Agrochemicals and Radioactive Wastes

Agrochemicals

Ø The increased use of pesticides, fertilizers for increasing the produce has led to eutrophication and biomagnifications in water sources.

Ø In order to check this, the concept of organic farming is increasingly becoming popular. In this technique, instead of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, natural materials and techniques such as organic manure (cow dung manure), compost, biological pest control, and crop rotation are used. This leads to a balanced soil, which does not cause soil infertility, but causes the rejuvenation of the soil.

Case Study of Organic Farming

Integrated organic farming is a cyclical, zero-waste procedure, where waste products from one process are cycled in as nutrients for other processes. This allows the maximum utilisation of resource and increases the efficiency of production. Ramesh Chandra Dagar, a farmer in Sonipat, Haryana, is doing just this. He includes bee-keeping, dairy management, water harvesting, composting and agriculture in a chain of processes, which support each other and allow an extremely economical and sustainable venture. There is no need to use chemical fertilisers for crops, as cattle excreta (dung) are used as manure. Crop waste is used to create compost, which can be used as a natural fertiliser or can be used to generate natural gas for satisfying the energy needs of the farm. Enthusiastic about spreading information and help on the practice of integrated organic farming, Dagar has created the Haryana Kisan Welfare Club, with a current membership of 5000 farmers.

Radioactive Wastes

Ø Nuclear energy is a non-polluting energy except the threats posed by accidental leakage and difficult disposal of radioactive waste.

Ø Radioactive substances cause severe damages such as mutations and cancer in lower doses and higher doses can be lethal.

Ø Radioactive wastes should be suitably pre-treated in shielded containers buried under rock surfaces about 500 m under the earth’s surface.

Improper Utilisation of Resources

Natural resources can get degraded by their improper use.

Soil erosion and desertification

Over-cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation techniques lead to soil erosion and desertification.

Water logging and soil salinity

Lack of proper drainage leads to water logging, which affects the crops and also leads to increase in the salinity of the soil.