4. Environmental Management
Can You Recall?
2) Types of consumers & criteria of classification?
3) Relationship between a lake and birds on a nearby tree?
4) Difference between a food chain and a food web?
Ecosystem — A Review
An ecosystem is the functional unit comprising biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components and all their interactions within a geographic area.
Biotic Components
- Producers (Autotrophs): Green plants, algae.
- Consumers (Heterotrophs):
Primary (herbivores) → Secondary (carnivores) → Tertiary (top carnivores). - Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes.
Abiotic Components
- Inorganic substances: H\(_2\)O, O\(_2\), CO\(_2\), N\(_2\), minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K, etc.).
- Physical factors: Light, temperature, humidity, wind, soil, pH.
Why every piece matters?
Herbivores prevent overgrowth of producers; predators keep herbivores in check; decomposers recycle nutrients and clean the environment (carcasses, litter).
Food Chain & Food Web
A food chain is a single pathway of energy flow, e.g., Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle. Multiple interconnected chains form a food web, increasing stability.
Energy Flow & Pyramid
Energy diminishes along trophic levels (≈ 10% law). If producers fix \(10{,}000\,\text{kJ}\), primary consumers receive ≈ \(1{,}000\,\text{kJ}\), and so on.
Photosynthesis: \(6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{\text{light, chlorophyll}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2\)
Respiration: \(C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy (ATP)}\)
Environment & Ecosystem — Relationship
Environment = all physical, chemical and biological factors around organisms. It has two broad types: Natural (air, water, land, biota) & Artificial (human-made surroundings). Ecology studies their interactions. The ecosystem is the basic functional unit for ecological study.
Natural Cycles maintain Balance
- Water cycle (evaporation–condensation–precipitation–runoff).
- Carbon cycle (photosynthesis–respiration–decomposition).
- Gaseous cycles (Nitrogen/oxygen cycles, etc.).
We have borrowed Earth from future generations — conserve it!
Environmental Conservation
What harms the environment?
- Natural factors: Earthquakes, floods, droughts, volcanoes, cyclones.
- Man-made factors: Deforestation, pollution, overuse of resources, unplanned urbanization, industrialization.
Major Pollutions — Components, Sources, Effects & Control
| Type | Components / Examples | Sources | Effects | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Gases: CO\(_2\), CO, SO\(_x\), NO\(_x\), H\(_2\)S; Particulates: dust, soot, Pb, asbestos, aerosols. | Vehicles, industries, thermal plants, burning of waste/crop residue, construction. | Smog, respiratory issues, acid rain, global warming, reduced visibility. | Emission norms, catalytic converters, CNG/EVs, afforestation, dust suppression, clean fuels. |
| Water | Organic load, pathogens, heavy metals, oils, pesticides, plastics. | Sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, oil spills, riverbank industries. | Eutrophication, water-borne diseases, aquatic life loss, bioaccumulation. | Effluent treatment plants (ETP), sewage treatment (STP), strict discharge norms, wetlands, rainwater harvesting. |
| Soil | Pesticide residues, plastics, heavy metals, salts. | Industrial dumps, excessive fertilizers/pesticides, waste landfills, mining. | Reduced fertility, food contamination, erosion, loss of biodiversity. | Organic farming, proper waste management, phytoremediation, contour bunding, crop rotation. |
| Sound | \(>85\ \text{dB}\) chronic exposure | Traffic, machinery, loudspeakers. | Hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbance. | Noise rules (2000), silencers, zoning, time limits. |
| Thermal & Light | Heated effluents; excessive night lighting. | Power plants; urban lighting. | Aquatic oxygen drop; disorientation of fauna. | Cooling towers; shielded lights, smart lighting. |
| Radioactive | Ionizing radiation (X-rays, nuclear plants). | Accidents/mishaps (e.g., Chernobyl, Windscale, Three Mile Island), poor disposal. | Cancers/ulcers, tissue damage, genetic changes, vision problems. | Strict safety protocols, monitoring, secure disposal, exposure limits. |
Why control pollution?
