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ENVIRONMENT[1]
QUESTION BANK
Q.1 What is the environment? Discuss the nature and sources, and effect of environmental pollution?
Q.2 Define the term “Environment”. Explain the various kinds and effects of environmental pollution.
Q.3. Define “Environment’ and ‘Environmental Pollution. State the various factors responsible for environmental crises.
Q.4. Define “Environment’. State the various kinds and effects of environmental pollution.
Q.5. What are the different kinds of pollution? State the effect of different kinds of pollution.
Q.6. Write a detailed note on industrial development and exploitation of nature.
SHORT NOTES
- Sustainable Development.
The term ‘Environment’ is derived from the French term ‘environ’, which means “to surround”. The primary concern of the environment subject is to study man’s environment. However, man cannot exist in isolation from lives such as the lives of creatures and plants. They surround the man. Man and every creature’s[2] very existence depends upon the environment. All creatures derive their necessities from the environment, i.e. nature. Water, air, soil, forests, animals, etc., are components of nature and are necessary for the existence of all creatures. The environment is the life support system for all creatures. In general parlance, the term environment is called ‘nature’.
We will discuss some of the definitions of the term ‘Environment’:-
- A) According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:-
The expression ‘Environment’ connotes ‘the entire range of external influence acting on an organism, both physical and biological and other organisms, i.e. forces of nature surrounding an individual’[3].
- B) According to S.2 (a) of the Indian Environment (Protection) Act 1986:-
The expression ‘Environment[4]’ includes water, air and land and human beings, other living beings, creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property.”
- C) According to C. Park:-
“Environment refers to the sum total of conditions which surround man at a given point in space and time[5]”. The environment comprises both living (i.e. biotic) and non-living (i.e. abiotic) components of the planet Earth. The third component of the environment is energy. Abiotic (or nonliving) or physical environment may further be divided into (i) solid, (ii) liquid, and (iii) gas[6].
To understand the complex concept of environment, we must know the following concepts, viz.-
1) Ecosystem[7]:-
An assemblage of animals and species of plants[8] existing in a common area and affecting each other is called a ‘biotic community[9]’. The assemblage of such biotic communities constitutes an ecosystem. The number of such ecosystems that occur in similar climates and share similar characteristics and arrangements of vegetationare called biomes. Arctic, Tundra, Desert, etc., are some examples of Biomes.
According to the United States Council on Environmental Quality, “the interdependence of living and non-living parts, i.e. man, animals, plants, forests, lakes, etc., make an ecosystem”.
The ecosystem is functional and is not constant. A small change occurring in one part of the ecosystem is felt throughout the system. However, the system seeks to maintain stability as far as possible.
2) Ecology[10]:-
Ecology is the study of ecosystems to determine how they are organised, how the creatures within them interact, and how total systems function.
The dictionary definition of Ecology is a ‘branch of biology dealing with relations of living organisms to their surroundings, their habits, modes of life, etc. ‘
3) Biosphere[11]:-
‘Biosphere’ is a life-supporting layer which surrounds the earth and makes plant and animal life possible. It is that part of the earth and atmosphere that living beings inhabit. The biosphere consists of all living organisms (i.e. biotic component), physical environment (i.e. abiotic component) and energy component. In other words, it is the sum of all the earth’s ecosystems.
III] SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT[12]:-
In environmental law, meeting the present day’s needs without compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their own needs is called ‘sustainable development’.
In Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board V/s C. Kenchappa[13]
The High Court issued directions to the concerned authority to leave one kilometre of the green zone from the village limits to maintain ecological equilibrium[14].
However, the Supreme Court, in appeal, quashed the directions.
However, today, it is very important to stress sustainable development. We will find the number of directions the Supreme Court issued to protect the environment. [See in Note]
IV] OBJECTS OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION[15]:-
A good environment is necessary for the survival of human beings, other creatures, plants, etc.. The Very existence of all beings depends upon the quality of the environment it surrounds. A good environment is necessary for the all-round development of human beings. It is because a man needs unpolluted air to breathe, uncontaminated water to drink, nutritious food to eat and hygienic conditions to live in. These things are essential for survival.
Contamination in these things affects human development to the fullest extent. Nowadays, all these necessities for survival, i.e., air, water, food, etc., are polluted. Due to pollution, we face serious environmental problems like acid rain, global warming, water and air pollution, the extinction of many species of plants and animals, biodiversity loss, and ozone depletion.
Contamination of the life support system has caused physical problems and diseases. Environmental pollution is a big threat to the quality of human life and the lives of all creatures.
Therefore, there is a serious need to protect the environment.
V] ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION[16]:-
The word ‘pollution’ is derived from the Latin term “pollute”. So the word “pollute” means to spoil, to make foul, to make unclean, or to make impure. According to the International Law Association, ‘pollution’ means any introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substance or energy into the environment resulting in deleterious effects of such a nature as to endanger human health, harm living resources, ecosystems and material property, and impairs amenities or interferes with other legitimate uses of the environment.
