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has caused immature death to younger plants. It has affected not only the living beings like man and animals, birds and insects, flowers and plants but also the symbols of our heritage like grand memorials, tombs, monuments and other historical buildings. They are in the process of decay and destruction. They are losing their original colour and are subject to ruin. Acidic air pollutants particularly Sulphur dioxide and Sulphuric Acid corrode metals and damage building structure. They have caused erosion of building sulface, blackening of building paints, weakening and disintegrating of building construction. The effect of pollution is quite evident in the monuments and palaces of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh where the government machinery finds it too hard to maintain the historical buildings. Pollution has caused more decay than the wear and tear of time.
Gaseous pollution has direct effects on our health. Gaseous pollutants include Carbon dioxide, Mono oxide, Sulpher dioxide and gases from automobile exhausts. They cause acute illness leading to death. They bring upon chronic diseases i.e. Bronchitis, Asthma, Nervous impairment, eye irritation and hard hearing. Air pollution produces eye irritation and respiratory troubles in animals, too. The most serious effect is in the poisoning of livestock by Fluorides and Arsenic. They affect seriously digestion, bones and teeth causing loss of weight among animals, sanctines leading to lameness. Air pollution is also vital in affecting plant life. It causes widespread damage to trees, plants, fruits, vegetables and ornamental flowers. Fluorides and other pollutants which act as cumulative poisons to plants cause collapse of leaf-tissues, drying and discolouring of sepals and cheeking growth of petals that cure inward. Pollutants discharged into the enviroment like Carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere automatically. It may raise atmospheric temperature by about 1.30c. The exhaust gases from fried rockets may pollute the upper layer of atmosphere and Ozone layer when affected cannot protect earth surface from harmful Ultra-violet radiation. Reckless clearance of forests has caused change in the local pattern of heating of ground and atmosphere. Pollution has disturbed not only atmosphere but also human activities.
Soil and Land pollution is largely caused by industrial operations and building constructions. It further originates from industrial and urban wastes, radio-active materials, defective system of sanitation,
waste water and unscientific methods of agriculture. The introduction of nuclear fuel into the reactor also contributes to pollution. The explosion test of nuclear weapons also affects atmospheric composition. Thermal pollution mars the quality of environmental air and water. Noise or sound pollution is man made menace that originates from defective transport systems. The speady road vehicles and faster aircrafts have been the source of 'Sonic Boom' that creates mental imbalance and anguish. It also causes impairment of hearing.
There are many factors relating to the varied effects of atmospheric or environmental pollution. Some of their global effects are known but many of their long effects are still unknown. Our knowledge of atmospheric composition and the interface between air and water is inadequate. There is need of bringing to light some more pollutents and channelising active research work to fight against pollution. We must find out some long term solution of this great menace to humanity.
It is now open secret that environmental pollution has fareaching effects. So the seriouness of the problem must arouse global consciousness for an effective solution. it is a mattter of some solace that a global summit conference was held recently by 178 nations in which the Heads of 115 nations participated and out of discussion between 13th and 14th June, 1992 a proposal was made to set up a Global Reserve Fund to fight against pollution. Many developing and non-developing countries of the world agreed to contribute 0.7% of their income to this fund. The only exception was U.S.A. that did not accept any conditional contribution. Environmental Pollution is serious problem that needs kind gesture of all and apathy of none. Active co-operation by all nations of the world will alone solve this problem. If the problem of environmental pollution is solved a bit, it will be a step forward in service of distressed humanity. Let this problem be treated as a great humanitarian problem that may invite global interest.
Principal, Shree Jain Vidyalaya,
Howrah
हीरक जयन्ती स्मारिका
विद्यालय खण्ड / १७
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