102 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Control over Population Increase
We should aim at striving for an optimum instead of maximum, sutainable population size
on Earth, and to arrive at the optimum figure after due consideration of the complex environmental
problems. The optimum size permits long-term persistence of the population in equilibrium with
its environment. The optimum represents that stage when any further addition of more members
would result in deterioration of the quality of like of those already present.
- To Make An Integrated and Holistic Approach in Tackling Environmental Problem
Environmental strategies and programmes must be based on a thorough analysis of
technical and economic factors as well as of social and political dimensions of the
environmental problem. Such an approach includes an analysis of balance of political forces
besides issues of livelihood for disadvantaged groups.
- Increase in the Plant Cover
The plant cover is essential for the maintenance of the soil in a balanced and healthy
state. Over-exploitation of forests and deforestation practices lead to soil erosion with the
topsoil washing down the stream. It results in the ruin of soil fertility. We are annually
losing millions of tons of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium through soil erosion. Nearly
5,000 million tons of soil are being annually lost by water erosion, and the loss of valuable
nutrients in this way often reaches colossal proportions. It is estimated that thousands of
acres of arable soil are also being rendered unfit for farming due to salinity and alkalinity
problems. Here it may be mentioned that the Green Revolution has further generated some
newer problems of soil fertility depletion, mineral nutrient imbalances, agricultural residues,
etc. In some parts of Punjab for instance, paddy straw of the high-yielding rice variety IR-
8 is found responsible for the deterioration in health of cattle because of its abnormally high
content of certain mineral salts.
- Proper Use of Water
Agricultural use of soil is linked with the use of water which is required for irrigation. Much
progress has been achieved in the large-scale storage of water in Dams and Reservoirs for agricultural
use and for generation of hydroelectric power, but economy in its use is paid no heed. We must
remember that policies directed toward the maximum economic yield from a fixed amount of
water will result in maximum conservation and also that planning for the maximum use of water
ought to be correlated with planning for the optimum use of land resources.
- Proper Irrigation for Soil Conservation
The land resources of India have been increasingly degraded. Excessive unplanned canal
irrigation without proper drainage and water management has resulted in seepage, water
logging and salinity. Seven million hectares are already affected and another ten million are
threatened. About 150 million hectare area suffers from wind and water erosion. This results
in the loss of valuable topsoil. Rising water tables is also responsible for increasing salinization
of farm lands. Soil erosion causes premature silting up on many reservoirs and tanks.
- Proper Use of Wood
Our country is gifted with a fairly considerable potentiality for increasing the supply
of such renewable resources as forests and forest products that could substitute for some of