CHAPTER-9

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Introduction
As we step into an era of globalisation that promises higher economic growth, we have to bear in mind
the adverse consequences of the past development path on our environment and consciously choose a
path of sustainable development.
With this in mind, this chapter is divided into three sections. The first part deals with the functions and
role of environment. The second section discusses the state of India’s environment and the third section
deals with steps and strategies to achieve sustainable development.

ENVIRONMENT — DEFINITION AND FUNCTIONS

 Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources. It
includes all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other.
 While all living elements—the birds, animals and plants, forests, fisheries etc.—are biotic
elements.
 Abiotic elements include air, water, land etc. Rocks and sunlight are all examples of abiotic
elements of the environment.
 A study of the environment then calls for a study of the interrelationship between these biotic
and abiotic components of the environment.

FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENT
(i) It supplies resources: Resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources.
Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource
becoming depleted or exhausted.
(ii) It absorbs waste: All the waste that goes in the environment is absorbed by it.
(iii) Sustains life: It sustains life by providing genetic and bio diversity
 The environment is able to perform these functions without any interruption as long as the
demand on these functions is within its carrying capacity. Carrying capacity implies two thing-
a) the resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resource
b) And the wastes generated are within the absorbing capacity of the environment.

 Health cost of environment-Besides, the intensive and extensive extraction of both renewable
and non-renewable resources has exhausted some of these vital resources and we are
compelled to spend huge amounts on technology and research to explore new resources. Added
to these are the health costs of degraded environmental quality — decline in air and water
quality (seventy per cent of water in India is polluted) have resulted in increased incidence of
respiratory and water-borne diseases.

Global environmental issues such as global warming and ozone depletion also contribute to increased
financial commitments for the government. Thus, it is clear that the opportunity costs of negative
environmental impacts are high.

Are environmental problems new to this century?

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 (i) In the early days when civilisation just began, or before this phenomenal increase in population,
and before countries took to industrialisation, the demand for environmental resources and
services was much less than their supply.
(ii) This meant that pollution was within the absorptive capacity of the environment and the rate of
resource extraction was less than the rate of regeneration of these resources. Hence
environmental problems did not arise.
(iii) But with population explosion and with the advent of industrial revolution to meet the growing
needs of the expanding population, things changed. The result was that the demand for
resources for both production and consumption went beyond the rate of regeneration of the
resources; the pressure on the absorptive capacity of the environment increased tremendously
— this trend continues even today.
(iv) Thus, what has happened is a reversal of supply-demand relationship for environmental quality
— we are now faced with increased demand for environmental resources and services but their
supply is limited due to overuse and misuse.

STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT

(i) India has abundant natural resources in terms of rich quality of soil, hundreds of rivers and
tributaries, lush green forests, plenty of mineral deposits beneath the land surface, vast stretch
of the Indian Ocean, ranges of mountains, etc.
(ii) The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of cotton, leading to
concentration of textile industries in this region.
(iii) The Indo-Gangetic plains — spread from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal — are one of the
most fertile, intensively cultivated and densely populated regions in the world.
(iv) India’s forests, though unevenly distributed, provide green cover for a majority of its population
and natural cover for its wildlife.
(v) Large deposits of iron-ore, coal and natural gas are found in the country. India alone accounts
for nearly 20 per cent of the world’s total iron-ore reserves. Bauxite, copper, chromate,
diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese, zinc, uranium, etc. are also available in different parts
of the country.
(vi) The developmental activities in India have resulted in pressure on its finite natural resources,
besides creating impacts on human health and well-being.
(vii) The threat to India’s environment poses a dichotomy—threat of poverty-induced environmental
degradation and, at the same time, threat of pollution from affluence and a rapidly growing
industrial sector.
(viii) Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife extinction are some
of the most pressing environmental concerns of India.

ISSUES IN INDIA-
(i) Land degradation-Land in India suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation are
increasing mainly from unstable use and inappropriate management practices.
(ii) Biodiversity loss-The per capita forest land in the country is only 0.08 hectare against the
requirement of 0.47 hectare to meet basic needs, resulting in an excess felling of about 15
million cubic metre forests over the permissible limit.
(iii) Air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities-In India, air
pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the major contributors and in a
few other areas which have a high concentration of industries and thermal power plants.
Vehicular emissions are of particular concern since these are ground level sources and, thus,
have the maximum impact on the general population.

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 (iv) Management of fresh water-Due to extreme low availability of freshwater, Indian
government must take initiatives to use it judicially.
(v) Solid waste management-Tons of waste is collected everyday in India, therefore the
government must look up to recycle, reduce and reuse the waste.

