BASICS OF POLLUTION

1. Environmental Issues

Environmental issues are effects of human activity on the biophysical environment, most often of which are harmful and cause environmental degradation. Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment on the individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of both the environment and humans.

Indian Himalayan Region(IHR)- Environmental Challenges

The Indian Himalayan Region(IHR), occupies a strategic position along the entire northern and north-eastern boundary of the country and administratively covers 10 states in their region & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura. Two states partially -Hill districts of Assam, West Bengal, has wide-ranging ecological and socio-economic significance. IHR is characterized by diverse demographics and versatile economic, environmental, social and political systems.

Services of IHR

• With its vast green cover, IHR acts as a giant carbon sink.
• The region with its large area under permanent snow cover and glaciers, forms a unique water reservoir that feeds several important perennial rivers.
• IHR generates a plethora of services not only for Himalayan inhabitants but also influences the lives of people living within its boundaries.
• IHR forms a considerably large part of the identified Himalayan Biodiversity global hotspots.

IHR-Indian Climate

• IHR is facing environmental problems on account of various factors including the stress caused by anthropogenic activities.
• Geologically, the Himalayan ecosystem falls under the most vulnerable category.
• Managing the Himalayan ecosystem sustainably is critical not only for preserving its pristine beauty and spectacular landscapes but also for ensuring the ecological security of the entire Indian sub-continent.

Urbanization in the Himalayas

The expansion of the urban settlements, and the influx of visitors, trekkers, and mountaineers in the Himalayan region started to pose high biotic pressure and concomitant indiscriminate solid waste dumping.

In the absence of proper management practices and inadequate infrastructural facilities, human-induced pollution like untreated sewage, solid waste, and air pollution due to vehicles is increasing.

Town planning

• Rapid unplanned growth of hill towns, construction activities without a proper plan, general non-compliance with prescribed norms and guidelines and indiscriminate use of land for commercial outfits, and tourist resorts have severely affected the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas.
• Drying up of natural water sources, land instabilities, waste disposal problems and changing socio-cultural values are known impacts of unplanned construction activities.
• Deforestation activities like cutting in an area cause ecological damage and slope instability in adjacent areas.

Banning plastic

• The state government took a cabinet decision to ban plastics altogether in the state in 2009.
• The state government enacted the Himachal Pradesh Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act, 1995 to prevent throwing or depositing non-biodegradable garbage in public drains, and roads.
• It is then increased the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags to 70 microns of virgin material, which exceeded the 20-micron thickness recommended by Central Rules.

Urban Development-

The aim is to encourage reforms and fast-track planned development in identified cities. The focus is to be on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation, and accountability of parastatal agencies towards citizens.

The duration of the mission is 7 years starting from 2005-06 in 13 towns.

Conservation of lakes in IHR-

• Increasing inflow of tourists, urban waste making its way into the lake is adversely affecting water quality.
• The Naini Lake is the sole source of drinking water for Nainital town, an important tourist destination in Uttarakhand.
• The sweepers, collect waste from each household and directly transfer it to the compost pits.
• To conserve the water body, the residents have switched on to a scientific garbage disposal system under the project name ‘Mission Butterfly’ by Nainital Lake Conservation Project.
• In addition, they can generate income and employment by converting it to manure.

Dal Lake

• The Lake & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), Srinagar, in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and other NGOs has taken up the initiative for lake conservation through education and mass awareness. The use of polythene carry bags has also been banned in the lake area.
• Dal Lake a favorite tourist destination attracting thousands of tourists in Jammu & Kashmir state, is also special for settlement of about 60,000 people within the lake.
• The lake is in peril due to anthropogenic pressure and the overall deterioration of the surrounding environment.
• The lake was included in the Lake conservation program of the MoEF, GOI.

Certain Acts to protect the hills of Assam are formulated. They include-

The Assam Hill Land and Ecological Sites(protection & management) Act,2006 to prevent indiscriminate cutting of hills and filling up of water sources in urban areas, which led to serious ecological problems.

Under the Act, the state government can bring any hill under its purview for protection.

Solutions for waste management

Nowadays development has become unsustainable. An integrated approach is necessary to protect the environment and achieve the required economic development at the same time. Planning based on timely and reliable data became crucial for sustainable growth in hill towns.

