1

UNIT 2: M.B.A
Environmental
Development

Degradation

Pollution

population

Pollution

growth

Control

Economic
Sustainable

Development Hazardous Waste Energy and Environment

alternate Source of Energy.
I.

Definition
(a)

Environmental Degradation is the deterioration of the

Environment through (1) depletion of Natural Resources, such as air,

water and soil (ii) destruction of Ecosystem and extinction wild life
(drastic reduction of Biodiversity)
-

Or in one word when the Natural Habitats are destroyed

Environment is degraded.

Definition according to UNIS

-

The United Nations International Strategy (UNIS) for Disaster

Reduction defines Environmental Degradation is the The
reduction of the capacity of the Environment to meet
the social and ecological objectives and needs.

Environment
pollution
the

is

World

degradation,
one

of

the

Community

particularly
major

especially

Environmental

problems
in

the

faced

by

cities

of

developing countries, which have unbridled growth of

2
population, urbanization, compelling industrialization,
consumerism.

Industrialisation

and

urbanization

have

changed this landscape of our living of planet earth.

The word man has three letters M-A-N. MAN means man
and Nature. When man has become an inseparable part of
the nature.

Over the years man has achieved unbelievable progress with

his intellect.

Mans

attempt

to

conquer,

the

natural

process

have

boomeranged.
-

It has caused irreversible and irreparable damage of

nature.

Some of the activities undertaken by man improve the

quality of life have backfired mainly due to lack of
foresight and inability to foresee long term effects.

Environmental pollution,

acid rain, ozone depletion,

green house effects, cancer and other health hazards are

few such global problems.
-

Population
urbanization,

explosion,

compelling

consumerism

etc

industrialization,

have

caused

the

Environmental Degradation of the Earth. Earth ceases to be

3
planet of living organisms. In his mad craze of making his
stay in this planet more comfortable and happy, man
destroyed the balance of Mother earth.
II.

Main causes of Environmental degradation

(a)
(b)

Natural causes
Man made activities (Human activities or Anthropogenic
activities)

(a)

Natural causes
Heavy rain (floods), storms, earth quakes, Tsunami, etc are
few natural causes leading to Environmental Degradation.

(b)

Human Activities : such as

(1)

Burning of fossil fuels

(2)

Methane

gas

(Natural

gas)

is

the

second

most

important of the Green Gases, resulting from Human

Activities.
Rice cultivation The modern Agricultural practices,
lead to accumulation of decaying Agro waste in the
land fills and finally emission of methane gas.
(3)

Nitrous oxide by various Agricultural and Industrial

practices

4
(4)

Chlroflouro Carbon (CFCs) used in Refrigerators and

air conditions.

III.

Environmental degradation in India

-

The Environmental degradation in India has been caused by

a variety of social, economic, institutional and technological
factors.

(1)

Rapidly growing population (Population explosion)

(2)
(3)

Excessive consumption of Natural Resources

Pollution (Air pollution, water pollution, land pollution,
Marine pollution, Noise pollution, etc)

(4)

Accelerated Economic growth

(5)

Consumerism

(6)

Inadequate/ lack of development

(7)

Urbanisation

(8)

Industrial activities

(9)

Increasing use of pesticides and fossil, fuels, etc have

all resulted in considerable deterioration in the quality
and sustainability of Environment.

IV.

Population Explosion
(a)

Define population

5
(1)

A population is a summation of all the organisms of

the same group of species, which live in the same
geographic areas and have the capacity of inter
breeding (occupying a definite geographic area at a give
time).

(Probability of inter breeding is smaller than the

probability of cross breeding).

(2)

In Sociology : Population refers to a collection of

human beings.

(3)

In Ecology : Population of certain species in a certain

area is estimated using Lincoln Index.

(b)

Lincoln Index : It is a statistical measures used in several fields to

estimate the number of cases that have not yet been observed (ie,
estimation of population size)
-

Lincoln Index provides a way to measure population size of

individual animal species.

It is based on capture/mark/recapture method.

It can be expressed symbolically as follows.

N=

n1n2
m2

N = Total population

n1 =

number of animals first

marked and released.

6
n2 =

the number of animals

captured in the second
sample

m2 = number of marked
sample in the second
sample.
Since n2, m2 and n1 are all known N can be worked out
(c)

Population size : There are four variables, which govern changes,

in population size. They are (i) Birth (ii) Death (iii) Immigration
(iv) Emigration. A population gains by individuals by birth and
immigration and loses individuals by death and emigration.

(d)

Population key words or Important terms related to population

(Key words)

(1)

Birth rate

Number of live birth per/1000 in a

given year.

(2)

Death rate

It is the number of people in every

1000 who die in a year.

(3)

Population Density

People per Km2 or Sq. km

(4)

Doubling time

The number of years required for

the population of an area to double
its present size.

