UNIT 9 ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES

Structure 9.1 9.2 9.3 Introduction

Objectives

Need for Eco-friendly Technologies (EFTs) EFTs in Agriculture

Biological Pest Control Biopesticides Green Manuring Organic Farming (Vermicomposting) Biofertilizers Water shed Management Rain Water Harvesting

9.4

Non-polluting Energy Systems

Solar Energy: Timeless Energy of the Sun Power Generation Rural Energy Emerging Technologies

9.5

Green Technology in Industry

Application of Hemp, Flax and Other Bast Fibre Plants 1 ,i.l~nologies in Metal Mining and Leather Industry U aste Management Sewage Fed Aquaculture

9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.10 9.1 1

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Green Building Technologies

Building Matekials from Industrial ~ b s t e s Building Materials from Agro Wastes .

Participatory Approach in Adopting EFTs

Resource Conserving Technologies: New Initiatives Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Agriculture

FutureofEFTs LetUsSumUp Activities Further Reading

9.1

INTROD'UCTTON

Environmental conservatiofi is an issue which has arisen from man's activities, his functional role ia the biosphere, and his relationship to nature. Over the yean conhmunities have learnt evolve various strategies and practices of natural resource management and conservation. Such technologies are based on indigenous, traditional bowledge and have been developed, tested and improved over the years. .They are effective, environmentally benign, and user friendly. India is sustaining 16% of global population and agriculture is the only hope for nearly 70% of the population. Therefore, sustainable concept in Indian agriculture must include the additional food demand created by 15 million mouths every year which is almost equal to an addition of one Australia every year. Conservation of cultivable lands is achieved not only through preventive and remedial measures to control soil erosion, but also through the application of innovative technblogies which are blend of traditional knowledge and frontier technologies such as biotechnology and information, space and renewable

Environmental Management

energy technologies. These technologies are environmentally benign, economically viable and socially equitable hence they are called eco-friendly technologies (EFTs). You will study about various eco-friendly technologies and their adoption by communities in this Unit.

Objectives
After studying this Unit, you should be able to: explain the need and concept of eco-friendly technology; discuss the eco-friendly technologies relevant to agriculture; describe the eco-friendly technologies pertaining to energy generation and industry; discuss the eco-friendly technologies related to mining, textiles, building etc.; appreciate the need for participatory approach in adopting EFTs; and highlight the future of EFTs.

9.2

NEED FOR ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES (EFTs)

Since 1950 alone, we have lost 15-20% of our agricultural land, 33% of our forests and 8% of our ozone layer. We have added 3.5 billion more humans and 15% more C 0 2to the atmosphere. We have already used up 55% of all available fresh water. Energy sources are getting depleted. World oil supplies are expected to run out by year 2030 and gas by year 2045. The dismal situation of Indian agriculture owes its state to the irrational use of physical resources. For example, there has been wasteful use of land resources through overgrazing and deforestation for fuel and timber. Vast areas have been cleared in shifting cultivation, mainly in the hilly and mountainous regions, leading to destruction of protective vegetation cover of the soil. Indulgence in intensive imgation has left large tracts of Indian agricultural soils either saltaffected or waterlogged. Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides has led to micronutrient deficiency in some instances and poisoning of the water bodies in others. Fossil fuels are getting depleted as more energy is needed both for production and consumption. Mining and industries have caused hydrologic deterioration. Burning of coals, and increased number of vehicles have raised the levels of atmospheric CO, C02, SOz, NO etc. thereby increasing atmospheric temperature. This is called 'greenhouse effect'. This will lead to global warming due to which coastal areas are likely to be submerged. This state of affairs could change dramatically through the introduction of a sound land use policy, water conservation measures, application of solar technology in agriculture and various measures which may be classified as ecofriendly technologies in the field of agriculture and industries. The major features of these technologies are: No atmospheric pollution Land producti~ity remains intact Oceans and fresh waters are not contaminated User friendly

Use only locally available resources Efficient and effective. EFTS show the path to an ever-green revolution in agriculture, industries and energy system where productivity advances can take place without leading to ecological or social harm. The concept of eco-friendly technology is based on the rule of 'pro-nature'. Eco-friendly technologies are being used in various sectors viz. agriculture, energy, building, textiles and leather industry, mining, food processing etc.

