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Deforestation in Himalayas

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:05:17 +0000

Deforestation of the Eastern Himalayas

The Eastern Himalayas are located in Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, southeast Tibet and northeast India. This region is the home of a large variety of animals and birds including the slow loris, rhinoceros, the golden languor, tiger, the Indian civet, red panda, clouded leopard, and the golden cat. The birds include heron, the white-winged wood duck, and the snow cock. Deforestation is a major problem in the Eastern Himalayas. The conversion of forest to agriculture land and use of forests for timber, animal food and fuel wood are some of the main threats to the delicate ecosystem of this region. Further threats to these forests include charcoal production in some low elevation areas and intensive grazing at higher elevations. The result of high population growth rate is unsustainable forest resource use. The people have to depend on forests for their daily requirements of firewood and the addition to their food with forest goods. If the demand for forest resources continues, the forests will be unable to support the resource demands because of the population growth and the unsustainable forest resource use.

The results of deforestation are negative impacts/effects on the biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas. As more and more trees disappear, the soil loses it compactness and becomes prone to soil erosion. Soil erosion is soil naturally removed by the action of water or wind. Another result of soil erosion is the reduction in soil quality. As soil gets washed down hills, landslides became more frequent. This soil can be washed into streams and lakes as well, affecting water quality and the health of aquatic organisms. The fertility of the soil in that area would be very low, so even other plants and trees will not be able to grow there. Trees play an important role in the water cycle. Transpiration is water from trees as a waste product. Rainfall will decrease in the eastern Himalayas causing the crops of farmers suffer from changing patterns of rainfall, threatening the food supplies of the local people.

Biogas is a major step in the reduction of deforestation. Since there is no electricity, people have to use forest wood for fuel. Carbon-monoxide and other gases, as a result of burning firewood, would no longer affect the respiratory and health of the villagers/families. Biogas is methane ( a gas) produced by setting cow dung, human waste and water into an airtight underground tank known as digester and allowing it to decompose. This gas provides fuel for clean-burning stoves, reduces respiratory diseases, saves time for women who walked long distances to gather firewood and reduces the forest use dramatically (less deforestation). Costing $350 to build a digester (which can hold 1,600 gallons), this seems economical and effective. A by-product of biogas is slurry, which can be used as fertilizer for plants as well.

Cultural Factor

Due to cultural reasons, this method becomes more complicated. Since the gas is produced from cow dung and human waste, villagers thought it was impure, and that it would be shameful to cook food using it. This is a major barrier in trying to implement biogas digesters into the society of the Eastern Himalayas. Many villagers who use forest wood as fuel do not approve of biogas digesters. If they knew about the situation of the Eastern Himalayas, where they are living, they would approve of biogas digesters. However, since they lack this information, they do not understand the potential of biogas.

Environmental Factor

As the use of firewood reduces, the carbon emission is reduced, not fully, since some trees are cut for timber as well. When firewood is burned or cut, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This will affect the ecosystem and the carbon-oxygen cycle of the Eastern Himalayas positively. Carbon emissions increase the temperature of the Eastern Himalayas or contribute to climate change. Many glaciers are melting and forming lakes vulnerable to bursting and causing downstream flooding. Warmer temperatures and changing humidity brought insect pests and disease to areas where they were previously not there. Many water springs have also dried up, limiting water supply. Environmentally, this is a win-win method for the villagers and the biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas.

Forests can be managed to provide a sustained yield. A sustainable yield is a regular amount of a renewable resource such as trees that can be harvested without reducing future supply. This basically means to plant a tree to replace one being cut/ a cut tree. If the villagers plant trees for every cut tree, the forests will be able to support the resource demands because of the sustainable forest resource use. There would be a balance in the carbon-oxygen cycle, as well as the water cycle. There would be no negative effects and there would be a constant supply of trees.

