Environment

By Dr. Mukul Sharma

ENVIRONMENT

Our Surrounding! The sum total of all the conditions and influences that affect the development and life of organisms. Every organism lives in their own environment. For us, Environment consists of Air, Water and Land. Our existence on the Earth is depend up on the maintenance of symbiotic equilibrium with our environment.

It is sum total of water, air and land and the interelationship that exist among them and with the humans beings, other living organisms and materials.

Why Study Environment???

Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects a living organism. It is applied science, as it seeks practical answers to the increasingly important question of how to make human civilization sustainable on the Earths resources. Integration of all the field of knowledge. Essential to study to overcome Environmental Crisis

Global Environmental Crisis

Population Water and sanitation Biodiversity Forests Land Pollution Coastal zone and the ocean Natural disasters Energy, global warming, climate change Urbanization

Pollution

River Ganga

Pollution at river Ganga

River Ganga at Haridwar River Ganga at Banaras

More than 60,000 Indian villages lack sources of drinking water

Global warming: Melting glacier

Urbanisation

Biodiversity
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth.
It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes.

Endangered Species

Natural Disaster

The Story of Kalahandi

Kalahandi District in Orissa some decades ago:

Full of forests 1000s of water sources controlled by community Abundant diversity of crops

Kalahandi today:
Extreme poverty and deprivation Often drought and famine

Reasons for decline:

Forests cut down Water sources taken over by govt., but not maintained Focus on large irrigation projects

The story of Kalahandi: From forests to famine

Scope of Environmental Studies

Ecosystem structure and Function Natural resource Conservation Environment pollution control Environment Management Environment Impact assessment Research & Development Social Development Forest Management Environment Consultant firm Environment Journalist Environmentalist

Importance of Environmental Studies

EVS is useful in checking environment pollution. It helps in maintaining ecological balance. It helps to gain skills to assess the environmental impact of human activities. It helps to achieve sustainable development. It helps to educate people regarding their duties towards the protection of environment.

Lack of Public Awareness

To the millions of poor people, the problems of
daily existence are more environment degradation.

important

than

The more prosperous are afraid that, in the name of environment, their comfort may be taken away. At political level, parties are interested in short term gains and would not take unpopular measures for conserving the environment.

Need for Public Awareness

Human life is affected directly or in directly by the changes that occur in the environment therefore it is essential to be familiar with different environment problems. For active participation of all citizens of the world public awareness is important.

Objectives
The following are the main objectives of creating environmental public awareness. 1, To identify various plants, animals and other living and non living components. 2, To take appropriate decisions regarding use of natural resources. 3, To conserve nature and natural resources for the betterment of the society from the point of view of social, cultural and economic development. 4, To adopt appropriate measures for solving existing environment issues.

Methods of Public Awareness

The following methods may be used for propagating public awareness regarding the environment

Formal Method
Introducing environment education in schools and colleges.

Informal Method
Mass media/newspapers, magazines,radio,TV etc Seminars/conferences Competition Entertainment (folk songs, street play etc) Science Centre International co-operation

Major Components of Environment

Air, Water, Soil

Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere : Virtual Ocean of Air : The surface of Earth filled with any form of Water : Outer shell of the Earth composed of crust and the rigid outer most mantle : The place on earth exists

Biosphere where life

Branches of Environmental Science

Biology

: Environmental Biology Env. Microbiology Env. Biotechnology

Chemistry : Environmental Chemistry Management : Environmental Management Env. Risk Assessment Env. Impact Assessment Env. Audit

Education : Environmental Education Law : Environmental Law Engineering : Environmental Engineering Medicine : Environmental Health

Types of Environment
Natural Environment Man made Environment

Natural Environment
Natural environment is characterized by all the natural component. All biotic (living) and Abiotic (non living) components created by natural process. Eg: Soil, water, trees, air, radiations etc.

Natural Environment

Man made environment

Man modifies the environment using modern technologies according to his needs to a great extent. Eg.House, roads,school,railway lines,park etc.

Man made Environment

Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

Life Science Botany Zoology Microbiology Genetics Biochemistry Helps in understanding Biotic components and its interaction.

Cont
Physical Science Physics Chemistry Geology Geography Oceanography Atmospheric Science Used to understand the physical and chemical structure of Abiotic components of environment along with mass and energy.

Cont
Math's Statistics Computer science Used as effective tool in environment modeling. Economics Management Sociology For dealing with socio economic aspects associated with various development activities.

Cont
Law Provides guidelines and legal measures for effective management and protection of environment. Civil Engineering Hydraulics Chemical Engineering Nano technology Provides technical solution to environmental pollution control and waste treatment for protection of environment.