CALVARY BIBLE COLLEGE: AIZAWL

ISSUES FACING IN THE CHURCH

PAPER PRESENTATION
Topic : Environmental Crisis

Course Instructor : [Link]

Presenter : Obadia Lalneihtluanga, BD-IV, R/No-4
___________________________________________________________________________
Introduction

The environmental crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-
reaching consequences for the health of our planet and its inhabitants. The interconnected
challenges of deforestation, pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss threaten the very
foundations of life on Earth. This paper will explore the complex causes and effects of the
environmental crisis, examine the current state of environmental legislation and policy, and
highlight the specific challenges faced by the state of Mizoram in India. Finally, it will outline
a Christian response to the environmental crisis, grounded in biblical teachings on stewardship
and care for creation.

1. Environmental Crisis

The term “environmental crisis” describes the collective environmental challenges

humanity faces today. Key issues include the greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone
depletion, acid rain, and deforestation. These problems are not just physical but are driven by
human attitudes, values, and economic priorities. Several factors contribute to this crisis,
including technological advancements, which have increased resource exploitation; rapid
population growth, leading to higher resource consumption; free-market economies, where
short-term profits often outweigh environmental concerns; Western attitudes that treat nature
as an unlimited resource; and short-term decision-making, which prioritizes immediate gains
over sustainability.1

2. Causes of Environmental Crisis

1
Chris Park, A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation, Oxford Reference, accessed 21 February
2025 <[Link]

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 The major causes of the environmental degradation are modern urbanization,
industrialization, over-population growth, deforestation etc. Environmental pollution refers to
the degradation of quality and quantity of natural resources. Various types of the human
exercises are the fundamental reasons of environmental degradation. These have prompted
condition changes that have turned out to be hurtful to every single living being. The smoke
radiated by the vehicles and processing plants expands the measure of toxic gases noticeable
all around. The waste items, smoke radiated by vehicles and ventures are the fundamental
driver of contamination. Spontaneous urbanization and industrialization have caused water, air
and sound contamination. Urbanization and industrialization help to expand contamination of
the wellsprings of water. So also, the smoke discharged by vehicles and ventures like
Chlorofluorocarbon, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other clean particles dirty air.
Neediness still remains an issue at the base of a few ecological issues.2

2.1. Deforestation

Deforestation is a major ecological problem of this age. There is a rapid growth of

ecological crisis because of destruction of forest, extinction of animals, plants and rare species.
Reports show that tropical forests have vanished at a rate of 15.4 million hectares (38 million
acres). Brazil has lost around 41.5 million hectares of their forests. Countries like Philippines,
Cote d’ Ivoire have already lost 80% of their forests. The majority of Latin American rain
forests have been destroyed to make for multinational fast food chains.3 Deforestation makes
long effect in the ecosystem; it diminishes the recycling of the water inland, and reduces the
rainfall.

Forests preserve the fauna and flora in its diverse forms. According to Harvard biologist
Wilson, biologists estimate that there are “ ...between 5 and 30 million species of plants and
animals from insects to elephants, phyto-plankton to redwoods, exist on planet earth.4 The
tropical rain forests of Brazilian Amazon and Silent Valley of India are home to a number of
these rare species. But the discrimination and exploitation of forests alone cause the
annihilation of a minimum of 50,000 insects per year.5

2
Rajiv Chopra, Environmental Degradation in India: Causes and Consequences, International Journal of
Applied Environmental Sciences, 11/6 (2016): 4. [Link]
3
Raman Kutty, Protect the Forest (Bombay: Green Publishers, 2009), 23.
4
Wilson E.O,ed., Biodiversity (Washington,D.C.: National Academy Press, 1993),5.
5
Idem, The Diversity of Life (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press,1994), 65.