Social Factors

Due to social reasons, this method is affected negatively. The society of the Eastern Himalayas might not even consider this method since it is time consuming and everyone would have to play a role in it. It is easier to cut down trees, than to cut them down and plant one tree for every tree cut down, they will think. The society of the Eastern Himalayas might not accept this method since it is hard to follow it and they are not used to this method. They have to maintain the saplings as well. If this not followed every time by everyone, when a tree is cut, then the method would prove to be not so effective. If the society, at any time, decides to not follow this method then the situation of the Eastern Himalayas would stay the same.

Environmental Factors

The environment benefits from the implementation of this method. The balance in the water cycle and carbon-oxygen cycle would be restored and the biodiversity would not be affected. The water cycle is affected because of soil erosion. If there are trees, there wouldn’t be any soil erosion. Carbon dioxide is released when firewood is burned and that carbon dioxide can be used by the remaining trees. The oxygen of the environment would not reduce as well since there are trees to support the oxygen supply. There would not be a climate change as a result of cutting trees without replanting since for every tree that is cut down, a tree is planted for it. The biodiversity would stay the same, as well as the health of the organisms including the human beings who live in the Eastern Himalayas. The forests would be a renewable resource as a result of following this method. The forests would be able to support the forest demands.

Solar energy is basically energy harvested/got from the sun by solar panels. The Eastern Himalayas receives major sunlight and therefore has high potential for solar energy harvesting. Solar energy can be converted to electricity and therefore a fuel for the needs of villagers. Solar energy is harvested by solar cells, which make up solar panels. This electricity can abolish the use of forests in the Eastern Himalayas for firewood. This can be a permanent solution to deforestation of the Eastern Himalayas. Forest use would continue for animal food and timber, but the carbon emissions as a result of burning fuel wood would decrease and the water cycle and carbon-oxygen cycle would decrease and be balanced as well. This can be very effective if followed.

Economic Factors

Solar panels are very expensive. To put solar panels all over the Eastern Himalayas would be very expensive. The solar panels need to be protected from physical damage and environmental damage as well. However, wirings the houses of villagers for electricity would be very complicated and expensive. Since the houses of villagers are made of mud, this would be very expensive. Wiring the all the houses to get electricity would be very complicated and would be a barrier in trying to implement solar panels into the Eastern Himalayas.

Cultural Factors

Due to cultural factors, this method is affected. Many villagers will not be able to get access to electricity if they do not wire their houses or build new ones. Many villagers for years would have been using wood for firewood and would not approve of electricity. Electricity would be new to them and therefore be hard for them to understand and use. Many complications can arise from this method. Children and others might get hurt by electricity since they lack the knowledge of how to use it. It is possible that power outages will be frequent and eventually, the villagers would have to resort to using firewood for fuel.

Conclusion

The method of the implementation of biogas digester in the Eastern Himalayas seems to be, when compared to other solutions and methods, most effective and practical. Biogas is not very expensive and is as effective as any other method. If the society of the Eastern Himalayas accepts this when they are taught about it, this method would work for the entire of the Eastern Himalayas and the deforestation problem would cease. Let’s hope this method works.

Bibliography

Dude, Old. “How To Maintain Solar Panels.” Alternative Energy Sources and Alternative Fuels. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .

“WWF – Eastern Himalayas – Threats.” World Wildlife Fund – Wildlife Conservation, Endangered Species Conservation. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 9 Nov. 2011. .

“What Is Soil Erosion?” Soil Erosion Site. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. .

News, Relax. “Biogas Brings ‘green Revolution’ to Rural Nepal – Environment – The Independent.” The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. Relax News. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .

“WWF India – Sustainable Forestry.” WWF India – Welcome to WWF-India. World Wildlife Fund. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. .

