Essays

Environment is the surrounding of an organism. This environment in which an organism lives is made up of various elements like air, water, land etc. These elements are found in fixed proportions to create a harmonious balance in the environment for the organism to live in. Any kind of undesirable and unwanted change in the proportions of these elements can be termed as Pollution. Out environment consists of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere.

With the rise of the industries and the migration of people from villages to towns in search of employment, there has been a regular increase in the problem of proper housing and unhygienic conditions of living has led to rise in factors which increase pollution. The growth of industries has given rise to the problem of proper disposal of waste material of the industries. Many a times the waste product of these industries contain poisonous elements which if disposed without being properly treated, pollute the rivers and other water bodies. Thus, we face the problem of Water Pollution. The poisonous water and waste product of the factories mingles with the water bodies and poisons them. Resultantly, the aquatic life gets affected. Fishes die, disturbing the ecological balance. The water too is rendered useless which can neither be used for drinking or washing. This also results in the reduction of the area of water bodies. Such a situation arises when non-degradable products are dumped on fallow land or on the banks of rivers and sea shores. Waste Materials such as plastics, polythene, bottles etc cause land pollution and render soil infertile. Thus, our major rivers which are the lifelines of our plains are all shrinking in their area and their water too is getting polluted. Moreover, dumping of dead bodies of men and animals, washing of clothes and utensils too add to the problem.

Another major problem of pollution is the air that we breathe being polluted by the smoke pouring out of the chimneys and the automobiles. No doubt Air Pollution is done even by volcanoes, cyclones, forest fires etc. But human activities are more responsible for causing air pollution. Gases like CO^ CO, SO; are emitted out which mix with air and cause great harm to the human body, flora and fauna. The use of dry farm waste, dry grass, leaves and coal as domestic fuels in our villages also produce harmful gases.

Acid rain occurs due to excess of SO^, in the air. The most tragic incident of air pollution is the Bhopal Gas Tragedy when the dangerous Methyl Isocyanide was emitted from Union Carbide Fertilizer Factory in 1984 which killed thousands of men. women and children and rendered thousands of other handicapped. Fire crackers, nuclear explosions, air conditioners, refrigerators, organic solvents, Pesticides etc also contribute significantly in polluting air. Air pollution not only causes various kinds of allergies/ respiratory problems and other health problems but also affects the vegetation, animal life and the environment. The soot which contains high concentration of hydrocarbons proves very harmful for monuments like The Taj Mahal.

Another very subtle form of pollution is Noise Pollution. Technology has given us comfort along with a cacophony of harsh and unharmonious sounds. This problem is extremely severe in big towns and cities. The maddening horns, loud speakers, music systems etc cause metabolic, hearing and other kinds of disorders. Noise pollution may also lead to a nervous breakdown or madness.

Thus, we see that there are various kinds of pollutions which need to be checked in time. Problems like ozone depletion, global warming, greenhouse effect, change in climatic and weather conditions, melting of glaciers etc have arisen due to this pollution. Strict and serious measures should be taken to control pollution, Industrial waste should be properly treated in special treatment plants before letting it flow into the water bodies or dumping it, Use of organic manures should be encouraged instead of chemical fertilizers to prevent soil pollution Planting of trees should be encouraged and cutting down of green trees should be strictly checked. Unleaded petrol should be used in vehicles. The directions of the Supreme Court to manufacture cars as per Euro I and Euro II norms should be strictly enforced. Industries should have proper emission systems and should conform to the laws in order to ensure safety of the people living in residential areas around. Strict laws should be legislated and enforced regarding the keeping of our sea shores and river banks clean. The horns of automobiles should be checked as per the limits prescribed by law. Loud speakers etc should be strictly prohibited after ten at night and vehicles should not be allowed to play their stereos at high volume.

The government should also try to educate people about various kinds of pollution and create public awareness People should be involved in helping to reduce and control pollution. Moreover, punishments should be strictly given in case of violation of any environmental law so that such people learn a lesson. Until we all get serious and resolve to make our planet a better place to live in, humanity stands amidst grave danger of perishing and being destroyed due to the severe and increasing problem of pollution.