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EVS Chapter 7 Notes
EVS Chapter 7 Notes
Introduction
The rapid increase of the human population is putting an incredible strain on our environment.
One of the factors responsible for environmental degradation is population growth or population
density. In particular, population density plays the most important role in shaping the
socio-economic environment. Its effects are felt on the natural environment also.
Population in India
1. The population of India represents 17.99 percent of the world's total population which
arguably means that one person in every 6 people on the planet is a resident of India.
2. The country as a whole has a population density of 412 people per square kilometre,
which ranks 31st in the world. In Mumbai, the population density is 21,000 people per
square kilometer.
3. There are 29 states in India. Their populations range massively in size - the largest, Uttar
Pradesh,holds almost 200 million people, the smallest, Sikkim, just over half a million.
India Demographics
1. Data on ethnicity is not collected by the Indian census, although the CIA World Factbook
estimates the population is 72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian, and 3% Mongoloid and
other.
2. Hinduism is the most common religion in India, accounting for about 80% of the
population. Islam is the second-largest religion at 13% of the population. Other major
religious groups in India are religion Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.9%), Buddhists (0.8%)
and Jains (0.4%). People who claimed no are officially recorded under 'other' by the
census. In 2011, 0.9% of Indians selected the 'No Religion' category.
3. While the number of Indians living in urban areas has increased over the last two
decades, about 67% of people still live in rural areas. In 2011, India had a literacy rate of
74%: 82% for men and 65% for women. The literacy rate varies wildly by state. Bihar is
the least literate with a rate of 63.82%.
Causes of overpopulation
1. Poverty
Poverty is believed to be the leading cause of overpopulation. A lack of educational
resources, coupled with high death rates leading to higher birth rates, result in
impoverished areas seeing large booms in population.
2. Poor contraceptive use
Though the availability of contraceptives is widespread in developed countries, poor
planning on both partners' parts can lead to unexpected pregnancies. Statistics have
shown that in Great Britain 76% of women aged between 16 and 49 used at least one
form of contraceptive, leaving a quarter open to unexpected pregnancies.
3. Child labour
As distressing as it may be to hear, child labor is still used extensively in many parts of
the world. UNICEF estimates that approximately 150 million children are currently
working, primarily in countries that have few child labor laws.
4. Reduced mortality rates
Improvement in medical technology has led to lower mortality rates for many serious
diseases. Particularly dangerous viruses and ailments such as polio, smallpox and
measles have been practically eradicated by such advances.
5. Fertility treatment
Though it only plays a minor role in comparison to the other causes of overpopulation,
improved fertility treatments have made it possible for more people to have children.
6. Immigration
Unchecked immigration into countries may lead to overpopulation to the point where
those countries no longer have the required resources for their population. This is
particularly problematic in countries where immigration numbers far exceed emigration
numbers.
Rehabilitation: The action of restoring someone to former privileges or reputation after a period
of dis-favour
Resettlement: the settlement of people in a different place.
Projects
Category A
1. Dams and reservoirs; Forestry production projects.
2. Industrial plants (large-scale) and industrial estates.
3. Irrigation, drainage, and flood control (large-scale).
4. Land clearance and levelling.
5. Mineral development (including oil and gas).
6. Port and harbour development.
7. Reclamation and new land development.
8. Resettlement and all projects with potentially major impacts on people.
9. River basin development.
10. Thermal and hydropower development; and
11. Manufacture, transportation, and use of pesticides or other hazardous and/or toxic
materials.
Category B
1. Agro-industries (small-scale).
2. Electrical transmission
3. Aquaculture and marine culture. .
4. Irrigation and drainage (small-scale)
5. Renewable energy. "
6. Rural electrification.
7. Tourism.
8. Rural water supply and sanitation.
9. Watershed projects (management or rehabilitation).
10. Rehabilitation, maintenance, and upgrading projects (small-scale).
Category C
1. Education
2. Family planning
3. Health
4. Nutrition
5. Institutional development Technical assistance
6. Most human resource projects.
The five settlement types:
1. Involuntary resettlement
2. New land settlement
3. Induced development
4. Indigenous peoples
5. Cultural property
Case studies:
Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, which had been following the events in the history of the
construction of this dam, decided to attempt to bring to fore the ground realities regarding the
status of resettlement and rehabilitation of villages affected by this project. It was thought that
the situation would be analysed at 3 points in time: pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon.
