EVS - UNIT V – POLLUTION

Pollution- Meaning and Definition

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful
materials are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They
can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by
factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.

Air pollution

Meaning
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the contamination of
air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects plants, animals and humans drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in the
composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous composition has
resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature, which is known as global warming.

Types of Air Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants:

Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide
emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.

Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary pollutant.

Causes of Air Pollution

Following are the important causes of air pollution:

Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide released
by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.

Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the environment.
These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases among individuals.
Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The insecticides,
pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and contaminate it.

Factories and Industries

Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons and chemicals. These are released into the air, degrading its quality.

Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of equipment.
The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air, but also deteriorate the
health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.

Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the air. The
smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints. It not only
pollutes the air but also affects breathing.

Effects of Air Pollution

The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:

Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans. The
cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted areas are
more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct or indirect
effects of air pollution.

Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of the
air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s temperature
is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an increase in sea
levels. Many areas are submerged underwater.

Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in the
air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid rain which
damages human, animal and plant life.

Ozone Layer Depletion

The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the
major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent the harmful
ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems among individuals.
Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also compels
the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has also led
to the extinction of a large number of animal species.

MEASURES TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION

Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air pollution:

Avoid Using Vehicles

People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather, they should prefer public modes of
transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but also conserves
energy.

Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch off
the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the individual level.
Use of energy-efficient devices such CFLs also controls pollution to a greater level.

Use of Clean Energy Resources

The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries, including India, have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner
environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:

1. By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.

2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can be
controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the reactions of
a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be substituted with other
less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol and
diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fueled vehicles. These are
mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the quality of air, most
of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on
roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.
5. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and maintain
existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have
process control equipment to control the pollution.
 7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation. Plants
and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in areas of
high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

WATER POLLUTION

 The contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, etc. due to several contaminants being
discharged in them, directly or indirectly, is known as water pollution. Water pollution has severe and
hazardous impacts on our environment.

Causes of Water Pollution

Pathogens
One of the most severe pollutants is the disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens.
Pathogens are mostly bacteria, virus, and protozoa. Although bacteria are considered harmless if
not beneficial, there are a few of pathogenic bacteria as well which enter the water bodies through
sewers and sanitation systems. The water-borne pathogens cause several diseases such as
diarrhoea, gastrointestinal illness, etc.

  Organic Wastes
Organic water pollutants include food waste, detergents, leaves, grass, etc. They originate from
domestic sewage, discharge from food processing factories and farm wastes which reach the water
sources through run off and pollute them. It is a fact that the bacteria decompose the complex
organic matter into the simple organic matter. They consume oxygen which is dissolved in water. As
the organic waste content in the water increases so does the count of decomposers. They use up a
lot of oxygen which results in the depletion of oxygen content in water. This adversely affects the
aquatic life.

Chemical Pollutants
Chemical pollutants include heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc., solvents from
industries, pesticide run-offs, oil spills through ships, etc. They are poisonous to aquatic life forms
and cause their infertility and death. The metal wastes are dangerous to humans as well when they
get absorbed in our body. They can damage the nervous system, kidney, etc.
Sewage And Waste Water: Sewage, garbage and liquid waste of households,
agricultural lands and factories are discharged into lakes and rivers. These wastes
contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous for aquatic
animals and plants.
Dumping: Dumping of solid wastes and litters in water bodies causes huge problems.
Litters include glass, plastic, aluminum, styrofoam etc. Different things take different
amount of time to degrade in water. They affect aquatic plants and animals.
Industrial Waste: Industrial waste contains pollutants like asbestos, lead, mercury and
petrochemicals which are extremely harmful to both people and environment. Industrial
waste is discharged into lakes and rivers by using fresh water making the water
contaminated.
Oil Pollution: Sea water gets polluted due to oil spilled from ships and tankers while
traveling. The spilled oil does not dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge polluting
the water.
Acid Rain: Acid rain is pollution of water caused by air pollution. When the acidic
particles caused by air pollution in the atmosphere mix with water vapor, it results in
acid rain.
Global Warming: Due to global warming, there is an increase in water temperature. This
increase in temperature results in death of aquatic plants and animals. This also results
in bleaching of coral reefs in water.
Eutrophication: Eutrophication is an increased level of nutrients in water bodies. This
results in bloom of algae in water. It also depletes the oxygen in water, which negatively
affects fish and other aquatic animal population.

MEASURES TO CONTROL WATER POLLUTION

It is very important to prevent the polluting of water bodies and remove existing
contaminants or reducing the concentration of these contaminants so as to make it fit
for desired use. Following are some of the ways of treating polluted water:
Industrial Treatment: The raw sewage is needed to be treated correctly in a water
treatment plant before it can be safely released into the environment. To reduce the
amount and toxicity of waste, it is passed through a number of chambers and chemical
processes in water treatment plant.
Denitrification: Conversion of nitrates in gas is called Denitrification. It is an ecological
approach to prevent leaching of nitrates in soil. It stops ground water from getting
contaminated.
Ozone Waste Water Treatment: Ozone waste water treatment method is becoming very
popular. In this method, the pollutants in water are broken down by an ozone generator.
Ozone oxidizes bacteria, molds, organic material and other pollutants in water.
Septic Tanks: Septic tanks are used to treat sewage at the place of location instead of
treating it in any plant or sewage system. This system is used at the individual building
level. The sewage is separated into solid and liquid components and treated separately.

EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION

ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Water pollution truly harms biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. The toxic
chemicals can change the color of water and increase the amount of minerals -
also known as eutrophication - which has a bad impact on life in water. Thermal
pollution, defined by a rise in the temperature of water bodies, contributes
to global warming and causes serious hazard to water organisms.

ON HUMAN HEALTH
 Water pollution has very negative effects on public health. A lot of diseases
result from drinking or being in contact with contaminated water, such as
diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery or skin infections. In zones where there is no
available drinking water, the main risk is dehydration obviously.

