CHAPTER-1

MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

AND NATURAL RESOURCES

UNIT I MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Definition Scope and importance Need for public awareness
NATURAL RESOURCES
Renewable and Non-renewable resources- Natural resources and Associated problems-
Forest resources:-Use and over Exploitation Deforestation Case studies Timber
extraction Mining Dams and their ground water Floods Drought Conflicts over
water Dams Benefits and Problems Mineral Resources:- Use Effects on Forests and
Tribal People Water Resources:- Use and Over-Utilization of Surface and Exploitation,
Environmental Effects of Extracting and Using Mineral Resources, Case Studies Food
Resources: World Food Problems, Changes caused by Agriculture and Overgrazing, Effects
of Modern Agriculture, Fertilizer- Pesticide Problems, Water Logging, salinity, Case Studies
Energy Resources:- Growing Energy Needs, Renewable and Non Renewable Energy
Sources, Use of Alternate Energy Sources, Case Studies

1.1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

1.1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word environment is derived from the French word which means
to
Thus our environment can be defined l, Cultural and Physical
conditions that surround, affect and influence the survival, growth and

This broad definition includes the natural world and the technological environment
as well as the cultural and social contexts that shape human lives.
It includes all factors (living and nonliving) that affect an individual organism or
population at any point in the life cycle; set of circumstances surrounding a
particular occurrence and all the things that surrounds us.

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 1.1.2 SEGMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment consists of four segments.
1. Atmosphere- Blanket of gases surrounding the earth.
2. Hydrosphere- Various water bodies present on the earth.
3. Lithosphere- Contains various types of soils and rocks on the earth.
4. Biosphere- Composed of all living organisms and their interactions with the
environment.
1.1.3 MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
The Environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it comprises various
branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science,
agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc.
It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It studies about the
sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical and biological species in
the air, water, soil and the effect of from human activity upon these.
As the environment is complex and actually made up of many different
environments like natural, constructed and cultural environments, environmental
studies is inter disciplinary in nature including the study of biology, geology,
politics, policy studies, law, religion engineering, chemistry and economics to

This subject educates the students to appreciate the complexity of environmental

issues and citizens and experts in many fields.
By studying environmental science, students may develop a breadth of the
interdisciplinary and methodological knowledge in the environmental fields that
enables them to facilitate the definition and solution of environmental problems.
1.1.4 SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It includes a large number of
areas and aspects, which may be summarized as follows:
Natural resources- their conservation and management
Ecology and Biodiversity
Environmental pollution and control
Human population and environment
Social issues in relation to development and environment

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 These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance
to every section of society. Several career options have emerged in these fields that are
broadly categorized as:
(i) Research and development in environment:
Skilled environmental scientists have an important role to play in examining various
environmental problems in a scientific manner and carry out R&D activities for
developing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development.
(ii) Green advocacy:
With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and Laws related to
environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to
plead the cases related to water, air, forest, wildlife, pollution and control etc.
(iii) Green marketing:
While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now there is an increasing
emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly. Such products have
ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors and environmental
managers would be in great demand in the coming years.
(iv) Green media:
Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media like
television, radio, newspaper, magazine, hoardings, advertisements etc., for which
environmentally educated persons are required.
(v) Environmental consultancy:
Many non-government organizations, industries and government bodies are
engaging environmental consultants for systematically studying and tackling
environment related problems.

1.1.5 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The importance of environmental studies is that, the current trend of environmental
degradation can be reversed if people of educated communities are organized,
empowered and experts are involved in sustainable development.
Environmental factors greatly influence every organism and their activities.

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 At present a great number of environmental issues, have grown in size and
complexity day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. These issues
are studied besides giving effective suggestions in the environment studies.
The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and
conservation of our natural resources, indiscriminate release of pollution into the
environment etc.
Environment studies have become significant for the following reasons:
1. Environment Issues being of International Importance:
It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming, ozone
depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and loss of biodiversity are not merely national
issues but are global issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and
cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development:
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth,
Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become
phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their own environment has,
fact fully, manag
did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of its activities. Evidently
such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if developing world follows that.
3. Explosively Increase in Pollution:
World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this plant lives in India.
Evidently with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land
area, there is a heavy pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural
experts have recognized soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and
organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
4. Need for An Alternative Solution:
It is essential, specially for developing countries to find alternative paths to an
alternative goal. We need a goal as under:
(1) A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of development an environmentally
sound and sustainable development.
(2) A goal common to all citizens of our earth.

