Assistant Professor

Political Science

University College, Moonak

 Sangrur, Punjab, India  

Humans have done damage to atmosphere, water, soil, environmental elements and the ecosystem itself at every level. There are so many people polluting and destroying the environment that even one nightmare can disturb us all. Looking at the situation as a whole, some remain. Our air pollution has serious global and local impacts. The protective ozone layer in northern hemisphere latitudes is thinning twice as fast as scientists thought a few years ago.

Introduction: 

The concept of the environment is as old as that of nature.  It is a term for what is found in organisms, including those that are the source of hope and life for living things, including all plants, both animate and inanimate, such as air, water, food, and sunlight. Time also includes air temperature, wind and speed.

Environmental Pollution: Before we can understand what “pollution” is, we need to understand what “pollution” is.

Types Of Pollution: Environmental pollution can be roughly divided into: (1) natural pollution; and (2) man-made pollution. 

1.  Natural pollution: The environment is generally affected by earthquakes, floods, droughts, hurricanes, etc. affected by natural causes. 

2.  Man-made pollution: human activities. Environmental pollution can be further divided into air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, food pollution, noise pollution and radio-active pollution.

Factors Of Environmental Problems: The "environmental crisis" is due to environmental and ecological changes caused by the development of "human economy-business" in this century. In fact, the century we live in is marked by industrialization, major environmental problems that led to its development, on the other hand, environmental destruction caused by many types of pollution, rapid energy consumption and depletion of natural resources. To exacerbate the environmental crisis, the increase in energy consumption and the destruction of technologies, the loss of habitat due to economic, urban and agricultural expansion, the reduction and loss of ecological populations and the extinction of plant species due to excessive use of pesticides and herbicides. Affected decline due to the following reasons: the practice of monoculture, which has destroyed the area through deforestation, is now a global concern. The lives of ordinary people have been greatly affected by the self-destruction of the environment for the sake of a good environment; the destruction of natural world ecosystems and the depletion of resources have increased significantly in recent decades. The most important cause of environmental destruction and global crisis is the decrease in the relationship between people and the environment due to the exploitation of natural resources, technological development and expansion. The rate of environmental change and environmental damage from human activities is rapid and extensive. Human impact on the environment through work activities is diverse and complex, as change or change in natural conditions and processes results in many changes in the biotic and biotic components of the environment.

Human impact on the environment is divided into two categories (i) direct or intentional impacts and (ii) indirect or unintentional impact, direct or intentional human impact Consequences, A negative impact; albeit positive any attempt to change the physical environment impacts the regional economy. The effects of anthropogenic changes in the environment are visible in the short term and these effects are reversible. On the other hand, the indirect impacts of human activities on the environment are either preplanned or unplanned, and these impacts are the result of human activities aimed at economic growth, especially job growth. Direct intervention becomes excessive over time. The direct impact of human trafficking can alter all natural ecosystem processes, sometimes with cascading effects leading to ecological suicide.

Main Causes of Environmental Pollution: The Main Causes of Environmental Pollution are given blow:

1. Population growth: Modern thinkers believe that population growth is at the root of many human problems. This analysis can also be applied to environmental damage. Population growth is equal to the need to balance all the requirements for human survival. Population growth requires unusual use of natural resources to meet the needs of everyday life. Migration and urban development lead to a new healthy, ecological and human life.

2. Increased General Affluence and Economic Growth: The Wealth (i.e. human consumption of goods and resources) is an important factor in the relationship between people, resources, and the environment. By absorbing the growth of goods and services in both developed and developing countries, increasing per capita demand leads to misuse or abuse and pollution. Because wealth does not incentivize the use of resources. Surprisingly, despite its tremendous impact on the environment, its importance is rarely mentioned. On the other hand, poor and poor people are often accused of harming the environment. Some are of the view that the poor do the most damage to the environment.