The factors responsible for land degradation are-

(i) Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation
(ii) Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction
(iii) Shifting cultivation
(iv) Encroachment into forest lands
(v) Forest fires and over grazing
(vi) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures
(vii) Improper crop rotation
(viii) Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides
(ix) Improper planning and management of irrigation systems
(x) Extraction of ground water in the competing uses of land for forestry, agriculture,
pastures, human settlements and industries exert an enormous pressure on the country’s
finite land resources.
Air Pollution-
India is one of the ten most industrialised nations of the world. But this status has brought with it
unwanted and unanticipated consequences such as unplanned urbanisation, pollution and the risk of
accidents. The CPCB (Central PollutionControl Board) has identified seventeen categories of industries
(large and medium scale) as significantly polluting.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Sustainable development is the development that will allow all future generations to have a potential
average quality of life that is at least as high as that which is being enjoyed by the current generation.

2. The concept of sustainable development was emphasised by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), which defined it as: ‘Development that meets the need of the
present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs’.

3. The seminal report—Our Common Future—that gave the above definition explained sustainable
development as ‘meeting the basic needs of all and extending to all the opportunity to satisfy their
aspirations for a better life’. Meeting the needs of all requires redistributing resources and is hence a
moral issue.

4. In more specific terms, sustainable development aims at decreasing the absolute poverty of the poor
by providing lasting and secure livelihoods that minimise resource depletion, environmental.

5. The present generation can promote development that enhances the natural and built environment in
ways that are compatible with-
(i) Conservation of natural assets
(ii) Preservation of the regenerative capacity of the world’s natural ecological system avoiding the
imposition of added costs or risks on future generations

 To achieve sustainable development, the following needs to be done-

(i) Controlling the population- Limiting the human population to a level within the carrying
capacity of the environment. The carrying capacity of the environment is like a ‘plimsoll

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 line’ of the ship which is its load limits mark. In the absence of the plimsoll line for the
economy, human scale grows beyond the carrying capacity of the earth and deviates from
sustainable development
(ii) Effective technological progress- Technological progress should be input efficient and not
input consuming
(iii) Judicial use of renewable resources- Renewable resources should be extracted on a
sustainable basis, that is, rate of extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration
(iv) Depletion rate of non- renewable resources- It is necessary that the rate of depletion of
non-renewable resources should not exceed the rate of creation of renewable substitutes.
(v) Ways to control pollution- Inefficiencies arising from pollution should be corrected.

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy- India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal
and hydro power plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental
impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a green house gas. It
also produces fly ash which, if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land and
other components of the environment.

2. LPG, Bio Gas in Rural Areas- Households in rural areas generally uses wood, dung cake or other
biomass as fuel. This practice has several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green
cover, wastage of cattle dung and air pollution. To rectify the situation, subsidised LPG is being
provided. In addition, bio gas plants are being provided through easy loans and subsidy. As far as
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is concerned, it is a clean fuel — it reduces household pollution to a
large extent. Also, energy wastage is minimised.

3. CNG in Urban Areas- In Delhi, the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel in public transport
system has significantly lowered air pollution and the air has become cleaner in the last few years.

4. Wind Power- In areas where speed of wind is usually high, wind mills can provide electricity
without any adverse impact on the environment. Wind turbines move with the wind and electricity
is generated. No doubt, the initial cost is high. But the benefits are such that the high cost gets easily
absorbed.

5. Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells- India is naturally endowed with a large quantity of solar
energy in the form of sunlight. We use it in different ways. For example, we dry our clothes, grains,
other agricultural products as well as various items made for daily use. We also use sunlight to warm
ourselves in winter. Plants use solar energy to perform photosynthesis. Now, with the help of
photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity. These cells use special kind of
materials to capture solar energy and then convert the energy into electricity.

6. Mini-hydro Plants- In mountainous regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. A large
percentage of such streams are perennial. Mini-hydro plants use the energy of such streams to
move small turbines. The turbines generate electricity which can be used locally.

7. Traditional Knowledge and Practices- Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their
environment. They have been more a component of the environment and not its controller. If we
look back at our agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport etc., we find that all
practices have been environment friendly. Only recently have we drifted away from the traditional

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 systems and caused large scale damage to the environment and also our rural heritage. Now, it is
time to go back. One apt example is in healthcare. India is very much privileged to have about
15,000 species of plants which have medicinal properties. About 8,000 of these are in regular use in
various systems of treatment including the folk tradition. With the sudden onslaught of the western
system of treatment, we were ignoring our traditional systems such as Ayurveda

8. Bio composting- In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or
so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched over to chemical
fertilisers. Farmers, in large numbers all over the country, have again started using compost made
from organic wastes of different types. In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only
because they produce dung which is an important fertiliser and soil conditioner. Earthworms can
convert organic matter into compost faster than the normal composting process. This process is
now being widely used.

