K L UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Second Semester, 2010-11 Environmental Studies Natural Resources 1.

Classification of Natural Resources On the basis of origin, resources may be divided into: Biotic - Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere, such as forests and their products, animals, birds and their products, fish and other marine organisms. Mineral fuels such as coal and petroleum are also included in this category because they are formed from decayed organic matter. Abiotic - Abiotic resources include non-living things. Examples include land, water, air and ores such as gold, iron, copper, silver etc. With respect to renewability, natural resources can be categorized as follows: Renewable resources are ones that can be replenished or reproduced easily. Some of them, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., are continuously available and their quantity is not affected by human consumption. Many renewable resources can be depleted by human use, but may also be replenished, thus maintaining a flow. Some of these, like agricultural crops, take a short time for renewal; others, like water, take a comparatively longer time, while still others, like forests, take even longer. Non-renewable resources are formed over very long geological periods. Minerals and fossil fuels are included in this category. Since their rate of formation is extremely slow, they cannot be replenished once they get depleted. Of these, the metallic minerals can be re-used by recycling them. But coal and petroleum cannot be recycled. On the basis of availability, natural resources can be categorised as follows: Inexhaustible natural resources- Those resources which are present in unlimited quantity in nature and are not likely to be exhausted easily by human activity are inexhaustible natural resources (sunlight, air etc.) Exhaustible natural resources- The amount of these resources are limited. They can be exhausted by human activity in the long run (coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.)

Forest Resources 2. Explain the Forest Uses / functions? Functions of the forests: Forests are of immense value to us. They are not only useful for industry but also for rural economic growth. They offer huge potential for reducing poverty while also conserving their valuable key resources. Commercial Uses : Forests provide us a large number of commercial goods which include timber, firewood, pulpwood, food items, gum, resins, non-edible oils, rubber, fibers, bamboo canes, fodder medicine, drugs and many more items. Ecological Uses: Production Of Oxygen : The trees produce oxygen by photosynthesis which is so vital for life on this earth .They are rightly called as EARTHS LUNGS. Reducing Global Warming : The main green house gas carbon dioxide is absorbed by the forests as a raw material for photosynthesis. Thus forest canopy acts as a sink for carbon dioxide there by reducing the problem of global warming caused by green house gas carbon dioxide. Wildlife habitat : Forests are the homes of wild animals and plants. About 7 million species are found in the tropical forests alone. Regulation of hydrological cycle : Forested watersheds act like giant sponges, absorbing the rain fall, slowing down the runoff and slowly releasing the water for recharge of springs. About 50-80% of the moisture in the air above tropical forests comes from their transpiration which helps in bringing rains. Soil conservation : Forests bind the soil particles tightly in their roots and prevent soil erosion . They also act as wind-breaks . Pollution Moderators : Forests can absorb many toxic gases and can help in keeping the air pure. They have also been reported to absorb noise and thus help in preventing air and noise pollution. 3. Explain the Causes, effects and Control of Deforestation? Forests have been known to possess huge potential for human use and they have been exploited since early times for their vast potential . Causes : Exploitation of forests has taken place to meet human demands in the following ways: Shifting cultivation : There are an estimated 300 million people living as shifting cultivators who practice slash and burn agriculture and are supposed to clear more than 5 lakh ha of forests for shifting cultivation annually. In India, we have this practice in north east and to some extent in Andhra pradesh ,Bihar and M.P which contribute to nearly half of the forest clearing annually. Fuel requirements : Increasing demands for fuel wood by the growing population in India alone has shot up to 300-500 million tons in 2001 as compared to just 65 million tons during independence , thereby increasing the pressure on forests. Raw materials for industrial use : Wood for making boxes, furniture, railway-sleepers, plywood, match-boxes , pulp for paper industry etc. have exerted tremendous pressure on forests. Plywood is in great demand for packing tea for Tea industry of Assam while fir tree wood is exploited greatly for packing apples in J&K . Developmental projects : Massive destruction of forests occur for various development projects like hydroelectric projects, big dams, road construction, mining etc . Growing food needs : In developing countries this is the main reason for deforestation. To meet the demands of rapidly growing population, agricultural lands and settlements are created permanently by clearing forests . Overgrazing : The poor in the tropics mainly rely on wood as a source of fuel leading to loss of tree cover and cleared lands are turned into grazing lands . Some main causes of deforestation are: 1. population explosion 2