(5)

Densely populated

An area that is crowded with people

For example Western Europe

(6)

Sparely populated

An area that has few people living in

it. For example : Amazone Rain
Forest

(7).

Infant Mortality (death) :

The number of infants per 1000

born, that die before their first
birthday.

(8)

Natality (Birth Rate)

The number of Babies produced per

thousand individuals.
- Natality in Population Ecology is
the scientific term for Birth rate.
Along with mortality rate, natality is
used to calculate the dynamics of a
population, Natality is shown as
specific birth. Specific birth rate is
used relative to specific criteria as
age.

(9)

Emigrate

Means to leave ones country to live

in another ie, you are exiting your
current home land (Focus on the
original country)

People are always saying there is no

quality of life in Russia and every
one wants to emigrate.

(10)

Immigrate

Means you are coming to a country

to live (Focus is on the new
country to live)
-

Citizen from 12 European countries

were given freedom to immigrate to
Switzerland in 2007.

(11)

Migrate

Means to move, is all about the

moving.

(12)

Demographics

The statistics of population, eg. Age,

income, education, etc.

Qn:

The Difference
Migration ?

between

Immigration,

Emigration

and

IV (e) Zero population growth (abbreviated)

-

It is a conditions of demographic balance where the

number of people in a specified population neither grows
nor declines.

i.e, It is a condition, in which a population neither grows nor

decline, because the number of birth in a year equals the
number of death.
i.e. Number of Birth = Number of death

9
Or Birth + immigration = death + emigration
IV (f) Population problems (Population and its implications)
-

World population is the total number of living humans on

earth. It has grown tremendously over the past thousand
years.

At the beginning of the 20th century (1900), the work

population was 1.6 Billion.

At the end of the 20th centuries (1990-99) the world

population was 6.1 Billion.

The total number of people inhabiting this planet as on

2010, has been estimated as 6.94 Billion.

The population of the world is expected to be 8.092 Billion

by 2020 and 9.4 Billion by 2050.

Large size of population is a heavy burden to the planet. It

causes, heavy pressure on food supply.

It causes, a considerable drop in per capita of cultivated

land, a clear downfall in cultural, land-man ratio, and
lower per capita availability of food grain.

Populations
exert,

growth

continuous

opportunities.

causes,

pressure

on

unemployment
existing

and

employment

10
-

Increasing population puts pressure on existing facilities and

infrastructure.

It influences human health and its habitation.

Inadequate housing facilities and inadequate provision

for water sanitation and other basic needs cause, actuate
health problems.

It will have severe economic impacts.

Large size of population slows down the growth of per

capita income and restricts the growth of GNP.

IV (g) Relationship between population growth and Environmental

damages (Erlich Equation)
I=PxAxT
Where I = Impact on Environment
P = Population
A = Affluence (Consumption)
T = Technology Co-efficient
IV (h) World population in Different years
-

Rate of population growth was less in the earlier centuries

than compared to later centuries.

From these figures, it is clear that population growth was,

comparatively slow till 1950. It was about 0.8%.

11

From 1950 to 1970, growth rate was about 2%, while after
that decline started slowly.

Between 1970 and 1990, the growth rate reduced to about

1.9 % while it fell, further from 1990 to 2000 to about
1.6%.

IV (i) Most Densely populated countries

No.

Name

Total population (crores)

Percentage of
world
population
19%
17%
4.45 %
3.34 %
2.8 %
2.59 %
2.39 %
2.26%
1.99 %
1.79%

1.
China
136 crores (1.36 Billion)
2.
India
121 crores (1.25 Billion)
3.
U.S
31 crores (0.31 Billion)
4.
Indonesia
23 crores
5.
Brazil
19 crores
6.
Pakistan
18 Crores
7.
Nigeria
17 crores
8.
Bangladesh
16 crores
9.
Russia
14 crores
10. Japan
12 crores
IV(j) Demographics of India
1.
Population
:
1,236,344,631 (July 2014)
(1.23 Billion) ie, (100 crore=1 Billion)
2.

Growth rate

1.5%

3.

Birth rate

20.20 births/1000

4.

Death rate

7.4 deaths/1000

5.

Life expectancy

68.89 years

- Male

67.46 years

12
- Female

72.61 years

6.

Fertility rate

2.44 children Born/women

7.

Infant mortality

3.15 death/1000 live birth

IV (k) Population of World Countries (Projected for 2050)

Out of 10 centuries, India stands first with a population of
1.628 Billion, China, 2nd with 1.36 Billion, as third U.S with 0.4
Billion.
Within both developed and developing regions, population has
been increasing fast in the urban areas.
IV (l) Salient features of India
-

India occupies 2.8% of the worlds land area and support

over 1.75% of the worlds population

At the 2001 census 72.2% of the of the Indian population

lived in about 6,38,000 villages and the remaining 27.8%
lived in more than 5,000 towns and over 380 urban
agglomerations.

