UDIT WADHWA CLASSES

Chapter :- 7 Environment and Sustainable

Development

1. What is meant by environment?

It refers to Total Planetary Inheritance and Totality of all resources. In easy
language, it means. All the resources or condi ons available to us in the planet by
birth.

2. What happens when the rate of resource extrac on exceeds that of their
regenera on?
When the rate of resource extrac on exceeds that of their regenera on, then the
environment wont be able to replenish the resources quickly and there will be a
situa on of environmental crisis.

[Link] the following into renewable and non-renewable resources.

1. Trees - Renewable resource
2. Fish - Renewable resource
3. Petroleum- Non-renewable resource
4. Coal - Non-renewable resource
5. Iron-ore - Non-renewable resource
6. Water - Renewable resource

4. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are________

and _________
Global warming
Ozone deple on

5. How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India?

What problem do they pose for the government?
OR
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State any four pressing environmental concerns of India.

1. Rising popula on
This is one of the major causes for degrada on of environment. Rising popula on
leads to the accelerated deple on of resources. This disrupts the natural system
and also injects more waste into the environment.
2. Air pollu on
Main cause of air pollu on is vehicles like two wheelers and cars which run on
petrol and diesel. Air pollu on is also caused by smoke from factories which
damage lungs. It has also resulted in ozone deple on, which is leading
to climate change.
3. Water contamina on
It takes place when harmful and toxic substances enter water bodies and dissolves
in it. It degrades the quality of water and makes it unfit for use. This water harms
life of animals as well as the aqua c life. Polluted water cannot be used for basic
ac vi es like drinking, cooking, washing and so on.
4. Affluent consump on standards
The Affluent consump on standard have put an enormous weight on the climate
as interest for assets is more than the accessible stock. The affluent consump on
standard and produc on standard of the developed world leads to genera on of
waste, which is past the limit of environment. Accordingly, government is
compelled to inves gate climate change.

5. literacy
Lack of knowledge generally leads to people misusing or overusing the resources
that ul mately disrupts the balance of the environment
6. Industrializa on
The rapid industrializa on has increased the demand of resources, but the supply
is limited. This has depleted natural resources and contaminated water. The
government should take appropriate measures to restore the balance of
Environment.
7. Urbaniza on
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This has exerted huge pressure on natural resources. The land available for
agricultural purpose has reduced and has increased in infrastructure facili es. This
increasing demand has led to deforesta on of a massive scale.
8. Reduc on of forest cover
The reduc on of forest cover at such a rapid scale has totally disrupted the
ecological balance. This has led to serious consequences like: more chances of
flood, soil erosion, forest deple on..
9. Poaching
It is the illegal capturing and killing of animals. Many species have become ex nct
and endangered because of this. This has disturbed the en re balance of eco
system.
10. Global Warming
Burning of fossils fuels and deforesta on has lead to increase in greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide. This has lead to increase in global temperature. This has lead
to our glaciers ge ng melted and water level increasing. This has led to increase
in water level which may lead to many ci es ge ng submerged in water.

6. What are the func ons of the environment?

Func ons of environment:
1. It Supplies Resources
We get both Renewable and non- renewable resources from environment.
2. It assimilates waste
Waste generated by humans get thrown in environment. Example - Industrial
waste gets thrown in rivers and seas.
3. It sustains life
Different Animals and Plants are able to exist because of environment. One
organism serve as food for other and we together form the food chain
4. It provides aesthe c Services (Scenery)
Aesthe c means the pleasant, posi ve or ar ul appearance. Various components
of environment together form a beau ful scene.

[Link] fy six factors contribu ng to land degrada on in India.

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Reasons for Land degrada on:

1. Deforesta on
2. Encroachment into Forests Lands
3. Overgrazing by Ca le
4. Forest fires
5. Improper Crop Rota on
6. Improper Irriga on Systems

8. Explain how the opportunity costs of nega ve environmental impact are high.
When the rate of resource extrac on exceeds that of their regenera on, then the
environment wont be able to replenish the resources quickly and there will be a
situa on of environmental crisis. In such cases, environment is not able to full fill
its func on of Sustaining life.
So, we will be forced to shi to other alterna ve resources leading to more
expenditure. Thus, it is said that the opportunity cost of nega ve
environmental impact are high.

