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Summary
Chapter 17 covers strategies for reducing pollution and improving the environment. It explains that living organisms, including humans, interact with and depend on their environment. Humans, due to their ability to modify the environment, have a responsibility to address environmental issues.
The chapter identifies causes of pollution, such as industrialization, urbanization, and population growth, which lead to air, water, and soil pollution. To reduce air pollution, it suggests using cleaner fuels, maintaining vehicles properly, planting more trees, and using technology like catalytic converters to trap pollutants. Administrative actions, such as banning older vehicles and improving traffic management, are also discussed.
For water pollution, various government bodies manage water resources, urban and rural water supply, and sanitation. Efforts like the Yamuna Action Plan aim to improve water quality in specific areas. Soil pollution is addressed through initiatives like the Soil Health Cards Programme, which helps farmers manage soil better.
The chapter also outlines laws and regulations that have been established to protect the environment, including the Indian Forest Act and the Environment (Protection) Act. These laws aim to control pollution and conserve natural resources. The chapter stresses the need for proper enforcement of these regulations.
Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is an administrative measure to reduce pollution?
A. Wearing a mask
B. Banning of commercial vehicles that are more than 15 years old on roads
C. Staying indoors to combat the effects of smog
D. Treatment of pollutants before they are released into the environment
Answer: B. Banning of commercial vehicles that are more than 15 years old on roads
2. When is ‘World Soil Day’ celebrated?
A. December 1
B. November 2
C. September 25
D. December 5
Answer: D. December 5
3. City diesel is a superior fuel, as it is a
A. Low sulphur diesel
B. Low phosphorus diesel
C. High chloride diesel
D. Oxidized diesel
Answer: A. Low sulphur diesel
4. Devices that trap the pollutants before they escape into the atmosphere are
A. Compressed Natural Gas
B. Catalytic Converters
C. Administrative measures
D. City diesel
Answer: B. Catalytic Converters
5. Which year was declared as the International Year of the Soil?
A. 2011
B. 2005
C. 2015
D. 2017
Answer: C. 2015
Short Answer Questions
1. Write the full form of the following:
Answer: (i) NWMC: National Waste Management Council
(ii) CPHEO: Central Public Health Environmental Engineering Organisation
(iii) CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board
(iv) MOUAE: Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment
(v) MOEF: Ministry of Environment and Forests
(vi) YAP: Yamuna Action Plan
(vii) GSP: Global Soil Partnership
2. Write the advantage of using CNG.
Answer:
- It is soot free and prolongs engine life.
- It is cheaper.
- It gives better mileage.
- It is less pollutant and environment-friendly.
3. What is the recent directive from the Supreme Court to check pollution?
Answer: The recent directive from the Supreme Court bans commercial vehicles that are more than 15 years old from plying on the streets of Delhi.
Long Answer Questions
1. Enumerate four strategies to reduce air pollution.
Answer:
- Using alternative fuels.
- Automobiles should be properly maintained and adhere to recent emission-control standards.
- Treatment of pollutants before they are released.
- Preventing the pollutants from spreading.
2. What is the Government’s role in controlling air pollution?
Answer: The government plays a crucial role in controlling air pollution by implementing policies and regulations that mandate emission standards for industries and vehicles. It also enforces these standards through periodic checks and penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the government promotes the use of cleaner fuels and technologies and initiates public awareness campaigns to encourage environmentally friendly practices.
3. List a few steps taken by the Government to reduce soil pollution.
Answer:
- The Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment (MOUAE) engaged the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, for formulation of a strategy paper on municipal waste management and also for preparing a manual on solid waste management.
- The Central Public Health Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEO) of the Ministry, Government of India has prepared a policy paper on promoting the integrated provisions of water, sanitation, solid waste management, and drainage utilities in India.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) organised an interaction meet with municipal authorities and other concerned ministries to evolve a strategy for the management of municipal solid wastes.
- National Waste Management Council (NWMC) was constituted in 1990, and one of its objectives was Municipal Solid Waste Management.
4. What are the steps taken by the Government to reduce water pollution?
Answer: The Government of India has taken several steps to reduce water pollution, including:
- The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) through Central Water Commission, National Water Development Agency, and Central Ground Water Board is responsible for developing, conserving, and managing water resources at the national level.
- The National Water Supply and Sanitation Programme was launched in 1954 by the Government of India as part of the Health Plan to assist the states to provide adequate water supply and sanitation facilities in the entire country.
- The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (until 2011 the Department of Drinking Water Supply in the Ministry of Rural Development) is responsible for rural water supply and sanitation.
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Urban Development share the responsibility for urban water supply and sanitation.
5. What steps should be taken by the local government bodies to control pollution?
Answer:
- Duty of urban local bodies to collect waste from community bins and to deposit it at Bulk Community Waste Storage Sites for onward transport.