• Preventive and management steps for solid waste management at the point of origin.
• Promotion of techniques like conversion of biodegradable waste into compost, vermicompost in place of landfilling, open dumping or burning.
• Guidelines prohibiting indiscriminate disposal of garbage, particularly the non-degradable waste.
• Documentation about the varying composition of waste from the hill towns to expedition tops.
• Good quality potable water, available at various locations in hilly areas so that people can fill their bottles on payment.
• Following the four ‘R’ principles- Refusing waste-prone goods, Reusing discarded commodities, Reducing, and Recycling the items.
• Awareness and capacity building of the stakeholders.
• International practices and experiences, regarding the preservation of the environment, and preventing litter should be examined and adopted.
• Residents should be motivated to switch over to a more scientific waste disposal system in a participatory manner.
• Need support and innovative thinking on different aspects, ranging from traditional architectural practices, local water management and diverse systems of sewage and garbage management.

Town Planning & Architectural Norms

• No construction should be undertaken which falls in hazard zones or areas falling on the spring lines and first-order streams.
• Fragmentation of habitats in hilly areas should be prevented.
• Architectural and aesthetic norms for the construction of buildings in mountain areas should be enforced.
• Certain areas for the development of urban and rural areas should be designated.
• An integrated development plan should be prepared taking into consideration environmental and other relevant factors.
• Deforestation activities shall not be undertaken unless appropriate measures are taken to avoid such damages.
• In highly seismic areas, construction should incorporate earthquake-resistant features.
• Green roads having channels for the collection of water for irrigation purposes should be made a part of the construction norm.

Regulations of tourism

• The Himalayas are known to be a home of saints and a destination of pilgrimage since time immemorial.
• Places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemakund Sahib in Uttarakhand, Jwala Devi, Manimahesh, Naina Devi, Chintpurni in Himachal Pradesh, Vaishnavi Devi and Amarnath in Jammu & Kashmir, sacred lakes in Sikkim are important tourist places.
• Most of these places lack adequate facilities for transport, accommodation, waste disposal and other amenities.
• There is a gross lack of regulatory mechanisms for infrastructure creation, management and controlling the tourist inflow.
• The sensitive ecosystems and cultural values of these areas are facing pressures far beyond their carrying capacities.

Commercial Tourism-

• Community-based ecotourism emerges as one of the sustainable alternatives to the presently practised commercial tourism.
• The impacts of tourism on mountain ecosystems and biological resources are of great concern because of high environmental sensitivity and biodiversity.
• Cultural identities and diversity in mountain regions are also under threat by the economic, social, and environmental forces associated with mountain tourism.

Harnessing Religious Sentiments for Conservation-

There is a great way of harnessing the religious sentiments of tourists in the right perspective of the conservation of the natural ecosystem in the Himalayan region.

• Promoting the concept of eco-cultural landscapes like Buddhist landscape, Sikkim, Apatani cultural landscape, Arunachal Pradesh.
• These landscapes are highly evolved with high levels of economic and ecological efficiencies.
• Involving them in the maintenance and strengthening of sacred landscapes.
• The tribal communities like Garos, Khasis, and Jaintias have a tradition of environmental conservation based on religious beliefs and customary law and are protected from any product extraction.

Highlights of tourism

• The Himalayan Homestays program fosters conservation-based community-managed tourism development in remote settlements by gradually building local capacity and ownership.
• Sikkim has the motto of “Ultimate Tourist Destination“.
• The state is employing a system of environmental fees and permits for entries and has time restrictions in some environmentally sensitive high altitude / pristine areas.
• Promotion and use of local arts and crafts, and cuisines along with organizing tourism fairs, and festivals.
• Operationalization of tourism in various modes like village, nature, wildlife tourism, trekking/adventure tourism, cultural tourism and industrialization of tourism management at the community level.
• The efforts made by the Sikkim government can be a basis for responsible tourism in other Himalayan areas.
• Many opportunities for adventure and ecotourism in the Himalayan region could be harnessed through community involvement.
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve ecotourism approach, Uttarakhand, Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Nepal are examples of adventure tourism.
• Rural Business Hubs(RBHs) are linked to tourism in the NorthEast region, which envisages the promotion of quality rural products like handicrafts, Argo products, handlooms, biofuel etc.
• The government of Uttarakhand restricted the entry of tourists to 150 per day, to visit Gangotri- the birthplace of The Ganga.