Increase in urban population has led to formation of slums,

pollution

and

environmental

degradation.

Increasing

urbanization results in economic imbalance, which leads

to social problems also.

13
IV (m) Population Explosion leads to adverse effects in Environment
and social life.
(1)

Environmental degradation
1.

Reduction in forest cover due to unmindful felling of

trees.

2.

Reduction in cultivable land

3.

Water shortage due to excess withdrawal of ground

ie, water without recharge

4.

Pollution of air, water, soil and all the after effect of

pollution.

(2)

(3)

Social effects of population growth

1.

Illiteracy and unemployment

2.

Migration from rural to urban areas

3.

Increase in violence and crime

4.

Deterioration in hygiene and health.

Population Explosion results in

1.

Poverty

2.

Social disruption

3.

Energy crisis

4.

Global climate changes

5.

Shortage of water

6.

Water pollution and increase in water borne diseases.

7.

Soils becoming infertile, due to intensive farming.

14
8.

Desertification due to over grazing, destruction of

coastal Ecosystems.

9.

More floods caused by mining of sand from rivers for

building construction.

10.

Inflation due to shortage of essential articles.

11.

Increase in crime due to employment and frustration.

12.

Increased waste generation and resulting spread of

diseases.

IV (n).Demographics of state of Kerala or Kerala situation

Population of Kerala

33.33 millions (in 2011)

It constitutes

2.76% of Indias population

Area

38,863 Km2 or sq.km

Density

859 persons per sq.km

It is 3 times that of National average;

densely settled.

For 1084 Females, there are 1000 males

But Keralas population growth is far lower than National
average (20.20/1000 people)

10

Lakhs

migrants and

live

in Kerala;

mostly

from

Bangladesh and West Bengal. It constitutes more than 3% of

the population of Kerala.
-

There

are

migrants

Chhattisgarh also.

from

Bihar,

Jharkand,

Odissa,

15
-

Literacy

95.5%

Literate persons (%)

96.02 (male), 91.98 (female)

Rural population

23,574,449

Urban population

8,266,925

IV (o) Linguistic Demographics of India

-

41.03% of Indian speak Hindi, while the rest speak

Assamese, Bangali, Gujarate, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi,
Punjab, Tamil, Telugu and variety of other languages.

Malayalam speaking (3.21%), Tamil speaking (5.91%) and

Kannada speaking (3.69%)

IV (p) Population Explosion in India

(1)

Introduction
Is population explosion a boon or a curse? For the
European developed countries like Spain and Italy, where the
population is decreasing, this might be considered, as a
boon.

(2)

Major factors affecting the population change are

(a)

(3)

Birth rate (b) death rate (c) migration

Population change is calculated by the formula

Population change = (Births + immigration)-Deaths +
Emigration

(4)

Major reasons for the recent increase in the world

population

16

The increase in birth rate due to medical

(a)

improvements
The decrease in death rates due to better

(b)

medical facilities and advancements in the

field of medicine
(c)

Immigration to better developed countries due

to

several

reasons,

like

better

job

opportunities, war and natural causes like

hurricanes, earthquakes and so forth.
(5)

Major challenges of India due to population explosion

India, being a developing country, has had to face several,

problems

economic

and

political

challenges

due

to

population explosion.
-

Indias population hit 1 billion in May 2000.

The population density of India in 1996, was about 287

persons, per square kilometer (from: Encly: Britanica)

Despite several measures introduced in India, to decrease,

the

rate

of

population

(some

successful

and

some

unsuccessful), the population in India, continues increase

at an alarming rate.

17
-

The effects of this population increase are evident in the

increasing poverty, unemployment, air and water pollution
and shortage of food, health resources and educational
resources.

(6)

Reasons for increase in the India Population

(i)

Increases in Birth rate (ii) Decreases in Death

rate (iii) Migration

(i)

Birth rate

(a)

Birth rate related to poverty

One of the most important reasons for this population

increase in India is poverty.

According to Geograph.com more than 300 million

Indians, earn less than US$1 (one Dollar), every day and
about 130 million people are Jobless

The people, who have to struggle to make, both ends meet,

produce more children, because more children means
more earning hands.
(b)

Birth rate related to infant mortality

Also due to poverty, the Infant mortality rate among such

families is higher due to lack of facilities like food and
medical resources.

18

Thus they produce more children assuming that not all of

them would be able to survive. The end result is mounting
increase in the population size of India.

(b)

Birth rate related to Religious beliefs, Traditions and

Cultural norms
(1)

One of the ancient beliefs that God said go forth

and produce

and just went ahead and did exactly

that.
(2)

Early marriage of girls: In most of the Rural areas,

families prefer to get their girls married at an early
stage of 14 or 15.

