Unit 6: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE: It is the average weather of an area. It is the general weather

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

Causes of climate changes

1. Presence of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere increases the global

temperature.

2. Depletion of the ozone layer increases the global temperature.

Effects of climate change:

1. Small climate changes disturb agriculture which leads to migration of animals

and humans.

2. Climate change may upset the hydrological cycle which results in floods and
droughts in different parts of the world.

GLOBAL WARMING

Global pattern of winds and ocean currents also gets disturbed by climate change.
Greenhouse effect

The Greenhouse Effect ATMOSPHERE

Greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are transparent to light but absorb IR

radiation. These gasses allow sunlight to penetrate the atmosphere and are
absorbed by the earth surface. This sunlight is radiated back as IR which is
absorbed by gasses. As a result the earth surface and lower atmosphere becomes
warm. This is called global warming.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING:

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

2. High CO2 levels in the atmosphere have a long term negative.

Effect on crop production and forest growth.

● Global rainfall patterns will change

● Drought and floods will become more. Raising temperature will increase
domestic water demand.

● Many plants and animal species will have a problem adapting. Many will be
at the risk of extinction, more towering varieties will thrive.

● As the earth becomes warmer the floods and drought becomes more
frequent. There would be an increase in water-borne diseases.

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION:

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

Importance

O3 protects us from damaging UV radiation from the sun. It filters UV- B

radiation. Nowadays certain parts of the O3 layer are becoming thinner and O3
holes are formed. Because of this more UV-B radiation reaches the earth's surface.
UV-B radiation affects DNA molecules, causing damage to the outer cells of plants
and animals.

Causes of O3 layer depletion

Refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol sprays and cleaning solvents release CFC s
into the atmosphere.

Effects

1. UV rays cause skin cancer.

2. Increases the rate of non melanin skin cancer in fair colored people.

3. Prolonged exposure to UV rays leads to slow blindness and cataracts.

Effects on aquatic system :

1. UV rays affect phytoplankton, fish, larval crabs.

2. phytoplankton consumes large amounts of CO 2.

3. Decrease in phytoplankton results in more CO2 in the atmosphere. This

contributes to global warming.

Control measures

1. Manufacturing and use of O3 depleting chemicals should be stopped.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Strict laws have to be made in order to prevent the activities of humans which
results in environmental pollution. For this central and state government has put
forth the following laws which have to be followed by each and every citizen of
that nation for its sustainable development.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECT ACT

The Act came into force on Nov. 19, 1986, the birth anniversary of our Late Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi, who was a pioneer of environ-mental protection issues in
our country.

Important features of this act are as follows

1. This act empowers the govt. to lay down procedures and safeguards for the
prevention of accidents which cause pollution and remedial measures if accidents
occur.

2.The govt has the authority to close or prohibit or regulate any industry or its
operation if the violation of provisions of the act occurs.

3. Violation of the act is punishable with imprisonment for 5 years or fine of one
lakh or both.

AIR PREVENTION ACT 1981

This act was enacted in the conference held at StockHolm. It envisages the
establishments of central and State control boards to monitor air quality and
pollution control.

Important features

1. The central board may lay down the standards for quality of air.

2. The central board co-ordinates and settles the disputes between state boards.
3. The central board provides technical assistance and guidance to state boards.

4.The state boards are empowered to lay down the standards for emission of air
pollutants from industries or other resources.

3. The state boards are to examine the manufacturing processes and control
equipment for the prescribed standards.

4. Violation of law is punishable with imprisonment for three months or fine of Rs

10,000 or both.

This act applies to all pollution industries. This act empowers the state board to
order closure of any industrial unit or stoppage of water supply or stoppage of
electricity.

WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT. 1974.

This act provides for maintaining and restoring the sources of water. It also
provides for preventing and controlling water pollution.

1. To establish any industry or any treatment and disposal system or any extension
or addition which likely discharge Or trade effluent into a stream or well or river or
on land.