Accordingly, 2 visits to this village had been undertaken: the first in the first week of May and the
second in the third week of August. There have been less than normal monsoons this year and
therefore while the village has not been submerged, some farms had been flooded. The Kendra
is a centre set up to monitor, analyse and research water and energy related issues, with a
special focus on the latest developments resulting from the liberalisation, globalisation and
privatisation of the economy. The Centre is located at Badwani, a district town in Madhya
Pradesh five kilometers from the banks of Narmada. While the focus of the work is on water and
energy issues, this will be in the larger context of equitable, just and sustainable development.
The study reveals that 83 villages in Uttaranchal need rehabilitation but, to date, Uttaranchal
has no resettlement and rehabilitation policy. In India only three States, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and Punjab, have state-wide resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) policies. Other
States have issued Government Orders or Resolutions, sometimes sector-wide but more often
for specific projects. The study is based on secondary data; however, sufficient care has been
taken to consider all important factors while suggesting Rehabilitation Policy for Uttaranchal
State. A disaster of rare severity requires a high level of resettlement and rehabilitation
assistance from the State. Sound Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy helps the Government
to tackle the problem immediately and efficiently.
Meaning: Disaster
The Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines disaster as "a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or
grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or
negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and
destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature
or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area".
Types of Disaster
1. Natural disaster
According to the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, Natural
Disasters are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset
events that have immediate impacts on human health and secondary impacts causing further
death and suffering.
These disasters can be:
1. Geophysical (e.g. Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity)
2. Hydrological (e.g. Avalanches and Floods)
3. Climatological (e.g. Extreme Temperatures, Drought and Wildfires)
4. Meteorological (e.g. Cyclones and Storms/Wave Surges)
5. Biological (e.g. Disease Epidemics and Insect/Animal Plagues)
2. ManMade disasters
Man-Made Disasters as viewed by the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent
Societies are events that are caused by humans which occur in or close to human settlements
often caused as a result of Environmental or Technological Emergencies.
This can include:
1. Environmental Degradation
2. Pollution
3. Accidents (e.g. Industrial, Technological and Transport usually involving the production,
use or transport of hazardous materials)
3. Complex Emergencies
1. Food Insecurity
2. Epidemics
3. Armed Conflicts
4. Displaced Populations
5. Extensive Violence
6. Displacements of Populations
7. Widespread Damage to both Societies and Economies
8. Need for Large scale, Humanitarian Assistance across Multiple Agencies
9. Political and Military Constraints which impact or prevent Humanitarian Assistance
10. Increased Security Risks for Humanitarian Relief Workers
4. Pandemic emergencies
These emergencies involve a sudden onset of a contagious disease that affects health but also
disrupts services and businesses, bringing economic and social costs.
Disaster Management
Definition: Disaster Management
Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, particular
preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
NDMA is operationally organized into the following divisions:
1. Policy & Planning
2. Mitigation
3. Operations & Communications
4. Administration
5. Capacity Building
Floods
Flooding occurs when an extreme volume of water is carried by rivers, creeks and many other
geographical features into areas where the water cannot be drained adequately. Often during
times of heavy rainfall, drainage systems in residential areas are not adequate, or unchecked
civil development severely impedes the functionality of an otherwise acceptable drainage
system. Floods cause extremely large numbers of fatalities in every country, but due to India's
extremely high population density and often under-enforced development standards, a large
amount of damages and many deaths which could be otherwise avoided, are allowed to
happen.
Earthquake
Earthquakes are developed in the outer crust of the earth.
Simply, earthquakes are the rumblings, shaking or rolling of the earth's surface. It is usually
what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another, or break apart from
each other energy resulting from tension caused by prolonged energy build up.
Landslides
Whenever there is a natural disturbance or instability in a piece of land on a hill, slope,
mountain, or generally upland area, there is a potential for a landslide. This is because the earth
material of the hill or mountain is held in place by the natural bonding of the material and the
gravity acting on it This means that, when the earth material loses its bonding, either through
weathering, erosion, or too much water in the bedrock, the weight of the overlying rock will give
way and gravity will pull the earth downhill.
Cyclones
Cyclones can be the most intense storms on Earth. A cyclone is a system of winds rotating
counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around a low pressure centre. The swirling air
rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation.