Making Biogas From Cow Manure as an Alternative to Achieve Energy Self Reliance

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:16:18 +0000

In recent years the term bio gas is already familiar in the ears of our community. There have been many breakthroughs of appropriate technologies that were created either among engineers, academics and the general public to use one of these renewable energy alternatives. Even some rural communities in several provinces, especially cattle ranchers have been using this environmentally friendly technology as the fulfillment of the needs of fuel daily. In other words, they have managed to achieve self-energy by no longer using kerosene for cooking, even for lighting.
Although it has been a lot of information circulating on Bio gas and can be easily accessed through a variety of media, but I was still trying to make this writing and posting on this article as an answer from one of the suggestions senior fellow

Bio fuel
Bio gas is one of the types of bio fuels, fuels derived from living things and are renewable. Different from fuel oil and coal, although the initial process of manufacture is also of living creatures, but can not be updated because of the formation of two fuels took millions of years. Bio fuel itself is an example of biomass. As the name implies, Bio gas is a gaseous fuel.
At least, there are two kinds of Bio gas is known today, namely Bio gas (also often called marsh gas) and Biosyngas. The fundamental difference of the two ingredients above is the weave. Bio gas is produced from the fermentation process of organic materials with the aid of anaerobic bacteria in the environment without free oxygen. Bio gas energy is dominated by methane (CH4) 60% -70%, 40% -30% of carbon dioxide and other gases in smaller quantities. While Biosyngas (or more often abbreviated as syngas or Producer Gas) is the product between (intermediate), created through a process of gasification at high temperatures thermokimia where carbon-rich materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas or biomass converted into carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (O2). If the raw materials of coal, petroleum and natural gas, so-called syngas, whereas if the biomass raw material is called Biosyngas. Biosyngas can be used directly to fuel or as raw material for other chemical processes.
In principle, the making of Bio gas is very simple, just by entering the substrate (cattle manure) into the anaerobic digester. In a certain time Biogas will be formed which can then be used as an energy source, eg for gas or electric stove. Use of bio digester can help the development of agricultural systems by recycling manure to produce biogas and a byproduct obtained (by-product) in the form of organic fertilizer. In addition, with the use bio digester to reduce emissions of methane (CH4) is produced on decomposition of organic material produced from agricultural and livestock sector, since cow manure is not allowed to decompose in the open but fermented into bio-gas energy.
As we know, the gases include the greenhouse gas methane (greenhouse gas), along with CO2 greenhouse effect causing global warming phenomenon. Reducing methane locally this can play a positive role in global problem solving efforts.
The potential for cow dung used as raw Bio gas production is actually quite large, but not all breeders use it. Even during this has created problems of pollution and environmental health. Generally, the farmers dispose of cow manure into rivers or directly sell them to collectors with very cheap price. And of course cow dung can be obtained by products (by-product) is quite a lot. As an example of liquid organic fertilizer derived from urine containing auxin is high enough so that both the source material for fertilizer to grow. Cow’s blood serum from places slaughterhouses could be used as a source of nutrients for plants, other than that of cow innards of waste generated can also activators as an alternative source of decomposed.
When compared with other bio fuels, Bio gas calorific value is very high, namely of 15,000 KJ / kg when compared with charcoal (7,000 KJ / Kg), wood (2,400 KJ / Kg) and even kerosene (8,000 KJ / Kg). Therefore, applications can be developed using biogas for cooking and lighting (generating electricity).

How to make Bio gas from cow dung?
As explained above, with cow dung to make bio gas quite easy. Only by incorporating manure into an anaerobic digester, and silence him for a while, Bio gas will be formed. This can happen because in fact in a fresh cow manure contained bacteria that will download the fermented dung. Without even incorporated into the bio gas digester it will be formed on the decomposition process cow manure, but the process lasts longer and, of course, the bio gas produced can not be used.
There are three types of digesters that have been developed so far, namely:
1. Fixed dome plant, which was developed in china,
2. Floating drum plant, which is more widely used in India with a variant cover plastic bio gas plant, and
3. Plug-flow balloon plant or a plant which is widely used in Taiwan, Ethiopia, Colombia, Vietnam and Cambodia. This species is also a lot used by our farmers in Lembang and Cisarua.
Principal parts of bio-gas digester are:
1. container vessel animal manure,
2. digest-er,
3. slurry tanks,
4. gas reservoir,
5. gas pipe exit,
6. slurry pipe exit,
7. intake of cattle dung.

