SOCIAL ISSUES AND

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THE ENVIRONMENT
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5
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5.1 INTRODUCTION
Environment is the fundamental source of all life on earth. It not only directs but determines the
existence, growth and development of mankind and all its activities. The development without think-
ing about the ill-effects on the biotic and abiotic factors leads to unsustainability.
Environment has several dimensions. They are:
• Economic
• Ethical
• Scientific
• Technological
• Political
• Social
• Religion
• Food
• Education
• National security and educational health
The advancement of human civilization from ancient period to modern period will have an
impact on social lives of the people. The developments in human society have brought serious con-
sequences on environment which includes green house effect, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, inad-
equate rain fall, decrease in forest cover and famine etc.

5.2 FROM UNSUSTAINABLE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The main aim of sustainable development is that our future generation can lead lifestyle at least as
healthy and happy as ours perhaps better. In order to safeguard the existence of life and future of
humanity, we have to change our approach from unsustainable to sustainable development. Through
sustainable development it is possible to balance the developmental activities.

Sustainable Development
Definition
The Director of World Health Organisation and also the Prime Minister of Norwegian,
Mr. G.H. Brundtland, states that, “the sustainable development is to meet the requirement of the
present without compromising the future generation”.

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True Sustainable Development

It mainly focus about the minimum usage of toxic products and encourages about the reusability of
the materials.

Features of Sustainable Development

Inter Generational Equity
Due to the rapid growth of population, the most of the resources are over utilized and large amount
of waste materials also generated. In order to maintain the sustainable development the resources
should be utilized in a useful manner.

Intra Generational Equity

For the growth of economically poor countries to reach certain level, the economically rich countries
should support.

Measures for Sustainable Development

The following are some measures for sustainable development.

1. Using Appropriate Technology

It is the one which is
• Locally adaptable
• Ecofriendly
• Resource efficient
• Culturally suitable
The technology should be design based on the nature and also the requirement.

2. 3-R Approach
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle approach.
• The resources should be reused and the waste should be reduced so that future generations can
utilize the resources to a longer time.

3. Promoting Environmental Education Awareness

The thinking and attitude of the people can be changed by the Environmental education. There are
so many methods are adopted to educate the people and act environmentally.
• We should respect our environment.
• The world has an unlimited supply of resources for human use.
• Humans are apart from nature.
• Nature is something to overcome.
• Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not any man’s greed.

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4. Population Stabilization
Due to rise in population, the use and the needs have been increased for all the natural products. We
can achieve sustainable development by controlling population.

5. Conservation of Nonrenewable Resources

• Over use of coal and oil may lead to total loss of these fossil resources. Unless we reduce the use of
the non-renewable resources or we find some alternatives for these resources, the future generation
will have to survive without the support of the energy resources.
• More use of renewable resources like solar energy, wind energy etc., than the non-renewable
resources like oil, coal for energy.
• It should be conserved by recycling and reusing.

6. Usage of Renewable Resources

Though the renewable resources can be generated continuously in nature and are inexhaustible,
for example, wood, solar energy, wind, tidal, hydro power, biomass energy, usage of renewable
resources should not be faster than their regeneration capacity.

5.3 URBAN PROBLEMS RELATED TO ENERGY

Urbanization is the process of population moving towards towns and cities (urban areas) from rural
areas and taking up the culture and work prevailing in urban areas.

Causes of Urbanization
• Cities are the main centre of economic growth, trade, education, innovations and employment.
This makes the rural people move towards cities.
• Urbanization may take place due to other casual factors like wars, famines, floods and massive
insurgents due to political reasons and refugee problems.

Urban Sprawl
About 50% of world population lives in urban areas and there is increasing movement of rural folk
to cities in search of employment. The urban growth is so fast and difficult to accommodate all the
commercial, industrial, residential and educational facilities within a limited area. As a result, there
is spreading of cities into suburban or rural areas, this phenomenon is known as urban sprawl.

