Environmental Degradation, Management & Conservation | Geography Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation refers to the decline of the environment due to the depletion of resources, such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and habitats; the extinction of wildlife; and the presence of pollution. It is described as any negative change or disruption to the environment that is considered harmful or unwanted. The United Nations has identified environmental degradation as one of the top ten threats to global stability, and it is defined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction as "the decrease in the ability of the environment to fulfill social and ecological objectives and needs." This degradation can take many forms, including the loss of natural habitats and the exhaustion of natural resources, both of which contribute to the overall decline of the environment.

Causes of Environmental Degradation
Some species in the environment require large areas to provide food, living space, and other resources. These creatures are called area-specific species. When their habitat is fragmented, the large patches of living space no longer exist, making it more difficult for these species to obtain the resources they need for survival. The environment continues to exist, but without the necessary plant and animal life to support it properly.

• Land Disturbance: One of the fundamental causes of environmental degradation is land disturbance. Several invasive plant species, such as garlic mustard, are both non-native and disruptive. A disruption in the environmental balance allows these plants to grow and spread. These invasive species can take over the environment, eliminating the native flora. The outcome is an area dominated by a single plant species that does not provide adequate food resources for all the species in the ecosystem. Entire ecosystems can be destroyed due to these invasive species.
• Pollution: Pollution, in any form, be it air, water, land, or noise, is harmful to the environment. Air pollution contaminates the air we breathe, causing health problems. Water pollution degrades the quality of water we use for drinking. Land pollution leads to the degradation of the earth's surface due to human activities. Noise pollution can cause irreversible damage to our hearing when exposed to continuous loud noises, such as vehicle honking on a busy road or machines producing loud noise in a factory or mill.
• Overpopulation: Rapid population growth puts a strain on natural resources, resulting in environmental degradation. The mortality rate has decreased due to improved medical facilities, which has led to increased life expectancy. A larger population means a higher demand for food, clothing, and housing. This requires more land for food production and housing, leading to deforestation, another factor contributing to environmental degradation.
• Landfills: Landfills pollute the environment and mar the beauty of a city. They are created within cities due to the vast amounts of waste generated by households, industries, factories, and hospitals. Landfills pose a significant risk to the health of the environment and the people living nearby. When burned, landfills produce a foul smell and cause considerable environmental degradation.
• Deforestation: Deforestation involves cutting down trees to make way for more homes and industries. Rapid population growth and urban expansion are two significant causes of deforestation. Other reasons include using forest land for agriculture, animal grazing, fuelwood harvesting, and logging. Deforestation contributes to global warming, as reduced forest size releases carbon back into the environment.
• Natural Causes: Natural disasters such as avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, and wildfires can completely devastate local plant and animal communities to the point where they can no longer survive in those areas. This can result from either the physical destruction caused by a specific disaster or the long-term degradation of resources due to the introduction of an invasive foreign species into the environment. The latter often occurs after tsunamis when reptiles and insects are washed ashore.

It is essential to recognize that humans are not entirely responsible for environmental degradation. The environment is constantly changing, with or without human influence. Some ecosystems degrade to the point where they cannot support the life that should inhabit them, whether due to human activities or natural causes.

Effects of Environmental Degradation

• Impact on Human Health: Environmental degradation can have severe consequences for human health. Exposure to toxic air pollutants can lead to respiratory issues such as pneumonia and asthma. It is estimated that millions of people have died due to the indirect effects of air pollution.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems through pollution control, nutrient restoration, water source protection, and climate stabilization. Deforestation, global warming, overpopulation, and pollution are some of the main factors contributing to the loss of biodiversity.
• Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer serves as a protective barrier against harmful ultraviolet rays. The presence of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere causes the ozone layer to thin, allowing harmful radiation to reach the Earth's surface.
• Impact on Tourism Industry: Environmental degradation can have a significant impact on the tourism industry, which relies on visitors for income. Damage to the environment, such as loss of green spaces, biodiversity decline, extensive landfills, and increased air and water pollution, can deter potential tourists.
• Economic Impact: The substantial costs associated with addressing environmental degradation can have far-reaching economic implications. These costs may include restoring green spaces, cleaning up landfills, and protecting endangered species. Additionally, the decline of the tourism industry due to environmental damage can have negative economic effects.

