BBA(G) Sem VI: Environmental Science (BBA312)

Environmental Science (BBA312)

QUESTION BANK FOR TT1
I

ANSEWER THE FOLLOWING MCQs

1 Which of the following is an example of In-Situ conservation of Bio-diversity.
(a) Seed banks
(b) Botanical gardens
(c)Biosphere reserves
(d) Zoos
2

Which of the following is an example of EX-Situ conservation of Bio-Diversity.

(a) Wildlife Sanctuaries

(b) Biosphere Reserves
(c) National Parks
(d)Botanical Gardens
3

Project elephant was launched in which year.

(a) 1992
(b) 2005
(c) 2000
(d) 1997
4

Project tiger was launched in which year.

(a) 2004
(b) 1999
(c) 1973
(d) None of the above

Crocodile breeding project was launched in which year.

(a) 1975
(b) 1996
(c) 2004
(d) None of the above
6

Kaziranga biosphere reserve is located in which state.

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Kerala
(c) Karnataka
(d) Assam
5. Wildlife protection act was passed in which year.
(a) 1986
(b) 2000
(c) 2005
(d) 1972
6. World Wildlife Fund-India (WWF-India) was founded in which year.
(a) 2000
(b) 1975
(c) 1969
(d) None of the above
7. Which of the following is an example of critically endangered species.
(a) Red panda
(b)Pygmy hog
(c) Black buck
(d) Wild ass
8. Which of the following is an example of endangered species.

(a) Golden langur

(b) Namdapha flying squirrel
(c) Wild wolf
(d) None of the above
9 .Which of the following is an example of vulnerable species.
(a) Indian wolf
(b) Red bear
(c) Hangul
(d) None of the above
10. Stockholm conference on environment was held in which year.
(a) 1988
(b) 2000
(c) 1972
(d) None of the above
11. UNEP was set up in which convention.
(a) 1972
(b) 1989
(c) 2006
(d) None of the above
12. Agenda 21 was adopted in which year.
(a) 1999
(b) 1989
(c) 2007
(d) 1992

13. Agenda 21 was held in which country.

(a)Rio de Janerio
(b) Bhutan
(c) Germany
(d) None of the above
14. Montreal protocol treaty was for
(a) Climate change
(b) Global warming
(c) Ozone depletion
(d) None of the above
15. WTO was commenced in which year?
(a) 1997
(b) 2004
1995
(d) None of the above
16. Kyoto protocol was entered into force in which year?
(a) 1997
(b) 2009
(c) 2005
(d) None of the above
17. Which of the following is the global endeavour to create an incentive for developing
countries to protect, better manage and save their forest resources?
(a) UNEP
(b)REDD
(c) UNFCCC

(d) None of the above

18. If the Montreal Protocol agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to
recover by which year?
(a) 2030
(b) 2040
(c) 2050
(d) None of the above
19. Which country has been active in following Agenda 21?
(a) Japan
(b)Sweden
(c) Germany
(d) None of the above
20. National Wildlife Action Plan was initiated in which year?
(a) 1983
(b) 1997
(c) 2004
(d) None of the above
21. Pine and Deodar plant species are found in which type of forest community in India?
(a) Deciduous dry
(b) Deciduous moist
(c) Mangroves
(d)Himalayan coniferous
22. In which type of grassland, patches of tall elephant grass grows to a height of about 5
mtrs located in low lying water logged areas?
(a)Shola

(b) Semi-arid
(c) Tarai
(d) None of the above
23. Biotic environment includes:
(a) Producers

(b) Consumers
(c) Decomposers
(d) All the above
24. .Decomposers include:
a) Bacteria
b) Fungi
c) Both (a) & (b)
d) Animals
25. The term Bio-Diversity was coined in which year?

a)
b)
c)
d)

2000
2005
1985
None of the above

26. Which of the following is one of the 25 mega biodiversity hot spots of the world
located in India?
(a) Coastal areas
(b) Deccan
(c)Western Ghats
(d) Eastern Ghats
27. Operation Rhinos was initiated in which year?