SOIL POLLUTION

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations

of toxic substances. It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many
health hazards. For example, exposure to soil containing high concentrations of
benzene increases the risk of contracting leukaemia. 

CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION

Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two categories –

Naturally caused soil pollution

Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)

Natural Pollution of Soil

In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in

soils. This can occur due to the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere.
Another manner in which this type of soil pollution can occur is via the
transportation of soil pollutants with precipitation water

Anthropogenic Soil Pollution

Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human
activities can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed
below.
The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with
asbestos.
Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil
with hazardous concentrations of lead.
Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the
hydrocarbons found in petroleum.
Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the
dispersion of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.
Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy
metals.
Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute
the soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the
seepage of the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater
 as well.
Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and
inefficient use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.
Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed
of correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.

EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION

Effects on Human Beings

Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gaseous).
Therefore, these contaminants can find their way into the human body via several
channels such as direct contact with the skin or through the inhalation of
contaminated soil dust.
The short term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include:
Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
Irritation of the skin and the eyes.
Fatigue and weakness.
A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some such
diseases are listed below.
Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the nervous
system. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.
Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).
Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.
Higher risk of developing cancer.
It can be noted that many soil pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and
industrial solvents have been linked to congenital disorders in humans. Thus, soil
pollution can have several negative effects on human health.

Effects on Plants and Animals

Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability of

nutrients, plant life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated with
inorganic aluminium can prove toxic to plants. Also, this type of pollution often
increases the salinity of the soil, making it inhospitable for the growth of plant life.
Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations of soil
pollutants through a process known as bioaccumulation. When these plants are
consumed by herbivores, all the accumulated pollutants are passed up the food
chain. This can result in the loss/extinction of many desirable animal species.
Also, these pollutants can eventually make their way to the top of the food chain
and manifest as diseases in human beings.
Effects on Eco System

Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the
atmosphere by winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil pollution
can be a direct contributor to air and water pollution.
It can also contribute towards acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of ammonia
into the atmosphere).
Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture
and help in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, the negative effects of
soil pollution also impact soil quality and texture.
Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution.

MEASURES TO CONTROL SOIL POLLUTION:

Excavation and subsequent transportation of polluted soils to remote,

uninhabited locations.
Extraction of pollutants via thermal remediation – the temperature is raised in
order to force the contaminants into the vapour phase, after which they can be
collected through vapour extraction.
Bioremediation or phytoremediation involves the use of microorganisms and
plants for the decontamination of soil.
Mycoremediation involves the use of fungi for the accumulation of heavy metal
contaminants.

Marine Pollution
Marine pollution is defined as the introduction of substances to the marine
environment directly or indirectly by man resulting in adverse effects such as
hazardous to human health, obstruction of marine activities and lowering the
quality of sea water.

Sources of Marine Pollution:

a. Municipal waste and sewage from residences and hotels in coastal towns are
directly discharged into sea.

b. Pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture which are washed off by rain enter
water courses and finally to sea. India is estimated to use 55,000 tons of
pesticides annually and about 25 percent of it is carried to-ocean.

c. Petroleum and oil washed off from roads normally enter sewage system and
finally into seas.

d. Ship accidents and accidental spillage at sea can therefore be very damaging
to the marine environment.
e. Off shore oil exploration also pollute the sea water to a large extent,

f. Dry docking: All ships periodic dry docking servicing; cleaning the hulls etc.
during this period when cargo compartments are emptied, residual oil goes into
sea.

g. Pollution due to organic wastes: When O2 concentration falls 1.5 mg/L, the rate
of aerobic oxidants reduced and replaced by the anaerobic bacteria that can
oxidize the organic molecules without the use of oxygen.
h. Pollution due to oil: Crude oil is transported by sea after a tanker has unloaded
its cargo of oil; it has to take on sea water ballast for return journey. This ballast
water is stored in cargo compartments that previously contained oil.

During unloading of cargo certain amount of oil remains clinging to the walls of
container and this may amount to 800t in a 200,000t tankers. The ballast water
thus contaminated with oil. When fresh crag of oil is to be loaded these
compartments are clean with water which discharges the dirty ballast along with
oil into sea.

i. Tanker accidents: In the natural process, a large no. of oil tanker accidents
happens every year. Sometimes this can results in major disasters.

j. Volcanic eruptions in the sea.:

k. Deep sea mining is a relatively new mineral retrieval process that takes place
on the ocean floor. Ocean mining sites are usually done at about 1,400 – 3,700
meters below the ocean’s surface. The vents create sulfide deposits, which
contain precious metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc.
These raise questions about environment damage to surrounding areas.
Removal of parts of the sea floor will result in disturbances to the benthic layer,
and habitat of benthic organisms. Beside from direct impact of mining the area,
leakage, spills and corrosion would alter the mining area’s chemical makeup.

Effects of Marine Pollution:

a. Apart from causing Eutrophication, a large amount of organic wastes can also
result in the development of ‘red tides’. These are phytoplankton blooms because
of which the whole area is discolored.

b. Commercially important marine species are also killed due to clogging of gills
and other structures.
c. When oil is spilled on the sea, it spreads over the surface of the water to form
a thin film called as oil slick. This damages marine life to a large extent.
Commercial damage to fish by tainting which gives unpleasant flavor to fish and
sea food reduces market values of sea food and causes death of birds through
its effect on feathers. Birds often clean their plumage by pruning and in the
process consume oil which can lead to intestinal, renal and liver failure.

d. For salt marshy plants oil slick can affect the flowering, fruiting and
germination.

e. Organic waste addition results in end products such as hydrogen sulphide,

ammonia and methane which are toxic to many organisms. This process results
in the formation of an anoxic zone which is low in its oxygen content; from which
most life disappears except for anaerobic microorganisms and renders the water
foul smelling.

f. The coral reefs are the productive ecosystems offer many benefits to people.
These coral reefs are threatened by (a) the sediments from deforestation carried
by the runoffs, (b) the agricultural and industrial chemicals reaching through river
discharges. To mention an example. River Ganga is estimated to carry 1.5 billion
tons of sediments due to deforestation and intensive farming in India,
Bangladesh and Nepal through which it flows to Bay of Bengal.

g. Drill cuttings dumped on the seabed result in the production of toxic sulphides
in the bottom sediment thus eliminating the benthic fauna.

