Environmental Policies and Practices

Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain are
environmental issues that have significant impacts on human communities and
vegetation. Each of these phenomena is associated with specific challenges and
consequences:

Climate Change and Global Warming:

Global warming is a specific aspect of climate change, referring specifically to

the increase in Earth's average surface temperature. Climate change, on the other
hand, is a more comprehensive term that encompasses various long-term changes
in the Earth's climate system, including but not limited to temperature increases.
Both terms are used to describe the ongoing environmental changes driven by
natural and human-induced factors. The distinctions are important for
understanding the multifaceted nature of the changes occurring in the Earth's
climate.

Global Warming:

Definition: Global warming specifically refers to the long-term increase in

Earth's average surface temperature. It focuses on the rising temperatures
observed globally over the past century.

Cause: The primary cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gas
concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) from
the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities.

Effect: The warming of the Earth's surface leads to various consequences,

including the melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, changes in weather
patterns, and impacts on ecosystems.

Climate Change:
Definition: Climate change is a broader term that encompasses long-term
changes in the Earth's climate, including variations in temperature, precipitation,
wind patterns, and other climate parameters.

Causes: While human activities, such as the emission of greenhouse gases,

contribute significantly to contemporary climate change, natural factors such as
volcanic eruptions, solar radiation variability, and Earth's orbital changes also
influence climate over geological time scales.

Effects: Climate change includes a range of impacts beyond temperature

increases, such as altered precipitation patterns, changes in the frequency and
intensity of extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes, droughts), and shifts in
ecosystems and biodiversity.

Impacts on Human Communities:

• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of extreme

weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves, can
lead to loss of life, property damage, and displacement of communities.
• Rising Sea Levels: As global temperatures rise, polar ice caps and glaciers
melt, causing sea levels to rise. This poses a threat to low-lying coastal
communities, leading to the erosion of shorelines and increased risk of
flooding.
• Food Security: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can
affect crop yields, leading to food shortages and increased prices,
impacting communities that rely on agriculture.
• Health Impacts: The spread of diseases may increase as changing climate
patterns affect the distribution of disease vectors such as mosquitoes and
ticks.

Impacts on Vegetation:
 • Shifts in Ecosystems: Changes in temperature and precipitation can alter
the distribution of plant species, leading to shifts in ecosystems and
potentially threatening biodiversity.
• Increased Wildfires: Warmer temperatures and prolonged droughts
contribute to an increased risk of wildfires, which can devastate forests and
other ecosystems.

Ozone Layer Depletion:

Impacts on Human Communities:

• Increased UV Radiation: Depletion of the ozone layer allows more

ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface. This
can lead to an increase in skin cancers, cataracts, and other health issues in
humans.
• Impact on Immune System: Exposure to increased UV radiation can
weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to
infections and diseases.

Impacts on Vegetation:

• Reduced Crop Yields: Some plants are sensitive to increased UV radiation,

which can affect their growth and productivity. This, in turn, can impact
agricultural yields.

Acid Rain:

Impacts on Human Communities:

• Water Contamination: Acid rain can lead to the acidification of lakes,

rivers, and soil, impacting water quality and potentially harming aquatic
life.
• Infrastructure Damage: Buildings, statues, and other structures can be
corroded and damaged by acid rain.
Impacts on Vegetation:

• Soil Acidification: Acid rain can leach essential nutrients from the soil,
affecting plant health and growth.
• Direct Damage to Leaves: The acidic nature of rain can damage the leaves
of plants and trees, making them more susceptible to diseases and other
stressors.

Addressing these environmental challenges requires international cooperation,

sustainable practices, and the adoption of policies aimed at mitigating the causes
and adapting to the changing conditions.

Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Biodiversity Act-2002;

Wildlife (Protection) Act; Forest Conservation Act.

Environmental laws in India are essential components of the legal framework

designed to protect the country's natural resources, biodiversity, and overall
environmental health. They provide a basis for regulatory measures, conservation
efforts, and sustainable development practices. Enforcement and compliance with
these laws play a crucial role in achieving environmental sustainability and
balance.

Environment Protection Act (1986):

Objective: The Environment Protection Act was enacted with the objective of
protecting and improving the environment and preventing hazards to human
beings, wildlife, and ecosystems.

Key Provisions:

• Empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and

improving the quality of the environment.
• Authorizes the central government to establish standards for emissions and
discharge of pollutants.
 • Provides for the regulation of hazardous substances.
• Establishes the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to coordinate
environmental protection activities.

Biodiversity Act (2002):

Objective: The Biodiversity Act aims to conserve biological diversity, ensure

sustainable use of its components, and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of
benefits arising from the use of biological resources.

Key Provisions:

• Establishes the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) to regulate

activities related to access to biological resources and associated
knowledge.
• Requires prior approval for accessing biological resources and traditional
knowledge.
• Promotes conservation of biodiversity through the development of People's
Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) at the local level.

Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972):

Objective: The Wildlife (Protection) Act aims to provide for the protection of
wildlife and their habitats, as well as the regulation of trade in wildlife and their
derivatives.

Key Provisions:

• Categorizes wildlife into different schedules, offering varying degrees of

protection.
• Prohibits hunting, poaching, and trading in specified wildlife species
without proper permits.
• Establishes wildlife sanctuaries and national parks for the conservation of
habitats.
Forest Conservation Act (1980):

Objective: The Forest Conservation Act seeks to conserve forests and wildlife
by regulating diversion of forest lands for non-forest purposes.