Emergency Management
Emergency Management is the generic name of an interdisciplinary field dealing with the
strategic organization management processes used to protect assets of an organization from
hazard risks that can cause disasters or catastrophes, and to ensure the continuance of the
organization within their planned lifetime
Emergency Management is organized into four phases:
1. Mitigation: actions taken to eliminate a hazard or reduce its potential impact.
2. Preparedness: planning for major emergencies, including training and exercises
3. Response: actions taken in response to emergencies.
4. Recovery: actions taken after a disaster to restore services and reconstruct
communities.
Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental
conservation
Nature has always been very vibrant, giving and resilient to a very large extent. We, as Indians,
take pride in our strong cultural heritage. Religion protects and nurtures nature. If we take a look
at Hinduism, we worship the sun, wind, land, trees, plants, and water which is the very base of
human survival. Likewise, respect and conservation of wildlife-garuda, lion, peacock, and
snake-are part of our cultural ethos from time immemorial. Almost the entire living of God Ram
and Goddess Sita was very close to nature. Further, ancient texts written in Sanskrit, Pali or
other languages can provide significant details.
Hinduism
1. It is said that Hindusthan is an environmentally sensitive philosophy.
2. The main reason for this sensitivity Mut everything is part of the Supreme Being
According to Indian philosophical tradition, the of man, animal, the flora and the fauna,
everything is existing only because the elements k of everything is similar.
3. They comprise the sky (akasa), air (vayu), fire or energy (Agni), water e) and soil
(Prithvi).
4. So our perception of nature was a thing to be experienced, not a thing to be ted. In all
the Indian philosophical systems there is not a single instance of antagonism towards
Whether it is Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata or Puranas, all preach about
the relation between man and nature.
5. For an Indian, starting from a stone to the animal, everything is to be worshiped.
6. Hindu and Philosophy is expressed as 'Forest culture.
7. This forest culture or Aranya Sanskriti started from this period.
8. The importance given to trees and to forests is clearly mentioned in Vedas, since forests
played a vital role in shaping the culture of ancient man.
9. It taught him the most important lessons that made him survive on his own terms,
educated him in the importance of human collectivism, domesticated animals and fruit
bearing trees made him to believe that he is one among nature's sons.
10. Vasudha' means “this earth”, while 'kutumba’ means “extended family” including human
beings, animals and all living beings.
Jainism
Jainism is strictly an ethical philosophy whose sole aim is liberation. To attain certain values,
which includes conquering and control of passions and desires. Jainism discusses the ways and
means to conquer our passions and desires.
The moral principles and laws for monkdom are known as 'Great vows' or maha-vrata and of the
common people as 'small vows' or anuvrata.
The five vows are as follows
1. Ahimsa (non-violence)
2. Satya (Truth)
3. Asteya (non-stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (celibacy)
5. Aparigraha (No attachment to possessions)
Buddhism
The term 'Buddha' itself asks everyone to wake up and open their eyes towards the realities. It
also means that Buddha is an awakened person who clearly understands the real nature of all
things in the world.
"The Buddhist community all over the world has extended popular ritual at Bodhi- Pooja, which
is performed by pouring water to the root of Bodhi tree and paying respect to it, and other
species at the tree. This virtually has helped to preserve the trees even during droughts as well
as from human destruction.
The whole of Buddha's philosophy may be summarized in his concept of four noble
truths
1. There is suffering (duhkha)
2. There is a cause of suffering (dukkha-samudaya)
3. There is a cessation of suffering (dukkha-nirodha)
4. There is a way leading to this cessation of suffering (duhkhanirodha - gamini pratipati)
pratipat)
Public awareness
1. Government should organize Environmental Education campaign programmes for
children, youth, men and women. The state government should establish appropriate
funding mechanisms for raising public awareness of environmental education.
2. Government officials can make significant contributions to improve public awareness of
environmental education.
3. NGOs (at national and community levels) should initiate and help by awareness
campaigns to save the environment.
4. Ban the littering of polythene cannot be successful until the public understands the
environmental implications of the same.
5. Proper methods of disposal and its treatment should be applied otherwise they can be
the causes of chronic diseases. When sewage is applied continuously on a part of land,
the pores or voids of the soil are clogged and free circulation of air is prevented.