Regulating tourism in sensitive areas-

• Pilgrimage tourism in the Himalayas requires both development and regulation.
• The pilgrimage tourism needs to have suitable accommodation and other facilities need to be made available accordingly.
• The accommodation and road transport infrastructures need to be developed in tourist sites.
• Provision of garbage disposal and garbage management should be encouraged.
• The vulnerability of sacred groves, and historical and sacred sites, should be assessed.
• A primary base for ecotourism should be established by identifying tourism sites like parks, sanctuaries, etc.
• In eco-sensitive areas, restrictions on vehicles and several visitors should be imposed.
• Local arts, crafts, dishes and cuisines should be promoted and made an integral part of the tourist experience to ensure economic benefits to locals.
• Commercial trekking, and creating bamboo huts should be promoted to increase commercial tourism.
• Special attention should be paid to the recharge of groundwater and the quality of mountain lakes through the restoration of forests.
• Geological mapping should be conducted to identify the spring recharge zone, to locate geological structures.
• Nuclear water prospecting technologies should be used to map the water sources and prevent construction activities in such locations that could damage or adversely affect the resources.
• To protect the recharge zone from biotic interferences many engineering measures should be undertaken.
• Social fencing measures like digging shallow infiltration trenches, and mulching; construction of stone-mud check dams in gullies to store rainwater and check soil erosion; land levelling, and maintenance of crop field bunds to allow stagnation of rainwater should be enhanced.
• Vegetative measures to enhance rainwater infiltration and reduce runoff of rainwater.
• Involvement of stakeholder community should be ensured at every step of the spring sanctuary development.

Rain Water Harvesting

• The institutional and commercial buildings should not draw water from existing water supply schemes which adversely affect water supply to local villages.
• All buildings in urban areas should have provision for roof-top rainwater harvesting.
• Water harvesting in rural areas should be undertaken through percolation tanks and storage tanks.
• Rainwater collected through stormwater drains should be used to clean the waste disposal drains and sewers.
• To augment spring water discharge, spring sanctuary development should be undertaken in the spring recharge zones.
• Groundwater aquifer recharge structures should be constructed wherever such structures do not lead to slope instabilities.

The dumped material should be treated using bio-engineering and other appropriate techniques

• All hill roads should be provided with an adequate number of drains which should be kept free from blocks.
• The cross drains should be treated suitably using bio-engineering and other appropriate technologies to minimize slope instability.
• Runoff from roadside drains should be connected with the natural drains.
• Stone quarrying should be prohibited.
• Ridge alignment should be selected to minimize loss of vegetal cover.
• Fault zones and historically land slide-prone zones should be avoided during the alignment of roads.
• The construction should be carried out only after sufficient measures are taken to minimize the associated risks.

2. Sand mining

• Sand mining is the process of removal of sand and gravel, and this practice has become an environmental issue as the demand for sand increases in industry and construction.
• Sand is an important mineral in protecting the environment, buffering against strong tidal waves and storms, habitat for crustacean species and marine organisms, used for making concrete, building sites, filling roads, making glass, brick making, reclamations, sandpapers in our tourism industry in beach attractions.
• The Supreme Court passed orders to prohibit sand mining without the requisite clearance from the required authorities.
• The environmental reasons for this ban in India are numerous. The sand acts as an aquifer and as a Ural carpet on the bottom of the river.
• Stripping this layer may lead to downstream erosion, causing changes in channel bed as well as the deepening of rivers and estuaries and the enlargement of river mouths.
• As the river system lowers, local groundwater is affected, which leads to water scarcity in agriculture and local livelihoods.

