Syllabus

• Environmental Science

• Ecosystems

• Biodiversity

• Environmental Pollution

• Social & Environmental Issues and Disaster

Management
 Course Objectives

• To understand the various Food, Energy and other natural

resources available in the nature
• To analyze the inter linking between biotic and abiotic forms of
ecosystem.
• To understand the importance of all different types of living beings
around us.
• To understand the state of pollution of various components of
environment.
• To understand the various global environmental issues that threaten
the survival of living beings in the nature.
 Course Outcomes
• To understand various Food, Water and other natural resources available in
the nature and their sustainable use.
• To analyze the interlinking and interdependency between the biotic and
abiotic forms of the ecsystem. Distinguish between Renewable and Non-
Renewable resources and their sustainable use.
• To understand the importance of various living beings around us and our
existance in the nature along with the biodiversity.
• To understand state of pollution of various components of environment
and evaluate there impacts on the biotic and abiotic components of
environment. And also understand methods from economic, political and
social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of
environmental policies and institutions.
• To understand various global environmental issues that threaten the
survival of living beings in the nature and the concepts of sustainability
and disaaster management.
 Definition, Scope and Importance, Need for
Public Awareness
Definition :
The branch of science concerned with the physical, chemical, and biological
conditions of the environment and their effect on organisms.

Environment:
The basic components of the environment are atmosphere or the air,
lithosphere or the rocks and soil, hydrosphere or the water, and the living
component of the environment or the biosphere. the thick gaseous layer
surrounding the earth.
Ozone formation in stratosphere

Stratospheric ozone production. Ozone is

naturally produced in the stratosphere by a
twostep reactive process. In the first step,
solar ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) breaks
apart an oxygen molecule to form two
separate oxygen atoms. In the second step,
each atom then undergoes a binding collision
with another oxygen molecule to form an
ozone molecule. In the overall process, three
oxygen molecules plus sunlight react to form
two ozone molecules.
Hoba meteorite

The meteorite in 2014 after

becoming a tourist attraction

Type : Iron
Country : Namibia
Found date : 1920
Fall date : Less than 80,000 years ago
 Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the planet,

underground, and in the air

71% Globe has water

>97% Salt water
>2% Glaciers
<1% Available Fresh water

•Surface Water
•Ground Water
•Water vapour
•Biological Cell Water
Environment:
The basic components of the environment are
atmosphere or the air, lithosphere or the rocks
and soil, hydrosphere or the water, and the
living component of the environment or the
biosphere. the thick gaseous layer surrounding
the earth.
Scope and Importance :
It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach

Importance of Environmental Science:

Impact of humans on environment

Impact of environment on humans

Impact of humans on environment
Impact of environment on humans
 Need for Public Awareness:

Why ? :
Know the Problem to find Solution

When ? :
Now or never

How ? :
Awareness Programmes like as follows
• Curriculum
• Social Media
• Seminars/Webinars
• Conferences/Workshops
• NGOs, Eco-Clubs, Greenbelts
• Folks and public meetings
• Documentry
• Wold Summitt
Use and over Utilization of Surface and Ground Water

• Domestic
• Industrial
• Agricultural
• India receives 4,000 billion cubic metre (bcm) of water through rainfall
annually. Of this only 1,137 bcm is utilisable and the rest add to the river
flows. Of the 1,137 bcm, 690 bcm fills the surface water bodies while
another 447 bcm seeps into the ground. Thus, net availability of
groundwater is measured at 447 bcm.
• In India now has approximately 27 million borewells, but several of them
have been abandoned because they no longer supply water.
• Excessive pumping can lower the groundwater table, and cause wells to no
longer be able to reach groundwater.

• Groundwater Decline and Depletion

 Drying up of wells
 Reduction of water in streams and lakes
 Deterioration of water quality
 Increased pumping costs
 Land subsidence
 Floods
Temporary or Permanent Inundation of two or more acres of normal dry land is called as
floods

Causes of Floods:
•Heavy Rains (Cyclones)
•Tidal and wave effect
•Dam break Flash floods
•Global warming melting of ice
•Chocking or blockage of sewer lines
•Improper drainage system
•Back flow of water
•Land absorbancy
•Texture of soil
Effects of Floods
•Loss of Life and Property
•Water contamination/Pollution
•Water borne diseases
•Water logging And Salinity pollution of soil
•Breeding site for vectors
•Normal life will be disturbed
 Drought
• A drought is a period of time when an area or region
experiences below-normal precipitation. The lack of adequate
precipitation ( no or low rainfall)

• wind speed and direction

• temperature
• humidity Meteorological Factors
• rainfall
• solar radiation
Types of drought
•Meteorological drought
Lack of water in atmosphere
•Agricultural drought
Lack of water in soil and plants/crops
•Hydrological drought
Lack of water in that area in any form
Conflicts over Water
•Godavari Water Disputes between Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and
Madhya Pradesh & Odisha
•Cauvery Water Disputes between Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
•Krishna Water Disputes between Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and
Maharashtra
•India and Pakistan Indus rivers

Dams
Benefits:
•Water storage
•Hydro power generation
•Food producton
•Flood control
•Increase of water table
•Ecological balance
• Inland Navigation
• Educational Tour
• Recreation
• Employment
• Aquarium

Problems:
• Aquaring Land Area
• Large capital Investment
• Loss of vegetation (O2 & Co2, loss of biodiversity, exotic species, endemic species,
loss of fertility/minerals)
• Increase of Air Pollution
• Loss of nutrients to down stream
• Causes floods ( dam break, back flow)
• Water logging and Salinity
• silting (loss of water storing capacity)
• Breeding site for vectors
• change of earth rotation
• Earthquakes
• Conflicts over water
• Aquatic plant growth
• Maintanence

Effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticides problems

Fertilizer:
chemical or material or substance added to soil or land to enhances its
fertility. Productive capacity of soil is called as fertilizer.
 Fertilizer

Natural Synthetic

Urea

Organic Inorganic

• Animal Waste sodium

• Agricultural nitrate, "rock
waste phosphate"
• Bodegradable and
MSW limestone
• Composte
Pesticides:
Pesticides are substances that are meant to control pests. A living
being which effects well being of other living being is known as pest.
Depending on which living being they are controling they are of following types.