Energy Requirements
The country development is mainly based on the energy consumption. Industrialization and other
developments requires lot of energy. The fast industrial growth, rising standards of living and urban-
ization have created a huge demand for the energy resources in India. Energy requirements of urban
population are much higher than that of rural ones. This is because higher standard of life like to
make their houses comfortable, by the way of using air conditioner or room heaters. They also need

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energy for lighting, transport and to operate lifts. Similarly each and every step in an urban centre
demands more energy input in every sphere of life.
Energy demanding activities include:
• Energy use for transportation: Most urban people use their individual transport rather than a
public one.
• Energy use for buildings: Energy used for residential, commercial and industrial buildings are
responsible for green house gas emissions. In residential and commercial sectors, the energy is
used to operate lifts, for water heating, space heating and space cooling. More than 80% of all
energy used for residential buildings.
• Energy use for industries: Large proportion of energy is utilized by Industries for their process.
• Energy based techniques: A disposal of waste generated, control and prevention of pollution
need energy dependent techniques.

Energy Management
To meet the enormous energy needs and for long term sustainability we should be more specific about the
most efficient and cost effective manner of energy use. This can be achieved by the energy management.
• Encourage the use of waste material into useful material. For example, Fly ash bricks in construction.
• Renewable energy technologies can be encouraged through tax incentives, subsidies etc.
• Alternative fuel for transportation.
• Promote non motorized transport and relate it with public transport system.
• Use of more renewable energy resources than non-renewable energy resources.
• Energy consumption must be minimized in all aspects.
• Provide incentives for increasing use of energy efficient household appliances.
• Imposing strict laws, penalties and energy audit.
• Urban planning for more efficient energy utilization.
• Change of life style to increase community participation.

5.4 WATER CONSERVATION

Water being one of the most precious and essential commodities for life on earth needs to be con-
served. The quality, quantity and availability of water to all are very important factor. With the
population explosion and industrialization, there is an ever increased demand for water. According
to a recent UN report, supply of clean and fresh water is depleting, that within 30 years, about 2/3 of
population will suffer to severe water stress.
Water conservation is a practice in which the effective and efficient way of use water that reduce
the demand of water for establishment. For example, recycling of wastewater comes from domestic
and industrial activity used for some other purposes like cleaning, agricultural etc.

Methods of Water Conservation

The following are some of the water conservation methods used to conserve water.
• Rain water harvesting
• Watershed management

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• Wetland conservation
• By constructing small check dams and reservoirs

Methods for Conserving Water Indoors

• Verify your home is leak free. Repair dripping taps by replacing washers.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Use water efficient flushes.
• Turn off water while brushing teeth.
• For shaving, use mug rather than using running water.
• Close faucets while soaping and rinsing clothes.
• Keep overflow valve in the over head tanks so as not to waste water.
• Use waste water of cloth cleaning to clean the floor.
• Use waste water in flush.
• Don’t use running water for releasing ice from tray.
• Don’t use extra detergent in washing clothes.
• Don’t use running water while hand-washing clothes.
• Operate automatic washing machine when it is fully loaded.
• Don’t use shower (or) big bath tubs in bathrooms.
• While going outdoor, turn off the main valve for water.
• Develop habit of monitoring water meters.

Methods for Conserving Water Outdoors

• Minimize grass lawns in our yard because less grass means less water demand.
• Don’t over-water your lawns. A good rain eliminates the need watering for more than a week.
• Water the lawns during early morning hours when temperature and wind speeds are the lowest.
This reduces losses from evaporation.
• Try to use waste of dish washing (or) cloth cleaning for gardening and cleaning the floor.
• Check leaks in hose, pipes etc.
• Use sprinkler (or) drip irrigation systems.
• Don’t allow water to flow into gutter.
• Don’t wash floors with a hose. Use a broom.
• Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of excess fertilizer increases the need of water.

5.5 RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Unseasonal and inadequate rainfall forced us to take up the step of rain water harvesting. Rain water
harvesting is a method of collecting rain water on the roof tops during the rainy season and then uses
it directly or stored it for future use. This method is widely practiced particularly in dry areas all over
the world. It is a technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing and storing rain
water. This is done by constructing dug wells, percolation pits, lagoons, check dams etc.

Objectives of Rain Water Harvesting

• To reduce run off loss.
• To avoid flooding of roads.
• To meet increasing demands of water.

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• To raise water liable by recharging ground water.

• To reduce ground water contamination.

Techniques of Rain Water Harvesting

Several techniques are available for efficient rain water harvesting. Before adopting any rain water
harvesting system, soil characteristics, topography, rainfall pattern and climatic conditions should
be understood.
Traditionally rain water is stored in open storage bodies such as lakes, ponds and tanks. It is
still practiced in villages. In rural areas, the harvested rain water is stored in underground tanks.
Underground storage tanks are effective as there is no loss of water through evaporation.
There are two main techniques for rain water harvesting.

