CVM UNIVERSITY

Dept. of Biological & Environmental Sciences

FIRST YEAR (SEMESTER 1)
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES I
Unit-1 Overview of Environmental Studies:
• Definition, Scope, Interdisciplinary importance of
Environmental Studies. Environmental Education
(Concept, Needs). Environment & Society- Role
of Government and Non-government
Organizations. Social Issues of Environment,
Environmental Movements (Chipko Movement,
Narmada Bachao Andolan).

Unit-2 Environment & Pollution:

• Introduction, Characteristics, Classification,
Sources, Effects and Control of Soil Pollution,
Water Pollution, Air Pollution and Noise
Pollution.
Unit-3 Natural Resources and Geo-chemical
cycles:
• Sources, Classification, Uses, Degradation and
Management of Renewable & Non-renewable
resources (Water, Forest, Solar, Wind and
Mineral)

Unit-4 Environmental Biodiversity:

• Introduction, History, Socioeconomic benefits,
Levels ( Genetics, Specific and Ecosystem)
Hotspots of Biodiversity, Threats to Biodiversity,
Endangered and Endemic species, steps taken by
Indian Government to protect Biodiversity
Unit-1 Overview of Environmental Studies:
Definition of Environment:
• The term environment is derived from a
French word environ which means
‘surrounding’. It refers to an aggregate of all
conditions that affect the existence, growth,
and welfare of an organism or a group of
organisms.
• Environment is the sum total of all
social, economical, biological, physical,
and chemical factors which constitute the
surroundings of humans, who are both
creators and moulders of the environment.
• Environment is the sum total
of influences which modify and
determine the development of life and its
associated characteristics.
Components of Environment
The components of environment are broadly classified as abiotic and
biotic components.

Abiotic or non-living components of environment include all the

physical and chemical factors that influence living organisms.
Examples of abiotic components are air, water, soil, rocks, etc.

Biotic or living components are the living components of

environment and include microbes, plants, animals, and human
beings.
Biotic Components of Environment
Abiotic Components of Environment
Types of Environment
• Natural Environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living
things occurring naturally
e.g. birds, rivers, plants, animals, soil, etc.

• Man-made Environment (Anthropogenic Environment)

An environment that is created by humans
e.g. roads, dams, canal, building, etc.
Definition of Environmental Science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field
that integrates physical, biological and information sciences
to the study of the environment, and the solution of
environmental problems.
Definition of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies is a multidisciplinary academic
field which systematically studies human interaction with
the environment. Environmental studies connects principles
from the physical sciences, commerce/economics, the
humanities, and social sciences to address complex
contemporary environmental issues.
Interdisciplinary
nature of
Environment
• Atmosphere - The atmosphere implies the protective blanket
of gases, surrounding the earth.

• Hydrosphere - The Hydrosphere comprises all types of water

resources oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar
icecaps, glaciers, and ground water.

• Lithosphere - Lithosphere is the outer mantle of the solid

earth.

• Biosphere - Biosphere indicates the realm of living

organisms and their interactions with environment, viz
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
 Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies requires skills that encompass a range of

disciplines including chemistry, biology, earth sciences, atmospheric
science, statistics, mathematics, and geography.
Importance of Environmental Studies
 Environmental Studies is useful in checking environmental pollution and
related solutions.

 It helps in maintaining ecological balance.

 It helps to gain skills to assess the environmental impact of human

activities. Environmental study will help to protect biodiversity.

 It gives us basic knowledge of environment and associated problems.

 It helps to achieve sustainable development .

 It helps to educate people regarding their duties towards the protection

of environment.

 The knowledge of environmental science will be applied to the study of

agriculture.
Environmental Education
• According to IUCN :
“Environmental education is the process
of recognizing values and clarifying
concepts in order to develop skills and
attitudes necessary to understand and
appreciate the interrelatedness among
man, his culture and his bio-physical
surroundings.

EE also entails practices in decision

making and self-formulating of a code of
behavior about issues concerning
environmental quality.”
• According to UNESCO :
“Environmental education is
a learning process that
increases people’s
knowledge and awareness
about the environment and
associated challenges,
develops the necessary skills
and expertise to address the
challenges, and fosters
attitudes, motivations and
commitments to make
informed decisions and take
responsible actions.”
The components of environmental education are :

Awareness (awareness about environment

and its problems)

Knowledge (basic knowledge about the

environment)

Attitude (a sense of responsibility towards the

environment)

Skill (skills to solve environmental problems)

