ASSIGNMENT
OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE
SUBMITTED TO:
DR.HELIANTHOUS VERMA
SUBMITTED BY:
RAHUL KUMAR ROLL NO. 229
ISHA YADAV ROLL NO. 259
PRANJAL VERMA ROLL NO. 264
NEHA ROLL NO. 269
COURSE:
BCOM [HONS.]
SEMESTER:
I
POLLUTION AND
ENVIRONMENT
CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
PAGE 1
CONTENTS
• POLLUTION
• WHAT IS POLLUTANTS?
• TYPES OF POLLUTANTS
• TYPES OF POLLUTION
➢ AIR POLLUTION
➢ WATER POLLUTION
➢ SOIL POLLUTION
➢ MARINE POLLUTION
➢ NOISE POLLUTION
➢ RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
➢ THERMAL POLLUTION
• ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION
• IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT
CONSERVATION
• METHODS OF ENVIRONMENT
CONSERVATION
• HOW TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENT
CONSERVATION?
PAGE 2
POLLUTION
• Pollution, also called environmental
pollution, the addition of any substance
(solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of
energy (such as heat, sound, or
radioactivity) to the environment at a
rate faster than it can be dispersed,
diluted, decomposed, recycled, or
stored in some harmless form.
PAGE 3
• The major kinds of pollution, usually
classified by environment, are air
pollution, water pollution, and land
pollution. Modern society is also
concerned about specific types of
pollutants, such as noise pollution, light
pollution, and plastic pollution.
• Pollution of all kinds can have negative
effects on the environment and wildlife
and often impacts human health and
well-being.
PAGE 4
WHAT IS POLLUTANTS?
• Any substance which causes harmful
effects or uneasiness in the organisms,
then that particular substance may be
called as the pollutant.
PAGE 5
TYPES OF POLLUTANTS
• The materials that cause pollution are
of two types:
1. Persistent pollutants: Those pollutants
which remain consistent in the
environment for a long period of time
without any change in its original form
are called persistent pollutants. For
example pesticides, nuclear wastes, and
plastics etc.
PAGE 6
2. Non-persistent pollutants: These
pollutants are the opposite of persistent
pollutant and break down in the simple
form. If this process of breaking down is
done by living organisms, then such
pollutants are referred to as
biodegradable pollutants.
• From another perspective, pollutants
can be classified as follows:
1. Primary Pollutants: Primary pollutants
are those which remain in the form in
which they were added to the
environment for ex. DDT, Plastic
2. Secondary Pollutants: Secondary
pollutants are formed due to interaction
of primary pollutants amongst
themselves viz. PAN by the interaction of
NOx & Hydrocarbons.
PAGE 7
• According to their existence in nature:
1. Quantitative Pollutants: These
substances are already present in the
atmosphere but they become pollutant
when their concentration level reaches to
a particular level which is above a
threshold limit.
2. Qualitative Pollutants: These are man-
made pollutants e.g. Fungicides,
herbicides etc.
• According to origin:
1. Man-made Pollutants
2. Natural Pollutants
• According to the nature of disposal:
1. Biodegradable Pollutants
2. Non-biodegradable Pollutants
PAGE 8
Types of Pollution
AIR WATER
POLLUTION POLLUTION
SOIL MARINE
POLLUTION POLLUTION
NOISE RADIOACTIVE
POLLUTION POLLUTION
THERMAL
POLLUTION
PAGE 9
AIR POLLUTION
• Air pollution is the presence of one or
more disadvantageous content in such
quantity and for such duration, as it is
catastrophic, or tend to be
catastrophic, to human health and
welfare, animal or plant life.
• It is the contaminants of air by the
discharge of detrimental substances.
PAGE 10
Some of the air pollutants, their sources,
and effects
Name of the Sources Health
pollutants effects
Nitrogen oxides Industries, Problems in the
vehicles and lungs, respiratory
power plants systems and
causes asthma
and bronchitis.
