me3003 - environmental studies for mechanical engineers module1part1.pdf

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1

Notes for ME3003 - Environmental Studies

for Mechanical EngineersModule 1 – Part 1



ME3003- Environmental Studies for

Mechanical Engineers

Module 1 Part 1

Topics covered : Scope and Importance of Environmental

Studies, Ecosystems – Structure and Function, Forest,

Grassland and Desert Ecosystems, Diversity in

ecosystems, Value of Biodiversity, Threats to Biodiversity,

Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act,

Conservation of Biodiversity, Environmental Ethics.

2



3

References for the notes

Book 1: [1] Comprehensive Environmental Studies, by Dr. J.P. Sharma

Book2: [2] Man and Environment, by Dr. Somnath Mishra

Book3: [3] Environmental Engineering and Management, by Mr.

Suresh.K. Dhameja

Book4: [4] Environmental Studies, by Mr. Benny Joseph



Environment (abbreviated as Envt)

•Environment – It represents the surrounding in which

organisms live, and it is the sum total of all Abiotic

(Non-living) and Biotic (Living) factors around the

organisms which influence them.

Types of Environment

Natural

(have come into existencewithout man’s intervention;

operates by self regulation)

Man made (or

Anthropogenic, itgets modified by human

activities)

•Envt - The surrounding conditions (physical and non-

physical), influencing the individual or community 4

Ref [1]



Environment – Physical and Non-Physical

Environment

Physical Non-Physical

Population Social and

Political

organizationGeographical Location

Animal

CoastlineVegetation

Topography

Minerals

Climate

Soil

Inland water bodies

5

Ref [2]



Components of Environment

Environment

Biotic Abiotic

ConsumersProducers

Temperature

Water

Light

Wind

Mineral

Background

6

Ref [1]



Environmental Studies

Rapid industrialization and development, consumerism etc.

influence ecological balance. People are concerned with

degradation of the environment and realize that steps need

to be taken to save environment by resolving environmentalissues.

Need

Need for awareness of public

Envt is constituted by several complex physical, educational,spiritual, economic, intellectual aspects concerning whole

humanity. Studies needed for progress and development of

mankind. 7

Ref [3]



Objectives of Environmental Education

• Creating awareness among individuals about

environmental problems.

• Imparting fundamental knowledge to individuals.

• Helps to develop an attitude of concern for environment.• To acquire skills to help individuals concerned in identifying

and solving environmental issues.

• Motivating public to protect and improve environment.• Strive to attain harmony with nature.

8

Ref [3]



Objectives of Environmental (abbreviated as

Envtl) Education

•To increase awareness of individuals about

environmental issues and solutions so that they are

completely informed.

•To encourage their active participation in protection

of environment and rational use of natural resources.

9

Ref [3]



Guiding principles of Envtl Education by

UNESCO

10

• Envt to be comprehended as functional unit of organizedand interacting parts.

• Envtl education to be compulsory from primary to post

graduate level.• Interdisciplinary approach to be followed by inclusion of

biological, physical and chemical aspects of the envt.

• Envtl education should take into account historicalperspectives along with current ones.

Ref [3]



Guiding principles of Envtl Education by

UNESCO

11

• Must emphasize on

Sustainable development without envtl degradation.

Necessity of envtl impact analysis of developmental

project proposals to reduce envtl damages.

The need of co-operation at international level in envtl

planning.

Practical initiatives first hand experiences.

Ref [3]



Scope and importance of Environmental Studies

Scope

•Trained manpower needed to deal with various initiativeslike providing safe drinking water, hygienic living conditions

etc.

•Offers new career opportunities in the fields of

Environmental Laws, Environmental Protection and

Management, business administration etc.

•By use of laws, enforcing pollution control etc.

Ref [1]

12



•Environmental experts needed to serve industries adopting

green technologies.

•Huge demand of personnel in the areas of pollution controland waste disposal.

•Personnel needed in new developmental policy making

committees for providing clean, healthy, aesthetic, beautiful,

safe environment, long time needs.

