WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT

The wild life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 1983, 1986, 1991 & 2003,
provides the protection of wild animals, birds & plants to ensure ecological &
environmental security of the country. This act seeks to:
(I) Constitute a wild life advisory board for each state.
(II) Regulate hunting of wild animals & birds.
(III) Lay down the procedure for declaring areas as sanctuaries, national parks,
etc.
(IV) Regulate possession, acquisition or transfer or trade in wild animals, animal
articles, etc.
(V) Provide penalties for the contravention of this act.
(VI) Provide for captive breeding programme for endangered species.
FOREST CONSERVATION ACT
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, as amended in 1988 is concerned with the
conservation of forests.
OBJECTIVES
(I) Protection & conservation of forests.
(II) Ensuring judicious use of forest products.
FEATURES

(I) It covers all types of forests, including reserved forests, protected forests or any
forested land irrespective of its ownership.
(II) This act as amended in 1988, provides leasing of forest land to persons or any
authority, corporation, agency or any other organization are not owned, managed
or controlled by government & clearing of trees which have grown naturally in any
forest land for the purpose of using it for re-afforestation will require prior approval
of the central government.
(III) This act contains a punitive provision for the enforcement machinery.
(IV) The 1992 amendment to the forest (conservation) act allows some non-forest
activities in forests without cutting trees or limited cutting with prior approval of
central government. Those activities are setting of transmission lines, exploration,
drilling & hydro-electric projects.
(V) Wild life sanctuaries, national parks, etc., are totally prohibited for any
exploration under this act without the prior approval of the central government,
even if no tree-feeling is involved
(VI) Cultivation of the coffee, species, rubber & plants which are cash crops are
included in non-forestry activity is not allowed in reserve forests.
(VII) Even cultivation of fruit-bearing trees, oil-yielding plants or plants of
medicinal value in forest areas has to be first approved by the central government.
(VIII) Mining is a non-forestry activity & so for mining in a forest area, prior
approval of the central government is mandatory.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, 1986

1. The central Government has the power to take measures for protecting &
improving the quality of environment to prevent and control environmental
pollution.
2. Powers vested in the Central Government or the measures the central
government are;
(A) Planning & execution of a nationwide programme for the prevention, control of
environmental pollution.
(B) Laying down standards for quality of environment in the various aspects.
(C) Restriction of areas in any industries processes are carried out is subjected to
certain safeguards.
(D) Procedures & safeguards for the prevention of accidents which may cause
environmental pollution.
(E) Procedures & safeguards for the handling of hazardous substances.
(F) Examination of manufacturing processes, materials & substances that cause
environmental pollution.
(G) Inspection of any premises, equipment, machinery, or other processes,
materials or substances & giving directions to authorities, officers or persons to
take steps for the prevention, control of environmental pollution.
(H) Preparation of manuals, guides relating to the prevention, control & abatement
of environmental pollution.
(I) Establishment of environmental laboratories to carry out the functions
entrusted to such environmental laboratories & institutes under this act.
(J) Other matters as the Central Government deems necessary for the purpose of
securing the effective implementation of the provisions of this act.
(3) The central government can constitute an authority for the purpose of
exercising and performing the powers & functions of the Central Government & for
taking measures.

AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1981

Air (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1981 came into force 29th March,
1981.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT
(A) This act empowers Central & State Pollution Control Boards to declare
pollution control areas, restrictions on certain industrial units, authority of the
Boards to limit emission of air pollutants, power of entry, taking samples &
analysis, penalties, offences by companies & government & cognizance of offences,
etc.
(B) Empowers state government to designate air pollution areas & to prescribe the
types of fuel to be used in the designated areas. Under this act, no person can
operate certain types of industries without the consent of the state board.
(C) This act empowers the central board to advise the central government on
matters of air pollution, coordinate the activities of the state boards, lay down
desirable air quality standards & trained human resources to monitor pollution.
(D) The state boards empowered to establish laboratories and appoint government
analysts for analyzing samples of air or emissions for purposes of implementing the
act.
(E) The state governments are empowered to declare any area within the state as
air pollution control area after consulting the state board. The government can
prohibit the use of certain fuels, materials or appliances which may cause air
pollution.

WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1974

The Water (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1974 came into force 23rd
March, 1974.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT
(I) Prevention & control of water pollution.
(II) Maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness of water.
(III) Establishment of central & state boards for the prevention & control of water
pollution.
FEATURES OF ACT
(A) Provides establishment of central & state boards for the prevention & control of
water pollution.
(B) Under this act, the central & state boards are given powers to prevent water
pollution, take water samples & their analysis, discharge of sewage, trade effluents,
etc.
(C) The 1988 amendment to this act requires that there should be no discharge of
trade effluent or sewage without the permission of the state board. If any industry
contravenes this provision, it can be closed immediately

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

MONTREAL PROTOCOL
It is an international agreement designed to protect ozone layer.
OBJECTIVE:- “To protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of
numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.”
SIGNED:- 26 August 1987
LOCATION:- Montreal [City in Southern Canada]
EFFECTIVE:- August 1989
SIGNATORIES:- 46 States
LANGUAGES:- Arabic, English, Chinese, French, Russian & Spanish

 The montreal protocol on substances that delete the ozone layer. It is an

international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the
production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
 It was agreed on August 1987 and entered into force on 26 January 1989,
followed by a first meeting in Helsinki May 1989.
 Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels
2050 and 2070.
 The ozone depletion challenge, there was global regulation already being
installed before a scientific consensus was established.
EFFECTS

 Montreal protocol came into effect, the atmospheric concentrations of the

most important chlorofluorocarbons and related chlorinated hydrocarbons have
either leveled off or decreased.
 The concentration of the HCFCs increased drastically at least partly because
for many uses CFCs were subtitled with HCFCs.
 The Montreal protocol has often been called the most successful
international environmental agreement to date
 The most recent scientific evaluation of the effects of the Montreal protocol
states. “The Montreal Protocol is working.”
 The Montreal protocol is also expected to have effects on human health.
 The Montreal protocol currently calls for a complete phase out of HCFCs by
2030, but does not place any restriction on HCFCs.
 Policy experts have advocated for increased efforts to link ozone protection
efforts to climate protection efforts.

KYOTO PROTOCOL
It is an international treaty which extends the 1992 of UNFCCC [United
Nation Frame work Convention on Climate Change] that commits to reduce the
green house gas emissions. It applies 6 green house gases like CO2, CH4, N2O,
CFC, HFC & SF6.
OBJECTIVE:- “To reduce the global warming by reducing green house gases
concentration in atmosphere. ”
SIGNED:- 11 December 1997
LOCATION:- Kyoto [City in Japan]
EFFECTIVE:- 16 February 2005
SIGNATORIES:- 45 States
LANGUAGES:- Arabic, English, Chinese, French, Russian & Spanish

 The Kyoto protocol is an international treaty that commits state parties to

reduce green house gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global
warming is occurring and it is extremely likely that human made CO2 emissions
have predominantly caused it.
 The Kyoto protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to reduce the
onset of global warming by reducing green house gas concentrations in the
atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference
with the climate system.
 The Kyoto protocol applies to the 6 green house gases like carbon di oxide
CO2, Methane CH4, Nitrous oxide N2O, Hydrofluorocarbons HFCs, Perfluorocarbons
PFCs and sulphur hexafluoride SF6.
 The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities.
 It acknowledges that individual countries have different capabilities in reduce
current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are
 historically responsible for the current levels of green house gases in the atmosphere.

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)

The convention on Biological diversity is an international treaty that aims to
conserve biodiversity or protect the biodiversity
Aim or objectives:- CBD involves 3 main goals
1. Conservation of biodiversity
2. Sustainable use of biodiversity
3. Equitable sharing of the use of resources
SIGNED:- 5 June 1992
LOCATION:- Rio de Janeiro [City in Brazil]
EFFECTIVE:- 29 December 1993
LANGUAGES:- Arabic, English, Chinese, French, Russian & Spanish

NATURE RESERVES
A natural reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or
features of geological or other special interest which is reserved and managed for
conservation and to provide special opportunities for study/research.
 Nature reserves may be designated by government institutions in some
countries by private landowners such as charities and research institutions,
regardless of nationality.
Nature reserves fall into different IUCN categories
 depending on the level of protection afforded by local laws. Normally it is more
strictly protected than a nature park. In India there are some bio-reserves the
important bio-reserves are-
(a) Nanda Devi Biosphere in Uttar Pradesh
(b) Nokrek Bio-reserves in Meghalaya
(c) Manas Bio-reserves in Assam
(d) Sundarbans Bio-reserves in West Bengal
(e) Gulf of mannar Bio-reserves in Tamil nadu
(f) Nilgiris Bio-reserves spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala
(g) Great Nicobar Bio-reserves

TRIBAL POPULATION

Tribe is a human social group living in forest called tribal population.

