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CHAPTER 2: ENVIRONMENT AND trench, at more than 8 kilometres deep So far 1.75
million species of plants and animals have been
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS identified in the biosphere. Of these, human beings
(Homo sapiens) constitute only a single species.
EXERCISE
7. Discuss briefly the relation among the four major
1. Write in your own words the meaning of
components of environment.
environment.
Answer: Four major spheres of the earth, lithosphere,
Answer: In a broad sense, environment denotes the
hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, determine its
condition around an orgnism or a community of organisms.
environment. These spheres are interconnected. The
Such a condition includes all necessary elements for
condition created by the interaction among them may
survival. These elements are both biotic and abiotic.
broadly be called environment. The famous
2. Mention some of the biotic and abiotic elements geographer Peter Haggett says that the environment
of environment. is an outcome of the interaction among land, water,
air and life. In this sense, the earth's environment is a
Answer: Biotic factors are the living parts of vast and complicated system. Within such a vast
an environment, such as plants, animals and micro- system, the local and' regional environments have
organisms. Abiotic elements are the non-living parts been functioning. It means that the environments of
of an environment. These include things such as all the localities are the constituents of the vast global
sunlight, temperature, wind, water, soil and naturally environmental system.
occurring events such as storms, fires and volcanic
eruptions. 8. Mention the major causes of environmental
change.
3. Write the meaning of lithosphere.
Answer: Some of the major causes of environmental
Answer: The land component of the earth composed changes are –
of rocks, soils, minerals, etc. forms the lithosphere.
The lithosphere covers all the continents where we i. Pollution: The process of contamination of the
find the mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, valleys and environment by harmful substances is simply called
coasts. pollution. Many of the man-made substances, if
added largely to the environment, may cause harm to
4. What are the features included in the the biotic world. Such substances are generally called
hydrosphere? pollutants. Zinc, Sulpher di-Oxide, Carbon-monoxide,
Answer: The seas and oceans have formed the earth's etc. are some of the environmental pollutants. The
hydrosphere. The hydrosphere covers about 71 % of major elements of environment-land, water and air-
the earth's surface. The rivers, lakes and other water being polluted for various reasons may cause harm to
bodies distributed in the continents are also parts of human beings and other life forms. Presently, the
the hydrosphere. The status and change in the pollution of these three elements has led to serious
hydrosphere depend on the status of the lithosphere, problems in different parts of the world.
atmosphere and biosphere. ii. Desertification: Desertification is such a process
5. Write about the composition of the atmosphere. which renders the productive areas of the tropical
region a desert-like situation. The term
Answer: The atmosphere is composed of a mix of desertification, however, denotes the spread of the
several different gases like nitrogen, oxygen, deserts to their peripheral areas. For instance, the
hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon etc. environment of the Sahara desert in Africa became so
dry in the early 1970s that many animals had to die.
6. Give an outline of the extent of the biosphere.
People were also badly affected. Generally, a number
Answer: The biosphere covers those parts of the of natural and human factors favour the process of
earth's environment where life forms occur. These desertification.
include the earth's surface, down to a few meters
iii. Global Warming: Global warming occurs when
from the earth's surface, the seas and oceans and the
carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and
lower stratum of the atmosphere where birds and
greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and
insects fly. This layer ranges from heights of up to ten
absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced
kilometres above sea level, used by some birds in
off the earth’s surface. Normally, this radiation would
flight, to depths of the ocean such as the Puerto Rico
escape into space—but these pollutants, which can
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last for years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the concerned. The instances of such problem may be the
heat and cause the planet to get hotter. That's what's land pollution created by a small-scale industry, water
known as the greenhouse effect. scarcity in winter due to shallowing of a wetland, bank
erosion problem created by a river in a locality.
