Published by: BhumiRaj Timalsina
Published date: 02 Feb 2022
Environmental aspects such as natural, biological, social and cultural, aspects are around us. Air, water, land, minerals etc. of them are natural aspects. Men, other animals and birds, forest etc living things are biological aspect. Society, rituals, religion, customs etc. made by men are social and cultural aspects. Similarly, humans do different works in the society. The environment created by human activities is called man-made environment. The ruination, damage or change in the quality of these various aspects is called as environmental degradation. Bad effects are seen when there is environmental degradation. These bad effects are also called negative effects. Therefore, environmental degradation refers to the degradation of quality of environmental aspects. Adverse effects are seen on animals when there is environmental degradation.
People farm on the land. They want to produce more by using chemical fertilizer and pesticides. They continuously grow crops and do not give rest to the land. Fertility of the soil is decreased due to its continuous use. Degradation of cultivable land is an example of environmental degradation. Similarly, cutting down the plants and trees from the forest also leads to its end. It affects the habitat of animals and birds, their food and life style. This decreases their number. It is also the damage of environment of forest. It also degrades the condition of animals and birds. In this way, the damage in any aspect of the environment can be taken as an example of environmental degradation.
Measures Environment is the collection of various aspects. In the environment, the interrelation between living and non-living things should be maintained in a balanced way. Promotion or demotion of this relation between environmental aspects is continuous. The damage of environmental aspect takes place naturally in the nature. They are also maintained in a slow speed naturally. Landslide flow of the sides of rivers, addition of mass of land in some place etc occur in the nature. Small environmental damages are maintained slowly. In this way the condition of environment is damaged and maintained in the nature. Similarly, promotion or demotion of environment is caused by men also.
There may be good or bad condition of living or non-living things because of the humans. Due to poor relation among them, the environmental condition degrades. Respect and care of animals and birds by the humans is a good behavior. Poaching of animals and birds and giving them pain is a bad behavior. Their condition will be degraded because of such behavior of the humans. Such human activities speed up the environmental degradation. As a result, environmental degradation increases gradually. The following two reasons are responsible for environmental degradation.
(a) Natural causes (b) Human causes
Environmental degradation caused by natural disaster is taken as natural cause. Various incidents such as flood, landslide, soil erosion, fire, forest fire, maximum rain, snow fall, earth-quake, volcano, drought, thunderbolt, hail stone. Sea wave, spread of epidemic etc are natural disaster. Flood, landslide, soil erosion, fire, forest fire are caused by both the reasons i.e. natural and human. Of these disasters, any natural incident is harmful. Out of the various natural disasters, we will study about flood, landslide, soil erosion and fire here.
Streams, rivers and sea flow at their own pace. The volume of water in them increases when there is heavy rain, earth quake and when the glaciers get melted. Their speed also increases by such activities. Due to this, they flow here and there. In this way, when the amount of water in stream, river etc increases they begin to flow in a greater speed. This is called flood. During rainy season, streams of hill are collected at one place and begin to flow in a greater speed. This causes flood. Similarly, in terai, water collected from different places begins to flow over the surface of land at greater speed. As a result, flood is caused.
Flood is caused by natural and human causes. During earthquake, flood may be caused by the damage of sources of water. Similarly, in raining season, continuous rain causes flood in streams and rivers. They are natural causes.
People cultivate in steep field to increase their production. Grazing also weakens the field. Construction of road, bridge and canal damages the condition of land. This makes the soil loose. People destroy forest to fulfill their need. It makes the land open and loose. Such human activities degrade the land. The degraded and loose land cannot absorb water. As a result, water flows in a greater speed during rainy season. When more water is collected in a place it takes the form of flood.
Flood ruins the natural environment. It also ruins the habitat of the humans. Many dwelling areas are drowned-cultivable land is covered and damaged by the flood. Fertile soil flows and reaches somewhere else. Landslide occurs in many places. This stops the road, street, canal and sources of water. It breaks land and destroys forest. It damages habitat of aquatic animals. It also causes lack of food for them. Some of them are died. We should plant trees in open areas. Forest lessens speed of water and helps to stop the flood. Flood occurs less if steep field and grazing areas are protected, weaker field should not be cultivated. It helps to stop flood if plantation is done in such areas.