(a) 1987
(b) 2007
(c) 2009
(d) None of the above
28. Operation Rhinos was launched in which state of India?
(a) Sikkim
(b)Assam
(c) Nagaland
(d) None of the above
29. Gir Lion project was launched in which year?
(a) 1988
(b) 1972
(c) 2001
(d) None of the above
30. The major greenhouse gas is:
(a) CFC
(b) CO2
Co
(d)Freon
31. The state of India with maximum percentage of its area covered by forests is:
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Bihar
Karnataka
(d) Madhya Pradesh

32. Percentage of volume of fresh water available for human use in the hydrosphere.
(a) 0.3
(b) 1.7
1.3
(d) 2.5
33. World Environment day is celebrated on
(a) September 5
(b) July 5
June 5
(d)May 5
34. A . is a bio geographical region with a significant reservoir of diversity that is
under threat from human beings.
(a) Hotspots
(b) Forests
Sea
(d)River
35. The preservation of species or habitats in its natural ecosystem is called:
(a) Ex-situ
(b) In-situ
Habitat
(d) None of the above
36. Which of the following gas does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
(a) CFCs
(b) Methane
c) CO2
d) Chlorine

37. One of the following is not a pillar of sustainable environmental development:a) Social
b) Economic
c) Culture
d) Political
38. One of the following is not a threat to Bio-diversity
a) Habitat loss
b) Population explosion
c) Industrialization
d) Aforestation
39. This type of conservation of species, particularly endangered species is done away from
their natural habitat.
a) In-Situ
b) Ex-Situ
c) Biome
d) All of the above
40. These are microscopic animals, found in coastal waters and the major producers of
oxygen and food for many animals which live in water.
a) Phytoplankton
b) Fish
c) Reefs
d) All of the above
41. .. ecosystems are located where river meets sea.
a) Lake ecosystems
b) River ecosystems
c) Estuary ecosystem
d) Marine ecosystem
42. Coral reefs are built by tiny animals called .
a) Polyps
b) Fungi
c) Eels
d) Sting fish
43. This level of biodiversity, refers to the variation of genes within the same species.

a) Genetic biodiversity
b) Ecosystem biodiversity
c) Species biodiversity
d) None of the above
44. The variety of ecosystems in a given place implies:a) Ecosystem diversity
b) Species biodiversity
c) Genetic biodiversity
d) None of the above
45. The Ozone layer absorbs harmful .. radiation
a) Infra red
b) Ultra violet (UV-B)
c) Infra violet
d) None of the above
46. Whichis the process of adding the element chlorine to water as a method of water
purification to make it fit for human consumption as drinking water.
(a)Chlorination
(b)Flocculation
(c)Sedimentation
(d) None of the above
47. Hardness of water is determined by the amount of dissolved.. salts.
a) Calcium and magnesium
b) Sulphur
c) Chlorine
d) Iron
48. One of the following is not a method of water conservation:a) Recycling of water
b) Conservation of rain water
c) Conservation of surface water
d) Conservation of ice
49. The loss of water vapours from plants is called:a) Evaporation

b) Transpiration
c) Transportation
d) None of the above
50. The discharge of warm water into a river is usually called a .. pollution
a) Thermal
b) Heat
c) Warm
d) All of the above.

II

WRITE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING:

Q1. Difference between Biotic and Abiotic components of ecosystem.
Q2. Difference between In-Situ and Ex-Situ methods of conserving bio-diversity.
Q3. Difference between Critically Endangered Species and Endangered Species.
Q4. Difference between Temperate Forests and Tropical Forests
Q5. Difference between Pond ecosystem and Lake Ecosystem.
Q6. Difference between ground water and surface water.
Q7. Difference between Catchment area protection and Inter basin transfer methods of water
conservation.
Q8. Difference between techniques for conservation of rain water and surface water.

