MULTIDISCIPLINARY
NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES:
DEFINITION
The science of Environment studies is a
multi-disciplinary science because it comprises
various branches of studies like chemistry, physics,
medical science, life science, agriculture,
public health, sanitary engineering etc. It is the
science of physical phenomena in the environment.
Literary environment means the surrounding external
conditions influencing development or growth of people, animal or plants;
living or working conditions etc. In fact, the concern of all education is the
environment of man.
However, man cannot exist or be understood in isolation
from the other forms of life and from plant life. Hence, environment refers to
the sum total of condition, which surround point in space and time. The scope
of the term Environment has been changing and widening by the passage of time.
In the primitive age, the environment consisted of only physical aspects of the
planted earth' land, air and water . As the time passed on, man extended his
environment through his social, economic and political functions.
Definitions of Environment : Some important
definitions of environment are as
under:
1. Boring:
‘A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation which he
receives from his conception until his death.’It can be concluded from the
above definition that Environment comprises various types of forces such as
physical, intellectual, economic, political, cultural, social, moral and
emotional. Environment is the sum total of all the external forces, influences
and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth,
development and maturation of living organisms.
2. Douglas
and Holland: ‘The term environment is used to describe, in the aggregate,
all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life,
nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms.’
SCOPE
OF ENVIRONMENT:
The environment consists of four segments as under:
1. Atmosphere: The atmosphere implies the protective
blanket of gases, surrounding the earth:
(a) It sustains life on the earth.
(b) It saves it from the hostile environment of
outer space.
(c) It absorbs most of the cosmic rays from outer space
and a major portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun.
(d) It transmits only here ultraviolet, visible,
near infrared radiation (300 to 2500 nm) and radio waves. (0.14 to 40 m) while
filtering out tissue-damaging ultraviolate waves below about 300 nm. The
atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Besides, argon, carbon dioxide,
and trace gases.
2. Hydrosphere: The Hydrosphere comprises all types
of water resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reserviour, polar
icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.
(i) Nature 97% of the earth’s water supply is in the
oceans,
(ii) About 2% of the water resources is locked in
the polar icecaps and glaciers.
(iii)Only about 1% is available as fresh surface water-rivers,
lakes streams, and ground water fit to be used for human consumption and other
uses.
3. Lithosphere: Lithosphere is the outer mantle of
the solid earth. It consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the
soil e.g. minerals, organic matter, air and water.
4. Biosphere: Biosphere indicates the realm of
living organisms and their interactions with environment, viz atmosphere,
hydrosphere and lithosphere
Elements
of the Environment
Environment is constituted by the interacting
systems of physical, biological and cultural elements inter-related in various
ways, individually as well as collectively. These elements may be explained as
under:
(1) Physical elements
Physical elements are as space, landforms, water
bodies, climate soils, rocks and minerals. They determine the variable
character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as limitations.
(2) Biological elements
Biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms
and men constitute the biosphere.
(3) Cultural elements
Cultural elements such as economic, social and
political elements are essentially manmade features, which make cultural
milieu.
IMPORTANCE
OF ENVIRONMENT STUDIES
Importance of Environment Studies: The environment studies
enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation of our
indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment.
At present a great number of environment issues, have
grown in size and complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on
earth. We study about these issues besides and effective suggestions in the
Environment Studies. Environment studies have become significant for the
following reasons:
1. Environment Issues : International Importance
It has been well recognised that environment issues
like global warming and ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and
biodiversity are not merely national issues but are global issues and hence must
be tackled with international efforts and cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development :
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization,
Industrial Growth, Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However,
it has become phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their
own environment has, fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ factories of South.
When the West developed, it did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental
impact of its activities. Evidently such a path is neither practicable nor desirable,
even if developing world follows that.
3. Explosive Increase in Pollution
World census reflects that one in every seven
persons in this planted lives in India. Evidently with 16 per cent of the
world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land area, there is a heavy
pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural experts have recognized
soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and organic matter,
soil salinity and damage of soil structure. 4. Need for An
Alternative Solution It is essential, specially for developing countries to
find alternative paths to an alternative goal. We need a goal as under:
(1) A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of
development an environmentally sound
and sustainable development.
(2) A goal common to all citizens of our earth.
(3) A goal distant from the developing world in the
manner it is from the over-consuming
wasteful societies of the “developed” world.
5. Need To Save Humanity From Extinction
It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from
exinction. Consequent to our activities constricting the environment and
depleting the biosphere, in the name of development.
6. Need For better Planning of Development
Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources
withdraw, processing and use of the
product have all to by synchronised with the
ecological cycles in any plan of development our
actions should be planned ecologically for the
sustenance of the environment and development.
7. Misra’s Report
Misra (1991) recognized four basic principles of
ecology, as under:
(i) Holism
(ii) Ecosystem
(iii) Succession
(iv) Conversation.
Holism has been considered as the real base of
ecology. In hierarchical levels at which interacting units of ecology are
discussed, are as under: Individual<population<community<ecosystem<biome<biosphere.
Misra (1991) has recognised four basic requirements
of environmental management as under:
(i) Impact of human activities on the environment,
(ii) Value system,
(iii) Plan and design for sustainable development,
(iv) Environment education.