2. forest fires 3. grazing animals 4. pest attack 5. natural calamities floods, storms, lightning damage forests 6. mining and mineral processing 7. dams and reservoirs 8. irrigation canals 9. military activities 10. roads and railways Effects of deforestation: It threatens the existence of many wildlife species due to destruction of their natural habitat . Forest fires : These may be natural or man made , and cause huge forest loss Biodiversity is lost and along with that genetic diversity is eroded. Hydrological cycle gets affected , thereby influencing rainfall. Problems of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility increase. In hilly areas it often leads to land slides. reduction in oxygen liberated by plants decrease in availability forest products loss of cultural diversity scarcity of fuel wood for people living near by forests lowering of water table due to more run off raise in CO2 level resulting global warming, melting of ice and flooding of coastal areas Control of Forest Degradation: More efficient agriculture on suitable farmland. Efficient forestry practice includes plantations. Reserves to protect species and ecosystems. Using alternate source of energy instead of fuelwood , growing more trees (afforestation). Diverse species of natural forests must be protected as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries . Social Forestry : It is the planting of trees , mostly with the involvement of local communities , in unused and fallow lands , along roadside and railway tracks , around agricultural field and in degraded forest area . Agroforestry : It is a farming system that integrates crops and or livestock with trees and shrubs. This results in the multiple benefits along with diversified income sources . Agroforestry is based on the principles of natural ecosystems. Local people play a big role in conservation of forests. Most forest management programmes now involve local communities in planning, decision making and implementation. They can become excellent guides in eco tourism ventures . Ex:- chipko movement , JFM, NAP . 4. Explain the JFM activities? Joint forest management (JFM) Under the JFM programme, the local communities and the government manage the resource and share the cost equally. An informal arrangement between local communities and the Forest Department began in 1972, in Midnapore District of West Bengal. JFM has now evolved into a formal agreement which identifies and respects the local communitys rights and benefits that they need from forest resources. Local people will get economic benefit apart from conservation of forest habitats.

Water Resources 5. Explain the types and importance of water resources? Water resources: It can be divided into two parts. a. Surface water b. Underground water. Surface water can be divided into rain water, river water , lake water and sea water. Under ground water can divided into spring and well water. All aquatic eco-system are used by a large number of people for their daily needs. Water covers 70% of earths surface but only 3% of this is fresh water of this 2% is present as polar ice caps only 1% is usable water in rivers lakes and subsoil aquifers. Ice caps and glaciers are about 77.2 % of fresh water and remaining 22.4 % is ground water and just 0.4 % is distributed in lakes, swamps, rivers and streams. From 1% of the available water, 70% of water is used up for agriculture, 25% industry and 5% domestic use. India uses 90% of its water for agriculture, 7% in industries and 3% domestic use. In future, there is a great challenge facing the world in this century is the need to rethink the overall management of resources. The world population has passed more than 7 billions in future there is a great problem for water in 2000 years the world commission on dams studied indicate that a person needs minimum 20-40 litres of water per day. 6. What are the effects of ground water depletion? 1. Water logging & Salination 2. Lowering of Water table 3. Soil Erosion 7. Explain the effects of over- utilization and pollution of surface and ground water? With the growth of human population there is a increasing need for large amount of water to fulfill a variety of basic needs . most of the people are using more water than they really need . Many agriculturist use more water than necessary to grow crops . There are many ways in which farmers can use less water without reducing yields such as the use of drip irrigation systems. Agriculture also pollutes surface water and ground water stores by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides Conflicts over water Future global conflicts could arise over control of the shared river basins on which millions of people depend for drinking water, irrigation and energy. There were many conflicts over the world on river water. As much as 90 % of the waste water in the world is discharged with out treatment in the developing countries. Conflicts over water around the world may be classified into the following categories. Military tool where water resources or water systems themselves are used by a nation or state as a weapon during military action. Political tool - where water resources or water systems themselves are used by a nation or state or a group for a political goal. Terrorism where water resources or water systems themselves are either targets or tools of violence by terrorists.