2
 It is visible that the nature is losing its biological diversity as plants especially medicinal
plants. Bio-diversity is essential for our survival and if we declare war against the nature, it
would be a serious threat to the human beings and animals. Forests provide articles like food
items, medicines, firewood, and fodder for the villagers and forest dwellers. Forests also supply
raw materials like wood, bamboo, canes and leather. The majority of tribal people depend on
the free availability of biomass for their free supply of food and fodder fuel. It has greatly
affected when the forests are destroyed and restricted to the people.6There are about 4 crores
and 80 lakhs (4,80,00,000) of forest dwellers in India, who live and depend on the products of
forests. Any form of restricted access to forests affects their chances of survival, the cultural
and religious identity and their social relations.7

According to Shiva, forests have always been central to the civilization, culture and
faiths in India. Most of the South Asian religions and cultures have been rooted in the forests.
The forests are worshipped as Aranyani, the goddess of the forest, the primary source of life
and fertility.8 The diversity, harmony and life sustaining nature of the forest formed the
organizational principles guiding Indian civilization. Shiva argued against the view that
‘scientific forestry and the scientific management of forest resources in India began with the
British, because ancient Indian traditions evidently had knowledge of the plant kingdom e.g.
Vriksayurveda9 and Vanaspatividya10, while many ancient texts were called Aranyakas of
forest texts. And indigenous forestry science in contrast to the western tradition of forest
management, did not perceive trees as just wood; they were looked at from a multifunctional
point of view, with focus on diversity of forms and functions.11 Therefore, it is the fact that a
threat to the forest is a risk not only to the environment, but also to the culture, civilization and
faith of the people.

2.2. Pollution of the Environment

Pollution poisons the planet that causes adverse changes and it manipulates the nature.
Pollution has affected the quality of air, water and food, which are the three basics to the

6
[Link], [Link] and [Link], Forests, Environment and Tribal Economy: Deforestation,
Improverishment and Marginalization in Orissa (New Delhi: ISI, 1998), 315.
7
Saxena, “Social Forestry: Why did it fall?” The Hindu, Survey of Environment, 1992,35.
8
Vandana Shiva, The Future of Progress: Reflections on environment and development (Dehradun:
Nataraj Publishers, 1994), 47-66.
9
The science of the treatment of plant diseases
10
Plant science
11
Vandana Shiva, Staying Alive: Women,Ecology and Survival in India (New Delhi: Kali for women,
1988), 58.

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survival of life. This form of environmental pollution is the harmful effect of direct or indirect
human actions that affect the natural elements in ecosystems. According to Samuel Rayan,
there are four types of pollution: physical pollution affecting the environment, cultural
pollution signified by illiteracy and depreciation of peoples cultures, social pollution varying
the inhabitability of earth as our home, and spiritual/ moral pollution revealed in greed,
competition and consumerism.12

Pollution is caused by the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere, discharge of
chemicals and other untreated industrial wastes including nuclear wastes into the waterways.
The excessive noise created through industrial activities and using automobiles, industrial and
agricultural wastes, leakage of toxic gases, burning of fossil fuels, poisoning of the soil with
pesticides, attack of aquatic resources, etc. are the other reasons of the pollution. The use of
plastic creates more ecological pollution and problem. Plastics are non- biodegradable and they
remain in the soil for hundreds of years. They block the circulation of air and the filtration of
water in the soil. If it gets swallowed by the animals, birds and fishes, they cause their death.
Burning it will emit poisonous gases. There is no clear solution to the problem of disposal of
plastics till date. As I mentioned in the first chapter, the growing ‘Smokey Mountain, is a
serious issue in Manila, Philippines. These types of waste- accumulated cities rise in the third
world because of a pattern of obvious consumerist culture that has been exported to these
countries. Thus the impact of the character in contemporary western societies enhances the
environmental pollution.13

