ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGES

1.       Introduction

Environmental pollution ( EP ) is one of the important global concerns because sustenance of a  happy and safe world in future depends on the degree of and the rate at which the EP occurs. The faster the degradation occurs, the more and drastic the erosion of human evolution.  If EP proceeds at a slower rate, we can continue to live for some more time. But, it is also true that, though the developments in science and technologies brought some euphoria, they also brought several untold miseries to human life. 

Indian Perspective

 India is urbanizing at a faster rate

-          Population of country  between  2001 – 2011 increased by 17.6 %

-          Urban population between  2001 – 2011 increased by 31 %

-          Percentage of population leaving in cities

-          1991 – 25 %

-           2001 – 27.86

-           2011 – 31.16 %

In 50 years

-          Population of India has grown 2.5 time

-          Population in cities has grown 5 times

-          In comparison, population growth in developed countries was just 4.4 %

Ancient Indian philosophers considered the environment, forest and climate as inter-related subjects and gave them utmost prominence. These concepts were introduced into the education as well as in their daily activities and rituals. Sustenence of mankind depends on the conservation of environment, forest and prevention of climate changes. The environment is conceived as composed of the five base elements – Panchabhootas, i.e Air, Water, Wind, Agni(Fire) and Akaash.  They  were  worshipped as God-Prakriti Mata ( environment), Vana Matha ( forest ) and Aakash (space), Ganga Matha (water), Bhoo Matha (Earth). As long as this trend prevailed in India, the problem of environment pollution did not arise and the country remained peaceful, harmonious and balanced. In order to pacify and purify the five elements, Kratus and Yagnas were performed. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that ‘Do yagna for the purpose of fulfillment of desires and the concerned lords will grace you’.

Speedy Deforestation has caused EP and associated Climate Changes:

Occurrence of several respiratory diseases, cancer, asthma, skin diseases like eczema, and heart diseases, to mention a few, has increased substantially due to the change in life style and environmental pollutants created by outdoor as well as indoor appliances / environment around us.

A world Health Organization (WHO) report says that around 4.3 million people all over the world die annually due to poor quality of air inside the house. Around 3.8 million premature deaths occur annually from non – communicative health diseases including heart diseases.

Cases of lung cancer are attributable to exposure to household air pollutants. They may include cleaning agents, cooking materials / methods, detergents, furniture paints, hair sprays, etc. Air- fresheners, deodorants, and dust,  are considered to be the main indoor and outdoor pollutants. The dangerous chemicals used to prepare the above products are listed in the following table.

S. No.	Name of the Chemical	Items Holding the Chemical
1	Formaldehyde	Carpets, Particle boards
2	Tetra fluoro ethane	Cleaning of fabrics
3	Benzene	Detergents, Paintings, Furniture items
4	Xylene & Toluene	Coloring pens, Markers, Spray paints
5	Carbon Monoxide & Nitrous monoxide	(Not specified)
6	Volatile Organic Agents	Perfumes, Hair sprays
7	Biological pollutants	Dust, Fungi

Methods Suggested for the Rectification of the above Pollutants:

 It is suggested to grow the following plants in household premises

1. ALOE- VERA :  The Aloe-Vera is reported to filter benzene, formaldehyde from the carpets and filters some minute particulate matter.

2. SPIDER PLANT : The plant is reported to filter Formaldehyde, Trichloroethane ( TCE ), Xylene, Toulene and Benzene.

3. BAMBOO PLANT :  It is efficient in absorption of Benzene, Formaldehyde, TCE, Xylene, and Toulene etc.

4. WARNECK DRCANE : Pollution free paints and detergents

Ref : URBAN VEGITATION AND AIR POLLUTION MITIGANTS : Anamika  Chinese J Urban &Envi Sci 4, 165001 ( 2016 )

Trees as Filters of Obnoxious Gases :

Human lungs perform inhalation and exhalation, thereby purifying the inside of the body. Analogous to that, plants and trees are considered to perform as lungs of the eco-system by absorbing the Carbon dioxide and Carbon Monoxide (CO₂ / CO), and releasing Oxygen (O₂ )

The trees and plants play the role of the liver by filtering poisonous gases like Sulphur-di-oxide (SO₂) and Nitrous Oxide( NO₂) through their leaves and other parts. These gases on reaction with water form Sulphuric Acid and Nitric Acid. These acids are responsible for Acid Rains.

Trees as Absorbents  of Particulate Matter ( PM )

Particulate Matters (PM) are present in environment due to emissions from organic compounds, metals and dust emitted from fossils fuel burnt by automobiles as well as human constructions. Size of these particles emitted during this process lies in the range of 10 micro meters ( is equal to one fifth the size of human hair to few nanometres.

