can be produced by agricultural waste, food waste, animal dung, manure, and
sewage. Biogas recycles the waste products naturally and converts them into useful energy, thereby,
preventing any pollution caused by the waste in the landfills, and cutting down the effect of the toxic
chemicals released from the sewage treatment plants.

31.Global warming

Global warming is the phenomenon of gradual increase in the average temperature of earth . It is caused by
the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs etc. into the atmosphere.

Causes of Global Warming

Deforestation

Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby maintaining
environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic and commercial purposes. This has led
to an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to global warming.

Use of Vehicles

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions. Vehicles burn fossil
fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the atmosphere resulting in a
temperature increase.

Chlorofluorocarbon

With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs into the
environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth surface from the
harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs have led to ozone layer depletion making way for the
ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.

Industrial Development

With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly. The harmful
emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.

In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the increase in the global temperature
between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9 degrees Celsius. The increase is 1.1 degrees Celsius when compared to
the pre-industrial mean temperature.

Agriculture

Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.

Water Vapour

Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth’s temperature, more water gets
evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to global warming.

32.Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is the process to keep the surface of Earth warm by the greenhouse gases, including
carbon dioxide and methane, as well as nitrous oxide and water vapour that traps the sun’s heat energy back
to Earth’s surface. Sun’s radiations pass through the atmosphere, and some radiations are trapped by the
greenhouse gas and make the surface of Earth warm.

33.Ozone layer depletion

“Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due
to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other
human activities.”

The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-depleting substances that contain
bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro bromofluorocarbons.

Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is only when the chlorine atom
reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.
Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of ozone-depleting
substances and minimise their concentration in the atmosphere to protect the ozone layer of the earth.

Effects on Human Health

Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun due to the depletion of the
ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer,
sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and weak immune system.

Effects on Animals

Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.

Effects on the Environment

Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The forests also
have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.

Effects on Marine Life

Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the aquatic
food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the food chain are also affected.

34.Acid rain

Acid rain is made up of highly acidic water droplets due to air emissions, most specifically the
disproportionate levels of sulphur and nitrogen emitted by vehicles and manufacturing processes.

Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made i.e as the
emissions that are given out from industries or by natural causes like lightning strike in the atmosphere
releasing nitrogen oxides and volcanic eruptions releasing sulphur oxide.

The pH value of regular rainwater is around 5.7, giving it an acidic nature

Effects of Acid Rain

• Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all nutrients which are
required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects agriculture by the way it alters the
composition of the soil.
• It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans.
 • When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic ecosystem. It
alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form which is actually harmful to the aquatic
ecosystem to survive and causes water pollution.
• Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes, which further results in leaching of
heavy metals such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water.

• It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.

35. Environmental Protection Act 1986
The Act covers all forms of pollution; air, water, soil and noise. It provides the safe standards for the
presence of various pollutants in the environment. It prohibits the use of hazardous material unless prior
permission is taken from the Central Government.

The objective of EPA is to protect and improve the environment and environmental conditions. It also
implements the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human Environment that was held in Stockholm in
the year 1972. To take strict actions against all those who harm the environment

36.Wildlife Protection Act 1972

The Indian Parliament enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, which provides for the safeguard and
protection of the wildlife (flora and fauna) in the country.

This Act provides for the protection of the country’s wild animals, birds, and plant species, in order to ensure
environmental and ecological security. Among other things, the Act lays down restrictions on hunting many
animal species

37. The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was adopted by the Indian parliament with
the aim of prevention and control of Water Pollution in India. t applies in the first instance to the whole of
the States of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tripura and West Bengal and the Union territories; and it shall apply to such
other State which adopts this Act by resolution passed in that behalf under clause (1) of article 252 of the
Constitution.

38. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, or the Air Act, in short, was a law passed by
the Parliament of India to prevent and control the harmful effects of air pollution in India. This act is seen as
the first concrete step taken by the government of India to combat air pollution.
39. Energy Flow in Ecosystem

The chemical energy of food is the main source of energy required by all living organisms. This energy is
transmitted to different trophic levels along the food chain. This energy flow is based on two different laws
of thermodynamics:

• First law of thermodynamics, that states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only
change from one form to another.

• Second law of thermodynamics, that states that as energy is transferred more and more of it is wasted.
The energy flow in the ecosystem is one of the major factors that support the survival of such a great number
of organisms. For almost all organisms on earth, the primary source of energy is solar energy. It is amusing
to find that we receive less than 50 per cent of the sun’s effective radiation on earth. When we say effective
radiation, we mean the radiation, which can be used by plants to carry out photosynthesis.

40.Ecological Succession

“Ecological succession is a series of changes that occur in an ecological community over time.” Ecological
succession is the steady and gradual change in a species of a given area with respect to the changing
environment.

