PLANET EARTH

Q: What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?
Ans: An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth's outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up and the rocks slips suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel during an earthquake. An EQ occurs when plates grind and scrape against each other. In California there are two plates the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate consists of most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California Coast line. The North American Plate comprises most the North American Continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor. These primary boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault. The San Andreas Fault is more than 650 miles long and extends to depths of at least 10 miles. Many other smaller faults like the Hayward (Northern California) and the San Jacinto (Southern California) branch from and join the San Andreas Fault Zone. The Pacific Plate grinds northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Parts of the San Andreas Fault system adapt to this movement by constant "creep" resulting in many tiny shocks and a few moderate earth tremors. In other areas where creep is NOT constant, strain can build up for hundreds of years, producing great EQs when it finally releases.
Q: Can we cause earthquakes? Is there any way to prevent earthquakes?
Ans: Earthquakes induced by human activity have been documented in a few locations in the United States, Japan, and Canada. The cause was injection of fluids into deep wells for waste disposal and secondary recovery of oil, and the use of reservoirs for water supplies. Most of these earthquakes were minor. The largest and most widely known resulted from fluid injection at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver, Colorado. In 1967, an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 followed a series of smaller earthquakes. Injection had been discontinued at the site in the previous year once the link between the fluid injection and the earlier series of earthquakes was established. (Nicholson, Craig and Wesson, R.L., 1990, Earthquake Hazard Associated with Deep Well Injection--A Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1951, 74 p.) Other human activities, even nuclear detonations, have not been linked to earthquake activity. Energy from nuclear blasts dissipates quickly along the Earth's surface. Earthquakes are part of a global tectonic process that generally occurs well beyond the influence or control of humans. The focus (point of origin) of earthquakes is typically tens to hundreds of miles underground. The scale and force necessary to produce earthquakes are well beyond our daily lives. We cannot prevent earthquakes; however, we can significantly mitigate their effects by identifying hazards, building safer structures, and providing education on earthquake safety.

Q: During an Earth Quake (EQ), should you head for the doorway?
Ans: Yes, only if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe. In modern homes, doorways are no stronger than any other parts of the house and usually have doors that will swing and can injure you. You are safer practicing the duck, cover, and hold under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Q: What emergency supplies do I need?
Ans:

1. Fire extinguisher
2. Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking.
3. Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies.
4. First-aid kit and handbook.
5. Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries.
6. Portable radio with extra batteries.
7. Water for each family member for at least 3 days (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources.
8. Canned and package foods, enough for several days and MECHANICAL can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary.
9. Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children).
10. Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal.

Fact Sheet 01: Frequency of Occurrence of Earthquakes

Descriptor	Magnitude	Average Annually
Great	8 and higher	1 ¹
Major	7 - 7.9	17 ²
Strong	6 - 6.9	134 ²
Moderate	5 - 5.9	1319 ²
Light	4 - 4.9	13,000 (estimated)
Minor	3 - 3.9	130,000 (estimated)
Very Minor	2 - 2.9	1,300,000 (estimated)
¹ Based on observations since 1900. ² Based on observations since 1990.

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Fact Sheet 02: Year-wise description of Earth Quakes

Number of Earthquakes Worldwide for 2000 - 2005. Located by the US Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center
Magnitude	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
8.0 to 9.9	1	1	0	1	2	1
7.0 to 7.9	14	15	13	14	14	9
6.0 to 6.9	158	126	130	140	140	116
5.0 to 5.9	1345	1243	1218	1203	1509	1307
4.0 to 4.9	8045	8084	8584	8462	10894	10264
3.0 to 3.9	4784	6151	7005	7624	7937	5782
2.0 to 2.9	3758	4162	6419	7727	6317	3249
1.0 to 1.9	1026	944	1137	2506	1344	20
0.1 to 0.9	5	1	10	134	103	0
No Magnitude	3120	2938	2937	3608	2939	642
Total	22256	23534	27454	31419	* 31199	* 21390
Estimated Deaths	231	21357	1685	33819	284010	1957

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What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?

