Category: Mount Everest

One week on from Nepal’s massive earthquake, the situation remains grim: the thousands dead or injured; the homeless children, numbering in the millions, all in need. The quake couldn’t have come at a worse time, we’re told—as the seasons are changing, the danger of landslides and monsoons only makes the chances of getting to victims even harder, if not impossible.

As of Thursday, 200 climbers have been rescued from Mount Everest, while 18 died. Three helicopters rotated back and forth, shuttling stranded climbers back down to base camp. One announcer called it “a rescue effort unprecedented in the sport’s history.”

Each helicopter could only take two or three climbers on each flight, so they ran basically non-stop. No doubt, this is a heroic effort. But what of the efforts across Nepal? How many helicopters are able to be dispatched for the victims not on the mountain?

We know that Nepal has very few resources for disaster relief; in fact, its total economy generates only about $20 billion a year, which is painfully close to the (estimated) $5 billion dollar reconstruction that will be needed. By comparison, The United States economy generates about 17 thousand billion dollars a year, so you can imagine the magnitude of the effort required.

The demand for helicopters to fly relief missions across Nepal, according to air charter services, should outweigh the demand for dangerous rescue missions on Everest. Nepal’s army purportedly has one big helicopter in its arsenal and it is carrying out search and rescue missions with nearly all of the Nepalese military. As a result of the lack of infrastructure, the Ministry of Home Affairs is provisioning privately owned helicopters to run rescue missions. One on Everest and one for the rest on Nepal…sure, seems fair.

Other privately-owned helicopters are likely banking on their rich patrons on the mountain to pay them, whereas they would be unsure of being reimbursed for other humanitarian efforts elsewhere. Perhaps even more alarming are the U.S. Special Forces that are reportedly spending untold amounts to rescue U.S. citizens like Della Hofman, Eric Jean, and Corey Ascolani, who were on Everest for a 10-day hiking trip. We are meant to feel very relieved that they are back on U.S. soil. Good thing they are out of there… the helicopter, too:

“We were just so grateful when we heard the helicopter come. The U.S. military was able to come get us out,” Hofman said. “We were particularly grateful because there were, at this point, there were 22 of us left, all different nationalities. The three of us who were Americans but in addition a bunch of other people. And when they came, they took us but they promised they would go back and get everyone. And so within four trips all of us were out.”

As of Friday, there are now 20 helicopters flying around Nepal undergoing rescue missions, a mix of private and government aircraft. While the number increased steadily since the first few days, there still remains a “dilemma” according to senior rescue official in the capital, Kathmandu. Somehow, there is a debate about whether to send limited help to remote villages—which have no other means of efficient transport or communication—or to send pilots to Everest.

Every year, people flock to Everest for the thrill of conquering the world’s most iconic mountain, or even of just sneaking a peek at base camp, which is already 17,000 feet in elevation. And every year, critics complain that Everest mainly attracts unqualified thrill-seekers who only require four underpaid sherpas to bring them to the summit. This year, for better or worse, the amateurs who were searching for a death-defying adventure were ultimately presented with exactly that. Like sitting down for your Epcot Center ‘Spaceship Earth’ ride only to find yourself actually surrounded by Neanderthals.

As I read about the heroic effort of saving the $100,000 clients stranded on Everest, I couldn’t help the nagging feeling that we’d seen this before—the poor getting ignored while the rich get saved.

We might remember, or choose to forget, that in the immediate aftermath of the Haiti earthquake on 12 January 2010, that the Caribbean island seemed like a pretty chaotic place. It was hard to imagine anyone would oppose the U.S. military stepping in; we imagined that the Haitian government was lucky to be located so close to such an immense relief lifeline.

The U.S. commanders quickly began doing what they do best: controlling the situation. And so, the day after the earthquake struck, the most important step was to secure an area that was reported (by whom?) to be awash in unruly mobs. Once America took control of Haitian airspace, the only planes that were allowed in and out were chosen by the military.

As the saying goes, when your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Then, despite reports from Port-au-Prince that emphasized remarkable levels of humility and solidarity on the streets, the large numbers of soldiers that were “needed” on the ground flooded into the small nation, as The New York Times reported, “so that the United States could land troops and equipment, and lift Americans and other foreigners to safety.” The de facto takeover of the only usable airport in Haiti resulted in the relentless diversion of humanitarian aid to allow for “more important” supplies to be delivered.

The priorities were painfully obvious in that case: First, make sure that any Americans were ok. Second, ensure that the island was secure. Third, consider helping out the local population. Maybe 1 and 2 should have been reversed.

And now our Nepal déjà vu. How many resources do we need to invest in the rescue of mountaineers who are “stranded” on the world’s most notorious mountain? I want to know that the rules of humanitarian aid will never be corrupted. That they will be a universal, equal and unbiased practice; never politicized, never monetized—and yet here we are.

