UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

Development and Environment

Development is defined as the process of growth and change in human social,
political, and economic systems. The two terms have traditionally intersected in
developing areas where one or more natural resources have been utilized to
promote economic growth. This intersection has been extended in the recent
literature to include not only the impact of development on environment but also
human perceptions of environment in the development process and the role of
non-human actors in development. "Developing areas are defined as those places
where economic and/or social development has been slower, hindered, or in
some way less than average. This need not refer to country or continental units of
space, nor need it be restricted to the "global south" or "Third World." Those
terms often connote a homogeneity that research has shown to be problematic.

UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021)

The Strategic Plan developed by United Nations help countries to achieve their
sustainable development goals. UNDP (United Nations Development Plan)
provide guidelines and support to developing nations in setting up their targets
for sustainable development.

Key Areas of UNDP Strategic Plan

• Eradicating poverty.
• Addressing climate change.
• Improving adolescent and maternal health.
• Achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
• Ensuring greater availability and use of disaggregated data for sustainable
development.

Features of UNDP Strategic Plan

• Strong commitment to eradicate poverty.
• Become a trusted partner to evolve development in member countries.
• Be innovative and enterprising.
• Take and manage risks.

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• Utilize resources judiciously.
• Become a thought leader.

UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

At United Nations Millennium Summit (Sep 2000), world leaders agreed to eight
specific and measurable development goals—later came to be known as the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There were 8 MDGs, 18 targets and 48
indicators to measure the results. The target year was 2015.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

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India's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. 193 member countries, including India, got committed
to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that require efforts to end all forms of
poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change while ensuring that no one
was left behind.
India played a significant role in making the declaration and its progress in
achieving these goals are crucial for the world as it is home to about 17% of the
world population. The SDG India index, released by the NITI Aayog and the United
Nations, shows that the nation has a score of 58, a little beyond halfway mark in
meeting the target set for 2030.
What are SDG goals?

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• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born at the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
• The objective was to produce a set of universal goals that meet the urgent
environmental, political and economic challenges facing the world.
• The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) started, and tackle some of the more pressing challenges.
• All 17 Goals interconnect, success in one-goal motivates for the success of others.
• For example, dealing with the threat of climate change impacts how we manage
our fragile natural resources, achieving gender equality or better health helps
eradicate poverty, and fostering peace and inclusive societies will reduce
inequalities and help economies prosper.

Why focus on Sustainable Development?

• "Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the
present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs”.
• The focus of sustainable development is far broader than just the environment.
It's also about ensuring a strong, healthy and just society.
• This means meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future
communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion, and inclusion, and
creating equal opportunity.
• The rampant growth of industry had adversely affected the environment and is
also against the ethos of sustainable development.
• In 2018 itself we are 1.1 degrees above the pre-industrial temperature already.
And if the greenhouse emissions are not drastically cut then by the end of the
century the rise of the temperature could be 3—3.5 degree. Such an increase
would have an irreversible and catastrophic impact across the world.

SDG India Index - Baseline Report 2018

• NITI Aayog undertook the extensive exercise of measuring India and its States’
progress towards the SDGs for 2030, culminating in the development of the first
SDG India Index - Baseline Report 2018.

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• The SDG India Index is intended to provide a holistic view of the social, economic
and environmental status of the country and its States and UTs.
• It has been designed to provide an aggregate assessment of the performance of
all Indian States and UTs and to help leaders and change makers evaluate their
performance on social, economic and environmental parameters.
• The Index has been constructed spanning across 13 out of 17 SDGs (leaving out
Goals 12, 13, 14 and 17).
• It tracks the progress of all the States and Union Territories (UTs) on a set of 62
National Indicators, measuring their progress on the outcomes of interventions
and schemes of the Government of India.
• The SDG Index Score for Sustainable Development Goals 2030 ranges between 42
and 69 for States and between 57 and 68 for UTs.

Performance of States
• Among the States, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh are the front runners with an
SDG India Index score of 69. Among the UTs, Chandigarh is a front-runner with a
score of 68.
• Kerala’s top rank is attributed to its superior performance in providing good
health, reducing hunger, achieving gender equality and providing quality
education.
• Himachal Pradesh ranks high in providing clean water and sanitation, in reducing
inequalities and preserving mountain ecosystem.
• Among the UTs, Chandigarh takes the lead because of its exemplary performance
in providing clean water and sanitation to its people.
• On the other hand states like Assam, Bihar and UP have featured badly in the
index as their score was below 49.
• The Index can be useful to States/UTs in assessing their starting point on the SDGs
in the following ways, by
• Supporting States/UTs to benchmark their progress against national targets and
performance of their peers to understand the reasons for differential
performance and devise better strategies to achieve the SDGs by 2030
• Supporting States/UTs to identify priority areas in which they need to invest and
improve by enabling them to measure incremental progress.

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• Highlighting data gaps related across SDGs for India to develop its statistical
systems at the national and State levels.

SDGs and India’s Commitment

• Clean Fuel
India introduces BS-VI petrol and diesel. Delhi will be the first city to leapfrog from
BS-IV to BS-VI. 13 major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, etc. will make the
shift from 1st Jan 2019. The rest of the country will make the change from April
2020 next year.

• No Plastics
India has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022.

• International Solar Alliance (ISA)

ISA is a group of 121 solar rich countries which are situated either on or between
the tropics. Aims to deploy over 1000 GW of solar energy and mobilize more than
$1000 billion into solar power by 2030.

• Climate Change
To reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from
2005 level.
To achieve about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from
non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030, with the help of transfer of
technology and low- cost international finance, including from Green Climate
Fund.
To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent
through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, associated 169 targets and 304
indicators. This included the following goals:

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization
and foster innovation
10.Reduce inequality within and among countries
11.Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12.Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13.Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14.Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development
15.Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16.Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions
at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development

Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) Vs Sustainable

Development Goals(SDGs)
Read more about millennium development goals (MDGs).
As the MDG deadline approaches, about 100 crore people still live on less than
$1.25 a day – the World Bank measure on poverty. More than 80 crore people do
not have enough food to eat. Now let’s have a quick look on why we need SDGs.
• MDGs were too narrow.

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• MDGs failed to consider the root causes of poverty.
• The millennium development goals made no mention of human rights.
• In reality MDGs were considered targets for poor countries to achieve from the
finance of wealthy countries.
• Every country will be expected to work towards achieving the SDGs.
• Goal 16 has a target to promote the rule of law and equal access to justice.
• MDGs were drawn up by a group of men in the basement of UN headquarters.
• Establishing post-2015 goals was an outcome of the Rio+20 summit in 2012,
which mandated the creation of an open working group to come up with a draft
agenda. Alongside the open working group discussions, the UN conducted a series
of “global conversations”.

Criticisms of SDGS
• Some countries feel that an agenda consisting of 17 goals is too unwieldy to
implement or sell to the public, and would prefer a narrower brief.
• Some feel that 15 years is a long duration to end global poverty and hunger.

Human Development Index (HDI)

• HDI is a statistical tool used to measure a country's overall achievement in its
social and economic dimensions.
• It is one of the best tools to keep track of the level of development of a country,
as it combines all major social and economic indicators that are responsible for
economic development.
• Pakistani economist Mahbub-ul-Haq created HDI in 1990 which was further used
to measure the country's development by the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP).
• Every year UNDP ranks countries based on the HDI report released in their annual
report.

Various indicators under HDI

• Calculation of the index combines four major indicators: life expectancy for
health, expected years of schooling, mean of years of schooling for education and
GNI per capita for the standard of living.

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• For the first time, the UNDP introduced a new metric to reflect the impact caused
by each country's per-capita carbon emissions and its material footprint.
• This is Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI or PHDI.
• It measured the amount of fossil fuels, metals and other resources used to make
the goods and services it consumes.
• The report found that no country has yet been able to achieve a very high level of
development without putting a huge strain on natural resources.

Reasons For India's Underperformance on HDI

India is ranked 131st in the 2020 HDI, with a per capita income of $6,681, a notch
lower than its 2019 ranking of 129th. Deep rootedsocietal and economic
disadvantages are to account for a poor ranking for an economy that is in the

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world's top six in terms of size. The following causes can be attributed to India's
poor HDI performance:
• Increasing Income Inequalities: Income disparities amplify failures on other HDI
human development indices. In countries with substantial income disparity,
intergenerational income mobility is lower.
• Gender Inequality: According to statistics, female per capita income in India is
just 21.8 percent of that of males, although it is more than twice in other
emerging countries, at 49 percent.
• Cumulative Impact: These elements have a long-term impact that spans
generations. This intergenerational loop deprives people at the bottom of the
pyramid of opportunity.

Highlights of the 2019 Report

• Norway, which tops the HDI, falls 15 places if this metric is used, leaving Ireland at
the top of the table.
• In fact, 50 countries would drop entirely out of the "very high human
development group" category, using this new metric PHDI.
• Australia falls 72 places in the ranking, while the US and Canada would fall 45 and
40 places respectively, reflecting their disproportionate impact on natural
resources.
• The oil and the gas-rich Gulf States also fell steeply. China would drop 16 places
from its current ranking of 85.

Indian scenario
• If the Index were adjusted to assess the planetary pressures caused by each
nation's development, India would move up eight places in the rankings.
• China's net emissions (8 gigatonnes) are 34% below its territorial emissions (12.5
gigatonnes) compared with 19% in India and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa.

HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

Human and environment interaction can be defined as the interaction between
the human social system and the ecosystem. Human have changed the physical,
ecological and biological components of the Earth's planetary systems to an

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astonishing degree. Those environmental changes impact human population in
return and continue to shift, often in unanticipated ways.

Anthropogenic Activities and their Impacts on

Environment
Anthropogenic activities are those that are derived from human activities, as
opposed to those occurring in natural environments without human influences.
The term is often used 1n the context of environmental externalities in the form
of chemical or biological wastes that are produced as byproducts of otherwise
purposeful human activities. For instance, it is widely believed that the production
of carbon dioxide is the primary factor deriving anthropogenic climate change.

Let us discuss the effects or impacts of anthropogenic activities on environment:

Impacts on Environment
1. Impact on Agriculture The anthropogenic activities in the environment cause
topographic changes that have strong repercussions like deforestation, soil
erosion, depletion of nutrients, etc. agricultural activities contribute to soil
contamination by introducing pollutanta or toxic substances such as cadmium by
application of mineral phosphate fertilizers.

2. Impact on Marine Fisheries Anthropogenic impact on the water ecosystem

can be defined as a cumulative manifestation of all kinds human activity which
cause hidden disturbances in the natural structure and function of water biotic
communities, diminishing fisheries and other negative effects of ecological,
economic or socio economic nature. Large inputs of waste of domestic and
industrial nature including oil pollution has burdened the marine environment,
which further reduced biodiversity.

3. Arctic Melting The changes in the Earth's climate from human influence are
occurring particularly intensely in the Arctic region, evidenced by widespread
melting of glaciers, thinning sea ice and permafrost temperatures. With some of
the most rapid and severe climate change on Earth, "the Arctic regions melting

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contributed to sea levels rising globally by an average of about three inches in the
past twenty years.

4. Mining Activities Mining refers to the extraction of minerals and metals from
the Earth. It can cause environmental and health problems due to leaching of
tone substances into the
ground and surface water. It can also lead to ecosystem degradation. Overburden
dumps are man-made habitat causing multi-farious environmental problems
ranging from erosion and enhancing sediment load in receiving water bodies, dust
pollution, etc.

5. Impact of Construction Activities Construction activities impact on the

environment throughout the life cycle development. These impacts occur initial
work on site through construction period, operational period and to the final
demolition.

Environment
• Environment is the natural component in which biotic (living) and abiotic (non-
living) factors
interact among themselves and with each other.
• These interactions shape the habitat and eco-system of an organism.
• In biological sense, environment constitutes the physical (nutrients, water, air)
and biological factors
• (biomolecules, organisms) along with their chemical interactions (chemical cycles
– carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle etc.) that affect an organism or a group of
organisms.
• All organisms are dependent on the environment to carry out their natural life
processes and to meet their physical requirements (food, energy, water, oxygen,
shelter etc.)

Biosphere
• The biosphere is the biological component (supporting life) of earth which
includes the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
• The biosphere includes all living organisms on earth, together with the dead
organic matter produced by them.

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Biosphere is absent at extremes of the North and South poles, the highest
mountains and the deepest oceans, since existing hostile conditions there do not
support life (life is the characteristic feature of biosphere).
Occasionally spores of fungi and bacteria do occur at great height beyond 8,000
metres, but they are metabolically inactive, and hence represent only dormant
life.

Habitat
• A single habitat may be common for more than one organism which have
similar requirements.
• For example, a single aquatic habitat may support a fish, frog, crab,
phytoplankton and many others.
• The various species sharing a habitat thus have the same 'address'. Eg, Forest,
river etc.

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Difference between Habitat and Environment

• A habitat is always a preference of one species.
• An environment could be a preference of many species that could eventually
become many habitats.
• Usually, the environment governs the properties of a habitat, but not vice versa.

Ecosystem
• An ecosystem can be visualised as a functional unit of nature, where living
organisms (producers,
• consumers, and decomposers) interact among themselves and also with the
surrounding physical
• environment.
• An ecosystem can be of any size but usually encompasses specific and limited
species. E.g. Aquatic Ecosystem. (This is how ecosystem is different from
Environment)
• In the ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through
nutrient cycles and energy flows.
• Everything that lives in an ecosystem is dependent on the other species and
elements that are also part of that ecological community.
• if one part of an ecosystem is damaged or disappears, it has an impact on
everything else.

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Classification of Ecosystems
• Forest, grassland and desert are some examples of terrestrial ecosystems; pond,
lake, wetland, river and estuary are some examples of aquatic ecosystems.
• Crop fields and an aquarium are human-made ecosystems.

Difference between Ecology, Environment & Ecosystem

• Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms, organisms and the
surroundings occurring] within an ecosystem or environment.
• An ecosystem is a functional unit of the environment (mostly biosphere).
• An environment is a group of ecosystems.

Environment ➔ Can be almost everything or a small region

Habitat ➔ Area where an organism lives.
Biosphere ➔ The region on earth that supports life
Ecosystem ➔ Producers, Consumers, Decomposers and their relationships (tiny
environment). It is the
functional unit of the environment

Components of an Ecosystem
• The components of the ecosystem are categorized into biotic or non-living and
biotic or living components. Both the components of the ecosystem and
environment are the same.
Abiotic Components
• Abiotic components are the inorganic and non-living parts which act as major
limiting factors.
Light
• The spectral quality of solar radia in is important for life.
• The UV component of the spectrum is harmful to many organisms.

Rainfall
• Majority of biochemical reactions take place in an aqueous medium.

Temperature
• A few organisms can tolerate and thrive in a wide range of temperatures (they
are called eurytherm mal).

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• A vast majority of them are restricted to a narrow range of temperatures
(stenothermal):

Biotic Components
Primary producers or Autotrophs (self-nourishing)
• Primary producers are green plants, certain bacteria and algae that carry out
photosynthesis.
• In the aquatic ecosystem, microscopic algae(plankton) are the primary producers.

Consumers or Heterotrophs or Phagotrophs (other nourishing)

• Consumers are incapable of producing their own food.
• They depend on organic food derived from plants, animals or both.
• Consumers can be divided into two broad groups namely micro and macro
consumers.

Macro consumers
• Herbivores are primary consumers which feed mainly on plants. E.g, sheep,
rabbit, etc.
• Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers. E.g, wolves, dogs, snake, etc.

1) THE LITHOSPHERE
• Carnivores which feed on both primary and secondary consumers are lion (can
eat wolves), snakes etc.
• Omnivores are organisms which consume both plants a I animals. Eg, man, bear,
pig, etc. It is believed lithosphere
• Micro consumers or Saprotrophs (decomposers or osmotrophs)
• They are bacteria and fungi which obtain energy and nutrients from dead organic
substances (detritus).
• Earthworm and certain soil organisms (such as nematodes, and arthropods) are
detritus feeders and help in the decomposition of organic matter and are called
detrivores.

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• it is believed lithosphere evolved about 4.6 billion years ago. The lithosphere
refers to the solid, rocky crust that covers the entire planet. This solid, rocky crust
is composed of a number of different rocks that have been grouped

Structure of Environment
into three categories based on how they are formed. These three groups include:
The area near the surface of the earth can be divided up into four interconnected
geo-spheres that
make up the carbon cycle these include:
Lithosphere-litho referring to rocks and minerals
Hydrosphere- hydro referring to water Biosphere-bio referring to life
Atmosphere- atmo referring to steam and vapour
• Metamorphic rocks- Metamorphic rocks are formed by heat and/or pressure from
pre-existing rocks.
• Igneous rocks- Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling of hot molten rocks also
known as magma. When the hot magma cool it begins to harden meaning once it
had fully cooled it create what is known to be an igneous rock.
• Sedimentary rocks- Sedimentary rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks. When
rocks erode and mix with other dirt =, clay and particles ten settle together the
mix together to from a sedimentary rock.

1) THE HYDROSPHERE
The hydrosphere refers to the most important resource. The hydrosphere include
all from of water in the Earth’s environment. The forms of water include things
such as the ocean, lakes, river, snow and glaciers, water underneath the earth’s
surface and the water in motion as seen through the movement and flow of
water in rivers, streams and ocean (beach). Plant and animals organism rely on
the hydrosphere for their survival as water is essential. The hydrosphere is also
home to many plants and animals and it believed that the hydrosphere covers
approximately 70% of the earth’s surface.

2) THE BIOSPHERE
The biosphere is composed of all living organism, including; Plant and animals. It
is believed that all life exists in the biosphere. Most of the living organisms are

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found from up to three meters below ground to thirty meters above it and also in
the 200 ,meters of the ocean and seas.
The biosphere could not survive if it wasn’t for the other sphere as all organisms
need water from the hydrosphere, minerals for the lithosphere and gases from
the atmosphere. Energy flow is essential to maintain the structure of organisms
by the splitting of phosphate bonds.

3) ATMOSPHERE
Atmosphere consists of a number of gases, dust and water vapour. The changes in
the atmosphere produce change in the weather and climate. It consists of
different layers like:
i) Troposphere It is the lowest of atmosphere. Almost all weather developments
occur in the troposphere. Air in the troposphere thins as altitude increases and
the temperature also decreases. This layer is also known as a connective layer.
ii) Stratosphere It is the second layer of the atmosphere and extends from the
troposphere to about 50 km. Temperature increases due to the absorption of the
ultraviolet radiations of the sun by ozone present in this layers.
iii) Mesosphere This layer extends Levels of Organizations in Ecology upto 50 and
80 km above the surface of the earth. It has the coldest temperature in the
atmosphere dipping as low as 1000c. The phenomenon of shooting stars also
occur in this layer.
iv) Thermosphere In this layer temperature rises very rapidly with
increases height. It extends between 80-400 km. This layer helps in
radio transmission. Thermosphere is divided into two parts.
v) Ionosphere It is extended between 80-400 km and consist of electrically charges
particles known as ions. Because of the electric charge, radio waves transmitted
from the earth are reflected back to the Earth by this layer and due to this, radio
broadcasting as become possible.
(a) Exosphere This is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere. This light gases such
as helium and hydrogen float into the space from here. Many weather satellites
orbit Earth in the atmosphere.

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Ecology-Principles and Organizations

• The term ecology was derived f two Greek words 'Oikos' meaning home and
logos' meaning PROFESSORS study.
• Ecology is the branch of biology concerned with the relations of organisms to one
another (energy) flow and mineral cycling) and to their physical surroundings
(environment).
• Ecology encompasses the study of individual, organisms, population, community,
ecosystem, biome and biosphere which form the various levels of ecological
organisation.

Individual and Species

• Organism is an individual living being that has the ability to act or function
independently.
• Species are a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of
exchanging genes or of interbreeding.

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• They are considered as the basic unit of taxonomy and are denoted by a Latin
binomial.e.g. Homo sapiens.

Population
• Population is a community of interbreeding organisms (same species), occupying
a defined area during a specific time.
• Population growth rate can be positive due to birth and/or immigration or
negative due to death and/or emigration.

Community
• Communities in most instances are named after the dominant plant form.
• For example, a grassland community is dominated by grasses, though it may
contain herbs, trees, etc.

Major Communities
• These are large sized and relatively independent.
• They depend only on the sun's energy from outside. Eg. Tropical evergreen
forests.

Minor Communities
• These are dependent on neighbouring communities and are often called
societies.
• They are secondary aggregations within a major community. E.g. A mat of lichen
on a cow dung pad.

Biome
• A biome is a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a
major habitat. Eg Rainforest biome or tundra biome.
• Plants and animals in a biome have common characteristics due to similar
climates and can be found over a range of continents.
• Biomes are distinct from habitats because any biome can comprise a variety of
habitats.

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Biosphere
• The biosphere includes all living organisms on earth, together with the dead
organic matter produced by them.

Ecotone
• An ecotone is a zone of junction or a transition area between two biomes
(diverse ecosystems).
• Ecotone is the zone where two communities meet and integrate.
• For eg, the mangrove forests represent an ecotone between marine and
terrestrial ecosystem.
• Other examples are grassland (between forest and desert), estuary (between
fresh water and salt water) and riverbank or marshland (between dry and wet).

Ecocline
• Ecocline is a zone of gradual but continuous change from one ecosystem to
another when there is no sharp boundary between the two in terms of species
composition.
• Ecocline occurs across the environmental gradient (gradual change in abiotic
factors such as altitude, temperature (thermocline), salinity (halocline), depth,
etc.).

Edge Effect - Edge Species

• Edge effect refers to the changes in population or community structures that
occur at the boundary of two habitats (ecotone).
• Sometimes the number of species and the population density of some of the
species in the ecotone is much greater than either community. This is called edge
effect.
• The organisms which occur primarily or most abundantly in this zone are known
as edge species.
• In the terrestrial ecosystems edge effect is especially applicable to birds.
• For example, the density of birds is greater in the ecotone between the forest
and the desert.

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Ecological Pyramids
• The pyramidal representation of trophic levels of different organisms based on
their ecological position (producer to final consumer) is called as an ecological
pyramid.
• The pyramid consists of a number of horizontal bars depicting specific trophic
levels. The length of each bar represents the total number of individuals or
biomass or energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
• The food producer forms the base of the pyramid and the top carnivore forms
the tip. Other consumer tropic levels are in between. FORS ADDA
• The ecological pyramids are of three categories:
1) Pyramid of numbers,
2) Pyramid of biomass, and
3) Pyramid of energy or productivity.

Pyramid of Numbers

• Pyramid of numbers represents the total number of individuals of different

species (population) at each trophic level.
• Depending upon the size, the pyramid of numbers may not always be upright,
and may even be completely inverted.

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• It is very difficult to count all the organisms, in a pyramid of numbers and so the
pyram of number does not completely define the trophic structure for an
ecosystem.

Pyramid of numbers – upright

• In this pyramid, the number of individuals is decreased from lower level to higher
trophic level.
• This type of pyramid can be seen in the grassland ecosystem and pond ecosystem.
• The grasses occupy the lowest trophic level (base) because of their abundance.
• The next higher trophic level is primary consumer-herbivores like a grasshopper.
• The individual number of grasshoppers is less than that of grass.
• The next energy level is a primary carnivore like rats.
• The number of rats is less than grasshoppers, because, they feed on
grasshoppers.
• The next higher trophic level is secondary carnivore like snakes. They feed on rats.
• The next higher trophic level is the top carnivore like Hawk.
• With each higher trophic level, the number of individual decreases.

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Pyramid of numbers - inverted

• In this pyramid, the number of individuals is increased from lower level to higher
trophic level. E.g. Tree ecosystem.

Pyramid of Biomass

• Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms occupying

each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight.
• This overcomes the size difference problem because all kinds of organisms at a
trophic level are weighed.
• Each trophic level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time called
the standing crop.
• The standing crop is measured as the mass of living organisms (biomass) or the
number in a unit area.

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Pyramid of Biomass - upright

• For most ecosystems on land, the pyramid of biomass has a large base of primary
producers with a smaller trophic level perched on top.
• The biomass of producers (autotrophs) is at the maximum. The biomass of next
trophic level i.e. primary consumers is less than the producers. The biomass of
next higher trophic level i.e, secondary consumers is less than the primary
consumers. The top, high trophic level has very less amount of biomass.

Pyramid of Biomass- Inverted

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
• In contrast, in many aquatic ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass may assume an
inverted form. (In contrast, a pyramid of numbers for the aquatic ecosystem is
upright)
• This is because the producers are tiny phytoplankton that grows and reproduces
rapidly.
• Here, the pyramid of biomass has a small base, with the consumer biomass at
any instant exceeding the producer biomass and the pyramid assumes an
inverted shape.

Pyramid of Energy
• To compare the functional roles of the trophic levels in an ecosystem, an energy
pyramid is most suitable.

• An energy pyramid represents the amount of energy at each trophic level and
loss of energy at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence the pyramid is
always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom.

• Suppose an ecosystem receives 1000 calories of light energy in a given day. Most
of the energy is not absorbed; some is reflected to space; of the energy absorbed
only a small portion is utilized by green plants, out of which the plant uses up
some for respiration and of the 1000 calories; therefore only 100 calories are
stored as energy-rich materials.

• Now suppose an animal, say a deer, eats the plant containing 100 calories of food
energy. The deer use some of it for its metabolism and stores only 10 calories as
food energy. A lion that eats the deer gets an even smaller amount of energy.
Thus, usable energy decreases from sunlight to producer to herbivore to
carnivore. Therefore, the energy pyramid will always be upright.

• Energy pyramid concept helps to explain the phenomenon of biological

magnification-the tendency for toxic substances to increase in concentration
progressively with higher trophic levels.

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Ecological Efficiency
• Ecological efficiency describes the efficiency with which energy is transferred
from one trophic level to the next.

• The number of trophic levels in the grazing food chain is restricted as the transfer
of energy fol lows 10 per cent law-only 10 per cent of the energy is transferred to
each trophic level from the lower trophic level.
• The decreases at each subsequent trophic level is due to two reasons:
o At each trophic, a part of the available energy is lost in respiration or used
up in metabolism.
o A part of the energy is lost at each transformation.

Limitations of Ecological Pyramids

• It does not consider the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels.
• It assumes a simple food chain, something that seldom exists in nature; it does
not accommodate a food web.
• Moreover, saprophytes (plant, fungus, or micro-organism that lives on decaying
matter) are not given any place in ecological pyramids even though they play a
vital role in the ecosystem.

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Pollutants and Trophic Level – Biomagnification

• Pollutants move through the various trophic levels in an ecosystem.
• Non-degradable pollutants (persistent pollutants), which cannot be broken down
by detrivores, not only move through the various trophic levels but also remain in
that tropic level for a very long duration.
• Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (Organochlorides) are the most damaging non-
degradable pollutants that are long-lasting.

1) Bioaccumulation
2) Biomagnification Bioaccumulation
• Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of pollutants, chemicals (chronic
poisoning) or other substances in an organism.
• Bioaccumulation occurs when the rate of loss of the substance from the body of
the organism through catabolism (breakdown of complex molecules in living
organisms), or excretion is lower than the rate of accumulation of the substance.
• As persistent organic pollutants like DDT are long-lasting, the risk of
bioaccumulation is high even if the environmental levels of the pollutant are not
high.

Biomagnification
• Biomagnification refers to progressive bioaccumulation (increase in
concentration) at each tropical level with the passage of time.
• In order for biomagnification to occur, the pollutant must have a long biological
half-life (long-lived), must not be soluble in water but must be soluble in fats. Eg,
DDT.
• If the pollutant is soluble in water, it will be excreted by the organism.
• Pollutants that dissolve in fats are retained for a long time. Hence it is traditional
to measure the amount of pollutants in fatty tissues of organisms such as fish.
• In mammals, milk produced by females is tested for pollutants since the milk has
a lot of fat in.

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EUTROPHICATION
• Greek word - Eutrophia means adequate & healthy nutrition.
• Eutrophication is a syndrome of ecosystem, response to the addition of natural
nutrients such as nitrates and phosphate through fertilizer, sewage, etc that
fertilize the aquatic ecosystemt.
• It is primarily caused by the leaching of phosphate and or nitrate containing
fertilisers from agricultural lands into lakes or rivers.
• The growth of green algae which we see in the lake surface layer is the physical
identification of an Eutrophication.
• Some algae blue-green bacteria thrive on the excess ions population explosion
covers almost entire surface layer is known as algal bloom. This growth is
unsustainable, however.
• As Algal Bloom covers the surface layer, it restricts the penetration of sunlight.
Diffusion of gas from atom
• Oxygen is required by all respiring animals in the water and it is replenished by
diffusion and photosynthesis of green plants.
• The oxygen level is already low because of the population explosion and further
oxygen is taken up by microorganisms which feed off the dead algae during
decomposition process .
• Due to reduced oxygen level, fishes and other aquatic organism suffocate and
they die.
• The anaerobic conditions can promote growth of bacteria which produces toxins
deadly to aquatic organisms, birds and mammals.
• All this eventually leads to degradation of aquatic ecosystem and death of its
organisms.
• It often leads to change in animal and plant population & degradation of water &
habitat quality.

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General Characteristics of Oilgotrophic and eutrophic Lakes

Type of lake
SI. Parameter Oligotrophic Eutrophic
No.
1 Aquatic plant production Low Eliminated due to
Eutrophication
2 Aquatic animal production Low Eliminated due to
Eutrophication
3 Aquatic plant nutrient flux Low High
4 Oxygen in the hypolimnion Present Absent
(bottom layer)
5 Depth Tend to be Tend to be
deeper shallower.
6 Water quality for domestic & Good Poor
industrial uses

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7 Total salts or conductance Usually lower Sometimes higher

8 Number of plant and animal many Fewer
species

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Pollution is defined as ‘an addition or excessive addition of certain materials to
the physical environment (water, air and lands), making it less fit or unfit for life’.

1. AIR POLLUTION
• Air pollution is aggravated because of four developments: increasing traffic,
growing cities, rapid economic development, and industrialization.
• ‘The presence in the atmosphere of one or more contaminants in such quality and
for such duration as it is injurious, or tends to be injurious, to human health or
welfare, animal or plant life.’
• It is the contamination of air by the discharge of harmful substances.
• Air pollution can cause health problems, damage the environment, property and
climate change.

Major air pollutants and their sources:

carbon monoxide (CO)
• It lowers the amount of oxygen that enters our blood.
• It is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of
carbon-based fuels including petrol, diesel, and wood.
• It can slow our reflexes and make us confused and sleepy.
• It is also produced from the combustion of natural and synthetic products such as
cigarettes.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

• It is the principle greenhouse gas emitted as a result of human activities such as
the burning of coal, oil, and natural gases.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

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• When released into the air, CFCs rise to the stratosphere, where they come in
contact with few other gases, which lead to a reduction of the ozone layer that
protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• These are gases that are released mainly from air-conditioning systems and
refrigeration.

Lead
• It is present in petrol, diesel, lead batteries, paints, hair dye products, etc. Lead
affects children in particular.
• It can cause nervous system damage and digestive problems and, in some cases,
cause cancer.

Ozone
• This important gas shields the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• It occurs naturally in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
• Vehicles and industries are the major source of ground level ozone emissions.
• However, at the ground level, it is a pollutant with highly toxic effects.
• Ozone makes our eyes itch, burn, and water. It lowers our resistance to cold and
pneumonia.
• It causes smog and acid rain. It is produced from burning fuels including petrol,
diesel, and coal.
• Nitrogen oxide (Nox)
• Nitrogen oxide can make children susceptible to respiratory diseases in winters.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)

• It consists of solids in the air in the form of smoke, dust, and vapour that can
remain suspended for extended periods and is also the main source of haze which
reduces visibility.
• The finer of these particles, when breathed in can lodge in our lungs and cause
lung damage and respiratory problems.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

• It is a gas produced from burning coal, mainly in thermal power plants.
• Some industrial processes, such as production of paper and smelting of metals,
produce sulphur dioxide.

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• It is a major contributor to smog and acid rain. Sulfur dioxide can lead to lung
diseases.

Smog
• The term smog was first used (1905) by Dr H A Des Voeux
• Smog has been coined from a combination of the words fog and smoke. Smog is a
condition of fog that had soot or smoke in it.

The Formation of Smog

• Photochemical smog (smog) is a term used to describe air pollution that is a result
of the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the atmosphere.
• One of the primary components of photochemical smog is ozone.
• While ozone in the stratosphere protects earth from harmful UV radiation, ozone
on the ground is hazardous to human health.
• Ground-level ozone is formed when vehicle emissions containing nitrogen oxides
(primarily from vehicle exhaust) and volatile organic compounds (from paints,
solvents, printing inks, petroleum products, vehicles, etc.) interact in the presence
of sunlight.

• Smog refers to hazy air that causes difficult breathing conditions. It is a

combination of various gases with water vapour and dust.
• Its occurrences are often linked to heavy traffic, high temperatures, and calm
winds. During the winter, wind speeds are low and cause the smoke and fog to
stagnate near the ground; hence pollution levels can increase near ground level.
• Smoke particles trapped in the fog gives it a yellow/ black colour and this smog
often settled over cities for many days.

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• Ground-level ozone is formed through a complex reaction involving
hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and sunlight. It is formed when pollutant released
from gasoline, diesel powered vehicles and oil-based solvents react with heat and
sunlight.

The effects of smog

• It hampers visibility and harms the environment.
• respiratory problems
• deaths relating to bronchial diseases.
• Heavy smog greatly decreases ultraviolet radiation.
• Heavy smog results in the decrease of natural vitamin D production leading to a
rise in the cases of rickets.

Indoor air pollution

• It refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of air in the
indoor environment within a home, or an institution or commercial facility.
• Indoor air pollution is a concern where energy efficiency improvements
sometimes make houses relatively airtight, reducing ventilation and raising
pollutant levels.
• Indoor air problems can be subtle and do not always produce easily recognized
impacts on health.
• Different conditions are responsible for indoor air pollution in the rural areas and
the urban areas.

Pollutants
I. Biological pollutants
• It includes pollen from plants, mite, and hair from pets, fungi, parasites, and some
bacteria. Most of them are allergens and can cause asthma, hay fever, and other
allergic diseases.

