All Posts (1808)

Sort by

                                     Environmental Article

Threats to the environment from the progressive deterioration of the Biosphere have emerged as one of the major issues of modern times to on this issue world has become about conscious of the world wide problems of keeping the environment safe for human existence.Same after the Stockholm 5 June, 1972- Human Environment conference India.Took many steps to protect the environment. The constitution of India was amended in order to insect direct provisions for protection of environment. The constitution (42 Amendment) act, 1976, inserted in the directive principles as Article us-A states: “The state shall endow or to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of country.

   

Stone crushing industry is an important industrial sector in the state engaged in producing crushed stone which is raw material for various construction activities like construction of road, highways, bridge etc.These stone crushers through socio economically an important sector, given rise to substantial quantity of fugitive fine dust emissions resulting into health hazards to the workers as well as surrounding population and This dust also adversely affects visibility reduces growth of vegetations and hampers aesthetics view of the area.

   

 Air pollution is a major problem in modern society. Even thrugh air pollution is usually a greater problem in cities, pollutants contaminate air everywhere. These substances include various gases and tiny particles, or particles that can harm human health and damage the environment. The interaction between plants and different types of pollutants were investigated by many authors: most studies on the influence of environmental pollution focus on physiological and ultrastructural aspects (Heumann, 2002; Psaras and Christodoulakis, 1987; Velikova et al., 2000). Studies concerning the anatomy of the vegetative organs under conditions of pollution have been also carried out (Alves et al., 2008; Ahmad et al., 2005; Silva et al., 2005, 2006, Verma et al., 2006). The reaction of different species to the altered environmental conditions is strongly correlated with their structural and functional features. Although some remains natural, According to Christodoulakis and Fasseas (1990) show no significant changes in Laurus nobilis (a resistant xerophytic plant) leaf structure exposed to air pollutants in Athens. Studies show that under the action of pollutants, plants develop different morphological and anatomical changes.

 

Various authors investigated the effects of pollution on different species of Fabaceae. The strong correlation between the degree of contaminations in all plant leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia (Fabaceae) reflect the environmental changes accurately, and that they appear as an effective biomonitor of environmental quality (Celik et al., 2005). Bidar et al. (2006) have considered the species Trifolium repens as resistant to the action of heavy metals, based on the activity of superoxide dismutase.

 

 Air pollution generally and especially dust from stone crusher plant sites are known to be responsible for vegetation injury and crop yield loss and thus become a threat to the survival of plants in industrial areas (Iqbal and Shafig, 2001). Such Dust reduce plant cover, height and number of leaves.

A part from the dust emitted, toxic compounds such as Fluoride, Magnesium, Lead, Copper, Sulphuric acid and Hydrochloric acid are injurious to the vegetation.        

 

Stone crushing is a global phenomenon, and has been the cause of concern everywhere in the world, including the advanced countries. Dust from quarry sites is a major source of air pollution, although the severity will depend on factors like the local microclimate conditions, the concentration of dust particles in the ambient air, the size of the dust particles and their chemistry, for example limestone quarries produce highly alkaline and reactive dusts. The stone crusher dust is not only a nuisance (in terms of deposition on surfaces) and possible effects on health, in particular for those with respiratory problems but dust can also have physical effects on the surrounding plants, such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and abrasion of leaves and cuticles, as well as chemical effects which may affect long-term survival (Guach, 2001).

      

One of the biggest negative impacts of dust on the environment is the damage to Biodiversity (Anand, 2006). The term biodiversity refers to the variety and abundance of plants, animals and microorganism as well as the ecosystem and ecological and ecological process to which these belongs.The terms Biodiversity was coined by WALTER G.ROSEN in 1985. Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional, and local levels, the production of oxygen, reduction of carbon-dioxide into carbon and oxygen. Biodiversity essentially refers to the range of living species, including fish, insects, invertebrates, reptiles, bird, mammals, plants, fungi and even micro-organisms. Biodiversity conservation is important as all species are interlinked even if this is not immediately visible or even known, and our survival depends on this fine balance that exists within nature. Both positive and adverse societal impacts of modern manufacturing technologies have great consequences on economics, health, safety and environment in general (Anand, 2006).

 

Every species and sub-species recorded at the site were evaluated according to International Union for Conservation of Nature for flora and fauna species red list data (IUCN, 2009). Diversity Index was calculated using Shannon Weaver’s Index with the formula H= -EPi In Pi where S is the number of species, P is the proportion of individuals or abundance of the ith and In is the log base n. This index combines species richness with relative abundance. Shannon’s equitability or evenness was calculated using the formula Eᴴ = H/ In S. The major growth forms (Cain and De Oliveria Castro, 1959) were noted.

