Unit 5

Environmental Pollution

Introduction
Environment, the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or
operates

Definition
The term environment is derived from a French word "Environia" which means to surround. It
refers to both abiotic (physical or nonliving) and biotic (living) environments. The word
environment means surroundings, in which organisms live.

Meaning
Environment and the organisms are two dynamic and complex components of nature.
Environment regulates the life of organisms including human beings. Human beings interact
with the environment more vigorously than other living beings. Ordinarily the environment refers
to the materials and forces that surround the living organism.

Meaning: Pollutant
Pollutant is a substance which causes pollution. The pollutant may be solid, liquid or gas.

Types or Forms of Environmental Pollution

1. Air pollution : Air pollution is the contamination of air by smoke and harmful gases, mainly
oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen.
Some examples of air pollution include:
● Exhaust fumes from vehicles
● The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or gas
● Harmful off-gassing from things such as paint, plastic production, and so on
● Radiation spills or nuclear accidents
In 2010, the key findings of India's central pollution control board are
● Most Indian cities continue to violate India's and world air quality PM10 targets.The
decreasing trend in solapur dioxide levels may be due to recently introduced clean fuel
standards, and the increasing use of LPG as domestic fuel instead of coal or fuelwood,
and the use of LPG instead of diesel in certain vehicles.
● A decreasing trend has been observed in nitrogen dioxide levels in residential areas of
some cities such as Bhopal and Solapur during the last few years. The decreasing trend
in solapur dioxide levels may be due to recently introduced vehicle emission standards,
and the increasing use of LPG as domestic fuel instead of coal or fuelwood.
● Most Indian cities greatly exceed acceptable levels of suspended particulate matter.
● The Indian air quality monitoring stations reported lower levels of PM10 and suspended
particulate matter during monsoon months possibly due to wet deposition and air
scrubbing by rainfall.
 ● The average annual (Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions level
and periodic violations in industrial areas of India were significantly and surprisingly
lower than the emission and violations in residential areas of India
● Of the four major Indian cities, air pollution was consistently the worst in Delhi, every
year over a 5 year period (2004-2008). Kolkata was a close second, followed by
Mumbai. Chennai air pollution was the least of the four.

2. Water pollution :Water pollution is the changes in physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of water substance which causes pollution.
Causes of water pollution
1. Point source- It refers to contaminants that enter a waterway from a single, identifiable
source, such as a pipe or ditch.
Examples are discharges from sewage treatment plants, storm drain, construction sites
etc.
2. Non point source- It refers to water contamination that does not originate from a
discrete source. Non Point Source (NPS) pollution is often the cumulative effect of
amounts of contaminants gathered from a large area.
Examples are, leaching out nitrogen compounds from fertilized agricultural lands,
contaminated water runoff, urban runoff etc.
3. Natural substances- like plant leaves, grass, dead and decayed animals, micro
organisms etc. Aquatic bodies or the water organisms require dissolved oxygen.
Because of contamination, dissolved oxygen level decreases in water. This leads to the
death of aquatic animals.
4. Organic, inorganic and macroscopic contaminants
A. Organic water pollutants include:
1. Detergents
2. Disinfection by-products found in chemically disinfected drinking water, such as
chloroform
3. Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and
grease
4.Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalides and other chemical
compounds
5.Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and fuel oil)
and lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion byproducts, from stormwater runoff.
B. Inorganic water pollutants include:
1. Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants)
2. Ammonia from food processing waste
3.Chemical waste as industrial by-products
4.Fertilizers containing nutrients-nitrates and phosphates-which are found in stormwater
runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use
5.Heavy metals from motor vehicles and acid mine drainage
5. Thermal pollution- It is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water
caused by human influence. Thermal pollution, unlike chemical pollution, results in a
change in the physical properties of water.
 6. Biological pollutants- These are microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa and
helminths) that are harmful to humans and other forms of life. Infectious diseases
caused by biological pollutants, such as typhoid and cholera, are the most common and
widespread public health risks associated with drinking water.

Impact of water pollution on public health

Drinking untreated water nowadays will have an immediate reaction on the body. People may
get a stomach ache at the least. Water-borne diseases account for the deaths of 3,575,000
people a year! That's equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every hour, and the majority of these
are children.

1. Pesticides can damage the nervous system and cause cancer because of the
carbonates and organophosphates that they contain. Chlorides can cause reproductive
and endocrine damage.
2. Nitrates are especially dangerous to babies that drink formula milk. It restricts the
amount of oxygen in the brain and causes the "blue baby" syndrome.
3. Lead can accumulate in the body and damage the central nervous system. Over
exposure to lead leads to lower IQ levels in small kids.
4. Arsenic - causes liver damage, skin cancer and vascular diseases
5. Fluorides - in excessive amounts can make your teeth yellow and cause damage to the
spinal cord and lead to skeletal fluorosis..
6. Petrochemicals - even with very low exposure, can cause cancer.
7. Metals- such as mercury, iron, and nickel, pollute water as well. Some of these metals
enter water during mining operations, whereas others, such as mercury, settle into water
via the air after being emitted from industrial smokestacks. The small amounts of these
metals that scientists measure in water supplies appear almost harmless.
8. Groundwater contamination: Groundwater is also one of our most important sources of
water for irrigation. Unfortunately, groundwater is susceptible to pollutants.

3. Soil or land pollution

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic
substances.l
Forms of soil or land pollution
1. Soil piping
2. Soil salination
3. Erosion of soil
Soil Pollution Implications
A. Effect on human and other organisms
Organ Damage
Bioaccumulation
Cancer
B. Effect on Plant Growth
C. Soil fertility
4. Noise pollution
Sound is the vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when
they reach a person's or animal's ear. A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that
causes disturbance is noise.