(ii)

Decrease in Death Rate due to improvements in

Medical facilities

The crude death rate in India, in 1981 was approximately

12.5, and that decreased to approximately to 8.7 in 1999.

Also, the infant mortality rate in India decreased from 129

in 1991 to approximately 72 in 1999.

These numbers are clear indications of the improvements in

the Medical field.

19
(iii)

Migration, does not contribute to decrease in the

Birth rate

Carrying Capacity
Definition

(i)

The carrying capacity of Biological species in an Environment is

the main population size of the species that environment can
sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water and other
necessities available in the Environment.

(ii)

Or in simple words, The population that can be supported

indefinitely

by

an

ecosystem

without

destroying

that

ecosystem is called carrying capacity.

(iii)

The number of quantity of people or things which can be conveyed

by a vehicle or container.

(iv)

In population, Biology, carrying capacity is defined as the

Environments maximum load which is different from the
concept

of

population

Equilibrium.

factor

that

keeps

population size at equilibrium is known as a regulatory factor.

-

The carrying capacity of an environment may vary, for

different species and may change over time due to a variety
of

factors,

including

food

availability,

environmental conditions and living space.

water

supply,

20

On Earth our living planet or island we have developed

technologies to grow, process and store food, so that we
can survive the bad years.

We have also developed technologies for handling waste,

that we create. However, there is still a carrying capacity that
earth can support.

The carrying capacity is a function of the number of people,

the amount of resources, each person consumers and the
ability of the earth, to process, all the waste produced.

V (a) Carrying capacity for Human beings

For a given region carrying capacity is the maximum
number of individuals of a given species, than an areas
resources,
depleting

can
or

sustain

degrading

indefinitely
those

without

resources.

significantly

Determining

the

carrying capacities, for most organisms is fairly straight forward.

For Humans, carrying capacity is much more complicated. The
definition (ie, carrying capacity for human beings) is expanded
to include not degrading our cultural and social environment
and not harming the physical Environment in ways, that
would adversely affect future generations.
V (b) What is the relationship between carrying capacity and
limiting factors?

21
-

The carrying capacity is the species maximum population

size, a specific environment that can sustain over time.

But Limiting are those factors, which keep a population at

equilibrium not increasing or decreasing overtime.

Limiting factors are things such as (1) the availability of food

(2) Habitat destruction (3) disease (4) availability of space,
etc.

Carrying capacity of a Specific Environment is dictated by

the limiting factors of Environment.

A population will not truly ever reach equilibrium at the

carrying capacity, but will fluctuate slightly above and
slightly below the carrying capacity.

VI.

Economic Development

I.

Introduction
Economic Development /growth is a recent historical phenomenon.

In 1776, when Adam Smith published An Inquiry into the Nature and
causes of the Wealth Nations, 75% of the Humanity lived on less than
a dollar a day and the average per Capita Income was about U.S $ 550
(ie, 550 U.S. Dollars).
-

This income was stagnant to till 2000.

22
-

However, since the Industrial

Revolution, economic

development has reached unprecedented levels.

-

Economic

Development/growth,

however

unequal,

has

benefited a significant portion of human kind, multiplying

per capita income by a factor of 11 to an average of
US $ 6,500, and lifting more than 80% of the world
population over the US$1 a day threshold.
-

The

pace

of

extraordinary

development

has

also

resulted

in

an

demographic

expansion, increasing the

globes population sevenfold from less than one billion

inhabitants in the 1800s to 7 Billion today.
-

Also, population growth has been matched by a significant

decrease in mortality rate and rise in the life expectancy.

By 1820, life expectancy had risen to 36 years in the west,

with only marginal improvement else where. Today, a person,
can expect to live to 76, in the west, and to 67 in the rest
of the world.

The American dream of wealth and consumption has

become a global dream.

II.

Definition of Economic Development

23
(1)

Economic Development usually refers to the sustained

concerted action to policy makers and communities,
that promote the standard of living and economic
health of a specific area.

(2)

Economic Development usually refer to the adoption

of New Technologies, transition form agriculture
based economy to industrial based economy and
general improvement in living standards.

(3)

Economic Develop can also be referred to as the (i)

qualitative and (ii) quantitative changes in the
economy.

III.

Difference
between
Economic growth.

Economic

Development

and

Economic Development differs from economic growth.

Where

as

Economic

Development

is

Policy

Intervention, endeavor with the aims of economic and

social well-being of people, economic growth is a
phenomenon of rise in GDP and a phenomenon of
market

productivity.

Consequently,

as

economist,

Amartya Sen points out Economic Growth is one

aspect of the processes Economic Development.

24
-

The scope of Economic Development includes, the process

and policies, by which a nation, improves the economic,
political and social well being of its people.