Bactericides Bacteria
Fungicides Fungi
Herbicides Plant
Insecticides Insects
Molluscicides Snails
Nematicides Nematodes
Rodenticides Rodents

Biomagnification: entering and increasing the concentration of toxic materials in

the biological system and causing adverse impacts. (bioampliphication &
bioaccumulation)
Example: DDT
 Waterlogging & Salinity

• Waterlogging is the saturation

of soil with water. Soil may be
regarded as waterlogged when it is
nearly saturated with water much of
the time such that its air phase is
restricted and anaerobic conditions
prevail. It leads to the reduction of
nitrogen fixation, iron and manganese
oxides.
• Salinity: Increase in the soluble
salt concentration in the soil is
called salinity. It leads to land
degradation/pollution.
Use and over exploitation of forest resources

Continued overexploitation can lead to the destruction of the

resource. The term applies to natural resources such as: wild medicinal plants,
grazing pastures, animals, fish stocks, forests, and water aquifers.
Overexploitation can lead to resource destruction, including extinctions of
biodiversity.

Deforestation and its impact on tribal population

Many of earth’s tribal people, representing 5,000 cultures, are

vanishing as their lands are taken for economic development. Large dams are
being constructed on environmentally sensitive sites.
 Land Resources
Land degradation:
Loss of soil fertility, Loss of Productivity/Productive capacity of soil, it is due to

Pollution
water logging and salinity
excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides
shifting cultivation
minning
human induced landslides (modification of the topography, change of the
water circulations, land use changes, ageing of infrastructure)
soil erosion
desertification (loss of vegetation due to overgrzing, forest fires, deforestation)
 Energy Resources
Renewable ( non- conventional)
•Solar energy
•Wind energy
•Hydropower
•Geothermal
•Tidal & wave energy (OTEC)
•Biomass energy ( wet & dry biomass)
•Hydrogen

Non-renewable (conventional)
•Coal
•Petroleum products
Renewable ( non- conventional)
 Ecosystem
Unit - II
Concept of an ecosystem:
No independent organism can live independetly without sharing materials

Structure and function of an ecosystem:

Fundamentally, ecosystem functions are exchange of energy and nutrients in
the food chain. These exchanges sustain plant and animal life on the planet as well as the
decomposition of organic matter and the production of biomass.
Structure of an ecosystem
Producers (Autotrophs)
All plants which can prepare food (energy) by photosynthesis.
Consumers (Heterotrophs--Herbivoes) Depend on plants for food and
energy.
Decomposers (Saprotrophs -- Reducers) conversion of complex
materials into simple form.

Energy flow in an ecosystem:

Food Chain: Food chain, in ecology, the sequence of transfers of matter
and energy in the form of food from organism to organism.
Types of Food Chains
Food web (or food cycle) is the natural interconnection of food chains
Ecological pyramid
An ecological pyramid also known as trophic pyramid, Eltonian pyramid,
energy pyramid, or sometimes food pyramid is a graphical representation designed to
show the biomass or bioproductivity at each trophic level in a given ecosystem.

Thare of three types:

•Pyramid of numbers
•Pyramid of energy
•Pyramid of biomass
Pyramid of numbers

Pyramid of energy
Pyramid of biomass

Pyramid of biomass of Aquatic ecosystem is

inverted
Ecological succession
Ecological succession is the process of change in the species structure of an
ecological community over time. The time scale can be decades
Types of ecosystems
Pond & Lake Ecosystem
River & Stream Ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem
Desert Ecosystem
 Biodiversity
Unit - III

Biodiversity: Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth.

Levels of biodiversity: There are three levels of biodiversity — Species

diversity, Genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity.

Species diversity
Species diversity is defined as the number of different species present
in an ecosystem and relative abundance of each of those species. Diversity is
greatest when all the species present are equally abundant in the area.
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the
genetic makeup of a species, it ranges widely from the number of species to
differences within species.

Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity deals with the variations in ecosystems within a
geographical location and its overall impact on human existence and the
environment. It is the variation in the ecosystems found in a region or the
variation in ecosystems over the whole planet.
Biogeographic classification of India:

1.Trans-Himalayan Region
2.Himalayas
3.The Indian Desert
4.Arid & Semi-Arid Areas
5.Western Ghats
6.Deccan Plateau
7.Gangetic Plain
8.North-East India
9.Islands
10.Coasts
 Value of biodiversity:
Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and
ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional and local levels.

•Consumptive use value: consumptive use is the direct utilization of timber, food,
fuelwood, medicines, papers, pets, zoo specimens, tourism and raw material for business
prospects etc.

•Productive use value: Are fixing and recycling of nutrients, soil formation, circulation
and cleansing of air and water, global life support, maintaining the water balance within
ecosystems.

•Social & Cultural values: Traditional, cultural and religious customs in the societies
valued it as a resource.

•Ethical values: It is based on the importance of protecting all forms of life against
illegal activities like cloning of animals, smuggling of valuable biodiversity instances,
bio-piracy, illicit trade etc.
• Aesthetic value: Source of pleasure and aesthetic satisfaction – its contribution to
quality of life, outdoor recreation and scenic enjoyment.
• Option value: Keeping future possibilities open for their use is called ‘option value’.

Threats to biodiversity
Loss of biodiversity, decrease in the population of biodivesity.

• Deforestation (Loss of vgetation)

• Habitat conversion and destruction
• Pollution
• Plastic, Pesticides & toxic chemicals
• Over-exploitation of resources, species
• Global warming & Climate Change
• Ozone layer deplition
• Ecological Imbalance
• Human wild conflicts
• poaching and illegal trade
• Technology
• wars
• Accidents
• Encroachment of forest area

Endangered and endemic species of india

A species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction and Endemic

species are plant and animal species that are found in a particular
geographical region and nowhere else in the world.