3. Nature of Modern Technology: The situation of production machinery in recent years is very close to the environmental crisis. Commoner claims that changes in production technology since World War II have replaced bad technology that has an impact on the environment. It is mainly responsible for the production of synthetic and non-biodegradable products, business and "cultural waste" such as plastics, nitrogen fertilizers, synthetic detergents, synthetic fibers, automobiles, petrochemicals and other harmful environmental processes. Therefore, the environmental problem is the result of maintaining ecological development standards. Ecologically sound technologies exist, but are not used in the short run as they are not considered personal profit maximization.

4. Deforestation: In fact, the forest is the "lifeblood" of a country because the welfare and well-being of a nation directly depends on the good and healthy forest cover in the country. Forests are important biological products of the physical environment, and the stability and stability of the environment depends on the extent of forest conditions in the affected area. It is of great concern that today's businessman forgets the importance of the environment and the safety of natural plants (only forests and grasses) and that the world, region and regional forests are destroying forests at a rapid and frightening rate. These levels are associated with increased rates of soil loss due to rain splashes, paper erosion, erosion of streams and ditches, increased flood frequency and magnitude, increased incidence of drought due to reduced precipitation, etc. as important environmental problems. Not very useful in today's society. The main causes of deforestation at global and regional level are conversion of forest to agricultural land, crop rotation, conversion of forest to pasture, overgrazing, forest fire firewood, felling of trees, multi-purpose water projects etc. Deforestation creates many problems such as environmental degradation by accelerating the rate of soil erosion, causing sediment in rivers, siltation or reservoirs and waterbeds, causing the frequency and scale of droughts and droughts, changing the distribution pattern of precipitation, and the greenhouse effect. The destructive power of violent atmospheric storms increases from materials such as industries and materials. Therefore, deforestation can cause diseases that affect the natural environment.

5.  Agricultural Development: The development of agriculture means the expansion of agricultural lands, increase in agricultural production and net agricultural production. This is due to the development of modern science and technology, technology, increased production and use of chemical fertilizers, expansion of water resources, growth of seed crops, etc. These points to the need for more food in the world on the one hand, the population is increasing; On the other hand, it also creates or creates dangerous environmental problems of great concern. Therefore, today's business people and business people have entered a dangerous path in every way.   Agricultural development degrades the environment in many ways, e.g. (i) by the use of fertilizers and pesticides, (ii) by increasing irrigation facilities and water volume, (iii) by changing the biome, etc. erosion. Increasing land use for agriculture at the expense of deforestation and soil erosion, improving soil fertility through intensive agriculture, increasing the use of technology and modern science and technology technology, increasing the frequency and area of ​​use of fertilizers, pesticides, pesticides and pesticides, such as agricultural irrigation, etc. All these processes and measures to promote agricultural development have led to some serious problems. It seems that at the root of all environmental problems arising from agriculture is population growth at an alarming rate. Therefore, the first step to be taken is to prevent population growth, because if population growth continues, agriculture must be protected.

6.  Industrial Development: Rapid development has brought economic prosperity to people's lives. It has brought a new dimension to business models and brought comfort to the people of developing countries, but has also led to more environmental problems. As a result, the effects of brilliant industrialization. Industrialization is now an important aspect of modernity and important for economic growth in the country. Influencing public opinion as a factor both are products of industrial development e.g. the exploitation of natural resources and industrial production has created some of the deadliest environmental problems and has contributed in many ways regionally and regionally to major environmental problems and conflicts in the world. The use of natural resources to meet the economic demand for raw materials leads to:

a.     Reduction of forest covers due to lack of logging;

b.     Excavation of land for mining purposes;

c.     Reduction of forest covers due to expansion;

d.     Due to logging. Over-pumping of groundwater causes a drop in the groundwater table; and

e.     Land subsidence due to mineral oil and groundwater extraction and others.

