CHAPTER- 7
ENVIRONMENT &
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MEANING OF ENVIRONMENT
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.
ENVIRONMENT
BIOTIC ELEMENTS ABIOTIC
(include all living ELEMENTS
elements like birds, (include non - living
plants, forests, etc) elements like air,
water, land, etc)
FUNCTIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
The environment performs four vital functions :
1. Provides resources for production : Environment supplies renewable and non-renewable resources
Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource
becoming depleted or exhausted, like trees, fishes, etc.
Non-renewable resources are those which get exhausted with extraction and use, like fossil fuel.
2. Environment assimilates waste :
The process of production and consumption activities generates a lot of wastage, which is
absorbed by the environment
3. Environment sustains life :
Some basic necessities of life (sun, soil, water and air) are part of environment. So, environment
sustains life by providing these essential elements.
4. It provides aesthetic services :
Environment includes land, forests, water bodies, rainfall, air, atmosphere, etc. People enjoy
the scenic beauty of these elements (like that of hill stations). Such elements help in improving
quality of life.
The Environment is able to perform these functions without any interruption as long as demand on
these functions is within its ‘Carrying Capacity’.
‘Carrying Capacity’ implies two things :
1. Resource extraction should remain below the rate of resource regeneration.
2. Generation of waste should remain within the absorption capacity of the environment.
REASONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS
1. Population Explosion and advent of industrial revolution
2. Extensive Extraction of Renewable and Non-renewable resources
3. Extinction of Many Resources
4. Affluent Consumption and Production Standards
5. Air and water pollution due to development process
6. Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
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GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is the observed and projected increase in the average temperature of earth's
atmosphere and oceans.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING MAIN HARMFUL EFFECTS
The global warming is due to increase in the greenhouse gas
OF GLOBAL WARMING
concentrations, like water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane
and ozone in the atmosphere. Global Warming has adversely
Among factors that may be contributing to global warming are affected the earth
:
Melting of Ice
Burning of fossil fuels, like coal and petroleum products
(sources of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone); Natural Disasters
Deforestation, which increases the amount of carbon Tropical Diseases
dioxide in the atmosphere Effect on Animals
Methane gas released in animal waste; and Effect on Seasons
Increased cattle production, which contributes to
deforestation, methane (CH4 ) have increased by 41% and
160% respectively above pre-industrial levels since 1750.
OZONE DEPLETION
Ozone depletion refers to destruction of ozone in the ozone layer due to presence of chlorine
from manmade chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other forces.
Cause of Ozone Depletion
The problem of ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in
the stratosphere.
The origin of these compounds is :
CFC, which is used as cooling substances in AC and refrigerators; or
Aerosol propellants and Bromo fluorocarbons, (halons), which is used in fire extinguishers
Main Effects of Ozone Depletion
UV radiation seems to be responsible for skin cancer in human beings.
UV radiation lowers production of phytoplankton, which affects other aquatic organisms.
UV radiation can also influence the growth of terrestrial plants.
MONTREAL PROTOCOL
Montreal Protocol is a historical treaty designed by the members of the United Nations to
protect the ozone layer by phasing out CFC, which is supposed to be the main reason for ozone
depletion. Under the Montreal Protocol, all the signing members agreed to freeze the
consumption and production of CFC by the year 2013.
CHALLENGES TO INDIA'S ENVIRONMENT
Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife extinction are some
of the most pressing environmental concerns of India. The priority issues identified are:
1. Land Degradation
2. Degradation of Forests or Deforestation
3. Soil Erosion
4. Biodiversity Loss
5. Water Pollution
6. Air Pollution
1. LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil, water or vegetation condition,
commonly caused by human activities.
Causes of Land Degradation
Loss of vegetation due to deforestation.
Overgrazing, i.e. grazing of natural pastures at stocking
intensities above the livestock carrying capacity.
Encroachment into forest lands.
Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures.
Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction.
2. DEGRADATION OF FORESTS OR DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is defined as large scale cutting down of trees for executing developmental
projects. It involves permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands, where land is
thereafter converted to a non-forest use.
3. SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion takes place when the surface soil is washed away through excessive rains and
floods.
Deforestation is one of the major reasons for soil erosion.
4. BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth, i.e. it refers to every
living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans.
5. WATER POLLUTION
When toxic substances enter rivers, streams and other water bodies and get dissolved or lie
suspended in water, it leads to water pollution. Water pollution degrades the quality of water
and has led to the death of several animals and posed a serious threat to human life.
6. AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is the presence of pollutants
like smoke, dust particles, etc. in air in
such concentration, which are harmful to
man and the environment.
Some Ways to Control Air Pollution
Promotion of public transport like use of Delhi Metro
instead of private vehicles. Steps should be taken for
effective traffic planning and management.
Promotion of cleaner fuels in vehicles, like use of CNG
instead of petrol and diesel
Use of cleaner fuels such as LPG in households to
reduce indoor air pollution.
Promotion of cleaner technologies, strengthening of
emission standards, introducing economic incentives
and strengthening of the monitoring and reporting
system.
CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Population Explosion
Widespread Poverty
Increasing Urbanization
Increasing Use of Insecticides, Pesticides & Chemical Fertilizers
Multiplicity of Transport Vehicles
Rapid Industrialisation
MEASURES TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
Social Awareness
Population Control
Afforestation Campaign
Control over Industrial & Agricultural Pollution
Water Management
Management of Solid Waste
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development refers to the development process that meets the needs of present
generation without compromising on the ability of the future generations to meet their respective
needs.
How to Achieve Sustainable Development
Restrict the use of renewable resources
Substitute non-renewable with renewable resources
Become input efficient
Control pollution
Control the growth of population
Strategies for Sustainable Development
Use of non-conventional sources of energy
Use of cleaner Fuels
Establishment of Mini-Hydel Plants
Traditional knowledge and practices
Use of Bio-compost
Control of Biopest
Change in unsustainable patterns of consumption and production
IMPORTANT DATES
Government set up Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)- 1974
Environment Protection Act- 1986
India signed 'Montreal Protocol' along with its London Amendment- 17TH
SEPTEMBER 1992
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011-40848482
support@[Link]
To know about our online courses, call us at 011-40848482 or drop your query at support@[Link].
Download Deeceeline App Today.