Modernisation, Westernisation, Industrialisation etc are

terms people have used, while discussing

Economic

Development.
-

Economic Development originated in the post war period of

reconstruction, initiated by the U.S. in 1949.

There have been several major phases of Development

Theory since 1945.

The period from 1945-1960 was a period of promoting

industrialization in developing counties, following the idea of
modernisation theory

Economic Development typically involves improvements in

variety of Indicators such as literary rates, life expectancy
and poverty rates.

GDP does not take into account, other aspects such as (1)
Environment quality (2) Sustainable Development (3)
Freedom or social justice.

Essentially a countrys Economic Development is related

to its human development

which encompasses, among

25
other things health and education. Unfortunately many
countries do not realize, the basic philosophy of Economic
Development.

As a result Economic Development has evolved into a

Professional Industry of high specialized practitioners.

The so called Economic Development Organisations

function as individual entities and in some cases, as
departments of local Governments. Their role is to seek out
new economic opportunities and retain their existing
wealth.

VI.

Darker side of Economic Growth

(A)

Modern

Growth,

Competitive

consumption,

standard of living of the growing populations, fast

changes in the life style of the people have together
put the Earth under Extreme pressure.
-

The impact of Growth on the stocks of planets resources,

has become Unimaginable. The depletion of resources took
place at a faster rate in recent years degradation of
Environment was the ultimate result.

Industrialised countries have achieved high level of growth

and decent standard of living at the cost of Environment
and depletion of natural resources.

26

Attaining Economic growth by any means affected, the

Health of the planet. Paradigm shift of economic growth
has posed greater threat to human existence. It has become
the Darker side of Economic Growth

The role of Natural resources and environmental factors in

growth/development cannot be under estimated.

The Perpectual growth and finite system do not go hand in

hand.

The adverse effect of growth on environment, are well

established. The worry of the adverse effect of Industrial
growth/development has shaken the world over the context
of global warming and climate change.

Today we stand at the cross roads in choosing between

Environment

and

growth/Development.

The

Industrial

countries have achieved high level of development and decent

standard of living at the costly environment and depletion of
Natural resources. The question is how long this kind of
development will be sustainable. The developing countries
on the other hand, are still struggling to attain a minimum
standard of living through they are also contributing to extra
damage.

Chinas The Darker side of Growth (Economic growth)

27
IV (a) -

In just three decades China has been transformed

from one of the worlds poorest nations to the worlds
second

largest

economy.

Rapid

accelerated

economic growth of China has brought it to the

forefront of the global economy. Few nations have trend
to emulate Chinas Model of Development.
-

But rapid growth, imposed long-term Environmental

health and social costs.

But what was happened as adverse effect was deplorable

Rapid

industrialization

combined

with,

inadequate

regulations have seriously polluted 40% of Chinas lakes and

rivers, and one out of four people in the worlds most
populous country, lack access, to safe drinking water

The market oriented economic transition has created new

opportunities and made corruption more pervasive than that
in previous decades.

IV (b) Economic explosion in China

-

Just like Population Explosion there was an economic

explosion in China during the 20 th century. The world
economy also during the 20th century, has expanded 20
times and industrialization has increased by a factor, 5
since 1950.

28

It is to be admitted that the growth of the modern

industrialization broke, the Harmonious link between
man and nature and gave birth this idea, that nature to be
mastered (rather than conserved or protected)

(i)

This boom (Economic explosion) has actually depleted

stock of ecological capital such as fuel, forest, soils,
species, fishes, water, atmosphere, etc faster than such can
be replenished.

(ii)

Economic Growth of the present world which depends on (1)

consuming Earths Natural and Environmental resources
rather than sustaining them.

Conclusion
So

Population

Development

growth
are

the

and

Unsustainable

causes

of

Economic

Environmental

Degradation particularly in Developing countries.

-

It

is

known

that

population

growth

and

Economic

growth/Development are affecting the Environment.

-

There are those who think that high population growth

causes stress on Environment and there are those who put
less blame on population and more blame in Economic
growth, industrial and agricultural practices that result in
Environmental damage.

29

Population

But the fact is that both

unsustainable

economic

growth

are

Growth

and

causes

for

Environmental Degradation.
-

The present stage of Economic growth, creates inequality,

as some group benefit more than others, even in the long
term. The country as a whole grows richer and stronger. This
in turn creates or deepens conflict between winners and
losers (Global Context)

VII.

Sustainable Development
Definition

Meeting

the

needs

of

the

present

without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own

needs.
-

The ability of a country to buy most of what most people

desire, is an indication of its economic growth. The
sustainable economic growth depends not only in the
economic goals, but also on the social and environmental
goals, policies and strategies.

Economic issue are closely linked to the environmental

issues.