The environment surrounds man. Man’s life depends upon the environment. Water, air, and soil are the fundamental necessities for living beings. Men started exploiting natural resources for their own use. However, after the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century, men started exploiting natural resources madnessly for their own development, affecting the environment adversely by environmental pollution.
70% of India’s population drinks polluted water; fertilizers (chemicals) are used in farming for more yield, forcing men to eat poison. Industries, vehicles, atomic wastes, etc, pollute the air and atmosphere.
1) Environmental Pollutant[17] [S.2 (b)]:-
Environmental pollutant means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in
such concentration may be or tend to be harmful to the environment.
2) Environmental Pollution (S.2(c)):-
It means the presence of any environmental pollutant in the environment.
VI] FOLLOWING ARE MAJOR TYPES OF POLLUTION:-
1) Air Pollution[18]:-
Air is very important for human survival. Humans and all creatures cannot survive for a few minutes without air. However, today, we find that the air is polluted greatly. Air pollution is mainly caused by smoke and gases released from factories and motor vehicles. It harms human life and the lives of all creatures. In addition, it creates many diseases.
2) Water Pollution[19]:-
Another important element for the survival of all creatures is the water.
Water covers about one-third of the earth’s surface. “Water Pollution” means ‘such contamination of water or such alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of water or such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance into water (whether directly or indirectly) as may be, or is likely to, create a nuisance or render such water harmful or injurious to public health or safety, or domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural or other legitimate uses, or to the life and health of animals or plants or of aquatic organisms’[20].
3) Noise Pollution[21]:-
Noise is an unwanted sound. There are numerous sources of noise pollution. Such pollution can be classified as (i) Industrial and (ii) non-industrial. Industrial sources include noise generated by various industries operating in and outside the cities. At the same time, non-industrial sources include noise from vehicles, the use of loudspeakers, construction work, aircraft, railways, etc.
Land or soil is yet another very important element for the life of all creatures. It is the basis of all human activities, such as agriculture, forestation, mining, transportation, housing, industry and commerce. A decrease in land quality is either caused by accelerated soil erosion, deforestation, excessive use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides, polluted wastewater from industrial and urban areas, forest fires, or dumping of urban and industrial solid wastes, etc.
5) Radioactive Pollution[22]:-
Certain elements, like radium, uranium, etc., emit[23] invisible[24] effects known as radiations. The emission of these invisible radiations is called radioactivity.
These radiations are biologically harmful. In addition, these radioactive substances emit gamma rays, which are very harmful to living beings. Nuclear power plants, testing of atom bombs, dumping of nuclear wastes, nuclear products in laboratories, hospitals using radioactive materials, etc., are the factors of radioactive pollution.
Several laws have been passed in India, and Conventions have taken place at the International level to protect the environment from pollution. The important among them are the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, The Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974, The Air Prevention And Control Of Pollution Act 1981, the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, and The Insecticides Act 1968.
VII] CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION:-
Causes of pollution and environmental degradation are of two types viz.
- A) Natural Causes[25]:-
Droughts, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, molten lava from a volcano, hurricanes, twisters, torrents, and epidemics are the leading natural causes of environmental pollution. Since man has no control over these causes, we are least concerned with them in this subject. We are concerned with man-made factors of environmental pollution and measures to control them.
- B) Man-Made Causes[26]:-
The following are some of the main man-made factors responsible for causing environmental pollution, viz.
‘The Earth is finite, and the world population is infinite’. Each new life consumes many natural and non-natural products that are also ultimately provided after exploiting natural resources. The world’s population is increasing continuously, thereby pressuring natural resources and creating social, physical and psychological problems. An increase in population means more consumption of coal, diesel, petrol, iron, etc., consequently creating environmental pollution.
An increase in population is the root cause of many evils that create pollution. These evils include poverty, deforestation, urbanisation, industrialisation, chemical farming, etc.
2) Deforestation[27]:-
Forests are a valuable, useful property bestowed by nature to humankind. The forests improve rainfall and allow maximum recharge of groundwater. In addition, it provides for the needs of mankind and animals. However, for its necessities, man has started madness exploiting forests, thereby increasing deforestation and creating environmental problems.
3) Indiscriminate Use of Technology[28]:-
Indiscriminate technological development is detrimental to the environment. Excessive utilization of natural resources and their misuse lead to serious ecological imbalances; it even creates problems with dumping electric and other technological wastes.
The rapid growth of industrialisation resulted in the enormous exploitation of natural resources. Industrialisation caused deforestation, decreased groundwater levels, carbon dioxide emission, carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
5) Urbanization[29]:-
Unplanned urbanisation is one of the main reasons for pollution. The migration of the population for want of employment and education from rural areas to urban centres has caused the population explosion in urban areas. Urbanisation ultimately leads to pollution.
