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The document provides an introduction to environmental studies, covering various topics such as natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and environmental pollution. It begins with defining key terms like environment and explaining the importance of environmental studies. It then discusses different types of natural resources such as forests, water, minerals, land, and energy. Forest resources are elaborated on, including the different forest types in India and causes of deforestation. Dams and mining are outlined as activities that negatively impact forests. The document also briefly introduces concepts of ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental pollution issues like air, water and soil pollution. It concludes with an overview of the course syllabus and field work activities.
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- 2. Unit I : Introduction & Natural Resources : • Environment : Definition, Scope, Importance, Need for public awareness. Natural Resources : Renewable and Non Renewable resources, Natural resources and associated problems. • a) Forest Resources : Utility and natural renewal balance, Uses and over exploitation of forest resources, Deforestation case studies, Mining, Dams and their effects on forests. • b) Water Resources : Uses of water, Over utilization of surface and ground water, Floods, Draughts, Dams : Benefits and problems. • C) Mineral Resources : Environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources. • D) Agricultural Resources : Changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, Effects of modern agriculture, Fertilizer and pesticide problems, Water logging, Salinity. • E) Land Resources : Land as a resource, Effects on productivity, Man induced landslides, Soil erosion, Desertification • F) Energy Resources : Needs, Types of energy and quantities available, Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy resources, Use of alternate energy sources. Unit II : Ecosystems : • Concepts of an ecosystems, Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers, Energy flow in an ecosystem, Ecological succession, Food chain, Food webs, Ecological pyramids, Introduction, Types, Characteristic features & Structure of following ecosystems (01) Forest ecosystem, (02) Grassland ecosystem, (03) Desert ecosystem (04) Aquatic ecosystem ( Ponds, Streams, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Estuaries ). Overview of syllabus
- 3. Unit III : Biodiversity and its conservation : Introduction, Definition, Biogeographical classification of India, Value of Biodiversity : Productive use, Social, Ethical, Aesthetic, and option values, India as a mega diversity nation, Endangered and endemic species of India, Conservation of biodiversity. Unit IV : Environmental pollution and its mitigation : Definition of Pollution; Causes, effects and control measures of (A) Air pollution, (B) Water pollution, (C) Soil pollution, (D) Noise pollution Solid waste management : causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes, nuclear hazards, Environmental hazards and their mitigation, Role of an individual in pollution and abatement. Unit V : Field Work : 01. Visit to local area to document environmental assets – River, Forest, Grass land, Hill, Mountain etc. 02. Visit to local polluted site : Urban, Industrial, Agricultural 03. Study of common plants, Insects, birds etc, 04. Study of simple ecosystems : Pond, River, Hill, Slopes etc.
- 5. Environment -French word - 'environ’ -surroundings. Hence, everything surrounding us - "ENVIRONMENT". Environmental Protection Act (1986) defined “Environment as the sum total of water, air and land, their interrelationship among themselves and with the human beings, other living beings and property.” It can also be defined as “ external surroundings and conditions which directly or indirectly affects the living organism” Environmental science is a systemic study of our environment and our place in it - mainly the abiotic and biotic components. It is a comprehensive sum of all living and non – living things and their interactions. It is an applied science as its seeks practical answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite resources. Its components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy. INTRODUCTION
- 7. Environment:- • Atmosphere - The atmosphere implies the protective blanket of gases, surrounding the earth. • Hydrosphere - The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and ground water. • Lithosphere - Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid earth. • Biosphere - Biosphere indicates the realm of living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
- 8. Elements of Environmet • Physical elements - space, landforms, water bodies, soils, rocks and minerals. • Biological elements - plants, animals, microorganisms and men. • Cultural elements - economic, social and political elements are essentially manmade features
- 9. Why I should know Environment • According to UNESCO (1971), the objectives of environmental studies are: (a) Creating the awareness about environmental problems among people. (b) Imparting basic knowledge about the environment and its allied problems. (c) Developing an attitude of concern for the environment. (d) Motivating public to participate in environment protection and environment improvement. (e) Acquiring skills to help the concerned individuals in identifying and solving environmental problems. (f) Striving to attain harmony with Nature.
