INTRODUCTION
A natural resource may be defined as any material given to us by nature which can be
transformed in a way that it becomes more valuable and useful.
For an example wood is used for making furniture. Yarn obtained from cotton is used
for weaving cloth. Likewise, various machine, tools and household goods are made of metals.
Now furniture, clothes, machine, tools are more valuable than their raw form i.e. raw form
i.e. wood, cotton and metal, respectively. The wood, metal resources. It is impossible to
obtain valuable items from any resources. Thus, water, minerals, forests, wildlife as well as
human beings are resources. Any material may be called, as a resource provided and
appropriate technology is available to transform that into more valuable goods.
Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
On the basis of continuity, the resources are classified as under:
(1) Renewable Resources
(2) Non-renewable Resources.
1. Renewable Resources
Resources, which can be renewed along with their exploitation, are always available for
use. Hence they are called renewable resources. For instance, forests are renewable. If trees
are felled for wood, original forest covers may be maintained through planning new trees
i.e. a forestation. Likewise, solar energy and wind energy are examples of renewable resources.
2. Non-renewable Resources
The formation of some resources like iron ore, coal, mineral oil etc. has taken several
thousand years. Once they are used in unlimited way, they cannot be easily replaced. Thus,
their exploitation at large scale will result in their fast depletion. Some such resources are
called non-renewable resources or exhaustible.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE :
NATURAL RESOURCES
3. Cyclic Resources
For resources there is no final use as they can be used continuously. For example, water
used in industry and domestic ways can be cleaned and used again for similar or other
purpose. Such resources are given the name of Cyclic Resources.
FOREST RESOURCES
1. Importance of Forest Resources
The importance of forest resources can be explained as under:
1. Ecological Balance:
Forests and wildlife are essential to maintain ecological
balance of an area.
balance of an area.
2. Renewable Natural Resources:
Forests are an important renewable natural
resources.
resources.
3. Eco-system:
Trees dominate forest ecosystem; their species content varities in
different parts of the world.
different parts of the world.
4. Economic Development:
Forest contributes to the economic development of the
country because they provide goods and services to the people and industry.
country because they provide goods and services to the people and industry.
5. Environment Quality:
The forest enchance the quality of environment by
influencing the life supporting system.
influencing the life supporting system.
6. Safeguard against Pollution:
Forest check air pollution and soil erosion. Thus,
they exercise safety and against pollution.
they exercise safety and against pollution.
7. Soil Conservation:
Forest save the hill-slopes from landslides.
8. Wind Erosion:
In deserts, trees reduce wind erosion by checking wind velocity.
9. Check the Extension Balance:
The forest checks strong gales and keeps the soil
intact beneath the roots of trees and thus checks extension of desert.
intact beneath the roots of trees and thus checks extension of desert.
10. Maintains Ecological Balance:
The forest check pollution of air through increasing
oxygen content of the air.
oxygen content of the air.
11. Attract Rainfall:
By causing condensation of water vapour in clouds, forests attract
rains.
rains.
12. Control Floods:
The floods are controlled because forests dry up rainwater like
sponge.
sponge.
13. Linked with Cultural and Civilization:
Forests are linked with our cultural
and civilization.
and civilization.
14. Supply of Raw Material:
Forest supply wood, which is used as under:
(i) Fuel,(ii) Raw material for various industries as pulp, paper, newsprint, board;
(iii) Timber for furniture items;
(iv) To be used in packing articles like fruits, tea etc.
(v) For preparing matches, sport goods etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES
15. Minor forest products:
Some examples of minor forest products, are canes, gums,
resins, dyes, flocks, medicines, tannins, lac, fibres, katha etc.
1. For tribal people are provided with food like tuber, roots, leaves, fruits, meat
from birds and other animals etc.
resins, dyes, flocks, medicines, tannins, lac, fibres, katha etc.
1. For tribal people are provided with food like tuber, roots, leaves, fruits, meat
from birds and other animals etc.
16. Employment opportunities:
About eight crore people are employed in wood based
industries like paper and match and small and cottage industries. Besides, those
who are employed in the forest department in various states.
industries like paper and match and small and cottage industries. Besides, those
who are employed in the forest department in various states.
17. Revenue Receipts:
The forest provide Rs. 400 crores per year as revenue to the
government.
government.
18. Fodder for Cattle
Forest provide fodder to cattle.
