Degradation Of Environment

Prof (Dr) R.D. Gupta
A number of dangers are looming ahead from our degrading environment in all its components like land, air and water, and animals and plants. According to article 21 of the constitution of India which guarantees right of life and clean environment to all citizens. Hence it becomes a sacred duty and responsibility of the state to ensure this  to all by which we live. Another article which has been included in the Indian constitution is the “Directive principles” 48 A. It states “the state shall endeavour to protect & improve an environment and to safe guard the forests and wildlife of the country.” But at the same time, it is  imperative for each one of us to take care of the environment which is in great trouble these days. It is further corroborated by an article 51-A under fundamental duties which states, “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect & improve the natural environment including lakes, rivers, forests, wildlife etc, and to have compassion for other living creatures. However, unfortunately neither the state Govts & nor the general public have taken this particular aspect of life seriously till the situation has become alarming.
Role of environmental curve in environment pollution
By environment we mean not only our immediate surroundings but it also refers to a variety of issues connected with human activity, productivity and basic living and its impact on land, air, water, forest wildlife, health, energy resources etc. Thus, we can say that the environment is the basis for human survival. The idea that prosperity automatically leads to a cleaner environment stems from the experience of today’s rich countries like USA,UK, Germany, France, Russia etc. They rebuilt their economies after the second world war and then were worried about the environmental influences of what they are doing.
Industrial activities &
environmental degradation
The rapid and unplanned industrialization is creating environmental chaos. Various industrial activities cause environmental pollution. The industrial effluents are polluting the drinking water, the industrial smokes are polluting the atmosphere. A recent world water development report corroborates that about 20% of the world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water and 40% population does not possess sufficient water for adequate sanitation and hygiene. The fresh water crises is already evident in many parts of our country. About 45 million people are affected due to excess fluoride, arsenic and iron content in the water or by the ingress of salt water in India. Nitrate contaminated water has produced blue baby disease in many parts of India.
The industrial smokes which are emitting from the industrial chimneys are producing carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitric oxides & many other gases. These gases are concentrating in the upper part of the atmosphere. Gases are also emitted by the locomotives/vehicles and other sources such as refrigerators, paddy fields ruminant animals etc. All these gases collectively react with ozone layer and try to him it or to create the hole. Once the holes are formed in the ozone layer, the ultraviolet rays will reach the earth and cause skin diseases including skin cancer. The ozone layer during the past 3 decades has been depleted by 3 to 5% at the global level. This depletion is, however, greater during the winter and over the Antarctica. The higher concentration of sulpher dioxide and nitric oxide after emitting from industries rise up high in the atmosphere and mix with water vapours to form acid rains.
Acid rains damage the crops and other vegetation. They also acidify the soils and erode the buildings. Acid rains have brought a great havoc also by way of damaging the black forests of Europe as well as lakes, streams, rivers and springs. The speed with which the environment is being damaged is a matter of great concern for everyone. The extra ordinary percentage of pollutants in the atmosphere are corroding the historical building like Tajmahal, Temples of Konark, Red Fort, Agra Fort, Dayal Bagh temples and many other historical & religious places in India. In the last 32 years or so most of the developing countries have shown a steady increase in environment degradation many rich industrialized countries have experienced a massive deterioration in the wake of sudden industrialization and explosive urbanization.
Population explosion and environment
With the rapid growth of population, there is increase in demand too, to cater the needs of the humans on large scale. The population explosion has increased the number of vehicles several hundred folds and the vehicular emissions will also increase, causing thereby atmospheric pollution vis-à-vis noise pollution. The population explosion is creating unemployment. The unemployment youth is migrating to the cities but the lack of space is producing a “Jhuggi-Jhompari” culture all over the world. Living conditions in these colonies are unhygienic & this is deteriorating the quality of life. The world’s capacity to feed a growing population is uncertain. Agriculture has to meet challenge mainly by increasing food production more from the same land, would be possible only through intensive cultivation. Intensive cultivation means to use more fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals which will produce more environment pollution.
Global warming
In recent years it has been found that earth’s atmosphere is becoming warmer than the normal. This additional warming of the atmosphere is called Global warming. The change in weather or climate is ascribed to the effect of global warming. By theyear2080, global temperatures are expected to enhance by 1.2 to 3.9 degree Celsius or 1.4 to 5.8 degree Celsius. With rising temperature oceans levels will increase caused by the planet’s melting ice caps between 19 cm and1 cm. Small islands such as the Maldives and many in the Caribben and south pacific will be in danger of growing. The biggest dangers of climate change are the adverse effects on agriculture.
Control measures
To protect the environment and to restore ecology the following methods can be adopted.
Banning of felling green trees: Deforestation is the main culprit in degradation of environment. With the continuing pace of deforestation in the country there would be no green cover by 2050 and the environment will be totally imbalanced. In view of this alarming situation on the ecological front, banning of felling of green trees is the need of the hour.
Planting of trees: One single major factor that contributes to a healthy environment is to enhance forest cover. Hence our immediate concern should be to stop further exploitation of forest and bring additional areas under forest cover quickly. The waste lands should be rehabilitated by growing various plant species which can fulfil all the needs of the villagesrs like fuel wood, fodder and timber.
*Planting of medicinal / fruit trees in the kitchen gardens: In the kitchen gardens growing of medicinal plants and fruit trees should be preferred depending upon the area. For example in knadi belt of Jammu growing of amla, harar, bahera, phalsa, kinnow have proved profitable.
*Setting up agroforestry: To improve the quality of villagers life agroforestry practice should be promoted as it rehabilitates the denuded and other areas.

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