INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Chapter - 7

ENVIRONMENT AND
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

MEANING OF ENVIRONMENT

Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totalitly of all
resources.

It includes all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other.
Biotic Elements: Biotic elements include all living elements like birds,
animals and plants, forests, fisheries, etc.
Abiotic Biotic: Abiotic elements include non –living elements like air,
water, land, etc.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENT (SAPP)

Q1. What happens when the rate of resources extraction exceeds that of their
regeneration?

OR

What do you mean by Environmental Crisis?

Ans- The environment is able to perform its functions only when-

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Resource extraction is below the rate of resource regeneration.

2. Generation of waste remains within the absorption capacity of the

environment.

If these two conditions are not fulfilled which can leads to the situation of
“Environmental Crisis”.

Q2. Explain the supply –demand reversal of environmental resources.

Ans. The reversal of supply –demand relationship is responsible for degradation

of the environment.

In the past, demand for environmental resources and services was much less
than their supply. Pollution was within the absorptive capacity of the
environment; and rate of resource extraction was less than the rate of
generation of these resources. As a result, an environmental problem did not
arise.

However, presently, the demand for resources is in far excess of supply, i.e.,
demand is beyond the rate of regeneration of the resources. With the population
explosion and with the advent of industrial revolution, the pressure on the
absorptive capacity of the environment has increased tremendously.

Thus, the reversal of supply –demand relationship is responsible for degradation

of quality of the environment.

Q3. Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are
high.

Ans. Extraction of resources at a speed more than its regeneration reduces the
carrying capacity of the environment.

In such a situation, environment fails to perform its function of sustaining life,

which leads to a situation of environment crisis.

It creates the need to explore alternative eco-friendly resources to avoid

environmental crisis. Moreover, environmental crisis also create various health
problems which necessitate the need for heavy health expenditure.

The cost involved in searching for new alternative resources together with the
greater health expenditures constitute the opportunity costs of negative
environmental impact.

Such opportunity costs are very high and therefore, it is rightly said the
opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Q4. India has abundant natural resources –substantiate the statement.

Ans. The given statement is correct.

• India has abundant natural resources in terms of rich quality of soil,

hundreds of rivers and tributaries, lush green forests, 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 the Arabian Sea to the Bay of
Bengal are one of the most fertile, intensively cultivated and densely
populated regions in the world.
• India’s forests, though unevenly distributed, provide green cover for a
majority of its population and natural cover for its population and natural
cover for its wildlife.
• Large deposits of iron –ore, coal and natural gas are found in the country.
India alone accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the world’s total iron –ore
reserves.
• Bauxite, copper, chromate, diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese,
zinc, uranium, etc. are also available in different parts of the country.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING (BIRD)

1. Burning of coal and petroleum products (sources of carbon dioxide, methane,

nitrous oxide, ozone).

2. Increased cattle production, which contributes to deforestation, methane

production.

3. Rise in Use of fossil fuels.

4. Deforestation, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere; methane gas released in animal waste.

The atmosphere concentration of carbon dioxide and methane (CH4) has

increased by 41 % and 160 % respectively above pre –industrial levels since
1750.

CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING

• Hurricanes and other tropical storms are likely to become stronger.

• Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the earth’s poles. It has led to a
steep rise in sea level and coastal flooding.
• Increased incidence of tropical diseases, like malaria, cholera, dengue,
chikungunya, etc.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Thousands of species (like polar bears) in danger of becoming extinct

forever.

STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT

Development activities in India have resulted in pressure on its limited natural

resources.

1. Poverty is causing environmental degradation through cutting down of trees

(to use fuel wood), overgrazing of animals, pollution of water resources,
encroachment into forest land.

2. Affluence in living standards is causing environmental degradation because

with wealth, the demand for goods and services increases. For increasing the
production, the demand for finite natural resources increases. It raises the
pollution resulting from more vehicles and industries.

Effects of economic development on resources (BLAME)

The issues identified are (AS PER NCERT)-

1. Biodiversity loss

2. Land degradation

3. Air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities

4. Management of fresh water

5. Effect of Solid waste management

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Biodiversity Loss:

Biodiversity is defined as the totality of genes, species and ecosystems in a

defined area.

Human intervention like pollution, overpopulation, deforestation has caused a

lot of biodiversity loss in the last few decades.

Loss of biodiversity refers to the extinction of human, plant or animal species

worldwide.

2. Land Degradation:

Refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil, water or vegetation condition,

commonly caused by human activities.

