Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Unit I : Introduction to Environmental Science

Introduction : Environmental studies deals with every issue that affects an organism. It is
essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural
world and human impacts on its integrity. It is an applied science as its seeks practical
answers to making human civilization sustainable on the earth’s finite resources. Its
components include biology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, sociology, health,
anthropology, economics, statistics, computers and philosophy.

Scope of Environmental Science:

Most of us live in landscapes that have been heavily modified by human beings, in
villages, towns or cities. But even those of us who live in cities get our food supply from
surrounding villages and these in turn are dependent on natural landscapes such as
forests, grasslands, rivers, seashores, for resources such as water for agriculture, fuel
wood, fodder, and fish. Thus our daily lives are linked with our surroundings and
inevitably affects them. We use water to drink and for other day-to-day activities. We
breathe air, we use resources from which food is made and we depend on the community
of living plants and animals which form a web of life, of which we are also a part.

Our dependence on nature is so great that we cannot continue to live without protecting
the earth’s environmental resources. Thus most traditions refer to our environment as
‘Mother Nature’ and most traditional societies have learned that respecting nature is vital
for their livelihoods. This has led to many cultural practices that helped traditional
societies protect and preserve their natural resources. The industrial development and
intensive agriculture that provides the goods for our increasingly consumer oriented
society uses up large amounts of natural resources such as water, minerals, petroleum
products, wood, etc. Non-renewable resources, such as minerals and oil are those which
will be exhausted in the future if we continue to extract these without a thought for
subsequent generations.

Our natural resources can be compared with money in a bank. If we use it rapidly, the
capital will be reduced to zero. On the other hand, if we use only the interest, it can sustain
us over the longer term. This is called sustainable utilisation or development.
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Unsustainable utilization can result from overuse of resources, because of population

increase, and because many of us are using more resources than we really need.

Importance of Environmental Science :

To understand all the different aspects of our environment we need to understand biology,
chemistry, physics, geography, resource management, economics and population issues.
Thus the scope of environmental studies is extremely wide and covers some aspects of
nearly every major discipline. We live in a world in which natural resources are limited.
Water, air, soil, minerals, oil, the products we get from forests, grasslands, oceans and from
agriculture and livestock, are all a part of our life support systems. Without them, life itself
would be impossible. As we keep increasing in numbers and the quantity of resources
each of us uses also increases, the earth’s resource base must inevitably shrink. The earth
cannot be expected to sustain this expanding level of utilization of resources. Added to
this is misuse of resources. We waste or pollute large amounts of nature’s clean water; we
create more and more material like plastic that we discard after a single use; and we waste
colossal amounts of food, which is discarded as garbage. Manufacturing processes create
solid waste byproducts that are discarded, as well as chemicals that flow out as liquid
waste and pollute water, and gases that pollute the air. Increasing amounts of waste cannot
be managed by natural processes. These accumulate in our environment, leading to a
variety of diseases and other adverse environmental impacts now seriously affecting all
our lives. Air pollution leads to respiratory diseases, water pollution to gastro-intestinal
diseases, and many pollutants are known to cause cancer. Improving this situation will
only happen if each of us begins to take actions in our daily lives that will help preserve
our environmental resources.

Productive Value of Nature

As scientists make new advances in fields such as biotechnology we begin to understand

that the world’s species contain an incredible and uncountable number of complex
chemicals. These are the raw materials that are used for developing new medicines and
industrial products and are a storehouse from which to develop thousands of new
products in the future. The flowering plants and insects that form the most species rich
groups of living organisms are thus vital for the future development of man. If we degrade
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

their habitat these species will become extinct. When we permit the destruction of a forest,
wetland or other natural area and do not protest about it, future generations are being
denied the use of these valuable resources and will blame us for these rash and negligent
actions towards the environment.

