2. Answer the following questions in about 125 words each.

 

1.       2.  Answer the following questions in about 125 words each.

 

a)       Explain the characteristics of Western Ghats for inclusion as Biodiversity hotspots

 

The Western Ghats represent one of the major tropical evergreen forest regions in India. The total area of Western Ghats is about 160,000 sq. km. In the west, the zone is bound by the coast and in the east, it shares boundary with the Deccan peninsular zone. The tropical evergreen forests occupy about one third of the total area of this zone. In recent years, a large chunk of the forest cover has been lost and this zone is now of great conservation concern, more so because of its exceptional biological richness. About two-thirds of India’s endemic plants are confined to this region. However, the potential of many of these species is yet to be tapped. Besides harbouring diverse biological communities, the forests in this zone also play an important role in maintaining the hydrological cycle.

The well known species found exclusively in Western Ghats include the following:

Among Primates – Nilgiri Langur and Lion-tailed Macaque. Rodents – Plataconthomys, the Spiny Dormouse Squirrels – Several subspecies of Ratufa indica with separate forms in Maharashtra, Mysore, Malabar and Tamil Nadu Ghats. The Grizzled Squirrel is restricted to two localities in the drier TamilNadu forest. Carnivores – Malabar Civet in southern evergreen forests, Rusty spotted Cat in northern deciduous forests. Ungulates – Nilgiri Tahr  in Nilgiris to Agastyamalai montane grassland. Hornbills – Malabar Grey Hornbil.

 

 

b)      Why hydropower is regarded as the best source of energy? Explain it in detail.

 

It is a renewable energy source, meaning that it is sustainable and does not deplete natural resources.

It is also a clean source of energy, as it does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants. 

Hydroelectric power plants have a relatively long lifespan and low operating costs, making them a cost-effective source of energy.

Hydroelectric power is also versatile, as it can be used for large scale power generation or small scale, decentralized power production.

It can also provide additional benefits, such as water storage, flood control, and recreation.

It can be integrated easily with other energy sources and can provide a reliable baseload power.

 

 

c)       The importance of Biomass has been increasing day by day in our surroundings among renewable resources. Explain it with suitable examples.

 

This is a renewable energy source derived from plant resources, animal waste and the waste of various human activities. It is also derived from the by-products of the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, major parts of household wastes and wood. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas.

 

Biomass fuels used in India account for about one third of the total fuel used in the country. Over 90% of the rural households and about 15% of the urban households use biomass fuels (e.g. wood, cowdung cakes, crop residues and sawdust). The inefficient burning of such fuels in traditional chulhas is causing a serious problem of indoor air pollution and consequent health hazards. Moreover, the unsustainable level of consumption of fuel wood leads to deforestation and desertification, which degrades the environment. Thus proper management of biomass as a resource is very essential.

 

d)      How does air pollution affect the atmospheric processes?

 

Apart from causing damage to materials, plant and animal communities and health problems in humans, air pollution affects the atmospheric processes. Acid rain, smog, global warming and ozone depletion are some of the effects of pollution in our atmosphere. Let us look into some examples of the problems of air pollution in our atmosphere.

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) : SPM in the ambient air is complex and variable mixture of different sized particles with many chemical components. Larger particles are trapped by nose hair (vibrissae) and breathing tube

 

Acid Precipitation : Acid rain or acid precipitation includes wet acidic depositions like rain, snow, fog, mist or dew and deposition of dry acidic particulates from the air.

 

Atmospheric Inversion : Atmospheric or temperature inversion occurs when a stable layer of warmer air lays above the cooler air. The normal phenomenon of temperature decline along the increasing height reverses and thereby, convection air currents that normally disperse the pollutants are prevented.

 

 

e)      What is Disposal of waste? Why segregation of waste is needed?

 

 

Disposal of waste refers to the process of getting rid of waste materials in a safe and responsible manner. This can involve a variety of methods, including landfilling, incineration, recycling, and composting. Waste disposal is an important environmental issue because it can have significant impacts on human health, air and water quality, and the natural environment.

Segregation of waste is the process of separating different types of waste materials at the source, such as households, businesses, and industrials facilities. This is important because different types of waste require different treatment methods and disposal techniques, and mixing them together can lead to contamination and pollution. Here are some reasons why segregation of waste is needed.