Chapter

Environment and Sustainable Development

>Meaning -Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and totality of all
resources. Environment is the sum total of external forces which surrounded us.
It includes
a) Biotic elements:-It include all living elements like birds,animals,plants, forest, fisheries etc
b) Abiotic elements:-It includes non-living elements like air, water, land etc

>Function of environment:-The environment performs 4 vital functions

1) Provide Resources For Production:-It supplies renewable and nonrenewable resources
● Renewable resources :- Those which can be used, without the possibility of the
resources being depleted or exhausted for eg trees,fishes etc
● Non renewable resources Tthose which get exhausted with extraction and use for eg
fossil fuels etc
Natural resources provided by environment are used as input for production
2) Environment assimilates waste:-The process of production and consumption activities
generates a lots of wastage, which is absorbed by the environment.
Absorbtive capacity means ability of environment to absorb waste on a sustainable bases,
without causing environmental damage
3) Environment sustains life:-Some basic necessities of life (sun,soil, water and air) are part
of environment. So the environment sustains life by providing these essential elements.
4) It provide aesthetic service:-Environment includes land ,forest, water bodies, rainfall ,air
atmosphere etc. People enjoy the scenic beauty of these elements (like hill stations). Such
elements helps in improving quality of life

Identify which of the following is not a correct function of environment?

i) exclusion of waste ii) sustainance of life. iii)provide aesthetic services
a)(i) only b)(ii) only c)(ii) and (iii) d)(i) and (ii) CBSE 2023-24 Set 1

>Concept of Carrying capacity:-Environment is able to perform its function 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 environment

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>Environmental Crisis:-It occurs when resource extraction is above the rate of regeneration of
resources,and waste generated are not within the assimilating capacity of environment.
Environmental crisis leads to global warming, climate change, ozone depletion etc

Reason:-1)Population explosion and advent of industrial revolution:- It has increased the

demand for environment resources whiler supplies is limited due to overuse and misuse.
2) The intensive and extensive extraction of both renewable and nonrenewable resources
has exhausted some of the vital resources due to this use amount of money spent on
technology and research to explore the new resources
3) Extinction of many resources and continuous rise in population as also resulted in
environment crisis
4) Due to affluent consumption and production standard of developed countries,waste
generated are beyond the absorptive capacity of environment
5) 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 in waterborne diseases
6) The expenditure on health is also rising. Global environmental issues such as global
warming and ozone depletion also contributes to the increase financial commitment for govt

Opportunity cost of negative environmental impact are high as it leads to

i) Increased financial commitment of govt due to global warming and ozone depletion
ii) Rise in expenditure on health, due to decline in air and water quality

>Reversal of supply Demand:-Before industrialisation, countries demand for environmental

resources was much less than their supply,hence environmental problem did not arise.But with
population explosion and with advent of industrial revolution to meet the growing needs of
expanding population, things changed.

The result was that the demand for resources for both production and consumption went
beyond the rate of regeneration of resources. The pressure on the absorptive capacity of the
environment increased tremendously, thus what has happened is a reversible supply demand
relationship for the environment.

GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is the observed and projected increase in the average temperature of earth
atmosphere and oceans.

During the past century, the atmospheric temperature has risen by 1.1 F(0.6C)
and sea level has risen several inches. In 1997,UN conference on climate change was held at
Kyoto, Japan in to fight against the problem of global warming

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 Cause of Global warming :-The global warming is due to increase in the greenhouse gas
concentration like water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone in the atmosphere

Factors contributing to global warming are:-

1) Burning of coal and petroleum products (sources of carbon dioxide, methane,nitrous
oxide, ozone)
2) Deforestation (which increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
3) Methane Gas (released in animal waste)
4) Increased cattle production ( contributes to deforestation methane production and use of
fossil fuel)
Note:-The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and methane (CH4) have
increased by 41% and 160% respectively above pre industrial level since 1750

Main Harmful Effects Of Global Warming:-

1) Melting of ice:-Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the earth poles,it has lead to a steep
rise in the sea level and coastal flooding
2) Natural disasters:-Hurricane and other tropical storms are likely to become stronger
3) Tropical diseases:-Global warming has increased incidence of tropical diseases like
malaria,Cholera, dengue, chikungunya etc
4) Effect on animal:-There are thousand of species (like polar bear) endangered of becoming
extinct forever
5) Effect On Season:- Global warming has led to shift in cycle of season, as summers are
getting unusual longer than winter

OZONE DEPLETION
It refers to destruction of ozone in the ozone layer, due to presence of chlorine from manmade
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and other forces

Cause of ozone depletion:-The problem of ozone depletion is caused by high level of chlorine
and bromine compounds in the stratosphere. The origin of these compound is
i) CFC which is used as cooling substances in AC and refrigerators or
ii) Aerosol propellants and bromofluorocarbons (halons), which is used in fire extinguisher

Main effect of ozone depletion:-As a result of depletion of ozone layer, more ultraviolet (UV)
radiation comes to earth and causes damage to living organism.
● UV radiation seems to be responsible for skin cancer in human beings
● UV radiation lowers production of phytoplankton, which effects other aquatic organism
● UV radiation can also influence the growth of terrestrial plants

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Montreal protocol is a historical treaty designed by members of UN to protect ozone layer by
facing out CFC, which is the main reason for ozone depletion. Under the Montreal protocol all
the signing members agreed to freeze the consumption in production of CFC by 2013.

