SCIENCE

(b) Tropical and temperate climate (c) Monsoon wind and polar wind 5. Answer the following questions. (a) Define weather and climate. (b) List any five factors that affect the climate of a place. (c) Explain how the distance from the equator affects the climate of a place. (d) How does the altitude and the slope of a mountain affect climate? (e) Name the types of climates found in Nepal with regard to altitudes and their summer and winter temperature. 6. Define monsoon. (a) How does the monsoon affect our country? lossar - pp site t the dire n rain a - in the dire n rain a ee ard - d ind ard - hei ht Ar - mild or less A tude Temperate Weather and Climate 247

U 21 THE EARTH AND SPACE L earning O utc om es At the end of this unit, students will be able to: ~ explain the origin of the earth. ~ explain the change in position of the sun and the earth in different seasons. ~ explain the phases of the moon. Main points to be focused ~ Hypothesis about the origin of the earth ~ Conditions on the earth for living beings ~ The position of the sun and the earth ~ Effects due to position of the sun and earth ~ Change in seasons ~ Phases of the moon Introduction The existence and the origin of the whole universe and the heavenly bodies has always been an interesting question to mankind. Humans have used their maximum efforts to understand the space and the heavenly bodies that exist in it. Due to vast researches and understanding, many scientific facts have been put forward about the formation of the earth. Many hypothesis and theories have been formulated but yet there is no uniformity in scientific explanations. Some hypothesis about the origin of the earth Old Plantomial Hypothesis This hypothesis was first formulated by a French Astronomer George Buffon in 1749 AD. According to this hypothesis, a moving star in the universe collided with the sun. As a result, the sun had broken into many fragments. These fragments finally formed the earth, other planets and the satellites. 248 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

Nebular Hypothesis This hypothesis was first formulated by German philosopher Kant in 1755 AD. After 39 years, another Astronomer Laplace revised this hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, about 4 billion years ago, a large hot mass of interstellar clouds containing dust and various gases along with water vapour was roaming in the universe. In the course of time, the mass cooled and contracted into a smaller size. This cooled nebular mass burst into many smaller fragments. All the smaller fragments started revolving around the larger mass. The large mass became the sun and other smaller masses became other heavenly bodies of the solar system. Tidal Hypothesis This hypothesis was proposed by Astronomers Jeans and Jeffrey in 1917 AD. According to this hypothesis, billion and billion of years ago, a large star went past the sun. Due to the force of attraction between the sun and the large star, many interstellar masses from the sun were attracted towards the large star in the form of tidal waves. These tidal waves separated from the sun and cooled down in the universe to form planets, satellites, asteroids, meteors, etc. Solar System from Milky Way According to this hypothesis, interstellar clouds, dust and gases in the Milky way, revolved rapidly and were attracted to each other to form numerous heavy masses. During the course of time, large masses of dust and clouds compressed and converted into the sun. Similarly, other heavenly bodies were formed from the dust. How and why were living beings originated in the earth? The earth is the only living planet in the whole universe. Living beings gradually developed in the earth in the course of time. The estimated age of the earth is 4.5 billion years but living beings were not originated at that time. Most of the hypothesis and theories suggested that the earth was once a ball of hot gases. The hot earth gradually cooled down. Water vapour converted into clouds. The clouds caused heavy rainfall for thousands of years. This further cooled the earth making many water bodies. In these water bodies, the first living cell originated. The following are the major reasons for the existence of living beings in the earth. i. Presence of oxygen for respiration, carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, etc. ii. Presence of sunlight. iii. Presence of water. iv. Presence of land. The earth and space 249

v. Presence of favourable temperature. vi. The position of the sun and the earth The earth takes 24 hours to rotate around its own axis. It takes about 365 days to complete one revolution around the sun in its elliptical orbit. The earth makes an angle of 66.50 to its orbital plane. The orbital plane is an imaginary plane in which the earth revolves around the sun in its orbit. Due to this, the intensity of the sunlight falling on the earth’s surface varies. This variation of the sunlight affects various processes in the earth. Effects due to the position of the sun and the earth Some of the effects due to the position of the sun and the earth are given below. a) The equatorial region of the earth receives direct sunlight while from the equator to poles the sunlight is slanted. It has low intensity. b) Changes in seasons are due to the tilting of the earth. It is not due to change in distance between the sun and the earth. c) The variation of the sunlight causes different climates on the earth. d) The position of the sun changes due to the change in the position of the earth. Change in seasons The imaginary line that joins the north and the south pole of the earth is called axis. The real axis of the earth is tilted by 23.50 with the imaginary perpendicular axis of the earth. The earth revolves around the sun in its orbit continuously but the axis of the earth always points to the same direction in the space. The tilting of the earth is the main cause of the change in season. Based on this fact, there are major four seasons in the world. They are (a) summer season, (b) autumn season (c) winter season and (d) spring season. Due to the tilting of the earth’s axis, some part of the earth receives direct sunlight and 250 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

some part of the earth receives indirect sunlight. The part of the earth which receives direct sunlight has summer and the part of earth which receives sunlight indirectly has winter. It means when there is winter in the southern hemisphere of the earth; then there is summer in the northern hemisphere. The sun is said to be at a solstice when the distance between each pole of the earth and the sun is at the highest. The sun is said to be at equinox if it appears directly over the equator of the earth. During June 21, most of the surface of the northern hemisphere faces the sun. This causes summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. Days are longer and nights are shorter during this time. June 21 has the longest day and the shortest night in the northern hemisphere. It is also known as summer solstice. In the same way, on December 22, most of the surface of the Southern hemisphere faces the sun. During this time, it is winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. Days are shorter and nights are longer during this time. December 22 is the shortest day and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. It is also known as winter solstice. On September 23 and March 21, the sun appears just above the equator. During this time, both the northern and the southern hemispheres have equal days and nights. In the northern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs on September 23. It marks the beginning of autumn. The vernal equinox occurs on March 21. It marks the beginning of spring season. While in the southern hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs on March 21. It marks the beginning of autumn. The vernal equinox occurs on September 23. It marks the beginning of the spring season. In this way the revolution of the earth around the sun and the tilting of axis of the sun are responsible to change in seasons. Phases of the moon The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth. It does not have its own light. It looks bright by reflecting the light from the sun. One revolution of the moon around the earth takes about 27 days and 7 hours. The moon rotates on its axis in this same period of time. So, the same face of the moon is always open to the earth. The moon revolves around the earth and the earth also revolves on its own axis around the sun. Due to this, the moon takes 29 days and 12 hours to rotate and come back to the same state. Observing from a single spot of the earth, the moon rises about 50 minutes later every day. During the duration of 29.52 days, there are eight changes in the illuminating face of the moon. These different changes in the illuminating face of the moon are called the phases of the moon. The earth and space 251

1. New Moon: Once in 15 days the rising time of the sun and the moon is the same. Due to this reason, we cannot see the illuminating face of the moon. This phase of the moon is called the new moon. We cannot see the moon during this phase. 2. Waxing crescent: During this phase, a semicircular part of the moon starts to be visible. This semicircular arc shaped illuminating face of the moon goes on increasing day by day. It can be seen in the evening for a few minutes just after sunset. 3. First Quarter: During the first quarter, half of the moon is visible. Thus, the phase of the moon in which half of the moon is illuminating is called the first quarter. 4. Waxing Gibbous: During this phase, the moon remains in the sky for most of the night. Thus, the phase of the moon in which more than half of its part but less than the full moon is illuminated is called the waxing gibbous. 5. Full Moon: In this phase, we observe the entire illuminating face of the moon. This phase of the moon is called the full moon. Occasionally, (about every 2.7 years) there are two Full Moons in the same month. This is referred to as a Blue Moon. 6. Waning Gibbous: In waning gibbous, more than half of the illuminated face of the moon is visible. It goes on decreasing continuously. 7. Last Quarter: In this phase of the moon, half of the moon is illuminating. This illuminating last quarter decreases to the waning crescent. 8. Waning Crescent: The illuminating arc shaped moon that comes just before the new moon day is called the waning crescent. It is visible just before mornings. Answer writing skill 1. What is the main cause of the change in seasons on the earth?  The tilting of the earth is the main cause of the change in seasons. 2. What is the main reason for summer and winter on the earth?  The part of the earth which receives direct sunlight has summer and the part of earth which receives indirect sunlight has winter. 252 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