- Duty of occupier of households/shops/establishment to hand over the recyclable material/non-biodegradable waste to the waste collectors/waste purchasers/recyclers.
- Duty of local body to provide temporary waste storage depots.
- Duty of occupiers to deposit solid waste in community bins.
- Receptacles to be kept in a good condition.
- Duty of Societies/Associations/Management to provide community bins.
- Duty of occupier not to mix recyclable/non-biodegradable waste and domestic hazardous waste with food waste, etc.
- Duty of occupiers of premises to store solid waste at source of generation.
- Duty of urban local bodies to clean all public streets, open public spaces, and slums.
- Duty of urban local body to transport the waste stored at the waste storage depot regularly.
- Duty of urban local body to arrange for composting of organic/food/biodegradable waste and disposal of rejects.
- Prohibition against littering the street and deposit of solid waste.
- Prohibition against deposition of building rubbish.
- Prohibition against flow of filthy matter in public places.
- Prohibition of disposal of carcasses, etc.
- Punishment for littering on streets and depositing or throwing any solid waste in contravention of the provisions of this.
6. What are the advantages of using CNG?
Answer:
- It is soot-free and prolongs engine life.
- It is cheaper.
- Gives better mileage.
- It is less pollutant and environment-friendly.
7. How can environmental pollution be controlled in mega cities?
Answer:
- Before initiating any developmental project, its short and long term impacts on environment and population should be thoroughly assessed by adopting environment/health assessment measures.
- To reduce the deteriorating environmental conditions in the cities, industries which are the major sources of pollution have to be shifted to less populated and less developed areas.
- Government should declare more incentives in the form of financial benefits, tax concessions, etc., to benefit those industries which reduce the emission of pollutants drastically. In case of highly polluting industries, government should even help in installing pollution control equipment.
- Effective and suitable legislative measures have to be promoted to control environmental pollution, to establish damage-risk criteria and to compensate those who become victims of environmental pollution.
- To improve the condition of slum dwellers and also to reduce the further growth of slums, various slum upgradation programmes have to be implemented on a war footing.
- There should be massive plantation of trees all over cities. This will help to resist pollution in a greater way.
- It is only by a great civic consciousness that we can ensure a cleaner environment. Ultimately, it is the people, who must understand the gravity, dimensions, causes, consequences, and remedies for pollution related problems.
- City dwellers have to be educated on various measures which they have to initiate among themselves like, improving the environment of their localities, responding positively to the various measures taken by the Government and other agencies, which ultimately helps to improve their quality of life.
Think and Answer
You can easily control pollution resulting from domestic waste. What strategies would you follow to reduce pollution?
Answer: To control pollution resulting from domestic waste, the following strategies should be followed:
- Segregation at Source: Separate biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable waste at the source. This helps in efficient waste management and recycling.
- Composting: Composting organic waste such as vegetable peels, fruit waste, and garden waste to create nutrient-rich manure for plants. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfills.
- Recycling: Recycle materials like paper, glass, and plastic. Ensure that recyclables are clean and dry before disposal.
- Reducing Single-Use Plastics: Minimise the use of single-use plastics by opting for reusable bags, containers, and bottles. This reduces plastic pollution significantly.
- Proper Disposal: Dispose of hazardous waste like batteries, chemicals, and e-waste through proper channels to prevent soil and water contamination.
- Avoiding Food Waste: Plan meals and purchase only what is needed to reduce food waste. Donate excess food to food banks or shelters if possible.
- Educating Others: Raise awareness among family members and the community about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling domestic waste.
- Using Eco-friendly Products: Choose eco-friendly and biodegradable products for household use to reduce the environmental impact.
Extras MCQs
1. When is World Soil Day observed?
A. 1 January
B. 5 June
C. 5 December
D. 10 December
Answer: C. 5 December
15. Which ministry is responsible for the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP)?
A. Ministry of Urban Affairs
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Ministry of Environment
D. Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: C. Ministry of Environment
Extra Questions and Answers
1. How are the constituents of the environment dependent on each other?
Answer: All the constituents of the environment are dependent upon each other, and they maintain a balance in nature.
38. Despite having stringent environmental regulations, why is their implementation and enforcement inadequate in India?
Answer: India has some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world, yet their implementation and enforcement are extremely inadequate. One reason for this is the complex and multi-institutional management structure, where multiple ministries and departments handle different aspects of environmental regulation, leading to overlaps, gaps, and coordination challenges. Furthermore, the central ministries often have only advisory roles, with limited power to enforce regulations directly, especially at the state level. Additionally, the sheer scale of environmental challenges in a rapidly developing and populous country like India makes effective enforcement difficult. Although the state is empowered to protect and improve the environment, practical enforcement often falls short due to resource constraints, lack of political will, and administrative inefficiencies.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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