II. Tobacco
• Smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and is carcinogenic.
• Health effect – burning eyes, nose, and throat irritation to cancer, bronchitis,
severe asthma, and a decrease in lung function.

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III. Radon
• It is a gas that is emitted naturally by the soil. Due to modern houses having poor
ventilation, it is confined inside the house and causes lung cancers
• Asbestos
• Pesticides

IV. Formaldehyde
• Mainly from carpets, particle boards, and insulation foam. It causes irritation to
the eyes and nose and allergies.

V. Volatile organic compounds

• The main indoor sources are perfumes, hair sprays, furniture polish, glues, air
fresheners, moth repellents, wood preservatives, and other products.
• Health effect – irritation of the eye, nose and throat, headaches, nausea and loss
of coordination.
• Long term – suspected to damage the liver and other parts of the body.

Fly Ash
• Ash is produced whenever combustion of solid material takes place.
• Fly ash is one such residue which rises with the gases into the atmosphere. Fly ash
is a very fine powder and tends to travel far in the air. The ash which does not rise
is termed as bottom ash.
• Nearly 73% of India’s total installed power generation capacity is thermal, of
which 90% is coal-based generation, with diesel, wind, gas, and steam making up
the rest.

Composition
1) Aluminum silicate (in large amounts)
2) Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and
3) Calcium oxide (CaO).
• Fly ash particles are oxide rich and consist of silica, alumina, oxides of iron,
calcium, and magnesium and toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cobalt, and
copper.

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Environmental effects?
• Fly ash in the air slowly settles on leaves and crops in fields in areas near to
thermal power plants and lowers the plant yield.
• If fly ash is not captured and disposed off properly, it can pollute air and water
considerably.
• It causes respiratory problems.

Advantages:
• Abandoned mines can be filled up with fly ash.
• Fly ash can be used in reclamation of wastelands.
• Cement can be replaced by fly ash upto 35%, thus reducing the cost of
construction, making roads, etc.
• Fly ash is a better fill material for road embankments and in concrete roads.
• Fly ash can increase the crop yield and it also enhances water holding capacity of
the land .
• Fly ash bricks are light in weight and offer high strength and durability.

Effects of air pollution

1. Health effect
Name Of Pollutant Sources Health Effects
Sulphur Oxides Thermal power plants Eye and throat irritation,
and industries cough, allergies, impairs
enzyme function in
respiratory system.
Reduces exchange of
gases from lung surface.
Nitrogen Oxides Thermal power plant, Irritation and
industries and vesicles. inflammation of lungs,
breathlessness, impairs
enzyme function in
respiratory system and
causes bronchitis and
asthma.
Suspended Particulate Vehicular emissions and Lung irritation reduces
Matter (SOM) burning of fossil fuels development of RBC and
cause pulmonary

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malfunctioning.
Carbon Dioxide Vehicular emissions and Difficulty in breathing,
burning of fossil fuels severe headaches,
irritation to mucous
membrane,
unconsciousness and
death.
Smog Industries and vehicular Respiratory problems and
pollution intense irritation to the
eyes.
Ozone Automobile emissions Breathlessness, asthma,
wheezing, chest pain,
emphysema and chronic
bronchitis.
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators, sprays, Depletion of stratospheric
emission from jets ozone layer, global
warming.
Hydrocarbons Burning of fossil fuels Carcinogenic effect on
lungs, kidney damage,
hypertension, respiratory
distress, irritation of eyes,
nose and throat, asthma,
bronchitis and impairs
enzyme function in
respiratory system.
Tobacco Smoke Cigarettes, cigars etc. Chronic bronchitis,
asthma and lung cancer,
irritation of eyes, nose
and throat.
Mercury Industries Nervous disorders,
insomnia, memory loss,
excitability, irritation,
tremor, gingivitis and
minamata disease.
Lead Leaded petrol emission Damage to brain and
central nervous system,
kidneys and brains,

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impaired intelligence and
interference with
development of RBCs.
Cadmium Industries Affects the heart
Silica dust Silicon quarries Silicosis affects the lungs
Cotton dust Cotton textile factories Byssinosis involves
destruction of lung
tissues, chronic cough,
bronchitis and
emphysema.
Asbestos dust Asbestos mining, Asbestosis which involves
asbestos sheet severe respiratory
manufacturing problems and may lead to
cancer.
Radioactive pollutants Cosmic rays, x-rays, beta Destroy living tissue and
rays, radon and radium blood cells; affect cell
membrane and cell
enzyme function,
leukemia, and permanent
genetic changes.
Coal dust and particles Coal mines Black lung cancer,
pulmonary fibrosis which
lead to respiratory failure.

Government Initiatives
(i) Air Prevention and Control of pollution Act, 1981 It was enacted by the
parliament in 1981 with an objective to prevent, control and reduce air pollution.
The decisions were taken at UN conference On human environment held in held
in Stockholm in June, 1972.
India Takes appropriate steps for Preservation of the natural resources of the
earth which, among other things, include the preservation of the quality of air and
control of air pollution
(ii) National Ambient Air Quality Standards The National Amient Air Quality
Standards The National Ambility quality Standards (NAAQs) was notified in 1982
and duly revised in 1994 Thed based on health criteria and land uses The NAAQS
have been revisited in November, 2009 for 12 pollutants which include

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
a) Lead g) Nickel
b) Benzene h) Ammonia
c) Ozone i) Benzopyren
d) Sulphur dioxide j) Nitrogen dioxide
e) PM10 k) PM 2.5Carbon monoxide
f) Arsenic

(iii) National Air Quality Monitoring Programme Central Pollution Control board
(CPCB) is executing a nationwide programme of ambient air quality monitoring
known as National Air Quality monitoring Programme (NAQMP). It undertaken in
India to determine status and trends of ambient air quality.
The objectives of NAQMP are as follows
• To determine statistics and trends of ambient air quality.
• To ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards a violated
• To identify non-attainment cities
• To obtain the knowledge necessary developing, preventing and corrective
measures.

(iv) Air Quality Index India launched its first air quality index in April, 2015. It aims to
monitor the air quality in major cities across the country on the real time basis.
It is colour based ndex and shows the quality of air by dafferent colours.
Remark AQI Colour Code
Good 0-50 Dark green
Satisfactory 51-100 Light green
Moderate 101-200 Yellow
Poor 210-300 Orange
Very poor 301-400 Red
Severe 401-500 Dark red (Maroon)

The objective ot air quality index are as follow

• To inform public regarding overall status of air quality through a summation
parameter that is easy to understand
• To inform citizens about associated health impacts of air pollution exposure.
• To rank cities/town for prioritizing action based on measure of air quality index.

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• To measure the emergences of pollution and to make remedial action
immediately.

(v) Bharat Stage Emission (BSES) These are emission standards instituted by the
Government of India to regulate the Output of air pollutants from internal
combustion engines and spark ignition engines equipment. The slandered are
based on European regulation.
In 2016, BSES announced that the country would adopt BS.VI norms by 2020. The
Petroleum Ministry of India has decided on 15th November, 2017, to bring
forward the date of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi with effect from 1st
April, 2018 instead of 1st April, 2020.

(vi) National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) Government of India

Launched the NEMMP- 2020 in 2013. It aims to achieve national fuel Security by
promoting hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME India) under NEMMP-2020.

SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting)

The Ministry of Earth Sciences the Government of India has introduced a major
national initiative ‘System of Air quality and Weather Forecasting and Research
known as SAFAR’ for greater metropolitan cities of india.
SAFAR is the first mobile application service in India to provide a current and
advanced forecast for air quality he application was developed by scientist at
Indian institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
It enables citizens to check their city’s air quality in real time. The app provides
current data and a forecast for air quality in the user’s current location through a
Colour coded system.

POLLUTANTS AND ITS TYPES

• Pollutants are the materials or factors, which cause adverse effect on the natural quality of any
component of the environment.
• For example, smoke from industries and automobiles, chemicals from factories,
radioactive substances from nuclear plants, sewage of houses and discarded
household articles are the common pollutants.

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Classifications
i) According to origin
• Natural
• Anthropogenic

ii) According to their nature of disposal.

• Biodegradable Pollutants: Waste products, which are degraded by microbial
action. E.g. sewage.
• Non-biodegradable Pollutants: Pollutants, which are not decomposed by
microbial action. E.g. plastics, glass, DDT, salts of heavy metals, radioactive
substances etc.,)

iii) According to the form in which they persist after release into the environment.
• Primary pollutants: These persist in the form in which they are added to the
environment e.g. DDT, plastic.
• Secondary Pollutants: These are formed by interaction among the primary
pollutants.
• For example, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is formed by the interaction of
nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

iv) According to their existence in nature.

• Quantitative Pollutants: These occur in nature and become pollutant when
their concentration reaches beyond a threshold level. E.g. carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide.
• Qualitative Pollutants: These do not occur in nature and are man-made. E.g.
fungicides, herbicides, DDT etc.

Causes of pollution
• Uncontrolled growth in human population
• Rapid industrialization
• Urbanization
• Uncontrolled exploitation of nature.
• Forest fires, radioactivity, volcanic eruptions, strong winds etc.,

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2. SOIL POLLUTION
❖ It is build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive
materials, or disease causing agents in soil which have adverse effects on plant
growth, human and animal health.
❖ Soil is a thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that covers the Earth’s rocky
surface. Soil pollution is defined as the ‘addition of substances to the soil, which
adversely affect physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and reduces its
productivity.’
❖ A soil pollutant is any factor which deteriorates the quality, texture and mineral
content of the soil or which disturbs the biological balance of the organisms in the
soil.

Causes
❖ Dumping of large quantities of solid waste
❖ Indiscriminate use of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides
❖ Deforestation and soil erosion.
❖ Pollution Due to Urbanisation

Source
i. Fertilizers and manures: Chemical fertilizers are added to the soil for
increasing crop yield. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers reduces the population
of soil borne organism and the crumb structure of the soil, productivity of the soil
and increases salt content of the soil.

ii. Industrial Wastes: Industrial waste includes chemicals such as mercury, lead,
copper, zinc, cadmium, cynides, thiocynates, chromates, acids, alkalies, organic
substances etc.

iii. Radioactive wastes: Radioactive elements from mining and nuclear power
plants, find their way into water and then into the soil.

iv. Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals that include insecticides, fungicides,

algicides, rodenticides, weedicides sprayed in order to improve productivity of
agriculture, forestry and horticulture.

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v. Discarded materials: It includes concrete, asphalt, rungs, leather, cans,
plastics, glass, discarded food, paper and carcasses.

vi. Other pollutants: Many air pollutants (acid rain) and water pollutants
ultimately become part of the soil and the soil also receives some toxic chemicals
during weathering of certain rocks. [in box]

Types of Soil Pollution

1. Agricultural Soil Pollution
2. Pollution due to industrial effluents and solid wastes
3. Pollution due to urban activities

Effects of soil pollution on

(1) Agriculture
• Deposition of silt in tanks and reservoirs
• Reduced crop yield
• Reduced soil fertility
• Increased erosion
• Loss of soil and nutrients
• Increased salinity
• Reduced nitrogen fixation

(2) Health
• Release of pollutant gases
• Bio magnification
• Dangerous chemicals entering underground water
• Release of radioactive rays causing health problems

(3) Environment
• Reduced vegetation
• Ecological imbalance
• Imbalance in soil fauna and flora

(4) Urban areas

• Control measures

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• Reducing chemical fertilizer and pesticide use
• Clogging of drains
• Inundation of areas
• Afforestation and Reforestation
• Foul smell and release of gases
• Use of bio pesticides, bio fertilizers.
• Organic farming
• Waste management problems
• Reduction of waste from construction areas
• Four R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
• Solid waste treatment

3.WATER POLLUTION
‘Addition of certain substances to the water such as organic, inorganic, biological,
radiological, heat, which degrades the quality of water so that it becomes unfit for
use’. Water pollution is not only confined to surface water, but it has also spread
to ground water, sea and ocean.

1. Sources
Types of sources
1) Point Sources
• It is directly attributable to one influence. Here pollutant travels directly from
source to water. Point sources are easy to regulate.

2) Diffuse or non-point source.

• It is from various ill defined and diffuse sources. They vary spatially and
temporally and are difficult to regulate.
• The main sources of water pollution are as follows:
Industrial Wastes: The industries discharge several inorganic and organic
pollutants, which may prove highly toxic to the living beings.
Community waste water: Include discharges from houses, commercial and
industrial establishments connected to public sewerage system. The sewage
contains human and animal excreta, food residues, cleaning agents, detergents
and other wastes.

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3) Agricultural sources:
• They contain a wide range of chemicals such as chlorinated hydrocarbons,
organophosphates, metallic salts, Carbonates, thiocarbonates, derivatives of
acetic acid etc. Many of the pesticides are non-degradable and their residues
have long life.
• Fertilizers contain major plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium.
• Pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, rodenticides
and soil fumigants.
• The animal excreta such as dung, wastes from poultry farms, piggeries and
slaughter houses etc. reach the water though run off and surface leaching during
rainy season.
• Excess fertilizers may reach the ground water by leaching or may be mixed with
surface water of rivers, lakes and ponds by runoff and drainage.

4) Thermal Pollution:
• The main sources are the thermal and nuclear power plants. The power plants use
water as coolant and release hot waters to the original source. Sudden rise in
temperature kills fishes and other aquatic animals.

5) Underground water pollution:

• In India at many places, the ground water is threatened with contamination due
to seepage from industrial and municipal wastes and effluents, sewage channels
and agricultural runoff.

6) Marine pollution:
• Oceans are the ultimate sink of all natural and manmade pollutants. Rivers
discharge their pollutants into the sea. The sewerage and garbage of coastal cities
are also dumped into the sea. The other sources of oceanic pollution are
navigational discharge of oil, grease, detergents, sewage, garbage and radioactive
wastes, off shore oil mining, oil spills.

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• Oil Spills
➢ Oil spills is one of the most dangerous of all water pollutants.
➢ Since crude oil is lighter than water, it floats on the surface and poses the threat
of swift-spreading fire.
➢ Oil spills at sea decrease the oxygen level in the water and cause harm to the
organisms.
➢ On land crude is transported through pipelines or tankers which can get damaged
and spew out crude oil over the land, thereby contaminating it.
➢ Oil spills are also a source of air and groundwater pollution.
➢ Oil spills from tankers at sea or leaks from underground storage tanks on land are
very difficult to control as oil tends to spread very fast, affecting a large area in a
very short time.

Effects of Water Pollution

1. Effects on aquatic ecosystem:
i. Biocides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals directly eliminate
sensitive aquatic organisms.
ii. Hot waters discharged from industries, when added to water bodies, lowers its
DO content.
iii. Polluted water reduces Dissolved Oxygen (DO) content, thereby, eliminates
sensitive organisms like plankton, molluscs and fish etc.

DO, BOD, COD

➢ Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a slightly better mode used to measure
pollution load in water. It is the measure of oxygen equivalent of the requirement
of oxidation of total organic matter (i.e. biodegradable and non-biodegradable)
present in water.
➢ Presence of organic and inorganic wastes in water decreases the dissolved
Oxygen (DO) content of the water. Water having DO content below 8.0 mg L-1
may be considered as contaminated. Water having DO content below. 4.0 mg L-1
is considered to be highly polluted. DO content of water is important for the
survival of aquatic organisms.
➢ A number of factors like surface turbulence, photosynthetic activity, O2
consumption by organisms and decomposition of organic matter are the factors
which determine the amount of DO present in water.

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➢ Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD). BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria in
decomposing the organic wastes present in water. It is expressed in milligrams of
oxygen per liter of water.
➢ The higher amounts of waste increases the rates of decomposition and O2
consumption, thereby decreases the DO content of water. The demand for O2 is
directly related to increasing input of organic wastes and is expressed as
biological oxygen demand (BOD) of water.
➢ The higher value of BOD indicates low DO content of water. Since BOD is limited
to biodegradable materials only. Therefore, it is not a reliable method of
measuring pollution load in water.

Effects on human health:

• Mercury compounds in waste water are converted by bacterial action into
extremely toxic methyl mercury, which can cause numbness of limbs, lips and
tongue, deafness, blurring of vision and mental derangement.
o A crippling deformity called Minamata disease due to consumption of fish
captured from mercury contaminated Minamata Bay in Japan was detected in
1952.
• Water contaminated with cadmium can cause itai itai disease also called ouch-
ouch disease (a painful disease of bones and joints) and cancer of lungs and liver.
• The compounds of lead cause anemia, headache, loss of muscle power and bluish
line around the gum.
• The polluted water usually contains pathogens like virus, bacteria, parasitic
protozoa and worms, therefore, It is a source of water borne diseases like
jaundice, cholera, typhoid, amoebiasis etc

Hazards of ground water pollution:

A. Over exploitation of ground water may lead to leaching of arsenic from soil and
rock sources and contaminate ground water. Chronic exposure to arsenic causes
black foot disease. It also causes diarrhoea, peripheral neuritis, hyperkeratosis
and also lung and skin cancer.
• Arsenic contamination is a serious problem (in tube well dug areas) in the Ganges
Delta, west bengal causing serious arsenic poisoning to large numbers of people.
A 2007 study found that over 137 million people in more than 70 countries are
probably affected by arsenic poisoning of drinking water.

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B. Presence of excess nitrate in drinking water is dangerous for human health and
may be fatal for infants.
• Excess nitrate in drinking water reacts with hemoglobin to form non-functional
methaemoglobin, and impairs oxygen transport. This condition is called
methaemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome.
C. Biological Magnification
D. Excess fluoride in drinking water causes neuro-muscular disorders, gastro-
intestinal problems, teeth deformity, hardening of bones and stiff and painful
joints (skeletal fluorosis).
• High concentration of fluoride ions is present in drinking water in 13 states of
India. The maximum level of fluoride, which the human body can tolerate is 1.5
parts per million (mg/1 of water). Long term ingestion of fluoride ions causes
fluorosis.

E. Eutrophicaiton

Control Measures
❖ Organic farming and efficient use of animal residues as fertilizers.
❖ Treatment of sewage water and the industrial effluents should be done before
releasing it into water bodies.
❖ Hot water should be cooled before release from the power plants
❖ Domestic cleaning in tanks, streams and rivers, which supply drinking water,
should be prohibited.
❖ Riparian buffers
❖ Oil spills in water can be cleaned with the help of bregoli – a by-product of paper
industry resembling saw dust, oil zapper, micro-organisms.
❖ Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided.
❖ Water hyacinth (an aquatic weed) can purify water by taking some toxic materials
and a number of heavy metals from water.

The steps taken by the Government to address the issues of water pollution
include the following:-
a) Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water
quality in aquatic resources by state Governments;
b) Installation of Online Effluent Monitoring System to check the discharge of
effluent directly into the rivers and water bodies;
c) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of water quality;

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d) Action to comply with effluent standards is taken by SPCBs / PCCs to improve the
water quality of the rivers;
e) Financial assistance for installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for
cluster of Small Scale Industrial units;
f) Issuance of directions for implementation of Zero liquid Discharge;
g) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to
industries and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974;
h) Implementation of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetland
Conservation Programme (NWCP) for conservation and management of identified
lakes and wetlands in the country which have been merged in February, 2013 into
an integrated scheme of National Plan for Conservation of aquatic Eco-systems
(NPCA) to undertake various conservation activities including interception,
diversion and treatment of waste water, pollution abatement, lake beautification,
biodiversity conservation, education and awareness creation, community
participation etc.

4. RADIO ACTIVE POLLUTION

Radioactive Pollution
Radioactivity is a phenomenon of spontaneous emission of proton (a-particles),
electrons (ß-particles) and gamma rays (short wave electromagnetic waves) due
to disintegration of atomic nuclei of some elements. These cause radioactive
pollution.

Radioactivity: Radioactivity is a property of certain elements (radium, thorium,

uranium etc.) to spontaneously emit protons (alpha particles) electrons (beta
particles) and gamma rays (short-wave electromagnetic wave) by disintegration of
their atomic nuclei (nuclides).

Types of Radiations
• Non-ionising radiations affect only those components which absorb them and
have low penetrability.
• Ionising radiations have high penetration power and cause breakage of macro
molecules.

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Types of radiation particles

• Alpha particles, can be blocked by a piece of paper and human skin.
• Beta particles can penetrate through skin, while can be blocked by some pieces of
glass and metal.
• Gamma rays can penetrate easily to human skin and damage cells on its way
through, reaching far, and can only be blocked by a very thick, strong, massive
piece of concrete.

Sources
Natural
• They include cosmic rays from space and terrestrial radiations from radio-nuclides
present in earth’s crust such as radium-224, uranium-238, thorium-232,
potassium-40, carbon-14, etc.

Man – made
• Atomic explosion (Nuclear fallout): The nuclear arms use uranium-235 and
plutonium-239 for fission and hydrogen or lithium as fusion material. Atomic
explosions produce radioactive particles that are thrown high up into the air as
huge clouds. These particles are carried to long distances by wind and gradually
settle over the earth as fall out or are brought down by rain. The fall out contains
radioactive substances such as strontium-90, cesium-137, iodine – 131, etc.
• Nuclear power plants
• Nuclear weapon
• Transportation of nuclear material
• Disposal of nuclear waste
• Uranium mining
• Radiation therapy

Effects
• The effects of radioactive pollutants depend upon
1. Half-life
2. Energy releasing capacity
3. Rate of diffusion and
4. Rate of deposition of the pollutant.
5. Various environmental factors such as wind, temperature, rainfall also influence
their effects.

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• Period of Radioactivity
o Each radioactive nuclide has a constant decay rate. Half-life is the time needed for
half of its atoms to decay. Half-life of a radio nuclide refers to its period of
radioactivity. The half-life may vary from a fraction of a second to thousands of
years. The radio nuclides with long half-time are the chief source of
environmental radioactive pollution.
• Radiations are of two types with regard to the mode of their action on cells.

1. Non-ionising radiations:
• They damage eyes which may be caused by reflections from coastal sand, snow
(snow blindness) directly looking towards sun during eclipse.
• They include short-wave radiations such as ultraviolet rays, which forms a part of
solar radiation.
• They injure the cells of skin and blood capillaries producing blisters and reddening
called sunburns.
• They have low penetrating power and affect the cells and molecules which absorb
them.

2. ionising radiations.
• The molecular damage may produce short range (immediate) or long range
(delayed) effects.
• They include X-rays, cosmic rays and atomic radiations (radiations emitted by
radioactive elements).
• Short range effects include burns, impaired metabolism, dead tissues and death
of the organisms.
• The actively dividing cells such as Embryo, foetus, cells of skin, intestinal lining,
bone marrow and gamete forming cells are more sensitive to radiations.
• Long range effects are mutations increased incidence of tumors and cancer,
shortening of life-span and developmental changes.
• The mutated gene can persist in living organisms and may affect their progeny.
• Some species of animals and plants preferentially accumulate specific radioactive
materials. For example, oysters deposit 65Zn, fish accumulate 55Fe, marine
animals selectively deposit 90Sr.
• Ionising radiations have high penetration power and cause breakage of macro
molecules.

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Control Measures
• All safety measures should be strictly enforced. Leakage of radioactive elements
should be totally checked.
• Prevention is the best control measure as there is no cure available for radiation
damage.
• Safety measures against nuclear accidents.
• Nuclear explosions and use of nuclear weapons should be completely banned.
• Regular monitoring through frequent sampling and quantitative analysis.
• Appropriate steps should be taken to protect from occupational exposure.
• Safe disposal of radioactive waste.

5. NOISE POLLUTION
• Noise pollution comes from sources such as “road traffic, jet planes, garbage
trucks, construction equipment, manufacturing processes, leaf blowers, and
boom boxes.”
• A person’s hearing can be damaged if exposed to noise levels over 75 dB over a
prolonged period of time. The world Health Organization recommends that the
sound level indoors should be less than 30 dB.
• Noise pollution is an unpleasant noise created by people or machines that can be
annoying, distracting, intrusive, and/or physically painful.
• Sound is measured in decibels (dB). An increase of about 10 dB is approximately
double the increase in loudness.

Impacts of noise
• Damage to material: The buildings and materials may get damaged by
exposure to infrasonic / ultrasonic waves and even get collapsed.
• Annoyance: It creates annoyance to the receptors due to sound level
fluctuations. The a-periodic sound due to its irregular occurrences causes
displeasure to hearing and causes annoyance.
• Human performance: The working performance of workers/human will be
affected as it distracts the concentration.
• Nervous system: It causes pain, ringing in the ears, feeling of tiredness, thereby
effecting the functioning of human system.
• Sleeplessness: It affects the sleeping there by inducing people to become
restless and loose concentration and Presence of mind during their activities

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• Physiological effects: The physiological features like breathing amplitude,
blood pressure, heart-beat rate, pulse rate, blood cholesterol are affected.
• Loss of hearing: Long exposure to high sound levels cause loss of hearing. This is mostly
unnoticed, but has an adverse impact on hearing function.

Control
The techniques employed for noise control can be broadly classified as
i. Control at source
• Reducing the noise levels from domestic sectors
• Maintenance of automobiles
• Control over vibration
• Prohibition on usage of loud speakers
• Selection and maintenance of machinery

ii. Control in the transmission path

• Installation of barriers
• Design of building
• Green belt development (planting of trees)

iii. Using protective equipment.

• Job rotation
• Reduced Exposure time
• Hearing protection
• Documentation of noise measurements, continuous monitoring and awareness
are the need of the hour.

6 E – WASTE
• E-waste is not hazardous if it is stocked in safe storage or recycled by scientific
methods or transported from one place to the other in parts or in totality in the
formal sector. The e-waste can, however, be considered hazardous if recycled by
primitive methods.
• The discarded and end-of-life electronic products ranging from computers,
equipment used in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), home
appliances, audio and video products and all of their peripherals are popularly
known as Electronic waste (E-waste).

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Source and its health effects

S.N PARTICUL SOURCE HEALTH EFFECTS
O ARS

1. Lead Used in glass panels and Lead causes damage to the

gaskets in computer central and peripheral nervous
monitors systems, blood systems, kidney
Solder in printed circuit and reproductive system in
boards and other humans. It also effects the
Components endocrine system, and impedes
brain development among
children. Lead tends to
accumulate in the environment
and has high acute and chronic
effects on plants, animals and
microorganisms.
2. Cadmium Occurs in SMD chip Toxic cadmium compounds
resistors, infra-red accumulate in the human body,
detectors, and especially the kidneys.
semiconductor chips
Some older cathode ray
tubes contain cadmium

3. Mercury It is estimated that 22 % of Mercury can cause damage to

the yearly world organs including the brain and
consumption of mercury is kidneys, as well as the foetus.
used in electrical and The developing foetus is highly
electronic equipment vulnerable to mercury exposure.
Mercury is used in When inorganic mercury spreads
thermostats, sensors, out in the water, it is transformed
relays, switches, medical to methylated mercury which
equipment, lamps, mobile bio-accumulates in living
phones and in batteries organisms and concentrates
Mercury, used in flat panel through the food chain,
displays, will likely increase particularly via fish.
as their use replaces
cathode ray tubes

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4. Hexavalen Chromium VI is used as Chromium VI can cause damage

t corrosion protector of to DNA and is extremely toxic in
Chromium untreated and galvanized the environment.
/ steel plates and as a
Chromium decorative or hardener for
VI 29 steel housings Plastics
(including PVC): dioxin is
released when PVC is
burned.
The largest volume of
plastics (26%) used in
electronics has been PVC.
PVC elements are found in
cabling and computer
housings.
Many computer moldings
are now made with the
somewhat more benign
ABS plastics
5. Brominate BFRs are used in the plastic
d flame housings of electronic
retardants equipment and in circuit
(BFRs): boards to prevent
flammability
6. Barium Barium is a soft silvery- Studies have shown that short-
white metal that is used in term exposure to barium causes
computers in the front brain swelling, muscle weakness,
panel of a CRT, to protect damage to the heart, liver, and
users from radiation spleen.

7. Beryllium Beryllium is commonly Exposure to beryllium can cause

found on motherboards lung cancer. Beryllium also
and finger clips causes a skin disease that is
It is used as a copper- characterised by poor wound
beryllium alloy to healing and wartlike bumps.
strengthen connectors and Studies have shown that people

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tinyplugs while can develop beryllium disease
maintaining many years following the last
electrical conductivity exposure.

8. Toners Found in the plastic printer Inhalation is the primary

cartridge containing black exposure pathway, and acute
and color toners. exposure may lead to respiratory
tract irritation. Carbon black has
been classified as a class 2B
carcinogen, possibly carcinogenic
to humans. Reports indicate that
colour toners (cyan, magenta and
yellow) contain heavy metals
9. Phosphor Phosphor is an inorganic The phosphor coating on cathode
and chemical compound that is ray tubes contains heavy metals,
Additives applied as a coat on the such as cadmium, and other rare
interior of the CRT earth metals, for example, zinc,
faceplate. vanadium as additives. These
metals and their compounds are
very toxic. This is a serious hazard
posed for those who dismantle
CRTs by hand.

6. THERMAL POLLUTION
Thermal pollution is the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural aquatic
environment caused by human influence. This has become an increasing and the
most current pollution, owing to the increasing call of globalization everywhere.
Thermal pollution is caused by either dumping hot water from factories and
power plants or removing trees and vegetation that shade streams, permitting
sunlight to raise the temperature of these waters, release of cold water which
lowers the temperature. Like other forms of water pollution, thermal pollution is
widespread, affecting many lakes and vast numbers of streams and rivers in
various parts of the world.

Major sources
• Power plants creating electricity from fossil fuel

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• Water as a cooling agent in industrial facilities
• Deforestation of the shoreline
• Soil erosion

Ecological Effects — Warm Water

The change in temperature impacts organisms by
(a) Decreasing oxygen supply
(b) Affecting ecosystem composition.

Warm water contains less oxygen. Elevated temperature typically decreases the
level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water. So there is decrease in rate of
decomposition of organic matter. Green algae are replaced by less desirable blue
green algae. Many animals fail to multiply.

Ecological Effects — Cold Water

Thermal pollution can also be caused by the release of very cold water from the
base of reservoirs into warmer rivers. This affects fish (particularly their eggs and
larvae), macro invertebrates and river productivity. Control Measures instead of
discharging heated water into lakes and streams, Power plants and factories can
pass the heated water through cooling towers or cooling ponds, where
evaporation cools the water before it is discharged.
Alternatively, power plants can be designed or refitted to be more efficient and to
produce less waste heat in the first place.

Cogeneration – process through which, the excess heat energy from generating
electricity can be used in another manufacturing process that needs such energy.
Where homes or other buildings are located near industrial plants, waste hot
water can be used for heating—an arrangement often found in Scandinavian
towns and cities, and proposed for use in China.

To prevent thermal pollution due to devegetation, the prescription is simple: do

not devegetate and leave strips of trees and vegetation along streams and
shorelines.
All efforts to control erosion also have the effect of keeping water clearer and,
thus, cooler.

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7. SOLID WASTE
• Solid wastes are the discarded (abandoned or considered waste-like) materials.
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment
plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded materials including solid,
liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, resulting from industrial
commercial, mining and agricultural operations, and from community activities.
But it does not include solid or dissolved materials in domestic sewage, or solid or
dissolved materials in irrigation return flows or industrial discharges.

Plastic Waste
Plastics are considered to be one of the wonderful inventions of 20th Century.
They are widely used as packing and carry bags because of cost and convenience.
But plastics are now considered as environmental hazard due to the “Throw away
culture”.

Source of generation of waste plastics

• Household
• Health and medicare
• Hotel and catering
• Air/rail travel

Effects
• Dioxin (highly carcinogenic and toxic) by-product of the manufacturing process is
one of the chemicals believed to be passed on through breast milk to the nursing
infant.
• Designing eco-friendly, biodegradable plastics are the need of the hour.
• The land gets littered by plastic bag garbage and becomes ugly and unhygienic.
• Conventional plastics have been associated with reproductive problems in both
humans and wildlife.
• Careless disposal of plastic bags chokes drains, blocks the porosity of the soil and
causes problems for groundwater recharge.
• Plastic disturbs the soil microbe activity. The terrestrial and aquatic animals
misunderstand plastic garbage as food items, swallow them and die.

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• Burning of plastics, especially PVC releases this dioxin and also furan into the
atmosphere. Thus, conventional plastics, right from their manufacture to their
disposal are a major problem to the environment.
• Plastic bags can also contaminate foodstuffs due to leaching of toxic dyes and
transfer of pathogens.
• Plastic bags deteriorates soil fertility as it forms part of manure and remains in the
soil for years.
• These bags finding their way in to the city drainage system results in blockage
causing inconvenience, difficult in maintenance, creates unhygienic environment
resulting in health hazard and spreading of water borne diseases.

Types
• Solid wastes are classified depending on their source:
a) Municipal waste,
b) Hazardous waste and
c) Biomedical waste or hospital waste.

a) Municipal solid waste

• With rising urbanization and change in lifestyle and food habits, the amount of
municipal solid waste has been increasing rapidly and its composition changing.
• Municipal solid waste consists of household waste, construction and demolition
debris, sanitation residue, and waste from streets.

b) Hazardous waste
• Industrial and hospital waste is considered hazardous as they contain toxic
substances. Hazardous wastes could be highly toxic to humans, animals, and
plants and are corrosive, highly inflammable, or explosive.

c) Hospital waste
• Hospital waste is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of
human beings or animals or in research activities or in the production or testing of
biologicals.
• It may include wastes like soiled waste, disposables, anatomical waste, cultures,
discarded medicines, chemical wastes, disposable syringes, swabs, bandages,
body fluids, human excreta, etc.

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• These chemicals include formaldehyde and phenols, which are used as
disinfectants, and mercury, which is used in thermometers or equipment that
measure blood pressure.
• After the notification of the Bio-medical Waste (Handling and Management)
Rules, 1998, these establishments are slowly streamlining the process of waste
segregation, collection, treatment, and disposal.
• These are highly infectious and can be a serious threat to human health if not
managed in a scientific and discriminate manner.