3. Why does the intensity of the sunlight differ on the earth?  The earth makes an angle of 66.50 to its orbital plane. Due to this, the intensity of the sunlight falling on the earth’s surface varies. 4. Life originated only on the earth. Why?  The earth has suitable conditions of air, water, land and temperature for life. So, life originated on the earth. SUM M ARY ” Old Plantomial Hypothesis, Nebular Hypothesis, Je an’s and Je ffrey’s Hypothesis are the major hypothesis given for the origin of the earth. ” The tilting of the earth from its axis changes the intensity of the sunlight falling on the surface of the earth. ” The earth revolves around the sun in its orbit continuously but the axis of the earth always points the same direction in the space. ” The earth makes an angle of 66.5 0 to its orbital plane. ” The sun is said to be at a solstice when the distance between each pole of the earth and the sun is the highest. The sun is said to be at an equinox if it appears directly over the equator. ” Ju ne 21 is the longest day and shortest night and December 22 is the shortest day and longest night in the earth. ” September 23 and March 21 have equal days and night. ” One revolution of the moon around the earth takes about 27 days and 7 hours. ” Observing from a single spot of the earth, the moon rises about 5 0 minutes later every day. ” During the duration of 29 .5 2 days, there are eight changes in the illuminating face of the moon. These different changes in the illuminating face of the moon are called the phases of the moon. Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks with correct words. (a) The age of the earth is expected to be ……………. years. (b) The earth is tilted by ……………….. to its axis. (c) …………. and ……………… have equal days and nights. The earth and space 253

(d) The duration of ……………… days and …………. hours is called a lunar month. (e) The blue moon appears in every ………………….. years. 2. Write down true for correct and false for incorrect statements. (a) The estimated age of the earth is 4.5 billion years. (b) June 21 has the longest day and shortest night on the earth. (c) December 22 is the shortest day and longest night in the earth. (d) There are 10 phases of the moon. (e) In every 2.7 years, the blue moon appears. 3. Define the following terms. (a) Solstice (b) Equinox (c) Equator (d) Axis (e) Orbital plane 4. Differentiate the following. (a) Equator and poles (b) Solstice and equinox (c) Nebular hypothesis and tidal theory (d) Full moon and new moon 5. Answer the following questions. (a) List down the major hypotheses which were given for the origin of the solar system and the earth. Explain any two in short. (b) Write down the conditions which made the earth suitable for life. (c) Explain the climate of Nepal in brief. (d) Write down the effects of the tilting of the earth? (e) Explain the phases of the moon with a labelled diagram. (f) Why is the tilting more important but not the distance between the sun and the earth for change in seasons? G lo ssa ry - S emicircular shape 900 - S pin r a in an an e e C rescent - De inin r de reasin i n - r in r in reasin anin a in 254 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

U 22 ENVIRONMENT AND ITS BALANCE L earning O utc om es At the end of this unit, students will be able to: ~ explain the dependence of human beings on food, shelter, medicinal herbs and other natural resources. ~ list as well as to give a brief introduction of the different national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas found in Nepal. ~ explain the importance and necessities of forest after the study of the present condition. ~ make a list and give information about the timber plants, important medicinal plants and other conserved forest products. ~ explain the importance and necessities of wild animals and make a list of the endangered wild animals. ~ give simple information about the conserved wild animals present in Nepal. Main points to be focused ~ Protected plants ~ Natural resources & human dependency ~ Rare Wildlife and Birds ~ Natural parks, ~ Medical Plants ~ Wild life Reserves ~ Need and Importance of Forest ~ Conservation Areas in Nepal ~ Status of Forest Natural resources and human dependence Natural resources and human beings are closely interrelated to each other. Human beings depend on natural resources to fulfil their needs. They get their food, air, water, clothes, habitat, from the naturally resources. These resources are necessary for the survival of human beings. The relations between human beings and natural resources are discussed below: a) Food Environment and its 255

Food is a source of energy. People cultivate various crops on the agricultural land. Agricultural plants provide rice, wheat, maize, millet, mustered, etc. These agricultural products are the sources of energy for human beings. Rice Maize Mustard Millet b) Habitat A habitat is an area where a particular species live. Nature provides habitats for human beings. Human beings construct their homes on land. They use wood, soil, mineral, water, etc. to construct their houses. These are natural resources. c) Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants are used to cure different kinds of diseases. These plants are useful to maintain good health. Yarshagumba, padam chal, panch aule, serpentine, jatamashi, champ, harro, barro, bojho, etc. are some medicinal plants found in Nepal. The parts of these plants are important in ayurvedic medicines. People get effective treatment from these plants. It is estimated that there are 800 species of herbal plants in Nepal. About 70 of species of medical plants are exported from Nepal. Harro Yarsagumba Panchaule Jatamanshi d) Air Air is necessary to breathe. During respiration, people take oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. People cannot survive without air. Plants take carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. That means, plants purify air for human beings. 256 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

e) Water Water is a base of life. People use water to drink. Water is an important part of human body. It covers about 70% of the human body. Inside the human body, different actions and reactions take place in the presence of water. People need water for cleaning, washing, taking both, irrigation, industrial works, transpiration and many more. In this world, only about 2% of the water can be used for drinking. So, water resources are to be conserved properly. f) Land Land is a very important natural resource. People cultivate agricultural plants on land. From these plants, human beings get their food. They construct their houses on land. Must of the physical infrastructure is constructed on land. If there is no production from the land, there is scarcity of food. People start to starve. So, land pollution should be controlled and the quality of land should be maintained. National parks, Wild life Reserves and Conservation Areas in Nepal The government of Nepal has established national parks, wild life reserves, conservation areas, ramsar sites and hunting reserves for the conservation of natural resources in Nepal. These are called protected areas. Diagram of Nepal showing protected areas in different parts of Nepal. A. National park A national park is an area set aside for the conservation and management of the natural environment including wild animals, plants and landscapes together with their Environment and its 257

utilization. National parks in Nepal SN National parks Ares (km2) 1. Chitwan National Park 932 2. Sagarmatha National Park 1,148 3. Langtang National Park 1,710 4. Rara National Park 106 5. Khaptad National Park 225 6. Shey Phoksundo National Park 3,555 7. Bardiya National Park 968 8. Makalu Barun National Park 1500 9. Shivapuri Nagarjum National Park 159 10. Banke National Park 550 A national park is an area which is used for the conservation of wildlife, birds, plants and their habitat including landscape. National parks are almost always open to visitors. Most national parks provide outdoor recreation and camping opportunities. There are 10 national parks in Nepal. They ate discussed below: 1. Chitwan National Park Chitwan national park is the first national park in Nepal. It was established in 2030 BS. It covers an area of 932 km2. It is located in the subtropical inner Terai lowland in the southern part of Nepal. It is spread in Chitwan, Makawanpur and Parsa districts. It was granted the status of a wild heritage site in 2041 BS. Sal trees cover about 70% of the national park. Bengal tigers, one hundred rhinoceroses, Asiatic elephants, bears, leopards, gharials, mugger crocodiles, clouded leopards, Bengal floricans, egrets, king fishers, spotted eagles, pea fowls are some animals and birds found in this park. 2. Sagarmatha National Park Sagarmatha is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal. It includes an area of 1148 km2. It is located in sacred Himalayan landscape. Mount Everest, Amadoblm, Lhoste, Nupse, Pumori, Thamserka are some Himalayan peaks located in this park. It has been granted as the world heritage site since 2039 BS. This park provides a habitat for different flora and fauna. Monal, pheasants, muck deer, snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, red panda, Himalayan thars, lanyur monkeys, etc. are found in this park. Similarly, birch, junipers, blue pines, firs, bamboo, rhododendron, etc. grow in this area. 258 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

3. Langtang National Park Langtang National Park is the first Himalayan national park. It was established in 2032 BS. It covers an area of 1710 km2 in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok districts. The sumit of Langtang is the highest point in the park. Gosai Kunda is also located in this park. Sal, Khote Salla, Rani Salla, Gobre Salla, Kharsu, Rhododendron, etc. are the plants found in this area. The park provides a habitat for Langur, red monkeys, gharal, snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, Himalayan bears, tahr, etc. 4. Rara National Park Rara National park was established in 2032 BS. It covers an area of 106 km2 in Mugu and Jumla districts. It is the smallest national park in Nepal. The Rara lake is the main attraction of this park. Rhododendron, fir oak, brich, pine, juniper, spurce, etc. are found in this area. Musk deer, red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, Himalayan tahr, are some of the recorded animals in this park. 5. Bardiya National Park Bardiya National park was established in 2032 BS. It covers an area of 968 km2. It is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Terai region of Nepal. About 70% of the park is covered with forest. It is home to the rhinoceroses, wild elephants, Bengal tigers, swamp deer, genetic dolphins, Bengal florican, saras, cranes, etc. 6. Shey Pheksundo National Park It is the largest national park in Nepal. It covers an area of 3,555 km2 in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu. The park contains the famous phoksundo lake, the deepest lake in Nepal. This park provides an important habitat for rhododendron, salix, juniper, white Himalayan brich, silver fir, blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, bamboo, snow leopard, grey wolf, must deer, blue sheep, ghoral, Himalayan tahr, etc. 7. Khaptad National Parks Khaptad national park is a protected area in the far western region of Nepal. It was established in 2040 BS. It covers an area of 225 km2 in Bajhang, Achham and Doti districts. Chirpine, rhododendron, oak, Himalayan fair, hemlock, alder, etc. are the plants found in this region. Leopards, Himalayan black bears, wild dogs, musk deer, etc. are some animals found in this park. 8. Makalu Barun National park Makalu Barun National Park is the eight national park of Nepal. It was established in 2049 BS. It covers an area of 1500 km2 in the districts of Solukhumbu and Shankhuwasava. It is the world's only protected area enclosing tropical forest as Environment and its 259