III

WRITE SHORT NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING

1 Acid Rain
2 Agenda 21.
3 WTO
4 Koyoto Protocol
5 Global Warming
6 Stockholm conference
7 Food chains
8 Mega hydroelectric Projects/ Dams

IV ANSWER THE FOLLOWING LONG QUESTIONS:

Q1. Define various levels of Biodiversity in terms of genetic, species and ecosystem
diversities.
Q2. Define ecosystems and elaborate various kinds of ecosystem.
Q3. Explain Sustainable development by elaborating on its social, economic and
environmental aspects.
Q4. What is the Green House Effect? Discuss its causes, consequences and control measures.
Q5. What is the hydrological cycle? What role does the different processes of this cycle play
in maintaining ecological balance?
Q6. What are the major threats to biodiversity? Discuss.

V CASE STUDY
1. POLLUTION IN YAMUNA RIVER
River Yamuna, with a total length of around 1370 km is the largest tributary of the
Ganges. Its source is at Yamunotri in the Uttarakhand Himalaya regions. It flows through
the state of Uttaranchal, Haryana, Delhi an Uttar Pradesh before merging with the Ganges
in Allahabad. It used to be a clear blue river but since the past few decades it has turned
into one of the most polluted river in the world, especially Delhi, which dumps about
57% of its waste into the river.
What Are Causes Behind Pollution Of Yamuna?
Increasing pollution of the Yamuna has now become an international issue and a cause of
concern for environmentalists. Big industries, Factories, Peoples living in colonies, slums
and rural areas everyone pollute this holy river. In addition, the water in this river remains
stagnant for almost nine months in a year, aggravating the situation. Agricultural residues,
insecticides and pesticides also contribute to the pollution of the river. Also People wash
their clothes, utensils and defecate in the river and pollute it.
Why Is Delhi The Main Culprit In Polluting Yamuna?
The Yamunas 22-km stretch in Delhi is barely 2 per cent of the length of the river,

but contributes over 70 per cent of the pollution load.

Delhi discharges about 3,684 MLD (million litres per day) of sewage through its 18

drains into the Yamuna and along with Agra it account for 90 percent of the pollution in
the river.
At downstream Okhla, the DO (dissolved oxygen) level declined to 1.3 mg/l with the BOD
(biochemical oxygen demand) at 16 mg/l, indicating considerable deterioration in water
quality due to discharge of sewage and industrial effluents.

 From big industries and factories to people living in big colonies, slums and rural areas in
Delhi, all pollute the river with impunity because of untreated water.
Delhi jal board said that the river remained a sewage canal due to the 143 unauthorised
colonies, 1080 slums and villages that present a problem in collection of sewage water that
flows into the Yamuna untreated.
What are the Steps taken by the Indian Government for this problem?
Till date, More than 2158 crores have been spent by the government of India, and the
governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh combined. A few years back when the
pollution level of Yamuna increased alarmingly, the Delhi government woke up and launched
a number of projects to clean up Yamuna.
In 2009 Year Delhi Govt. entered into agreement with Engineers India Limited to clean
Yamuna.
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) proposed laying down sewers along the three major drains Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahadra drains.
17 STPs (Sewage treatment plant) and 10 CEPTs (common effluent treatment plant) were
built. Also 30 Kms of trunk sewers were repaired (out of 130Km) and many slums were
removed from riverfront and low cost toilets were built.
On May19, 2010 the cabinet committee on infrastructure (CCI) approved the project for
laying interceptors sewers along the three major drains in Delhi for abatement of pollution in
the Yamuna river.
What are the Steps taken by the Indian Government for this problem?
Till date, More than 2158 crores have been spent by the government of India, and the
governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh combined. A few years back when the
pollution level of Yamuna increased alarmingly, the Delhi government woke up and launched
a number of projects to clean up Yamuna.
In 2009 Year Delhi Govt. entered into agreement with Engineers India Limited to clean
Yamuna.
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) proposed laying down sewers along the three major drains Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahadra drains.
17 STPs (Sewage treatment plant) and 10 CEPTs (common effluent treatment plant) were
built. Also 30 Kms of trunk sewers were repaired (out of 130Km) and many slums were
removed from riverfront and low cost toilets were built.
On May19, 2010 the cabinet committee on infrastructure (CCI) approved the project for
laying interceptors sewers along the three major drains in Delhi for abatement of pollution in
the Yamuna river.
What is Yamuna action plan?
The Government of India has been implementing Yamuna action plan (YAP) With assistance
from Japan international cooperation agency, Government of Japan in a phased manner since
1993.