In addition to production planning in factories, waste products, sewage, carbon monoxide, chemical products, aerosol ash and gas fire etc. many unwanted products are air, water, soil, soil, etc., thus destroying the environment. The concentration of pollution emissions from factories in industrialized countries in the air, water and soil has increased to a point where the environment has deteriorated to a critical point and brought people's lives to the brink of extinction. The negative impact of the economy can change all the features of the natural system with an impact that can be dangerous to human life. Many of the effects of industrialization are related to pollution and environmental degradation. The release of toxic substances into the environment from fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides (released from the chemical industry) alters the food supply and food webs, with physical and toxic effects for humans in the soil.

Similarly, industrial wastes are constantly thrown into the water in lakes, tanks and ponds, mixing with rivers and oceans, causing physical pollution, causing many diseases and death of organisms, affecting the water balance in the water. Important pollutants such as chloride ions, sulfate, bicarbonate, nitrate, sodium, magnesium, phosphate ions are released from sewage into rivers and lakes, resulting in reduced water quality due to business expansion. Large amounts of gas, smoke, ash and other aerosols released from factory chimneys affect the environment in many ways. Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels (coal and oil) increases the C02 concentration in the air, which changes the natural gas composition of the air. An increase in the level of C02 in the atmosphere can change the world's electricity and energy balance by increasing the heat level in the atmosphere, because C02 causes the greenhouse effect to be more severe because C02 allows solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere and reach the Earth.  Chlorofluorocarbons released from terrestrial radiation mix with the atmosphere and cause depletion of the ozone layer. A thinner ozone layer means less absorption of the sun's ultraviolet light, which lowers the temperature of the Earth's surface. For this reason, changes in the electrical and electronic balance of the world due to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the depletion of the ozone layer can lead to changes in the climate and climate of the world's fields and areas, which can harm plants and plants, animal. Life can lead to ecological imbalances. This can cause dangerous diseases such as skin cancer. People intentionally and unintentionally release pollutants that damage the environment and destroy all forms of life in the affected areas. The Bhopal gas disaster (December 3-4, 1984, India) is an example of a modern economic catastrophe. Acid rain, urban smog’s, holocaust, etc. are the other forms of environment hazards emanating from industrialization.

7. Urbanization: The migration of people from rural areas to urban centers and the history and expansion of new cities due to expansion and development cause rapid and various forms of environmental destruction and pollution of natural resources in both developed and developing countries. The city level of developed countries in the world has reached its peak. The concentration of wealth in big cities and the many job and employment opportunities lead to the crowding of people in big cities, hence the formation and creation of large slums. As a matter of fact, urban development is the increase in the number of people in a limited area, as a result of which factories, urban waste, aerosol, smoke tobacco, sewage, etc. means an increase in numbers. This can cause some environmental problems. For example, many people in large cities use large amounts of water for various purposes. Wastewater, such as sewage, is used to run off municipal wastewater if not treated in streams and ponds. Urban areas combined with commercial areas are more dangerous in terms of environmental issues and pollution. Smoke from factories and cars spray many aerosols and gases, creating a "dust dome" over the city. These dust domes create "pollution" in the city. With the development of cities and industries, air pollution is rapidly progressing due to pollution by gases and aerosols emitted from automobiles, factories, and home appliances. Cars are responsible for around 60% of air pollution in India's capital Delhi, and major cities such as Kolkata and Mumbai also experience high levels of air pollution. A study by the National Environment Institute of India found that air pollution has increased in Nagpur (India), Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Madras, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Nagpur and other places. In addition to industrial waste from industrial cities. , a lot of urban garbage also causes environmental problems. With the expansion of cities and the increase in urban population, the amount of urban waste has increased rapidly.

8.  Unplanned Urbanization: Unbalanced urban development causes the destruction of the urban and rural environment to be obvious and serious. Urban areas face their own struggles with poor cities, lack of sanitation and water, overcrowding, congestion and pollution. Indian cities suffer from lack of sanitation, prolonged traffic etc. facing environmental problems such as In addition, domestic waste and industrial waste are very large in the city. Most cities do not have sewers. For example, a study by the Center for Water Pollution Prevention and Control shows that the discharge of municipal waste and industrial wastewater is the main cause of water pollution. Currently, 56% of primary cities and 87% of secondary cities do not have sewage treatment facilities. Therefore, we need a good management and control system in the city to prevent migration and other problems.