Treatment and disposal of solid waste

i) Pyrolysis
• It is a process of combustion in absence of oxygen or the material burnt under
controlled atmosphere of oxygen. It is an alternative to incineration. The gas and
liquid thus obtained can be used as fuels. Pyrolysis of carbonaceous wastes like
firewood, coconut, palm waste, corn combs, cashew shell, rice husk paddy straw
and saw dust, yields charcoal along with products like tar, methyl alcohol, acetic
acid, acetone and a fuel gas.

ii) Landfills
• Landfills are generally located in urban areas. It is a pit that is dug in the ground.
The garbage is dumped and the pit is covered with soil everyday thus preventing
the breeding of flies and rats. Thus, every day, garbage is dumped and sealed.
After the landfill is full, the area is covered with a thick layer of mud and the site
can thereafter be developed as a parking lot or a park.
• Problems – All types of waste are dumped in landfills and when water seeps
through them it gets contaminated and in turn pollutes the surrounding area. This
contamination of groundwater and soil through landfills is known as leaching.

iii) Open dumps

• Open dumps refer to uncovered areas that are used to dump solid waste of all
kinds. The waste is untreated, uncovered, and not segregated. It is the breeding
ground For flies, rats, and other insects that spread disease. The rainwater run-off
from these dumps contaminates nearby land and water thereby spreading
disease. Treatment by open dumps is to be phased out.

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iv) Sanitary landfills

• Sanitary landfill is more hygienic and built in a methodical manner to solve the
problem of leaching. These are lined with materials that are impermeable such as
plastics and clay, and are also built over impermeable soil. Constructing sanitary
landfills is very costly

v) Vermiculture
• It is also known as earthworm framing. In this method, Earth worms are added to
the compost. These worms break the waste and the added excreta of the worms
makes the compost very rich in nutrients.

vi) Incineration plants

• The process of burning waste in large furnaces at high temperature is known as
incineration. In these plants the recyclable material is segregated and the rest of
the material is burnt and ash is produced.
• Burning garbage is not a clean process as it produces tones of toxic ash and
pollutes the air and water. A large amount of the waste that is burnt here can be
recovered and recycled. In fact, at present, incineration is kept as the last resort
and is used mainly for treating the infectious waste.

vii) Composting
• Composting is a biological process in which micro-organisms, mainly fungi and
bacteria, decompose degradable organic waste into humus like substance in the
presence of oxygen.
• This finished product, which looks like soil, is high in carbon and nitrogen and is an
excellent medium for growing plants.
• It increases the soil’s ability to hold water and makes the soil easier to cultivate. It
helps the soil retain more plant nutrients
• It recycles the nutrients and returns them back to soil as nutrients.
• Apart from being clean, cheap, and safe, composting can significantly reduce the
amount of disposable garbage.

8. PLASTIC POLLUTION
Plastics as a Waste Material- in Marine

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The marine resource covering 70 percent of the earth’s surface is a key asset in
the biosphere. Of the nearly 1.5 million species known, nearly a quarter million
live in the world’s oceans. More importantly, nearly 50 percent of the global
primary production takes place in the upper stratum of sea water. Seafood
presently represents 20% of the protein in global diet.

The health of the marine food web and the fisheries resources invariably depend
upon the long-term viability o the autotrophic algae (phytoplankton – primary
producer) and the zooplankton (primary consumers) in the marine food pyramid.
Plastics represent the latest contaminant in the marine environment; the
increased use of plastics has lead to negative environmental impacts.
Plastics pollution can interfere with the plankton species that form the foundation
of the food web, and other organisms adversely affecting the delicate balance in
the marine ecosystem.

Environment
The amount of plastic waste estimation annually introduced into the marine
environment is not available. But, plastic waste is well known to result primarily
from fishing-related activities, and from non-point source influx from beaches.
There are two clear differences between the fate of plastics debris in the ocean
environment as opposed to on land environments.

(a) The rate of UV-induced photo-oxidative degradation of plastics floating or

submerged at sea is very much slower than that exposed to the same solar
radiation on land.
(b) Unlike on land there is no easy means of retrieval, sorting and recycling of plastic
waste that enters into the ocean environment.

These two factors generally result in extended lifetimes for plastics at sea. The
plastic waste that has been introduced into the world’s oceans must accumulate
for the most part intact and unmineralized in the marine environment. While the
fate of Such plastics is not clear, it is reasonable to expect at least some of it to
continue disintegrating into micro particulate debris. Recent reports even indicate
an increase in their counts over the last two decades.

Impact of Micro particles

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Challenging the Antarctic krill and other zooplankton with plastic beads that are
about 20 microns or so in size has demonstrated that these microparticulates are
readily ingested by these organisms. They appear to ingest the particles
unselectively, and the ingestion rates depend on the concentration of particles in
the environment.
Plastics are bio-inert and are not expected to be toxic to the animal in the
conventional sense. While physical obstruction or indirect interference with
physiology is always possible (as with sea birds showing satiation on ingesting
plastics) the material will pass through the animal virtually unchanged.

The concern, however, is that plastics exposed to sea water tends to concentrate
toxic and non-toxic organic compounds present in the sea water at low
concentrations. These, including PCBs, DDT, and nonylphenols, have very high
partition coefficients and are very efficiently concentrated in the plastic material.

Plastics as a Waste Material- in Land Environment

• Problems with the uncollected plastic waste, include choking of drains by plastic
carry bags which may lead to unhygienic environment and water borne diseases,
• Causing of illness and possible death of animals that may feed on plastics from
garbage bins,
• Non-biodegradable and impervious nature of plastics disposed on soil which may
arrest recharge of ground water aquifers,
• Presence of additives and plasticizers, fillers, flame retardants and pigments used
in the plastic products which have potential to cause adverse health impact and
ground water pollution.

ACID RAIN
Acid rain is the rainfall that has been acidified. It is formed when oxides of sulfur
and nitrogen react with the moisture in the atmosphere. It is rain with a pH of less
than 5.6. Acid rain is particularly damaging to lakes, streams, and forests and the
plants and animals that live in these ecosystems.

Sources of compounds causing acid rain

(a) Sulphur
(i) Natural sources:
• seas and oceans,

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• volcanic eruptions,
• Biological processes in the soil e.g., Decomposition of organic matter.

(ii) Man-made sources:

• burning of coal (60% of SO2) and
• petroleum products (30% of SO2), and
• The smelting of metal sulfide ores to obtain the pure metals.
• Industrial production of Sulfuric acid in metallurgical, chemical and fertilizer
industries.

(b) Nitrogen
(i) Natural sources:
• lightening,
• volcanic eruption, and
• Biological activity.
(ii) Anthropogenic sources:
• Forest fires
• Combustion of oil, coal, and gas
(c) Formic acid
• Biomass burning due to forest fires causes emission of formic acid (HCOOH) and
formaldehyde (HCHO) into the atmosphere.
• Large fraction formaldehyde gets photo – oxidation and forms formic acid in the
atmosphere.
These are three main compounds that cause acidification of rain in the
atmosphere.

(d) Other Acids:

• Chlorine
• Phosphoric acid
• Hydrochloric acid (smokestacks).
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (automobiles). These become carbonic acid.

Does it occurs only in industrial areas alone?

SOX and NOX that create Acid Rain are often transported to distances far away
from their points of origin by the wind so that the adverse effects of pollution are
also experienced at place remote from the place of genesis. The problem is

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further compounded as the environmental damage caused by acid rain is not
uniform, but is area-specific.

Common characteristics of acid rain

Areas:
• Areas which are prone to acid-rain attacks have some common characteristics:
• They are concentrated in the industrialized belt of the northern hemisphere.
• They are often upland and / or mountainous areas, which are well-watered by
rain and snow.
• Due to the abundance of water, they possess numerous lakes and streams and
also have more land covered with vegetation.
• Being upland, they often have thin soils and glaciated bedrock.

Difference between normally and anthropogenically acidified lakes

Naturally acidic lakes Anthropogenically Acidified lakes
Brown to yellow colour caused by Very clear water caused by reduced
humic substances primary productivity
Concentrations of dissolved organic Dissolved organic carbon
carbon are high while transparency is concentrations are low. Whereas the
low transparency is high.
Low pH but well buffered. Poorly buffered
Abound with aquatic life. Some of the more sensitive taxa, such
as blue-green algae, some bacteria,
snails, mussels crustaceans, mayflies
and fish either decrease or / are
eliminated.

(e) Acid rain damage on Materials

Material Type of Impact Principal Air Pollutants
Metals Corrosion, Tarnishing Sulphur Oxides and other
acid gases
Building stone Surface erosion soiling, Sulphur Oxides and other
black crust formation acid gases
Ceramics and glass Surface erosion, surface Acid gases, especially
crust formation Fluoride containing
Paints and Organic Surface erosion, Sulphur dioxides,

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coatings discoloration, soiling Hydrogen sulphide
Paper Embrittlement, Sulphur Oxides
discoloration
Photographic materials Micro-blemishes Sulphur Oxides
Textiles Fading, colour change Nitrogen oxides, Ozone
Leather Weakening, Powdered Sulphur oxides
surface
Rubber Cracking Ozone

BIOREMEDIATION
• Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) to degrade the
environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.
• The microorganisms may be indigenous to a contaminated area or they may be
isolated from elsewhere and brought to the contaminated site.

Genetic engineering approaches

Phytoremediation
• Phytoremediation is use of plants to remove contaminants from soil and water .
• Rhizofiltration is a water remediation technique that involves the uptake of
contaminants by plant roots. Rhizofiltration is used to reduce contamination in
natural wetlands and estuary areas.
• The bacterium Deinococcusradiodurans has been used to de toxify toluene and
ionic mercury which are released from radioactive nuclear waste.

Mycoremediation
• is a form of bioremediation in which fungi are used to decontaminate the area.

Mycofiltration
• is a similar process, using fungal mycelia to filter toxic waste and microorganisms
from water in soil.

Advantages of bioremediation
• Useful for the complete destruction of a wide variety of contaminants.
• The complete destruction of target pollutants is possible.
• Less expensive.

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• Environment friendly

Disadvantages of bioremediation
• Bioremediation is limited to those compounds that are biodegradable. Not all
compounds are susceptible to rapid and complete degradation.
• Biological processes are often highly specific.
• Bioremediation often takes longer time than other treatment process

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Consumption of non-renewable sources of energy has Caused more
environmental damage than any other Human activity. Electricity generated from
fossil Fuels has led to high concentrations of harmful gases in the Atmosphere.
This has in turn led to many environmental And health problems being faced
today.
Therefore, alternative sources of energy have become very important and
relevant.
Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural resources that are
continuously replenished. This includes sunlight, geothermal heat, wind, tides,
water, and various forms of biomass. This energy cannot be exhausted and is
constantly renewed.
They are viable source of clean limitless energy, cause less emission, and are
available locally. The use of renewable energy greatly reduces all sort of
pollutions vis-à-vis nonrenewable energy. Most of the renewable sources of
energy are fairly non-polluting and considered clean. But biomass though a
renewable source, is a major contributor of indoor pollution.

Renewable energy comprises of

• Solar energy – energy generated from the sun
• Hydel energy – energy derived from water
• Biomass – energy from firewood, animal dung, biodegradable waste and crop
residues, when it is burnt.
• Geothermal energy- energy from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs, natural
geysers, etc.
• Ocean thermal – energy from waves and also from tidal waves.

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• Co-generation – producing two forms of energy from one fuel.
• Fuel cells are also being used as cleaner energy source.

Source
(i) Primary source – renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal
(ii) Secondary source – non-renewable energy generated through the conversion
of coal, oil, natural gas etc.
(iii) The Government has up-scaled the target of renewable energy capacity to
175 GW by the year 2022 which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind,
10 GW from biopower and 5 GW from small hydro-power.

1. WIND ENERGY
Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the movement of atmospheric
air. Wind turbines transform the energy in the wind into mechanical power,
further converting to electric power to generate electricity. Five nations –
Germany, USA, Denmark, Spain and India – account for 80% of the world’s
installed wind energy capacity.

Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production
of electricity. A wind farm can be located onshore and offshore.
• Offshore wind farms: Construction of wind farms in large bodies of water to
generate electricity. Offshore wind farms are more expensive than onshore wind
farms of the same nominal power.
• Onshore wind farms: operate on land, where the wind tends to be the
strongest. The turbines of a Onshore wind farms are less expensive and easier to
set up, maintain and operate than offshore turbines.

Potential of wind energy in India

The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has recently launched Wind Energy
Resource Map of India at 100 meter above ground level (AGL) on online
Geographic Information System platform.

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The wind energy potential in the country at 100 m AGL is over 302 GW. Gujarat
has the maximum potential followed by Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
according to the resource map.

Wind energy target

• 60000 MW (60 GW) by 2022
• 200000 MW (200 GW) by 2022

Capacity installed
• Tamil Nadu – 7200 MW
• Maharashtra – 4000 MW
• Karnataka – 2700 MW
• Rajasthan – 2700 MW
Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala are minor players with installed
capacity of less than 1000 MW

2. SOLAR ENERGY
India is one of the few countries naturally blessed with long days and plenty of
sunshine. There are two ways we can produce electricity from the sun light:
• Solar-Thermal Electricity – uses a solar collector that has a mirrored surface
which reflects the sunlight onto a receiver that heats up a liquid. This heated up
liquid is used to make steam that produces electricity
• Photovoltaic Electricity – uses photovoltaic cells that absorb the direct
sunlight to generate electricity

Potential of solar energy in India

• India has the potential to generate 35 MW/km2 using solar photovoltaic and
solar thermal energy
• The states with very high solar radiation are Rajasthan, northern Gujarat and
parts of Ladakh region, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Installed capacity – India

The current installed capacity of solar in grid connected power crossed 10,000
MW, as on 2017, as per MNRE estimates.

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A major initiative called ‘The National Solar Mission’ was formulated by
Government of India and its state governments.
One of the main features of the Mission is to make India a global leader in solar
energy and the mission envisages an installed solar generation capacity of 100
GW (revised Target) by 2022.

International Solar Alliance

International Solar Alliance (ISA) is launched at the CoP21 climate Conference in
Paris on 30th November as a special platform for mutual cooperation among 121
solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between Tropic of cancer and
Tropic of Capricorn.
The alliance is dedicated to address special energy needs of ISA member
countries.
International Agency for Solar Policy and Application (IASPA) will be the formal
name of International Solar alliance. The ISA secretariat will be set up in National
institute of Solar Energy, Gurgaon.

Objectives
1. To force down prices by driving demand;
2. To bring standardization in solar technologies
3. To foster research and development.
Prime Minister coined the new term “Surya Putra” for all the nations which fall
between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, and which have been invited to
join the alliance. The other term used for these countries is “Sunshine countries”.
IESS 2047 stands for India Energy Security Scenarios 2047 calculator which has
been launched by India to explore the potential of future energy scenarios for
India.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA has 150 member nations with Headquarters in Abu Dhabi

3. OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY

Large amounts of solar energy is stored in the oceans and seas. On an average,
the 60 million square kilometer of the tropical seas absorb solar radiation
equivalent to the heat content of 245 billion barrels of oil.

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The process of harnessing this energy is called OTEC (ocean thermal energy
conversion). It uses the temperature differences between the surface of the
ocean and the depths of about 1000m to operate a heat engine, which produces
electric power

Tidal energy
Energy can be extracted from tides by creating a reservoir or basin behind a
barrage and then passing tidal waters through turbines in the barrage to generate
electricity. A major tidal wave power project costing of Rs.5000 crores, is
proposed to be set up in the Hanthal Creek in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.

Wave energy
Waves result from the interaction of the wind with the surface of the sea and
represent a transfer of energy from the wind to the sea. The first wave energy,
project with a capacity of 150MW, has been set up at Vizhinjam near Trivandrum.

Anaerobic Digestion/Biomethanation
Biomethanation, or methanogenesis, is a scientific process whereby anaerobic
microorganisms in an anaerobic environment decompose biodegradable matter
producing methane-rich biogas and effluent. The three functions that take place
sequentially are hydrolysis, acidogenosis and methanogenesis.

Biomass
Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of
various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources,
including the by-products from the timber industry, agricultural crops, grassy and
woody plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, oil-rich algae, and the organic
component of municipal and industrial wastes. Biomass is a good substitute for
the conventional fossil fuels for heating and energy generation purposes.
Burning biomass releases about the same amount of carbon dioxide as burning
fossil fuels. However, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide captured by
photosynthesis over its formative years. Biomass, on the other hand, releases
carbon dioxide that is largely balanced by the carbon dioxide captured in its own
growth (depending how much energy was used to grow, harvest, and process the

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fuel). Hence, biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it
absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a
fuel.
Chemical processes like gasification, combustion and pyrolysis convert biomass to
useful products, combustion being the most common of them. Each of the
technologies mentioned produces a major calorific end product and a mixture of
by-products. The processing method is selected on the basis of nature and origin
of feed stocks, their physiochemical state and application spectrum of fuel
products derived from it.

Pyrolysis/Gasification
Pyrolysis is a process of chemical decomposition of organic matter brought about
by heat. In this process, the organic material is heated in the absence of air until
the molecules thermally break down to become a gas comprising smaller
molecules (known collectively as syngas).
Gasification can also take place as a result of partial combustion of organic matter
in the presence of a restricted quantity of oxygen or air. The gas so produced is
known as producer gas. The gases produced by pyrolysis mainly comprise carbon
monoxide (25%), hydrogen and hydrocarbons (15%), and carbon dioxide and
nitrogen (60%). The next step is to ‘clean’ the syngas or producer gas. Thereafter,
the gas is burned in internal combustion (IC) engine generator sets or turbines to
produce electricity.

Combustion/Incineration
In this process, waste is directly burned in the presence of excess air (oxygen) at
high temperatures (about 800°C), liberating heat energy, inert gases and ash.
Combustion results in transfer of 65–80% of heat content of the organic matter to
hot air, steam and hot water. The steam generated, in turn, can be used in steam
turbines to generate power.

4. HYDRO POWER
Hydraulic power can be captured when water flows downward from a higher level
to a lower level which is then used to turn the turbine, thereby converting the
kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy to drive the generator.

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Hydro power is cheapest, and cleanest source of energy but there are many
environmental and social issues associated with big dams as seen in projects like
Tehri, Narmada, etc. Small hydro power are free from these problems

Types of hydro power stations

There are three types of hydropower facilities: impoundment, diversion, and
pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use dams and some do not.

(1) Impoundment
The most common type of hydroelectric power plant is an impoundment facility.
An impoundment facility, typically a large hydropower system, uses a dam to
store river water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a
turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity

(2) Diversion
A diversion, sometimes called run-of-river facility, channels a portion of a river
through a canal or penstock and then to flow through a turbine, spinning it, which
in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. It may not require the use of a
dam.

(3) Pumped storage

It works like a battery, storing the electricity generated by other power sources
like solar, wind, and nuclear for later use. When the demand for electricity is low,
a pumped storage facility stores energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir
to an upper reservoir. During periods of high electrical demand, the water is
released back to the lower reservoir and turns a turbine, generating electricity.

Small Hydro Power (SHP)

Small hydro is defined as any hydro power project which has an installed capacity
of less than 25 MW. It is in most cases run-of-river, where a dam or barrage is
quite small, usually just a weir with little or no water is stored. Therefore run-of-
river installations do not have the same kind of adverse effect on the local
environment as large-scale hydro projects. Small hydropower plants can serve the

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energy needs of remote rural areas independently. India and China are the major
players of the SHP sector, holding the highest number of installed projects.

Small Hydro Potential in India

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is encouraging development of Small
Hydro Projects in both the public and private sector and aims to exploit at least
50% of the current potential in the next 10 years.

COGENERATION
Co-generation is producing two forms of energy from one fuel. One of the forms
of energy must always be heat and the other may be electricity or mechanical
energy. In a conventional power plant, fuel is burnt in a boiler to generate high-
pressure steam. This steam is used to drive a turbine, which in turn drives an
alternator through a steam turbine to produce electric power. The exhaust steam
is generally condensed to water which goes back to the boiler.

As the low-pressure steam has a large quantum of heat which is lost in the
process of condensing, the efficiency of conventional power plants is only around
35%. In a cogeneration plant, the low-pressure exhaust steam coming out of the
turbine is not condensed, but used for heating purposes in factories or houses
and thus very high efficiency levels, in the range of 75%–90%, can be reached.
Since co-generation can meet both power and heat needs, it has other
advantages as well in the form of significant cost savings for the plant and
reduction in emissions of pollutants due to reduced fuel consumption.

Even at conservative estimates, the potential of power generation from co-

generation in India is more than 20,000 MW. Since India is the largest producer of
sugar in the world, bagasse-based cogeneration is being promoted. The potential
for cogeneration thus lies in facilities with joint requirement of heat and
electricity, primarily sugar and rice mills, distilleries, petrochemical sector and
industries such as fertilizers, steel, chemical, cement, pulp and paper, and
aluminium.

Installed capacity in India

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• Approximately over 300 biomass power and cogeneration projects aggregating
3700 MW have been installed in the country for feeding power to the grid. Also,
30 Biomass power projects aggregating about 350MW are under different stages
of implementation.
• Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the
leading states in the implementation of bagasse cogeneration projects.
• In the biomass power projects, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and tamil Nadu have taken leadership position.
• The Government plans to meet 20% of the countries diesel requirements by 2020
using biodiesel. Potential sources of biodiesel production have been identified in
wild plants such as jatropha curcas, neem, mahua, Karanj, Simarouba (exotic tree)
etc.
• Several incentive schemes have been introduced to rehabilitate waste lands
through the cultivation of jatropha.
• Central Finance Assistance (CFA) is provided by the ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE) in the form of capital subsidy and financial incentives
to biomass energy projects in India.

5. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal generation refers to harnessing of the geothermal energy or the vast
reservoir of heat stored in the earth’s inner core. Below the earth’s crust, there is
a layer of hot and molten rock called ‘magma’. Heat is continually produced there,
mostly from the decay of naturally radioactive materials such as uranium and
potassium.

How is it captured
Geothermal systems can be found in regions with a normal or slightly above
normal geothermal gradient (gradual change in temperature is known as the
geothermal gradient, which expresses the increase in temperature with depth in
the earth’s crust. The average geothermal gradient is about 2.5-3 °C/100 m.) and
especially in regions around plate margins where the geothermal gradients may
be significantly higher than the average value.
The most common current way of capturing the energy from geothermal sources
is to tap into naturally occurring “hydrothermal convection” systems where cooler

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water seeps into the earth’s crust, is heated up and then rises to the surface.
When heated water is forced to the surface, it is a relatively easy to capture that
steam and use it to drive electric generators.

Potential in India
India has a potential for producing around 10,600 MW of power from geothermal
resources. Although India was among the earliest countries to begin geothermal
projects since the 1970’s, at present there are no operational geothermal plants
in India. 340 hot springs were identified across India. These have been grouped
together and termed as different geothermal provinces based on their occurrence
in specific geotectonic regions, geological and structural regions such as
occurrence in orogenic belt regions, structural grabens, deep fault zones, active
volcanic regions etc.

Potential Sites
1. Puga Valley (J&K)
2. Tattapani (Chhattisgarh)
3. Godavari Basin Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh)
4. Bakreshwar (West Bengal)
5. Tuwa (Gujarat)
6. Unai (Maharashtra)
7. Jalgaon (Maharashtra)

Orogenic regions:
1. Himalayan geothermal province
2. Naga-Lushai geothermal province
3. Andaman-Nicobar Islands geothermal province

Non-orogenic regions:
1. Cambay graben,
2. Son-Narmada-Tapigraben,
3. West coast,
4. Damodar valley,
5. Mahanadi valley,

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6. Godavari valley etc

Recent Developments:
In 2013,India’s first geothermal power plant was announced to be set up in
Chhattisgarh. The plant would be set up at Tattapani in the Balrampur district.
Satellites like the IRS-1 have played an important role, through infrared
photographs, in locating geothermal areas.

• Challenges
• High generation costs
• Drilling costs
Geothermal power plants must be located near specific areas near a reservoir
because it is not practical to transport steam or hot water over distances greater
than two miles.
Some areas may have sufficient hot rocks to supply hot water to a power station,
but many of these areas are located in harsh areas or high up in mountains.
Execution challenges
Harmful radioactive gases can escape from deep within the earth through the
holes drilled by the constructors. The plant must be able to contain any leaked
gases and ensure safe disposal of the same.

7. WASTE TO ENERGY
In today’s era, there are increasing quantities of waste due to urbanization,
industrialization and changes in life patterns which are harmful to the
environment. In the recent past, development of technology has helped to reduce
the amount of waste for its safe disposal and to generate electricity from it.
Waste-to-energy has the potential to divert waste from landfills and generate
clean power without the emission of harmful greenhouse gas. This significantly
reduces the volume of waste that needs to be disposed of and can generate
power Pyrolysis and gasification are emerging technologies apart from the
common incineration and biomethanation.

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Major Constraints Faced by the Indian

Waste to Energy Sector
• Improper segregation – India lacks a source separated waste stream, owing to
the low level of compliance of municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules 2000 by the
Municipal Corporations/ Urban Local Bodies. The organic waste is mixed with the
other types of waste. Hence the operations of the waste to energy techniques are
hindered and a lack of smoothness causes the attempts to be short lived.
• Choice of technology – Waste-to-Energy is still a new concept in India. Most of
the proven and commercial technologies in respect of urban wastes are required
to be imported;
• Lack of policy support – Lack of conducive policy guidelines from State
Governments in respect of allotment of land, supply of garbage and power
purchase / evacuation facilities.
• High costs – The costs of the projects especially based on biomethanation
technology are high as critical equipment for a project is required to be imported.

8. FUEL CELLS
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel
directly and very efficiently into electricity (DC) and heat, thus doing away with
combustion. The most suitable fuel for such cells is hydrogen or a aixture of
compounds containing hydrogen. A fuel cell consists of an electrolyte sandwiched
between two electrodes. Oxygen passes over one electrode and hydrogen over
the other, and they react electrochemically to generate electricity, water, and
heat.

Fuel cells for automobile transport

Compared to vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine, fuel-cell
powered vehicles have very high energy conversion efficiency, and near-zero
pollution, CO2 and water vapour being the only emissions. Fuel-cell-powered EV’s
(electric vehicles) score over battery operated EV’s in terms of increased
efficiency and easier and faster refuelling.
In India, diesel run buses are a major means of transport and these emit
significant quantities of SPM and SO2.Thus, fuel-cell powered buses and electric

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vehicles could be introduced with relative ease to dramatically reduce urban air
pollution and to make a positive impact on urban air quality.

Fuel cells for power generation

Conventional large-scale power plants use non-renewable fuels with significant
adverse ecological and environmental impacts. Fuel cell systems are excellent
candidates for small-scale decentralized power generation.
Fuel cells can supply combined heat and power to commercial buildings,
hospitals, airports and military installation at remote locations. Fuel cells have
efficiency levels up to 55% as compared to 35% of conventional power plants. The
emissions are significantly lower (CO2 and water vapour being the only
emissions).
Fuel cell systems are modular (i.e. additional capacity can be added whenever
required with relative ease) and can be set up wherever power is required.

Constraint
High initial cost is the biggest hurdle in the widespread commercialization of fuel
cells.

REN21
REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that
connects a wide range of key actors from:
• Governments
• International organizations
• Industry associations
• Science and academia as well as civil society
To facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and joint action towards a
rapid global transition to renewable energy. REN21 promotes renewable energy
to meet the needs of both industrialized and developing countries that are driven
by climate change, energy security, development and poverty alleviation.

REN21 is an international non-profit association and committed to the

following objectives:

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• Providing policy-relevant information and research based analysis on renewable
energy to decision makers, multipliers and the public to catalyse policy change
• Offering a platform for interconnection between multistakeholder actors
working in the renewable energy field worldwide and identifying barriers as well
as working to bridge existing gaps to increase the large scale deployment of
renewable energy worldwide.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES

Non-renewable energy resources are finite. They cannot be easily replaced on
human timescales, and we are exploiting them faster than they are being made.
There are two main types of non-renewable energy: fossil fuels and nuclear
energy

FOSSIL FUELS
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from organic matter. They primarily come
in the form of coal, crude oil and natural gas. People have been burning fossil
fuels to produce heat and electricity for the past 250 years
Fossil fuels are efficient as burning a small amount of oil, gas or coal releases a lot
of energy. Extraction of fossil fuels from the ground can be cheap, and because
extraction doesn’t require any particular environmental conditions (e.g. wind or
sunshine), they are reliable sources of energy. Fossil fuels are also relatively easy
to transport by roads, rail and pipelines.

Burning fossil fuels generates heat and electricity, but also released carbon
dioxide (CO2) gas. The CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere traps excess heat from the
sun in a process known as the ‘greenhouse effect’. Over the past 250 years,
increasing amounts of CO2 (currently at ~410 parts per million) have caused the
Earth’s atmosphere and oceans to heat up, this is known as global warming.

OIL AND GAS

Crude oil and natural gas are hydrocarbons formed from marine phytoplankton
(plant) and zooplankton (animal). When these microorganisms die, they sink to
the bottom of the ocean and are gradually covered in layers of sand and mud
creating organic-rich sediments. Environments with high primary productivity of
plankton and conditions that prevent this organic matter from decomposing have
the best prospects for developing organic-rich source rocks

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As organic-rich rocks are buried over millions of years, heat and pressure rises and
the organic matter in the sediment is transformed into crude oil and natural gas.
These hydrocarbons are less dense than the surrounding rock so migrate upwards
through tiny pores and fractures in the surrounding rock. They can rise through
these fractures to the surface or become trapped in reservoirs under
impermeable layers of rock, known as seals or cap rocks. It is over these trapped
deposits that engineers drill to extract the oil which is then refined into different
hydrocarbons

NUCLEAR POWER
Uranium and plutonium are highly radioactive elements, which decay over time
releasing energy as heat. In nuclear power stations uranium and plutonium fuel
rods are involved in nuclear fission reactions where atoms are split into smaller
nuclei to release large amounts of energy. The heat energy released causes the
reactor vessel to heat to about 300°C. This heat is used in steam turbines (kinetic
energy) to drive generators and produce electricity.

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PROS
• High fuel to power ratio, means a highly efficient way to produce energy
• Low greenhouse gas emissions, means energy is produced with low CO2 release
• Reliable source of energy that is not weather dependent
• Nuclear reactors produce cheaper electricity than fossil fuels.
• Uranium is a fairly cheap fuel source

CONS
• Hazardous radioactive waste by-product must be stored and buried in special
containers
• Nuclear accidents can release harmful levels of radiation into the environment
(e.g. Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011)
• Costly to set up and decommission
• Not renewable so will eventually run out

Classification of Natural Resources

Natural resources are classified into 2 categories:
I) Renewable Natural Resources Renewable resources are those which can be
generated again after they are used. For example, water, wood and Sunlight are some of the
examples of renewable resources.
II) Non-Renewable Natural Resources A non- renewable resource is that which
exhausts after frequent usage and sometimes, it takes a long time to get generated like natural
gas.
Some of the commonly used natural resources are
i) Forest Resources
Forest is a natural ecosystem that has multi species and multi-aged trees. Forests
have diverse functions
They provide timber, forest products like lac, honey, wax, herbs, bamboo, roots,
tuber, etc. They are useful in regulation of soil, water and air. Forests are vital for
the preservation of biodiversity and play a significant role in maintaining
ecological balance.They provide fresh oxygen and also act as carbon sinks.

Exploitatlon of Forest Resources

Deforestation is only responsible for the exploitation o indigenous forests and
exploitation of indigenous forests and woodlands. IT has resulted in the reduction
of indigenous forest to four fifty of their pre agricultural area.

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a) Population Explosion lt possess a great threat to the environment. Vast areas
of forest land are cleared to claim land for human settlement.
b) Forest Fires It is caused by both natural and human activities. Human clearing
forest for habitation, agriculture, firewood, construction of roads etc. Therefore,
they fire the forest Heat wave during Summers cause forest fires naturally
c) Grazing Animals Trampling of the forest soil in the course of overgrazing by
livestock. It has affected the porosity of soil leading to soil leading to soil erosion
and desertification of the previously fertile the forest area.
d) Expansion of Agriculture Farmers clear forests to get more land for planting
crops. Many small farmers clear a few acres to fedd their families by cutting down
trees and burning them in a process known as slash and burn agriculture.
e) Timber Harvesting Timber resources is an important asset of a country. Many
industries flourish due to high demand of commercial wood. Therefore , It leads
to 14% of deforestation.

India State Forest Report 2019

The ministry for Environment Forest and Climate change relased the India State of
Forest Report (ISFR), 2019. The 2019 Report for the first time assessed the
qualitative Nature of the forest cover including listing its biodiversity and the type
of plants and trees found.
Some key highlights of the report are:
• The total and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectare. It is 24.56% of the
total geographical area of the country.
• The forest and tree cover has increased by more than 130 million hectares in the
last 4 years
• Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country.
• In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five
state are Mizoram (85.41%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%),
Manipur (75.46%) and Nagaland (75.31%).
• The top 3 states showing increase in forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq. km)
followed by Andhra Pradesh (990 sq.km) and keralla (823 sq.km).
• Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Gujarat (37 sq km)
followed by Maharashtra (16 sp km) and Odisha (8 sq km).

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• There are 62466 wetlands covering 3.8 % of the area with Recorded forest Area
(RFA) Green wash (GW) of the country.

India State of Forest Report 2021: Key Findings in ISFR

(Video)
The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (Mo EFCC) released
the India State of Forest Report 2021. Read to know the details of the report
here.
The India State of Forest Report 2021 (ISFR) has found the country’s forest cover
has increased by 1,540 sq km since 2019.
But a decline in the Northeast and degradation of natural forests are a concern.
In October 2021, Mo EFCC proposed an amendment to the Forest Conservation
act, of 1980 to bring a few important changes to forest governance in India.

India State of Forest Report (ISFR)

India State of Forest Report 2021 presents the latest status of the Forest cover
and tree cover of the country.
It is published every two years, with the first survey being published in 1987. ISFR
2021 is the 17th edition published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
The India State of Forest Report 2021 is used for the planning, formulation of
policies for forest management as well as forestry and agro-forestry sectors.
The report also provides data about India’s requirements to international
organizations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and various
conventions and commitments like UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), etc.

