Scribd
Upload
11 views8 pages

EVS VIVA NOTES

The document outlines major global environmental issues such as climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain, along with their impacts on humans, biodiversity, and the economy. It also discusses international agreements aimed at addressing these issues, India's National Action Plan on Climate Change, and various environmental legislation. Additionally, it covers biodiversity, conservation strategies, environmental movements in India, and the importance of environmental awareness and ethics.

Uploaded by

Sannati Samiha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views8 pages

EVS VIVA NOTES

The document outlines major global environmental issues such as climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain, along with their impacts on humans, biodiversity, and the economy. It also discusses international agreements aimed at addressing these issues, India's National Action Plan on Climate Change, and various environmental legislation. Additionally, it covers biodiversity, conservation strategies, environmental movements in India, and the importance of environmental awareness and ethics.

Uploaded by

Sannati Samiha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

EVS VIVA NOTES

UNIT 1: Global Environmental Issues and Policies


1. Major Global Environmental Issues
Climate Change: Caused by greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) from burning
fossil fuels, deforestation. Leads to rising global temperatures, sea-level rise,
melting glaciers, and extreme weather.

Global Warming: Long-term heating of Earth due to human activities. Impacts


agriculture, health, water resources, and biodiversity.

Ozone Layer Depletion: Caused by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) from aerosols


and refrigeration. Leads to increased UV radiation—skin cancer, crop damage.

Acid Rain: Caused by SO₂ and NOx from vehicles and industries. Affects aquatic
life, forests, soils, and monuments like the Taj Mahal.

2. Impacts
On Humans: Health issues (respiratory diseases, skin cancer), displacement due
to sea-level rise.

On Biodiversity: Species extinction, ecosystem imbalance.

On Economy: Crop failure, infrastructure damage, increased healthcare costs.

On Agriculture: Reduced yields, soil degradation, altered crop seasons.

3. International Agreements
Earth Summit (Rio, 1992): Agenda 21; focus on sustainable development.
UNFCCC: Framework for controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emission targets for developed countries.

Montreal Protocol (1987): Phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Conservation and sustainable use of


biodiversity.

Ramsar Convention: Protection of wetlands.

CITES: Controls trade in endangered species.

UNEP: Promotes global environmental cooperation.

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Prohibits use and storage of chemical


weapons.

4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


17 goals set by the UN (e.g., clean energy, life on land, climate action).

Promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth and environmental protection.

5. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)


8 Missions:

1. National Solar Mission


2. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency

3. Sustainable Habitat

4. Water Mission

5. Green India Mission

6. Sustainable Agriculture

7. Himalayan Ecosystem

8. Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

6. Environment Legislation in India


1. Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Protection of wild animals, birds, plants.

2. Water Act (1974): Prevents water pollution; created CPCB.

3. Forest Conservation Act (1980): Restricts deforestation.

4. Air Act (1981): Controls air pollution.

5. Environment Protection Act (1986): Umbrella law after Bhopal disaster.

6. Forest Rights Act (2006): Rights to forest-dwelling tribes.


UNIT 2: Biodiversity and Conservation
1. What is Biodiversity?
Variety of life on Earth, categorized into:

1. Genetic diversity: Variation within species (e.g., rice varieties).

2. Species diversity: Different species in an area.

3. Ecosystem diversity: Forests, deserts, wetlands, etc.

2. India’s Biodiversity
One of the 17 mega-diverse countries.

4 Hotspots: Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Sundaland.

Biogeographic Zones: 10 zones—Himalayan, Deccan Plateau, Gangetic Plain,


etc.

3. Endemic and Endangered Species


Endemic: Species found only in India (e.g., Nilgiri Tahr).

Endangered: Threatened with extinction (e.g., Bengal tiger, vultures).

IUCN Red List: Categories—Least Concern, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically


Endangered.
4. Value of Biodiversity
1. Ecological: Pollination, nutrient cycling (e.g., bees).

2. Economic: Food, medicine, timber (e.g., neem, turmeric).

3. Social/Ethical: Cultural traditions, future generations.

4. Aesthetic: Nature-based tourism, scenic beauty.

5. Sacred Groves: Forests protected due to religious beliefs (e.g.,


Meghalaya).

5. Threats to Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss: Deforestation, urbanization.

2. Poaching: Illegal hunting (e.g., tiger, rhino).

3. Man-Wildlife Conflicts: Crop damage, livestock loss.

4. Invasive Species: E.g., Lantana, water hyacinth.

5. Mass Extinction: Current rates are 1000x natural rate.

6. Conservation Strategies
In-situ: In natural habitats (e.g., National Parks, Sanctuaries).

Ex-situ: Outside natural habitat (e.g., Zoos, Seed banks).

Important species types:

Keystone: Maintains ecosystem (e.g., elephants).

Flagship: Charismatic species (e.g., tiger).

Umbrella: Conservation benefits other species.

Indicator: Sensitive to environmental changes.

7. Key Conservation Projects/Movements


1. Project Tiger (1973), Project Elephant,

2. Vulture Breeding Programme

3. Project Great Indian Bustard

4. Crocodile Conservation Project

5. Silent Valley Movement (Kerala forest saved from dam)


6. Save Western Ghats Movement

UNIT 3: Human Communities and the Environment


1. Population Growth
Issues: Overconsumption, deforestation, pollution.

Carbon Footprint: Amount of CO₂ emissions per person.

India’s population exerts pressure on land, water, forests.

2. Resettlement and Rehabilitation


Dam projects displace tribal communities.

Example: Narmada Bachao Andolan – protest against Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Need for fair compensation and sustainable livelihoods.

3. Environmental Movements in India


1. Chipko Movement: Hug trees to prevent logging (Uttarakhand).

2. Appiko Movement: Southern version of Chipko (Karnataka).

3. Silent Valley Movement: Stopped dam in biodiversity-rich Kerala.

4. Bishnois of Rajasthan: First eco-warriors; protect flora/fauna.


5. Narmada Bachao Andolan: Opposes big dam displacement.

4. Environmental Justice
National Green Tribunal (NGT): 2010 – speedy resolution of environmental
cases.

5. Environmental Philosophy & Ethics


Moral duty to protect nature.

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism preach respect for nature.

Tribal beliefs align with conservation.

6. Environmental Awareness & Communication


Case Studies:

1. CNG in Delhi: Reduced pollution.

2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Clean India mission.

3. NEAC (National Environment Awareness Campaign): Spread eco-


awareness.

4. National Green Corps (NGC): Eco-clubs in schools for student


participation.

You might also like