As a climber, albeit one who stays much closer to the ground, I can’t help noticing the strange obsession that other people have with this particular mountain. Yes, it is the biggest, but what else? It’s dirty, filled with people, and not particularly difficult beyond the challenges that the altitude and insecure weather present. I’ve heard people refer to it as the Everest hike, distinguishing it from more technically and physically demanding ascents. Many former guides believe that the mountain should be restored to what it was for Sir Edmund Hillary, that is, removing the ladders, the ropes and camps that make it so accessible to novice alpinists.

To be sure, the route that many climbers were stranded on, the Southeast ridge, has been demonstrated as a notoriously dangerous route in the past few years. Its distinguishing feature, the Khumbu Icefall, has been known to collapse without warning. However, because that’s where many of the fixed lines are set up, it remains popular. This is where the problem lies, in my opinion. There is an economy of Mount Everest in a way that there isn’t for any other mountain. And its popularity obscures its danger.

It is one thing to get trapped in your house because of an earthquake and have Special Forces come to the rescue; it is another for them to come rescue you when you embark on a vacation to a deadly mountain. I don’t expect that when I go out into the wild that I will be rescued if I make a mistake, and neither should any other clear-headed climber.

Everest isn’t someplace you end up because you were forced there. It is a destination, an attraction. Isn’t that the appeal? To experience someplace awe-inspiringly wild? Well, unfortunately, this time, the mountain fought back, and I think it would be no injustice that instead of those helicopters being diverted to save climbers, that they should be dispatched to help those who didn’t just spend $100k to be somewhere dangerous in the first place.

Thesis of the Book

The thesis of this book is a personal account of Mount Everest disaster in which the author had taken part, but it had turned out to be tragic in which he had lost some of his climbing partners as the disaster unfolded. Although the book has many themes that unfold as the story continues, the theme of mutual trust and care remains dominant across this entire tragic book.

Thesis of the Essay

The essay aims at summarizing the book in which the writer makes a personal opinion of the accounts as they are narrated in the book and criticizes the book to bring out the faults that can be identified in the author’s story of how the Mount Everest disaster occurred.

Summary of the book

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster is a book which was published in the year 1997. The book sets off to narrate one of the deadliest disasters that had taken place in Mount Everest from an individual point of view in which the reader is given a description of what actually happened from a survivor of the ordeal.

Krakauer who is the author of this book tells vividly of the accounts that occurred at the world’s highest mountain with such emotional clarity. This depicts why the book became a best selling nonfiction book on its release. The author of this book narrates how he participated in Mount Everest expedition, despite having surrendered his career in mountain climbing way years back.

The event took place in the month of May in the year 2006. The author, a professional journalist wrote and featured articles for the outside magazine. He had previous participated in many other mountain climbing expeditions from which he had gathered materials for his articles in the magazine. He later on gave up his career prior to this particular event that involved climbing Mount Everest (Krakauer 20).

Krakauer justified his change of heart to participate in Mount Everest expedition as being purely professional. In the initial plan as it had been reported in the magazine, Krakauer was to climb up to the Mount Everest base in which he was to make a report on the commercialization of the mountain.

However, in his childhood and wildest dreams, it evident that Krakauer had always aspired of climbing Mount Everest and this was the best opportunity which was right on the table. He requested his editor to hold off the story until later in the year so that he could get ample time to train hard for the monstrous task of climbing to the summit of the highest mountain in the world.

It is from this point that the book exhaustively and chronologically narrates the events that happened on the mountain as they ascended to the top of the world’s highest mountain. The author tells of the tragedies that unfolded in pursuit of getting to the world’s ceiling by the determined mountaineers.

Personal opinion derived from the book

It is evident that the tragedy that took place in Mount Everest was an example of an artificial disaster that was manageable if only the set guidelines that have been stipulated to guide such expeditions had been followed to the latter.

The author has in a nutshell pointed out that some of the safety guidelines that had been formulated by the most experienced mountaineers in the world had been violated. It is evident that the violation was done because of the competition that was prevailing between the existing companies that provided the mountaineers with guides who led the mountaineers throughout the ascent on the mountain.

This competition has resulted in some of the companies compromising the well-being of the mountaineers, some of whom do not have enough training and experience to take part in events such as ascending to the summit of Mount Everest (Krakauer 122).

Issues that have arisen from this book

It is evident that this book was a success in its release as it sold over a million copies. However, despite the success a lot of criticism has been made by renowned mountaineers and people who had also participated in the expedition in which they had escaped the ordeal. The critics have disputed the material facts that Krakauer has relayed in the book with regard to one of the guides of Russian origin who had been mandated with guiding the team throughout the ascent of Mount Everest.

It is evident that in the book, the guide had descended the mountain ahead of his clients in which his motive was to find help and lead a rescue mission in which he would have saved more adventurers when the adventure turned sour. Krakauer in his book seems to question the rationale that this guide had applied in which he had decided to leave his clients alone on the mountain, despite fully knowing that they lacked the experience to handle the situations that were prevailing at that time.