9. Bio pest Control- With the advent of green revolution, the entire country entered into a frenzy to
use more and more chemical pesticides for higher yield. In addition, awareness is spreading about
various animals and birds which help in controlling pests. For example, snakes are one of the prime
groups of animals which prey upon rats, mice and various other pests.

TRUE OR FALSE
State with reason whether the following statements are True or False :
1. Environment consists of non-living elements only.
2. Sustainable development satisfies the needs of future generation only.
3. Use of public transport in place of personal transport will not reduce environmental
degradation.
4. Environmental crisis is an age-old phenomenon.
5. Deforestation is an instance of misuse of environmental resources.
6. Land degradation is an instance of overuse of environmental resources.
7. Ozone depletion is an instance of misuse of environmental resources.
8. Water contamination is an instance of overuse of environmental resources.
9. Soil erosion takes place when the surface soil is washed away through excessive pilins floods.
10. Air pollution has resulted in ozone depletion.
11. Correction for environmental damages does not involve any opportunity cost.
12. The government of India has set up the Central Pollution Control Board to control pollution.
13. Opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are not very high.
14. Ozone layer prevents most harmful wavelengths of ultraviolet rays from passing through
earth's atmosphere.

Answers:
1. False. Environment consists of living as well as non-living elements.
2. False. Sustainable development satisfies the needs of present and future generations.
3. False. Use of public transport will reduce environmental degradation.
4. False. Environmental crisis is a recent phenomenon.
5. False. Deforestation is a misuse of environmental resources.
6. True Land degradation is overuse of environmental resources.
7. True. Ozone depletion is misuse of environmental resources.
8. False. Water contamination is misuse of environmental resources.

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 9. True. Soil erosion means washing away of surface soil.
10. True. Ozone depletion is the result of air pollution.
11. False. Correction for environmental damages involves opportunity cost.
12. False. Central Pollution Control Board controls water, air and land pollution
13. False. Opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are very high.
14. True. Ozone layer prevents ultraviolet rays from passing through the earth's atmosphere.

FILL IN THE BLANKS

Complete the following statements with appropriate answer(s) in the blank space(s):
1. Environment includes two components : Biotic and ____________. (abiotic; birds and
animals)
2. Plants and animals are examples of____________ components of environment. (biotic;
abiotic)
3. Two examples of abiotic components of environment are ____________. (birds and animals;
water and air)
4. ____________ refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil, water or vegetation condition
caused by human activities. (Land degradation; Water contamination)
5. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are ozone depletion and
____________ . (warming; land-degradation)
6. ____________ refers to the reduction in the amount of ozone in the atmosphere.(global
warming; Ozone depletion)
7. ____________ is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth's lower
atmosphere. (Global warming: Ozone depletion)
8. Air pollution is widespread in___________areas. (rural; urban)
9. ____________ takes place when toxic substances enter water bodies and get dissolved or lie
suspended in water. (Air pollution; Water pollution)
10. ____________ takes place when the surface soil is washed away through excessive rains and
floods. (Soil erosion; Land degradation).
11. ____________ is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in the
stratosphere. (Ozone depletion; Global warming)
12. ____________ capacity means the ability of the environment to absorb degradation.
(Absorptive; Carrying)
13. ____________ is an organisation set up by the government to address water pollution and air
pollution. (Pollution Control Board; Consumers Forum)
14. ____________ means variability among living organisms from all sources. (Bio-diversity;
Afforestation)

Ans. (1) abiotic (2) biotic, (3) water and air. (4) Land degradation. (5) global warming. (6) Ozone
depletion. (7) Global warming. (8) urban. (9) Water pollution. (10) Soil erosion. (11) Ozone
depletion. (12) Absorptive, (13) Pollution Control Board, (14) Biodiversity

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Select the correct option out of the four possible options given after the statement of the question:

1. Which of the following is a biotic element?

a) Forests
b) Air

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 c) Water
d) Land
Ans. (a)
2. Which of the following is an abiotic element?
a) Plants
b) Fisheries
c) Birds
d) Water
Ans. (d)
3. Name the concept which implies increase in the average temperature of earth's atmosphere
and oceans.
a) Soil Erosion
b) Global Warming
c) Bio-diversity Loss
d) Air Pollution
Ans. (b)
4. Which of the following is non-renewable resource?
a) Trees
b) Fish
c) Petroleum
d) Water
And. (c)
5. Which of the following is a renewable resource?
a) Petroleum
b) Coal
c) Iron-ore
d) Fish
Ans. (d)
6. Air pollution is caused by :
a) music at high volume.
b) exhaust gases of motor vehicles.
c) sewerage and other wastes.
d) electrical and other gadgets.
Ans. (b)
7. Which of the following is a cause of Ozone depletion?
a) Air Pollution
b) Water Pollution
c) Noise Pollution
d) None of the above
Ans. (a)
8. Name the concept in which the surface soil is washed away through excessive rains and flood:
a) Deforestation
b) Soil erosion
c) Land degradation.
d) Bio-diversity loss.
Ans. (b)