Eco-giendly Technologies

9.3

EFTS IN AGRICULTURE

Indiscriminate use of pesticides, excessive and improper irrigation and improper land and water use planning affect agricultural production to sustain its growth for future generation. Since the food requirement by 2000 AD is about 2 10 million tonnes to sustain self-sufficiency, it is essential to look for an eco-friendly approach for evolving and popularising ecology based low cost input and economically sustainable strategy. Sustainable agriculture is a system which maintains and improves soil fertility such as40 guarantee adequate food production into the foreseeable future. Sustainable agriculture can be defined as an 'agriculture that can evolve indefinitely towards greater human utility, greater efficiency of resource use and a balance with the environment that is favourable to humans and to most other species'. The indiscriminate use of hazardous ago-chemicals has resulted in outbreak of secondary pests, pesticide resistance and contamination of ecosystem. Therefore, a more feasible and economical method of pest man"agement i.e., IPM has become popular, particularly among small and marginal farmers. According to FA0 'IPM is a pest management system that in the context of the assochted environment and the population dynamics of the pest species, utilises all suitable techniques and methods, in as compatible a manner as pysible and maintain the pest population at levels below those causing .economic injury'. The objective of IPM is to optimise and not maximise pest control in terms of overall economical, social and environmental values. A number of tools have been used for IPM in several crops which include use of pest resistant varieties, cultural practices, use of pheromone traps, parasites, predator and pathogens of crop pests (biological pest control), quarantine measures, hand collection and destruction, attractants, repellents, sterilants, growth regulators, male sterile techniques. Use of Nucleo-Polyhydro-Virus (NPV) and neemseedkernel (NSKE) extract and development of resistant cultivars are major components of IPM. Biological Pest Control, and bio-pesticides; important components of IPM, are discussed below.

Box 9.1: Eco-friendly Technology to Manage Chickpea Podborer

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W e did not believe when we were told about it, but now we know we~can count on this cheap and effective package of technology to ?&age the dreaded chickpea podborer" said the small group of chickpea growers in Kappadu village near Zahirabad in Medak district, Andhra Pradesh, India. They were referring to a low-cost, eco-friendlytechnology package that can be used to manage Helicovelpa armigera the insect whose caterpillars or larvae have long ravaged their crops. The package has beel; developed by entomologists working in the Crop Protection Division of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), headquartered at Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh.
Dr V R Bhagwat, ICRISAT entomologist explains the technology as; "An integrated pest management (IPM) strategy using an improved variety, a botanical

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insecticide, and a host-specific virus to protect chickpea from podborers", and adds, "On-farm experiments in farmersp fields have clearly shown the efficacy of this approach". Ten on-farm trials were conducted in three villages with active participation of both local farmers and ICRISAT scientists.

9.3.1

Biological Pest Control

The successful control of a pest species by means of another organismfnatural enemy that is encouraged and disseminated by man is called the biological control. These organisms could be bio control agents like parasite, parasitoids predators or biopesticides which includes fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, protozoa as well as botanical pesticides. Biological control programme is threepronged appioach viz; importation and colonization of exotic natural enemies; conservation of existing'natural enemies by modifying the conditions which favour and promote the natural enemies and by making periodic releases of natural enemies for inoculation and inundation. Promoting natural enemies of key pests of important crops is one of the most important and indispensable component of inte&ated pest management. Biological control, in the recent years has generated a lot of interest among growers, scientists and administrators. Augmentation of natural enemies in a new environment is an important component in biological control which ofien leads to success for the sustainable pest management. Natural enemy introductions are part of the much larger problem of the invasion of new areas by alien species, h i c h are recognized as a major factor in species extinction. FA0 (1996) emphasized the need for proper execution of code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents, capsulated in the form of dossier. It enlists the responsibilities of the authorities of governments, and the responsibilitiies'of the exporters and importers of biological control agents capable of self-replication for research and/oi- release into the environment. Recently, in 19% lady bird predators namely Cryptolaemus montrouiieri and Scymnus coccivora were introduced in Trinidad and other Caribbean islands along with dossiers for the management of Pink hibiscus mealy bug which has destroyed more than 300 plant species in the region. A table showing the list of beneficial insects against pests is given below (Table 9.1). The illustration of beneficial insects are given in Fig. 9.1.