3 categories of forests
Forests are divided into three categories-
1. Very dense forests(canopy density over 70%)
2. Moderately dense forests(40-70%)
3. Open forests(10-40%).
Scrubs (canopy density less than 10%) are also surveyed but not categorized as
forests.

India State of Forest Report 2021

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In a first, ISFR 2021 assessed forest cover in tiger reserves, tiger corridors, and the
Gir forests, home of Asiatic lion.
• The forest cover in tiger corridors has increased by 15 sq km (0.32%) between
2011 and 2021 but decreased by 22.6 sq km (0.04%) in tiger reserves.
• In the last 10 years, forest cover has increased in 20 tiger reserves and decreased
in 32.
Forest cover increased well in:
• Buxa (West Bengal)
• Annamalai (Tamil Nadu)
• Indravati reserves (Chhattisgarh)
The highest losses have been found in:
• Kawal (Telangana)
• Bhadra (Karnataka)
• Sunderban Reserve (West Bengal).
Pakke tiger reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has the highest forest cover, at nearly
97%.

Key Findings of the ISFR 2021

INCREASE IN FOREST AND TREE AREA:
• The forest and tree cover in the country continues to increase. An additional
cover of 1,540 square kilometers increased over the past two years.
• India’s forest cover is now7,13,789 square kilometers (21.71% of the country’s
geographical area) which is an increase from 67% in 2019.
• Tree cover is defined as all tree patches of size less than one hectare occurring
outside the recorded forest area. This covers trees in all formations including
scattered trees. Tree cover has increased by 721 sq km.

INCREASE/DECREASE IN FORESTS:
• The states that have shown the highest increase in forest cover are Telangana
(3.07%), Andhra Pradesh (2.22%), and Odisha (1.04%).
• Five states in the Northeast have shown a loss in forest cover: Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland

STATES WITH HIGHEST FOREST AREA/COVER:

• Area-wise: Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed
by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

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• Forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area: Mizoram, Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland.
The ‘forest area’ denotes the legal status of the land as per the government
records, whereas the term ‘forest cover’ indicates the presence of trees over any
land.

MANGROVES:
• Mangroves have increased by 17 sq km making India’s total mangrove cover as
4,992 sq km.
• Top 3 states showing mangrove cover increase: Odisha (8 sq km), Maharashtra (4
sq km), and Karnataka (3 sq km).

FOREST PRONE TO FIRES:

• 46% of the forest cover is prone to forest fires.
• 81% are extremely prone, 7.85% are very highly prone and 11.51% are highly
prone.
• By 2030, 45-64% of forests in India will experience the effects of climate change
and rising temperatures.
• Forests in all states (except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland) will be
highly vulnerable climate hot spots.
• Ladakh (forest cover 0.1-0.2%) is likely to be the most affected.

TOTAL CARBON STOCK:

• Forest carbon stock is the amount of carbon that has been sequestered from the
atmosphere and stored within the forest ecosystem. Such carbon is mainly stored
within living biomass and soil and to some extent in deadwood and litter.
• The total carbon stock in the country’s forests is estimated at 7,204 million
tonnes, showing an increase of 79.4 million tonnes since 2019.

BAMBOO FORESTS:
• Bamboo forests have grown from 13,882 million culms (stems) in 2019 to 53,336
million culms in 2021.

Concerns as per the findings of the report:

A decline in Natural Forests:
• There is a 1,582 sq km decline in moderately dense or natural forests.

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• The decline even with an increase of 2,621 sq km in open forest areas shows the
degradation of forests in the country.
• The scrub area has increased by 5,320 sq km which indicates the complete
degradation of forests in these areas.
• Very dense forests have increased by 501 sq km.

A decline in Forest Cover in Northeast:

• The forest cover in the northeast has shown an overall decline of 1,020 sq km.
• The Northeast states cover 98% of the total geographical area but have 23.75% of
total forest cover.
• This decline in this region has been attributed to the series of natural calamities
that occurred here like landslides and heavy rains, as well as to anthropogenic
activities such as shifting agriculture, developmental activities, and extensive
deforestation

➢ Social Forestry It is the management and protection of forests. It aims to plant more trees
to improve the environment. Afforestation is done on barren and unused lands also. Trees are
planted along railway lines, roadside, river, banks, etc. The term was first used in India in 1976
by the National Commission on Agriculture.

Indian Forest Act,2006

India Forest Act was passed on 18 December, 2006. It deals with rights of forest dwelling
communities over forest land and resources. Schedule tribes and other traditional forest
dwellers who have been residing in forests for generations get the right to use certain parts of
the forest. These communities also help in conservation of the forests

Forest Conservation Movement

Name Year Description
Chipko It was launched in Reni village of chamoli district of
Movement Uttarakhand where people embraced the trees to prevent
(1973) them for being cut down.
It was led by Sunderial Bahuguna, Gaura Devi, Chandi
Prasad Bhatt etc.

Silent Valley It was started in Paiakkad district of kerala to save the

Movement silent valley Reserve Forest from being flooded by a
(1973) hydroelectric project

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It was led by Sunatha kumar and kerala Sasthra Sahithya
Parishad (KSSP)
Bishnoi This movement was started in village Khejaril in Rajasthan
Movement . When Maharaja of Jodhpur ordered to gather wood for
(1730) new palace
It was first led by amrita Devi who hug the tree after killing
363 Bishnai villagers, maharaja stopped cutting the trees.
Appiko It was started by Appu and Mamtha in Gudde village of
Movement uttarakhand.
(1973) It was second time started by Pandurang Hegde.
Narmada It was started by Medha Patkar and Babe Amte against the
Movement forest cutting for bulding a large dam
(1985)
Navadanya It was founded br Vandana Shiva which promotes
Movement biodiversity conservation, organic farming the right of
(1987) farmers and the process of seed saving

Soil Resources
Soil resources form a fundamental part of the environment. They provide the
physical base support the productivity and cycling of biological resources. provide
the source of nutrients and water for agricultural and forestry systems and fulfil a
complex buffering role against environmental variability (ranging from dampening
diurnal and seasonal change in temperature and water supply to the storage and
binding of a range of chemical and biological agents).
They are also highly biodiverse. Soils themselves vary greatly - a soil with
favourable mix of physical, chemical and biological characteristics will have a
much higher potential for productivity in gross terms than one less favoured.

Major Soils of India and their Properties

Soil Formation Characteristics Distribution Crops
Aluvial Silt brought by Very fertile, Punjab, Rice, Wheat,
Soil rivers fine grained Haryana, U.P, Sugarcane Cotton,
both in new M.P., Bihar, Oilseeds and Jute
allunium West Bengal
(Khadar) and
old allunium

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Black Soil Weathering of Water Maharashtra, Cotton, Oilseeds
(Regur) volcanic rocks Retentive Madhya Sugarcane,
Cracks Develop Pradesh, Tabacoo
when dry Gujarat
Andhra
Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu
Red and Decomposition Not Water Tamil Nadu, Bajra, Maize,
Yellow of granite, retentive When Kerala, Pulses, Potatoes,
Soil gneiss and fertilizer added, Karnataka Fruits
metamorphic soil becomes
rocks. productive
Latente Leaching of Agriculturally Peculiar to Cashes, Coffee,
Soil laterite rocks less important India Andhra Rubber
Bricks are made Predesh,
for house Tamil Nadu,
construction West Bengal ,
Odisha,
Rajasthan
and
Maharashtra
Saline Accumulation Unproductive Bihar, U.P., Berseem, Dhaincha
Soil (reh, of soluble soil In Punjab Haryana, leguminous crops
kallar, salts. and Haryana Punjab,
usar, gypsum is Rajasthan
thu,rakar, added to and
chopan) improve the Maharashtra
soil
Forest Decomposition Heterogeneous, Himalaya Temperate Fruits,
soil of organic character region, Spices, Tea, Coffee.
matter changes with Western and
parent rocks, Eastern
and climate, Ghats
required good
quality of
fertilizers to
work with.

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Soil Erosion and Degradation

The destruction of the top soil cover is described as soil erosion, while decrease in
its fertility is soil degradation. Wind and water are powerful agents of soil erosion
because of their ability to remove soil and transport it. Wind erosion is significant
in arid and semi-arid regions.
I) Run-off Erosion It is due to rills and gullies. The worst affected areas are those
of Chambal, Betwa and Ken rivers.
II) Sheet Erosion It is the main problem in Rajasthan, where sandy soil is removed
by run-off process.
III) Splash Erosion It is the problem of broad leaf dense forest in the region of
Madhya Pradesh, North-East India and Chota Nagpur.

Cause of Soil Erosion

Deforestation is one of the major causes of soil erosion. Plants keep soils bound in
locks of roots and thus, prevent erosion. Soil in irrigated zones of India is
becoming saline because of over -irrigation. Chemical fertilizers in the absence of
organic manures are also harmful to the soil fertility. Unless the soil gets enough
humus, chemicals harden it and reduce its fertility in the long-run.

Soil Conservation
➢ Afforestation is the process of planting trees in a barren land devoid of any trees
to create a forest cover. It is an important method to conserve the soil.
➢ Checking and shifting cultivation is also helpful in order to reduce soil erosion and
soil conservation.
➢ Through contour bunding and terracing soil erosion can be minimised. In this
method, the hill slopes are divided into numerous small slopes, which reduce
surface run-off and soil erosion
➢ Developing shelter belts of trees and agro-forestry in arid and semi-arid areas
may be helpful to protect cultivable lands from encroachment y sand dunes.

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Climate Change
• Climate change means a change of climate which is attributed directly or
indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere
and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable
time periods (100 years).
• Climate change is usually measured in major shifts in temperature, rainfall, snow,
and wind patterns lasting decades or more.
• Humans are creating climate change by burning large amounts of fossil fuels (coal,
oil, natural gas), deforestation (when forests are cut down or burned,
they can no longer store carbon, and the carbon is released to the
atmosphere).

1) Greenhouse effect and Global Warming

• In a greenhouse, the incident solar radiation (the visible and adjacent portions
of the infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum) passes through the glass
roof and walls and is absorbed by the floor, earth, and contents, which become
warmer and reemit the energy as longer-wavelength infrared radiation (heat
radiation).
• A greenhouse is a structure whose roof and walls are made chiefly of transparent
material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are
grown.
• As the structure is not open to the atmosphere, heat also cannot escape via
convection, so the temperature inside the greenhouse rises. This is known as the
‘greenhouse effect’.
• Glass and other materials used for greenhouse walls do not transmit infrared
radiation, so the infrared cannot escape via radiative transfer.

Importance of Natural Greenhouse Effect

• The green-house effect is a natural phenomenon and has been occurring for
millions of years on the earth.
• Average global temperatures are maintained at about 15°C due to natural
greenhouse effect..
• Together, these produce more than 95 percent of total greenhouse warming.

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• Without this phenomenon, average global temperatures might have been around
–17°C and at such low temperature life would not be able to exist.
• Life on the earth has been possible because of this natural greenhouse effect
which is due to water vapour and small particles of water present in the
atmosphere

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

• Atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), water
vapour, and chlorofluorocarbons are capable of trapping the out-going infrared
radiation from the Earth’s surface thereby causing greenhouse effect.
• Hence these gases are known as greenhouse gases and the heating effect is
known as greenhouse effect.
Oxides of Nitrogen with general formula NOx –NO, NO2 – Nitrogen oxide,
Nitrogen dioxide etc. are global cooling gasses while Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a
greenhouse gas.
• If greenhouse gases are not checked, by the turn of the century the temperature
may rise by 5°C.
• Scientists believe that this rise in temperature will lead to deleterious changes in
the environment and resulting in odd climatic changes (e.g. increased incidence of
El Nino), thus leading to increased melting of polar ice caps as well as of other
places like the Himalayan snow caps.

Cryosphere: The cryosphere is the frozen water part of the Earth water
system. Polar regions, snow caps of high mountain ranges are all part of
cryosphere.
Over many years, this will result in a rise in sea level that can submerge many
coastal areas and lead to loss of coastal areas and ecosystems like swamps and
marshes (most important ecosystems from the point of ecological services), etc.

Gas Sources and Causes

Carbon dioxide (CO2) Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigeration, solvents, insulation foams, aero
(CFCs) propellants, industrial and commercial uses
Methane (CH4) Growing paddy, excreta of cattle and other livestock,
termites, burning of fossil fuel, wood, landfills, wetlands,

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fertilizer factories.
Nitrogen oxides (N2O) Burning of fossil fuels, fertilizers; burning of wood and
crop residue.
Carbon Monoxide Iron ore smelting, burning of fossil fuels, burning e-
(CO) waste.

Carbon dioxide
• Carbon dioxide is meteorologically a very important gas as it is transparent to the
incoming solar radiation but opaque to the outgoing terrestrial radiation.
• It absorbs a part of terrestrial radiation and reflects back some part of it towards
the earth’s surface. It is largely responsible for the greenhouse effect.
• Its concentration is greater close to the earth’s surface as it is denser than air.

Ozone
• Ozone is another important greenhouse gas. But it is in very small proportions at
the surface.
• Most of it is confined to the stratosphere where it absorbs the harmful UV
radiation.
• At ground level, pollutants like NO2 react with volatile organic compounds in the
presence of sunlight to produce ozone (tropospheric Ozone).

Water vapour
• Water vapour is also a variable gas in the atmosphere, which decreases with
altitude.
• Water vapour also decreases from the equator towards the poles.

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• In the warm and wet tropics, it may account for four per cent of the air by
volume, while in the dry and cold areas of desert and polar regions, it may be less
than one per cent of the air.
• One unique feature about this greenhouse gas is that it absorbs both incoming (a
part of incoming) and outgoing solar radiation.

Methane
• Methane is the most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.
• It is produced from decomposition of animal wastes and biological matter.
• The emission of this gas can be restricted by using animal wastes and biological
matter to produce gobar gas (methane).

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

• N2O or Nitrous Oxide is a greenhouse gas.
• NO and NO2 (nitric oxide or nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions cause
global cooling through the formation of (OH) radicals that destroy methane
molecules, countering the effect of GHGs.

Carbon Monoxide
• Carbon monoxide is a short-lived greenhouse gas (it is less dense than air).
• It has an indirect radiative forcing effect by elevating concentrations of methane
and tropospheric ozone through chemical reactions with other atmospheric
constituents (e.g., the hydroxyl radical, OH.) that would otherwise destroy them.
• Through natural processes in the atmosphere, it is eventually oxidized to carbon
dioxide.

Fluorinated gases
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs
• CFCs were phased out via the Montreal Protocol due to their part in ozone
depletion (explained in Geography > Climatology > Polar Vortex).
• This anthropogenic compound is also a greenhouse gas, with a much higher
potential to enhance the greenhouse effect than CO2.

Global Warming Potential (GWP) & Lifetime of Green House Gases

eqaGas GWP (100- Lifetime (years)

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
year)
Carbon di oxide 1 50-200
Methane 21 12
Nitrous oxide 310 120
Hydrofluorocarbons 140-11,700 1-270
(HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) 6,500-9,200 800-50,000
Sulphur hexafluoride 23,900 3,200
(SF6)

Global Warming – Impacts

Melting of the ice caps
• Melting of the ice caps and glaciers will lead to rise in sea level.
• Thermal expansion also contributes to sea level rise.
• Fertile agricultural lands on the coast will be submerged and saline water
intrusions will degrade the neighboring land. Ground water in such regions will
become useless
• Populous cities lying on the coasts will be submerged under the sea.
• Flooding in Himalayas and Ganga plains in wet season and drought in dry season
will severely affect the country.
• As a result of thawing of snow, the amount of arable land in high-latitude region
is likely to increase by reduction of the amount of frozen lands.
• At the same time arable land along the coast lines are bound to be reduced as a
result of rising sea level and saline water inundations.

Extreme Climatic Events

• Increased likelihood of extreme events such as heat wave, flooding, hurricanes,
etc. will offset all the economic advancements made.
• Changes in rainfall patterns (E.g. 2015 Chennai floods, 2018 Kerala floods) will
severely impact agriculture.

Environmental Degradation
• Reduced hydroelectric power generation due to abnormal behavior of glaciers will
further increase dependence on fossil fuels.

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• Widespread vanishing of animal populations due to habitat loss will add more
species to the ‘threatened’ and ‘extinct’ list.

Rising Health Related Issues

• Spread of diseases (like malaria, etc.) in tropics will put more pressure on the
health care sector.
• It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of deaths due to
greater frequency and severity of heat waves and other extreme weather events.
• Lack of freshwater during droughts and contamination of freshwater supplies
during floods compromise hygiene, thus increasing rates diseases like cholera,
diarrhoea etc.

Biodiversity Loss
• Loss of Plankton due to warming of seas will adversely affects marine food chain.
• Bleaching of Coral Reefs (rain forests of the ocean) will cause great loss of marine
biodiversity.
• Rising temperature would increase fertilizer requirement for the same production
targets and result in higher GHG emissions, ammonia volatilization and cost of
crop production.
• Rising temperatures will further affect the physical, chemical and biological
properties of fresh water lakes and rivers, with adverse impacts on many
individual fresh water species.

No Food Security
• Climate Change affects crops by impacting irrigation, insolation as well as the
prevalence of pests.
• Increased frequencies of droughts, floods, storms and cyclones are likely to
increase agricultural production variability.
• Moderate warming (increase of 1 to 3°C in mean temperature) is expected to
benefit crop yields in temperate regions, while in lower latitudes the crops will
take a hit.
• However, the natural calamities due to global warming can offset the benefits in
temperature regions.
• In coastal areas, sea level rise will exacerbate water resource constraints due to
increased salinization of groundwater supplies.

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Deterioration of Carbon sinks

• High latitude forests store more carbon than tropical rainforests.
• One third of the world’s soil-bound carbon is in taiga and tundra areas.
• When the permafrost melts due to global warming, it releases carbon in the
form of carbon dioxide and methane.
• In the 1970s the tundra was a carbon sink, but today, it is a carbon source, all
because of global warming. (global warming leads to more global warming).

Sea Level Change

• Sea level change means the fluctuations in the mean sea level over a considerably
long period of time.

Processes that cause Change in Sea Level

1) Eustatic changes occur when the volume of sea water changes due to factors
such as
➢ Global warming and melting of ice sheets (rise in sea level) or ice ages (fall in sea
level) and
➢ Changes in the volume of mid-oceanic ridges.

2) Tectonic changes occur due to a change in the level of land.

➢ Isostatic changes take place due to addition or removal of load: during ice ages,
landmass subsided due to the load exerted by the glacial ice. On the other hand,
landmasses rise as the glacial ice is removed.
➢ Epeirogenic movement occurs due to broad scale tilting of continents which may
result in the rise of one part of the continent even as the other part may subside
causing an apparent rise in sea level.
➢ Orogenic movement (mountain building) results in the formation of lofty
mountains and an apparent fall in sea level.

Importance of understanding Sea Level changes

• It provides key evidences regarding climate change in the past.
• It helps in estimating the rates of tectonic upliftment in the past geological
periods.

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• To assess the suitability of coastal locations for industrial and agricultural
development.
• To protect low-lying countries by building coastal dykes and embankments.
• The task of mapping of areas likely to be affected by storm surges and periodic
flooding becomes possible only if we know the likely areas to be affected by
future sea level rise.
• By identifying the areas of possible submergence in the near future it becomes
possible to set up tidal power generation plants in suitable locations.

Impact of Sea Level Fall

• A drop in sea level causes the death of coral reefs as the continental shelves on
which they are formed are left dry. So, fresh coral reefs emerge along the fringe
of dead corals.
• In places of shallow continental shelves, the fall in sea level leads to greater
aridity in the continental hinterland due to reduced surface runoff.
• A fall in sea level in temperate and high latitude regions causes extension of ice
caps and glacial tongues onto the continental shelves.

Impact of Possible Rise in Sea Level

• Ice melt in the Antarctica may prove to be dangerous in the near future if the
temperature of the atmosphere continues to increase.
• An estimated global population of about one billion will be affected by rise in sea
levels.
• Immense damage may be caused to the coastal structures like ports, industrial
establishments, etc.
• Islands are the worst affected by the recent rise of sea level. Some of the affected
islands are the carteret Islands, located on the north-east of Papua New Guinea in
the Pacific Ocean, and Tuvalu islands, about 1000 km north of Fiji in the South
pacific.
• A vast segment of the populated land, viz., the low-lying densely populated
coastal areas, will be submerged. Even the small islands will be wiped out.
• As a result of the rise in sea level, almost 33 per cent of the world’s crop lands
could be submerged (coastal plains and deltas are made up of very fertile soils).

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• Accelerated coastal erosion may cause damage to and destruction of beaches,
coastal dunes and bars.
• Groundwater resources of the coastal regions will be severely affected by
salinization due to marine water intrusion.
• The ecosystem will suffer heavy damages as the deltas, coral atolls and reefs will
be destroyed. New coral reefs on the outer fringe of the dead corals will be
formed.
• As a consequence, a vast section of the coastal land will remain unprotected
against the direct attack of sea waves.
• As a result of rise in sea level, the mouths of drainage basins will undergo
submergence. This will lead to a readjustment of the long-profiles of the rivers,
which are likely to show a rise.

Ozone Depleting Substances

• Ozone depleting substances are man-made gases that destroy ozone once the
gases reach the ozone layer.

Ozone depleting substances include:

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
2. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
3. Hydrobromoflurocarbons (HBFCs)
4. Halons (were used in fire extinguishers)
5. Methyl bromide (was used as fumigant. Fumigation is a method of pest control
by suffocating pests with poison)
6. Carbon tetrachloride (formerly widely used in fire extinguishers, refrigerant and
as a cleaning agent)
7. Methyl chloroform (solvent for organic compounds; used for cleaning metal parts
and circuit boards).

They have been used as:

• Refrigerants in commercial, home and vehicle air conditioners and refrigerators
• Foam blowing agents
• A component in electrical equipment
• Industrial solvents

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• Solvents for cleaning (including dry cleaning)
• Aerosol spray propellants
• Fumigants

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

• The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the ozone Layer (Vienna Convention)
was agreed in 1985.
• It established global monitoring and reporting on ozone depletion.
• It also created a framework for the development of protocols for taking more
binding action.

Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone

Layer
• The Montreal Protocol under the Vienna Convention (the protocol) was agreed in
1987.
• It facilitates global cooperation in reversing the rapid decline in atmospheric
concentrations of ozone.
• Under the protocol countries agreed to phase out the production and
consumption of certain chemicals that deplete ozone.
• Phase out of these substances is required by specific deadlines.
• The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol are the first and only global
environmental treaties to achieve universal ratification, with 197 parties.
• As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly
recovering.
• Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels
between 2050 and 2070.

Kigali amendment to Montreal Protocol 2016

• Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda.
• In the 28th meeting of the Parties (2016) to the montreal Protocol, negotiators
from 197 nations have signed an agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol in
Kigali.

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• The parties are expected to reduce the manufacture and use of
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by roughly 80-85% from their respective baselines,
till 2045.
• This phase down is expected to arrest the global average temperature rise up to
0.5 °C by 2100.
• It is a legally binding agreement between the signatory parties with non-
compliance measures.
• It came into effect from 1st January 2019.

2). UNCED or Earth Summit 1992, Rio De Janeiro Brazil

• Earth Summit 1992 is also known as The United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED).
• Earth Summit 1992 succeeded in raising public awareness of the need to
integrate environment and development.
• 190 countries pledged their commitment to achieve by 2010, a significant
reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and local
levels.
• As a follow-up, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) was
held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• In 2012, the United Nations Conference on sustainable Development was also
held in Rio and is also commonly called Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit 2012.

The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents:

1. Rio Declaration: principles intended to guide countries in future sustainable
development.
2. Agenda 21: non-binding action plan of the united Nations with regard to
sustainable development.
3. Forest Principles: Non-legally binding document on Conservation and
Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests.

Landmark Agreements
An important achievement of the summit was an agreement on the Climate
Change Convention which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris
Agreement.

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Important legally binding agreements (Rio Convention) were opened for
signature:
a) Convention on Biological Diversity.
b) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

3) Agenda 21
• Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to
sustainable development.
• It was an outcome of the Earth Summit 1992.
• The number 21 refers to an agenda for the 21st century.
• Its aim is achieving global sustainable development.
• Since 2015, Sustainable Development Goals are included in the Agenda 2030.

Rio+5 (1997)
• In 1997, the UN General Assembly held a special session to appraise the status of
Agenda 21 (Rio +5).
• The Assembly recognized progress as “uneven” and identified key trends,
including increasing globalization, widening inequalities in income, and continued
deterioration of the global environment.

Rio+10 (2002) or Earth Summit 2002

• Rio+10 (2002) or Earth Summit 2002 or World summit on Sustainable
Development.
• Took place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
• Rio+10 affirmed UN commitment to Agenda 21, alongside the Millennium
Development Goals.
• Johannesburg Declaration: committing the nations of the world to sustainable
development.

Rio+20 (2012)
• Rio+20 (2012) or United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
• Rio+20 was a 20-year follow-up to the Earth summit 1992 and 10-year follow-up
to the Earth summit 2002.
• It is also known as Rio 2012 or Earth Summit 2012.

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• Hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
• It reaffirmed the commitment to Agenda 21.
• It was the third international conference on sustainable development.
➢ Earth Summit 1992 (Rio de Janeiro) = UN Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED)
➢ Earth Summit 2002 (Johannesburg) = World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD)
➢ Earth Summit 2012 (Rio de Janeiro) = UN Conference on Sustainable
Development (UNCSD)

4) Convention on Biological Diversity

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (a multilateral treaty) was opened for
signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and entered into effect in
1993.
• The convention called upon all nations to take appropriate measures for
conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of its benefits.
• The Convention has three main goals:
(a) Conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity);
(b) Sustainable use of its components;
(c) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

Cartagena Protocol
• CBD covers the rapidly expanding field of biotechnology through its
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
• It addresses technology development and transfer, benefit-sharing and
biosafety issues.
• The Biosafety Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the
potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from
modern biotechnology.

Nagoya Protocol

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• It is the second Protocol to the CBD; the first is the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety.
• It is a 2010 supplementary agreement to the 1992 Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD).
• The Nagoya Protocol is about “Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and
Equitable sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization”, one of the three
objectives of the CBD.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)

It is an international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits
of biodiversity.

Conferences of the Parties (COP) – UNFCCC

• The COP is the decision-making body of UNFCCC.
• All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP.
• They review the implementation of any legal instruments that the COP adopts.
• They promote the effective implementation of the Convention.
• The first COP meeting was held in Berlin, Germany in March 1995.
• The parties to the convention have met annually since 1995.
• In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol (3rd COP) was concluded and established legally
binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions.
• COP 21 (2015) was held in Paris in 2015.
• COP 22 (2016) was held at Marrakesh, Morocco.
• COP 23 (2017) was held at Bonn, Germany.
• COP 24 (2018) was held at Katowice, Poland.
• COP 25 (2019) was be held at Santiago, Chile during Nov-Dec 2019.
• COP 26 (2021) was be held at glass flow.
• COP 27 (2022) will be held at egypt.

What is an INDC?
• During Warsaw Summit 2013 (COP 19), countries agreed to publicly outline what
actions they intend to take under a global agreement well before the Paris
Summit 2015.

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• These country commitments are known as Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs).

India’s INDC objectives

• Announced in October 2015 (Lima summit urged every country to announce its
INDCs by Nov 2015)
• Reduce emission intensity by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
• Install 175 GW of solar, wind and biomass electricity by 2022, and scale up further
in following years.
• Aggressively pursue development of hydropower.
• Achieve the target of 63 GW of installed nuclear power capacity by 2032.
• Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tones of carbon dioxide
equivalent by 2030 through additional forest and tree cover.

Various Measures to Control Climate Change

Carbon Trading It is another form of carbon pricing under cap and trade
systems. It is a process of buying and selling permits and redits to emit CO2.
The Government set a cap on carbon emission for the whole country, then limits
the amount of carbon dioxide that companies are allowed to release

Carbon offset A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or

greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made
elsewhere. One ton of carbon offset represents the reduction of one ton of
carbon dioxide Or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.
carbon offset usually supports project that reduces the emission of greenhouse
gases in the short or long term. A common project type is production of
renewable energy through windfarms, biomass energy or hydroelectric dams.

Carbon Sequestration (removal)It is in the process of removing carbon from

the atmosphere and storing it in a carbon sink i.e. a reservoir, ocean water or
aquifer. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere with the goal of reducing global elimate change.

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Carbon Tax It is a pollution tax on energy sources which emits carbon dioxide.
The objective of carbon tax is to reduce the harmful and unfavorable levels of
carbon dioxide emissions.
Thereby decelerating climate change and its negative effect on environment and
human health. Generally, carbon tax is determined by carbon tax rate and the
quantity of carbon emission of a company In its manufacturing process. It is
represented as the amount paid for every ton of greenhouse gas released in the
atmosphere.

Climate Change Organisation

SI. Organisation History Objectives/ Details
No
.
1 UNFCCC- ● Came into force from 1994 ● The convention is legally
United ● Secretariat is located in Bonn, non-binding, but makes
Nation Germany provisions for meeting
Framework ● Ratifies: 197 called ‘protocols’ where
Convention ● Kyoto Protocol was negotiated negotiating countries can
on Climate under this framework. set legally binding limits
Change ● India is Non-Annex party ● What it does?
(refers to countries that have ● It aims to stabilize
ratified or acceded to the greenhouse gas
UNFCCC, but are not included in concentrations in the
annex) to UNFCC atmosphere.
● Annex I countries:
industrialized countries
and economies in
transition
● Annex II countries:
developed countries which
pay for costs of developing
countries
● Non-Annex I countries:
Developing countries.

● to fight global warming

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by reducing greenhouse
gas concentrations
● The Protocol is based on
the principle of common
● Adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, but differentiated
Japan responsibilities.
● Came into force in 2005 ● Target under this
● Parties: 192 (Canada protocol applies to
withdrew) following GHGs:
● It gave binding targets to ● Carbon Dioxide (CO2),
Annex I countries Methane (CH4), Nitrous
● India has ratified the second Oxide (NO2), Sulphur
commitment period of Kyoto Hexafluoride (SF6)
Protocol known as the Doha ● Two groups of gases:
Amendment to the protocol. Hydro-fluorocarbons
2 Kyoto ● Paris agreement (2015) is not (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons
Protocol an amendment to Kyoto (PFCs)
Protocol but a separate ● Kyoto Protocol includes
instrument altogether. Criticism “flexible mechanisms”
of Kyoto Protocol which allow Annex 1
● Under Common but economies to meet their
Differentiated responsibility, GHG targets by:
many countries were allowed to ● financial exchanges
increase pollution. (International Emissions
● It excluded most polluting Trading scheme)
countries like china and India. ● from projects which
reduce emissions in non-
Annex 1 countries under
the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM),
● in other Annex-1
countries under the Joint
implementation (JI)
● Only CDM Executive
Board-accredited
Certifiedemission
Reductions (CER) can be

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bought and sold in
this manner.

3 Bali Meet ● COP 13, CMP 3. ● The Bali Action Plan

2007 ● Launch of the Adaptation (BAP)launched a
Fund comprehensive process to
enable the implementation
of the convention through
long-term cooperative
action up to and beyond
2012.
● All developed country
Parties have agreed to
“Quantified emission
limitation taking into
account differences in
their national
circumstances.”
● Developed countries
stressed developing also to
undertake some kind of
emission cuts.

4 Copenhagen ● COP 15, CMP 5. ● all countries should

Summit 2009 ● Produced the Copenhagen pledge voluntary limits (no
Accord. binding obligations)
● Agreement between● Agrees a “goal” for the
developing nations block called
world to raise $100 billion
BASIC (Brazil, South Africa,India
per year by 2020. New
and China). multilateral funding for
adaptation will be
delivered, with a
governance structure.
5 Cancun ● COP 16, CMP 6. ● As per the Cancun
Summit 2010 ● An agreement adopted by the Agreements, all Parties to
COP called for a large “Green the convention (including
Climate Fund”, the developed and

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developing countries) have
agreed to report their
voluntary and an
“Adaptation Committee”
at global level to support
developing countries in
mitigation of GHGs.
Mitigation goals for
implementation.

6 Durban ● COP 17, CPM 7. ● Parties have agreed to

Summit 2011 ● In 2011, parties adopted the “develop legal instrument
“Durban platform for Enhanced or an agreed outcome with
Action”. legal force”. This new
● COP 17 approved the treaty is due to be adopted
Governing instrument for the at the 21st COP, and
GCF. implemented in 2020.