19. Foreign Exchange Earners:
Forest produce a great number of articles like
essential oils, resins and dyes. Which find market in foreign countries. Nearly Rs.
50 crores are earned in foreign exchange through selling lac, turpentine oil and
sandal wood oil to abroad.
Thus, the forests are nation’s wealth. They are useful to us directly and indirectly.
essential oils, resins and dyes. Which find market in foreign countries. Nearly Rs.
50 crores are earned in foreign exchange through selling lac, turpentine oil and
sandal wood oil to abroad.
Thus, the forests are nation’s wealth. They are useful to us directly and indirectly.
Areas Covered with Forests in India
Forests are a estimated form time to time. Some data collected in the basis of researches
made, are as under:
Brewbaker (1984)
According to Brewbaker, to 2890, total forest are of the world in 1990 was nearly 700 Mha.
By 1975 it was reduced to 2890 Mha. It was also pointed out that it would be merely 2370 Mha
by 200 A.D. Major reduction will be in tropics and subtropics (40.2), shown in Figs. 2.2 and 2.3.
Forest A rea in th e year 1972-73
010000000
20000000
30000000
40000000
50000000
60000000
70000000
80000000
90000000
Andhra Pradesh
Haryana
Kerala
Dadar & Nagar
Orissa
Uttar Pradesh
Delhi
1972-73 sq km
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE100000Forest Area in the Year 1980-8800006000040000200000Andhra PradeshHaryanaKeralaDadar & N agarOrissaUttar PradeshDelhi1980-82 sq km
C.F.C. (1980)According to Central Forestry Commission (CEF) (1980) in India the forest cover wasaround 74.8 Mha. It was 22.7% of the total land mass. A detailed study of forests carriedout by CEF reveals the position of forests in India as under:(a) The tropical dry deciduous (38.7%).(b) The tropical moist deciduous (30.9%) type.(c) The tropical thorn 6.9%(d) The tropical dry evergreen 0.1%(e) The pure coniferous (high mountainous area) 6.3%(f) The sal forest 16%(g) The teak forest 13%(h) The broad-leaved excluding Sal and Teak 55.8%(i) The Bamboos including in plantations 8.8%Ownership(a) The total forest are nearly 96% (71.63 Mha) forest area is Government owned.(b) 2.6% (1.95 Mha) forest area is owned by corporate bodies.(c) 1.2 Mha forest area is in private owneship.Total area under forests in different states during 1972-75 and 1980-82 is as under:ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 15Total Forest Area (Sq. Km)State/U.T. 1972-75 1980-82Andhra Pradesh 49049 40435Assam 21055 19796Bihar 22687 20139Gujrat 9459 5057Haryana 757 401Himachal Pradesh 15075 9130J & K 22335 14361Karnataka 29480 25656Kerala 8611 7376M.P. 108568 90215Maharashtra 40682 30350Manipur 15090 13575Dadar & Nagar Haveli 177 70Meghalaya 14390 12458Nagaland 8154 8095Tripura 6330 5138Orissa 48383 39425Punjab & Chandigarh 1120 499Rajasthan 11294 5972Tamil Nadu 16676 13187U.P. 25869 21022West Bengal 83476483Sikkim 1761 2883Arunachal Pradesh 51438 58104Delhi 18 10Goa, Daman & Diu 1221 1139Mizoram 13860 11970Total 551886 457046
state Percentage of Forests Area
The following is the list of percentage of total area in a state occupied by forests
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE0.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10Arunach alPradeshBihar HimachalPradeshHaryana Jammu & KashmirPu njab
Rajasthan
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
State percentages of forest area
1. Arunachal Pradesh 79%2. Bihar 17%3. Himachal Pradesh 48%4. Harayana 2%5. Punjab 2%6. Jammu & Kashmir 61%7. Rajasthan 4%8. Tripura 50%9. Uttar Pradesh 13%
Distribution of ForestsThe forest region in India are divided into eight distinct forest regions. These are as
under:
(i) The Western Himalayan region
The region extends from Kashmir Kumaon. Here are the forest of pine, confers and
broad-leaved temperate trees. Higher up, forests of blue pine spruce and silver fir occur.
(ii) The Eastern Himalayan region
This region comprises Darjeeling, Kureseong and the adjacent tract. The temperate
zone has forests of oaks, laurels, rhodendrons, maples, alder and brich.