Consequences of sand mining

• Revenue loss to the exchequer.
• Forcing the river to change its course. The sand prevents the river from changing its course and acts as a buffer for the river bed.
• Adversely impacting the habitat of micro-organisms. When sand is dredged, literally it takes away the habitat of many microbes.
• Depletion of groundwater tables. Sand on a riverbed acts as a link between the flowing river and the water table and is also a part of the aquifer.
• River erosion increases. When sand and boulders are removed in an impeded way using heavy machines, the erosion capacity of the river increases.
• Roads and bridges will get damaged.
• Coastal ecosystem will get damaged. The destructive illegal practice on beaches leads to erosion along the shoreline. Residents of Kihim Beach, Maharashtra have built walls to protect themselves against the reduced shore levels of the sea.
• Threat to agriculture- numerous prohibitions and regulations were brought, still sand mining is continuing. Water tables have dropped dramatically and land once known for rice harvest now faces scarcity of water.
• Availability of water reduced for industrial, agricultural and drinking purposes.
• Threat to livelihoods and loss of employment to workers.

Rules & policies relating to sand mining in different states-

Andhra Pradesh- To mine sand in riverbeds, only manual labour and bullocks were allowed according to the 2006 policy. Bullock carts, mules, and other animals would be exempted from mining tax. Sand can be sold only if it has a maximum retail price tag, or else a penalty will be issued. Mining will be disallowed below three meters and the use of proclainers is banned strictly.

Rivers affected- Godavari, Vamsadhara, Tungabhadra, Nagavali, Bahuda, Mahendratanaya.

Tamil Nadu- The Tamil Nadu government proposed a policy that ensures that quarrying of sand in Government poramboke lands and private patta lands will be undertaken by the government. Mechanized mining is prohibited. This policy was countermanded by the government and private parties were given permits for mining.

Rivers affected- Polar, Vaigai, Cauvery, Vellar, Cheyyar, Araniyar, Kosathalaiyar, Kollidam. Coastal districts of Nagapattinam, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, hill regions of Salem and Erode districts.

Karnataka- Karnataka High Court banned mechanized boats for sand mining in the state in April 2011. The Uniform Sand Mining Policy does not allow sand mining in the Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ) area and prohibits the use of machinery to mine sand from rivers. As per Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2011, the responsibility of oversight of sand mining was transferred to the public works, ports and inland water transport department.

Rivers affected- Nethravathi, Cauvery, Harangi, Papagani, Hemavathi, Lakshmanatheerta.

Kerala- Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001. To permit sand mining in selected areas(Kadavu), Kadavu will be managed by a Kadavu Committee that will decide on matters like the quantum of mining to be permitted and mobilize local people to oversee these operations and ensure the protection of rivers and riverbanks.

Rivers Affected- Kuttiyadi River, Bhavani, Siruvani, Thuthapuzha, Pampa, Manimala, Bharatapuzha, Achankovil, Periyar, Chitturpuzha rivers in the catchments of Ashtamudi and Vembanad lakes.

The Noida administration established a “special mining squad,” charged with the specific task of impeding and ultimately extricating Greater Noida from the sand mafia’s degradation.

A new policy in 2010, was framed under which contractors must obtain permission from the Gramasabha, for sand mining. There is a ban on the use of suction pumps in dredging and sand mining licenses can be given only through a bidding process.

Sustainable sand mining

• Mining out material only which is deposited annually is considered as sustainable mining.
• District survey report for each district in the country, considered the river in that district as an ecological system. Sand mining should be done only in this ecological system.
• Stringent monitoring of movement of mined-out material from source to destination using bar coding, information technology tools, SMS etc,
• Till now there is no authentic data on the amount of sand being mined, this system will generate real-time data on mined-out sand.
• The monitoring of mined-out minerals, Environmental Clearance(EC) conditions and enforcement of the Environment Management Plan(EMP) will be ensured by the District Collector and the State Pollution Control Board.
• The monitoring of enforcement of EC conditions can be done by the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the agency nominated by the Ministry for the purpose.
• There were proposals to exempt certain categories from mining for environmental clearance like-
• Removal of sand deposited on agricultural fields after flood by owner farmers.
• Extraction of ordinary clay or ordinary sand manually by hereditary Kumhars (potters) who prepare earthen pots on a cottage industry basis.
• Customary extraction of sand and ordinary earth from sources situated in Gram Panchayat for personal use or community work in a village.
• Dredging and desilting of reservoirs, dams, barrages, rivers and canals for maintenance and departmental use.
• Community works like desilting of village ponds/tanks, and construction of village / rural roads undertaken in MGNREGS and other government-sponsored schemes.

