Study Material For M A Semester II Geography

Study Material For M. A. Semester II: Geography Paper: M-202 Environmental Geography Unit-1 Environmentalism Prepared by: Dr. Vinita Prasad Asst. Professor Department of Geography A. N. College (PPU), Patna

Introduction ▶ The concept of Environmentalism evolved in early 19 th century in Europe. It stemmed out of another ideology; Romanticism, which was an artistic and intellectual movement based on emotion, appreciating natural beauty. ▶ In the late 19 th century the environmental movement grew strongly in Britain as a response to the Industrial Revolution and so do the concept of environmentalism. ▶ Environmentalism is a movement concerned protecting the environment. with action aimed at ▶ It is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement and is concerned with environmental conservation and protection and incorporate the concerns of non-human elements as earth does not only belongs to mankind.

Meaning of Environmentalism ▶Environmentalism is the act of protecting the environment from pollution or destruction. ▶ Environmentalism is the act of helping to preserve, restore, or improve one’s natural environment by decreasing pollution, conserving natural resources, and staying away with the things that affect the earth negatively. ▶ Environmentalism is a political and ethical movement that seeks to improve and protect the quality of the natural environment through the adoption of forms of political, economic, and social organization that are thought to be necessary for or at least conducive to, the benign treatment of the environment by humans and through a reassessment of humanity’s relationship with nature. ▶ Environmentalism denotes a social movement that seeks to influence the political process lobbying, activism, and education in order to protect natural resources and ecosystems.

Environmentalism and Environmental Movements Environmentalism leads to environmental movements to protect and conserve environment. Environmental movement is a vague term and has been defined as follows: ▶ Environmental movement is a social or political movement, for the conservation of environment or for the improvement of the state of the environment. ▶ According to Guha and Gadgil (1989); ‘environmental movement is a organized social activity consciously directed towards promoting sustainable use natural resources halting environmental degradation or bringing about environmental restoration.

▶ Yanki Tong has defined environmental movement is a type of social movement that involves an array of individuals, groups and coalition that perceive a common interest in environmental protection and act to bring about changes in environmental policies and practices. ▶ Christopher Roots say that the environmental movements are conceived as broad networks of people and organizations engaged in collective action in the pursuit of environmental benefits.

History of Evolution of Environmentalism ▶ Environmental concerns were part of human society since beginning. The earliest ideas of environment protectionism can be traced in Jainism and Buddhism way back in 6 th century BC in ancient India. ▶ In the Middle East, Caliph Abu Bakr in the 630 has commanded his army to not to harm vegetation cover and animal flocks. ▶ The Arab scholars such as Al-Kindi Jazzar, al-Tamimi al-Masihi, Avicenna, Ali Israeli ben Solomon, Abd-el-latif, Ibn refelected their environmental concerns Qusta ibn Luqa, Al-Razi, Ibn Alibn Ridwan, Ibn Jumay, Isaac al-Quff, and Ibn al-Nafis had in their works. ▶ The King Edward I of England had banned the burning of sea-coal to curtail smoke pollution in London way back in 1272.

▶ The concept of environmentalism is reflected in the writing of Alxender Van Humboldt too. He had discussed the negative impact of anthropogenic activities on environment had shown concern over shrinking of lake Valentiain in Venezuela due to cutting of trees around the lake to expand agricultural activity. ▶ latter in late 19 th century the negative impact of Industrial Revolution and other anthropogenic activities on environment has been felt. The absence of environmental regulations and legislation to regulate industrial activity further amplified the problem and consequently conservationist groups came in the fore front. ▶ The Society for the Protection of Birds in 1889 and The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty in 1894; were pioneer conservationist groups in Britain. ▶ The environmentalist John Muir was pioneer to initiate environmental movement in USA. He was one to convince the U. S. congress to create the Yosemite National Park to preserve the beautiful valley.

▶ A group of people shown concern over dwindling American bison population and tried to protect them. ▶ In the year 1916, American President Woodrow Wilson founded the National Park Service and thus boosted the growing environmental movement in the USA. ▶ In the early 20 th century, environmental laws and legislations were enacted all over the world. ▶ The Nazi Germany took interest in preserving the German forest. ▶ American biologist Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring (1962). ’ exposed the harmful and dangerous effects of the pesticide DDT and led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 and DDT was banned in 1972 in the USA.

▶ The 1970 -1980 decade witnessed formation of several environment protection groups such as Greenpeace. ▶ The first Earth Day and the United Nation’s first environmental conference also happened in the 1970 -1980 decade. ▶ The decade 1980 -1990 witnessed awareness regarding emerging environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion etc. ▶ In the year 1991, the Earth Summit in Rio-De- Janeiro called for sustainable development and thus supported the concept of environmentalism.

Environmental Movements in India ▶ The concept of environmental protection is engrained in Indian culture since time immemorial. Several rituals, ceremonies and practices have hidden agenda of environmental conservation. ▶ Bishnoi Movement: Bishnoi is a religious non-violent community and worship nature, found in Western Thar desert. Around 1700 A. D. they fought against deforestation and lost many lives during the struggle. ▶ Chipko Movement: In the year 1973, Sunderlal Bahuguna in the Chamoli district of Uttrakhand initiated Chipko Movement to prevent illegal cutting of trees in the Himalayan region. ▶ Appiko Movement: In 1983, inspired by the Chipko Movement, Pandurang Hegde launched Appiko Movement in Karnataka to promote afforestation, conservation and optimal utilization of forests resources.

▶ The Silent Valley Movement: In Kerala the environmentalists and people struggled hard to prevent setting up of hydel power project in 1973 in biodiversity hotspot evergreen tropical forest along Western Ghat , ultimately in the year 1985 the government declared the disputed area as a national reserve forests. ▶ Jungle Bachao Andola: The tribal community of Singhbhum district of Jharkhand agitated against the forest policy of the Government in 1982 as the government was keen to replace the native flora with high price teak trees. . ▶ Narmada Bachao Movement: Medha Patkar along with the local people protested against construction of dams on the river Narmada, since 1985. ▶ Tehri Dam Conflict: Their Dam conflict was initiated by Sunderlal Bahuguna. The movement was opposing the construction of dam in a highly sensitive seismic zone

The Major Ground of Emergence of Environmental Movement ▶ Adverse effect of industrial revolution on environment. ▶ Awareness regarding Environmental Issues. ▶ Over exploitation of natural resources. ▶ Massive Deforestation. ▶ Absence of effective environment protection legislation and laws ▶ Absence of political will ▶ Greed ▶ Emergence of media as source of information ▶ Environmental degradation and pollution menace

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