UNIT 5 ENGLISH NOTES

NIMRA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

I B TECH  I SEM :  ENGLISH NOTES

DR. SHAIK SHAHEEN TAJ

MBA., MA., M PHIL., PHD.

UNIT 5

OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT

How are humans directly responsible for the destruction of animal Species?

Animals and plants have always had a hard time surviving. Scientists estimate that over two thirds of the animals and plants that once lived on Earth are now extinct.

Animals became extinct in the past for a wide variety of reasons. In some cases competition for resources among animals led to extinction in other cases environmental changes caused extinction.

Scientists think dinosaurs became extinct because a meteorite struck the Earth and caused changes in the environment that the dinosaurs and other animals and plants couldn't adapt to.

Some animals are endangered because of a combination of natural and man-made causes causing changes in the environment that hurt animals and plant species. Man takes up more space on Earth for homes and cities. He pollutes habitats. Man illegally hunts and kills animals. Man brings exotic species into habitats. All of these activities take resources and habitats away from plants and animals.  As man has spread across the earth he has destroyed wildlife by shooting, trapping, cutting and burning the forest. All over the world the fauna has been cut down and the animals have been reduced down. If not protected they can never re-establish themselves. They need sanctuary where they can live and breed undisturbed.

Dodo, the great wedding pigeon that inhabited the island of Mauritius had no enemies. But man discovered the dodos when he settled that island along with his dogs, cats, pigs, rats and goats. The dodo had lost its power of flight as it had no enemies to fly and escape from. It lost its security when man began to slaughter dodos. The goats ate the undergrowth which provided the dodo with cover; dogs and cats hunted and pigs ate eggs and young .by 1681 the fat ungainly and harmless pigeon was extinct.

Thus to protect wildlife many sanctuaries and reserves have been started. Many species are reintroduced into areas where it had become extinct. Inspite of all these things man has much to do. The majority of useful work in animal preservation has been done mainly only for the animals which are of economic importance to man. All other obscure species of no economic importance are just protected on paper but not in actual fact. They are just allowed to die out because nobody except a few interested zoologists consider them important enough to spend money on.

            Human activity often changes or destroys the habitats that plants and animals need to survive. Because human populations are growing so fast animals and plants are disappearing 1000 times faster than they have in the past 65 million years. Scientists estimate that in the 21st century 100 species will become extinct every day.

What are Salim Ali’s contributions as an environmentalist?

Salim Ali, one of the greatest ornithologists and naturalists of all time, is also known as the “birdman of India”. He was one of the very first scientists to carry out systematic bird surveys in India and abroad. His research work is considered highly influential in the development of ornithology.

As a 10-year-old, Salim once noticed a flying bird and shot it down. Tender at heart, he instantly ran and picked it up. It appeared like a house sparrow, but had a strange yellowish shade on the throat. Curious, he showed the sparrow to his uncle Amiruddin and questioned him about the bird’s kind. Unable to answer, his uncle took him to W.S. Millard, the Honorary Secretary of the Bomaby Natural History Society. Amazed at the unusual interest of the young boy, Millard took him to see many stuffed birds. When Salim finally saw a bird similar to the child’s bird, he got very excited. After that, the young Salim started visiting the place frequently.

Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was born on November 12, 1896. He attended college, but did not receive any university degree. To assist his brother in wolfram mining, he went to Burma, but spent most of his time looking for birds. Soon, he returned back to Bombay.

As soon as Salim returned, he studied zoology, and secured a position of a guide at the museum of the Bombay Natural History Society. Only 20 years old, he conducted the visitors and instructed them about the preserved birds. His interest in the living conditions of birds grew even more. Therefore, Salim visited Germany and saw Dr. Irvin Strassman. He came back to India after one year but his post in the museum had been removed for financial reasons.

Salim Ali, as a married man, required money to make a living, so he joined the museum as a clerk. The job allowed him to carry on with his research. His wife’s house at Kihim, a small village near Mumbai, was a tranquil place surrounded by trees, where Salim would spend most of his time researching about the activities of the weaver bird.

He published a research paper discussing the nature and activities of the weaver bird in 1930. The piece made him famous and established his name in the field of ornithology. Salim also traveled from place to place to find out more about different species of the birds.

From what he had collected, he published “The Book of Indian Birds in 1941” in which he discussed the kinds and habits of Indian birds. The book sold very well for a number of years. He also collaborated with S. Dillon Ripley, a world-famous ornithologist, in 1948. The collaboration resulted in the ‘Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan’ (10 Volume Set); a comprehensive book that describes the birds of the subcontinent, their appearance, habitat, breeding habits, migration etc. Salim also published other books. His work “The Fall of Sparrow” included many incidents from his real life.

