ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Prof. P. A. PISAL ADCET, ASHTA What is an Environment ????? Assessment Method: • Mini Project report – 05 marks • Seminar - 05 Marks • ISE question paper format will be Multiple Choice Questions- 40 Marks ISE will be conducted in Last week of semester. Mini Project report will be submitted to course coordinator in 10th week of semester. Students should get minimum 40% marks to get PP (PASS) grade. Students getting less than 40% marks will be offered NP (NOT PASS) grade. To get B. Tech. Degree PP grade in Environmental Studies is mandatory. Definition of Environment Environment -French word - 'environ’ -surroundings. Hence, everything surrounding us -"ENVIRONMENT". Environmental Protection Act (1986) defined “Environment as the sum total of water, air and land, their interrelationship among themselves and with the human beings, other living beings and property.” It can also be defined as “ external surroundings and conditions which directly or indirectly affects the living organism” Environmental science is a systemic study of our environment and our place in it - mainly the abiotic and biotic components. It is a sum of all living and non – living things and their interactions. Its components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy. Environmnet & it Components Components Of Environment Atmosphere Physical Hydrosphere Lithosphere Abiotic Environment Biologycal Producer Biotic Consumer Decomposer Socity Cultural Econo my Physical Components of Environment The Physical Components of environment includes soil, water, air, climate, temperature, light etc. Physical Components of the environment is again divided into three parts. These are: • Atmosphere (gas) •Hydrosphere (liquid) •Lithosphere (solid) Atmosphere A layer of gases Surrounding a planet Other material body of sufficient mass That is held in place by the gravity of the body Atmosphere Major layers of the Atmosphere Atmospheric Composition Hydrosphere It includes the surface water and its surrounding interface Water is the most abundant substance on the Earth’s surface. The oceans cover approximately 71% water of the planet, glaciers and ice caps cover additional areas. Water is also found in lakes and streams, in soils and underground reservoirs, in the atmosphere, and in the bodies of all living organism. Thus, water in all its forms- ice, liquid, water and water vapor- is very familiar to us. Hydrological Cycle Lithosphere It is the outer boundary layer of solid earth and the discontinuity within the mantle. Basically lithosphere is nothing but a crustal system composed of various layers: Core, mantle and outer crust. An outline of earth layer Biological components of Environment There are two kind of Biologycal components. They are Abiotic Biologycal Biotic The Abiotic components of Environment Abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment. Abiotic phenomena underlie all of biology. Abiotic factors, while generally downplayed, can have enormous impact on evolution. Abiotic components are aspects of geodiversity. They can also be recognised as "abiotic pathogens“ E.g- Temperature, light, sun light, pH, soil components, etc. This component consists of all living things like plants, animals and small micro-organisms like bacteria. All ecosystems consist of three different types of living organisms. Producer Biotic Component Consumer Decomposer Producers Generally green plants and other photosynthetic bacteria Produces various o rganic substances With the help of water, soil and light energy. E.g. Plants Consumer Consumers depend for their nutrition on the organic food produced by the green plants, E.g animals. Decomposers Bring about the decomposition of dead plants and animals Return various important minerals For the running of the biogeochemical cycles Cultural Environment The Cultural Environment gives an idea of learned behavioral traits those are clear and shared by members of society The most important thing about the cultural environment is that it cannot be physically represented, but it is there anyway. Interrelation between environmental components Multidisciplinary Nature PHARMACY Scope of environmental studies • The study creates awareness among the people •It provides the knowledge about ecological systems •It provides necessary information about biodiversity richness •The study enables one to understand the causes and consequences due to natural and main induced disasters and pollutions and measures to minimize the effects. •The study enables environmentally literate citizens •The study exposes the problems of over population, health, hygiene, etc. and the role of arts, science and technology in eliminating/ minimizing the evils from the society. •The study tries to identify and develop appropriate eco-friendly skills and technologies to various environmental issues. •It teaches the citizens the need for sustainable utilization of resources as these resources are inherited from our ancestors to the younger generating without deteriorating their quality. •The study enables theoretical knowledge into practice and the multiple uses of environment. Importance of Environmental Science • World population is increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing countries. • The natural resources endowment in the earth is limited. • The methods and techniques of exploiting natural resources are advanced. • The resources are over-exploited and there is no foresight of leaving the resources to the future generations. • The unplanned exploitation of natural resources lead to pollution of all types and at all levels. • The pollution and degraded environment seriously affect the health of all living things on earth , including man. • The people should take a combined responsibility for the deteriorating environment and begin to take appropriate actions to space the earth. • Education and training are needed to save the biodiversity and species extinction. • The urban area, coupled with industries, is major sources of pollution. • The number and area extinct under protected area should be increased so that the wild life is protected at least in these sites. •The study enables the people to understand the complexities of the environment and need for the people to adapt appropriate activities and pursue sustainable development, which are harmonious with the environment. • The study motivates students to get involved in community action, and to participate in various environmental and management projects. • It is a high time to reorient educational systems and curricula towards these needs. • Environmental studies take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human interactions with the natural environment. It integrates different approaches of the humanities , social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences and applies these approaches to investigate environmental concerns. • Environmental study is a key instrument for bringing about the changes in the knowledge, values, behaviors and lifestyles required to achieve sustainability and stability within and among countries. Institutions in Environment There are two type of institutions in environment, they are 1) Government Organizations 2) Non-Government