 Yamuna Action Plan (YAP -1): YAP-I, which commenced in April, 1993 was completed in
February 2003 at a total cost of Rs. 682 crores covering various pollution abatement works,
including creation of Sewage Treatment capacity of 753.25 million litres per day (MLD).
Yamuna Action Plan (YAP -II): YAP-II was approved in 2003 at an estimated cost of Rs.
624 crores with a completion period of 5 years. The major items of work in YAP -II such as
rehabilitation of sewerage network and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and construction of
new STPs.
Yamuna Action Plan (YAP- III): the YAP III project for Delhi within estimated cost of RS
1656 CRORES HAS BEEN APPROVED IN 2011.
What are the Reasons of Failure of YAP I & II?
STPs built under YAP-1, was designed for the 1997 population load, which became
insufficient by 2002 because of a tremendous increase in population.
Delhi's population has grown at a phenomenal rate of 47percent per decade (as against the
national average of 21 percent), but planning and provisioning of infrastructure has not kept
pace with the increase in population, resulting in rural villages, shanties and colonies without
adequate sewerage infrastructure.
Mainly the money provided for the plan was spent on paying wages to the employees
salary instead of cleaning the river.
There has not been much public awareness during YAP I & II by the authorities which
resulted in rising pollution.
I Answer the Following Questions from the Above Case Study
Q1. Explain briefly the initiatives taken by the government to clean River Yamuna.
Q2. Explain why the YAP I& II was a big failure.

2. AIR POLLUTION IN DELHI

Delhi (or the National Capital Territory of Delhi), is jointly administered by the central and
state governments. It accommodates nearly 167.5 lakh people (2011 Census of India). Metros
across the world bear the major brunt of environmental pollution; likewise, Delhi is at the
receiving end in India.
A study funded by the World Bank Development Research Group was carried out in 19911994 to study the effects of air pollution. During the study period, the average total
suspended particulate (TSP) level in Delhi was approximately five-times the World Health
Organization's annual average standard. Furthermore, the total suspended particulate levels in
Delhi during this time period exceeded the World Health Organization's 24-h standard on
97% of all days on which readings were taken. The study concluded that the impact of
particulate matter on total non-trauma deaths in Delhi was smaller than the effects found in