Participation (participate in programs related

to environment)
Objectives of environmental education:
• To create awareness among the students about the environment
and its problems.
• To enable the students to understand the environment and its
inter relationship with man.
• To enable the students to acquire basic knowledge about the
environment.
• To identify the social values which are in harmony with the
environmental quality.
• To create positive attitude among the students towards
environment.
• To develop skills among the students for evaluating
environmental measures and educational programs.
• To develop skills among the students with a view to solve
environmental problems.
• To create a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Importance of environmental education:
 EE is very important for the child and adult for self-fulfillment
and social development.it helps in maintenance of life and health.
In self-preservation and in the preservation of human race.
 It helps to understand different food chains and the ecological
balance in nature.
 It helps to understand and appreciate how the environment is
used for making a living and for promoting a material culture.
 EE helps in appreciating and enjoying nature and society.
 It stimulates concern for changing environment in a systematic
manner for the long run as well as the immediate welfare of
mankind.
 It directs attention towards the problems of population explosion,
exhaustion of natural resources and pollution of the environment
and sheds light on methods of solving them.
Guiding Principle of environmental education:
• According to UNESCO, the guiding principles of EE should be as follows :
1. EE should be continuous and compulsory.
2. It should have an inter disciplinary approach by including physical,
chemical, biological as well as socio-cultural aspects of the environment.
3. EE should promote the value and necessity of examining the major
environmental issues from the local and national point of view.
4. EE should emphasis the complexities of environmental problems and
critical thinking of problem solving skills.
5. EE should emphasis the importance of sustainable development. i. e,
economic development without degrading the environment.
6. EE should enable learners to include environmental impact analysis in
proposed developmental projects in order to minimize environmental
damages.
7. EE should help the learner to discover the symptoms of and real causes of
environmental problems.
8. EE should emphasis the necessity of seeking international co-operation in
environmental prevention and control of environmental problems.
 51A. FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES.
IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN OF INDIA

(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the
National Anthem;
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India
transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices
derogatory to the dignity of women;
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild
life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation
constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
What are Environmental Issues?
Environmental issues are any such issues created
due to human activities and cause harm to the
environment.
 Environmental issues are harmful effects of human activity on the
biophysical environment.

 They relate to the anthropogenic effects on the natural environment,

which are loosely divided into causes, effects and mitigation, noting that
effectsare interconnected and can cause new effects.

 Environmental Issues are interconnected, that means one issue

accelerate the other e.g. water pollution accelerate the rate of air
pollution causes global warming.
 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES..
HUMAN OVERPOPULATION
o Bio capacity
o Carrying capacity
o Exploitation
o Industrialization
o Land degradation
o Land reclamation
o Urbanization
o Waste
o Water conflict
o Water scarcity
o Overdrafting
 Hydrological Issues
 Environmental Impact of Reservoirs-
• Fragmentation of river ecosystems
• Riverline and coastal erosion
• Change in Water temperature
• Reservoir sedimentation

 Tile Drainage

 Flooding

 Landslide

 Water Scarcity in Agriculture

Nuclear Issues

o Nuclear fallout
o Nuclear meltdown
o Nuclear power
o Nuclear weapons
o Nuclear and radiation accidents
o Nuclear safety
o High-level radioactive waste
management
Land-Use Issues
Built environment
Desertification
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat destruction
Land degradation — Land
pollution
Lawn-environmental concerns
Urban heat island
Urban sprawl
Intensive Farming

• Intensive animal
farming
• Intensive crop farming
• Irrigation
• Monoculture
• Nutrient pollution
• Overgrazing
• Pesticide drift
• Plasticulture
• Slash and burn
• Tile drainage
EFFECTS of GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES..
Climate Change
 Global warming
 Global dimming
 Fossil fuels
 Sea level rise
 Greenhouse gas
 Ocean acidification
 Shutdown of
thermohaline
circulation
 Environmental impact of
the coal industry
 Urban Heat Islands
 Flooding
 Pollution
• Air pollution
*Major Pollutants: Sulfur oxides (SOx), Nitrogen oxides (NOx),
Carbon monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compounds (VOC), Particulate Matter
(PM), Toxic metals such as Lead/Mercury, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
Ammonia (NH3), Odours — such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial
processes, Radioactive pollutant, Ground level ozone (O3) etc.