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 9. Which of the following is a cause of Ozone depletion?
a) Deforestation.
b) Land degradation.
c) High levels of chlorine and bromine compounds.
d) Increase in greenhouse gas.
Ans. (c)
10. The function of Central Pollution Control Board is to control :
a) Deforestation
b) Air Pollution
c) Water Pollution
d) Global Warming
Ans. (b)
11. Which of the following is a reason of noise pollution?
a) Emission of Gases.
b) Industrial Waste.
c) Industrial Machines.
d) Domestic Sewage.
Ans. (c)
12. Which of the following is not an element of environment?
a) Electricity
b) Water
c) Weather
d) Land
Ans. (a)
13. An increase in real income along with an increase in economic welfare is known as:
a) economic growth
b) economic development
c) sustainable development
d) None of the above
Ans. (c)
14. ____________ is the main reason for soil erosion.
a) Deforestation
b) Ozone depletion
c) Air pollution
d) None of the above
Ans. (a)
15. When was the term "Sustainable Development" came into existence?
a) 1987
b) 1980
c) 1978
d) 1992
Ans. (b)
16. ____________ is an increase in the average temperature of earth's atmosphere and oceans.
a) Biodiversity loss
b) Deforestation
c) Soil erosion

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 d) Global warming
Ans. (d)

BACK EXERCISES
Q1. What is meant by environment?
Ans. Environment refers to all the surroundings which have an impact on human lives. It is the
sum total of the surroundings and resources that effect our existence and quality of life. It
includes all the biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors include all the living creatures like
plants, animals, forests, etc. while abiotic factors include all non-living things like air, water,
land, etc. that are provided free of cost by nature. Biotic and abiotic both make up our
surroundings and impact our existence and quality of life. In other words, environment
encompasses the r the biotic and abiotic components and their relations.
Q2. What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their regeneration?
Ans. Environment performs several functions, but its essential function of sustaining life carries
much significance. Environment provides us with life supporting elements like Sun light, soil,
water and air. On extracting resources at a more rapid pace than its regeneration, the carrying
capacity of the environment reduces, leading to a failure in its life sustaining function. This
results in environmental crises, one of the common problems faced by almost all the countries
of the world.
Q3. Classify the following into renewable and non -renewable resources
(i) trees (ii) fish (iii) petroleum (iv) coal (v) iron -ore (vi) water
Ans. Renewable resources are those inexhaustible resources capable of being replenished
easily. Water, trees and fish are the renewable resources.

Non-renewable resources are those resources that are likely to be exhausted or depleted on
use. Petroleum, coal and iron ore are non-renewable resources. The pace of re-occurrence of
these resources is slower than that of their exploitation.

Q4. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are_____________
and_____________.
Ans. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are global warming and ozone
depletion. Global warming refers to the phenomenon of sustained increase in global
temperature due to environmental pollution and deforestation. It is caused by the emission of
Green House Gases, particularly, carbon dioxide. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide
raises the temperature of the earth surface, accelerating the melting of polar ice. This leads to
the rise in the sea level. Thus, the disturbed ecological balance leads to increasing natural
calamities, posing a threat to human survival.
Ozone acts as a cover for the earth surface that is very essential for the sustenance of life. It
prevents the harmful ultra violet radiations from penetrating the earth surface. But its
depletion is becoming a global concern these days. This is due to the excessive use of cooling
substances in the air conditioners and the refrigerators. As ozone depletes, the possibility of
ultra violet radiations penetrating to the earth surface increases, posing a threat to the life on
earth.

Q5. How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What
problem do they pose for the government?