1. Storage of rain water on the surface for future use.

2. Recharge of ground water.

Storage of rain water on the surface for future use is a very old practice. Recharge of ground water is
a recent concept. Rajendra Singh of Rajasthan was honored with prestigious Magsaysay Award for
his commendable job for harvesting rain water by building check dams.

Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting

Rain water harvesting is the process of collecting and storing water during the rainy season and uti-
lized it for future use. In urban areas, the roof top of the buildings are usually constructed with hard
materials like reinforced cement concrete, mangalore tiles, Asbestos etc. During the rainy season,
the rain water gets collected at the roof top and stored either in the storage tank or allowed to perco-
late into the earth which enhances the availability of water at the ground level. It also reduces the run
off loss and loss due to evaporation.
A smooth, cleaner and impervious roofing material contributes to better water quality and
greater quantity. Both drainpipes (conveyance system) and roof surfaces (collection area) should be
chemically inert such as wood, PVC or aluminium to avoid adverse effects on water quality.

Advantages of Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting

• It reduces the water demand in urban areas.
• It also reduce the run off loss, flood and soil erosion etc.
• It filters the water and increase the ground water table when it is allowed to percolate into the earth.
• It increases the availability of water to the needy at water scarcity time.
• It reduces the water contamination.

5.6 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT (WSM)

A watershed is an area that collects and stores the water from rainfall, roof tops, street flows and
snow melting etc., and the stored water can be released through rivers, streams and ground water
flow for the purpose of human activity. “The management of rainfall and resultant run off is called
watershed management”.

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Objectives of Watershed Management

The main objectives of watershed management are:
• Store and supply clean drinking water.
• Improvement of top soil and thus enhances the productivity rates.
• Improving the individual status by providing the basic facilities such as electricity, drinking water,
water for irrigation etc.
• Minimizing the risk of flood, drought and landslides.
• Prevention of soil erosion and development of wasteland.

Watershed Degradation
The Watershed areas are under strain due to uncontrolled and unplanned land use activities. Activities
like overgrazing, deforestation, mining, construction activities, industrialization, soil erosion, forest
fi re and ignorance of local people are the main cause for degradation of watersheds.

Principles of Watershed Management

• Utilizing the land based on its capability.
• Protecting fertile top soil.
• Minimizing silting up of tanks, reservoirs and lower fertile lands.
• Protecting vegetative cover throughout the year.
• In situ conservation of rain water.
• Safe diversion of gullies and construction of check dams for increasing ground water recharge.
• Increasing cropping intensity through inter and sequence cropping.
• Alternate land use systems for efficient use of marginal lands.
• Water harvesting for supplemental irrigation.
• Maximizing farm income through agricultural related activities such as dairy, poultry, sheep, and
goat forming.
• Improving infrastructural facilities for storage, transport and agricultural marketing.
• Improving socio-economic status of farmers.

Practices of Watershed Management

• Trenches (pits): They were dug at equal intervals to improve ground water storage. They are con-
structed 1 to 2m wide and 3m deep which are back filled with gravels and coarse sand.
• Under ground barriers (Dykes): They should be built along the nullahs to raise the water table.
• Farm pond: It can be built to improve water storage capacity.
• Stone embankment (or) earthen dam: Earthen dam must be constructed in catchment area.

Measures to be Taken for Watershed Management

• Water should be harvested for future use (i.e., for low rain fall areas and water scarcity time).
• Soil erosion can be prevented by agroforestry and afforestation.
• Improper mining must be avoided in hilly region.
• Encouraging the public participation.

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5.7 RESETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION

Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Due to natural disasters (like earth quakes, cyclones, tsunami etc.) and man-made disasters (like
nuclear accidents, industrial accidents etc.) people are forced to move from their native land. This
kind of massive displacement of human population is known as “resettlement”. Developmental
projects like construction of dams, roads, flyovers, bridges etc., also causes displacement of
people.

• Resettlement: Displacement of human population due to natural and man-made disasters.

• Rehabilitation: Restoration of displaced people to their normal life.

Reasons for Displacement of People

There are many reasons for the massive displacement of people. Some reasons are given below.