An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth's outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up and the rocks slips suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel during an earthquake. An EQ occurs when plates grind and scrape against each other. In California there are two plates the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate consists of most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California Coast line. The North American Plate comprises most the North American Continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor. These primary boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault. The San Andreas Fault is more than 650 miles long and extends to depths of at least 10 miles. Many other smaller faults like the Hayward (Northern California) and the San Jacinto (Southern California) branch from and join the San Andreas Fault Zone. The Pacific Plate grinds northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Parts of the San Andreas Fault system adapt to this movement by constant "creep" resulting in many tiny shocks and a few moderate earth tremors. In other areas where creep is NOT constant, strain can build up for hundreds of years, producing great EQs when it finally releases.

Ash is the main solid waste which is put into use for various products and services. NTPC has adopted user friendly policy guidelines on ash utilisation.In order to motivate entrepreneurs to come forward with ash utilisation schemes, NTPC offers several facilities and incentives. These include free issue of all types of ash viz. Dry Fly Ash / Pond Ash / Bottom Ash and infrastructure facilities, wherever feasible. Necessary help and assistance is also offered to facilitate procurement of land, supply of electricity etc from Government Authorities. Necessary techno-managerial assistance is given wherever considered necessary. Besides, NTPC uses only ash based bricks and Fly Ash portland pozzolana cement (FAPPC) in most of its construction activities. Demonstration projects are taken up in areas of Agriculture, Building materials, Mine filling etc. The utilisation of ash and ash based products is progressively increasing as a result of the concrete efforts of these groups.

NTPC has been a leader in the industrial sector of India in undertaking scientific studies related to thermal power generation. NTPC has pioneered several scientific studies in collaboration with national/ international institutions to develop an environmental databank e.g. Detailed Geohydrological Studies to understand the
impact of ash pond leachate on ground water and Ecological Impacts Monitoring through Remote Sensing Data have been carried out at its operating stations as discussed below.

Environment Impact Asssement Studies:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Studies are inevitably undertaken to evaluate potential negative impacts as well as to formulate Environmental Management Plans to overcome the identified impacts. Based on the recommendations of Environmental Impact Assessment Study and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and the conditions stipulated in the clearances from Ministry of Environment and Forests and State Pollution Control Boards, These studies consists of impact assessment in the area of the land use, water use,
socio-economic aspects, soil, hydrology, water quality, meteorology, air quality,terrestrial and aquatic ecology and noise. These studies are conducted before starting the construction as well as after operation of the plant and gives comprehensive status of the environment as existed before construction as well as in the post operational stages of the project. The EIA involves stage-by-stage evaluation of various parameters which affect the environment. Based on EIA study, wherever required, specific scientific studies are also conducted to scientifically assess the likely impact of the pollutants on the sensitive flora and fauna in the surroundings, as also, to take preventive and mitigatory measures, wherever required.

As a policy, NTPC lays special emphasis on land use and Bio-diversity by way of development of green belts, energy plantations, reclmation of abandoned Ash Ponds and EIA and ecological monitoring in the project areas and its surroundings.

Reclamation of Abandoned Ash ponds:

The reclamation of abandoned ash pond sites is a challenging task. NTPC has reclaimed temporary ash disposal areas at some of its projects namely Ramagundam, Talcher Thermal, Rihand, Singrauli and
Unchahar through plantation and converted these sites into lush green environments. Extensive plantations have also been undertaken on dry ash mound at NTPC-Dadri. It is planned to reclaim all the abandoned ash disposal areas by plantation.

Various types of wastes such as Municilal or domestic wastes, hazardous wastes, Bio-Medical wastes get generated in power plant areas, plant hospital and the townships of projects. The wastes generated are a number of solid and hazardous wastes like used oils & waste oils, grease, lead acid batteries, other lead bearing wastes (such as garkets etc.), oil & clarifier sludge, used resin, used photochemicals, asbestos packing, e-waste, metal scrap, C&I wastes, electricial scrap, empty cylinders (refillable), paper, rubber products, canteen (bio-degradable) wastes, buidling material wastes, silica gel, glass wool, fused lamps & tubes, fire resistant fluids etc. These wastes fall either under hazardous wastes category or non-hazardous wastes category as per classification given in Government of India’s notification on Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 1989 (as amended on 06.01.2000 & 20.05.2003). Handling and manegement of these wastes in NTPC stations have been discussed below.

