CHALLENGES

1. Degradation of Forests or Deforestation

• Deforestation involves the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands. It refers to the cutting, clearing and removal of rainforest, where land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use.
• 'Deforestation is rising at such a rapid scale that it has totally disturbed the ecological balance of the country.
• The per capita forestland in the country is only 0.08 hectare against the requirement of 0.47 hectare to meet basic needs.
• There are very serious and dangerous consequences of forest depletion, like chances of more floods, soil erosion, heavy siltation of dams and changes in climate.

2. Soil Erosion

• Definition: Soil erosion takes place when the surface soil is washed away through excessive rains and floods.

• Deforestation is one of the major reason for soil erosion.
• As per the estimates, soil is being eroded at a rate of 5.3 billion tonnes a year, which is in excess of the recharge capacity. As a result, country loses 0.8 million tonnes of nitrogen 1.8 million tonnes of phosphorus and 26.3 million tonnes of potassium every year.

• The quantity of nutrients lost due to erosion each year ranges from 5.8 to 8.4 million tonnes.

3. Biodiversity Loss

• Definition: Biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part.

• Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is fundamental to ecologically sustainable development

• Biodiversity loss has serious economic and social costs for any country as many plant and animal species are severely threatened by the destruction of their habitat and over exploitation of resources. So, there is an immediate need for biodiversity conservation.

4. Air Pollution

• Air pollution is the presence of materials in the  air in such concentrations, which are harmful to man and the environment.

• In India, air pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the major contributors, and in a few other areas, which have a high concentration of industries and thermal power plants.
• Vehicular emissions are of particular concern as these are ground level sources and have the maximum impact on the general population.

• The number of motor vehicles increased from 3 lakh in 1951 to 6.7 crores in 2003 and 14.18 crores in 2011. Personal transport vehicles (two-wheeler vehicles and cars only).
• Constitute about 80% of the total number of registered vehicles, thus, contributing significantly to the total air pollution load.

• India is one of the ten most industrialised nations of the world. However, this achievement comes with unwanted and unanticipated consequences like unplanned urbanization, pollution and the risk of accidents. The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) has identified 17 categories of industries (large and medium scale) as significantly polluting

Some Ways to Control Air Pollution

• Air pollution causes health problems and causes damage to the environment and property. It has resulted in ozone depletion, which is leading to climate change. Therefore, there is a serious need for intake steps to control it. Some of the ways to control air pollution are:
• Promotion of public transport like the use of Delhi Metro instead of private vehicles. Steps should be taken for effective traffic planning and management.
• Promotion of cleaner fuels in vehicles, like the use of CNG instead of petrol and diesel.
• Use of cleaner fuels such as LPG in households to reduce indoor air pollution.
• Promotion of cleaner technologies, strengthening of emission standards, introducing economic incentives and strengthening of the monitoring and reporting system.

Pollution Control Boards

In order to address water and air pollution in India, the government set up the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1974. This was followed by states establishing their own state-level boards to address all the environmental concerns.

Main Functions of Pollution Control Boards

• They investigate, collect and disseminate information relating to water, air and land pollution, and lay down standards for sewage/trade effluent and emissions.
• These boards provide technical assistance to governments in promoting cleanliness of streams and wells by prevention, control and abatement of water and air pollution in the country.

• These boards also carry out and sponsor investigations and research, relating to problems of water and air pollution and for their prevention, control, or abatement.
• They also organise, through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme for the same.

• They also prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents.

• They assess the air quality through regulation of industries.
• State boards periodically inspect every industry under their jurisdiction, through district-level officials, to assess the adequacy of treatment measures provided to treat effluent and gaseous emissions.

• They also provide background air quality data needed for industrial siting and town planning
• They monitor the quality of water in 125 rivers (including the tributaries), wells, lakes creeks, ponds, tanks, drains and canals.