Toxic waste is a serious risk in the whole world in the present global age. Sources show
that about 400 million metric tons of toxic wastes are produced each year. The United States
alone generated about 250 million metric tons of hazardous wastes. Some of the municipal
officials in California have begun negotiating with the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific to
receive regular shipments of solid waste. The officials of Baltimore are negotiating with
Chinese officials to get permission to dump tens of thousands of tons of municipal solid waste
in Tibet, where poor and powerless people live. However, the growing problems of
international shipments have led to much debate today.14

Some companies use a huge incinerator, to dispose the waste. It creates large amount
of toxic air pollution and thereby cause a new solid waste disposal problem which is worse

12
Samuel Rayan, “ Theological Perspectives on the Environmental Crisis,” 10/2 (June 1990): 20-23.
13
AI Gore, Earth in the Balance (New York: Plume Book, 1993), 156.
14
Gore, Earth in the Balance…, 154-55.

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than before. The heat generated by the incineration process is used as a source of energy to
make steam. Al Gore describes that, “the principal consequence of incineration is thus the
transporting of the community’s garbage - in gaseous form, through the air - to neighbouring
communities, across state lines, and, indeed, to the atmosphere of the entire globe, where it will
linger for many years to come.15

Air pollution is one of the treacherous pollutants in the major towns and metropolitan
cities in the world. Air pollution comes from both natural and human-made sources. The
human-made pollutants from incineration, construction, mining, agriculture and warfare are
increasingly significant in the air pollution equation. The World Health Organization (WHO)
defines air pollution as “substances put into the air by human activity that can cause harmful
effect on the health of humans, vegetables, property and that of his own enjoyment. It makes
the air impure, pollutes water systems, and alters the productive capacity of the soil, posing
threat to the promotion of life and health of living beings.16

According to Timmy and Satake, the prime pollution sources embrace chemical plants,
agricultural industries, heating plants, coal-fired power plants, oil refineries, transportation,
petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, incinerators, burning of fossil fuels, large
livestock farms like dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc., metals production factories, PVC factories,
and plastics factories. Automobile emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution; the
single major cause is the toxic wastes discharged from the automobiles. Countries like United
States, Russia, China, India, Mexico, and Japan lead the world in air pollution emissions. In
Delhi alone at least 60% of the total emission is attributed to the exhausts, with 52% in
Bombay.17

Agricultural air pollution comes from modern practices which include clear felling and
burning of natural vegetation as well as spraying of pesticides and herbicides. The use of all
these chemicals and fertilizers ultimately got absorbed into the water system, which also cause
water pollution affecting the life system as well. It really causes water, soil and atmospheric
pollution, and are harmful to plant life, making it vulnerable to pests and diseases. The
discharge of industrial and solid trashes, agricultural wastes and oil spills in the seas affect
marine and coastal habitats. The intrusion of aquatic plants due to pollution, exploitation,

15
Gore, Earth in the Balance…, 157.
16
Timmy Katyal and M. Satake, Environment Pollution, ed., Raj Kumar (New delhi: Amol Publication,
1989), 15.
17
Timmy Katyal and M. Satake, Environment Pollution…, 15-17.

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dredging and other developmental actions affect the marine ecosystem. Over-fishing is a yet
another reason for water pollution and elimination of aquatic wealth. It is a very serious
ecological crisis which is connected with modern fishing techniques, aggressive to the survival
of the traditional fisher folk. 18

The growing industrialization and the ever increasing burning of oil and the resultant
air pollution have, over the years, altered the atmospheric composition in the Northern
hemisphere. Industries and oil and coal combustion together release sulphur dioxide into the
atmosphere. Mixed with water in the clouds it then falls as rain or snow or mist. The fall of
sulphur dioxide-contaminated rain is known as Acid Rain. It caused tension in the relation
between the US and Canada, because of more than 4.5 million tons of acid reach Canada from
US, due to heavy industries and coal burning firms in US.48 In India, the industrialized cities
like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur are reported to have had acid rain.19

