Environment Sustainable Development NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Indian Economic Development

Environment Sustainable Development NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Indian Economic Development

NCERT TEXTUAL QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Q. 1. What is meant by environment?

Ans.

The term refers to everything around a living organism, which includes both living and non-living things. The living part, called biotic factors, includes all the creatures that are alive. The non-living part, known as abiotic factors, consists of things like air, water, and land.

Q. 2. What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their regeneration?

Ans.

The environment plays a crucial role in supporting life by supplying important resources like sunlight, water, air, and soil.

However, if we take more resources from the environment than it can naturally replace, it won’t be able to provide what we need to survive. This imbalance can lead to serious problems known as an environmental crisis.

Q. 3. Classify the following into renewable and non-renewable resources (i) trees (ii) fish (iii) petroleum (iv) coal (v) iron-ore (vi) water.

Ans.

(i) Trees: Renewable Resource

(ii) Fish: Renewable Resource

(iii) Petroleum: Non-renewable Resource

(iv) Coal: Non-renewable Resource

(v) Iron-ore: Non-renewable Resource

(vi) Water: Renewable Resource

Q. 4. Two major environmental issues facing the world today are ______ and _______ .

Ans.

Two major environment issues facing the world today are ‘Global Warming’ and ‘Ozone Depletion’.

Q. 5. How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problem do they pose for the government?

(i) Rising population
(ii) Air Pollution
(iii) Water contamination
(iv) Affluent consumption standards
(v) Illiteracy
(vi) Industrialisation
(vii) Urbanisation
(viii) Reduction of forest coverage
(ix) Poaching, and
(x) Global Warming

Ans.

(i) Rising Population:

The increasing population is one of the main reasons why the environment is suffering. With about 2% growth every year, we’re seeing a serious decline in our natural resources. We’re using up these resources faster than we should and producing more waste than the Earth can handle.

(ii) Air Pollution:

Air pollution means that the air we breathe is contaminated. This is especially common in cities where cars and other vehicles are the biggest culprits. Air pollution can lead to health issues and causes great harm to the environment. It has contributed to ozone depletion, which is a factor in climate change. To tackle this problem, the government needs to take strong action. We should promote public transportation and encourage the use of cleaner fuels, like compressed natural gas (CNG), in our vehicles.

(iii) Water Contamination:

Water contamination happens when harmful substances find their way into our water bodies. This pollution makes the water unhealthy and unsafe for use. It doesn’t just affect humans; it also harms animals and aquatic life. Contaminated water can destroy ecosystems and reduce the ability of aquatic creatures to reproduce. Polluted water isn’t safe for drinking, recreational activities, farming, or industry. The government must take necessary measures to avoid water contamination, or else having enough clean water could become a major challenge in India in the coming years.

(iv) Affluent Consumption Standards:

High consumption standards in wealthier countries put a lot of pressure on the environment because the demand for resources often exceeds what is available. The way these countries consume and produce leads to a lot of waste that the natural world can’t absorb. As a result, the government has to look for alternative, environmentally friendly resources.

(v) Illiteracy:

A lack of education and awareness can lead to severe damage to the environment and our essential resources. When people don’t know better, they tend to misuse or overuse the limited resources we have. This improper use of non-renewable resources can lead to serious environmental problems.

(vi) Industrialization:

The industrial revolution has led to a higher demand for natural resources, but we are using these resources faster than they can be replaced. This rapid growth has caused serious problems like deforestation, the depletion of essential resources, and pollution of our water bodies due to toxic wastes from industries. It is crucial for the government to take effective steps to bring back a healthy balance to our environment.

(vii) Urbanization:

The speed at which cities are growing has put enormous pressure on our natural resources. As more land is used for urban development, there is less available for farming. Existing infrastructure is also feeling the strain. The rising need for housing has resulted in large-scale deforestation, which contributes to environmental damage and health issues.

(viii) Reduction of Forest Coverage:

The loss of forests is happening at an alarming rate, disrupting the ecological balance in our country. Currently, the average amount of forestland per person is only 0.08 hectares, while we need 0.47 hectares to fulfill basic needs. This rapid reduction in forests can lead to severe problems like increased flooding, soil erosion, sediment buildup in dams, and climate change.