He questions the guide’s judgment in not having used supplement oxygen that was an essential component in the paraphernalia that were required by the adventurers. He rebukes the interaction techniques that were applied by the guide in his interaction with the clients. He finally questions the mountaineering gears that were used by the adventurers in their quest to ascend the mountain to its summit.

On the other hand a number of professional renowned mountaineers like Galen Rowell have criticized Krakauer’s account in his narration by faulting it as irrational and clouded by individual judgment that is prejudicial in retelling exactly what happened in the fateful adventure.

He points out the inconsistencies that are in Krakauer’s account in which he observes that Krakauer was sleeping in his tent and he had no idea what the guide was doing. It is evident that as Krakauer was sleeping, the guide was busy rescuing some of the climbers who were in dire need of medical attention. Galen reckons that the actions of the guide were heroic and he had used his wisdom to forebode the shortcoming that arose from the expedition.

Lord Rama is one of the most respected and reversed gods in Hinduism. He is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama was born during Treta Yuga out of four cyclic yugas described in religious books. Lord Rama is considered to be one of the most ideal man acquiring several names like “Maryadapurushotham –respectable and best human being”. Hindus look up to the qualities of Lord Rama in every aspect of their lives as he has been the most divine figure of all times and ages. He conducted himself outstandingly as the perfect man, both in his golden days as well as in the difficult times. In each stage of his life he displayed exemplary attitude proving himself as the perfect human that he was known to be.

Rama as Ideal Devoted Son

When king Dasharatha decided to crown Rama as his successor, every subject of the kingdom was happy with the news. However a day before his crowning, Kaikeyi was brainwashed by her wicked maid Manthara and asks Dasharatha to fulfill her two boons that were given by him. She asked to send Rama to a 14 year exile to forests and also to crown Bharatha as the king of Ayodhya, in place of Rama. Rama promises to follow the orders of his father respecting him so that his father need not go back on his promise. He not only obliged, but also showed no bitterness towards anyone. Rama even after his father’s death decides not to return to Ayodhya till the completion of his exile, as promised to his father. On returning when Ram comes to know that Bharat does not talk to his mother, Kaikeyi, first thing he does is accompanies Bharat to meet Kaikeyi and removes whatever misunderstandings Bharat has for her. Then he visits Sumitra, as her son Laxmana, for no mistake of his, accompanied Rama to the jungle out of pure love for him. Lastly he visits Kaushalya, his own mother. He exhibited his nobility and generosity being devoted to his father and mothers too.

Rama as Ideal Brother

Rama’s love for his brothers knows no bounds. He treated three of his brothers with atmost love and care and there is no space for misunderstandings and misconceptions between them. He never showed domination just as he is elder one, he treated them with equal respect. He is also never envious or even slightly jealous of any of his brothers’ achievement or success. Even when Bharata becomes King, he wasn’t even slightly distressed about it. This is the reason all his brothers respected him and looked up to him as an awe-inspiring figure. And then there is his lament when Lakshmana is unconscious due to Meghnaad’s weapons. He asked Hanuman to make all the efforts to make sure that Lakshmana’s life is saved. The camaraderie he shared with Lakshmana throughout the Ramayana is one that remains the strongest pillar of strong brotherhood in the history of ancient India.

Rama as Ideal Husband

Like a common man, like any other husband, Rama adored his wife, he admired her and fulfilled all her wishes with love, despite of the adversities of living in wild. He respected Sita’s choice to join him in the forests, and gave her equal authority and decision making power, though at the same time he was trying to dissuade Sita to join him, as he did want Sita to lead the life in the forest wrapped with difficulties and uncertainties at each step. When Sita was abducted, ram resigned food and sulked all while uttering Sita’s name. But then he channelized his emotions to bring out his skills of being the perfect man. He showed strength of character and will power. He started gathering all the resources he could, and all that help that was needed to conquer the evil Ravana and rescue Sita from Lanka. Rama orders Sita to perform the Agni pariksha, the test of fire, to prove her purity, and to shut the murmurings in Ayodhya, once and all. Rama orders Sita to perform the test, as he knew that Sita is pure, even after staying with the lustful Ravana for over months. He had absolute and irrevocable faith in Sita’s loyalty, even when she was far away from her, with another man, on another land. His trust was reaffirmed, when Sita successfully passes the test of fire. At the times he was torn between his duty as a King, and his duty as a husband. All of his subjects and advisors in the kingdom believed that Sita should be sent into exile again. Rama as king could not accompany Sita to exile as he was forsworn to execute his duties as a King. So, with a heavy heart, he had to send Sita away to exile. However, in Sita’s absence he did not even look at other women or marry again. He was always eternally devoted to. Even at the time of Ashwamedha Yaaga also when everyone asks him to take another wife, which was natural for Kings those days. Rama strongly objects to it and gets a gold idol of Seetha built, to sit with him in the rituals. They were bounded by eternal love, and were still husband and wife, even after being separated. Till the very end, Rama belonged to Sita, and will always belong to her. And so the name “Eka-Pathnivratha Rama”.