• Natural disasters like earth quake, cyclones, tsunami, floods, hurricanes etc.
• Man-made disasters like industrial accidents (e.g., Bhopal gas tragedy ) and nuclear accidents.
• In search of better employment opportunities.
• Developmental projects like: Construction of dams, irrigation canals, reservoirs etc.
• Infrastructural projects like flyovers, bridges, roads etc.
• Transportation activities like roads, highway, canal etc.
• Energy related project like power plants, oil exploration, mining activities, pipelines like HBJ
pipeline etc.
• Agricultural projects.
• Projects related with the conservation of wildlife like national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere
reserves.

Resettlement Issues or Serious Implications

of Displacement
As per the World Bank estimates, nearly 10 lakh people are displaced worldwide for a variety of
reasons. Here we have to mention, a few of the sufferings that these people have to face but we are
unable to feel for them:

Resettlement Issues
The people are forced to move from their native place for various reasons. This causes serious
impacts on their life. Some serious impacts are given below.

• They lose their livelihood nature.

• They have not paid correct compensation for the land that acquired by the government.
• The displaced people get disturbed by stress due to improper resettlement.
• They are suffered by health problem due to lack of nutrition and hygienic environment.
• They are also lost their identity, culture and spiritual existence.

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Objectives of Rehabilitation
The main objectives of rehabilitation are:
• Tribal people should be rehabilitated in their own native environment.
• The main objective is to remove the poverty of the displaced people.
• They should be educated and given employment opportunities.
• They should be provided with basic necessities for their life support. For example, Drinking water,
irrigation facilities, grazing land for cattle, education, primary health care and other amenities.

Examples
1. Construction of dams and hydroelectric power projects causes massive displacement.
Examples: Hirakund dam was constructed by displacing nearly 2,00,000 people.
Bhakra Nangal dam construction was displaced about 1,00,000 people.
Narmada river valley projects displaced about 3,00,000 people.
2. Natural disasters like nuclear crisis and tsunami also displaced more people at a stretch in the
affected place.
Examples: Nuclear explosion in Japan displaced about more than 2,00,000 people.
3. Mining also causes displacement of people.
Examples: Jharia coal mining displaced about 3,00,000 people.
4. Tribal people were expelled from their native environment due to creation of national parks,
Sanctuary, forest reserve etc.

Rehabilitation Policy
Rehabilitation programmes should include the following main components.
• Land for land is a better policy than cash settlements of displaced people.
• Secure supply of building materials.
• Provide expertise for safe construction and sitting.
• Restore social services.
• Removal of poverty.
• Oustees should be given assurance of employment.
• Before starting a project (construction of dams, roads) extent of damage and suffering that the
proposed project would cause should be studied.
• People should be rehabilitated on “minimum dislocation basis” by choosing adjacent areas.

CASE STUDIES—DAMS AND THEIR PROBLEMS

Silent Valley Project
Silent valley hydroelectric power project was centered on the dam across the river Kunthipuzha
results deforestation. This causes serious impacts on wild animals, birds which in turn affect
the forest ecosystem. Due to this some medicinal plants and lion-tailed macaque became
endangered.

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Sardar Sarovar Project

Sardar Sarovar Dam was constructed on Narmada River by covering nearly 244 villages
(Madhya pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat). Submergence includes 45,000 hectares of for-
est area and 2,00,000 hectares of cultivable land. Because of the submergence of agricultural
land, village people were affected and displaced from their own land. Nearly 1.5 million people
of three states were lost their own land due to dam construction.

Tehri Dam
Tehri dam was constructed across the rivers Bhagirathi and Bhilanganga. Though it helps for
the generation of electricity, it devastates nearly 1,00,000 people from the surrounding area.

5.8 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS—ISSUES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION

Ethics
It is the branch of philosophy that tries to understand the nature of good life and our rights and
responsibilities towards others, so that we can act on that knowledge.

Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics refers to the issues, principles and guidelines relating to human interactions
with their environment. Or otherwise it means the normal relationship of human beings with envi-
ronment. It is concerned with do’s and don’ts of the human beings to the environment.

Causes for Environmental Problem

The main causes for the environmental problems are:
• Population growth is the root cause of current global environmental crisis.
• Urbanization.
• Pollution.
• Land degradation and soil erosion.
• Water scarcity.
• Deforestation activities.