Control Measures of Marine Pollution:

a. Introduction of sewage treatment plants to reduce BOD of final product before
discharging into sea.

b. Cleaning oil from surface waters and contaminated beaches can be

accelerated through the use of chemical dispersants which can be sprayed on
the oil.

c. Load on top system reduce oil pollution cleaned with high pressures jets of
water.

d. Crude oil washing: The clingage is removed by jets of crude oil while the cargo
is being unloaded.

e. Skimming off the oil surface with a section device.

 f. Spreading a high density powder over the oil spill, so that oil can I be sunk to
the bottom.

NOISE POLLUTION

Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the

propagation of noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life,
most of them harmful to a degree. The source of outdoor noise worldwide is
mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems. Poor urban
planning may give rise to noise disintegration or pollution, side-by-side industrial
and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas.
Some of the main sources of noise in residential areas include loud
music, transportation (traffic, rail, airplanes, etc.), lawn care
maintenance, construction, electrical generators, explosions, and people

Causes and Sources of Noise Pollution

Following are the causes and sources of noise pollution:

 Industrialisation: Industrialisation has led to an increase in noise pollution as the use of

heavy machinery such as generators, mills, huge exhaust fans are used, resulting in the
production of unwanted noise.

 Vehicles: Increased number of vehicles on the roads are the second reason for noise
pollution.

 Events: Weddings, public gatherings involve loudspeakers to play music resulting in the

production of unwanted noise in the neighbourhood.

 Construction sites: Mining, construction of buildings, etc add to the noise pollution.

Noise Pollution Examples

Following are the examples of noise pollution:

 Unnecessary usage of horns

 Using loudspeakers either for religious functions or for political purposes

 Unnecessary usage of fireworks

 Industrial noise

 Construction noise

 Noise from transportation such as railway and aircraft

Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
Noise pollution can be hazardous to human health in the following ways:

 Hypertension: It is a direct result of noise pollution which is caused due to elevated blood
levels for a longer duration.

 Hearing loss: Constant exposure of human ears to loud noise that are beyond the range of
sound that human ears can withstand damages the eardrums, resulting in loss of hearing.

 Sleeping disorders: Lack of sleep might result in fatigue and low energy level throughout the
day affecting everyday activities. Noise pollution hampers the sleep cycles leading to
irritation and an uncomfortable state of mind.

 Cardiovascular issues: Heart-related problems such as blood pressure level, stress and

cardiovascular diseases might come up in a normal person and a person suffering from any
of these diseases might feel a sudden shoot up in the level.

Prevention of Noise Pollution

Some noise pollution preventive measures are provided in the points below.

 Honking in public places like teaching institutes, hospital, etc. should be banned.

 In commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings, adequate soundproof systems should be

installed.

 Musical instruments sound should be controlled to desirable limits.

 Dense tree cover is useful in noise pollution prevention.

 Explosives should be not used in forest, mountainous and mining areas.

THERMAL POLLUTION

Thermal pollution is defined as a sudden increase or decrease 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.
The Main Cause of Thermal Pollution:
Many human and natural factors contribute to the problem of thermal
pollution. The single biggest cause of thermal pollution is probably cooling
for industrial machinery and power plants. Water is an excellent, and free,
cooling agent. This is why many industrial operations pull in relatively cool
water to cool their machinery and let the relatively warm water flow back
into the river or lake or sea.

Thermal pollution also has some natural causes. Geothermal vents and
hot springs introduce excess heat into bodies of water. Soil erosion,
deforestation, and runoff from paved areas are other artificial sources
of hot water. Deforestation eliminates shade, which exposes the water
to sunlight. Water on hot paved surfaces gets hot, then runs off into
nearby bodies of water, raising the water temperature. Retention ponds
can also be a source of thermal shock because the relatively small and
shallow bodies of water can absorb quite a bit of heat energy from the
sun. Pumping that water directly into a river, lake, or bay causes a
significant temperature increase, just like pouring a hot pitcher of water
into a bathtub full of water causes the water to jump a few degrees
Fahrenheit.

The Effects of Thermal Pollution:

The effects of thermal pollution are diverse, but in short, thermal
pollution damages water ecosystems and reduces animal populations.
Plant species, algae, bacteria, and multi-celled animals all respond
differently to significant temperature changes. Organisms that cannot
adapt can die of various causes or can be forced out of the area.
Reproductive problems can further reduce the diversity of life in the
polluted area.
Decreased Dissolved Oxygen:
Warm water holds less oxygen than cool water. If the oxygen level drops
animals that cannot move to another area may begin to die. In deeper
bodies of water, the injection of warm water can keep oxygen from
dispersing into deep water, which is potentially good for bacteria but
dangerous for aquatic animals. The decreased oxygen can cause algae
blooms that pose a threat to aquatic plants and animals. This algae
bloom problem is probably the most common and best-known side
effect of thermal pollution.

Migration:
Fish and amphibians may move away from the warm water to a more-
suitable location, disrupting the ecosystem for animals that remain.
Birds may also be forced to leave in search of areas with more food.
Plants and certain animals will be stuck in the area, which can lead to
huge losses. Migration away from the polluted area contributes to a
dramatic loss of biodiversity at sites where thermal pollution happens.

Increased Toxins:
Toxins in the water are more a side effect of dumping waste water than
a direct effect of thermal pollution. Chemical pollution is an almost
inevitable side effect of using water for cooling. Solvents, fuel oil, and
dissolved heavy metals end up in the lake or river where the cooling
water gets dumped. Nuclear power plants can also release slightly
radioactive cooling water. The chemicals may have a range of toxic
effects on plants and animals, from fatal poisoning to mutations and
sterilization.

