Unit1.EVS.F.Y.B.Com2018.aap
- 1. UNIT 1 THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Anila Pillai 1
- 3. Environment Definition: The complex set of physical, geographic, biological, social, cultural and political conditions that surround an individual or organism and that ultimately determines its form and nature of its survival. In simple words: 1) All factors living and nonliving that affect an individual organism or population at any point in the life cycle. 2) All the things that surrounds us. 3
- 4. 4 Environmental Studies Environmental Studies deals with every aspect that affects a living organism. It’s components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health, anthropology, economics, statistics, computers, philosophy, oceanology, mining, etc.
- 5. Why We Want to Study the State of Environment? Activity : underline the important points ➢The need for information that clarifies modern environmental concepts such as the need to conserve biodiversity, the need to lead more sustainable lifestyles and the need to use resources more equitably. ➢A need to change the way in which we view our own environment by a practical approach based on observation and self learning. ➢To make them participate in solving the real- time environmental problems. ➢ Biodiversity: The part of nature which includes the differences in genes among the individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species at different scales in space i.E. Local, regional, country wise and global, and various types of ecosystems- both terrestrial and aquatic- within a defined area. ➢ Sustainable development: Implies the use of resources in a managed way as to provide resources for future generations. 5
- 8. Objective of Environmental studies: • AWARENESS • KNOWLEDGE • ATTITUDE • SKILL • EVALUATION ABILITY • PARTICIPATION 8
- 9. Environmental Education: A process dealing with people’s relationships and their natural and man- made surroundings can be defined as Environmental Education Areas of Environmental Education: •Formal and non-formal education 1.Formal Education: a. awareness b. real-life situation c. conservation d. sustainable development 2. Non- formal Education: a. adult education b. rural youth (including non- student youth) c. tribal and forest dwellers d. senior representative
- 10. Need for Public Awareness • Earth’s resources and our environment is being increasingly degraded by human activities and hence something needs to be done. • Government alone cannot perform all the clean-up functions. • Individual/group efforts in their own every possible way has to be made to protect our environment. • Mass public awareness: newspapers, radio, television strongly influences public opinion on conserving our environment. 10
- 12. • Interested students can join environmental group (WWF-I, BNHS) • Read environment related magazines such ‘DOWN TO EARTH’, ‘WWF-I’, BNHS HORNBILL’, etc. • Practice and promote good civic sense: no spitting, no tobacco chewing, not throwing garbage on the road, etc. • Take part in events organized on world environment day, wildlife week, etc. • Visit a national park or sanctuary, or spend time in whatever nature you have near your home. 12
- 14. Institutions in Environment 1. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai – An NGO founded in 1883. – Wildlife policy building, research, popular publications and peoples action have been unique features of this multifaceted society. – Works towards conservation of wildlife species and ecosystems. – Publications: HORNBILL, journal on natural history, Salim Ali handbook on birds, JC Daniel’s book on Indian reptiles, SH Prater’s book of Indian mammals and PV bole’s book of Indian trees. – Assisting government in framing of wildlife related laws. – ‘SAVE THE SILENT VALLEY’ campaign. 14
- 15. 2. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-I), New Delhi – Initiated in 1969 in Mumbai and then moved to new Delhi with several branch offices all over India. – Wildlife education and awareness. – Organizes nature clubs of India program for children. Works as a think tank and lobby force for environment and development issues. 15
- 16. 3. Center for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi – Organizing campaigns, holding workshops/conferences and producing environment related publications are some of its activities. – It published ‘State of India’s Environment’, the first of its kind to be produced as a Citizen’s Report on the Environment. – It publishes popular magazine ‘DOWN TO EARTH’ a Science and Environment fortnightly. – It is also involved in publication of material in the form of books, posters, video films and also conducts workshops and seminars on biodiversity related issues. 16
- 17. 4.CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras – CPR EEC was set up in 1988. – Conducts variety of programs to spread environmental awareness and creates an interest in conservation among the general public. – It focusses attention on NGOs, teachers, women, youth and children to generally promote conservation of nature and natural resources. – Its programs include components on wildlife and biodiversity issues. It also produces a large number of publications. 17
- 18. 5. Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad – It was initiated in 1989. – It has wide range of programs on the environment and produces a variety of educational material. CEE’s training in Environment Education (TEE) program has trained many environment educators. 18
- 19. 6. Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research (BVIEER), Pune – This institute is a part of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University and has a Ph.D, masters and Bachelors program in Environmental Sciences. – Also offers an innovative Diploma in Environment Education for in-service teachers. – It implements a large outreach programme that has covered over 135 schools in which it trains teachers and conducts fortnightly Environment Education Programs. – Biodiversity Conservation is a major focus of its research initiatives. 19
- 20. 7. Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN), Almora – A Nodal Agency and supports NGOs in need of funds for their environment related activities. – Major program is organising and training school teachers to use its locale specific Environment Education Workbook Program. – The main targets are linked with sustainable resource use at the village level through training school children. – Its environment education program covers about 500 schools. 20
- 21. 8. Kalpavriksh, Pune – It is an NGO and works on variety of fronts: education and awareness;investigation and research; direct action and lobbying; and litigation with regard to environment and development issues. – Its activities include talks and audio-visuals in schools and colleges, nature walks and outstation camps, organizing student participation in ongoing campaigns including street demonstrations, pushing for consumer awareness regarding organic food, press statements, handling green alerts, and meetings with the city’s administrators. – It is involved with the preparation of site-specific, environmental manuals for school teachers. – Kalpavriksh was responsible for developing India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 2003. 21