9. Explain the meaning of environmental problem.
12. Give two examples of regional environmental
Answer: Environmental problem.
issues are defined as problems with the planet's Answer: The flood problem of the Brahmaputra or the
systems (air, water, soil, etc.) that have developed as Barak Valley and problem of underground water
a result of human interference or mistreatment of the shortage in an urban area like Bangalore and Chennai
planet. It should be mentioned here that the are some examples of regional environmental
environmental problems can be geographically problem.
divided into three different groups- (A) Local problem,
13. Which problems are considered as global
(B) Regional problem and (C) Global problem. Some
environmental problem?
Major Environmental Problems are Ozone Depletion,
Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming, Answer: Problems that do not have any geographical
desertification, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and boundary and cover the entire world is considered as
disposal of wastes. a global environment problem. For instance, we can
refer to the problem of global warming. As this
10. Write geographical divisions of the problem is linked with the atmosphere, it is limitless
environmental problems? in terms of coverage. Its impact is felt in the
Answer: The environmental problems can be lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, in addition
geographically divided into three different groups- to the atmosphere.
(a) Local problem 14. Mention the major environmental problems of
(b) Regional problem and the world.
(c) Global problem
The local problems may remain confined to small Answer: The environmental problems like global
areas, so far as their genesis and spread are warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste
concerned. The instances of such problem may be the disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution,
land pollution created by a small-scale industry, water climate change and many more affect every human,
scarcity in winter due to shallowing of a wetland, bank animal and nation on this planet and hence are
erosion problem created by a river in a locality and so considered as major environmental problems of the
on. world.
On the other hand, some problems may be regional in 15. Give the meaning of the term pollution.
occurrence. The flood problem of the Brahmaputra or
the Barak Valley, problem of water pollution in a vast Answer: Pollution is the introduction of contaminants
industrial region, problem of underground water into the natural environment that causes adverse
shortage in an urban area, problem of soil erosion in a change. Pollution can take the form of chemical
river basin are some examples of such regional substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light.
environmental . problem. Sometimes a regional Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either
problem may cover more than one country. foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring
contaminants.
Some of the environmental problems on the other
hand, cover the entire world. Such problems do not 16. What is water pollution? How does it occur?
have any geographical boundary. For instance, we can
Answer: The natural state or quality of water gets
refer to the problem of global warming. As this
changed when certain chemical substances, particles,
problem is linked with the atmosphere, it is limitless
microbes, radiations are added to or passed through
in terms of coverage. Its impact is felt in the
it. The process of such change in water is called
lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, in addition
pollution.
to the atmosphere. The management of such problem
needs international efforts. Generally, the water is polluted if there are human
11. What is a local environmental problem? Give settlements, industries, agriculture, etc. in the water
examples. sources, where from wastes get mixed with water.
Answer: The local problems may remain confined to The industrial and urban wastes pollute the water of
small areas, so far as their genesis and spread are the rivers flowing through or by the side of the towns.
The example of the Ganga flowing through north India
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is worth mentioning. The wastes generated in the (CO), Nitrogen Oxide (N02), Hydrocarbon (HC),
towns and cities and industries located on the banks Sulphur-dioxide (S02) etc. to the atmosphere. One of
of this river have been drained to the river for a long the important consequences of atmospheric pollution
time and as a result the water of the river, which was is the occurrence of acid rain. Such rains destroy
considered to be sacred, is now badly polluted. The forests and pollute water of the wetlands.
water of the rivers and wetlands located close to the
big industrial regions is also polluted by the increasing 19. What is a desert? Give the definition of
proportion of acid in the water. desertification.
17. Write a short note on land pollution. Answer: The deserts are naturally located in certain
specific areas of the world. In the deserts, rainfall is
Answer: Land pollution is the deterioration scarce, but evaporation is more. Therefore, the desert
(destruction) of the earth’s land surfaces, often environment is dry. Natural vegetation is scarce in the
directly or indirectly as a result of man’s activities and deserts. Desert and desertification do not mean the
their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is same thing. Desertification is such a process which
not disposed of properly, or can occur when humans renders the productive areas of the tropical region a
throw chemicals onto the soil in the form of desert-like situation. The term desertification,
pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers during however, denotes the spread of the deserts to their
agricultural practices. Exploitation of minerals (mining peripheral areas. The process of desertification
activities) has also contributed to the destruction of reduces the productivity of land and causes expansion
the earth’s surface. of desert to the neighbouring and even the distant
lands. This means that this process contributes
Modern farming practice, expanding industries and towards the spread of the deserts and conversion of
increasing deforestation are held mainly responsible fertile areas into deserts.