Loss of Biodiversity:
The sudden heating can kill off vulnerable organisms or drive them
away. This is one of many serious issues for threatened and
endangered animal species. This loss can come from organisms dying
from the hot water, being unable to reproduce as effectively as before,
or simply leaving the area. We usually think of animals as casualties of
water pollution, but multi-celled aquatic plants are also at risk when
thermal pollution changes the local aquatic ecosystem.

Ecological Impacts:
The local aquatic ecosystem can be damaged by thermal pollution,
especially if it is dramatic, as in copious amounts of warm water being
dumped into a chilly pond or bay or river. “Thermal shock” can kill off
insects, fish, and amphibians. This sudden loss of life causes further
issues with the ecosystem. Key food sources are no longer adequate. A
threatened or endangered local population may be wiped out or put
under even more pressure. Coral reef bleaching has also been observed
when a power plant or factory is dumped into coastal water. Coral
bleaching happens when the coral organisms die.

Reproductive Effects:
 A significant temperature increase in the water can cause reproductive
problems. Warmer water can reduce the fertility of some organisms.
Other species may suffer birth defects or lay deformed eggs because of
chemical changes in the body caused by warmer water. Defective eggs
and birth defects hurt the overall reproductive fitness of the animal
population and can reduce the population. Thermal pollution can
change the biology of aquatic organisms in a variety of ways.

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, which means animals need more food. The
local ecosystem may not be able to support a significant increase in
food consumption. Worse still, the warmer water gives an advantage to
certain organisms while it puts stress on others. The more-adaptable
organisms may unbalance the ecosystem simply by out-competing
other organisms and by eating them or driving them to starvation

NUCLEAR HAZARDS
Nuclear Hazard means any nuclear reaction, radiation, or radioactive contamination,
all whether controlled or uncontrolled or however caused, or any consequence of any
of these. Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Based on 164 documents Save Copy

Sources

The sources of radioactivity include both natural and manmade.

Natural sources

 Cosmic rays from outer space

 Emissions from radioactive materials in the earth’s crust (rocks, marine

sediments etc) Man-made sources include the nuclear wastes produced during

 Mining and processing of radioactive ores

 Use of radioactive materials in power plants

 Use of radioactive isotopes in medical technology (x-ray machines, radioisotopes

used in medicine)
  Industrial applications include wastes from nuclear reactors

 Research applications: radioactive fallouts during nuclear weapons testing.

 In a nuclear power plant, any leak or accident taking place emit nuclear
radiation. In either case it results in nuclear hazard.

 Nuclear tests Conducted under the ground or under oceans which also
release radiation.

 Uranium mining and milling, Nuclear reactors and reprocessing of nuclear fuel
cause nuclear pollution.

6.3 Effects

Studies shown that the health effects due to radiation are dependent on the level of
dose, kind of radiation, duration of exposure and types of cells irradiated. Radiation
effects can be somatic or genetic. Somatic affects the function of cells and organs. It
causes damages to cell membranes, mitochondria and cell nuclei resulting in abnormal
cell functions, cell division, growth and death.  Genetic affects the future generations.
Radiations can cause mutations, which are changes in genetic make up of cells. These
effects are mainly due to the damages to DNA molecules. People suffer from blood
cancer and bone cancer if exposed to doses around 100 to 1000 roentgens.
Instantaneous deaths on exposure in the event if disasters are many.

6.3.2 Control measures

 Laboratory generated nuclear wastes should be disposed off safely

and scientifically.

 Nuclear power plants should be located in areas after careful study of the
geology of the area, tectonic activity and meeting other established conditions.

 Appropriate protection against occupational exposure

 Leakage of radioactive elements from nuclear reactors, careless use

of radioactive elements as fuel and careless handling of radioactive isotopes
must be prevented.

 Safety measure against accidental release of radioactive elements must be

ensured in nuclear plants.

 Unless absolutely necessary, one should not frequently go for diagnosis by x-rays.

 Regular monitoring of the presence of radioactive substance in high risk

area should be ensured.
 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid waste management is a term that is used to refer to the process of

collecting and treating solid wastes. It also offers solutions for recycling items
that do not belong to garbage or trash. As long as people have been living in
settlements and residential areas, garbage or solid waste has been an issue.

Sources of Solid Wastes

 Solid domestic garbage.

 Solid waste material from various industries.

 Solid agricultural waste.

 Plastics, glass, metals, e-waste, etc.

 Medical waste.

 Construction waste, sewage sludge

Effects of Poor Solid Waste Management

Due to improper disposal of solid waste particularly by waste management organizations, the
collected wastes gets heap up and become a problem for both the environment and also for the
public.
By dumping of huge garbage, drives biodegradable materials to decay and decompose under the
abnormal, uncontrolled and unhygienic conditions. After a few days of decomposition, it becomes
a breeding ground for different types of disease-causing insects as well as infectious organisms. A
foul smell is produced and it also spoils the aesthetic value of the area.
The solid wastes collected from different industries include toxic metals, chemicals, and other
hazardous wastes. When these wastes are released into the environment, it can produce biological
and physicochemical problems to the environment, the chemicals may drain into the soil and pollute
the groundwater and also alter the productivity of the soils in that particular area.
In rare cases,  the hazardous wastes may get mixed up with the ordinary garbage and other
combustible wastes causing the disposal process even harder and risky.
By burning the paper and other scraps along with the hazardous wastes, dioxins and poisonous
gasses are produced and released into the air which results in causing various diseases
including chronic disease, skin infections, cancer, etc.

ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN PREVENTION OF POLLUTION

Environment protection has been burning issue in last half century. In order to
tackle the menace of pollution, urgent steps have to be taken at not only
global or country level, but also at local level. In fact, the role of individuals in
prevention of pollution is of critical importance, because it is the individuals
that make a community or country. Effort by each individual at his or her level
can have a significant effect on global level. It has been aptly said “charity
begins at home”.