7 Other ● The Global Environment ● The Special Climate

Mechanisms Facility (GEF), as an operating Change Fund (SCCF) was
of UNFCC entity of the Financial established under the
mechanism, has been entrusted Convention in 2001 to
to operate the SCCF. finance
projects relating to:
adaptation; technology
transfer and capacity
building; energy, transport,
industry, agriculture,
forestry and waste
management; and
economic diversification.
8 REDD REDD+

● REDD = “reducing emissions from ● REDD+ (Defined in Bali

deforestation in developing countries” Action Plan, 2007, CoP13)
● It is under negotiation under UNFCC since ● REDD+ (or REDD-plus) =

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2005 to “reducing emissions
● India did not participate in UN-REDD from deforestation and
forest degradation in
developing countries, and
the role of conservation,
sustainable management
of forests, and
enhancement of forest
carbon stocks in
developing countries”
● REDD+ is essentially a
vehicle to financially
reward developing
countries for their verified
efforts to reduce emissions
and enhance removals of
greenhouse gases through
a variety of forest
management option
● India favours REDD+

9 Global Environment Facility-GEF (1992) Global Climate Fund- GCF

● The GEF provides grants for projects related to ● It is a fund within the
biodiversity, climate change, international framework of UNFCCC
waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and ● It is founded to assist
persistent organic pollutants. developing countries in
● The GEF also serves as financial mechanism adaptation and mitigation
for the Following conventions: practices to counter
● Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) climate Change.
● United Nations Framework Convention on ● Formed in 2010
Climate Change (UNFCCC) ● First mention of concept
● UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Copenhagen Accord in
(UNCCD) CoP-15
● Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic ● Formally in CoP-16 at
Pollutants (POPs) Cancun.
● Minamata Convention on Mercury ● World Bank is chosen as
a temporary trustee of the

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● HQ: Fund.incheon, South
Korea
● It is intended to be the
centrepiece of efforts to
raise climate Finance of
$100 billion a year by
2020. This is not an official
figure for the size of the
Fund itself, however.
● No clarity about from
where money will come in
this fund.
● Developed countries
even after pledging has
contributed very less to it
10 IPCC ● The IPCC was set up in 1988 ● The Intergovernmental
by the world Meteorological Panel on Climate Change
Organization (WMO) and United (IPCC) is the international
Nations environment body for assessing the
Programme (UNEP) science related to climate
● Assessment Report (AR) is change.
published by IPCC. ● IPCC assessments
provide a scientific basis
for governments at all
levels to develop climate
related
policies, and they underlie
negotiations at the UN
climate Conference – the
United Nations Framework
convention on Climate
Change `(UNFCCC).
11 Paris ● It deals with greenhouse gases ● Holding the increase in
Agreement emissions mitigation, adaptation the global average
and finance starting in the year temperature to well below
2020. 2 °C above pre-industrial
● Opened for signature on 22 levels and to pursue efforts

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April 2016 (Earth Day) to limit the temperature
● It has not entered into force increase to 1.5°C above
yet. pre-industrial levels.
● India has signed it. India’s ● India’s proposed targets:
contribution in global ● Reduce emissions
greenhouse gas is 4.10% in intensity of its GDP by 33
2015. to 35% by 2030 from 2005
● The contribution that each level.
individual country called ● Achieve about 40%
“nationally determined electric power installed
contributions” (NDCs) capacity from non-fossil
● Targets will not be binding as fuel-based energy
it is not possible to enforce resources by 2030 with
them. help of transfer of
● NDCs will be revised after 5 technology and low cost
years in 2023 international finance.
● Create an additional
carbon sink of 2.5 to 3
billion tones of CO2
equivalent through
additional forest and tree
cover by 2030.
12 International ● The ISA was launched at the ● It seeks to empower
Solar Alliance 2015 Paris climate Change solar-rich countries located
Summit by Prime between the tropic of
minister Narendra Modi and Cancer and the tropic of
French president Francois Capricorn to make
Holland. collaborative efforts to
● Under this alliance, 121 harness solar energy to
countries that fall within the generate the electricity.
tropics have been invited. ● Its major objectives
● Headquarters at Gurugram, include global deployment
India. of over 1,000GW of solar
generation capacity and
mobilization Of investment
of over US $1000 billion
into solar energy by 2030.

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13 Climate ● Climate change and resultant
● Adapting to climate
Smart increased frequency of extreme
change and making
Agriculture weather events such as
farming more resilient.
droughts, floods and storms has
● Reducing greenhouse
put many developing countries
gas emissions (GHG)
at the risk of growing food● Identifying and
insecurity. promoting sustainable
● Sustainably increasing
agriculture Practices and
agricultural productivity and
tools e.g. Organic farming;
farmers’ incomes Agro forestry;
● Using inputs more
efficiently and effectively
● Increasing the
productivity of milk and
meat production
14 National ● The IPCC established the ● To provide methods for
Greenhouse NGGIP, estimating-national
Gas inventories of greenhouse
Inventories gas emissions to, and
Programme removals from, the
atmosphere.

15 Alliance of ● It is an intergovernmental ● Purpose of the alliance is

Small Island organisation of low lying coastal to consolidate the voices
States and small island nations. of small Island Developing
● Established in 1990 States (SIDS) to address
● AOSIS has a membership of 44 global warming
states ● As the existence of many
● India is not a member AOSIS states are put at risk
by climate change AOSIS
has threatened lawsuits
● In Indian ocean 4 states
are member:
(i) Comoros
(ii) Maldives
(iii) Mauritius
(iv) Seychelles

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Programs/Initiatives to Mitigate Climate Change Effects in

India
Climate change and Global Warming can have a wide range of effects from
people to agriculture, livestock.
Many Initiatives are Taken in Order to Mitigate Climate Change.
SI. Initiatives History Objectives
No
.
1. Indian ● Govt launched INCCA in ● It is a network-based
Network on 2009 programme, which consists
Climate ● Initiative of MoEFCC of over 120 institutions and
Change over 250 scientists
Assessment countrywide.
National
2. National ● National Communication ● National inventory of
Communicati (NATCOM) to the UNFCCC has anthropogenic emissions by
on (NATCOM) been initiated in 2002 funded sources and removal by sink
by the Global Environment of all GHGs not controlled by
Facility the Montreal protocol.
● Ministry of Environment ● To communicate the
and Forests (MoEF) is following information to the
implementing and executing secretariat of the
agency of the project Conference of Parties.
3. India’s Policy ● The Integrated Energy ● Promotion of energy
Structure Policy was adopted in 2006. efficiency in all sectors,
Relevant To Emphasis on mass transport,
GHG Emphasis on renewables
Mitigation Including biofuels
plantations
● The Rural Electrification
policy 2006 promotes
renewable energy
technology where grid
connectivity is not possible
or cost-effective.

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
4. Green ● Buildings are one of the ● aim of a green building
Building major pollutants that affect design is to, Minimize the
urban air quality and demand on non-renewable
contribute to climate change resources and maximize the
● It costs a little more to utilization efficiency of these
design and construct a green resources when in use, and
building. However, it costs Maximize reuse and
less to operate a green recycling of available
building resources
● Utilization of renewable
resources.
5. GRIHA ● GRIHA is a Sanskrit word ● To help design green
meaning – ‘Abode’. buildings and, in turn, help
● Devised by TERI and the evaluate the ‘greenness’ of
MNRE is a voluntary scheme the buildings.
● GRIHA is a rating tool that
helps people assess the
performance of their
building.
6. National ● The ICAR has launched ● Strategic research on
Initiative on National Initiative on climate adaptation and mitigation.
Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) ● Technology demonstration
Resilient during 2010-11 with an outlay on farmers’ fields to cope
Agriculture of Rs.350 cores for the XI Plan. With current climate
● It will primarily enhance the variability.
resilience of indian Agriculture ● Vulnerability assessment
covering crops, livestock and of major production zones.
fisheries.
7. BSE Greenex ● Cap Weighted Free-Float ● gTrade Carbon Ex Ratings
Market Services Private Limited
Capitalization weighted Index (gTrade) is a company based
comprising from the list of in India, which has
BSE-100 Index. codeveloped the BSE-
● 1st October, 2008 (Base GREENV Index in close
Date) with the base index association with the BSE .
value of 1000.
8. Faster ● Recently Government ● Aims to support

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Adoption and removed subsidy for mild hybrid/electric vehicles
Manufacturin hybrid vehicles. market development and
g of (Hybrid ● Started in 2015 manufacturing ecosystem.
&) Electric ● The Phase-II of the (FAME- ● Focus areas: Technology
Vehicles India) Scheme proposes to development, Demand
(FAME) – give a push to electric vehicles creation, Pilot Projects and
India (EVs) in public transport and Charging Infrastructure.
Programme seeks to encourage adoption ● FAME India Scheme is
of EVs by way of market aimed at incentivizing all
creation and demand vehicle segments i.e. 2
aggregation. Wheeler, 3 Wheeler Auto,
Passenger 4 wheeler
Vehicle, Light Commercial
Vehicles and Buses.
9. Long Term ● Long Term Ecological ● Aims to understand the
Ecological Observatories (LTEO) for biophysical and
Observatorie Climate Change Studies are anthropogenic drivers of
s (LTEO) one of the components under ecosystem change in the
the ‘Climate Change action selected biomes and their
Programme’ with an outlay of effects on social- ecological
Rs. 40 Crores in the 12th Plan responses through a
Period. network of scientific
institutions.
● Assess the change of
structure and function in the
natural ecosystems,
identification of patterns
and drivers of change in the
natural ecosystems.
10 National ● NAFCC was operationalized ● The fund is meant to assist
. Adaptation in 2015-16. national and state level
Fund For ● This scheme has been taken activities to meet the cost of
Climate as Central sector Scheme with adaptation measures in
Change the National Bank for areas that are particularly
agriculture and Rural vulnerable to the adverse
development (NABARD) as effects of climate change.
national implementing entity ● The overall aim of the fund

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(NIE). is to support concrete
adaptation activities which
are not covered under on
going schemes of State and
National Government.
11 National Bio- ● Biomass from agro and ● To boost power
. Energy agro-industrial residue can generation from biomass, a
Mission potentially generate 25,000 renewable energy source
MW of power in India. abundantly available in India
● Also propose a GIS-based
National Biomass Resource
atlas to map potential
biomass regions in the
country.

India and Climate Change

NAPCC
The Government of India formulated national plan on water, renewable energy,
energy efficiency agriculture and others bundled with additional ones – into a set
of eight missions under the National action Plan on Climate Change.
The plan document elaborates on a unique approach to reduce the stress of
climate change and uses the poverty growth linkage to make its point.
Emphasizing the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rates to
raise Living standards, the plan “identifies measures that promote development
objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change
effectively.”

Sl. Sub-Mission Objectives

No.
1 National Solar ● To promote ecologically sustainable growth while
Mission addressing India’s energy security challenge.
● Mission has set the ambitious target of deploying
20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022,
which was revised to 1,00,000 MW by 2022 during
June 2015.
● The target will principally comprise of 40 GW
Rooftop and 60 GW through Large and Medium scale

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Grid Connected Solar Power Projects.
2 National Mission ● To strengthen the market for energy efficiency by
For Enhanced creating conducive regulatory and policy regime.
Energy Efficiency ● Four New Initiatives
(NMEEE) a) Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT)
b) Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency
c) Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEP)
d) Framework for Energy Efficient Economic
Development (FEEED)
3 National Mission ● Promote sustainability of habitats through
On Sustainable improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, urban
Habitat planning, improved management of solid and liquid
waste, modal shift towards public transport
● Ability of habitats to adapt to climate change by
improving resilience
4 National Water ● Ensuring integrated water resource management
Mission (NWM) for conservation of water, minimization of wastage
and equitable distribution developing a framework for
optimum water use
5 National Mission ● Primary objective of the mission is to develop a
For Sustaining The sustainable National capacity to continuously assess
Himalayan the health status of the Himalayan Ecosystem.
Ecosystem (NMSHE) ● Enable policy bodies in their policy-formulation
functions and assist States in the Indian Himalayan
Region with their implementation of actions selected
for sustainable development.
6 National Mission ● Increased forest/tree cover on 5 million hectares
For A Green India (ha) of forest/non- forest –lands.
● Improved quality of forest cover on another 5
million ha of non-forest/forestlands.
● Improved ecosystem services including biodiversity,
hydrological services, and carbon sequestration.
7 National Mission ● It has identified 10 key dimensions for adaptation
For Sustainable and mitigation:
Agriculture (NMSA) 1. Improved Crop Seeds, Livestock and Fish Culture
2. Water Efficiency
3. Pest Management

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4. Improved Farm Practices
5. Nutrient Management
6. Agricultural Insurance
7. Credit Support
8. Markets
9. Access to Information
10. Livelihood Diversification
8 National Mission on To gain a better understanding of climate science,
Strategic impacts and challenges, the plan envisions a new
Knowledge for climate Science Research Fund, improved climate
Climate Change modeling, and increased international collaboration. It
also encourages private sector initiatives to develop
adaptation and mitigation technologies through
venture capital funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
1 United Nations ● It is an UN agency ● UNEP has also been active
Environment ● It was founded as a result
in funding and implementing
Programme of the UN Conference on theenvironment related
(UNEP) Human Environment
development projects
(Stockholm Conference) in ● UNEP has aided in the
1972 formulation of guidelines and
● HQ : Nairobi, Kenya treaties on issues such as the
● UNEP is also one of Several
international trade in
Implementing Agencies for potentially harmful
the Global Environment chemicals, trans-boundary
Facility (GEF) and the air pollution, and
Multilateral Fund For the contamination of
Implementation of the
international waterways
Montreal Protocol. ● The International Cyanide
Management Code, a
program of best practice for
the chemical’s use at gold
mining operations, was
developed under UNEP’s
aegis.
2 WMO ● The World meteorological ● WMO provides a

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Organization (WMO) is an framework for international
intergovernmental cooperation in the
organization with a development of meteorology
membership of 191 Member and operational hydrology
States and Territories. and their practical
application.
3 World Nature ● Found in 2010 ● The organization is focused
Organization ● address the critical on promoting activities,
challenging of global threat technologies, economies,
to soil, oceans, forests, and renewable energies
water and air Which are regarded to be
environment friendly; and
reducing the impact of
climate change.
4 World Wide ● Organization founded in ● It is an international non-
Fund for 1961 governmental, working in the
Nature field of the wilderness
preservation, and the
reduction of humanity’s
footprint on the
environment.
5 United Nations ● The Economic and Social ● main objective to promote
Forum On Council of the united Nations “the management,
Forests (UNFF) (ECOSOC), established the conservation and sustainable
UNFF In October 2000, a development of all types of
subsidiary body the Forum forests and to strengthen
has universal membership, long-term political
and is composed of all commitment to this end”
Member States of the united based on the Rio Declaration,
Nations and specialized the Forest Principles
agencies ● Reverse the loss of forest
cover worldwide through
sustainable forest
management (SFM) enhance
forest-based economic,
social and environmental
benefits

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6 International ● Founded in 1948 in ● It is involved in data

Union For Fontainebleau, France. gathering and analysis,
Conservation ● HQ : Gland, Switzerland research, field projects,
of Nature ● It publishes IUCN Red List advocacy, lobbying and
(IUCN) which assesses the education.
conservation status of ● Over the past decades,
species worldwide IUCN has widened its focus
● IUCN has observer and beyond conservation ecology
consultative status at the and now incorporates issues
United Nations related to gender equality,
poverty alleviation and
sustainable business in its
projects.
● Both Governments and
NGOs are its members.
7 Global Tiger ● Formed in 1994 with its ● worldwide campaign,
Forum (GTF) secretariat at New Delhi, GTF common approach,
is the only promotion of appropriate
intergovernmental & programmes and controls to
international body save the remaining five
campaigning to save the subspecies of tigers in the
TIGER worldwide. wild
● Global Tiger Initiative- An
alliance of governments,
international, agencies, civil
society, and the private
sector united to save wild
tigers from extinction
8 International ● It is an international body ● Aims to provide for the
Whaling set up by the terms of the proper conservation of whale
Commission International Convention for stocks and thus make
the Regulation of possible the orderly
Whaling(Signed in development of the whaling
washington, 1946) industry
● In 1982 the IWC adopted a ● The IWC allows non-zero
moratorium on commercial whaling quotas for aboriginal

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whaling. subsistence and also member
● Japan, Russia etc. oppose nations may issue
this moratorium. ● designate specific areas as
whale sanctuaries; prohibit
the capture of suckling calves
and female whales
accompanied by calves.
9 Coalition ● Initiated in 2005, CAWT is ● Aims to focus public and
Against a unique voluntary public- political attention and
Wildlife private coalition resources on ending the
Trafficking illegal trade in wildlife and
(CAWT) wildlife products.
● Reduce consumer demand
for illegally traded wildlife by
raising awareness.
10 ITTO ● International Tropical ● Promoting the
Timber Organization conservation and sustainable
● ITTO is an management, use and trade
Intergovernmental of tropical forest resources.
organization, under UN
(1986)
11 SCAR ● The Scientific Committee ● SCAR is charged with
on Antarctic research (SCAR) initiating, developing and
is an inter-disciplinary coordinating high quality
committee of the international scientific
International Council for research in the Antarctic
Science (ICSU). region (including the
Southern Ocean), and on the
role of the Antarctic region in
the Earth system.

Treaties/Agreements/conventions
SI. Agreement History Objectives and details
No
.
1 Stockholm ● Conference: United ● One of the seminal issues

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Conference Nations Conference on the that emerged from the
1972 Human Environment conference is the
● It was first declaration of recognition for poverty
international protection of alleviation for protecting
the environment the environment.
● Held in Stockholm, Sweden ● Agreement, and has given
from June 5–16 in 1972. a foundation of modern
environmentalism.
● The United Nations
Environment Programme
has been established by the
United Nations General
Assembly in pursuance of
the Stockholm Conference.
2 Nairobi ● Declaration adopted in ● The Declaration
Declaration 1982 (10th Anniversary of envisaged the creation of a
Stockholm) special commission to
● The Declaration was frame long term
endorsed by the governing environment Strategies for
Council of United Nations achieving sustainable
environment Programme developments upto the
(UNEP) in 1987. year 2000 and beyond.
3 Brundtland ● Formally called: Our The concept of sustainable
Report Common Future: Report of development focused
the World Commission on attention on finding
environment and strategies to promote
Development in 1987 gave economic and social
concept of “sustainable development in ways that
development” avoided environmental
degradation, over-
exploitation or pollution,
and side lined less
productive debates about
whether to prioritize
development or the
environment.
4 United Nations ● Earth Summit 1992, Rio ● Important legally binding

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Conference on Summit, the Rio Conference agreements (Rio
Environment ● Earth Summit resulted in Convention) were opened
and the following documents: for signature:
development ● Rio Declaration on Convention on Biological
UNCED Environment and Diversity
development Framework Convention on
● Agenda 21 Climate Change (UNFCCC)
● Forest Principles United Nations Convention
to Combat Desertification
5 Rio+5 (1997) In 1997, the UN General The Assembly recognized
Assembly held a special progress as “uneven” and
session to appraise the status identified key trends,
of agenda 21 (Rio +5). including increasing
globalization, widening
inequalities in income, and
continued deterioration of
the global environment.
6 Rio+10 (2002) Rio+10 (2002) or Earth Rio+10 affirmed UN
or Earth Summit 2002 or world commitment to Agenda 21,
Summit 2002 Summit on Sustainable alongside the Millennium
development. Development Goals.
Took place in Johannesburg, Johannesburg Declaration:
South Africa in 2002. committing the nations of
the
world to sustainable
development.
7 Rio+20 (2012) Rio+20 (2012) Or United It reaffirmed the
Nations conference on commitment to Agenda 21.
Sustainable Development. It was the third
Rio+20 was a 20-year follow- international conference on
up to the earth Summit 1992 sustainable development.
and 10-year follow-up to the PAGE, launched in 2013, is a
Earth Summit 2002.It is also direct response to the
known as Rio 2012 or Earth Rio+20 declaration.
summit 2012. Hosted by Partnership for action on
Brazil in Rio de Janeiro in Green Economy (PAGE)
2012. • To aid interested countries

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in developing, adopting and
implementing green
economy policies and
strategies.
8 Convention on ● It is a multilateral treaty ● Convention has 3 main
Biological ● Entered into force in 1993 goals :
Diversity ● Parties :196 ● Conservation of biological
● It is legally Binding diversity
● India is a party to ● Sustainable use of its
convention components
● Fair and equitable sharing
of benefits arising from
genetic resources
9 Cartagena ● Adopted in 2000; Came ● The Biosafety Protocol
Protocol On into force in 2003 seeks to protect biological
Biosafety: diversity from the potential
risks posed by living
modified organisms
resulting from modern
biotechnology.
● Genetically Modified
Organisms can be regulated
under this protocol
10 Nagoya ● Adopted in Conference of ● It deals with access to
Protocol: Parties 10 (CoP10) (2010) Genetic Resources and the
Fair and Equitable Sharing
of Benefits Arising from
their utilization to the
Convention on Biological
Diversity
● It is a supplementary
agreement to the
Convention on biological
Diversity.
● The Strategic Plan
consists of 20 new
biodiversity targets for

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2020, termed the ‘Aichi
Biodiversity Targets’
11 CITES ● Formally called: ● Aims to protect
Convention on international endangered plants and
Trade in Endangered species animals.
of Wild Fauna and Flora. ● It classifies plants and
● It is also known as animals according to three
Washington Convention categories, or appendices,
● Participation is voluntary based on how threatened:
● It is legally binding on the 1. Appendix I: It lists species
Parties, but it does not take that are in danger of
the place of national Laws. extinction. Commercial
● Parties : 182 trade prohibited.
2. Appendix II: They are
those that are not
threatened with extinction
but that might suffer a
serious decline. Their trade
is regulated by permit.
3. Appendix III: They are
protected in at least one
country that is a CITES
member states.
12 Convention on ● CMS is an international ● CMS aims to conserve
the treaty concluded under aegis terrestrial, marine and
Conservation of UNEP. avian migratory species
of Migratory ● It’s also called the Bonn throughout their range.
Species of Wild Convention. ● Since its entry into force,
Animals (CMS) ● signed in 1979 its membership has grown
● Headquarters are in Bonn, steadily to include over 120
Germany. Parties from Africa, Central
and South America, Asia,
Europe and Oceania.
13 United Nation ● Became effective from ● It is a convention to
Convention to 1995 (Canada withdrew) Combat Desertification in
Combat ● Parties : 196 Those countries
Desertification ● HQ : Bonn, Germany Experiencing Serious

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● It is the only convention Drought and/or
which stem out from direct desertification, particularly
recommendations of in Africa
Rio Agenda 21. ● It is the only
internationally legally
binding framework set up
to address the problem of
desertification
14 Vienna ● Vienna Convention for the ● It acts as a framework for
Convention For Protection of the Ozone the international efforts to
the Protection Layer protect the ozone layer.
of the Ozone ● It is multilateral However, it does not
Layer environmental agreement include legally binding
● Ratified by: 197 (Universal). reduction goals for the use
of CFCs, the main chemical
agents causing ozone
depletion. These are laid
out in the accompanying
Montreal Protocol.
15 Montreal ● Also called : Montreal ● It aims to protect the
Protocol Protocol on substances that ozone layer by phasing out
Deplete the Ozone layer the production of numerous
● It is a protocol to Vienna substances.
Convention for the ● The treaty is structured
Protection of Ozone Layer around several groups of
● It is an international treaty halogenated hydrocarbons
● Came into force in 1989 that have been shown to
● Ratifies : 197 (Universal play a role in ozone
treaty) depletion. All of these
● It is legally binding ozone depleting substances
● As a result of the contain either chlorine or
international agreement, the bromine (substances
ozone hole in Antarctica is containing only fluorine do
slowly recovering. Climate not harm the ozone layer).
projections indicate that the ● It aims at phasing out :
ozone layer will return to ● Chlorofluorocarbons
1980 levels between 2050 ● Hydrochloro

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and 2070. So, it can be fluorocarbons
termed as a successful treaty. Hydrofluoro carbons are
included under it (HFCs do
not harm Ozone but are
harmful as a Greenhouse
gas.) by
● India’s Stand: India wants
HFCs to be under Montreal
protocol as it will help India
as a part CBDR, and puts
less onus to eliminate HFCs
immediately
16 Kigali ● It amends the 1987 ● It aims to phase out
Amendment to Montreal Protocol Hydrofluoro carbons (HFCs),
Montreal ● Under Kigali Amendment, a family of potent
Protocol in all 197 countries, including greenhouse gases by the
India have agreed to a late 2040s
timeline to reduce the use of ● Under it, developed
HFCs by roughly 85% of their countries will also provide
baselines by 2045. enhanced funding support
● Binding on countries from t● Different timelines: First
2019. group: It includes richest
● It also has provisions for countries like US and Those
penalties for Non- in European Union (EU).
compliance. They will freeze production
NOTE: HFCs (Hydrofluoro and consumption of HFCs
carbons) are not ozone by 2018. They will reduce
Depleting Substances but still them to about 15% of 2012
they are included in Montreal levels by 2036. Second
Protocol via Kigali Agreement group: It includes countries
because they are potent like China, Brazil and all of
global warming substances. Africa etc. They will freeze
HFC use by 2024 and cut it
to 20% of 2021 levels by
2045.
● Third group: It includes
countries India, Pakistan,

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Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia
etc. They will be freezing
HFC use by 2028 and
reducing it to about 15% of
2025 levels by 2047.
17 Ramsar ● It is an international treaty ● The convention provides
Convention on ● It was signed in Ramsar, the framework for national
Wetlands Iran, in 1971 action and international
● In India 26 sites are Ramsar cooperation for the
site conservation and wise use
of wetlands and their
resources.
● The Ramsar Convention is
the only global
environmental treaty that
deals with a particular
ecosystem
18 Montreux ● The Montreux Record was ● Montreux Record under
Record: established By the Convention is a register
recommendation of the of wetland sites
conference of the ● It is a list of Wetlands of
Contracting Parties (1990). International Importance
● It is maintained as part of where changes in ecological
the Ramsar list. character have occurred,
● In India – Keoladeo are occurring, or are likely
National Park and Loktak to occur as a result of
Lake.Chilka lake was technological
removed from the list developments, pollution or
other human interference.
● Sites may be added to
and removed from the
Record only with the
approval of the Contracting
Parties in which they lie.
19 Stockholm ● It is an International ● It aims to eliminate or
Convention on Environmental treaty ,UN restrict the production and
Persistent Treaty use of persistent organic

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Organic ● Became effective in 2004 pollutants
Pollutants ● Parties : 180 ● Intergovernmental Forum
● India is a party to this on Chemical Safety (IFCS)
treaty and the International
● US is not a party to this Programme for Chemical
treaty Safety (IPCS) prepared a list,
● There is provision that known as the Dirty Dozen :
developed countries provide Eight organochlorine
new and additional financial pesticides: aldrin,
resources and measures to chlordane, DDT, dieldrin,
minimise/regulate POPs to endrin, heptachlor, mirex
developing nations. and Toxaphene; Two
industrial chemicals: hexa
chlorobenzene (HCB) and
the polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB) group; and
two groups of industrial by-
products: dioxins and
Furans.
20 Basel ● Formally called: The Basel ● Minimize the amount and
Convention Convention on the Control of toxicity of wastes
Transboundary movements generated, to ensure their
of Hazardous Wastes and environmentally sound
their Disposal management as closely as
● It is an international treaty, possible to the source of
UN Treaty generation, and to assist
● Effective from 1992 LDCs in environmentally
● Parties : 183 sound management of the
● It does not address the hazardous and other wastes
movement of radioactive they generate
waste. ● Its objective was to stop
dumping of hazardous
waste from developed
countries in developing
nations.
21 Rotterdam ● Formally called : Rotterdam ● Aims to promote shared
Convention convention on the Prior responsibilities in relation

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Informed consent Procedure
to importation of hazardous
for Certain hazardous
chemicals.
Chemicals and Pesticides in
● The convention promotes
International Trade open exchange of
● It is a multilateral Treaty,
information between
UN Treaty importers-exporters of
● Became effective in 2004
hazardous chemicals.
● Parties : 155 ● Calls on exporters of
hazardous chemicals to use
proper labeling, include
directions on safe handling,
and inform purchasers of
any known restrictions or
bans.
22 Minamata ● It is an UN Treaty ● Aims to protect human
Convention on ● Signed in 2013 health and the environment
Mercury ● It has not come into force from anthropogenic
yet emissions and releases of
mercury and mercury
compounds phase out and
phase down of mercury use
in a number of products
and processes.
● Regulation of the informal
sector of artisanal and small
scale gold mining.

NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS

a) WHAT IS A HAZARD?
i) Any phenomenon that has the potential to cause disruption or damage to people
and their environment.
ii) When hazard involves elements of risks, vulnerabilities and capacities, they can
turn into disasters.

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b) WHAT IS A DISASTER?
i) Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, and
destruction and devastation to life and property.
ii) It refers to a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence from natural or
man-made causes, which is beyond the coping capacity of the affected
community.

c) SO HOW DOES A DISASTER DIFFER FROM A HAZARD?

i) A disaster takes place when a community is affected by a hazard. Disaster is
basically the consequence of hazard.
ii) A hazardous geophysical event becomes a disaster only when there is interaction
with the humans. If there is no interaction There would not be any disaster. For
example, a volcanic eruption in a remote unpopulated area or a landslide in an
unsettled land.
iii) A hazard is perceived event which threatens both life and property. A disaster is a
realization of this hazard.
iv) Hazards may be inevitable but disasters can be prevented.

What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability refers to the inability to withstand the effects of a hostile
environment i.e. the propensity of things to be damaged by a Hazardsss

d) CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDS:
i) Natural hazards: are naturally-occurring physical phenomena caused either by
rapid or slow onset events having atmospheric, geologic and hydrologic origins
on solar, global, regional, national and local scales. Example: cyclone, tsunami
etc.
ii) Quasi natural hazards: arise through the interaction of natural processes and
human activities. Example: smog, desertification Etc.
iii) Man-made hazards: Hazards arising directly from human activities. Example:
accidental release of radiation from nuclear installations.

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e) CLASSIFICATION OF DISASTERS:
i) Natural Disasters: are the consequences or effects of natural hazards on human
life. They represent a serious breakdown in sustainability and disruption of
economic and social progress. Example: Earthquake, landslides, cyclones, floods
etc
ii) Man- made disasters: are also known as anthropogenic disasters and they occur
as a result of human intent, error or as a result of failed systems. Example: Urban
fire, rail and road accidents, bomb blasts etc.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

a) WHAT IS DISASTER MANAGEMENT?
Disaster management is the organization and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in
particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of
disaster.
Disaster Management Act, 2005, defines “disaster management” as a continuous
and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing
measures which are necessary or expedient for:
1. Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster;
2. Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences
3. Capacity-building;
4. Preparedness to deal with any disaster;
5. Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster;
6. Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster; evacuation, rescue
and relief;
7. Rehabilitation and reconstruction

b) THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE

i) Pre – disaster risk reduction phase – prevention – mitigation – Preparedness.
ii) Post – disaster recovery phase – Response – recovery – development.

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DISASTER MANAGEMENT – POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

a) Disaster Management Act, 2005
1. The National Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005.
2. It brings about a paradigm shift in India’s approach to disaster management. The
approach shifted to preparedness, Prevention and planning from earlier response
and relief centric approach.
3. The Act provides for establishment of:
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
• State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

4. The Act also provides for :-

• Constitution of Disaster Response Fund and Disaster Mitigation Fund at National,
State and District levels
• Establishment of NIDM and NDRF
• Provides penalties for obstruction, false claims, misappropriation etc
• It states that there shall be no discrimination on the ground of sex, caste,
community, descent or religion in providing compensation and relief.

b) National Disaster Management Plan, 2016

1. It is the first ever national plan prepared in the country for disaster management.
2. The NDMP has been aligned broadly with the goals and priorities set out in the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
3. The Plan incorporates five thematic areas of action:
• Understanding Risk
• Inter-Agency Coordination
• Investing in DRR – Structural Measures
• Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures
• Capacity Development
4. The NDMP provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all
phases of disaster management cycle.
5. The Plan also highlights that the disaster risk reduction will be achieved by
mainstreaming the requirements into the developmental plans.

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6. The plan identifies major activities such as early warning, information
dissemination, medical care, fuel, transportation, search and rescue, evacuation,
etc. to serve as a checklist for agencies responding to a disaster. It also provides a
generalized framework for recovery and offers flexibility to assess a situation and
build back better.
7. NDMP also provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all the agencies
and departments of the Government.

c) National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), 2009

1. The NPDM envisages a safe and disaster resilient India.
2. It aims to do so by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and
technology driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation,
preparedness and response.
3. The policy covers all aspects of disaster management including institutional and
legal arrangements, financial arrangements, disaster prevention, mitigation and
preparedness, technolegal regime, response, relief and rehabilitation,
reconstruction and recovery, capacity development, knowledge management,
research and development.
4. The issue of equity and inclusiveness has been given due consideration in the
policy. It addresses the concerns of all sections of the society with regard to relief
and rehabilitation.

d) Prime Minister’s 10-point Agenda

At the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2016, Indian
Prime Minister outlined a tenpoint agenda, to pursue the implementation of
disaster risk reduction efforts in the region with renewed vigour.

It includes:
1. Ensuring development projects – airports, roads, canals, hospitals, schools,
bridges – are built to appropriate disaster resilient standards and contribute to
the resilience of communities they seek to serve. Building a coalition to support
disaster resilient infrastructure.
2. Working towards risk coverage for all – starting from poor households to small
and medium enterprises to multi-national corporations to nation states.

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3. Encouraging greater involvement and leadership of women in disaster risk
management.
4. Investing in risk mapping globally for all hazards.
5. Leveraging technology to enhance efficiency of our disaster risk management
efforts.
6. Developing a network of universities to work on disaster issues
7. Utilizing the opportunities provided by social media and mobile technologies
8. Building on local capacity and initiative
9. Ensuring that the opportunity to learn from a disaster is not wasted. Establishing
a facility for technical support to post-disaster reconstruction of houses
10. Bringing about greater cohesion in international response to disasters

NATURAL DISASTERS.
Earthquakes
1. The Bureau of Indian Standards with the help of Indian Meteorological
Department has grouped the country into four seismic zones, based on modified
Mercalli scale.
2. Of these, zone V is the most active which comprises of whole of Northeast India,
the northern portion of Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Gujarat and
Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

a) Earthquake Prevention and Mitigation.

National earthquake Risk Mitigation Project – The project aims at strengthening
the structural and non-structural earthquake mitigation efforts and reducing the
vulnerability in the high-risk districts prone to earthquakes.
National Building Code: - The salient features of the NBC 2005 include meeting
the challenges posed by natural calamities and reflecting the state-of-the-art and
contemporary applicable international practices.
Seismic retrofitting – It is the modification of existing structures to make them
more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to
earthquakes.

b) PRE-DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

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Long-term
1. Re-framing buildings’ codes, guidelines, manuals and byelaws and their strict
implementation tougher legislation for highly seismic areas.
2. Incorporating earthquake resistant features in all buildings in high-risk areas.
3. Making all public utilities like water supply systems, communication networks,
electricity lines etc. earthquake-proof.
4. Creating alternative arrangements to reduce damages to infrastructure facilities.
5. Constructing earthquake-resistant community buildings and buildings(used to
gather large groups during or after an earthquake) like schools, hospitals, prayer
halls, etc., especially in seismic zones of moderate to higher intensities.
6. Supporting R&D in various aspects of disaster mitigation, preparedness and
prevention and postdisaster management.