Causes of Noise
1. Industrialization:
Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large amount of
noise.
2. Poor Urban Planning:
In most developing countries, poor urban planning also play a vital role.
3. Social Events:
Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties, pub,
disco or place of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local administration and
create nuisance in the area.
4. Transportation:
Large number of vehicles on roads, sero planes Buying war trussen, underground trains
produce heavy noise and people get in difficulty to get worsemat in that.
5. Construction Activities:
Under construction activities like mining, construction bridges, dams, buildings, stations,
roads, flyovers take place in almost every part of the world.
6. Household Chores:
We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life.
Gadgets like TV, mobile, mixer grinder.

Effects of Noise
1. Physical Effects:
The physical manifestation of noise pollution is the effect on hearing ablicy Repeated
exposure to noise may result in temporary or permanent shifting of the hearing threshold
of a person depending upon the level and duration of exposure The immediate and
acute effect of noise pollution is impairment of hearing (i.e total deafness)
2. Physiological Effects:
The physiological manifestations of noise pollution
● Headache by dilating blood vessels of the brain.
● Increase in the rate of heart-beat.
● Narrowing of arteries.
● Fluctuations in the arterial blood pressure by increasing the level of cholesterol in
the blood.
● Decrease in heart output.
● Digestive spasms through anxiety and dilation of the pupil of the eye thereby
causing eye-strain.
● Lowering of concentration and affect on memory,
● Muscular strain and nervous breakdown.
● Psychological Effect and Pain in the heart.
The psychological manifestations of noise pollution
1. Depression and fatigue which considerably reduces the efficiency of a person.
2. Insomnia as a result of lack of undisturbed and refreshing sleep
3. Straining of senses and annoyance as a result of slow but persistent noise from
motorcycles, alarm clocks, call bells, telephone rings etc.
4. Affecting of psychomotor performance of a person by a sudden loud sound
5. Emotional disturbance: Noise is annoying and the annoyance depends on many factors
not merely the intensity of the sound but also repetition, because even a sound of small
intensity (e.g. dripping tap or clicking of clock) may become annoying, simply by
repetition.

5. Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution, sometimes called "thermal enrichment", is the degradation of water quality by
any process that changes ambient water temperature
Sources and control of thermal pollution
1. Industrial wastewater
In the United States about 75 to 80 percent of thermal pollution is generated by power
plants.The remainder is from industrial sources such as petroleum refineries, pulp and
paper mills, chemical plants, steel mills and smelters
2. Reservoirs
As water stratifies within man-made dams, the temperature at the bottom drops
dramatically. Many dams are constructed to release this cold water from the bottom into
the natural systems.
3. Urban runoff
During warm weather, urban runoff can have significant thermal impacts on small
streams. As storm water passes over hot rooftops, parking lots, roads and sidewalks it
absorbs some of the heat, an effect of the urban heat island.
Effects of thermal pollution
1. Warm water effects
Elevated temperature typically decreases the level of dissolved oxygen and of water, as
gases are less soluble in hotter liquids. This can harm aquatic animals such as fish,
amphibians and other aquatic organisms.
2. Cold water
Releases of unnaturally cold water from reservoirs can dramatically change the fish and
macroinvertebrate fauna of rivers, and reduce river productivity
3. Thermal shock
When a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair or other causes, fish and other
organisms adapted to a particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt change
in water temperature, either an increase or decrease, known as "thermal shock".
4. Biogeochemical effects
Water warming effects, as opposed to water cooling effects, have been the most studied
with regard to biogeochemical effects. Much of this research is on the long term effects
of nuclear power plants on lakes after a nuclear power plant has been removed
6. Visual pollution
Visual pollution is the visible deterioration and negative aesthetic quality of the natural and
human-made landscapes around people.It refers to the impacts pollution has in impairing the
quality of the landscape and is formed from compounding sources of pollution to create it.

Sources of Visual pollution

1. Local managers of urban areas sometimes lack control over what is built and assembled
in public places.
2. As businesses look for ways to increase their profits, cleanliness, architecture, logic and
use of space in urban areas are suffering from visual clutter.
3. Variations in the built environment are determined by the location of street furniture such
as public transport stations, garbage cans, large panels and stalls.
4. Insensitivity of local administration is another cause for visual pollution.
5. For example, poorly planned buildings and transportation systems create visual
pollution.
6. High-rise buildings, if not planned properly or sufficiently, can bring adverse change to
the visual and physical characteristics of a city, which may reduce said city's readability.

Nuclear hazard and Human Health Risk

Meaning: Radiation
Radiation is a fairly general term that can be used to describe the transfer of energy through
space away from a source.

Meaning: Nuclear Hazard

Nuclear hazard is an actual or potential release of radioactive material at a commercial nuclear
power plant or a transportation accident.

Sources/causes of nuclear hazards

1. Cosmic rays from outer space. The quantity depends on altitude and latitude; it is more
at higher latitudes and high altitudes.
2. Emissions from radioactive materials from the Earth's crust.

The man-made sources of radioactivity are nuclear wastes (i.e., waste material that
contains radioactive nuclei) produced during the:
1. Mining and processing of radioactive ores.
2. Use of radioactive material in nuclear power plants.
3. Use of radioactive isotopes in medical, industrial and research applications.
4. Use of radioactive materials in nuclear weapons.

The greatest exposure to human beings comes from the diagnostic use of X-rays, radioactive
isotopes used as tracers and treatment of cancer and other ailments.
Effects of nuclear hazards
1. Radiations may break chemical bonds, such as DNA in cells. This affects the genetic
make-up and control mechanisms. The effects can be instantaneous, prolonged or
delayed types. Even it could be carried to future generations.
2. Exposure at low doses of radiation (100-250 rads), men do not die but begin to suffer
from fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of hair. But recovery is possible.
3. Exposure at higher doses (400-500 rads), the bone marrow is affected, blood cells are at
natural resistance and fighting capacity against germs is reduced, blood fails to clot, and
the irradiated person soon dies of infection and bleeding.
4. Higher irradiation doses (10,000 rads) kill the organisms by damaging the tissues of
heart, brain, etc.
5. Workers handling radioactive wastes get slow but continuous irradiation and in course of
time develop cancer of different types.
6. Through the food chain also, radioactivity effects are experienced by man.