As demonstrated, numerous factors contribute to environmental degradation worldwide. If we do not take action to mitigate these issues, we risk causing further harm to our planet. However, we can take steps to address these problems by providing environmental education to communities. This education will help individuals become more familiar with their surroundings and enable them to address environmental concerns more effectively, thereby creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.

Environmental Management

Environmental management involves overseeing and maintaining the balance between the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of the environment. This is crucial due to the complex network of relationships among all living organisms and their habitats, as well as the connections between the human environment (social, cultural, and economic) and the natural environment.

The goal of environmental management is to efficiently allocate natural and human-made resources to meet the needs of both current and future generations. This requires making well-informed choices among various alternatives, with a focus on achieving specific objectives while considering ecological factors. Environmental management, therefore, encompasses environmental planning, resource conservation, environmental assessments, and environmental policy and administration. Practical implementation, monitoring, and auditing are prioritized over theoretical planning, and a close integration with environmental planning is essential.

As a field of study, environmental management aims to understand human-environment interactions and apply scientific knowledge and practical solutions to address environmental issues. Key characteristics of environmental management include:

• Addressing a world impacted by human activities
• Supporting sustainable development
• Requiring a multidisciplinary approach
• Integrating diverse development perspectives
• Considering both short-term and long-term planning, as well as local to global scales
• Combining natural and social sciences, policymaking, and planning

In recent decades, there has been increased awareness of environmental protection and quality of life, leading to the emergence of new concepts and terms related to environmental management. This field aims to harmonize and balance human activities for the benefit of both the environment and society.

Today, it's vital for policymakers and communities to prioritize environmental protection, resource conservation, and sustainable development. This is especially important in developing countries, where there is an urgent need to manage the environment effectively.
The main objectives of environmental management include:

• Preventing and addressing environmental issues
• Establishing limits and guidelines
• Developing research institutions and monitoring systems
• Identifying threats and opportunities
• Recommending resource conservation measures
• Developing strategies to improve quality of life
• Proposing long-term and short-term policies for sustainable development
• Identifying new technologies that support sustainable development

In summary, environmental management is essential for ensuring the optimal use of Earth's resources and preserving the environment for the well-being of society.

Approaches to Environmental Management
The best approach to environmental management is an integrated approach in which all the components of the environment are taken into consideration and its proper management, as a whole, is done.

While doing so, the following aspects should be taken into account:
1. Perception and awareness of environment:
(a) Source of perception and awareness,
(b) Level of perception, and
(c) Role of perception in environmental planning.

2. Environmental education and training:
(a) At school, college, and university levels,
(b) Through media, and
(c) At research and training institutes.

3. Resource management:
(a) Classification of natural resources,
(b) Survey and evaluation of eco-resources,
(c) Conservation of energy, mineral, forest, soil and water resources, and
(d) Proper utilisation of human resources.

4. Environmental impact assessment:
(a) Assessment of present conditions,
(b) Assessment of the impact of industrial and technological developments,
(c) Assessment of the efforts done for eco-balance, and
(d) Development of eco-friendly techniques.

5. Control over environmental degradation and pollution:
(a) Purification of degraded environment,
(b) Pollution control,
(c) Monitoring, and
(d) Forecasting of natural hazards and to minimise the losses.

There are two approaches of managing the environment, viz.:

• Preservative approach, and
• (Conservative approach.

The first approach suggests that humans should not interfere with the natural system and adapt to it. However, this is not feasible as humans will inevitably utilize nature and its components for various developmental activities, causing ecological imbalances of varying degrees.