2. To use any new or altered outlet for the discharge of sewage.

3. To begin to make any new discharge of sewage.

The Act also empowers the state board to order closure or stoppage of supply of
Electricity, water or any other service to the polluting unit.
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 1972.

● This act was amended in 1983, 1986, and 1991.This act is aimed to preserve all
animals and plants that are not Domesticated. protect and

Important Features

1. The act covers the rights and non- rights of forest dwellers.

2. It allows restricted grazing in sanctuaries but prohibits it in national parks.

FOREST (COSERVATON) ACT 1980

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

Important Features of the act

1. The reserved forests shall not be diverted or dereserved without the permission
of central govt.

2. The forest land may not be used for non forest purposes.

3.This act stops illegal activities within the forest area.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS:

MONTREAL PROTOCOL:

● The Montreal Protocol on substances is a protocol signed by nations in order to

stop or reduce the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible
for ozone depletion.
● It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is
expected to recover by 2050. It has been ratified by 196 states.

KYOTO PROTOCOL:

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC of FCCC), aimed at fighting global warming.

The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty with the goal of achieving

stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that
would minimize dangerous environmental change interference with the climate
system.

The five principle concepts of the Kyoto Protocol are:

i. Commitments to reduce greenhouse gasses that are legally binding for annex I
countries, as well as general commitments for all member countries.

ii. Implementation to meet the Protocol objectives, to prepare policies and

measures which reduce greenhouse gasses, increasing absorption of these gasses

iii. Minimizing impacts on developing countries by establishing an adaptation fund

for climate change.

iv. Accounting, reporting and review to ensure the integrity of the Protocol.

THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC]

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an arms control treaty that outlawed
the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

Features:
Prohibition of production and use of chemical weapons.

Destruction (or monitored conversion to other functions) of chemical weapons

production facilities.

Destruction of all chemical weapons (including chemical weapons abandoned

outside the state parties territory).

NATURE RESERVES TRIBAL POPULATION AND RIGHTS

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 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.

• Nature reserves may be designated by government institutions in some countries,

or by private landowners, such as charities and research institutions, regardless of
nationality.

*National and global benefits outweighed costs to local livelihoods.

TRIBAL POPULATION AND RIGHTS

A group of people organized around kinship who live and work together. They
represent a part in social evolution.

Rights:
I. Educational & Cultural Safeguards

Art. 15(4): Special provisions for advancement of other backward classes (it
includes STS).

Art. 29:- Protection of Interests of Minorities (it includes STs)

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.

Art. 350:- Right to conserve distinct Language, Script or Culture;

Art. 350:- Instruction in Mother Tongue.

II. Social Safeguard

Art. 23:- Prohibition of traffic in human beings and beggar and other similar form
of forced labor.

Art. 24:- Forbidding Child Labour.

III. Political Safeguards

Art: 164(1):- Provides for Tribal Affairs Ministers in Bihar, MP and Orissa;

Art. 330:- Reservation of seats for STs in Lok Sabha;

Art. 337- Reservation of seats for STs in State Legislatures; Art. 334:- 10 years
period for reservation (Amended several times to extend the period.); Art. 243:-
Reservation of seats in Panchayats.
HUMAN AND WILDLIFE CONFLICT IN INDIAN CONTEXT

Instances of man animal conflicts keep on coming to limelight from several states
in our country. In Sambalpur, Orissa 195 humans were killed in the last 5 years by
elephants. In retaliation the villagers killed 98 elephants and badly injured 30
elephants.

Several instances of killing of elephants in the border regions of

Kote-Chamarajanagar belt in Mysore have been reported recently. The
man-elephant conflict in this region has arisen because of the massive damage
done by the elephants to the farmer's cotton and sugarcane crops. The agonized
villagers electrocute the elephants and sometimes hide explosives in the sugarcane
fields, which explode as the elephants intrude into their fields.

In fact, more killings are done by locals than by poachers. Recently, in early 2004,
a man-eating tiger was reported to kill 16 Nepalese people and one 4-year old child
inside the Royal Chitwan National Park, 240 Km South-west of Kathmandu. The
Park renowned for its wildlife conservation effort has become a zone of terror for
the locals.

