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COMMERCE-POINT (DHARMENDRA SIR, 9826488667)

Subject- Indian Economic Development (XII-CBSE)
(Chapter-7: Environment and Sustainable Development)

‘Describe its Functions/Features Environment’

*Meaning of Environment-The environment refers to the total planetary inheritance and all
the resources. It includes all the biotic(living) and abiotic(physical) factors which influence each
other. These factors impact the survival and quality of human life.

*Functions of the Environment

1-Supply of resources: The environment includes physical elements such as air, water, land,
Sun, mountains and minerals. They are a gift of nature and used as raw material in production.
2-Assimilates waste: Production and consumption activities generate wastes in the form of
garbage which is absorbed by the environment.
3-Sustains life: Sun, soil, air and water are the essential ingredients of the environment and are
required to sustain human life. Absence of these elements will lead to an end of life on the Earth.
4-Aesthetic services: The environment provides aesthetic services such as scenery which
includes rivers, oceans, mountains and deserts. These add to the quality of life.

‘Environmental crisis (Global Warming and Ozon Depletion)’

Reasons for Environmental Crisis are:
1-Over Population
2-Industrial revolution
3-Pollution
4-Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
5-Over Consumption
6-Deforestation
7-Other issues
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1-Global warming-It refers to an increase in the temperature of the Earth resulting from
certain gases (particularly carbon dioxide) which trap the heat of the Sun. For example, the most
serious consequence of industrial pollution is global warming. Emission of various greenhouse
gases such as CO2 and methane has raised the temperature of the Earth, leading to global
warming.
*Causes of Global Warming-The world's leading climate scientists believe that human activities
are very likely the main cause of global warming since the mid-twentieth century, mostly because
of:
(1)-Fossil Fuels- The massive use of fossil fuels is obviously the first source of global warming,
as burning coal, oil and gas produces carbon dioxide - the most important greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere - as well as nitrous oxide.
(2)-Deforestation- The exploitation of forests has a major role in climate change. Trees help
regulate the climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this
positive effect is lost and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere.
(3)-Intensive Farming- Another cause of global warming is intensive farming, not only with the
ever-increasing livestock, but also with plant protection products and fertilizers. In fact, cattle and
sheep produce large amounts of methane when digesting their food, while fertilizers produce
nitrous oxide emissions.
(4)-Waste Disposal- like landfills and incineration emit greenhouse and toxic gases - including
methane - that are released into the atmosphere, soil and waterways, contributing to the increase
of the greenhouse effect.
(5)-Mining- Modern life is highly dependent on the mining and metallurgical industry. Metals
and minerals are the raw materials used in the construction, transportation and manufacturing of
goods. From extraction to delivery, this market accounts for 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions.
(6)-Overconsumption- Finally, overconsumption also plays a major role in climate change. In
fact, it is responsible for the overexploitation of natural resources and emissions from
international freight transport, which both contributes to global warming.

*Main Effects of Global Warming-Global warming adversely affected the earth:

(i)-Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the earth’s poles. It has led to a steep rise in sea level
and coastal flooding.
(ii)-Hurricanes and other tropical storms are likely to become stronger.
(iii)-Increased incidence of tropical diseases, like malaria, cholera, dengue, chikungunya, etc.
(iv)-There are thousand of species like polar bears) in danger of becoming extinct forever.

2-Ozone depletion-It refers to the phenomenon of reduction in the amount of ozone in the
stratosphere. It is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in the stratosphere.
Origins of these compounds are chlorofluorocarbons which are used as cooling substances in air
conditioners and refrigerators.
“The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone
and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”
The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the earth’s atmosphere. It has the potential to
absorb around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can
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damage life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent, millions of people would develop skin
diseases and weakened immune systems.
However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. This has
focused their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main
reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl
bromide and hydro chlorofluorocarbons.
Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion-The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is
associated with a number of factors. The main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone
layer are listed below:
(1)-Chlorofluorocarbons- Chlorofluorocarbons or the CFC are the main cause of ozone layer
depletion. These are released by soaps, solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air conditioners,
etc.The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by the ultraviolet
radiations and release chlorine atoms.
(2)-Unregulated Rocket Launches- Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets
result in much more depletion of ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result
in a huge loss of the ozone layer by the year 2050.
(3)- Nitrogenous Compounds- The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly
responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
(4)-Natural Causes- The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes
such as Sun-spots and stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone
layer depletion.