Endangered species of India are Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest National Park,
Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, snow leopard, Nilgiri Tahr and Lion Tailed
Macaque at Western Ghats of India. Kashmiri Red Stag, blackbuck, one
horned rhinoceros
Endemic Species of India:
A list of the endemic species of India is mentioned below
•Asiatic Lion, Gir Forest
•Kashmir Stag, Kashmir Valley
•Lion-Tailed Macaque, Western Ghats
•Purple Frog, Western Ghats
•Sangai Deer, Loktak Lake
•Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills
•Pygmy Hog, Assam
•Bronzeback Vine Snake, Western Ghats
•Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Hills
•Malabar Civet, Western Ghats
•Anaimalai Gliding Frog, Anaimalai Hills
•Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Arunachal Pradesh
•Indian Giant Squirrel
•Bonnet Macaque
 Types of conservation
Ex situ conservation

•Conserving biodiversity outside the areas where they naturally occur is known as ex
situ conservation. Here, animals and plants are reared or cultivated in areas like
zoological parks or botanical gardens.
•Reintroduction of an animal or plant into the habitat from where it has become extinct
is another form of ex situ conservation. For example, the Gangetic gharial has been
reintroduced in the rivers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where it
had become extinct.
•Seedbanks, botanical, horticultural and recreational gardens are important centres for
ex situ conservation.
In situ conservation

•Conserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats is known as in situ
conservation. This includes the establishment of

•National parks and sanctuaries

•Biosphere reserves
•Nature reserves
•Reserved and protected forests
•Reserved forests

Conserving biodiversity : International efforts

•United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) collaborates with a wide range of

partners throughout the UN system and beyond to provide information on the state of
the planet's natural resources and their contribution to sustainable development.
• World Conservation Union (IUCN) is the world's largest and most important
conservation network that brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies, more
than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists.
Experts from 181 countries work for conservation of natural resources under IUCN's
various programmes in a unique worldwide partnership.

• World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) of the United Nations

Environment Programme or UNEP-WCMC is an executive agency of the United
Nations Environment Programme.

• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental

organisation for the conservation, research and restoration of the natural
environment. Formerly named the World Wildlife Fund. WWF is one of the world's
largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations.

• Global Biodiversity Assessment (GBA) is an independent, critical, peer reviewed

scientific analysis of the current issues, theories and views regarding the main aspects
of biodiversity. According to the Global Biodiversity Assessment, it is estimated that
the total number of species on Earth is between 13 and 14 million, of which only
1.75 million have been described. Enormous diversity exists between these species,
ranging from common annual herbs to bacteria of deep ocean trenches.
• Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) It entered into force on 29 December
1993. More than 170 countries had become parties. The three goals of the CBD are
to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components,
and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic
resources.

• Global Biodiversity Challenge: In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention

committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate
of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level. This target was
subsequently endorsed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the
United Nations

Indian Government has taken various biodiversity protection steps. Important

measures include:

• The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for the
protection of wetlands, in the States.
• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic
Eco-System also provides assistance to the States for the management of wetlands.

• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in
wildlife, including endangered species.

• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats‘

has been modified by including a new component namely ‘Recovery of Endangered
Species‘ and 16 species have been identified for recovery viz. Snow Leopard,
Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles,
Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur
Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion,
Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.

• Protected Areas, viz, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and

Community Reserves all over the country covering the important habitats have been
created as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to provide
better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.
• Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State Governments under
various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection and
conservation to wildlife.

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.

• The State Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and
intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
 Environmental Pollution
Unit - IV

Environmental pollution is defined as "the contamination of the physical and

biological components of the earth/atmosphere system to such an extent that normal
environmental processes are adversely affected."

Various environmental components are getting polluted like, Air pollution, Water
Pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal pollution

Air pollution: presence or introduction of a substance into the air which has harmful or
poisonous effects. That substance is called as air pollutant.

Types of Air pollutants:

•Solid Air Pollutants (Particulate Matter)
•Gaseous Air Pollutants (Co2 , CH4, etc.,)
•Liquid Air Pollutants (Liquid dropllets, Pesticide spray, etc.,)
• Particulate matter (PM) are inhalable and respirable particles composed of
sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and
water. Particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10), including fine
particles less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) pose the greatest risks to health, as they are
capable of penetrating peoples’ lungs and entering their bloodstream.
• SPM (Suspended particulate matter)
• RSPM (Respirable Suspended particulate matter)

Sources of Air Pollution:

• Natural sources
• Anthropogenic sources

Types of sources:
• Point sources
• Area sources
• Mobile sources

All these can be catogorised into two major air pollution sources like
• Primary air pollutants and
• Secondary air pollutants
Primary air pollutants Pollutants that are formed and emitted directly from particular
sources. Examples are particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide.
Primary pollutants can be emitted from many sources including cars, coal-fired power
plants, natural gas power plants, biomass burning, natural forest fires, volcanoes, and
many more.
The effects of primary pollutants are of concern as they can be harmful to humans,
animals and plants. Their contribution to the formation of secondary pollutants is also
concerning, as this is what causes harmful ground level ozone to form, along with
different smogs.

Secondary air pollutants are pollutants which form in the atmosphere. These pollutants
are not emitted directly from a source (like vehicles or power plants). Instead, they form
as a result of the pollutants emitted from these sources reacting with molecules in the
atmosphere. Pollutants that are emitted into the environment from a source are called
primary pollutants.
Secondary pollutants are concerning as they can be formed from many
different compounds. The phenomena of photochemical smog is a result of the
interactions of primary pollutants with other molecules in the air such as molecular
oxygen, water and hydrocarbons. These combine to form yellow clouds that are harmful
to humans. Photochemical smog is made up of various secondary pollutants like ozone,
peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs), and nitric acid.
Major sources of Air Top-ten Kinds of Air Pollution
pollutants •Sulfur dioxide
•The Burning of Fossil Fuels •Carbon monoxide
•Industrial Emission •Carbon dioxide
•Indoor Air Pollution •Nitrogen oxides
•Wildfires •Volatile organic compounds
•Microbial Decaying Process (VOCs)
•Transportation •Particulates
•Open Burning of Garbage •Ozone
Waste •Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
•Construction and Demolition •Unburned hydrocarbons
•Agricultural Activities •Lead and heavy metals
•Use of chemical and synthetic
products
Effects of Air Pollution on the Environment
•Global Warming.
•Climate Change.
•Acid Rain.
•Smog effect.
•Extinction of animal species.
•Respiratory health problems.
•Deterioration in building materials.