At times, such conflicting situations have been reported from the border regions of
Corbett, Dudhwa, Palamau and Ranthambore National Parks in our country as
well. Very recently in June, 2004 two men were killed by leopards in Powai,
Mumbai. A total of 14 persons were killed during 19 attacks since January by the
leopards from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai which has created a panic
among the local

Reasons Behind The Human Prey, Injured or Old Animal, Growing Human
Population. Interaction: Deforestation, Loss of Habitat, Decline in residents.

Results of Human Wildlife Conflict:

• Crop Damage Animal Deaths Loss of Human Life 1091 • Injuries to People •
Injuries to Wildlife • Livestock Depredation Solutions to Reduce Human
Interaction and Wildlife Conflict • Fencing • Land-Use Planning Livestock
Protection • Avoid stepping out After Dark

Important questions

1. Write short notes on:

a) climate change.

b) global warming.

c) ozone layer depletion.

d) acid rain

2. Write the salient features of the environment protection act.

3. Write the salient features of air act and water act.

4. Briefly explain Kyoto protocol.

5. Explain the features of Montreal protocol.

6. List the features of convention on biodiversity.

7. Why was the chemical weapon convention treaty signed by the nations?

8. Explanatory note on human and wildlife conflict in Indian context.

UNIT-7: HUMAN POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT

HUMAN POPULATION AND GROWTH:

Population: Group of individuals belonging to the same species which live in a

given area at a given time.

Population Growth - Results from the difference between the rate of birth and
death.

Population density:- Number of individuals of the population per unit area per
unit volume.

IMPACTS OF POPULATION GROWTH ON ENVIRONMENT

1. Generation of Waste: Increasing population increases the rate of production of

waste.

2. Threat to Biodiversity: Due to his destructive activities, man has extracted

more and more minerals from the earth. Animals have been hunted and plants have
disappeared. There has been loss of biodiversity. These have led to ecological
imbalance.

3. Strain on Forests: Man has established new housing colonies. National

highways and hydropower projects have been built and forests have been wiped
out. These destructive activities have increased and led to ecological imbalance.

4. Urbanization: Rapid growth of population has led to urbanization which has

adversely affected the environment. Due to population pressure, natural resources
in the cities are depleted at a fast rate due to population pressure.

5. Industrialisation: Underdeveloped countries are following the policy of heavy

industrialisation which is causing environmental degradation. The establishment of
such industries as fertilizers, iron and steel, chemicals and refineries have led to
land, air and water pollution.

6. Land Degradation: Intensive farming and excessive use of fertilizers and

pesticides have led to over-exploitation of land and water resources. These have led
to land degradation in the form of soil erosion, waterlogging and salinization.

7. Transport Development: Environmental degradation is also due to transport

development in different parts of the world. The automobiles release huge
quantities of poisonous gasses such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and
hydrocarbons. The development of ports and harbors have led to oil spills from
ships adversely affecting fisheries, coral reefs, mangroves and landscapes.

8. Climatic Change: Climatic changes are irregular due to increase in the level of
greenhouse gasses. Urban people are still being exposed to unaccepted levels of
toxic pollutants. Further, forests are still being degraded by acid deposition
generated by faraway industries, and greenhouse gasses continue to accumulate in
the atmosphere.

9. Productivity: Environmental degradation not only harms health but also reduces
economic productivity. Dirty water, inadequate sanitation, air pollution and land
degradation cause serious diseases on an enormous scale in developing countries
like India.

Loss of biodiversity has resulted in the loss of genetic resources. Last but not the
least, atmospheric changes have given rise to disruption of marine food chain,
damages to coastal infrastructure due to sea-rise and regional changes in
agriculture productivity due to hurricanes in seas.

10. Technology: Presently, environmental pollution is caused by old technology

which releases gasses and pollutants causing chemical and industrial pressure on
the environment.
HUMAN HEALTH AND WELFARE

Healthy person:- Physically fit person without suffering any disease is called a
healthy person.