Environmental Protection
A healthy economy depends upon a healthy environment. The environment can be protected by the
following activities:
• One should respect the power of environment.
• Earth has an unlimited supply of resources and it all belongs to us.
• Resources should not be wasted or over exploited.

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• Soil degradation must be reduced.

• Reduce population growth.
• Creating awareness to the public.
• Recycle and reuse the waste products.
• Protection of biodiversity.
• One should oppose the use of nuclear weapons.
• Adopt sustainable development.
• Prevention of pollution.

Guidelines of Environmental Ethics (or) Earth Ethics

The concept “ahimsa” ensures the protection and conservation of all forms of life there by keeping
the ecological balance of earth intact. Some important guidelines are as follows:

• Love and honour the earth that provides us life.

• The earth is the habitat of all living species and not of human beings alone.
• Respect Nature, we are a part of it.
• Keep each day sacred to earth and celebrate the turning of its seasons.
• Don’t waste the resources.
• Avoid polluting the environment.
• Don’t hold yourself above other living things and have no right to drive them to extinction.
• We are always grateful to plants and animals as it nourishes the mankind.
• Consume the material goods in moderate amount.
• Be honest, affectionate, co-operative and polite to society and nature.

5.9 WASTELAND RECLAMATION

It is the process and methods for conversion of waste land into land suitable for use of habitation
or cultivation. Degraded, mined and other wastelands should be reclaimed and put to some pro-
ductive use. About half of the land area of country is lying as waste land of varying intensities of
degradation.

Classification of Wastelands
• Cultivable wastelands: Degraded forest lands, marsh and saline lands.
• Uncultivable waste lands: Barren rocky lands, steep sloping areas.

Objectives of Wasteland Reclamation

• To improve the availability of good quality water for cultivation.
• To prevent soil erosion, flooding and landslides.
• To conserve biological resources.
• To improve the structure and quality of soil.
• To avoid over exploitation of natural resources.

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Wasteland Reclamation Practices

• Testing of soils: Soil testing followed by proper method of treatment to remove salinity, acidity,
basicity etc.
• Land development and leaching: For reclamation of salt affected soil, it is necessary to remove
salts by process of leaching. By applying excess of water to push down the salts. In continuous
leaching 0.5 to 0.1 cm water is needed to remove 90% of soluble salts.
• Methods of irrigation: Use the efficient hydraulic design for surface irrigation to reduce water
logging and salinity.
• Drainage: This is required for water logged soil reclamation where excess water is removed by
artificial drainage.
• Gypsum application: Soil solidity can be reduced with gypsum. Calcium of gypsum replaces
sodium from exchangeable sites. Their process converts clay back into calcium clay.
• Afforestration programme: National commission on Agriculture (NCA) launched several affor-
estration schemes. National waste land development board has set a target of bringing 5 million
acres of wasteland annually under fire wood and fodder plantation.
• Social forestry programmes: They involve strip plantation on road, canal sides degraded forest
land etc.
• Fertilizers and biofertilizers: Applications of farm yard manure or nitrogen fertilizer have been
found to improve saline soils. Blue green algae have been found to be quite promising as bio ferti-
lizer for improving salt affected soils.

5.10 CONSUMERISM AND WASTE PRODUCTS

It is an art of protecting the people against unfair prices, bad products and improper advertising
claims etc. Modern life styles are more responsible for current degradation of environment.
Developments in Engineering, Science and Technologies have instead of reducing the levels of
environmental pollution, brought new products, resulting in more wastes. Consumerism is now an
explosion. “Consumerism refers to consumption of resources by people.”

Table 5.1 Rights of sellers and buyers

Sl. No. Rights of sellers Rights of buyers
1. Right to introduce any product Right to buy or not to buy
2. Right to charge any price Right to expect a product to the safe
3. To spend any amount and use of incentives to Right to expect the product to perform as claimed
promote their products

Objectives of Consumerism
• It improves right of powers of buyers.
• Active consumerism improves good health and happiness and saves resources.
• Consumerism forces the manufacturer to reuse and recycle the used product.
• It makes the products cheaper and avoids pollution.
• It also makes the manufacturer liable for entire life cycle of a product.

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Waste Products
Waste products are mainly generated from industries, domestic and agricultural activities. It is
important that these waste products are identified and managed properly to protect us in the com-
munity and environment.