well as snow–capped peaks. Sal, Oak, Maple, Mangolia, Himalayan birch, juniper, fir, rhododendron, etc. are some of plants found this park. Snow leopards, jungle cats, jackals, black bears, Himalayan bears, wild boars, barking deer, etc. are some of animals found in this park. 9. Shivapuri-Nayaran National Park Shivapuri -National Park is the ninth national park in Nepal. It was established in 2058 BS. It covers an area of 159 km2 in the districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. Oak, rhododendron, chir pine, alder, species of mushrooms, etc. are some plants found in this park. The park is home to different animals like Himalayan gorals, barking deer, wild boars, Chinese pangolins, Himalayan squirrels, clouded leopards, leopards, etc. 10. Banke National Park Banke National Park is located in the mid-western part of Nepal. It was established in 2067 BS. It is the tenth national park of Nepal. It covers an area of 550 km2 in the district of Banke, Salyan, and Dang. This park is covered with sal, sisoo, khayer, etc. Tigers, Ghariyal, Asiatic elephants, leopards, wild boars, deer, are found in this park. B. Wild life reserve A wild life reserve is an area set aside for the conservation and management of wildlife resources and their habitat. People can perform study and research in wildlife reserves with permission. A reserve is not the area for recreation and camping. There are three wildlife reserves in Nepal. They are discussed below. SN Wildlife reserve Area (km2) 1. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 175 2. Parsa Wildlife Reserve 499 3. Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve 305 1. Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve Shuklaphanta wildlife reserve is a protected area in the far western region of Nepal. It covers an area of 305 km2 in Kanchanpur district. It is included in the Terai arc landscape. The dominant vegetation of the reserve is grassland. Grassland constitutes almost half of the reserve vegetation. Imperia reeds and Saccharum grow in this reserve. Sal, Sisoo, and Khayer grow along the river-side. The grassland is a habitat for pythons, Indian Cobras, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, swamp deer, one horned rhinoceroses, etc. The reserve supports the highest population of Bengal floricans in Nepal. 260 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

2. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve is a protected area in the eastern part of Nepal. It covers an area of 175 km2 of wetland in the Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur districts. It was established in 2032 BS. Nepal's last remaining population of about 150 wild water buffaloes inhabit in this area. Asian elephants, spotted deer, wild boars, golden jackals, gaurs, blue bulls, etc. are some of the wild animals found in this reserve. 68% of this reserve is covered with grassland. Only 6% of this reserve is covered with forest. This forest is predominated by sisoo and khair. The reserve is also a habitat for various of migrating birds. 3. Parsa Wildlife Reserve Parsa wildlife reserve was established in 2040 BS. It covers an area of 499 km2 in the Parsa, Makawanpur and Bara districts. It is the largest wildlife reserve in Nepal. In the western part of this reserve, there is Chitwan National Park. This reserve is the extended region of the eastern part of Chitwan National Park. Bengal tigers, wild elephants, leopards, etc. are the main wild animals found in this reserve. Chir pine, Khair, Silk, Catton trees, etc. grow in this reserve. C. Hunting Reserve in Nepal A hunting reserve is an area set aside for the conservation and management of wild life to provide hunting legally for hunters. In a hunting reserve, people can hunt wild animals with an agreement only. When the number of certain wild animals becomes very high, these animals are hunted. So, the animals can be properly managed. The hunters have to pay a certain amount of money for hunting wild animals legally. Nepal has only one hunting reserve. It is discussed below. SN Hunting Reserve Area (km2) 1. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 1325 1. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Dhorpatan hunting reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal. It was established in 2041 BS. It covers an area of 1325 km2 in the Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung districts. Snow leopards, musk deer, blue sheeps, Himalayan bears, etc. are the main animals found in the reserve. Only a permitted number of wild animals can be hunted in this reserve. It protects the habitat for many wild animals. It helps to manage wild animals in the reserve. A well managed hunting of excessively more populated wild animals contributes to earn foreign currency. D. Conservation Area There are six conservation areas in Nepal. They are discussed below: Environment and its 261

SN Conservation Areas Area (Km2) 1. Annapurna Conservation Area 7629 2. Api Nampu Conservation Area 1903 3. Gaurishankar Conservation Area 2179 4. Kanchanjunga Conservation Area 2035 5. Manaslu Conservation Area 1663 6. Blackbuck Conservation Area 1595 1. Annapurna Conservation Area Annapurna Conservation Area is the largest protected area in Nepal. It covers an area of 7629 km2 in Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi and Lamjung districts. It was established in 2043 BS. This conservation area is a habitat of various endangered species of plants and animals. Gobre salla, Thingure salla, Juniper, rhododendron, etc. are found in this area. About 30 species of rhododendron are found there. Similarly, snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan black bears, wolves, naur, ghorals, etc. are some of the animals found in this conservation area. This are is rich in biodiversity. So, National Trust for Nature conservation (NTNC) is conducting resource conservation, public development, tourist management, etc. in this conservation area. 2. Kanchanjunga Conservation Area Kanchanjunga Conservation Area was established in 2054 BS. It covers an area of 1650 Km2. This area is a habitat of various endangered species of plants and animals. Gobre salla, Thigre salla, Juniper, Rhododendron, etc. are found in this area. About 30 species of Rhododendron are found there. Similarly, snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan black bears, wolves, naur, ghorals, etc. are some of the animals found in the conservation area. 3. Api Nampa Conservation Area Api Nampa Conservation Area is located in the far western development region of Nepal. It was established in 2067 BS. It covers 1903 Km2 in Darchula district. It is named after the two peaks Api and Nampa. A grassland plateau is at the center of this area. Snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, red pandas, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan munals, etc. are found in this conservation area. 4. Gaurishankhar Conservation Area Gaurishankher Conservation Area is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal. It was established in 2068 BS. It covers an area of 2179 km2 in Ramechhap, Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk districts. This conservation area connects Langtang and Sagarmatha National parks. It is rich is biodiversity. Pines, chilaune, rhododendron, 262 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

etc. are found in this area. Different kinds of animals and birds are also found in this conservation area. 5. Manaslu Conservation Area Manaslu Conservation Area is a protected area in Nepal. It was established in 2055 BS. It covers an area of 1663 Km2 in Gorkha district. The conservation area is home to snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan tahr. Manaslu himal is the attraction center of this conservation area. 6. Blackbuck Conservation Area Blackbuck Conservation Area is located in the far western region of Nepal. It was established in 2065 BS. It covers an area of 1559 km2 in Bardiya district. It was established to conserve rare blackbuck of Nepal. A c t iv it y Visit a nearby protected area. Prepare a report with the main features of the area. Why is this area important? Status of Forest The area with a large number of trees is called forest. Nepal is rich in forest resources. It is said that forest is wealth of Nepal. During 2026 – 27 BS, 53.5% of the total land of Nepal was covered with forest. Now, its percentage is 29 only. Due to rapid population growth, destruction in forest areas, extension of agricultural area, deforestation, forest fire, forest fragmentation and many other factors are responsible to decrease the forest areas in Nepal. The distribution of natural forests generally follows altitudinal zones. The tropical forest is found below 1000 m. whereas the sub-tropical forest lies between 1000 – 2000 m. Sub-alpine forests are found at around 3000 – 4200 m. Sal, Sisoo, Khayar, simal, etc. are found in the Terai region of Nepal. Champ, Katus, Chilaune, are found in the hilly region of Nepal. Salla, Dhupi, Gurans, Bhojpatra, etc. are found in the mountainous region of Nepal. Rapid destruction of forest is taking place in the Terai region for agricultural land and construction activities. The major causes of forest reduction are over-cutting of wood for fuel and fodder. Forest fire is also a major cause. The smuggling of timber is another cause of forest degradation in the Terai reason of Nepal. Environment and its 263