Aesthetic Value of Nature :

The aesthetic and recreational values that nature possesses enlivens our existence on earth.
This is created by developing National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in relatively
undisturbed areas. A true wilderness experience has not only recreational value but is an
incredible learning experience. It brings about an understanding of the oneness of nature
and the fact that we are entirely dependent upon the intricate functioning of ecosystems.
The beauty of nature encompasses every aspect of the living and non-living part of our
earth. One can appreciate the magnificence of a mountain, the power of the sea, the beauty
of a forest, and the vast expanse of the desert. In an urban setting, green spaces and
gardens are vital to the pschycological and physical health of city dwellers. It provides not
only an aesthetic and visual appeal but the ability to ensure that each individual is able to
access a certain amount of peace and tranquility. Thus urban environmental planners must
ensure that these facilities are created in growing urban complexes. In the absence of access
to a Protected Area, a botanical garden or a zoo, one concept that can be developed is to
create small nature awareness areas with interpretation facilities at district and taluka
levels. These areas can be developed to mimic natural ecosystems even though they could
be relatively small in size. Such nature trails are invaluable assets for creating conservation
education and awareness.

The Optional Value pf Nature:

We utilise several goods and services of nature and enjoy its benefits, we must recognize
that every activity that we do in our daily lives has an adverse impact on nature’s integrity.
Thus if we use up all our resources, kill off and let species of plants and animals become
extinct on earth, pollute our air and water, degrade land, and create enormous quantities
of waste, we as a generation will leave nothing for future generations. Our present
generation has developed its economies and lifestyles on unsustainable patterns of life.
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

however, nature provides us with various options on how we utilize its goods and
services.

Need of Public Awareness:

Public awareness of the environment is the ability to understand the surrounding world,
including understandings to all the changes occurring in the environment, understanding
of cause- and-effect relationships between the quality of the environment and human
behavior, and a sense of responsibility of preserving them. We often feel that managing all
this is something that the Government should do. But if we go on endangering our
environment, there is no way in which the Government can perform all these clean-up
functions. It is the prevention of environment degradation in which we must all take part
that must become a part of all our lives. Just as for any disease, prevention is better than
cure. This can only be made possible through mass public awareness. Mass media such as
newspapers, radio, television, strongly influence public opinion. However, someone has
to bring this about. If each of us feels strongly about the environment, the press and media
will add to our efforts. Politicians in a democracy always respond positively to a strong
publicly supported movement. Thus if you join an NGO that supports conservation,
politicians will make green policies.

Role of Institutes in Environment Awareness:

Environmental education provided by higher education institutions has an important

impact on training and preparing the future generation for a green society.
Educational institutions are logically at the forefront for environmental conservation
and awareness. There have been several Government and Nongovernment organizations
that have led to environmental protection in our country. They have led to a growing
interest in environmental protection and conservation of nature and natural resources.
Among the large number of institutions that deal with environmental protection and
conservation, a few well-known organizations include government organisations such as
the BSI and ZSI, and NGOs such as BNHS, WWF

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai: the BNHS began as a small society
of six members in 1883. It grew from a group of shikaris and people from all walks of life
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

into a major research organisation that substantially influenced conservation policy in the
country. The influence on wildlife policy building, research, popular publications and
peoples action have been unique features of the multifaceted society. The BNHS publishes
a popular magazine called Hornbill and also an internationally well-known Journal on
Natural History. Its other publications include the Salim Ali Handbook on birds, JC
Daniel’s book of Indian Reptiles, SH Prater’s book of Indian Mammals and PV Bole’s book
of Indian Trees. One of its greatest scientists was Dr. Salim Ali whose ornithological work
on the birds of the Indian subcontinent is world famous.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), New Delhi: The WWF-I was initiated in 1969 in
Mumbai after which the headquarters were shifted to Delhi with several branch offices all
over India. The early years focused attention on wildlife education and awareness. It runs
several programs including the Nature Clubs of India program for school children and
works as a think tank and lobby force for environment and development issues.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi: Activities of this Centre include
organising campaigns, holding workshops and conferences, and producing environment
related publications. It published a major document on the ‘State of India’s Environment’,
the first of its kind to be produced as a Citizen’s Report on the Environment. The CSE also
publishes a popular magazine, ‘Down to Earth’, which is a Science and Environment
fortnightly. It is involved in the publication of material in the form of books, posters, video
films and also conducts workshops and seminars on biodiversity related issues.