Later Life and Death:

Salim not only researched about birds, but also contributed to the arena of protection of nature. For his extraordinary efforts, he was given an international award of INR 5 lacs, but he donated all the money to Bombay Natural History Society. The Government of India honored him with Padma Vibushan in 1983.

This genius man died at the age of 90 on June 20, 1987.

Salim Ali

Salim Ali, one of the greatest ornithologists and naturalists of all time, is also known as the “birdman of India”. He was one of the very first scientists to carry out systematic bird surveys in India and abroad. His research work is considered highly influential in the development of ornithology.

Early Life:

As a 10-year-old, Salim once noticed a flying bird and shot it down. Tender at heart, he instantly ran and picked it up. It appeared like a house sparrow, but had a strange yellowish shade on the throat. Curious, he showed the sparrow to his uncle Amiruddin and questioned him about the bird’s kind. Unable to answer, his uncle took him to W.S. Millard, the Honorary Secretary of the Bomaby Natural History Society. Amazed at the unusual interest of the young boy, Millard took him to see many stuffed birds. When Salim finally saw a bird similar to the child’s bird, he got very excited. After that, the young Salim started visiting the place frequently.

Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was born on November 12, 1896. He attended college, but did not receive any university degree. To assist his brother in wolfram mining, he went to Burma, but spent most of his time looking for birds. Soon, he returned back to Bombay.

Contributions and Achievements:

As soon as Salim returned, he studied zoology, and secured a position of a guide at the museum of the Bombay Natural History Society. Only 20 years old, he conducted the visitors and instructed them about the preserved birds. His interest in the living conditions of birds grew even more. Therefore, Salim visited Germany and saw Dr. Irvin Strassman. He came back to India after one year but his post in the museum had been removed for financial reasons.

Salim Ali, as a married man, required money to make a living, so he joined the museum as a clerk. The job allowed him to carry on with his research. His wife’s house at Kihim, a small village near Mumbai, was a tranquil place surrounded by trees, where Salim would spend most of his time researching about the activities of the weaver bird.

He published a research paper discussing the nature and activities of the weaver bird in 1930. The piece made him famous and established his name in the field of ornithology. Salim also traveled from place to place to find out more about different species of the birds.

From what he had collected, he published “The Book of Indian Birds in 1941” in which he discussed the kinds and habits of Indian birds. The book sold very well for a number of years. He also collaborated with S. Dillon Ripley, a world-famous ornithologist, in 1948. The collaboration resulted in the ‘Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan’ (10 Volume Set); a comprehensive book that describes the birds of the subcontinent, their appearance, habitat, breeding habits, migration etc. Salim also published other books. His work “The Fall of Sparrow” included many incidents from his real life.

Later Life and Death:

Salim not only researched about birds, but also contributed to the arena of protection of nature. For his extraordinary efforts, he was given an international award of INR 5 lacs, but he donated all the money to Bombay Natural History Society. The Government of India honored him with Padma Vibushan in 1983.

This genius man died at the age of 90 on June 20, 1987.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS

The Forest Wealth of India

Forests are one of the most important natural resources on this earth. Covering the earth like a green blanket these forests not only produce innumerable material goods, but also provide several environmental services which are essential for life.

We do untold harm unknowingly to nature, to the majestic, broad trees of dense foliage which have been nurtured and grown over generations. We thoughtlessly felt the trees which are the suppliers of oxygen to us, for; they breathe in carbon dioxide from the air and give out oxygen so vital for our living. Formerly avenues were lined and decorated with trees of awesome growth, and the avenues were always cool and shady even if the scorching sun shone in the sky. By felling the trees in the villages, towns and cities we have intruded into the forbidden area of forests which are the exclusive habitat of the wild animals and birds and fell the trees stealthily for wood for cooking and for making furniture.

It is deplorable that the Government which emphasizes the importance of the forest cover or wealth commit the unpardonable crime of felling the trees of the ancient forests for the purpose of constructing a dam or an electricity project.

It is said that the ecological balance is maintained by the co-existence of populated villages, towns and cities and the forests and mountains inhabited by the wild animals.

Nowadays where there were trees, where there was a vast open stretch of land full of plants and trees, there are concrete buildings rising higher and higher till they touch very vault of the sky. We have done untold damage to our towns and cities by felling trees unnumbered and should we fell the trees of a forest, nature’s priceless wealth? Yes, forests are the wealth of a nation, just as the people of a nation are its wealth.