For

example:

Over

exploitation

of

renewable

resources, would undercut a countrys economy. Concerns

and issue related to the environmental are inextricably

30
linked to the economic issues poverty has been shown to
drive people to indulge in destructive activities like, felling of
trees for fuel, enhancing agricultural lands, over exploitation
of water resources, etc.
-

In order to maintain environmental quality and ecological

balance the concerned agencies should develop policies
that link the environmental sector with both economic
growth and social needs.

Sustainable

Development

requires

the

unification

of

economics and ecology in order to promote development

and protect Environment.

Economics is the system of deciding how to allocate limited

resources, for meeting the needs and wants of society. The
major activity of economics is to sell, buy a barter goods or
services or both at local, regional, national and international
level.

Sustainability of a system, depends largely on the capacity

of the system. If the carrying capacity of a system is crossed
(ie, by over exploitation of a resource) environmental
degradation starts and continues, till it reaches a point, of
non-return.

Carrying capacity has two basic components

31
(i)

Supporting capacity (the capacity to regenerate) and

(ii)

Assimilative capacity (the capacity to tolerate different

stress)

VII A) Two aspects of Sustainable Development

(1).

Inter-generational equity (ie, to hand over a safe, healthy

and resourceful environment to our future generations) and

(2)

Intra-generational equity (ie, technological developments

which promote economic growth of the poor countries so as
to narrow wealth-gap between different nations)

VII (B) Strategy of Sustainable Development (General)

The strategies suggested for Sustainable Development are as
follows.
(i)

To

use

locally

adaptable,

eco-friendly

and

resource

efficient technology, which will use less of resources and produce

minimum wastes.
(ii)

To adopt
approach)

3-R

approach

(Reduce,

Re

use,

Recycle

which emphasizes, minimization of resource using them

again and again and recycling the materials so as to
decrease pressure, on our existing natural resources and
reduce generation of wastes.

32
(iii)

To promote environmental education and awareness at all

levels of education right from school state to the University
level, so as to inculcate, a feeling of belongings, to the earth
(ie, earth thinking). It will greatly help in changing the
thinking and attitude of the people towards our Earth and
Environment.

(iv)

To utilize resource as per carrying capacity, of the

Environment ie, consumption of resources should not exceed
their regeneration and changes, should not be allowed to
occur, beyond, the tolerance capacity of the Environment.

VIII

Hazardous Waste (HW)

VIII (A) I. Definition : Hazardous waste is waste that poses, substantial

or potential threats to public health or Environment.
-

Hazardous waste can be liquids, solids, contains gas or

sludges. A Hazardous waste is a special type of waste,
because it cannot be disposed of by Common Means.

II.

Characteristics of Hazardous waste (Which exhibit any of

the following properties)

(1)

Ignitability (ie, flammable with flash point below 60oC)

(2)

Reactivity

(3)

Corrosivity

(4)

Toxicity

33

Corrocity-PH less than 2 or more than 12.5

Reactivity Undergoes rapid or violent reaction with water or

other materials and releases toxic gases.

Resource conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

III.

In the United States the treatment, storage and disposal of

Hazardous

waste

is

regulated

by

under

the

Resource

Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). It is a US Law, which in

broad terms, the general guidelines for waste management
programme.
List of Hazardous Waste

IV.

Listed Hazardous waste are materials specifically listed by

regulatory authorities as Hazardous waste which are from nonspecific sources, specific sources, or discarded chemical products. The
following is a list of types of Hazardous waste.
(1)

Specific type of waste from non-specific sources

(2)

Specific type of waste from specific sources

(3)

Specific substances, identified as acute hazardous waste.

Model Questions
1. Define Hazardous waste
2. List

Legal

provisions

in

the

pertaining to hazardous waste

Environment

(protection)

Act,

34

3. Enumerate the methods to reduce the production of Hazardous

waste from Industries.
4. Hazardous waste is product of Chemical Industries. Comment on
this statement.
5. Mention any four hazardous waste originating from house holds
and explain their maintenance strategies.

VIII (B) Universal Waste

Universal wastes are, special category of hazardous waste.
Generally pose a lower threat relative to other hazardous waste
Are ubiquitous and produced in very large quantities by a large
number of generators.
Some of the most common Universal wastes are
1.

Fluorescent light bulbs

2.

Some

specialty

batteries

(e.g.

Lithium

or

lead

containing batteries), Cathode ray tubes and mercury

containing services.
-

Universal wastes are subject to some what less stringent

regulatory requirements.