The process of separating and sliding some part or rock of hill or steep-field downward is called landslide. Generally in rainy season, when there is heavy rain for a long time, the water is absorbed and the land becomes weak. In such condition, weak land or rock slide downward. In this way the landslide occurs.
Landslide occurs due to natural or human causes. In rainy season, landslide occurs due to the heavy rain. Similarly, land becomes weak due to the earthquake and landslide. Landslide is also caused by the steep and weak formation of land. There is heavy rainfall in rainy season. Some water is absorbed by land.
Some water flows and reaches somewhere else. Water from rain, streams and melting of the glaciers or due to the damage of water resources take the form of flood. This makes the land loose. This causes the fall of land mound. There is possibility of the land to be splatted due to earthquake. Similarly, sources of water may shut up during earthquake. Release of such water may cause flood. This also causes landslide. Flood and landslide are related to each-other.
Landslide also occurs due to human causes. People destroy forest. Similarly, people use grazing area for cultivation. They also cultivate in steep field. Due to this the land becomes loose and weak. Natural condition of land is ruined due to the construction of road, canal, bridge etc. When rain falls on such type of land, it becomes weaker and landslide occurs.
Landslide destroys natural environment. It destroys forest, cultivable land, road and sources of water. It destroys human habitat as well. It destroys the habitat of animals and their sources of food. Therefore landslide may change the environment by destroying the natural environment.
Humans have important role to present landslide. First of all they should not damage the weaker type of land. Plantation should be done there. It makes the land strong. We should not destroy the forest by cutting it carelessly. We should plant trees where the trees have been cut down. Steep field should not be cultivated. Plantation should be done in such places to make them green. We should improve the condition of land by growing plants where construction works have been done. These activities will protect the natural conditions of land. It lessens the speed of landslide.
There are plains, steep fields, low land etc on the earth. Some lands are hard and some are soft. Some lands have loose soil and some have tight. This shows how strong or weak the land is. On the basis of land formation, it can be estimated that how often soil erosion takes place. Soil erosion is a process of flying or carrying away the soil of the surface of land by means of air or water. Soil erosion takes place more in steep field. Soil erosion takes place because of natural as well as human causes.
Soil erosion takes place because of natural causes such as air, storm, rain, flood, landslide etc. similarly, it also takes place because of various human activities. People construct road, building, bridge etc. Similarly, they also dig steep field for cultivation. They make canal for irrigation. These are human activities. These activities may cause soil erosion. Following preventive measures can be implemented to prevent soil erosion.
(a) The soil of the surface of land is carried away by the wind in greater speed. Similarly storm also flies the soil particles. Though the activities are simple they waste the soil. They speed up soil erosion. Plantation should be done in open field. Similarly, seeing the condition of the land, grass can also be planted. Plantation of grass and trees lessens the process of carrying away soil by wind and storm.
(b) There is heavy rain in rainy season. Water makes the surface of land loose and weak. The land becomes thinner and flows. Streams, rivers and other water sources become huge when there is more rain. They begin to flow in a greater speed and leave their tract. This may cause flood and landslide. Flood and landslide harms the cultivable land. It also harms the habitat of humans, animals and birds. Proper drainage should be made to stop soil erosion caused by flood and landslide. Due to this, water cannot flow here and there. The speed of soil erosion also lessens.
(c) People use the land variously. They dig land for cultivation. Soil is flown by air or storm while doing this. Similarly, soil is also flown from the loose land while raining. Agricultural product decreases when soil erosion takes place on cultivable land. Terrace should be formed while cultivating on steep surface of hilly land. We should dig channels to flow water in left and right side. It stops breaking and flowing of land. It lessens the soil erosion.