Aware and inspired individuals are strongest tool to tackle pollution. This is
because an aware individual not only lessens the burden on state but also
he/she can tackle problem of pollution more effectively as he/she is more
familiar with problems persisting at local level and he himself/herself deals
with them in his/her day to day life. It is better and more viable to prevent
pollution by educating individuals than controlling pollution. Individuals should
encourage to modify their lifestyle and living habits if that are not healthy for
environment.

Ways in Which a Individual can Help in Prevention of Pollution

 Individuals should minimize wastage of resources such as electricity.

Every unit of electricity saved is equivalent unit of electricity produced
as it not only saves the fuel that would be used to produce that
electricity, but also help to prevent pollution that is accompanied by
burning of that fuel. Therefore, person should always switch off
appliances when not in use.
 Individuals should prefer walking or use cycles instead of using motor
vehicles, especially when distances to be travelled are small.
 Individuals can make considerable contribution by using mass transport
(buses, trains, etc) instead of using personal vehicles.
 When going to workplace, colleagues from nearby localities should pool
vehicles instead of going in individual personal vehicles.
 Taking personal vehicles for periodic pollution checks at centres
approved by authorities.
 Individuals should reuse items whenever possible.
 Products that are made of recycled material should be given preference.
 Use gunny bags made of jute instead of plastic bags.
 Take part in environment conservation drives such as tree planting
drives.
 Use water resources efficiently.
 Use renewable resources by installing equipment such as solar heaters
and using solar cookers.
 Dispose potentially harmful products such as cells, batteries, pesticide
containers, etc properly.
 Use of refrigerators should be minimised wherever possible as they are
main source of CFC, which is responsible for Ozone layer depletion.
  Follow and promote family planning, as more population means more
resources utilized and more resources utilized imply more pollution.
 Avoid making noise producing activities such as listening to loud music.
 Use handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues.
 Organize drives to clean streets and clean drains with help of other
people of locality.
 Spread awareness and inspire other people to prevent pollution.
Individuals should be encouraged to acquire information and
innovations from world over and implement them locally.

The main causes of pollution in developing countries

       i.            Increasing population

     ii.            Illiteracy and poverty

  iii.             Rapid industrialization

   iv.            Failure in pollution management

     Individually man can participate in solving the problem of pollution

mainly in two ways:
1.     Direct role
2.     Indirect role

Direct Role of an Individual

  

Direct Role of an Individual involves those functions which are done by

individual himself. Since nature cannot solve the problem of pollution on its
own basis, it is the duty of man to find means to solve this problem.
Since the cause of pollution is mainly human beings, only they can
minimize it by preventing its increase and spread. One can remember the old
saying that prevention is better than cure. A man should regulate and reduce
the causes of pollution at every step. Some simple principles to reduce the
pollution are as follows-
 Preventive measures for Air Pollution

1.     Establish or transfer factories or industries away from residential areas.

2.     Reduce the use of automobiles and make use of public transport system.
3.     Keep vehicle filters clean and use only quality fuels.
4.     Make vehicle’s engine off while taking or standing at any crossing.
5.     Use CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) as fuel for auto engines instead of liquid
petroleum.
6.     Use self or low noise horns and avoid blowing them unnecessarily.
7.     Use efficient silencer in vehicles.
 8.     Use of crackers should be avoided.
9.     Use LPG for cooking instead of wood, coal.
10. Do not burn plastics.
11. Quit smoking.
12. Reduce the use of air conditioners, refrigerators etc.
13. Support companies that are committed to sustainable manufacturing
practices and reducing pollution in the air.
14. Plant trees around our home and in our community that can help to reduce air
pollutants.
 Preventive measures for Water Pollution

1.     Sewage disposal is the main cause of water pollution in big cities. One should
take care of proper disposal of sewage.
2.      Sewage should be released to water only after treatment.
3.     Industrial effluents should be released into water bodies only after proper
treatment.
4.     Use of chemical pesticides, weedicides, insecticides etc. should be minimized.
Promote the use of bio-pesticides, fertilizers etc.
5.     Proper checking of super tankers in the sea in order to prevent oil spillage.
6.     Use the minimum amount of detergent.
7.     Use only phosphate free soaps and detergents.
 Preventive measures for Solid Waste Pollution

1.     Divide the domestic wastes into biodegradable and non biodegradable

components before discharging
2.     Biodegradable wastes can be used as fertilizers.
3.     Non bio degradable waste should be collected and disposed for recycling
processes
4.     One should never allow scattering of domestic wastes
5.     Recharge batteries rather than using disposable. 
6.     Give items to charity or sell in a yard sale rather than throwing them away.
7.     Use of cloth bags rather than plastics.
8.     Buy environmentally friendly electronics.
9.     Recycle & reuse items rather than sending them to the landfill.
10. Ensure the proper disposal of solid wastes.
  Indirect Role of an Individual

          Man can participate in various activities for solving the problem of
pollution.
1.       One should support expansion of environmental education by participating or  
supporting the system.
 2.       One should make efforts to develop awareness of environmental
pollution by:
                   - Publishing information on pollution
                   - Organizing various exhibitions or competitions
                   - Sponsoring environment related advertisement
3.       One should make Non Governmental Organizations or encourage and help in
developing NGO for social services against environmental pollution.
4.       One should celebrate environmental dates as festivals of society and develop
them as non-caste and non-religious occasions for all.
5.       One should organize special programmes and rallies on Tree Plantation Day (7
July) & World Environmental Day and raise the slogans in the society.
6.       One should encourage to follow Environmental Laws by making them popular
and help people to respect.

Major Areas :: Disaster Managment :: Earthquake

EARTHQUAKES

Earthquake is one of the most destructive natural hazard. They may occur at any time of the year, day or night, with sudden
impact and little warning. They can destroy buildings and infrastructure in seconds, killing or injuring the inhabitants.
Earthquakes not only destroy the entire habitation but may de-stabilize the government, economy and social structure of the
country.