for land pollution. The modernization of agriculture
encouraged the application of chemical fertilizer, 20. Mention the causes of desertification.
irrigation, insecticides, etc., in the crop land. The
application of chemical fertilizers causes change in the Answer: A number of natural and human factors
soil composition and properties. Similarly, the use of favour the process of desertification. Among the
underground water in the fields affects the natural natural factors, drought and global warming are
property of soil. Moreover, the insecticides and important. The drought condition affects the land
weedicides applied in the fields destory the helpful productivity and the growth of natural vegetation.
microbes and other life forms in addition to the This accelerates the desertification process. But the
targetted insects and weeds. All these pollute the land scientists are of the opinion that the global warming,
by changing its natural properties. would be a dangerous factor for increasing
desertification. The increasing temperature will make
18. Write how air is polluted. the desert environment drier. Many have held human
activities responsible for desertification. Such
Answer: The natural state of the atmosphere may be activities include overgrazing, expansion of agriculture
changed, if certain solid, liquid or gaseous substances and deforestation. During the contemporary period,
are added to the atmosphere by some natural or the rapid population growth has increased pressure in
human processes. If such a change causes some harm the desert and semi-desert regions. This pressure has
to the biotic and abiotic elements, then the helped greatly in the expansion of the deserts. At
atmosphere is said to be polluted. Among the natural present, the dry areas of about 100 countries of the
factors that contribute towards polluting the world have faced the problem of desertification.
atmosphere, the important one is the volcanic
eruption. The smoke, ashes and gases that come out 21. Is it possible to control desertification?
from the earth's interior during eruption pollute the
air. In certain parts of the earth, forest fire also Answer: Effective prevention
pollutes the atmosphere. of desertification requires both local management
and macro policy approaches that
Primarily the human activities are responsible for promote sustainability of ecosystem services. It is
polluting the atmosphere. The growth of industries, advisable to focus on prevention, because attempts to
urbanization, growth of vehicular traffic and nuclear rehabilitate desertified areas are costly and tend to
explosions are some of the major man-made factors deliver limited results.
that cause air pollutions. The increasing use of fossil
fuel has added harmful gases like Carbon- monoxide Desertification can be controlled in the following
ways:
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i. The creation of a “culture of prevention” can go a significant. We all know that the use of fossil fuel
long way toward protecting dry lands from the onset started increasing gradually after the industrial
of desertification or its continuation. Integrated land revolution and just to meet the demands of certain
and water management are key methods industries cutting of trees also increased. As a result,
of desertification prevention. the proportion of Carbon dioxide gas in the
atmosphere started rising. In addition to human
ii. All measures that protect soils from activities, volcanic eruption also caused increase of
erosion, salinization, and other forms of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
soil degradation effectively prevent desertification.
23. What are the probable consequences of global
iii. Protection of vegetative cover can be a major warming?
instrument for prevention of desertification.
Answer: A variety of problems will be there due to the
iv. In the dry sub-humid and semiarid zones, rise of atmospheric temperature. Among them,
conditions equally favour pastoral and cropping land however, melting of snow in the polar areas, the rise
use. Rather than competitively excluding each other, a of sea level, change in the growth and distribution of
tighter cultural and economic integration between the plants and animals fall of crop output, desertification,
two livelihoods can prevent desertification. etc. are important.
v. Use of locally suitable technology is a key way for It has been estimated that a rise of atmospheric
inhabitants of dry lands at risk of desertification to temperature will cause melting of snow on the north
work with ecosystem processes rather than against and south polar regions and rising of sea level .Thus, if
them. Applying a combination of traditional the sea level rises by one meter from the present
technology with selective transfer of locally level, about 5 million [Link] of coastal area will get
acceptable technology is a major way to prevent submerged. At the same time many populated islands,
desertification. deltas, and coral islands will get submerged.