(iii) The Assam region
This region comprises the Brahamputra and the Surma valleys and the interveing hill
ranges. The region has evergreen forests, occasional thick clumps of bamboos and tall grasses.
(iv) The Ganga plain region
This region covers the area from the Aravali rangers to Bengal and Orissa. Widely
different types are found only in small areas in the forests.
(v) The Deccan region
This region has various kinds from scrub jungles to mixed decidous forests.
(vi) The Malabar region
This region is rich in forest vegetation. Besides, it produces important commerical
crops, such as cocount pepper, coffee, tea. Besides, rubber, cashewnut and eucalyptus trees.
(vii) The Andaman region
This region is rich in evergreen, semi-evergreen, mangrove, beach and diluvial forests.
To conclude, there are nearly 45,000 species of plants including shrubs in the country. The
vascular flora, which forms the conspicuous vegetation cover itself comprises 15,000 species.
OVER CONSUMPTION ON FORESTS REASONS
Population is increasing tremendously in our country. It has already crossed thousands
of millions. Meeting its ever-increasing demand has resulted in over consumption of forests.
1. Fuel wood, Timber and Pulpwood\
The data show that (FAO, 1981) consumption of wood in developing countries is exactly
the reverse of the developed ones. In the former, wood is used 82% for firewood and 18%
respectively, In India, firewood demand is mostly in rural areas because the alternative
source of energy, are yet to reach there. The National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) had
indicated a substantial rise in demand for wood by 200 A.D. for firewood and industry as
is evident from the table given below:
Table 2.1
Requirement of Wood (Mt.)
Category
Requirement in 1980 m3 of total
Requirement in 2000 m3 of total
Additional requirement m3 % increase
Requirement of Wood (Mt.)
Category
Requirement in 1980 m3 of total
Requirement in 2000 m3 of total
Additional requirement m3 % increase
Fuelwood
188.600
87.5
225.000
78
36.4
19
Timber
22.720
10.5
46.755
16
24.0
106
Pulpwood
4.175
2.0
17.695
6
13.5
323
215.495
100
289.450
100
73.9
342. Wood for Packing PurposesWood is needed, on a large scale, for our fruit industry, tea etc. It is estimated that for
wooden crates nearly 0.5 Mm3 of wood is need (U.P. 01, J & K, 0.25 M, H.P. 0.15 Mm3).
wooden crates nearly 0.5 Mm3 of wood is need (U.P. 01, J & K, 0.25 M, H.P. 0.15 Mm3).
3. Paper Board and Newsprint
With the rapidly increasing population growth our per capita consumption of paper is
increasing from 2 kg to 4.5 kg per year. Bamboos and hardwood are the chief sources (70%)
of raw materials for paper and board. Growing demand for 2.45 Mt will enhance dependence
on bamboo and hardwood.
It is evident from the data that the pulpwood had gone to nearly 6 percent of the wood
requirement by 2000. More than half of the pulpwood comes from bamboo as is shown in
following table.
Category Requirement in 1980 Requirement in 2000 Additional requirement
Mt% of total Mt % of total Mt% of % increase
Pulp and paper 2.165 > 51 3.546 > 51 1.381 > 64
Non-industry 2.109 > 49 3.459 > 49 1.350 > 64
Strial requirement 4.274 > 100 7.005 > 100 2.731 > 64There is a substantial in newspaper industry. As per data per capita requirement have
gone upto 1. 1 kg by 2000, thus, the newsprint capacity was raised to 1.289 Mt. Following
are the estimated requirements for raw materials for newsprint.
Year Capacity Requirement (Mt)1981 0.4671986 0.5961991 0.7701996 1.0002000 1.289It is evident that shortfall of newsprit would grow rapidly as well as continuously bythe passage of time.
DEFORESTATION : MEANING AND RESULTS
Meaning of Deforestation
Deforestation is the process of felling trees indiscriminately resulting in nude or seminude surface of the hill hitherto covered by thick forests.
Causes of Deforestation
Main causes responsible for deforestation are as under:
(a) Felling of trees to meet the ever increasing demand of the cities.
(b) Grazing by the local cattle, goats, sheep etc. They not only destroy the vegetation
but also pull out the roots of plants. After denudation of our Himalayas, the process
of deforestation started in the Shivalik range. Shivalik sal forests were over-exploited
for industry use, i.e. railway sleepers etc. Consequently, the foothills of the Shivaliks
are in semi desert conditions.