41.Hydrosere

Succession in aquatic habitat.

Xerosere

Succession in dry habitat.

42.CNG

The full form of CNG is Compressed Natural Gas. CNG is a fuel that can be used in replacement of diesel,
petrol & LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

• CNG is an odourless, colourless and tasteless compound with noncorrosive and nontoxic properties.

• The primary use in automobiles is as a substitute for gasoline.

• Methane is the main component of CNG.

• It generally produces few greenhouse gases.

• It is very healthy as it easily scatters into the air.

• CNG is derived mainly from natural gas wells, coal wells, bed methane wells and oil wells.
43.Bioaccumalation

The process of accumulating toxic chemicals such as pollutants, pesticides and other toxins directly into the
human body either through the air, water, food intake, or directly through the skin is termed
Bioaccumulation. As this toxic compound accumulates within the human body, it increases the risk of
chronic poisoning and other severe health disorders.

44.Biofuel
“Biofuel is an inexhaustible, biodegradable fuel manufactured from Biomass.”

Biofuel is considered pure and the easiest available fuels on planet earth. Biofuels are obtained from biomass
like wood and straw, which are released by direct combustion of dry matter and convert into a gaseous and
liquid fuel. Other sources include organic matter like sludge, sewage and vegetable oils matter, which can be
converted into biofuels by a wet process like digestion and fermentation.

45.Population explosion

Population explosion means a sudden increase in the number of individuals in a particular species. The term
is used to refer to the world’s human population. In India, Population explosion has become a severe matter
of concern because the increase in population leads to poverty and illiteracy. In this situation, it is difficult to
cope up with the economy of the country with the rapid growth of the population.

Major Causes of Population Explosion

1. Increase in Birth Rate

2. Decrease in Death Rate

3. Early Marriage

4. Religious and Social Reasons

5. Poverty

6. Standard of Living

7. Illiteracy
46. Environment
It is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources. It includes all the biotic and
abiotic elements that influence each other.
All living elements-the birds, animals and plants, forests, fisheries etc. are biotic elements.
Abiotic elements of the environment includes non-living elements like air, water, land, rocks and sunlight
etc.
Functions of the Environment
(i) Environment supplies resource (both renewable and nonrenewable resources) for production.
(ii) Environment assimilates waste,
(iii) Environment sustains life.
(iv) Environment enhances quality of life.
47. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming
depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of resource remains available for e.g. tress in forest and
the fish in the oceans.
Non renewable resources are those which get exhausted with extraction and use. For example, fossil fuel.
48. Land degradation refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil, water or vegetation condition,
commonly caused by human activities.
Some of the factors responsible for land degradation is
(i) loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation.
(ii) Forest fires and over grazing.
(iii) Improper crop rotation.
(iv) Encroachment into forest lands.
(v) Shifting cultivation.

49. Sustainable development

It is that process of development which meets the needs of present generation without reducing the ability of
future generation to meet their own needs.

Main features of sustainable development is as under:

(i) Sustained rise in Real per Capita Income and Economic welfare.
(ii) Rational use of natural resources.
(iii) No reduction in the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.
(iv) Check on pollution.

Strategies for Sustainable Development.

(i) Use of non-conventional sources of energy.
(ii) Use of cleaner fuels: LPG, Gobargas in rural areas and CNG in Urban areas.
(iii) Use of Solar energy and wind power.
(iv) Shift to organic farming.
(v) Recycle the wastes
(vi) Public means of transport.
50.Environmental Movements

The Silent Valley Movement

Year of the Movement 1978

Place Kerala

Leaders Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) and local people

Reason/Aim of the To save the silent valley and its rich biodiversity from the hydroelectric dam
Movement project that had been proposed.

Chipko Movement

Year of the Movement 1973

Place Uttarakhand

Leaders Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Sunderlal Bhauguna and others

Reason/Aim of the Movement To protect the Himalayan forests from destruction

Bishnoi Movement

Year of the Movement 1700s

Place Rajasthan

Leaders Amrita Devi Bishnoi

Reason/Aim of the To stop the destruction of the village’s sacred trees for building a new
Movement palace for the king

Appiko Movement

Year of the 1983

Movement

Place Karnataka
Leaders Panduranga Hegde, Villagers of Western Ghats; Women and youth from
Saklani and surrounding villages

Reason/Aim of the To stop cutting trees by the fellers and the contractors of the forest
Movement department. The people demanded a ban on the felling of green trees.

Narmada Bachao Andolan

Year of the Movement 1985

Place Gujarat, Madhya

Pradesh and Maharashtra

Leaders Medha Patkar and other activists

Reason/Aim of the To question the rationale behind the developmental projects, especially dam
Movement construction across the river.