Types of Wastes
• Solid waste: It means any garbage, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treat-
ment plant, soft drink canes, food wastes etc.
• Hazardous waste: Any ignitable, corrosive of explosive waste may be considered as hazardous. It
may be solid, semisolid or even liquid.
• Universal waste: It includes batteries such as NICAD battery, lead acid battery etc., and agricul-
tural pesticides.
• E-waste (electronic and electrical waste): It includes computers, printers, mobile phones, calcu-
lators etc. After their usage, they are thrown as wastes.

Effects of Wastes
• Recycling of plastics is difficult because they are non-biodegradable and their combustion pro-
duces toxic gases.
• Soil fertility was affected by dumping of wastes and also makes it unfit for cultivation.
• Human life is affected by waste released from chemical industries and from explosives.
• There are more than 1000 chemicals in e-waste that are toxic and cause cancer and respiratory
problems, results in heavy environmental pollution.

Waste Minimization Techniques

Some of the main components of waste minimization are:

• Reduction: Hazardous waste generation can be reduced (or) eliminated at the source itself or by
modifying the procedure.
• Recovery: This process can help eliminate waste disposal costs, reduce raw material cost.
• Reuse: Reduce the amount of waste that needs disposal and save on associated environmental and
economic cost.
• Recycle: Recycling is when a waste material is used for another purpose, treated and reused in
same process. The consumers should be educated to protect the globe’s environment.

Factors Affecting Consumerism of Waste Generation

• People over population: There are more people than available supply of food of water. It results
in degradation of resources, poverty and premature death. This occurs in less developed countries
waste generation is less and less consumption of resources.
• Consumption over population: This occurs in more developed countries population less, more
consumption of resources, more waste generation of higher degradation of environment.
Thus more consumerism leads to more waste production.

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Figure 5.1 Relationship of population and consumerism

Waste Production and Environmental Impacts

There should be a movement that helps better quality of life, reasonable consumption and sustainable
environmental management. Polluters have to pay the price of pollution. The non polluters should be
able to see that there are no further pollutions of the environment.

5.11 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS

To safeguard our environment from serious environmental degradation events, environmental man-
agement is needed. Various sources that cause environmental problems are:
• Environmental pollutions
• Resource depletion
• Exponential growth and misdistributions of human population
• Waste management
• Urbanization
To achieve the goal of clean environment, a two pronged strategy is required to be made are:
1. Effective laws to protect the environment
2. Willing cooperation and active participation of the citizens.

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Important Acts
Numerous laws have been enacted at various levels like international, national, state and municipal.
In India, an independent department of environment was established by the government in 1980 to
create environmental awareness by encouraging research on environmental problems.
Besides this, the parliament of India has passed a number of laws to control pollution and to
protect the environment.
• Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974
• Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981
• Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972
• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
• Environment (protection) Act, 1986.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

In 1974, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution ) Act was initiated and in 1988 it was amended.

Salient Features of Water Act

• It prevents and control the water pollution by effluent discharge from industries
• It mainly helps to maintain / restore the sources of water for use.
• It preserves the quality of surface and ground water.
• It empowered both state and central boards for water prevention and pollution control.
• The Act empowers the state board to issue the order of closure of the industry, cut down of electri-
city and imprisonment etc.
The duties and powers of the regulatory bodies of the pollution control board are given below.

Functions of Central Pollution Control Board

• To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of state.
• To give advice to the central government in matters related to prevent and control of water pollution.
• To resolve the disputes among the state boards and coordinate the actions of state board.
• To provide them technical assistance and guidance for research in prevention and control of water
pollution.
• To organize training programmes to the person working in water pollution control board.
• To organize comprehensive programmes on pollution related issues through mass media.
• To collects, compile and publish technical and statistical data related to pollution.
• To prepare manuals, codes or guides to explain the methods relating to treatment and disposal of
sewage and trade effluents.
• To Establish and recognize laboratories for analysis of water, sewage or trade effluent sample.

Functions of State Pollution Control Board

As per the section 7-B of the Act, following are the important functions of the state boards to prevent
and control water pollution and also about the new location of industries.