Disease:- Harmful changes in the body's condition by nutritional, biological,

chemical (or) psychological factors are called diseases.

Important Hazards and their health effects refer to borne Chemical Hazards and
their health effects refer T.B. Biological Hazards and their health effects Refers
T.B.

Preventive measures:

1. Always wash your hands before eating.

2. Cut short and clean your nails systematic.

3.Drinking chemically treated and filtered water.

4.Eat food always in hot condition.

5. Wash the vegetables and fruits with clean water before cooking.

6. Avoid plastic

STEPS UNDERTAKEN FOR HUMAN WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Control of Population Growth: The rate of population growth should be

curtailed through effective family planning measures. This is essential for the
welfare of human development.

2. Economic Development: The aim of population control is not only to bring

about a decline in fertility rates but also to improve the quality of life of the people.
These are possible through rapid economic development.

3. Improving Health and Nutrition: Improving health and nutrition levels is an

extremely important factor contributing to the social development of a developing
country. Especially the people of the weaker sections of the society who do not
take adequate advantage of health, family welfare and nutrition services, should be
made aware of these facilities so that their health and nutrition status can be
improved.

4. Reducing Poverty: Such development projects should be started which provide

greater employment opportunities to the poor. The government should expand
health and family planning services and education so as to reach the poor that will
help reduce population growth. Further, making investments in providing civic
amenities like the supply of drinking water, sanitation facilities, alternate habitats
in place of slums, etc. will not only improve welfare but also the environment.

5. Removing Subsidies: To reduce environmental degradation at no financial cost

to the government, subsidies for resource use by the private and public sectors
should be removed. Subsidies to capital intensive and highly polluting private and
public industries lead to environmental degradation. Removing or reducing
subsidies will bring both economic and environmental benefits to the country.

REHABILITATION OF PROJECT

The overall objective of resettlement and rehabilitation is to ensure that the

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

The resettle's grain production level will be self-sufficient after resettlement.

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

The affected public infrastructures, school, hospitals, social welfare level, natural
environment and traffic condition etc. shall be improved after resettlement.

Resettlement Principle: Under such policy, a number of resettlement and

rehabilitation principles have been developed for the Project.

• The resettlement plan will be based on detailed inventory for land acquisition and
houses Demolition, and adopted compensation standards and subsidies.

The resettlement shall be combined with the local development, resource

utilization and Economic growth as well as environment protection. Considering
the local conditions, a Practical and feasible resettlement plan should be developed
to restore or improve their Economic production and create basic conditions for
long-term development.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT: FLOOD, EARTHQUAKE, CYCLONES AND

LANDSLIDES

FLOOD
It is an overflow of water. It happens when the magnitude of flow of water exceeds
the carrying capacity of the channel within its bank.

Causes of flood

● Heavy rainfall, melting of snow and sudden release of water from dams.
(Flash floods) Reduction in the carrying capacity of the channel.
 ● Deforestation, mining and overgrazing increase the run off from rains and
the level of flood raises.

Effects of flood

❖ Water spreads in the surrounding area and submerges them.

❖
❖ Cultivated land gets affected.
❖
❖ Extinction of civilization.
❖
❖ Flood Management
❖
❖ Floods can be controlled by dams.
❖
❖ Channel management control flood.
❖
❖ Flood hazards reduced by forecasting or flood warning.
❖
❖ Flood may also be reduced by reduction of run off by increasing infiltration
through appropriate afforestation in the catchment area.

LANDSLIDES

Landslides occur when the mass of earth material moves downward. It is also
called mass wasting or mass movement.Sudden landslide occurs when
unconsolidated sediments of a hillside are saturated by rainfall or water logging.
Many landslides take place in coincidence with earthquakes. The most common
form of landslides is earthquake induced landslides or more specifically rock falls
and slides of rock fragments that form on steep slopes.The size of area affected by
earthquake induced landslides depends on the magnitude of the earthquake, its
focal depth, the topography and geologic conditions near the causative fault, the
amplitude, frequency, composition and duration of ground shaking.
Control measures for landslides

★ Avoid construction activity in landslide occurring areas.