Earthquakes are the manifestations of sudden release of strain energy accumulated in the rocks over extensive periods of
time in the upper part of the Earth crust.

Causes of Earthquake :

The earth’s crust is a rocky layer of varying thickness ranging from a depth of about 10kilometers under the sea to 65
kilometers under the continents. The crust is not one piece but consists of portions called ‘plates’ which vary in size from a
few hundred to thousands of kilometers. The ‘theory of plate tectonics’ holds that theplates ride up on the more mobile
mantle,and are driven by some yet unconfirmed mechanisms, perhaps thermal convection currents. When these plates
contact each other, stress arises in the crust. These stresses can be classified according to the type of movement along the
plate’s boundaries:
a) pulling away from each other,
b) pushing against one another and
c) sliding sideways relative to each other.

All these movements are associated with earthquakes.The areas of stress at plate boundaries which release accumulated
energy by slipping or rupturing are known as 'faults'. The theory of 'elasticity' says that the crustis continuously stressed by
the movement of the tectonic plates; it eventually reaches a point of maximum supportable strain. A rupture then occurs
along the fault and the rock rebounds under its own elastic stresses until the strain is relieved. The fault rupture generates
vibration called seismic (from the Greek 'seismos' meaning shock or earthquake) waves, which radiates from the focus in all
directions. The point of rupture is called the 'focus' and may be located near the surface or deep below it. The point on the
surface directly above the focus is termed as the  epicenter' of the earthquake
India has witnessed some of the most devastating earthquakes during the last century like the one in Kangra (1905), Bihar-
Nepal (1934) and in Assam (1950). In the recent past, earthquakes have caused havoc in Uttarkashi (1991), Latur (1993),
Jabalpur (1997), Chamoli (1999) and in Bhuj (2001).
On 26th January 2001, India experienced one of the worst earthquakes in recent times. Measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale,
the earthquake caused incalculable damage not just to its epicenter, Bhuj but also to other towns of the district of Kutch and
to about 500 villages out of the total of 900 villages. The reported damage to property in Gujarat was about Rs.21, 000crore
and the number of human lives lost were about 14,000. Of these, more than 500 deaths were reported from Ahmedabad,
situated at a distance of about 350 kms from Bhuj. In the same city, close to 150 multi-storied buildings crumbled down.
Cities far away from the epicenter, like Surat, too reported damage to property.

MEASURES FOR EARTHQUAKE RISK REDUCTION

For better understanding of all the possibilities of earthquake risk reduction, it is important to classify them in terms of the
role that each one of them could play. Therefore, in the pre-earthquake phase, preparedness, mitigation and prevention are
concepts to work on. Post-disaster, immediate rescue and relief measures including temporary sheltering soon after an
earthquake until about 3 months later and re-construction and re-habilitation measures for a period of about six months to
three years need to follow. To encapsulate, the most effective measures of risk reduction are pre-disaster mitigation,
preparedness and preventive measures to reduce vulnerability and expeditious, effective rescue and relief actions
immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake. Depending upon the calamity and its consequences, strategies can also
be divided into long term (five to fifteen years), medium term (one to five years) and short term (to be taken up immediately in
high risk areas). Since it has been realized that earthquakes don't kill people but faulty constructed buildings do, the task of
reducing vulnerability of structures and buildings will be the key to earthquake risk reduction. Also, pre-disaster preparedness
through a post-earthquake response plan, including training of the concerned personnel in various roles, is considered
essential for immediate and effective response after an earthquake occurrence. The major action points are highlighted in the
following paragraphs.
PRE-DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Long-term measures

 Re-framing buildings' codes, guidelines, manuals and byelaws and their strict implementation. Tougher legislation for
highly seismic areas.

 Incorporating earthquake resistant features in all buildings at high-risk areas.

 Making all public utilities like water supply systems, communication networks, electricity lines etc. earthquake-proof.
Creating alternative arrangements to reduce damages to infrastructure facilities.

 Constructing earthquake-resistant community buildings and buildings (used to gather large groups during or after an
earthquake) like schools, dharamshalas, hospitals, prayer halls, etc., especially in seismic zones of moderate to
higher intensities.

 Supporting R&D in various aspects of disaster mitigation, preparedness and prevention and post-disaster
management.

 Evolving educational curricula in architecture and engineering institutions and technical training in polytechnics and
schools to include disaster related topics.

Medium term measures

 Retrofitting of weak structures in highly seismic zones.

 Preparation of disaster related literature in local languages with dos and don'ts for construction.

 Getting communities involved in the process of disaster mitigation through education and awareness.

 Networking of local NGOs working in the area of disaster management.

FLOODS:

Flood disaster management implies not letting the excess runoff water flow suddenly and intensively in
the drainage network. After the unprecedented floods of 1954, flood management works were taken up

in a planned manner by the State Governments.

The main thrust of managing floods in different river basins was to modify the floods through specific
structural measures such as reservoirs, embankments, channel improvement, town protection and river

training works. The various measures adopted for flood mitigation may be categorised into two groups
viz., structural and non-structural.

The main steps for flood disaster management are briefly discussed below:
(1) Flood Forecasting:
Flood forecasting involves giving prior information regarding the occurrence of Forecast
Dissemination:
The utility of flood forecastes is dependent on both accuracy and timeliness. The organisations

responsible for flood-protection, warning and flood-fighting works should be informed about the

incoming flood as early as possible so that the required action is planned and activities set into
operation with least possible time delay.

A “Flood Forecast” received too late to take the necessary flood fighting measures is of “No” use. It is,

therefore, imperative to take minimum time in dissemination of forecast.

Forecast Bulletins:
Flood forecasts and warning which are formulated by various flood forecasting centres are supplied in
the form of “DAILY WATER LEVEL AND FLOOD FORECAST BULLETINS” to concerned Civil and
Engineering Authorities on Wireless/Telephone/by Special messenger/Priority Telegrams, depending
upon the urgency and available mode of communication media.