the United States of America, but found that a death associated with air pollution in Delhi
caused more life-years to be lost because these deaths were occurring at a younger age.
A report by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India, in 1997 reviewed the
environmental situation in Delhi over concerns of deteriorating conditions. Air pollution was
one of the areas of concern identified in this study. It was estimated that about 3000 metric
tons of air pollutants were emitted every day in Delhi, with a major contribution from
vehicular pollution (67%), followed by coal-based thermal power plants (12%). There was a
rising trend from 1989 to 1997 as monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The concentrations of carbon monoxide from vehicular emissions in 1996 showed an increase
of 92% over the values observed in 1989, consequent upon the increase in vehicular
population. The particulate lead concentrations appeared to be in control; this was attributable
to the de-leading of petrol and restrictions on lead-handling industrial units. Delhi has the
highest cluster of small-scale industries in India that contribute to 12% of air pollutants along
with other industrial units.
Vehicular pollution is an important contributor to air pollution in Delhi. According to the
Department of Transport, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, vehicular
population is estimated at more than 3.4 million, reaching here at a growth rate of 7% per
annum. Although this segment contributes to two-thirds of the air pollution, there has been a
palpable decline compared to the 1995-1996 levels.
The PM10 standard is generally used to measure air quality. The PM 10 standard includes
particles with a diameter of 10 m or less (0.0004 inches or one-seventh the width of a
human hair). These small particles are likely to be responsible for adverse health effects
because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract. According to the
Air Quality Guideline by the World Health Organization, the annual mean concentration
recommended for PM10 was 20 g/m3, beyond which the risk for cardiopulmonary health
effects are seen to increase. Major concerns for human health from exposure to PM 10 include
effects on breathing and respiratory systems, damage to lung tissue, cancer and premature
death. Elderly persons, children and people with chronic lung disease, influenza or asthma are
especially sensitive to the effects of particulate matter. The urban air database released by the
World Health Organization in September 2011 reported that Delhi has exceeded the
maximum PM10 limit by almost 10-times at 198 g/m3, trailing in the third position after
maximum PM10 limit by almost 10-times at 198 g/m3, trailing in the third position after
Ludhiana and Kanpur.(5) Vehicular emissions and industrial activities were found to be
associated with indoor as well as outdoor air pollution in Delhi.
Control Measures Instituted by the Government of Delhi
The nodal ministry for protecting the environment is the Ministry of Environment and Forests
at the Centre and the Department of Environment of the Government of National Capital
Territory of Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board set up in 1974 under the Water Act is
the principal watchdog for carrying out the functions stated in the environmental acts,
implementation of National Air Quality Monitoring Programme and other activities. The
Delhi Pollution Control Board is the body responsible at the state level.

From time to time, the judiciary has taken strong note of the deteriorating environmental
conditions in Delhi in response to public litigations. One of the earliest such instances was the
judgement passed by the Supreme Court of India to deal with the acute problem of vehicular
pollution in Delhi in response to a writ petition filed in 1985. Subsequently, it ordered the
shutdown of hazardous, noxious industries and hot-mix plants and brick kilns operating in
Delhi.
I Answer the Following Questions from the Above Case Study
Q1.What are the main reasons for increase in the air pollution level in Delhi and how it has
impacted the health of the people?
Q2. What are the different control measures initiatives taken by the Delhi government to
control pollution level in Delhi?

CASE 3: UTTARAKHAND DISASTER, HIMALAYAN TSUNAMI (June 2013)

In

June

2013,

multi-day cloudburst centered

on

the

North

Indian

state

of Uttarakhand caused devastating floods and landslides becoming the country's worst natural
disaster since the 2004 tsunami. Though some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and
Uttar Pradesh in India experienced the flood, some regions of Western Nepal, and some parts
of Western Tibet also experienced heavy rainfall, over 95% of the casualties occurred in
Uttarakhand. As of 16 July 2013, according to figures provided by the Uttarakhand
government, more than 5,700 people were "presumed dead." This total included 934 local
residents.

BBA
Environmental
Science
WWF
in
securing
played
some
a
key
role
US$10.5
Sugar
Industry
million
Reform
for
the
dedicated
to
wetland
conservation
and
in
the
Great
Barrier
Reef
as
management
a
pollution
tool.
This
funding
integrated
will
into
be
Protection
Plan,
to
be
distributed
range
of
mechanisms
through
athe
stewardship
agreements
landholders,
with
collaborative
approaches,
community
education
and
and
This
awareness
sum
is
in
raising.
government
plans
to
invest
wetland
US$10
conservation
million
in
in
force
for
mitigation
of
Barrier
threats
Reef
to
from
the
Great
catchments
is
Australian
legislation.
federal
WWF
helped
negotiate
&
Conservation
Biodiversity
Act
(1999),
through
interested
which
governments
can
regulate
World
Heritage
threats
sites,
to
including
from
originating
new
developments
outside
their
boundaries.
A
unique
Reef
Water
Plan
Quality
is
that
targets
for
the
quality
of
maintain
health
the
be
Reefs
set
for
system
each
(from
river
mouth).
Conservation
method
demonstrated.
demonstrates
carefully
orchestrated
how
a
campaign
decisioncan
convince
importance
of
integrated
river
means
basin
management
reducing
landIn
that
this
the
instance
environmental
it
helped
asset
being
impacted
However,
environmental
conditions
the
Sugar
built
Industry
into
of
great
significance,
as
are
to
enhance
the
funds
wetland
acquired
management.
Questions
Above
Case
from
Study
the
highlights
of
WWFs
Pollution
Report
Reef
Card,
which
2001.
economic
importance
Reef?
DISASTER,
HIMALAYAN
TSUNAMI
(June
2013)
multi-day
centered
cloudburst
on
North
Indian
state
devastating
landslides
becoming
floods
and
the
country's
worst
natural
tsunami.
parts
of
Himachal
Though
some
Pradesh,
Haryana,
Delhi
the
flood,
some
Nepal,
regions
and
some
ofthe
Western
parts
experienced
heavy
rainfall,
casualties
over
95%
occurred
of
Destruction of bridges and roads left about 100,000 pilgrims and tourists trapped in the

