ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ETHICS

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ETHICS

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ETHICS For B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. Courses (A compulsory course for undergraduate students of all streams Arts, Science and Commerce as per the recommendation of University Grants Commission, with additional information for the Universities of Jharkhand) GOURI SURESH Head of the Department of Botany & Former Co-ordinator, Environment and Water Management Jamshedpur Women s College, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi Bangalore Mumbai

Published by I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. S-25, Green Park Extension Uphaar Cinema Market New Delhi 110 016 (India) E-mail: ik_in@vsnl.net Branch Offices: A-6, Royal Industrial Estate, Naigaum Cross Road Wadala, Mumbai 400 031 (India) E-mail: ik_mumbai@vsnl.net G-4 Embassy Centre, 11 Crescent Road Kumara Park East, Bangalore 560 001 (India) E-mail: ik_bang@vsnl.net ISBN 978-81-89866-26-6 2007 I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Published by Krishan Makhijani for I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., S-25, Green Park Extension, Uphaar Cinema Market, New Delhi 110 016. Printed by Rekha Printers Pvt. Ltd., Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi 110 020.

Foreword The environment includes both natural and social processes and the relation between people and the physical biological systems of which we are a part. Sustainability is the maintenance of natural and human systems with reference to social, economic and environmental priorities. In view of this, the environment becomes an integral part of human civilization. Over the past few centuries man has been exploiting natural resources without any consideration of the dangerous consequences of such a wanton act. Environmental degradation has reached an all time high. Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources along with environmental pollution of various types is leading to a grave global catastrophe. If something tangible is not done now, life on earth may be put to great hazard. In such a situation, it is the duty of every right thinking citizen to conserve nature and hand it over to future generations safe and sound. In this context, making environmental studies a compulsory subject in undergraduate courses by the UGC is a welcome step in the right direction. Guided by this scenario, Ranchi University has introduced a paper on Environmental Studies and Ethics in undergraduate curriculum to drive home the message that understanding environmental issues not only enhances better living but is also a good social responsibility. The textbook on Environmental Studies and Ethics written by Dr. Gouri Suresh covers the contents of the Ranchi University syllabus. The book is well written and is presented in simple language for the benefit of students. I congratulate Dr. Suresh for this commendable work and wish her well. A.A. Khan Vice-Chancellor Ranchi University, Ranchi

PREFACE Life exists in all kinds of situations on top of mountains, in valleys; in water bodies as well as deserts; on the hard surfaces of rocks and stones as well as on the soft surfaces of plants themselves; outside and inside living organisms; on the soil or under the soil.. The list can be made longer and longer..all these living organisms are influenced by the environment in which they live; the environment is in turn influenced by the organisms too. The two entities are thus interdependent. The study of the relationships between living organisms and the environment is called Ecology. The original term was Oikologie and it was introduced by Reiter in 1868. Oikos means home and logos is study. Thus Ecology describes the home life of organisms, i.e. it is the study of organisms at home, as they exist in their natural surroundings. Oikologie was later changed to Ecology. Ecology was studied in the early days separately as Plant Ecology and Animal Ecology. However, as the artificial nature of this classification became evident, this branch of natural science was renamed as Environmental Science or Environmental Studies. Man is part of nature. So the consequences of the activities of human beings on nature both positive and negative are of great significance in maintaining the harmonious equilibrium of the earth. Growth of civilization and social structures must go hand in hand with sustainable development. Today, the need for creating awareness in society regarding our environment has become crucial for all round development. In such a situation, making Environmental Studies a compulsory paper for undergraduate students of all streams is a highly laudable step. Recommendation to this effect by the University Grants Commission is a most welcome measure. As a lover of nature, I hereby express my heartfelt thanks to the UGC. This book is an attempt at explaining the topics suggested by UGC in simple language for the benefit of the students. The style of presentation is such that students can remember the points easily. Another objective of