India signed Montreal protocol along with its London amendment on 17th Sept 1992
‘Paryavaran’’ means environment and Mitra means friend and the time has arrived for us
to become’ Paryavaran Mitra’ friends of the environment

>India’s state of environment :-India has abandoned natural resources in terms of which
quality of soil, hundred of rivers and tributaries,lush green forest, plenty of mineral deposits etc
● The black soil of the Deccan plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of cotton
leading to concentration of textile industries in this region
● The Indo-Gangetic plains spread from Arabian sea to bay of Bengal are one of the most
fertile, intensive cultivated and densely populated regions in the world
● India's forest do anyhow distributed,provide green cover for a majority of its population
and natural cover for its wildlife
● Large deposit of iron ore coal and natural gas are found in country .India alone accounts
for nearly 20% of the world's total iron ore reserves
● Bauxite, copper, chromat, diamond,gold,lead, lignite, manganese,zinc,uranium etc are
also available in different parts of country
● India supports approximately 17% of world's human and 20% of livestock population on
a mere 2.5% of world's geographical area. The high density of population and livestock
and computing uses of land for forestry, agriculture,pasture human settlement and
industries exert and an enormous pressure on country’s finite land resources

However, the development activities in India have resulted in pressure on it's finite natural
resources besides creating impact on human health and well being.
India's environment problem pose a dichotomy (contrast between two things that are different)
1) Poverty is causing environmental degradation, through cutting down of trees, overgrazing of
animals, pollution of water and encroachment into forest etc
2) Affluence in living standard is causing environmental degradation,because with affluence
(wealth) the demand for goods and services increases

>Challenges To India's Environment

1) Land degradation:-It refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil,water or vegetation
conditions commonly caused by human activities.
Some of the factors responsible for Land degradation are:-
1. Loss of vegetation due to deforestation
2. Overgrazing that is crazing of natural pastures at stocking intensities above the livestock
carrying capacity
3. Encroachment into forest land
4. Non adoption of adequate soil conservation measures

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 5. Unsustainable fuel would and fodder extraction

2) Degradation of forest or Deforestation:-It involves permanent destruction of indigenous

forest and Woodlands.It refers to cutting, clearing and removal of rainforest, where land is there
after converted to a non forest use
● Deforestation lead to loss of vegetation and biodiversity.Encroachment of forest land
disturbs the natural habitat of various species of flora and fauna. Deforestation is rising
at such a rapid scale that it has totally disturbed the ecological balance of the country
● Large scale cutting down of trees lead to an increase in the amount of greenhouse
gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane etc in the atmosphere

3) Soil erosion:-Soil erosion takes place when the surface soil is washed away through
excessive range and floods. Deforestation is one of the major reasons for soil erosion . There
are very serious and dangerous consequences of forest depletion like chance of more floods
,soil erosion ,heavy siltation of dams and changes in climate.

4 )Biodiversity Loss: Biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all
sources including terrestrial,marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes
of which they are a part.
● Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is fundamental to ecological
sustainable development
● Biodiversity loss has serious economic and social cost for any country. As many plants
and animals species are seriously threatened by destruction of habitat and over
exploitation of resources, so there is an immediate need for biodiversity conservation

5) Pollution:-Pollution is the presence of material in air, water, etc in such concentration which
are harmful to man and environment
1 Water pollution is caused when toxic substances enter rivers, streams and other water bodies
and get dissolved or life suspended in water.
2 Air pollution is the presence of pollutants like smoke does particle etc in air such concentration
which are harmful to man and the environment

● In India, pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicle industries and thermal
power plants are major contributors
● Vehicular emissions are of particular concern,as these are ground level sources and
have maximum impact on general population
● Toxic Industrial waste from many Industries is also major reason of pollution

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 ● The CPCB central pollution control board has identified 17 categories of industries
large and medium scale as significantly polluting

CPCB was set up in 1974 by government this was followed by States

establishing their own state level boards to address all the environmental concern.It
provide technical services the ministry of environment and forest of the provisions of the
environment (protection) Act,1986

Adverse effect of pollution:-1)Land degradation

2)Adverse effect on human health
3)respiratory problems, skin diseases , water borne diseases etc
4)Economic loss by affect the flow of healthy labour in the economy