Effects of Air Pollution on Human body

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), particle

pollution, ground-level O3, CO, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead (Pb)
are the six major air pollutants which harm human health and also the
ecosystem.
•Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a toxic gas that you cannot see or smell. CO is
given off whenever fuel or other carbon-based materials are burned.
• Breathing CO can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. If CO
levels are high enough, you may become unconscious or die. Exposure to
moderate and high levels of CO over long periods of time has also been
linked with increased risk of heart disease. People who survive severe CO
poisoning may suffer long-term health problems.
• Inhaling CO will reduce oxygen carring capacity of blood resulting
formation of Carboxy-heamoglobin in humans.
• Sulfur dioxide irritates the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose,
throat, and lungs. High concentrations of SO2 can cause inflammation and
irritation of the respiratory system, especially during heavy physical activity.
• NOx has direct and indirect effects on human health. It can cause breathing
problems, headaches, chronically reduced lung function, eye irritation, loss
of appetite and corroded teeth.
• Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney
and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death. Lead can cross
the placental barrier, which means pregnant women who are exposed to lead
also expose their unborn child. Lead can damage a developing baby's
nervous system.
Effects of air pollution on plants
Air pollutants have a negative impact on plant growth, primarily
through interfering with resource accumulation. Air pollutants cause damage to
leaf cuticles and affect stomatal conductance. They can also have direct effects
on photosynthetic systems, many air pollutants, such as O 3 and NOx, affect the
metabolic function of the leaves.
Chlorosis and Necrosis
While ozone in the lower atmosphere is considered as an important
phytotoxic air pollutant. Ozone causes several types of symptoms including
chlorosis and necrosis. chlorosis (yel lowing) and necrosis (death) of older
mature leaves.
Epinasty
•Leaf epinasty involves a downward bending of leaves. Epinasty is due to
differential auxin accumulation in adaxial cells.

Hyponasty
•Hyponasty upwnward bending of leaves, where the abaxial side grows most
strongly, often occurs in leaf petioles as a sequel to epinasty.
Abscission
•Abscission (from Latin ab, "away", and scindere, "to cut'") is the shedding of
various parts of an organism, such as a plant dropping a leaf, fruit, flower, or
seed. When the plant is exposed to ethylene.

Effect of air pollution on materials

•The effect of air pollution on materials may be seen in terms of discoloration,
deterioration, material loss, structural failing, corrosion, rusting and soiling.
Air pollution control

Settling chambers are the devices that are

introduced to the industrial exhaust system to
remove solid particles from the emission. In
principle,pollutants are removed by reducing
the velocity of the gas stream sufficiently to
allow particles to settle out under the
influence of gravityThe particles while
passing through the chamber, settle over the
settling trays under the action of gravity, thus
cleaning the gas.
A Fabric Filter (FF) or bag house (B/H, BH)
or bag filter (BF) is an air pollution control
device which helps to removes the particulates
out of gas or air released from commercial
processes and combustion for electricity
generation, steel mills, power plants, food
manufacture, pharmaceutical products etc,.
Water pollution
•Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or
microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other
body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the
environment.

Sources of Water pollution

Point source
•When contamination originates from a single source, it’s called point source
pollution. Examples include wastewater (also called effluent) discharged
legally or illegally by a manufacturer, oil refinery, or wastewater treatment
facility, as well as contamination from leaking septic systems, chemical and oil
spills, and illegal dumping.
Nonpoint source
•Nonpoint source pollution is contamination derived from diffuse sources.
These may include agricultural or stormwater runoff or debris blown into
waterways from land. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water
pollution in waters, but it’s difficult to regulate, since there’s no single,
identifiable culprit.
Contaminants or water pollutants include:
•Detergents
•Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats
and grease
•Insecticides and herbicides and other chemical compounds
•Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and
fuel oil) and lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion byproducts, from
storm water runoff.
•Various chemical compounds found in personal hygiene and cosmetic
products
•Acidity caused by industrial discharges
•Fertilizers containing nutrients--nitrates and phosphates—which are found in
storm water runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use.
•Silt (sediment) in runoff from construction sites, burn practices or land
clearing sites.
Effects of Water Pollution
•Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing bacteria and viruses from
human and animal waste, are a major cause of illness from contaminated
drinking water. Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, typhoid. Even
in wealthy nations, accidental or illegal releases from sewage treatment
facilities, as well as runoff from farms and urban areas, contribute harmful
pathogens to waterways.
•Eutrophication (from Greek eutrophos, "well-nourished"), is a limnological
term for the process by which a body of water becomes progressively enriched
with minerals and nutrients. Water bodies with very low nutrient levels are
termed oligotrophic and those with moderate nutrient levels are termed
mesotrophic.
•Chemicals and heavy metals from industrial and municipal wastewater
contaminate waterways as well. These contaminants are toxic to aquatic life—
most often reducing an organism’s life span and ability to reproduce—and make
their way up the food chain as predator eats prey. That’s how big fish
accumulate high quantities of toxins, such as mercury which leads to
Biomagnification.
Control Measures of Water Pollution
Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be controlled by a variety of
methods. Rather than releasing sewage waste into water bodies, it is better to
treat them before discharge. Practising this can reduce the initial toxicity and the
remaining substances can be degraded and rendered harmless by the water body
itself. If the secondary treatment of water has been carried out, then this can be
reused in sanitary systems and agricultural fields.

What is sewage treatment?

Wastewater treatment or sewage treatment generally refers to the
process of cleaning or removing of all pollutants, treating wastewater and
making it safe and suitable for drinking before releasing into the environment.
What are the main steps in sewage treatment?
There are four main stages of the wastewater treatment process, namely:

Stage 1: Primary treatment: Screening, Sedimentation, Coagulation &

Filtration
Stage 2: Secondary treatment: Aeration, Secondary Clarification
wastewater treatment process
Soil pollution
Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutants
or contaminants) in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human
health and/or the ecosystem. In the case of contaminants which occur naturally
in soil, even when their levels are not high enough to pose a risk, soil pollution
is still said to occur if the levels of the contaminants in soil exceed the levels
that should naturally be present.

TYPES AND SOURCES OF SOIL POLLUTION

Soil pollution mainly occurs due to the following:

1. Industrial wastes
2. Urban wastes
3. Agricultural practices
4. Radioactive pollutants
5. Biological agents
• Industrial wastes – Disposal of Industrial wastes is the major problem for soil
pollution
Sources: Industrial pollutants are mainly discharged from various origins such as pulp
and paper mills, chemical fertilizers, oil refineries, sugar factories, tanneries, textiles,
steel, distilleries, fertilizers, pesticides, coal and mineral mining industries, drugs,
glass, cement, petroleum and engineering industries etc.
Effect: These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and biological properties of soil.
As a result, hazardous chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil or
water, disturb the biochemical process and finally lead to serious effects on living
organisms.
• Urban wastes – Urban wastes comprise of both commercial and domestic wastes
consisting of dried sludge and sewage. All the urban solid wastes are commonly
referred to as refuse.
Constituents of urban refuse: This refuse consists of garbage and rubbish materials like
plastics, glasses, metallic cans, fibres, paper, rubbers, street sweepings, fuel residues,
leaves, containers, abandoned vehicles and other discarded manufactured products.
Urban domestic wastes though disposed off separately from industrial wastes, can
still be dangerous. This happens because they are not easily degraded.
• Agricultural practices – Modern agricultural practices pollute the soil to a large
extent. With the advancing agro-technology, huge quantities of fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides and weedicides are added to increase the crop yield. Apart from these farm
wastes, manure, slurry, debris, soil erosion containing mostly inorganic chemicals are
reported to cause soil pollution.
• Radioactive pollutants - Radioactive substances resulting from explosions of
nuclear testing laboratories and industries giving rise to nuclear dust radioactive
wastes, penetrate the soil and accumulate giving rise to land/soil pollution.
• Control of soil pollution
• Proper dumping of unwanted materials
• Production of natural fertilizers: Bio-pesticides should be used in place of toxic
chemical pesticides. Organic fertilizers should be used in place of synthesized
chemical fertilizers. Ex: Organic wastes in animal dung may be used to prepare
compost manure instead of throwing them wastefully and polluting the soil.
• Recycling and Reuse of wastes: To minimize soil pollution, the wastes such as paper,
plastics, metals, glasses, organics, petroleum products and industrial effluents etc
should be recycled and reused. Ex: Industrial wastes should be properly treated at
source. Integrated waste treatment methods should be adopted.
• Ban on Toxic chemicals: Ban should be imposed on chemicals and pesticides like
DDT,
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated
sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living
organisms. According to the World Health Organization, sound levels less than
70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless of how long or
consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise
beyond 85 dB may be hazardous.

This type of pollution is so omnipresent in today’s society that we often fail

to even notice it anymore:

•Street traffic sounds from cars, buses, pedestrians, ambulances etc.

•Construction sounds like drilling or other heavy machinery in operation
•Airports, with constant elevated sounds from air traffic, i.e. planes taking off
or landing
•Workplace sounds, often common in open-space offices
•Constant loud music in or near commercial venues
•Industrial sounds like fans, generators, compressor, mills
• Train stations traffic
• Household sounds, from the television set to music playing on the stereo or
computer, vacuum cleaners, fans and coolers, washing machines,
dishwashers, lawnmowers etc.
• Events involving fireworks, firecrackers, loudspeakers etc.
• Conflicts generate noise pollution through explosions, gunfire etc. The
dysfunctions, in this case, are likely caused by the conflict and insecurity
and less by the noise pollution in itself, although that compounds stress
levels too.
• Human Diseases Caused by Noise Pollution
Whether we realize we are subjected to it or not, noise pollution can be
hazardous to our health in various ways.
• Hypertension is, in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused
elevated blood levels for a longer period of time.
• Hearing loss can be directly caused by noise pollution, whether listening to
loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises at
work, heavy air or land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise levels
reach dangerous intervals, such as around140 dB for adult or 120 dB for
children.
• Sleep disturbances are usually caused by constant air or land traffic at night,
and they are a serious condition in that they can affect everyday performance
and lead to serious diseases.
• Child development. Children appear to be more sensitive to noise pollution,
and a number of noise-pollution-related diseases and dysfunctions are known
to affect children, from hearing impairment to psychological and physical
effects. Also, children who regularly use music players at high volumes are at
risk of developing hearing dysfunctions.
• Various cardiovascular dysfunctions. Elevated blood pressure caused by
noise pollution, especially during the night, can lead to various
cardiovascular diseases.
• Psychological dysfunctions and noise annoyance. Noise annoyance is, in fact,
a recognized name for an emotional reaction that can have an immediate
impact.
Effects of Noise Pollution on Wildlife and Marine Life
•Our oceans are no longer quiet. Thousands of oil drills, sonars, seismic survey
devices, coastal recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are now populating
our waters, and that is a serious cause of noise pollution for marine life. Whales
are among the most affected, as their hearing helps them orient themselves, feed
and communicate. Noise pollution thus interferes with marine life feeding
habits, reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause
hemorrhage and death.
•Other than marine life, land animals are also affected by noise pollution in the
form of traffic, firecrackers etc., and birds are especially affected by the
increased air traffic.
Control of Noise Pollution
•Wear earplugs whenever exposed to elevated noise levels
•Maintain a level of around 35 dB in your bedroom at night, and around 40 dB
in your house during the day
•If possible, choose your residential area as far removed from heavy traffic as
you can
•Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at elevated sound levels
Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution is defined as a sudden increase in temperature of a
natural body of water, which may be ocean, lake, river or pond by human
influence. This normally occurs when a plant or facility takes in water from a
natural resource and puts it back with an altered temperature.

Causes of Thermal Pollution

1. Water as a Cooling Agent in Power, Manufacturing and Industrial Plants
2. Soil Erosion: Consistent soil erosion causes water bodies to rise, making them
more exposed to sunlight.
3. Deforestation:Trees and plants prevent sunlight from falling directly on lakes,
ponds or rivers. When deforestation takes place, these water bodies are directly
exposed to sunlight, thus absorbing more heat and raising its temperature.
4. Runoff From Paved Surfaces: Urban runoff discharged to surface waters from
paved surfaces like roads and parking lots can make the water warmer. During
summer seasons, the pavement gets quite hot, which creates warm runoffs that
get into the sewer systems and water bodies.
• Thermal shock When a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair or
other causes, fish and other organisms adapted to particular temperature
range can be killed by the abrupt change in water temperature, either an
increase or decrease, known as "thermal shock"

• Decreased Dissolved Oxygen The warm temperature reduces the levels of

DO (Dissolved Oxygen) in water. The warm water holds relatively less
oxygen than cold water. The decrease in DO can create suffocation for
plants and animals such as fish, amphibians and copepods, which may give
rise to anaerobic conditions.
• Thermal Enrichment (Increased Metabolic Rate): Warmer water may be
good for cold-blooded fish and amphibians, but only for a limited time. One
of many real problems that warm water may cause is faster metabolism leads
to Eutrophication
In cold countries this will help in food growth at faster rate (plants and aquatic
animals grow faster).
Control of Thermal Pollution
The following measures can be taken to prevent or control high
temperature caused by thermal pollution:

•Heated water from the industries can treated before discharging directly to the
water bodies.
•Heated water from the industries can be treated by the installation of cooling
ponds and cooling towers.
•Industrial treated water can be recycled for domestic use or industrial heating.
•Through artificial lakes: In this lake Industries can discharge their used or
heated water at one end and water for cooling purposes may be withdrawn from
the other end. The heat is eventually dissipated through evaporation.