Carbon monoxide Emission and Severe headache,
burning of fossil irritation to
fuels mucous
membrane,
unconsciousness
and death.
Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil Vision problem,
fuels severe headache
and heart strain.
Suspended Vehicular Lung irritation
particulate matter emission and reduces
burning of fossil development of
fuels. RBC and
pulmonary
malfunctioning.
Sulphur oxide Industries and Irritation in eyes
power plant and throat,
PAGE 11
allergies, cough
etc.
Smog Industries and Respiratory and
vehicular eye problems
pollution
Hydrocarbons Burning of fossil Kidney problems,
fuels irritation in eyes,
nose and throat,
asthma,
hypertension and
carcinogenic
effects on lungs.
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators, Depletion of
emission from ozone layer,
jets global warming
Control measures
• Policy measures
• Modification of industrial process and
selection of suitable fuels and its
utilization.
PAGE 12
• Collection of pollutants and convert it
into less toxic forms by different
methods.
Government initiatives
• National air quality monitoring
program (NAMP)
• National ambient air quality standards
(NAAQS)
CASE STUDY
Bhopal gas tragedy:
The Bhopal gas tragedy was an industrial
accident. It happened at a Union Carbide
Pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, India.
On 3 December 1984, the plant released
42 tons of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC)
PAGE 13
gas, exposing more than 500,000 people
to toxic gases. The Bhopal disaster is
frequently cited as the world's worst
industrial disaster.
A mixture of poisonous gases flooded the
city, causing great panic as people woke
up with a burning sensation in their lungs.
Thousands died immediately from the
effects of the gas. The first official
immediate death toll was 2,259. Another
estimate is that 8,000 died within two
weeks of incidence.
PAGE 14
WATER
POLLUTION
• Addition of certain substances such as
organic, inorganic, biological and
radiological to the water, which
degrades the water quality and makes it
unhealthy for use.
PAGE 15
• Water pollution is not only confined to
surface water but also spread to
groundwater, sea, and ocean.
Causes
• Point sources: These are directly
pointed towards the water bodies from
the source of origin of pollution and are
thus easy to regulate.
• Non-point sources: These sources are
related to many diffuse sources and are
thus difficult to regulate.
Some of the sources are:
• Industrial and community wastewater:
Industries like mining, iron and steel,
pharmaceuticals, food processing, soap
and detergent and paper and pulp.
PAGE 16
• Agricultural sources, thermal pollution
(discharge of hot water by thermal
power plants cause deficiency of
dissolved oxygen in water) and
underground water pollution.
• Marine pollution: river discharge,
manmade pollution and oil spills etc.
Effects
• An excessive amount of mercury in
water can cause Minamoto disease in
humans and dropsy in fishes; Lead in
large amount can cause dyslexia,
Cadmium poisoning causes Itai – Itai
disease, etc.
• Polluted water has less amount of
Dissolved oxygen (DO) content which
PAGE 17
is important for sensitive organisms,
thereby eliminates sensitive organisms.
• Excess of nitrate in drinking water is
dangerous for infants and human
health, excess fluoride cause
neuromuscular disorder and teeth
deformity, hardening of bones and
painful joints.
• Biological magnification and
eutrophication.
Note: ‘Eu’ means healthy and ‘trophy’
means nutrition. The improvement of
nutrients in water bodies causes
eutrophication. Domestic waste
discharge, agricultural waste, land
drainage and industrial waste in a water
body leads to a rapid increase in
nutrients in a water body which initiates
early ageing of water bodies.
PAGE 18
Control measures
• Usage of water should be minimized by
changing the techniques involved.
• Recycling and treatment of water
should be used to the maximum extent
possible.
• The quantity of discharge of
wastewater can be minimized.
• Excessive use of pesticides and
fertilizers should be avoided.
• Organic farming and efficient use of
animal residues as fertilizers.
CASE STUDY
Case study of a polluted river—the
Yamuna:
The Yamuna is one of the most
important rivers of north India. It passes
PAGE 19
through Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi,
and Uttar Pradesh. It merges with the
Ganga at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. At
one time, it was the lifeline for the
people of the area, but today it is the
most polluted river of the country.