VIII (C) HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW)

35

HHW (also referred to as domestic hazardous waste of home

generated special materials) is a waste that is generated from residential
house holds. HHW only applies to wastes, that are the result of the use
of materials, that are labeled for and sold for house use Waste
generated by a company, or at an industrial setting is not HHW.
The following list includes, categories often applied to HHW. It is
important to note that many of these categories overlap and that many
households waste, can fall into multiple categories.
Paints and solvents
Automotive waste (used motor oil, antifreeze etc)
Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicide, etc)
Mercury containing waste (thermometers, switches, fluorescent
lighting, etc.)
Electronics (computers, television and cell phones)
Aero sols
Caustic/ cleaning agents
Refrigent containing appliances
Ammunition
Radio active waste of smoke dictators
SOURCES OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
(1)

Industrial waste

(2)

Agricultural waste

(3)

Household waste

36

Industrial Waste

(1)

Example : In the computer software (E- Waste)

-

Making a Computer circuit board involves electroplatingbaths, that

contain metalsalts, the production of computer chips, uses of acid
and other caustic chemicals and solvents.

Other hazardous waste are generated in the manufacture of fibre

optics and copper wire used in electronic transmission, as well
as in magnetic disks, etc.

(2)

Agricultural Waste
-

Agriculture produces, such as pesticides and herbicides

and the materials used in their application.

Fluoride waste are by-products, of phosphate fertilizer

production. Even soluble nitrates from the manure may
dissolve into ground water and contaminate drinking water
wells, high levels of nitrate may cause health problems.

(3)

Household wastes
-

Toxic paints, flammable solvents, caustic cleaners, toxic

batteries, pesticides, drugs and mercury from broken,
thermometers.

Local waste-disposal system may refuse these items. If they

are accepted careful monitoring may be required to make,

37
sure that soil or ground water is not contaminated. The
household may be asked to recycle or dispose of these items
separately. Renovations of older homes may cause toxic lead
paint to flake off. Insulation material on furnace pipes, may
contain

asbestos

particles,

which

can

break

off

and

suspended in air, which it inhaled, they can cause lung

disease and cancer.
-

Relevant supervisors and managers should ensure that

personnel under their direction are familiar, with the strict
requirement for hazardous waste disposal and abide by these
guidelines.

The personnel involved in the generation of hazardous waste

should ensure that the waste is collected into a suitable
container, labeled and stored appropriately.

(4)

(5)

General Strategies for the Management of Hazardous Wastes

(1).

Minimize

(2)

Recycle

(3)

Reduce the volume

(4)

Stabilise / solidify

(5)

Stimulate waste exchange

(6)

Detoxify

(7)

Incinerate

(8)

Disposal in Special land fills

Treatment Technologies for Hazardous waste

38

Listed below are the treatment technologies for Hazardous waste.

(6)

(7)

(1)

Biological treatment

(2)

Neutralisation

(3)

Precipitation

(4)

Carbon adsorption

(5)

Ion exchange

(6)

Reverse Osmosis

(7)

Incineration

(8) Chemical treatment

(9) Oxidation
(10)

Reduction

(11)

Distillation

(12)

Electro dialysis

(13)

Solvent extraction

Land Disposal Methods for Hazardous waste

(1)

Deep well injection

(2)

Land treatment

(3)

Secure land fill

Disposal methods for House hold wastes

(1)

Automotive products

Waste oil / gasoline

(a)

Take to a service station or oil change business that accepts

it for recycling or to the household Hazard waste facility.

(b)

Discard empty oil bottles, in the trash with the lid on

(c)

Do not dump used oil on ground, into street drains or down

the sink. One litre of used oil can contaminate one million
liters of water.

39
(2)

Car batteries
Exchange for a new battery or take to a service
station/ recycling centre or the household hazardous
waste facility for recycling.

(3)

Paints and related products

-

Paints and paint removers

Paint solvents and thinner

Legal provisions in the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 pertaining

to Hazardous waste

(1)

Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) rules 1989

Notification No. SO 594 (E) dt. 28-07-1989
Manufacture, storage and import of hazardous chemical rule

(2)

1989, (Notification No. SO 996 (E) dt. 27/11/1989.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
1 Introduction
Energy is an essential need for Human Existence. Economic
growth coupled with a growing population necessitates an increase
in Energy Consumption.
-

There is shortage of energy due to fast depletion of fossil

fuels and the increase in demand for energy due to the
increase in population and growth of Industry.

40

The present mode of electric generation all over the world is

largely dependent on fossil fuels. The fossil fuel based plants,
not only emit green house gases like (CO2), but also
generates fly ash which is dangerous to human health.

The emission of

, the main green house gas is expected to

CO2

surpass, that of the OECD, countries by the year 2015.

-

Hydro plants have also been installed to generate energy but,

these plants also create problems like human displacement
and are damaging the eco system.