• Water Pollution
-Point Sources: Contaminants that enter a waterway from a single,
identifiable source, such as a pipe or ditch. Examples of sources in this category
include discharges from a sewage treatment plant, a factory, or a city storm
drain.
-Non Point Sources: Refers to diffuse contamination that does not
originate from a single discrete source. A common example is the leaching out
of nitrogen compounds from fertilized agricultural lands. Nutrient runoff in
storm water from "sheet flow" over an agricultural field or a forest are also
cited as examples of NPS pollution.
 Pollution
• Soil pollution
Soil pollution can be caused by the following
*Accidental Spills *Acid rain (Which is caused by air pollution)
*Intensive farming *Deforestation*Genetically modified plants
*Nuclear wastes
*Industrial Accidents *Landfill and illegal dumping *Land Erosion
*Agricultural practices, such as application of pesticides,
herbicides and fertilizers *Mining and other industries *Oil and
fuel dumping *Buried wastes *Disposal of coal ash *Disposal of
ammunitions and agents of war
*Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil *Electronic
waste

• Noise pollution- Disturbing or excessive noise that

may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life.
Waste
o Electronic waste
o Great Pacific Garbage Patch
o Illegal dumping
o Incineration
o Litter
o Waste disposal incidents
o Marine debris
o Medical waste
o Landfill
o Leachate
o Toxic waste
o Environmental impact of the
coal industry
o Exporting of hazardous
waste
 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Mitigation
WHO SHOULD COME FORWARD ?

Each and Everyone must come forward to mitigate with this burning
issues because our existence is now in our hand.
Role of Government Organizations in Protection of Environment

• The main institutions in India responsible for

the formulation and enforcement of
environmental acts and rules are:
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC)
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)
• Municipal Corporations
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC)
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency in the
administrative structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and
overseeing the implementation of India’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes.
• The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to
conservation of the country’s natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests
and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. While
implementing these policies and programmes, the Ministry is guided by the principle of sustainable
development and enhancement of human well-being.
• The Ministry also serves as the nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and for the follow-up of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Ministry is also entrusted with issues
relating to multilateral bodies such as the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Global
Environment Facility (GEF) and of regional bodies like Economic and Social Council for Asia and
Pacific (ESCAP) and South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) on matters
pertaining to the environment.
The broad objectives of the Ministry are:
 Conservation and survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife
 Prevention and control of pollution
 Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas
 Protection of the environment and
 Ensuring the welfare of animals
 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation,
was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted
with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to
the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote
cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by
prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and (ii) to
improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air
pollution in the country.
Functions of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water
and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
• Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programm for the prevention, control or
abatement of water and air pollution;
• Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor
investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their
prevention, control or abatement;
• Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or
abatement of water and air pollution;
• Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the
prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water and air pollution
and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control or abatement;
• Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and
trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts;
• Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air pollution and their
prevention and control;
• Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, the
standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the quality of air; and
• Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of India.
 State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
• The State Legislatures' established SPCBs by adopting Water Act
of 1974 and Air Act of 1981. The SPCBs are either attached to
Environment Department or to Forest and Wildlife Department
at the state level.
• The major function of the SPCB includes the enforcement of
national standards of water and air pollution.
• SPCBs are responsible for planning and implementing state-level
Pollution Control Programs for the protection and improvement
of environment.
• It is an advisory body for the state governments.
• It also grants consents to Establish (CTE) and consent to operate
(CTO) under the Air and Water Acts.
• It also authorizes hazardous waste disposal under the
EPA(Environment Protection Act).
Municipal Corporations

• It is a local government body that is

responsible for roads, public transportation,
water supply and sanitation.
• Sanitation includes waste management,
sewage, drainage and flood control. Public
safety services like fire and ambulance
services etc. it is responsible for scavenging,
removal and disposal of filth, rubbish and
other obnoxious or polluted matters.
Role of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in Protection of
Environment