Poverty causes more damage to the environment. It is because poor people exploit natural resources excessively to meet their needs relating to food, fuel, shelter, fodder[30] for cattle, etc.
7) Unmindful Exploitation of Natural Sources:-
Lack of awareness about preserving nature and the environment leads to unmindful exploitation of natural resources. It damages the environment.
8) Unrestricted Agricultural Development[31]:-
Unrestricted agricultural development and excessive use of chemicals and fertilisers pollute soil. Moreover, the quest to acquire more land causes deforestation, creating a severe environmental imbalance.
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SYNOPSIS
- A) Stockholm Declaration:-
1) Right in a quality environment
2) Protection of natural resources for further generations
3) Capacity of the earth to produce vital renewable resources must be maintained
4) Responsibility to safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of life
5) Nonrenewable resources must be guarded
6) Discharge of toxic substances etc. must be halted
7) Present or future development potential must be enhanced
- B) Brundtland Commission Report:-
- C) Rio Declaration / Earth Summit
- D) Johannesburg Summit
- E) Kyoto Conference on Global Warming
The term ‘Sustainable Development is the development of mankind without damaging the environment.
The Brundtland Commission Report defines Sustainable Development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
We have a good environment due to our forefathers’ proper or sustainable use of natural resources. Similarly, we must also be modest in exploiting natural resources to benefit future generations.
The term sustainable development was used in the Cocoyoc Declaration on Environment and Development 1970.
The concept of sustainable development became impetuous through different international summits and declarations.
We will discuss some of them as follows:-
Stockholm Declaration of 1972 enunciated several principles for boosting the concept of sustainable development.
We will discuss some of its principles as follows-
1) Right in a Quality Environment:-
Man has a fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being. Man is solemnly responsible for protecting and improving the environment for present and future generations.
2) Protection of Natural Resources for Further Generations:-
The earth’s natural resources, including the air, water, land, flora and fauna, and especially representative samples of ecosystems, should be safeguarded for the benefit of the present and future generations by careful planning and management.
3) The capacity of Earth to Produce Vital Renewable Resources must be Maintained:-
The earth’s capacity to produce vital renewable resources must be maintained and, wherever practicable, restored.
4) Responsibility to Safeguard and Wisely Manage Heritage of Life:-
Man has a special responsibility to safeguard and wisely manage the heritage of life and its habitat.
5) Nonrenewable Resources must be Guarded:-
Nonrenewable resources of the earth must be employed in such a way as to guard against the danger of their future exhaustion. It should ensure that all mankind shares the benefit from such employment.
6) Discharge of Toxic Substances, etc., must be Halted:-
Discharge of toxic or other substances and the release of heat in such quantities or concentrations as to exceed the environment’s capacity must be halted. It must be halted to ensure that serious or irreversible damage is not inflicted upon the ecosystem.
7) Present or Future Development Potential must be Enhanced:-
The environmental policies of all States should enhance and not adversely affect the present or future development potential of developing countries, nor should they hamper the attainment of better living conditions for all.
The declaration further made provisions for rational planning for sustainable development, the application of such planning to human settlement, the application of technology to avoid environmental risks, the spreading of environmental awareness, etc.
The General Assembly of the United Nations established the ‘World Commission on Environment and Development in 1983, which is also known as the’ Brundtland Commission. ‘
The report brought the concept of sustainable development into everyday use. It also defined and clarified the concept of suitable development. According to the report, sustainable development integrates economics and ecology into decision-making at all levels. Sustainable development is a strategy that integrates conflicted goals of economic development and ecological integrity.
The report stresses setting up goals for economic and social development.
The report developed principles of the world ethic of sustainable development. In its report, the Commission enunciated general principles, rights and responsibilities for environmental protection and sustainable development.
The World Conservation Union and the Wildlife Fund jointly produced the document ‘Caring for the Earth’, a strategy for sustainable living, in 1991, which also contributed to spreading awareness about sustainable development worldwide.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. It was the largest conference ever, and over 150 countries participated; therefore, it is also called an ‘earth summit’.
The object of the Summit was to awaken the whole world to the environment and to put it on the path of sustainable development. The Summit heralded the need for sustainable development and commitment to protecting the environment.
The Summit adopted the ‘Rio Declaration’, which contains 27 principles that seek to guide the behaviour of all nations towards more environmentally suitable development patterns.
The Summit also undertook the most comprehensive and far-reaching programme, Agenda 21.
The agenda emphasised international cooperation to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive document that outlines the basis for action, objectives, activities, and means of implementing its principles.
The United Nations organised a ten-day world summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg (South Africa) in 2002. The Summit was popularly known as “Earth Summit Plus Ten.”