(c) Meeting out the growing hunger for land. It has hit the ecology of the country badly
very soon India is likely to have more of wasteland than productive land. Large-
scale deforestation has badly affected the weather facing almost each year more of
bleak than the normal weather.
(d) The increase in shifting (jhum) cultivation in North east and Orissa has also laid
large in forest tracts bare. As the jhum cycle is shortened to six years only (in some
districts, even 2-3 years only), too short period does not provide enough time for
natural repair of damaged ecosystem.
(e) A major cause of deforestation has been the construction of hill roads. About a
decade back, they were about 30, 000 km long. Most of these roads are in state and
most fragile belt of Himalayas. Road construction damaged the protective vegetation
cover both above and below roads. It blocked natural and pollution streams.
Formidable Picture of Deforestation
Deforestation has been causing tremendous land erosion and land slides. India is losing
about 6,000 million ton of top soil annually due to water erosion in the absence of trees. The
loss worked out from the top soil erosion in 1973 was Rs. 700 crore, in 1976, 1977 and 1978
it was Rs. 889 crore. Rs. 1,200 crore and Rs. 1,091 crore respectively. The figures in recent
years have risen formidably too high. Increasing number of livestock and migrating glaziers
have led to degradation of forests and the consequent devastation. Data show that about two
decades back these were nearly 1200 thousand sheep and goats in alpine areas of U.P. In
addition, there also visited about 25,000 migratory graziers. There were also about 5-7,000
buffaloes owned by Gujars. Consequently, the forestry stock decreased from 13.79 m3/head
in 1981 to 2.66 m3/head in 2001.
The following table shows that there has been a grave reeducation in forest land:
Land use Area (Mha) Change in forest cover (%)
of total geographical are
of the country
1972-75 1980-82
(a) Forests land Closed 46.10 35.43 (–) 3.25
forests Open/degrated
forests Mangroves 8.80 10.00 (–) 3.25
Mangroves 0.30 0.27 (–) 0.02
55.20 (16.83%) 45.70 (39.94%) (–) 2.89
(b) New-forest land
Agricultural land, 255.70 267.40 (+) 3.58
grassland, shrub land,
non-forest planation,
barren land
(c) Others 17.12 14.86 (–) 0.69
Areas under snow, fog,
cloud, shadow etc.
(d) Total 328.00 328.00*
*Excluding Andaman & Nicobar Island (based on NRSA, 1984).
bleak than the normal weather.
(d) The increase in shifting (jhum) cultivation in North east and Orissa has also laid
large in forest tracts bare. As the jhum cycle is shortened to six years only (in some
districts, even 2-3 years only), too short period does not provide enough time for
natural repair of damaged ecosystem.
(e) A major cause of deforestation has been the construction of hill roads. About a
decade back, they were about 30, 000 km long. Most of these roads are in state and
most fragile belt of Himalayas. Road construction damaged the protective vegetation
cover both above and below roads. It blocked natural and pollution streams.
Formidable Picture of Deforestation
Deforestation has been causing tremendous land erosion and land slides. India is losing
about 6,000 million ton of top soil annually due to water erosion in the absence of trees. The
loss worked out from the top soil erosion in 1973 was Rs. 700 crore, in 1976, 1977 and 1978
it was Rs. 889 crore. Rs. 1,200 crore and Rs. 1,091 crore respectively. The figures in recent
years have risen formidably too high. Increasing number of livestock and migrating glaziers
have led to degradation of forests and the consequent devastation. Data show that about two
decades back these were nearly 1200 thousand sheep and goats in alpine areas of U.P. In
addition, there also visited about 25,000 migratory graziers. There were also about 5-7,000
buffaloes owned by Gujars. Consequently, the forestry stock decreased from 13.79 m3/head
in 1981 to 2.66 m3/head in 2001.
The following table shows that there has been a grave reeducation in forest land:
Land use Area (Mha) Change in forest cover (%)
of total geographical are
of the country
1972-75 1980-82
(a) Forests land Closed 46.10 35.43 (–) 3.25
forests Open/degrated
forests Mangroves 8.80 10.00 (–) 3.25
Mangroves 0.30 0.27 (–) 0.02
55.20 (16.83%) 45.70 (39.94%) (–) 2.89
(b) New-forest land
Agricultural land, 255.70 267.40 (+) 3.58
grassland, shrub land,
non-forest planation,
barren land
(c) Others 17.12 14.86 (–) 0.69
Areas under snow, fog,
cloud, shadow etc.