3. Bee colonies collapse

• Bees are one of the myriad of other animals which include beetles, butterflies, birds, and bats.
• Pollinators are organisms, that transfer pollen grains and seeds from one flower to another, helping in fertilization of plants.
• Bees are also called pollinators.
• Bees are small and hardworking insects that make it possible for many delicious foods.
• A condition called Colony Collapse Disorder is causing bee populations to plummet, which means the bees are at risk.
• Colony Collapse Disorder(CCD) is a new tag name presently given to a condition which is characterized by an unexplained rapid loss of bee colony’s adult population.
• Few dead bees were found near the colony leading to a reduction of the worker bee population.
• The queen bee, brood remained in the colony with abundant honey and pollen reserves.
• Hives cannot sustain themselves without worker bees and would eventually die.
• This event leading to the loss of a bee colony is called Colony Collapse Disorder(CCD).
• Reduction of bee population was seen in history and named as spring dwindle, autumn collapse, disappearing disease, may disease.

Causes

There are many causes for CCD.

Due to CCD the hives contain no adult bees, with few to no dead bees around the colony, and contain capped brood. The following are the few causes of CCD.

• Metal pollution: Bees absorb metal pollution from flowers that absorb the soil which is contaminated with pollutants, metals etc.
• Global warming: Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet’s overall temperatures. Flowers bloom earlier or later due to global warming. By the time the pollinators come out from hibernation, the flowers might have bloomed already.
• Parasites: European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that was detected in bee colonies, and is caused by a fungus.
• Pesticides: The sub-lethal exposure of pesticides in nectar and pollen may be interfering with the honey bees, preventing them from gathering pollen and returning safely to the hive. A neuroactive chemical called neonicotinoids plays a major role in this.
•  Malnutrition: Collecting the honey from the hives, makes the bees malnourished and weak immune. The honey is replaced with high fructose corn syrup which makes them weak.

During the collection of nectar from flowers, honeybees also collect pollen and a substance called propolis, which is used to make waxy honeycombs. The pollen and propolis are loaded with three types of components that can help the bees detoxify their cells and protect themselves from pesticides and microbes. Habitat loss and stress are the other reasons for increasing CCD.

Prevention

If CCD continues, the consequences for the agricultural economy and our ability to feed ourselves will be affected.

• Integrated pest management(IMP), technique should be used to minimize pesticides so that the risk to bees decreases.
• Farmers must be rewarded for practices that help wild bee populations thrive.
• Action should be taken to protect bees and other pollinators.
• City dwellers can also practice IPM where they live, Work and play to protect our health water quality and pollinators.
• Bee research should be strengthened and broadened to include research on pollinators besides honey bees.

 Neonicotinoids

• Neonicotinoids are a new class of insecticides which are chemically related to nicotine. Like nicotine, the neonicotinoids act on certain kinds of receptors in the nerve synapse. They are more toxic to invertebrates like insects. They act on the central nervous system of insects resulting in paralysis and death.
• Neonicotinoids are special because they are water-soluble, which allows them to be applied to soil and taken up by plants. Soil insecticide applications reduce the risk of insecticide drift from the target site and for at least some beneficial insects on plants.
•  Examples- are imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam.
• The nicotinic pesticides play a role in the recent pollinator decline. They are also persistent In the environment when used as seed treatments, translocate the residues in pollen and nectar of treated plants.
• Low-level exposures do not kill bees directly, but they may impact some bees' ability to collect nectar, memory loss, and possibly impair their ability to find their way home/hive.

4. Environmental issues of Palm Oil production

• Due to adequate availability, versatility in usage, lower cost and higher yield, palm oil emerged as the global source of vegetable oil.
• Palm oil forms 33% of the world's vegetable oil production.
• Malaysia and Indonesia contribute almost 85-87% of the production of palm oil; China and India constitute 34% of imports.
• Global edible oil consumption has grown from 123 Million Metric tonnes in 2007 to 158 MMT in 2012.
• As per WWF(World Wide Fund for Nature) estimates, the expansion of oil palm plantations is likely to cause 4 million hectares loss of forest land.
• The felling and burning of forests impact populations of endangered wildlife like rhinos, tigers, orangutans.