Need and Importance of Forest Forest has biological, ecological and cultural importance. Trees in forests take carbon dioxide from atmosphere and release oxygen into the atmosphere. They prevent soil erosion, landslides, flood, etc. Forest also acts as a wind breaker. More water percolates on the land where there are more trees. It helps to supply water continuously in rivers, streams or springs. Forest provides a habitat for wild animals and birds. Wild animals and birds get their food from the forest. Forest affects climate of a place. It increases productivity of the nearby agricultural land. Forest land is rich in humus. This is because humus is washed away from the forest to the agricultural area. People get fire wood from the forest. They get construction materials for their houses. They get fodder from the forest. They graze their domestic animals in the forest. It should be noted that various fruits, medicinal herbs are also found in the forest. So, we can say that forest is a part of our life. Forest Products Forest products are important natural resources for human beings. People get wood firewood, medicinal herbs grasses, fodder, etc. from the forest. a) Timber Trees There is climate and topographical variation in different geographical regions of Nepal. For example, mountainous, hilly and Terai regions of Nepal have a different climale. With the variation in climate, availability of plant species in the respective region is also different. Plants like sal, sisoo, simal, jamun, saj, harro, barro, etc. are found in the Terai region. In the hilly region banj, phalant, thingure sallo, etc. are found. Bhojpatra, thingure sallo, rai sallo, etc. are found in the Himalaya region. People get wood, fire wood, fodder from these plants. They use wood to make houses, furniture, etc. Soft wooded trees are used for making fire-wood and hard-wooded trees are used for construction materials. A c t iv it y Identify various kinds of plants in your locality. For what purpose are these plants being used? Observed and fill in the following box. SN Name of plant Useful Plants Use for 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 264 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

b) Medical Plants Plants having medicinal values are called medicinal plants. They are used to get treatment of different kinds of diseases. Plants are mainly used in ayurvedic medicines. Jatmashi is useful in the treatment of epilepsy. Serpentina is used for the treatment of blood pressure and to have relief from pain. Launth salla is used to cure undeveloped cancer. Yarshagumba is considered an energetic plant and so on. Medicinal plants like barro, sarpagandha, asuro, rajbriksha, amala, etc. are found in the Terai region. Timur, sugandhawala, bojo, chiraito, dhaturo, chutro, etc. are found in the Mahabarate range of Nepal. In the mountainous region, panchaule, padamchal, jatamashi, yarshagumba are found. It is estimated that 800 species of medical plants are found in Nepal. Among them 70 species of medical plants are exported. Surpagandha, jatamashi, yarshagumba, panchaule, vyakur, eklebir, etc. are exported to other countries. It has contributed to uplift the socio-economic status of the people in Nepal. There is over exploitation of such valuable medicinal plants with population growth. As a result, these plants are on the stage of extinction. A c t iv it y There are different medicinal plants in your locality. Identify them with the help of elders. Which parts of these plants are used in medicine? Write them down in the following box. SN Name of medical plant Useful plants Use for 1 2. 3. 4. 5. Protected plants The plants that are found in few numbers in a certain place at a certain time are called rare plants. Those plants which are found in one country but not in any other countries are also called rare plants. Similarly, the plants which are found all over the world but in few numbers are also called rare plants. Champ, jatamashi, yarsagumba, etc. are rare plants in Nepal. They are protected in Nepal. There are many plants that have been protected by the law of Nepal. Among the rare plants, some are banned for collection, transportation and use. In our country, panchaule, kutke, jatamashi, sarpagandha, sugandhwal, lauth salla, yarsagumba, sugandhkokila, champ, khayar, sal, satisal, bijusal, simal, etc. are banned to be exported. But some of them are allowed to be exported with permission. Environment and its 265

Animals and birds There are twenty seven species of mammals, nine species of birds and three species of reptiles under the protection in Nepal. Their names are given below. Mammals Birds Reptiles Indian pangolian, Grey wolf, Black stork, white stork, Gharial, Golden Chinese pangolian, lingrant, Jhamex monitor, monkey, striped hyena, red panda, Impeyant pheasant, Leopard, Asiatic Bengal tiger, snow leopard, gangetic Rock Pythan, dolphin, wild elephant, brown cheer pheasant, Crimson etc. bear, gaur, one horned rhinoceros, musk deer, wild yak, water buffalo, horned, pheasant, Bengal blackbuck, Tibetan antelope, hispid hare, Lynx, four horned antelope, florican, Leasser florican, great Tibetan sheep, pygmy hag, etc. sarus carne, Great pied hornbill, etc. There are more than 860 species of birds in Nepal. Titra, Kaliz, Luinche, Chyakhura, Dhukur, Lampuchhre, Nyauli, Koili, Mujur, Cheel, Baj, Dhanesh, Bakulla, Maina, Gidha, etc. are some birds that live in the forest. There are more than 170 species of wild animals in Nepal. Tigers, elephants, snow leopards, bears, deer, musk deer, wild buffaloes, jackals, wild pigs, etc. are the wild animals found in Nepal. There is degradation in the habitat of wild animals and birds. It has adversely affected the wildlife. As a result, their number is gradually deceasing. In Nepal blackbuck and hispid heres are about to become extinct. Similarly, Asiatic elephants, one horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, wild water buffaloes, snow leopards, musk deer are becoming rare in Nepal. Need and Importance Wildlife and birds have a significant value. They are the valuable resources. They add beauty to the forest. They play an important role to maintain the beauty of the nature. Wildlife and birds are important parts of the ecosystem. They maintain a balance in nature or ecological system. Most of the tourists visit Nepal to have an observe of various kinds of plants and animals. They help to earn foreign currency. They directly or indirectly contribute to uplift the economic condition of our country. Many people get jobs because of wild life and birds. They get jobs as researches, guides and so on. People use wildlife and birds for study and research. The knowledge of such study is utilized for the welfare of human beings. So, various wildlife and birds should be conserved Rare Wildlife and Birds Deforestation as well as degradation of the natural habitat causes extinction of some 266 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

species of animals. When there is loss of a habitat, wild animals and birds cannot get their food. It affects their breeding. As a result, their number is gradually decreasing. The wild animals and birds which are few in numbers are called rare. The rare animals are found in different parts of Nepal. Bengal tigers, one horned rhinoceroses, red pandas, Asiatic elephants, clouded leopards, pythons, musk deer, blackbucks, etc. are some of the rare animals found in Nepal. Some of them are discussed below. 1. Bengal Tiger (Panthera trigris) Body structure: Male Bengal tiger has an average length of 2.70 to 3.10 m including the tail. The female is 2.40 to 2.65 m on average. The tail is typically 0. 85 to 1.10 m long and on average, it is 0. 90 to 110 m in height at the shoulders. The weight of the male tiger ranges from 180 to 250 kg. The weight of female tiger ranges from 100 to 160 kg. The Bengal tiger's hair is yellow or light orange, with stripes ranging from dark brown to black. The belly and the interior parts of the limbs are white and the tail is orange with black rings. Habitat: The dense forest of the Terai region is the main habitat for the Bengal tiger. Birth: It gives to 2 to 6 babies at a time. Lifespan: Its lifespan is about 15 years. Food: The food of the Bengal tiger is mainly vertebrates. Protection: It is protected in Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, etc. 2. Clouded Leopard (Paedefelis nebulosa) Body structure: The adult clouded leopard has the height of 0.8 to 0.9 m. Its weight is about 16 to 20 kg. Its body color is of different types. Its face marked with check stapes. Its tail is ornamented with rings. Habitat: Its habitat is the dense forest of the tropical and sub-tropical zones of the eastern Nepal. Environment and its 267

Lifespan: Its lifespan is about eight years. Food: It preys on small and large mammals and birds. Protection: It is protected in Chitwan NP, Parsa WR, Bardiya NP, Suklaphanta WR. 3. Red Panda Body structure: The red panda has a rounded head, large pointed ears, a stumpy muzzle and hairy legs. Its legs are black. Its face and lower lip are white. Its tail is ringed with light and dark shades. It is rusty red with black tips. Habitat: Its habitat is the temperate forest with bamboos. Food: Its food is nuts, grasses, leaves, fruits, bamboo shoots, and insects. Protection: It is protected in Sagarmatha National Park and Lantang National Park. 4. One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinocerous unicornis) Body structure: Its average height is about 1.1 to 1.7 m. Its weight is about 2000 to 4000 kg. Its body is covered with heavy shields like folds. The shields lie in front of and behind the shoulders. The body of this animal is blackish grey. It does not have any hair. It bears a horn that is the extension of the nasal bone. The horn remains throughout its lifespan. If the horn is lost it can be regenerated. Habitat: The one horned rhinoceros lives in swampy grasslands and tropical jungles in Terai. Lifespan: Its lifespan is estimated about 40 to 50 years. Protection: It is protected in Bardiya National Park and Chitwan National Park. Food: Its food is grass, sharp foliage and aquatic plants. Birth: It bears only one baby at a time. 5. Asiatic Rock Python (Python mulurus) Body structure: Its height is about 7 to 10 m. Its weight is about 85 to 90 kg. It is the largest and heaviest of all the snakes. It is found in south Asia. Its body is light brown 268 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

and yellowish. It has a series of dark brown and circular spots. Habitat: Its lifespan is about nineteen years. Protection: It is protected in Chitwan National Park. Food: Its food includes mammals birds and reptiles. 6. Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) Body structure: It has an average height of 3.5 m. It is the largest land animal in Asia. It is a very huge animal. It has a trunk with an elongated of nose. It uses its trunk for breathing, feeding, dusting, sound production and communication. The male Asian elephant has tusks. Its skin color is usually gray and is usually covered with mud. Habitat: The Asian elephant is found in the dense forest of the Terai region of Nepal. Protection: It is protected in Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Food: Its food is grass, stems and leaves of plants. Birth: It gives birth to only one baby at a time. 7. Giant Pied Hornbill (Bucerous bicorins) Body structure: A giant pied hornbill is a large bird. It is about 95 to 130 cm in length. It is the heaviest Asian hornbill. It has bright yellow and black casket on top of its massive bill. The casket appears U-shaped. A photo of giant pied hornbill Habitat: Its habitat is moist deciduous evergreen forests of Terai. Lifespan: Its lifespan is about 50 years. Food: Its food is fruits, insects and small vertebrate. Environment and its 269