Control of nuclear hazards

1. Leakages from nuclear reactors, careless handling, transport and use of radioactive
fuels, fission products and radioactive isotopes have to be totally stopped.
2. Safety measures should be enforced strictly.
3. Waste disposal must be careful, efficient and effective.
4. There should be regular monitoring and quantitative analysis through frequent sampling
in the risk areas.
5. Preventive measures should be followed so that background radiation levels do not
exceed the permissible limits;
6. Appropriate steps should be taken against occupational exposure.
7. Safety measures should be strengthened against nuclear accidents.

Disposal of Nuclear Wastes

1. High Level Wastes (HLW):
High level wastes have a very high-radioactivity per unit volume.
For example, spent nuclear fuel. HLWS have to be cooled and are, therefore, stored for
several decades by its producer before disposal. Since these wastes are too dangerous
to be released anywhere in the biosphere, therefore, they must be contained either by
converting them into inert solids (ceramics) and then buried deep into earth or are stored
in deep salt mines.
2. Medium level wastes (MLW):
Medium level wastes (e.g., filters, reactor components, etc.,) are solidified and are mixed
with concrete in steel drums before being buried in deep mines or below the sea bed in
concrete chambers.
3. Low liquid wastes (LLW):
Low liquid wastes (e.g., solids or liquids contaminated with traces of radioactivity) are
disposed of in steel drums in concrete-lined trenches in designated sites.
Precautions after the Disposal of Nuclear Waste
1. Monitoring radioactivity around the disposal sites.
2. Prevention of erosion of radioactive waste disposal sites.
3. Prevention of any drilling activity in and around the waste disposal site.
4. Periodic and long-term monitoring of such disposal sites and areas of naturally occurring
uranium rich rocks.

Solid Waste Management

India's economic growth over the past few years has raised the prospect of eliminating
extensive poverty within a generation. But this growth has been clouded by a degrading
physical environment and the growing scarcity of natural resources that are essential for
sustaining further growth and eliminating poverty.

Municipal Solid Waste Management

Municipal solid waste (MSW), commonly known as trash or garbage in the U.S. and as refuse or
rubbish in the UK, is a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public.
"Garbage" can also refer specifically to food waste.

Meaning: Solid Waste

The term solid waste means, material such as household garbage, food wastes, ya's wates, and
costNVIRON or construction debris. It also includes discarded items like household appliances,
furniture, stray me machinery, car parts and abandoned or junk vehicles.

Definition: Solid waste management

Waste Management is defined as the discipline associated with control of generation, storage,
colocom transport or transfer, processing and disposal of waste materials in a way that match
with the best principle of public health, conservation, economics, aesthetic, engineering and
other environmental considerations.

Types of Municipal Solid Waste and their sources

Types of Municipal Solid Waste

Types Composition

Garbage Vegetable waste, animal waste, food waste.

Generally biodegradable in nature.

Rubbish Consists of combustible and non-combustible

solid waste, excluding food waste

Litter Bits of paper, discarded wrappings, bottles

and lefts lying around in public places
Domestic waste Range of materials such as paper, plastic,
organic, hazardous (insecticides)

Industrial waste Scraps and metal flakes which don't have

economic value

Agricultural waste Empty containers of pesticides, chemicals,

vegetation from clearing land.

Construction and demolition waste Debris, concrete, metal, paint, tiles etc

Medical/ hospital waste Needles, syringes, outdated drugs, used

cotton, diapers, bandages etc

Commercial waste From hotels, tourism etc

Institutional wastes From educational institutes, Government

centers etc

The major sources of Municipal Solid waste(MSW)

Source Typical waste generators Types of solid wastes

Residential Single and multifamily Food wastes, paper,

dwellings cardboard, plastics, textiles,
leather, yard wastes, wood,
glass, metals, ashes, special
wastes (e.g., bulky items,
consumer electronics, white
goods, batteries, oil, tires),
and household hazardous
wastes.).

Industrial Light and heavy Housekeeping wastes,

manufacturing, fabrication, packaging, food wastes,
construction sites, power and construction and demolition
chemical plants. materials, hazardous wastes,
ashes, special wastes.

Commercial Stores, hotels, restaurants, paper, cardboard, plastic,

markets, Paper, cardboard, wood, food wastes, glass,
plastics, wood, food wastes, metals, special waste,
hazardous waste.
office buildings, etc.
 Institutional Schools, hospitals, prisons, Same as commercial.
government centers

Construction and demolition New construction sites, road Wood, steel, concrete, dirt
repair, renovation sites, etc.
demolition of buildings

Municipal services Street cleaning, landscaping, Street sweepings; landscape

parks, beaches, other and tree trimmings; general
recreational areas, water and wastes from parks, beaches,
wastewater treatment plants. and other recreational areas;
sludge.

Process (manufacturing, etc.) Heavy and light Industrial process wastes,

manufacturing, refineries, scrap materials, off
chemical plants, power specification products,
plants, mineral extraction and tailings.
processing.

Agriculture Crops, orchards, vineyards, Spoiled food wastes,

dairies, feedlots, farms. agricultural wastes,
hazardous wastes (e.g.,
pesticides)

Characterization, Collection, Transportation and Disposal methods

Waste characterization is the process by which the composition of different waste streams is
analyzed. Waste characterization plays an important part in any treatment of waste which may
occur.
Physical and Chemical Characteristics of MSW in Indian Cities are as follows
● Panical characteristics Paper Rubber leather and synthetics, gass, meals es.
● Chemical characteristics Moisture, organic matter, Chemical composition etc

Collection of Municipal Solid Waste

Waste collection is the collection of solid waste from the point of production (residential,
Industrial commercial, institutional) to the point of treatment or disposal.