Control Rooms:
Generally, the State Governments set up “Central Control Rooms” at State and District Headquarters
which receive these forecasts and disseminate the warning to the affected areas and organise relief as
well as rescue operations. The forecasting centres also send the forecasts to the “ALL INDIA RADIO”

stations, “DOORDARSHAN” and the local “NEWSPAPER” for wider publicity.

On receipt of “Fresh Information” a revised forecast is issued, if the situation warrants. During high flood
stages the “Control Room” of the forecasting centre works round the clock and keeps informed the flood

fighting agencies about the latest river position. They work in close collaboration.

2. Reduction of Runoff:

Reduction of runoff is one of the very effective methods of flood disaster management. Runoff can be
reduced by inducing and increasing infiltration of the surface water into the ground in the catchment
area. This can be done by large scale afforestation particularly in the catchment area. Afforestation

helps in reduction of runoff in the following ways:

(i) The canopy of the forest cover intercepts the falling raindrops and the roots, the leaf litter and humus

are capable of holding water.

(ii) Together these encourage infiltration and reduce runoff.

(iii) Runoff reduction helps in reducing soil erosion which leads to reduced sediment load of the streams.

(iv) Reduction in stream sediment load reduces siltation and helps in maintaining the water
accommodating capacity of the rivers.

In the Indo-Gangetic plain, the runoff can be reduced by artificially inducing infiltration by digging wells

along the beds of ephermal channels. A series of dug wells helps in storing and channelising the surface
water. There is vast scope of using this method in the Northern Plain of India due to soft soil and

vastness of aquifers.

3. Reducing Flood Peaks by Volume Reduction (Constructing Dams and Detention Basins):
The flood peaks can be reduced by construction of dams and detention basins. Dams have the capacity
of holding huge quantity of water during the flood period and help in reducing flood peak volume of

water.

Water stored in reservoirs created by constructing dams can be allowed to flow down the stream under
controlled conditions depending upon the accommodating capacity of the river downstream the dam. A

number of reservoir projects have been completed in India since the launching of the National Flood
Control Programme in 1954.

These dams have helped in mitigating flood-peak in the downstream reaches. Notable among these are
Tilaiya, Konar, Maithon and Panchet Hill dams in the Damodar Valley System, Bhakra Dam on the Satluj,
Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi, Pong Dam on the Beas, Nagarjun Sagar and Tunghbhadra on the Krishna

and Ukai Dam on the Tapi. All these dams have afforded reasonable degree of protection to about 13.64
lakh hectares of land.

Apart from dams as described above ponds, tanks and surface storage structures also check flood and
help in harvesting water for dry seasons. Other type of detention basins includes natural depressions
such as marshes in plains and old quarries and mines.

4. Reducing Flood Levels:

Flood levels can be reducing in the following ways.
(i) Stream Channelisation:
A close network of canals reduces flood hazard to a great extent because flood water flowing in the river

can be diverted to canals. Canals serve as temporary storage and hold water as its flood waves move
downstream. Thus they help in reducing the severity of the flood.

(ii) Channel Improvement:

Channel improvement is done by deepening, widening, straightening, lining and cleaning out of
vegetation and debris from the river channel. These changes in the river channel increase the flood

conveyance capacity of the river. Channel improvement is supplemented by bank stabilisation by

constructing ripraps, dykes or spurs and planting deep root trees on embankments. In a meandering
river, meander loops impede drainage and retard disposal of flood water. Whenever, the river meanders

become extremely sharp, they can be straightened by artificially cutting individual or a series of bends.
This method can be applied to the meandering courses of the rivers like the Gandak, the Gomati, the
Rapti, the Kosi, etc.

(iii) Flood Diversion:

Flood diversion is the process of diverting the flood water in marshes, lakes, the depressions and

spreading it thinly over paddy fields and desert drylands. One such scheme in the Ghaggar Riversion
Scheme which diverts 340 cumecs (cubic metres per second) of water before its entry into Rajasthan
into the depressions and the areas between the sand dunes. In this way, discharge of water in the

Ghaggar River is kept within the safe limits during the flood period.

5. Protection against Inundation (Construction of Embankments):

Building of embankments was considered to be the only way of controlling floods in 1940s. It is still

considered to be one of the very effective devices against inundation of the inhabited areas and
agricultural land. Construction of embankments has been taken up at a large scale in India. Between
1954 and 1978, 10,821 km long embankments had been built. By March 2000, more than 33,630 km of
new embankments had been constructed.

floods. This is essential and is extremely useful for taking timely action to prevent loss of human lives,
livestock and movable property.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) started flood forecasting in November 1958 when the first
forecasting station was established at Old Railway Bridge, Delhi. Since then it has been extended to
cover almost all the major inter-state flood prone rivers of the country. At present there are 166 flood
forecasting stations on various rivers in the country which includes 134 level forecasting and 32 inflow
forecasting stations.

The Flood Forecasting Network covers the 14 States and one Union Territory in addition to NCT of Delhi.
State-wise numbers of flood forecasting centres are given

These centres issue daily-flood forecasts and warnings throughout the flood season from May to
October. For achieving greater accuracy, the Central Water Commission recently established a procedure
of carrying out a self-analysis and appraisal of the forecasting network at the end of the monsoon

season.

The Flood Forecasting involves the following four main activities:

(i) Observation and collection of hydrological and hydro-meteorological data;
(ii) Transmission of Data to Forecasting Centres;

(iii) Analysis of data and formulation of forecast; and

(iv) Dissemination of forecast.

Forecast Dissemination:
The utility of flood forecastes is dependent on both accuracy and timeliness. The organisations
responsible for flood-protection, warning and flood-fighting works should be informed about the
incoming flood as early as possible so that the required action is planned and activities set into

operation with least possible time delay.

A “Flood Forecast” received too late to take the necessary flood fighting measures is of “No” use. It is,
therefore, imperative to take minimum time in dissemination of forecast.