Some ways to control pollution:-

1. Promotion of public transport like use of Delhi metro instead of private vehicles. steps
should be taken for effective traffic planning and management
2. Promotion of cleaner fuels in vehicles like use of CNG instead of petrol and diesel
3. Use of cleaner fuels such as LPG in household reduce indoor air pollution
4. Rules regarding water and air treatment plants in industries
5. Focus on the use of eco friendly technology

______ is not a cause for environmental degradation. CBSE SQP 2022-23

a) Waste management b) Deforestation c) Global warming d) Guarding green cover
_____ is not the strategy for sustainable Development. CBSE SQP 2022-23
a) Use of bio-gas b) Use of solar power c) Use of thermal power d) Use of hydel power

>Sustainable Development:-The concept of Sustainable development was emphasized by the

United Nations conference on environment and development (UNCED) which define it
Sustainable development is the development that meets the need for the present without
compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.

The Brundtland commission emphasizes on protecting the future generation. This is inline
with the argument of the environmentalists, who emphasize that we have a moral obligation to
hand over the planet earth in good order to the future generation. At least, we should leave to
next generation a stock of ‘quality of life’ ,assets no less than what we have inherited.

Define sustainable development. CBSE SQP 2023-24

How to achieve sustainable development:- According to Herman Daly, a leading

environmental economics, to achieve sustainable development the following needs to be done

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 1. Restrict use of renewable resources:-Renewable resources should be extracted on a
sustainable bases,it means rate of extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration
2. Substitute non renewable with renewable resource:-As non renewable resources are
depleted, substitute must be developed so has to maintain the flow of services over time
3. Become input efficient:-technology progress should be made to become input deficient
and not input consuming
4. Control pollution:-Pollution emission should be limited to the absorption capacity.
5. Control the growth of population:-the growth of human population should be
controlled to a level, which is within the carrying capacity of the environment

in 2015, the UN formulated 17 sustainable development goals SDGS intended

to be achieved by the year 2030

Strategies For Sustainable Development:-The following strategies need to be adopted to

achieve sustainable development
1 Use of Non conventional sources of energy:-India is dependent on thermal and hydro
power plants to meet its power meets, but these sources have adverse environmental effects
● Non conventional sources like wind, power and solar are cleaner and greener energy
sources but are not yet been explored on a large scale,due to lack of technology devices
● In area with high speed of wind, windmills can provide electricity without adverse impact
● India is naturally endowed with the 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 wind power and solar rays are totally free from pollution although their
initial cost is high, but the benefit are such that the high cost get easily absorbed.

2 Use Of Cleaner Fuels:-In urban areas, use of compressed natural gas,CNG is being
promoted as fuel.In Delhi,use of CNG, public transport has significantly lower air pollution .
In rural areas household generally use wood, dung cake or other biomass as fuel.
These fuel have several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green cover,
wastage of cattle dung and air pollution.
To overcome this problem, govt has started Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for use of LPG.
Gobar gas is also being promoted as it is cleaner fuel and helps in reducing household pollution
to a large extent.

3 Establishment Of Mini Hydel Plants:-In mountaineer 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

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generate enough power, to meet local demands.Moreover,large scale transmission transmission
and cables are also not required in such plants

4 Traditional Knowledge and Practices :-Traditionally, Indian people have been closed to their
environment.All practices relating to agriculture system, health care system housing transport
etc used to be environment friendly.
● The shift from the traditional system has caused large scale damage to the environment
and to our rural heritage.
● For eg India is well known for its AYUSH treatment with about 15000 species of plants
which have medicinal properties
● However with the advent of Western system of treatment,we ignore our tradtional system
of Ayurveda,Unani etc
● These old system are environment friendly, relatively free from side effects and do not
involve 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 large area of productive land, but also contaminated water
bodies. Bio composting is the process of converting various types of organic waste into
natural manure that is natural fertilizers.

6 Bio pesticides:-The advent of Green revolution, has increased the use of chemical pesticides
which not only contaminate food products but also pollutes the water bodies.
● To meet this challenge, better methods of pest control are promoted . For eg Neem
based pesticides are 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 a natural pest controllers
● Mixed cropping and growing different crops in consecutive years on the same land have
also helped farmers

7 Change in unsustainable pattern of consumption and production:-With increasing

purchasing power, wasteful consumption linked to market driven consumerism is stressing the
resource base of developing countries further.
● It is important to counter this through education and public awareness
● In several areas desirable limits and standard for consumption in production need to be
established and applied through appropriate mechanism including education,incentive
and legislations

The Govt of India has taken a large number of steps for sustainable development. The given
strategies, if strictly implemented and followed, will definitely prevent the degradation of the
environment, so that natural resources remain a common heritage for future generations also.

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