• The conservative approach emphasizes the need to avoid overexploitation of nature and conserve natural resources for sustainable development. The primary goal of environmental management is the appropriate use and preservation of resources. The World Conservation Strategy (1980) identified three main objectives: maintaining essential ecological processes, preserving genetic diversity, and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
• In recent years, multiple approaches have been developed for managing the environment. Regional planners often adopt a human ecology approach, while others recommend a systems analysis or an ecosystem approach. Doxiadis (1977) created a planning method that balances human settlements with nature, called ekistics.

Various approaches have been devised for environmental management, including:

• Ad hoc approach: Developed in response to specific situations.
• Problem-solving approach: Identifies problems and needs and implements solutions.
• Systems approach: Examples include ecosystem, agro-ecosystem, etc.
• Regional approach: Based on ecological zones such as watersheds, river basins, coastal zones, command area development, islands, etc.
• Specialist discipline approach: Often adopted by professionals for managing air, water, land, urban areas, tourism, and environmental health.
• Voluntary sector approach: Encouraged and supported by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Commercial approach: Addresses environmental management for businesses.
• Human ecology approach: Studies the relationship between humans or society and nature.
• Political ecology approach: Develops policies and laws related to the environment.

In summary, effective environmental management involves a combination of various approaches, emphasizing the appropriate use of resources, conservation, and sustainable development.

Ecosystem Approach:

• The ecosystem approach has gained popularity as a comprehensive research tool since 1945. It is commonly used by ecologists to understand and monitor various situations by examining parts of complex natural systems as integrated wholes. This approach can be applied to different contexts, such as urban ecosystems in cities or agro-ecosystems in agriculture.
• By adopting an ecosystem approach, researchers can gain a more holistic understanding of how various components interact within a system, including the role of human activities in shaping the biosphere. This approach also aids in determining the appropriate spatial and temporal scales for management, making it a multidisciplinary method for addressing the intricacies of ecosystem functioning and utilization.

Human Ecology Approach:

• The Human Ecology Approach is a multidisciplinary study that examines the relationships between humans or societies and their natural environment. This approach focuses on the social interactions with the environment, which are crucial for any planning and development management. It encompasses a wide range of scales, from local to global levels, and promotes a comprehensive understanding of these relationships.
• One key concept in this approach is the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), which aims to evaluate how a proposed development may affect the quality of life and well-being of individuals, groups, and communities. It also examines how they will adapt to the changes brought about by the development.
• Given that the socio-economic and biophysical aspects of the environment are interconnected, it is essential to adopt a human ecology approach when managing the environment. This approach should be combined with a political ecology approach, which takes into account the power dynamics and political factors that influence environmental management. By considering both human and political elements, we can better understand and address the complex interactions between society and nature.

Political Ecology Approach:
A political ecology approach recognizes that environmental issues are not just technical or scientific problems, but are deeply embedded in social, economic, and political processes. It seeks to understand the complex interactions between human societies and the environment, focusing on power dynamics, social inequalities, and the diverse ways that people use and value natural resources. This approach emphasizes the need to address environmental issues through a combination of interdisciplinary research, policy-making, and grassroots activism.

Key components of a political ecology approach to environmental management include:

• Recognizing the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems: Environmental problems cannot be separated from the social, economic, and political contexts in which they occur. This means that effective environmental management must consider not only ecological factors but also social and political dynamics, such as inequality and power relations, that shape human-environment interactions.
• Emphasizing the role of power and politics in shaping environmental outcomes: Political ecology highlights the ways in which power dynamics, such as those related to class, gender, race, and ethnicity, influence access to and control over natural resources, as well as the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. Addressing these power imbalances is crucial for promoting more equitable and sustainable environmental management.
• Acknowledging the diversity of environmental values and knowledge systems: Different groups of people may have different perceptions of environmental needs and problems, as well as different ways of understanding and relating to the environment. A political ecology approach seeks to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge systems, including those of local communities and Indigenous peoples, into environmental decision-making processes.
• Promoting participatory and inclusive decision-making: A political ecology approach emphasizes the importance of involving a wide range of stakeholders, including marginalized and vulnerable groups, in environmental decision-making processes. This can help to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered, and that environmental policies and interventions are more responsive to the needs and priorities of affected communities.
• Integrating interdisciplinary research and analysis: Addressing complex environmental issues requires drawing on insights from multiple disciplines, including natural and social sciences, humanities, and the arts. A political ecology approach encourages the integration of interdisciplinary research and analysis to develop a more holistic understanding of environmental problems and potential solutions.
• Fostering collaboration and partnerships: Effective environmental management often requires collaboration between diverse actors, such as government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors, and local communities. A political ecology approach emphasizes the importance of building partnerships and networks to facilitate knowledge exchange, resource-sharing, and coordinated action on environmental issues.
• Encouraging social and environmental justice: A political ecology approach seeks not only to promote ecological sustainability but also social justice, by addressing the underlying social, economic, and political factors that contribute to environmental degradation and disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable populations. This may involve challenging existing power structures, advocating for policy reforms, and supporting grassroots movements for social and environmental change.

Commercial Approach:
Nowadays, there has been an increasing emphasis on environmental management for business as well as role of business houses in environmental protection.

The emphasis is on:

• green corporate environmental management;
• green business ethics;
• eco-auditing;
• impact assessment, hazard and risk assessment;
• green marketing, labeling;
• recycling and waste disposal;
• environmentally sound investment and funding; and
• Total quality management.

The commercial approach involves corporate priority, employee education, customer advice, transfer of technology, prior assessment, facilities and operations, research and compliance and reporting.

Environmental Conservation
Environmental conservation is the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them. Conservation is generally held to include the management of human use of natural resources for current public benefit and sustainable social and economic utilization.
Environmental awareness has increased enormously in recent years. Environmental conservation and protection is now a familiar and important issue for us all. Environmental issues require us to take a broader perspective, since they cannot be resolved by one region or one country alone. The cumulative effects of individual efforts can have a big impact on environmental conservation and protection. It is vital that each of us adopts a sincere attitude toward environmental laws.

• Efforts to reduce environmental impact
  Always remembering to take the global environment into consideration, we actively promote efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our business activities, including taking various measures to prevent global warming.
• Regulations governing waste
  In order to reduce the environmental impact of our corporate activities, we comply with all laws and ordinances relating to the proper disposal of industrial waste as well as those relating to recycling and the conservation and effective use of resources.
• Regulations governing chemicals
  In order to ensure chemical safety, when using chemical substances anywhere in the course of our corporate activities we comply with national laws and regulations as well as international law and internationally accepted chemical substance control standards.
• Pollution prevention
  In order to conserve and protect the environment, we comply with all laws and regulations aimed at preventing pollution, including air, water and soil pollution, as well as noise, vibration, odors and dioxins.

Public Awareness for Conservation of Environment

Public awareness about the environment is essential to help individuals and social groups develop a fundamental understanding of the environment and its related issues. Educators and environmental experts have consistently emphasized that addressing the environmental crisis will require embedding environmental awareness and understanding deeply within the education system at all levels.
At the primary school level, environmental awareness should focus on providing basic knowledge about environmental issues and problems. 

At the secondary school level, it should emphasize real-life situations related to the environment to enhance understanding of environmental issues. At the senior secondary school level, the focus should be on the management of natural resources to develop skills for tackling these challenges. Lastly, at the college and university levels, students should explore environmental issues and sustainable development to experiment with and discover solutions to environmental problems and conservation methods for natural resources.

Adult education should aim to encourage collective action in solving environmental problems. Complex environmental issues require understanding and adaptation of new approaches to adult education. These approaches should be relevant and capable of fulfilling established environmental objectives. For effective adult education, facilitators must build rapport with support organizations and:

• Strengthen capacities in technical, social, and institutional aspects of environmental management in communities.
• Re-orient teachers and instructors towards natural resources management.
• Sustain people's interest in environmental issues and identify methods for conveying knowledge and skills.