Though the Yamuna starts getting
polluted by pesticides and fertilizers as it
enters Haryana, most of the pollution
occurs in Delhi. More than 10 million
PAGE 20
people live in Delhi. Yet it does not have
a proper sewage disposal system.
Nineteen drains from Delhi open into the
Yamuna. At one time, these carried
rainwater. But because of the poor
sewage disposal system, water carrying
sewage is discharged into these drains,
from where it finds its way to the river.
In Delhi, along a stretch, the Yamuna is
choked by water hyacinth—a weed. This
is an example of eutrophication. Dead
fish are also found in the river as soon as
the monsoon begins. This is due to the
sudden increase in pesticide and other
pollutant levels.
PAGE 21
Industrial wastes also find their way into
the river from large industrial units (22 in
Haryana, 42 in Delhi and 17 in Uttar
Pradesh) and many small industrial
units. Surprisingly, though Delhi
constitutes only 2% of the catchment
area, it is responsible for 80% of the
pollution of the river.
PAGE 22
SOIL POLLUTION
• Addition of unwanted substances to
the soil which negatively affects
physical, chemical and biological
properties of soil and reduces its
productivity is called soil pollution.
• The factors which disturb the biological
balance of the soil and deteriorate the
quality, texture, and mineral content
are called soil pollutants.
• Use of fertilizers, pesticides,
insecticides, dumping of solid waste,
PAGE 23
deforestation, and pollution due to
urbanization and other anthropogenic
substances causes soil pollution.
Causes
• Industrial waste: lead, cadmium,
mercury, alkalis, organic substances,
and chemicals.
• Agricultural waste: fertilizers,
pesticides, insecticides, and manures.
• Discarded materials and radioactive
elements and plastic bags.
Effects
• Agriculture: It reduces soil fertility and
thus crop yields; increase soil erosion
and salinity.
PAGE 24
• Ecological imbalance and imbalance in
flora and fauna further increases.
• Problems in urban areas like clogging
in drains, the release of gases, foul
smells, and problems in wastewater
management.
• Release of radioactive rays, bio
magnification and pollutant gases
cause health problems.
Control measures
• Afforestation, reforestation and use of
organic farming.
• Solid waste management and reduction
of waste from the construction area.
• Stop the use of plastic bags and use
bags of degradable materials like paper
and cloth.
PAGE 25
• Biomedical waste should be collected
and incinerated in incinerators.
CASE STUDY
Earlier, India had perfectly normal pH
levels of soil and water, but with
constant soil and water pollution, these
values have all crashed down. Here are
some of those values and observations
that we have recorded.
Soils are critical environment where
rock, air and water interface.
Consequently, they are subjected to a
number of pollutants due to different
anthropogenic activities (Industrial,
agricultural, transport etc.) (Facchinelli
PAGE 26
et al., 2001; Jonathan et al., 2004). The
chemical composition of soil, particularly
its metal content is environmentally
important, because toxic metals
concentration can reduce soil fertility,
can increase input to food chain, which
leads to accumulate toxic metals in food
stuffs, and ultimately can endanger
human health. Because of its
environmental significance, many studies
to determine risk caused by metal levels
in soil on human health and forest
ecosystem have attracted attention in
recent years (Denti et al., 1998; Sandaa et
al., 1999; Arantzazu et al., 2000; Krzyztof
Losk et al., 2004).
Heavy metals are naturally occurring in
our earth’s crust. Many of these elements
PAGE 27
are biologically essential and are
introduced into aquatic enrichments by
various anthropogenic activities (Omar
et al., 2004). Main anthropogenic sources
of heavy metals exist in various industrial
point sources e.g., present and former
mining activities, foundries, smelters and
diffuse sources such as piping,
constituents of products, combustion of
by products, traffic, industrial and
human activities (Nilgun et al., 2004).