★
★ Reducing slope of hilly side
★
★ Stabilizing the slope portion
★
★ Increasing plantation of deep rooted vegetation on the slope.

CYCLONES

Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area

distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation.

Recurrent cyclones account for a large number of deaths, loss of livelihood

opportunities, loss of public and private property, and severe damage to
infrastructure.Cyclones are associated with Strong Winds, Torrential rains and
inland flooding and Storm Surge.

Management of Cyclones

Structural measures

a) Construction of cyclone shelters, construction of cyclone resistant buildings,

road links, bridges, canals, drains, saline embankments, communication and power
transmission networks etc.

Non-structural

a) Early warning dissemination systems, management of coastal zones, awareness

generation and disaster risk management and capacity building of all the
stakeholders involved.

b) These measures are being adopted and tackled on a State to State basis under
National Cyclone. Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) being implemented through
World Bank Assistance.

EARTHQUAKES

An earthquake occurs when rocks break and slip along a fault in the earth.
Earthquakes occur due to deformation of the crust and upper mantle of the earth.

Due to heating and cooling of the rock below these plates, movement of adjacently
overlying plates and great stresses, deformation occurs.

Tremendous energy cans build-up between neighboring plates.

If accumulated stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, the rocks break suddenly
releasing the stored energy as an earthquake.

The earthquake releases energy in the form of waves that radiate from the epicenter
in all directions.

The 'p' wave or primary wave alternately compresses and expands material in the
same direction it is traveling.

This wave can move through solid rocks and fluids.

These are the fastest waves. The wave or secondary wave is slower and shakes the
ground up, down, back and forth perpendicular to the direction in which it is
traveling.

The magnitude of an earthquake is measured in the Richter scale. The Richter scale
is logarithmic
Effects of earthquake

Ground shaking

Liquefaction of ground

Ground displacement

Landslides

Flood

Fire

Tsunami

Control of earthquake

➔ There is virtually no technique to control the occurrence of earthquakes.

However, certain preventive measures can be taken to minimize the damage.

➔ Minimizing development activity (especially construction, mining,

construction of dams and reservoirs) in areas known to be active seismic
zones.

➔ Continuously monitoring seismic activity using 'seismographs' and alerting

people regarding any recorded disturbance in advance.

ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS: CHIPKO, SILENT VALLEYS,

BISHNOIS RAJASTHAN
CHIPKO MOVEMENT

Year: 1973

Place: In Chamoli district and later at Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

Leaders: Sundarlal Bahuguna, Gaura Devi, Sudesha Devi, Bachni Devi, Chandi
Prasad Bhatt, Govind Singh Rawat, Dhoom Singh Negi, Shamsher Singh Bisht and
Ghanasyam Raturi.

Aim: The main objective was to protect the trees on the Himalayan slopes from the
axes of contractors of the forest.

What was it all about: Mr. Bahuguna enlightened the villagers by conveying the
importance of trees in the environment which checks the erosion of soil, cause
rains and provides pure air. The women of Advani village of Tehri-Garhwal tied
the sacred thread around trunks of trees and they hugged the trees, hence it was
called 'Chipko Movement' or hug the tree movement'. The main demand of the
people in these protests was that the benefits of the forests (especially the right to
fodder) should go to local people. The Chipko movement gathered momentum in
1978 when the women faced police firings and other tortures. The then state Chief
Minister, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna set up a committee to look into the matter,
which eventually ruled in favor of the villagers. This became a turning point in the
history of eco-development struggles in the region and around the world.

SILENT VALLEY MOVEMENT

Year: 1978

Place: Silent Valley, an evergreen tropical forest in the Palakkad district of Kerala,
India.

Leaders: The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) an NGO, and the poet-activist
Sughathakumari played an important role in the Silent Valley protests.

Aim: In order to protect the Silent Valley, the moist evergreen forest from being
destroyed by a hydroelectric project.