Medium –Term
1. Retrofitting of weak structures in highly seismic zone.
2. Preparation of disaster related literature in local languages with do’s and don’ts
for construction.
3. Getting communities involved in the process of disaster mitigation through
education and awareness.
4. Networking of local NGOs working in the area of disaster management.

c) POST-DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURE

1. Maintenance of law and order, prevention of trespassing, looting etc.
2. Evacuation of people.
3. Recovery of dead bodies and their disposal.
4. Medical care for the injured.
5. Supply of food and drinking water.
6. Temporary shelters like tents, metal sheds etc.
7. Repairing lines of communication and information.
8. Restoring transport routes.
9. Quick assessment of destruction and demarcation of destroyed areas, according
to the grade of damage.

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Tropical Cyclones
A) What is a Tropical Cyclone?
1. Tropical cyclone is the term used globally to cover tropical weather systems in
which winds equal or exceed ‘gale force’ (minimum 62 kmph).
2. These are intense low pressure areas of the earth-atmosphere coupled system
and are extreme weather events of the tropics.

B) What is a storm surge?

1. Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above
the predicted astronomical tides.
2. The rise in water level can cause extreme flooding in coastal areas particularly
when storm surge coincides with normal high tide, resulting in storm tides.

C) Surge prone Coasts in India:

• East Coast
1. North Orissa and West Bengal coasts.
2. Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam.
3. Tamil Nadu coast, south of Nagapatnam.

• West coast:
The West coast is less vulnerable to storm surges
1. Maharashtra coast, north of Harnai and adjoining south Gujarat coast and the
coastal belt around the Gulf of Bombay.
2. The coastal belt around the Gulf of Kutch.

D) Prevention and Mitigation:

i) National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)
1. Aim: The scheme aims to:
• Upgrade cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems,
• Build capacity in multi-hazard risk management
• Construct major infrastructures including multi-purpose cyclone shelters and
embankments.

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2. Principal Components: The major components under the scheme are:
• Community mobilisation and training
• Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (construction of cyclone shelters,
roads/missing links and construction/repair of Saline Embankments etc.)
• Technical assistance for capacity building on Disaster Risk Management (risk
assessment, damage and need assessment).
• Capacity Building and knowledge creation along with project management and
implementation support.

ii) Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP)

1. Objective:
• To assist the Government in building the national capacity for implementation of
a comprehensive coastal management approach in the country and piloting the
integrated coastal zone management approach in states of Gujarat, Orissa and
West Bengal.

2. Components of the Project:

Four Components:
• Capacity Building: It includes mapping, delineation and demarcation of the
hazard lines, and delineation of coastal sediment cells all along the mainland
coast of India.
• Piloting ICZM approaches in Gujarat: This component will support capacity
building of the state level agencies and Institutions, including preparation of an
ICZM plan for the coastal sediment cell that includes the Gulf of Kachchh and pilot
investments.
• Piloting ICZM approaches in Orissa: It provides for capacity building of the state
level agencies and institutions, Including preparation of an ICZM plan for the
coastal sediment cells (the stretches of Paradip Dhamra and Gopalpurchilika),
including a regional coastal process study, and pilot investments.
• Piloting ICZM approaches in West Bengal

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Tsunami
a) What is a Tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large
volume of a body of water, usually an ocean.

b) How is a Tsunami formed?

1. Seismicity generated tsunamis are result of abrupt deformation of sea floor
resulting vertical displacement of the overlying water.
2. When earthquakes occur beneath the sea level, the water above the reformed
area is displaced from its equilibrium position
3. The release of energy produces tsunami waves which have small amplitude but a
very long wavelength.
4. It may be caused by non-seismic event also such as a landslide or impact of a
meteor.

c) Tsunami Sources for India:

1. For a tsunami to hit Indian coast, it is necessary that earthquake of magnitude > 7
should occur. Two such possible zones are
• Andaman-Sumatra
• Makran
2. Not all major earthquakes are tsunamigenic
3. To generate tsunami Earthquakes must occur under or near ocean
4. Slow Rupture Velocities are most efficient Tsunami Generators

d) Measures for Safety from Tsunamis and Storm Surges in

Coastal areas:
i) Structural measures:
1. Plantation of mangroves and coastal forests along the coast line.
2. Development of a network of local knowledge centers (rural/urban) along the
coast lines to provide necessary training and emergency communication during
crisis time (e.g. centers developed by M.S. Swaminathan Foundation in
Pondicherry).
3. Construction of location specific sea walls and coral reefs in consultation with
experts.

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4. Development of break waters along the coast to provide necessary cushion
against tsunami hazards.
5. Development of tsunami detection, forecasting and warning dissemination
centres.

ii) Non-Structural Measures:

1. Strict implementation of the coastal zone regulations (within 500 m of the high
tide line with elevation of less than 15 m above m.s.l.
2. Mapping the coastal area for multiple hazards, vulnerability and risk analysis up to
taluka /village level.
3. Capacity building requirements for the local people and the administration for
facing the disasters in wake of tsunami and cyclone.
4. Developing tools and techniques for risk transfer in highly vulnerable areas.
5. Launching a series of public awareness campaign throughout the coastal area.

e) Tsunami Warning and Communication System

1. The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) has been established at Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information sciences, (INCOIS – ESSO) Hyderabad.
2. It has the responsibility to provide tsunami advisories to Indian Mainland and the
Island regions.

Floods
a) What is flood?
Flood is defined as the overflow of large amount of water beyond its normal
limits.

b) Causes
1. The main causes of floods are :-
• Heavy rainfall,
• Inadequate capacity of rivers to carry the high flood discharge,
• Inadequate drainage to carry away the rainwater quickly to streams/ rivers.
2. Landslides blocking streams; typhoons and cyclones also cause floods.
3. The flood hazard is compounded by the problems of sediment deposition,
drainage congestion and synchronization of river floods with sea tides in the
coastal plains.

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c) What is a flash flood?

1. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas: washes, rivers, dry
lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe
thunderstorm, hurricane, tropical storm, or melt water from ice or snow flowing
over ice sheets or snowfields.
2. It may also occur after the collapse of a natural ice or debris dam, or a human
structure such as a man-made dam.
3. It is distinguished from a regular flood by a timescale of less than six hours.

d) Urban Floods
Urban flooding is caused by heavy rainfall overwhelming drainage capacity.

What are the causes of urban flooding?

1. Poor natural drainage, chocking of drainage system, extreme climate events and
development in river flood plain are the main causes of the urban flooding.
2. Unplanned Urbanization is the key cause of urban flooding. Some of the major
hydrological effects of urbanization are:
• Increased water demand, often exceeding the available natural resources;
• Increased wastewater, burdening rivers and lakes and endangering the ecology;
• Increased peak flow;
• Reduced infiltration and
• Reduced groundwater recharge, increased use of groundwater, and diminishing
base flow of streams.

e) Consequences of Urban Flooding:

1. Primary Losses
• Loss of life & physical injury
• Damage to buildings, contents & infrastructures
• Disruptions to industrial production
• Loss of, or disruptions to utility supplies
• Loss of heritage or archaeological site

2. Secondary Losses:
• Increased stress; physical & psychological trauma
• Enhanced rate of property deterioration & decay
• Increased traffic congestion; disruption of flow of employees to work
• Contamination of water supplies; food and other shortages

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• Loss of exports; Reduced national gross domestic product

f) Prevention and Mitigation of Floods:

i) National Flood Risk Mitigation Project (NFRMP):
1. NFRMP has been envisaged for mitigation or reduction in risk, severity or
consequences of floods.
2. It aims at ensuring that arrangements are in place to mobilise the resources and
capability for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery from disasters
besides creating awareness among vulnerable communities.

ii) Flood Management Programme:

The scheme provides financial assistance to the state governments for
undertaking flood management works in critical areas.

g) Urban Flood Management in India

1. In 2010, NDMA had issued guidelines on Urban Flood Management in India.
2. Key guideline was to create a National Hydro-meteorological Network.
3. The guidelines say that for providing early warning, the Central Water
Commission (CWC) should maximize the real-time hydrometeorological network
to cover all the urban centers in dealing with urban flooding.

i) Other important recommendations include:

1. Use of Doppler Weather Radars to be expanded to cover all urban areas in the
country
2. Catchment to be the basis for planning and designing the storm water drainage
systems in all ULBs
3. All future road and rail bridges in cities crossing drains to be designed such that
they do not block the flows resulting in backwater effect.
4. Every building in an urban area must have rainwater harvesting as an integral
component of the building utility.
5. Low-lying areas in cities have to be reserved for parks and other low-impact
human activities.
6. Encroachments on the drain should attract penal action.
7. Urban Flooding has to be dealt as a separate disaster, de-linking it from riverine
floods which affect the rural areas

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Drought
• In India around 68 percent of the agriculture land country is prone to drought in
varying degrees.
• The primary cause of any drought is deficiency of rainfall and in particular, the
timing, distribution and intensity of this deficiency in relation to existing reserves.

A) Definition of Drought in India:

In India, meteorological drought is defined by the Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD) as a situation when the deficiency of rainfall at a
meteorological sub-division level is 25 per cent or more of the long-term average
(LTA) of that sub-division for a given per cent or more of the long-term average
(LTA) of that sub-division for a given period.

B) Impacts of Drought:
1. Environmental:
• Moisture Stress
• Drinking Water Shortage
• Damage to Natural Vegetation and Various Ecosystems
• Increased Air And Water Pollution

2. Socio-economic:
• Malnutrition
• Poor Hygiene
• Ill Health
• Migration
• Increased Stress and Morbidity
• Social Strife

Forest Fires:
A) Classification of Forest Fire
Forest fire can broadly be classified into three categories;
1. Natural or controlled forest fire.
2. Forest fires caused by heat generated in the litter and other biomes in summer
through carelessness of people (human neglect) and
3. Forest fires purposely caused by local inhabitants.

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B) Types of Forest Fire

There are two types of forest fire i) Surface Fire and ii) Crown Fire
1. Surface Fire– A forest fire may burn primarily as a surface fire, spreading along
the ground as the surface litter on the forest floor and is engulfed by the
spreading flames.
2. Crown Fire- The other type of forest fire is a crown fire in which the crown of
trees and shrubs burn, often sustained by a surface fire.

C) Causes of Forest Fire

Forest fires are caused by Natural causes as well as Man-made causes
1. Natural causes- High atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) offer
favorable circumstance for a fire to start.
2. Man-made Causes- Shifting Cultivation, Covering up Illicit felling of trees, Clearing
path through the forest, Tribal Traditions.

D) Impact of Forest Fires:

1. Loss of valuable timber resources and depletion of carbon sinks
2. Degradation of water catchment areas resulting in loss of water
3. Loss of biodiversity and extinction of plants and animals
4. Loss of wild life habitat and depletion of wild life
5. Loss of natural regeneration and reduction in forest cover and production
6. Global warming resulting in rising temperature
7. Loss of carbon sink resource and increase in percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere
8. Change in micro climate of the area making it unhealthy living conditions
9. Soil erosion affecting productivity of soils and production
10. Ozone layer depletion
11. Health problems leading to diseases
12. Indirect effect on agricultural production

E) Forest Fires in India:

According to a report by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and
Technology, India, the country has seen a 55% rise in the number of forest fires as
on December 2016.

F) Prevention and Mitigation

National Plan for Forest Fire Management –

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The main objectives are:
1. To strengthen the Organizations responsible for forest fire management
2. To coordinate the States/UT’s plans for systematic forest fire management.
3. To provide input regarding training, research, extension, and publicity
4. To coordinate international transfer of technology and training in the field of
forest fire management
5. Creation of a strong database for: number of fires, area burnt, damage to flora
and fauna, effect of fire on land and soil and measures taken.

Heat Waves and Cold Waves

a) What is a Heat Wave?
1. Extreme positive departures from the normal maximum temperature result in a
heat wave during the summer season.
2. Decrease in the Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) due to urbanisation is a new
factor leading to human mortality and discomfort.
3. Increased minimum temperatures in summer do not allow the necessary
nocturnal cooling to neutralize the high maximum temperature during a heat
wave epoch.

b) Possible Health Hazards due to Heat Waves:

1. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the two major risks posed by high-
temperature conditions.
2. Continuous and constant exposure to high temperatures could result in nausea
and heat cramps, resulting in rapid rise of the body temperature.
3. Dehydration could also aid in heat exhaustion.
4. Headaches, dizziness and nausea are some of the other symptoms.

c) What is a cold wave?

1. Occurrences of extreme low temperature in association with incursion of dry cold
winds from north into the sub-continent are known as cold waves.
2. A region is said to be experiencing cold wave when, according to IMD,
temperatures drop 4 degree below the normal.

d) Cold Waves in India:

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1. Cold waves mainly affect areas to the north of 20 degrees. But in association with
large amplitude troughs, cold waves are sometimes reported in Maharashtra and
Karnataka.
2. Maximum number of cold waves occurs in Jammu and Kashmir followed by
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

e) Impact of cold waves:

1. The cold wave are known to increase mortality rate owing to the socio-economic
condition of people of the northern India. For example, the cold wave that
occurred in January 2003 resulted in depth of about 900 people. During 1978-
1999, a total number of 3264 deaths were reported due to cold waves in the
northern parts of India.
2. The cold waves also affect the Rabi crops, crops that in winter and harvested in
the following springs, of the northern regions of India. A survey on the impact of
cold wave on the Rabi showed that the economic losses were to the tune of 6230
million India rupees in the state of Rajasthan during 2005-2006 Rabi season alone.

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Quick Revision
1. The Environmental Protection Act was enacted under Art.253 of the
Constitution of India.

2. The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions made at the United
Nations Conference on Human Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972, in
which India had actively participated.

3. The E.P. Act deals with prevention and control of all sorts of pollution. Besides
prevention and control, the Act aims at protection and improvement of the
Environment.

4. National Action Plan on Climate Change or NAPCC is an action plan prepared by

Prime Minister‟s council on 30th June 2008 to tackle climate change.

5. NAPCC is being implemented in various stages and parts by means of 8

missions under it.

6. Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on
16th September 1987 to protect the thin layer of ozone in the stratosphere.

7. The Protocol has now been signed by over 180 countries and is recognized as a
great success in the field of environmental protection.

8. India has been active in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol. After
becoming a signatory to the Montreal Protocol in September, 1992.

9. The Ozone Cell, set-up under the Ministry of Environment and Forests -
managing implementation of Montreal Protocol activities.

10. The Kyoto Protocol the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change was adopted in 1997 by the third Conference of the Parties in Kyoto
(Japan) and came into force February 16, 2005 .

11. The Kyoto Protocol is a agreement under which industrialized countries will
reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2%.

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12. India, the world‟s fourth-largest carbon emitter with its population of 1.3
billion people , ratified the Paris agreement on climate change on October 2, 2016
to become the 62nd nation to join the deal.

13. The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of more than 120 countries,
most of them being sunshine countries, which come either completely or partly
between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

14. In Sept. 2000, leaders of 189 countries gathered at the United Nations
Headquarters and signed the historic millennium declaration, in which they
committed to achieving a set of measurable goals that provide a framework for
development planning for countries around the world by the target date of 2015.

15. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are commonly described as a

“Roadmap for World Development by 2015”

16.Global warming during winter becomes Man & Environment more pronounced
at the : Tropic of Capricorn

17. In the study of man-environment interaction, the statement of Miss Semple

that "the humans are solely the product of their environment": A fact

18. In analysis of man-environment relationship Pragmatic Possibilism implies

that: The man has to watch and assess the situation and men go ahead with
resource utilization

19. The maximum loss of forest lands in India is caused by: River valley projects

20. Bitumen is obtained from: Crude oil

21. Malaria is caused by: parasitic infection

22. Largest soil group of India is: Sandy soil

23. Main pollutant of the Indian coastal water is: industrial effluents

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24. Human ear is most sensitive to noise in the following frequency ranges: 1-
2KHz

25. Tamil Nadu coastal belt has drinking water shortage due to: seepage of sea
water

26. A species is a set of organisms that resemble each other in certain features.
The members of a species living together and interacting with each other are
called a population. The members of a population live within a given area.

27. Critical Link Species are species that play an important role in supporting
network species as pollinators, dispersal agents, absorption or circulation of
nutrients, etc. Mycorrhizal fungi help the vascular plants in obtaining inorganic
nutrients from soil and organic residues.

28.A community is an assemblage of all the interacting populations of different

species in a geographical area. It is a complex interacting network of plants,
animals, and microorganisms. Each population has a defined role in the
community.

29.The term ecosystem was defined by Arthur Tansley in 1935. Ecosystem is a

self-regulating community of living organisms (populations of species), interacting
with each other and their nonliving, physical environment, for example, forest
ecosystem and ocean ecosystem.

30.Living components in an ecosystem are either the producers or the consumers.

They are also called the biotic components. Producers produce organic
components, for example, plants produce starch, carbohydrates, and cellulose by
a process called photosynthesis.

31.In ecology, abiotic components are nonliving chemical and physical factors in
the environment that affect the ecosystems. Examples are water, light, wind, soil,
humidity, minerals, and gases. They affect the ability of organisms to survive and
reproduce.

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32. There are different types of ecosystems around us, which involve living
organisms and non-living things. If we combine all the ecosystems present one
earth, it is called biosphere.

33. The terrestrial portion of biosphere is divided into biomes. They usually have
distinct climates and life forms adapted to that climate. Deserts, grasslands,
tropical forests, and rain forests are the main examples of biomes.

34. The area or natural environment in which an organism or population normally

lives is called habitat. A habitat is made up of physical factors such as soil,
moisture, range of temperature, and availability of light as well as biotic factors
such as availability of food and the presence of predators. When organisms of
different species live together, it is called as cohabitat.

35. While all rivers of Peninsular India flow into the Bay of Bengal, Narmada and
Tapti flow into the Arabian Sea because these two rivers: Follow the slope of
these rift valleys

36. Soils in the Mahanadi delta are less fertile than those in the Godavari delta
because of: erosion of top soils by annual floods

37.Human ear is most sensitive to noise in which of the following ranges: 2-5 KHz

38.If the population growth follows a logistic curve, the maximum sustainable
yield: is equal to half the carrying capacity

39.Chemical weathering of rocks is largely dependent upon: high temperature

40.Fresh water achieves its greatest density at: 4C 41.The tallest trees in the
world are found in the region: Equatorial region

42.Hydrological (natural hazards) cause maximum damage to property and lives

43.Pollution is a negative/undesirable change in the environment, usually the

addition of something hazardous or detrimental. Generally, degradable or non-
persistent pollutants such as domestic sewage, discarded vegetables are broken

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down by natural processes. Some persistent or non-biodegradable pollutants do
not get destroyed and are our source of worry.

44.Clean, dry air contains 78.09% nitrogen by volume and 20.94% oxygen. The
remaining 0.97% is made of gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide, helium, krypton,
argon, xenon, nitrous oxide, and very small amounts of other organic and
inorganic gases.

45.Primary pollutants enter the atmosphere directly from the source. some
important primary pollutants are as follows:
1. Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
2. Oxides of carbon
3. Hydrocarbons (e.g., methane)
4. Sulphur oxides (SOx)
5. Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
6. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
7. Lead

46. Secondary pollutants are not directly emitted from sources; they are formed
as a result of chemical reactions between the primary pollutants and certain
atmospheric constituents, in the presence of sunlight. Sulphates, nitrates, and
organic particles can be transported over large distances, such as hundreds and
even thousands of kilometers.

47. Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances
can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water,
oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants known as acid rain.

48. Aerosols – They are stable suspensions of solid or liquid particles in air.
Aerosols affect the weather conditions by blocking solar radiations. Deposition of
aerosols on leaves affects the process of photosynthesis.
• Mist – Aerosols constricting of liquid droplets
• Dust – Arosols consisting of solid particles
• Fume – Aerosols consisting of hot vapours of metals
• Smoke is also an aerosol – mixtures of liquid and solid particles as a result of
burning

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• Plume – geometrical form of smoke smog is the mixture of smoke and fog
(discussed separately)

49.Pollution situation became so alarming in Delhi that it was declared as a 'gas

chamber' by the Delhi High Court in 2015. Delhi Government started a pilot
project 'Odd Even Formula' on January 1, 2016 to bring down the air pollution
levels amidst reports that Delhi is the most polluted city in the world.

50.The major reasons for indoor air pollution are inefficient burning of inferior
fuels during cooking or heating such as cow dung, agricultural residue, and coal
and fuel wood, along with poor ventilation systems inside the house.

51.Water covers about 70% of earth's surface. Water is an important resource for
the people and the environment. Water is the basis of life; it makes up to 60-95%
of the total weight of any functioning living cell.

52.The discharge of harmful substances by specific sources into a water body

leads to point source pollution.

53. The accumulation of a toxic chemical in the bodies of organisms as we move

from producers, to primary consumers, to secondary consumers etc. is called
biomagnifications.

54. The inorganic nutrients in the run-off from agricultural fields reaching a water
body increase the nutrient content of the water body. These nutrients cause the
profuse growth of algae (algal bloom) in it. This growth eventually causes the
death of small fish and organism in them.

55. A good quality soil can support vegetation; without which life on earth cannot
be sustained. It may take upto 1,000 years to form an inch of soil, and building-up
of organic matter can also take a very long time. Even soil makes a dynamic
ecosystem to sustain itself.

56. Noise pollution may be defined as environmental noise that causes

physiological or psychological damage if the volume is high or exposure is
prolonged. Noise is also defined as unwanted sound; it is an irritant and a source
of stress.

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57. Sound is measured in decibel (dB). The unit was chosen in honour of
Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone. It is not a linear scale, but a
logarithmic scale. For example, a change from 40 dB to 80 dB represents a 10,000
fold increase in loudness. A modified scale called as decibel-A takes into account
the pitch as well. The permitted noise level is 125 dB as per the Environment
Protection Rules, 1999.

58.Radiation is defined as transmission of energy in the form of waves through

space or a material medium. Radiation is of two kinds – ionising and non-ionising.
Ionizing radiation or high energy radiation like X-rays or gamma rays can alter
DNA and can be harmful.

59.Natural hazards are hazards that are caused by natural phenomena (hazards of
meterorological, geological, or even biological origin). Examples of natural
hazards are cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, which are
exclusively of natural origin.

60.Earthquake is the sudden shaking of earth's crust. The impact of an earthquake

is sudden and there is hardly any warning, making it impossible to predict.
Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that moves through
and around the earth.

61.A Volcanoes is an opening, or rupture, in the earth's surface or crust, which

allows hot magma, volcanic ash, and gases from within the earth to reach the
surface. Most volcanoes have a volcanic crater at the top.

62.Cyclone is a region of low atmospheric pressure surrounded by high

atmospheric pressure, resulting in swirling atmospheric disturbances,
accompanied by powerful winds blowing in anticlockwise direction in the
northern hemisphere and in clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere. They
occur mainly in the tropical and temperate regions of the world.

63. Flood is a state of high water level along a river channel or on the coast that
leads to inundation of land, which is not usually submerged. There are different
types of floods, namely flash flood, riverine flood, and urban flood.

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64. Flash floods are rapid inland floods due to intense rainfall. A flash flood
describes sudden flooding within a short duration. In sloped terrains, the water
flows rapidly with a high destruction potential. In flat terrains, the rainwater
cannot infiltrate into the ground or run-off (due to small slope) as quickly as it
falls.

65. A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation, sometimes with hail and

thunder, which normally lasts no longer than a few minutes but is capable of
creating flood conditions. Colloquially, the term cloudburst may be used to
describe any sudden heavy, brief, and usually unforecasted rainfall.

66. Dioxins are produced from: Combustion of plastics

67.The slogan "a tree for each child" was coined for: Social forestry programme

68.The main constituents of biogas are: Methane and Carbon dioxide

69.The concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in drinking water should not
exceed: 500 mg/L

70.The constituents of photochemical smog responsible for eye irritation are:

HCHO and PAN

71.Volcanic eruptions affect: lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

72.The Ganga Action Plan was initiated during the year: 1986

73.Identify the correct sequence of energy sources in order of their share in the
power sector in India: Thermal > hydro > nuclear > wind

74.Chromium as a contaminant in drinking water in excess of permissible levels,

cause: Liver/ Kidney problems

75.The main precursors of winter smog are: SO2 and hydrocarbons

76.Flash floods are caused when: the atmosphere is convectively unstable and
there is considerable vertical wind shear

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77.In mega cities of India, the dominant source of air pollution is: transport sector

78.Drought is either the absence or deficiency of rainfall from its normal pattern
in a region for an extended period of time leading to general suffering in the
society. It is an interplay between the demand that people place on natural
supply of water and the natural event that provides water in a given geographical
region.

79. A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the
countryside or a wilderness area. A wildfire differs from other fires by its
extensive size, the speed at which it can spread out from its original source, its
potential to change directions unexpectedly, and its ability to jump gaps such as
roads, rivers, and fire breaks.

80. The term landslide includes all varieties of mass moment of hill slopes and can
be defined as the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials
composed of rocks, soils, artificial fills, or a combination of all these materials
along surfaces of separation by falling, sliding and flowing, either slowly or quickly
from one place to another.

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Practice Questions
1. Lion-tailed macaque is found in __:
(A) Eastern Ghats
(B) Western Ghats
(C) East Himalayas
(D) West Himalayas

2. Bhitarkanika National Park is located in which among the following states?

(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) West Bengal
(C) Odisha
(D) Karnataka

3. REDD Plus Programme is concerned with which of the following?

(A) Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT)
(B) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
(C) Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
(D) Earth Summit

4. Which among the following is the main source of “Synthetic Fuel”?

(A) Plastic
(B) Biomass
(C) Coal
(D) Municipal Waste

5. Seville Strategy which was adopted in the Madrid Action Plan is related to which
of the following?
(A) Protection of Ozone Layer
(B) Biosphere Reserves
(C) Marine Ecosystems
(D) Coral Reefs

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6. How many number of the Biogeographic zones are present in India?
(A) 4
(B) 8
(C) 10
(D) 15

7. Which among the following always decreases in a Food chain across tropic levels?
(A) Number
(B) Accumulated chemicals
(C) Energy
(D) None of the above

8. In the form of important air pollutants, the Oxides of Nitrogen are directly or
indirectly responsible for __:
1. Acid rain
2. Ground Level Ozone
3. Smog
4. Ozone depletion
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1, 2 & 3
(B) Only 2, 3 & 4
(C) Only 1, 2 & 4
(D) 1, 2, 3 & 4

9. Consider the following sanctuaries in India dedicated to protection of particular

fauna and the states in which they are located__:
1. Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary – Karnataka
2. Bhimgad Bat Sanctuary – Maharashtra
3. Rollapadu Great Indian Bustard Bird Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh
Which among the above is / are correct?
(A) 1, 2 & 3 (C) 2 & 3
(B) 1 & 3 (D) 1 & 2

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
10.Which among the following is the major objective of the Compensatory
Afforestation Fund?
(A) To provide for imposing cess for conversion of forest land to non-forest land
(B) To provide for establishing a fund for forestation on barren land
(C) To utilize the amounts realised in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest
purpose
(D) All of the above purposes

11.Seabuckthorn:
1. is a deciduous plant
2. can not withstand temperature above 40 degree celsius
3. oil can be used in manufacturing biodiesel
4. can grow on soils with less fertility without any fertilizer
Select the correct option from codes given below:
(A) 1, 2 & 3 Only
(B) 2, 3 & 4 Only
(C) 1, 2 & 4 Only
(D) 1, 3 & 4 Only

12.Which among the following is the major objective of the Compensatory

Afforestation Fund?
(A) To provide for imposing cess for conversion of forest land to non-forest land
(B) To provide for establishing a fund for forestation on barren land
(C) To utilize the amounts realised in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest
purpose
(D) All of the above purposes

13.Consider the following devices/technologies:

1. Venturi scrubber
2. Electrostatic precipitator
3. Folkewall
Which of the above is/are used to prevent air pollution?
(A) 1 Only (C) 2 Only
(B) 1 & 2 Only (D) 1, 2 & 3

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
14.Which among the following statements correctly differentiate between an
Ecozone and a Biome?
1. An Ecozone comprises only land parts of Earth surface, while the Biomes comprise
both aquatic and land parts
2. Each Ecozone has some finite number of species , while each biome has infinite
number of species
3. Ecozone is a larger ecosystem, biome is a group of ecosystems
Which among the above statements is/ are correct?
(A) Only 1 is correct
(B) Only 1 & 2 are correct
(C) 1, 2 & 3 are correct
(D) Only 1 & 3 are correct

15.Every Biosphere in India:

1. works as a living laboratory
2. allows no activities other than research
3. is one of the four types of protected areas in India
4. listed in UNESCO’s MAB Framework
Which among the above is / are correct statements?
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 1, 2 & 3
(C) Only 1 & 3
(D) 1, 2, 3 & 4

16.The objectives of the National Clean Energy Fund’ (NCEF) include:

1.To provide funds to states for setting up solar panels
2.To provide funds for research in clean energy field
3.To invest in entrepreneurial ventures related to clean energy
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 2 (C) Only 3
(B) Only 2 & 3 (D) 1, 2 & 3

17.The Stockholm Convention is a globally treat focuses to eliminate ___?

(A) Polyethylene products
(B) Greenhouse Gases

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Persistent Organic Pollutants
(D) Chemical Fertilizers

18.The Environment Protection related principle of common but differentiated

responsibility (CBDR) was enshrined in __?
(A) Rio Declaration
(B) Nagoya Protocol
(C) Montreal Protocol
(D) Basel Action Network

19.Consider the following statements:

1. Eco sensitive zones in India are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986
2. Eco-sensitive zone could go up to maximum of 10 Kms around a protected area
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(A) 1 Only
(B) 2 Only
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2

20.Consider the following pollutants:

1. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx's)
2. Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
3. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
4. Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Which of the above is/are responsible for Acid rain?

(A) 2 and 4 Only
(B) 1 and 2 Only
(C) 1,2 and 4
(D) 1,2,3 and 4

21.Which of the following is true about Shifting cultivation?

(A) In this type of cultivation the patch of land is cleared by burning

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) The patch of land is burned which add to the fertility of the soil
(C) Both
(D) None

22.Which of the following components are considered as the Biotic components?

1) Water
2) Soil
3) Symbionts
4) Non-green plants
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 4
(B) Only 1, 3 & 4
(C) Only 3 & 4
(D) Only 1 & 2

23.Which of the following statements are correct with respect to the niche of a
species?
1. Two species can have exact identical niches.
2. Niche plays an important role in conservation of organisms.
3. Physical & chemical niche include factors like temperature, land shape, land
slope, humidity & other requirement.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 2 (C) Only 1 & 3
(B) Only 2 & 3 (D) 1, 2 & 3

24.Which of the following statements are correct with respect the ecosystem?
1. Everything that lives in an ecosystem is dependent on the other species and
elements that are also part of that ecological community.
2. If one part of an ecosystem is damaged or disappears, it does not have impact
on everything else.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 (C) Both 1 & 2
(B) Only 2 (D) Neither 1 & 2

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
25.Which of the following statements are correct about the Temperate deciduous
forest?
1) They are characterized by a moderate climate and broad-leafed deciduous
trees.
2) The precipitation is fairly uniform.
3) Soils of temperate forests are podzolic.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 2 (C) Only 3
(B) Only 2 & 3 (D) 1, 2 & 3

26.Arrange the following states in the ascending order of the Forest cover- (area
wise);
1) Madhya Pradesh
2) Chattisgarh
3) Maharashtra
4) Odisha
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) 1, 3, 2, 4
(B) 1, 2, 4, 3
(C) 2, 1, 3, 4
(D) [1, 2 , 3, 4

27.Chilika lake, Orissa was removed from the Montreux Record in which of the
following year?
(A) 2000 (C) 2002
(B) 2001 (D) 2003

28.Which of the following statements are correct?

1. Algal blooms can appear greenish, brown, and even reddish orange depending
upon the type of organism, the type of water, and the concentration of the
organisms.
2. They are scientifically referred as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 & 2

29.What is the IUCN status of Sumatran Elephant?

(A) Near Threatened
(B) Threatened
(C) Endangered
(D) Critically Endangered

30.What is the IUCN status of African Wild Dog?

(A) Critically Endangered
(B) Endangered
(C) Threatened
(D) Data Deficient

31.Which of the following is true about Asiatic Elephant?

1. Its IUCN status is endangered
2. It is under the first schedule of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
(A) 1 only (C) Both
(B) 2 only (D) None

32.Which of the following statements are correct regarding hydrologic cycle?

1. It is a continuous circulation of water in the Earth-atmosphere system.
2. The circulation is driven by solar energy.
3. Water moves from one reservoir to another by the processes of evaporation,
transpiration, condensation, precipitation, deposition, runoff, infiltration, and
groundwater flow.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 2
(B) Only 2 & 3
(C) Only 1 & 3
(D) 1, 2 & 3

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

33.Which of the following statements are correct regarding Tropical Semi-evergreen

forests?
1) Semi-evergreen forests are found in Eastern Himalayas.
2) They have a mixture of the wet evergreen trees and the moist deciduous trees.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 (C) Both 1 & 2
(B) Only 2 (D) Neither 1 & 2

34.Which of the following are the physiological and behavioral adaptations of

animals to desert conditions?
1. They are slow runners.
2. They are nocturnal in habit so as to avoid the sun’s heat during day time.
3. Animals and birds usually have short legs to keep the body away from the
scorching sun.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1 & 2
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) 1, 2 & 3

35.Which of the following species are found in cold desert region?

1. Asiatic Ibex
2. Lion Tailed Macaque
3. Black Necked Crane
4. Snow Leopard
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1, 2 & 3
(B) Only 2, 3 & 4
(C) Only 1, 2 & 4
(D) 1, 2, 3 & 4

36.Which of the following is the chairman of National Ganga River Basin Authority?
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Minister of River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
(D) None of the above

37.Which of the following statements are correct regarding West Australian

underground orchid?
1. Its scientific name is Rhizanthella gardneri.
2. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened
Plants.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 & 2

38.United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was established in which of

the following year?
(A) 1992 (C) 1998
(B) 1994 (D) 2002

39.Man and the Biosphere Programme was started in which of the following year?
(A) 1944 (C) 1969
(B) 1949 (D) 1971

40.Which of the following statements are correct regarding Arachnids?

1) Arachnids do not have antennae.
2) They have 2 body parts and 4 pairs of legs.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 & 2

41.Constitutional sanction was given to environmental concerns through which of

the following amendment?
(A) 42nd (B) 44th

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) 72nd (D) 73rd

42.Which of the following statements are correct regarding Indian Network on

Climate Change Assessment?
1. It consists of over 120 institutions and over 250 scientists country wide.
2. It carries out research on the effects of climate change in different regions and
sectors in India
and also suggests suitable adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Select the correct option from the codes give below:
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 & 2

43.Which of the following is called the place of origin an earthquake?