 

Questionnaires were administered to provide adequate information on the socio-economic status of the species utilization by the inhabitants at the surrounding villages.

In this study, we would be reviewed that information specifically related to crusher dust in and around the study area and its effect on plant vegetations.

 

 Environmental contamination due to dust particle coming from Cement Industries, Coal Mining, Quarrying, Stone Crushing, Thermal Power Plant etc., has drawn much attention to the environmental scientists today as they create serious pollution problems and pose threat to the ecosystem. The cement industry also plays a vital role in the imbalances of the environment and produces air pollution hazards (Stern, 1976). These dust particulates are causing large scale deforestation destruction of Biota (Panda, 1996) and other natural resources. Among these deposition of cement kill dust in large quantities around cement factories causes changes in soil physical chemical properties (Asubiojo, 1991; Saralabai, 1993). The effect of such deposition affects the growth and biochemical characteristics of field crops has also been widely studied (Prasad and Inamadar, 1990; Prasad et al., 1991).

 

Stone quarrying and crushing industries are an important class of “essential industry” that supplies the raw material for many large scale construction and transport related projects. During the stone crushing process, large size boulders in the range between 200-300 mm are taken from the mine and are unloaded from almost 25 feet height into the mount of primary crusher machine of the unit where these are broken into smaller pieces. These pieces are taken through a conveyor belt to disintegrator which produces powder out of these small granules followed by size-wise separation through vibrator. Finally different sized chips are carried to different product sites and a hoper is served as the dust collector. Generally, final products are of three different size granules, e.g., 6, 12 and 20 mm. By this process, large amount of free silica is produced which increases the risk of silicosis and silico-tuberculosis. This huge amount of micro size dust is the major concern for personal as well as community health. Generally, stone crushing industries are located adjacent to the highways and nearby communities for the sake of convenient transport facilities. Mainly rural, migrant, untrained and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized and poor workers are engaged in this unorganized sector where the focus on workers health and socioeconomic conditions are generally neglected.

About 12% of the earth’s crust consists of free silica, mostly quartz. “Free Silica” is nothing but Sio2 which microns are capable of reaching the alveolar region of respiratory system that can cause silicosis. These particles are commonly known as “respirable” particles. The silica particles induce fibrosis in the lungs, i.e. the normal lung tissue is replaced by non-functioning fibrous tissue.

 

Sand and gravel mining has been one of the serious environmental problems around the globe in recent years. The often results in land degradation, loss of agricultural lands and biodiversity as well increased poverty among people.

 

 

                                                                                            

                                                                                 JITIN RAHUL

                                                                                            JRF-Ph.D

                                                                           INDIAN SCHOOL OF MINES

                                                                              DHANBAD, JHARKHAND

                                                                                              INDIA

                                                                           E-Mail- jitin.nature@gmail.com

                 

 

 

Read more…

South Asian Cities Summit 2013

Greetings from Cities Network Campaign! 

South Asian Cities Summit 2013 
17-18 April 2013 
Hotel Imperial 
New Delhi, India. 

Your chance to be a part of this International Event - Register Now! 

Your opportunity to network with officials from the following participating 
Ministries/Organisations/ Companies/ Institutions/NGOs/ Others: 

Ministry of Urban Development, GoI 
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI 
Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI 
Ministry of Power, GoI 
Ministry of Urban Transport, Govt of Sri Lanka 
Department of Environment - Govt. of NCT of Delhi 
Department of Commerce, GoI 
Municipal Corporations: 50-60 cities across South Asian countries 
State Govt of Jharkhand, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Directorate of Municipal 
Administration, Karnataka, etc 

UN Habitat, UNESCO, WRI, WRI – India, AIILSG, The Green Mantra, Philips 
Electronics, Siemens, Atkins Global, US Trade and Development Agency, CDIA, 
ICMA, UMC, UCLG - ASPAC, Australian Trade Commission, European Union, Oxfam 
India, Infosys, NOKIA India, TERI, NIUA, GBPN, ISET, IESA, REEEP, EBTC, Clean 
Coal Centre - IEA, Nasscom Foundation, EMBARQ, Asahi Glass Foundation, SREI, 
New Ventures India, Urban News Digest, First Green Consulting, NIDM, 
Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, CDKN, NWSAI, Strategic Consulting 
Group Pvt. Ltd, UBIFRANCE- The French Trade Commission in India, South Pole, 
Center for Environmental Studies, Govt. of Odisha, UPES, SAFEE, IRADe, AMTL, 
Attero, juwi India Renewable Energies Shanthala Power, Centre for Science and 
Environment, Chintan India, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, ISC, CEEW, MIND Lanka, 
University of Wyoming, Municipal Association of Bangladesh, Actionaid Bangladesh, 
metropolis, Rural Area Development Programme- Nepal and many more. 