Hence, we can say any kind of pollution may directly or indirectly

affect humans because the loss of biodiversity causes changes that affect all the
aspects of the environment.
Solid-waste management
Solid-waste management, the collecting, treating, and disposing of
solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer
useful.
Residential:
•Food wastes, paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, leather, yard wastes, wood,
glass, metals, ashes, special wastes
Industrial:
•Light and heavy manufacturing, fabrication, construction sites, power and
chemical plants.
•Housekeeping wastes, packaging, food wastes, construction and demolition
materials, hazardous wastes, ashes, etc.
Commercial:
•Stores, hotels, restaurants, markets, office buildings, etc.
•Paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, food wastes, glass, metals, special wastes,
hazardous wastes.
Institutional:
•Schools, hospitals, prisons, government centers.
•Same as commercial.
Construction and demolition
•New construction sites, road repair, renovation sites, demolition of buildings
•Wood, steel, concrete, dirt, etc.
Municipal services:
•Street cleaning, landscaping, parks, beaches, other recreational areas, water and
wastewater treatment plants.
•Street sweepings; landscape and tree trimmings; general wastes from parks,
beaches, and other recreational areas; sludge.
Process (manufacturing, etc.):
•Heavy and light manufacturing, refineries, chemical plants, power plants,
mineral extraction and processing.
•Industrial process wastes, scrap materials, etc.
Agriculture:
•Crops, orchards, vineyards, dairies, feedlots, farms.
•Spoiled food wastes, agricultural wastes, hazardous wastes (e.g., pesticides).
Methods of Solid Waste Disposal and Management:
Here are the methods of solid waste disposal and management:

•Solid Waste Open Dumping

•Solid Waste Open Burning
•Sea dumping process
•Solid wastes sanitary landfills
•Incineration method
•Composting process, Fermentation/biological digestion
•Salvaging procedure

Solid Waste Open Dumping

•Solid waste open dumping is not the perfect method. It is illigal to burn the
waste as it generates lot of air pollutants.
Solid Waste Open Burning
•Solid waste open burning is not the perfect method in the present scenario.
Sea Dumping Process
•This sea dumping process can be carried out only in coastal cities. This is very
costly procedure and not environment friendly.

Solid wastes sanitary landfills

•Solid wastes sanitary landfills process is simple, clean and effective. In this
procedure, layers are compressed with some mechanical equipment and covered
with earth, leveled, and compacted. A deep trench of 3 to 5 m is excavated and
micro-organisms act on the organic matter and degrade them.
•In this procedure, refuse depth is generally limited to 2m. Facultative bacteria
hydrolyze complex organic matter into simpler water soluble organics

Incineration method
•Incineration method is suitable for combustible refuse. High operation costs
and construction are involved in this procedure. This method would be suited in
crowded cities where sites for land filling are not available.
•It can be used to reduce the volume of solid wastes for land filling.
Methods of Solid Waste Disposal Methods
Composting process Fermentation/biological digestion
•Biodegradable wastes are converted to compost and recycling can be done
whenever possible. Hazardous wastes can be disposed using suitable methods.
•Composting process is similar to sanitary land-filling and it is popular in
developing countries. Decomposable organic matter is separated and composted
in this procedure. Yields are stable end products and good soil conditioners.
They can be used as a base for fertilizers.
Two methods have been used in this process:
•a) Open Window Composting
•b) Mechanical Composting

Salvaging procedure
•Materials such as metal, paper, glass, rags, certain types of plastic and so on
can be salvaged (recovered), recycled, and reused.
Environment Protection Act
Environment Protection Act, 1986 Act of the Parliament of India. In
the wake of the Bhopal gas Tragedy or Bhopal Disaster, the [Government of
India] enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the
Constitution. Passed in March 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986.,
1986 Act of the Parliament of India. In the wake of the Bhopal gas Tragedy or
Bhopal Disaster, the [Government of India] enacted the Environment Protection
Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. Passed in March 1986, it
came into force on 19 November 1986.

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

•Advice the Central government on matters pertaining to air and air pollution.
•Advice and support State Boards in carrying out their functions.
•Carry out research related to air pollution.
•Through mass media, spread awareness and information about air and air
pollution.
•Plan and organize the training of personnel.
•Set the standards for Air Quality in India.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

To simplify this statement, this Act covers the following aspects of regulating
water resources in the country:

•To prevent and control water pollution.

•To maintain “wholesomeness” of water, i.e. to maintain the qualities of water
so that its consumption and use by living organisms is not hampered.
•To establish State Boards for prevention and control of pollution.
•To empower the Boards for prevention and control of pollution.
•To provide penalties for breaking the rules of the provisions under this Act.
•To establish state water testing laboratories and develop its protocols.
Forest and Wildlife Acts The important forest legislations in India are:
•1. The Indian Forest Act, 1927
•2. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
•3. The Forest Conservation Act, 1980
•4. The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006
The Indian Forest Act, 1927
•The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was enacted during pre-independence era with the
objective “to consolidate the law relating to forests, the transit of forest-produce and
the duty leviable on timber and other forest-produce.” It also sought to consolidate and
reserve the areas having forest cover, or significant wildlife.
•“The Forests Act establishes three kinds of forests, namely, Reserve Forests,
Protected Forests and Village Forests. Reserved forests are the most restrictive
category of forests.These forests are constituted by the State Government on any
forestland or wasteland which is the property of the government or on which the
government has proprietary rights. Protected forests, constituted by the state
government, are forests other than reserved forests over which the government has
proprietary rights. Village forests, are those in which the state government assigns to
‘any village-community the rights of government to or over any land which has been
constituted a reserved forest’.”
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