Forests are one of the essential causes of rain. If the trees in the forest are cut off regularly the forest becomes a barren land. Good rainfall is affected. As a result there is not enough water for the cultivation of fields, there is not enough drinking water, and there is not enough water for the functioning of the various factories. If the sun scorches the earth and if there is not enough rainfall the nation suffers from water famine. Water famine leads to food famine.

If the forests are cleared of trees gradually the wild animals living there stray into the human habitations and cause problems. We should preserve and develop the forest for its flora and fauna, for its beautiful flowers and for the wide variety of trees, some awesomely tall, some short and of broad trunk. Honey is obtained from the honeycombs built by the bees in the forest trees. The tribal people living in the forests trade on the honey they gather and nuts available in the forests. They sell their products in a cooperative market nearby and earn money.

Green Cover - Lifeline

Forests cover one third of the earth’s landmass, performing vital functions and services around the world which make our planet alive with possibilities. The forests serve as green lungs and water purifying systems in nature.  In fact, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods.  They play a key role in our battle against climate change, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while storing carbon dioxide.  Forests feed our rivers and are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities.  They create and maintain soil fertility; they help to regulate the often devastating impact of storms, floods and fires. Forests are the most diverse ecosystems on land, and are home to more than half of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Forests also provide shelter, jobs, security and cultural relevance for forest-dependent populations.  They are the green lungs of the earth, vital to the survival of people everywhere -- all seven billion of us. Forests embody so much of what is good and strong in our lives. Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, we are destroying the very forests we need to live and breathe.  Global deforestation is growing at an alarming rate -- every year, 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed. Anthropogenic factors that can affect forests include logging, urban sprawl, human-caused forest fires, acid rain, invasive species, and the practice of shifting cultivation. If forests disappear, the amount of Carbon Dioxide in air will increase, resulting in increase of temperature of earth. Furthermore, it would cause global warming as the Carbon Dioxide gas will trap the heat radiated by the earth, resulting in the melting of glaciers. People who depend on forests for their livelihoods are struggling to survive.  Many precious species face extinction....

Deforestation

 A large area of land abounding with trees, bushes etc. are called forest. And deforestation means cutting down trees in large numbers. Trees are useful to us in various ways. They provide us with wood, food and other products, they give us shade and they help to prevent droughty and floods. But the third of these services of trees is the most important. To draw quick profit from trees, men cut them down in large numbers. Trees are destroyed mostly for being used as fire wood. This destruction disturbs our ecological balance. It leads to soil erosion and deprives us of fruit and timber and causes economic loss. So, we have to realize the bad effects of deforestation. In fact, if deforestation goes on our country will be changed into a desert. So, we have to educate our common people and to persuade them to abstain from cutting down trees. We should create awareness among the general people about the evils of destroying forests and motivate them to plant more and more trees. Otherwise the forests of our country will slowly disappear and we will be in great miseries. So, I think every man and woman should pant at least a tree every year.

Global Warming

Global warming is the increase of world's average temperature, mainly in the sector of atmosphere, seas and the land on Earth. here are three serious factor, namely the crack on the lower part of atmosphere, pollution on Earth an so many green houses. The first factor is on the atmosphere. Recent years, many researches show that atmosphere has some kind of crack because of the heat from sun's emission. The layer of atmosphere seems cannot take the heat anymore. The crack gets larger as the sun-ray holds in the atmosphere as there are gases as what it seems to be the cause. This second factor, pollution, takes its toll as the one which makes the sun-ray stuck n the atmosphere. These gases are very thick that even the sun-ray cannot get through it, or at least it is hard to do it. The third factor is that the green houses, reflected the sun-ray that supposed to be stayed on Earth sending the sun-ray back to space, but remember though, there is the gases that block the process of sending away the sun-ray. If the green houses don't stop being built, that will just be a helpful tool to make the atmosphere and our Earth worst. From these explanations, details and examples, my conclusion is that someone has got to do something and not just keep inventing new technology or fancy factories because what we need now is not something that can make life easier but something that can decrease the temperature.

Threat to Humans and Wildlife

Earth is home to millions of species. Just one dominates it. Us. Our cleverness, our inventiveness and our activities have modified almost every part of our planet. In fact, we are having a profound impact on it. Indeed, our cleverness, our inventiveness and our activities are now the drivers of every global problem we face. And every one of these problems is accelerating as we continue to grow towards a global population of 10 billion. In fact, I believe we can rightly call the situation we're in right now an emergency – an unprecedented planetary emergency.