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 (3) A goal distant from the developing world in the manner it is from the over-

5. Need To Save Humanity From Extinction:

It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from extinction. Consequences to our
activities cause destructing the environment and depleting the biosphere, in the
name of development.
6. Need For Wise Planning of Development:
Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources withdraw, processing and use of the
product have all to be synchronized with the ecological c ycles in any plan of
development. Our actions should be planned ecologically for the sustenance of the
environment and development.

1.1.6 NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

1. Growing Population: A population of over thousands of millions is growing at
2.11 per cent every year. Over 17 million people are added each year. It puts
considerable pressure on its natural resources and reduces the gains of
development. Hence, the greatest challenge before us is to limit the population
growth. Although population control does automatically lead to development, yet
the development leads to a decrease in population growth rates.
2. Poverty: India has often been described a rich land with poor people. The poverty
and environmental degradation are mixed with one another. The vast majority of
our people are directly dependent on the nature resources of the country for their
basic needs of food, fuel shelter and fodder. About 40% of our people are still
below the poverty line.
3. Environment degradation has adversely affected the poor who depend upon the
resources of their immediate surroundings. Thus, the challenge of poverty and the
challenge of environment degradation are two facets of the same challenge.
4. Agricultural Growth: The people must be made familiar with the methods to
sustain and increase agricultural growth without damaging the environment. High
yielding varieties have caused soil salinity and damage to physical structure of soil.
5. Need to Increase Ground water: It is essential of rationalizing the use of
groundwater. Factors like community wastes, industrial effluents, chemical

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 fertilizers and pesticides have polluted our surface water and affected quality of the
groundwater. It is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers and other
water bodies. Suitable strategies for conservation of water, provision of safe
drinking water and keeping water bodies clean should be developed.
6. Development and Forests: Forests serve catchments for the rivers. With
increasing demand of water, plan to harness the mighty river through large
irrigation projects were made. Certainly, these would submerge forests; displace
local people, damage flora and fauna. As such, the dams on the river Narmada,
Bhagirathi and elsewhere have become areas of political and scientific debate.
Forests in India have been shrinking for several centuries owing to pressures of
agriculture and other uses. Vast areas that were once green, stand today as waste
lands. These areas are to be brought back under vegetative cover. The tribal
communities inhabiting forests, respects the trees, birds and animals give them
sustenance. We must recognize the role of these people in restoring and conserving
forests. The modern knowledge and skills of the forest department should be
integrated with the traditional knowledge and experience of the local communities.
The strategies for the joint management of forests should be evolved in a well
planned way.
7. Degradation of Land: At present out of the total 329 mha of land, only 266 mha
possess any potential for production. Of this, 143 mha is agricultural land nearly
and 85 suffers from varying degrees of soil degradation. Of the remaining 123 mha,
40 are completely unproductive. The remaining 83 mha is classified as forest land,
of which over half is denuded to various degrees. Nearly 406 million head of
livestock have to be supported on 13 mha, or less than 4 per cent of the land
classified as pasture land, most of which is overgrazed. Thus, out of 226 mha,
about 175 mha or 66 per cent is degraded to varying degrees. Water and wind
erosion causes further degradation of almost 150 mha This degradation is to be
avoided.
8. Evil Consequences of Urbanization: Nearly 27% of Indians live in urban areas.
Urbanization and industrialization has given birth to a great number of
environmental problems. Over 30 percent of urban Indians live in slums. Out of

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 facilities. Hence, coping with rapid urbanization is a major challenge.
9. Air and water Pollution: Majority of our industrial plants are using outdated and
pollution causing technologies and makeshift facilities devoid of any provision of
treating their wastes. A great number of cities and industrial areas have been
identified as the worst in terms of air and water po llution. Acts are enforced in the
country, but their implement is not so easy. The reason is their implementation
needs great resources, technical expertise, political and social will. Again the people
are to be made aware of these rules. Their support is indispensable to implement
these rules.

1.1.7 INSTITUTIONS IN ENVIRONMENT

Managing natural resources require efficient institutions at all levels i.e. local,
national, regional and global. Among the large number of institutions that deal with
environmental protection and conservation, a few well-known organization include
government organizations like the BSI and ZSI, and NGOs like the BNHS, WWF-1, etc.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai
World Wide fund for nature- India (WWF-1), New Delhi
Centre or science and environment (CSE), New Delhi
C.P.R Environmental Education Centre, Madras
Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Institute of Environment Education &
Research, Pune
The Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)
Wild life Institute of India (WII), Dehradhun
Zoological survey of India (ZSI)
The madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT)
Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

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