Municipal solid waste is collected in several ways

1. Community Bins: Users bring their garbage to community bins that are placed at fixed
points in a neighborhood or locality. MSW is picked up by the municipality, or its
designate, according to a set schedule.
2. House-to-House: Waste collectors visit each individual house to collect garbage. The
user generally pays a fee for this service.
 3. Curbside Pick-Up: Users leave their garbage directly outside their homes according to
a garbage pick-up schedule set with the local authorities.
4. Self Delivered: Generators deliver the waste directly to disposal sites or transfer
stations, or hire third-party operators (or the municipality).
5. Contracted or Delegated Service: Businesses hire firms (or municipalities with
municipal facilities) who arrange collection schedules and charges with customers.
Municipalities often license private operators and may designate collection areas to
encourage collection efficiencies.

Transportation and storage of MSW

Transportation of waste from the waste storage locations to the disposal site is done through a
variety of vehicles such as three-wheelers, tractors, tippers and trucks. A few cities use modern
hydraulic vehicles as well. Most of the transport vehicles are old and open. They are usually
loaded manually.

Disposal of MSW
The system implemented for solid waste management mostly depends on quantity and
complexity of the waste materials. There are certain types of waste management or disposal
methods widely used across the world - Landfill, Incineration and Recycling. Various municipal
corporations and waste management companies are involved in these activities.

Methods of MSW Disposal

1. Landfills:
A landfill is also known as a dump site for the disposal of waste materials by burial under
the waste management procedures. Landfills were often established in abandoned or
unused quarries, mining voids or borrow pits.
2. Incineration
It involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials which
further converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and heat. This process reduces the
volumes of solid waste to 20 to 30 percent of the original volume.
3. Recycling
It includes collection, processing and utilization of waste material. Conversion of waste
materials into new products/potentially useful materials reduces the consumption of fresh
raw materials (virgin materials).
4. Sanitary landfills
An alternative to landfills which will solve the problem of leaching to some extent, is a
sanitary landfill which is more hygienic and built in a methodical manner. These are lined
with materials that are impermeable such as plastics and clay, and are also built over
impermeable soil.
5. Open dumps
Open dumps refer to uncovered areas that are used to dump solid waste of all kinds.
The waste is untreated, uncovered, and not segregated. It is the breeding ground for
flies, rats, and other insects that spread disease.
 6. Composting
Composting is the process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil
known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. By composting
organic waste, we can return nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to
continue.

Meaning: Compost
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer. Compost is a
key ingredient in organic farming.

Composting Benefits
1. Soil conditioner:
With compost, you are creating rich humus for the lawn and garden. This adds nutrients
to your plants and helps retain moisture in the soil.
2. Recycles kitchen and yard waste:
Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can.
3. Introduces beneficial organisms to the soil:
Microscopic organisms in compost help aerate the soil, break down organic material for
plant use and ward off plant disease.
4. Good for the environment:
Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers.
5. Reduces Landfill Waste:
Donate clothes-donate clothes to people in need, shelters, or thrift stores.Reduce food
waste-donate unused items for your pantry; save leftovers for the next meal

Alternative waste Treatment Techniques

1. Fermentation
In fermentation technologies organic wastes are biologically degraded to produce a
chemical feedstock or liquid fuel (usually ethanol).
2. Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis involves indirect heating of carbon rich material with the aim of achieving
thermal degradation of the material at temperatures of approximately 500°C in the
absence of oxygen and under pressure.
3. Gasification
Gasification also heats carbon rich material in an atmosphere with slightly reduced on
this of the carbon is converted to a gaseous form, leaving an inert residue, Relatively
high temp around 1000°C in air or 1200'C in ozgen.

The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000

1. The policy encouraging the public to separate MSW and market it directly to the infonsa
network appears to be a better option.
2. The involvement of people and private sector throug NGOS could improve the efficiency
of MSWM.
 3. Public awareness should be created among masses to inculcate the health hazards of
the wastes.
4. Littering of MSW should be prohibited in cities, towns and urban areas notified by the
state government.
5. Moreover, house-to-house collection of MSW should be organized throws methods like
collection on regular pre-informed timing, and scheduling
6. The collection bins must be appropriately designed with features like metallic containers
with lids, and to have a large enough capacity to accommodate 20% more than the
expected waste generation in the area, with a design for mechanical loading and
unloading, placement at appropriate locations,
7. Municipal authorities should maintain the storage facilities in such a manner that they do
not create unhygienic and unsanitary conditions.
8. Proper maintenance of the MSW transportation vehicles must be conducted, and the
Dumper Placer should replace the old transportation vehicles in a phased manner.
9. Currently, at the level of waste generation and collection, there is no source segregation
of compostable waste from the other non-biodegradable and recyclable waste.
10. Proper segregation would lead to better options and opportunities for scientific disposal
of waste.

Industrial Waste Disposal Rules

Rapid industrialization has resulted in the generation of huge quantity of wastes, both solid and
liquid, in industrial sectors such as sugar, pulp and paper, fruit and food processing, sago /
starch, distilleries, dairies, tanneries, slaughterhouses, poultries, etc.

Meaning: Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the
environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges.

The industrial waste can be categorized into -

1. Hazardous industrial waste
● Hazardous wastes generated from various industries in India (Arsenic, chromium, lead,
Manganese etc).
● Hazardous industrial wastes imported into India from Western Countries for reprocessing
and recycling.
2. Non-hazardous industrial waste
● Heavy metals (Arsenic, Nickel, Chromium, Cadmium, lead, Mining, refining, smelting
manganese, mercury etc)
● Hydrocarbons (Benzene, Vinyl chloride)

Outline of the Industrial Waste Disposal Rules

1. Procedure for handling hazardous wastes
2. Responsibilities of the occupier for handling of hazardous wastes
3. Procedure for recycling, reprocessing or reuse of hazardous wastes
4. Import and export of hazardous wastes
 5. Treatment, storage and disposal facility for hazardous wastes
6. Packaging, labeling, and transport of hazardous waste

e-Waste Disposal Rules

Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used
electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or disposal are also
considered e-waste.

Procedure for storage of e-waste

Every producer, manufacturer, collection center, dealers, refurbishers, dismantler or recyclers
may store the e-waste for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days and shall
maintain a record of collection, sale, transfer, storage and segregation of wastes and make
these records available for inspection
1. Collection Center in the States, which do not have any registered dismantling or
recycling facility; or Dismantlers in the States, which do not have any registered recycling
facility;
2. The waste which needs to be specifically stored for development of a process for its
recycling or reuse.