Keeping in view the of goal of planning for environmentally
sustainable development India contributed to the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), also referred to as “Earth Summit” held at
Rio de Janciro, the Capital of Brazil, 3rd-14th June, 1992.
NEED
FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
It is essential to make the public aware of the
formidable consequences of the Environmental Degradation, if not retorted and
reformative measures undertaken, would result in the extinction of life. We are
facing various environmental challenges. It is essential to get the country
acquainted with these challenges so that their acts may be eco-friendly.
Some of these challenges are as under:
1. Growing Population
A population of over thousands of millions is
growing at 2.11 per cent every year. Over 17 million people are added each
year. It puts considerable pressure on its natural resources and reduces the
gains of development. Hence, the greatest challenge before us is to limit the population
growth. Although population control does automatically lead to development, ye the
development leads to a decrease in population growth rates. For this
development of the women is essential.
2. Poverty
India has often been described a rich land with poor
people. The poverty and environmental degradation have a nexus between them.
The vast majority of our people are directly dependent on the nature resources
of the country for their basic needs of food, fuel shelter and fodder. About
40% of our people are still below the poverty line. Environment degradation has
adversely affected the poor who depend upon the resources of their immediate surroundings.
Thus, the challenge of poverty and the challenge environment degradation are
two facets of the same challenge. The population growth is essentially a
function of poverty. Because, to the very poor, every child is an earner and
helper and global concerns have little relevance for him.
3. Agricultural Growth
The people must be acquainted with the methods to sustain
and increase agricultural growth with damaging the environment. High yielding
varities have caused soil salinity and damage to physical structure of soil.
4. Need to Ground water
It is essential of rationalizing the use of
groundwater. Factors like community wastes, industrial effluents and chemical
fertilizers and pesticides have polluted our surface water and affected quality
of the groundwater. It is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers
and other water bodies as lakes is an important challenge. It so finding our
suitable strategies for consecration of water, provision of safe drinking water
and keeping water bodies clean which are difficult challenges is essential.
5. Development And Forests
Forests serve catchments for the rivers. With increasing
demand of water, plan to harness the mighty river through large irrigation
projects were made. Certainly, these would submerge forests; displace local
people, damage flora and fauna. As such, the dams on the river Narmada,
Bhagirathi and elsewhere have become areas of political and scientific debate. Forests
in India have been shrinking for several centuries owing to pressures of agriculture
and other uses. Vast areas that were once green, stand today as wastelands. These
areas are to be brought back under vegetative cover. The tribal communities
inhabiting forests respects the trees and birds and animal that gives them
sustenance. We must recognize the role of these people in restoring and
conserving forests. The modern knowledge and skills of the forest deptt. should
be integrated with the traditional knowledge and experience of the local
communities. The strategies for the joint management of forests should be evolved
in a well planned way.
6. Degradation of Land
At present out of the total 329 mha (million
hectares) of land, only 266 mha possess any potential for production. Of this,
143 mha is agricultural land nearly and 85 suffers from varying degrees of soil
degradation. Of the remaining 123 mha, 40 are completely unproductive. The
remaining 83 mha is classified as forest land, of which over half is denuded to
various degrees. Nearly 406 million head of livestock have to be supported on
13 mha, or less than 4 per cent of the land classified as pasture land, most of
which is overgrazed. Thus, our of 226 mha, about 175 mha or 66 per cent is
degraded to varying degrees. Water and wind erosion causes further degradation
of almost 150 mha This degradation is to be avoided.
7. Reorientation of Institutions
The people should be roused to orient institutions,
attitudes and infrastructures, to suit conditions and needs today. The change
has to be brought in keeping in view India’s traditions for resources use
managements and education etc. Change should be brought in education, in
attitudes, in administrative procedures and in institutions. Because it affects
way people view technology resources and development.
8. Reduction of Genetic Diversity
Proper measures to conserve genetic diversity need
to be taken. At present most wild genetic stocks have been disappearing from
nature. Wilding including the Asiatic Lion are facing problem of loss of
genetic diversity. The protected areas network like sanctuaries, national
parks, biosphere reserves are isolating populations. So, they are decreasing
changes of one group breeding with another. Remedial steps are to be taken to
check decreasing genetic diversity.
9. Evil Consequences of Urbanisation
Nearly 27 per cent Indians live in urban areas.
Urbanisation and industrialisation has given birth to a great number of
environmental problem that need urgent attention. Over 30 percent of urban
Indians live in slums. Out of India’s 3,245 towns and cities, only 21 have partial
or full sewerage and treatment facilities. Hence, coping with rapid
urbanization is a major challenge.
10. Air and water Population
Majority of our industrial plants are using outdated
and population technologies and makeshift facilities devoid of any provision of
treating their wastes. A great number of cities and industrial areas that have
been identified as the worst in terms of air and water pollution. Acts are
enforced in the country, but their implement is not so easy. The reason is
their implementation needs great resources, technical expertise, political and
social will. Again the people are to be made aware of these rules. Their
support is indispensable to implement these rules.
( Ref : http://www.newagepublishers.com/samplechapter/001281.pdf)