Globally about 8 -9 Million deaths occur due to the particulate matter annually besides causing other health disorders.                                                                                       

This fine particulate matter easily penetrates into the human respiratory system causing lung and cardio- vascular diseases or heart problems also.

The trees and plants reduce the PM in two different ways as per Prashant Kumar of University of Surrey, the former director of Global Center for Clean Air Research. The first mechanism is the dispersion by repeated reflection of particulates in air in between different trees / plants. Due to this, the concentrated clouds of minuscule particles get dispersed and dilute by air, thereby decreasing the rate of human inhalation. 

The second process is the deposition of PMs in the waxy, hairy leaves of trees and shurbs. The trapped PMs are washed away by the rainy water and travel into drains.

The extent of filtering capacity depends on plant / tree parameters like canopy size, leaf size and leaf structure. The plant/tree with big canopy can trap more particles than smaller ones. This activity is also reported to depend on the size and nature of leaf. The leaf with large surface area filter more pollutants than the smaller ones; while leaf with rough and rugged surface are the best filters of PM than the leaf with smooth surface.

‘Trees Having Anti-Pollution /Pollution Removal Nature’ - Report of S Balaji, Development of Green and plantation strategies,  Times of India 17^th April 2018

In this context, the conifers are reported to be the best PM reducers because they are evergreen.

Indian Jamun tree  : Removal of sulfur dioxide

Neem and Soapnut :Removal of lead from air

Plantation of above trees is reported ro remove the following gases in air

1. Sulfur dioxide   -  14 %

2. Particulate matter – 13 %

3. Nitrous oxide     -  8 %

4. Carbon monoxide  - 0,05%

Ref : Suhana Ghosh : Mongabay Series

The plant species respond to pollution in a different way. Some plants respond / tolerate high levels of pollutants like particulate matter (PM), dust, gases : while others are sensitive. The response depends on the type of pollutant present, its concentration and time of exposure. Certain plants have their surface and time of exposure , capable of absorbing the PM blocking carbon and dust.

The Govt. of India has launched Green Highways policy in 2015 under which 1 % of total project cost of all highways is kept for highway plantation and their maintenance. The central pollution control board (CPCB) suggest certain guidelines for setting up of green belts for containing air pollution.

The method of checking Pollution :

Air pollution toleration index ( APTI ) taps into bio-chemical characteristics of plants like ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, relative water content and leaf extract PH to identify tolerance levels of different plants. Plants with high chlorophyll content have / are tolerant to pollutants : while low chlorophyll content plants are less tolerant. High concentration of noxious gases causes degradation of those segments of plants which are responsible for photosynthesis.

Out of the plants investigated, the Silver Oak, (Grevilliearobusta) Walnut plant (juglan region ) Holly Oak ( Quereous floribunda ) are reported to have good APTI.

Evaluation of some Tree Species to absorb Air Pollutants - E J chem 7, 8151  2010 )

Air pollution is defined as introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, biological materials into atmosphere by human beings, which cause harm or discomfort to the other living organisms or damage the atmosphere / environment.

• Air pollution is considered to be mainly caused by industrialization

• Air pollution affects plants and trees through directly their leaves or indirectly by soil acidification

• Air pollution can be reduced by the trees, which clean up various types of existing pollution agents in the environment. They include petro chemical based pollutants (organic) and heavy metal ion based pollutants ( inorganic)

• The Indian tree flora are categorized into 2000 species which include 800 genera and 150 families of flowering plants

• India is placed at 10th place in vast diversity of green habitation

Anti- Pollution mechanism of Trees:

All parts of trees like leaves, roots, vegetative portions and the soil it contains act as anti – pollutants-Trees respire and exchange gases through their stomata or holes on their leaves. The gases are required for the survival of trees as well as they filter pollutants some times. When the gas diffuse into spaces between the cells of the leaf, they are absorbed by water films or they are chemically altered by the plant tissues.

The other way of removing pollutants by the trees is by the way by which they intercept air – borne particles when they travel/ float with the winds. Such air – borne particles are deposited / absorbed on the leaves / branches and other parts of the trees.

Surface of the leaf is an efficient part to remove water soluble pollutants like Carbon Dioxide      ( CO₂),  Nitrous oxide ( N₂O) and Ozone ( O₃)

• Pollutants travel in the plants by the process named as translocation through its parts like Xylem and Phloem

• Pollutants deposited on the leaves are trans-located to the roots, where they are degraded by the Microbes present in the soil

•  A study on different tree species on their anti - pollution activity indicates that the Air pollution Tolerance Index ( APTI ) depends on the Chlorophyll content ( CC ) present in their leaves. The trees with less CC have less APTI and those that have more CC content, have higher APTI.  

