Environmental Management Online Test 10th Science Lesson 22 Questions in English

Resources can be renewed simultaneously along with their exploitation (forests, crops, wildlife, groundwater, wind and solar energy). They can maintain themselves by natural recycling or can be replenished by proper management. Simultaneously, non-renewable resources cannot be recycled and can get exhausted by unlimited and continuous use (mineral ores, coal, petroleum etc). They cannot be replaced easily.

Proper utilization and management of nature and its resources is termed as conservation. We have to build a sustainable world, which should last forever. Some of the ways to sustain continuous use of resources are practices to utilise energy efficiently, avoid wastage of water, avoid usage of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials and to take care for the environment we live.

The Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation in 1973 that was aimed at protection and conservation of trees. The name of the movement ‘Chipko’ comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees and encircled them to prevent them from being cut.

The Chipko movement originated in the Chamoli district of Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand). The protest of Chipko movement achieved a major victory in 1980 with 15 years ban on cutting trees in the Himalayan forests.

Deforestation is the destruction of large area of forests. This happens for many reasons like intensive agriculture, urbanization, construction of dams, roads, buildings and industries, hydroelectric projects, forest fires, construction of mountain and forest roads. It is a threat to the economy, quality of life and future of the environment. India is losing about 1.5 million hectares of forest cover every year

Deforestation gives rise to ecological problems like floods, drought, soil erosion, loss of wild life, extinction of species, imbalance of biogeochemical cycles, alteration of climatic conditions and desertification.

India has an area of 752.3 lakh hectare classified as reserved forests and 215.1 lakh hectare as protected forests.

Activities for afforestation programme (Van Mahotsav) includes planting and protecting trees with multiple uses which help in restoration of green cover. Destruction of trees should be curtailed.

Forest Conservation through Laws: Adopting stringent laws and policies to conserve and protect forests are through National Forest Policy, (1952 and 1988) and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

Wild life refers to the undomesticated animals living in their natural habitats (forests, grasslands and deserts) an area without human habitation. They are needed for maintaining biological diversity. It also helps in promoting economic activities that generates revenue through tourism. Conservation of forest and wildlife is interrelated with each other.

Wildlife of India is a great natural heritage. Exploitation of wildlife resources has decreased global wildlife population by 52% between 1970 and 2014. Over exploitation and shrinking of forest cover areas has resulted in animals becoming extinct, some are threatened and some are on the verge of extinction. In recent years, increase in human encroachment has posed a threat to India’s wildlife.

Establishment of National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas and Biosphere reserves. Hunting and poaching should be prohibited.

The Wildlife protection Act was established in 1972.

Restrict, regulate or prohibit trade in wild animals and products obtained from them. Prohibit killing and hunting of specified animals.

Jim Corbett National Park was the first to be established in 1936.

The Corbett National Park was established in 1936 in Uttarakhand, India.

The Organisations Involved in Conservation of Wildlife are (i) Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) (ii) World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Nature (iii) World Conservation Union (WCN) (iv) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) (v) Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (vi) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) (vii) Wild life Preservation Society of India, Dehradun.

Rathika Ramasamy, a native of Venkatachalapuram village, Theni District in Tamil Nadu was the first Indian woman to strike an International reputation as wildlife photographer. Her passion is towards bird photography. A photobook on wildlife titled "The best of wildlife moments" was published in November 2014

There are 15 biosphere reserves in India. The Nilgiris is a biosphere reserve in Tamil Nadu.

The top layers of soil contain humus and mineral salts, which are vital for the growth of plants. Removal of upper layer of soil by wind and water is called soil erosion. Soil erosion causes a significant loss of humus, nutrients and decrease the fertility of soil.

Indian Rhino Vision 2020 is to conserve at least 3000 greater one-horned rhinos in Assam, India by 2020.

Project Tiger and Project Elephant has been launched in 1973 and 1992 respectively. Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1976. Sea Turtle Conservation Project was launched in 1999.

Agents of soil erosion are high velocity of wind, air currents, flowing water, landslide, human activities (deforestation, farming and mining) and overgrazing by cattle.

Wind speed can be controlled by planting trees in form of a shelter belt. Reforestation, terracing and contour ploughing.

