ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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Ql. VVhat is environment?

Ans. 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. All living elements
are biotic elements and non-living are abiotic elements.

Q2. What are the functions of the environment?

Ans. The environment performs four important functions: -

i) It supplies resources, both renewable and non-renewable.

ii) It assimilates wastes: Production and consumption activities generate waste mostly in
the form of garbage. Environment absorbs this garbage.

iii) It sustains life by providing genetic diversity and biodiversity.

iv) It provides aesthetic services and enhances quality of life. Environment includes
mountains, deserts, oceans etc. Since human beings enjoy these surroundings, it adds to the
quality of life.

Q3. Define Renewable and Non-Renewable resources.

Ans. i) Renewable Resources: Those resources that can be renewed through natural resources
if used wisely. Forests, animals and fish, if not over exploited, get easily [Link] also
falls in this category.

ii) Non-Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be renewed. They get exhausted with
continuous extraction and use. Some examples -are: fossil fuels such as Oil and Coal,and;
mineral resources like iron, lead, aluminum and uranium.

Q4. What do you mean by the carrying capacity of the environment?

Ans Carrying capacity of the environment implies that resource extraction is not above, the rate
of regeneration of the resources and the wastes generated are within the assimilating
capacity ofthe environment. When this is not taken care of the environment fails to perform
its function of life sustenance resulting in environmental crisis.

Q5. What do you mean by absorptive capacity?

Ans Absorptive capacity means the ability of the environment to absorb degradation
Q6. Give two examples of:

i) Overuse of environmental resources.

ii) Misuse of Environmental resources.
 Ans i) Deforestation and land degradation. (Overuse)

ii) Ozone depletion & global warming. (Misuse)

Q7. Why does the present world stand at the threshold of environmental problems?

Ans. The various reasons for environmental crisis are summarized as under:

I. The rising population of developing countries and affluent consumption and production
standards has put huge stress on the environment. Many resources have become extinct and
the wastes generated are beyond the 'Absorptive Capacity' of the environment. Absorptive
capacity means the ability of the environment to absorb degradation.

2. The population explosion and advent of industrial revolution has incre~sed the demand for
environmental resources, but their supply is limited due to overuse and misuse. This is known
as demand- supply reversal. Extinction of many resources and continuous rise in population
has also resulted in environmental crisis.

3. The intensive and extensive extraction ofboth renewable and non-renewable resources has
exhausted some of the vital resources

4. Due to affluent consumption and production standards of the developed world, the wastes
generated are beyond the absorptive capacity of the environment. The development process
has polluted the atmosphere and waters and there is decline in air and water quality (70% of
water in India is polluted). It has resulted in increased incidence of respiratory and water-
borne diseases.

6. The expenditure on health is also rising. Global environmental issues such as global warming
and ozone depletion also contribute to the increased financial commitments for the
government.

7. Economies are being compelled to spend huge amounts on alternative environment

friendly technologies. This aspect further add to actual cost of environment degradation.

Thus, it is clear that the opportunity costs of negative environmental issues of waste generation and
pollution have become critical today.

Q8. Explain the supply - demand reversal of environmental resources.

Ans For production as well as consumption purposes people demand environmental resources.
The same are supplied by nature.

a. Before the Industrial Revolution the demand for environmental resources was less
than their supply because of smaller population and lesser burden of development on the
resources.

b. After Industrial Revolution. the demand of environmental resources has increased