Rama as an Ideal Father

On seeing his sons Luv and Kush for the first time, his hands are not ready to fight as he develops a kind of relationship with them on seeing them. His fatherly instincts didn’t allow him to fight, but the kids force him (as they are unaware that Rama is their father). But after the fight, when Sita reveals herself to Rama and kids, Rama takes them close and grooms them to become great kings. The “lohana” community still believe themselves to be descendants of Luv and the “kushwahas” to be the descendents of Kush. Rama greatly abode to his fatherly duties.

Rama as a KIng

Rama was known to be a noble king. He was blessed with exceptional qualities and had mastery over the scriptures, the Vedas, warfare. He also possessed excellent administration skills, and was also very clever. When we talk of Rama’s bond with the people of his kingdom, we have to accept that it was not that of a Ruler and citizen but that of a “Prajapalak” (father of his citizens). From the administrative point of view as a king, Lord Ram had to set the example of complete detachment so that he could exemplify dharmic detachment for his citizens and he did that. Lord Ram as a husband was not irresponsible, he arranged for the care of his pregnant wife.

Rama as an Ideal Enemy

In the battle filed after Ravana was out of weapons and when his energy to fight was completely drained that was a very great opportunity for an opponent to win the war but Rama did not choose that path, instead he asked Raavana to come back the next day to fight which depicts his superior warrior qualities too. After Ravana falls down down to injuries and is on his deathbed, Rama tells Lakshmana to sit by his feet and gain knowledge from him. When Vibhishana refuses to light Ravana’s funeral pyre, it is Ram who shows his willingness to do so. And tells Vibhishana that with death, all enmity is gone and now Ravana, a learned and wise Pandit, is nothing but a brother – in – arms. Such a great personality is Rama.

‘The Ramayana’ exemplifies to us how even the protagonist, Lord Rama undergoes suffering as a common human being and without and godly repercussions within him with grace and inspires us to accept whatever situations we undergo in our lives because of our past karma can be accepted gracefully.

Wind Works Ltd, as the company, which provides the alternative energy sources, and makes them available for the wide range of the population needs to resort to a particular assessment strategies. The fact is that, environmental costs, which are required to be calculated for the entire implementation of the wind mill farm. Originally, the main aim of the paper is to create the assessment report, as if it was created for the clients, which are not professional in this sphere. The assessment strategy will be based on the generally accepted practices of calculating environmental costs for the similar project.

In accordance with the assessment practices, it should be stated that the report would entail a brief description of the key impacts of the project explaining where the main environmental costs lie. Considering this fact, the methodology for the assessment will be based on the principles of the description and capturing the analyzed environmental costs.

The survey itself, which is regarded as the key tool for the assessment strategy will be divided into 3 main parts. These are the General understanding of environmental issues, Project description and WTP using a double bounded dichotomous choice format, and standard socio-economic information.

Project Background

A wind farm which is planned to be built on the suburbs of Edinburg is a group of wind turbines Which are interconnected with a medium voltage (up to 34.5 kV) power collection system (which is a web of wires and controllers), as well as the communication network. (Vidal, 2008)

The outline development proposal is for 40 x 2.5 megawatt wind turbines. The new machines would have an 80m tower height and a 45m diameter rotor. The farm will be situated at the eastern end of the Pentland Hills along the ridge line and down the northerly facing slope. The exact layout has not yet been determined but the centre of the wind farm will be approximately at NT 218 661 GB Grid. To define the reasonable considerations and assumptions as for this location will be another task for the report.

As for the location of the wind farm, it should be stated that this factor is selected in accordance with several criteria: these are the wind speed, altitude, the wind park effect, environmental factors and the effect on the allover power grid.

Considering the fact, that Wind Works Ltd aims to provide the highest quality of the services, and create the wind farms in accordance with all the rules of effectiveness, the Wind Power Density coefficient should be considered the first.

A quantity called Wind Power Density (WPD) is used to select locations for wind energy development. The WPD is a calculation relating to the effective force of the wind at a particular location, frequently expressed in term of the elevation above ground level over a period of time. It takes into account velocity and mass. The results of the above calculation are used in an index developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab and referred to as “NREL CLASS.” The larger the WPD calculation the higher it is rated by class.