- 22. 9. Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore – Dr.Salim Ali wished to support a group of committed conservation scientists on permanent basis and that dream became a reality only after his demise. – It is an independent organization and is based at Coimbatore since 1990. – It has instituted a variety of field programs that have added to the country’s information on our threatened biodiversity. 22
- 23. 10. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun – This institution was established in 1982 as a major training establishment for Forest Officials and Research in in Wildlife Management. – Its most significant publication has been ‘Planning A Wildlife Protected Area Network for India’ (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988). – The organisation has over the years added an enormous amount of information on India’s biological wealth. – It has trained a large number of Forest Department Officials and Staff as Wildlife Managers. – Its M.Sc. Program has trained excellent wildlife scientists. It also has an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) cell. – It trains personnel in ecodevelopment, wildlife biology, habitat management and Nature interpretation. 23
- 24. 11.Botanical Survey of India (BSI) – It was established in1890 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta. – However it was closed for several years after 1939 and was reopened in 1954. – It carries out surveys of plant resources in different regions. 24
- 25. 12.Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) – It was established in 1916. – Its mandate was to do a systematic survey of fauna in India. – It has over the years collected ‘type specimens’ on the bases of which our animal life has been studied over the years. Its origins were collections based at the Indian Museum at Calcutta, which was established in 1875. – Older collections of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which were made between 1814 and 1875, as well as those of the Indian Museum made between 1875 and 1916 were then transferred to the ZSI. – Today it has over a million species!. This makes it one of the largest collections in Asia. – It has done an enormous amount of work on taxonomy and ecology. 25
- 26. Institutions in Environment 1. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai-NGO-1883 2. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-I),New Delhi- 1969 3. Center for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi 4. CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras –CPR-EEC-1988 5. Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad- 1989 6. Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research (BVIEER), Pune 7. Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN), Almora- NGO 8. Kalpavriksh, Pune- NGO 9. Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore- INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION-1990 10. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun – 1982 11. Botanical Survey of India (BSI) – KOLKATA 12. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) - 1916
- 27. Individuals who have been instrumental in shaping the environmental history in our country:- 1. Salim Ali- Fields: Ornithology; Natural history Awards: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan He has written several great books including the famous ‘Book of Indian Birds’. His autobiography,’Fall of a Sparrow’ 2. Indira Gandhi The Wildlife Protection Act was formulated during the period when she was PM 3. SP Godrej He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999 and several other awards between 1975 and 1999. 27 People in Environment
- 29. 4. MS Swaminathan – Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan. is an Indian geneticist and international administrator, renowned for his leading role in India's Green Revolution. – Nickname: Indian Father of Green Revolution 5. Madhav Gadgil – Known for: Gadgil Commission People Biodiversity Register in India – Awards: Padma Shri Padma Bhushan – Fields: Ecology, Conservation Biology, Human Ecology, Ecological history 29
- 31. 6. Anil Agarwal – He was a journalist who wrote the first report on the ‘State of India’s Environment’ in 1982. – He founded the Center for Science and Environment – (CSE-New Delhi)which is an active NGO that supports various environmental issues. 7. MC Mehta – India’s most famous environmental lawyer. – Since 1984, he has filed several Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for supporting the cause of environmental conservation. – Awards : Padma Shri 31
- 32. ANIL AGRAWAL M. C. MEHTA
- 33. 8. Medha Patkar – She is known as one of India’s Champions who has supported the cause of oppressed tribal people whose environment is being affected by the dams on the Narmada river. – Awards: Right Livelihood Award 9.Sunderlal Bahuguna – Sunderlal Bahuguna is a noted Garhwali environmentalist and Chipko movement leader. The idea of chipko movement was of his wife and the action was taken by him. – Awards: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Right Livelihood Award, Jamnalal Bajaj Award – His fight to prevent the construction of the Tehri Dam in a fragile earthquake prone setting is a battle the he continues to wage. – The Garhwal Hills will always remember his dedication to the cause for which he has walked over 20 thousand kilometers. 33
- 36. Internationally known environmental thinkers who have made landmarks and whose names are frequently mentioned are:- Charles Darwin – Author of “Origin of Species” which brought to light the close relationship between habitats and species. – It also brought about a new thinking of man’s relationship with other species that was based on evolution. – Alfred Wallace came to the same conclusions during his work. Henry Thoreau – In 1860, he wrote that the wilderness should be preserved after he lived in the wild for a year. – He felt that most people did not care for nature and would sell it off for a small sum of money. 36
- 37. Ralph Emerson – He spoke of the dangers of commerce to our environment way back in the 1840s. John Muir – He is remembered as having saved the great ancient sequoia trees in California’s forests. – In the 1890s he formed the Sierra club, which is a major conservation NGO in the USA. Aldo Leopold – He was a forest official in the US in the 1920s. – He designed the early policies on wilderness conservation and wildlife management. 37
- 38. Rachel Carson – In the 1960s Rachel Carson published several articles that caused immediate worldwide concern on the effects of pesticide on nature and mankind. – She wrote a well-known book called ‘Silent Spring’ which eventually led to a change in Government policy and public awareness. EO Wilson – An entomologist who envisioned that biological diversity was a key to human survival on earth. – He wrote ‘Diversity of Life’ in 1993, which was awarded a prize for the best book published on environmental issues. – His writings brought home to the world the risks to mankind due to man made disturbances in natural ecosystems that are leading to the rapid extinction of species at the global level. 38