(ix) Poaching:

Poaching refers to the illegal hunting of animals, and it poses a real threat to many species, pushing some like tigers and Asian elephants towards extinction. Such actions disturb the balance of ecosystems. We must take serious action to protect wildlife and preserve endangered species.

(x) Global Warming:

Global warming is having a negative impact on our environment. Ice is melting all over the globe, especially at the poles, leading to rising sea levels and more coastal flooding. This phenomenon is likely to cause storms and hurricanes that are stronger than before. It also increases the likelihood of tropical diseases, such as malaria and dengue. Many species, including polar bears, face extinction if we do not act now.

Q. 6. What are the functions of the environment?

Ans.

The environment plays four important roles:

Providing resources for production:

The environment gives us both renewable resources (like plants and sunlight) and non-renewable resources (like minerals and fossil fuels). We use these resources to create products and goods.

Managing waste:

When we produce and consume things, we create a lot of waste. The environment helps absorb and break down this waste, helping to keep our surroundings cleaner.

Sustaining life:

The environment is essential for our survival. It gives us basic necessities like sunlight, soil, water, and air. Without these elements, life wouldn’t be possible.

Offering beauty and enjoyment:

The environment includes beautiful landscapes like forests, lakes, and mountains. People enjoy these sights, and they contribute to a better quality of life by providing places to relax and appreciate nature.

Q. 7. Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.

Ans.

(i) Loss of vegetation due to deforestation:

Deforestation removes plants and trees, leading to soil degradation. Without vegetation, soil loses its structure, becomes more vulnerable to erosion, and loses nutrients, which affects plant growth and ecosystem balance.

(ii) Overgrazing:

Overgrazing occurs when animals eat too much grass, leaving the soil exposed. This causes soil erosion, reduces vegetation, and depletes nutrients, leading to poor soil quality and reduced agricultural productivity.

(iii) Encroachment into forest lands:

Encroachment into forest lands for agriculture or development removes trees and plants. This leads to soil erosion, loss of fertility, and increased vulnerability to water runoff, worsening soil quality and degradation.

(iv) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures:

Not using proper soil conservation methods, like terracing or planting cover crops, leads to soil erosion. Without these measures, soil loses nutrients, becomes less productive, and is more prone to degradation.

(v) Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction:

Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction depletes forests, reduces soil fertility, and accelerates erosion. This leads to land degradation, biodiversity loss, and desertification, threatening livelihoods and ecosystem stability in affected regions.

(vi) Improper crop rotation:

Improper crop rotation depletes soil nutrients, reduces soil fertility, and increases vulnerability to pests and diseases. This weakens soil structure, promotes erosion, and leads to long-term land degradation, lowering agricultural productivity.

Q. 8. Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.

Ans.

The way we take resources from nature faster than they can be replaced lowers the environment’s ability to support life.

When this happens, the environment struggles to provide what we need, leading to serious problems like environmental crises.

Because of this, we need to look for eco-friendly resources to prevent such crises. Additionally, these environmental issues can cause health problems, which means we’re likely to spend a lot of money on healthcare.

The expenses of finding new eco-friendly resources, combined with the increased healthcare costs, make up what we call the opportunity costs of harming the environment.

These opportunity costs can be very high, which is why it’s often said that the costs of negative effects on the environment are significant.

Q. 9. Outline the steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India.

Ans.

To achieve sustainable development, we need to follow these steps:

(i) Using Renewable Energy Sources:

We should focus on renewable energy like wind power and solar energy. These sources are cleaner and better for the environment compared to traditional thermal and hydroelectric power.

(ii) Promoting Cleaner Fuels:

We should encourage the use of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) for transportation. In rural areas, it’s good to promote LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and biogas made from animal waste.

(iii) Setting Up Mini-Hydel Plants:

These small hydroelectric plants are friendly to the environment and can produce enough electricity for local needs.

(iv) Embracing Traditional Knowledge:

Traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Unani, are generally safe and better for the environment since they do not rely heavily on industrial chemicals.