In India, land suffers from different types of degradation, mainly because of

the following factors-

a) Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation

b) Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction

c) Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides

d) Improper planning and management of irrigation systems

e) Extraction of ground water in the competing uses of land for forestry,

agriculture, pastures, human settlements and industries exert an enormous
pressure on the country’s finite land resources.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3. Air Pollution:

Air pollution is the presence of materials in air in such concentration, which

are harmful to man and the environment.

In India, air pollution is widespread in urban areas where vehicles are the
major contributors, and in a few other areas.

Vehicular emissions are of particular concern and have the maximum impact
on the general population.

The number of motor vehicles has increased from about 3 lakh in 1951 to 67
crores in 2003. In 2003, personal transport vehicles (two-wheeled vehicles and
cars only) constituted about 80 % of the total number of registered vehicles;
thus contributing significantly to total air pollution load.

Ways to control Vehicular pollution

Promotion of public transport like Delhi Metro, instead of private vehicles.

Promotion of cleaner fuels in vehicles, like use of CNG, instead of petrol and
diesel.

Use of cleaner fuels such as LPG in households to reduce indoor air pollution.

Promotion of cleaner technologies, strengthening of emission standards,

introducing economic incentives and strengthening of the monitoring and
reporting system

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4. Management of fresh water:

Water quality has continued to deteriorate the world.

Industry and mining are expanding; rivers become contaminated with toxic
chemicals and with heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

These pollutants are hard to remove from drinking water with standard
purification facilities.

Surface water near towns and cities become increasingly polluted over the
years and even groundwater has been contaminated.

The direct impact of waterborne diseases is huge, especially for children and
the poor.

5. Effect of Solid and Hazardous Wastes:

Many cities generate more solid wastes than they can collect or dispose off.

Inadequate collection and unmanaged disposal present a number of problems

for human health and productivity.

Municipal solid waste sites often receive industrial and hazardous wastes,
which may then seep into the water supply.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Q1. What is sustainable development?

Ans. Sustainable development refers to the development that meets the need
for the present, without compromising the ability of future generations, to meet
there own needs.

The word need signifies- Distribution of resources, particularly the poor majority,
for employment, food, energy, water, housing, and ensures growth of
agriculture, manufacturing, power and services.

Word Future generation refers to- We should leave a stock of ‘quality of life’
assets no less than what we have inherited, for the next generation

Q2. Explain the relevance of intra-generational equity in the definition of

sustainable development.

Ans. Intra-generational equity is a key principle of sustainable development

because inequities are a cause of environmental degradation. According to
Brundtland Commission-

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Poverty is causing environmental degradation through cutting down of trees

(to use fuel wood), overgrazing of animals, pollution of water resources, and
encroachment into forest land.

High levels of affluence (wealth) are damaging the environment as they are
accompanied by high levels of consumption, which lead to resource depletion
and waste accumulation. Many environmental problems, such as global warming
and chemical contamination are the result of affluence rather than poverty.

Other equity concerns relevant to sustainable development policies include

inequities in the impact of environmental policies and inequities in the decision –
making process.

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (BUTTEER)

1. Bio –compost:

The use of chemical fertilizers has increased the agricultural production

- Negative effect-
• Adversely affected the large areas of productive land.
• Contaminated the water bodies.

- Solution-
• Farmers have started using compost made from organic wastes of
different types.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2. Use of Non –conventional sources of energy:

Non –conventional sources like wind power and solar rays are cleaner and
greener technologies,

- Effect-
• Can be effectively used to replace thermal and hydro –power.

India is naturally gifted with a large quantity of solar energy in the form of
sunlight.

3. Traditional Knowledge and Practices:

Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their environment like traditional
systems of Ayurveda, Unani, etc.

- Benefit
• All practices relating to agriculture system, healthcare system, housing
transport, etc. used to be environment friendly.
• Relatively free from side effects and do not involve large –scale industrial
and chemical processing.

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

4. To change unsustainable patterns of consumption and production:

With increasing purchasing power, wasteful consumption, has increased

consumerism.

In several areas, desirable limits and standards for consumption and

production need to be established and applied through education, incentives and
legislation.

5. Establishment of mini-hydel Plants:

- In mountainous regions, continuous 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 generate
enough power to meet local demands.

6. Restriction on bio-pest:

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.

- Solution:-
• Neem based pesticides are environment friendly and the free from side
effects.
• Awareness is being created for use of various animals and birds (like
snakes, lizards, owls, peacocks) as natural pest controllers.

7. Role of Cleaner fuels:

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704

 INDIAN ECONOMY – ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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, use of LPG and GOBAR gas is being promoted as they are
cleaner fuels and helps in reducing household pollution to a large extent

DOWNLOAD RKG INSTITUTE APP | RKGINSTITUTE.COM | 9650719104 OR 9315230704