Project works Visit a nearby forest, national park, conservation area, wildlife resource or zoological garden. Observe different kinds of plants and animals found there. Write their common names, scientific names, habitat, body structure, present situation, food, habit, lifespan and conservation measures for their protection. Answer writing skill 1. What are rare animals and plants?  The animals and plants which are found in low numbers are called rare animals and plants. 2. What are endangered species?  The species which are threatened, or which are about to be extinct are called endangered species. 3. What can be the main reason for the decrease in the numbers of certain species?  Climate change, loss of natural habitat, smuggling, etc. are the main reasons for the decrease in the number of some species. 4. What should be done to conserve rare and endanger species of animals and plants?  Conservation of natural habitat, protection from smuggling, public awareness, etc. should be done to conserve the rare and endanger species. SUM M ARY ” Human beings depend on natural resources to fulfil their needs. ” The G overnment of Nepal has established national parks, wildlife resources, conservation areas, ramsar sites, hunting reserves for the conservation of natural resources. ” There are 10 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 6 conservation areas and 1 hunting reserve in Nepal. ” The region with a large number of trees is called a forest. ” People get wood, firewood, medical herbs, grasses, fodder, etc. from the forest. ” Medical plants are used for the treatment of different kinds of diseases. ” Rare plants are the plants that are low in number in a certain place and time. ” There are 27 species of mammals, 9 species of birds and 3 species of reptiles under protection in Nepal. 270 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

” There are more than 8 60 species of birds in Nepal. ” Deforestation and the loss of habitat cause the extinction of species. Exercise 1. Fill in the blank. (a) There are ……..national parks in Nepal. (b) Chitwan National Park is the …………. natural park in Nepal. (c) Rara National Park was established ………… (d) ……………. wildlife resource covers an area of 499 km2. (e) Tropical forest is found below …….. in Nepal. (f) ………… trees are used for fire wood. (g) The ……………… forest of ……… are a habitat for the Bengal tiger. (h) The average weight of the one horned rhinoceros is ………… (i) The Asiatic elephant has an average height of …… (j) Rare plants are the plants that are found ……….. in number. 2. Write down true for correct and false for incorrect statements. (a) A habitat is an area that is in-habitated by a particular species. (b) There are 15 national parks in Nepal. (c) A reserve is an area for recreation. (d) All wild animals are hunted in a hunting reserve. (e) Black buck conservation area covers an area of 15 km2. (f) Harro, Barro, etc. are found in the Terai region. (g) Bijay sal is permitted for export. (h) Wild animals and birds are used for study and research. (i) The Bengal tiger is found only in Chitwan National Park. (j) Asiatic elephants are usually white in color. 3. Define the following terms. (a) National resources (b) National Parks (c) Wildlife reserve (d) Conservation area (e) Hunting reserve (f) Forest Environment and its 271

(g) Timber trees (h) Rare animals (i) Medicinal plants (j) Lifespan 4. Short answer questions. (a) How do human beings depend on natural resources for food? (b) Write a short note on Langtang National Park. (c) What are national parks and wildlife reserves? (d) What is the status of forest in Nepal? (e) Name the rare birds found in Nepal. (f) What is the body structure of a red panda? (g) Explain the needs of forest. (h) What are the steps taken for the conservation of rare animals in Nepal? 5. Long answer question. (a) Explain the inter-relation between natural resources and people. (b) What is a natural park? Prepare a table showing the national parks in Nepal and their area in km2. (c) Define a wildlife resource. Write a short note on Shuklaphant wildlife reserve. (d) Why do we need forest? Explain. (e) Write the names of medicinal plants found in Nepal. (f) List the protected mammals in Nepal. 6. Write short notes on (a) Clouded leopard (b) Giant pied hornbill (c) How can you contribute to maintain a balance in your surroundings? Write a short note. G lo ssa ry - in re uent r in ess nu er - threatened r a ut t e e n t R are - d r s ur e ener ndan er - eans r ertain thin s F dder R esources 272 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

U 23 ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND ITS CONSERVATION L earning O utc om es At the end of this unit, students will be able to: ~ explain environmental pollution (air, water, soil and sound) and their effects. ~ explain the greenhouse effect, increase in temperature due to greenhouse effect and its adverse effects on the environment. ~ identify the efforts made at the local level which can be done to reduce the climate change, its effects and impacts. ~ explain the causes of acid rain and its effects. ~ explain the methods of environmental conservation. ~ state the methods of reducing disasters and explain the ways of disaster management. ~ state the general introduction and contribution of NTNC, IUCN, WWF, UNEP and ICIMOD. Main points to be focused ~ Acid rain ~ Effects of human activities on ~ Disaster and disaster management environment ~ Environment conservation measures ~ Environmental pollution ~ National and international organizations ~ Greenhouse effect ~ Climate change for the conservation of environment Environmental degradation means the decrease in quality of environmental resources. It decreases the quality of biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Human beings and their activities are mainly responsible for the degradation of the environment. Some natural calamities like floods, landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. are also responsible for environmental degradation. Effects of Human Activities on Environment Human beings depend upon natural resources to fulfil their needs. Their dependence increases along with the population growth. They exploit natural resources like air, Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 273

water, land, minerals, forest, etc. When developmental activities are carried out without considering the environment, there are adverse effects on environmental resources. Environmental pollution is one of them. Environmental Pollution Environmental pollution means the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment. It causes adverse effects. The substances that cause environmental pollution are called environmental pollutants. Environmental pollutions are of the following types. i) Air pollution ii) Water pollution iii) Land pollution iv) Sound pollution Air pollution Air pollution is due to release in harmful substances into the atmosphere. When there is a mixture of particulates, biological molecules or other harmful materials into the atmosphere, it causes air pollution. It may cause diseases, damage and death of human beings and even other living organisms. Causes of air pollution i) The dominant players responsible for air pollution are automobiles. Automobiles emit harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. ii) Combustion of coal also causes air pollution. When coal is burnt carbon dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere. Low quality of coal produces more sulphur dioxide into the air. iii) Dust particles cause air pollution. Wind blows dust particles into the air. It causes air pollution. iv) Tobacco smoke, paint fumes, aerosol sprays, nuclear weapons and wind fire cause air pollution. v) The burning of agricultural residues pollutes atmosphere. vi) Water pollution, land pollution, etc. spread bad smell to the surrounding area. It causes air pollution. vii) The improper management of solid wastes and drainage cause air pollution. viii) Construction activities, mining, agricultural activities, researches, war-torn area, etc. are responsible for air pollution. ix) Volcanic eruption, pollen grain, storms, etc. pollute air. x) Chemical plants, powder plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste disposal activities, etc. degrade the quality of air. 274 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

Effects of Air Pollution i) Air pollution causes cardiovascular diseases, throat inflammation, chest pain and respiratory diseases. ii) Smog and fog can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out respiratory. iii) Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen can cause acid rain. iv) Air pollution manly affects the respiratory and inflammatory systems but can also lead to more serious heart diseases and cancer. v) It causes global warming. vi) Air pollution harm plants and animals directly. Other pollutions harm the habitat, food and water that plants and animals need to survive. vii) Air pollution damages physical infrastructure. It causes corrosion of pinnacles, temples, pyramids, etc. Water Pollution The presence of harmful substances in water and water resources is called water pollution. It is the contamination of water bodies. It occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies. Causes of water pollution i) The mixing of drainage directly into water bodies without proper treatment causes water pollution. ii) Framers use excessive amount of chemicals in their agricultural land. Plants cannot utilize them. The remaining chemicals are washed away to the nearby water resources. It pollutes water resources. iii) The lack of proper management of solid wastes also causes water pollution. iv) Open defecation near the water resources degrades the quality of water. v) Natural calamities including volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, etc. cause water pollution. vi) The release of industrial wastes into water resources causes water pollution. vii) The leakage in oceans from ships causes water pollution. Effects of water pollution i) Water pollution spreads foul smell in the surrounding. ii) It alters the biological process of animals and plants. iii) It decreases the rate of photosynthesis in plants. Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 275