With better awareness and appreciation towards ecology and environment, the organization is continually looking for innovative and cost effective solutions to conserve natural resources and reduce wastes. Some of the measures include:

• Reduction in land requirements for main plant and ash disposal areas in newer units.
• Capacity addition in old plants, within existing land.
• Reduction in water requirement for main plant and ash disposal areas through recycle and reuse of water.
• Efficient use of Fuel (Coal, Natural gas and Fuel oil) and
• Reduction in fuel requirement through more efficient combustion and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as super critical boilers

Environment Management During Operation Phase

NTPC's environment friendly approach to power has already begun to show results in conservation of natural resources such as water and fuel (coal, oil & gas) as well as control of environmental pollution. As already mentioned earlier, NTPC has chalked out a set of well defined activities that are envisaged right from the
project conceptualisation stage so that during the entire life cycle of the power plant, NTPC is fully compliant with various environment regulations and a pristine environment and ecological balance is maintained in and around its power station and townships. Following is brief description of some of the measures taken during the operation phase of the stations. Performance enhancement and up-gradation measures are undertaken by the organisation during the post operational stage of the stations. These activities have greatly helped to minimise the impact on environment and preserve the ecology in and around its power projects. These measures have been enumerated as follows.

Realizing the importance of protection of the environment with speedy development of the power sector, the company has constituted different groups at project, regional and Corporate Centre level to carry out specific environment related functions. The Environment Management Group, Ash Utilisation Group and Centre for Power Efficiency & Environment Protection (CENPEEP) function from the Corporate Centre and initiate measures to mitigate the impact of power project implementation on the environment and preserve ecology in the vicinity of the projects. Environment Management and Ash Utilisation Groups established at each
station, look after various environmental issues of the individual station.

While deciding the appropriate technology for its projects, NTPC integrates many environmental provisions into the plant design. In order to ensure that NTPC comply with all the stipulated environment norms, various state-of-the-art pollution control systems / devices as discussed below have been installed to control air and water pollution.

Electrostatic Precipitators: The ash left behind after combustion of coal is arrested in high efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) and particulate emission is controlled well within the stipulated norms. The ash collected in the ESPs is disposed to Ash Ponds in slurry form.

Driven by its commitment for sustainable growth of power, NTPC has evolved a well defined environment management policy and sound environment practices for minimising environmental impact arising out of setting up of power plants and preserving the natural ecology.
 
National Environment Policy:
At the national level, the Ministry of Environment and Forests had prepared a draft Environment Policy (NEP) and the Ministry of Power along with NTPC actively participated in the deliberations of the draft NEP. The NEP 2006 has since been approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2006.

As early as in November 1995, NTPC brought out a comprehensive document entitled "NTPC Environment Policy and Environment Management System". Amongst the guiding principles adopted in the document are company's proactive approach to environment, optimum utilisation of equipment, adoption of latest technologies and continual environment improvement. The policy also envisages efficient utilisation of resources, thereby minimising waste, maximising ash utilisation and providing green belt all around the plant for
maintaining ecological balance.


NTPC has actively gone for adoption of best international practices on environment, occupational health and safety areas. The organization has pursued the Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO 14001 and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment System OHSAS 18001 at its different establishments. As
a result of pursuing these practices, all NTPC power stations have been certified for ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 by reputed national and international Certifying Agencies.

Harmony between man and environment is the essence of healthy life and growth. Therefore, maintenance of ecological balance and a pristine environment has been of utmost importance to the Union Ministry of Power (MoP). NTPC being the leading organization under the ministry in the areas of power generation, has been taking various measures discussed below for mitigation of environment pollution due to power generation.

The tiger, one of the most magnificent animals in the world, is also one of the most endangered. A cat of beauty, strength, and majesty, the tiger is master of all and subject to none -- except humans. Of the eight original subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct within the last 60 years; and there are less than 50 South China tigers left on this planet -- few, and possibly none, survive in the wild.

There are five different kinds or subspecies of tiger alive in the world today. These tigers are called Siberian, South China, Indochinese, Bengal, and Sumatran. Their Latin name is Panthera tigris. Tigers are an endangered species; only about 5,000 to 7,400 tigers are left in the wild. Three tiger subspecies, the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers have become extinct in the past 70 years.