(v) Use of Bio-compost:

We should encourage using bio-compost because chemical fertilizers can harm our land and pollute water sources.

(vi) Control of Biopest:

Rather than using chemical pesticides, we should focus on better ways to control pests, like using Neem-based pesticides. It’s also important to raise awareness about using animals and birds as natural pest controllers.

(vii) Change in Unsustainable Patterns of Consumption and Production:

We need to set clear limits and standards for how we consume and produce goods. This can be achieved with the help of education, incentives, and laws.

Q.10. India has abundant natural resources -substantiate the statement.

Ans.

The statement is true. India has a lot of natural resources, including high-quality soil, many rivers and streams, beautiful forests, and various mineral deposits.

• The black soil found in the Deccan Plateau is great for growing cotton, which is why many textile industries are located there.

• The Indo-Gangetic plains, stretching from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, are among the most fertile, widely farmed, and populated areas in the world.

• Although India’s forests are spread unevenly across the country, they offer green spaces for most of the population and serve as natural habitats for wildlife.

• India has large reserves of iron ore, coal, and natural gas. In fact, it holds about 20% of the world’s total iron ore reserves.

• Different regions of India also have deposits of resources like bauxite, copper, chromate, diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese, zinc, and uranium.

Q. 11. Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, Why?

Ans.

Yes, the environmental crisis we’re facing today is a fairly new problem.

In the past, when civilization was just starting out, people used fewer environmental resources than what was naturally available. Pollution levels were low because the environment could handle it, and we weren’t taking resources faster than they could be replenished. Because of this, there weren’t any serious environmental issues.

But now, things have changed. With a rapid increase in population and the rise of industries, the demand for resources has become much greater than what the Earth can provide.

Today, we need more environmental resources like clean air and water, but their availability is limited due to overuse and misuse. As a result, problems like waste creation and pollution have become really serious issues that we need to address.

Q. 12 Give two instances of

(a) Overuse of environmental resources

(b) Misuse of environmental resources

Ans.

(i) Two examples of Overuse of Environmental Resources:

(a) Deforestation: The growing demand for land and resources because of the increasing population has led to a lot of trees being cut down.

(b) Land Degradation: In India, poor land management and unstable farming practices have caused the land to lose its quality.

(ii) Two examples of Misuse of Environmental Resources:

(a) Water Contamination: When domestic and industrial waste is dumped into water bodies, it pollutes the water, making it unsafe for people and animals.

(b) Ozone Depletion: The use of substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in air conditioners and refrigerators is harming the ozone layer.

Q. 13. State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. .

Ans.

The four major environmental issues facing India are:

(i) Air Pollution:

Air pollution is a big problem in Indian cities, mostly caused by vehicles. It leads to serious health problems and harms the environment. In fact, India has the highest number of premature deaths in the world due to air pollution, both indoors and outdoors. This pollution also contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, which is causing climate change.

(ii) Soil Erosion:

Soil erosion happens when heavy rains and floods wash away the top layer of soil. Estimates show that India loses about 5.3 billion tonnes of soil every year, which is more than can be naturally replaced. This loss results in a decrease of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with millions of tonnes being washed away each year.

(iii) Deforestation:

The rapid loss of forests in India has thrown the country’s ecological balance out of whack. Each person has only about 0.08 hectares of forest land, but we need around 0.47 hectares to meet our basic needs. Losing trees has serious consequences, including an increased risk of floods, more soil erosion, heavy silt buildup in dams, and changes in climate.

(iv) Water Contamination:

Water contamination occurs when harmful substances pollute rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. This polluted water can be harmful to both people and animals. It is unsafe for drinking, recreation, farming, and industry. We need to act quickly to prevent water pollution; otherwise, finding fresh water could become a major problem for India in the future.

Q. 14. Correction for environmental damages involves opportunity costs-explain

Ans.

Correcting environmental damage comes at a cost. Right now, if we take resources from nature faster than they can grow back, it puts a strain on the environment.

When this happens, the environment can’t do its job of supporting life, which leads to serious environmental problems.