Energy is an important input for development. The expansion of possible energy resources has been directly related with the pace of agricultural and industrial development in every part of the world. Energy resources can be classified two types as non-renewable and renewable.

Energy obtained from sources that cannot renew themselves over a short period of time is known as non-renewable (Exhaustible) energy. These are available in limited amount in nature.

Renewable (Inexhaustible) energy resources are available in unlimited amount in nature and they can be renewed over a short period of time, inexpensive and can be harvested continuously.

The conventional energy resources (Non-renewable energy resources) account for 90% of the world’s production of commercial energy and nuclear power account for 10%.

Non-renewable energy resources include coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear power. The Renewable (non-conventional) energy resources which include biofuel, biomass energy, geothermal energy, water energy (hydroelectric energy and tidal energy), solar energy, wave energy and wind energy.

Fossil fuels are found inside the earth’s crust and are energy rich substances formed by natural process, such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms, over millions of years. As the accumulating sediment layers produce heat and pressure, the remains of the organisms are gradually transformed into hydrocarbons. e.g. petroleum, coal and natural gas.

Petroleum also known as crude oil is processed in oil refineries to produce petrol and diesel which are used to run automobiles, trucks, trains, ships and airplanes etc. Kerosene and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) obtained from petroleum is used as domestic fuel for cooking food.

It is necessary to conserve or save coal and petroleum resources for the future use, which can be done by reducing their consumption. If electricity is saved, it will in turn reduce the use of coal.

India is the third largest consumer of crude oil in the world, after the United States and China.

The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It is built with white marble. The white marble became yellow due to air pollution. The Government of India has set up emission standards around the monument to protect it from the damage.

The Mathura oil refinery owned by Indian Oil Corporation present around Taj Mahal, Agra area produce sulphur and nitrogen oxides turns Taj Mahal white marble to Yellow.

The energy crisis has shown that for sustainable development in energy sector we must conserve the non-renewable conventional resources from its rapid depletion and replace them by non-polluting, renewable sources which are environmentally clean.

Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun.

Solar cells (Photovoltaic devices) are made up of silicon that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar cell produces electricity without polluting the environment. Since it uses no fuel other than sunlight, no harmful gases, no burning, and no wastes are produced.

These can be installed in remote and inaccessible areas (forests and hilly regions) where setting up of power plant is expensive.

Arrangement of many solar cells side by side connected to each other is called solar panel. The capacity to provide electric current is much increased in the solar panel. But the process of manufacture is very expensive. Solar cookers consist of an insulated metal box or wooden box which is painted from inside so as to absorb maximum solar radiations. A thick glass sheet forms the cover over the box. The reflector is the plane mirror which is attached to the box. The food is cooked by energy radiated by the sun.

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy.

Biogas is the mixture of methane (nearly 75 %), hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. It is produced by the decomposition of animal wastes (cow dung) and plant wastes in the absence of oxygen.

Biogas is also commonly called as ‘Gobar gas’ since the starting material used is cow dung which means gobar in Hindi.

Biogas is used to generate electricity and burns without smoke and therefore causes less pollution.

Shale (Shale gas) refers to the soft finely stratified sedimentary rock that is formed from the compaction of small old rocks containing mud and minerals – such as quartz and calcite, trapped beneath earth’s surface. These rocks contain fossil fuels like oil and gas in their pores.

Shale gas is extracted by a technique called hydraulic fracturing (drilling or well boring of sedimentary rocks layers to reach productive reservoir layers).

Million gallons of water is needed to break and release the shale gas, which inturn can affect the water table.

India has identified six basins as areas for shale gas exploration: Cambay (Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (North East), Gondwana (Central India), Krishna Godavari onshore (East Coast), Cauvery onshore and Indo-Gangetic basins

The kinetic energy possessed by the wind is due to its high speed, that can be converted into mechanical power by wind turbines. The rotatory motion of windmill produces wind energy. It can be used for generating electricity, run water pumps, flour mills, draw water from wells etc.,

The world’s largest and tallest wind turbine is situated in Hawaii. One wind turbine can produce electricity for 300 homes.

Expenses on periodic maintenance is low when compared to the other power sources.