Uses of palm oil

• It is used as cooking oil, a substitute for butter, margarine, confectionery, ice creams, emulsifiers, and vitamin E supplements among others.
• It is used in cosmetics, soaps, detergents, toiletries, oleo chemical industries, base material for detergents household cleaners.
• 75% of palm oil across the globe is used for food purposes, while 24% is for industrial purposes. The remaining is used as biodiesel.

Impacts

• Loss of biodiversity- Concern about biodiversity loss is directly related to the loss of natural forests. The orangutan population has reduced gradually since 1900.
• Deforestation- Studies show that the forest cover of forest land declined from 74% to 50%. The tropical forests are cleared to make space for large plantations of palm trees.
• Usage of chemicals- Misuse of pesticides and fertilizers is frequently cited as a negative impact of oil palm cultivation. The Pesticide Action Network Asia has called for a ban on paraquat production and use on numerous occasions.
• Climate change- Land on mineral soil becomes less available, and the expansion of oil palm is increasing on peat lands. Deforestation is the main reason for human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Forests are destroyed, and peat swamps are drained and burnt, creating a haze that covers large areas, affecting people’s health and disrupting economic activities.

Palm oil in India

• India imports palm oil from Indonesia which is accelerating the destruction of rainforest.
• The expansion of palm oil plantations to meet the global demand for vegetable oils happens at the expense of forests, wildlife and communities.
• Palm oil contributes around 74% of the total edible oils that are imported into the country.
• Palm oil is the single largest consumed vegetable oil in India.
• India is the 4^th largest oilseed-producing country, but the oil production accounts for 0.2% of the world production of palm oil.
• Palm oil production in India has grown by 22.7% over the past five years in 2011.
• Andhra Pradesh is the leading palm oil-producing state in India contributing approximately 86% of the country’s production followed by Kerala and Karnataka.
• Other palm oil-producing states include Orissa, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.

 Cultivation

• A geographical area with 8⁰ latitudes North and South of the equator is ideal for palm cultivation.
• Palms need regular rainfall throughout the year. They can withstand dry periods of 3-4 months, depending on the soil type.
• It can be grown in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa.
• When compared with other oilseeds like mustard, it has very high productivity, but farmers have to wait for four years for the trees to obtain yield in India.

 Policies

• The Ministry of Food subsided imported edible oil distribution under the public distribution system(PDS).
• In BPL households, to provide relief, a scheme for the distribution of imported edible oils in 2008-09 at a subsidy of Rs15 per KG.
• After the implementation of the scheme edible oil prices have declined and poorer sections were provided edible oils at subsidized prices.
• The Oil Palm Development Program (OPDP) was launched during 1991-92 under the technology mission on Oilseeds Pulses(TMOP), to expand the area for oil palm cultivation.
• This scheme has become part of the ISOPOM-Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm & Maize, from 2004-05, to provide support for palm cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Orissa, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, West Bengal, Gujarat.
• Under Oil Palm Area Expansion (OPAE), 60,000 hectares were additionally added for palm cultivation.

RSPO

• Round Table Sustainable Oil was established in 2004 to promote the production and use of sustainable palm oil.
• It is committed to transparency, follows laws and regulations, long term economic and financial viability.
• It is responsible for the consideration of employees, individuals and communities affected by growers and mills.
• Environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
• 14% of palm oil is globally certified by RSPO.
• Palm oil can be a catalyst for development and to improve livelihoods. It can enhance biodiversity and decrease the sequestration of carbon dioxide when planted on degraded lands.

Other environmental issues

The remarkable increase in mobile phone users, accidents of wild animals with trains, and genetically modified trees are some of the other environmental issues.

Usage of mobile phones

• Each cell tower radiates electromagnetic power and impacts wildlife and human health.
• The power level near the tower is high and it gets reduced if one moves far away.
• A large number of birds die each year from collisions with telecommunication hence the bird population is reduced so much.
• Birds absorb a lot more radiation than humans or other organisms because of their small surface area.
• Magnetic radiation from the cell towers disturbs birds’ navigation skills and begin to fly in all directions.

Effects

• exposure to Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR), may lead to genetic defects, effects on reproductive systems, development of the fetus, and central nervous system.
• It causes cellular and psychological changes due to the absorption of microwave radiation.
• This radiation also affects the movement of calcium and other ions across cell membranes, which is responsible for fatigue, irritability, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, and psychological disorders.