In India, many urban and dense cities
with significant industrial waste
generation have been found to have
contaminated soil. Many studies have
been done in this field.
PAGE 28
Govil et al (2001) carried out a
geochemical investigation in and around
the Patancheru industrial development
area of Andhra Pradesh, just north of
Hyderabad city, to determine the extent
if chemical pollution in the soil. Their
data revealed significant contamination,
showing two to three times higher levels
of toxic elements than normal. Heavy
metals like Cr, V, Fe, As, Cd, Se, Ba, Zn,
Sr, Mo and Cu were found to be present
above normal distribution in the soil.
Singh et al. (2002) in their study
collected and analyzed freshly deposited
stream sediments from six urban centres
of the Ganga river plain for heavy metal
contamination and a general view of
sediment quality. In their results, stream
PAGE 29
sediments from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi
and Agra were classified as highly
polluted to dangerous sediments.
Krishna and Govil in 2004 collected soil
samples from the Pali Industrial area,
present in the western state of Rajasthan.
Their data revealed that the soil in the
study area is significantly contaminated
with high concentrations of heavy
elements like Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Sr and V.
Krishna and Govil also did a similar
study in 2007 and collected soil samples
from the industrial area of Surat city,
present in the western state of Gujarat.
Their data revealed that the soil in the
study area is significantly contaminated
PAGE 30
with high concentrations of heavy
elements like Ba, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Sr, V
and Zn.
Similar studies have been done in area
around Varanasi (Sharma et al. 2007). In
this study, soil samples of major
irrigation sites in sub-urban areas of
Varanasi were taken and analyzed for
heavy metal contamination. Samples of
irrigation water and portion of vegetables
being grown were also collected. Apart
from concentration of Cd, rest of the
heavy metals was present within the
Indian standards.
Lokeshwari and Chandrappa (2006) did a
similar study in and around the city of
PAGE 31
Bangalore, where they assessed the heavy
metal contamination of vegetation and
soil due to irrigation with sewage-fed
lake water on the agricultural land. The
results showed significant amount of
heavy metals, above the Indian Standard
limits in both the soil as well as the
vegetation samples.
PAGE 32
MARINE [OCEAN]
POLLUTION
• Oceans, which account for 70 percent
of the surface of our planet, play a
pivotal role in the health of our planet
and those who inhabit it.
Unfortunately, our oceans are polluted.
According to the National Oceanic and
PAGE 33
Atmospheric Administration, billions
of pounds of trash and other pollutants
enter our oceans every year.
• The monumental impacts of this are
far-reaching. In this post, we’re taking a
closer look at the various causes of
ocean pollution, its effects and the
steps we can take to combat it.
Causes
• Nonpoint source pollution (Runoff)
• Intentional discharge
• Oil spills
• Littering
• Atmospheric pollution
• Ocean mining
PAGE 34
Effects
• Harmful to marine animals.
• Depletion of oxygen in seawater.
• A threat to human health.
Control measures
• Reduce chemical fertilizer use.
• Opt for reusable bottles and utensils.
• Hold a cleanup.
• Properly dispose of plastics and trash.
CASE STUDY
According to the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization, about 70
million tonnes of fish and other marine
life are thrown back, either dead or
PAGE 35
dying, into the sea each year by fishing
fleets that do not want every-thing that
come up on their nets or in their lines.
That tonnage is equal to about one
quarter of the entire global fish catch in
recent years. Fish are sometimes
unwanted because they are inedible or
too small to market. In some cases, they
are discarded merely because they are
not what the fisherman wanted to catch.
Besides, millions of other creatures such
as sea birds, endangered sea turtles,
dolphins, sea lions, whales and other
marine animals, fall victims to the
brutally inefficient methods now used by
most large scale commercial fishing
PAGE 36
operations. In the southern hemisphere,
e.g., it has been estimated that tens of
thousands of wandering albatrosses are
killed each year, hooked and drowned in
the long lines of tuna fisher folk.