valleys leading to three of the four Hindu Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The Indian Air
Force, the Indian Army, and paramilitary troops evacuated more than 110,000 people from
the flood ravaged area.
From 14 to 17 June 2013, the Indian state of Uttarakhand and adjoining areas received heavy
rainfall, which was about 375% more than the benchmark rainfall during a normal
monsoon. This caused the melting of Chorabari Glacier at the height of 3800 meters, and
eruption of the Mandakini River which led to heavy floods near Gobindghat, Kedar
Dome, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Western Nepal, and acute
rainfall in other nearby regions of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Tibet.

The upper Himalayan territories of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are full of forests and
snow-covered mountains and thus remain relatively inaccessible. They are home to several
major and historic Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites besides several tourist spots and trekking
trails. Heavy rainfall for four consecutive days as well as melting snow aggravated the floods.
Warnings by the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rains were not given
wide publicity beforehand, causing thousands of people to be caught unaware, resulting in
huge loss of life and property.
Consequences: Landslides, due to the floods, damaged several houses and structures, killing
those who were trapped. The heavy rains resulted in large flashfloods and massive landslides.
Entire villages and settlements such as Gaurikund and the market town of Ram Bada, a
transition point to Kedarnath, have been obliterated, while the market town of Sonprayag
suffered heavy damage and loss of lives. Pilgrimage centers in the region,
including Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, the hallowed Hindu Chardham
(four sites) pilgrimage centers, are visited by thousands of devotees, especially after the
month of May onwards. Over 70,000 people were stuck in various regions because of
damaged or blocked roads. People in other important locations like the Valley of
flowers, Roopkund and the Sikh pilgrimage center Hemkund were stranded for more than
three days. National Highway 58, an important artery connecting the region was also washed
away near Jyotirmath and in many other places. Because summers have more number of
tourists, the number of people impacted is substantial. For more than three days, stranded
pilgrims and tourists were without rations or survived on little food. The roads were seriously
damaged at more than 450 places, resulting in huge traffic jams, and the floods caused many
cars and other vehicles to be washed away. On 18 June, more than 12,000 pilgrims were
stranded at Badrinath, the popular pilgrimage center located on the banks of the Alaknanda
River. Rescuers at the Hindu pilgrimage town of Haridwar on the river Ganga recovered
bodies of 40 victims washed down by the flooded rivers as of 21 June 2013. Bodies of people
washed

away

in

Uttarakhand

were

found

in

distant

places

like Bijnor, Allahabad and Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. Searching for bodies who died
during the extreme natural fury of June in Kedar valley continued for several months and
even as late as September, 2013, about 556 bodies were found out of which 166 bodies were
found in highly decomposed state during fourth round of search operations.
Although the Kedarnath Temple itself was not damaged, its base was inundated with water,
mud and boulders from the landslide, damaging its perimeter. Many hotels, rest houses and