 Though only 8.2% of the total population the scheduled tribes constitute
55% of the people displaced, since independence due to the construction of dams,
mines, industrial development and the creation of wild life parks and sanctuaries.
 Poverty and landlessness is rampant amongst the STs 51% of all ST are
below the poverty line compared to 40.2% for the national average and 65% of STs
are landless as per 2011 census. Therefore this group has disproportionately
borne the burden of economic development.
 The fifth schedule designates tribal majority areas in ten tribal minority
states with peninsular India including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa & Rajasthan.
 The sixth schedule designates such tribal majority areas in north eastern
states including Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram & Tripura. Of these Meghalaya &
Mizoram are tribal majority states

TRIBAL POPULATION RIGHTS

The scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of forest
rights) act, 2006 was enacted by the parliament of India in December 2006.
1. Right to hold and live in the forest land under the individual / common
occupation for habitation.
2.Right to self cultivation for livelihood by a tribe member or members of a
forest dwelling scheduled tribe.
3.Right to ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest
produce which has been traditionally collected within / outside village boundaries.
4. Rights in over disputed lands under any nomenclature in any state where
claims are disputed.
5. Rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages.
6. Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest
resource.
7. Rights which are recognized under any state laws.
8. Right of access of biodiversity and community right to intellectual property
and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity.
HUMAN WILD LIFE CONFLICTS IN INDIAN CONTEXT
 Human wild life conflicts refer to the interaction between wild animals and
people and the resultant negative impact on people or their resources or wild
animals or their habitat.
 It occurs when growing human populations overlap with
established wild life territory creating reduction of resources of life of some people
of wild animals.
 The conflicts takes many forms ranging from loss of life or injury to humans
and animals both wild and domesticated, competition for scarce resources to loss
and degradation of habitat.
 Conflict management strategies earlier compressed lethal control,
translocation, regulation of population size and preservation of endangered species.
Recent management approaches attempt to use scientific research for better
management outcomes such as behavior modification and reducing interaction. As
human wild life conflicts inflict direct, indirect and opportunity costs, the migration
of human-wild life conflict is an important issue in the management of biodiversity
and protected areas.
CAUSES OF HUMAN WILD LIFE CONFLICTS
 As human population expand wild animals habitat is displaced.
 Food and sheltered interference and potentially destructive threat for both
man and animals.
 Threatens to other species of concern etc.
OUTCOME OF HUMAN WILD LIFE CONFLICTS
Human wild life conflict occurs with various negative results. They are as follows;
 Injury & loss of life of humans and wild life.
 Crop damage, live stock prediction
 Damage to human property.
 Destruction of habitat.
 Collapse of wild life populations and reduction of geographic ranges.
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
 Aim to stop, reduce/minimize conflict by controlling animal populations in
different ways.
 Measures to reduce interaction between humans and wild life.
Global warming
Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the earth's temperature
generally due to the greenhouse effect caused by increased level of CO2,CFCS,CH4, N2O and
water vapour.

Green house gases trap solar radiations released back by the earth.An increase in the
amount of greenhouse gases can. Lead to an excessive increase in the earth's
temperature,leading to global warming.