These problems make it necessary to find new eco-friendly resources to prevent environmental crises. Additionally, these crises can cause a variety of health issues, which means we have to spend a lot more on healthcare.

The expenses involved in finding new resources and the increased healthcare costs are what we call opportunity costs related to negative effects on the environment. These opportunity costs can be significant, and that’s why it’s important to understand that fixing environmental damage does involve these kinds of costs.

Q. 15. Explain how the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources account for the current environmental crisis.

Ans.

The change in the balance of supply and demand is causing harm to our environment.

In earlier times, there were fewer demands for the earth’s resources and services compared to what was available. Pollution levels were manageable because the environment could handle what we were throwing at it, and we weren’t taking resources faster than they could be replenished. Because of this, we didn’t face major environmental issues.

Nowadays, however, the demand for resources is much higher than the supply. With the rapid growth of the global population and the start of the Industrial Revolution, the strain on the environment has increased a lot.

So, the shift in how supply and demand work is leading to a decline in the quality of our environment.

Q.16. Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy – they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due of affluence in living standards – is this true?

Ans.

Two major environmental issues in India due to development are:

(i) Deforestation:

In India, forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, which disrupts the ecological balance of the country. Each person in India has only 0.08 hectares of forest land, while we actually need 0.47 hectares to fulfill our basic needs. The consequences of losing forests are very serious. It increases the risk of floods, causes soil erosion, leads to heavy siltation in dams, and brings about changes in the climate.

(ii) Air Pollution:

Air pollution is a big problem in urban areas of India, primarily caused by vehicles. This pollution leads to health issues and significant harm to the environment. India has the highest number of premature deaths worldwide linked to both outdoor and indoor air pollution. Additionally, air pollution contributes to ozone depletion, which is a factor in climate change.

India’s environmental challenges can be seen as a result of two main factors:

(i) Poverty leads to environmental harm as people cut down trees for firewood, overgraze animals, pollute water sources, and encroach on forests.

(ii) On the other hand, wealth and higher living standards also cause environmental issues. When people have more money, they demand more goods and services. To meet this increased demand, production rises, which in turn leads to greater use of limited natural resources. This results in higher levels of pollution from more vehicles and industries.

Q. 17 What is sustainable development?

Ans.

Sustainable development is a type of progress that ensures future generations can achieve a quality of life that is at least as good as what we experience today. This means finding ways to grow and improve while taking care of our planet, so everyone in the years to come has a fair chance to thrive.

Q.18. Keeping in view your locality, describe any four strategies of sustainable development.

Ans.

Here are four effective strategies for achieving sustainable development that you should be familiar with:

(i) Environmentally Friendly Fuels:

We should promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) over petrol and diesel. CNG is a cleaner alternative that can significantly reduce pollution.

(ii) Renewable Resources:

Solar energy is an excellent choice for renewable resources, such as installing solar geysers. Solar energy is abundant and free, and because it’s non-exhaustible, it helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

(iii) Recycling:

It’s essential to sort household waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories. Biodegradable waste can decompose and be repurposed as organic manure for farming. On the other hand, non-biodegradable waste, like plastics, should be recycled and reused whenever possible.

(iv) Avoid Plastic Bags:

We need to encourage everyone to use eco-friendly alternatives like jute, paper, or cloth bags instead of plastic bags. Plastic pollution is a significant threat to our environment, and switching to sustainable options can make a difference.

These strategies not only help protect our planet but also contribute to a healthier future for all of us.

Q. 19. Explain the relevance of intergenerational equity in the definition of sustainable development.

Ans.

Intragenerational equity is an important idea for sustainable development because unfairness in society can harm the environment. The Brundtland Commission highlights that:

Poverty leads to environmental damage in several ways, like cutting down trees for firewood, overgrazing animals, polluting water, and invading forest land.

On the other hand, being very wealthy can also hurt the environment because it often means higher consumption levels. This causes a lot of waste and uses up resources quickly. Many environmental issues we face today, such as global warming and chemical pollution, are more about wealth than about being poor.

Additionally, issues of fairness in sustainable development policies can include how environmental policies affect different groups of people and who gets to make the decisions.