iv) It destroys aquatic animals and plants. v) It kills soil micro-organisms which are helpful for many living organisms. vi) It causes various diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, etc. Land Pollution Land pollution is the degradation of land, directly or indirectly as a result of human activities. Causes of land pollution i) Deforestation creates dry land. Land that is once converted into a dry or barren land can never be made fertile again. ii) Farmers often use highly toxic insecticides and pesticides to get rid of insects, fungi and bacteria. The overuse of chemicals result in the contamination and the poisoning of soil. iii) Non-degradable wastes like plastics, glass, metals, etc. cause soil pollution. iv) To meet the demand of the growing population, we are exploiting land. It causes land pollution. v) Due to urbanization, large numbers of constructional activities are taking place. It has resulted in the decrease in the quality of land. vi) Nuclear power plants leave radioactive materials. These materials are harmful and toxic in nature. They cause land pollution. vii) Soil erosion degrades the quality of land. viii) Water pollution also pollutes land. Effects of land pollution i) Land pollution leads to the loss of fertility of soil. ii) The land pollution leads to the loss of ecosystems. iii) Land pollution directly or indirectly affects the climate. iv) The land pollution caused due to toxic chemicals and pesticides leads to the problems of skin cancer, heart diseases, kidney problems, respiratory diseases, etc. v) Land pollution also causes air pollution and water pollution. vi) Wild animals face a serious threat due to the loss of the habitat and the natural environment. 276 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

Sound Pollution or Noise The production of unwanted sounds is called the sound pollution. When there is either excessive amount of sound or an unpleasant sound, it also causes noise. Causes of Noise i) Most of the industries use big machines which produce a large amount of noise. ii) Congested houses, large families sharing a small place, narrow roads, etc. cause noise. iii) People who listen to songs with full volume and dance till midnight cause noise. iv) A large number of vehicles on roads, aero-planes flying over houses, underground trains produce heavy noise. v) During construction activities, construction equipment produces noise. vi) Advertisements through loudspeakers cause sound pollution. vii) The establishment of airports, bus stations, railway stations near the residential areas create noise. viii) Electric gadgets like TVs, mobiles, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dryers, coolers, etc. are the miner contributors of sound pollution. ix) Heavy traffic jams cause noise pollution. Effects of Noise i) Constant exposure to loud noise can easily result in the damage of our ear drums and loss of hearing. ii) Noise pollution causes aggressive behavior, disturbance in sleep, constant stress, fatigue, hypertension, etc. iii) Loud noise can hamper sleeping pattern and may lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations. iv) High intensity of noise can cause trouble in communication. v) Noise disturbs wild animals. vi) Species that depend on mating calls to reproduce are often unable to hear these calls due to excessive man-made noise. Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 277

Green House Effect The earth is surrounded by the atmosphere. There are different kinds of gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen, ozone, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, water vapour, etc. are present in the atmosphere. When solar radiation strikes the earth surface, it makes the earth warm. The radiation is reflected back. The radiation coming from the earth is called terrestrial radiation. Such radiation cannot easily escape through the atmosphere. As a result, the temperature of the earth gradually increases. This effect is called the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural effect that releases heat in the atmosphere near the earth's surface. The gases responsible for the greenhouse effect are called greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases maintain the temperature of the earth's surface. If there is absence of green house gases, it causes very low temperature (–18°C) of the earth's surface. The earth would be covered with snow. There is no possibility of life in such a cold environment. There is a great role of natural greenhouse gases for life on the earth. When the concentration of greenhouse gases increases in the atmosphere, more radiation is trapped within the earth's surface. It increases the temperature of the earth, which is called global warming. It is responsible for climate change. Causes for increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere i) When fossil fuel is burnt, carbon dioxide gas is released into the atmosphere. ii) The excessive use of chemical fertilizers release N2O into the atmosphere. iii) Forest fire, grassland fire, etc. cause the mixing of CO2 into the atmosphere. iv) Landfill sites release methane into the atmosphere. v) Plastic foams, air conditioners release methane into the atmosphere. vi) The vapourization of the surface water increases the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere. Effects of Green House i) It increases temperature of the earth. ii) Ecosystems will be adversely affected. iii) Low land areas of the earth will sink due to global warming. iv) The sea level will increase. 278 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

v) It changes wind circulation currents. vi) It affects the water cycle. vii) The snow in mountain or polar region will melt. Climate Change Climate change refers to the variation in the earth’s climate or global climate or in regional climate over a time. Climate is the atmospheric phenomenon for a long period of time. Human beings are mainly responsible for climate change. The dominant factor for climate change is increase in CO2 level. It is caused due to the burning of fossil fuels. Effects of climate change i) It causes loss of biodiversity. ii) It decreases the productivity of agricultural land. iii) It causes increase in sea level. iv) It causes the scarcity of water resources as the snow in the mountain melts. v) It causes change in wind circulation. vi) It causes an unequal distribution of rainfall. Acid Rain Acid rain is a mixture of different kinds of acids along with rain water. The atmosphere containing higher than natural amount of nitric acid, carbonic acid, sulphuric acid, etc. causes acid rain. Acid rain is caused by both natural sources such as volcanoes, decaying vegetation and man- made sources such as the combustion of fossil fuels, etc. Acid rain occurs when CO2, SO2, oxides of nitrogen react with oxygen, water and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mid-solution of nitric acid, carbonic acid, sulphuric acid, etc. 2SO2 + O2 2SO3 2SO3 + 2H2O 2 H2SO4 CO2+ H2O H2CO3 Effects of Acid Rain i) Acid rain can damage soil by destroying many vital substances and washing away the nutrients. ii) Water bodies become more acidic. Fish and other aquatic organisms face difficulty to survive. iii) Acid rain damages buildings made from lime stones and sandstone. iv) Acid rain damages stained glass, railway lines, steel bridges, etc. v) It increases the acidity of soil and decreases the productivity of land. Controlling measures of acid rain Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 279

Acid rain can be controlled by: i) Increasing the use of renewable energy. ii) Reducing the use of fossil fuels. iii) Putting more emphasise on pollution control. iv) Managing waste water properly. v) Reuse of CO2 and SO2 produced from industries. Disaster and Disaster Management A disaster is a serious disturbance in the function of a community or a society. It causes the loss of life and property. Most of the disasters are the result of human activities. Disasters can be classified into two groups: A diagram showing deforestation, landslide, firing of houses, volcano 1. Natural Disasters A natural disaster is a natural process or phenomenon that may cause the loss of life and property. It also causes injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption or the environmental damage. Some examples of natural disasters are earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, cyclones, etc. 2. Human Induced Disasters Human induced disasters are the consequences of technological hazards. For example, fires, transport accidents, industrial accidents, oil spills, nuclear explosions or radiation, etc. Causes of Disasters i. Weak geological structure, steep topography, intense rainfall, deforestation, etc. cause disasters. ii. Unscientific mining, construction of canals, construction of roads, improper management of solid waste, unmanaged traffic system, cause disasters. Management or controlling measures of disasters Disasters are due to various reasons. They are to be managed according to the cause. In the case of natural disasters, they cannot be prevented. But measures can be taken to minimize them. Measures for disaster management › Attentiveness › Awareness › Proper mobilization of support › Recovery of victims 280 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

› Arrangement of funds for emergency Some disaster management and controlling measures are discussed below. 1. Earthquake Management and Mitigating Measures A sudden, violent shaking of the earth's surface is called an earthquake. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust. It takes place due to natural as well as artificial causes. It causes the loss of life and property. People should adopt different preventive measures to reduce the effects of an earthquake. Preventive measures before an earthquake › Identify a safe place inside and outside the house. › Manage a first aid box, a radio, a torchlight, etc. › Place breakable materials in a proper place. › Keep the cupboard, television, mirror and frame, freeze in a proper position so that they do not fall down. › Build earthquake resistive infrastructure. Preventive measures during an earthquake › Do not hurry. Be in a safe place. › Be in an open area if you are outside the house. › Stop the vehicles in an open area if you are inside the vehicle. › Do not stand under electric poles, trees, or near huge buildings. Preventive measures after an earthquake › Listen to emergency news from the radio, television and behave accordingly. › Check the house properly before entering it. › Help victims if there are any. › Have a treatment if you are injured. 2. Flood and landslide management and its mitigating measures. A flood is overflow of water in the river channels. It submerges land which is usually dry. Factors like the outburst of a glacier Lake, heavy rainfall, meting of snow, etc. are responsible for floods sliding of land masses or debris from higher slopes to lower slopes is called landslide. Deforestation, unscientific agricultural practices, construction of roads, etc. are also directly and indirectly responsible for floods and landslides. Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 281

