(a) How can the industrial pollution of fresh water be reduced? Explain with examples.

(i) Minimising use of water for processing by reusing and recycling it in two or more successive stages.

(ii) Harvesting of rainwater to meet water requirements

(iii) Treating hot water and effluents before releasing them in rivers and ponds. Treatment of industrial effluents can be done in three phases-

(a) Primary treatment by mechanical means. This involves screening, grinding, flocculation and sedimentation.

(b) Secondary treatment by biological process.

(c) Tertiary treatment by biological, chemical, and physical processes. This involves recycling of wastewater.

(iv) Overdrawing of groundwater reserves by industry where there is a threat to groundwater resources also needs to be regulated legally.

(v) Particulate matter in the air can be reduced by fitting smoke stacks to factories with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers, and inertial separators. Smoke can be reduced by using oil or gas instead of coal in factories.

(vi) Machinery and equipment can be used and generators should be fitted with silencers.

(vii) Almost all machinery can be redesigned to increase energy efficiency and reduce noise. Noise absorbing material may be used apart from personal use of earplugs and earphones. The challenge of sustainable development requires integration of economic development with environmental concerns.

(b) “The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of manufacturing industries.” Explain with examples.

(i) Manufacturing industries not only help in modernising agriculture, whichforms the backbone of our economy, they also reduce the heavy dependence of people on agricultural income by providing them jobs in secondary and tertiary sectors.

(ii) Industrial development is a precondition for eradication of unemployment and poverty from our country. This was the main philosophy behind public sector industries and joint sector ventures in India.

(iii) It was also aimed at bringing down regional disparities by establishing industries in Tribal and Backward areas.

(iv) Export of manufactured goods expands trade and commerce, and brings in much needed foreign exchange.

(v) Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of furnished goods of higher value are prosperous. India’s prosperity lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.