CHAPTER 9: ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Environment – Definition and Functions

# Definition:

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. Biotic elements – all living elements like birds, animals, plants, forests
and fisheries etc. Abiotic elements – air, water, land, rock, sunlight etc.

# Functions:

The environment performs four vital functions as follows:

1) It supplies resources – both renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those which can be
used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of
the resource remains available. Ex- tress and fishes. Non-renewable resources are those resources which get
exhausted with extraction and use. Ex – fossil fuel etc.
2) It assimilates wastes.
3) It sustains life by providing generic and bio diversity.
4) It also provides aesthetic services like scenery etc.

# Carrying Capacity:

It refers to the capacity of the environment to support some population – human or non-human without exceeding
environment limits. The environment is able to perform its function without any interruption as long as the resource
extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resources and the wastes generated are within the
assimilating capacity of the environment.

# Absorptive Capacity/Assimilating Capacity:

It means the ability of the environment to absorb degradation or wastes.

Global Warming

#Definition:

Global warming is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface (lower atmosphere) as a
result of increase in greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone etc.

#Causes:

1) Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation which increases the concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse
gases in the environment.
2) Animal waste which adds to CH4 (methane) emission.
3) Increased cattle production which contributes to deforestation.

#Long term impacts of Global Warming:

1) Melting of polar ice

2) Rise in sea level causing flooding
3) Disruption of drinking water supplies dependent on snow melts
4) Extinction of species as ecological balance is disturbed
5) More frequent tropical storms
6) Increased incidence of tropical diseases
Ozone Depletion

#Definition:

Ozone depletion refers to the phenomenon of reduction 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 origin of these
compounds are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as cooling substance in the air-conditioners and refrigerators.

#Effects:

1) As a result of ozone depletion, more ultra violet (UV) radiations comes to earth and cause damage to living
organisms
2) It causes skin cancer in humans
3) It lowers production of phytoplankton and thus affects aquatic animals
4) It can also affect the growth of other terrestrial plants

# State of India’s Environment:

State of India’s environment is described by the following points:

1) India has rich quality of soil, hundreds of rivers and tributaries, lush green forests, plenty of mineral deposits,
vast stretch of Indian Ocean, range of mountains etc.
2) The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of cotton.
3) The Indo-Gangetic plains are one of the most fertile, intensively cultivated and densely populated regions in
the world.
4) India’s forests provide green cover for a majority of its population and natural cover for its wildlife.
5) Large deposits of iron ore, coal and natural gas are found in the country. India alone accounts for nearly 20%
of the world’s total iron ore reserves.
6) Bauxite, copper, chromate, diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese, zinc, uranium etc. are also available in
different parts of the country.

# Factors responsible for land degradation:

1) Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation

2) Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction
3) Shifting cultivation
4) Encroachment into forest lands
5) Forest fires and overgrazing
6) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures
7) Improper crop rotation
8) Indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides
9) Improper planning and management of irrigation systems
10) Extraction of ground water in excess of recharge capacity
11) Open access resource
12) Poverty of the agriculture-dependent people

# Sustainable Development:

1) The development that will allow all future generations to have a potential average quality of life that atleast
as high as that which is being enjoyed by the current generations is called sustainable development.
2) The concept of sustainable development was emphasized by the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED) which defines it as ‘development that meets the need of present generations
without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs’.
3) The Brutland Commision was established to unite countries to pursue sustainable development together. It
released its report ‘Our Common Future’.
 4) According to Herman Daly, a leading environmental economist, to achieve sustainable development, the
following needs to be done:
a) Limiting the human population to a level within the carrying capacity of the environment
b) Technological progress should be input efficient and not input consuming
c) Renewable resources should be extracted in such a way that rate of extraction should not exceed
rate of regeneration
d) Non-renewable resources’ rate of depletion should not exceed the rate of creation of renewable
substitutes
e) Inefficiencies arising from pollution should be corrected

# Strategies for Sustainable Development:

1) Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India is heavily dependent on thermal and hydro power plants
for its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. In place of these sources, wind
power and solar power are good substitutes. These are cleaner and greener energy sources.
2) LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas:
a) Subsidised LPG is being provided in rural areas. It is a clean fuel and reduce household pollution. It
also minimizes energy wastage.
b) Gobar gas plants are provided through easy loans and subsidy. The gas produced is used as fuel and
the slurry which is left over is a good manure.
3) CNG in Urban Areas: Use of CNG in urban areas as fuel in public transport system can significantly reduce air
pollution. Delhi is an example.
4) Wind Power: Wind mills provides electricity without any adverse impact on the environment. Though the
initial cost is high but benefits outweigh the cost.
5) Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells: With the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted
into electricity. This is useful in the remote areas where supply of power through grid power lines is not
possible. Also, solar energy is free from pollution.
6) Mini-Hydel Plants: Mini-Hydel plants use the energy of perennial streams to move small turbines to
generate electricity. Such power plants are environment friendly and they generate enough electricity to
meet local demands.
7) Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Our old agricultural system, healthcare system, housing, transport etc.
all were environment friendly. Only recently we have drifted away from the traditional system and caused a
damage to the environment. Now it is the time to go back and use traditional methods wherever possible.
8) Bio-composting: Farmers in large numbers all over the country have again started using compost made from
organic wastes of different types. This is environment friendly and healthy too for the body.
9) Bio-pest Control: Efforts should be made to adopt alternative ways of pest controlling such as:
a) Neem trees are proving to be very useful
b) Mixed cropping and growing different crops in consecutive years on the same land have helped
farmers.
c) Awareness is spreading about various animals and birds which help in controlling pest. For example,
snakes prey upon rats, mice and various other pests. Birds like owls and peacocks prey upon vermin
and pests. If these animals are allowed to live around the agricultural areas, these may prove to be
efficient pests controllers.

Chipko and Appiko Movements

• Chipko movement, was aimed at protecting forests in the state of Uttarakhand.

• Appiko means ‘to hug’. A similar movement named ‘Appiko’ started in Karnataka. On 8 September 1983,
when the felling of trees was started in Salkani forest in Sirsi district, 160 men, women and children hugged
the trees and forced the wood cutters to leave.

Pollution Control Boards

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was set up in 1974. This was followed by states establishing their own
state level pollution control boards. The functions of pollution control boards are as follows:
1) They collect, investigate and disseminate information relating to water, air and land pollution.
2) They lay down standards for sewage and emissions
3) They provide technical assistance to governments in promoting cleanliness of streams and wells and
improve quality of air
4) They carry out research and investigation related to problems of water and air pollution
5) They spread awareness among the people through mass media regarding various kinds of pollution.
6) They assess the air quality through regulation of industries.