(d) Total 328.00 328.00*
*Excluding Andaman & Nicobar Island (based on NRSA, 1984).
Evil Consequences of Deforestation
With deforestation ecological balance maintain by nature breaks away. Floods or drought
are the terrible consequences. The trees, increase rainfall of an area, as well as conserve the
water which falls on the ground rain. Consequent to deforestation, the plant reduces
evaporation allowing water to remain in solid for a long time.
In our country unabated deforestation over grazing and the growing hunger for land
has hit the ecology of India badly. If it goes on, we may soon have more of wasteland than
productive land. Large-scale deforestation has badly affected the weather. Evil consequences
of deforestation can be summed up as under:
1. Adverse Effect on Productivity
It is noticed that the devasting effects of deforestation in India include soil, water and
wind erosions, estimated to cost over 16,400 crores every year. Deforestation affects
productivity of our croplands in two ways as under:
(i) The deforestation increase the soil erosion increase manifold. The soil so washed
leads to an accentuated cycle of floods and drought.
(ii) Deforestation creates to use cowdung and crop wastes as fuel mainly for cooking.
As a result no part of the plant goes back to loss in soil fertility.
2. Land/Erosion and Landslides
Deforestation has been causing tremendous land erosion and landslides. Data reflect
that about 6,000 million ton of topsoil is lost annually due to water erosion in the absence
of trees. The loss worked out from the topsoil erosion in 1973 was Rs. 700 crore. The figures
for the years 1976, 1977 and 1978 are Rs. 889 crore, Rs. 1,200 crore and Rs. 1,091 crore
respectively.
3. Low Per Capita Forestland
As far as per capita forestland is concerned, India today is the poorest in the world. The
per capita forestland in India is 0.10 hectare compared to the world average of 1 hectare.
TIMBER EXTRACTION: MINING, DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS IN FORESTS AND
TRIBAL PEOPLE
Timber Extraction
It is estimated that India is losing 15 million hectares of forests cover year. If this trend
continuous unchecked, it could take only a period 9 of 20 years hence to reach to zeroforest
value in our country. During a period of 25 years (1951-1976) India has lost 4.1 million
hectares of forests area. Trees have been felled in large number of fuel, fodder, valley
projects, Industrial uses, road construction etc. India consumes nearly, 170 million tonnes
of firewood annually, and 10-15 million hectares of forests cover is being stripped every year
to meet fuel requirements. The rise in fuelwood consumption can be noticed from the
comparative study of the fuel consumption in earlier years. It was 86.3 million ton in 1953.
It reached about 135 million ton in 1980. During a period of 20 years (1951 to 1971) forests
have been cut for various purposes as under:
With deforestation ecological balance maintain by nature breaks away. Floods or drought
are the terrible consequences. The trees, increase rainfall of an area, as well as conserve the
water which falls on the ground rain. Consequent to deforestation, the plant reduces
evaporation allowing water to remain in solid for a long time.
In our country unabated deforestation over grazing and the growing hunger for land
has hit the ecology of India badly. If it goes on, we may soon have more of wasteland than
productive land. Large-scale deforestation has badly affected the weather. Evil consequences
of deforestation can be summed up as under:
1. Adverse Effect on Productivity
It is noticed that the devasting effects of deforestation in India include soil, water and
wind erosions, estimated to cost over 16,400 crores every year. Deforestation affects
productivity of our croplands in two ways as under:
(i) The deforestation increase the soil erosion increase manifold. The soil so washed
leads to an accentuated cycle of floods and drought.
(ii) Deforestation creates to use cowdung and crop wastes as fuel mainly for cooking.
As a result no part of the plant goes back to loss in soil fertility.
2. Land/Erosion and Landslides
Deforestation has been causing tremendous land erosion and landslides. Data reflect
that about 6,000 million ton of topsoil is lost annually due to water erosion in the absence
of trees. The loss worked out from the topsoil erosion in 1973 was Rs. 700 crore. The figures
for the years 1976, 1977 and 1978 are Rs. 889 crore, Rs. 1,200 crore and Rs. 1,091 crore
respectively.
