500+ Words Essay on Land Pollution
We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. – Aldo Leopold
Human beings have always put their comfort in front of mother nature. We have been selfish and always tend to take care of our needs. In an aim to lead a carefree life on this planet, people are responsible for several pollution’s – Air, water, noise and the most fatal of them all; land.
Land pollution is the deterioration of land resources as a result of various human activities. It is a giant danger to the environment and all life forms on earth. Land pollutants exist in all three forms; solid, liquid and gas.
Causes of Land Pollution
There are numerous factors that cause land pollution to arise. Due to the increasing population, urbanisation is on the rise and so are the number of households. These households are responsible for generating waste.
Waste is of two types; biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable waste is the waste that is organic in nature and can be broken down by microorganisms into simpler molecules. It includes waste like leftover food, wood, paper, etc.
On the other hand, non-biodegradable waste is waste that is not organic, and that cannot be broken down into simpler parts by bacteria. Plastic cans and containers, electronic items, metals, etc. all come under this category. It is the non-biodegradable waste that is difficult to dispose off. This waste is simply dumped onto land.
Areas where garbage and trash are dumped, are known as landfills. It is a site for discarding unwanted materials. When these landfills get full, the garbage in them is burned in order to create more space. This activity results not only in land pollution but further contributes to increasing air pollution as well.
Forests, which are an exhaustible natural resource, are being cut at a rapid rate. The trees hold essential soil in their roots. But when they are cleared, the quality of the soil, as well as the land, is degraded. Man clears these green stretches for his own purpose, including mining, construction, etc.
The soil even further worsens because of the usage of artificial insecticides and pesticides used by farmers and agricultural workers. Industries also add to the damage by disposing off chemical waste onto barren lands. Mining is another commercial activity that involves digging deep into the soil, along with heavy machinery and equipment.
Acid rain caused due to air pollutants further pollutes the land. When the contaminated rain falls on the earth, it damages the soil properties and even effects underground water.
Effects of Land Pollution
Land pollution can prove to be hazardous and fatal to life in more than one way. Areas that have garbage accumulated near them are a breeding ground for various rodents and illnesses. Humans living near these spaces are prone to respiratory diseases and cancers.
The housing near these dumps are available at lower rates, but they make it next to impossible for humans to inhibit such surroundings. As a result of this, the resourcefulness of land is reduced.
Land pollution can further lead to skin allergies for people who come in contact with toxic materials or parts. The soil near these landfills gets extremely contaminated and also effects the vegetables and fruits growing in them. When people eat this harmful food, they become sick as a result of the land pollution caused.
Increase in land pollution involving the clearing of forest areas has brought the ecosystem in an imbalance. It has forced animals and other wildlife to move out of their original habitats and adapt to unfamiliar surroundings.
As a result of this, we can witness that a lot of species have gone extinct and many are on the verge of extinction. Landfills further lead to lowering the quality of air. Looking at these dirty sights is disgusting. Land pollution can even affect a country’s tourism industry as lesser tourists would be willing to visit the place.
Prevention of Land Pollution
Adopting a few small habits can go a long way in curbing land pollution. There should be a reduction in the usage of chemical insecticides and pesticides. Use more of natural manure to grow the crops. Bio-fertilizers can also be made use of.
Instead of using harmful chemicals to keep notorious rodents away, farmers can introduce the rodent’s enemy in that particular area to protect the harvest.
Planting more trees or reforestation is another method that can be adopted. Trees help to bring back the vital nutrients required in soil and also prevent floods from happening. It further increases biodiversity and protects from soil erosion. Thus, restoring land fertility.
Industries, households and other institutions should make it a point to treat their waste before disposing it off. Reducing the chemical component and toxicity level of the waste content can be a fair start.
In some countries, there are strict procedures that need to be followed by factories in the treatment of waste disposal. If these laws are not followed, hefty fines and penalties are imposed on the faulting party. This helps to curb land pollution.
Recycling and reusing are two other simple activities that each person can take up at an individual level. Another task that can be taken up at homes is the segregation of wastes. You can allot different waste bins for dry and wet garbage.
The government of India has put up green bins and blue bins in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh in order to encourage people to differentiate between wet and dry refuse.
Some other measures include using paper or cloth bags, avoiding plastic in daily use and growing organic vegetables in the safety and comfort of your homes.
Conclusion
Land pollution, in a fair sense, is evil. Knowingly or unknowingly, each one of us has contributed to its spread and growth. It is high time that we all realize our responsibilities as citizens and pay our debts to mother earth.
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