9. Coal burnt Thermal Power Plants: Poverty: Public or private power plants often use coal to generate electricity. About 62% of the coal produced in my country is used for electricity generation and it accounts for 65% of electricity production. This process causes the accumulation of various substances such as bottom ash, boiler slag and fly ash. Fly ash alone makes up more than 70% of the total. Dealing with try ash is a difficult and delicate task. While these materials can be used in cement, brick making and soil conditioner, economic and social concerns have prevented these activities from being popular. Although fly ash is used for the above works, it cannot use 30% to 40% of the ash produced. For this reason, it is necessary to collect the ash that causes the least damage to air, water and soil. Super thermal power plant covers an area of 800 acres, usually needs 1200 acres of storage. Depending on the ash production, the required area for ash disposal is approximately 40,000 hectares.

10. Poverty: It is true that poverty harms the environment. Due to poverty, people overuse the country's natural resources to meet their basic needs (food, fuel, shelter, cattle feed). The late Smt. Indira Gandhi, in her speech at the Stockholm Conference, drew attention to the fact that poverty and need are the biggest source of pollution. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to support the poor above the poverty line.

Conclusion: There are many problems for the environment. The diversity of factors makes it difficult to clearly explain the causes and consequences of environmental damage with a one-to-one relationship. Cause and effect are often intertwined in a complex web of social, technological, environmental and political factors. However, some of the obvious causes of environmental destruction are population growth, economic growth associated with economic prosperity, and technology of change. Population is an important factor for development, but beyond the support threshold, it is the main cause of environmental degradation. The huge impact of dissatisfied people ultimately falls on our resources and ecosystems. However, poverty and inadequate infrastructure create conditions in which people are forced to live in bad and bad conditions. The development process itself can cause environmental damage if not managed properly. With the rapid development of the economy, wasteful life consumes more resources and causes more pressure on natural resources. Changes in technology have invalidated plans and caused more and more waste, proving to be ecologically harmful.

References:

1. Alan Watson, Legal Transplants: An Approach to Comparative Law, Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press, 1974.

2. A. Mehta and Hawkins, Integrated Pollution Control and its Impact: Perspectives from Industry, Journal of Environmental Law, 10 (1), 1998.

3. Armin Rosencranz, Shyam Divan and Martha L. Noble, Environmental Law and Policy in India – Cases, Material and Statutes, 1991.

4. G. Grossman and A. Krueger, Economic Growth and the Environment', Quarterly Journal of Economics, May, Vol. CX, Issue 2, 1995.

5. H. Salve, justice Between Generations: Environment and Social Justice, in A.N. Kripal, A. Desai, G Subramanium, R. Dhavan and R. Ramachandran eds. Supreme But Not Infallible, New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001.

6. I.A. Khan, Environmental Law, Central Law Agency, Allahabad, 2002.

7. Kailash Thakur, Environment Protection Law and Policy in India, Deep and Deep Publications, New Delhi.

8. Ramamohana Reddy Appannagari, Environmental Pollution Causes and Consequences: A Study, North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science & Humanities, ISSN: 2454-9827 Vol. 3, Issue 8,  August, 2017.

9. R.M.C. Duxbury and S.G.C.Morton, (eds) Blackstone's Statutes on Environmental law. Third Edition, London: Blackstone Press Limited, 2000.

10. S. Sterling , Mapping environmental education, In W. D. S. Leal Filho & J. A. Palmer. (Eds.) Key issues in environmental education, University of Bradford: UNESCO, 1992.

11. Susan. Baker, Maria. Kousis, Richrdson, Dick, and Young, Stephen (eds), The Politics of SustainableDevelopment: Theory, Policy and Practice within the European Union , London: Routledge, 1997.

12. O.J. Kuik et al. Pollution Control in the South and North: A Comparative Assessment of Environmental Policy Approaches in India and the Netherlands, New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1997.