PAGE 37
NOISE POLLUTION
• When unpleasant noise is created by
machines or people which is annoying,
distracting and physically painful then
it is called noise pollution.
• Sound is measured in decibels (dB), a
person’s hearing can be damaged if
exposed to noise levels over 75 dB over
a period of time.
PAGE 38
• WHO recommends 30 dB sound levels
for indoor.
Note: Noise pollution (control and
regulation) Rules, 2000 define ambient
noise levels for various areas.
• The government of India launched a
Real-time ambient noise monitoring
system in March 2011, in which five
remote noises monitoring each have
been installed in different metros and
35 monitoring station will be in
different cities.
Sources
Indoor sources
• It includes noise produced by radio,
television, generators, electric fans, air
coolers etc.
PAGE 39
• Due to the higher population,
industries and transportation, effects of
noise pollution is more in cities.
Outdoor sources
• It include loudspeakers, industrial
activities, automobiles, rail traffic, aero-
planes and activities in social religious
places etc.
Effects
• Noise pollution is annoying and
irritating.
• Noise causes many problems like
disturbs sleep, causes hypertension
(high blood pressure), emotional
complications such as aggression,
mental depression and annoyance.
• Noise pollution adversely affects the
efficiency of individuals.
PAGE 40
• Noise pollution can cause damage to
the material of building due to
exposure to ultrasonic/infrasonic
waves.
Control measures
• Making noise mounds, walls for noise
attenuation and well-maintained roads
and smooth surfacing of it are some of
the noise abatement measures.
• Air traffic noise can be tackled by the
appropriate introduction of noise
regulations for takeoff and landing of
aircraft at the airport.
• Use of soundproofing equipment like
generators in areas producing a lot of
noise can reduce industrial noise.
• Reducing noise level from domestic
sectors, maintenance of automobiles,
PAGE 41
and prohibition of uses of loudspeakers
for certain time.
• A green belt of trees is a good noise
absorber.
PAGE 42
RADIOACTIVE
POLLUTION
Note: Radioactivity is a phenomenon of
emission of alpha, beta and gamma rays
due to the disintegration of atomic nuclei
of some elements.
• Radioactive pollution is the pollution
caused on account of the release of
PAGE 43
radioactive substances or radiations in
the environment.
• There are many ways of radiation
pollution like nuclear wastes from
nuclear power plants, mining and
processing of nuclear material etc.
• Radiations are mainly of two types:
• Non-ionizing radiations: The
electromagnetic waves at the longer
wavelength of the spectrum ranging
from near infra-red rays to radio waves
constitute non-ionizing radiations. • It
affects only those components which
can absorb them.
• Ionizing radiations: when ionizing
radiations pass from a medium, they
ionize the atoms and molecules of the
medium. • They have high penetration
PAGE 44
power and can cause breakage of even
macromolecules.
Sources
• Natural sources: cosmic rays from
space and terrestrial radiation in earth’s
crust etc.
• Man-made sources: nuclear power
plant, disposal of nuclear waste,
nuclear transportation, uranium
mining and nuclear weapons etc.
Effects
• The effects depend upon energy
releasing capacity, half-life, rate of
diffusion of pollutants and various
environmental activities like wind,
rainfall and temperature.
• Non-ionizing radiation can damage
eyes due to coastal sand, snow etc.
PAGE 45
• They destruct the cells and blood
capillaries and can cause sunburns.
• Ionizing radiations cause sunburns,
dead tissues, death of organisms, and
mutation increase in the occurrence of
cancer and tumors etc.
Control measures
• Prevention is the best method for this
pollution because no specific cure is
available.
• All safety measure should be strictly
enforced and leakage of the radioactive
element should be checked.
• Regular monitoring and safe disposal of
nuclear waste and safety measure
against nuclear accidents.
PAGE 46
• Banning of nuclear weapons and
nuclear explosions.
E-WASTE
• Discarded electronic products like
computers, equipment’s used in
information technology, home
appliances, audio and video product
etc. are known as electronic waste.