Responsibilities of the Citizen

Waste prevention is perhaps more preferred to any other waste management option including
recycling. Donating electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them
out of the waste management system for a longer time. But care should be taken while donating
such items i.e. the items should be in working condition.

While buying electronic products opt for those that

1. Are made with fewer toxic constituents.
2. Use recycled content.
3. Are energy efficient.
4. Are designed for easy upgrading or disassembly.
5. Utilize minimal packaging.
6. Offer leasing or take back options.
7. Have been certified by regulatory authorities. Customers should opt for upgrading their
computers or other electronic items to the latest versions rather than buying new
equipment.

Responsibility and Role of Industries

1. Generators of wastes should take responsibility to determine the output characteristics of
wastes and if hazardous, should provide management options.
2. All personnel involved in handling e-waste in industries including those at the policy,
management, control and operational levels, should be properly qualified and trained.
Companies can adopt their own policies while handling e-wastes. Some are given below:

● Use label materials to assist in recycling (particularly plastics).

 ● Standardize components for easy disassembly.
● Re-evaluate 'cheap products' use, make the product cycle 'cheap' and so that it has no
inherent value that would encourage a recycling infrastructure.
● Create computer components and peripherals of biodegradable materials.
● Utilize technology sharing particularly for manufacturing and de manufacturing.
● Encourage / promote / require green procurement for corporate buyers.
● Look at green packaging options.

3. Companies can and should adopt waste minimization techniques, which will make a
significant reduction in the quantity of e-waste generated and thereby lessening the
impact on the environment.
4. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers should undertake the responsibility of recycling/
disposal of their own products.
5. Manufacturers of computer monitors, television sets and other electronic devices
containing hazardous materials must be responsible for educating consumers and the
general public regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment posed
by their products.

Responsibilities of the Government

1. Governments should set up regulatory agencies in each district, which are vested with
the responsibility of coordinating and consolidating the regulatory functions of the
various government authorities regarding hazardous substances.
2. Governments should be responsible for providing an adequate system of laws, controls
and administrative procedures for hazardous waste management (Third World Network.
1991).
Under this law, the agency concerned should
● Collect basic information on the materials from manufacturers, processors and importers
and to maintain an inventory of these materials.
● The information should include toxicity and potential harmful effects.
● Identify potentially harmful substances and require the industry to test them for adverse
health and environmental effects.
● Control risks from manufacture, processing, distribution, use and disposal of electronic
wastes.
● Encourage beneficial reuse of "e-waste" and encourage business activities that use
waste".
● Set up programs so as to promote recycling among citizens and businesses.
● Educate e-waste generators on reuse/recycling options

3. Governments must encourage research into the development and standard of

hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of
hazardous waste-disposal.

4. Governments should enforce strict regulations against dumping e-waste in the country
by outsiders. Where the laws are flouted, stringent penalties must be imposed. In
 particular, custodial sentences should be preferred to paltry fines, which these outsiders/
foreign nationals can pay.
5. Governments should enforce strict regulations and heavy fines levied on industries,
which do not practice waste prevention and recovery in the production facilities.
6. Polluter pays principle and extended producer responsibility should be adopted.
7. Governments should encourage and support NGOs and other organizations to involve
actively in solving the nation's e-waste problems.
8. Uncontrolled dumping is an unsatisfactory method for disposal of hazardous waste and
should be phased out.
9. Governments should explore opportunities to partner with manufacturers and retailers to
provide recycling services.

Pollution Cases
1. Sewage pollution of the River Ganga
An ongoing case study in Varanasi, India.
Despite its tremendous spiritual significance, the Ganges is also notorious for having
some of the most polluted water in the world. For 79% of the population of the Ganges
catchment, their nearest river fails sewage pollution standards for crop irrigation.
2. Effects of acid rain on Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is situated in Agra. The air in this place contains serious levels of sulfur and
nitrogen oxides. This is due to the large number of power plants and industries set up
around this area. All these led to acid rain. Acid rain reacted with the marble (calcium
carbonate) of Taj Mahal. This caused damage to this wonderful structure, which had
attracted many people from different parts of the world.
3. Odd even rule in Delhi
Delhi has earned the tag of being the most polluted city in the world, outstripping the
Chinese capital Beijing, known for its record pollution levels. Owing to the toxic air that
Delhi is breathing, the Odd-Even road rationing scheme will be back in Delhi from
November 13 to 17.
4. Ambient Air Quality Standards in India
Ambient air quality refers to the condition or quality of air surrounding us in the outdoors.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards are the standards for ambient air quality set by
the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that are applicable nationwide.

Unit 6
Environmental Policies & Practices
Introduction
Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. It is measured by assessing the
patterns of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation,
atmospheric particle count and other meteorological variables in a given region over long
periods of time. Climate is different from weather, in that weather only describes the short-term
conditions of these variables in a given region.

Meaning of Climate change

Climate change may refer to a change in average weather conditions, or in the time variation of
weather around longer-term average conditions.

Climatology is the study that includes periodicity of weather events over years to millennia, as
well as changes in long-term average weather patterns, in relation to atmospheric conditions.
From highest to lowest, the five main layers of atmosphere
● Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km (440 6,200 miles)
● Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km (50 to 440 miles)
● Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km (31 to 50 miles)
● Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km (7 to 31 miles)
● Troposphere: 0 to 12 km (0 to 7 miles)

The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

1. Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place on a
global scale.
2. Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways, including through changes in
average temperatures, rainfall, and climate extremes, changes in pests and diseases
3. Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone concentrations
4. Changes in the nutritional quality of some foods; and changes in sea level.
5. Climate change is already affecting agriculture, with effects unevenly distributed across
the world.
6. Future climate change will likely negatively affect crop production in low latitude
countries, while effects in northern latitudes may be positive or negative.
7. Climate change will probably increase the risk of food insecurity for some vulnerable
groups, such as the poor.
8. Agriculture contributes to climate change by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse
gases, and by the conversion of non-agricultural land (e.g forests) into agricultural land.
9. Agriculture, forestry and land-use change contributed around 20 to 25% to global annual
emissions in 2010.
10. Climate change is the most important global environmental challenge facing humanity
with implications for natural ecosystems, agriculture & health.

