Role of an Individual in

the
Prevention of Pollution
POLLUTION
 POLLUTION

Definition by E. P. Odum (1971)

An undesirable change in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air,
water and soil which affects human life
MAIN CAUSES OF POLLUTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
 1. Increasing
population

2. Illiteracy and poverty

CAUSES OF
POLLUTION
3. Rapid industrialization

4. Failure in pollution
management
 BEST METHOD TO
CONTROL POLLUTION
 According to M. Kolba (Administrative Director of
UNEP, 1992):
Care and Share the simple & best method to control
Pollution
Followed in advanced countries

In developing countries people have began to

understand what is care but they do not follow to
share.
Individually man can participate in solving
the problem of pollution mainly in two
ways:
1. Direct role
2. Indirect role
Direct Role of an Individual
DIRECT ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL
Involves those functions which are done by individual
himself

Cause of pollution is mainly human beings

Onlyman can minimize it by preventing its increase

and spread

Man should regulate and reduce the causes of

pollution at every step
PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR AIR
POLLUTION
1. Establish or transfer factories or industries away
from residential areas
2. Reduce the use of automobiles & make use of
public transport system.
3. Keep vehicle filters clean and use only quality fuels
4. Make vehicles engine off while taking or standing
at any crossing
5. Use CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) as fuel for
auto engines instead of liquid petroleum
6. Use self or low noise horns and avoid blowing them
unnecessarily.
7. Use efficient silencer in vehicles.
8. Use of crackers should be avoided.
9. Use LPG for cooking instead of wood, coal.
10. Do not burn plastics.
11. Quit smoking
12. Reduce the use of air conditioners, refrigerators etc.
13. Support companies that are committed to sustainable
manufacturing practices and reducing pollution in the
air.
14. Plant trees around our home and in our community
that can help to reduce air pollutants.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR
WATER POLLUTION

1. Sewage disposal is the main cause of water pollution in

big cities. One should take care of proper disposal of
sewage.
2. Sewage should be released to water only after
treatment.
3. Industrial effluents should be released into water bodies
only after proper treatment.
4. Use of chemical pesticides, weedicides,
insecticides etc. should be minimized. Promote
the use of bio-pesticides, fertilizers etc.
5. Proper checking of super tankers in the sea
in order to prevent oil spillage.
6. Use the minimum amount of detergent.
7. Use only phosphate free soaps and detergents.
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR
SOLID WASTE POLLUTION
1. Divide the domestic wastes into biodegradable and
non biodegradable components before discharging
2. Biodegradable wastes can be used as fertilizers.
3. Non bio degradable waste should be collected and
disposed for recycling processes
4. One should never allow scattering of domestic wastes
5. Recharge batteries rather than using disposable.
6. Give items to charity or sell in a yard sale rather than
throwing them away.
7. Use of cloth bags rather than plastics.
8. Buy environmentally friendly electronics.
9. Recycle & reuse items rather than sending them to
the landfill.
10. Ensure the proper disposal of solid wastes.
indirect Role of an Individual
 INDIRECT ROLE OF AN
INDIVIDUAL

1. One should support expansion of environmental

education by participating or supporting the
system.
2. One should make efforts to develop awareness of
environmental pollution by:
- Publishing information on pollution
- Organizing various exhibitions or competitions
- Sponsoring environment related advertisement
3. One should make Non Governmental Organizations or
encourage and help in developing NGO for social
services against environmental pollution.
4. One should celebrate environmental dates as festivals
of society and develop them as non-caste and non-
religious occasions for all.
5. One should organize special programmes and rallies
on Tree Plantation Day (7 July) & World Environmental
Day and raise the slogans in the society.
6. One should encourage to follow Environmental Laws
by making them popular and help people to respect.
Icons Of Environment
India
 ANNA HAZARE

A retired
military man of village
Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra.

In1976, he started integrated development

programmes based on watershed management,
soil conservation, afforestation, promotion of use of
biogas & solar cooking devices.

Thepopularity of using alternate energy strategy led

his village declared as an Urja Gram by the
government.
RAJENDRA SINGH

Helped Bhaonta Kolyala Village, Rajasthan to

become an example of sustainable development and
prosperity.
Helped in regenerating Johads to collect rain water.

Helped to regenerate this village with healthy

environment and economic prosperity.
 SUNDAR LAL BAHUGUNA

Agitated against contactor system of extraction of

forest resources
This movement became famous as Chipko Movement.

It developed an ideology of planting 5Fs food, Fodder,

Fuel, Fibre and Fertilizer.
It got involved in protecting environment & bringing
peace, prosperity and happiness to mankind.
 CONCLUSION
Pollution is a man made problem created as a result of
irresponsible over exploitation of nature.
Only man can minimize pollution by preventing its
increase and spread.
An individual can adopt several preventive measures to
reduce pollution.
Individuals can contribute several indirect roles to
minimize pollution
Several Indians have shown exemplary contribution
towards developing pollution free environment &
bringing social prosperity.
Thank you