Your opportunity to meet: 

Cabinet Ministers, Mayors, Commissioners, Senior City officials, Central & State Govt. officials, Investors, Venture Capitalists, Technology providers, Consultants, Researchers, Experts, Technocrats, Consultants and others. 

Register Now! Visit 
www.southasiancitiessummit.com for more details or email me at anuradha.das@citiesnetworkcampaign.org. 

Looking forward to you participation. 

Regards, 
Anuradha

Read more…

ecological survey

Dear all,

Good morning all experts

please share the information of Ecological flora and fauna survey methods to analyse the ecology and environment of the surroundings

and also suggest any best books for the same.

 

Read more…

EIA report of Navi Mumbai airport

While Studying EIA as it is my our syllabus , I was bit curious to know how EIA of Airport are made. I searched few EIA reports on net and also EIA of Navi Mumbai Airport.(attached pdfs of EIA of Navi Mumbai Airport from net)  Few things about which I am confused are :

According to the report:

1) Ulwe river comes in Airport area (will will be diverted foe project purpose later)

2) The Elephanta Caves are at 13.5km from the project

3) Panvel Railway station is 1.5km from the project.

3839118022?profile=original

My doubts:

1) The distance between Ulwe and Elephanta Cave is with in 10 km (if i am not wrong).

2) Karnala Bird Sanctuary is in Panvel panvel 2 karnala map shows the fact how it is Gate of Sanctury is 13.5km from panvel railway station and not the sanctuary itself. 

One from above is Eco-sensitive zone and other is Historical monument.

So I wonder ,how the project has been passed?

These are the major things I observed. I am unaware of many things, so please if any one who can help me know how this 2 points are write or wrong. It would be helpful if you answer as soon as possible. 

Thank You.

Read more…

Seeking for job opportunity

"looking for Opportunity as EIA Coordinator, FAE in water quality & EB, statutary clearances. Experienced in EIA since last 12.5 years in infra projects like airports, ports, Highways, river valley irrigation and hydal power projects, construction projects for getting Env clearances and EIAs. "

If any suitable post pls contact on prajaktakulkarni2009@gmail.com.

Read more…
 I need to recommend one candidate for the postdoc position in the area of waste water/sludge treatment research. Candidate should have good publication record in high impact factor journals. He must published at least two papers during last three years in journals which comes under top 40% of their respective field. If you are under this criteria please send me your updated cv on nagpureajay@gmail.com then I will forward it to respective person ...
Thanks Ajay
Read more…

Dear Friends,

We are planning to take up in the next academic year an “Environment Awareness Program” for schools (ISCE & SSLC) in and around Bangalore.  I would need your help if you could point me to a readymade curriculum that can be used.  In case you know of anyone please do let me know.   Much appreciated.  DP Daniel

Read more…

A worthwhile journey

I personally hate travelling by car as I am prone to motion sickness. So it was with a bit of trepidation that my children and I agreed to accompany my friends Porus and Dilnavaz and their family for a trip to a small village called Velas, a small village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. (The trepidation bit for me really was the car sickness, while my children dreaded going to a place without a - gasp!- hotel, but more on that later.)

I had heard of Velas about 2 years ago from my colleague, Laxmikant Deshpande. The idea of turtle conservation so close to home intrigued me; after all, there are very few successful conservation stories that one gets to hear of. Besides, given Mumbai's confines and dreary shop-till-you-die-of-boredom-or-become-bankrupt malls, I felt the need to take the kids somewhere worthwhile and let them observe what life is like in other places, albeit for a (very) short time.