As per the research, the three aspects of climate change and agriculture are,
1. Climate change has a direct bearing on the biology of plant growth.
 2. Any assessment of the impact of climate change on agriculture must consider the
interaction between the direct biological effects of climate change on the one hand, and
other aspects of the biosphere and geosphere - such as, for example soil conditions,
seed-water-fertilizer pesticide technologies, plant entomology, and so on - on the other.
3. We must consider the impact of climate change on society and economy, and the ability
of existing social and economic institutions, particularly in rural areas, to deal with the
challenges posed by global warming. Climate change is poised to have a sharply
differentiated effect as between agro-ecological regions, farming systems, and social
classes and groups.

Agriculture practices and climate change

● Agricultural sector is a driving force in the gas emissions and land use effects thought to
cause climate change.
● According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the three main causes of
the increase in greenhouse gases observed over the past 250 years have been fossil
fuels, land use, and agriculture.
● The land use pattern of agriculture leads to climatic changes (Deforestation).
● Cultivation of rice leads to methane gas release, a greenhouse gas.
● Fertilizer application, leads to release of chemicals like nitrogen, sulfur etc.

Chemical use in agriculture and climate change

1. The Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Law defines "agricultural chemicals" as chemical
agents such as fungicides and insecticides that are used to control crop-harming
organisms like fungi, nematodes, mites, insects, and rodents or viruses.
2. The chemical agents include those manufactured using the chemical agents as raw
materials or ingredients that are intended to control the diseases and pests that are
stipulated in the ordinances.
3. The law also includes "natural enemies" and "microorganisms that are used to control
diseases and pests of agricultural and other products, as the agricultural chemicals.

Agricultural chemicals are classified as follows by application target

Insecticides Agents for controlling harmful insect pests

that damage field crops.

Fungicides Agents for controlling diseases that

damage field crops.

Insect-fungicides Agents that simultaneously control

harmful insect pests and diseases that
damage field crops.

Herbicides Agents for controlling weeds

 Rodenticides Agents for controlling rats and other
rodents

Plant growth regulators Agents to promote or inhibit the growth of

field crops.

Attractants Agents that attract mainly harmful insect

pests by odor or other means.

Repellents Agents for having repellent action on

harmful mammals and birds that damage
field crops.

Spreaders Agents that are mixed with other

agricultural chemicals to enhance the
adherence of these chemicals.

The impact of climate change on human health

1. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, by 2020 we are likely to lose
about 3,00,000 lives and 11 million years of healthy life due to global warming.
2. Changing patterns will disturb many natural ecosystems.
3. Frequent floods and droughts will cause shortage of food in many developing countries
causing several million deaths due to malnutrition and starvation.
4. Weather disasters end up causing overcrowding in resettlement areas, which are poorly
planned with poor sanitation.

Climate change can impact health in the following ways

1. Infectious Diseases
A. Changes in precipitation and temperature could increase the amount of water-borne
and food-borne diseases and diseases transmitted through insects (also known as
vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue) and viral disease.
B. Changes in climate can lengthen the transmission seasons of certain vector-borne
diseases and expand their geographic range.
C. More variable precipitation patterns can increase the risk of water-borne diseases. In
Canada it has been shown that there is an increased risk of having a water-borne
disease outbreak with higher precipitation.

2. Extreme Weather Events

A. Climate change could increase the frequency, timing, intensity and duration of many
extreme weather events such as severe storms, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and
droughts.
B. Extreme weather events can cause a range of direct and indirect health effects, from
 mental disorders to infectious diseases.
C. Hurricanes and forest fires are also recurring natural disasters that raise important
health risks for Canadians and may worsen as the result of a changing climate.

3. Higher Temperatures
A. Heat causes heat stroke, heat syncope (fainting) and heat cramps, and can worsen
many preexisting conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
B. Extreme heat can also increase the levels of pollen and allergens that trigger asthma
attacks.
4. Air Quality
A. Poor air quality is already a serious public health issue and expected to become an
even greater burden as climate change continues.
B. Heart disease, respiratory disease and allergies are some of the major health issues
related to air pollution.

The Story in India

1. In the last decade India has seen natural disasters more frequently than ever. Floods
and cloudbursts are common. Extreme temperatures have been recorded in many parts
of India.
2. All these, have made post-disaster like health problems, become a regular daily
problem.
3. India's Initial National Communication Report claims that the overall susceptibility of the
population to environmental health concerns has dropped dramatically during the past
few years with the improvement in availability of the health infrastructure.
4. It however accepts the extent of access to and utilization of health care has varied
substantially between states, districts and different segments of society.
5. The report mentions the summer of 1994, when western India experienced temperatures
as high as 50°C, providing favorable conditions for disease-carrying vectors to breed.

Global warming
A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere is generally attributed to
the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.
Greenhouse gases are those that absorb and emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range
emitted by Earth.

The most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are:

1. Carbon dioxide -
Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and
oil), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of certain chemical
reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the
atmosphere (or "sequestered") when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological
carbon cycle.
2. Methane -
Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
 Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the
decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills
3. Nitrous oxide -
Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during
combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
4. Chlorofluorocarbons -
Hydrofluoro-carbons, perfluoro-carbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are
synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial
processes. (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochloro, fluorocarbons, and halons).
5. Ozone -
The highest levels of ozone in the atmosphere are in the stratosphere, in a region also
known as the ozone layer between about 12 km and 50 km above the surface. However,
even in this "layer" the ozone concentrations are only two to eight parts per million, so
most of the oxygen there remains of the dioxygen type.