Key Provisions:

• Requires prior approval from the central government for diverting forest
land for non-forest activities such as mining, industry, and infrastructure
development.
• Aims to ensure the sustainable use of forest resources and the protection of
ecosystems.

International agreements: Montreal and Kyoto protocols and Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD).

These international agreements represent significant efforts to address global

environmental challenges. The Montreal Protocol has been successful in phasing
out ozone-depleting substances, leading to the recovery of the ozone layer. The
Kyoto Protocol laid the foundation for international cooperation on climate
change mitigation, and its principles continue to influence climate action. The
Convention on Biological Diversity emphasizes the importance of biodiversity
conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources on a global scale. Each
of these agreements reflects the international community's commitment to
addressing pressing environmental issues through collaboration and shared
responsibility.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987):

Objective: The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental treaty aimed

at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of
ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
Key Provisions:

• Sets specific phase-out schedules for the production and consumption of

ODS, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone-
depleting chemicals.
• Establishes a Multilateral Fund to assist developing countries in meeting
their obligations under the protocol.
• Amendments to the protocol have been made over the years to accelerate
the phase-out of additional ODS.

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (1997):

Objective: The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that aims to address
global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Provisions:

• Sets binding emission reduction targets for developed countries (Annex I

parties) during the first commitment period (2008-2012).
• Introduces market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading, the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI) to
promote cost-effective emission reductions.
• Provides flexibility for Annex I countries to meet their targets through
domestic measures or by investing in emissions reduction projects in other
countries.
• The protocol has been succeeded by the Paris Agreement, which builds
upon its principles and expands the scope of climate action.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992):

Objective: The Convention on Biological Diversity is a multilateral treaty that
aims to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use of its components,
and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic
resources.

Key Provisions:

• Three main objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its

components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic
resources.
• Establishes national biodiversity strategies and action plans for each
signatory country.
• Promotes the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through the
creation of protected areas and the management of ecosystems.
• Addresses issues related to access to genetic resources and the sharing of
benefits through the Nagoya Protocol, a supplementary agreement to the
CBD.

Tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts in Indian

context.

Tribal populations and their rights, as well as human-wildlife conflicts, are

significant issues that have implications for conservation, development, and the
well-being of both humans and wildlife.

Tribal Populations and Rights:

1. Recognition of Tribal Rights:

• Constitutional Safeguards: The Constitution of India recognizes the

special status of tribal communities (Scheduled Tribes) and provides for
 protective measures to safeguard their distinct culture, language, and way
of life.
• Scheduled Areas and Tribes Advisory Council: Areas with a significant
tribal population are designated as Scheduled Areas, and the governor of
the state administers these areas with the assistance of the Tribes Advisory
Council.
2. Forest Rights Act (2006):
• Objective: The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, commonly known as the Forest Rights
Act (FRA), aims to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in
forest land to tribal and other traditional forest dwellers.
• Community Forest Rights: The FRA recognizes community forest rights,
empowering tribal communities to protect and manage their customary
forests.
3. PESA Act (1996):
• Objective: The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, or PESA,
grants autonomy to tribal communities in Scheduled Areas and seeks to
empower local self-governance institutions.

Challenges:

• Displacement: Tribal communities often face displacement due to

development projects, affecting their traditional lifestyles and leading to
social and economic challenges.
• Land Alienation: Land alienation remains a concern, as tribal lands are
sometimes encroached upon or taken over for various purposes.

Human-Wildlife Conflicts:

Context in India:
 • Habitat Loss: As human populations expand and agricultural activities
increase, wildlife habitats are encroached upon, leading to increased
interactions and conflicts.
• Protected Areas: Many wildlife species are found in protected areas, and
conflicts arise when these animals venture into human settlements located
in the vicinity.

Legal Framework: - Wildlife Protection Act (1972): This act provides for
the protection of wildlife and establishes procedures for declaring certain
animals as "dangerous," allowing for their management in case of conflicts.

Conflict Hotspots:

• Elephant-Human Conflicts: States like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and

West Bengal face conflicts with elephants, leading to crop damage and
human casualties.
• Leopard and Tiger Conflicts: Areas around tiger reserves, like in parts of
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, witness conflicts between humans and
animals.

Mitigation Measures:

• Community-Based Conservation: Involving local communities in

conservation efforts and providing them with incentives for coexistence.
• Early Warning Systems: Implementing technology-driven systems to
alert communities about the movement of wildlife.
• Compensation Schemes: Providing compensation for crop damage and
loss of human life to reduce hostility towards wildlife.

Challenges:
 • Inadequate Compensation: The compensation provided may not always
be sufficient to cover losses, leading to discontent among affected
communities.
• Lack of Awareness: Limited awareness about wildlife behavior and
mitigation measures can contribute to conflicts.
• Fragmentation of Habitats: Fragmentation of wildlife habitats due to
development activities exacerbates conflicts.

Efforts are ongoing to strike a balance between conservation, tribal rights, and
mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Sustainable and inclusive conservation
strategies, community engagement, and the recognition of the rights of both tribal
communities and wildlife are essential for fostering harmony and coexistence.