(d) People dig land while doing construction works such as road, bridge, canal, building, house etc. While digging land for such marks more soil is taken out. Soil also becomes loose. By doing this, soil of a place reaches somewhere else. Again the water in rainy season carries it away. This makes somewhere pit and somewhere land mound. Plantation should be done in left and right side of steep field after the construction of road. Plants should be protected if there are. They help to stop soil erosion.
(e) People use forest products such as wood, firewood, out branches grass etc. It destroys the plants in the forest. The land becomes open. Open land becomes weak. The land becomes dry when we uproot grass etc from the land. Similarly, while grazing cattle the land becomes loose. Soil erosion takes place in such area. Forest begins to decrease if soil erosion takes place there. It also harms in life style of the animals that live there. Land becomes loose and dry. Therefore grazing should not be made regularly in order to protect the land. Grazing should be made turn by turn in different grazing fields.
Sudden breaking of fire in sheltering area and forest is called fire. When fire breaks in forest, ground, grassy land etc then it is called forest fire. We hear about the break of fire in different places in summer session. Fire destroys property, people and shelter area. Forest fire destroys forest and wild animals.
Fire is caused either by natural or human activities. Thunderbolt also causes fire. This is natural cause. Fire also sets when we handle fire carelessly. Throwing remaining piece of cigarette and tiny particle of fire also cause fire. Misuse of match box by the children also causes fire. It may damage the habitat for humans. In summer session, we hear news of fire in hilly and terai region, Such fire destroys life and property in a greater extent. It also destroys plants. Many animals and birds are killed. It destroys natural environment. Human beings cannot prevent the fire caused by natural causes but they can control after it breaks. We can prevent fire by making careful use of match box, fire and means of fuels.
Human beings use resources and means available in the environment. Objects in the environment are used to fulfill the need of the humans. They use land to grow crops vegetables etc. Similarly, they use water for drinking, cleanliness, irrigation, to generate electricity etc. This way, human beings use environmental resources to fulfill their needs. When they use these things it is important that how do they use and in what amount they use the resources. Environment does not degrade if they use them appropriately and conserve them. But careless and their excess use degrades the environment. We learnt that these works of humans cause flood, landslide, soil erosion and fire. Therefore various human activities bring environmental degradation. We will study here some major human activities of them.
Population growth, excess use of natural resources, urbanization and operating industries cause environmental degradation. We will study the cause, effect and preventive measures to these aspects.
a. People should not use forest, land, minerals, water, medicinal plants like natural resources excessively. On one hand, they use them excessively and on other hand, they are not working towards protecting these resources. This may reduce the natural resources. Some resources are destroyed, this degrades the environment. Therefore, we should cultivate the habitat to use them appropriately. We should use them less. It is necessary to protect them.
b. Big cities are built in a process of development. Generally, a village changes and becomes a big city. Due to this, land, forest, natural places, water resources, ground etc are destroyed. Degradation in their condition brings degradation in the environment.
c.Construction of road, bridge, canal etc take place in the environment. They make the land high or low. They may damage the water resources. It affects the life style of the humans and animals of that place. This also causes environmental degradation. Therefore, conservation works should be carried out together with the construction works. This is also the duty of the human beings.
Environmental conservation is related to environmental aspects. Aspects such as natural, biological, social and cultural aspects are included under environment. Protection of them is human duty. The literal meaning of conservation is protection, growth and utilization. We have already studied the general meaning of environment, importance, relationship of population and development. We will study here the need for environmental conservation connecting the above aspects with conservation.
The earth is like a delicate ball. There are clouds, oceans, greenery and land on it. In other words, there are land, water, forest, animals, birds etc on the earth. Similarly, there are man made buildings, roads, canals, crops etc. The earth is the habitat of all animals. A creature has helped the other to survive. Our habitat begins to ruin when there is harm in any one of the aspects; land, water resources, lakes etc. Therefore, to protect common habitat, it is necessary to protect environment.
Aspects like air, water, land, animals, minerals etc are included in the environment. Developmental works are impossible without the use of these aspects. Human need is also not fulfilled. There should not be excess use of them though it is needed. Conservation of natural resources is conservation of environment.
