6. Forests, Wildlife and Environment - Tamil Nadu Government

6.2.1. Introduction6.2. Ecology and EnvironmentOne can look at history from two sides and divide it intothe history of nature and the history of men and the twosides are however, inseparable; the history of nature andthe history of men are dependent on each other so long asmen exist.- Korl Marx and Fredrick Engels(Collected Works, Vol.5, Page.28)Environmental conservation is an integral part of the socio- economicdevelopment. The growing population, high degree of urbanization and steeprise in energy use have affected the sustainability of the environment. Deforestationresults in the reduction of the sink for carbon dioxide and increasessoil degradation. Industrialization leads to water and air pollution. The waterresources get polluted due to the discharge of untreated or partially treatedwastes from industry, domestic sewage and fertilizer and pesticide run offfrom agricultural fields.Conservation is not opposed to development, since it includes bothprotection and rational use of natural resources. One of the greatest challengesis how to accelerate economic growth without exhausting natural resources.Environment is influenced by a variety of factors, hence environmentalmanagement is a complex issue. A benchmark survey of the present status ofvarious factors that govern the environment is a pre requisite to formulate anappropriate environmental policy. The Tamil Nadu Government hasprepared a ‘State of Environment Report’, which has broadly outlined theenvironmental issues in various sectors and possible approaches to tacklethem. The key sectors in Tamil Nadu are concerned with the environment areagriculture and horticulture, forests and wildlife, water resources, coastal andmarine environment, energy, industrialization, urbanization and archaeologyand tourism.The State, while planning for social and economic progress that satisfiesthe present needs of the citizen, has the moral obligation to pass on the262