6. Humans are responsible for depletion of the natural resources; degradation of the vital
life supporting systems (like air, water, soil, etc.); ecological imbalance; deteriorated
environment, etc. By exercising following actions, humans can protect global
environment for sustainable development:
a. Preserve forest cover: Humans should minimize cutting of trees and using timber for
aesthetic pleasure such as decoration of drawing rooms.
b. Preserve natural resources: Human should not extract unnecessarily and exhaustively
the natural resources such as mineral resources, water resources, etc.
c. Conserve energy: Human should not harness too much energy from burning of fossil
d. Maintain ecological balance: Humans should exploit synergy between green revolution
and industrial evolution by compulsory growing green belts around industrial areas,
maintaining wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
e. Practice green technology: Everyone from a farmer in the village to a policy planner in
the government should use green technology that incorporates: treatment of air
emissions, treatment of waste waters, waste reduction, waste or emission management,
use of non-conventional, renewable energy resources like solar energy on priority, etc
Case studies
Not very long ago in 1993, during the English cricket tour of India, when the visitors lost a
match, they attributed part of their loss to the air pollution in Delhi - the capital city of
India.Perhaps they were bad losers, but we must admit that the pollution levels were
dangerously high enough for it to be listed amongst the world's most polluted cities. Vehicular
emissions, which accounted for 70% of the air pollution, would morph into deadly smog during
the foggy winters resulting in an increase in respiratory illnesses, with children and senior
citizens being the worst affected. With the economy shifting gears around the same time amidst
increasing middle class aspirations, with about 500 new vehicles being added every day, a
turnaround seemed highly improbable.
Ever since then, Delhi has won the US Department of Energy's first 'Clean Cities International
Partner of the Year' award in 2003 for "bold efforts to curb air pollution and support alternative
fuel initiatives". In a unique display of judicial activism, the Supreme Court of India ordered the
responsible government to switch its public-transit system to a cleaner-burning fuel in response
to citizens' concerns about air pollution. Buoyed by the public pressure, the government of New
Delhi reluctantly, as is typical of a developing nation, compiled and enforced regulations to
convert its entire fleet of diesel and gasoline dependent public transport systems to
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2002. It's funny to note that the court actually slapped a fine
of about $450 on the Union government, for repeatedly seeking a modification in the order. To
its credit, once the government set about preparing a comprehensive action plan by passing the
desired legislation and setting up the infrastructure necessary for such a transition, it earned the
recognition of drafting one amongst the top 12 best policies in the world, as per a study
conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and E3G .
Between 2000 and 2008, the Carbon emissions plummeted by 72%, while the SO₂ emissions
decreased by 57% on account of 3500 CNG buses, 12000 taxis, 65000 auto rickshaws (tuk
tuks) and 5000 mini buses plying on CNG [1]. CNG is mainly composed of methane, which
upon combustion mainly emits CO₂ and H₂O and being lighter disperses very quickly, whereas
gasoline and diesel being more complex, emit more harmful emissions such as NOX and SOX.
Owing to the recent volatility in the oil prices and continued patronage of CNG by the
government by way of subsidies, the general public has begun to increasingly incorporate CNG
kits in their private vehicles, which facilitates them to run on dual fuel mode. Encouraged by the
public response, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has set about an ambitious plan of
bringing 200 cities under the supply network of CNG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) by 2015 [5].
For a country which depends on 70% of oil imports, the recent indigenous gas discoveries
AECC Environmental Studies
in the K.G Basin and elsewhere have only brightened our outlook for lesser dependence foreign
oil, enabling us to save valuable foreign exchange. In view of growing awareness for cleaner air
and climate change, there's many lessons to be learnt from Delhi's resurgence.
(The Delhi government plans to introduce a 50% rebate on road tax for people buying factory
fitted CNG cars to increase sales as it attempts to curb vehicular pollution, according to
transport minister Kailash Gahlot, Reported on Aug 2018)
Issues:
● Supply of Natural gas
● Vehicle efficiency
● Gas storage facility in vehicle
The Govt. said that according to the plan, owners of CNG-fitted cars will need to show
prescribed stickers. Violation of the odd-even rule will attract a penalty of Rs 2,000.
"Vehicles from other states entering Delhi will also come under the ambit of odd-even scheme.
Earlier this month, Kejriwal had announced that he, his ministers and all government officials will
follow an odd-even scheme. To curb rising pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi
government has decided to introduce an odd-even scheme to be implemented starting from
January 1. A trial of the scheme will run till January 15. (24 Dec 2015,)