Earth’s surface is covered with nearly 71% of water.

Rainwater harvesting is a technique of collecting and storing rainwater for future use. It is a traditional method of storing rainwater in underground tanks, ponds, lakes, check dams and used in future. The main purpose of rainwater harvesting is to make the rainwater percolate under the ground so as to recharge ‘groundwater level’.

Methods of rainwater harvesting are i) Roof top rainwater harvesting, ii) Recharge pit, iii) Digging of tanks or lakes (Eris) and iv) Ooranis.

Tides are predictable, so tidal energy can be produced at any time.

Recharge pit: In this method, the rainwater is first collected from the roof tops or open spaces and is directed into the percolation pits through pipes for filtration. After filtration the rainwater enters the recharge pits or ground wells. Ooranis: These are small ponds to collect rainwater. The water is used for various domestic purposes (drinking, washing, and bathing). These ponds cater the nearby villages.

kallanai Dam, also known as Grand Anicut, is the fourth oldest dam in the world, constructed by King Karikala Chola of the Chola Dynasty in the 2nd century A.D.(CE). It still serves the people of Tamilnadu, the dam is located on the River Kaveri, approximately 20 km from the city of Tiruchirapalli.

Water stored in ground is not contaminated by human and animal wastes and hence can be used for drinking purpose.

Electricity or electric power is produced by generators. The generators are operated by the turbines attached to it. The turbines are rotated by steam, moving water or wind power to produce electricity.

Maximise the use of solar radiation. Solar water heating system can be used instead of electric geysers.

E-wastes are generally called as electronic wastes, which includes the spoiled, outdated, non-repairable electrical and electronic devices. These wastes contain toxic metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury, though also contain iron, copper, silicon, aluminum and gold which can be recovered.

Only 5 % of e-wastes produced are recycled.

Electronic devices: Computers, laptops, mobile phones, printers, monitors, televisions, DVD players, calculators, toys, sport equipment’s, etc. Household electrical appliances: Refrigerators, washing machine, microwave oven, mixer, grinder, water heater, etc., Accessories: Printing cartridges, batteries, and chargers.

E-wastes include 1. Computer components - 66%, 2. Telecommunication components - 12 %, 3. Electronic components - 5 %, 4. Biomedical components - 7 % and Other components - 6 %. Disposal of any kind of electrical and electronic devices without knowledge can become the landfill and water pollutants.

Lead: Damages central and peripheral nervous system; affect brain development in children.

Cadmium: Accumulates in kidney and liver; neural damage.

Chromium - Asthmatic bronchitis, Mercury - Chronic damage to brain and respiratory system.

Untreated sewage or wastewater generated from domestic and industrial process is the leading polluter of water sources in India. Sewage water results in agricultural contamination and environmental degradation. Sources of sewage are • Domestic purpose or household activities • Dye and textile industries • Leather industries • Sugar and breweries industries • Paper and pulp industries.

The conventional wastewater treatment methods involve the following steps (a) Pre-screening (b) Aeration (c) Sludge Management and (d) Water Reuse.

In Sedimentation process the solid particles in suspension form are allowed to settle. The particles that settle out from the suspension is known as sludge. The sludge generated by the degradation process is transferred periodically from the tank for safe disposal.

Chlorination and ultraviolet (UV) radiation of treated water is required to remove any microorganism contamination.

Solid wastes mainly include municipal wastes, hospital wastes, industrial wastes and e- wastes etc. The solid wastes are dumped in the soil which results in landscape pollution. Solid-waste management involves the collection, treatment and proper disposing of solid material that is discarded from the household and industrial activities.

Methods of solid wastes disposal are 1. Segregation, 2. Compositing, 3. Incineration and 4. Sanitary landfill.

Sanitary landfill: Solid wastes are dumped into low lying areas. The layers are compacted by trucks to allow settlement. The waste materials get stabilised in about 2-12 months. The organic matter undergoes decomposition.

In Composting method Biodegradable matter of solid wastes is digested by microbial action or earthworms and converted into humus.

The 4R approach such as Reduce, Reuse, Recovery and Recycle may be followed for effective waste management.

Cow dung and other organic wastes can be used in gobar gas plant to provide biogas and manure for fields.