Multidisciplinary Approach to Environmental Studies

1. MODULE 1

2. B-Tech EVS Course module Total 7 modules: • The multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies ( Scope and importance) • Natural Resources (Type, Use, problem and suggested measure) • Ecosystem (concept, structure and function, type) • Bio-diversity and its conservation • Environmental Pollution (Type, causes, effect and remedies) • Social Issue and the Environment • Human population and Environment

3. Environment Abiotic Biotic Air animal material plant microbes water soil Environment: Derived from French word Environner, which mean to encircle or surround. So in broad sense all the physical and biological entities such as atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and anthrosphere which surround us is known as our environment. Interaction occur between abiotic and biotic component such as transfer of material and energy

4. Interrelationship among different sphere

5. Environmental studies: Study of our environment which include both physical and biological component, interaction among its component, effect of these component on human well being and vice versa. However we cant study environment in isolation, environmental studies also had input from various other discipline of sciences, engineering, social science, Law, governance. The multidisciplinary nature of environmental science is illustrated in following diagram: Physical science, (physics, chemistry, Earth science, atmospheric Science) Life science (Biology, biochemistry, Microbiology etc) Basic and Applied studies Technology Environmental Studies Modeling Civil, chemical, Hydraulics ,nano Mathematics, Statistics, Computer science Management and Awareness Economics, Sociology, Law, Education, Management, Mass communication

6. Scope of environmental studies: Environmental studies encompasses large number of areas which mainly include: Natural resource- conservation and management Ecology and Biodiversity Environment Pollution and control Economic development and associate socio-cultural issues Human population and environment. This subject had a wide field of application- Research and Development department: include development of pollution control technology, clean fuel development, sustainable agricultural practice, carbon credit Green advocacy: environment pollution, wildlife, forest related laws are enforced. Green marketing : more emphasis on consumer good which are more eco-friendly, Food products without contamination of pesticides, insecticides. Green media : Mass media which include print media and electronic media are Important means of spreading awareness about environment pollution and conservation.

7. Importance of Environment studies: Environmental studies have become significant for the following reason: Environment Issues Being of International Importance: environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss, marine pollution etc have a global implication. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development : rapid development in the Selected area leads toUrbanization, Industrial Growth, Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc which in turn leads to environmental pollution. Rapid increase in Population: rapid growth of human population resulted into tremendous increase in the demand of resources such as food resources, energy Resources ultimately leading to the environmental degradation. Need for An Alternative Solution: recently their is a sense of feeling that current Way of economic development is not feasible for long term as resources base is not unlimited giving rise to the concept of sustainable development. Need To Save Humanity From Extinction: There is a grave threat on humanity due To continuous degradation of its resource base which has implication on survival And well being of human society.

8. Need for public Awareness: International efforts for environment: The subject of environment come into international focus first in the year 1972, 5th June with the organization of Stockholm conference. It further get attention with the Earth summit takes place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.In this summit Agenda 21-a global agenda for transition to sustainability in the 21st century. Beside many international treaty and protocol are done to safeguard environment: Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, Montreal, 1989 Kyoto protocol, adopted in 1997, come in force in 2005. Establishment of The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in recognition of the problem of global warming. Nobel peace prize in 2004 to Wangari Maathai (Green Belt Movement) and Jointly to IPCC and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. in year 2007 also highlight the importance of environment.

9. Public Awareness for Environment: Without active people participation government cant force any policy so to make public aware regarding environmental pollution and its conservation. This awareness can be achieved by various mean: Formal Environmental education: at school level, university and post-graduation level, Higher research Non-formal education and awareness Program: • National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)- Started in 1986 is a multimedia campaign which uses activities such as seminar, workshops, camps, exhibitions, debate, street theatre, tree plantation to promote awareness about environment. • Eco clubs of National Green Corps: Target audience are school student, 50,000 eco clubs are set up till now, Govt. provide training and resources. • MassAwareness: Through media including both print and electronic media. Campaign for banning plastic Product, clean Yamuna campaign. Awareness activities by NGO’s and other institutions on the occasion of Environment days like Earth day. • Eco Mark: eco-labelling of consumer products as Ecomark in 1991. It is an earrthen pitcher and awarded to product that is made, used or disposed off in eco-friendly manner.

10. Contemporary Indian Environmentalists: Environmental ethos are always part of ancient Indian civilization as The Jain, Vedic and Buddhist traditions established the principles of ecological harmony centuries ago. The first instances of environmental movement was observed in year 1730, where 363 Bishnois , led by Amrita Devi sacrificed their lives while protecting green Khejiri trees considered sacred by the community, by hugging to them, this incident is the first event of Chipko movement in the recorded history. Government of India started Amrita Devi Bishnoi wildlife Protection Award for respecting her effort. Other environmental activist like Sunderlal l Bahuguna, known for his Chipko movement and Tehri Bachao Andolan, Smt. Medha Patkar and Ms. Arundhati Roy for Narmada Bachao Andolan, Magsaysay awarded Rajender singh known for his water Conservation effort. Green Judge Justice Kuldeep Singh and Green advocate Sh. M.C.Mehta are also worth mentioning here. Present IPCC chairman R.K.Pachuri of TERRI and late Sh. Anil Aggrawal the founder chairman of Centre for Science and Environment are also kown for their scientific wisdom.