Development disputes where water resources or water systems are a major source of contention and disputes in the context of economic and social development. Some of the disputes are Ganges Bhrahmaputra basin India and Nepal wants to exploit the basins huge hydro electric power generating potential, where as Bangladesh wants water to be managed in such a way as to minimize flooding during monsoon and water shortages during dry months. Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamilnadu Sutlej Yamuna canal between Haryana and Punjab. 8 Explain the Sustainable water Management methods Save water campaign Construction of several small reservoirs instead of larger once Develop small catchment dams and project wetlands Soil Moisture conservation works Treating and recycling municipal water for agricultural use Preventing leakages from Dams and canals Preventing loss in Muncipal pipes Effective Rain water harvesting in Urban areas Effective water conservation measures in agriculture by using drip irrigation Pricing water at its real value 9. Explain the Benefits of Construction of Dams Water is precious resource that is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity world wide. To reduce scarcity, there is growing pressure to harness and utilize surface water sources like rivers by building dams over them for irrigation, hydro electricity, water transport etc. Multi-purpose dams account for a large proportion. Irrigation comes first in this category also, followed by flood control, hydro power, domestic and industrial water supply and recreation, with fish farming and navigation. Various benefits of the dams are - hydro electric power generation - transfer of water using canals from excess to areas of deficit - irrigation - flood control and soil protection - ensuring year round water supply - multipurpose river valley projects also provide for inland navigation Most of the single purpose dams around the world (48% approx.) are for irrigation and therefore it contributes greatly to food production and a considerable proportion (15%) of those dams serve for domestic and industrial water supply. For the World as a whole, nearly 20% of dams generate electricity. However, in Europe alone, about 40% are hydro power dams. Other purposes include flood control (8%), recreation (4%) and to a lesser degree, inland navigation and fish farming. 40% of world food production comes from irrigated farming, with a direct 16% contribution from land irrigated from dam reservoirs. 30-40% of the 268 million hectares of irrigated land is watered from dams. Hydro-electric power produces 19% of world energy and is used in more than 150 countries. It accounts for more than 90% of all energy in 24 countries and more than 50% in 63 countries. 5

 12% of large dams supply towns and cities with water (60% in North America). 13% of the world's dams help control river floods and flooding in nearly 75 countries. Some dams have helped improve ecosystems by creating new wetlands and new opportunities for fishing and recreation in the reservoirs. 10. Explain the effects of Construction of Dams (Both Upstream and Down stream) Fragmentation and physiological transformation of rivers Impact on Riverine ecosystem Water logging and salination of surrounding soils Loss of Migratory routes for birds and animals Fishing and travel by boat distrupted. Emission of green house gases due to rotting vegetation and carbon inflows Sociological: Poorly managed involuntary displacement and loss of livelihood Many of the displaced people were not recognized and therefore were not resettled or compensated

11. Explain the Socio economic effects of Construction of Dams Poorly managed involuntary displacement and loss of livelihood Many of the displaced people were not recognized and therefore were not resettled or compensated Depriving the indigenous people of the means to support traditional ways of life, particularly in case of culturally vulnerable indigenous/ethnic minority groups which are largely dependent on locally available natural resources. Higher incidences of water borne diseases particularly among vulnerable communities Low Regional economic development reforms and inadequate distribution of project benefits to affected communities. It is not possible to mitigate many of the impacts of reservoir creation on terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, and efforts to 'rescue' wildlife have met with little longterm success The use of fish passes to mitigate the blockage of migratory fish has had little success, as the technology has often not been tailored to specific sites and species Some 40-80 million people have been physically displaced by dams worldwide Millions of people living downstream from dams (particularly those depending on natural floodplain function and fisheries) have also suffered serious harm to their livelihoods and the future productivity of their resources has been put at risk Where compensation was provided it was often inadequate, and where the physically displaced were enumerated, many were not included in resettlement programmes. Those who were resettled rarely had their livelihoods restored, as resettlement programmes have focused on physical relocation rather than the economic and social development of the displaced The larger the magnitude of displacement, the less likely it is that the livelihoods of affected communities can be restored