CPR Environmental Education Centre, Madras: The CPR EEC was set up in 1988. It
conducts a variety of programs to spread environmental awareness and creates an interest
in conservation among the general public. It focussed attention on NGOs, teachers,
women, youth and children to generally promote conservation of nature and natural
resources. Its programs include components on wildlife and biodiversity issues. CPR EEC
also produces a large number of publications.

Uttarkhand Seva Nidhi (UKSN), Almora: The Organisation is a Nodal Agency which
supports NGOs in need of funds for their environment related activities. Its major program
is organising and training school teachers to use its locale specific Environment Education
Workbook Program. The main targets are linked with sustainable resource use at the
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

village level through training school children. Its environment education program covers
about 500 schools.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun: This Institution was established in 1982, as
a major training establishment for Forest Officials and Research in Wildlife Management.
Its most significant publication has been ‘Planning A Wildlife Protected Area Network for
India’ (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988). The organisation has over the years added an
enormous amount of information on India’s biological wealth. It has trained a large
number of Forest Department Officials and Staff as Wildlife Managers.

Botanical Survey of India (BSI): The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) was established in
1890 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta. However it closed down for several years
after 1939 and was reopened in 1954. In 1952 plans were made to reorganise the BSI and
formulate its objectives. By 1955 the BSI had its headquarters in Calcutta with Circle
Offices at Coimbatore, Shillong, Pune and Dehra Dun. Between 1962 and 1979, offices were
established in Allahbad, Jodhpur, Port Blair, Itanagar and Gangtok. The BSI currently has
nine regional centres. It carries out surveys of plant resources in different regions.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI): The ZSI was established in1916. Its mandate was to do
a systematic survey of fauna in India. It has over the years collected ‘type specimens’ on
the bases of which our animal life has been studied over the years.

Role of Individual Personalities in Environment Awareness:

There have been a number of individuals who have been instrumental in shaping the
environmental history in our country. Some of the wellknown names in the last century
include environmentalists, scientists, administrators, legal experts, educationists and
journalists.

Salim Ali’s name is synonymous with ornithology in India and with the Bombay Natural
History Society (BNHS). He also wrote several great books including the famous ‘Book of
Indian Birds’. His autobiography, ‘Fall of a Sparrow’ should be read by every nature
enthusiast. He was our country’s leading conservation scientist and influenced
environmental policies in our country for over 50 years.
 Namrata, ASAS, Amity University Mumbai (Maharashtra)

S P Godrej was one of India’s greatest supporters of wildlife conservation and nature
awareness programs. Between 1975 and 1999, SP Godrej received 10 awards for his
conservation activities. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1999. His friendship with
people in power combined with his deep commitment for conservation led to his playing
a major advocacy role for wildlife in India.

M S Swaminathan is one of India’s foremost agricultural scientists and has also been
concerned with various aspects of biodiversity conservation both of cultivars and wild
biodiversity. He has founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai,
which does work on the conservation of biological diversity.

Madhav Gadgil is a wellknown ecologist in India. His interests range from broad
ecological issues such as developing Community Biodiversity Registers and conserving
sacred groves to studies on the behaviour of mammals, birds and insects. He has written
several articles, published papers in journals and is the author of 6 books.

M C Mehta is undoubtedly India’s most famous environmental lawyer. Since 1984, he has
filed several Public Interest Litigations for supporting the cause of environmental
conservation. His most famous and long drawn battles supported by the Supreme Court
include protecting the Taj Mahal, cleaning up the Ganges River, banning intensive shrimp
farming on the coast, initiating Government to implement environmental education in
schools and colleges, and a variety of other conservation issues.

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