Poachers are continuing to exterminate the world's remaining Tigers. New demand across Southeast Asia for the skins, teeth and claws of tigers is endangering much of the great cats, particularly the Sumatran tiger. Currently, the demand for Tiger parts is centered in several parts of Asia where there is a strong market for traditional medicines made from items like tiger bone and body parts. Volumes are sizeable and there has been little enforcement action against poachers and traders

- Local institutions and people Scientists who were closely involved in managing tigers at the local level, Hemendra Panwar of India and Hemanta Mishra of Nepal, pointed out an important lesson more than a decade ago: unless local community needs are met, conservation of the tiger will not succeed and protected areas will perish. Therefore, conservation programmes

must reconcile the interests of people and tigers. In most situations, a sustainable tiger conservation strategy cannot be achieved without the full participation and collective action of individual rural households whose livelihoods depend on rights of access and use of the forests where tigers live.

- Technologies for conservation of resources There already exists a wide range of technologies and practices in forest and watershed management and agriculture, both traditional and new, for conservation of resources. The biological processes that regenerate forests and make agriculture less damaging to tiger habitats take time to become established

- Use of external institutions Institutions, such as NGOs, government departments, and banks, can facilitate processes by which local people develop their sense of ownership and commitment. When little effort is made to build local skills, interest, and capacity, people have no interest or stake in maintaining structures or practices once the incentives for conservation stop. Success hinges on people’s participation in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, which leads to the formation of new institutions or the strengthening of existing ones

- Conservation of tiger habitat and of prey In many areas peripheral to tiger habitat, grazing lands for livestock have been converted to crops or degraded by excessive use; livestock is of poor quality and of poor productivity; wood for fuel and building has been exhausted; and sources of income are limited. The rehabilitation of the natural resource base of local people is essential if they are not to seek their requirements in protected areas. This requires ecodevelopment with the support and cooperation of specialized government organs and the non-governmental conservation community.

Key Threatening Processes

What is an Endangered species?

Endangered means danger of the species becoming extinct or dying out.

Tigers are facing major population losses & extinction. Tigers are killed for sport, skins & body parts. The 1950s saw extinction of the Caspian tiger. The Bali and Java tiger are also extinct. The last Bali tiger was killed in 1937; the last Javan tiger was seen in 1972. India today has the largest number of tigers, with between 3,600 to 4,000. The South China tiger (20-30 are remaining), is nearly extinct in the wild.

Reasons for the Endangered Status

The Bengal tiger is endangered because it is poached for its body parts to cater to an illegal market. Another reason is habitat loss due to depletion of forest cover interference of humans and encrochment of forest land by people causing fragmentation. At the turn of the century, there were almost reportedly 40,000 tigers in India, but now only around 4,000 remain in the wild.

Why Save Tigers?

Tiger is symbol of wilderness and well-being of the ecosystem. By conserving and saving tigers the entire wilderness ecosystem is conserved. In nature, barring human beings and their domesticates, rest of the ecosystem is wild. Hence conserving wilderness is important and crucial to maintain the life support system. So saving tiger amounts to saving the ecosystem which is crucial for man's own survival.

In this world we live in, trees are constantly neglected as forests are cut down to build buildings, and other things we need. Here is how to help conserve the planet's beloved trees.

Recycle in a smart way. Some good ways to do this are:
 Throw paper and card board in a bag separately from cans glass and plastics. Look for tips on recycling so you know that your efforts will be rewarded with recycled material.Cut down on and share magazines, return unwanted catalogs to the sender. 

Don't make exceptions at resteraunts.If a waiter/waitress brings you napkins, just say no nicely.Ask yourself: do I need to print this?Try to use both sides of your papers. Make a draft box(if you are in your office). Put in this box all the papers that have been printed on one side and use them as draft papers.Make sure any paper you buy (toilet rolls, tissue papers, writing paper) comes from recycled sources.Re-use paper bags or compost receipts and torn-up bank statements.Re-use envelopes and make your own cards.Ask your boss to buy recycled paper for your workplace.Try to use non "glossy" newspapers, as they are difficult to recycle due to their topped coat of clay."Stop cutting trees Remember to plant trees.Re-cycle wrapping paper. Wrapping paper is hard to re-cycle.

Saving the tiger means saving mankind..

Not only is tiger a beautiful animal but it is also the indicator of the forest's health. Saving the tiger means we save the forest since tiger cannot live in places where trees have vanished and in turn secure food and water for all.

If we make sure tigers live, we have to make sure that deer, antelope and all other animals that the tiger eats (its prey base) live. To make sure that these herbivores live, we must make sure that all the trees, grass and other plants that these prey animals need for food are protected. In this way, the whole forest gets saved! Saving the tiger means saving its entire forest kingdom with all the other animals in it.