(A) Focus
(B) Hypercenter
(C) Epicenter
(D) None of the above

44.Which of the following refers to the extraction of specific metals from their ores
through the use of living organisms?
(A) Bioterrorism
(B) Bioleaching
(C) Genetic erosion
(D) Biopiracy

45.Which of the following refers to reducing the impact on climate change by

reducing greenhouse gas production especially CO2 , without lowering their
standard of living?
(A) Carbon Footprint
(B) Carbon diet
(C) Greenhouse debt
(D) Biocapacity

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

46.The Umbrella Group is a negotiation group consisting of how many countries?

(A) 9 (C) 11
(B) 10 (D) 12

47.Which of the following sanctuaries have been covered under the ‘Project Tiger’ in
Bihar?
(A) Valmiki National Park
(B) Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
(C) Bhim Dam Sanctuary
(D) Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary

48.Sub-alpine Forests are found in–

(A) Darjeeling
(B) Kalimpong
(C) Purulia
(D) Coochbehar

49.What was the main aim of Ramsar Convention?

(A) Bio-diversity Conservation
(B) Global Warming
(C) Conservation of wetlands
(D) Climate Change

50.The ambient air is stable when the ambient lapse rate is _____:
(A) Neutrally stable
(B) Sub-adiabatic
(C) Hyper-adiabatic
(D) Super-adiabatic

51.Inside rural homes, the source/sources of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution may be:
(a) Unvented gas stoves
(b) Wood stoves
(c) Kerosene heaters
Choose the correct code:

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) (a) and (b) only
(B) (b) and (c) only
(C) (b) only
(D) (a), (b) and (c)

52.Which of the following pollutants can cause cancer in humans?

(A) Pesticides (C) Lead
(B) Mercury (D) Ozone

53.Assertion (A): People population control measures do not necessarily help in

checking environmental degradation.
Reason (R): The relationship between population growth and environmental
degradation is rather complex.
Choose the correct answer from the following:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

54.Which of the following phenomena is not a natural hazard?

(A) Wildfire
(B) Lightning
(C) Landslide
(D) (Chemical contamination

55.As part of National Climate Change Policy, Indian government is planning to raise
the installed capacity of renewable energy by the year 2030 to:
(A) 175 GW (C) 250 GW
(B) 200 GW (D) 350 GW

56.At present, in terms of per capita energy consumption (kWh/year), identify the
correct sequence.
(A) Brazil > Russia > China > India
(B) Russia > China > India > Brazil
(C) Russia > China > Brazil > India

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(D) China > Russia > Brazil > India

57.Identify the air pollutant in urban areas which irritates eyes and also respiratory
tract of human beings.
(A) Particulate matter
(B) Oxides of nitrogen
(C) Surface ozone
(D) Carbon monoxide

58.Which of the following is the largest source of water pollution in major rivers of
India?
(A) Untreated sewage
(B) Agriculture run-off
(C) Unregulated small scale industries
(D) Religious practices

59.Sustainable development goals have specific targets to be achieved by

(A) 2022 (C) 2040
(B) 2030 (D) 2050

60.Indian government’s target of producing power from biomass by the year 2022, is
(A) 50 MW (C) 15 MW
(B) 25 MW (D) 10 MW

61.Assertion (A): Conserving our soil resources is critical to human survival.

Reason (R): Soil is home to many micro-organisms and contains minerals.
Choose the correct code:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false.
(D) (A) Is false and (R) is true.

62.World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) objective has been to reduce the

number of deaths due to hydrometeorological disasters over the decade 2010-
2019 by (with reference to the decade 1994-2003)

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) 25% (C) 75%
(B) 50% (D) 80%

63.Assertion (A): Sustainable development is critical to well being of human society.

Reason (R): Environmentally sound policies do not harm the environment or
deplete the natural resources.
Choose the correct code:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true.

64.The dominant source of pollution due to oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in urban areas
is
(A) road transport
(B) commercial sector
(C) energy use in industry
(D) power plants

65.Indian government’s target for power production from small hydro projects by
the year 2022 is
(A) 1 Giga-Watt
(B) 5 Giga-Watt
(C) 10 Giga-Watt
(D) 15 Giga-Watt

66.In which country, the recent international agreement on phasing out Hydro
Fluoro Carbons (HFCs) was signed?
(A) Rwanda
(B) Morocco
(C) South Africa
(D) Algeria

67.Which of the following natural hazards is not hydro-meteorological?

(A) Snow avalanche

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) Sea erosion
(C) Tropical cyclone
(D) Tsunami

68.Which of the following pollutants is the major cause of respiratory diseases?

(A) Suspended fine particles
(B) Nitrogen oxides
(C) Carbon monoxide
(D) Volatile organic compounds

69.Assertion (A): In urban areas, smog episodes occur frequently in winters.

Reason (R): In winters, a lot of biomass is burnt by people for heating purposes or
to keep themselves warm.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) Both (A) and (R) are false

70.Occurrence of natural hazards is affected by:

(a) Land use changes
(b) Drainage and construction
(c) Ozone depletion
(d) Climate change
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) (a), (c) and (d)
(B) (a), (b) and (c)
(C) (a), (b) and (d)
(D) (b), (c) and (d)

71.Which of the following pollutant gases is not produced both naturally and as a
result of industrial activity?
(A) Chlorofluoro carbons
(B) Nitrous oxide

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Methane
(D) Carbon dioxide

72.Among the following fuels of energy, which is the most environment friendly?
(A) Ethanol (C) CNG
(B) Biogas (D) Hydrogen

73.‘Fly ash’ produced in thermal power plants is an ecofriendly resource for use in:
(a) agriculture as micro-nutrient
(b) wasteland development
(c) dam and water holding structures
(d) brick industry
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) (a), (b) and (d) only
(B) (b), (c) and (d) only
(C) (a), (c) and (d) only
(D) (a), (b), (c) and (d)

74.Which of the following types of natural disasters has no definite beginning and
end?
(A) Earthquakes
(B) Landslides
(C) Hurricanes
(D) Droughts

75.Assertion (A): Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard.

Reason (R): The dispersal of air pollutants is rather limited in indoor
environment.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A)is true and (R) is false.
(D) Both (A) and (R) are false.

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

76.In terms of their contribution to the total power generation in India, identify the
correct sequence of energy sources - Thermal Power Plants (TPP), Large
Hydropower Projects (LHP), Nuclear Energy (NE) and Renewable Energy (RE)
which includes solar energy, wind energy, biomass and small hydropower
projects.
(A) TPP > RE > LHP > NE
(B) TPP > LHP > RE > NE
(C) LHP > TPP > RE > NE
(D) LHP > TPP > NE > RE

77.Which of the following is considered as major source of pollution in rivers of

India?
(A) Unregulated small scale industry
(B) Untreated sewage
(C) Agricultural run-off
(D) Thermal power plants

78.Which of the following pollutants can cause cancer in humans?

(A) Ozone (C) Lead
(B) Mercury (D) Pesticides

79.Which of the following phenomena is not a natural hazard?

(A) Chemical contamination
(B) Landslide
(C) Wildfire
(D) Lightning

80.At present, in terms of per capita energy consumption (kWh/year), identify the
correct sequence.
(A) Russia > China > Brazil > India
(B) China > Russia > Brazil > India
(C) Brazil > Russia > China > India
(D) Russia > China > India > Brazil

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
81.Identify the air pollutant in urban areas which irritates eyes and also respiratory
tract of human beings.
(A) Surface ozone
(B) Oxides of nitrogen
(C) Particulate matter
(D) Carbon monoxide

82.Indian government’s target of producing power from biomass by the year 2022, is
(A) 15 MW (C) 50 MW
(B) 10 MW (D) 25 MW

83.The dominant source of pollution due to oxides of nitrogen (NOX) in urban areas
is
(A) Road Transport
(B) Power Plants
(C) Commercial Sector
(D) None of these

84.In which country, the recent international agreement on phasing out Hydro
Fluoro Carbons (HFCs) was signed?
(A) Algeria
(B) South Africa
(C) Morocco
(D) Rwanda

85.Which of the following natural hazards is not hydro-meteorological?

(A) Tsunami
(B) Tropical cyclone
(C) Sea erosion
(D) Snow avalanche

86.Which of the following pollutant gases is not produced both naturally and as a
result of industrial activity?
(A) Chlorofluoro carbons
(B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) Methane

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

87.In terms of their contribution to the total power generation in India, identify the
correct sequence of energy sources - Thermal Power Plants (TPP), Large
Hydropower Projects (LHP), Nuclear Energy (NE) and Renewable Energy (RE)
which includes solar energy, wind energy, biomass and small hydropower
projects.
(A) TPP > RE > LHP > NE
(B) LHP > TPP > NE > RE
(C) TPP > LHP > RE > NE
(D) LHP > TPP > RE > NE

88.Which of the following is considered as major source of pollution in rivers of

India?
(A) Untreated sewage
(B) Unregulated small scale industry
(C) Agricultural run-off
(D) Thermal power plants

89.What is called for the chemicals which emit with vinyl floors?
(A) Phthalates
(B) Chorines
(C) Pathogens
(D) Vinyl oxidize

90.Which one of the following organization dedicated to protecting human health

from environmental harms?
(A) Ecological Protection Organization
(B) Environmental and Scientific Science
(C) Environment and Human Health
(D) None of these

91.Which one of the following cause harm to human health?

(A) Using of pesticides
(B) Protecting forests
(C) Organic farming
(D) Using solar vehicles

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

92.What is the other name for infectious diseases?

(A) Communicable diseases
(B) Non-transmissible diseases
(C) Non-communicable diseases
(D) Heredity diseases

93.What is called the term which refers to an unhealthful intake of dietary nutrients?
(A) Healthy food
(B) Nutritious food
(C) Malnutrition
(D) Foul food

94.How do pollutants reach humans?

(A) Rashtriya Janta Dal
(B) Pollutants never reach to humans
(C) By internal factors
(D) There is nothing called pollutants

95.Which one of the following can cause breast cancer in women?

(A) Using antiperspirant
(B) Breastfeeding
(C) Eating healthy food
(D) Being physically fit
96.Vermicomposting is done by
(A) Fungus (C) Worms
(B) Bacteria (D) Animals

97.Animal(s) which is/are active at night.

(A) Owl (C) Cockroach
(B) Rat (D) All The Above

98.In our country the Van Mahotsav Day is observed on

(A) Second of October
(B) First of December
(C) Tenth of August
(D) First of July

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

99.Which of the following problems is not created by noise pollution ?

(A) Diarrhoea
(B) Irritation
(C) Deafness
(D) Hypertension

100. 71% of earth surface is covered with:

(A) water (C) air
(B) land (D) coal

101. Process through which plants reproduce:

(A) Pollination (C) Evaporation
(B) Condensation (D) Eating

102. Assertion (A): People population control measures do not necessarily help in
checking environmental degradation.
Reason (R): The relationship between population growth and environmental
degradation is rather complex.
Choose the correct answer from the following:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true

103. As part of National Climate Change Policy, Indian government is planning to raise
the installed capacity of renewable energy by the year 2030 to:
(A) 350 GW (C) 200 GW
(B) 175 GW (D) None of these

104. Which of the following is the largest source of water pollution in major rivers of
India?
(A) Untreated sewage
(B) Religious practices
(C) Agriculture run-off
(D) Unregulated small scale industries
105. Sustainable development goals have specific targets to be achieved by

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) 2050 (C) 2030
(B) 2040 (D) 2022

106. Assertion (A): Conserving our soil resources is critical to human survival.
Reason (R): Soil is home to many micro-organisms and contains minerals.
Choose the correct code:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true

107. World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) objective has been to reduce the
number of deaths due to hydrometeorological disasters over the decade 2010-2019
by (with reference to the decade 1994-2003)
(A) 50% (C) 25%
(B) 80% (D) None

108. Assertion (A): Sustainable development is critical to well being of human society.
Reason (R): Environmentally sound policies do not harm the environment or
deplete the natural resources.
Choose the correct code:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is false and (R) is true
(D) (A) is true and (R) is false

109. Indian government’s target for power production from small hydro projects by
the year 2022 is
(A) 15 Giga-Watt (C) 1 Giga-Watt
(B) 5 Giga-Watt (D) 10 Giga-Watt

110. Which of the following pollutants is the major cause of respiratory diseases?
(A) Volatile organic compounds
(B) Suspended fine particles
(C) Nitrogen oxides
(D) None of these

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111. Among the following fuels of energy, which is the most environment friendly?
(A) CNG (C) Ethanol
(B) Hydrogen (D) Biogas

112. Which of the following types of natural disasters has no definite beginning and
end?
(A) Droughts (C) Earthquakes
(B) Hurricanes (D) Landslides

113. Assertion (A): Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard.

Reason (R): The dispersal of air pollutants is rather limited in indoor environment.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) Both (A) and (R) are false

114. How many types of health hazards are there?

(A) Three (C) One
(B) Four (D) Two

115. Which one of the following is a result of high exposure of radiation?

(A) Leg fracture
(B) Hair loss
(C) Loss of white blood cells
(D) Tooth decay

116. How many percentage of water approximately present in human body?

(A) 70% (C) 50%
(B) 80% (D) None

117. The current rates of disease are increasing at alarming speeds and most are
closely linked with known__
(A) Balanced diet
(B) Organic farming
(C) Carcinogens
(D) None of these

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118. Biotic environment includes

(A) Producers (C) Consumers
(B) Decomposers (D) All The Above

119. The group of organisms which convert light into food are called
(A) Decomposers (C) Heterotrophs
(B) Omnivores (D) Autotrophs

120. Which one the following is not biodegradable?

(A) Aluminium Foil (C) Vegetables
(B) Earthworm (D) Fruits

121. If waste materials contaminate the source of drinking water which of the
following diseases will spread?
(A) Typhoid (C) Anaemia
(B) Malaria (D) Scurvy

122. Plants are green because of the presence of a pigment called:

(A) Chlorophyll (C) Glucose
(B) Oxygen (D) Nitrogen

123. Medicine of quinine is provided by

(A) Cinchona Plant
(B) Money Plant
(C) Eucalyptus Plant
(D) None of these

124. Assertion (A): In urban areas, smog episodes occur frequently in winters.
Reason (R): In winters, a lot of biomass is burnt by people for heating purposes or
to keep themselves warm.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) Both (A) and (R) are false

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

125. Decomposers include

(A) Animals (C) Fungi
(B) Bacteria (D) Both

126. An animal that can tolerate the heat of the desert is

(A) Rats (C) Lion
(B) Camel (D) Cow

127. How many goals are there in Sustainable Development Goals?

(A) 10 (C) 17
(B) 12 (D) 21

128. Assertion (A) Sustainable development is critical to well-being of human society.

Reason (R) Environmentally, sound policies do not harm the environment or
deplete the natural resources. Choose the correct code.
Codes
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true

129. Consider the following statements.

l. Environment and development are interrelated which cannot be separated from
each other.
II. Development is a continuous and constant process
III. Development has a edge over the environment.
Which of the above statements is/are not correct?
Codes
(A) Only I (C) Only III
(B) I and II (D) All of these

130. Assertion (A) Human environment interaction is always dependent on the degree
of human activity.
Reason (R) Human activities have harmed ecosystems which have resulted in the
loss of biodiversity.

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
Choose the correct option.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) (A) is false but (R) is true.
(C) Both (A) and (R) all true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(D) (A) is true but (R) is false.

131. Which of the following is not an anthropogenic activity?

(A) Mining
(B) Industrialisation
(C) Weathering
(D) Deforestation

132. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the impact on agriculture
due to anthropogenic activities?
(A) Anthropogenic activities cause topographing changes that lead to soil. erosion,
depletion of nutrients, etc.
(B) It leads to soil contamination through toxic substances.
(C) It impacts the socio-economic nature of soil.
(D) All of the above

133. Elements of environment are

(A) Nitrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen
(B) Nitrogen, oxygen and ozone
(C) Carbon dioxide, oxygen and ozone
(D) Lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere

134. Consider the following statements about lithosphere.

I. It is a solid crust or the hard top layer of the Earth.
II. It constitutes about 39% part of the Earth.
III. It is the domain that provides us forests, lands for agriculture and human
settlements.
Which Of the above statements is/are correct?
(A) Only I (C) II and III
(B) I and II (D) All of the above

135. A hydrosphere is
(A) the domain of water

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) comprises all forms of water bodies
(C) it covers 70% of Earth's surface
(D) All of the above

136. In which of the following layers of the atmosphere, ozone (Og) gas is present?
(A) Stratosphere
(B) Exosphere
(C) Troposphere
(D) None of these

137. Which of the following is/are not the characteristic(s) of stratosphere?

(A) It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere
(B) It is free from cloud and associated weather phenomena
(C) It provides ideal flying condition for large jet planes
(D) In this layer temperature increases due to the absorption of the ultraviolet
radiation of the Sun

138. Beginning from the surface of Earth, what is the sequence of different layers of
atmosphere?
(A) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Exosphere
(B) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Ionosphere, Exosphere
(C) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Ionosphere
(D) None of the above

139. Biosphere is
(A) the solid shell of inorganic materials on the surface of the Earth
(B) it is the narrow zone of the Earth where land water and air interact with each
other to support life
(C) the sphere which occupies the maximum volume of all the spheres
(D) All of the above

140. Measuring BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) is primarily used for

(A) estimating the types of microbes
(B) determining the level of oxygen
(C) waste water treatment as decomposition of organic waste by microorganism
(D) None of the above

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
141. In which year noise pollution included in the Air Act (PCP)?
(A) 1981 (C) 1995
(B) 1988 (D) 2000

142. The effect of noise pollution can be

(A) temporary or permanent deafness
(B) abortion
(C) it weakens the edifice of buildings
(D) All of the above

143. Noise above...... stops an individual from falling asleep.

(A) 40 dB (C) 50 dB
(B) 45 dB (D) None of the above

144. Smog is a combination of

(A) fog (C) vapour
(B) dust (D) All of these

145. Consider the following statements regarding 'Green Muffler'.

I. A technology for reducing pollution.
II. A method of afforestation.
III. Plantation along roadsides to reduce noise pollution.
IV. A process of reduce vibration.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(A) Only I (C) Only III
(B) Only II (D) All of these

146. The source of soil pollution is

(A) nuclear wastes
(B) agricultural wastes
(C) industrial wastes
(D) All of the above

147. Which of the following is the important measure to control soil pollution?
(A) Much of our waste can be recycled or incinerated to lessen pollutants
(B) Pre-determined holes are used to dump mining waste, which comes from mining
(C) Rules and regulations regarding wastes should be addressed and enforced

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(D) All of the above

148. What is ocean acidification?

(A) It occurs naturally very slowly
(B) It occurs mainly as a result of human activities
(C) It occurs when is absorbed by the 2 ocean and reacts with sea water to produce
acid
(D) Both (B) and (C)

149. The term Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is generally used to describe
(A) wastes from industrial processes, concentration and demolition debris.
(B) wastes from private homes, commercial establishments and institutions.
(C) mining wastes
(D) agricultural wastes

150. Which of the following processes is used through burning municipal solid waste in
a properly designed furnace under suitable temperature and operating conditions?
(A) Sanitary landfills
(B) Incineration
(C) Composting
(D) Pyrolysis

151. ….. term is defined as thermal degradation of waste in the absence of air.
(A) Composting
(B) Incineration
(C) Pyrolysis
(D) Sanitary landfills

152. The radioactive pollution can be resulted in

(A) Acute radiation syndrome
(B) Cancer
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of the above
153. Liquid waste disposal consists of
(A) dewatering
(B) sedimentation
(C) composting

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(D) All of these

154. ......... is the process of mechanically removing the solid materials present in the
water through metal screening.
(A) Primary treatment
(B) Biological treatment
(C) Chemical treatment
(D) None of the above

155. ...... means any waste which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or
immunization of human beings or animals in research activities.
(A) Hazardous waste
(B) Bio-medical waste
(C) E-waste
(D) None of the above

156. The sources of e-waste are

(A) electronic devices used for entertainments such as DVDs and CD players
(B) waste generated from products used for data processing such as computers
(C) equipment devices used for communication like phones fax etc.
(D) All of the above

157. When was the first effort made to control E-waste under Basel Convention?
(A) 1990 (C) 1993
(B) 1992 (D) 1994

158. In which year world's first micro factory was developed which can transform the
components of electronic waste items into valuable materials for reuse?
(A) 2000 (C) 2011
(B) 2005 (D) 2018

159. Match the following.

List I (Pollutants) List II (Impact on Human)
A. Oxides of nitrogen 1. It damages various life
forms
B. Liquid droplets 2. It can have carcinogenic
effect

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C. Photochemical oxidants 3. It damages tissues
D. Hydrocarbons 4. It damages the
respiration
Codes
ABCD ABCD
(A) 1 2 3 4 (B) 4 3 2 1
(C) 3 1 4 2 (D) 4 1 3 2

160. Pollutants that can be classified on the basis of nature are

(A) primary pollutant and secondary pollutant.
(B) qualitative pollutant and quantitative pollutant
(C) biodegradable pollutant and non-bio degradable pollutant
(D) Both (A) and (C)

161. Smoke, ash, dust and nitric acid are which type of pollutants?
(A) Secondary pollutants
(B) Primary pollutants
(C) Biodegradable pollutants.
(D) Qualitative pollutants

162. Pollutant released majorly by atmospheric reaction is

(A) Hydrocarbons
(B) Carbon compound
(C) Nitrogen compound
(D) Sulphur compound

163. Which pollutant damages human and animal lungs and is important precursor to
acid rain?
(A) Hydrocarbons
(B) Oxides of nitrogen
(C) Oxides of sulphur
(D) Liquid droplets

164. Which type of pollutant irritates eyes, nose and throat?

(A) Photochemical oxidants
(B) Hydrocarbons

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(C) Oxides of nitrogen
(D) Suspended particulate matter

165. Climate represents......

(A) long term average weather and its statistical variation for a given region.
(B) weather averaged over a year.
(C) measure of variation in the amount of precipitation.
(D) None of the above

166. Which of the following are the natural causes of climate change?
(A) Internal variability
(B) Ocean currents
(C) Volcanic activity
(D) All of the above

167. How does climate change affect human health?

(A) By increasing illnesses such as heat stress, cardiovascular disease and kidney
disease.
(B) By increasing respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
(C) By increasing bacterial infections.
(D) All of the above

168. The Greenhouse gas present in very high quantity is

(A) ethane (C) propane
(B) carbon dioxide (D) methane

169. Burning of fossil fuels

(A) increases oxygen level
(B) increases greenhouse gases
(C) decreases greenhouse gases
(D) increases ethane level

170. Assertion (A) Climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and measures
should be prepared in transparent manner.
Reason (R) It will provide full access to information to all stakeholders. Codes
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) all true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

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(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

171. Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change was established to ......

(A) report and investigate on scientific evidence on and possible international
response to climate change.
(B) establish developed country emissions.
(C) stabilize GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level.
(D) None of the above

172. ...... is the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in a
carbon sink.
(A) Carbon trading
(B) Carbon sequestration
(C) Carbon tax
(D) Carbon offset

173. The soil's fertility can be increased by growing more of

(A) food grains
(B) leguminous plants
(C) fibre crops
(D) None of these

174. Which of the following is true about laterite soils?

(A) They are formed as a result of leaching
(B) They are rich in minerals such as aluminium and iron
(C) They are found in hot and wet tropical areas
(D) All of the above

175. Which of the following is not a renewable natural resource?

(A) Clean air (C) Fertile soil
(B) Fresh water (D) Salt

176. Which of the following types of energy resources can last indefinitely or for a very
long time due to judicious use?
(A) Non-renewable (C) Domestic
(B) Renewable (D) None of these

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

177. The ultimate source of energy is

(A) plants (C) sun
(B) animals (D) bacteria

178. The disadvantage of solar energy are

(A) it is difficult to store and run heavy machines
(B) it can be produced in tropical and subtropical areas only
(C) its technology is still expensive and involves high installation
(D) All of the above

179. Which of the following statement is/are incorrect about tidal energy?
(A) It is a form of hydropower that converts the energy from tides to electricity
(B) It consist of a heat pump air delivery system and a heat exchange system of pipes
(C) It is an environment friendly energy
(D) It is effective at low speeds

180. The fuel used in the conventional nuclear reactor is

(A) cadmium (C) uranium
(B) radium (D) thorium

181. Thermal power generation in India is carried out by burning

(A) natural gas (C) oil
(B) coal (D) All of these

182. Which one of the following is not a renewable energy source?

(A) Solar (C) Wave
(B) Coal (D) Wind

183. The nuclear fuel used in the fast breeder reactor is

(A) cadmium (C) uranium
(B) radium (D) thorium

184. Hydroelectric power is

(A) produced with the help of dams
(B) renewable energy source
(C) not contributing to global warming

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(D) All of the above

185. The second most important source after fossil fuels contributing to India's energy
needs is
(A) solar energy
(B) nuclear energy
(C) bydro-power
(D) wind energy
186. Which of the following is a conventional source of energy?
(A) Coal
(B) Wind energy
(C) Solar energy
(D) Natural gas

187. Which of the following is an effective protection against cyclones and tsunamis?
(A) Shrimp farms
(B) Building walls
(C) Mangrove forests
(D) None of the above

188. Which of the following is/are the main objectives of National Disaster
Management policy 2009?
(A) Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels
through knowledge, innovation and education
(B) Promoting a productive and proactive partnership with media for disaster
management
(C) Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the need of
poor section of society
(D) All of the above

189. Match List I and List II and select the correct answer from the codes given below.
List I List II
A. Flood 1. Lack of rainfall of sufficient
duration
B. Drought 2. Tremors produced by the
passage of vibratory waves
through the rocks of the Earth

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
C. Earthquake 3. A vent through which molted
substances come out
D. Volcano 4. Excess rain and uneven
distribution of water
Codes
ABCD ABCD
(A) 4 1 2 3 (B) 2 3 4 1
(C) 3 4 2 1 (D) 4 3 1 2

190. Which of the following is wrong statement?

I. Floods can be caused by natural, ecological or anthropogenic factors.
II. Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and shifting cultivation can also
contribute to floods.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(A) Only I
(B) Only II
(C) Both I and II
(D) None of these

191. Lahar' is a natural disaster involving

(A) eruption of large amount of material
(B) strong winds
(C) strong water waves
(D) strong winds and water waves

192. The cyclone 'Hudhud' hit the coast of which state?

(A) Andhra Pradesh (C) Kerala
(B) Karnataka (D) Gujarat

193. Which of the following types of natural hazards have the highest potential to
cause damage to humans?
(A) Earthquakes
(B) Forest fires
(C) Volcanic eruptions
(D) Droughts & floods

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

194. Important measure to mitigate landslide is/are

(A) Techniques of slope stablilisation can help in checking the occurrence of
landslides.
(B) Landslide prone zones along highways etc., can be identified and structures like
retaining walls can be constructed to prevent movement of rocks
(C) Maintaining a good tree cover on mountains can also help in checking the
frequency of landslides
(D) All of the above

195. Which of the following is the objective of National Solar Mission of NAPCC?
(A) To create solar energy competition with fossil fuel based energy options
(B) To establish solar research centre
(C) To increase government funding and international support
(D) All of the above

196. In which year National Action Plan on Climate Change was launched?
(A) 2000 (C) 2008
(B) 2003 (D) 2012

197. How many missions were launched under NAPCC in 2008?

(A) Six (C) Eleven
(B) Eight (D) Fifteen

198. Which of the following is a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change?
I. National Mission for a Green India.
II. National Water Mission.
III. National Solar Mission.
IV. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
Codes
(A) Only I (C) I and IV
(B) II and III (D) All of these

199. The work of forests includes

(A) These provide oxygen to breathe
(B) These reduce greenhouse gases
(C) These hold soil at its place

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(D) All of the above

200. India has protected areas about

(A) 500 (C) 771
(B) 615 (D) 815

201. Nagoya Protocol is related to

(A) climate change
(B) ozone depletion
(C) hazardous waste
(D) biodiversity

202. Which of the following statements are indicative of the vision of Blue revolution?
I. Promoting development of Botanical Gardens.
II. Creating an enabling environment for the full potential of fisheries in the
country.
III. Improving the income status of fish farmers keeping in view the sustainability
concerns. IV. Encouraging scientific research in forestry to increase the vegetative
cover.
V. Promoting integrated development of fisheries of the country.
VI. Undertaking research in new areas like marine fin fish.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(A) II, IV and V
(B) II, III and V
(C) II, III and I
(D) I, IV and VI

203. In which year India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention?
(A) 1980 (C) 1975
(B) 1981 (D) 1971

204. Match the following.

List I (Ramsar Sites) List II (State)
A. Ashtamudi Wetland 1. Jammu and Kashmir
B. Hokera Wetland 2. Himachal Pradesh
C. Renuka Wetland 3. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bhoj Wetland 4. Kerala

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
Codes
ABCD ABCD
(A) 1 2 3 4 (B) 4 3 2 1
(C) 4 1 2 3 (D) 4 3 1 2

205. The effects of cyclones can be mitigated through effective and efficient mitigation
policies and strategies, They are
I. installation of early warning systems.
II. developing communication infrastructure.
III. developing shelter belts.
IV. developing community cyclone shelters.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(A) I, II and IV (C) II, III and IV
(B) I, III and IV (D) All of these

206. In which year the Convention of Biological diversity enacted?

(A) 1997 (C) 1992
(B) 1998 (D) 1999

207. In what ways the Paris Agreement (CoP 21, 2015) was different from the Kyoto
protocol?
(A) It provided a framework for all countries to take steps to curb climate change
(B) The agreement covered all crucial areas and balanced agreement including
miligation adaptation, loss and damage technology
(C) Development and transfer and building capacity
(D) Both (A) and (B)

208. How many countries joined International Solar Alliance (2015) in 2016?
(A) 130 (C) 125
(B) 121 (D) 120

209. What were the key outcomes of Bonn, Germany (CoP 23, 2017)?
(A) It was agreed that the financial issues regarding the climate change must be
adressed and rich countries must take the responsibility of it
(B) It was decided that the negotiation will keep working for one year and finalsi rule
book by December, 2018

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) It was also decided that the Adaptation fund under Kyoto protocol can become
the part of the Paris Agreement to deal with the financial crunch
(D) All of the above

210. Where was CoP 24, 2018 held?

(A) Bonn, Germany
(B) Katowice, Polland
(C) Lima, Peru
(D) Rio de Janerio, Brazil

211. Which of the following were the focal issues of Marrakech climate change
conference, 2016?
(A) Water scarcity
(B) Water cleanliness
(C) Water related sustainability
(D) All of the above

212. What is the main objective of convention on biodiversity?

(A) The conservation of biological diversity
(B) The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
(C) The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits Grising out of the utilisation of
generic resources
(D) All of the above

213. When was Marrakech climate change conference was held?

(A) 2018 (C) 2016
(B) 2017 (D) 2014

214. What after measures were taken to control climate change?

(A) Carban Ofteset
(B) Carbon tax
(C) Carbon Trading
(D) All of the above

215. Which of the following statement (s) is/are correct about carbon tax?
(A) It is a reduction in emission of carbon dioxide

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) It is another form of carbon pricing
(C) It is a tax on energy sources which emits carbon dioxide
(D) It is a process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in carbon
sink

216. Where and when was the convention for the protection of the ozone layer held?
(A) Stockholm, 1972
(B) Vienna, 1985
(C) Basel, 1989
(D) Nagoya 2010

217. Identify the air pollutant in urban areas which irritates eyes and also respiratory
tract of human beings.
(A) Particulate matter
(B) Oxides of nitrogen
(C) Surface ozone
(D) Carbon monoxide

218. Which of the following is the largest source of water pollution in major rivers of
India?
(A) Untreated sewage
(B) Agriculture run-off
(C) Unregulated small scale industries
(D) Religious practices
219. Sustainable development goals have specific targets to be achieved by
(A) 2022 (C) 2040
(B) 2030 (D) 2050

220. Indian government’s target of producing power from biomass by the year 2022, is
(A) 50 MW (C) 15MW
(B) 25 MW (D) 10GW

221. Assertion (A): Conserving our soil resources is critical to human survival.
Reason (R) : Soil is home to many micro-organisms and contains minerals.
Choose the correct code:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true.