3. Low Per Capita Forestland
As far as per capita forestland is concerned, India today is the poorest in the world. The
per capita forestland in India is 0.10 hectare compared to the world average of 1 hectare.
TIMBER EXTRACTION: MINING, DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS IN FORESTS AND
TRIBAL PEOPLE
Timber Extraction
It is estimated that India is losing 15 million hectares of forests cover year. If this trend
continuous unchecked, it could take only a period 9 of 20 years hence to reach to zeroforest
value in our country. During a period of 25 years (1951-1976) India has lost 4.1 million
hectares of forests area. Trees have been felled in large number of fuel, fodder, valley
projects, Industrial uses, road construction etc. India consumes nearly, 170 million tonnes
of firewood annually, and 10-15 million hectares of forests cover is being stripped every year
to meet fuel requirements. The rise in fuelwood consumption can be noticed from the
comparative study of the fuel consumption in earlier years. It was 86.3 million ton in 1953.
It reached about 135 million ton in 1980. During a period of 20 years (1951 to 1971) forests
have been cut for various purposes as under:
(1) For Agriculture (24-32 lack hectares)
(2) River valley projects (4.01 lakh hectares)
(3) Industrial uses (1.24 lakh hectares)
(4) Road construction (0.55 lakh hectares)
(5) Miscellaneous uses (3.88 lakh hectares)
In this way, a total of 3.4 million hectares of forests were lost during this period. The
disastrous of the heavy deforestation are visible. Nearly 1 percent of the land surface of
India is turning barren every year due to deforestation. In the Himalayan range, the rainfall
has declined from 3 to 4 percent.
Mining
It is often remarked that in our country most mining work has been unscientific.
Consequently no heed is paid to environment protection. The consequences have been
disastrous. For example:
(1) They have developed large tracts that lost productivity.
(2) There have been water and air pollution, despoliation of land and deforestation,
noise and ground vibration problems etc.
As such, to ameliorate the situation, the mined areas to be reclaimed for agriculture,
forestry, fisheries and recreation. During last 20-30 years, a number of mining operation
have been started in the country. These operations affected forest and cultivated land areas.
Such operations have been taken mainly in U.P., Bihar, M.P., Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
The result are as under:
(1) The use of land scale for townships, communication, excavation and transport
affected the socioeconomic and ecology of these areas.
(2) Ecological problems developed in coal mine areas in Ranchi, Hazaribagh (Bihar),
Bina Project (U.P.) and Singular complex at Gorbi (U.P.) and Jayant (M.P.).
Some illustrations are as under:
(1) Ranchi
In Ranchi several hundred sq. km. of land has been converted to bad lands.
(2) Singrauli
In Singrauli complex forests and hillocks have been erased due to construction of high
power transmission lines, roads and rail tracks. Establishment of other factories as cement
and super thermal power stations around coal mines have resulted into environment
degradation.
Reclamation of Mined Areas
There are two successful cases of reclamation of mined areas in India. These are as
under:
(1) Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. in Tamil Nadu.
(2) Stone Quarries of Sayaji Iron Works in Gujarat.
(2) River valley projects (4.01 lakh hectares)
(3) Industrial uses (1.24 lakh hectares)
(4) Road construction (0.55 lakh hectares)
(5) Miscellaneous uses (3.88 lakh hectares)
In this way, a total of 3.4 million hectares of forests were lost during this period. The
disastrous of the heavy deforestation are visible. Nearly 1 percent of the land surface of
India is turning barren every year due to deforestation. In the Himalayan range, the rainfall
has declined from 3 to 4 percent.
Mining
It is often remarked that in our country most mining work has been unscientific.
Consequently no heed is paid to environment protection. The consequences have been
disastrous. For example:
(1) They have developed large tracts that lost productivity.
(2) There have been water and air pollution, despoliation of land and deforestation,
noise and ground vibration problems etc.
As such, to ameliorate the situation, the mined areas to be reclaimed for agriculture,
forestry, fisheries and recreation. During last 20-30 years, a number of mining operation
have been started in the country. These operations affected forest and cultivated land areas.
Such operations have been taken mainly in U.P., Bihar, M.P., Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
The result are as under:
(1) The use of land scale for townships, communication, excavation and transport
affected the socioeconomic and ecology of these areas.
(2) Ecological problems developed in coal mine areas in Ranchi, Hazaribagh (Bihar),
Bina Project (U.P.) and Singular complex at Gorbi (U.P.) and Jayant (M.P.).
