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Landslides is a major problem in the frontal part of the Himalayan region due to topographic variations, fragile lithology, thick overburden material, seismic activity, steep slope angle, high rate of precipitation during monsoon and anthropogenic activities. These landslides not only cause major damage to the property and life lines, but also disturb the natural fabric of the ecosystem by uprooting number of trees. Vegetation has the capability to protect the loose overburden soil by expanding their roots network and protect the soil from further erosion. The Soldha Land slide is one such zone, which had moved down slope by 30–40 m on 23rd October 2013 night after a prolonged rainfall from 15th June to 15th September 2013 and caused loss of property and ecosystem. The study of slope material shows its composition as well-graded sand and less than 30% gravels which reflected the weak and weathered condition. Since bioengineering technique is found to be very useful method in ameliorating slope stability and maintain ecological balance, therefore, the grain size and chemical analysis have been performed to understand its water holding capacity and type of nutrients and micronutrient present in the soil. The chemical parameters like pH, organic carbon, and macronutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and micronutrient Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn present in soil have been determined from 55 samples to suggest the type of plant to be planted for reducing the further landslide risk in the region.

Substantial growth in population leads to rapid urbanization, industrialization, economic growth, and improvements in the living standards. On the account of which world is facing lots of environmental challenges, but the major environmental challenge is the waste generation which is associated with the waste collection, transport, treatment, and disposal. This leads to cause a decline in the health of the humans and animals along with the whole ecosystem. Therefore, it has become imperative for us to focus on the proper management of waste.

Pollution is one of the major concerns for our society, and it has gained serious importance in the past couple of decades, as it is not only degrading the quality of our health but is also shaking the roots of our beautiful and well-balanced ecosystem. In this chapter, various types of pollution are discussed, which are disturbing our ecosystem. The remedies and their impact on ecosystem have been discussed in details. Anthropogenic activities causing pollution have also been discussed. Pollution are generally classified as air, water, soil and solid waste have been discussed. Toxicology of every pollution is discussed.

The scarcity of available drinking water has led the researchers to develop novel and cost-effective ways of bioremediation process for wastewater treatment. Bioremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally sound method for the removal of toxic compounds. Such approach is not only a chemical-less effort but also an energy savior. In the present work Phlebia acerina, a white rot wood rotting fungi have been used to degrade the toxic wastewater pollutants. Congo Red (CR) and Eriochrome Black T (EBT) have been selected as model pollutants to test the wastewater cleaning ability of the fungus. The Lignin modifying enzyme (LME) and Cellulolytic enzyme assays (CMC) potential of Phlebia acerina helped in understanding the dye degradation mechanism. Under the optimum conditions, the fungi was able to degrade as high as 92.4% CR while the EBT was degraded to a maximum of 50%. Phlebia acerina was found to show first-order kinetics of dyes degradation. Further, the seed germination and antimicrobial assay of treated and untreated water were carried out in order to establish the formation of non-toxic end product after degradation.

One step green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate (AgNO3) using Leucaena leucocephala seeds extract as the reducing agent at room temperature was performed. The bioreduced NPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Qualitative information of major components in the seed extract was obtained through its phytochemical screening. The phytochemical data of L. leucocephala revealed the presence of terpenes, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols. The reaction was optimized for AgNO3, extract concentration and time duration for the reaction. The obtained NPs showed a characteristic UV peak of AgNPs at 420 nm. TEM and SEM images showed the spherical shaped NPs over which the extract coating was very prominent. The binding of L. leucocephala seeds extract onto NPs was tested using FTIR and TGA. The antifungal activity of the as-synthesized NPs against two fungal species, namely Phlebiopsis gigantea and Echinodontium taxodii, was studied. The antimicrobial effect of the as-synthesized NPs was ascertained against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antioxidant potential of the AgNPs was tested with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging. Also, the sensitivity of the NPs towards Fe3+ ions was tested in aqueous media.

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the ability of ‘fungi’ for the biodegradation of recalcitrant xenobiotic compound, ‘Atrazine’ in batch liquid cultures. Different parameters like pH (2.0–8.0) temperature (16–32 °C), biomass (1–5 g), and concentration (25–100 ppm) were optimized for the efficient degradation of atrazine. The decomposition behavior of atrazine is analyzed with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Herein, we have reported that the Bjerkandera adusta possess high removal efficiency of the xenobiotic compound (atrazine) up to 92%. The fungal strain investigated could prove to be a valuable active pesticide degrading micro-organism, with high detoxification values. These results are useful for improved understanding and prediction of the behavior and fate of B. adusta in the bio-purification of wastewater contaminated with xenobiotics. Thus providing a new and green approach for the remediation of toxicants without altering the environmental components.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization result in the discharge of harmful and toxic waste into the water bodies which are not easy to degrade thereby causing environmental pollution. Out of so many waste discharges, dye waste is noxious for aquatic life and for human as well; therefore, removal of these toxic compounds from water is one of the major environmental concerns today. The reported methodology like chemical and physical process is often costly, requires higher energy, and is not eco-friendly. In today’s world, biological methods are trying to minimize pollution by environment-friendly way. Mycoremediation is one of the techniques which is effective and affordable for degradation and decolorization of dye-bearing effluents. The chapter concludes the potential of mycoremediation in dye removal, its mechanism, and optimizing the conditions for efficient removal of dyes.

Physiological studies pertaining to the effect of physical factors, carbon and nitrogen requirement of Phlebiopsis gigantea were conducted to know its behaviour in vitro. These studies have revealed interesting results regarding its growth and reproduction behaviour. The best medium for the optimum growth is Glucose-peptone medium. The optimum temperature (28°C) and pH (5.0) is required for the optimum mycelial production of Phlebiopsis gigantea after 12 days of incubation. The best carbon source for the growth of the fungus is D(+)Glucose least seen in Sucrose medium. The best inorganic nitrogen sources for the growth of the fungus is Sodium nitrate. The least mycelial growth of fungus is observed in ammonium acetate and ammonium nitrate. The best organic nitrogen compound for the mycelial growth of fungus is DL-threonine.

Since the onset of industrial revolution is up till the recent surge in technological processes, environmental pollution has grown at an alarming rate causing distress to living beings and irreplaceable damage to the earth. With the recognition of the severity of this environmental damage and increase in interest of using technological advancement, a number of successful pollution control strategies have emerged over the years. However, the measurement and quantification of environmental pollution is the most pragmatic first step for identifying various management and mitigation strategies to control environmental pollution. This chapter aims to study a range of proven measurement techniques for quantitatively determining the concentration of various environmental pollutants in the atmosphere. This is particularly important in the formulation of cost-effective control measures and strategies for environmental pollution. Furthermore, to elucidate the concept of pollution measurement, certain parameters which are considered of high importance for environmental monitoring and reflect the quality of a healthy (or unhealthy) environment, especially with respect to soil, water and air, are also discussed in the initial parts of the chapter.