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• If any industry that pollutes the water bodies the state government should give advice to those
industries.
• After treatment only the effluents to be discharged into the water bodies and the standards has to
be fix.
• To inspect sewage effluents and waste water treatment plants.
• To establish laboratories for analysis of water sample
• To inspect the trade and wastewater treatment plants.
• To evolve economical and reliable methods to dispose.
• To perform any functions entrusted by the central board or by the state government.
• To suggest efficient method to dispose, to treat and reuse of the water mainly for the irrigational
purpose.

Penalties for Violation of the Provisions Under the Act

The penalties for violation of order prohibiting the discharge of any pollutant into water resource and
land resource are:
• Issue the order to close the industry.
• To stop the water (or) electricity supply.
• Imprisonment and fi ne of ` 5000.

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

This Act mainly deals with preservation of quality of air against air pollution.

Salient Features of Air Act

• State boards are to collect, save and publish air pollution statistical data.
• State board should inspect pollution control equipments; industries take necessary actions to con-
trol air pollution.
• The state board can advise state government to declare an area within the state as “air pollu-
tion control area” and can avoid use of any fuel other than approved fuel in the area causing air
pollution.
• The directions of central board are mandatory on state boards.
• The industrial unit operation is prohibited in a heavy polluted area without the consent of central
board.
• The central Board may lay down the standards for the quality of air.
• Central board coordinates with state board and provides technical assistance and guidance to state
Board.
• The standards for the emission of air pollutants from the various sources has to be empowered by
the state government.

Penalties for Violations of Provisions Under the Act

Violation of law is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months or fi ne
up to ` 10,000 or both. The act also empowers state board to closure of industry or stoppage of water
supply, electricity if it is highly polluting.

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 Social Issues and the Environment 149

Drawbacks
• The emission of air pollutants from the aircraft to the atmosphere is excluded in the act.
• Main drawback of this act lies in giving the defaulters 60 days notice before taking him to court, by
the time offender may destroy the evidence in which case it becomes difficult to prove the offence.
• Another drawback is that no consent or permission is required to be taken from the board for
establishing an industry outside the air pollution control area, even though its emission may reach
the air pollution control area also.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

This act deals with conservation of forest and related aspects. Except Jammu and Kashmir, the act is
adopted all over India. The act covers all types of forests including reserved forests, protected forests
or any forested land irrespective of its ownership.

Salient Features of Forest Act

• The state government has been empowered under this act to use the forests only for forestry purposes.
• The provision was made to conserve all types of forests.
• Any illegal non-forest activity within a forest area can be stopped immediately under this act.
Some non-forest activity like construction works, pipelines for water supply, check posts, wireless
communications, etc., are exempted.

Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 1988

Salient Features
• Forest departments are not allowed to assign any forest land “by way of lease or otherwise to any
private person” or nongovernment body for reforestation.
• Clearance of any forest land of naturally grown trees for the purpose of afforestration is also not
allowed.

Penalties for Violations of Provisions Under the Act

A period of 15 days imprisonment punishment has to be given if any one contravenes this law.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• In order to preserve and protect biodiversity, this act has been implemented.
• India has 350 species of mammals, 1200 species of birds and about 20,000 known species of
insects. Some of them are listed as “endangered species”.

Salient Features
• Restriction and prohibition on hunting animals. The wildlife is declining due to human actions,
wildlife products—skins, furs, feathers, ivory etc., have decimated the population of many species.
• Protection of specified plants, for example, Blue vanda, Pitcher plant etc.
• Setting up and managing sanctuaries and national parks.

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 150 Environmental Science

• Empowering zoo authority with control of zoo and captive breeding.

• Control of trade and commerce in wildlife, wildlife products.
• The act covers the rights and non rights of forest dwellers.
• It provides restricted grazing in sanctuaries but prohibits in national parks.
• The rights of forest dwellers recognized by forest policy of 1988 are taken away by the amended
wildlife Act of 1991.

Drawbacks
Major drawback of this act include mild penalty to offender, illegal wildlife trade in Jammu and
Kashmir, personal ownership certificate for animal articles like tiger and leopard skins and pitiable
condition of wildlife in mobile zoos.

Penalties for Violation of Provisions Under the Act

The imprisonment of three years or with a fi ne of ` 25,000 or both has to be given when any one
contravenes the provisions of this act.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Some important description was made to the quality improvement and control of environmental
pollution.