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 (i) Rising population(ii) Air pollution(iii) Water contamination (iv) Affluent consumption
standards(v) Illiteracy(vi) Industrialization(vii) Urbanization(viii) Reduction of forest
coverage(ix) Poaching(x) Global warming.
Ans.(i) Rising Population
Rising population has exerted an excessive burden on the environment in terms of two basic
aspects. The intensive and extensive extraction of both renewable and non-renewable
resources has led to exhaustion of the vital resources. Also, the explosive population size has
triggered excessive demand for housing, thereby, resulting in widespread deforestation and fast
depletion of other natural resources leading to ecological imbalances. Therefore, it is high time
for the Indian government to take preventive measures to control population explosion.
(ii) Air Pollution
Air consists of oxygen that supports life. Air pollution implies con tamination of air, i.e. absence
of fresh air (oxygen) to breathe. Various pollutants like CO 2 , CO, SO 2 , SO, etc. pollutes air. Air
pollution causes hypertension, asthma, respiratory and cardio -vascular problems. Thus, the
Indian government should take various steps to control air pollution, avoid deforestation,
increase health investment and also search for new alternative pollution free technology such
as CNG, etc.
(iii) Water Contamination
Contamination of water or pollution of water is posing a serious threat to human life. It is one
of the principal causes of all deadly diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis, cholera, etc. It occurs
due to dumping of industrial waste, agricultural waste and sewerage into the water bodies.
Thus, the Indian government should put a check on wastewater disposal. This calls for high
capital investment for installation and maintenance of purifier machines.
(iv) Affluent Consumption Standards
Affluent Consumption Standards have placed a huge stress on the environment in terms of
resources supply and assimilation of waste. The resources have become extinct and wastes
generated are beyond the absorptive capacity of the environment leading to environmental
crises. The government is compelled to spend huge amounts on research and devel opment to
explore alternative environment friendly resources. Also, upgradation of environmental quality
entails huge cost
(v) Illiteracy
Man, if illiterate will not use the resources judiciously that will ultimately lead to overuse or
misuse of the scarce resources. The resources can be judiciously and efficiently exploited (with
minimum waste) only when people are aware of and skilful in utilising the resources. Otherwise
lack of knowledge and skills may lead to excessive extraction of resources and, ther eby, its
misuse. Thus, the government should take measures to create awareness and spread technical
knowledge among people about various efficient and economising methods.
(vi) Industrialisation
Industrialisation, on one hand, enhances our living standards but, on the other hand, it causes
deforestation, depletion of natural resources. In the blind rage to achieve economic
development, industrialisation acts as a catalyst. In order to speed up the process of
industrialisation, natural resources are exploited at a rapid pace. More trees are being felled
and, increasing volume of toxics and industrial wastes are dumped into the water bodies. All
these culminate to ecological imbalances posing threat to sustainable economic development.
Thus, the government should take measures to check undue and unnecessary industrial growth
in order to restore ecological balance.
(vii) Urbanisation
Urbanisation, on the one hand, infuses modernisation of lifestyle but, on the other hand, it
leads to deforestation. In order to meet the growing demand for houses, more trees are to be

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 felled, decreasing the land-per-man ratio. Rapid urbanisation puts an excess burden on the
natural resources, causing depletion. Urbanisation also reduces the availability of land for
farming purpose and lowers farm outputs. Hence, the government should take measures to
mitigate the impact of urbanisation by promoting small and cottage rural industries, rural
infrastructural development, thereby, reducing the rural-urban migration. Further, the
government should also promote afforestation and most importantly, adopt measures to arrest
population explosion.
(viii) Reduction of forest coverage
The need for reduction of forest coverage or deforestation arises due to the growing demand
for land, wood, rise in population and river valley projects. Deforestation leads to reduction in
oxygen level in air, soil erosion, climate change and global warming due to rise in the CO 2 level.
Thus, measures are needed to promote afforestation, opening up of sanctuaries an d national
park such as Jim Corbett National Park.
(ix) Poaching
Poaching is the illegal capturing, killing and hunting of animals. Due to this, many animals are
on the verge of extinction. The excessive hunting and killing of animals result in serious
ecological imbalances. Thus, in order to save the rare species such as Tiger, Asian Elephants,
Grevy’s Zebra, etc. more sanctuaries and national parks are to be set up. There is also need for
various environmental legislations like Endangered Species Act in t he USA that imposes strict
penalties on the law breakers.
(x) Global warming
Global warming refers to the phenomenon of sustained increase in global temperature due to
environmental pollution and deforestation. It is caused by the emission of Green House G ases
that include, particularly, carbon dioxide. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide raises the
temperature of the earth surface. This risen temperature accelerates the melting of polar ice
that further leads to the rise in the sea level. Thus, the incidence of natural calamities rises due
to disturbed ecological balance, thereby, posing a threat to human life.

Q6. What are the functions of the environment?

Ans. The environment performs the following four dynamic functions:
1. Offer Production Resources: Environment provides us with wide tangible resources like
minerals, water and soil. These are the gifts of nature. These resources act as an input for
converting natural resources into productive and useful things. In other words, environment
provides input for production that enhances human life qualitatively.
2. Sustains Life: Environment provides us with vital ingredients like sun, soil, water and air that
are necessary for the survival of life. Absence of these essential elements implies abse nce of
life. It supports biodiversity.
3. Absorb Waste: The activities of production and consumption generate waste. This waste in
the form of garbage is absorbed by the environment automatically.
4. Enhances Quality of Life: Environment includes surroundings such as rivers, oceans,
mountains and deserts. It provides scenic beauty that man admires in life and adds to the
quality of human life.

Q7. Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.