The fact is that, the location of any wind farm may be controversial, and there is strong necessity to mention that the calculations of the WPD coefficient of the Pentland Hills is regarded to be high enough for the location of the wind farm. In accordance with the map, the location is in the heights, thus, the Wind Power Density will be sufficient for providing the high amounts of energy. As for the factors of the wildlife or the previously elaborated plans of building the roads through the selected area, it should be stated that these factors have been already considered, and any of the regarded factors will not be violated by the projected wind farm. As Ellis (2006, p. 18) emphasizes:

Access to the power grid must be taken into consideration. The further from the power grid, there will be need for more transmission lines to span from the farm directly to the power grid or transformers will have to be built on the premises depending upon the types of turbines being used. In comparison with the environmental effects of traditional energy sources, the environmental effects of wind power are relatively minor. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution. The energy consumed to manufacture and transport the materials used to build a wind power plant is equal to the new energy produced by the plant within a few months of operation.

Environmental Factors and Key Impacts

There is strong necessity to mention that the environmental factors, which are generally touched by the projecting of the wind farms, are closely associated not only with the factors of flora and fauna, but also with the factors of human health, nearby buildings and constructions. Infra sound, which is produced by the rotation of the mills, may cause essential health difficulties for the people, living nearby the farm. Nevertheless, in accordance with the map there are no buildings with people within several kilometers, consequently, this problem may not be taken into consideration. (Edinger and Kaul, 2003)

It has been stated that no danger is caused to birds, nevertheless, there is strong necessity to emphasize that several species of bats are endangered. Originally, the previously mentioned low frequency sound may cause serious consequences for the navigation system of the bats. As Greiner (2008, p. 210) claims:

Danger to birds and bats has been a concern in many locations. Some dismiss the number of birds killed by wind turbines as negligible when compared to the number that die as a result of other human activities, and especially the environmental impacts of using non-clean power sources. Almost nothing is known about current populations of these species and the impact on bat numbers as a result of mortality at wind power locations.

In the light of this fact, there is strong necessity to mention that Pentland Hills should be studied for the issues of bats dwelling, the location of their colonies, and routes, in order to avoid the local ecological catastrophe, as well as avoid constant repairing of the mills, caused by the impacts of disoriented bats.

The least financially important factor is the aesthetics, nevertheless, it may influence the touristic potential of the location, where the wind farm is planned. Consequently, this potential should be considered and researched for making the final decision, whether the allover outlook of the territory. At first sight it may seem that industrial constructions will only harm the natural landscape, nevertheless, as McCarthy (2008) describes in his research, the survey in Scotland has revealed the fact that more than 70% of people like such visual impact: “According to a town councillor in Scotland, the overwhelming majority of locals believe that the Ardrossan Wind Farm has enhanced the area, saying that the turbines are impressive looking and bring a calming effect to the town.”

Description of the Offered Methodology

The decision on the matters of the project effectiveness will be taken on the basis of considering several factors. Some of these factors have been described above, the others require more detailed explanation and the deeper analysis from the environmental, social and economic point of view, which will also relate the issues of business performance. Originally, entrepreneurs are regarded to be the most interested in implementation or non-implementation of similar projects, consequently, the opinion of business sphere should be studied, and paid a particular attention.

As for the matters of environmental protection, and the issues of projecting the wind farms, a special accent should be paid to the research by Ottinger and Williams (2002, p. 331):

Decisions concerning environmental protection hinge on estimates of economic burden. Over the past 30 years, economists have developed and applied various tools to measure this burden. General equilibrium costs reflect the net burden once all good and factor markets have equilibrated. In addition to partial equilibrium costs, these general equilibrium costs include welfare losses or gains in markets with preexisting distortions, welfare losses or gains from rebalancing the government’s budget constraint, and welfare gains from the added flexibilty of meeting pollution constraints through reductions in the use of higher-priced, pollution-intensive products.

Moreover, in accordance with the economic indicators, associated with the development of alternative power sources, it should be emphasized that the aim of the UK government is to produce 20% of electricity in the UK by the year 2020 by the means of windmills, consequently, this project may be regarded as the contribution for the UK’s future. As it is stated in Turner and O’Connell (2007, p. 198):

The 2002 Energy Review set a target of 10% to be in place by 2010/2011. The target was increased to 15% by 2015 and most recently the 2006 Energy Review further set a target of 20% by 2020. For Scotland, the Scottish Executive has a target of generating 17% to 18% of electricity from renewables by 2010, rising to 40% by 2020. Renewables located in Scotland count towards both the Scottish target and to the overall target for the UK.

From this perspective, there is strong necessity to emphasize that the original value of the windmill project is considered to be close to the matters of environmental protection in general. Building of the wind farm may cause the increased erosion of the soil, thus, potentially causing the landslides. If this happens, the touristic potential, as well as the infrastructure of the farm will be destroyed. Thus, the methodology should incorporate the seismological control and consultation.