To create an environmentally educated population, a policy for environmental training should be developed. This policy should cover elements such as identifying training objectives, determining environmental training practices, matching training programs to local demand for environmental knowledge and skills, identifying the best modes and methods of training, and ensuring the financing of training activities.
The participation of rural women in environmental awareness programs is crucial, as they spend a significant portion of their lives arranging fuel, fodder, and water for their families and actively participating in the sustainable use of common resources. Thus, involving women in decision-making, particularly for natural resource management and development activities, is essential for building a robust framework for environmental awareness programs.
To educate adults and promote environmental literacy, the following topics may be considered:

• Encourage every household to have a soak pit and prevent water from spreading in front of houses.
• Teach proper water conservation techniques.
• Promote tree plantation in and around communities.
• Advocate for proper use of pesticides and fertilizers to avoid harmful effects on the soil.
• Encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as biogas and solar energy.
• Establish small-scale industries away from residential areas to minimize noise and air pollution.
• Train individuals in waste management and recycling methods.
• Provide lessons on environmental hazards and disasters.

There is an urgent need to protect the environment for future generations. This can be achieved by understanding the immediate and real needs of communities through adult education programs. Environmental awareness should focus on promoting low-cost resource conservation, regenerating local ecosystems, and stimulating environmentally sustainable surroundings.

Environmental Awareness through Adult Education:

• Environmental conservation refers to the safeguarding, preservation, management, and restoration of natural environments and their ecological communities. It encompasses the management of human use of natural resources to provide public benefits and ensure sustainable social and economic utilization. The importance of environmental conservation and protection has grown significantly in recent years, as environmental issues affect not only specific regions or countries but the entire planet. Cumulative efforts by individuals and organizations can significantly contribute to environmental conservation and protection, highlighting the importance of adhering to environmental laws and regulations.
• To minimize the environmental impact of their operations, businesses must prioritize the global environment and actively implement measures to combat climate change. Compliance with regulations related to waste management is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of corporate activities. This includes adherence to laws and ordinances related to proper disposal of industrial waste, recycling, and resource conservation and efficiency.
• When utilizing chemical substances in any aspect of their operations, businesses must ensure chemical safety by complying with national and international laws, as well as internationally accepted chemical substance control standards. To protect and preserve the environment, it is essential for organizations to adhere to laws and regulations aimed at preventing pollution, such as air, water, and soil contamination, as well as noise, vibration, odors, and dioxins. By following these guidelines, businesses can contribute to the global effort of environmental conservation and protection.

Environment Awareness through Mass-Media

• Mass media has a crucial role in raising public awareness about environmental issues and the conservation of natural resources. This can be achieved through various channels, such as regional and network services featuring talks, interviews, plays, and documentaries. The electronic media can also help identify and stop factors that negatively impact both the natural and man-made environments, and play a significant role in influencing public opinion against excessive energy use.
• It is essential to focus on environmental protection and conservation by promoting methods to reduce pollution and waste of resources such as oil, gas, coal, and others. The media can effectively mobilize public opinion towards adopting more sustainable practices, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for all.
• Media research and planning in the areas of environmental protection and natural resource conservation can be accelerated by considering public attitudes. This can help guide campaign objectives, evaluate the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, provide relevant information for efficient media use, and broadcast programs that focus on resource conservation and environmental quality maintenance.

1. Establishing Eco-Clubs: The National Green Corps, a movement of eco-conscious children, has been working to spread environmental awareness among young people. Through this program, over 70,000 eco-clubs have been established across India, covering approximately 150 schools in each district. Students not only learn about environmental issues but also participate in field activities in and around their schools.
2. Creating Greenbelts: This initiative involves tree planting along public utilities such as roads, railways, canals, and private housing complexes. In India, this is particularly done in July as part of the Van Mahotsava program (a mass tree plantation festival).
3. Promoting Awareness through State Transport: The state transport department helps raise environmental awareness by displaying slogans and pictures with environmental messages on their buses. This way, passengers are constantly reminded of the importance of preserving the environment and adopting eco-friendly practices.

