It is high time we understand that the planet is precious. The feature that makes our planet ‘Earth’ is the presence of life on it. The planet is full of resources, both renewable and non-renewable. But, the sad truth is that humans exploit the planet a lot, and it has become necessary for our generation to understand the importance of the environment.
If one understands the importance of the environment for the future generation, it will become easy to conserve the environment. We must stop exploiting the resource and ensure we live for the future.
‘Conservation of Environment’ is the practice of protecting the environment and natural resources.
Table of Contents
Importance of conservation of environment
It is essential to take steps towards environmental conservation. Following are the importance of environmental protection:
- For agriculture: Agriculture relies on the environment. India is a country where the vast sector is agriculture, and it is also the highest contributor to the GDP of India. When it comes to conserving the environment for agriculture, it means preventing soil erosion, floods etc.
- For fishies: Water bodies are equally crucial for our survival on planet earth. Not just for water, but some communities depend upon seafood for their food. Overfishing and water pollution can be the cause of the exploitation of water bodies.
- For climate: Human activities impact the climate. Greenhouse gases, when linked with global warming, adversely affect the climate, resulting in increased droughts, floods, rise in sea level and extreme heat and cold. Conservation of natural resources reverses the adverse impact of human activities.
- Protects human life: Conservation of environment will help preserve and improve human life and health. If the environment gets destroyed, new disease emerges, and the species that may help in medicine production gets destroyed.
- Protection of earth: Conservation of environment protects and safeguards the environment, reducing the amount of harm we are inflicting on the planet. Nothing will be left for future generations if we do not conserve the environment at this point.
- Preserve biodiversity: Environment conservation helps preserve biodiversity, water and land-based ecosystems and energy flow throughout the biosphere.
Recommended Reading
Methods of environment conservation
The methods of environment conservation are as follows:
Forest conservation: Afforestation and reforestation help conserve the forest and are responsible for trapping and absorbing a huge amount of Carbon Dioxide. It is the responsibility of the citizen to conserve forests for the future.
It is also necessary to make the laws for forest conservation more stringent. For instance, the Forest Conservation Act 1980 was enacted to conserve the country’s forests.
It strictly regulates the use of forest and forest land for non-forest purposes. The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 was enacted to recognise the rights of the forest-dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest areas. Another act enacted to consolidate the law related to the forest was the Indian Forest Act of 1927. Further, the Act regulates the transit of forest produce and the leviable duty on timber and other forest produce.
- Soil conservation: Soil Conservation helps control soil erosion and improve the soil for agriculture. It is essential to plant more trees as it prevents soil from blowing away. The use of chemicals should also get minimised to avoid soil erosion.
- Managing waste: Solid waste is produced by market areas, industries, homes, settlement areas and other locations. Managing solid waste keeps the environment healthy. Municipalities conduct programs that manage solid wastes, designate litter bins all over the town and collect the waste.
- Recycle: It is high time to be aware of recycling as long as possible. Glass, paper, plastic and even metal are reusable. Therefore, they should not be thrown away after original use. The harsh truth is that 90% of the bottles that can get recycled do not even reach the recycling plant.
Reducing water consumption: Clean and fresh water is precious for humans and is not easily available. It is very crucial to save water as much as possible.
Water conservation is the best way to save water. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, provides provisions for the prevention and control of water pollution. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was enacted to prevent and control water pollution. The act also provides provisions to maintain or restore the wholesomeness of water in the country.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 is also popularly known as the Water Act. The Act has the provision for the Establishment of the board to prevent water and pollution control.
Control of air pollution: Avoid chemical fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides as they pollute the environment. Maintaining cars and avoiding using them will also help in controlling pollution.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is an act to prevent and control air pollution. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is also popularly known as the Air Act. It establishes the Boards at the Central and State levels to carry out the functions as provided under the Act. The Act empowers the state government to declare any area within the state as Air Pollution Control Area. Such declaration is made only after consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.
- Public awareness: Making people aware of the consequences of the activities. It may be possible by educating them by various means like social media, seminars and traditional media.
Recommended Reading
National green tribunal
National Green Tribunal was established under The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. For expeditious and effective disposal of cases related to the environmental protection and conservation of forests.
The National Green Tribunal Act also includes the conservation of natural resources and the implementation of environmental conservation laws. The Act came into force on 18th October 2010.
After the enactment of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 and the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997, were repealed.
Recommended Reading
Legislative frameworks for the conservation of environment
Environment Protection Act, 1986
The Environment Protection Act, 1986, helps protect and improve the environment. The Act establishes a framework to study, plan and implement the long-term requirement of environmental safety.
It lays down a system of speedy and adequate response to a situation that threatens the environment. Umbrella legislation provides a framework to coordinate with central and state authorities.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
The objective behind enacting the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 is to effectively protect the wildlife of the country and control poaching, smuggling and illegal trade.
The Forest Conservation Act, 1980
The objective of enacting the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 is to conserve the forests in the country. It restricts and regulates the de-reservation of forests and uses forest land for non-forest purposes.
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
The objective of enacting the Public Liability Insurance Act of 1991 is to provide for damages to the victim of an accident resulting from handling a hazardous substance.
Conclusion
Conservation of environment is necessary to protect our mother earth, as Natural Resources like coal and petroleum are depleting at high speed. As the natural resources are depleting at a very high rate, it becomes necessary for us to start moving towards renewable resources and protect the environment.
The environment is an essential factor for living on the earth and is one factor that makes the planet different from other planets. But as the environment is depleting at a very high rate, it has become necessary to conserve it. It is rightly said that we have borrowed this environment from the next generation, and we must preserve it and return it similarly.
FAQ
What is Environmental Conservation?
Environment Conservation means preventing, managing and conserving natural habitats and species.
What are ways of environmental conservation?
The common method of environment conservation are as follows:
\
- Using cloth or jute bags instead of plastic bags
- Using less water
- Recycling
- Proper waste management
- Sustainable Development
Why is Environment Conservation Important?
Conserving the environment is necessary as life on earth will not be possible without the environment. So, to save life on earth, protecting the environment is essential.
Which authority hears an appeal against the order of the National green tribunal, and within how many days?
The supreme court is empowered to address the appeals filed against the order of NGT upon an application to be filed for such purpose within 90 days of communicating the tribunal’s order.
Which environmental law legislation provides relief and compensation to the victims of environmental damage?
Section 15 of the National green tribunal act 2010 provides relief and compensation to the victims of environmental damage. It states that it will provide compensation to the victims in cases of:-
- Pollution and environmental damage or accident resulting while handling hazardous substances,
- Restitution of damaged property,
- Restitution of environment of the concerned area(s)
About Author