There are few places left on the planet where the impact of people has not been felt. We have explored and left our footprint on nearly every corner of the globe.  As our population and needs grow, we are leaving less and less room for wildlife. Wildlife is under threat from many different kinds of human activities, from directly destroying habitat to spreading invasive species and disease.  Most ecosystems are facing multiple threats. Each new threat puts additional stress on already weakened ecosystems and their wildlife.

Chipko Movement

Environmental movements like Chipko have become historical landmarks because the ecological insights and political and moral strengths of women have fueled them.

It was a resurgence of woman power and ecological concern in the Garhwal Himalayas interwoven in a mosaic of various factors. The issue was of planting trees and planting ecologically appropriate trees. Women were protesting against the replacement of mixed forests by the commercially valuable pine, which was a major reason for increasing economical instability of the Himalayan region and the growing economic deprivation of Garhwali women.

Life-sustaining forestry was to give way to life-destroying practices. The Chipko movement showed that devolution of environmental rights and obligations is the more important aspect of environmental management.

This Chipko Movement was started by group of villagers in Uttrakhand who opposed the cutting of trees. It is the first organised movement started in April 1972 to protect the trees against the commercial Forest Policy. Though this Chipko movement gained its prominence in 1970s, the real movement occurred in 1604, when a large number of villagers from the Bishoni community embraced the trees in a forest (near Khejri village, close to Jodhpur) and prevented the king’s soldiers from cutting them down. That event has been recorded in Indian history as the Chipko Movement. Thus started, the Chipko Movement has now gained great significance throughout the world's conservationist circle for its successful attempts against deforestation. “Chipko” in local dialect means “to embrace” and refers to the method that has been applied to protect the forest from the commercial timber cutters. This revolutionary movement started by the villagers to save forests from deforestation soon got worldwide support and attention.

Government Plantation Programmes

 It is needless to speak the importance of trees. It is not possible to describe the importance and uses of trees in world. They are part and parcel in our day to day life. We cannot think our existence without trees. Rabindranath Tagore says “Back thy forest, take your town” Our government has also launched a massive and ambitious programme regarding tree plantation. We should not use and destroy trees at random. Rather we should plant trees more and for a better and healthier life. Trees bear a great impact on our climate. If we destroy trees at random, one day the country will turn into a great dearest. The country will bear the consequences of green house effect. There will be no rain and as a result the country will face a great crisis because our country is an agriculture depend country. Our agriculture is also depend on rain. So trees plays a vital role on our climate. Trees keep the soil strong. Trees save us from flood and many other natural climates. Hence, the A.P Government has decided to launch Haritha Andhra Pradesh Mission through "VANAM — MANAM" Programme with a view to secure green cover over 50% of the geographical of the state by 2029. Each and every citizen of Andhra Pradesh across the social, economic, demographic, gender, and political spectrum ought to become partners in this programme that would benefit not only the state but also the nation and the entire world through eco-regeneration. Apart from its impact on environment and climate change, the programme is an effort to strengthen the bond between the nature and people.

Van Mahotsav

Van Mahotsav or the festival of trees is a festival celebrated in India in the first week of July. This celebration was started in 1950 by Dr. K.M. Munshi the Agriculture minister for India during the same year. As part of the celebrations, millions of saplings are planted by people of all age groups from all over the country in the Van Mahotsav week.

All over the country, people are encouraged to plant trees. This practice is observed by schools all over the country. Schools usually declare this day to be a half day where classes are suspended and students are encouraged to plant trees. This helps in making the students better citizens and also spreads awareness as to the adverse effects of cutting trees.

This practice takes place every year and helps conserve the greenery of our country. The preservation of nature has become a very important part of our life due the acceleration in industrialization and the construction of so many factories, conservation of forests has become a point of major concern.

Due to the celebration of this festival in the month of July which is also the onset of the monsoon season, planting trees proves to be beneficial. Planting of trees also serves other purposes like providing alternative fuel options, food for cattle, helps in soil conservation and more than anything offers a natural aesthetic beauty. Planting of trees also helps to avoid soil erosion which may cause floods. Also, planting trees can be extremely effective in slowing down global warming and trees also help in reducing pollution as they make the air cleaner.

The constant felling of trees has been a problem for a long time now and as a result of that it is extremely important for us to create awareness for the same. And everyone must try and actively involve themselves in this practice as well. According to the forest department for every tree felled ten trees should be planted to regain the loss of one. The survival of plants and animals is also put in danger as each and every time a tree is felled or a forest is uprooted. Van Mahotsav is thus a widely celebrated festival and should be celebrated as more than a day of planting trees and celebrated as any other festival.