Salient Features
• The quality of air, water and soil has to be fi xed up.
• Depending upon the areas the maximum permissible limits for the various pollutants are mentioned.
• It gives the procedures for the handling of the toxic substances.
• Location of industries and operation procedures are to be restricted/prohibited based on the pol-
lution load.
• Providing some remedial measures for accidents and giving some procedures for the prevention
of accidents.

5.12 ISSUES INVOLVED IN ENFORCEMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
For safeguarding our environmental quality, there are number of environment laws. There are so
many problems and drawbacks in implementing environmental legislations and so we are losing our
wildlife and natural resources.

Important Issues Related to the Acts

Drawbacks of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• The ownership certificates for animal articles are allowed and often serve as a tool for illegal
trading.

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 Social Issues and the Environment 151

• Since Jammu and Kashmir has its own wildlife act, hunting and trading of several endangered
species prohibited in other states, are allowed in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Very harsh penalties are not subjected to the offender of the Act penalties. It is just up to 3 years
imprisonment as a fine of ` 25,000 or both.

Drawbacks of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• This Act transfers the power from state to centre for the conversion of reserve forest lands to non
forest areas.
• Tribals are forced to involve in criminal activities like smuggling, killing etc., when they are
stopped from taking resources from forest resources.
• This law is more interested on protecting the forest ecosystem than the tribal people.
• This law cannot be acknowledged the knowledge of tribal communities towards forest resources.

Drawbacks of Pollution Related Act

• Due to less power, state government does not give effective implementation.
• The penalty is very less than the actual cost of pollution control equipment.
• For a small unit, an installation of effluent treatment plant is very expensive.

5.13 PUBLIC AWARENESS

No governmental programmes more particularly measures to protect the environment can become
successful without creating public awareness and enlisting the cooperation. In order to conserve our
environment, each and every one must be aware about our environmental problems. To achieve a
“pollution free environment” and have a protected “green earth”, there should be spontaneous coop-
eration from the public.

Objectives
The main objectives in creating public awareness regarding the environment are:
• Every citizen to be aware and made aware of importance of environment.
• Reject which are harmful and accept ecofriendly ones.
• Discourage terrorism and report such activities to avoid damage to the ecosystem.
• To conduct meetings, group discussion on development, tree plantation programmes, exhibitions, etc.
• To focus on current environmental problems and adopt appropriate ways to solve existing envi-
ronmental problems.
• To train our planners, decision makers, politicians and administrators.
• To remove poverty by providing employment.
• To take appropriate decisions regarding the use of natural resources.
• To conserve nature and natural resources.

Methods to Create Environmental Awareness

Awareness must be created by both formal and informal education to all sections of the society.
Various stages that are useful for raising environmental awareness are discussed here.

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 152 Environmental Science

• Through education: Environmental awareness can be created among the students through envi-
ronmental education by introducing the environmental studies as a subject in schools and colleges.
• Through mass media: Mass media such as Newspapers, magazines, TV, and Radio can play a
vital role to educate the environmental issues among the public through articles, environmental
rallies, plantation campaigns.
• Entertainment: Environmental awareness can also be propagated through folk songs, street plays,
documentaries and Cinema etc. Film about environmental ethics should be prepared and screened
in theatre compulsorily with the relaxation of tax free to attract public.
• Audio visual media: To disseminate the concept of environment, special audio visual and slide
shows should be arranged in all public places.
• Voluntary organizations: The services of voluntary bodies like NCC, NSS and RRC should be
effectively utilized for creating environmental awareness.
• Traditional techniques: Rural people are much attracted by folk plays, dramas that are used for
spreading environmental messages.
• Arranging competitions: Story writing, essay writing and painting competitions on environmen-
tal issues should be organized for students. Attractive prizes should be awarded for the best effort.
• Among planners decision makers and leaders: It is very important to give necessary orientation
and training through workshops and training programmes to all section of society.
• Non government organizations (NGO’s): Voluntary organization can help by advising the gov-
ernment about some local environmental issues and at the same time interacting at the grass root
levels. They act as a viable link between the two. They can act as an “action group” or a “pressure
group”. They can be very effective in organizing public movements for the protection of envi-
ronment through creation of awareness. WWF India (World Wide Fund for Nature India), CSE
(Centre for Science and Environment) and many others play a vital role in creating environmental
awareness. The recent report by CSE on more than permissible limits of pesticides in cola drinks
sensitized the people all over the country.
The bells are ringing loud, it is up to the public to wake up and act or else perish sooner.

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