- Safeguards health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
- Prevents irreversible damage and economic losses.
- Ensures sustainable resource use for future generations.
Environmental Management — Laws & Institutions
India: Acts & Rules
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Ban on trade (49A), use of articles (49B), compulsory disclosure (49C).
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 — Restricts non-forest use; central approval needed.
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — Pollution control; penalties (up to 5 years / ₹1 lakh).
- National Green Tribunal (2010) — Ensures effective enforcement of environment laws.
- Sound Pollution Rules (2000), Biomedical Waste Rules (1998), E-waste Rules (2011).
Global & National Bodies
- UNEP (1972) — Global environmental stewardship.
- MoEFCC, Govt. of India — Policy & programs (since 1985).
- IUCN — Red List (Pink pages: endangered; Green pages: recovered).
- IPCC, WWF, BirdLife International, Green Climate Fund.
Voluntary Organizations (India)
BNHS (Mumbai), CPR Group (Chennai), Gandhi Peace Foundation (Delhi), Chipko Centre (Tehri Garhwal), CEE (Ahmedabad), KSSP (Kerala), Indian Agro Industries Foundation (Pune), VSCSC (Ahmedabad), and Greenpeace (global network).
Our Social Responsibility
Humans have altered nature; we must restore balance through informed action.
Inspiring Case
Environmental Conservation & Biodiversity
Biodiversity = richness of life at three levels:
- Genetic diversity: variations within a species (e.g., human differences); low diversity increases extinction risk.
- Species diversity: variety of species (plants, animals, microbes).
- Ecosystem diversity: variety of ecosystems (forests, grasslands, wetlands; natural & artificial).
Sacred Groves
Community-protected forest patches conserved in the name of deities (over 13,000 reported in India). Biodiversity refuges with cultural protection — visit examples in Maharashtra!
Conserving Biodiversity — What to do?
- Protect rare, endemic & threatened species; ex-situ & in-situ conservation.
- Establish/maintain national parks, sanctuaries, and bioreserves.
- Species-specific conservation projects (e.g., tiger, rhino).
- Document and respect traditional knowledge.
- Follow laws & sustainable practices; reduce ecological footprint.
Threatened Categories (IUCN concepts)
- Endangered: high risk of extinction (e.g., Lion-tailed macaque, Lesser florican).
- Rare: small populations, often endemic (e.g., Red panda, Musk deer).
- Vulnerable: rapid decline, very low numbers (e.g., Tiger, Lion).
- Indeterminate: suspected risk but data deficient (e.g., Giant squirrel — Shekru).
WWF Survey (2008): ~30% of animal species lost (1975–2005) — urgent action needed.
Biodiversity Hotspots
- 34 global hotspots (historically covered ~15.7% of Earth’s land).
- ~86% of hotspot area already lost; only ~2.3% remains — yet holds ~150,000 plant species (~50% of world flora).
- India: of ~135 key animal species, ~85 occur in the eastern forests; ~1,500 endemic plant species in the Western Ghats; globally ~50,000 endemic plant species.
Three Endangered Heritage Places (India)
- Western Ghats (GJ, MH, GA, KA, TN, KL): mining, gas exploration threaten habitats (Asiatic lion corridors in broader region; wild bison habitats).
- Manas National Park (Assam): dams & water use threaten tiger and rhino ecosystems.
- Sundarbans (West Bengal): dams, deforestation, excessive fishing, trenches — tiger and mangrove ecosystem at risk.
Symbols of Conservation (Know & Use)
Learn common eco-symbols (recycle ♻, no-plastic 🚫🛍️, energy saver 💡, save water 💧, wildlife protection 🐾) and promote them in school campaigns.
Quick Reference & Exam Pointers
- Food web vs chain: Web = many interlinked chains → higher stability.