shops around the temple in Kedarnath Township were destroyed, resulting in several
casualties. Most of the destruction at Kedarnath was caused by a sudden rapid melting of ice
and snow on the Kedarnath Mountain, 6 km (3.7 mi) from the temple, which flooded the
Charbari Lake (upstream) and then Kedarnath. The temple was flooded with water resulting
in several deaths due to drowning and panic-driven stampede. Even after a week, dead bodies
had not been removed from Kedarnath town, resulting in water contamination in the
Kedarnath valley and villagers who depend on spring water suffered various types of health
problems like fever, diarrhoea. When the flood receded, satellite images showed one new
stream at Kedarnath town. No damage at the Kedarnath Temple occurred. The Uttarakhand
Government announced that due to the extensive damage to the infrastructure, the temple will
be temporarily closed to regular pilgrims and tourists for a year or two, but the temple rituals
will still be maintained by priests. The Temple opened for pilgrims on Sunday, 4 May 2014.
Rescue operation: The Army, Air Force, Navy, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border
Security Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department and
local administrations worked together for quick rescue operations. Several thousand soldiers
were deployed for the rescue missions. Activists of political and social organizations are also
involved in the rescue and management of relief centers. The national highway and other
important roads were closed to regular traffic. Helicopters were used to rescue people, but
due to the rough terrain, heavy fog and rainfall, maneuvering them was a challenge. By 21
June 2013, the Army had deployed 10,000 soldiers and 11 helicopters, the Navy had sent 45
naval divers, and the Air force had deployed 43 aircraft including 36 helicopters. From 17 to
30 June 2013, the IAF airlifted a total of 18,424 people - flying a total of 2,137 sorties and
dropping/landing a total of 3, 36,930 kg of relief material and equipment.
On 25 June, one of 3 IAF Mil Mi-17 rescue helicopters returning from Kedarnath, carrying 5
Air Force Officers, 9 of the NDRF, and 6 of the ITBP crashed on a mountainous slope
near Gauri Kund, killing all on board. The deceased soldiers were given a ceremonial Guard
of honour by Home minister of India, at a function organized by the Uttarakhand State
Government.
Indo Tibetan border Police (ITBP) a Force which guards the Indo China borders on the high
Himalayas with its 3 Regional Response Centers (RRCs) based at Matli (Uttarkashi),
Gauchar (Rudraprayag) and Pithoragarh swung into action and started rescue and relief
operation. 2000 strong ITBP force with its mountaineering skills and improvisation methods
started rescue of stranded pilgrims. It was a simultaneous effort by ITBP at Kedar ghati,

Gangotri valley and Govind ghat areas. According to official figures by ITBP, they were able
to rescue 33,009 pilgrims in 15 days on their own from extreme remote and inaccessible
areas. Before Army or Air Force called in, being deployed in the nearby areas, ITBP took the
first call and saved many lives. They also distributed food packets to stranded pilgrims who
were in a pathetic condition being not having any food for more than 72 hours at many
places.
Environmental issues: Unprecedented destruction by the rainfall witnessed in Uttarakhand
state was attributed, by environmentalists, to unscientific developmental activities undertaken
in recent decades contributing to high level of loss of property and lives. Roads constructed in
haphazard style, new resorts and hotels built on fragile river banks and more than 70
hydroelectric projects in the watersheds of the state led to a "disaster waiting to happen" as
termed by certain environmentalists. The environmental experts reported that the tunnels
builand blasts undertaken for the 70 hydroelectric projects contributed to the ecological
imbalance in the state, with flows of river water restricted and the streamside development
activity contributing to a higher number of landslides and more flooding.
I Answer the Following Questions from the Above Case Study
Q1.According to environmentalists, what were the environmental issues concerning the
natural disaster in Uttaranchal?
Q2. What were the consequences of this natural disaster?