222. World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) objective has been to reduce the
number of deaths due to hydrometeorological disasters over the decade 2010-2019
by (with reference to the decade 1994-2003)
(A) 25% (C) 75%
(B) 50% (D) 80%

223. Inside rural homes, the source/sources of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution may be:
(a) Unvented gas stoves
(b) Wood stoves
(c) Kerosene heaters
Choose the correct code :
(A) and (b) only
(B) and (c) only
(C) (b) only
(D) (a), (b) and (c)

224. Which ot the following pollutants can cause cancer in humans?

(A) Pesticides (C) Lead
(B) Mercury (D) Ozone

225. Assertion (A) : People population control measures do no! necessarily help in
checking environmental degradation.
Reason (R) : The relationship between population growth and environmental
degradation is rather complex.
Choose the correct answer from the following :
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

226. Which of the following phenomena is not a natural hazard?

(A) Wildfire
(B) Lightning

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Landslide
(D) Chemical contamination

227. As part of National Climate Change Policy, Indian government is planning to raise
the installed capacity of renewable energy by the year 2030 to :
(A) 175 GW (C) 250 GW
(B) 200 GW (D) 350 GW

228. At present, in terms of per capita energy consumption (kWh/year), identify the
correct sequence.
(A) Brazil > Russia > China > India
(B) Russia > China > India > Brazil
(C) Russia > China > Brazil > India
(D) China > Russia > Brazil > India

229. In which of the countries per capita use of water is maximum?

(A) USA (C) China
(B) European Union (D) India

230. India’s contribution to total global carbon dioxide emissions is about:

(A) -3% (C) -10%
(B) -6% (D) -15%

231. Two earthquakes A and B happen to be of magnitude 5 and 6 respectively on

Richter Scale. The ratio of the energies released EB/EA will be approximately:
(A) ~8 (C) -32
(B) -16 (D) -64

232. Which of the following combinations represent renewable natural resources?

(A) Fertile soil, fresh water and natural gas
(B) Clean air, phosphates and biological diversity
(C) Fishes, fertile soil and fresh water
(D) Oil, forests and tides

233. In the recently launched Air Quality Index in India, which of the following
pollutants is not included ?
(A) Carbon monoxide

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) Fine particulate matter
(C) Ozone
(D) Chlorofluorocarbons

234. The factors which are most important in determining the impact of anthropogenic
activities on environment are:
(A) Population, affluence per person, land available per person
(B) Population, affluence per person and the technology used for exploiting resources
(C) Atmospheric conditions, population and forest cover
(D) Population, forest cover and land available per person

235. Match List – I and List – II and identify the correct code :
List – I List-II
a. World Health Day i. 16th September
b. World Population Day ii. 1st December
c. World Ozone Day iii. 1st July
d. World AIDS Day iv. 7th April
Codes:
a b c d
(A) i ii iii iv
(B) iv iii i ii
(C) ii iii iv i
(D) iii iv ii i

236. Which of the anthropogenic activity accounts for more than ~2/3rd of global
water consumption ?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Hydropower generation
(C) Industry
(D) Domestic and Municipal usage

237. Oneof the anthropogenic sources of gaseous pollutants chlorofluorocarbons

(CFCs) in air is
(A) Cement industry
(B) Fertiliser industry
(C) Foam industry
(D) Pesticide industry

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

238. ‘Lahar’ is a natural disaster involving

(A) eruption of large amount of material
(B) strong winds
(C) strong water waves
(D) strong winds and water waves

239. The population of India is about 1.2 billion. Take the average consumption of
energy per person per year in India as 30 Mega Joules. If this consumption is met by
carbon based fuels and the rate of carbon emissions per kilojoule is 15 x 106 kgs, the
total carbon emissions per year from India will be
(A) 54 million metric tons
(B) 540 million metric tons
(C) 5400 million metric tons
(D) 2400 million metric tons

240. The primary source of organic pollution in fresh water bodies is

(A) run-off urban areas
(B) run-off from agricultural forms
(C) sewage effluents
(D) industrial effluents

241. Which one of the following green house gases has the shortest residence time in
the atmosphere?
(A) Chlorofluorocarbon
(B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Methane
(D) Nitrous oxide

242. In order to avoid catastrophic consequences of climate change, there is general

agreement among the countries of the world to limit the rise in average surface
temperature of earth compared to that of per-industrial times by
(A) 1.5°C to 2°C
(B) 2.0°C to 3.5 °C
(C) 0.5°C to l0°C
(D) 0.25 °C to 0.5 °C

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
243. The National Disaster Management Authority functions under the Union Ministry
of
(A) Environment
(B) Water Resources
(C) Home Affairs
(D) Defense

244. Match List – I and List – II and select the correct answer from the codes given
below:
List -1 List – II
a. Flood 1. Lack of rainfall of sufficient duration
b. Drought 2. Tremors produced by the passage of
vibratory waves through the rocks of the earth
c. Earthquake 3. Avent through which molted substances come out
d. Volcano 4. Excess rain and uneven distribution of water
Codes:

abcd
(A) 4 1 2 3
(B) 2 3 4 1
(C) 3 4 2 1
(D) 4 3 1 2

245. Arrange the following books in chronological order in which they appeared. Use
the code given below:
(i) Limits to Growth
(ii) Silent Spring
(iii) Our Common Future
(iv) Resourceful Earth
Codes :
(A) (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
(B) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(C) (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)
(D) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

246. “Women are closer to nature than men.” What kind of perspective is this?
(A) Realist (B) Essentialist

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) Feminist (D) Deep ecology

247. Which one of the following is not a matter a global concern in the removal of
tropical forests?
(A) Their ability to absorb the chemicals that contribute to depletion of ozone layer
(B) Their role in maintaining the oxygen and carbon balance of the earth.
(C) Their ability to regulate surface and air temperatures, moisture content and
reflectivity.
(D) Their contribution to the biological diversity of the planet.

248. The most comprehensive approach to address the problems of man-environment

interaction is one of the following :
(A) Natural Resource Conservation Approach
(B) Urban-industrial Growth Oriented Approach
(C) Rural-agricultural Growth Oriented Approach
(D) Watershed Development Approach

249. The major source of the pollutant gas,carbon mono-oxide (CO), in urban areas is
(A) Thermal power sector (C) Industrial sector
(B) Transport sector (D) Domestic sector

250. In a fuel cell driven vehicle, the energy is obtained from the combustion of
(A) Methane
(B) Hydrogen
(C) LPG
(D) CNG

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

Previous Years’ Questions

UGC – NET 2021
1. The permissible limit for Arsenic in drinking water, as per Indian Standards
[IS:10500] is
A. 0.05 mg/L C. mg/L
B. 0.5 mg/L D. 2.0 mg/L

2. Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol envisages reduction in HFCs

consumption by late 2040s to the extent of
A. 50-55% C. 80-85%
B. 65-70% D. 90-95%
3. Identify the correct sequence of BRICS countries in relation to their Sustainable
Development Goals Index (from highest to lowest) as per the Sustainable
Development Report (2020)
A. China
B. India
C. South Africa
D. Brazil
E. Russian Federation
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
A. A>D>E>C>B
B. C>D>E>A>B
C. C>E>B>D>A
D. E>D>C>A>B

4. From the energy security perspective, which of the following energy sources is
considered most secure for India?
A. Geothermal C. Solar
B. Hydro D. Wind

5. Match List I with List II

List I List II

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
Disease Mode of spread

A. Cholera I. Lack of water to maintain cleanliness

B. Trachoma II. Involves water contact but not ingestion

C. Schistosomiasis III. Ingestion of polluted water

D. Dengue IV. Requires host

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. A - I, B - III, C - II, D - IV
B. A - II, B - III, C - IV, D - I
C. A - III, B - I, C - II, D - IV
D. A - III, B - I, C - IV, D - II

6. What fraction (%) of the total primary energy used in India is derived from
biomass?
A. 22% C. 42%
B. 32% D. 56%

7. In which year did the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol come to an
end?
A. 2008 C. 2012
B. 2011 D. 2015

8. Which one of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is related to

sustainable consumption and production patterns?
A. SDG 10 C. SDG 12
B. SDG 11 D. SDG 9
9. International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement entered into force in the
year
A. 2015 C. 2016
B. 2017 D. 2018
10. Which of the following Pollutants has the least residence time in atmosphere?

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
A. Nitric Oxide C. Chloroflorocarbons
B. Nitrous Oxide D. Methane
11. According to WHO standards, the pesticide content (Lindane or DDT) in
drinking water should not exceed
A. 1 𝜇 gL-1 C. 5 𝜇 gL-1
B. 2 𝜇 gL-1 D. 10 𝜇 gL-1
12. According to one of the Sustainable Development Goals, the per capita global
food waste at the retail and consumer levels is to be reduced to the extent of
A. 1/ 2 (Half)
B. 1/ 3 (One third)
C. 1/ 4 (One fourth)
D. 1/1 (FULL)
13. Noise levels (db) are referenced to the human hearing threshold at a
frequency of
A. 50 Hz C. 1 Hz
B. 100 Hz D. 4 Hz
14. Given below are two statements
Statement I: - Education for sustainable development has to be related to the
process of taking decisions pertaining to economy, politics and natural
environment
Statement II: - Inviting senior citizens to schools and allowing them to speak on
the environment of their childhood, may help in developing a concept of
sustainable development
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the
options given below:
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
15. Given below are two statements

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Statement I: - Oxidative stress is an imbalance between accumulation of oxygen
reactive substances and ability of body to destroy them.
Statement II: - Oxidative stress is significantly lowered by the presence of
oxidants.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options
given below
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
C. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
D. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
16. The target year for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is
A. 2020 C. 2030
B. 2025 D. 2035
17. Which of the following states has maximum wind power potential in India as
per MVRE's latest report?
A. Gujarat C. Rajasthan
B. Karnataka D. Tamil Nadu
18. Which one of the following Millenium Development Goals is about ensuring
Environmental Sustainability?
A. Goal-1 C. Goal-5
B. Goal-3 D. Goal-7
19. The air pollutant NOx is a combination of
A. Nitrogen dioxide and Nitric oxide
B. Nitrogen pentoxide and Nitrogen dioxide
C. Nitrous oxide and Nitric oxide
D. Nitrous oxide and Nitrogen dioxide
20. For drinking and irrigation purposes, the availability of suitable water out of
earth’s total water supplies is about less than
A. 1% C. 6%
B. 5% D. 10%

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21. In a polluted urban area, which of the following constituents of
photochemical smog has the least concentration (parts per billion by volume)?
A. CO Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen dioxide
C. Hydrocarbons (without methane)
D. Nitrous oxide
22. As per Sustainable Development Goal 3, one of the targets is to reduce
under-5 mortality per 1000 live births to at least as low as
A. 50
B. 40
C. 25
D. 15
23. Tidal range R is a critical factor in determining whether an estuary would be
useful for tidal power generation as energy (E) available per tidal cycle
depends on scales with R as according to the following relation:
A. 𝐸∞𝑅
B. 𝐸 ∞ 𝑅1⁄2
C. 𝐸 ∞ 𝑅2
D. 𝐸 ∞ 𝑅3

24. The Virus responsible for disease COVID-19 is

A. SARS - Cov-2
B. TB-Cov-2
C. SARS - Cov-1
D. H2N2

25. Match List I with List II

List I List II
Stages of value development Descriptive features
A. Stage I - Value collection (I)Provides predictability of human
B. Stage II - Value assessment (II) When there are gaps between
C. Stage III - Value clarification (III) Helps the individual learn to choose

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
and imbibe the values one cherishes
D. Stage IV - Value consolidation (IV) These are acquired from the
members
of the community
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)
B. (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
C. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)
D. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
26. The saltiness of the ocean water can be attributed to the minerals and salts
deposited by the various rivers that flow into it. However, rivers are not saline
because:
A. Salts get precipitated at the bottom
B. Salts are absorbed by the plants into it
C. River water in replenished by the rain
D. Muds of the river neutralizes the salt
27. India's maximum energy comes from:
A. Hydroelectric Power Plant
B. Nuclear Power Plant
C. Thermal Power Plant
D. Solar Power Plant
28. Which of the following features are indicative of the negative social rather
than physical aspects of environment?
A. Habitats in slums
B. Conflict and clashes in groups
C. Frustration and anxiety manifest in groups
D. Aggression and threats manifest in collective behaviour
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
A. (A)and (B) only
B. (B) and (C) only
C. (B)and (D) only
D. (A), (B), (C) ONLY

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
29. Match List I with List II
List I List II
Air Quality Index Colour Code
A. 0-50 (I) Yellow
B. 101-200 (II) Red
C. 201-300 (III) Green
D. 301-400 (IV) Orange
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)
B. (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)
C. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
D. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

UGC – NET 2020

1. Identify the correct sequence of continents in decreasing order of their yearly
carbon dioxide emissions, at present
(i) Africa
(ii) Asia
(iii) Europe
(iv) North America
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A) (ii), (iv), (i), (iii)
(B) (ii), (iv), (iii), (i)
(C) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(D) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

2. Match List I with List II

List I (Water Pollutants) List II (Sources)
(a) Oxygen demanding wastes (i) Mine drainage
(b) Plant nutrients (ii) Modern washing powders and
agriculture run off
(c) Acids (iii) Waste incineration and toxic dumps
(d) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (iv) Paper mills and food
processing units
Choose correct answer from the following
(A) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
(B) (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(C) (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
(D) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)

3. The global emissions (by weight) of following primary pollutants from natural
sources are maximum in the case of
(A) Nitric oxide
(B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Methane
(D) Carbon dioxide

4. Millennium Development Goals of Global Partnership for Development

envisaged making available the benefits of new technologies - especially which
of the following?
(A) Information and Communication
(B) Artificial Intelligence
(C) Nuclear technology
(D) Solid waste treatment technology

5. Match List I with List II

List I List II
Emitted Pollutants Environmental Impact
a. Carbon dioxide i. Formation of acid rain
b. Carbon monoxide ii. Toxic and are carcinogenic
c. Nitrogen oxides iii. Toxic and can cause respiratory diseases
d. Benzene and hydrocarbons iv. Contribution to global warming as a
greenhouse gas Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) a - iv, b - iii, c - i, d - ii
(B) a - iv, b - ii, c - i, d - iii
(C) a - iv, b - ii, c - iii, d - i
(D) a - i, b - iii, c - ii, d – iv

6. From disaster mitigation measures given below, identify the measures which
can be characterized as non-structural
a. Flood dykes
b. Land-use zoning
c. Raising of homes in flood -prone areas
d. Insurance programs

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
e. Reinforce tornado safe rooms
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) b and d only (B) a, b and d only
(C) b, d and e only (D) a, b, d and e only

7. Under Goal 4 of Millenium Development Goals, the reduction sought to be

achieved in under-five child mortality rate between 1990-2015 was to the
extent of
(A) Half (B) Two-third
(C) Three-fourth (D) One-third

8. Identify the correct sequence of countries in decreasing order of their

contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions
a. USA b. China
c. Russia d. India
e. Japan
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A) a, b, d, c, e (B) b, a, d, c, e
(C) b, a, d, e, c (D) a, b, d, e, c

9. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set in 201 5 by the United Nations
a re intended to be achieved by
(A) 2025 (B) 2030
(C) 2035 (D) 2040

10.'To infer rain in the past by perceiving muddy water in the pond', is
(A)Purvavat anumana
(B)Sesvatanuman
(C)Both Purvovat anumana and Sesvatanuman
(D)Comparison
11.Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is
labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: In the contemporary environmental discourse, small hydropower
plants are preferred over large hydropower plants
Reason R: Installation of a small hydropower plant is less capital intensive
compared to a large hydropower plant In light of the above statements,
choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(C) A is correct but R is not correct
(D) A is not correct but R is correct

12.The phenomenon of ozone depletion is caused by

(i) Volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons
(ii) Emissions from thermal power plants
(iii) Combustion of urban waste
(iv) Excessive use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (i), (ii) and (iv) only
(B) (i) and (iv) only
(C) (i), (ii) and (iii) only
(D) (i), (iii) and (iv) only

13.Identify the correct sequence of countries in decreasing order of their

contributions to per capita emissions of carbon dioxide emissions at present
(i) India (ii) China
(iii) USA (iv) Japan
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A) (iii), (iv), (ii), (i)
(B) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(C) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(D) (iii), (ii), (iv), (i)

14.Which of the following was NOT an issue to be addressed under Millenium

Development Goals? (A) Child mortality
(B) Environmental sustainability
(C) Human rights
(D) Primary education

15.Day time noise standard prescribed for residential areas in India is

(A) 75 dB (B) 65 dB
(C) 55 dB (D) 50 Db
16.Under which of the following objectives of Millenium Development Goals, the
progress in the world as a whole has been least satisfactory?

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) Halting by 2015 and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS
(B) Eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2015
(C) Reducing the proportion of population below national poverty line by 2015
(D) Reducing by half proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015

17.Which of the following are Millennium Development Goals?

a. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
b. Improving maternal health
c. Addressing climate change
d. Promoting gender equity and empowerment of women
e. Ensuring energy security for all
Choose the correct answer from the options g iven below:
(A) a, b, c and d only
(B) a, c, d and e only
(C) a, b, c, d and e
(D) a, b and d only
In the question, A, B & D are millennium development goals, whereas,
addressing climate change, and ensuring energy security for all is not
millennium development goal.

18.Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is
labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: Polluted rivers with very high values of Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD) may produce a foul smell
Reason R: Anaerobic bacteria produce Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
In light of the above statements,
choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
(A) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(C) A is correct but R is not correct
(D) A is not correct but R is correct

19.Identify the correct sequence of energy sources in terms of their heat of

combustion in increasing order
a. Methane b. Natural fats and oils
c. Dry wood d. Green wood
Choose the correct answer from the options given below

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) a, c, b, d
(B) d, c, b, a
(C) d, b, c, a
(D) d, c, a, b

20.In case of which of the following primary pollutants, the man-made

contributions to global emissions (million tons per year) is more compared to
that from natural sources?
(A) Sulphur dioxide (B) Nitric oxide
(C) Methane (D) Carbon dioxide

21.In a polluted urban area, which one of the following has the highest
concentration (ppv) in photochemical smog?
(A) Ozone
(B) PAN
(C) Hydrocarbons (without methane)
(D) Carbon monoxide

22.Thermal reactors produce energy by fission of the following nuclear fuels

a. Uranium-235 (235U)
b. Uranium-233 (233U)
c. Uranium-238 (238u)
d. Thorium-232 (232Th)
e. Plutonium-239 (239Pu)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) a, b, c and e only
(B) a, b, c, d and e
(C) a, b, d and e only
(D) a, b and e only

23.Match List I with List II

List I List II
Environmental Protocol
/Agreement/Action Plan Provisions
A. Montreal Protocol I. Integrated water resource
management
B. Paris Agreement II. Emissions trading

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
C. Climate Action Plan Ill. Phasing out ozone-depleting
substances
IV. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A - 111, B - 11, C - I, D - IV
(B) A - II, B - 111, C - I, D - IV
(C) A - II, B - IV, C - Ill, D - I
(D) A - 111, B - IV, C - I, D – 11

24.Match List I with List II

List I. Environmental Awareness List II
Categories of environmental
education objectives Examples of those objectives
A. Environmental Awareness I. To help social groups and individuals
identify and solve environmental
problems
B. Environmental Knowledge II. To help social groups and individuals
acquire a set of values for the
environment
C. Environmental Attitude Ill. To help social groups and individuals
acquire a sensitivity to the total
environment
D. Environmental Skill IV. To help social groups and individuals
gain a variety of experience in
environment and its associated problems
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A - II, B - I, C - Ill, D - IV
(B) A - I, B - Ill, C - IV, D - II
(C) A - IV, B - II, C - I, D - Ill
(D) A - 111, B - IV, C - II, D – I

25.Noise pollution is measured in decibels (dB) with reference to a standard

sound intensity of the following magnitude
(A) 1 pico watt per m2
(B) 1 milliwatt per m2
(C) 1 nanowatt per m2
(D) 1 microwatt per m2

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

26.Identify the correct sequence of countries contributing to global CO2 emission

in decreasing order from fossil fuel burning, cement manufacturing and gas
flaring in the year 2014
(a) USA (b) EU-28
(c) China (d) Russia
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A) c, a, b, d
(B) a, c, b, d
(C) a, b, c, d
(D) a, c, d, b

27.Match List I with List II

List I List II
Pathogens in water Disease they cause
(a). Virus (i). Cholera
(b). Bacteria (ii). Schistosomiasis
(c). Protozoa (iii). Hepatitis
(d). Helminths (Parasitic worm) (iv). Dysentery
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) a - i, b - iii, c - iv, d - ii
(B) a - i, b - iii, c - ii, d - iv
(C) a - iii, b - i, c - ii, d – iv
(D) a - iii, b - i, c - iv, d – ii

28.Which among the following are used as semiconductor materials to fabricate

solar cells
(a) Silicon (Si) (b) 8. Tin oxide (Sn O)
(c) Cadmium Sulphide (Cd S) (d) Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) a and c only (B) a and B only
(C) b, c and d only (D) a, b, c and d

29.Which among the following are emitted from a coal-based thermal power
plant?
(a) Carbon monoxide (b) Ozone
(c) Sulphur dioxide (d) Methane

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(e) Particulate matter
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) a, b, c and e only
(B) a, c and e only
(C) a, b and c only
(D) a, c, d and e only

30.Which of the following is not a Sustainable Development Goal?

(A) Gender equity
(B) Climate action
(C) Protection of Ozone layer
(D) Life below water

UGC NET-2019
1 One of the main outcomes of the Rio+20 conference was to develop a set of:
in
(A) Sustainable Development Goals
(B) Millennium Development Goals
(C) National Development Strategy
(D) National Land Restoration Strategy

2 The time frame for the implementation of Millennium Development Goals

was: RO
(A) 2000–2005 (B) 2000–2015
(C) 2005–2010 (D) 2000–2012

3 Oligotrophic lakes are characterised by:

(A) High level of nutrients
(B) Low level of nutrients
(C) Absence of nutrients
(D) High level of organic matter
4. With increase in temperature, the dissolved oxygen content in a water body
will:
(A) decreases
(B) increases
(C) remain constant
(D) may increase or decrease depending on the temperature range

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
5 Consider the following statements in the context of Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) adopted by the United Nations.
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Improve maternal health.
3. Responsible consumption and production.
4. Reduce child mortality.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(A) 1, 2 and 3 (B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 4 (D) 1, 3 and 4

6 Assertion (A) Night time temperature in the central parts of a city are
generally higher than those over the surrounding rural areas,
Reason (R) Radiation losses over the urban areas are less than that over the
rural areas, Choose the correct answer from the options given below;
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true
Which of the following disasters belongs to the category of nuclear disasters?
1. Fukushima disaster
2. Chernobyl disaster
3. Three mile Island incident
4. The love canal disaster
Choose your answer from the options given below:
(A) (1), (2) and (3) (B) (1), (2) and (3)
(C) (1), (3) and (4) (D) (2), (3) and (4)

8 The Paris Agreement aims to limit the temperature rise in this century by
how many degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels?
(A) 1°C (B) 2° C (C) 0.5°C (D) 3° C

9 Statement I Most of the member countries in the International Solar Alliance

are located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.
Statement II Japan is a member country of the International Solar Alliance.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) Both I and II
(D) Neither I nor II

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
10 Assertion (A) High concentration of ozone in the troposphere is desirable.
Reason (R)(Ozone present in the atmosphere protects the living organisms on
the surface of Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the Sun.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below,
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

11 Algal blooms in oligotrophic lakes are:

(A) very frequent
(B) frequent
(C) very rare
(D) widespread

12 Which of the following are priority areas in o relation to the Sustainable

Development
Goals?
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Reducing urbanisation
4. Peace, justice and strong institution
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (1), (2)
(B) (1), (3), (4)
(C) (2), (3), (4)
(D) (1), (2), (4)

13 Assertion (A) Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which blood is not able

to carry and deliver enough oxygen to the body.
Reason (R) Consuming drinking water with high nitrate levels may cause
methemoglobinemia. Choose the correct answer from the options given
below.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false A
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

14 In the last few years, India has been affected by which of the following
tropical cyclones?

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) Gaja, Hudhud, Bhima
(B) Hudhud, Bhima, Ockhi
(C) Gaja, Hudhud, Ockhi
(D) Gaja, Bhima, Ockhi

15 Which pollutant is the major source of marine pollution?

(A) Agricultural run-off
(B) Oil spill
(C) Industrial wastewater
(D) Sewage

16 Permafrost is defining characteristic of which biome?

(A) Taiga (B) Tundra
(C) Grassland, (D) Desert

17 The mangroves exist in:

(A) Fresh water system
(B) Temperate areas
(C) Semi-arid areas
(D) Saline waters

18. Which of the following statements best is explains the concept of

sustainable development? (A) Use of natural resources minimally
(B) Use of natural resources for our benefit
(C) Use of natural resources judiciously so that they are available for further
generations
(D) Preserve our natural resources for our future generation

19 Chemical oxygen demand in eutrophic water is

(A) low (B) high
(C) medium (D) extremely low
20 Montreal protocol aims at
(A) reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases
(B) phasing out ozone depleting substances
(C) prohibiting transboundary movement of hazardous waste
(D) enhancing cooperation among UN member states for peaceful uses of
nuclear energy

21 SMTP is an acronym for:

(A) Simple Mail Transport Protocol

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(B) Simple Mail Terminal Protocol
(C) Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
(D) Simple Mail Transition Protocol

22 Statement I Earthquake ‘A’ is 5 on Richter scale and Earthquake 'B' is 8 on

the same scale. Earthquake 'Bhas 1000 times the wave amplitude compared to
‘A’.
Statement II The energy released in 'B' is three times that of 'A'. Choose the
correct option:
(A) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
(B) Statements I and II are correct
(C) Statement II is correct and I is incorrect
(D) Statements I and II are incorrect

23 Taj Mahal is mainly threatened by the deleterious effects of:

(A) Sulphur dioxide (B) Chlorine
(C) Oxygen (D) Hydrogen

24 In large parts of Eastern India, the ground water is contaminated by:

(A) Arsenic (B) Lead
(C) Mercury (D) Nickel

25 Efficiency of electrical power generation is least amongst the following

sources of energy in case of:
(A) Solar (B) Wind
(C) Geothermal (D) Nuclear

26 During the period 2014-2018, which zone exhibits cyclic variation?

(A) East zone (B) West zone
(C) Central zone (D) South zone

27 Choose the set of non-renewable resources.

(A) Uranium, natural gas, oil
(B) Natural gas, uranium, phosphates
(C) Petroleum, uranium, geothermal energy
(D) Shale gas, uranium, soil

28 One of the parameters used to characterise the air quality at a location is

PM2.5. Here, the suffix (2.5' refers to:

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) average number of suspected particles in 10 cm of air
(B) size of suspended particles in certain units
(C) concentration of oxides of sulphur and e nitrogen
(D) concentration of suspended particles in 2.5 m3 of air

29 Which of the following diseases are due to polluted water?" **

1. Giardiasis 2. Dengue
3. Amoebiasis 4. Typhoid
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A) 1, 2 and 4 (B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2, 3 arid 4 (D) 1, 3 and 4

30 Which of the following is non-vehicular pollutant?

(A) Chlorofluorocarbon (B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Hydrocarbon (D) Particular matter

31 Which of the following is the largest sink of 2 gas?

(A) Forests (B) Oceans
(C) Ice sheets (D) Grasslands

UGC NET- July 2018

32 Assertion (A) Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard.
Reason (R) The dispersal of air pollutants is rather limited in indoor
environment,
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(A) (A) is true and (R) is false
(B) Both (A) and (R) are false
(C) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the en correct explanation of (A)
(D) Both (A) and (R) are true, but R is not the correct explanation of (A)

33 Which of the following is considered as major source of pollution in rivers of

Indian
(A) Agricultural run-off
(B) Thermal power plants
(C) Unregulated small scale industry
(D) Untreated sewnge

34 Fly-ash' produced in thermal power plants is an eco-friendly resource for

use in

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
I. agriculture as micro-nutrient.
II. wasteland development.
III. dam and water holding structures,
IV. brick industry.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(A) I, III and IV (B) I, II, III and IV
(C) I, II and IV (D) II, III and IV.

35 Which of the following types of natural disasters has no definite beginning

and end?
(A) Hurricanes (B) Droughts
(C) Earthquakes (D) Landslides

UGC NET-December 2018

36 Recently in Brazil, a bacterium exhibited antibiotic resistance, which was not
reported previously
(A) Pseudomonas species
(B) Salmonella species
(C) Klebsiella species
(D) Streptococcus species

37 One of the following has a positive human influence on the

environment?
(A) Deforestation (B) over population
(C) Pollution (D) Conservation

38 Assertion (A) The environmental impact of soil erosion can best be mitigated
by removing vegetative cover only from the specific site in which construction
is to take place,
Reason (R) The environmental impact of soil erosion can also be mitigated by
disturbing the vegetation in adjacent areas as little as possible.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true

39 Assertion (A) Hydropower is an exhaustible energy resource.

Reason (R) The power of falling water would neither diminish nor get
exhausted.

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(D) Both (A) and (R) is false

40 In the scheme of life, soil is an essential resource of life, as it plays the

following roles.
(i) It is a reservoir of carbon.
(ii) It is the medium for growth of food and energy for the animal world.
(iii) It provides oxygen to the biotic community
(iv) It is a natural reservoir for the huge amount of water,
Select the correct answer from the above,
(A) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(B) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(C) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(D) (i), (iii) and (iv)

UGC NET-June 2017

41 Which of the following is a source of emissions leading to the eventual
formation of surface ozone as a pollutant?
(A) Transport sector
(B) Refrigeration and air-conditioning
(C) Wetlands
(D) Fertilizers

42 Assertion (A) Sustainable development is critical to well-being of human

society.
Reason (R) Environmentally sound policies do not harm the environment or
deplete the natural resources.
Choose the correct code.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of
(A) (B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true

UGC NET-November 2017

43 Assertion (A) In urban areas, smog episodes occur frequently in winters.
Reason (R) In winters, a lot of biomass is burnt by people for heating purposes
or to keep themselves warm.

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(B) (A) is true, but (R) is false
(C) Both (A) and (R) is false .
(D) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

44 Which of the following pollutants is the major cause of respiratory

diseases?
(A) Nitrogen oxides
(B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Volatile organic compounds
(D) Suspended find particles:

45 Which of the following pollutant gases is not produced both naturally and
as a result of industrial activity?
(A) Nitrous oxide
(B) Methane
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Chlorofluorocarbons

46 Among the following fuels of energy, which is the most environment

friendly?
(A) Biogas (B) CNG
(C) Hydrogen (D) Ethanol

47. Occurrence of natural hazards is affected by

I. land use changes.
II. drainage and construction.
III. ozone depletion.
IV, climate change.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(A) I, II and III (B) I, II and IV
(C) II, III and IV (D) I, III and IV

UGC NET-January 2017

48 The dominant source of pollutant due to oxides of nitrogen (NO) in urban
areas is
(A) road transport (B) commercial sector
(C) energy use in industry (D) power plants

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

49 Which of the following is not a water-borne disease?

(A) Typhoid (B) Hepatitis
(C) Cholera (D) Dengue

50 Which of the following natural hazards is not hydro-meteorological?

(A) Snow avalanche (B) Sea erosion
(C) Tropical cyclone (D) Tsunami

51 In which country, the recent international agreement.on-phasing out Hydro

Fluoro Carbons (HCFs) was signed?
(A) Rawanda (B) Morocco
(C) South Africa (D) Algeria,

UGC NET-July 2016

52 Which of the following is the largest source of water pollution in major
rivers of India?
(A) Untreated sewage
(B) Agriculture run-off
(C) Unregulated small scale industries
(D) Religious practices

53 Assertion (A) Conserving our soil on resources is critical to human survival.

Reason (R) Soil is home to many microorganisms and contains minerals.
Choose the correct code.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation
(A) (C) (A) is true and (R) is false
(D) (A) is false and (R) is true

54 Identify the air pollutant in urban areas tract of human beings.

(A) Particulate matter
(B) Oxides of nitrogen
(C) Surface ozone
(D) Carbon monoxide

55 Sustainable development goals have specific targets to be achieved by?

(A) 2022 (B) 2030
(C) 2040 (D) 2050

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

UGC NET-June 2015

56 India's contribution to total global carbon dioxide emissions is about
(A) ~ 3% (B) ~6%
(D) ~15% (C) ~10%

57 In the recently launched Air Quality Inde in India, which of the following
pollutants i not included?
(A) Carbon monoxide (B) Fine particulate matter
(C) Ozone (D) Chlorofluorocarbons

58 Which of the following combinations represent renewable natural

resources?
(A) Fertile soil, fresh water and natural gas
(B) Clean air, phosphates and biological diversity
(C) Fishes, fertile soil and fresh water
(D) Oil, forests and tides

59 Two earthquakes A and B happen to be of magnitude 5 and 6, respectively

on Richter Reality scale. The ratio of the energies released Ho EBIE A will be
approximately
(A) ~8 (B) -16
(C) ~32 (D) -64

60 The factors which are most important in determining the impact of

anthropogenic activities on environment are
(A) population, affluence per person, land available per person
(B) population, affluence per person and the technology used for exploiting
resources
(C) atmospheric conditions, population and forest cover
(D) population, forest cover and land available mentat per personas

UGC NET-December 2015

61 The most hazardous metal pollutant of automobile exhausts is
(A) mercury (B) cadmium
(C) lead (D) copper

62Inside rural homes, the source/sources of nitrogen oxide pollution may be

I. Unvented gas stoves

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
II. Wood stoves
III, Kerosene heaters
Select the correct answer using the codos given below,
(A) Only II (B) I and II
(C) II and III (D) I, II and III

63 Which of the following pollutants can cause cancer in humans?

(A) Ozone (B) Pesticides
(C) Mercury (D) Lead

64 Which of the following phenomena is not a

natural hazard?
(A) Chemical contamination
(B) Wildfire
(C) Lightning
(D) Landslide

65 As part of National Climate Change Policy, Indian Government is planning to

raise the installed capacity of renewable energy by the year 2030 to
(A) 350 GW (B) 175 GW
(C) 200 GW (D) 250 GW

66 Assertion (A) Population control measures do not necessarily help in

checking environmental degradation.
Reason (R) The relationship between population growth and environmental
degradations is rather complex.
(A) A is false, but R is true
(B) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(C) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(D) A is true, but R is false

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT

ANSWER UGC- NET 2021

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A C A C A B C C B A
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
B A C A D C A D A A
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
D C C A A C C C B

ANSWER UGC- NET 2020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
B C D A A A B B B B
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
B B A C C D D C B A
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
D D D D A A D D B C

Answers UGC- NET 2019- 2015

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A B B A C A A B C D
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
C D A C B C D D A B
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
C A A A C A A B D A
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
B A D D B B D B A B
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
A B A D D C B A D D
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
A A B C B B A C C B
61 62 63 64 65 66
C D B A D A

ANSWER PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
B C B C B C C D B C
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
A C B A A B C A A B
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
C C B A D B C C D B
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
C D B B C B C B D C
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
A C A B B D A A C B
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
D A A D D C C A B D
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
B B B A B A B A B C
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
A D D D A A B D A A
81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90
A B A D A A A A A C
91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
A A C B A C D D A A
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110
A A A A C B A B B B
111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120
B A A A C A C D D A
121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130
A A A B D B C B C C
131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140
D C D B D A A B B C
141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150
D D B A D A D D B B
151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160
C D D A B D B D C B
161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170
B C C A A D D B B A
171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180
A B C D D D D D B A
181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190
B A B C A D B C B D
191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
A C B A C D B D D D
201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210
A A B C D C D B D B

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 UNIT- IX PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT
211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220
D D C D C B C A B D
221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230
B B D A A D D C B B
231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240
C C D B B A C A B C
241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
C A C A C B A D B D

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