Another assessment factor is the correlation with the emission of the greenhouse gases. Originally, wind mills do not produce such gases, nevertheless, the issue is touching upon the matter whether Scotland will be able to refuse from ecologically harmful sources of energy, if the wind farm is built. If the answer is positive, the value of the project will be increased. Thus, as McCarthy (2008, p. 23) emphasizes in the research, aimed at studying the emission of greenhouse gases:

The correlation of greenhouse gas emissions with climate change and especially the damage caused by climate change are still uncertain and controversial. The uncertainty associated to such damage estimates is still very high. There are, however implied shadow values which can be derived from political decisions or international agreements: avoidance costs might then be used to assess the cost of greenhouse gas emissions.

The final claim, that should be emphasized on the matters of the environmental assessment of the project is associated with the issues of the externalities, such as vibration (caused by rotation), pollution of water and soil (by the oxides of metals), as well as damages to natural ecosystems, visual impacts etc. Naturally, these issues may be assessed only by the ecological experts.

Rationale

The rationale of the methodology is covered in the notion that the real value of a wind farm is concealed in the factors, which form the environmental value of the location, where the farm is projected. The fact is that, the environmental factors, which should be considered by the developers of the project are not just the possible expenses for the research or consultation. Nevertheless, these are the expenses, which will help to avoid possible ecological catastrophe (as in the case with the bats), the decrease of the possible incomes from the touristic capacity of the territory (if the view of the landscape will be harmed) or the natural disasters, such as erosion and landslides, caused by the development of the necessary infrastructure.

The economic side of the problem is closely associated with the environmental protection matters, and the plans of the UK to develop the infrastructure of alternative and renewable sources of energy. The social factor will help to define the monetary value for a non-market perspective of the wind farm creation, will allow quantitative assessment of public opinion and will help to eliminate the bias originated by the financial circumstances.

Advantages and Limitations

The fact is that, the offered methodology provides numerous advantages; nevertheless, it presupposes some limitations. As for the strong part of this methodology, it should be emphasized that it is a widely recognized and generally applied method in renewable energy field. The fact is that, it is a flexible method, which allows analysis of positive and negative impressions, and gives quantitative analysis, which is useful for eventually creating a cost-benefit analysis.

Originally, these issues could provide the increased implementation of the necessary practices and methodologies for the project implementation research, nevertheless, these factors would not be able to provide the sufficient level of research reliability. Consequently, it should be emphasized that the original value of the offered methodology is covered in the possibility of the research of the social factor of environmental protection, associated with the creation of renewable energy resources infrastructure.

Relevant Questionnaires

The questionnaires should generally entail the questions, relating the maters of the environmental protection, financial and legal issues of the wind farm engineering. Originally, the most relevant questionnaires are directed to the entrepreneur structures, which are interested the most in implementation or non-implementation of the renewable energy strategies. The following questions are offered in UKERC Report Finds (2009):

Scope of Work

The offered scope of the work for pollsters entails the marketing, legal and financial spheres. Surely, the offered set of questions may be extended and directed to the other routes, nevertheless, there is strong necessity to pay particular attention to these issues, as these may be regarded as the most relevant factors, which may essentially influence the implementation of the project. These are the social matters, business matters, especially business companies, which are close to the national program of implementing the renewable and alternative sources of energy. The research of these participants will provide the necessary information on the matters of possible obstacles and benefits of building the wind farm.

Conclusion

Finally, it should be stated that the methodology of defining the costs and expenses for the implementation of the wind farm project requires the multi-angle approach towards solving and considering the main issues, associated with renewable energy sources. In the light of the fact that only business and governmental spheres may influence the process of the project implementation. Consequently, the methodology, which presupposes the study of the interests of the business sphere may be regarded as one of the closest to the actual results and necessary considerations on the matters of implementing the project by the Wind Works Ltd.

Our populous, fast-paced world demands quality food that is affordable – and lots of it. When it comes to agriculture and the need to meet our world’s growing needs, pesticide use is often a topic of controversy. In the short term, pesticides greatly assist pest control. In the long term, however, pesticides appear to harm the health of humans and the environment. Whether you’re a decision maker in the agricultural industry or a consumer, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of pesticide use.

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances whose purpose is to prevent, extinguish, or repel pests or to regulate plants. There are considerable benefits to pesticide use. Cooper & Hans summarize these benefits as primary and secondary. Primary benefits include improved crop and livestock quality and increased crop and livestock yields. Secondary benefits are less immediate, and they include food security, increased export revenues, and reduced international spread of disease. In the short-range, pesticides reduce waste of crops, land, water, time, and other valuable resources. In fact, it has been estimated that investing around $10 billion in pesticides every year saves about $40 billion in crops.

On the other hand, the disadvantages to widespread pesticide use are significant. They include domestic animal contaminations and deaths, loss of natural antagonists to pests, pesticide resistance, Honeybee and pollination decline, losses to adjacent crops, fishery and bird losses, and contamination of groundwater. The fertility of soil is affected by the death or damage to microorganisms caused by pesticides. Further, some pesticides induce immunotoxicity in humans which may lead to immunosuppression, hypersensitivity (allergies), autoimmune diseases, and inflammation; children may be especially susceptible to the adverse effects of being exposed to pesticides. People who work regularly with pesticides, such as farmers, are at greater risk of cancer. Thousands of non-lethal poisonings and cancer cases each year are attributable to pesticides.