Scope

13

Scope and importance of Environmental Studies

Ref [1]



Environmental Studies - Branches

Environmental Studies

Environmental

Science

Environmental

Engineering

Environmental

Management

14

Ref [3]




Environmental Science – refers to scientific study of physical, chemical, biological, social and cultural factors,

impact of man on environment i.e on soil, air, water, land

etc.

Environmental Engineering – deals with how engg tools

can be used to arrive at solutions, design efficient control

methods, study of technical processes for Envtl protection

from human activity, improving envtl quality.

15

Ref [3]




Environmental Management – deals with idea of planned

investment at the start of production chain instead of forced

investment or clean up at end stages. Tries to develop

integrated systems instead of bits and pieces.

16

Ref [3]



Ecosystems

• Refers to the biotic community along with physical

environment.

• Term introduced by Arthur Tansley .

• Ecosystem defined as

Structural and functional unit of biosphere, a segment of

nature which consists of community of living beings and

physical environment, both interacting and exchanging

materials between them.

Biotic and Abiotic components of ecosystems, influence

each other. This relationship is called Holocoenosis

17

Ref [1]



18

Ecosystems

With sun as the energy source, the nature has capability to

sustain the producer – consumer – decomposer cycle

indefinitely. Smallest such self sustaining entity is

called ecosystem.

Ref [4]



Types of Ecosystems

Ecosystems

Natural Artificial (Man

Engineered e.g. Crop,

Urban, Industrial etc.)

Terrestrial (e.g

Forest, Grassland,

Desert etc.)

Aquatic

Fresh water Marine(e.g.Ocean, Sea)

Lentic (Standing water

e.g Lake, Pond) Lotic (Running water

e.g River, stream) 19

Ref [1]



Components of Ecosystems

Ecosystems

Biotic (all living beings)Abiotic(non living

substances, physical

envtl factors), inorganic

(C,N,H) and organic(Carbohydrate, Protein)

Autotrophs

(Producers)(synthesize food

from inorganic raw

material)

Heterotrophs

Consumers Decomposers

Herbivores Carnivores 20

Ref [1]




•Autotrophs - convert solar energy into chemical bond

energy of organic compounds which is utilized for building of

its own body and liberation of energy, these are also referred

to as Transducers or Converters.

•Heterotrophs - rely on producers for food and energy

needs.

•Consumers - also called Phagotrophs; are generally

heterotrophic (feeding on other organisms) .21

Ref [1]




Consumers

Herbivores (1st order consumers) Carnivores

Primary(2nd order consumers)

Secondary(3rd order consumers)

Tertiary(prey on secondary

Consumers)

Examples:Herbivores – Grasshopper, Deer, Rabbit (feed on plants)

Primary Carnivores – Frog, Birds (feed on herbivores)

Secondary Carnivores – Tiger, Lion (feed on primary

carnivores)22

Ref [1]



23

Components of EcosystemsDecomposers

•These are Saprophytic (sapro implies ‘to decompose’),

e.g. micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi, etc.

•These derive food from dead bodies of producers and

consumers.

•They are also called microconsumers and ‘reducers’.

•They secrete enzymes to digest the organic material. One

part of decomposed products is used by them for their self

nourishment. Remaining materials are added to substratum as

materials and minerals. This process is called Mineralization.

Ref [1]



24


Biogeochemical cycle

Minerals and gases in atmosphere undergo recycling. They

enter the biotic systems. After death and decay of organism,

these return to the atmosphere and soil. This material

circulation involves solar energy trapping by green plants, and

is ultimately lost in many ways by the organism.

Amount of abiotic material in ecosystem is referred to as

Standing Stage.

Ref [1]



Structure of Ecosystem

Characterized by physical organization of the

biotic and abiotic components.

Structural Features include

• Species composition

• Stratification

• Trophic Organization

• Nutrients

25

Ref [1]



Structure of EcosystemSpecies composition – Each ecosystem has its own of species type

and composition.

Stratification – Organisms exist in one or more layers/strata each layer

comprising a particular kind of species.

Trophic Organization – Food relationships.

Described in terms of Standing Crop (amount of living material available

in several trophic levels at a given time) –> No: of biomass of organisms

(dry or fresh weight) per unit area.