At the Rio Conference (1992), a clear message came up that a

new approach to energy management was required. The issue came up
in the light of world situation were the global environment was degraded
due to large scale emission of CO2 and green gases due to excessive
consumption of various fossil fuels.
Kyoto conference on climate change held in 1997 also strongly
insists to reduce fossil consumption for the Industrialised nations in
the first phase between 2008 and 2012.
If the fossil fuels are to be minimized, alternate source of energy
have to be found. The option that could be pursued is that of using
Renewable Energy which is expected to contribute as much as 6-10%
of the worlds primary energy requirement in the year 2020. However,
the potentials are much greater. Renewable, help to reduce emissions.

41
Another way in which renewable protect the environment is through
utilization of waste. Also there is an urgent need to energy efficiency
especially in industries like Iron, steel, refineries, cement, chemical, etc.
So the need of the hour, is to meet the energy needs of all
segments of Indias population in the most efficient and cost effective
manner while ensuring long-term sustainability.
The energy policy of the Government, aims to ensure adequate
energy supplies at minimum possible costs, achieving self sufficiency in
Energy supplies and protecting the Environment from adverse impact
due to utilization of energy resources.
Urban Energy Crisis

2.

The current pattern of energy use (especially based on fossil-based

fuels) raise serious concerns for three reasons.
The finite natural reserves of such energy
Its detrimental effect on the global environment
The threats to long-term sustainability
-

There is a legal and moral obligation to create an energy use

pattern that ensures energy efficiently, protects, environmental
integrity and maintains and enhances the strength of our local
economy.

3. The key issues that define the shape and future of energy in
Indian cities.

42

Three key issues that are likely to define the shape and future of
energy in cities are the following.
Sustainability :- How much and at what rate is energy
consumed, and its effect on long term sustainability, the
quality and quantity of available alternative/renewable
forms of energy, and the effect of existing energy on the global
environment as a whole.
Efficiency :- The technology, planning & management of energy
systems, that will facilitate efficient use of energy for human
activity.
Equity :- The appropriate financial mechanism, for research,
development and use of finite and alternative, energy forms and
their equitable distribution for all human kind.
4.

Some Important development in energy management are :

The contribution of Natural gas to energy management is
a significant step. (Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture
consisting primarily methane).
Advance technologies for electric power generation, have
resulted in Energy efficiency gains.
Fuel cells, that combine hydrogen and oxygen electro
chemically to produce electricity, water and heat.

43

Biomass is another source of Energy. It has environmental

implications and its use is being examined after taking into
consideration, the Biodiversity and pollution effect aspects.
Photovoltaic power, is another source of energy which is
used

in many

small

industries

and

domestic

sector.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells trep solar energy to produce electricity.

Energy conservation and efficiency is matter of concern for the
Industry and therefore became an important environmental
issue Energy Management involves not only conservation and
efficiency but also involves search for alternative source.

Model Questions:
Qn1: What is the relationship between Energy and Environment
Qn2: Why do the managers need to study the Environmental
Management.
Qn3: Explain the role of renewable energy source in achieving
sustainable energy base
5.

Some important
planning.
(1)

issues

on

Energy

utilization

in

Urban

Urban planning with concern for the efficient use of

energy will create an effective urban environment.

44
(2)

Urban planning with concern for natural physical

conditions can create an Urban Environment that
would

not

be

adversely

affected

by

Natural

Constraints.
(3)

An Urban energy auditing system, is an important,

first step, in understanding energy consumption,
pattern and useful in evaluating the shift towards an
Integrated Urban Energy Planning paradigm.

(4)

The move towards reduction in use of fossil fuels has

to go hand in hand with the following:
(a)

exploring alternative energy sources

(b)

Linking

energy

with

global

environmental

issues (for example climate change or global

warming)
(c)

Co-relating

environmental

management

efficiency with energy efficiency.

(d)

Changes

in

lifestyles

and

Community Involvement.
6.

Renewable Energy (alternative source of Energy)

increase

in

45
3.

India recognized the importance of increasing use of

renewable energy sources for achieving sustainable
energy base in early 1970s.

4.

During the past

of

quarter of the century, a

significant, thrust has been given to the development,

trial and induction of a variety of renewable energy
technologies for use in different sectors.
5.

The importance of increasing use of renewable energy

sources, in the transition to a sustainable energy base
was recognized in India, in the early 1970s.

6.

The Ministry of non conventional energy source,

Government of India, is involved in the implementation
of these programmes, for development, demonstration
and utilization of various renewable energy based
technologies, such as the following:
(a)

Solar thermal

(b)

Solar photovoltaic

(c)

Wind power generation and water pumping

(d)

Small, mini and micro hydro-power

(e)

Solar power

(f)

Utilisation

of

biomass

gassifiers,

improved Chula
(g)

Geothermal for head applications.

biogas

46
(h)

Power generation/energy recovery from Urban,

Municipal and industrial wastes.

(i)

Tidal power generation

(j)

Chemical sources of energy

(k)

Fuel cells

(l)

Alternative fuel for surface transportation and

hydrogen energy, etc.