9. India has abundant natural resources—substan ate the statement.

The given statement is correct India has the following characteris cs:
1. Rich Quality of Soil
India has large variety of soil which is used to grow different crops. Example -
Black soil in Deccan areas is suitable for growing co on.
2. Number of Rivers and Distributaries
India has large amt of rivers and distributaries which provide water for agriculture
as well as provide source of fishing and transporta on.
3. Lush Green Forests
India has large amt of forests sca ered all around India. They are habitat of many
plants and animals.
4. Range of Mountains
India is blessed with Himalayas in North India which is not only known for tourist
place but also provide many medicinal plants.
5. Indian Ocean
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India is blessed with vast area near Oceans. Here a, large variety of fishes are
found.
6. Fer le Indo-Gange c Plains
The Indo-Gange c Planes stretch from Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal. These are
most fer le areas of world and hence highly populated.
7. Large Amt of Minerals
Large amt of minerals like iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold etc. are found in India 8%
of total iron ore reserves are found in India.

10. Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?

Yes, environmental crisis is a recent phenomenon
1. Earlier the demand for natural resources and services was far less than
its supply. As a result, environment was able to easily regenerate the resources.
2. But now, the demand for natural resources and services is far greater
than its supply. As a result environment is not able to regenerate the resources
in the same me.

Hence, the environmental crisis is a recent phenomenon and has become cri cal
today.

11. Give two instances of

(a) Overuse of environmental resources
1. Deforesta on
The land available for agricultural purposes has reduced and has increased for
infrastructure facili es. This increasing demand has led to deforesta on of a
massive scale
2. Land Degrada on
India suffers from land degrada on because of some faulty management tac cs.

(b) Misuse of environmental resources.

1. Global Warming
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Burning of fossil fuels and deforesta on has lead to increase in greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide. This has lead to increase in global temperature. This has lead
to our glaciers ge ng melted and water level increasing. This has led to increase
in water level which may lead to many ci es ge ng submerged in water.
2. Ozone Deple on
It refers to Reduc on in amount of ozone gas in environment.
This ozone gas is useful for preven ng harmful gas to enter earth. Deple on of
Ozone layer has lead to condi ons like skin cancer. This ozone deple on is caused
by use of Chlortoluron carbons (CFC) in refrigerators and AC.

[Link] on for environmental damages involves opportunity costs - explain.

Yes, environmental damages do involve opportunity cost. When the rate of
resource extrac on exceeds that of their regenera on, then the environment
wont be able to replenish the resources quickly and there will be a situa on of
environmental crisis.
In such cases, environment is not able to full fill its func on of Sustaining life. So,
we will be forced to shi to other alterna ve resources leading to more
expenditure. Thus, it is said that the opportunity cost of environmental
damages are high.

[Link] how the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources account

for the current environmental crisis.
Earlier the demand for natural resources and services was far less than its supply
As a result, environment was able to easily regenerate the resources. Pollu on
was within the absorp ve capacity of the environment. So, there was no
environmental crisis. But now, the demand for natural resources and services is far
greater than its supply. As a result environment is not able to regenerate the
resources in the same me. So, we have to deal with environmental crises. Thus
supply demand reversal has accounted for current environmental crisis.
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14. India's environmental problems pose a dichotomy - they are poverty induced
and, at the same me, due to affluence in living standards - is this true?
It is true, India's environmental problems pose a dichotomy:
1. Poverty is causing environmental problems through overgrazing of
animals, misuse of resources, cu ng down of trees etc.
2. Affluence in living standards is also causing environmental degrada on as it has
led to increased demand for resources.

15. What is sustainable development?

It means, Development which meets need of present genera on without
compromising ability of future genera on to meet their own needs.

16. Keeping in view your locality, describe any four strategies of sustainable
development.
OR
Outline the steps involved in a aining sustainable development in India.

1 Controlling Pollu on
Air and water pollu on should be controlled in the area so that we have fresh air
to breath and pure water to drink.

2 Recycling
The non-biodegradable waste should be recycled and used again so that
environment is not harmed.

3 Avoiding plas c bags

People of the locality should be made aware of the harmful effects of plas cs and
encouraged to shi to jute or paper bags.

4 Use of renewable resources

The use of renewable resources like , Solar energy should be promoted as it is
inexhaus ble and pollu on free.
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17. Explain the relevance of intergenera onal equity in the defini on of

sustainable development.
Intergenera onal equity means mee ng the need of current genera on without
compromising ability of future genera on to meet their needs. As per concept of
Sustainable Development we should protect the interests of future genera on
It is our moral responsibility to hand over planet in good order to future
genera on. They should have a quality of life no less than what we inherited.