BBA(G)
Sem
VI:
Environmental
(BBA312)
Science
in
securing
some
US$10.5
Sugar
Industry
million
Reform
for
the
dedicated
to
wetland
conservation
and
in
the
Great
Barrier
Reef
as
management
athe
pollution
tool.
This
funding
integrated
will
into
be
Protection
Plan,
to
be
distributed
range
of
mechanisms
through
athe
and
stewardship
agreements
landholders,
with
collaborative
approaches,
community
education
and
This
awareness
sum
is
in
raising.
government
plans
to
invest
wetland
US$10
conservation
million
in
in
force
for
mitigation
of
Barrier
threats
Reef
to
from
the
Great
catchments
is
Australian
legislation.
federal
WWF
helped
negotiate
&
Conservation
Biodiversity
Act
(1999),
through
interested
which
governments
can
regulate
World
Heritage
threats
sites,
to
including
from
originating
new
developments
outside
their
boundaries.
A
unique
Reef
Water
Plan
Quality
is
that
targets
for
the
quality
of
maintain
health
the
be
Reefs
set
for
system
each
(from
river
mouth).
Conservation
method
demonstrated.
demonstrates
carefully
orchestrated
how
a
campaign
decisioncan
convince
importance
of
integrated
river
means
basin
management
reducing
landIn
that
this
the
instance
environmental
it
helped
asset
being
impacted
However,
environmental
conditions
the
Sugar
built
Industry
into
of
great
significance,
as
are
to
enhance
funds
wetland
acquired
management.
Questions
Above
Case
from
Study
the
highlights
of
WWFs
Pollution
Report
Reef
Card,
which
2001.
economic
importance
Reef?
DISASTER,
HIMALAYAN
TSUNAMI
(June
2013)
multi-day
centered
cloudburst
on
the
North
Indian
state
devastating
landslides
becoming
floods
and
the
country's
worst
natural
tsunami.
parts
of
Himachal
Though
some
Pradesh,
Haryana,
Delhi
the
flood,
some
Nepal,
regions
and
some
of
Western
parts
experienced
heavy
rainfall,
casualties
over
95%
occurred
of
BBA(G)
Sem
VI:
Environmental
(BBA312)
Science
in
securing
some
US$10.5
Sugar
Industry
million
Reform
for
the
dedicated
to
wetland
conservation
and
in
the
Great
Barrier
Reef
as
management
athe
pollution
tool.
This
funding
integrated
will
into
be
Protection
Plan,
to
be
distributed
range
of
mechanisms
through
athe
stewardship
agreements
landholders,
with
collaborative
approaches,
community
education
and
and
This
awareness
sum
is
in
raising.
government
plans
to
invest
wetland
US$10
conservation
million
in
in
force
for
mitigation
of
Barrier
threats
Reef
to
from
the
Great
catchments
is
Australian
legislation.
federal
WWF
helped
negotiate
&
Conservation
Biodiversity
Act
(1999),
through
interested
which
governments
can
regulate
World
Heritage
threats
sites,
to
including
from
originating
new
developments
outside
their
boundaries.
A
unique
Reef
Water
Plan
Quality
is
that
targets
for
the
quality
maintain
health
the
be
Reefs
set
for
system
each
(from
river
mouth).
Conservation
method
demonstrated.
demonstrates
carefully
orchestrated
how
a
campaign
decisioncan
convince
importance
of
integrated
river
means
basin
management
reducing
landIn
that
this
the
instance
environmental
it
helped
asset
being
impacted
However,
environmental
conditions
the
Sugar
built
Industry
into
of
great
significance,
as
are
to
enhance
funds
wetland
acquired
management.
Questions
Above
Case
from
Study
the
highlights
of
WWFs
Pollution
Report
Reef
Card,
which
2001.
economic
importance
Reef?
of
DISASTER,
HIMALAYAN
TSUNAMI
(June
2013)
multi-day
centered
cloudburst
on
the
North
Indian
state
devastating
landslides
becoming
floods
and
the
country's
worst
natural
tsunami.
parts
of
Himachal
Though
some
Pradesh,
Haryana,
Delhi
the
flood,
some
Nepal,
regions
and
some
of
Western
parts
experienced
heavy
rainfall,
casualties
over
95%
occurred