tremendously which has created the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources
i.e., demand is more than supply.
Q9. What are the main environmental issues in India?
Ans. The main environmental issues identified in India are :-
i) Land degradation: On account of unstable use ·and inappropriate management
practices, land in India suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation. Some
•
factors responsible for land degradation are : loss of vegetation due to deforestation;
unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction; agricultural practices like shifting
cultivation, improper planning and management of irrigation systems.
ii) Loss of Biodiversity: Indiscriminate felling of trees for a variety of reasons
has led to
loss of forest cover. The per capita forest land in the country is only 0.08 hectare. Besides
,
the high density of population and livestock and the competing uses of land have exerted
enonnous pressure on the country's finite land resources. It is important to note that
deforestation has resulted in soil erosion which in turn becomes instrumental
in disastrous flooding since there is no soil to soak up the rain.
iii) Air pollution: In India air pollution is widespread especially in urban areas
on account
of a large number of vehicles. Vehicular emissions are of particular concern since these·
are ground level sources and have the maximum impact on the general population. India
is one of the ten most industrialized nations of the world. This has resulted in unplann
ed
urbanization, pollution and an increased risk of accidents.
iv) Management of fresh water: Many states in India are on the edge of famine. Whatev
er
water is available is either polluted or contaminated. It causes diseases like diarrhea and
hepatitis.
v) Solid waste management: There is lack of planned management of solid waste
compost. Uncollected garbage causes various diseases and dumping garbage into landfills
is not an attractive option.
QIO. What are the reasons for land degradation in India?
Ans. Som~ factor 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 land.
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 fertilizers herbicides and pesticides.
ix) Improper planning and management of irrigation systems.
x) Extraction of ground water in excess of its regeneration capacity.
xi) Poverty of people dependent on agriculture as their main source of livelihood.
 I '•

India supports approx. 17"/o ofworld's human and 20% of livestock population on a
mere 2.5% of world's geographical area. The density of population/livestock and
/

competing uses ofland for forestry, agriculture, human settlement and industries exert
enormous pressure on countries land. Estimates of soil erosion show that soil is being
eroded at the rate of 5.3 billion tons a year.
. Per capita forest land is only .08 h·ectare against the requirement of 0.47 hectare resulting
m excess felling of about 15 million cubic meter forests over the permissiblelimit.

Ql 1. What is sustainable development?

Ans Sustainable development is defined, as a development that meets the needs of the present
generation without compromising the ability of the future generatiQn to meettheir own
needs. (Introduced by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development -
' ..
UNCED)
i) The definition emphasizes inter-generational equity. Sustainable development aimsat
maintaining the quality of life of both present and future generations. In other words it
makes use of natural resources and [Link] raising the existing standard of living
in such a way so as not to reduce the ability .of the future generation ~o ~eet their own
needs.
ii) It stresses on desired balance between economic growth and environment
preservation. For instance, both air and water are necessary for our survival on earth. If
they are not used responsibly and are polluted then the needs of the future generation
would suffer. We have no right to deny the right to life to the ft~ture generations.
Conclusion: Thus, sustainable development does not approve of these activities, which
maintain existing high standard of living but prove detrimental to quality of life of
future generation.
iii) For environmentalists the development part is sustainable if the stock of overall capital
and resources remain constant or rise over [Link] Brundtland -Commission
emphasises on protecting the future generation . We should leave to the next generation
a stock of 'quality of life assets' no less than what we have inherited
iv) Sustainable development is a development where all the people, particularly poor, are
able to meet their basic needs of employment, food, water, energy housing etc. and
ensure growth of agriculture, manufacturing, services to meet these needs.

Q12. Mention the measures that need to be taken to achieve sustainable

development as given by leading environmental economist, Herman Daly.

Ans. Herman Daly has suggested various measures like:-

 i) Limiting the human population to a [Link] within th'e carrying capacity of the
environment.
bj Technological progress should be input efficient and not input consuming.

iii) Renewable resources should be extracted on a sustainable basis i.e. rate of

extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration.
iv) For non-renewable resources rate of depletion should not exceed the rate of
v) renewable substitutes.
vi) Inefficiencies arising from poll~tion should be corrected.

Q13. Discuss the strategies adopted by Indian Government to achieve sustainabledevelopment.

Ans. Sustainable development will not orily save the present generation from the high
opportunity cost of negative environmental impact, but will serve the interests of the
future generation also. The. following strategies need to be adopted to achieve sustainable
development:
I. Use of Non-conventional sources of energy: India is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro
power plants to meet its power environm~ntal impacts. ..
• Non-conventional sources like wind power and solar rays are cleaner and greener energy
. . .
sources, but are not yet been explored on a large scale due to lack of technological devices.

• In areas with high speed ofwind, wind mills can provide electricity without any adverse impact
on the environment.

• India is naturally endowed with a large quantity of solar energy in the form of sunlight. With
the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity.