- Energy pyramid: Always upright (energy decreases at higher trophic levels).
- Ecosystem scope: From a pond to the biosphere.
- Air quality actions: public transport, car-pooling, green cover, renewable energy.
- Man–Environment relation: Awareness → Action → Advocacy.
- “Jivo Jivasya Jivanam”: Life supports life — interdependence is the rule.
Always Remember
- Destroying a plant is destroying a future forest.
- Afforestation & responsible paper use reduce deforestation.
- Environmental protection = value education + healthy society.
- Pure air and water are the fundamentals of health.
Mini-Activities (Classroom / Home)
- Make a poster of local sacred groves and their species list.
- Interview a local health/environment officer about family waste segregation & local pollution control.
- Debate: “Chipko Movement — relevance today”.
- Survey & record local plants/animals; identify any threatened species; submit to school eco-club.
Chapter 4: Environmental Management — Exercise Solutions
Q1) Reorganize the food chain and describe the ecosystem.
Given: Grasshopper – Snake – Paddy field – Eagle – Frog.
Perfect Answer
Correct food chain: Paddy (rice plant) → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle.
Ecosystem: Paddy field (agro-ecosystem / wetland-agro ecosystem). It includes producers (paddy), primary consumers (grasshoppers), secondary consumers (frogs), tertiary consumers (snakes) and top predators (eagles), with decomposers recycling crop residues and litter.
Exam tip Don’t put “paddy field” inside the chain; use the plant (paddy) as the producer.
Q2) Explain: “We have got Earth on lease from our future generations, not as ancestral property.”
Perfect Answer
This statement highlights sustainability and intergenerational responsibility. Our actions (resource use, pollution control, biodiversity conservation) must ensure that soil, water, air, forests and wildlife remain healthy for the next generations. Instead of over-exploiting (“ancestral property”), we must use resources prudently, restore degraded ecosystems, cut emissions, and conserve species so that future people inherit an Earth at least as livable as today.
Q3) Write short notes.
a) Environmental Conservation
Planned actions to protect, restore and wisely use air, water, soil, forests and biodiversity. Tools: protected areas, pollution control, afforestation, waste management (3R), sustainable farming, environmental laws and community participation.
b) Chipko Movement of Bishnoi (Inspiration & Legacy)
In 1730 at Khejarli (Rajasthan), the Bishnoi community led by Amrita Devi sacrificed lives to protect Khejri trees—an early “hug-the-trees” action. Centuries later, the Chipko Movement in the 1970s (Garhwal, Uttarakhand—villagers including Gaura Devi; advocacy by S. Bahuguna) used non-violent tree hugging to stop felling and promote eco-restoration. Both embody community-led forest conservation.
c) Biodiversity
Variety of life at three levels: genetic (variation within species), species (number of species), and ecosystem (variety of habitats/ecosystems). It underpins ecosystem services—pollination, climate regulation, nutrient cycling.
d) Sacred Groves
Community-protected forest patches conserved in the name of deities/traditions (over 13,000 in India). They act as in-situ biodiversity refuges, preserving endemic species, water sources and cultural values.
e) Disaster and its Management
Disasters (natural: floods, quakes, cyclones; anthropogenic: industrial spills, fires) disrupt ecosystems and society. Management: mitigation (zoning, afforestation, mangroves), preparedness (early warning, drills), response (rescue, medical), recovery (eco-friendly rebuilding), and resilience building.
f) How can biodiversity be conserved?
- In-situ: national parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserves; habitat corridors.
- Ex-situ: botanical gardens, seed banks, zoos, gene banks.
- Species projects, anti-poaching, invasive control, reduce pollution, climate action.