Nutrients – essential for growth of organism and accumulated in

biomass, soil.etc. Amount of nutrients like N, P, Ca in soil at a given time

is called standing state.

26

Ref [1]



Structure of Ecosystem

Trophic Organization – Food relationships

Autotrophs – T1 trophic level

Herbivores – T2

Carnivores – T3

Top Carnivore – T4 or T5

Parasites feed on organism of all trophic levels.

Reason for restricted no: of trophic levels due to

• All food at one level animal does on pass on to next

level.

• Respiration Losses.27

Ref [1]



Functions of Ecosystem

Functions ensure persistence of the system

e.g Green leaves absorb nutrients from soil and prepare food, Herbivores

consume plants, Carnivores consume herbivores, Decomposers break

down complex organic materials to simpler inorganic ones.

Functions

• Productivity and Decomposition

• Energy Flow

• Nutrient cycling

• Development and Stabilization

28

Ref [1]




Productivity

Primary

ProductivitySecondary

Productivity

Gross Primary

Productivity (GPP)

Net Primary

Productivity (GPP)

1) Productivity

29

Ref [1]




1.1 Primary Productivity

• Rate at which the radiant energy is captured by the

producers for synthesis of organic compound by

photosynthesis .

Units

gm-2 year -1 (For dry matter)

kcal m-2 year -1 (For energy)

30

Ref [1]



1.1 Primary Productivity


1.1.1 Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) - Rate of total

capture of energy OR

Rate of total production of organic matter/biomass by

producers /unit area/unit time.

1.1.2 Net Primary Productivity (NPP) - Rate of storage

of energy or organic matter by producers left after meeting

respiration and maintenance needs of the producers.

31

Ref [1]




1.2 Secondary Productivity

Rate of increase of biomass of consumers /unit area and

time.

NPP = GPP – Loss due to respiration and maintenance

2) Decomposition

Process of breaking down of complex organic matter into

inorganic raw materials like CO2, H2O, nutrients (Upper soilis the main site where decomposition occurs).

32

Ref [1]




3) Energy Flow

In ecosystem, energy flows through the matter.

Energy enters the ecosystem from solar radiation

and gets converted into chemical energy by

producers.

33

Ref [1]

Ref [4]



34

Ecosystem and Anthroposystem comparison

Producers Consumers Recyclers

Movement of chemicals and materials in natural ecosystem

External World External World

Plants Animals Microorganisms

Ref [4]

Ref [4]



35


Producers Consumers Recyclers

Movement of chemicals and materials in system resulting from

human activities

Mobilizers Emitters Receptors

Ref [4]



36


Ecosystem is dependent on its decomposers to for complete recycling of

the system. Lack of efficient decomposers can be observed in Anthroposystem (is an open system).

Human activities disturbing ecosystem can be divided into 3 :

•Producing Activities (Energy production from fossil fuels, growing of

food, manufacturing, minerals production etc.)

•Consumers – Humans and the domestic animals they possess.

•Decomposing/Recycling activities - Waste water treatment , solid waste

and metal recycling etc.Waste byproducts disposed into physical envt (atmosphere/hydrosphere),

delivered into geochemical and biological receptors.

Ref [4]

Ref [4]



37


•In ecosystem, most of the materials, get transferred from producers

(plants) to recyclers (bacteria). Only a very small portion is passed

through consumers to recyclers. Decomposers return most of

materials for reuse. Physical proximity exists between producers and

consumers.

•In anthroposystem, flow of material from producers to recyclers is

minimum or zero, since there is no point in producing materials and

recycling them without consumption. Only small portion of material is

recycled. It is an open system. There is physical displacement

between producer and the consumer.

Ref [4]

Ref [4]



38

Energy and Nutrient flow through ecosystem

Sun

Movement of Energy Movement of Inorganic

Nutrients

Producers Consumers

Heat Heat

DecomposersInorganic

Nutrient Pool

Heat

[ ]

Energy and Nutrient flow through ecosystem



39

Energy and Nutrient flow through ecosystemFig shows energy and inorganic nutrient flow through ecosystem. Energy flows in

the form of C-C bonds.