Forecast Bulletins:
Flood forecasts and warning which are formulated by various flood forecasting centres are supplied in
the form of “DAILY WATER LEVEL AND FLOOD FORECAST BULLETINS” to concerned Civil and
Engineering Authorities on Wireless/Telephone/by Special messenger/Priority Telegrams, depending

upon the urgency and available mode of communication media.

Control Rooms:
Generally, the State Governments set up “Central Control Rooms” at State and District Headquarters
which receive these forecasts and disseminate the warning to the affected areas and organise relief as
well as rescue operations. The forecasting centres also send the forecasts to the “ALL INDIA RADIO”
stations, “DOORDARSHAN” and the local “NEWSPAPER” for wider publicity.

On receipt of “Fresh Information” a revised forecast is issued, if the situation warrants. During high flood
stages the “Control Room” of the forecasting centre works round the clock and keeps informed the flood
fighting agencies about the latest river position. They work in close collaboration.
6. Flood Plain Zoning (FPZ):

Flood plain zoning is another very effective method of flood management. It is based on information
regarding flood plains, particularly the identification of floodways in relation to land use. Detailed maps

of flood prone areas are prepared after a thorough study of flood cycles.

Cyclones:

Cyclones are atmospheric storm. It is caused due to rise in temperature in the sea surface for a longer
time. It is built in the sea water and moves to the land area in a swirling fashion taking lots of moisture in
the air. Cyclone also strikes suddenly out of low pressure formed in the sea water; Cyclones are very
regular event in India. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu are few states which are frequently affected
by cyclone. The recent cyclone to hit Orissa coast was in 1999. Cyclones Rita hit Southern USA in the

year 2005 causing extensive damages to man and environment.

Cyclones cause extensive damage to crops, animal and human lives. It uproots trees and destroys

houses and buildings. Electric and Telephone towers are uprooted causing electrical and network failure.
Communication is cut off due to cyclones.

Cyclones are tracked by satellite pictures and accordingly preventions are made to control damages.
People are informed before hand to shift themselves along with their valuable to safe homes. Cyclone
homes are built at different affected areas to accommodate people. Tents, funds etc. are stored to help
people during this home. Cyclone is a natural disaster.

There is very less option to prevent the happening of cyclones. The only way is to check the intensity of

damage to human lives and property. Trees plantation along the coastal areas help in checking the
speed of air. Mangrove plantations have proved to be the best to check damages during Cyclones. Good
scientific information can help to know about the direction and speed of cyclone.

LANDSLIDES:

The guidelines by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on management of landslides

and snow avalanches aim to reduce the enormous destructive potential of landslides and minimize the
consequential losses by institutionalizing the landslide hazard mitigation efforts. 

It is necessary that the hazard must first be recognized, the risk analyzed and an appropriate strategy
developed at the national level to mitigate its impact. To achieve this objective, the NDMA initiated a
series of consultations for drafting the national guidelines on landslides and snow avalanches to guide
the activities envisaged for mitigating the risk emanating from landslides at all levels. The guidelines
include regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks with defined time schedules for all activities. It is
envisioned that all national and state disaster management plans and policies for landslides will be
formulated and implemented keeping in view the overall framework of the guidelines.

In the guidelines, the following nine major areas have been identified for systematic and coordinated
management of landslide hazards:

 Landslide hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment;

 Multi-hazard conceptualization;

 Landslide remediation practice;

 Research and development, monitoring and early warning;

 Knowledge network and management;

 Capacity building and training;

 Public awareness and education;

 Emergency preparedness and response;

 Regulation and enforcement.

The above areas would need to be addressed for minimizing the impact of landslides. Landslide hazard
and risk assessment will be done through landslide hazard zonation mapping and geological and
geotechnical investigation of vulnerable slopes and existing landslides. Building inventory databases has
been considered an integral part of this exercise. Hazard zonation mapping involves:

 Creation of landslide inventory;

 Selecting scales for mapping depending upon end-user requirements;

 Selecting landslide hazard zonation methodologies for different scales;

 Multi-hazard integration especially integrating seismic hazard;

 Prioritization of areas for landslide hazard zonation mapping;

  Landslide risk zonation.

An aware and vigilant community sensitized to the warning signs of impending landslides is the vital
pillar for implementation of an effective early warning system. Early warning systems also comprise a
scientific and technological base, mechanisms of dissemination and transmission of information, and
response capability on receipt of warning information. It is imperative to execute a few pilot projects as
pace setters of early warning systems which will also promote confidence in their operational
capabilities.

The issues related to snow avalanches, which affect certain areas in the Himalayas at regular intervals
have also been taken up in these guidelines along with landslides. A brief summary of the types of
avalanches, their causes, their forecasting possibilities and the control strategies is presented.

Although management of landslides requires coordinated and multi-faceted activities among many
stakeholders in the total disaster management cycle, a few of the important recommendations made are
listed below:

 Developing and continuously updating the inventory of landslide incidences affecting the country.

 Landslide hazard zonation mapping in macro and meso scales after identification and prioritization of the
areas in consultation with the Border Roads Organization, state governments and local communities.

 Taking up pilot projects in different regions of the country with a view to carry out detailed studies and
monitoring of select landslides to assess their stability status and estimate risk.

 Setting pace setter examples for stabilization of slides and also setting up early warning systems
depending on the risk evaluation and cost-benefit ratio.

 Complete site specific studies of major landslides and plan treatment measures, and encourage state
governments to continue these measures.

 Setting up of institutional mechanisms for generating awareness and preparedness about landslide hazard
among various stakeholders.

 Enhancing landslide education, training of professionals and capacity development of organizations

working in the field of landslide management.

 Capacity development and training to make the response regime more effective.

 Development of new codes and guidelines on landslide studies and revision of existing ones.

 Establishment of an autonomous national centre for landslide research, studies and management.

Efficacy in managing landslides and avalanches in the country is expected to improve substantially after
all these action points have been addressed on a priority basis with a sense of urgency and duly backed
by requisite operational, legal, institutional, and financial support.