• Bombay natural history society

• The Bombay natural history society, founded on 15 September
1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India
engaged in conservation and biodiversity research. It supports
many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of
the Bombay Natural History Society. Many prominent naturalists,
including the ornithologists Sálim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley have been
associated with it. The society is commonly known by its initials,
BNHS.
• Aims to disseminate knowledge of flora and fauna by means of
lectures, field trips, literature and expeditions and to study wildlife
related problems and recommend management plans to conserve
wildlife and its habitat. It conducts field research projects on bird
migration and studies on the movement and population structure
of Indian avifauna.
• Centre for Environmental Education (CEE)
• Centre for Environment Education was established in August
1984 as a Centre of Excellence supported by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Government of India.
• CEE, a national institution with its headquarters in Ahmedabad,
has a mandate to promote environmental awareness nationwide.
CEE is affiliated to the Nehru Foundation for Development and
inherits the rich multidisciplinary resource base and varied
experience of Nehru Foundation for Development. CEE is
committed to ensuring that due recognition is given to the role of
Education in the promotion of sustainable development.
• They mainly aim to create environmental awareness in the
communities, conduct widespread environmental education and
training programmers through a very vast network. Publications
and database, they have a vast range of publications , books,
posters, educational packages, bibliographies and directories.
• Worldwide fund for nature India
• WWF-India is one of the largest conservation organizations engaged
in wildlife and nature conservation in the country. It has been
working tirelessly to promote harmony between human beings and
nature for more than four decades. People all over the world have
awakened to the realization that the heritage value of fast
diminishing wild life and the systematic and the senseless
destruction of natural resources by sheer lethargy or human greed
or industrial development can lead to grave consequences. The
world has awakened to a realization of the fact that industrial
development and preservation of the environment can go hand in
hand by adopting a balanced approach. Its main aim is the
promotion of conservation of nature and environmental protection
as the basis for sustainable and equitable development.
• Tata Energy and Research Institute (TERI)
• TERI is established in 1974 as independent not-for-profit research
institute. Its mission is to develop and promote technologies,
policies and institutions for efficient and sustainable use of natural
resources. It has been imparting environmental education through
projects, workshops, audio visual aids and quiz competitions. It
deals with policy related work in the energy sector, research on
environmental subjects development on renewable energy
technologies and promotion of energy efficiency in the industry and
transport. TERI also has a major programme in biotechnology, the
applications of which are oriented towards increased biomass
production, conversion of waste into useful products and mitigating
the harmful environmental impacts of several economic activities.
THE CHIPKO MOVEMENT

India's best known environmental movement is undoubtedly the "Chipko" movement that
emerged in 1973 among the hill people in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Origin of the
movement : The root of the Chipko movement goes back to several decades. In 1960s the of
Himalaya region received their biggest shock, when under a working plan tress were cut down
on large scale. "There are differences of opinion on the actual date of beginni'ng of the Chipko
movement. Bahuguna, a prominent leader of the Chipko' says that it was started on 30 May 1969
during the 'Ziladan' of Uttarakashi in the wake of Acharya Vinoba Bhave's Gram Swaraj
Movement. The term "Chipko" loosely translated, is Hindi for 'hug' and the word 'andolan'
merely means' movement'. The Chipko movement is a movement that originated in the Indian
himalaya dedicated to saving trees by hugging them if necessary, upon the arrival of axe men.

In 1972, then Uttar Pradesh government approved the policy of a sports good manufacturing
company for the auction of ash tress. Villagers were previously denied even small scale
consumption of these trees. In March 1973, the agents of Simon company arrived to supervise
the felling of trees. The villagers resisted the cutting down of trees by employees of the Simon
Company. The agents of the company were forced to run away from the village.

This remarkable event was led by ·the Dashauli Gram Swarajya Sangh (D.G.S.S). It is a labour
cooperative formed in Gopeshwar town of chamoli in 1964. It was aimed at creating
.employment opportunities by setting up forest based small scale industries. They were the main
beneficiaries of ash trees, which were denied by the administration. C.P Bhatt, a Sarvodaya
worker, who later became one of the prominent leaders of the Chipka Movement, gave the
leadership for their early resistance. This incident was followed by several incidents of resistance
to feeling trees in different parts of Uttarakhand. The leaders of the movements were S.L.
Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Garura Devi. The origin lies in the historical exploitation of
forest resources that not only degraded the environment for the local population, but did so in a
way that the process of degradation and the fruits of exploitation were outside their control. The
agitators put following demands to the government:

Demands and Objective:

The main objective of the Chipko was to put an end to the ruthless destruction of forests that was
already in progress and to encourage their systematic development to save the country from
environmental hazards like erosion of soil, depletion of water resources and
floods. Finally the Chipko activists prepared a six point memorandum of demands which were as
follows:

1. They believe that in a particular geographic situation, only specific trees or vegetation should
be grown, so that appropriate needs of fertilizer soil water and energy can be met. And till the
forest is not able to take care of its own survival it needs the support of h~an beings for its
protection Even more important is that, there should be a detailed analysis of the social and
economic conditions of the people living in the forest areas. The traditional relationship of the
local people with their forests should also be carefully seen.

2. They demanded that areas affected by landslides and soil erosion or where forest areas are
crucial for conservation of water resources should be identified and resenred.
3. The minimum needs of people living next to the forests who have been using them for their
survival and their village economy, should be established and the administration should be such
that these rights are exercised easily by them.

4. The contractor system should be completely stopped m forest conservation, development and
exploitation.

5. Trees which are of use to villagers should be planted near the village so that village people do
not need to go into the reserved areas.