In the present modern age, with the growing need for energy and fast depletion of fossil
fuels, nuclear energy was considered to be an alternative by several developed and developing
countries. But the radiation caused by nuclear plants is another agent of pollution in recent
years. Hiroshima, Three Mile Island, and the Pacific Islands are examples of disaster caused
by nuclear disasters. The recent Tsunami attack in Japan caused a serious damage and radiation
effects from their nuclear plants, which still ensues. Chernobyl in Russia and Rawatbhata in
India remind us that nuclear reactor accidents are always a possibility. The effects of the
disasters can go on for years. Even its wastes cannot be destroyed and it causes problems of
radioactive emission for a long time. According to Lenssen, “nor can scientists prove that it
will stay out of the biosphere if buried.20

2.3. Ozone Layer Depletion

Our planet earth is blanketed by a thin layer of gas called ozone. Ozone is a chemical
compound whose molecule is composed of three oxygen atoms. The existence of ozone layer
in the stratosphere is so beneficial to life on earth, that it performs the vital function of
protecting us. It strongly absorbs the ultraviolet rays from the sun, which are very harmful to
health. About 95% of the sun’s ultra-violet rays are absorbed by a thin layer of ozone. The
ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer and damages to vegetation, and all things that would

18
C.R. Godwin, Eco-Friendly Ecclesia (Bangalore: Omega Book World, 2021), 31.
19
Pushparajan, Ecological World View for a Just Society (New Delhi: ISPCK,
1992), 43.
20
Godwin, Eco-Friendly Ecclesia…, 32.

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be exposed to it. In this global era, this natural balance of ozone has been agitated by human
made inventions and emission of ozone-depleting chemicals. The chemical industrious effluent
grew rapidly, and the gradual erosion of the ozone layer intensified to the point that several
holes in the ozone layer have occurred in the last few years. We can’t deny the role of the last
explosions of thermonuclear bombs by US army and the Russia (former Soviet Union) in
wounding the stratosphere. If we use the existing nuclear store, it would create a large amount
of nitric oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and then the whole ecosystem.21

2.4. The Green House effect and global warming

The magnitude of the problem of the greenhouse effect and global warming is starting
to have major impacts on ecosystems, which requires a complete rethinking and reorienting of
our way of being in the world. In 1961, a scientist, John Tindal warned about the greenhouse
effects of carbon dioxide which basically states that the excess of concentration of carbon
dioxide increases the heat of the atmosphere.22 Therefore the effect of carbon dioxide is called
the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide now has a concentration which is 25% greater than what
it was at the start of industrial revolution. Increase in burning of fossil fuels may be one of the
direct causes of greenhouse effect. The immense concentration of greenhouse gases such as
Methane (CO4), Nitrous Oxide (N,O), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Carbon dioxide (COz),
imeneace is atmosphere cause a considerable imeneace is temperature at global and the
phenomens leading to global warming originate in this part of the atmosphere. However, in
this modern age, the world is experiencing a big impact of global warming, and it is in a race
to hold warming to 2 to 4 degree Celsius increase above temperature at the dawn of the
industrial revolution. It can raise the temperature to even 6 degree Celsius at the polar region.23

The impact of global temperature increase would melting of ice at the poles and there
is a decrease in snow-fall, and leading to rise in sea levels. Consequently, many species are
being driven out of their habitats, and especially the Polar bears are being threatened. They
need ice for hunting seals, their primary prey. However, the ice caps are melting, making their
hunting periods shorter each year. As a result, the polar bears are not developing enough fat for

21
Godwin, Eco-Friendly Ecclesia…, 32-33.
22
Yogendra Srivastava, The Environment in Crisis: The Socialist Answer (London: A Socialist Worker’s
Party Pamphlet, 1990), 32.
23
Susan Solomon, Gian- Kasper Plattner, RetoKnutti and Pierre Friedlingstein, “Irreversible Climate
Change Due to Carbon Dioxide Emission,” PNAS 106/6 (February 10, 2009): 1704-9.