Preventions

• Regular monitoring & auditing in places like hospitals, educational institutions, and residential areas including ecologically sensitive areas.
• MoEF needs to notify the impacts of communication towers on regulating the norms for notification of standards for a safe limit of EMR.
• State environment and forest departments are entrusted with the task of providing regular awareness among the people about norms on cell phone towers.
• The Department of Telecommunications should avoid overlapping of high radiation fields.
• The location of cell phone towers emitting EMR should be made available in the public domain.
• GIS mapping of all the cell phone towers is to be monitored around the wildlife-protected area and mobile towers.

5. Deaths of wild animals

• Accidents with trains pose a grave danger to wildlife and the conservation of our national biodiversity.
• Article 48A(DPSP)- directive principles of state policy of the Indian constitution, it states that the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment.
• Article 51A(fundamental duties) to protect and improve the natural environment like forests, rivers, lakes, and wildlife to have compassion for living creatures.

Precautions

• Vulnerable patches for wildlife to be identified as wildlife crossing spots, a sign has to be put up to warn train drivers and other railway personnel.
• MoEF and Railways need to enhance the safety of wildlife.
• Improvement in infrastructure for forest and railway staff like equipped with walkie-talkies, constant connection with control room etc.
• Forest officials should post the posters about movement of elephants, to enable authorities to take prevention in advance.
• Railway officials and forest field personnel should follow strict instructions emphasizing the importance of the protection and conservation of wildlife.

Genetically engineered Trees

• A genetically engineered tree is a tree whose DNA was modified using genetic engineering techniques.
• Genetically engineered trees were first tried in 1988 in Belgium when researchers began to develop poplar trees that were herbicide-resistant and grow faster.
• Researchers claim that GE trees are safer and there is no need to fear negative consequences.
• Under the Kyoto Protocol’s clean development mechanism, UN approved plantations of GE as carbon sinks.
• The changes in the metabolism of trees may occur many years after they are planted, trees are wild, and undomesticated.
• There are ecological risks associated with GE trees are far greater than the crops.
• The ethanol produced from food stocks came under attack, some companies see a bright future in non-food cellulose feedstock like GE trees.
• In India, the first experiment with genetically engineered trees was a rubber tree developed by the Rubber Research Institute in Kerala.
• The GE rubber tree was drought-resistant, and stress tolerant.
• The field trials for GE rubber trees were approved by the environmental minister.
• Diverse forests were simplified by the removal of multiple species and the establishment of monocultures that had commercial value.
• The establishment of GE trees may lead to further devastation of the natural environment and forests.

6. Environmental degradation in India

• Over 60% of India’s arable land is estimated to suffer from environmental degradation.
• This was caused by both rapidly growing poor populations seeking subsistence and by the misappropriation of natural resources by the wealthy for luxury consumption.
• Deforestation is officially cited at 0.37 million acres/year, with more sensitive estimates at 2.5 million acres /year.
• Deforestation and massive soil erosion have further created silting, flooding, and pollution in the plain areas of the country.
• The annual cost of environmental degradation in India is about 4 trillion rupees, according to a report released by the World Bank.
• The sustainable administration of the earth and natural resources is essential for financial development and human prosperity.
• The impacts of outdoor air pollution account for the highest share at 1.7% followed by the cost of indoor air pollution at 1.3%.
• The higher costs of outdoor/indoor air pollution are primarily driven by an elevated exposure of the young and productive urban population to particulate matter pollution that results in a substantial cardiopulmonary & chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality load among adults.
• A significant portion of diseases caused by poor water supply, sanitation and hygiene are born to children under 5.
• About 23% of child mortality in the country could be attributed to environmental degradation.
• Following the concept of growing economically now, cleaning up later will not be environmentally sustainable for the country.

Precautions to be taken by the Indian government

There are many steps to be taken to reduce pollution in India, especially air pollution. Some of them are-

• Management of hazardous, bio-medical wastes,
• Formulation of a comprehensive policy for abatement of pollution
• Tightening of vehicular and industrial emission norms
• Preparation and implementation of action plans for major cities and critically polluted areas.