There are arguments in support of pesticides and against them. While they improve crop and livestock results, pesticides also damage human and environmental health. To minimize the negative results of pesticides, Arias-Estévez et al. recommend pesticides be very little to not toxic except to the target pest. Developments to pesticide formulation and use, such as microbially derived pesticides and precision band spraying, may also reduce the adverse effects of pesticides. Pesticides are widespread and improve crop quality and yield, thereby saving money to farmers and consumers. Nevertheless, the harmful long-term effects of pesticide use cannot be overlooked.

Introduction:

Mount Everest and Mount Fuji are two iconic mountains that hold immense cultural, historical, and geographical significance. While both mountains capture the imagination of adventurers and nature enthusiasts, they possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. In this essay, we will explore the similarities and differences between Mount Everest and Mount Fuji, highlighting their geological features, cultural significance, and climbing experiences.

Geological Features:

Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas, is the highest peak in the world, standing at a majestic height of 8,848 meters (29,029 feet). Its towering presence and treacherous terrain make it a challenging endeavor for even the most experienced climbers. On the other hand, Mount Fuji, situated in Japan, is an active stratovolcano that reaches a height of 3,776 meters (12,389 feet). Its symmetrical cone shape and picturesque beauty have earned it the reputation of being one of the most recognizable and iconic mountains in the world.

Cultural Significance:

Mount Everest holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Sherpa people of Nepal and is revered as sacred. It is also a symbol of human determination and the pursuit of extraordinary feats. The allure of conquering the world’s highest peak has drawn mountaineers from around the globe, creating a sense of adventure and accomplishment. In contrast, Mount Fuji holds a special place in Japanese culture and has been celebrated in art, literature, and religious practices for centuries. It is considered a symbol of national pride and serves as a pilgrimage site for those seeking spiritual enlightenment.

Climbing Experiences:

Climbing Mount Everest is a formidable challenge that demands physical strength, endurance, and extensive mountaineering experience. The extreme altitude, severe weather conditions, and thin air pose significant risks, and climbers must acclimatize carefully to avoid altitude sickness. The climbing season is limited to a few months each year, and permits are required to ascend the mountain. On the other hand, Mount Fuji offers a relatively accessible climbing experience. It has a well-defined hiking trail, known as the Yoshida Trail, which attracts thousands of climbers each year. The ascent is less technically demanding compared to Mount Everest, and climbers can typically reach the summit in a single day.

Environmental Impact:

The popularity of Mount Everest as a climbing destination has led to concerns about its environmental impact. The mountain faces challenges such as littering, overcrowding, and the accumulation of waste materials. Efforts are being made to address these issues and promote sustainable climbing practices. In contrast, Mount Fuji has implemented strict conservation measures to protect its fragile ecosystem. The number of climbers is regulated, and designated resting areas and waste disposal facilities are provided to minimize environmental degradation.

Conclusion:

Mount Everest and Mount Fuji, two remarkable mountains of the world, offer unique experiences and captivate the hearts and minds of adventurers and nature enthusiasts. While Mount Everest stands as the pinnacle of mountaineering achievement, Mount Fuji embodies the essence of Japan’s cultural heritage. Both mountains showcase the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the indomitable spirit of human exploration. Whether it’s scaling the highest peak or marveling at the graceful symmetry of a volcanic cone, these mountains continue to inspire and leave a lasting impression on those who encounter them.

In India, the Concept of Social Security was found to be well embedded in the institutions like joint family, religion, caste and village societies and in the customs, rights and responsibilities of individuals and occupational groups since time immemorial. According to Dharmashastras, the King was placed under an obligation to help orphans, aged, windows and those suffering from disease, handicaps and calamities. Ensuring education, training and employment using the resources of the state were also made obligatory on the part of the King as a part of Rajadharma. The provision for the deduction of a part of the wages of the employees and to provide the amount later according to his requirement and the provision for pension and family allowance were laid down in ‘Sukranitisara’ a compilation of the rules of Rajadharma. Further its allied topics indicated the collecting the grains from the people in normal times as an ‘insurance fund’ distributing them freely to the needy people during the famines and other calamities and undertaking public works as a means to provide employment. This substantiates the fact that the concept of Social Security, even in its modern sense, prevailed in ancient India. The Guilds, corporate organizations also seems to have contributed significantly in providing relief to the needy persons.

As the formal Social Security started evolving in the last quarter of nineteenth century and in the first two decades of the twentieth century across the world as an outcome of industrialization and urbanization, the foundations of the formal Social Security are laid in British India in the form of the Pensions Act, 1871; the Workmen`s Compensation Act, 1923. Later it gradually evolved after the independence with the legislations and schemes being framed to provide Social Security benefits for the citizens.