7
the winter; therefore, they are not able to reproduce at a healthy rate. The climate change could
be devastating to salmon and trout and to other aquatic life.24

Global warming also dries out the land and it threatens fresh water reservoirs. It is the
fact that glaciers, ice sheets and snow in the mountains act as giant water towers, and releases
water during the hot dry season. Half of the world’s 6.76 billion people depend on rivers whose
fresh water root is in the mountain glaciers. All regions’ major rivers like the Indus, Ganges,
Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow originate in the Himalayas. If the huge ice sheet in the
Himalayas, which is the third largest in the world, continues to melt, it will affect the water
supply of much of Asia, and it could vary the hydrology of several Asian countries, such as
China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam.25

Many researches state that if the global warming continues, the sea level could rise by
as much as one metre during the twenty first century. The rising sea level may create numerous
consequences. The dangerous one is that the oceans expand at the expense of continents, which
may cause the salt water intrusion. As the sea level rises, the salt water may invade coastal
freshwater aquifers. This intrusion is aggravated by the falling water tables that now plague
coastal regions. The worst affected countries would be the low lying countries like Israel,
Pakistan, China and India. Another effect is beach erosion: as waves break further inland, they
erode the beach, compounding the effect of rising sea level.26

Due to the problem of global warming and the greenhouse effect, climate change is
going to affect everything in the ecosystem, and we are in a planetary emergency. According
to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, humans have been the
primary cause of global warming since 1950. The major climate report was concluded hoping
that we have ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the consequences of global
warming.27

3. Effects of Environment Crisis28

24
Gore, Earth in the Balance…, 157.
25
Thomas Kohler and Daniel Maselli, eds., Mountains and Climate Change: From Understanding to
Action (Switzerland: University of Bern, 2009), 12-13.
26
Godwin, Eco-Friendly Ecclesia…, 34.
27
“Global Warming Can Be Stopped, World Climate Experts Say,” News national [Link]
accessed 21 February 2025, [Link] news/2007/05/[Link].
28
Philippe Lazaro, Causes, Effects and Solutions to Environmental Degradation, Plant With Purpose,
March 15, 2023, [Link]
degradation/

8
 There are many things that serve as both causes and effects of environmental
degradation. This is in part because unsustainable environmental practices may help us make
ends meet in the short term, but they have long term harmful effects on our natural environment.
In this way, environmental degradation can feel like a very difficult cycle to break out of.

3.1. Poverty

In many rural areas, people rely on agriculture and the environment for their livelihood.
As the environment is degraded, agriculture becomes a much less sustainable source of income
for these families. And yet, many farmers turn to strategies like deforestation, overgrazing, and
pollution to make ends meet – even though these strategies all contribute to environmental
degradation and can lead to decreased crop yields and water shortages. Overconsuming from
the environment in this way leads to poverty, because it leaves people unable to produce enough
food to feed their families in the long term. This cyclical relationship between poverty and the
environment reflects the severity of our environmental crisis.

Chanceline, a rural farmer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, describes this
cycle like this: “I was exclusively dependent on agriculture to support my family… Relying
only on agriculture hindered my development. I also dreamed of starting some commerce, but
I never had the financial resources to get started with my dream.”

As extreme weather events damage crops and reduce crop yields across Eastern Africa,
people like Chanceline have struggled to produce enough food to feed their families. As
farming becomes less reliable, diversifying income sources is increasingly important for rural
families.

3.2. Deforestation

As environmental degradation worsens poverty, it drives people towards overharvesting of

resources, namely, trees. When the environment is degraded, people are more likely to deforest
an area to access the fertile forest soil for agricultural and other uses. Trees may be cut down
to sell the wood, create charcoal, or turn forests into additional farmland. Deforestation also
occurs when land is cleared for agricultural or industrial purposes or when forests are burned
to create space for urban development. All of these activities lead to a decrease in the amount
of forested land available, which can have a devastating impact on the environment.