6. Village industries should be set up, based on minor forest produce so that the local population
can get jobs and migration from villages can be stopped.

Spread of Movement:
The Chipko activists protested against the brutal policy of government in following way:
Almost every section of society participated against the felling of trees. Collective efforts of the
people from different villages especially women resulted in a virtual halt to tree felling in most
of the area. Forest officials, contractors and armed men were at a loss compared to the women's
non-violent resistance coloured with emotions. On March, 1974, when all menfolk went to
Chamoli town for receiving their overdue compensation
labourers marched towards the forest, under the leadership of Gaura Devi. That night the women
of Reni guarded all possible routes leading. In April 1973, the scene of activity shifted to the
Mandai forest where about 100 people gathered for discussion. In May the Uttarakhand
Sarvodaya Mandal held its meeting and asked for the inclusion of local people in the
administration and management of forests and insisted for the promotion of small and cottage
hill industries. In June of same year Somon Company arrived to see the situation, again they
witnessed same scene, and forced to go back to gopeshwar. Then in Oct, Sunderlal Bahuguna
started a padyatra which contnued for two months from gopeshwar to Okimath. It was
undertaken to publicize the need to save the trees and expound the
philosophy of non-violent direct action.

"Now the agents of the Simon Company started their own counter padayatras. They went from
village to village explaining that they had paid for the trees, and added that the Chipko activists
were trouble makers merely after bribes from the company and that association with them could
lead to the villagers ending up in gaol. Meetings and counter -meetings followed.
On 22 Dec, at Tri-Juginarayan, the last village on the road, another large public meeting was
held. The villagers had invited the company's agents to present their case. After listening to all
the arguments, a resolution to take Chipko action was put to vote.

Leadership
Sunderlal Bahuguna Spread the message of movement to the common man. He was a follower of
Mahatma gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. In hill areas, it was very difficult to make the masses aware
of what was happening. Bahuguna through his padyatras reached to the houses of common men,
who were to be affected most. Again in May 1974, he
alongwith several young people started out on the historic Uttarkhand traversing padayatra.
During the padyatra, the marchers kept on shouting slogans and singing songs to stress the
protection of forest. They walked from village to village and held meetings in every village. In
the meetings, the villages were told about the brutal policy of simon company.

Another important leader of the movement was Chandi Prasad Bhatt. He was involved in
organising direct action. He stressed integration of people's need with the sustainability of the
forest. Due to the pressure on the forest department, the U.P. government appointed on official
committee in Oct. 1974, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, was one of the member of this
committee. He stressed the need of alternate technology that could be more environmentally
conscious as well as socially just. In this respect, his views are similar to the pioneers
formulations of the technology A.K. N. Reddy, who emphasizes the role of appropriate
technology in an environmentally sound development policy." Apart from the approaches of
Bahuguna and Bhatt the perspective of Uttarakhand Sangharh Vahini (USV), a local organisation
is also dominant in the movement at least in some areas, USV, was inspired by the Marxian
ideology, stresses the idea of ecology oriented socialism. It is
charply oppossed to the state and not reluctant to use violent means". Early in 1977 the
Uttarakhand activists mobilized villagers to protest against excessive resin tapping by
contractors.

The Dasholi Gram Swarajya Mandai (DGSM) was regarded as mother organization of the
Chipko Andolan. The DGSM suceeded in understanding the psychology of the villagers. Under
the leadership of the DGSM, dozens of camps are organized every monsoon and winter in which
people participated with great keenness. Educational discussions were held and people donated
their labour to plant tress. The impact of these activities steadily spread from one village to
another. The camps begun with local songs dealing with forest protection and discussions took
place on local problems and their solutions. Barren land lying waste around the villages was
surrounded by planting trees chosen by the village woman to meet local needs.

The DGSM realized that plantation was the only alternative to arrest the sinking process. So the
plantation camp was organized during 15 May to 2nd July 1976 at Joshimath. During this period
about 8,000 trees were planted and 1,500 metres long hedge was constructed to safeguard these
saplings from cattle.

The year 1977 also saw plantation of thousand of trees in Jposhimath and almora districts.

In May 1977, the activists started a slogan shouting processing and it entered the forest located in
the Hemvalghati region of T ehri Garhwal. Here they applied mud and sack plasters on the
wounded pine trees. In June, Sarla Devi, a social. worker called for a meeting of Sarvodaya
Mandal and eminent scientists. At this meetings, a resolution to end the commercial felling of
trees and the resting of over tapped pines was passed.