• During respiration, C-C bonds break and C combines with O and forms CO2.

Energy released in this process is utilized by organism to digest food, move

muscles, etc or may be lost as heat. Sun is the energy source. Eventually, all

energy in ecosystem is lost as heat. Energy does not get recycled.

• Nutrients are inorganic since due to absence of C-C bonds. E.g. P in teeth,

bones, N in amino acids, Fe in blood. Producers obtain these from inorganic

nutrient pool (may be from algae, soil or water around plants) etc. The inorganicnutrients gets passed on from one organism to another upon consumption. Finally

decomposers act on all organisms and last remaining heat is released and

inorganic nutrients get returned to the soil/water and are taken up again.

Inorganic nutrients get recycled.

Ref [4]

F t E t (FE i lid )



40

Forest Ecosystems (FE in slides)Vertical structure of FE is divided into 4 different layers each one being

exposed to increasingly filtered sunlight:

•Canopy – uppermost layer of woodland mainly composed of large trees

which shield layers below and influence climate.

e.g. 1)Dense and continuous layer of sugar maple, maintains cool climate

below.

2)Open canopy of Pine and Oak, microclimate is drier and warmer.

•Understory –middle layer, next layer to canopy, casts shadow /shade on

below layer , serves as home for woodland nesting birds and source of food

for the wildlife.

It is subdivided into

Subcanopy (having small trees, like ironwood, chokecherry etc.)

Shrub and seedling layer (woody plants like blueberry, raspberry etc.)

Ref [4]

F t E t (FE i lid )



41

•Ground Layer – On the forest floor. Contains some herbs

which cannot tolerate direct light, has wildflowers, ferns,

grass, creeping shrubs etc.

•Forest Floor – Lowest layer and consists of litter, humusand top soil. Fallen leaves, trees, decomposing branches can

be found in this layer. Microscopic soil bacteria, fungi, worms,

millipedes, insects etc. break down organic matter andconvert it into humus and mix it with soil. This is critical for

nutrient recycling.

Forest Ecosystems (FE in slides) Ref [4]

Forest Ecosystems (FE in slides)



42


Horizontal Structure of forest ecosystems has variation in

species composition and distribution due to:

•Environmental Gradient (moisture, slope, drainage soil type

etc.)

•Gaps in canopy (due to death of old trees, lightning strikesetc.)

•Seed Availability

•Large clearances created by damages due to diseases andinsect , or fire.

Ref [4]




43


Ecosystem Producers Consumers

Forest Ecosystem

Trees (e.g. Teak,Sal,

Oak, Pine), Shrubs,

Ground Vegetation

Primary : Flies, Butterflies,

spiders (eat small leaves of

trees), large animals like

elephants, squirrel (eats

fruits)

Secondary: Carnivores like

snakes, lizards, birds (feed

on herbivores)

Tertiary : Lion, Tiger (feed

on secondary carnivores)

Decomposers : Fungi,

Bacteria

Ref [1]

Grassland Ecosystems (GE in slides)



44


32 % of these is plant cover.

Types:

•Tropical grasslands [150 cm annual rainfall]

•Temperate grasslands [25-100 cm annual rainfall]

•Desert grasslands [25-45 cm annual rainfall]Grassland soil is exposed to higher temperature and

evaporation, periodic drought etc. So it is dry compared to

forest soil and produces impervious subsurface layer, so doesnot support growth of big trees, over the grasses.

Ref [4]

Grassland Ecosystems (GE in slides) R f [1]



45



Grassland Ecosystem

Grasslands(Treeless

herbaceous plant

cover (containing

grass species),

herbs, shrubs

Primary: Cows, Buffaloes,

Deer, termites Sheep, Rabbit

etc, (feed on grasses)

Secondary: Snakes, Jackals,

Birds, fox (feed on herbivores)

Tertiary: Hawks (feed on

secondary consumers)

Decomposers: Fungi etc.

Ref [1]

D t E t (DE i lid ) R f [1]



46

Desert Ecosystems (DE in slides)


Desert Ecosystem

Shrubs, Bushes,

grasses, sometrees, e.g.