Mineral Resources 12. Environmental effects of extracting mineral resources Mining Mining is extraction of economic minerals and building materials from the earth. These materials may be extracted by adopting opencast mining or underground mining. Generally most of the mines are located in forest areas. In opencast mining it requires removal of huge quantity of unwanted material along with useful minerals. Mining activity requires diversion of forest land for various activities. Forest land is diverted for - opening of mine and extraction of material - dumping of unwanted waste material - road to be formed for transportation of men and materials. - Big mines require residential accommodation for employees and providing basic amenities Effects of Mining Deforestation Air, water, Soil, Noise pollutions Loss of forest cover Loss of biodiversity Soil erosion Water logging Ground water depletion Appropriation of the land belonging to the local communities, Impacts on health, Alteration of social relationships, Destruction of forms of community subsistence and life, Social disintegration, Radical and abrupt changes in regional cultures Displacement of other present and/or future local economic activities

Food Resources 13. Changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing Effects of Overgrazing: Soil Erosion, Land degradation, Loss of Useful species Effects of Agriculture: a. Traditional Agriculture: Forest clearing, Soil erosion and depletion of nutrients b. Modern Agriculture: Impacts related to high yielding varieties, Fertilizer related impacts, pesticide related impacts, water logging, Salinity i. Fertilizer related impacts: Micro nutrient imbalance, Nitrate Pollution, Eutrophication ii. Pesticide related impacts: Pest resistant problems, Biomagnification, Non target species death 14. Effects of modern agriculture 1. High yielding variety (HYV) seeds Loss of genetic diversity 2. Effect of Chemical Fertilizers By nitrate pollution Blue baby syndrome, by enrichment of nitrates and phosphates into the lakes and ponds - Eutrophication 3. Effect of Chemical pesticides Bioaccumulation of toxic elements into the plants and Biomagnification in various species and effects to the human health 4. Killing of Non target Organisms: The pesticide impact will be more on birds which will depend on insects and pests present in agriculture. 5. The over irrigation leads to loss of ground water, energy, soil erosion. 16. Effects of Fertilizers and pesticides i. Fertilizer related impacts: Micro nutrient imbalance, Nitrate Pollution, Eutrophication ii. Pesticide related impacts: Pest resistant problems, Biomagnification, Non target species death 17. Brief notes on Waterlogging and salinity Waterlogging: Presence of water in an area over a period of time is called water logging. The main cause is due to the over usage of ground water leads to decrease of soil porosity and results lack of water penetration into the subsurface. The rain water will not recharge and stagnant at the top soil. The excessive usage of (agricultural) irrigation will also leads to Waterlogging condition. Due to this, excess water in the plant root zone restricts the aeration required for optimum plant growth. It may affect the availability of several nutrients by changing the environment around the roots. Salinity: Accumulation of salts in the topsoil due to Waterlogging condition and effects the plant growth is called Salinity. The salts in the subsoil will mix with water and reached to the top layers. When water completely evaporates, the salts will remain in the top soil and causes salinity. Excess salts in the root zone inhibit water uptake by plants, affect nutrient uptake and may result in toxicities due to individual salts in the soil solution. Excess exchangeable sodium in the soil may destroy the soil structure to a point where water penetration and aeration of the roots become impossible. Sodium is also toxic to many plants. Waterlogging and salinity in the soil profile are most often the result of high water tables resulting from inadequate drainage or poor quality irrigation water. Adequate surface drainage allows excess irrigation and rain water to be evacuated before excess soil saturation occurs or before the water is added to the water table. Adequate subsurface drainage insures that water tables are maintained at a sufficient depth below the soil surface to prevent waterlogging and salt accumulation in the root zone. 8