Although the Sarvodaya ideology of Mahatma Gandhi greatly inspired the movement, there are
instances of violence in some places. For ex, in Oct. 1977, in N anital the agitation of the Chipko
activists against the auction of trees led to violent clashes with the police. But the leaders of the
movement denied their involvement in the incident.

The forests are the source of livelihoods for most of the people in the Himalayan region, thus
they issued a Declaration of Rights emphasizing that their demand for the protection of trees was
for a basic right to life. The peaceful protest activities in Himalaya and solidarity activities
elsewhere in the country are legitimate activities in exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
By this time, the movement had gained worldwide recognition. The government of India
conferred one of the national honours (Padma Shri) on Bahuguna in 1981. But the leader
declined the honour and refused to receive the award "till his mission was complete". The British
Broadcasting corporation ran a television documentary on the movement and interviewed
bahuguna in its 'The World About Us" programme on 24 Jan 1982. The Sunday times in a rather
uncharacteristic departure from traditional British
understatement described Bahuguna as a man who could 'well become India's new Gandhi".
Bahuguna made it a point in his BBC interview to mention the Hindu religious beliefs in and
rituals involving the sacred character of trees. Addressing a United Nation's Environment
Programme (UNEP) Conference in London. Bahuguna said that the people living in the
forests knew more about them than others, and emphasised that his movement was people based.

By this time, the movement had gained worldwide recognition. The government of India
conferred one of the national honours (Padma Shri) on Bahuguna in 1981. But the leader
declined the honour and refused to receive the award "till his mission was complete". The British
Broadcasting corporation ran a television documentary on the movement and interviewed
bahuguna in its 'The World About Us" programme on 24 Jan 1982. The
Sunday times in a rather uncharacteristic departure from traditional British understatement
described Bahuguna as a man who could 'well become India's new Gandhi". Bahuguna made it a
point in his BBC interview to mention the Hindu religious beliefs in and rituals involving the
sacred character of trees. Addressing a United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP)
Conference in London. Bahuguna said that the people living in the forests knew more about them
than others, and emphasised that his movement was people based.

The Chipko movement has rightly highlighted the degredation of Indian forest and the tragic
consequences that have ensured. "I have seen deep wounds on the body of the Himalayas in the
shape of landslides", said Bahuguna before announcing a eleven day fast from 2 April 1981 to
focus public attention on the vital problem of mountains and trees. Bahuguna undertook fasts in
past also. In Jan 1979, he began an indefinite fast to awaken environmental consciousness. He
was arrested but he continued the fast and broke it ultimately on 2nd Feb, when the government
assured him to stop the auction and felling of trees.

Bahuguna's opposition to the Commercial motivation in the exploitation of forests was expressed
more forcefully in his letter written to the editor of Indian Express in which he deplored the
ruthless tapping of pine trees for resin which "weakens the tress which either dry up. He voiced
strongly to opposed the practice of monoculture, especially of reforestation programmes
involving planting "Soil depleter species like eucalyptus", under which "nothing grows". The
government was consequently foreced to remedy the situation through various measures.

Women played a great role in the Chipko movement , Sarla Devi and Gaura Devi were the
leaders of women Sarla Devi was born of German parents in London in 1901. She came to India
in 1932 to teach at an experimental school in Udaipur. In 1936, she joined Mahatma Gandhi and
she became a follower of Gandhi.

Sarlabai strove to create environmental awareness by publishing numerous articles and book on
ecological problems. In 1961, she created the Uttarkhand Sarvodaya Mandai to work for the
uplift of the population. For a whole half century after, Independence, Nehru's food soldiers
sought to equate dam building with Nation building. Not only did they built new dams and
irrigation schemes, they took control of small traditional water
harvesting systems that had been managed. for thousands of years and allowed them to atrophy.
To compensate the loss they built more and more dams. Today, India is the world's third largest
dam builder. According to the central water commission we have 3,600 dams that qualify as big
dams, 3,300 of them built after Independence. A thousand more are under construction. Nehru
famous statement about dams being the temples of
Modem India has made its way into primary school text books in every Indian language. Big
dams have become an article of faith inextricably linked with nationalism". Dams were seen as
of electricity and irrigation, but the reverse happened. The construction of dams led to
environmental destruction, displacement of people and submergence of forests. The projects are
abandoned and the canal work remained incomplete. The people
who are exploted most are the poorest, most marginalised section of the populations of the
poorest countries in the world. These people depend on their lands and rivers and forest for their
sustenance and displacing them from their old age homes would results in these conditions led
for the emergence of environment movements. The movements had no clear beginning the
movements emerged in different places at different times and
usually for different resources. In the beginning the issues were local but no the issues have been
recognised as issues have been recognized as issued of international concern. The movements
have been going on throughout the world. In India People's movements against the construction
of high dams are going on in various parts of the country. The people of Bihar have approached
the legal aid committee of the Supreme Court against the construction of Koel Karo Dam. The
Jharkhand Movement which is struggling for separate states comprinsing of Orissa, Bihar and
West Bengal is also the result of environmental degradation and poverty. The farmers of
Kamataka launched a movement against the eucalyptus plantations by the big farmers which will
affect their ravi crops.