- Community stewardship, sacred groves, sustainable livelihoods, traditional knowledge.
g) Lessons from Jadav “Molai” Payeng
Consistent, long-term individual effort can transform barren land into a thriving forest (~1360 acres). Key lessons: start small, be persistent, community sensitization, protect wildlife habitat, and inspire replicable models.
h) Biodiversity Hotspots (that include India)
- Himalaya
- Western Ghats & Sri Lanka
- Indo-Burma
- Sundaland (includes Nicobar Islands)
i) Why many species are becoming endangered? How to save them?
Reasons: Habitat loss & fragmentation, over-exploitation, pollution, invasive species, climate change, illegal wildlife trade.
Solutions: Protect & restore habitats, corridors, strict law enforcement, sustainable harvests, pollution control, climate mitigation, community-based conservation, research & monitoring, awareness.
Q4) Justify: Overcoming pollution is a powerful way of environmental management.
Perfect Answer
Pollution directly degrades air, water and soil, collapsing ecosystem services (clean water, fertile soil, breathable air). Controlling it tackles the root cause of many problems—biodiversity loss, health burdens, crop failure, climate risks. Measures like emission controls, ETP/STPs, waste segregation & recycling, green transport and clean energy yield immediate, measurable improvements—hence pollution control is a cornerstone of environmental management.
Q5) Which environmental conservation projects will you run? How?
Project Ideas
- Plastic-Free Campus: ban single-use plastics, provide refill points.
- Wet & Dry Segregation + Composting: convert organic waste to manure.
- Native Tree Plantation: roadside, school yard, community areas; ensure 2-year care.
- Rainwater Harvesting: rooftop collection, recharge pits.
- Urban Biodiversity Garden: butterfly host plants, bird baths, insect hotels.
- E-waste Collection Drives: safe channel to authorized recyclers.
- Energy Audit: switch to LEDs, timers, natural lighting/ventilation.
How to Run (Steps)
- Plan: define goals, baseline, and timeline.
- Team: student eco-club, teachers, local bodies/NGOs.
- Resources: bins, saplings, compost units, posters.
- Implementation: pilot → scale up; involve community.
- Monitor: metrics—kg waste diverted, trees surviving, water saved.
- Report & Celebrate: displays, social posts, inter-school sharing.
Q6) Answer the following.
a) Factors affecting environment
- Natural: earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, volcanoes.
- Anthropogenic: deforestation, pollution (air/water/soil/sound), over-extraction, urbanization, industrialization, invasive species, climate change.
b) Why do human beings have an important place in the environment?
Humans are both influencers (technology, large-scale resource use) and stewards (laws, restoration, innovation). Our intelligence, culture and institutions enable us to degrade—or consciously conserve and improve—the environment. Hence, humans carry special responsibility.
c) Types & examples of biodiversity
| Type | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic | Variation within a species | Different mango varieties; human blood groups |
| Species | Variety of species in an area | Tiger, peacock, banyan, coral, orchids, frogs |
| Ecosystem | Variety of ecosystems/habitats | Forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, coral reefs, agro-ecosystems |
Q7) What are the meanings of the following symbols? Write your role accordingly.
| Symbol | Meaning | My Role |
|---|---|---|
| ♻️ Recycle | Segregate & recycle materials | Keep wet/dry waste separate; send e-waste to authorized recyclers |
| 💧 Save Water | Conserve water | Fix leaks, use buckets, harvest rainwater |
| 🌳 Plant/Protect Trees | Afforestation & care | Plant natives; water & guard saplings for 2 years |
| 🚫🛍️ No Plastic | Avoid single-use plastics | Carry cloth bags; refuse straws/cutlery |
| 🔇 Noise Control | Limit sound pollution | Keep volumes low; follow time-limits & silence zones |
| 🔆 Clean Energy | Energy efficiency/renewables | Switch to LEDs; turn off idle loads; support rooftop solar |
| 🐾 Wildlife Protection | Respect fauna & habitats | No littering in forests; report illegal trade; support sanctuaries |
Remember Small daily actions multiply into big environmental gains.