Ans. Degradation of land refers to the gradual but consistent loss of fertility.. This is emerging
as a serious concern in the context of environmental issues in India. The following are the
factors that contribute to land degradation in India:
1. Soil Erosion: The removal of upper layer of the soil caused by agents like strong winds or
floods is termed as soil erosion. The top most layer of the soil carries major and essential

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 nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Consequently, the loss of this lay er
deteriorates the quality and productivity of land.
2. Alkalinity and Salinity of Soil: The salinity and alkalinity is caused by the problem of water
logging. Water logged on the top layer of soil absorbs all the nutrients present in the soil,
thereby, reducing its fertility.
3. Deforestation: The growing population along with their ever growing demand lead to large
scale destruction of forest cover. The reduction of forest coverage leads to soil erosion that in
turn causes climate change
4. Shifting Cultivation: The practice of shifting cultivation and subsistence farming carried by
the small and the marginal farmers result in the replenishment of soil nutrients and, hence, its
fertility.
5. Excessive use of Fertilisers: The excessive use of chemical fertilisers, insecticides and
pesticides lowers the quality and fertility of soil.
6. Desertification: The spread of deserts in arid and semi arid areas is referred to as
desertification. It occurs due to overgrazing of the animals. This results in the reducti on of lush
green areas that in turn leads to replenishment of soil fertility.

Q8. Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
Ans. Opportunity cost is the cost that is foregone when we make a choice or a decision. If a
piece of land is to be used for wheat production then the production of say, rice, is to be
sacrificed. The loss of rice production is the opportunity cost of producing wheat. In the similar
way, the cost of negative environment is the opportunity cost of huge expenditure incurred on
health and searching new alternatives. This is explained elaborately in the following paragraph;

When the resources are extracted at a more rapid pace than its regeneration, then we say that
the carrying capacity of the environment reduces. In such situation, environment fails to
perform its function of sustaining life, thereby, resulting in environmental crises. In other
words, environmental crises are an aggregate outcome of excessive exploitation of natural
resources and excessive generation of wastes. Therefore, there arises a need for exploration of
new alternative eco-friendly resources to avoid environmental crisis. Moreover, environmental
crises lead to greater incidence of respiratory and water borne diseases, nec essitating higher
health expenditures and investments. The costs involved in searching new alternative resources
together with the greater health expenditures constitute the opportunity costs of negative
environmental impact. Such opportunity costs are very high and require voluminous financial
commitments by the government. Therefore, the opportunity costs of negative environmental
impact are high.

Q9. Outline the steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India.

Ans. Sustainable development refers to the achievement of economic development by careful
and judicial utilisation of the natural resources so that the present generations’ needs are
fulfilled without compromising that of the future generations’. It becomes our moral
responsibility to hand over earth in good order to the future generation. Aligned with the view
of a leading environmental economist, Herman Daly, India has taken the following steps to
achieve the aim of sustainable development:
i. Population Control Measures
India has promoted various measures to arrest population explosion. The various population
control measures include spread of awareness and knowledge of birth control measures and
literacy.
ii. Use of Environment Supportive Fuel

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 As the fuels such as petrol and diesel emit huge amount of carbon dioxide that leads to global
warming, so, the Indian government has promoted the use of CNG and LPG. These are clean,
eco-friendly fuels that emit lesser smoke.
iii. Use of Solar and Wind Energy
India being a moderate country is enriched with sunlight and wind power. These are two free
gifts of nature that is non-exhaustible. It solves the problem of economic growth with due focus
on sustainable development.
iv. Recycling and Ban on Plastic Bags
The industrial and household wastes are accumulated on daily basis. There is a need to develop
the habit of recycling of waste products in order to sustain the environment. Household waste
can be used as manure for organic farming. A very recent step taken by the Indian government
is banning the use of plastic bags. This is a very good step as plastic bags do not get
decomposed easily and leads to pollution while recycling.
v. Pollution Tax and Fines
Indian government has taken many steps to control pollution. Some of the measures are regular
vehicle checkups, levying pollution tax on the industries emitting smoke. These measures are
coupled with huge fines and even imprisonment for the law breakers.
vi. Use of the Input Efficient Technology
The input efficient methods have been devised that n ot only increases the production and
productivity but also efficiency with which the inputs are used. The efficient use of input, on
one hand, leads to lesser exploitation of the natural resources and, on the other hand,
enhances the future economic growth prospects of India.

Q10. India has abundant natural resources – substantiate the statement.