The Summit stressed the need to fight poverty and protect the global environment. Furthermore, the member States are committed to building a humane, equitable, and caring global society that is cognizant of the need for human dignity for all.
The Summit adopted a declaration known as the “Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development”.
In Kyoto (Japan) the Kyoto Summit to reduce global warming was held in 1997. One hundred fifty-nine member countries attended the Summit.
The Summit adopted a protocol requiring industrialised nations to reduce their average annual emissions of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, etc.
Thus, global awareness of sustainable development is increasing due to international efforts.
There is a lot of environmental protection awareness and effort at the government level. Non-government organisations also play a vital role in environmental protection. However, the judiciary’s role in protecting the environment and sustainable development is remarkable.
In Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra V/s State of U.P[32]
Facts– Protection of forests from mining activities was important for consideration
before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
Held:- Mining activities in the forest which cause ecological imbalance need to be
stopped because trees are significant for rain and the purification of air.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court and High Courts have decided to favour sustainable development through several public interest litigations.
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[1]पर्यावरण
(येथून पुढे काही महत्त्वाच्या इंग्रजी शब्दांचे मराठीत/ व कौसात हिंदी अर्थ दिलेले आहेत. त्याचा उद्देष विद्याथ्र्यांना विषय चांगल्या प्रकारे समजावा एवढाच मर्यादित आहे. मराठी अर्थ हे विशयाला धरुन केले असल्यामुळे ते शब्दकोषाप्रमाणे अगदी बरोबर असतीलच असे नाही. विद्याथ्र्यांनी अभ्यास करताना विविध मराठी व इंग्रजी शब्दकोष वापरावेत.)
[2] प्रााणी
[3] ‘पर्यावरण’ या अभिव्यक्तीचा अर्थ ‘एखाद्या जीवावर, भौतिक आणि जैविक आणि इतर जीवांवर, म्हणजे एखाद्या व्यक्तीभोवती असलेल्या निसर्गाच्या शक्तींवर कार्य करणाऱ्या बाह्य प्रभावाची संपूर्ण श्रेणी’ सूचित करते.
[4] पर्यावरण या संज्ञेत पाणी,,,, हवा,, जमीन,, मनुष्यप्राणी, इतर सजीव, वनस्पती, प्राणी,, सूक्ष्म जीव,, स्थावर मिळकत यांचा समावेश होतो.
[5] मनुष्याच्या सभोवतालच्या सर्व घटकांचा समावेश म्हणजे वातावरण
[6] पर्यावरणामध्ये पृथ्वी ग्रहाचे सजीव (म्हणजे जैविक) आणि निर्जीव (म्हणजे अजैविक) दोन्ही घटक असतात. पर्यावरणाचा तिसरा घटक ऊर्जा आहे. अजैविक (किंवा निर्जीव) किंवा भौतिक वातावरण (i) घन, (ii) द्रव आणि (iii) वायूमध्ये विभागले जाऊ शकते.
[7] पर्यावरण पद्धतीः की ज्यामध्ये मनुष्य प्राणी,, वनस्पती,, जंगल,, तळी इ. सजीव व निर्जीव परस्पर अवलंबी जीवन जगत असतात.
[8] वनस्पतीच्या जाती
[9] विशिष्ठ ठिकाणची सजीव सृष्ठी
[10] पर्यावरन शास्त्र:- सजीव सृष्टी व भोवतालची परस्थीती यांच्या परस्पर संबंधाचे शास्त्र.
[11] जीवावरण: प्रृथ्वी भोवतालचे अवरण ज्यामुळे सजीव सृष्टी जिवंत राहत असते/जिवन जगने शक्य असते
[12]पर्यावरण पुरक सुधारणा:-की ज्यामध्ये वर्तमान काळातील मनुष्यच्या गरजा हया अशा निसर्ग पुरक प्रकारे भागविल्या जातात की ज्यामध्ये आपल्या पुढील पिढयांना त्यांच्या गरजा भाग्विणे शक्य होते.
[13] AIR 2006 sc 2038
[14] पर्यावरण
[15] पर्यावरण संरक्षणाचा हेतू.
[16] पर्यावरण प्रदूषण
[17] पर्यावरणातील प्रदूषके
[18] वायू प्रदूषण
[19] जल प्रदूषण
[20] जलचर जल जीवन’
[21] आवाजाचे प्रदूषण
[22] किरणोत्सर्गाने प्रदूषण
[23] सोडने बाहर
[24] अदृष्य
[25] प्राकृतिक कारणों
[26] मानव निर्मित कारण
[27] जंगल तोड
[28] तंत्रज्ञानाचा अयोग्य वापर
[29] शहरीकरण
[30] चारा
[31] अनियंत्रीत शेती सुधारणा
[32] AIR 1988 SC 2187