The environment is a key determinant of social and individual health. You may be aware that many of our health problems are caused by environmental degradation. Exposure to air, water and soil pollution, chemicals in the environment, or noise, can cause cancer, respiratory, cardiovascular and communicable diseases, as well as some other serious health disorders. Although environmental degradation can affect the health of the whole population, some groups are particularly vulnerable, including children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with pre-existing family history of certain diseases. Recall what you have learnt in the chapter on water management.
As you are aware that number of factors contribute to environmental degradation, but the most important factor is the misuse and over use of natural resources. All that the nature has provided to us such as soil, air, water, minerals, sunshine (sunlight), animals and plants, etc., are known as natural resources. Human beings use these directly or indirectly for their survival and welfare. The problem lies in how these natural resources are distributed and used. If at any time one person or a group of people uses more than their fair share of resources, an imbalance is created. This leads to environmental health problems for others.
It is, therefore, essential for every individual to ensure that natural resources are protected and are not misused or over used, so that social and individual health is not affected adversely. In India, we have had a great tradition of environmental conservation. We have been taught since ages to respect nature and to recognise that all forms of life — human, animal and plant are closely interrelated. Disturbance in one gives rise to an imbalance in others. Our Constitution also has provisions for protection of environment.
Clean Water and Food Resources
In view of the above, all the natural resources need to be protected. It can be done in two ways. Efforts are needed to ensure that natural resources are used judiciously according to the needs of the present generation, and of future generations. Secondly, care needs to be taken so that natural resources are properly maintained and sustained. We may take the examples of water and food resources.
With a view to protecting and conserving clean water the following steps are needed:
- growing vegetation in the catchment areas. This will hold water in the soil. It allows sea water to percolate into deeper layers and contribute to pool ground water;
- constructing dams and reservoirs to regulate supply of water to the fields as well as to enable generation of hydroelectricity.
- treated clear water of the sewage should be released into the rivers.
- industrial wastes (effluents) should not be released in rivers.
- judicious use of water in our day-to-day life. Rain water harvesting should be done by storing rain water to recharge ground water.
- fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides should be used only after getting the soil tested in nearby laboratory.
- community be made aware of proper use of fertilisers and pesticides.
- restriction needs to be imposed on the use of prime agricultural land for other purposes. The decision for land use should be based upon land capability and land productivity.
- there should be incentives for cultivation of crops with high nutritive value and those with lesser demands on water and energy inputs.
- local bodies like Zilla Parishads, Gram Panchayats and Samitis need to be strengthened to ensure effective decentralisation and optimal resource management.