Impact of Global Warming

1. The effects of global warming are the environmental and social changes caused (directly
or indirectly) by human emissions of greenhouse gases.
2. There is a scientific consensus that climate change is occurring, and that human
activities are the primary driver.
3. Many impacts of climate change have already been observed, including glacier retreat,
changes in the timing of seasonal events, (e.g., earlier flowering of plants), and changes
in agricultural productivity.
4. Future effects of climate change will vary depending on climate change policies and
social development.
5. The two main policies to address climate change are reducing human greenhouse gas
emissions (climate change mitigation) and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Geo engineering is another policy option.
6. Rising sea level, low-lying cities, and islands with seawater. Changes in rainfall patterns,
droughts and fires in some areas, flooding in other areas.
7. Increased likelihood of extreme events like flooding, hurricanes, etc. Melting of the ice
caps leads to loss of habitat near the poles.
8. Polar bears are now thought to be greatly endangered by the shortening of their feeding
season due to dwindling ice packs.
9. Melting glaciers - significant melting of old glaciers is already observed. Widespread
vanishing of animal populations. Spread of disease, migration of diseases such as
malaria to new, now warmer, regions.
10. Bleaching of Coral Reefs due to warming seas and acidification due to carbonic acid
formation - One third of coral reefs now appear to have been severely damaged by
warming seas. Loss of Plankton due to warming seas.

Ozone layer depletion

It is an inorganic gas with pale blue color and with a distinctively pungent smell. Ozone is
formed from three oxygen by the action of ultraviolet light and also atmospheric electrical
discharges, and is present in low concentrations throughout the Earth's atmosphere

Acid Rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic in nature (low pH),
which is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water
molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
Effects of Acid Rain
1. Acid rain can be carried great distances in the atmosphere, not just between countries
but also from continent to continent.
2. The acid can also take the form of snow, mists and dry dusts.
3. The rain sometimes falls many miles from the source of pollution but wherever it falls it
can have a serious effect on soil, trees, buildings and water.
4. Acid rain does not directly affect human health. The acid in the rainwater is too dilute to
have direct adverse effects.
5. However, the particulates responsible for acid rain (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides)
do have an adverse effect.
6. Increased amounts of fine particulate matter in the air do contribute to heart and lung
problems including asthma and bronchitis.

Environmental Laws and Protection Act (EPA), 1986

In 1980, the Dept. The Environment was established in India. Later on it became the Ministry of
Environment and Forests in 1985. EPA, 1986 came into force soon after the Bhopal Gas
Tragedy.

Terminologies
1. Environment - includes water, air and land and the inter- relationship which exists among
and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants,
micro-organism and property.
2. Environmental pollutant - means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such
concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment
3. Environmental pollution - means the presence in the environment of any environmental
pollutant.
4. Handling in relation to any substance means the manufacture, processing, treatment,
package, storage, transportation, use, collection, and destruction, conversion, offering
for sale, transfer or the like of such substance.
5. Hazardous substance - means any substance or preparation which, by reason of its
chemical or physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human
beings, other living creatures, plant, microorganism, property or the environment.
6. Occupier - in relation to any factory or premises, means a person who has control over
the affairs of the factory or the premises and includes in relation to any substance, the
person in possession of the substance.
Prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution
1. Persons carrying on industry operation, etc., not to allow emission or discharge of
environmental pollutants in excess of the standards
2. Persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards
3. Furnishing of information to authorities and agencies in certain cases
4. Powers of entry and inspection
5. Power to take sample and procedure to be followed in connection therewith
6. Environmental laboratories
7. Government analysts
8. Reports of government analysts
9. Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the act and the rules, orders and directions
10. Offences by companies
11. Offences by government departments.

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

The Forest Conservation Act 1980 was enacted to help conserve the country's restrictions and
regulate the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without the
prior approval of the Central Government. To this end the Act lays down the prerequisites for the
diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
Some important guidelines laid down in Forest (Conservation) Act
1. These guidelines ensure that ecological considerations are in no way undermined while
examining investment proposals.
2. The State Government or the Union Territory Administration concerned is required to
envisage the initial stage itself, the different likely impacts of the proposed project,
starting with the proposed site.
3. The guidelines specify certain criteria for the siting of an industry, which state that no
projects should be in the vicinity of: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Core areas
of the Biosphere Reserves. In siting industries, care should be taken to minimize the
adverse impact of the industries on the immediate neighborhood as well as distant
places.
4. Some of the natural life sustaining systems and some specific land uses are sensitive to
industrial impacts because of the nature and extent of fragility.
5. Investors in industrial projects involving forest land are required to undertake detailed
Environmental Impact Assessment Studies of their projects with respect to physical
resources, hydrology, and water quality, socio-economic aspects, human use values, etc
6. Introduction of exotic species of plants and animals without adequate investigations are
to be avoided.
7. Monoculture and plantation of dominating and exotic species shall be discouraged
without sufficient experimentation.
8. Wild varieties of animals and plant species are not to be disturbed.
9. Besides forest lands, diversion of prime agricultural lands for non-forest purposes are
also restricted.
10. The permission to survey, explore or prospect does not imply any commitment on the
part of the Central Govt. for any subsequent use of the forest land.
Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972
The Government of India enacted Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively
protecting the wild life of this country and to control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in
wildlife and its derivatives.

The air (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1981

The Act enacted in the year 1981, based on the decision taken at the United Nations
Conference on the Hum on Environment held in Stockholm in June, 1972, in which India
participated, to take appropriate steps for the preservation of the natural resources of the earth
which, among other things, include the preservation of the quality of air and control of air
pollution.

Prevention and control of Air pollution

1. Power to declare air pollution control areas.
2. Power to give instructions for ensuring standards for emission from automobiles.
3. Restrictions on use of certain industrial plants.
4. Persons carrying on industry, etc., and to allow emission of air pollutants in excess of the
standard laid down by the State Board.
5. Power of Board to make an application to court for restraining a person from causing air
pollution.
6. Furnishing of information to the State Board and other agencies in certain cases. •
Power of entry and inspection.
7. Power to obtain information.
8. Power to take samples of air or emission and procedure to be followed in connection
therewith Reports of the result of analysis on samples taken under section 26.
9. State Air Laboratory.
10. Analysis.
11. Reports of analysis.
12. Appeals.