*Main Effects of Ozone Depletion:

As a result of depletion of the ozone layer, more ultra violet(UV) radiation comes to earth and
causes damage to living organisms.1-UV radiation seems to be responsible for skin cancer in
human beings. 2-UV radiation
lowers production of phytoplankton, which affects other aquatic organisms.
3-UV radiation can also influence the growth of terrestrial plants.

Challenges are faced our Environment:

Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife extinction are some of
the most pressing environmental concerns of India. The priority issues identified are:
• Land Degradation
• Degradation of Forests or Deforestation
• Soil Erosion
• Biodiversity Loss
• Air Pollution

(1)-Land Degradation-Land degradation refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil,

water or vegetation condition, commonly caused by human activities.
• It occurs through natural and man-made processes of wind erosion, water erosion and water
logging.
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• In India, land suffers from different types of degradation, mainly because of unstable use and
inappropriate management practices.
• Such kind of degradation leads to the loss of invaluable nutrients and lower food grain
production.
• Poor land use practices are responsible for the rapid land degradation in India.

*Causes of Land Degradation-

1. Loss of vegetation due to deforestation.
2. Overgrazing, i.e. grazing of natural pastures at stocking intensities above the livestock carrying
capacity.
3. Encroachment into forest lands.
4. Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures.
5. Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction.
6. Improper crop rotation.
7. Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
8. Improper planning and management of irrigation systems.
9. Extraction of ground water in excess of the recharge capacity .
10. Poverty of the agriculture-dependent people.
11. Shifting cultivation.

2-Deforestation- Deforestation arises because of increased demand for fibre and fuel to human
beings. Forests give us oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. Reduction of forest coverage will
increase the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. So, the government initiated extensive a
forestation campaigns to protect the environment. Central and state governments have established
many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks to protect forests and wildlife.

3-Soil erosion- Soil is an important resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports
various kinds of living organisms on the Earth. We cannot imagine plant and human life without
soil. Soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field's topsoil by the forces of water and wind
leading to desertification. The erosion of soil is caused by faulty agricultural practices,
overgrazing and deforestation.

4-Poaching-People poach animals because animal products such as hide, ivory, horn, teeth and
bone are useful to make jewellery, clothes and other materials. So, the government passed an act
to ban hunting and poaching of animals and provided legal protection to their habitats.
5-Global warming
6-Industrialisation
7-Illiteracy
8-Air and Water pollution
9-Biodiversity Loss
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‘Sustainable Development’
*Meaning of Sustainable development-It is the development, which will allow all future
generations to have a potential average quality of life, that is, at least as high, which is being
enjoyed by the current generation.
In other words, Sustainable development refers to human development where resources
are used for satisfying human needs without causing any harm to the surrounding
environment and without compromising the needs of future generations.

*Aims of Sustainable Development :

1-Sustainable and equitable use of resources, to meet the needs of the present and future
generations, without causing damage to environment;
2-To prevent further damage to our life-support systems;
3-To conserve and nurture the biodiversity and other resources for long-term food security.

*How to Achieve Sustainable Development-

Sustainable development can be achieved, if we strictly follow the five given rules:
1. Restrict use of renewable resources: Renewable resources should be extracted on a
sustainable basis. It means, rate of extraction should not exceed rate of regeneration.
2. Substitute non-renewable with renewable 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 renewable substitutes.
3. Become Input Efficient: Technological progress should be made to become input efficient
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 of the
environment.
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.
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 hugely dependent on thermal and hydro
power plants to meet its power needs. But, both theses sources have adverse
environmental 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)
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 of CNG in public transport has significantly lowered air pollution.
• In 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
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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. Establishment of Mini-Hydel 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.
4. Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their
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 environment and to
5.Use of Bio-compost: The use of chemical fertilisers to increase the agricultural production has
not only adversely affected the large areas of productive land but also contaminated the water
bodies.
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.

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.