Chapter 7: Environment and Sustainable Development

It refers to the sum total of all surroundings of a living organism which includes biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors comprise all living creatures, while abiotic consists of non-living things like air, water, land, etc.

The function of an environment is to sustain life by providing the necessary ingredients for survival, such as sunlight, water, air and soil. If the resources of the environment are extracted at a more rapid pace than its regeneration, we will lose the balance required to sustain life, and ultimately, it will lead to the breakdown of species.

Renewable sources are trees and fish.

Non-Renewable sources are coal, Iron-ore and petroleum.

Global warming and ozone depletion.

A rise in population leads to the depletion of natural resources in the form of deforestation for the purpose of shelter. Depletion of resources leads to ecological imbalance. Government should devise preventive measures to check the population explosion.

(ii) Air Pollution

Air pollution means the absence of fresh air for breathing, it can also mean contamination of air. Various pollutants contribute towards air pollution, such as CO₂, SO₂, and CH₄. Various health issues are caused by air pollution, which includes respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Government should implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and search for alternative sources of energy.

(iii) Water Contamination

Water pollution is also one of the leading causes of death from diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, etc. Dumping of waste in water bodies results in pollution, and improper sanitation leads to the spread of contaminants and pathogens. The government should install more water purifier machines in order to provide clean water and also promote the importance of sanitation in rural areas.

(iv) Affluent Consumption Standards

Affluent consumption has put stress on the environment. The wastes generated are beyond the capacity of absorption, and the resources are becoming extinct, which results in an environmental crisis. The government should spend on researching resources that are environmental-friendly.

(v) Illiteracy

A literate population will utilise the available resources judiciously with minimum waste by becoming aware and developing skills to utilise the resources. Lack of knowledge and skills will lead to over-exploitation of the resources. The government, therefore, should educate people about the proper utilisation of resources.

(vi) Industrialisation

Industrialisation is essential for the development of a nation, but one downside is that it reduces the green cover of the earth, i.e., it causes deforestation. To obtain rapid results, natural resources are used at a rapid pace which causes harm to the environment. These activities disturb the ecological balance. Government should be more careful and prevent unnecessary depletion of natural resources in order to maintain balance with nature.

(vii) Urbanisation

Urbanisation also leads to deforestation and causes soil pollution, along with a reduction in rainfall. Rapid urbanisation is reducing the area for farming, and in future, it will cause a huge ecological imbalance, and it will be difficult for humans to survive without food. So government should provide measures for promoting green cover and stop the expanding population explosion.

(viii) Reduction of forest coverage

As the forest coverage decreases, soil loses its holding capacity leading to the washing of nutrients and deforestation. Deforestation leads to low oxygen levels and less rainfall, soil erosion and rises in CO₂ levels. Thus, some efforts need to be taken by the government to restore the greenery and maintain ecological balance.

(ix) Poaching

Poaching is an act of killing, capturing or hunting animals. Poaching poses a grave risk of disturbing the balance in nature. Thus, more steps need to be taken to conserve wild animals and their habitat by setting up national parks.

(x) Global warming

Global warming is the effect of a sustained increase in global temperature, which is caused due to deforestation and environmental pollution. Greenhouse gas emission is the main culprit. Global warming leads to variations in seasonal temperature and rises in sea level by the melting of polar ice. Government should check the level of CO₂ emissions and adopt greener methods.

The functions of the environment are as follows:

1. Environment provides the essential sources for survival like water, air and soil and minerals. These natural resources can be mixed with other resources from the environment to produce resources which are essential for survival.

2. It provides the factors that are critical for life to survive.

3. Waste is generated due to production and consumption, and the environment absorbs this waste.

4. It provides beauty to the man and improves the quality of life.

The following factors contribute towards land degradation in India:

1. When agents such as strong winds or floods remove the upper layer of soil, it is called soil erosion. The top layer contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Erosion of this layer reduces land productivity.

2. Water logging causes the salinity and alkalinity of the soil. Waterlogged in the top layer absorbs nutrients from the soil and reduces its fertility.

3. The growing population has an ever-increasing demand for space, and thus, deforestation occurs, which causes soil erosion and reduces soil fertility.

4. The practice of shifting cultivation by small farmers and marginal farmers result in soil being eroded of nutrients.

5. Extensive use of fertilisers has contributed to the reduction of soil fertility and quality.

6. Due to the overgrazing of livestock in grasslands, it is slowly turning into a desert.

Whenever the lands are extracted at a rapid pace which is greater than its regeneration, the carrying capacity of the environment declines. In such a situation, the environment does not perform its full function, which will result in a crisis. For such a situation, there should be new alternatives which are eco-friendly resources, in order to avoid a crisis in the environment. An imbalance in the environment brings about diseases, which may be air or water-borne, which will increase the expenses. The cost of managing diseases and finding alternative resources are the opportunity costs associated with the environment. These costs are high, which confirms the statement that opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.

The following steps are involved in attaining sustainable development in India:

1. To control the population explosion, India has taken various steps, which include providing education and awareness on birth control methods.

2. Using eco-friendly fuels like CNG and LPG will reduce CO₂ emissions, which will be beneficial for the environment.

3. India has an abundance of solar and wind power, which can reduce energy expenses. It will help in sustainable development.

4. Recycling waste products also helps to sustain the environment. Waste generated from households can be used as manure. Banning the use of plastic bags is a great step toward reducing the environmental pollution.

5. Penalising vehicle owners and industries for emitting high amounts of smoke, along with high taxes and fines, have led to a reduction in pollution.

6. Using input-efficient technology has resulted in higher production and productivity and lesser use of resources which enhances growth opportunities for India.

India has an abundance of natural resources, which consists of fertile soil, rivers, green forests, high mineral deposits and mountains. Indo-Gangetic Plains are the most densely populated, fertile cultivated plains in the world, which stretch from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. Cotton cultivation is most favourable in the black soils of the Deccan plateau. The iron reserves of India are around 20% of the total iron reserves in the world. Hydel energy is attained through the hydel power plants. A wide variety of flora and fauna make India a rich country in terms of bio-diversity. All these facts point towards the fact that India has abundant natural resources.