HSC EVS CLASS 12

HSC EVS CLASS 12

PROJECT WORK ON 

VISITED HISTORICAL PLACE NEAR ME AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OVER THERE.

Introduction

In this project, I will discuss about a visit a prominent historical place we have visited nearby and discuss its importance. I will discuss about the environmental issues the area is facing and methods to reduce or eliminate those issues

The place I visited is the shivneri fort, Shivneri Fort is a 17th-century military fortification located near Junnar in Pune district in Maharashtra, India. Shivneri Fort is a hill fort located at the northern side of Pune, with Junnar as its base. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The fort was built by Shahaji Raje, Shivaji's father, to secure his son and wife Jijamata, against the invaders and natural calamities.

As this fort is of a great historical and architectural importance hence I have selected this topic

Shivneri is a travel destination in Maharashtra which is visited by many people for a number of reasons. It is located in Pune district of Maharashtra and the initiator of Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born here. Shivaji was named after the Shivai Devi Goddess whose temple is there inside the fort. During the 1st century AD this place was under the control of Buddhists. Tourism in Shivneri is mainly due to the beautiful design and architecture of the fort.

Currently the fort has lesser number of tourists due to covid pandemic however tourists flow is expected to increase in coming time. The fort is also facing environmental issues such as deforestation on the slopes of the hill and pollution due to plastic waste, vehicular pollution the state government has given an administrative sanction of Rs23.5 crore for the conservation, beautification and development of Shivneri fort.

Importance

This project work is important since it helps us to understand the environmental issues the area is facing and will help us to reduce or eliminate the same

This project work is important for understanding the deforestation around the area of the fort as it leads to loose soil around the fort and during heavy rains. Recently last year Portions of two structures have fallen during the heavy rains. It is very important for us to stop deforestation and create a public awareness for the same. Strict laws should be enforced for people breaking the rules.

This project work is important for understanding the environmental issue of pollution due to inorganic wastes such as plastic, vehicular pollution and chemical wastes from the industries nearby the fort.

This project work is important as it will help us understand the issues such as deforestation, pollution due to inorganic wastes such as plastic from tourists and pollution due to vehicles and chemical wastes from nearby industries and it is important to find ways to minimize or eliminate them.

Objectives:

To work for protecting and promoting healthy natural environment through various action programmers and environment awareness creation among and education of the people.

To work for healthy, neat and clean historical areas such as forts and natural environments around them.

To work to prevent excessive exploitation of natural resources and energy sources around the visited historical area.

To work for rehabilitation of victims of environment disasters around the historical area

To work on issues such as deforestation around the historical area, and find ways to minimize or eliminate them.

This work on issues such as  pollution due to inorganic wastes such as plastic from tourists and pollution due to vehicles and chemical wastes from nearby industries and find ways to minimize or eliminate them.

Methodology:

This project is based on research done by me by visiting the fort for a short period of time as the fort timing is reduced because of the corona virus pandemic.  It is not possible to go out and do research for longer period of time.  Hence most part of my readings and observations are obtained from internet.

I have obtained information from the following websites

www.wikipedia.com

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

https://www.hindustantimes.com/

https://www.coa.gov.in/

https://indianexpress.com/

https://www.mumbailive.com/

 The data collection method used for this project has come from inputs from locals and nearby villages from the fort hill and because of the restrictions from the government due to the covid pandemic major part of data and observations were collected from the internet 

I have also consulted experts on the subject and discussed the issue of deforestation around the area of the fort as it leads to loose soil around the fort and during heavy rains. Recently last year Portions of two structures have fallen during the heavy rains. They have agreed to work on it and find a solution on the same. Issues such as pollution due to inorganic wastes such as plastic from tourists and pollution due to vehicles and chemical wastes from nearby industries were also discussed and an expert solution is expected soon. 

Observations:

Sample graph shows amount of plastic waste collected around the fort over a period of 2 weeks

Date	Plastic waste collection in KGS
14-Oct	23
15-Oct	25
16-Oct	27
17-Oct	33
18-Oct	35
19-Oct	21
20-Oct	26
21-Oct	26
22-Oct	28
23-Oct	27
24-Oct	26
25-Oct	33
26-Oct	36
27-Oct	22

Sample graph shows AQI (air quality index) around the fort over a period of 2 weeks

Date	Air quality Index
14-Oct	115
15-Oct	120
16-Oct	121
17-Oct	157
18-Oct	160
19-Oct	120
20-Oct	116
21-Oct	121
22-Oct	123
23-Oct	125
24-Oct	124
25-Oct	160
26-Oct	162
27-Oct	118

Analysis:

Date	Plastic waste collection in KGS	pollution
14-Oct	23	moderate
15-Oct	25	High
16-Oct	27	High
17-Oct	33	Very high
18-Oct	35	Very high
19-Oct	21	High
20-Oct	26	High
21-Oct	26	High
22-Oct	28	High
23-Oct	27	High
24-Oct	26	High
25-Oct	33	Very high
26-Oct	36	Very high
27-Oct	22	Moderate

 

Date	Air quality Index	Quality
14-Oct	115	Good
15-Oct	120	Ok
16-Oct	121	Ok
17-Oct	157	Poor
18-Oct	160	Poor
19-Oct	120	Ok
20-Oct	116	Good
21-Oct	121	Ok
22-Oct	123	Ok
23-Oct	125	Ok
24-Oct	124	Ok
25-Oct	160	Poor
26-Oct	162	Very poor
27-Oct	118	Good

From the data collected for 2 weeks plastic waste pollution and AQI was observed highest on 4 days (17, 18, 25, and 26^th).

This is the time when high tourist traffic was observed, with high tourist traffic plastic waste pollution is higher and vehicular pollution is also higher

So to curtail the pollution we have to ban plastic on the hill forts or we have to to set up plastic recycling centre so that plastic waste can be effectively disposed

Also vehicular movement should be limited to a parking space away from the base of hill fort to reduce air pollution in the fort area.

Result and conclusion:

After visiting the fort and understanding the environmental issues over there I have taken the initiative to monitor and observe the environmental issues such as plastic waste pollution and air pollution due to vehicles.

I collected data for plastic pollution and vehicular pollution on daily basis with the help of locals for 15 day period in October this year

On analysing the data, I came to the conclusion the plastic waste pollution is very high on certain days such as week end and public holidays. Plastic waste pollution is very dangerous because it is not bio-degradable and it damages the the eco system.

Similar thing was found in case of vehicular air pollution, bad air quality causes breathing problems to people and livestock’s in the villages near the fort.

To reduce and eliminate the issues I have also suggested solutions to the local authorities which include

Banning of plastic items such as plastic bottles, bags, food packaging.

Setting up a small plastic waste collection centre near the fort so the the waste can be moved properly to nearby recycling centre. Thus plastic waste can be effectively managed

Setting up a parking area away from the fort can control the vehicular and noise pollution effectively.