Velas has a beautiful beach which is a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). According to the national marine fisheries service (USA), this species of turtles has traditionally been widely regarded as the most abundant sea turtle in the world. However, things have changed drastically for it in the past 20 or so years. The main threats to this turtle come from a loss of nesting sites due to beach erosion, human-induced development along beaches, and predators (animals and humans) at nesting sites. Apparently, humans account for the leading threat to the turtles due to unsustainable egg collection, slaughtering of nesting females, and direct harvesting of adults at sea for commercial sale of their meat and hides. Fishing with trawlers, gill nets, ghost nets, etc. has also taken its toll; some say only 1 in 10,000 survive. An estimated 100,000 Olive Ridley turtles were reported dead in Odisha (India) between 1993 and 2003 due to fishing practices. Moreover, once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings play a Russian roulette of sorts, and try to reach the water from the nest by avoiding birds of prey, animals, (the ever-present) humans, and even harsh sunlight. Many perish; Given that the Olive Ridley lays eggs at an interval of 2 to 3 years, it is no wonder that their population has declined so precariously and so quickly. In fact, today, the Olive Ridley is classified as 'Vulnerable' according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature And Natural Resources (IUCN) and is listed in Appendix I of CITES.
 
An NGO called Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra decided to change things. Since the past 10 years, Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra has been organizing its trademark 'Turtle Festival' in Velas. Turtle conservation has become a success story here as Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra persuaded locals to stop poaching the turtles' eggs and instead earn a livelihood by providing boarding and lodging to the various tourists who visit Velas each hatching season to view the baby turtles being released into the sea. While villagers retain most of the proceeds, a portion goes to the Turtle Conservation Fund set up to help establish a research and rehabilitation centre for turtles at Velas
 
Besides this, Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra also  organizes training workshops for students and teachers and gives out an annual 'Friend of the Turtle' Award to popularize the project. A look at the NGO's website shows that it is also replicating this commendable model across other beaches in the state, namely, Kelshi, Kolthare, Anjarla, Mochemad, and Dabhol. In last 4 years alone, Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra has protected 152 nests and released 7610 hatchlings into the sea.

So what did we see when we went there? We were fortunate enough to witness 11 newly hatched baby turtles. The volunteers explained that eggs incubated at temperatures of 31-32°C produce only females, while those incubated at 28°C or less produce only males. Incubation temperatures of 29-30°C will produce a mixed gender clutch. As the hatchlings use light cues to orient themselves toward the sea and are misled into moving towards land due to other  (unnatural) sources of light, we were asked to ensure that our cameras did not produce any flashes.
3839117972?profile=original
Above: Covered and numbered nests; there were 17 of them when we visited the beach. The nests are covered with a tokri and a moist jute bag on top to ensure that the hatchlings are protected after they hatch and dig themselves out of the nest
Kids and adults alike were delighted! A couple of hatchlings appeared a bit confused as they crawled off in some other direction and needed to be guided back on track. 
3839117993?profile=original
Above: The new hatchlings making their way to the sea
We also witnessed very enthusiastic locals, particularly the children, who told us that after seeing all the efforts of Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra's volunteers, they had decided that they would educate themselves well and return to their village in order to serve it. As for my children and my friend's children, they confessed that they enjoyed the trip after all. While they were a bit reticent about the whole thing  to begin with, they cheered up when they saw the village children, the turtles, the cat in the rickshaw, and the chickens (all in that order, I think)!
 
If you would like to visit Velas, please keep track of Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra's website. The hatching season ranges from November to March and is well worth the effort.
Read more…

Training Programme on Urban and Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Challenges, Options and Solutions

solutions.jpg

The fast growing economy, rapid industrialisation and growing urban population in India along with increasing wastewater generation are reasons for concern and reiterate the need for appropriate water management practices. Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a five-day hands on training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on wastewater treatment for industrial and urban wastewater management including reuse and recycle.

The objective of this programme is to build capacity and create awareness among regulators, developers, consultants, NGOs, students and academics to understand wastewater treatment process, technologies and affordable treatment options. The programme further aims at evaluating the performance and design parameters along with the applicable cost implication associated with each treatment system.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Issues and challenges of urban and industrial wastewater treatment, conservation/ efficiency including reuse and recycle.
  • Wastewater treatment technologies including advanced treatment options
  • Decentralized approaches in treating urban wastewater (existing and emerging)
  • Planning, designing, monitoring and inspection of wastewater treatment systems
  • Proficiency on water and wastewater accounting
  • Sector specific exposure on wastewater treatment and management such as construction and industrial projects (distillery, tannery, textile, refinery, power plant etc).
  • Concept of zero discharge with case studies
  • Issues and challenges with Common Effluent Treatment Plants and way ahead
  • State of art practices for wastewater management
  • Law, policy options and standards for wastewater treatment
  • Hands on experience in wastewater sampling and analysis

TOOLS
Lectures by experts, site visits to existing projects, practical group exercises, presentations by participants, reference materials and film screening.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Regulators, Consultants, Engineers, Environment Managers, NGOs, Academics and Students.