Mitigation measures › Stay in a safe place. › Do not cross a flooded river. › Inform the concerned person if anyone has become a flood and landslide victim. › Help weak people. › Provide first aid treatment to injured people. › Dead bodies of animals should be disposed of properly. Management of a flood and a landslide › The construction of an embankment along the bank of a river should be made. › Human settlements should be away from the flood and landslide prone areas. › Plantation along the bank of the river should be done. › Terrace farming should be done on sloppy land. › Do not construct houses in places with soft geological structure or steep slopes. › Channelize water properly. › Identify flood and landslide prone areas. 3. Fire Management and Mitigation measures An occurrence of the uncontrolled burning of houses, forests, grassland or other things is called firing. It occurs mainly due to human activities. The following measures can be applied to prevent probable fire. › Keep away inflammable materials from children. › Do not smoke in forest or grassland. › Manage water resources near the house or the village. 282 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

› If possible install a fire alarm in the house or the village. › Make fire breaks in the forest. › Manage a fire bridge. › Ban firecrackers during festivals. › Install safe wiring at home. › Make people aware of fire. After fire › Inform the fire brigade. › Help to extinguish the fire. › Help victims if there are any. › Control the spread of fire. 4. Epidemic Management and Mitigation Measures A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time is called an epidemic. When there is widespread occurrence of an infectious disease, it can take the life of human beings and other animals. To control an epidemic disease, we should follow the following controlling measures. › We should conduct sanitation programs. › We should conserve water resources properly. › We should manage drainage and solid wastes properly. › We should keep our environment clean and tidy. › We should provide proper treatment to the patient. Environment Conservation Measures Environment conservation is a wise and sensible use of natural resources. Environmental resources should be utilized in a proper way. It means resources should be utilized only in a required amount. There should not be over exploitation of natural resources. They should not be destroyed while carrying out development activities. Development activities should be carried out in such a way so that there are minimum adverse effects on the environment. The following are some of the main environment conservation measures. a) Increasing public awareness The most important environment conservation measure is awareness. People should be made aware about the need of environmental resources. Until and unless Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 283

they are made aware of it, they do not take part in conservation activities. Once they become aware of the importance of conservation, they actively participate in conservation activities. So, awareness programs should be conducted through education, communication, seminars, training, workshop, media, etc. b) Plantation Plantation plays a vital role in environment conservation. Barren and deforested land should be planted. Plantation should be done in open areas, naked mountains, deforested areas, river slides, road sides, etc. c) Water resource conservation Rivers, lakes, streams, wells, spouts, springs, water falls, etc. are some sources of water. These sources should be conserved properly. It is because water is a base of life. Floods, landslides, soil erosions, fire, deforestation should be controlled to conserve water resources. Water resources should not be polluted. Waste water should not be drained into water resources. Thus, water pollution should be controlled to conserve water resources and maintain the quality of the environment. d) Land conservation Land conservation contributes to conserve the environment. When there is land conservation, the quality of land is also maintained. It increases the productivity of land. Soil organisms and ground water should not be affected. So, land should be conserved. Land can be conserved by using proper grazing, terrace farming, making embankment, proper channelization of water, scientific cultivation, organic farming, etc. e) Pollution Control Pollution means the presence of harmful substances in environmental resources. It should be controlled. To control pollution, solid waste should be properly managed. Drainage should not be made near water resources without proper treatment. Clean energy sources should be used in industries. Industries should be established far away from residential areas. Plantation should be done on the bare land. f) Conservation of cultural heritages Cultural heritages are the heritages that are handed over to us from our ancestors. Temples are some of the cultural heritages. Cultural heritages should be conserved. Old and damaged heritages should be removed. Sanitation should be maintained around the heritage sites. Tall buildings should not be constructed near the heritage site. g) Environmental sanitation 284 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

We are part of the environment. The status of the environment determines our health. We can have good health if the environment is clean, tidy and green. So, environmental sanitation should be maintained. To keep the environment clean, solid waste should be managed. There should be a proper drainage system, water resources should be cleaned, sanitation programs should be launched. h) Public participation Public participation is necessary for the conservation of the environment. There is need of active participation of people in the conservation and preservation of environmental resources. All people should work together to conserve the environment. The conservation of the environment is possible through only a joint effort of all the people in a community or nation. Interpersonal support, suggestion, discussion, knowledge, etc. are necessary for the conservation of the environment. A c t iv it y What kinds of environment conservation activities are being launched in your community? Identify them and write them down in your note book. Are the activities effective to conserve the environment? If yes, why? Give reasons why these activities should be carried out to conserve the environment. National and International Organizations for the Conservation of the Environment National and international organizations play an important role in the conservation of the environment at different levels. These organizations contribute to prepare plans, policies and programs for the conservation of the environment. There are many organizations which are working for the conservation of the environment. Some of them are discussed below. 1. National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) National Trust for Nature Conservation is an autonomous non- profit organization. It runs by legislative law of Nepal. It was previously known as king Mahindra Trust for Nature Conservation. It was established in 1982. The mission of NTNC is to conserve nature and natural resources in Nepal meeting the needs of people in a sustainable way. The aim of NTNC is to promote, conserve and manage nature in all its diversity. For over two decades, the trust has successfully undertaken over 200 small cultural heritage protection, ecotourism, sustainable development activities. Generally, the trust activities have spread from the sub-tropical plains of Chitwan, Bardiya, and Kanchanpur in the low lands to the Annapurna and Manasalu regions of the high Himalayas. It includes the Himalayan region of upper Mustang and Manang. Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 285

The projects or programs of NTNC includes (a) Annapurna Conservation Area Project (b) Manaslu Conservation Area Project (c) Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (d) Biodiversity Conservation Program (e) Shuklaphanta Conservation Program (f) Parsa Conservation Program (g) Central Zoo 2. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) International Union for Conservation of Nature is an international organization. It is dedicated to give 'programmatic solutions to the environment and development challenges. Thus, this organization publishes the IUCN red list of threatened species. This measures the conservation status of the species. IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environment network. The Union's headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland, near Geneva. IUCN's vision is \"a just world that values and conserves nature\". Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature. It ensure that any use of natural resources is reasonable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN supports scientific researches. It manages field projects globally. It brings government and non-government organizations, United Nation agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policies. 3. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non- governmental organization. It was founded on 26 April 1961. It works on the issues regarding conservation, research and restoration of the environment. It was formerly known as the world wildlife found. It is the world's largest independent conservation organization. Its mission is to stop the degradation of the natural environment of the plants and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Currently, much of its work is focused on the conservation of oceans and its coasts, forest and fresh water ecosystem. It is also 286 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

concerned with endangered species, pollution and climate change. Its headquarters in Gland, Vaud, Switzerland. It serves worldwide. It is a charitable trust. 4. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) United Nations Environment Programme is an agency of the United Nations. It coordinates its environmental activities assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded in June 1972. It has its headquarters in the Gigiri neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya. UNDP also has six regional offices and various country offices. Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy. It has played a significant role in developing international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information, and illustrating the way. These can be implemented in combination with policies. It is working on the development and implementation of policies with governments, regional intuitions in combination with environmental non–governmental organizations. The world meteorological organization and UNDP established a governmental panel on climate change in 1988. 5. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) International Carter for Integrated Mountain Development is a regional or international learning and knowledge sharing center. It is helping eight regional member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan). It was established in 1983. Its headquarters is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vision: Men, women and children of the Hindu Kush Himalayas enjoy improved wellbeing in a healthy mountain environment. Plans: To permit sustainable and strong mountain development for improved and equitable livelihoods through knowledge and regional cooperation. Project works Visit a nearby national or international organization working for the conservation of the environment. Prepare a report stating its history, objective, mission, version, programs, funding sources, etc. Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 287

Answer writing skill 1. What does environmental pollution do? Environment pollution decreases the quality of environmental components. It is not fit for healthy life. 2. What would happen if there was no greenhouse effect on the earth? The temperature of the earth would be very less ( -18 C) if there was no greenhouse effect on the earth. 3. Which gases are responsible for acid rain? CO2, SO2, SO3, oxides of nitrogen are responsible for acid rain. 4. Human beings are also responsible for natural disasters. How? The human activities like improper construction, unscientific agricultural practices, over grazing, deforestation, etc. lead to natural disasters. So, human beings are also responsible for natural disasters. SUM M ARY ” Environment pollution decreases the quality of environmental components. ” Environment pollution can be classified into air pollution, water pollution, land pollution and sound pollution. ” The greenhouse effect is a natural effect that releases heat in the atmosphere near the earth' s surface. ” The gases responsible for the green-house effect are called greenhouses gases. ” Climate change refers to the difference in the earth' s global climate or in the regional climate over a time. ” The major factor for climate change is the increase in CO2 level due to the emission from fossil fuels burning. ” The rain water which is acidic in nature is called acid rain. ” All disasters are the result of human failure to introduce appropriate disaster management measures. ” Awareness, plantation, water resources conservation, land conservation, pollution control, cultural heritages conservation, environmental sanitation, public participation, etc. are environmental conservation measures. ” National and international organizations contribute to prepare plans, policies and programs for the conservation of the environment. 288 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks. (a) Air pollution is the release of ………. into the atmosphere (b) Land pollution is the deposition ………… on land. (c) ………………… maintains temperature of the earth's surface. (d) Land fill sites release ……………. into the atmosphere. (e) SO2 reacts with O2 to form ……………. (f) Earthquakes, volcanos, landslides, etc. are ………………. disasters. (g) NTNC was previously known as ………….. 2. Write down true for correct and false for incorrect statements. (a) Human beings depend upon natural resources. (b) Metallic roads are dusty. (c) Deforestation creates dry land. (d) CO2 is mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect. (e) Acid rain damages buildings made from sandstone. (f) IUCN is the world's oldest global environmental network. (g) There are nine regional member countries in ICIMOD. 3. Define the following terms. (a) Water pollution (b) Eutrophication (c) Acid rain (d) Corrosion (e) Global warming (f) Climate change (g) Disaster (h) Terrestrial radiation (i) Epidemics (j) Environment Conservation 4. Short answer questions. (a) What are the causes of air pollution? List them in points. (b) What are the effects of sound pollution? Write them in points. (c) How does acid rain affect the environment? (d) List the effects of climate change. (e) How can the effects of floods be reduced? Environmental Degradation and its Conservation 289