- 10. 1. To clarify modern environmental concept like how to conserve biodiversity. 2. To know the more sustainable way of living. 3. To use natural resources more efficiently. 4. To know the behaviour of organism under natural conditions. 5. To know the interrelationship between organisms in populations and communities. 6. To aware and educate people regarding environmental issues and problems at local, national and international levels. IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
- 11. CURRENTENVIROMENTALPROBLEMS POLLUTION Air Pollution Water Pollution Noise Pollution Littering Soil Contamination Radioactive Contamination Thermal Pollution Visual Pollution
- 15. NATURAL RESOURCES Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. Some of them are essential for our survival while most are used for satisfying our wants. They are present abundantly in nature Natural resources are materials and components that can be found within the environment. Every man-made product is composed of natural resources. A natural resource may exist as a separate entity such as fresh water, and air, as well as a living organism such as a fish, or it may exist in an alternate form which must be processed to obtain the resource such as metal ores, oil, and most forms of energy.
- 16. CLASSIFICATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES BASED ON ORIGIN Based on their origin, natural resources are classified into Biotic : Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere(living and organic material), such as forests, animals, birds, and fish and the materials that can be obtained from them. Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are also included in this category because they are formed from decayed organic matter. Abiotic: Abiotic resources are those that come from non-living, non- organic material. Examples of abiotic resources include land, fresh water, air and heavy metals including ores such as gold, iron, copper, silver, etc.
- 19. CLASSIFICATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES BASED ON AVAILABILITY Based on their availability natural resources are classified into Renewable Resources: Renewable resources are ones that can be replenished naturally. Some of these resources, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., are continuously available and their quantity is not noticeably affected by human consumption. Though many renewable resources do not have such a rapid recovery rate, these resources are susceptible to depletion by over-use. Resources from a human use perspective are classified as renewable only so long as the rate of replenishment/recovery exceeds that of the rate of consumption. Non Renewable Resources: Non-renewable resources are resources that form extremely slowly and those that do not naturally form in the environment. Minerals are the most common resource included in this category. By the human perspective, resources are non-renewable when their rate of consumption exceeds the rate of replenishment/recovery; a good example of this are fossil fuels, which are in this category because their rate of formation is extremely slow (potentially millions of years), meaning they are considered non-renewable. Some resources actually naturally deplete in amount without human interference, the most notable of these being radioactive elements such as uranium, which naturally decay into heavy metals. Of these, the metallic minerals can be re-used by recycling them, but coal and petroleum cannot be recycled.
- 20. BASIC NATURAL RESOURCES Forest Resources Water Resources Mineral Resources Agriculture Resources Land Resources Energy Resources
- 21. INTRODUCTION • The word forest is derived from a Latin Word “ Foris” means Outside. • Forest are one of the most important natural resources of the earth. • Approximately 1/3rd of the earth’s total area is covered by forests.
- 22. • Forest resources play an important role in the economy of any country. It is highly complex, changing environment made up of a living and non living things. Living things include trees, shrubs, wildlife etc. and non-living things include water, nutrients, rocks, sunlight and air. • Forest vary a great deal in composition and density and are distinct from meadows and pastures. • Forest are important to humans and the natural world. For humans, they have many aesthetics, recreational, economic, historical, cultural and religious values. • Forest provide fuel, wood, timber, wildlife, habitat, industrial, forest products, climate regulations, medicinal etc. • The total forest cover in India is 6,90,899 km. (as per 2009 data)
- 23. Types of Forests in India Moist Tropical Forest a) Tropical wet evergreen: Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala) b) Tropical semi evergreen: Lower hills of western Ghats. c) Tropical moist deciduous: Dehradun, mahableshwar d) Damp Forests: Sunder bans, Bengal delta, and Andaman.
- 24. • Dry Tropical forests: a) Tropical dry deciduous: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh b) Tropical thorn forest: Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat c) Tropical dry evergreen: Eastern Ghat ( Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu) Montana Sub tropical Forests Coniferous Forests a)Subtropical broad: Shillong, Nilgiris b)Subtropical pine forest: Arunachal Pradesh, Kashmir c)Sub Tropical dry evergreen: Foot Hills of Himalayas.
- 25. Montana Temperate Forests a)Montana Wet temperate: Nilgiri, Palmi Hills b) Himalayan wet temperate: Assam, Sub Alpine Forests a) Moist alpine scrub:- High Himalayas b) Dry alpine scrub:- Sikkim
- 26. Forest degredation in India • At the Begning of 20’th century India's 30% land covered by forest but now our forest area is reduced by 20%. • As a result of exploitations the tropical forest covers in India, is now reduced coastal Ghats and northern India. • We have huge population size and very low precipitate forest area 0.075 Ha per capita as compare to 0.64Ha/ capita of the world forest area. • The national forest policy has recommended 33% of forest area for plains and 67% for hills. • The deforestation rate in India per capita less among the tropical countries.