The silent valley movement is one of the most important environmental movement in India. The
construction of dam on the river Kunthi will drown valuable forest, and threaten the loss of wild
life. By 1979, various organizations of students, teachers, Journalists etc., began to work against
the project. This hue and cry among all circles led the government to stop the ongoing projects.
The construction of dams has been the central feature of India's development strategy. This type
of big projects includes the side effects of environmental degradation, displacement of humans
and animals, deforestation and loss of wild life. These issues have become the focal points of
attention and many movements have been launched in India against this.

Results of Chipko Movement

 Ban on cutting the trees for the 15 years in the forests of Uttar Pradesh in 1980.
 By 1981, over a million trees had been planted through their efforts
 It generated pressure for a natural resource policy which is more sensitive to people's
needs and ecological requirements.
 New methods of forest farming have been developed, both to conserve the forests and
create employment.
 The Chipko is still working to protect the trees today through the same nonviolent
methods.
Recognition
Chandi Prasad Bhatt- Raman Megasessey award
Sunder Lal Bahuguna- Padma Bhusan Award
•Chipko inspired environmentalists both nationally and globally
–A movement with diverse experiences, strategies, and motivations,
•contributed substantially to the emerging philosophies of
–eco-feminism
–deep ecology
–community - based conservation and sustainable mountain development.
 Narmada Bachao Andolan

NARMADA
o The Narmada, also called the Rewa and previously also known as Nerbudda,is
a river in central India and the sixth longest river in the Indian subcontinent.
o It is the third longest river that flows entirely within India, after the Godavari,
and the Krishna. It is also known as “Life Line of Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh” for its huge contribution to the state of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
in many ways.
o Narmada rises from Amarkantak Plateau near Anuppur district. It forms the
traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards
over a length of 1,312 km (815.2 mi) before draining through the Gulf of
Khambhat into the Arabian Sea, 30 km (18.6 mi) west of Bharuch city of
Gujarat.

SARDAR SAROVAR DAM

o The Sardar Sarovar Dam idam on the Narmada river near Navagam, Gujarat in
India. Four Indian states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Rajasthan,
receive water and electricity supplied from the dam.
o The foundation stone of the project was laid out by Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru on April 5, 1961. The project took form in 1979 as part of a
development scheme to increase irrigation and produce hydroelectricity. The
dam was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on September 17, 2017.
o One of the 30 dams planned on river Narmada, Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is
the largest structure to be built. It is one of the largest dams in the world.

NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN

o Narmada Bachao Andolan is the most powerful mass movement, started in
1985, against the construction of huge dam on the Narmada river.
o Narmada is the India’s largest west flowing river, which supports a large
variety of people with distinguished culture and tradition ranging from the
indigenous (tribal) people inhabited in the jungles here to the large number of
rural population.
o The proposed Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada Sagar will displace more than
250,000 people. The big fight is over the resettlement or the rehabilitation of
these people.
o The two proposals are already under construction, supported by the world bank.
There are plans to build over 3000 big and small dams along the river.

BACKGROUND
o After the country won its independence, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal
Nehru, began calling for the construction of dams to aid in India’s
development.
o Two of the largest proposed dams were Sardar Sarovar and Narmada sagar
have been under construction since 1961.
o The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal approved the Narmada Valley
Development Project, which included 30 large dams, 135 medium dams, and
3,000 small dams includin raising the hieght of Sardar Sarovar dam.
o It is a multi crore project that will generate a big revenue for the government. In
1985, the World Bank agreed to finance the Sardar Sarovar dam with a
contribution of $450 million without consulting the indigenous communities
that were to be displaced.

MOVEMENT
o In 1987, construction began on the Sardar Sarovar dam, and the injustices of
the government’s relocation program were exposed: there was not enough land
available for redistribution, amenities were low quality, and the settlers had
difficulty adjusting to new environments.
o In 1985, after hearing about the Sardar Sarovar dam, Medha Patkar and her
colleagues visited the project site and noticed that project work being checked
due to an order by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of
India.
o The people who were going to be affected by the construction of the dam were
given no information but the offer for rehabilitation.Villagers weren’t consulted
and weren’t asked for a feedback on the assessment that had taken place.