3.3. Soil Damage

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 Soil damage is another effect of environmental degradation. Climate change causes
unpredictable weather, which makes the soil compacted, increases the soil density and reduces
the amount of air and water that can be held in the soil. Over time, this weather, combined with
steep terrain, leads to erosion, which removes valuable topsoil and reduces the soil’s fertility.
As the environment is degraded, the soil salinity increases, limiting plants’ ability to absorb
water and nutrients. Soil damage can also be caused by human activity like overgrazing and
deforestation.

Over time soil erosion has serious environmental consequences, like a decrease in soil
fertility, increased sedimentation in waterways, and an increased risk of flooding. In addition,
soil erosion means loss of topsoil and essential vitamins and minerals, which are essential for
plant growth and food production.

3.4. Further Vulnerability

When people living in rural areas experience environmental degradation and increasing
poverty, they often resort to desperate measures to make ends meet. Many times, children are
taken out of school to work on their farm, or may be sold as child brides. Young girls are
disproportionately likely to experience this, contributing to the education gap between men and
women in rural areas. When the environment suffers, gender equality and education suffer as
well.

Some people resort to migration, either to more urban areas or other countries, in search
of sufficient work opportunities. Other people migrate because environmental degradation has
made their homes unsafe. When temperatures increase, and flooding and droughts become
more common, farming can be an unreliable source of income or even destroy neighborhoods
and farmlands. The world is seeing an increase in climate refugees – people who are displaced
from their homes because of climate-related events like floods and other natural disasters.
Unfortunately, traveling to a new home can be dangerous, and displaced rural people in new
cities or countries are especially vulnerable to exploitation. Environmental degradation is a
significant contributor to human trafficking and violent activity.

4. Environment Legislation, Acts, Rules, Notifications and Amendments In the

Constitution of India29

29
Government of India Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, accessed 21 February
2025, [Link]

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 It is clearly stated that it is the duty of the state to ‘protect and improve the environment
and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country’. It imposes a duty on every citizen ‘to
protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes rivers and wildlife’.
Reference to the environment has also been made in the Directive Principles of State Policy as
well as the Fundamental Rights. The Department of Environment was established in India in
1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country. This later became the Ministry of
Environment and Forests in 1985.

The constitutional provisions are backed by a number of laws – acts, rules and
notifications. The Environment Protection Act of 1986(EPA) came into force soon after the
Bhopal Gas Tragedy and is considered an umbrella legislation as it fills many gaps in the
existing laws. Thereafter a large number of laws came into existence as the problems began
arising e.g. Handling and Management of Hazardous Waste Rules in 1989.

Following is a list of the environmental legislations that have come into effect: •
General • Forest and wildlife • Water • Air

4.1. General

1986 – The Environment (Protection) Act authorizes the central government to protect and
improve environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or
restrict the setting and /or operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds.

1986 – The Environment (Protection) Rules lays down procedures for setting standards of
emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.

1989 – Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) Rules objective is to control generation,
collection, treatment, import, storage and handling of hazardous waste.

1989 – The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules defines the terms
used in this context, and sets up an Authority to inspect, once a year, the industrial activity
connected w 1989 – The Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of hazardous Micro-
organisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules were introduced with a view to
protect the environment, nature and health, in connection with the application of gene
technology and micro organisms.

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1991 – The Public Liability Insurance Act and Rules and Amendment, 1992 was drawn up to
provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to the
persons affected by accident while handling any hazardous substance.

1995 – National environmental Tribunal Act has been created to award compensation for
damages to persons, property and the environment arising from any activity involving
hazardous substances.

1997 – The National Environment Appellate Authority Act has been created to hear appeals
with respect to restrictions of areas in which classes of industries etc are carried out or
prescribed subject to certain safeguards under the EPA (Environment Protection Act).