Environmental Awareness

Environmental awareness is to understand the fragility of our environment and the importance of its protection. Promoting environmental awareness is an easy way to become an environmental steward and participate in creating a brighter future for our children.

To define environmental awareness we must first understand the environmentalist movement. Environmentalism is an ideology that evokes the necessity and responsibility of humans to respect, protect, and preserve the natural world from its anthropogenic (caused by humans) afflictions.

Environmental awareness is an integral part of the movement’s success. By teaching our friends and family that the physical environment is fragile and indispensable we can begin fixing the problems that threaten it.

A VILLAGE LOST TO THE NATION

Q. How are the villages affected by the Hirakud Dam?

Ans: Jawahar lal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, dedicated Hirakud Dam in 1957.  The massive and majestic and the world’s longest dam was built on the mighty turbulent Mahanadi River about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. 

In the upper drainage basin of the Mahanadi River, centered on the Chhattisgarh Plain, periodic droughts contrasted with the situation in the lower delta region where floods might damage crops. The dam was constructed to help alleviate these problems by creating a reservoir and controlling river flow through the drainage system. The main purpose of the Hirakud Dam was to check the massive floods that were affecting a large part of coastal Odisha. But, the construction of the dam was greatly affected the natives of the western part of Odisha. Nearly 400 villages and 150,000 people were affected by the Hirakud project and nearly 22,000 families were displaced as the water kept rising to the maximum storage level of 630 feet.  

Q. What were the people forced to do because their homes were submerged?

Ans: Jawahar lal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, dedicated Hirakud Dam in 1957.  The massive and majestic and the world’s longest dam was built on the mighty turbulent Mahanadi River about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. 

The main purpose of the Hirakud Dam was to check the massive floods that were affecting a large part of coastal Odisha. But, the construction of the dam greatly affected the natives of the western part of Odisha. The author could remember vividly that his own village Rampella which was among many vanished at the first. The people were forced to vacate the villages unminding their belongingness to the land which gave birth to them. 

Q. What were the feelings of the author’s parents regarding their village?

Ans: Jawahar lal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, dedicated Hirakud Dam in 1957.  The massive and majestic and the world’s longest dam was built on the mighty turbulent Mahanadi River about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. 

The main purpose of the Hirakud Dam was to check the massive floods that were affecting a large part of coastal Odisha. But, the construction of the dam greatly affected the natives of the western part of Odisha. The author could remember vividly that his own village Rampella which was among many vanished at the first. The villagers were known to be proud of their lineage. They remembered the original name of their village, Ramya Palli which meant ‘the enchanting village’. Their heads were down and eyes choked in tears when they were forcibly evacuated from their village. Even aftermath, the parents could vision the submerged and perished village as their ‘dear old village’. They recited about their dear village citing instances and anecdotes galore to their children.

Q. What were the author’s feelings for his lost home?

Ans: Jawahar lal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, dedicated Hirakud Dam in 1957.  The massive and majestic and the world’s longest dam was built on the mighty turbulent Mahanadi River about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. 

To the Nation’s prosperity Hirakud Dam was constructed and dedicated to the nation. Due to the construction many villages were submerged and people were displaced. The author felt so sorry for the unplanned development could ensue the tragedy in his village. He returned to visit his old dear village ruined by the river. He was nostalgic of his village where both brothers played the kabaddi and football. He along with his parents recognized his home tracing the temple remnants. The emotion-choked parents surveyed the whole premise that had once belonged to them. They were upset that the rudimentary herbs which cured all kinds of their ailments now lost. He felt that he had lost his village forever in the depth of the reservoir. 

Q. What is the theme of the passage?

Ans: Jawahar lal Nehru, our first Prime Minister, dedicated Hirakud Dam in 1957.  The massive and majestic and the world’s longest dam was built on the mighty turbulent Mahanadi River about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. 

The present extract ‘A Village Lost to the Nation’ by Krishna Chandra Pujari was published in Indian Express on18th March 2009. It is a poignant article by the author who relives the loss of his home to the Hirakud dam constructed by the government. Due to the construction on the Mahanadi River, more than 400 villages were submerged and people were displaced. The author highlights the other side of development and the tragedy that unplanned development can ensue. He then describes the feelings of the people who returned to visit their old village, now ruined by the river. There lay the remnants of their village. The concluding lines depict that a big sacrifice must be made to make one’s nation prosper. It might be their village that gave solace to all their parents who had made the last walk from the village a decade ago.