Importance of Public Awareness for Conservation of Environment in India
The importance of public awareness in environmental conservation in India cannot be overstated. A comprehensive public awareness campaign is essential to foster environmental sensitivity among the population. This campaign can be achieved through various tools, including electronic media, print media, school and college education, and adult education. These tools are complementary to each other and can work together to promote environmental awareness.

• Green movements, which often begin as small local initiatives, can grow into major players in advocating for environmental protection to the government. Policymakers will be more likely to prioritize environmental preservation if there is a significant number of voters demanding such measures. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the media highlights pro-environmental issues and avoids promoting messages that are harmful to the environment.
• Increased awareness of environmental issues in recent years has led to greater public understanding of the need for sustainable agriculture and maintaining environmental quality. For instance, it is now widely acknowledged that at least one-third of India's land should be forested for environmental sustainability. This awareness has enabled the government and voluntary organizations to address environmental protection more effectively.
• Examples of successful public awareness campaigns and activism in India include the Chipko Movement, Appiko Movement, Silent Valley (Kerala), and protests against the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River. These initiatives have contributed to a cleaner and less polluted environment.
• Integrating environmentalism into formal education systems is another vital step in raising public awareness about environmental conservation. This approach includes expanding the teaching of biology, botany, and other natural sciences to include direct observation of the natural world. Both government and citizen entities can use educational programs to spread their message to the general public.
• Many states have mandated that schools and colleges incorporate environmental education into their curricula to prepare students to address real-world environmental problems. Teacher training programs have also been developed to meet the increasing demand for environmental education.
• Publications related to environmental issues, such as pamphlets or booklets published by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, can also help keep the public informed about the latest developments in the field. Ultimately, before we can all contribute to environmental protection and conservation, we must first be environmentally educated and aware. As the saying goes, "if you want to act green, first think green."

Conclusion

In conclusion, environmental degradation poses a significant threat to global stability and requires urgent action to mitigate its effects. Addressing this issue involves promoting environmental awareness, implementing effective environmental management strategies, and prioritizing conservation efforts. By adopting a combination of approaches, including human ecology, political ecology, and commercial approaches, we can better understand and address the complex interactions between society and the environment. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns, adult education, and the responsible use of media are crucial for fostering environmental sensitivity among the population. Through collective efforts, we can ensure a sustainable future for our planet and its resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Environmental Degradation, Management & Conservation

What is environmental degradation, and why is it a concern?

Environmental degradation refers to the decline of the environment due to the depletion of resources, destruction of ecosystems and habitats, extinction of wildlife, and the presence of pollution. It is a concern because it poses a threat to global stability, affects human health, leads to loss of biodiversity, and impacts various industries, including tourism and the economy.

What are the main causes of environmental degradation?

Some of the main causes of environmental degradation include land disturbance, pollution, overpopulation, landfills, deforestation, and natural disasters. Human activities, such as industrialization, urbanization, and resource exploitation, contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

How can environmental management help address environmental degradation?

Environmental management involves overseeing and maintaining the balance between living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of the environment. It aims to efficiently allocate natural and human-made resources to meet the needs of current and future generations. By implementing well-informed choices and focusing on specific objectives while considering ecological factors, environmental management can help mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.

What is the role of public awareness in environmental conservation?

Public awareness plays a crucial role in environmental conservation by helping individuals and social groups develop an understanding of the environment and its related issues. Greater awareness can lead to more responsible behavior, support for environmental policies, and participation in conservation efforts. This can be achieved through education, mass media, adult education programs, and community involvement.

What are some ways to promote environmental awareness and conservation?

Some ways to promote environmental awareness and conservation include incorporating environmental education in school curriculums, using mass media to disseminate information, providing adult education programs, establishing eco-clubs in schools, creating greenbelts through tree plantation initiatives, and promoting awareness through public transportation.