Care for Environment_Puneet Kapoor_Sem 2 (6)

1. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 CHHATRAPATI SAHUJI MAHARAJ UNIVERSITY, KANPUR Department of Education Sem-2(2022-24) CARE FOR ENVIRONMENT Submitted to: Submitted By: Dr. R. P. Saini Puneet Kapoor Page 1

2. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 ACKNOWLEDGMENT I take this opportunity with much pleasure to thank all the people who have helped me through the course of my journey for completion of this Project. I wish to place on records, my deep sense of gratitude and sincere appreciation to my Faculty from my prestigious institute Department of Education, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur - Dr. R. P. Saini for his guidance, help and motivation. I am thankful to him for his teaching methodology in the class that has been helpful to me in completing this assignment Puneet Kapoor Page 2

3. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENT ......................................................................................................................... 2 PREPARATION OF SELF MADE GARDEN ........................................................................................ 4 PREPARATION AND PROTECTION OF AQUARIUM ..................................................................... 10 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ...................................................................................................... 15 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ......................................................................................................... 23 Page 3

4. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 PREPARATION OF SELF MADE GARDEN Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or start a vegetable garden (or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty. But if you're new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated; when you break your project down into manageable steps, you can ease into gardening at your own pace. And soon you'll see the rewards of your efforts with beautiful views, delicious flavors, and colorful blooms. These steps will help you get started from scratch, but if you have something particular in mind, you could also use a garden plan to guide your design. 1. Consider What to Plant Do you want to plant a vegetable garden? An herb garden? A flower garden? If you choose vegetables and herbs for their contributions to your dinner table, Page 4

5. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 plant ones your family will eat or be willing to try. If you want flowers for their flair, color, and fragrance, decide whether you want annuals that bloom most of the summer but need to be replanted each spring or perennials that have a shorter bloom time but return year after year. Each one, or even a combination, makes a stunning garden but will have different maintenance requirements. One bit of advice: Start small until you know what you're getting into. 2. Pick the Best Garden Spot Almost all vegetables and many types of flowering plants need 6-8 hours of full sun each day. So you need to observe your yard throughout the day to figure out which spots receive full sun versus partial or full shade. Don't worry if your yard is mostly shady: You won't be able to grow tomatoes in shade, but many other plants (such as hostas and outdoor ferns) will do just fine. Check plant tags or ask the staff at your local garden center to help you understand out how much sun a plant needs. If possible, pick a relatively flat spot for your garden because it's more difficult, time-consuming, and potentially expensive to deal with a sloping garden. And make sure your new garden will have easy access to a water source. Page 5

6. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 3. Clear the Ground Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results— for example, if it's already spring and you want veggies this summer—cut it out. Slice under the sod with a spade. Cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove. For a longer term project, it's easier to use the lasagna gardening method: Cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper; double that amount if your lawn is Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass. Spread a 3-inch layer of compost (or combination of potting soil and topsoil) on the newspaper. Water everything and wait. It'll take about four months for the compost and paper to decompose. But if you start in the fall, by spring you'll have a bed ready to plant with no grass or weeds and plenty of rich soil. Page 6

7. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 4. Test and Improve Your Soil To learn more about your soil, have a soil test done through your county cooperative extension office. They'll lead you through the procedure: How much soil to send from which parts of the garden and the best time to obtain samples. Expect a two-week wait for the findings, which will tell you what your soil lacks and how to amend it. You can also use a DIY kit that may not be as detailed, but will give you an idea of your soil's nutrient levels. Residential soil almost always needs a boost, especially in new construction where the topsoil may have been stripped away. In addition to being low in essential plant nutrients, your soil may also have poor drainage or be compacted. The solution is usually simple: Adding plenty of organic matter. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost to the soil when you dig or till a new bed. If you decide not to dig or are working with an established bed, leave the organic matter on the surface where it will eventually turn into humus (organic material). Earthworms will do most of the work of mixing humus in with the subsoil. 5. Prepare Your Planting Beds Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps roots to grow more easily and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first one is a good method when you need to mix in large amounts of Page 7

8. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 amendments. However, it's easy to overdo it, which will end up damaging soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds. Either way, work the soil only when it's moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is harder work, and you can damage the soil structure if it's too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6-8 inches of soil, mixing in the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight. 6. Pick Your Plants Some people pore over catalogs for months; others head to the garden center and buy what wows them. Either method works as long as you choose plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight. You can even surf the Internet for plants to purchase. Here are a few easy-to-grow plants for beginners: Annuals: Calendula, cosmos, geraniums, impatiens, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, daylilies, lamb's ears, pansies, phlox, purple coneflowers, and Russian sage Vegetables: Cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes Page 8

9. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 7. Start Planting Some plants, such as pansies and kale, tolerate cold, so you can plant them in autumn or late winter. Tomatoes and most annual flowers, on the other hand, prefer warm temperatures, so don't plant them until the danger of frost has passed in your area. Mid spring and mid autumn are good times to plant perennials. Many annuals are easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden. Be sure to read the seed packet for information about planting time, depth, and spacing. If you're an adventurous beginner, get a head start on the growing season by sowing seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost date. There are containers or flats designed especially for seedlings and seed-starting soil mixes available at garden centers. Follow seed packet instructions and place the containers on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights if you don't have window space. Be sure to keep the seeds and seedlings moist but not wet, or they may rot. An easier method of starting your garden is to buy young plants that you can transplant where you want them to grow. Dig holes in your prepared bed based on tag instructions. Remove plants from the container by pushing up from the bottom. If the roots have grown into a big ball (known as being root-bound), use an old fork or your fingers to untangle some outer roots before setting it into the hole. Pat soil into place around the roots, then soak the soil with water. Page 9

10. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 PREPARATION AND PROTECTION OF AQUARIUM Keeping a tropical aquarium can be a rewarding experience. Freshwater fish tanks are inexpensive to set up and maintain, and there is an incredible array of fish available with which you can stock your new aquarium. Building a tiny ecosystem of animals and plants is an amazing feeling. Many people are hooked for life after they purchase their first fish tank, and their hobby quickly expands to bigger aquariums, more aquariums, or both! Unfortunately, for many fish keepers, it can also be a very bumpy road. Understanding which fish to purchase, what basic maintenance to perform, and when, how much, and how often to feed, among other details is important for keeping your fish alive and healthy. For beginners, it can be especially frustrating. Page 10

11. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 There is a ton of information available on the internet, but much of it confusing and contradictory. How is the newbie supposed to know where to start? In this article, you will read about six tips that, if followed, will greatly increase your chance of success as a newbie fish keeper. If you keep at this aquarium thing, it will get easier, and you’ll be a pro one day. But since you probably don’t wish to leave a trail of dead fish in your wake as you plod forward and learn the ropes, it’s worth it to get a few basic ideas down. 1.Cycle the Tank Before Adding Fish In case you’ve never heard the expression before, “cycling a tank” means taking the steps necessary to bring the water conditions up to where they are healthy for the fish. This is something that should be done before you ever add fish to your tank. In other words: You should not purchase your fish tank and your fish on the same day! What you should never do is attempt to cycle your tank with fish already in it. This is very unhealthy for the fish, and until the water parameters are safe, they can easily become ill and die. It’s the equivalent of a person trying to live in an atmosphere of noxious gas and not very kind to your fish. Page 11

12. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 2.Test and Monitor Water Parameters So how do you know when the water is safe for your fish? It’s smart to purchase an inexpensive water testing kit and monitor the levels of ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and the pH of your water. I recommend the API Master Test Kit. This is the testing kit I've used over the years. It's easy to manage and the results are very clear. If you test the water weekly, one kit should last you quite a while. Ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites are natural chemical compounds that result from the lifecycles in your tank. They are fine at low levels but left unchecked they can build up to unhealthy amounts. Follow the instructions on the test kit and take the necessary steps to keep the water parameters correct. You can also test the pH of your water source with the kit. Most fish can adapt to most pH levels, but if the water is very hard unfortunately it may be necessary to bring the pH down with chemicals. Page 12

13. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 3.Perform Regular Water Changes If you find your water parameters out of line there are over-the-counter products that will help keep these chemical levels in order. But, in my opinion, clean water is usually a better answer than adding even more foreign chemicals to the tank. Frequent water changes are the key. You need to remove about one-third of the water from your tank every week and replace it with fresh, clean water. This dilutes the chemicals in the water and makes it healthier for your fish. 4.Research Fish Before Purchasing When it comes time to purchase fish, take some time to research exactly what you are buying. Understand how big the fish will get, its temperament, its space requirements, and which fish it will get along with. It’s a beginner’s mistake to go to the pet store and purchase fish by looks alone. The attendant at the pet store should be able to set you straight, but unfortunately, they often aren’t very knowledgeable themselves. You could end up with aggressive fish species without realizing it, or fish that simply aren't compatible. Along these lines, do not overstock your tank. You may have heard the “one inch of fish per gallon” rule. This advice is nonsense, and you should ignore it. Knowing what fish you are purchasing and their needs help you to understand how many fish can safely live in your tank. Page 13

14. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 An overcrowded tank results in increased aggression, increased stress, increased disease, and an overall unhealthy living situation for your fish. It is far better to under-stock your tank and have fewer but healthier fish. 5.Manage Light in and Around Your Aquarium One of the most frustrating things for the new aquarium owner is managing algae in an aquarium. Algae are similar to plants, and like all plants, they require light to thrive. Of course, you are going to have lights in your tank, because you want to see your fish. So how do you see your fish without growing a huge crop of algae? One way is to manage the amount of light your tank gets every day. When you decide on the placement of your tank, try to keep it away from anywhere that will get strong sunlight throughout the day. Like any plant, algae loves sunlight and will flourish if given the chance. You should keep the tank light on a maximum of 12 hours every day. In reality, you can probably do with much less. Remember that the light in the fish tank is for you, not the fish. The moderate lighting of daylight is plenty for them, and about what they would experience in the wild. It all may seem daunting, but if you incorporate these tips into your fish care routine you’ll end up with a pretty tank full of healthy fish. Once your tank is up and running the care and maintenance required to keep it going really should not take up a lot of your time. As little as an hour a week is all that’s needed, maybe less depending on tank size. Page 14

15. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 Remember that fish are not disposable pets, and if you choose to keep them in your home they are worth taking the time to care for properly. Like any animal, your tropical fish need a clean, safe, and stress-free living environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Environmental Pollution is not a new phenomenon, yet it remains one of the greatest threats to the health and well-being of humanity and one of the major environmental causes of death and morbidity. For example, substances such as plastic materials, heavy metals, etc., once released into the atmosphere. By natural processes, it cannot be degraded and are harmful to living organisms. In environmental pollution, pollutants originate from a source, are transported by air or water, and are dumped into the soil by human beings. The long-term impacts of pollution are still being felt despite global attention to the issue. Day by day, our atmosphere is becoming more and more polluted due to anthropogenic activities. It is usually due to the pollutants released into the air, Page 15

16. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 water, soil, etc., through many human activities. Let us examine the different types of environmental pollution. Types of Environmental Pollution Environmental Pollution is the effect caused by undesirable changes in our surroundings that have harmful impacts on plants, animals, and human beings. A substance that causes Pollution is known as a Pollutant. Pollutants can be solid, liquid, or gaseous substances present in greater concentrations than in natural abundance and may produce due to human activities or natural happenings. For example, an average human being requires around 12−15 ?mes more air than food. So, even a tiny amount of pollutants in the air becomes significant compared to similar levels in food. Pollutants can be degradable, like discarded vegetables rapidly broken down by the natural process. Slowly degradable pollutants remain in the environment unchanged for many decades. Page 16

17. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 What is Pollution? Modifying the environment caused by human influence, which often renders the environment harmful and unpleasant to live in, is called Pollution. Atmospheric Pollution is caused by gases such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides being released into the atmosphere by various industries and by burning fossil fuels. Water Pollution is caused by many substances, such as those found in fertilisers and industrial effluents. Types of Environmental Pollution Based on the part of the environment that is polluted, Pollution is of the following types: Air Pollution Water Pollution Soil Pollution Noise Pollution Air Pollution Air Pollution occurs due to undesirable changes in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air that exert harmful effects on all living beings. Page 17

18. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 Causes of Air Pollution 1. Particulate pollutants which constitute metallic particles, dust particles, soot, aerosol, and smoke. 2. Gaseous pollutants in the air constitute carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and sulphur dioxide. Effects of Air Pollution The various effects of air pollutants on plants, animals, and humans are as follows: On Plants 1. It causes fruit damage and various leaf diseases like chlorosis, necrosis, and mottled spots on leaves. 2.Decreases the growth yield of crops and causes premature death of plants. 3.Weakens plants and increases infestation by pests. Page 18

19. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 On Humans Causes an increase in susceptibility to diseases. Causes cancer and genetic mutations. Causes respiratory ailments like asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases. Causes cardiovascular diseases and damage to the central nervous system, resulting in premature death. Causes of Air Pollution The major causes of air pollution are as follows: Excessive use of fossil fuels by automobiles Smokestacks of thermal power plants, smelters, etc. Particulate and gaseous air pollutants released by various industries Garbage decomposition Use of petrol and diesel Page 19

20. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 Water Pollution Water Pollution is defined as any undesirable change in physical, chemical, or biological properties of water that may affect living beings adversely. Due to human activities, ponds, rivers, oceans, and estuaries are getting polluted in several parts of the world. Sources of Water Pollution Discharge of untreated domestic sewage into rivers leads to water pollution. Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture also causes water pollution. Discharge of toxic waste from factories and refineries. etc., pollute water. Oil spills that are an accidental release of oil by tankers in oceans may cause marine water pollution. Inappropriate disposal of litter such as plastic bags, wrappers and bottles, lead to Water Pollution. Effects of Water Pollution Water Pollution affects both animals and plants and leads to an adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem. The major effects of Water Pollution are as follows: Water-borne diseases: Sewage gives the maximum opportunity for the pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms to grow. These pathogenic Page 20

21. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 (disease-causing) microorganisms are responsible for several water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, jaundice, hepatitis, etc. Toxic waste material - Toxic waste material from the industries such as heavy metals, pesticides, cyanides, and many organic and inorganic wastes are released directly into the river, lakes, and ocean, affecting the species present in these aquatic ecosystems, and ultimately affecting human health. Soil Pollution Soil Pollution is the build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease-causing agents in the soil, which have adverse effects on plant growth and animal health. Causes of Soil Pollution Page 21

22. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 Soil Pollution is caused by the presence of man-made chemicals or other alterations in the natural soil environment. This type of contamination usually arises from the rupture of underground storage links, application of pesticides, percolation of contaminated surface water to the subsurface, fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills, or direct discharge of industrial wastes to the soil. The common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. The occurrence of this phenomenon is correlated with the degree of industrialisation and intensities of chemical usage. Noise Pollution The unpleasant, discomfort-causing sound from any source is called noise. The sustained presence of harmful, unwanted, or annoying noise in the environment is called noise pollution. Any object that produces noise is a potential source of noise pollution. Examples are television and radio (when played at a loud volume), air coolers, automobiles, blaring loudspeakers, and air conditioners. Impacts of Noise Pollution Irritation and loss of concentration Sleep disturbance and stress (which can lead to high blood pressure) Ear damage and loss of hearing (which may result from exposure to a sudden loud noise or from continuous exposure to noise over some time) Page 22

23. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 Measures to Reduce Noise Pollution The use of loudspeakers should be avoided. People living in flats (and houses close to each other) should not talk too loudly or play the television/music too loudly so as not to disturb their neighbours. While driving, people should avoid playing loud music and using the horn unnecessarily. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY In 1972, the UN General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day (WED). The first celebration, under the slogan “Only One Earth” took place in 1973. In the following years, WED has developed as a platform to raise awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, sustainable consumption, sea-level increase, and food Page 23

24. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 security, among others. Furthermore, WED helps drive change in consumption patterns and in national and international environmental policy. 2023 Theme: Solutions to Plastic Pollution This year marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day, which will focus on solutions to plastic pollution, using the hashtag and slogan #BeatPlasticPollution. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled. An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. Microplastics – tiny plastic particles up to 5mm in diameter – find their way into food, water and air. It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year –and many more if inhalation is Page 24

25. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 considered. Discarded or burnt single-use plastic harms human health and biodiversity and pollutes every ecosystem from mountain tops to the ocean floor. With available science and solutions to tackle the problem, governments, companies and other stakeholders must scale up and speed actions to solve this crisis. This underscores the importance of this World Environment Day in mobilizing transformative action from every corner of the world. A resolution was adopted in 2022 at the United Nations Environment Assembly to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024. The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) will be held in Paris at the end of May 2023. The instrument is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. Our environment is one of the most important aspects to survive on this planet. Moreover, it is the only thing that can make life sustainable. Without it, we cannot survive even a single day. For instance, our skin will burn, the lungs will get ruptured, our blood pressure would rise. People from across the globe are expected to come together on 5 June to mark World Environment Day, cleaning up beaches, planting trees and holding marches in an effort to revive what experts say is a planet on the precipice. The event will Page 25

26. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 be commemorated both digitally and in Stockholm, Sweden two days following the Stockholm+50 international meeting. More than 150 countries are slated to host environmentally themed events on Saturday, part of an annual celebration of the Earth that dates to 1973. Advocates are hoping this year’s World Environment Day will encourage a global effort to tackle what they describe as the rapid decline of the natural world. “We are running against the clock,” said Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in a video message. “Today, as we look to a…future of heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires, pandemics, dirty air, wars, and plastic-ridden oceans, action is more important than ever.” During the last 49 years, World Environment Day has cast a spotlight on a host of environmental problems, from pollution to the hole in the ozone layer to deforestation. This year’s event comes at a time considered by scientists and policy-makers as “emergency mode” for the planet. A series of recent United Nations reports have found that the climate crisis is accelerating faster than previously thought, with a 50 per cent chance that global warming will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next five years. That is combined with widespread biodiversity loss – 1 million species Page 26

27. Puneet Kapoor Care for Environment 2023 are threatened with extinction – and rampant pollution to create a “triple planetary crisis”, which United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said threatens humanity’s future. We can no longer ignore the alarm bells that ring louder every day The only way forward is to work with nature, not against it.” ============================================================ Page 27