Salinization of the soil profile is prevented because upward capillary movement of water and salts from the water table does not reach the root zone. Adequate subsurface drainage also allows salts to be removed from the soil profile through the application of excess irrigation water (leaching). Energy Resources 18. Classification of Energy resources with examples Sources of energy can be described as renewable and non-renewable. Renewable sources are those which are being continually replenished. Eg: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, Biogas, biomass, nuclear, tidal etc Non-renewable energy sources: The resources which are available in limited amount and develop over longer period of time. (being used faster than it can be replaced) Eg. Coal, Natural oils and Natural gas. 19. Advantages and disadvantages of Renewable and non renewable energy sources

20. Brief notes on A. Solar, B. Wind, C. Hydro electrical and D. Biomass energy Solar Energy Solar energy is the most readily available and free source of energy since prehistoric times. It is estimated that solar energy equivalent to over 15,000 times the world's annual commercial energy consumption reaches the earth every year. Worlds largest Solar Plant is located at California. India receives solar energy in the region of 5 to 7 kWh/m2 for 300 to 330 days in a year. This energy is sufficient to set up 20 MW solar power plant per square kilometer land area. Solar energy is renewable because the sun is always present. Japanese farmers are substituting P.V.Operated insect killers for toxic pesticides which will harmful to environment and also human being. Applications of solar energy: 1. Solar water heaters, 2. Solar lights, 3. Solar Cookers 4. Solar vehicles 5. Solar home appliances 6. Solar power plant 7. Solar furnace

Advantages Solar energy is free - no fuel, no waste or pollution. In sunny countries, easy to use in remote places Good for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery chargers Disadvantages Doesn't work at night. Very expensive to build solar power stations. Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny place 21. Role of an individual to conserve energy sources Domestic Sector: Turn off lights, fans and other appliances when not in use Use the sunlight for drying the cloths instead of using power driers Construction of buildings with large ventilators and windows Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy. Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or curtains. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Industrial Sector: Change of Raw material, process and technology Recycling, Reduction, Reuse and Regeneration methods Effective usage of power by using renewable energy resources Conditioning all types of working process Agricultural Sector: Usage of Drip irrigation Usage of Solar lights in the fields Usage of PV insect killers in place of pesticides Effective usage of agricultural waste material Transportation Sector: Less usage of petrol and diesel vehicles Usage of Bicycle in place of bikes Usage of electronic bikes and other vehicles Usage of mass transportation Stopping vehicles near signals Servicing the vehicles regularly

Land Resources Land is a major constituent of the lithosphere and is the source of materials essential to man and other organisms Indias geographical area is 328 million hectares. Increase in population has put great pressure on land resources and this has led to - destruction of forest land for agricultural and other purposes - urbanization - industrialization - infrastructure (roads, railways and transmission lines)

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22. Causes, effects and control of a. Land degradation b. Soil erosion c. Desertification. Land degradation: Causes: 1.Natural factors: Heavy rains, High speed winds, Natural Disasters, Expansion of Desert 2.Anthropogenic factors: Mining, Urbanisation, Deforestation, Overgazing, Construction of Dams and Canals, Excessive use of fertilizers, Dumping of industrial and municipal waste Soil Erosion: Causes: Large-scale deforestation, Floods in rivers, Overgrazing by cattle, Dry violent winds, Improper agriculture techniques. Effects: Decrease in the productivity of land, Desertification of land, Deposition of soil in water bodies, Reduction of agricultural land at the banks of rivers Control: Afforestation on barren land, Control of overgrazing, Construction of small check dams, Promoting equitable use of water resources, preventing excavation of rocks Desertification: Desert is an area of land that receives very less or no rainfall. It is very thinly populated with little or no vegetation. The fertility in deserts is minimum and they are devoid of wildlife. Conservation of fertile non desertic land into infertile desertic land is called desertification. Causes: Natural factors: Very low rainfall, Excessive evaporation, vast difference in diurnal temperature extremes, High salinity of soils Anthropogenic factors: Continuous cutting of trees, overgrazing, over-irrigation, Excessive ploughing, conservation of pastures to arable lands, excessive use of fertilizers Effects: Rapid soil erosion, Poor soil quality, Unfavourable climate, Low water table, salty and hard water, increase of economic and human costs. Control: Promoting large scale plantation of trees, changing agricultural practices and promoting dryland farming (Economically viable, ecologically sustainable and socially acceptable) Development of water catchment areas

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23. Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources.

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