- 27. Uses of forest • Local consumptive use • Productive or market use • Ecosystem services • Other Uses 1) Local Consumptive Use: Food like roots, fruits, tubers, fish, mushrooms, animal meat e.t.c. • Fodder for cattle. • Fuel Wood: The wood is used as fuel for cooking and other purposes by poor people. • Construction material like poles, thatching leaves. • Fiber for weaving baskets, ropes, nets, mats. • Medicinal plants for treating common diseases. 2) Productive or market Use
- 28. • Timber: Wood used for commercial purposes like for making furniture and other items like boats, bridges and other day to day uses. • Fruits, fiber, honey, gum e.t.c. • Cane and bamboo products. • Raw material for wood based industries: forest provide raw material for various wood based industries like paper and pulp, furniture and sports good. 3) Ecosystem Services 1. Atmospheric and climate regulation 2. Erosion Control 3. Watershed protection 4. Floods and drought control
- 29. Reduction of Global Warming The main green house gas co2 is used by forests for photosynthesis process the forest act as a sink for Co2 there by reducing green house effect by co2.
- 30. Other Uses:- • Improvement of fertility of soil • Control of water flow • Habitat to wild life • Absorption of air pollutants • Forest provide education, recreation, research, aesthetics, Habitat to various flora and funa, social and religious and spiritual needs. • Conservation of soil
- 31. Deforestation • Forest are exploited since early times for humans to meet human demand. the permanent destruction of forest is called as deforestation. Causes: • Population explosion: Population explosion is the root cause of all the environmental problems, vast area of forests are cleared for human settlement. • Shifting Cultivation: It is a traditional agroforestry system widely practiced in north eastern region of country in which felling and burning of forests followed by cultivation of crop for few years and abandon of cultivation allow forests for re- growth cause extreme damage to forest. • Growing food demand: To meet the food demand of rapidly growing population more and more forests are cleared off for agricultural purpose. • Fire wood: Increasing demand of wood for fuel increases pressure on forests. Raw material for wood based industry: Increasing demand of wood for making furniture, plywood, match box etc results into tremendous pressure on forest. .
- 32. Infrastructure Development: Massive destruction of forest occurs for various infrastructure development like, big dams, highways projects etc. Forest fires: Forest fires may be natural or man made cause a huge loss of forest. Over grazing: Overgrazing of land by cattle result into soil erosion, desertification. Natural forces: Floods, storms, heavy winds, snow, lightening are some are natural forces
- 33. Case Study About Deforestation Chipko Movment: The Chipko movement was a group action in India with the goal of saving trees. This is mainly done through the act of hugging trees to protect them from being cut. It was also known as Chipko Andolan. Those who were part of it used nonviolent protests. The Chipko movement began in the early 1970s in Uttarakhand. It then spread to Uttar Pradesh. By the 1980s it had spread across most of India. The Chipko movement lead to a change in policies to stop the clear cutting of trees in some regions.(Clear cutting is a type of logging where all trees in an area are cut down). Chipko movement was stared by sunderlal Bahugana. The Chipko movement was awarded the Right Livelihood Award "for its dedication to the conservation, restoration and ecologically-sound use of India's natural resources.
- 34. MINING AND ITS EFFECTS ON FOREST • Vast areas of forests are directly cleared to accommodate mining sites, construction of roads, processing units and townships for workers. • Destruction is vast in case of open cast mines. • Forset land is also used to store the waste materials that remain after the extraction of usable ores. • Mining also facilitates soil erosion, there by decreasing the fertility of land leading to land degradation. • Pollution of both air and water is common affect of mines.
- 35. Effect of Dam on Forest • When a dam is constructed across any river a huge artificial lake is developed in the catchment area of that dam. It is also known as back waters. The backwaters covering a large surface area. Create a lot of ill-effects on the living environment. They are as follows: • It creates the loss of forest which are submerged under the back waters of the dam. • It creates danger to the habitat of the wild life. The wild life are forced to migrate. • It also affects the land under cultivation, in the catchment area as the crops get submerged under water. • The roads, already in existence are put under water after the construction of dam. So the road network is damaged. • The creation of reservoirs in more than 1500 major river valley projects has flooded 5000 sq. km of forest land and resulted in their disappearances. • Water logging and Stalinization affects perhaps half the canal irrigated land in the country, with varying degrees of severity. • Several sps of wild animal and plants such as river dolphin Platanista gangetica and Hilsa ilisha have been pushed to threatened status by dams and associated impacts.