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

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the
prevention and control of water pollution, and for maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of
water in the country.
Prevention and control of water pollution
1. Power to take samples of effluents and procedure to be followed in connection therewith.
2. reports of results of analysis on samples taken under section 21.
3. Power of entry and inspection.
4. Prohibition on use of streams or wells for disposal of polluting matter, etc.
5. Restrictions on new outlets and new discharges.
6. Provision regarding existing discharge of sewage or trade effluent.
7. Refusal or withdrawal of consent by state board.
8. Appeals.
 9. Revision.
10. Power of the state board to carry out certain works.
11. Furnishing of information to state board and other agencies in certain cases.
12. Emergency measures in case of pollution of streams or well.
13. Power of board to make application to courts for restraining apprehended pollution of
water in streams of wells.
14. Power to give directions.

International Agreements
Different nations have come together on their own accord to create international agreements
about how to maintain, protect, and care for the earth's natural resources. These international
agreements and treaties are often drafted during large meetings, or conventions, those
representatives from various interested nations attend.

● Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol is an agreement signed by all UN members concerning the role
humans play in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. Prior to current debates
about climate change and global warming, every nation in the UN agreed that humans
needed to halt ozone damage by air pollutants.
● Kyoto protocol
The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 is probably the most well-known of the UNFCCC updates
concerning climate change. At a meeting in Kyoto, Japan, many nations agreed to set
limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international convention whose focus is on
preserving global biodiversity in the age of genetically modified organisms. The Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety is an agreement created by members of the CBD to safely control the
transportation of genetically modified organisms.

Nature Reserves
A nature reserve (also known as natural reserve, bioreserve, natural/nature preserve, or natural/
nature conserve) is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of
geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to
provide special opportunities for study or research.

Meaning: Nature Reserve

An area of land protected by the government so that plants and animals can live there without
being harmed The of is who

National Park
National parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas. India's first national park was
established 1936 as Hailey National Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park,
Uttarakhand. By 1970India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife
Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species.

Meaning: National Park

An area of countryside, or occasionally sea or freshwater, protected by the state for the
enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife.

Top National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries in India

1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
3. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
4. Periyar National Park, Kerala
5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam .
6. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal .
7. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh .
8. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu
9. Gir National Park, Gujarat
10. Bhannerghatta National Park, Karnataka

Meaning: Wildlife sanctuary

A wildlife sanctuary is a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides
protection for species from hunting, predation, competition or poaching; it is a protected area, a
geographic territory within which wildlife is protected. Refuges can preserve animals that are
endangered.

Human- Wildlife Conflicts in Indian Context

Human-Wildlife Conflict
Human-Wildlife Conflict is the interaction between people and wildlife that results in negative
impacts for human or wildlife populations wherever wildlife and people coexist and share limited
resources.

Causes
1. As human populations expand into wild animal habitats, natural wildlife territory is
displaced.
2. Reduction in the availability of natural prey/food sources leads to wild animals seeking
alternate sources.
3. Alternately, new resources created by humans draw wildlife resulting in conflict.
4. The population density of wildlife and humans increase with overlaps in geographical
areas increasing their interaction thus resulting in increased physical conflict.
5. Byproducts of human existence offer un-natural opportunities for wildlife in the form of
food and sheltered interference and potentially destructive threat for both man and
animals.
Outcomes of Conflict
1. Injury and loss of life of humans and wildlife [10]
2. Crop damage, livestock depredation, predation of managed wildlife stock.
3. Damage to human property.
4. Trophic cascades.
5. Destruction of habitat.
6. Collapse of wildlife populations and reduction of geographic ranges.

Dealing with conflict

Dealing with conflict requires formation of multiple partnerships. A strong forest department
presence is needed that collaborates with other departments such as railways, police and the
district collectors. For instance, people are often attacked by sloth bears when they go out to
defecate in the open during early morning hours or when they are moving around in low light
conditions.

Tribal Populations and Rights

The word "Tribe' denotes a group of people living in fixed territory. These tribes are a social
group living in a fixed territory having no such specialization of functions and the people living in
these social groups are known as tribes or tribal people.

Constitutional Rights for Tribals

1. Educational & Cultural Rights

A. Art. 15(4) Special provisions for advancement of other backward classes (which
includes STs);
B. Art. 29- Protection of Interests of Minorities (which includes STs);
C. Art. 46- The State shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic
interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled
Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all
forms of exploitation,
D. Art. 350 - Right to conserve distinct Language, Script or Culture;
E. Art. 350 - Instruction in Mother Tongue.
2. Social Rights
A. Art. 23 Prohibition of traffic in human beings and beggar and other similar form of
forced labour
B. Art. 24 - Forbidding Child Labour.

3. Economic Rights
A. Art.244 - Clause(1) Provisions of Fifth Schedule shall apply to the administration &
control of the Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in any State other than the states
of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura which are covered under Sixth Schedule,
 under Clause (2) of this Article.
B. Art. 275 - Grants in-Aid to specified States (STs &SAs) covered under Fifth and Sixth
Schedules of the Constitution.
4. Political Rights
A. Art.164 (1) - Provides for Tribal Affairs Ministers in Bihar, MP and Orissa
B. Art. 330- Reservation of seats for STs in Lok Sabha
C. Art. 337 - Reservation of seats for STs in State Legislatures
D. Art. 334 - 10 years period for reservation (Amended several times to extend the
period
E. Art. 243 - Reservation of seats in Panchayats
F. Art. 371 - Special provisions in respect of NE States and Sikkim

Safeguards under Various laws

● The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,1989 and the
Rules 1995 framed there under. Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 (in respect
of Scheduled Tribes);
● The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act1986;
● States Acts & Regulations concerning alienation & restoration of land belonging to STs;
Forest Conservation Act 1980
● Panchayati Raj (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996;
● Minimum Wages Act- 1948.