Cactus, Lichens

Insects, reptiles,

nocturnal rodents,

birds, camels

Decomposers: Fungi,

bacteria etc.

Ref [1]

Biodi ersit R f [4]



47

Biodiversity

It refers to the totality of population, species, communities

and ecosystems (including both wild and domesticated),which constitute life of any single area or entire planet.

Biodiversity occurs at 3 different levels :

• Species Diversity (No: of species varies with area)

• Genetic Diversity (Variation in genes within each

species)

• Ecosystem Diversity (It includes broad variations in

types of ecosystem, diverse habitats and ecological

processes within each ecosystem type).

Ref [4]

V l f Bi di it R f [4]



48

Value of Biodiversity

Value of

Biodiversity

Consumptive

use valuesProductive

use values

Cultural,

Social and

Ethical value

Aesthetic

value

Environment

services

value

Ref [4]

V l f Bi di it R f [4]



49

Value of BiodiversityConsumptive Use:

Biodiversity is necessary for maintaining global food supply. (e.g.

plants wheat, corn, rice , animals, fish etc. which are Sources of human

food) .

Productive Use:

• Pesticides synthesized from natural biodiversity products (e.g. toxic

proteins produced by some bacteria kill insects but not harmful to

humans, used as biopesticides).

• Some natural products obtained from tropical forests used as

medicines.

• Materials having unusual physical properties etc. also obtained.

Ref [4]

V l f Bi di it Ref [4]



50

Value of BiodiversityCultural, social and ethical values: Biodiversity conservation

is necessary from a cultural point of view (e.g. Peacock, Lotus, Tiger in

India).

Aesthetic values:

• The aesthetic landscape and natural ecosystems have a positive

influence on well being (both spiritual and emotional). Humans can

experience this only when there is natural surrounding around them.

• Nature reminds us that we are only one of the interdependent

portions of earth. Helps develop positive attitude, helps in relieving

working stresses and illnesses.

Ref [4]

Ref [4]



51

Value of Biodiversity

Environmental Services:

• Water resource protection.

• Soil resource formation and protection.

• Breakdown of pollution and absorption.

• Provides climatic stability.

• Ecosystem maintenance.

• Storage and recycling of nutrients.

• Recovery from unpredictable system.

Ref [4]

Threats to Biodiversity Ref [4]



52

Threats to Biodiversity• Habitat Degradation or Loss (due to livestock, road,

agricultural land etc.)

• Invasion by non-native species (Cichlid fish in Lake

Victoria eats all other fish).

• Pollution (of Ocean, rivers lakes used as dumping

yards).

• Over Exploitation of Resources (Plants, Animals,

Natural Resources).

• Global Environmental changes (Global warming due to

fossil fuel burning, Climatic changes due to

accumulation of green house gases).

Ref [4]

Conservation of Biodiversity Ref [4]



53

Conservation of Biodiversity

Conservation

In-situ

ConservationEx-situ

Conservation• Onsite, conservation of species

within normal habitats/ecosystems.

• Financially efficient.

• Not always a solution because

sometimes species need to be

saved from degraded habitats.

• Project Tiger (1972, to save tiger

from extinction).

• Project Elephant (1991-92 to save

Asiatic elephant) , covers 12 states.

Biodiversity is conserved

out of the habitat. e.g.Zoo, Botanical Garden.

In india, 33 Botanical

Gardens, 275 zoos, deer

park etc.

Ref [4]

Conservation of Biodiversity Ref [4]



54

Conservation of BiodiversityBodies working in wildlife education and research

•Zoological Survey of India

•Botanical Survey of India

•Wild Life Institute of India

•Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy

•Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education

•Salim Ali School of Ornithology

•Germplasm banks help in preserving of genetic diversity of

flora and fauna of India (conserves various microorganisms).

Ref [4]

Ref [4]



Classification of Indian Biodiversity

Classification based on biogeography, to aid in planning at

natl and state levels.

Biogeographic zone: Large distinctive unit with similar

community species, ecology , biome representation etc. e.g.

