IKON
Claude Alvares is Goa’s famous environmentalist. He is the editor of the Other India Press publication based in India. The Director of the Goa Foundation, an environmental monitoring action group, Claude Alvares got his PhD from the Technische Hogeschool, Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, in 1976. He lives at Parra, Goa with his wife Padma Sri Norma Alvares, an environmental lawyer and three children. He has taken up many issues even at the Supreme court level – this includes mining,
He is a member of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). He is also a member of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Wastes constituted by the Supreme Court of India. Dr. Alvares has headed the Goa Foundation (an environmental action group) as Director for 25 years, moving the High Courts of India over several environmental issues in public interest. The Foundation’s most recent petition in the Supreme Court led to the closure of Goa’s entire mining industry.
What is the Job all about?
The challenge is formidable. It is like a hydra headed monster that seeks to devour all on it’s path.
There is on one front – Industrialization which pours it’s poisonous waste in fields, lakes, rivers and nullahs either making growing crops impossible or unproductive. The lakes and rivers cause depletion of our fish food. The typical example in Goa was the Zuari Industries that polluted the fields and rivers. It is only when the local population went up in arms that they put safeguards of affluents being treated before it was disposed.
The other disturbing aspect of Industrialization is the creation of slums. Today we have slums in all the metros and near major Industrial complexes. Since there is no effective discharge of sewerage, this creates cess pools of dirty water that in turn breed mosquitoes etc. Poor sanitation bring in rodents and the like and misery in society.
Casinos have come to Goa but where is the waste dumped?
In the Mandovi River? So the fish we eat in terms of quality of food is highly questionable.
The exhaust fumes of vehicles, plastic bottles that are thrown on the streets, Hospital waste (syringes ,needles,cotton waste,bandages etc.); trains have brought in another type of pollution in as much as, the toilets disposal is direct to the earth –which in turn create their own set of pollution problems.
You could choose one of the following routes to resolve problems facing humanity.
Biologists study the effect of changes in the environment on living things.
Bacteriologists, Bio-chemists, Botanist, Horticulturist work on developing safer pesticides and herbicides.
Microbiologists, Mycologists and Toxicologist look at the chemical aspects of the environment.
Chemists, Ecologists, Soil Scientists, Foresters, Aqua Culturists, may all work in areas related to environment management.
Environmental scientists work on subjects like the under-standing of earth processes, evaluating alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global climate change. Environmental issues almost always include an interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes.
Environmental Engineers study waste disposal systems. Work on better engineered roads and vehicles so exhaust fumes can be diffused, resulting in cleaner air. Find solutions to keeping Rivers andNullahs Look at reducing pollution any machinery used in manufacture of products.
Environmental Lawyers study aspects that pollution so they fight to ensure Laws are scrupulously followed.
Medical Experts create drugs that would deter disease
Social Scientists inform the public of the problems and precaution they need to take
Teachers guide students
Social workers take up the matter in court
Inspectors : Police/Health ensure laws are followed
Can I go for it?
The challenge is enormous. So if you have the passion about the environment and can develop some clear thinking about things that need to be done towards improving the environment then you will be a winner in this field. You need a logical mind, scientific acumen, and knowledge on various subjects like geography, geology, botany, chemistry and zoology. You need strong communication skills, both spoken and written.
Is there a future in this Career?
In Goa too, we have problems with illegal mining, indiscriminate dumping of garbage, noise and air pollution, etc. The Department of Science, Technology & Environment (DST&E) implements various schemes towards popularization of science, environmental awareness, promotions of Science & Technology (S&T) projects relevant to the State, implementation of renewable energy programs, application of remote sensing technology, and enforcement of “environmental protection/pollution control” laws.
The mandate of the Department is executed through various agencies/authorities listed below
1. Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB). http://goaspcb.gov.in/
2. Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). http://goaenvis.nic.in/goacrz.htm
3. Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB). http://dstegoa.gov.in/aboutus.htm
4. Goa State Council of Science & Technology (GSCS&T).
5. Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA).
6. Goa Environment Protection Council (GEPC).
How to qualify?
In Goa
After 10+2 with Biology,Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biotechnology,you must do yourB.Sc. /M.Sc. – with Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, and Maths.The Department offers Post Graduate (M.Sc.) program in Marine Science. Specializations offered at present are Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Biology and Marine Geology. The Department also offers research (Ph.D.) programme in Marine Sciences.Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Biology and Marine Geology. The department also offers research (Ph.D.) program.http://www.unigoa.ac.in/department.php?adepid=21
Outside Goa:
We have a variety of Courses available in India to cater to the various specialists necessary to contain environmental problems:
B.Sc. Environmental Science
B.E. Environmental Engineering
M.Sc. Environmental Science/Environmental Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Management
M.Phil.,M.Tech., Environmental Engineering.
Diploma Courses – some concentrate on the technical side while others on the general side, viz. ecology, pollution monitoring and control, impact assessment, environmental education and law, environmental management.
In Karnataka: The University of Bangalore offers a M.Sc. in Environmental Science.
In Maharashtra:
Pune University offers M.Sc. in Environmental Science
BharatiVidyapeeth in Pune
Shivaji University in Kolhapur and Aurangabad
Marathwada University also offers similar programs
IIT offers M.Tech. in Environmental Science and Engg.
S.I.E.S College, Mumbai, offers a Program in Environmental Management.
Employment avenues:
Due to the numerous Agencies monitoring various aspects of Environment, there is a good scope for employment. Research also offers variety of opportunities both in Government and private enterprises.
Monies:
If in Government, the Sixth Pay Commission scales would apply to Scientists. If in Private Industry, the scales would be anywhere from Rs.25,000/- p.m. to Rs.2 lakhs a month, based on qualification and experience.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/