Policy points :

Forest

1. Progressive and productive aspects of forest and vegetation in India date long bank - during the Vedic period of 4500 – 1800 BC and 8000 – 1000 BC . The religious texts called Aranyakas are the works of knowledge written / compiled in the peaceful and pious environment of ‘Tapovans’. As per Vedic traditions, the villages attain harmony only when certain types of forests are present. The concept of participatory management;  an important theme of forest management was already prevalent in ancient India in this period. The management included formation of village level committees for the management of forests.

During the late vedic period, Agriculture emerged as a major economic activity. The concepts of cultural landscapes such as Sacred Forests, Groves, sacred corridors and varieties of ethno -forestry practices were followed in those days.

The Himalayas have a wealth of many medicinal plants and herbs besides of having many sacred trees, A mention of Sanjeevani Auashadh is well known in Ramayana.

2. In the early days of human civilization, the environment was strongly influenced by the activities of people. Ancients texts like Vedas, Upanishads and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata and novels like Megha Sandesh and Rajatharangini narrate the aspects pertaining to environment, particularly the forests. In the days of Indus civilization, several aspects like city planning, social structure, showed awareness of the environment. The presence of different types of animals and flora reveal the sustenance of bio-diversity in those days.

Reduction / depletion of forest areas gradually occurred due to rapid making of bricks industrially. Ultimately  rain fall, soil erosion and deposition of silt happened in the Indus river . This endangered Mohanjadaro civilization due to rise in water table, which is major reason for the destruction of Mohanjodaro.

There are various references to forestry and plantations in the medival period also.

VarahaMihira (700 AD) in his work called “Brihat Samhita” describes the relationship between irrigation tanks and the trees / plants planted on their banks. He gave a detailed description of shoreline ( banks ) of tanks.  Stands of Terminalia Arjunaa(Arjuna) ,Fiscus Bengalinisis  banyan), Fiscus Religious (Pippal) and Ashoka are recommended for plantation on the banks. Latest scientific studies prove that these species are environmentally beneficial and are of an eco -friendly nature

• A treatise on Agriculture written about  800 AD named Kashyapiya Krishishakti is available.

• The science of plant life is mentioned by Sarapala written about 100 AD.

• Agni Purana(700 - 800 AD)  mentions many ecological principles.

Ref : History of Environmental Conservation - B Thakur Res Rev J 4(5), 1072 ( 2019)

The world is at present threatened by the scarcity of natural resources and is also on the verge of suspected dramatic climate changes, which endangers human life on the globe. The climate changes are mainly caused by the Green-house effect, natural and man-made disasters, resulting in global warming and disturbing the harmony with nature; which was preserved until now. Though the Government has made some legislations and public policies in this regard, they mainly remain confined to papers and do  not translate into action or reach the hearts of public or policy makers.

Significance of trees and plants in the lives of men in ancient civilizations dates back to a very long time. In the four Vedas and Upanishads, it is considered a SIN to harm the trees and certain plants without purpose. They are considered to be associated with certain Gods and Goddesses. As an example, the Pippal and Banyan trees are considered to be associated with Gods and are worshipped everywhere. The mention of the trees is also made in Ramayana, Mahabharata as well as in works related to Lord Buddha and the Jain Thirthankaras. The Tulasi, which is present almost in every house, is also considered to be an worship-worthy plant. This is an old time tradition in India.

Now, the modern science has begun identifying scientific importance of certain tree species like the Banyan tree and Pippal as they release life filling Oxygen (O₂) in the night by consuming Carbon Dioxide ( CO₂ ). The recent findings on Tulasi plant are also amazing. There are reports in News Papers about the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in which of thousands of innocent people were killed, unaware of release of deadly gases; but some people survived due to the presence of Tulasi and other Indian sacred plant species.

 Legislations in Old Times :

There are certain punitive measures proposed in MANUSMRITI for those causing injuries to innocent beings for personal pleasure. Such a person is said to be condemned to never find happiness in either life or in death. The protected innocent beings include flora and fauna of the earth as well as creatures that reside in sky and waters.

As per these rules, the natural resources like Water, Earth are not the exclusive properties of any individual. They are considered to be public property. No one should have the right to pollute or harm / destroy them in any way. Impure objects/ agents are not allowed to pollute them by throwing them even into fire which leads to formation / evolution of smokes of poisonous gases which in turn endanger environment. Such types of rules were prevalent for a long time in India including even the time of the Mughal empires.

