Environmental Degradation LITERATURE REVIEW

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2.2 Environmental Degradation

2.2.1 The Concept of Environmental Degradation According to Panayotou 1993, the terms “ environment” refers to both the quantity and quality of natural resources, renewable and nonrenewable. It is also includes the around of environment ,which consists of the landscape, water, air, and the atmosphere and constitutes and essential element of the quality of life. The environment is a critical determsinant of the quantity, quality, and sustainability of human activities and life in general. In addition, environmental degradation is the reduction of the environment in quantity and its deterioration in quality. Environmental pollution is classic case of a public externalities. It originates from variety of source including wastes from agricultural activities such as runoff of excess pesticides and fertilizer. FAO 2007 indicate that agriculture is often responsible for environmental degradation, such as non-sustainable food production, poor fuel use, natural resource depletion and habitat exploitation. At the same time farmers should be considered as key players in stopping degradation of vital ecosystems. It needs the political will to reverse the degradation of ecosystems through the change of agricultural policies, institutions and practices. Agriculture has to be at the centre stage if we want to preserve an ecological balance on which current and future generations. Nelleman 2009 state that environmental degradation due to unsustainable human practices and activities endanger the entire production platform of the planet. Land degradation and conversion of crop land for non food production including bio-fuels, cotton and others are major threats that could reduce the available cropland by 8-20 by 2050. Species infestations of pathogens, weeds and insects, combined with water scarcity from overuse and te melting of the Himalayas glaciers. 2.2.2 Environmental Impact of Pesticides Use Tapintha 1998 pointed out that resulting from heavy application, pesticides residues have been found in soil, water, and agricultural product in Thailand. Residues in water such as lakes, streams, and rivers are polluted by 9 many kinds of pesticides. Pesticides also directly travel to soil during spraying, normally in the upper layer, pesticides concentration levels in soil are more higher than in water. Pesticides residues also on agricultural product. It can be transferred directly to human. In addition, Ping 2004, reported that The Kingdom of Thailand, has faced one of increasingly serious environmental degradation. The problem is intensive farming pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer, and irrigation. Intensive farming in Northern Thailand is a reality, and this system has been seen as a problem to the environment mainly because of its amount of chemicals used. Farmers use more and more pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer which through irrigation system into soil, rivers and even groundwater. Intensive rice farming make a heavy pollution with nitrates. Dangerous pesticides applied in farms find their way into rivers and groundwater, and into foods sold in Thai markets. Greenpeace 2008 reported that around 91 freshwater in Thailand is used for irrigation for the almost 5 million hectares of irrigated agriculture. Due to the high use of agrochemicals in Thailand in the last years, there is a high potential for pollution of water sources through irrigation runoff, return flows, and infiltration. From 1999 to 2001 a survey of three major rivers along paddy fields area includes : Thachin river in Supanburi and Nakhonpathom, the Chao Phraya river in Pathumtani and Nontaburi, and the Bangpakong river in Chachengsao. WHO 2010b defined pesticide in any substance or mixture of substance or microorganism including viruses, intended for repelling destroying or controlling any pest, including vectors of human or animal disease, nuisance pests, unwanted species of plants or animal causing harm during production, processing, storage, transport or marketing of food, agricultural commodities. FAO 2013b mentioned that insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are also applied heavily in many developed and developing countries, polluting fresh water with carcinogens and other poisons that affect humans and many forms of wildlife. Pesticides also reduce biodiversity by destroying weeds and insects and hence the food species of birds and other animals. In developed countries, pesticide use is increasingly restrained by regulations and taxes. In addition, 10 pesticide use will be curbed by the growing demand for organic crops, produced without chemical inputs. The future is likely to see increasing use of appropriate and proper pesticides, resistant crop varieties and ecological methods of pest control IPM.

2.3 Integrated Pest Management IPM