Organizations Government Organizations The Government organizations are as follows, BSI (www.envfor.nic.in) ZSI (www.zsi.gov.in) BSI-Botanical Survey of India Established in 1890 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta. In 1952, plans were made to recognize the BSI and formulate its objectives. The BSI currently has nine regional centers. ZSI-Zoological Survey of India Established in 1916. It’s mandate was to do a symmetric survey of fauna in India. Its origins were collections based at the Indian Museum at Calcutta, which was established in 1875. It has done an enormous amount of work on taxonomy and ecology. It currently operates from 16 regional centers. Non-Government Organizations The following are the NGO’s BNHS (www.bnhs.org) WWF-I (www.wwfindia.org) CSE (www.cseindia.org) CPR-EEC (www.cpreec.org) CEE (www.ceeindia.org) BVIEER (http://environment.bharatividyapeeth.edu) UKSN (www.usnpss.org) Kalpavriksh (www.kalpavriksh.org) SACON (www.sacon.org) WII (www.wii.gov.in) MCBT (www.madrascrocodilebank.org) BNHS-Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai Begin as a small society of six members in 1883. Its influence is on wild life policy building, research, popular publications. Publishes a popular magazine called Hornbill Helped the government to frame wild life WWF-I World Wide Fund for Natural India, New Delhi Initiated in 1969 in Mumbai, after the head quarters is shifted to New Delhi. Attention on wild life education and awareness. It runs several programs, including the Natural Clubs of India program from school children. CSE-Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi The activities including organizing campaigns, holding workshops and conferences, and producing environment related publications. Publication material is in the form of books, posters, video films and also conducts work shops and seminars on bio-diversity related issues. CEE-Center for Environmental Education, Ahemadabad Initiated in 1989. Wide range of programs on the environment and produces a variety of educational material. CEE’s Training in Environment Education program has trained many environmental educators. CPR-EEC CPR Environmental Education Center, Chennai Setup in 1988. Conducts a variety of programs to spread environmental awareness and create an interest in conservation among the general public. To promote conservation of nature and natural resources. Its programs include components on wild life an biodiversity issues. Produces large number of publications. BVIEER-Bharati Vidyapeet Institute of Environmental Education and Research, Pune Part of Bharati Vidyapeet deemed university. The institute has a PhD, master’s and Bachelor’s Program in Environmental Sciences. It also offers an innovative diploma in Environment education for in-service teachers. Biodiversity conservation is a major focus of its research initiatives. UKSN-Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi, Almora This organization is a Nodal agency that supports NGOs in need of funds for their environment related activities. Its main target is sustainable resource use at the village level through training school children. Its environment education program covers about 500 schools Kalpavriksh, Pune This NGO, initially Delhi based, is now working from Pune. Works on a variety of fronts; education and awareness; investigation and research; direct action and lobbying; and litigation with regard to environment and development issues. Responsible for developing India’s National Biodiversity strategy and Action plan in 2003. Salim Ali center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore Intially conceived as being a wing of the BNHS, it later evolved into an independent organization based at Coimbatore in 1990. It has instituted a variety of field programs that have added to the country’s information on our threatened biodiversity. WII- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun Established in 1982. This institute is established as a major training for forest officials and for research in wild life management. Its most significant publication has been planning a Wild Life Protected Area Network for India. MCBT-Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Chennai The first Crocodile conservation breeding center in Asia, was founded in 1976 to conserve Indian Crocodiles an establish program for the conservation an propagation of other species. MCBT has an ongoing Environmental Education Program for the villages and schools that include nature camps, training workshops for teachers. People in Environment The following are the well-known names in the last century include environmentalists, administrators, legal experts, educationalists, and journalists. Indira Gandhi S.P.Gadgil M.S.Swaminathan Madhav Gadgil M.C.Mehta Anil Agarwal Medha Patkar Sunderlal Bahuguna Indira Gandhi As PM played a very significant role in the preservation of India’s Wild Life. During her period, the network and protected areas grew from 65 to 98. Wild life protection act was formulated during her period. S.P.Godrej Was one of the India’s greatest supporter of wild life conservation and nature awareness programs. Between 1975 and 1999, received 10 awards for his conservation activities, he was awarded the Padmabhushan in 1999. M S Swaminathan One of the India’s foremost agricultural scientists. Founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai Madhav Gadgil Well known ecologist in India. His interests range from broad ecological issues such as developing community Biodiversity registers studies on the behaviour of mammals, birds, and insects. He was written several articles, published papers in journals… M.C.Mehta India’s most famous environmental lawyer. Since 1984, he has filed several public interest litigations for supporting the cause of environmental conservation. His most famous and long-drawn battles supported by the supreme court include protecting the Tajmahal, cleaning up the Ganges river….. Anil Agarwal Was a journalist who wrote the first report on the state of India’s Environment in 1982. He founded the CES, an active NGO that supports various environmental issues. Medha Patkar Known as one of rural India’s Champions, has supported the cause of the downtrodden tribal people whose environment is being affected by the dams on the Narmada River. Sunderlal Bahuguna His chipko movement has become an internationally well-known example of a highly successfully conservation action program through the efforts of local people for guarding their forest resources. His fight to prevent the construction of Tehri dam in a fragile earthquake-prone setting is a battle that continues to wage International Environmental Thinkers Charles Darwin(wrote Origin of Species) Ralph Emerson (spoke of the dangers of commerce to our environment in 1840s) Henry Thoreau (wrote that the wilderness should be preserved in 1860s) John Muir (saved the great ancient sequoia trees in California’s forests; he formed Sierra club in 1890s) Aldo Leopold (designed the early policies on wilderness conservation and wildlife management in 1920s) Rachel Carson (wrote Silent Spring;several articles on effects of pesticides on nature and mankind) EO Wilson (entomologist and wrote Diversity of Life in 1993)