Himalaya, Western Ghats.

Biotic province: Unit of bg zone based on weightage to a

specific community with barriers separating them.

Biome: Ecological unit. E.g. Wetland, can be found in many

bg zones or biotic provinces.

[ ]

55

Ref [4]

Cl ifi ti f I di Bi di it



Facts about Indian B.D

• Has 33 % of world’s life forms, it is one of the 12 megadiv

countries in 2% of world’s landmass and 8% B.D of world.

• Has 10 bg zones, 26 bp, it represents all major ecosystems

of world has 33 botanical gardens, 89 natl parks, 275 zoos,

504 sanctuary, 12 biosphere reserves.

[ ]

Preservation – Complete protection , natural resources are

not altered by human activity.Conservation – Managing resources on sustainable yield

basis, e.g. wisely using a physical resource like fossil fuel.

56

Classification of Indian Biodiversity

India as mega diverse nation



57

India as mega diverse nation

Has vast no: of habitats, varied biodiversity (has 8% of world

B.D, on 2% of earth’s surface, India is one among 12megadiv countries of world).

India experiences different climates due to varied

geography.• Tropical (hot round the year, no winter)

• Subtropical (Hot for most of year, winter is cool)

• Temperate (Warm summer, winter is pronounced)

• Arctic/Alpine (shorter summer, longer winter)

Hotspots of Biodiversity Ref [4]



Hotspots of Biodiversity

• Regions with great div of endemic species (species

restricted by region) and simultaneously impacted

human activity.

• It must support 1500 endemic species of plants, 0.5% of

global no: and should have lost 70 % of original habitat.

• Hotspots in India (Western Ghats and Eastern

Himalaya).

• Endemic species e.g. Lion Tailed Macaque, Niligiri Leaf

Monkey, Brown Palm Civet, Nilgiri Tahr.

Ref [4]

58



59

Endangered Species in India

•The Lion Tailed Macaque•The Asiatic Lion

•The Red Panda

•The Black Buck

•The Slender Loris

Bi hi f I diRef [4]



60

Biogeographic zones of India

1. The Coasts (with 3 provinces)

2. The Deccan Peninsula (with 5 provinces)3. The Gangetic Plain (with 2 provinces)

4. The Himalaya (with 4 provinces)

5. Trans Himalaya (with 2 provinces)

6. The Indian Desert (with 2 provinces)

7. The Islands (with 2 provinces)

8. North East India (with 2 provinces)

9. The Semi-arid Zone (with 2 provinces)10. The Western Ghats (with 2 provinces)

Ref [4]

W ld H it it f I diRef [4]



61

National (abbreviated as Natl)

1. Kaziranga Natl Park Assam

2. Keoladeo Natl Park , Rajasthan,

3. Manas wildlife sanctuary, Assam

4. Nanda Devi Natl Park, UP

5. Sundarban Natl Prk, W.B

World Heritage sites of IndiaRef [4]

Biosphere Reserves of India Ref [4]



62

1. Dibru- Saikhowa (Assam)

2. Dehang Debang (Arunachal Pradesh)3. Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)

4. Great Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

5. Kanchenjanga (Sikkim)

6. Manas (Assam)

7. Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka)

8. Nanda Devi (Uttaranchal)

9. Nokrerk (Meghalaya)10. Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)

11. Sundarbans (West Bengal)

12. Similpal (Orissa)

Biosphere Reserves of India Ref [4]

Genetic Engineering and Biodiversity Ref [4]



63

Genetic Engineering and Biodiversity

Introducing genetically modified organisms (GMO) or genetically

engineered organisms (GE) is risky experiment with nature. Species

which have not evolved naturally and do not have natural habitat are

inducted into nature. These can combine with wild species and their

impact on environment is unpredictable.

Certain views against GMO exist as listed below:

• Genetic pollution, by transfer of foreign genes to organisms, which

passes on to future generations, can cause irreversible damage to

envt.

• New risks to biodiversity, ecosystem, sustainable agriculture and

wildlife.

Ref [4]

Genetic Engineering and Biodiversity Ref [4]



64

Genetically modified Food

• Long term effect of these on envt are unknown (maybe without full

awareness of consumer) .

