Environment and Pollution
The Environment and Pollution chapter of the ADRE Grade IV Social Studies paper creates awareness about the natural world and about the harm that human activity can do to it. The questions are usually simple and are drawn from everyday science and current affairs. The chapter covers the meaning of environment and ecosystem, the different kinds of pollution, the ways in which forests, wildlife and water are conserved, and the important environmental days and laws. Because Assam is rich in forests and wildlife, a number of questions come from the state's own national parks and sanctuaries, so these must be studied with special care.
Environment and Ecosystem
The environment is everything that surrounds us, including air, water, land, plants, animals and the climate. An ecosystem is the community of living beings together with the non-living things of a particular area, such as a pond, a forest or a river. Biodiversity means the variety of living species in a region, and it is richest in forests and wetlands. The natural resources of the earth are of two kinds: renewable resources such as sunlight, air and water, which are replaced by nature, and non-renewable resources such as coal, petroleum and minerals, which are limited and once used are gone forever.
Kinds of Pollution
Pollution is the addition of harmful substances to the environment. Air pollution is caused by smoke from factories, motor vehicles and the burning of fuels, and it causes diseases of the lungs and the warming of the earth. Water pollution is caused by sewage, industrial waste, fertilisers and plastic, and it makes rivers and ponds unfit for drinking. Soil pollution is caused by chemicals, pesticides and non-biodegradable waste. Noise pollution comes from loudspeakers, traffic and machines, and it harms hearing and peace of mind. Plastic pollution is now a serious problem because plastic does not decay and chokes drains, rivers and animals. Global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer are two of the most serious results of pollution.
Conservation of Forests and Wildlife
Conservation means the careful protection and wise use of natural resources so that they last for future generations. Forests are conserved by planting trees, by preventing felling and by declaring protected areas. India has national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for the protection of plants and animals. Assam is proud of Kaziranga National Park, famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, and Manas National Park, which is also a tiger reserve and a World Heritage Site. Pobitora, Nameri, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa are other important protected areas of the state. The Chipko movement, in which villagers hugged trees to save them, is a famous example of people's participation in conservation.
Important Environmental Days and Laws
- World Environment Day — 5 June.
- World Ozone Day — 16 September.
- Earth Day — 22 April.
- World Forestry Day — 21 March.
- Environment Protection Act — passed in 1986.
- Wildlife Protection Act — passed in 1972.
- Kaziranga National Park — famous for the one-horned rhinoceros.
- Manas — a biosphere reserve and World Heritage Site in Assam.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
Questions ask for the meaning of environment, ecosystem or biodiversity, the type of pollution caused by a particular source, the date of an important environmental day, or the name of a national park known for a particular animal. Assam-specific questions on Kaziranga, Manas and the one-horned rhinoceros are common. A candidate who has learnt the main definitions, the types of pollution and the list of protected areas can answer these questions very quickly.
Memory Tips
Group pollution by its source: smoke means air pollution, sewage means water pollution, loudspeakers mean noise pollution and plastic waste means land and water pollution. Link each protected area to its famous animal, such as Kaziranga to the rhinoceros and Manas to the tiger. Learn the environmental days as fixed dates, since they are easy marks. Remember that renewable resources can be replaced and non-renewable ones cannot, which settles many definition questions at once.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Mixing the dates of World Environment Day and World Ozone Day.
- Confusing a national park with a sanctuary or a biosphere reserve.
- Forgetting that Manas, and not only Kaziranga, is a World Heritage Site in Assam.
- Treating noise as harmless when it is a form of pollution.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the definitions of environment, ecosystem and biodiversity.
- Prepare a table of the types of pollution and their sources.
- List the important protected areas of Assam with their famous animals.
- Memorise the environmental days and the main environmental laws.
- Read a little about current environmental issues every week.
Steps to Reduce Pollution
Pollution can be reduced by action at both the national and the personal level. Factories can fit smoke filters to their chimneys and treat their waste water before releasing it into rivers. Vehicles can use cleaner fuels such as CNG or electricity, and planting trees helps to clean the air. Farmers can use organic manure instead of chemical fertilisers. Every person can follow the rule of the three R's, that is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, by using less plastic, saving water and electricity, and keeping waste separated. Small habits, repeated by many people, make a very large difference to the environment over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ecosystem and biodiversity?
An ecosystem is the whole community of living beings together with the non-living surroundings of an area. Biodiversity is the variety of living species found in that area. An ecosystem is the system, while biodiversity is the variety within it.
Which national park in Assam is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros?
Kaziranga National Park is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros and is the most important protected area of Assam. Pobitora, Orang and Manas are other important parks of the state.
When is World Environment Day observed?
World Environment Day is observed on 5 June every year. World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September and Earth Day on 22 April.
Why is plastic pollution a serious problem?
Plastic does not decay for hundreds of years, so it chokes drains and rivers, harms animals that swallow it and pollutes both land and water. This is why reducing plastic use is important.
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Renewable resources such as sunlight, air and water are replaced by nature and can be used again and again. Non-renewable resources such as coal and petroleum are limited and will be finished one day.