The animal community is one of the important communities of environment. All animals have their own need and aspirations. Animals survive interacting with the environment. They have their habitat on the land, trees, water, air like places. They receive their food from the environment. Man is the most superior wise animal. Human beings take needed things from the creature in the environment. They receive milk, curd etc from cows, buffaloes like animals.
Animals and birds are used for meat. Men poach them also. Therefore, animals and birds are helping friends to men. Human beings should not kill them carelessly, destroy their habitat and food chain. This ruins their condition. We can’t make them survive without environmental conservation. Therefore, human beings should conserve them. It is necessary to protect environment for the survival of the animals.
Environment is the source of food needed for the animals. Some animals survive by eating things produced from green plants. Some eat other’s flesh. Food chain continues in the environment. Human beings cultivate and grow different crops on the land. Similarly, they obtain fruits, medicinal plants roots etc from the forest. Animals receive their food from land, water sources and forest. Food chain of animals break when there is break in these aspects. It makes them difficult to survive in the environment. The environment begins to ruin. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the environment to provide food needed for the animals.
Men should protect their society. For its existence, it is necessary to conserve environmental resources. There is continuous development of society in one or the other form. Such development is related to any of the physical, social or cultural aspect. There is an obstacle in the development of society when any environmental resource begins to ruin. When there is damage in the cultivable land, there is less food for man. The number of animals birds reduces when the forest destroys, if water resources are destroyed, there will be less food for animals and less water for other works. We should conserve environment to protect environmental resources. This develops the human society. Human society becomes sustainable.
National parks, wildlife reserve, hunting reserve and conservation areas have been established to conserve natural resources. They are called conservation areas. It helps to protect land, water resources, forest, wildlife and other natural resources of these places. This supports to do research of natural resources and for the tourism development. This also supports for the protection and promotion of national parks, wildlife reserve, hunting reserve and conservation reserve.
National park is the area separated for the conservation of natural resources and wildlife. It also protects from soil erosion. Management of national park conserves the environment of the place. Natural resources of parks are also used as denoted by the park management. National parks have been established in different parts of Nepal according to the geographical region and need. There are ten national parks in Nepal. Chitwan National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, Langtang National Park, Rara National Park, Se-phoksundo National Park, Khaptad National Park, MakaluBarun National Park, Bardiya National Park, Shivapuri National Park and Banke National Parks have been established.
Wildlife reserves are the areas separated for the conservation of wild animals and birds. These reserves are managed for the protection of them. There are three wildlife reserves in Nepal. They are Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Parsa Wildlife Reserve situated in different parts of Nepal.
A hunting reserve has also been established in Nepal. There is only one reserve of its kind in Nepal. In such reserves, management of wildlife and bird is done. Permission is granted for hunting in such reserve. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve has been established for this goal.
Conservation areas are established to conserve natural environment and resources. Conservation areas help to develop and conserve the natural resources. There are 6 conservation areas in Nepal. They are Annapurna, Makalu-Barun, Kanchanjunga, Gaurishankar and Krishnasar conservation areas.
Natural resources are used more due to the population growth. Therefore, public awareness is necessary to rise to control population. Such efforts have been made at local level in different forms. This lessens the growth of population. As a result, they help to protect the environment.
There are continuous construction works such as road, bridge, canal, drainage etc. These construction works change the natural condition of the environment. This degrades the natural aspects such as land, water, forest etc. Construction works should go along with the conservation of nature. These works have been carried out at local level. As a result, these works help to protect environment from its degradation.
Participation of all is needed for the conservation of environment. Public participation is ensured in environmental conservation work at local level. Public participation increases human responsibilities for environmental conservation. Public participation for the conservation of environment at local level helps to conserve the environment.
Cleanliness lessens environmental degradation to some extent. Haphazard dumping of garbage pollutes the environment. It affects the creatures there. It ruins human health. Therefore, there are works to clean home, community at local level to keep the environment fresh and clean. This work helps to conserve the environment.