📌 Chapter Snapshot
4
Major Organisations
4
Key Movements
7
Important Environmental Days
1986
Environment (Protection) Act
- This chapter introduces the concept of Environment, its components and types, causes of degradation, and the legal/institutional framework for protection in India.
- Also covers key global & Indian environmental organisations, major grassroots environmental movements, and important environment-related days & awards — all high-yield for BPSC/BSSC one-liners.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
"Environment" = Environ (surrounding) + ment → literally, a covering that surrounds from all sides.
🌱 Environment — Introduction
- Environ + ment → Environment: a covering that surrounds from all sides.
Components of Environment
- Biotic → Living beings, animals, plants, microbes.
- Abiotic → Water, air, soil, etc.
- Energy → Solar energy, geothermal energy, etc.
Types of Environment
- Natural → Land, air, water, etc.
- Man-made → Agriculture, industrial cities, etc.
⚠ EXAM TRAP
Energy (solar, geothermal) is sometimes wrongly clubbed under Abiotic — the source lists it as a distinct third component alongside Biotic and Abiotic.
⚠ Environmental Degradation
- Environmental degradation means environmental imbalance.
- Causes: Mining, Industrialization, Urbanization, Modern agriculture, etc.
🛡 Environmental Protection
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — led to formation of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee.
- National Green Tribunal (NGT), 2010 — for speedy resolution of environment-related matters.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — key regulatory body.
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Agenda-21 was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit (1992) — aimed at reducing ecological destruction and economic inequality.
🏛 Environmental Organisations, Institutions & Programmes
| Organisation | Established | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| World Meteorological Organization (WMO) | 1950 | Geneva (Switzerland) |
| National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) | 1958 | Nagpur (Maharashtra) |
| Greenpeace International | 1971 | Amsterdam (Netherlands) |
| United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) | 1972 | Nairobi (Kenya) |
⚠ EXAM TRAP
UNEP HQ is Nairobi (Kenya) — one of the few major UN bodies headquartered in Africa. Frequently tested against Geneva/New York defaults.
✊ Major Environmental Movements
| Movement | Region | Leader(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipko Movement | Uttarakhand | Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt |
| Appiko Movement (1983) | Karnataka | Pandurang Hegde |
| Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985) | Narmada Valley | Medha Patkar |
| Matti Movement (1996) | Chamoli (Uttarakhand) | Kalyan Singh Rawat |
⚡ QUICK RECALL
Appiko Movement (Karnataka, 1983) is often called the "southern version" of the Chipko Movement — same tree-hugging concept, different region & leader.
📅 Important Environmental Days and Dates
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| World Wildlife Day | 3rd March |
| World Forest Day | 21st March |
| World Earth Day | 22nd April |
| World Environment Day | 5th June |
| International Tiger Day | 29th July |
| World Ozone Day | 16th September |
| World Habitat Day | First Monday of October |
⚠ EXAM TRAP
World Habitat Day is not a fixed date — it falls on the "First Monday of October" every year, unlike all other days in this list which have fixed calendar dates.
🏅 Important Facts & Awards
- Ecomark (1991) → Label for products made from eco-friendly materials.
- Indira Gandhi Environmental Award — introduced 1987.
- Rajiv Gandhi Environmental Award — introduced 1999.
📋 Master Quick-Revision Table
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Environment — Meaning | Environ + ment = covering that surrounds from all sides |
| Biotic Components | Living beings, animals, plants, microbes |
| Abiotic Components | Water, air, soil, etc. |
| Environment (Protection) Act | 1986 | Formation of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee |
| National Green Tribunal | 2010 | Speedy resolution of environment matters |
| Agenda-21 / Rio Earth Summit | 1992 | Reduce ecological destruction & economic inequality |
| NEERI | 1958 | Nagpur (Maharashtra) |
| Greenpeace International | 1971 | Amsterdam (Netherlands) |
| UNEP | 1972 | Nairobi (Kenya) |
| WMO | 1950 | Geneva (Switzerland) |
| Chipko Movement | Uttarakhand | Sunderlal Bahuguna & Chandi Prasad Bhatt |
| Appiko Movement | 1983 | Karnataka | Pandurang Hegde |
| Narmada Bachao Andolan | 1985 | Medha Patkar |
| Matti Movement | 1996 | Chamoli (Uttarakhand) | Kalyan Singh Rawat |
| World Wildlife Day | 3rd March |
| World Forest Day | 21st March |
| World Earth Day | 22nd April |
| World Environment Day | 5th June |
| International Tiger Day | 29th July |
| World Habitat Day | First Monday of October |
| World Ozone Day | 16th September |
| Ecomark | 1991 | Label for eco-friendly products |
| Indira Gandhi Environmental Award | 1987 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Environmental Award | 1999 |