• E-waste is not problematic if it is safe
storage or recycled from time to time
but it can be hazardous if recycled by
primitive methods.
• Most of the e-waste in India is recycled
by unorganized sector.
• Proper education, awareness, cost-
effective technology and a need for a
holistic approach are necessary.
PAGE 47
THERMAL
POLLUTION
The term thermal pollution has been
used to indicate the detrimental effects
of heated effluent discharge by various
PAGE 48
power plants. It denotes the impairment
of quality and deterioration of aquatic
and terrestrial environment by various
industrial plants like thermal, atomic,
nuclear, coal-fired plants, oil field
generators, factories, and mills.
Sources
• Nuclear Power Plant
• Coal fired Power Plant
• Industrial Effluents
• Domestic Sewage
• Hydroelectric Power
• Thermal Power Plant
PAGE 49
Effects
• Reduction in dissolved Oxygen
• Change in water properties
• Increase in toxicity
• Disruption of Biological activities
• Damage of biotic organism
Control Measures
• Heated water from the industries can
treated before discharging directly to
the water bodies.
• Heated water from the industries can
be treated by the installation of cooling
ponds and cooling towers.
• Industrial treated water can be recycled
for domestic use or industrial heating.
• Through artificial lakes: In this lake
Industries can discharge their used or
PAGE 50
heated water at one end and water for
cooling purposes may be withdrawn
from the other end. The heat is
eventually dissipated through
evaporation.
CASE STUDY
NEW DELHI: A study by a leading NGO
working in the environment sector today
claimed that
NTPC
NSE -1.90 %'s Badarpur thermal power
plant in Delhi is one of the most
polluting units in the country.
Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE), in its two-year long study 'Heat in
Power', analyzed and rated 47 coal-based
thermal power plants on nearly 60
environmental and energy parameters.
PAGE 51
"NTPC did not disclose its data, and
hence was rated based on a primary
survey and publicly available
information. The six plants of NTPC that
were rated received scores of 16-28 per
cent. The poorest of the lot was Delhi's
Badarpur plant," the CSE statement said.
The report said despite the plant
emitting visible thick smoke, the
company "surprisingly" reports
compliance with particulate emission
norms.
"Right in the heart of Delhi, NTPC
Badarpur's chimneys emit clearly visible
thick smoke. Yet surprisingly, NTPC
reports compliance with particulate
emission (Particulate Matter) norms.
"The Delhi State Pollution Control Board
dutifully files away the company's
PAGE 52
environment statements that report
artificially low PM numbers,
underscoring the utter failure of
regulatory mechanism," the report said.
When contacted, NTPC said that it
complies with all the environmental and
pollution related norms that are issued
from time to time.
PAGE 53
ENVIRONMENT
CONSERVATION
Environmental conservation is the
practice of us humans saving the
environment from the loss of species,
and the destruction of the ecosystem,
primarily due to pollution and human
activities. Conservation is vital in
saving and helping both animals and
PAGE 54
trees as we are all dependent on one
another for survival.
Trees convert carbon dioxide
produced by factories into oxygen,
which helps us breathe and respire.
The loss of species, which makes them
go extinct, would mean they are forever
lost and cannot be seen by curious
eyes, or studied by the scientific minds.
Additionally, such loss or destruction
of ecosystems would disrupt the food
web, messing up the whole ecosystem
in general.
There is much to do when it comes to
rebuilding and protecting what’s left of
natural resources and the biodiversity
within our ecosystems. Environmental
conservation is an umbrella term that
defines anything we do to protect our
PAGE 55
planet and conserve its natural
resources so that every living thing can
have an improved quality of life.
Importance of
Environmental
Conservation
1. Importance of agriculture
Agriculture relies on the environment,
and so do we rely on agriculture. A
country’s wealth could be measured on
its ability to feed its people, although not
PAGE 56
all nations can produce agriculturally.
Conserving the environment, with
regards to agriculture, could mean
preventing soil erosion, flooding and
desertification, and could help its citizen
have something to eat. Unsustainable
farming techniques impact natural
ecosystems and make farming
impossible.
