Basic Environmental Concepts, Policies & Practices.
Basic Environmental Concepts, Policies & Practices.
Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate system, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events, that result from natural and human causes. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming.
Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate system, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events, that result from natural and human causes. e.g., Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming.
Global warming
refers specifically to the long-term trend of rising average global
temperatures, which is one of the effects of climate change. This trend is
primarily caused by the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
particularly carbon dioxide.
Ozone layer
depletion refers to the thinning of the Earth's ozone layer in the
stratosphere, which is caused by the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
other chemicals into the atmosphere. For example, in the 1980s, it was
discovered that the use of CFCs in refrigerants, aerosol sprays, and other
products was causing significant damage to the ozone layer. The ozone layer
helps protect the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, so
depletion of the ozone layer can have negative effects on human health and the
environment.
Acid rain
is caused by emissions of Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react with
water molecules in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds. For example,
coal-fired power plants and motor vehicles are major sources of Sulphur dioxide
and nitrogen oxides. When this acidic precipitation falls to the ground, it can
have negative impacts on soil, water, and plant and animal life. Acid rain can
also cause damage to human-made structures and buildings.
Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion,
and acid rain can all have significant impacts on human communities and
agriculture.
Climate change and global warming can lead
to a range of impacts, including:
· Rising
sea levels, which can threaten low-lying coastal communities and
infrastructure.
· More
frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts,
which can damage homes, businesses, and agriculture.
· Changes
in precipitation patterns, which can affect water availability for drinking and
irrigation.
· Changes
in temperature and humidity, which can affect crop yields and animal health.
· Changes
in the distribution of plant and animal species, which can affect ecosystems
and the services they provide, such as pollination and water purification.
The Environment Protection Act (EPA) is a legislation
enacted by the Government of India in 1986. The main objective of this act is
to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment and for the
prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants, and
property. The EPA provides a framework for the management of environmental
pollution and the promotion of sustainable development.
Some of the key provisions of the Environment
Protection Act include:
1. Establishment
of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards
(SPCBs) to regulate and monitor environmental pollution.
2. Regulation
of industrial processes and activities that cause environmental pollution.
3. Setting
of standards for the quality of air, water, and soil.
4. Prohibition
and regulation of the handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
5. Environmental
impact assessment (EIA) of developmental projects that are likely to have an
adverse impact on the environment.
6. Penalties
for violation of environmental regulations and provisions for legal action
against offenders.
The Environment Protection Act has
been instrumental in shaping the environmental policies and regulations in
India. It has helped in the implementation of pollution control measures and
has also created awareness among the public about the importance of
environmental protection.
Some of the key provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act include:
1. Establishment
of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards
(SPCBs) to regulate and monitor air pollution.
2. Regulation
of emissions from industries, vehicles, and other sources that cause air
pollution.
3. Setting
of standards for the quality of ambient air.
4. Prohibition
and regulation of the use of fuels and other substances that cause air
pollution.
5. Provision
for the inspection of industries and other sources of air pollution.
6. Powers
to take legal action against offenders and impose penalties for violation of
environmental regulations.
The Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act has been instrumental in shaping the policies and regulations
related to air pollution in India. It has helped in the implementation of
measures to reduce emissions from industries, vehicles, and other sources and
has also created awareness among the public about the importance of clean air.
The act has been amended several times over the years to strengthen its
provisions and to keep up with the changing environmental challenges faced by
the country.
Some of the key provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act include:
- Establishment
of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards
(SPCBs) to regulate and monitor water pollution.
- Regulation
of the discharge of pollutants into water bodies from industries,
municipalities, and other sources.
- Setting
of standards for the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
- Prohibition
and regulation of the use of water for certain purposes that can cause
pollution.
- Provision
for the inspection of industries and other sources of water pollution.
- Powers
to take legal action against offenders and impose penalties for violation of
environmental regulations.
Ø The Wildlife Protection Act is a legislation enacted by the Government of India in 1972 to provide for the protection of wild animals and plants in the country. The act provides a framework for the conservation and management of wildlife resources and the promotion of sustainable development.
Some of the key provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act include:
1. Categorization
of animals and plants based on their level of protection needed.
2. Prohibition
of hunting, poaching, or killing of wild animals listed under the act.
3. Prohibition
of trading or selling of wild animals or their parts.
4. Regulation
of zoos and captive breeding programs.
5. Protection of critical habitats and areas of importance for wildlife.
6. Establishment
of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves.
7. Powers
to take legal action against offenders and impose penalties for violation of
the provisions of the act.
Ø The Forest (Conservation) Act is a legislation enacted by the Government of India in 1980 to regulate the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes. The act provides a framework for the conservation and management of forest resources and the promotion of sustainable development.
Some
of the key provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act include:
2. Requirement
for prior approval of the Central Government before any forest land can be
diverted for non-forestry purposes.
3. Setting
of guidelines for compensatory afforestation and other measures to mitigate the
impact of forest land diversion.
4. Establishment
of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves to protect
and conserve forests and wildlife.
5. Powers to take legal action against offenders and impose penalties for violation of the provisions of the act.
The Forest (Conservation) Act has been instrumental in the conservation and management of forest resources in India. It has helped in the implementation of measures to protect and conserve forests and wildlife and has also created awareness among the public about the importance of biodiversity conservation. The act has been amended several times over the years to strengthen its provisions and to keep up with the changing environmental challenges faced by the country.
v International
agreements:
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Ø The
Montreal Protocol was an international treaty signed in 1987
to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of
ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). The treaty was a response[aim] to the
discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica and the realization that ODSs such
as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were responsible for it. The Montreal Protocol
has been successful in reducing the production and consumption of ODSs and has
helped in the recovery of the ozone layer.
Ø The
Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997, was an international
treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate
change. The treaty set binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions by developed countries. The Kyoto Protocol was a landmark agreement
as it was the first international treaty to set binding targets for
greenhouse gas emissions reduction. However, some countries, including the
United States, did not ratify the treaty, and some of the signatory countries
did not achieve their targets.
Ø The
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international
treaty signed by 196 countries, including India, in 1992 at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil. The CBD aims to promote the conservation of biological
diversity, sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
The
key objectives of the CBD are:
1. Conservation
of biological diversity: This objective aims to conserve ecosystems, species,
and genetic diversity.
2. Sustainable
use of biological diversity: This objective focuses on the sustainable use of
components of biological diversity.
3. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources: This objective aims to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Ø Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts In Indian context: - In the Indian context, nature reserves play an important role in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. However, these reserves are often home to indigenous tribal populations, who rely on these forests for their livelihoods. This often leads to conflicts between conservation efforts and the rights of these tribal populations.
One such example
is the conflict between the conservation of tigers in India and the rights of
the tribal populations residing in the tiger reserves. Many tiger reserves,
such as the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh and the Simlipal
National Park in Odisha, are home to indigenous tribal populations who have
lived in the forests for generations. However, their traditional livelihood
practices, such as hunting and gathering, often conflict with conservation
efforts to protect tigers and their habitats.
To address these
conflicts, the Indian government has taken several steps to
involve local communities in conservation efforts. For example, the government
has established Joint Forest Management Committees, which consist of local
villagers and forest department officials, to manage and conserve forests. The
government has also implemented programs to provide alternative livelihoods to
tribal populations, such as eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture.
However, human-wildlife
conflicts persist in many areas.
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