Fixed dome plant
In the fixed dome plant, digesternya fixed. Gas reservoir is at the top of the digester. When gas began to arise, the gas pressure slurry into slurry tanks. If a continuous supply of manure, the gas that arises will continue to press slurry until the slurry out of the tub overflowed. Gas arising used / issued through the gas pipe was given valve / faucet.
Advantages: no moving parts, durable (long life), created in the ground so that is protected from weather or other disorders and do not need a room (above ground).
Disadvantages: Sometimes leaks occur, because the porosity and cracks, changing the gas pressure because there is no pressure valve.

Floating drum plant

Floating drum plant consists of a digester and a gas container can be moved. This gas reservoir will move upward when the gas increased and decreased again when the gas is reduced, along with the use and production of gas.

Advantages: the gas pressure is constant because the reservoir of gas that moves to follow the amount of gas. The amount of gas can be easily known by looking at the ups and downs drums.
Disadvantages: Construction on the drums a bit complicated.Usually the drum is made of metal (iron), making it easy to rust, as a result of this section is not very durable (frequent replacement).Even if digesternya also made of a metal drum (iron), digeseter this type is not so durable.

Balloon plant

Balloon plant construction is simpler, made of plastic on the ends fitted into the pipe for manure and slurry pipe out While at the top of the installed pipe out of gas.

Advantages: low cost, easily transportable, simple construction, easy maintenance and operation.

Disadvantages: not durable, easily broken, making way must be very careful and cautious (because the materials are easily damaged), the material is difficult to obtain qualified

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Save Some Power, Save Our Planet

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:32:37 +0000

Are you still burning the bulbs: Switch over to CFL bulbs at homes and offices. They cut the bills as well as give more illumination than these yellow boring bulbs. Bulbs can be used to grow a little bonsai garden in your balcony!
Let there be (eco-friendly) light! Use LED torches and lamps which are much brighter than the conventional ones and also drink lesser battery charges.
Recharge and repay: Always use rechargeable batteries. Though they are costly than the regular use-and-throw ones, they have longer lives and therefore the overall cost is very less. Imagine using 250 5-buck batteries over ten years (1,250 bucks) and using just one 500-buck rechargeable batteries for 10 years. You save 750 bucks flat.
Switch to other fuels: Run the car with LPG or Biodiesel. Install a solar water heater. Cook once in a week using biogas or solar heater. These can be fun as well as shows your environmental responsibility.
Do not accept paper bills: Nowadays, e-commerce has ensured that bills are generated online and can be paid online. Therefore go for e-bills instead. Thankfully, in India, most of the services such as electricity, phone, water, mutual funds, insurances, etc are taken care by e-bills, though lots of paper is still used.
Do not print: A person wanted to trash all the very old documents. When he went to take permission from his boss, his smart boss told “Okay to trash, but make sure to take photocopies of all the documents for future reference”. Most of us knowingly or unknowingly work like this dumb boss! Think thrice before shooting print. The simple command “Ctrl + P” can be costlier than you think it is.
If walking is possible, why move by sitting: Walking saves energy as well as health. Skip the car or bike while travelling up to 4 streets or blocks. This also ensures lesser visits to the doctor and to the gas station.
When did you last ride a bicycle: Oops, do not remember! This again is the greatest option for visiting your friends or going places that are not very far. Choosing this option also enhances the fitness levels and reduces the consumption of fuels.
Go picnic with public: When travelling long distances, go on public transport, such as bus or train. Hiring a cab does not fall under this category. There are many advantages. You can have fun noticing how crazy people can be by observing the antics of the fellow passengers. Outsource the driving stress to the driver and enjoy the trip, the sceneries and of course, the fun of making friends with strangers.
Paper mashes make great gifts: Most of the reports and papers printed are not used again. If possible arrange them to be recycled. Even if not, convert them into paper mash, which can be used to construct toys, photo frames, gift boxes, etc., which are best for gifting. Come the festive occasions such as Christmas, you would need lots of them.

The 3 important factors in doing anything worthwhile to save the planet are: Reduce, Reuse and/or Recycle.