•The WPA is the most important rule providing protection of wildlife. “The Act
prohibits hunting of animals listed in Schedule I, II, III & IV. Under the Act, the
state government may declare any area of adequate ecological, faunal, floral,
natural or zoological importance as a sanctuary or a national park. In both
national parks & sanctuaries, public entry is restricted & the destruction of any
wildlife or habitat is prohibited. In 1986 the Act was suitably amended. Under
the 1972 Act, trade & commerce in wild animals, animal articles and trophies
was permissible within the country. But many traders smuggled the animal
skins, animal articles and trophies to foreign countries for getting huge profit.
Hence, by 1986 Amendment Act it was provided that no one will be allowed to
carry on trade in wild animals specified in Schedules I & II of the Act. Also the
then existing licenses for internal trade of animals and animal articles were
revoked and a total ban on trade in Indian ivory was imposed.”
The Forest Conservation Act, 1980
•The Act made the prior approval of the Central Government necessary for de-
reservation of reserved forest and for use of forest land for non-forest purposes.
•“In national interest and in the interest of future generations, this Act regulates the
diversion of forest lands to non forestry purposes. The basic objective of the Act is to
regulate the indiscriminate diversion of forest lands for non forestry uses and to
maintain a balance between the developmental needs of the country and the
conservation of natural heritage.”
•“The Act allows the diversion of forest land only for certain purposes such as to meet
the developmental needs for drinking water projects, irrigation projects, transmission
lines, railway lines, roads, power projects, defense related projects, mining etc. For
such diversions of forest lands for non forestry purposes, compensatory afforestation
is stipulated and catchment area treatment plan, wildlife habitat improvement plan,
rehabilitation plan etc. are implemented, to mitigate the ill effects of diversion of such
vast area of green forests. To monitor the effective implementation of the
compensatory afforestation in the country, an authority named as “Compensatory
Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)” has been
constituted at the national level. A monitoring cell has also being set up in the
Ministry of Environment & Forests to monitor the movement of proposals at
various stages and the compliance of the conditions stipulated in the forestry
clearances by the user agencies.”
Enforcement of Environmental legislation
For environmental legislation to be successfully implemented there has to
be an effective agency to collect relevant data, process it and pass it on to a law
enforcement agency. If the law or rule is broken by an individual or institution, this
has to be punished through the legal process.
The Government of India constituted a Central Board for prevention and control of
water pollution after the Water Act, 1974 was passed. Subsequently Air (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act 1986, The Environment Protection Act, 1986, The
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, Hazardous
Wastes Management Regulations, The Forest Conservation Act, 1980, etc., was
passed.
The Central and State boards like CPCB (Central Pollution ControlBoard) and
SPCB (State Pollution Control Board) TSPCB are entrusted to manage the affairs
enumerated in various Acts.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Unit - V
Watershed Management
Watershed management is the study of the relevant characteristics of
a watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and the
process of creating and implementing plans, programs and projects to sustain
and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal, and human
communities within the watershed boundary.
A watershed is an area of land
that drains or “sheds” water into a
specific waterbody. Every body of
water has a watershed.
Watersheds drain rainfall and
snowmelt into streams and rivers.
These smaller bodies of water
flow into larger ones, including
lakes, bays, and oceans.
Catchment area is the water
collecting area. “All the areas
from which water flows out into a
river or water pool”.
Types of Watershed Management:

Watershed is classified depending upon the size, drainage, shape and land use
pattern.
•Macro watershed: 1000 -10,000 ha
•Micro watershed: 100 -1000 ha
•Mini watershed: 10 -100 ha
•Mille watershed: 1 -10 ha

Objectives of Watershed Management:

•Production of food, fodder, fuel.
•Pollution control
•Over exploitation of resources should be minimized
•Water storage, flood control, checking sedimentation.
•Wild life preservation
•Erosion control and prevention of soil, degradation and conservation of soil
and water.
• Employment generation through industrial development dairy fishery
production.
• Recharging of ground water to provide regular water supply for
consumption and industry as well as irrigation.
• Recreational facility.

Main Components of Watershed:

• Soil and water conservation,
• Water harvesting and water management,
• Alternate land use system.

Programme of Watershed Management:

• Recognition phase.
• Restoration phase.
• Protection phase.
• Improvement phase.
Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics is a branch of ethics that studies the relation of
human beings and the environment and how ethics play a role in this.
Environmental ethics believe that humans are a part of society as well as other
living creatures, which includes plants and animals.

The academic field of environmental ethics grew up in response to the works

of Rachel Carson ( marine biologist, author, and conservationist wrote a book
Silent Spring) and Murray Bookchin and events such as the first Earth Day in
1970, when environmentalists started urging philosophers to consider the
philosophical aspects of environmental problems. Two papers published in
Science had a crucial impact: Lynn White's "The Historical Roots of our
Ecologic Crisis" (March 1967) and Garrett Hardin's "The Tragedy of the
Commons" (December 1968).
The Chipko movement or
Chipko Andolan, was a forest
conservation movement in
India. It began in 1973 in
Uttarakhand
 Global Warming

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system

observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human
activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping
greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere. The term is frequently used
interchangeably with the term climate change, though the latter refers to both
human- and naturally produced warming and the effects it has on our planet. It is
most commonly measured as the average increase in Earth’s global surface
temperature.
Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air
pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight
and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Normally, this
radiation would escape into space—but these pollutants, which can last for years
to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter.
That's what's known as the greenhouse effect.
(0.07 degrees Celsius) per decade, on average.
This graph illustrates the change in global surface temperature relative to 1951-1980 average
temperatures, with the year 2020 tying with 2016 for warmest on record (Source: NASA's
Goddard Institute for Space Studies). Learn more about global surface temperature here.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Climate Change
•Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that
have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates. These changes
have a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term.
•Changes observed in Earth’s climate since the early 20th century are primarily
driven by human activities, particularly fossil fuel burning, which increases
heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere, raising Earth’s
average surface temperature. These human-produced temperature increases are
commonly referred to as global warming. Natural processes can also contribute
to climate change, e.g., volcanic activity, changes in the Sun’s energy output,
variations in Earth’s orbit.
•Scientists use observations from the ground, air and space, along with
theoretical models, to monitor and study past, present and future climate
change. Climate data records provide evidence of climate change key
indicators, such as global land and ocean temperature increases; rising sea
levels; ice loss at Earth’s poles and in mountain glaciers; frequency and
severity changes in extreme weather such as hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires,
droughts, floods and precipitation; and cloud and vegetation cover changes, to
name but a few.
Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change
•Extreme weather events
•Adverse impact on environment
•Ice melt
•Increased Sea and ocean levels -- In general, as ice melts, sea levels rise. In
2014, the World Meteorological Organization reported that sea-level rise
accelerated 0.12 inches (3 millimeters) per year on average worldwide.
•Adverse impact on flora and fauna -- Extinction, loss of biodiversity

Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually
acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It can
have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is
caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with
the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
• Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are
emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The
SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form
sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials
before falling to the ground.
• While a small portion of the SO2 and NOX that cause acid rain is from
natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of
fossil fuels. The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are:
• Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Two thirds of SO2 and one
fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
• Vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Manufacturing, oil refineries and
other industries.
Effects of Acid Rain
•Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away
all nutrients which are required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain
affects agriculture by the way how it alters the composition of the soil.
•It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans.
•When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the
aquatic ecosystem. As it alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form
which is actually harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive and causes water
pollution.
•Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes. Which further results in
leaching of heavy metals such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water.
•It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.
•Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is largely affected by acid rain.
The city of Agra has many industries which emit the oxides of sulphur and
nitrogen in the atmosphere. People continue to use low-quality coal and
firewood as a domestic fuel, adding to this problem. Acid rain has the
following reaction with the marble (calcium carbonate):
• CaCO3 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2

• The formation of calcium sulphate results in the corrosion of this beautiful monument.
Ozone depletion
•Ozone depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons—gases
formerly found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants—are released into the
atmosphere. CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that break down ozone
molecules, reducing ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing capacity.
Effects of Ozone depletion
•Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UV that reaches the Earth’s
surface. Laboratory and epidemiological studies demonstrate that UV causes
non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma
development. In addition, UV has been linked to the development of cataracts, a
clouding of the eye’s lens.
•UV radiation affects the physiological and developmental processes of plants.
Causes plant diseases, and changes in biogeochemical cycles.
•UV radiation has been shown to affect both orientation and motility in
phytoplankton, resulting in reduced survival rates for these organisms effecting
aquatic ecosystems.
•Synthetic polymers, naturally occurring biopolymers, as well as some other
materials of commercial interest are adversely affected by UV radiation.
Disaster
A disaster is a serious disruption occurring over a short or long period
of time that causes widespread human, material, economic or environmental
loss which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources.

Natural Disasters
•Drought, Earthquakes, Emergency diseases (pandemic influenza), Extreme
heat, Floods and flash floods, Hurricanes and tropical storms, Landslides &
debris flow, Thunderstorms and lighting, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Wildfire,
Winter and ice storms, Sinkholes
Human Made Disasters and Human Induced Disasters
•Hazardous materials, Power service disruption & blackout, Nuclear power
plant and nuclear blast, Radiological emergencies, Chemical threat and
biological weapons, Cyber attacks, Explosion, Civil unrest, Global warming,
Ozone depletion, pandemics, etc,.
Impact of Disasters on Environment, Infrastructure and Development
Deforestation, forest management practices, agriculture systems etc.
can exacerbate the negative environmental impacts of a storm or typhoon,
leading to landslides, flooding, silting and ground/surface water contamination.
Loss of life
Property damage
Collapsing buildings and other structures destroyed
Agricultural loss
Trees fall
Fires causing loss of vegetation and loss of biodiversity
Loss of power
Household wastes get into the water system
Contaminated water supply
Lack of food and drinking water for Humans and wild animals
Erosion
Toxic gases released into the atmosphere Carbon dioxide, Oxides of sulfur
emitted from volcanoes adds to the natural greenhouse effect.
migration of wild animals, leading to a loss of wildlife in some (drought-
stricken) areas
Basic Principles of Disaster Mitigation

The comprehensive approach to disaster management comprises four

phases: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR) to ensure a
balance between the reduction of risk and the enhancement of community
resilience, while ensuring effective response and recovery capabilities.

•All hazards approach

The all hazards approach assumes that
the functions and activities used to
manage one event are likely to be
applicable to a range of events,
whether natural or caused by
human activity.
Local disaster management capability
•Local level capability is recognised as the frontline for disaster management,
primarily due to the benefits of localised knowledge and networks. As per
section 4A(c) of the Act, local governments are primarily responsible for
managing events in their local government areas (LGAs) and this is provided
through their Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG).

Support by district and state groups

•To ensure the LDMG is able to effectively undertake disaster operations,
LDMG disaster management arrangements divides a region/state into disaster
districts with each district comprising one or more LGAs (and therefore
LDMGs). The Act establishes a District Disaster Management Group (DDMG)
for each district, to provide support when required or requested by a LDMG.
Disaster Management Cycle
•The concept of Disaster Management Cycle integrates isolated attempts on the
part of different actors, government and nongovernment, towards vulnerability
reduction or disaster mitigation, within the enveloping domain of disaster
management, as phases occurring in different time periods in disaster
management continuum. This has facilitated a planned approach to disaster
management in that post- disaster recovery and pre -disaster mitigation
planning are perceived as integrated/related activities.
There are three key stages of activities in disaster management:
•Before a disaster: to reduce the potential for human, material, or
environmental losses caused by hazards and to ensure that these losses are
minimised when disaster strikes
•During a disaster: to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met to
alleviate and minimise suffering
•After a disaster: to achieve rapid and durable recovery
Disaster Management in India
•The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the
Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in
India. Setting up of NDMA and the creation of an enabling
environment for institutional mechanisms at the State and District
levels is mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. NDMA is
mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster
Management. India envisions the development of an ethos of
Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Response.

•The Indian government strives to promote a national resolve to

mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-
made disasters, through sustained and collective efforts of all
Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and
People’s participation. This is planned to be accomplished by adopting
a Technology-Driven, Pro-Active, Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral
strategy for building a Safer, Disaster Resilient and Dynamic India.
The Disaster Management Act, 2005
•The Disaster Management Act was passed by the Lok Sabha on 28 November
2005, and by the Rajya Sabha on 12 December 2005. It received the assent of
the President of India on 9 January 2006. The Act calls for the establishment of
a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the Prime Minister
of India as chairperson. The NDMA has no more than nine members at a time,
including a Vice-Chairperson. The tenure of the members of the NDMA is 5
years. The NDMA which was initially established on 30 May 2005 by an
executive order, was constituted under Section-3(1) of the Disaster
Management Act, on 27 September 2005. The NDMA is responsible for "laying
down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and to ensure
very timely and effective response to disaster". Under section 6 of the Act it is
responsible for laying "down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities
in drawing up the country Plans".
Disaster Management Plan
•On 1 June 2016, Pranab Mukherjee, the Ex President of India, launched the
Disaster Management Plan of India, which seeks to provide help and direction
to government agencies for prevention, mitigation and management of disasters.
This is the first plan nationally since the enactment of the Disaster Management
Act of 2005.