• Both the sources (\vind power and solar rays) are tota_l_ly free_from pollution. Altho~gh, their
initial cost is high, but the benefits are such that the high cost gets easily absorbed.

India has become a member ofInternational Solar Alliance (ISA) and is taking a lead role in
promot~g the use of solar energy.

2. Use of cleaner fuels •

• In Urban areas, use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is being promoted to be used as fuel. In
Delhi, use o_f CNG in public transport has significantly lowered air pollution.
• ln Rural areas, households generally use wood, dung cake or other biomass as fuel. These fuels
have several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle
dung and air pollution. To overcome this problem, use of LPG and gobar gas is being promoted
as they are cleaner fuels and helps in reducing household pollution to a large extent.
3. Establishm ent pf Mini-Rydel Plants: In mountainous regions, perpetual streams can be found
almost everywhere.
• These streams can be used to generate electricity (via turbines) through Mini-hydel plants. •
Such power plants are more or less environment-friendly and generate enough power to meet local
demands.
• Moreover, large-scale t~ansmission towers and cables are aiso not required in such plants.
4. Traditional Know led~e and Practices: Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their
1
 environment. - All practices relating to agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport,
etc. used to be environment friendly. ·
• The shift from the traditional systems has caused large-scale damage to the envirqnment r-and
to our rural heritage.
• For example. India is well known for its AYUSH treatment with about 15,000 species of'-
plants, which have medicinal properties.
• However, with the advent ofwestern system oftreatment, we ignore our traditional - systems
of Ayurveda, U_nani, etc.
• These old systems are environment friendly, relatively free from side effects and do not involve
in large-scale industrial and chemical processing.
5. Use of Bio-compost; The use of chemical fertilizers to increase the agricultural production has
not only adversely affected the large areas of productive land but also contaminated the water
bodies.
• Due to use ofchemical fertilizers, demand for irrigation has been going up year after year
• With the rise in demand for organic food, fanners have again st~rted using compost - made
from organic wastes of different types.
• In certain parts ofthe country, tattles are maintained only because they produce dung, which
is an important fertilizer and soil conditioner. . .,
6. Control of Biopest: The advent of green revolution has increased the use of chemical pesticides,
which not only contaminates the food products, but also pollutes the water bodies. • To meet this
challenge, better methods of pest control are promoted~ For example, neem.-based pesticidesare
environment friendly and free from side effects.
• In addition, awareness is being created for use of various animals and birds (like snakes. lizards,
owls, peacocks) as natural pest controllers.
• Mixed cropping and growing different crops in consecutive years on the same land have also
helped fanners.
7. Change in unsustainable patterns of consumption and production: With increasing
purchasing power, wasteful consumption, linked to market driven ·consumerism, is stress_irig the
resource base of developing countries further.·
• It is important to counter this through education and public awareness.
• In several areas, desirable limits and standards for consumption and production need to be
established and applied through appropriate mechanisms, including education, incentives and
legislation. The Government of India has taken a large number of steps for sustainable
development. The given strategies, (if strictly implemented and followed) will definitely prevent
further degradation of environment, so that natural resources remain a common heritage for
future generations also.
Q.14 India's Environmental Problems pose a "Dichotomy" Comment?

India's environmental problems pose a "Dichotomy" (contrast between two things that are or are
represented as being entirely different): •

1. Poverty is causing environmental degradation through cutting down of trees (to use fuel
wood), overgrazing of animals, pollution .of water
.
resources, encroachment into forest land.
2. Affluence in living standards is causing environmental degradation because with affluence
(wealth), the demand for goods and services increases. Higher demand necessitates the need for
 increase in production. For increasing the production, the demand for finite natural resource
s
increases. It raises the pollution resulting from more vehicles and industries.

Q 15. Ho,v can one achieve Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development can be achieved, ifwe strictly follow the five given rules:

1. Restrict use of renewable resources: Renewable resources should be extracte

d on a sustainable
basis. It means, rate of extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration.

2. Substitute non-renewable ,vith rene,vable resources: As non-renewable resources are

depleted,
renewable substitutes must be developed, so. as to maintain the flow of services over time. It
means,
rate of depletion of non-renewable resources should not exceed the rate of creation of renewab
le
substitutes.