Causes
1) Deforestation - Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen thereby maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for
many domestic and commercial purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance,
thereby giving rise to global warming.
2)Use of Vehicles - Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide
and other toxins into the atmosphere resulting in a temperature increase.
3)Chlorofluorocarbon - With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans
have been adding CFCs into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer.
The ozone layer protects the earth surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the
sun. The CFCs have led to ozone layer depletion making way for the ultraviolet rays, thereby
increasing the temperature of the earth.
4)Industrial Development - With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the
earth has been increasing rapidly. The harmful emissions from the factories add to the
increasing temperature of the earth.
5)Agriculture - Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These
add to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.
6)Overpopulation - An increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an
increase in the level of carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the
atmosphere.
7)Natural Causes of Global Warming - Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke
emitted during volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and affects the climate.
Effects
1)Rise in Temperature - Global warming has lead to an incredible increase in earth’s
temperature. This has resulted in an increase in the melting of glaciers, which have led to
an increase in the sea level. So it effects on coastal regions.
2) Disruption of habitat - Due to global warming cause Disruption of habitat sush as coral
reefs and alpine meadows resulting in extinction of many plant and animal species.
3)Climate Change- Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are
droughts at some places and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global
warming.
4) Floods - The sea level rise will also result in floods in many places.
5) Positive effect - warmer temperatures in colder place ,day and night could more
comfortable and may be able to grow different and better crops than before
6)It also changes the amount of rain water
7) Crop and woodlands may affected by plant disease.
Control
Controlling the rate of deforestation
Use of clean and efficient fuels
Use of renewable sources of energy wisely
Population control
Practicing afforestation and reforestation
Educate the people and create awareness about adverse effect of global warming
Reduction in the use of fossil fuel in automobile.
Encourage the use of alternative sources of energy.
Ozone layer depletion
Ozone or O3 protects us from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun which is harmfull to most
things.
O3 layer present in startosphere.
"Decreases in the thickness of ozone layer called ozone layer depletion".
Ozone is constantly formed by the action of sunlight on oxygen molecule.
Causes
1)Nitrogenous Compounds
The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion
of the ozone layer.
2)Natural Causes
The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-
spots and stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer
depletion.
The volcanic eruptions are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
3)Unregulated Rocket Launches
Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets results in much more depletion of
the ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the
ozone layer by the year 2050.
4)Chlorofluorocarbons
Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are
released by solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
Effects
1)Effects on Human Health - Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet
radiation of the sun due to the depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious
health issues among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing
and weak immune system.
2)Effects on Animals - Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer
in animals.
3)Effects on the Environment - Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth,
flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of
the ultraviolet rays.
4)Effects on Marine Life - Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful
ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed,
the organisms present in the food chain are also affected.
5)In human eye, absorption of a high dose of UV radiation results in inflammation of cornea
caused a disease called snow blindness.
Control
1)Avoid Using ODS - Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g. avoid the use of
CFCs in refrigerators and air conditioners, replacing the halon based fire extinguishers, etc.
2)Minimise the Use of Vehicles - The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that
lead to global warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be
minimised as much as possible.
3)Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products - Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and
bromine releasing chemicals that find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer.
These should be substituted with natural products to protect the environment.
4) Educate and create awareness

Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any form of precipitation with acidic components such as sulphuric acid
and nitric acid that fall to the ground from atmosphere in wet or dry form.
Causes
(1)Burning of fossil fuels for generation of thermal power is responsible for the major source
of acid forming pollutants.
(2) Human activities have been releasing pollutants in large quantities. Such emissions are
very high in industrial centres.
(3) Automobile exhausts are also responsible for acid rain.
(4) Volcanoes, fires, etc., are the natural causes for acid rains.
(5) Decomposing matter emitting pollutants is a cause for acid rain.

Effect
1) It damage the building and monuments made up of stones and metals
2)Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all nutrients
which are required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects agriculture by the
way it alters the composition of the soil.
3)Acid rain effect on plants
4)It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans.
5)When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic
ecosystem. It alters the chemical composition of the water, to a form which is actually
harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive and causes water pollution.
6)Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes, which further results in leaching of
heavy metals such as iron, lead and copper into drinking water.
Control
(1) Reducing SO2 & NO2 emissions from the hot air or smoke from chimneys through use of
scrubbers and catalytic converts.
(2) Using electrostatics precipitators and bag house arrangements at the industrial outlets.
(3) Use of low sulphur coal.
(4) Switching over to renewable sources of power like nuclear energy, hydroelectric power,
wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy, etc.
(5) Modifying the automobile engines to reduce emissions.
(6) using CNG
7)Use of alternative energy sources like solar. And wind.