1998 – Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules is a legal binding on the health
care institutions to streamline the process of proper handling of hospital waste such as
segregation, disposal, collection and treatment.

4.2. Forest and wildlife

1927 – Indian Forest Act and Amendment 1984 is one of the many surviving colonial statutes.
It was enacted to ‘consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest produce and the
duty leviable on timber and other forest produce.

1972 – Wildlife Protection Act, Rules 1973 and Amendment 1991 provides for the protection
of birds and animals and for all matters that are connected to it whether it be their habitat or
the waterhole or the forest that sustain them.

1980 – The Forest (Conservation) Act and Rules 1981 provides for the protection of and the
conservation of the forests.

4.3. Water

1882 – The Easement Act allows private rights to use a resource i.e. groundwater, by viewing
it as an attachment to the land. It also states that all surface water belongs to the state and is a
state property. 1897– Indian Fisheries Act establishes two sets of penal offences whereby the
government can sue any person who uses dynamite or other explosive substance in any way
(whether coastal or inland) with intent to catch or destroy any fish or poisons fish in order to
kill.

1956 – The River Boards Act enables the states to enroll the Central Government in setting up
an Advisory River Board to resolve issues in inter state cooperation.

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1970 – Merchant Shipping Act aims to deal with waste arising from ships along the coastal
areas within a specified radius.

1974 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act establishes an institutional
structure for preventing and abating water pollution. It establishes standards for water quality
and effluent. Polluting industries must seek permission to discharge waste into effluent bodies.
The Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted under this act.

1977 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act provides for the levy and
collection of cess or a fees on water consuming industries and local authorities.

1978 – The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Rules contains the standard
definitions and indicate the kind of and location of meters that every consumer of water is
required to affix.

1991 – Coastal Regulation Zone Notification puts regulations on various activities, including
construction, are regulated. It gives some protection to the backwaters and estuaries.

4.4. Air

1948 – Factories Act and Amendment in 1987 was the first to express concern for the working
environment of the workers. The amendment of 1987 has sharpened its environmental focus
and expanded its application to hazardous processes.

1981 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act provides for the control and abatement
of air pollution. It entrusts the power of enforcing this act to the Central Pollution Control
Board.

1982 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules defines the procedures of the meetings
of the Boards and the powers entrusted on them.

1982 – Atomic Energy Act deals with the radioactive waste.

1987 – Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act empowers the central and
state pollution boards to meet with grave emergencies of air pollution.

1988 – Motor Vehicles Act states that all hazardous waste is to be properly packaged, labeled
and transported

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5. Environmental Issues in Mizoram30

Mizoram, one of India’s north eastern states, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes,
lush greenery, and unique biodiversity. However, the state faces significant environmental
challenges that threaten its natural resources and ecological balance. One of the most pressing
concerns is deforestation and forest degradation. Mizoram’s dense forests are rapidly
diminishing due to shifting cultivation, urbanization, infrastructure development, and illegal
logging. This has led to a loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and disruption of water cycles,
affecting agriculture and water availability. Additionally, soil erosion and land degradation are
major issues, particularly due to the state’s steep terrain. Shifting cultivation, deforestation, and
unplanned construction exacerbate erosion, leading to reduced soil fertility, increased
sedimentation in rivers, and frequent landslides during monsoons.

Water resource challenges are another growing concern, despite the presence of
numerous rivers and streams. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change have disrupted
water cycles, leading to water scarcity in many areas. This affects drinking water availability,
agriculture, and hydropower potential while also degrading aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore,
Mizoram, part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, is witnessing a decline in its rich flora
and fauna due to habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, and invasive species. The loss of
biodiversity threatens endangered species such as the hoolock gibbon and Blyth’s tragopan,
disrupting the ecological balance.