What was it all about: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed a
hydroelectric dam across the Kunthipuzha River that runs through Silent Valley. In
February 1973, the Planning Commission approved the project at a cost of about
Rs 25 crores. Many feared that the project would submerge 8.3 sq km of untouched
moist evergreen forest. Several NGOs strongly opposed the project and urged the
government to abandon it. In January 1981, bowing to unrelenting public pressure,
Indira Gandhi declared that Silent Valley will be protected. In June 1983 the Center
re-examined the issue through a commission chaired by Prof. M.G.K. Menon. In
November 1983 the Silent Valley Hydroelectric Project was called off. In 1985,
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi formally inaugurated the Silent Valley National Park.

BISHNOIS RAJASTHAN Year: 1700s , Marwar region, Rajasthan state.

Place: Khejarli

Leaders: Amrita Devi along with Bishnoi villagers in Khejarli and surrounding
villages. Aim: Save sacred trees from being cut down by the king's soldiers for a
new palace.

What was it all about: Amrita Devi, a female villager could not bear to witness the
destruction of both her faith and the village's sacred trees. She hugged the trees and
encouraged others to do the same. 363 Bishnoi villagers were killed in this
movement. The Bishnoi tree martyrs were influenced by the teachings of Guru
Maharaj Jambaji, who founded the Bishnoi faith in 1485 and set forth principles
forbidding harm to trees and animals. The king who came to know about these
events rushed to the village and apologized, ordering the soldiers to cease logging
operations. Soon afterwards, the maharajah designated the Bishnoi state as a
protected area, forbidding harm to trees and animals. This legislation still exists
today in the region.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

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

principle or value that we use to decide whether an action is good or bad.

Ethics differs from country to country. Ethical guidelines on environmental

protection:

The earth is the habitat of all living species and not of human beings alone
Natural resources and energies are depleting fast. We must protect them.

Involve yourself in the care of the earth and experience nature.

Respect nature, you are a part of it.

Think of the global cause and act for local protection.

Keep yourself informed about ecological changes and developments.

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

ROLE OF INDIAN AND OTHER CULTURES AND ENVIRONMENT

PROTECTION RELIGION

● It's the duty of all Indians to protect all the naturally available resources without
exploitation. For this India has put forth many laws under the legislation which has
to be followed regularly. If they fail to follow the rules and regulations they are
supposed to pay the penalty for the government. Use of more and more of
inexhaustible natural resources like solar energy wind energy for the production of
electricity.

● Reduce, recycle and reuse policy has to be and release of waste gets reduced to
be adopted by everyone there by production. India is a vast diversified country
with variety of religion in each religion and caste protection and conservation of
diversity, maintenance of peace in the environment and no harm should be made to
the wildlife as these natural resources since these are worshiped as god of nature.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

Environmental communication

It is also an interdisciplinary field of study that examines the role, techniques and
influence of communication in environmental affairs.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

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

Objectives of public awareness

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

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

development, exhibitions.

3. To focus on current environment problems and situations.

4. To train our planners, decision makers, politicians and administrators.

5. To eliminate poverty by providing employment that overcomes the basic

environmental issues.

METHODS TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

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

colleges. Media like TV Radio and cable networks can educate people on
environmental issues through Cartoons, documentaries, and street plays.

2. All the newspapers and magazines must publish the environment related
problems. Special audio visual and slide shows should be arranged in public
places.

3. Voluntary organizations like NCC, NSS should be effectively utilized for

creating environmental awareness.

4. Arranging competitions like story and essay writing painting competitions can
be environmental issues for students as well as public.Attractive prizes should be
awarded for the best effort.

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

Important Questions

1. Briefly explain human population and growth.

2. List the steps undertaken for human welfare and development.

3. Define carbon footprint. How does carbon foot print effects the environment.
4. Explain about resettlement and rehabilitation problems.

5. Write a note on following disasters and their management:

a) Floods.

b) Earthquake.

c) Cyclone.

d) Landslides.

6. What were the impacts of the following environmental movements:

a) Chipko movement. b) Silent valley movement.

7. Bishnois of Rajasthan played a role in environmental protection.