System analysis of environmental problems

Systems Analysis techniques have been usefully employed to problems in several scientific disciplines including those having direct relevance to subjects relating to the protection of the environment. The Department of Environment set up an Expert Group in May 1981 to have a state-of-art of this important subject in India so far as it related to the application of these techniques to environmental problems, so that the future scope and role of the subject could be outlined. A regional seminar on the subject held in Bangkok in November 1980 was helpful in recognising the need for a state-of-art of the subject in this country as well.

The present Report provides the status of application as also useful recommendations on the scope of development of the subject in the country in the near future. The Report also reviews several models in use in different areas of environment, their capabilities to perform, and data requirement considera tions for use in these models. At the end of the Report, some very useful references have been listed for consultation when ever necessary.

It is however necessary to add a note of caution at this stage. Systems Analysis techniques are no doubt very useful tools in arriving at optimal solutions involving several variables but these techniques have their limitations too and should therefore be used with discretion. Over-ambitious use in all problems and situations may not be worthwhile.