SCHEDULE

Course Duration:
Date: May 6-10, 2013
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062
Time: 9.00 AM to 5 PM daily

Course fee: The course fee is Rs. 9900 per participant. The fee includes training material, field visit, lunch, tea/coffee and refreshments during training and field visit.

Discounts for NGOs and students: They can avail a discount of 25% on the course fee. Discounted seats are limited and offered on first come first serve basis.

Fellowships Available for South Asian Participants. Participants will get a certificate at the end of the course.

Last Date for Applying: April 30, 2013

For information contact

Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org

Read more…

CSE’s short-term EIA training programme UNDERSTANDING EIA: FROM SCREENING TO DECISION MAKING

decision_making.jpg

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool to inform decision- makers, regulators and stakeholders, about the possible environmental, social and economic costs of the proposed project. To be effective, it requires the active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.

There is a genuine need to develop the capacity of the state-level regulators and state level expert appraisal Committee (SEAC) to screen and scope the EIA process, to conduct transparent public consultations and to evaluate the EIA reports, especially after the new EIA notification. At the same time, there is a need among CBO, NGOs, academicians, and environment managers to review and interpret EIA report, as they are technical in nature.

Centre for Science and Environment recognises this need and has developed a hands-on five-day training programme aimed at giving practical exposure to participants on EIA with specific reference to coal based power plant, cement, pharmaceutical, mining and others. After the programme, the participants shall have:

1. Exposure to all aspects of EIA, from its theory to the practical – such as better understanding regarding

  • What data is required, how this data should be collected and interpreted, and significance of the data
  • Effectiveness of the assessment methods
  • What issues should be addressed in the Terms of Reference (TOR)
  • Tools and thumb rules available to evaluate the environmental impact of projects]

2. Better understanding of the EIA process – from screening, scoping, data collection to impact assessment as well as the role of public consultation

3. Better understanding of the environmental and social impacts of the industrial and developmental projects

4. Better ability to review EIA reports and identify its strengths and weaknesses

5. Increased ability to play active role in post-EIA monitoring.


SCHEDULE

Course Duration:

Date: April 22-26, 2013
Venue: CSE, 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi -110062
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily

Course fee: Rs 9,900 (For industry, environment consultants and regulators) 25% discounts for NGOs, academicians and students

Last Date for Applying: April 15, 2013

For Registration kindly contact: swati@cseindia.org

 

OPEN FOR:
NGOs, Regulatory Institutions (such as SPCB, state environment impact assessment authority, Environment Consultants, Students, decision makers and Industries

A certificate of participation will be awarded to all at the end of the programme.

 

COURSE CONTACT

Swati Singh Sambyal, Industry & Environment Unit
Industry & Environment Unit, Centre for Science and Environment
Tel: + 91-11-29955124/ 6110, Extension: 281, |
Fax: + 91-11-29955879 Mob. No.: +91 9910496283
E-mail: swati@cseindia.org

Read more…

Water Experts

Dear all,

we are looking for water experts for conducting water Audits or water related studies for different industrial sectors , who are working as free lancers or are able to work on project basis from our behalf.

If Interested please contact the undersigned.

Regards,
Ruchika Sharma

09953935506

Read more…

EIA for NFY

We GSFC ,kosamba,dist surat,manufacture Nylon Filament Yarn going to expansion of product. In which category as well as section (Industry) NFY fall for EIA? Pl suggest me.Thanks.

Read more…

Global environmental problems

Main Room

Dear all,

Namaskaar!!!!!!!

The summer has just entered. in our India the problem of water scarcity is open its face like any thing like any ghost  and taking away the valuable life's of our valuable flora and fauna.

and in Urban due to the employment families are migrating to near by cities like any thing and this leads for more uprising buildings and smooth roads leading for less water percolation and  all sort of problems

any body can suggest how to tackle with the scenario

 and made a habbit in modern urbanians to focus more on  saving of water and greenary.

Waiting for good suggestions from all my fellow brothers

Fasi

Read more…

Global environmental problems

Main Room

Dear all,

Namaskaar!!!!!!!

The summer has just entered. in our India the problem of water scarcity is open its face like any thing like any ghost  and taking away the valuable life's of our valuable flora and fauna.

and in Urban due to the employment families are migrating to near by cities like any thing and this leads for more uprising buildings and smooth roads leading for less water percolation and  all sort of problems

any body can suggest how to tackle with the scenario

 and made a habbit in modern urbanians to focus more on  saving of water and greenary.

Waiting for good suggestions from all my fellow brothers

Fasi

Read more…