Summary ENVIRONMENT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Pollution 1-26 2. Climate Change 27-46 3. Forest Conservation 47-63 4. Desertification 64-69 5. Biodiversity Conservation 70-86 6. Environmental Impact Assessment 87-92 7. Disaster Management 93-151 Previous Years’ UPSC Questions (Solved) 152-174 Practice Questions 175 Pollution Chapter 1 “Environmental problems are really social problems. They begin with people as the cause, and end with people as victims. They are usually born of ignorance and apathy. It is people who create a bad environment and a bad environment brings out the worst in people. Man and nature need each other, and by hurting one we wound the other…” – Edmund Hillary “ECOLOGY 2000” Pollution can be defined as the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse changes. As per Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 “Environmental Pollution” is the presence of pollutant, defined as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such a concentration as may be or may tend to be injurious to the environment. The agents, which cause environmental pollution, are called pollutants. Pollutants are physical, chemical or biological substance intentionally or unintentionally released into the environment which is directly or indirectly harmful to humans and other living organisms. Air Pollution Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances, including gases, particulates, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth’s atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies and also the death of humans; it may also cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built environment. Human activity and natural processes can both generate air pollution. Air pollution is defined as the presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance, including noise and radioactive radiation in the atmosphere in such concentration that may be directly and indirectly injurious to humans or other living organisms, plants, property or interferes with the normal environmental processes. Air pollutants can be classified into the following three types: Natural Pollutants: The pollutants which come out from natural sources such as forest fires started by lightening, dispersal of pollen, soil erosion, volcanic eruptions, volatile organic compounds from leaves and trees, decomposition of organic matter and natural radioactivity, etc. are natural pollutants. Primary Pollutants: A primary pollutant is a harmful substance that directly enters the air as a result of human activities. For example, when coal, oil, natural gas or wood is burnt, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are formed, automobiles contributing a large share of carbon monoxide. All these gases enter the atmosphere. Another important pollutant is sulphur dioxide (SO2) which is added to the atmosphere by burning of coal and oil containing sulphur as an impurity in electric power plants. Other primary pollutants are oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and suspended particulate matter.