Some illustrations are as under:
(1) Ranchi
In Ranchi several hundred sq. km. of land has been converted to bad lands.
(2) Singrauli
In Singrauli complex forests and hillocks have been erased due to construction of high
power transmission lines, roads and rail tracks. Establishment of other factories as cement
and super thermal power stations around coal mines have resulted into environment
degradation.
Reclamation of Mined Areas
There are two successful cases of reclamation of mined areas in India. These are as
under:
(1) Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. in Tamil Nadu.
(2) Stone Quarries of Sayaji Iron Works in Gujarat.
It is felt, there is need to have legal protection and to revise the Mines and Minerals
(Regulations and Development) Act, 1957 (MMRD Act) to bring in it the environment concerns.
Dams
We can classify the environment side effects of river valley and hydel projects into three
categories as under:
(i) Impacts within and around the area covered by the dam and reservoir.
(ii) Downstream effects caused by alternation in hydraulic regime, and
(iii) Regional effects in terms of overall aspects including resources use and socioeconomic aspects.
The impacts caused by construction of dams and reservoir in including the following
effects and consequences:
(1) The various change in the microclimate.
(2) The loss of vegetal cover.
(3) Soil erosion.
(4) Variation in water table.
(5) Enhanced seismic activities due to pressure of water.
It should be kept in mind that the nature and magnitude of the impacts vary with the
project locations and the conditions therein. It can be elucidate with the help of illustration:
(1) In hilly tracts, blasting operations for road construction can cause considerable
damage to the environment through the following activities:
(a) Loosening of hill sides and resultant landslides,
(b) Sedimentation of reservoirs
(c) Drying up of spring and flash floods.
(2) The creation of new settlements for the workmen and rehabilitation of project
outsees in the watershed areas may result in the aggravation of the seriousness of
advance impacts. In our country a number of big, medium and minor dams are
undertaken mainly for three purposes-irrigation, power generation and water supply.
The country’s first Prime Minister, Jawharlal Nehru, hailed these dams as the
Temples of Modern India. They have increased agricultural production, power
generation and reduced dependence in imports.
However, on the contrary to the advantages enumerated above, some experts opine that
the social, environmental and even economic cost of these dams, far outweighs their benefits.
They hold that the most important social consequences of big dams has been the displacement
of million of tribals from their homeland and their eventual influx into urban areas, almost
as refugees. This is the reason why the scientists, environmentalists, journalists, social
activists, lawyers and bureaucrats have now raised their voice against big dams.
(Regulations and Development) Act, 1957 (MMRD Act) to bring in it the environment concerns.
Dams
We can classify the environment side effects of river valley and hydel projects into three
categories as under:
(i) Impacts within and around the area covered by the dam and reservoir.
(ii) Downstream effects caused by alternation in hydraulic regime, and
(iii) Regional effects in terms of overall aspects including resources use and socioeconomic aspects.
The impacts caused by construction of dams and reservoir in including the following
effects and consequences:
(1) The various change in the microclimate.
(2) The loss of vegetal cover.
(3) Soil erosion.
(4) Variation in water table.
(5) Enhanced seismic activities due to pressure of water.
It should be kept in mind that the nature and magnitude of the impacts vary with the
project locations and the conditions therein. It can be elucidate with the help of illustration:
(1) In hilly tracts, blasting operations for road construction can cause considerable
damage to the environment through the following activities:
(a) Loosening of hill sides and resultant landslides,
(b) Sedimentation of reservoirs
(c) Drying up of spring and flash floods.
(2) The creation of new settlements for the workmen and rehabilitation of project
outsees in the watershed areas may result in the aggravation of the seriousness of
advance impacts. In our country a number of big, medium and minor dams are
undertaken mainly for three purposes-irrigation, power generation and water supply.
The country’s first Prime Minister, Jawharlal Nehru, hailed these dams as the
Temples of Modern India. They have increased agricultural production, power
generation and reduced dependence in imports.
However, on the contrary to the advantages enumerated above, some experts opine that
the social, environmental and even economic cost of these dams, far outweighs their benefits.
They hold that the most important social consequences of big dams has been the displacement
of million of tribals from their homeland and their eventual influx into urban areas, almost
as refugees. This is the reason why the scientists, environmentalists, journalists, social
activists, lawyers and bureaucrats have now raised their voice against big dams.
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