• Global food companies in Europe add ‘GE- food’ to label.

• GE crops may combine with other variety by pollination, or by part of

one plant to humans, cattle, birds, wildlife etc.

• Can induce allergic potential to food (e.g. Soyabean GE with gene of

Brazil nut)

• Injection of insecticidal bacterium (Bacillusthuringiensis, Bt ) into

cotton, potatoes etc.

• Expensive for farmers to grow Genetically Modified crops

Genetic Engineering and Biodiversity e [ ]

Wildlife Protection Act (1972) Ref [4]



65

• Provides for national parks and sanctuaries.

• Wildlife includes animals, fish, moth, bee, butterfly etc, land and

aquatic vegetation, which is a part of habitat (land, water, vegetation)

which is natural home of the wild animal.

• Hunting (includes killing, capturing, poisoning, trapping, snaring,

injuring, taking/destroying of parts of animal/reptile/bird damaging

nests/eggs etc) and attempts to do these activities.

• Trophy means full part of captured animal (except vermin (preserved

naturally/artificially) includes skin, rug specimens of these animals

mounted partly/wholly by taxidermy and trade of trophy and ivory

prohibited.




66

Has 6 schedules.

• Hunting of wild animals prohibited under sections 1 to 4.

Exceptions: Cases where Chief Wildlife Warden is satisfied that theanimal is a threat to human life, for self defense, education,

management, research, snake venom production, species for

zoos, (by fee payment and permission from CWW).

(Prior permission from Centl Govt if animal belongs to Schedule 1)

• Picking/uprooting/damaging of plants (Sch 6) wilfully from forest/area

by notification by Centl Govt.

Possesion/sale/offer for selling certain plants (alive/dead)

/derivatives without license is prohibited. Cultivation, purchase of

certain plants not permitted without license. (Because these are

Centl Govt property) . If possession obtained, police to be informed

within 48 hours

[ ]




67

Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

Exceptions : Permission needed from State Govt or CWW for

education, scientific research/institutions.

Stt (State) Govt may declare an area suitable for floral, faunal,

natural, zoological significance (other than reserved forest) as a

sanctuary to which entry may be restricted (e.g. Entering with

weapons).

Wildlife warden shall immunize livestock against communicable

diseases within 5km limit of sanctuary.

Stt Govt can constitute suitable area to be a national park in which

littering, arson and grazing of livestock to be prohibited, the

boundaries of which can be altered by state legislature.

Stt Govt may close any area for hunting

[ ]

Wildlife Protection Act (1972)Ref [4]



68

Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

• On suspicion, CWW or Director or any officer, may need to

inspect vehicles, premises etc for animal/meat/trophy/plants.

• Illegal possessions to be seized, arrest without warrant

possible.• Punishments may include fines (for teasing of animals in

zoo) , imprisonment etc.

• Courts can act based on complaint of Chief Wildlife

Warden/ or Director of Wildlife Preservation or any other

officer.

[ ]

Forest Conservation Act Ref [4]



69

Forest Conservation Act

With effect from 1980 .

Prior approval from Centl Govt needed for diverting

forest land for non-forest purposes.

Objective of Act:

•To regulate indiscriminate diversion of forest land for non-

forest purposes

•To maintain logical balance between conservation of natural

heritage and developmental needs of country (Irrigation

projects, Defence, Power, Road, Transmission analysis,

mining etc).

[ ]

Forest Conservation ActRef [4]



70

•Compensatory afforestation done to mitigate ill effects of

diversion of forest area.

•Plans for wildlife habitat improvement, rehabilitation etc.

CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Management and

Planning Authority) for monitoring the effectibve

implementation of compensatory afforestation.

Forest Conservation Act

Ref [4]



71

Environmental Ethics

Discipline dealing with moral relationship of human beingswith the environment and its non - human component . It

also deals with moral status and value of the environment

and its non human component.

It is the distinction between intrinsic value and instrumental

value.

Ref [4]



End of Module1 Part1 notes

me3003 - environmental studies for mechanical engineers module1part1.pdf

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