Ans. India is fortunate enough to have abundant natural resources. It comprises of rich and
fertile soil, plenty of rivers and tributaries, green forests, mineral deposits, mountains, etc. The
Indo-Gangetic plains are the most fertile, densely populated and cultivated plains in the world.
It stretches from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is
suitable for the cultivation of cotton in the country. India’s lush green forests serve as a natural
cover for the majority of the population. India holds more than 20 % of the world’s total iron
ore reserves. There are mountain ranges that facilitate the operation of the mini hydro plants.
It also has vast variety of flora of 15,000 species of plants. The country is also endowed with
numerous minerals that are found under the earth’s surface like coal, natural gas, copper,
diamonds, etc.
Q11. Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?
Ans. Yes, the environmental crisis is a very recent phenomenon; the sparks of such crisis were
never visible in the past. In the early centuries before industrialisation, the population growth
was on a tight rein. The demand of the environmental resources was much lower than its
supply. Environment supported the world’s population in the past as the rate of usage of the
resources was lesser. Also, the rate of regeneration of resources exceeded the rate with which
the resources were exploited. In other words, the threat of environment crisis was never felt in
the past as the exploitation of natural resources was within the carrying capacity of the
environment. But, today, due to heavy industrialisation, urbanisation, man has started
exploiting nature to its maximum. Nuclear and industrial wastes being dumped into the water
bodies, pollution of land and air has affected the environment in three -fold manner. Now, the
rate of exploitation of natural resources is lagging behind the rate of regeneration of the
natural resources. Consequently, the mounting pressure on the carrying capacity of the
environment is paving the way for environmental crises.
Q12. Give two instances of:

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 (a) Overuse of environmental resources(b) Misuse of environmental resources.
Ans. (a) Overuse of environmental resources
i. Drying up of Rivers: The increasing irrigation and construction of flood storage reservoirs are
resulting in the drying up of rivers.
ii. Excessive Deforestation: The growing population and their ever growing demand are
resulting in large scale deforestation. This leads to soil erosion, making the soil infertile.

(b) Misuse of environmental resources.

i. Use of Rivers to Discharge the Waste: Water is essential for life. The misuse of water as a
resource is responsible for its pollution and contamination. The factors responsible for water
pollution are the discharge of domestic sewerage, industrial waste, and thermal power plants
into the rivers.
ii. Use of Wood for Cooking Food: Wood is obtained from trees. Using wood instead of eco
friendly alternative fuels for cooking purposes brings about deforestation.
Q13. State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. Correction for environmental
damages involves opportunity costs. Explain.
Ans. Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wild life extinction are
some of the most pressing environmental concerns for India. But the priority issues include
global warming, land degradation, ozone depletion and management of fresh water.
Opportunity cost is the cost that is foregone when we make a choice or a decision. If a piece of
land is to be used for wheat production then the production of say, rice, is to be sacrificed. The
loss of rice production is the opportunity cost of producing wheat. In the similar way, the
opportunity cost of correction for environmental damages refers to the huge amount of
expenditure incurred on searching for new efficient alternatives. The heavy intensive and
extensive extraction of both renewable and non-renewable resources demands expenditure for
exploring new alternative resources in order to avoid an environmental crisis. The discovery of
such resources requires heavy investment by the government. Also, implementation and
maintenance of these alternative resources involve very high cost. The best example is the
advent of CNG in order to reduce the rising problem of pollution in Delhi. The government has
incurred heavy investment to popularise CNG and to make the consumers aware regarding its
uses. Therefore, the correction for environmental damages involves opportunity cost that is
very high.
Q14. Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
Ans. From the very inception of civilisation till the advent of industrialisation, the rate of
extraction of the natural resources was far behind the rate of their regeneration. That is, in
other words, the demand for resources falls short of the supply of the resources. The
exploitation of nature by man was within the absorptive capacity of t he environment. But, in
today’s scenario with population explosion and industrial revolution, the demand for resources
for both production and distribution has risen at a much more rapid rate. However, the rate of
regeneration of these resources is relatively much lower than the rate of their extraction. In
other words, the rate of consumption (demand) of the natural resources exceeds that of their
supply. This is beyond the absorptive capacity of the environment and has made environmental
crisis more probable. This reversal in the demand and supply relationship is referred to as the
supply-demand reversal of the environmental resources.
Q15.Explain the issue of current environmental crisis.
Ans. The population explosion and affluent consumption have placed an undue and excess
burden on the environment. The resources are increasingly exhausted day by day, but the
regeneration of resources is constant. So, when the resources are extracted at a rapid pace