(f) How can effects of earthquakes be reduced? 5. Write short note on: (a) Greenhouse effect (b) Control of land pollution (c) Epidemic (d) Flood and landslide 6. Long answer questions. (a) Define pollution. Write causes, effects and control of water pollution. (b) Explain the adverse effects of global warming and acid rain. (c) What is climate change? How does it affect the environment. (d) Write a note on flood management and its mitigation measure. (e) What are the environment conservation measures being conducted in your locality? List and explain how the measures contribute to environmental conservation. (f) Human beings are responsible for the conservation of the environment. Justify the statement. 7. Write a short note on the following national and international organizations. (a) NTNC (b) IUCN (c) WWF (d) UNDP (e) ICIMOD G lo ssa ry - preserva n r pr te n - dera n r ntr in nserva n - sses r su erers i a n - a a i es r ha ard us i s - pea s r t ps D isasters Pinnacles 290 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

U 24 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT L earning O utc om es At the end of this unit, students will be able to: ~ define biodiversity. ~ explain the principles of sustainable development. ~ explain the efforts and importance of sustainable development in the world. Main points to be focused ~ Ecosystem Diversity ~ Biodiversity ~ Principles of Sustainable Development ~ Genetic Diversity ~ Importance of sustainable development ~ Species Diversity Introduction The environment is the surrounding of the living beings including physical, biological and socio-cultural aspects. The physical aspect is related to non-living things such as air, water, land, minerals, etc. The biological aspect includes all living beings that include plants and animals. The environment is the integrated form of physical, biological and socio-cultural aspects. Living beings fulfil their needs from the non-living environment. Biodiversity The biodiversity of a place means the existence of organisms and species of living beings in per square unit. It is the diversity of life. The biodiversity of a place is determined by the gene, species and ecosystem. There are various kinds of plants and animals on the earth. These plants and animals are different in their shapes, sizes, nature, biological process, etc. These differences show diversity among the organisms. Types of Biodiversity Biodiversity can be classified into three groups. They are: Environment and sustainable Development 291

1. Genetic Diversity Genes are the hereditary units. They determine parental characteristics to their children. Genetic diversity refers to the variation on the hereditary units that transfer parental characteristics to their children. It is due to variation in genes. Genetic diversity depends on the population of organisms. It is the variation within a species. In human beings Negroes, Aryans, Mongols, etc. are different from each other. It is an example of genetic diversity. 2. Species Diversity Species means the group of organisms which can freely interbreed. Species diversity means the variation in the different species of the organisms. There are many plants and animals around us. They are different from each other. Dogs are different from cats. Similarly, apple trees are different from mango trees. Human beings are different from birds. Such variations are called species diversity. 3. Ecosystem Diversity An ecosystem is a self-sustaining system in which there is interaction between biotic and abiotic components. Ecosystem diversity is a variation in self-sustaining systems in which there is interaction between biotic and abiotic components. Ecosystem can be mainly classified into two groups. They are terrestrial ecosystem and aquatic ecosystem. Grassland, forest, desert, etc. are terrestrial ecosystems. Wetland, river, stream, ocean, etc. represent aquatic ecosystems. Due to the climatic and geographical variation, there are many different kinds of ecosystems in Nepal. It is estimated that there are 118 types of ecosystems in Nepal. It should be noted that ecosystem can be as small as a log and as big as an ocean. It should be noted that to be an ecosystem it should be self-sustained. Grassland ecosystem 292 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

Pond ecosystem A c t iv it y What kinds of plants and animals are found in your locality? Identify them. Write their name, usefulness and conservation measures as in the following tables. S.N. Name of Plant Use Conservation Measures 1. Name of Animals Use Conservation Measures 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. S.N. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Environment and sustainable Development 293

Principles of Sustainable Development Development is a process by which members of society increase their personal and institutional capabilities. They mobilize and manage resources to create sustainable development. They improve their quality life with their own inspiration. It is a positive growth. Development improves the living standard of people. Life becomes more comfortable with development. But, when there is development there is change in the natural environment. The change may be positive or negative. During development activities, the environment is adversely affected. So, development activities should be conducted in such a way that there is a minimum adverse effect on the environment. Such development is called sustainable development. It is long lasting development. For the sustainable development, the following points should be emphasized. a. Conservation of natural resources and their management should be done properly. b. We should increase investment in environmental aspects. c. We should conserve the biodiversity and the ecosystem. d. Pollution should be controlled. e. There should have population and poverty control. f. In sustainable development, there must be participation of non-governmental organizations and public co-operation. The world Commission on Environment and Development that is popular by the name of Brundland Commission in 1987 defined sustainable development as, \"Sustainable development is a process, in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investment, the orientation of technological development and institutional change meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.\" Sustainable development contributes to the economic and social development. It also helps to conserve the environment. It carries out development activities in favour of the nature. The following are the principles of sustainable development: i) Conversation of ecosystem There are different types of ecosystems on the earth. Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are mainly found on the earth. The ecosystem should be conserved for taking care of the earth. 294 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8

ii) Conservation of biodiversity All living beings are vital parts of the nature. When there is effect on these living beings, it affects the balance of the nature. So, biodiversity conservation programs should be conducted at local level, national level and global levels. iii) Sustainable development of Society A healthy habitat, a balanced diet, health services, employment, security, peace, quality education, etc. are some of the elements of a sustainable society. A sustainable society assists to develop a positive attitude towards the nature. It motivates people to conserve the environment. iv) Control population growth Population growth affects the environment. The demand for natural resources increases with population growth. So, population growth should be controlled. There should be a balance between population growth and the availability of natural resources. v) Development of human resource Skilled, trained and educated human resources are the foundation of sustainable development. Such people can implement the principles of sustainable development and conduct development activities accordingly. vi) Increase public participation Public participation is the most for sustainable development. The objectives of sustainable development can be easily achieved with an increase of public participation. vii) Conservation of Cultural Heritage Cultural heritages are the important parts of our environment. People should have a positive attitude and behaviour towards the heritages. The heritages should be conserved. Positive aspects of our culture play an important role for the conservation of the environment. viii) Limit of Carrying Capacity The exploitation of natural resources should be within the limit of the carrying capacity of the earth. It contributes to maintain the quality of environmental resources. It is because nature can purify its resources itself. So, development activities should not be conducted beyond the carrying capacity of the earth. Environment and sustainable Development 295

Importance of sustainable development Sustainable development has the following importance. a. Sustainable development helps to use the natural resources in a limited amount: There should not be over exploitation of renewable and non- renewable natural resources. For the sustainable development the natural resources should be used in a limited amount. b. Sustainable development makes the boundary of development: Sustainable development makes the boundary of development. It helps the conservation of natural resources. As people want to do development without thinking about natural resources and effects on the environment. c. Sustainable development makes people responsible: The knowledge, skill, behaviour and thinking of people have been changed with the help of sustainable development. It helps to conserve natural resources. d. Sustainable development helps development with public participation: Sustainable development helps to conserve the environment including public participation. e. Sustainable development helps to develop the basic needs of people: Education, health, agriculture, tourism, social security, etc. are the basic needs of the people. Sustainable development helps to develop these basic needs of the people. f. Sustainable development helps people for long term thinking: Sustainable development should not affect the environment and animals’ health. The development work done today also should run for a long time. Answer Writing Skill 1. What are biotic and abiotic factors of the environment?  The living components of the environment are called biotic factors, and the non- living components of the environment are called abiotic factors. 2. What is sustainable development?  Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own need. 3. What are the elements of a sustainable society?  A healthy habitat, a balanced diet, health services, employment, security, a peaceful environment, quality education are some of the elements of a sustainable society. 296 New Creative Science and Environment Book - 8