Social Security provides for health and economic protection to the people in the society by the government against the threats to leading a dignified life due to employment insecurity, unemployment, low wages, exploitations, old age, accidents, deceases, natural calamities, poverty, death of the bread winner, invalidity etc.

The ILO recommends the protection of the worker against sickness, disease and injury arising out of his employment, provision for old age and injury, protection of the interest of workers when employed in countries other than their own.

The National Commission on Labour (NCL) has recommended for formulation of unemployment insurance schemes to help the people who are unemployed involuntarily. Further, it recommended for evolving an integrated Social Security scheme and creation of a separate Social Security fund to finance various security measures. However, no efforts have been made so far in this direction.

The working group noted that the Second National Commission on Labour has been constituted by the Government to suggest rationalisation of existing laws relating to labour in the organised sector and suggest umbrella legislation for ensuring a minimum level of protection to the workers in the un-organized sector.

The Second National Commission on Labour was asked to take note of the developments that have followed liberalization and globalization, the demands that they make, and its effects on the working class, our industries, Government and all sections of the society; and to make recommendations on the laws and systems that we need to offer protection and security measures for our working population, to increase the economic efficiency and competitiveness in the industry.

The Second National Commission on Labour constituted in the year 1998 submitted its report to the Government of India on 29th June 2002. The Commission has made certain recommendations for introduction of changes in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and Trade Unions Act, 1926. It has also proposed for enactment of new legislation called Labour Management Relations Act-2002, by consolidating Industrial Disputes Act 1947, Trade Unions Act, 1926 and Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 to be applicable to establishments or undertakings employing 20 or more workmen. It has also recommended for enacting “The Small Enterprises (Employment Relations) Act, 2002 covering all aspects of employment including wages, social security, safety, health etc., applicable to all establishments employing less than 20 workmen.

The provisions pertaining to providing of Social Security are well laid down in the Constitution of India. The Directive Principles enshrined in Part IV of the Constitution of India are the fundamental guidelines for the good governance and to ensure Social Security reflected in the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court of India has in catena of cases held that the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights as supplementary and complimentary to each other; and that Directive Principle are enforceable.

In spite of Constitutional guarantee of Fundamental Rights and the Apex court’s rulings, the rights of vast majority of people in unorganised sector remain superficial. The Social Assistance programmes in many States pertaining to old age pension, maternity assistance, destitute, widows are inadequate in their coverage as well as quantum of benefits. When social justice is the watch word of our Constitution, our country should not allow anyone to suffer deprivation or exploitation of basic necessities of life.

Social Security protects not just the subscriber but also his/her entire family by giving benefit packages in financial security and health care. Social Security schemes are designed to guarantee at least long-term sustenance to families upon the demise of the earning member in the family or in the event of such member suffering any inability or disability due to any reason. Thus the main strength of the Social Security system is that it acts as a facilitator. It helps people to plan their own future through insurance and assistance.

The Life Insurance schemes like Janashree Bima Yojana and the Aam Admi Bima Yojana also cover the poor. Further, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) launched in October 2007 aims to provide health insurance for the BPL families. All the 600 districts of the country are expected to be covered by the scheme in a phased manner. The scheme envisages cashless transaction by introducing the provision of a smart card issued to the beneficiary. The insured amount for five members is per anum is Rs.30,000/-, which is to be shared by the Central and the State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. The State Governments are assigned the responsibility of planning the project and its implementation. The scheme is extended to benefit the building and other construction workers above poverty line also. The Government of Kerala has extended the scheme to cover the APL families also on payment of the full annual premium in addition to BPL families. The Rajeev Arogyasri Health Insurance Scheme of Andhra Pradesh is fully funded by the State government and aims to cover all BPL families in the state for the treatment of major ailments and surgeries.

The schemes of Central and State Governments have huge coverage on various sectors of the society and the budget spared for them is sufficient, but the misuse of such schemes must be avoided for effective implementation of the schemes. The Karnataka’s Yeshaswini Health Insurance Scheme, introduced in 2002 based on public–private partnership, provides health insurance to agricultural workers and small and marginal farmers in the State on the Payment of Rs.60/- per annum by the registered member and the Govt of Karnataka contributes Rs.30/ per annum per member. This scheme is being implemented successfully in the State and there is every need to frame such health insurance scheme for the small and marginal farmers by all the states.

Even though with the existence of various Social Security laws, the benefits and facilities prescribed there under do not reach all the persons coming within their scope. A vast majority of the workforce and also of the weaker sections do not enjoy the minimum protection and security even today in our country. Hence, there is a wider scope for more research and for better legislations on part of the government to ensure the constitutional goal of providing social, economic and political justice, and of equality of status and opportunity in the era of globalisation.