2. Importance to fishing
The various bodies of water, like the
oceans, lakes and seas are another source
of essentials such as food. All over the
world, communities depend on seafood
and related activities. Marine
conservation is therefore vital in
protecting human food supplies, human
activities and marine animals. It saves
more animals from extinction and also
PAGE 57
feeds land animals which depend on
water. Some of the major challenges
affecting the oceans include overfishing
and pollution.
3. Importance to the climate
Human activities have a direct impact on
the climate and a subsequent effect on all
life. Global warming, linked to
greenhouse gas emissions, which is an
adverse effect on the climate, results in
droughts, floods, rising sea levels and
cases of extreme heat and cold.
Climate change is a result of human
activities and has been linked to excess
rainfall, extreme weather and a change in
regular weather patterns. Conserving
PAGE 58
natural environments should be done to
see these extreme outcomes reversed,
making the world a better place. For
instance, reforesting will bring about
rainfall, which will facilitate agriculture.
4. Excellent water quality
Conservation measures ensure there is
excellent-quality water for all. This, in
turn, has both social, environmental and
economic benefits. Economically,
conservation of the environment boosts
tourism, provides catch for fishing,
decreases the cost of healthcare, and
provides an environment for the
ecotourism industry.
Socially, a conserved environment
decreases the prevalence of water-borne
PAGE 59
diseases, increases the quality of water
entering aquifers, helps use surface water
for recreation and increases the overall
quality of life. Environmentally, a
conserved environment preserves the
diversity of water-dependent plants and
animals and preserves the various
natural services of aquatic ecosystems.
5. It leads to healthy air quality
Again, a conserved environment provides
good-quality air, which also has both
social, economic and environmental
benefits. Economically, it boosts tourism,
decreases healthcare costs and decreases
the erosion of buildings and pavements.
6. Preserves biodiversity
PAGE 60
A conserved environment preserves
biodiversity, which has equal benefits to
the ones mentioned above. It preserves
water and land-based ecosystems,
preserves energy flow throughout the
biosphere, provides for natural services,
preserves food webs, and boosts nature-
based tourism.
7. It protects wildlife
Environmental conservation protects
wildlife and promotes biodiversity.
Maintaining a healthy and functional
ecosystem helps prevent the extinction
of certain animal species. If the
environment is destroyed, some animals
are forced out of their habitat, making it
hard for them to survive elsewhere. It
PAGE 61
could also bring about human and
animal conflict, which ends disastrously
for both species.
8. It protects the earth
Environmental conservation definitely
protects and safeguards the environment
from certain factors that are wrecking
the planet, such as climate change. We
need to reduce the amount of harm we
are inflicting on the planet as it is
contributing to its destruction. If we do
not conserve the environment, nature
has a ferocious way of fighting back, such
as extreme weather, droughts and heavy
rains which are negatively affecting our
lives, our food, and homes. We have to
do everything humanly possible to
conserve the environment, for the planet.
PAGE 62
9. It protects human health
Environmental conservation will in turn
protect and improve human lives and
health. If the environment is destroyed,
new diseases emerge, and species that
could help produce medicines are
destroyed. Wild habitats are particularly
important as they prevent emerging
infectious diseases from jumping from
animals to humans.
PAGE 63
Methods of
Environmental
Conservation
1. Forest conservation
Afforestation and reforestation help in
conserving the forests, which are
responsible for trapping absorbing a
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huge amount of carbon dioxide from
reaching the atmosphere. We should
make it our life mission to plant trees as
much as possible, both on public and
private lands, and take care of them.
Additionally, legislation that protects the
forests should be highlighted, so that we
help in environmental conservation.
2. Soil conservation
Soil conservation helps control erosions
and improves the soil for agricultural
purposes. We should plant more trees,
protect pasture lands, and grow cover
crops which regulate the blowing away of
soils. We should also minimize the use of
chemicals, use compost fertilizers and
terrace farms on sloppy lands.