But, with the entry of British rule in India, drastic changes were evidenced. The British exploited the environment in the name of development. They have employed forest products in the name of  utilization for harbors, railways,. During the initial stages of coal mining, the local people denied to participate in the mining activities for the fear of committing a SIN by digging the mother Earth but the authorities employed non-local people for this purpose with the result that large areas of forests, existing for a long time begins to recede. Mining activities like coal, ores also began and became a regular activity. British rulers encouraged the growth of coffee and tea plantations in India for their benefit, which has also resulted in deforestation of Assam and Nilgiri forests.

Ref : Screening Potential Plant Species for arresting Particulates : Shailendra Singh Sustainable Env. Res 29 – 37 (2019)

India is the forth largest producer of coal in the world. Coal production is considered to be the major environmental pollutant in India. Because coal mining involves generation of Methane, gas which is more toxic than Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ). It is well known that several hundreds of workers were buried alive in the Chasnala coal - fields long back. Besides production of this poisonous gas, several suspended particulate matter ( SPM ) are reported to blow up during the process of coal – mining.

A solution to combat these evils is to go for plantation of deciduous and evergreen forests, which have high tolerance capcity to mitigate air quality by sedimentation and adsorption. Screening of plant species is required for sustainable dust attenuation capacity ( DAC ) of trees based ecological engineering. The major trees in coal field areas are Sherearobusta, Buteamonosperma, AzardicaIndica etc. Studies reveal that bout 15 types of tree species are capable of reducing pollution in coal field areas. The trees are different in some botanical aspects like

-             Chlorophyll content

-             Relative water content

-             And ascorobic acid content

The following observations are made:

Leafs of more CC, hair wax,  more leaf surface area , venation patterns and grooves are more resistant to EP. Leaf morphology also plays a role in this aspect. Leafs of conical shapes are more effective than the leaves with expanded structure.

Methods of Estimation of Anti-Pollution Efficiency

Different types of plant and trees are reported to have anti-pollution properties. Though some studies are made in this aspect, a comprehensive methodology is still required. That work has to be carried out on the trees and plants prescribed in ancient times. General aspects  of the methodologies are as given below -

Pollution in the form of particulates are mostly deposited on the surface of leaves. Three important properties of leaves are to be investigated. They are

1         Morphological parameters of leaf

2         Physiological changes in leaf

3         Bio-chemical changes occur in the leaf

For each of these properties the following parameters are to be measured

Morphologica Properties

Morphology of the leaf can be determined by measuring

1. Epidermal changes

2. Trichromes measurement

3. Stomale observations

Physiological Changes

 Physiological changes in the leaf are measured by measuring the

I ) PH

Ii ) Residual Water content ( RWC )

Bio-Chemical Changes

Bio-chemical changes of the leaf are monitored by measuring

1. Total Chlorophyll content (TCC)

2. Ascorbic Acid measurement

3. Enzymes present in it

4. Proteins content

5. Complex Sugar composition of the leaf

Impact of Yagna Oon Particulate Matter Mamatha Saxena, Int J Yag Res 1,1-8 ( 2016)

American Environmental agencies reports that unwarranted inhalation of particulate matter by human beings has become commonplace and it has drastic effects on human health, causing premature deaths in America. Exposure to pollutants causes oxidative stress in lungs, If there are no invading organisms to eliminate them, free radicals are generated which attack local tissue resulting in injury to cells. This results in cardio-pulmonary mortalities.

The WHO reports that annually 3.7 M people from  both urban and rural areas perish due to strokes (40%), Ischemic Heart Disease (40 %), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD )( 11%),  etc. It is understandable that these diseases are due to air pollution.

It is alarming to note that the toxic air of Delhi is adversely affecting the growth of fetus leading to pre- natal deaths. There is also a connection between the Type -2 Diabetes and exposure to PMs.

In these disastrous conditions, little efforts are being made to reduce PMs that are present in the air. If it is not possible to control outside, at least the indoor environments can be made free of external PM and may result in lot of benefits.

In the absence of any large scale efforts, Yagna is considered to be the safe and easy method which is prescribed in the ancient Indian periods to purify the environment. The reports suggest that levels of dangerous Sulphur Dioxide ( SO₂ ) and Nitric Oxide ( NO₂) can be reduced using the Yagna process. These two gases are responsible for Acid Rains.

The studies /experiments  indicate that when the Yagna materials soaked in cow ghee for a proper time is burnt in Yagna for certain time, is considerably reduces the PMs and % 0f CO₂ in air. The decrease of PMs and CO₂ levels is found to be due to the volatilization of Ghee particle surrounded with the Havana particles to form small droplets, which bind the PMs present in the air. These aerosols get either stuck to the surrounding walls or to the top of the rooms in which Yagna is performed.

The exact mechanism of trapping of the PMs and CO₂ particles needs to be investigated more scientifically and systematically.