3. Become Input Etlicient: Technological progress should be 1nade to become input efficien
t and not
input consuming. It means, efforts should be made to produce more per unit of input. It will
reduce
the exploitation of resources.

4 Control Pollution: Pollution emissions should be limited to the absorption capacity ofthe
environment.

5. Control the growth of population: The growth ofhuma n population should be controll
ed to a
level, which is within the carrying capacity of the environment.

Q16. What was Chipko or Appiko movem ent? What was the aim?
Ans. Chipko movement was held in Himalayas with the objective of protecting fores~s.
Similar
movement happened in Karnataka on 8th Sept 1983 by the name of Appiko to protect salkani
forest in Sirsi district. When 160 people hugged the trees and forced the woodcutters to
leave.
Around 12,000 trees were saved.

Ql7. What is Montreal protocol?

Ans. Montreal protocol banned the use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds as well
as other
ozone depleting che1nical such as carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane and bromine compou
nd
know as Halons.

Q18. What do you 1nean by Ozone depletion?

Ans. Ozone depletion refers to the phenomenon of reductions in the amount of
Ozone in the
stratosphere. The problem of ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlorine and
bromine
compounds in the stratosphere. The origins of these compounds are chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC),
used as cooling substances in air-conditioners and refrigerators, or as aerosol propella
nts and
bromoflurocarbons (halons), used in fire extinguishers. As a result of depletion of the ozone
layer,
more ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes to Earth and causes damage to living organis
ms. UV
radiation seems responsible for skin cancer in humans, it also lowers production of phytopl
ankton
and thus affects other aquatic organis1ns. It can also influence the growth of terrestrial
plants. A
reduction of approximately 5% in the ozone layer was detected from 1979 to 1990. Since
the ozone
layer prevents most harn1ful wavelengths of ultraviolet lights fro1n passing through
the Earth's
atmosphere, observed and projected decreases in ozone have generated worldwide concern
. This
 • I

le~ to th e adoption of the Mo..[Link] banning the use of chlorofluorocarbon tetrachloride,

trichloroethane (also known as methyl chloroform) and bromine compounds know as halons.
(

Qt 9• Write a note on pollution control board?

Ans. In order to address two major issues i.e., water and air pollution central govt. set up the central
pollution control board (CPCB) in 1974.

Function~
1
• They investigate, collect and disseminate information relating to Air, water and pollution.
n.
... They lay down standards for sewage made effluent and emission .
m. Carry out and sponsor investigation and research related to problems of water and air
pollution.
.
iv. They carry out periodic inspections to check the pollution level.
v. They also organize through mass media of comprehensive mass awarencs_s programme for
the same.
vt. They collect, collate technical and statistical data relating to wat~r pollution. They monitor
the quality of water in 125 rivers.

Ministry of Environment and the Central and State pollution control boards may not yield
results unless people co-operate and adopt a sustainable path.
J

Q20. What is Global Warming?

Ans. Global Warming is a gradual increase in the average temperature. ofEarth's Lower
atmosphere as a result of increase in Green House Gases since industrial revolution.

This is a human-induced phenome11on c~used by infteasing carbon-di-oxide and ~ther Green

Bouse ~ases through burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. (Carbon-di-oxide and methane
have potential to absorb heat). Long term impacts of Global Warming~are melting of polar ice
resulting in rise in sea level and coastal flooding. Also, extinction of certain species, frequent
tropical storm and diseases.

A UN Conference on Climatic Change, held in Kyoto, japan in 1997, resulted in an

international agreement to fight global warming which called for 'reduction in emission of
greenhouse gases by industrialized nations. '
 WORKSHEET
ENVIRONMENT AND
' SUSTAINABLE
. D~VELOPMJNT
I. DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS.
1. Environment _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ __

2. Renewable Resource _ _ _ _ __;_;__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ __

3. Non-renewable Resource ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

____

4. Biodiversity _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ __

5. Sustainable Development _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ __

II. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BRIEFLY.

l. What do the biotic elements comprise?

2. What do the abiotic elements consist of?

3. Explain the carrying capacity ofthe environment.

4. What is the absorptive capacity ofthe environment?

5. Enlist the main environmental issues in India.