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3. Managing waste
Solid waste is produced by market areas,
industries, homes, settlement areas and
many other locations. We should
therefore manage our solid wastes and
help keep the environment healthy.
Municipalities should also conduct
programs that manage solid wastes,
designating litter bins all over the towns
and collecting the waste regularly.
Additionally, we should teach ourselves
how to manage our waste without
littering all over.
4. Recycling
We should learn to recycle everything we
can for as long as it is possible. Glass,
paper, plastic and even metal are
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reusable, and should not be thrown away
after its original use. About 90% of all
plastic bottles do not reach recycling
units and this is unfortunate. They are
not biodegradable and about 500 billion
of them are used every year. Reusing
these bottles, containers, bags and more
will help in environmental conservation.
5. Reducing our water consumption
Clean, fresh and safe water is precious
and not easily available. It is therefore
very crucial to save as much water as
possible, and prevent water pollution,
otherwise, it will be scarce in years to
come. Reduce the number of baths, take
showers, use the washing machine only,
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do not discard waste in bodies of fresh
water, and recycle, so that we conserve
the little freshwater we have now.
6. Control pollution
We should regularly maintain our cars
and leave them at home for as much as it
is possible as they are a primary source of
air pollution. Using rechargeable
batteries helps the environment as we
will not be prone to throwing them away
once they are empty.
Composting also avoids littering, and not
only does it protect the environment, but
is also a reliable source of natural
manure. Avoid chemical fertilizers,
herbicides, pesticides and insecticides
that pollute the environment. We should
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control pollution in as much as it is
possible, to conserve the environment.
7. Create public awareness
Make people aware of the consequences
of our activities through the various
means available such as social media,
seminars and the traditional media. Also,
discuss environmental protection with
your friends and family members so that
everyone is made aware of
environmental conservation, ways to
conserve the environment and potential
consequences if we do not take care of
the environment.
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How to Promote
Environmental
Conservation?
1. Education
Environmentalism needs to be a bigger
part of the education system, from
elementary school on up. We should
teach our young ones how to take care of
the environment as well as the
consequences of not doing so. For
instance, create an event which sees
school-going kid’s plant trees and take
care of them for as long as they are in the
institution. By the time they graduate,
the trees will be bigger and will help the
environment.
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2. Talk about it
Simply talk about environmental
conservation in everyday life, blogs, logs,
books, and articles. Also, elect leaders
who are aware of environmental
conservation and see the need to
conserve the environment. Talk about it
even in churches, in seminars, in school,
and in other locations. Promote the
cause and talk about it everywhere, not
just in limited contexts.
3. Engage the community
Engage the community in tree-planting
exercises as well as events that see the
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environment cleaned. For instance, in
Rwanda, they have what is called
‘Uganda’, which is a community clean-up
exercise, held each last Saturday of each
month, where everyone has to spend the
day cleaning the environment and those
who do not participate are fined.
4. Ban plastics
Plastics are responsible for a dirtier
environment. They ought to be banned
and people should learn to either recycle
or reuse them or fail to use them at all.
5. Create legislation that promotes
environmental conservation
Governments should come up with
legislation that promotes environmental
conservation. This should also be done
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on an international level, led by
international agencies such as the United
Nation with its UN Environment
Program.
CONCLUSION
➢ Depletion of the natural resources
occur due to developmental activities
and produce a large number of wastes
that leads to pollution of all the
resources of the environment and
cause global warming and acid rains.
➢ River pollution and environmental
degradation due to untreated or
improper methods of treating waste is
the root cause of ill health and loss of
crop productivity.
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➢ Pollution in effect is an undesirable
by-product of industrialization and
urbanization.
➢ Prevention and control measures are
necessary for pollution otherwise it will
become hazardous to human and other
organisms.
REFRENCES
THE ECONOMIC TIMES
WIKIPEDIA
www.jagranjosh.com
www.nationalgeographic.org
www.conserve-energy-future.com
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