Air pollution, though relatively lower than in other states, is becoming a concern in
urban areas like Aizawl. The burning of biomass, vehicular emissions, and industrial activities
contribute to poor air quality, leading to respiratory issues and climate change. Similarly, waste
management has emerged as a significant issue due to increasing urbanization and consumption
patterns. Inadequate waste disposal infrastructure, the burning of plastics, and open dumping
pollute land and water bodies, causing health hazards and affecting tourism.

Climate change is another critical challenge, manifesting in erratic weather patterns,

unpredictable monsoons, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Local
deforestation and biomass burning further contribute to climate anomalies, impacting
agricultural productivity and making communities more vulnerable to natural disasters.

30
Environment Issues in Mizoram, accessed 21 February 2025, [Link]
geography/environmental-issues-in-mizoram/

14
Flooding and landslides, particularly during monsoons, are exacerbated by deforestation, heavy
rainfall, and unplanned construction on unstable slopes, leading to loss of life, property
damage, and transportation disruptions.

A decline in traditional environmental knowledge also poses a challenge. Mizoram’s

indigenous communities have long practiced sustainable environmental management, but
urbanization and modernization are eroding this knowledge, leading to increased reliance on
unsustainable practices. Additionally, policy and governance challenges hinder effective
environmental conservation. Limited resources, weak enforcement of environmental laws, and
a lack of public awareness contribute to ineffective conservation efforts and continued
degradation of natural resources. Addressing these issues requires integrated policy measures,
public participation, and sustainable practices to protect Mizoram’s rich natural heritage for
future generations.

6. Christian Response

A Christian response to the environmental crisis is deeply rooted in the biblical

understanding that God created the world and entrusted humanity with its care. The Bible
teaches that the Earth belongs to God, and humans are stewards, responsible for preserving its
beauty and resources. In Genesis 1:26, God grants dominion over creation, but this authority is
not for exploitation; rather, as seen in Genesis 2:15, humans are called to “work and take care”
of the land, ensuring its sustainability. Nature is a reflection of God’s glory, as Psalm 24:1
reminds us that “the Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” emphasizing that creation is not
ours to destroy. Romans 1:20 further reveals that through nature, God’s power and divine
nature are evident, urging us to protect it rather than degrade it.

The Bible warns of the consequences of environmental neglect. In Revelation 11:18,

God promises to “destroy those who destroy the Earth,” highlighting the seriousness of
environmental destruction. Hosea 4:3 describes the suffering of animals and ecosystems due to
human actions, showing the interconnectedness between nature and human responsibility.
Christians are called to be righteous caretakers, as Proverbs 12:10 teaches that the “righteous
care for the needs of their animals,” affirming the moral duty to protect creation. Furthermore,
Isaiah 58:11 describes God’s blessings for those who nurture the Earth, likening them to a
“well-watered garden,” indicating that sustainable living aligns with God’s plan for His people.

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 Jesus’ teachings on love and service extend to environmental stewardship. In Mark
12:30-31, He commands us to love God and our neighbor, which includes caring for the Earth
since environmental destruction disproportionately affects the poor and future generations.
Colossians 1:16-17 reminds us that “all things were created through Him and for Him,”
reinforcing the idea that Christ sustains all of creation, and we must respect His work.
Christians must respond to the environmental crisis with gratitude, sustainability, and
responsible stewardship. This means adopting eco-friendly practices, reducing waste, planting
trees, conserving resources, and advocating for policies that protect nature. By doing so, we
fulfill our God-given duty to love and care for creation, ensuring that future generations inherit
a world that continues to reflect God’s glory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the environmental crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires
a comprehensive and sustained response. As Christians, we are called to care for creation and
to be responsible stewards of the Earth’s resources. By adopting sustainable practices,
advocating for environmental policies, and supporting conservation efforts, we can help to
mitigate the effects of the environmental crisis and promote a more just and sustainable future
for all. Ultimately, our response to the environmental crisis must be grounded in a deep sense
of reverence and respect for the natural world, and a commitment to preserving the beauty and
wonder of God’s creation for future generations.

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