Page 3 - Home Assignment-Environment and sustainable development

Chipko or Appiko : What’s in a Name?
Chipko Movement aimed at protecting forests in the Himalayas. In Karnataka, a similar
movement took a different name, ‘Chpiko’, which means to hug.

On 8th September 1983, when the felling of trees was.started in Salkani forest in Sirsi district,
160 men, women and children hug|ed the trees and forced the woodcutters to leave. They kept
vigil in the forest over the next six weeks. Only after the forest officials assured the volunteers of
the trees will be cut scientifically and in accordance with the working plan of the district, did
they leave the trees, When commercial felling by contractors damaged a large number of natural
forests, the idea of hugging the trees gave the people hope and confidence that they can protect
the forests. On that particular incident, with the felling discontinued, the people saved 12000
trees. Within months, this movement spread to many adjoining districts.

Air Pollution
In India, air pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the major contributors and
in a few other areas which have a high concentration of industries and thermal power plants.
Pollution from vehicles and industries are the major sources of air pollution.

 Vehicle Pollution Vehicle emissions are of particular concern since these are ground level
sources and thus, have the maximum impact on the general pollution. The number of
vehicles has increased from 3 lakh in 1957 to 67 crores in 2003.
In 2003, personal transport vehicles (two wheeled and cars only) contributed about 80% of
the total number of registered vehicles thus, contributing significantly to air pollution load.
 Industrial Pollution India is one of the ten most industrialised nations of the world. This
status has brought with it unwanted and unanticipated consequences like unplanned
urbanisation, pollution and the risk of accidents.
The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) has identified seventeen categories of
industries (large and medium scale) as significantly polluting.

Management of Fresh Water
Water is an equally important element of life and its pollution is equally serious. Water becomes
polluted when chemicals and other waste materials are dumped into it. Polluted water is the
principal cause of diseases like diarrhoea and hepatitis. Thus, the management of fresh water is
essential to sustain life.

Pollution Control Boards
To address two major environmental concerns in India; water, air and land pollution, the
government set up the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1974. This was followed by
states establishing their own state level boards to address all the environmental concerns.
Different functions of pollution control boards are

 To investigate, collect and disseminate information relating to water, air and land
pollution.
 To lay down standards for sewage/trade effluent and emissions.