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 than its regeneration, then the carrying capacity of the environment reduces. Then
environment fails to perform its function of sustaining life, consequently, resulting in an
environmental crisis. The current environmental crises include two major gl obal issues, namely,
global warming and ozone depletion. Global warming is the result of rising temperature globally
due to the emission of green house gases, especially, carbon dioxide. The rise in temperature
accelerates the melting of polar ice leading to the rise of water level in the sea. This leads to
ecological imbalances. Ozone depletion is another major concern that is caused due to the
excessive use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) in the air conditioners and refrigerators. As ozone
depletes, the possibility of ultra violet radiations penetrating into earth surface increases,
posing a threat to the living organisms. The culminated effect of these two accounts for major
concern of environmental crisis in the present time.
Q16. Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India.
India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy -they are poverty induced and, at the same
time, due to affluence in living standards. Is this true?
Ans. The two serious issues or consequences of development in India are land degradation and
biodiversity loss. The developmental activities in India exerted tremendous pressure on the
natural resources and also affected human health and well being.
Land Degradation: The gradual but consistent loss of fertility of land is referred to as
degradation of land. This is emerging as a serious concern in the context of environmental
issues in India. The following are the factors that contribute to land degradation in India:
a. Soil Erosion: The removal of upper layer of the soil caused either by the strong winds or
floods is termed as soil erosion. This top most layer of the soil carries major nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium that are essential for the growth of plants. Therefore, the
loss of this layer reduces the productivity of the land.
b. Alkalinity and Salinity of Soil: The salinity and alkalinity is caused by the problem of water
logging. The water logged on the top layer of soil absorbs all the nutrients present in the soil
leading to the deterioration of fertility of land.
c. Deforestation: The growing population and their ever growing demand leads to a large scale
destruction of forest cover. The removal of forest cover affects the ecological balance by
reducing the level of oxygen in the air. This leads to increase in the pollutants that cause
various health hazards.
d. Shifting Cultivation: The practice of shifting cultivation along with the subsistence farming
carried by small and marginal farmers resulted in the replenishment of soil nutrients and
fertility.
The environmental problems points to the paradoxical situation in the country. Deforestation in
India is a rapid consequence of population explosion and widespread poverty. The poor people
in the rural areas are compelled to fell trees for earning their livelihood. The growing demand
for natural resources to carry out production activity in the urban areas is also equally
responsible for the present environmental degradation. There are two different opinions on the
effect of environmental activities. One opinion advocates for India’s prosperity by resorting to
industrial production, while, the other opinion highlights the threat of pollution due to rapidly
growing industrial sector. This can be understood as in the wake of rapid urb anisation, the
expansion of vehicular traffic generates pollution of noise and air.

Q17. What is sustainable development?

Ans. Meeting the basic needs of all that requires distribution of resources is our moral
responsibility. It becomes a moral obligation to hand over the earth to the future generation in
good order. But, it is realised that if the resources (non renewable) are u tilised fully then these
will deplete so fast that it will not meet the production capacity of the future generation. The

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 economic development achieved today in such manner cannot be sustained for a long time as
the production capacity of the future generations in absence of productive resources reduces.
Therefore, sustainable development is the process of economic development that aims at
meeting the needs of the present generation without comprising the needs of the future
generations. Sustainable development maximises welfare of both present and future
generations. In other words, it is that process of economic growth that is sustained over a long
period of time without causing any fall in quality of life of the future generations.

Q18. Keeping in view your locality, describe any four strategies of sustainable development.
Ans. Sustainable development means a judicious or optimum utilisation of resources in such a
manner that the pace of economic growth sustains for the future generation.

The following are the four strategies of attaining sustainable development:

1. Use of Environment Friendly Fuel
The growing use of fuel such as petrol and diesel emits huge amount of carbon dioxide that
adds to the Green House impact. In order to control pollution, the use of CNG and LPG should
be promoted. These fuels are cleaner fuels, smokeless and eco -friendly.
2. Use of Renewable Resources
India is well enriched with sunlight, water and wind energy. These are the free gift of nature
that are non–exhaustible and pollution free. Thus, attempts should be made to harness solar
and wind energy by employing different technologies. It not only solves the problem of
economic growth but also the problem of sustainable economic development.
3. Recycling
The industrial and household wastes should be accumulated on daily basis. These wastes should
be distinguished as bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes. The bio-degradable wastes
are those wastes that can be decomposed and can be used as manure for organic farming. The
non-biodegradable wastes like plastic, etc. can be recycled and re -used.
4. Use of the Input Efficient Technology
The input efficient methods and techniques should be devised so that more production is
possible at per unit of input. This efficient utilisation of the natural resources leads to lesser
exploitation of the natural resources.
Q19. Explain the relevance of intergenerational equity in the definition of sustainable
development.
Ans. Meeting the basic needs of all that requires the distribution of resources is our moral
obligation. It becomes obligatory to hand over the earth to the future generation in a good
order. But, it is realised that if the resources (non renewable) are utilised fully, then these will
deplete so fast that it will reduce the production capacity of the future generations. The
economic development achieved today in such manner cannot be sustained for a long time as
the production capacity of the future generations in absence of productive resources reduces.
Therefore, sustainable development is the process of economic development that aims at
meeting the needs of the present generation without comprising the needs of the future
generations. Sustainable development maximises the welfare of both present and future
generations. This development does not mean a check on the existing pace of economic growth.
It only means a judicious or optimum utilisation of resources in such a manner that pace of
economic growth sustains with inter generational equity.

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