viii Preface the book is to create environmental awareness among the students and through them, in the society as a whole. We are facing many environmental problems in our day to day lives. Some of these are not under our control. But we can do quite a lot to solve some other problems. Water scarcity and accumulation of solid wastes in our surroundings are two examples. Therefore, these topics have been dealt with extensively in this book. Methods of rain water harvesting and solid waste management have been described in detail with relevant pictures. Formulae to calculate Annual Rainwater Harvesting Potential and sizes of settling tanks have been given in Appendix 1. This is meant to be a textbook, no doubt, yet the author hopes that it will also motivate readers to start rainwater harvesting projects and solid waste management programmes in their respective localities. The contents have been arranged as per the core module syllabus recommended by the University Grants Commission, with modifications to suit the requirements of the Universities of Jharkhand. At the end of each unit, a large number of questions have been given. These are of various types, ranging from multiple choice questions to long essay type questions. Answers to the multiple choice questions have been given in Appendix 2. A brief idea of websites and search engines with examples can be seen in Appendix 3. This is to give students a brief concept of how to go about surfing the internet to get information on any topic. Tips to students on improving memory, concentration power, etc. and suggestions regarding how to score higher marks in examinations are the contents of Appendix 4. I have great pleasure in thanking the publisher for their offer and prompt publication. Constructive comments and suggestions for improving any aspect of this book in the next edition are most welcome from students as well as fellow teachers and other readers. Jamshedpur December 2006 THE AUTHOR

Acknowledgements Love for nature was inclucated in me as a child by my father, late Dr. Raja Varma. He was compassionate not only to his patients, but also to all around him, indeed all parts of nature, to be precise. I learnt to love nature and nature s creations from my father. My mother, late Mrs. Muktha Varma, was an epitome of love and kindness. Thus, first and foremost, I thank my beloved parents for making me competent enough to write this book. Dr. A.A. Khan, Honourable Vice Chancellor, Ranchi University is well known as a keen educationist and a great reformer. In spite of his busy schedule, he has spent valuable time to write the foreword of my book. I am indebted to our respected Vice Chencellor for this kind gesture. I wholeheartedly thank to the Principal of Jamshedpur Women s College, Dr. Shukla Mahanty for the support and cooperation she has provided to me. She is always an inspiration to all of us, staff and students alike. An environmentalist at heart, I have always been propagating the principle of sustainable development among my colleagues, friends and students. Dr. B.K. Mehta, Lecturer in the Faculty of Commerce of our college, suggested that I write a textbook on Environmental Studies and Ethics for the final year undergraduate students of Ranchi University, based on the slightly modified UGC syllabus. Now when I have finished writing the book, I d like to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Mehta for his invaluable support in initiating the process. Colleagues of mine in Jamshedpur Women s College in all the three Streams Arts, Science and Commerce have been most supportive of me that I don t have words to express my gratitude to them. I am sure the blessings of my seniors and good wishes of my peers and juniors in the University and different colleges will always be with me, and I thank them all for their goodwill and cooperation. I also wish to thank all those who have directly or indirectly encouraged and helped me by any means.

x Acknowledgements It is pleasure to extend my sincere thanks to I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. for their offer and prompt publication. I hope this book will be widely beneficial to the students and teachers of Ranchi University as well as other Universities, especially those of Jharkhand. Gouri Suresh

CONTENTS Forword Preface Acknowledgements v vii ix UNIT 1 Definition, Scope and Importance of Environmental Studies 1 Definition of Environmental Studies 2 Scope of Environmental Studies 2 Importance of Environmental Studies 4 Need for Public Awareness of Environmental Study 11 UNIT 2 Man, Environment and Society 18 Individual s Rights and Responsibilities towards a Clean Environment 20 Environmental Ethics 24 Ethics and Morals 29 Approach of Swami Vivekanand towards Youth, Women and Social Development 29 Approach of Mahatma Gandhi towards Youth, Women and Social Development 32 Throw Away Society Ethics 35 Sustainable Earth Society Ethics 37 Ethical Guidelines 38 Growth of Civilization and Social Structures 44 Human Settlement Pattern and their Impact on the Environment 48 Hunting and Gathering Society 54 Agricultural Society 57 Industrial Society 60 Knowledge Society 61 Environmental Movement and People s Participation 64 Scope and Objectives 65

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