vi. Desertification can also be avoided by creating 24. Write how to control global warming.
economic opportunities in dry lands urban centers
and areas outside dry lands. Changes in overall Answer: The heat-trapping greenhouse gases are
economic and institutional settings that create new increasing, global temperature is rising, planet is
opportunities for people to earn a living could help warming, the glaciers are melting and the sea level is
relieve current pressures underlying the rising. This weather change is drastically affecting
desertification processes. wildlife and forests. Some of the contributing factors
are burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, livestock
22. What is global warming? Mention its causes. production and industrialisation. Consequently, it
Answer: Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide leads to drought, incessant rainfall, hurricanes,
(CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases extreme heatwaves and other extreme weather
collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and conditions. With these adverse effects of global
solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s warming happening across the planet, we need to
surface. Global warming is an aspect of climate implement a number of ways to stop global warming
change, referring to the long-term rise of the planet's and protect the planet. Some of these are:
temperatures. It is caused by increased
concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Recycle more
atmosphere, mainly from human activities such as Drive less
burning fossil fuels, deforestation and farming. Plant trees
Switch to renewable energy
Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and Use energy-efficient devices
other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in Use less hot water
the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar Turn off electronic devices
radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Spread awareness
Normally, this radiation would escape into space—but Save water
these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries
in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet By following these easy tips, all of us can play a
to get hotter. That's what's known as the greenhouse significant role in reducing carbon dioxide emission
effect. The role of Carbon dioxide, among all the and preventing global warming, thus, preserving the
greenhouse gases, in global warming is the most planet for future generations.
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construction of more micro and scientific reservoirs
25. Is there any environmental problem in your own and dams, establishment of river valley projects, etc.
locality? If yes, then explain their causes and indicate may reduce the problem considerably in the long run.
some measures for their solution. Embankments should be constructed away from the
rivers so that the free-flowing state of the river is
Answer: Yes, flood is an environmental problem in our maintained. Certain areas should be reserved for
own locality, i.e., Assam. water retention to level off the peaks during extreme
floods.
Assam with its vast network of rivers is prone to
natural disasters like flood and erosion which has a *****
negative impact on overall development of the state.
The Brahmaputra and Barak River with more than 50
numbers of tributaries feeding them, causes the
flood devastation in the monsoon period each year.
The flood and erosion problem of Assam is singularly
different from other states so far as extent and
duration of flooding and magnitude of erosion is
concerned and is probably the most acute and
unique in the country.
Several factors including natural and artificial are
responsible for the re-occurrence of floods in Assam.
First and foremost, Assam lies in the heart of
monsoon belt and so gets overburdened with rainfall
every rainy season. Due to this, the river along with its
tributaries such as Subansiri, Manas, Kopili, Jia-
Bhoroli, etc. get flooded and their banks overflow
flooding the vast plain of the state. Secondly, the
existence of long ranges of mountains on its northern
and eastern boundaries compels the water to flow
down into the vast plain causing the rivers to swell.
Thirdly, every year due to heavy natural as well as
artificial land sliding, Assam loses hundreds of
kilometres of its land area. This soil erosion makes the
river shallow, which later helps in the creation of a
heavy [Link] are also human-induced factors like
destruction of wetlands, deforestation, and
encroachment on river banks. Most cities and towns
suffer due to poor urban planning.
Although it is not possible to flood-proof all of Assam,
several measures should be undertaken for a long-
term solution. Increasing the water holding capacity
of Brahmaputra and its tributaries by dredging will be
an effective solution to eliminate the havoc of flood
from the state. It will decrease the rate of disaster by
almost 70%. A flood is caused due to the riverbed
rising. Today, technology has risen to great heights, so
it is not impossible to mitigate the flood problem.
Besides, dredging will also contribute to the
development of water highway in the Brahmaputra,
which will be a good option to develop our economy.
Moreover, the rejuvenation of wetlands,
afforestation, decentralization of weather forecast,
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