“KOI NAHIN HATEGA BANDH NAHI BANEGA”

o Shaken by the unfavorable news coverage, the World Bank announced it would
institute an Independent Review of the Sardar Sarovar projects
o On January 28, the fasters ended their hunger strike after 22 days without food.
Medha Patkar, one of those fasting, was near death. The short-term victory was
bittersweet.
o International human rights NGOs began documenting abuses against NBA
activists. A February 1993 “Peoples’ Referendum” in the Narmada Valley,
carried out by the NBA, organized over 22,500 families in opposition to forced
relocation
o After some claimed the end of the hunger strike to be a victory for the Indian
government, NBA protesters claimed they would stay in villages until
drowning from the Sardar Sarovar reservoir. In response, the government
banned Patkar and other activists from the villages during the monsoon, and
prohibited the villagers from holding anti-dam protests

FURTHER
o She undertook a similar fast in 1993 and resisted evacuation from the dam site.
In 1994, the Narmada Bachao Andolan office was attacked reportedly by a
couple of political parties, and Patkar and other activists were physically
assaulted and verbally abused. In protest, a few NBA activists and she began a
fast; 20 days later, they were arrested and forcibly fed.
o The Sardar Sarovar Dam’s construction began again in 1999 after the
construction was allowed and was declared finished in 2006. It was inaugurated
in 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi. Since construction in
2017, the height has been increased from 138 meters to 163 meters

ROLE OF WORLD BANK

o The World Bank began working on the Narmada Project after it got
clearance from the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal.The bank sent a
team for the assessment of the project in economic and technical
terms.This team didn’t focus on the social or environmental issues.
o Several tribal people have been harmed by the project. The Bank then
adopted certain policies to ensure proper relocation of the tribal people
and protect them from the forced relocation.
o In 1985, irrespective of the harm done by the Sardar Sarovar project, the
World bank sanctioned a loan to the state governments for construction
purposes.Medha Patkar and other protesters testified on the Bank’s role
in Washington D.C in 1989.
o The Morse Commission was established to look into the construction of
the dam, and the environmental cost and human displacement in
1991.The Indian Government canceled the loan sanctioned by the World
Bank on March 31, 1993
 COMPENSATION
o The Supreme Court has ordered in 2017, Rs 60 lakh for each of the nearly 700
families likely to be displaced.
o A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar ordered compensation
of Rs 60 lakh per family for two hectares of land.
o As far as Maharashtra and Gujarat were concerned, the apex court said relief
and rehabilitation work has to be completed within three months

DEATH
o In 1960, he suffered a heart attack. He was treated by top doctors in India,
including his friend Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the then Chief Minister of West
Bengal.
o His health started deteriorating and he died on 7 March 1961 at the age of 74,
from a cerebral stroke. At that time he was still in office as the Home Minister
of India.
PEOPLE INVOLVED
o Medha Patkar has been at the forefront of the movement. She has organised
several fasts and satyagrahas, and been to jail several times for the cause.
o Another popular figure was Baba Amte, known for his work against leprosy.
He published a booklet called Cry O Beloved Narmada in 1989 to protest
against the construction of the dam
o Amongst the major celebrities who have shown their support for Narmada
Bachao Andolan are Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy and Aamir Khan.] It
was also supported by music composer and bass guitarist in the band Indian
Ocean, Rahul Ram, who was actively involved in the movement from 1990 to
1995.
o In 1994 was the launch of Narmada: A Valley Rises, by filmmaker Ali
Kazimi. It documents the five-week Sangharsh Yatra of 1991. The film went on
to win several awards and is considered by many to be a classic on the issue. In
1996, veteran documentary filmmaker, Anand Patwardhan, made an award-
winning documentary: A Narmada Diary. Alok Agarwal, current member of
the Aam Aadmi Party, is an active figure in the movement.
o Bihar CM Nitish Kumar participated in rally organised by NBA on the bank of
Narmada at Rajghat on 16th Sep 2016. Expressing solidarity with the Andolan
Mr. Nitish Kumar said "I have come from Patna to extend support to the
agitation on the side of river Narmada here".
o Supporting the NBA's main demand CM Nitish Kumar appealed to PM Mr
Modi at Rajghat saying "Pradhan Mantri ji, don't close the gates of Sardar
Sarovar Dam. Rehabilitate people not by giving cash, but giving them
alternative land/employment. Don't make plans to drown 2.5 lakh people by
closing the gates," he said in a statement released in Barwani.