ENVIRONMENT AND

SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT NOTES
CONTENTS:-
1.CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT

2. FUNCTIONS/SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENT

3. ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

4. CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES

5. SUPPLY DEMAND REVERSAL RELATIONSHIP

6. MONTREAL PROTOCOL

7. GLOBAL WARMING AND OZONE DEPLETION

8. STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA

9. Threat to India’s environment poses a dichotomy.

10. CHALLENGES TO INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT

11. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

12. STRAETIGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVLOPMENT

13. CHIPKO MOVEMENT

1. CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT
The total inheritance of the planet and the totality of all resources surround
us and affect our existence and quality of life.

 It Includes biotic/living elements such as animals, birds, plants,

forests, etc., and abiotic/non-living elements such as air, water, earth,
climate, mountains, minerals, and other resources that nature has
given us as gifts.

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  Therefore, the environment refers to all conditions, resources, or
environmental elements that affect human life and existence.

OR

According to the Environment Act 1986, “Environment includes, water,

air and land and the inter relationship which exists among and between
water air land and human beings and other creatures, plants, micro-
organisms and property”.

2. FUNCTIONS/SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENT

1. It offers resources for production: Production is the process of

conversion of natural resources into useful things. The
environment provides natural resources which are used as inputs
or raw materials for production. Resources include renewable and
non-renewable resources.
2. It assimilates (absorbs) wastage: Production and consumption
activities generate wastage mostly in the form of garbage.
Environment absorbs all this wastage.
3. It sustains life: The Environment includes sun, soil, air, water,
etc. which are essential ingredients (basic elements) for the
existence of human life. So, the environment sustains life by
providing these basic elements.
4. Enhances quality of life: These all elements make our
surroundings beautiful and refreshing. People enjoy these
surroundings which help in improving their quality of life.

5. Provides aesthetic services: Environment includes land, water,

oceans, seas, rainfall, mountains, desserts, etc. which are
delightful to watch and be around.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

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Environmental crisis occurs when carrying capacity of the environment is
(challenged or exceeded) through excessive exploitation of natural resources or
when generation of waste exceed from the absorption capacity of environment.

a. Carrying capacity of environment: It refers to the state of balance between

the rate at which natural resources are exposited and the rate at which
these resources are regenerated implied at the resources endowment
remain intact.
b. Absorptive capacity of environment: It refers to ability of the environment
to absorb wastes occurring due to production and consumption activities in
the economy.

“OPPORTUNITY COST”- To solve the problem of

environmental degradation global warming and one
depletion etc. The government has to make extra efforts and
expenditure. These expenditures are known as opportunity
cost of those useful projects which had to be left because
of finite resources and diversion of these resources towards
resolving the above mentioned problem. This opportunity
cost is very high because the development process has
ignored the environment and ecological balance. The rectify
this more efforts are needed involving heavy expenditures.

4. CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

(i) High population growth

The high rate/rapid rate of population growth (known as population

explosion) is one of the major causes of environmental degradation/ crisis.
Increasing population has caused substantial conversion of forest land into
land for industrial and residential use and it has also put a huge burden on
natural resources which are limited or exhaustible.

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Besides it, increasing population is also generating more wastes into the
environment than the absorbing capacity.

(ii) Poverty

Widespread poverty is also another cause behind environmental

degradation/ crisis. About 30% of total Indian population is below the
poverty line. They exclusively depend on forests for living and for fulfilling
energy requirements or fuel. These people resort to an indiscriminate tree
falling.

On the one hand, this results in deforestation and leads to loss of natural
assets and on the other hand, causes pollution.

(iii) Rapid industrialization

It has also contributed to environmental degradation or crisis. Though it is

necessary for economic development, unplanned and uncontrolled growth
of industries led to air, water, and noise pollution and indiscriminate felling
of trees to set up industries cause deforestation.

(iv) Urbanization

It is the outcome of migration of rural population to urban areas in search of

jobs and also an important/major cause of environment crisis/ degradation.

 It put more pressure/ burden on land and environmental resources to

meet the increasing demand of settlement and other civic amenities
in cities.
 The overcrowding in cities also leads to an increase in slums areas
and undesirable land-use changes.
 It causes the generation of huge wastes and a decline in water and
air quality.
Thus, urbanization results in environmental degradation/crisis.

(v) The massive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used to increase agricultural

productivity and production but agricultural development based on these

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chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not eco-friendly and adversely
affects the environment by causing soil pollution (loss of fertility) and water
pollution.

(vi) Increase in several vehicles

India’s transport system is based on the intensive use of petroleum

products. The number of motor vehicles has increased to 14.18 in crores in
2011 from 6.5 lacs in 1951. The rapid increase in the number of motor
vehicles has contributed significantly to about 60% of total air pollution and
has caused mice pollution leading to environmental degradation.

(vii) Disregard the civic norms

The general people of India tend to disregard the civic norms. Therefore,
roads are littered and horns and loudspeakers are indiscriminately used
which results in an environmental crisis.

5. SUPPLY-DEMAND REVERSAL RELATIONSHIP

-In the past demand was less than supply,

In early days of civilization demand for environmental resources and

services was much less than their demand.

a) Pollution was within the observative capacity of the environment and

b) The rate of accession of resources was less than the rate of

regeneration of the resources as result environmental
problems did not arise.

-Presently the demand is more than supply,

In the present period the demand for resources is in fire excess of supply
IE demand is beyond the rate of regeneration of the resources with the
population explosion and the advent of industrial revolution the pressure on
observatory capacity of the environment has increased tremendously.

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Thus, a reversal of supply demand relationship is responsible for the
degradation of quality of environment.

6. MONTREAL PROTOCOL
As ozone layer prevents most harmful wavelength of ultraviolet rays lights
passing through the earth atmosphere it's depression has generated
worldwide concerned it led to the adoption of the Montreal protocol.

i) Montreal protocol is a historical trade designed needed by the members

of United Nations to protect the ozone layer by facing out CFC which is
supposed to be the main reason for ozone depletion.

ii) under the Montreal protocol all the signing members agreed to freeze the
consumptions of and production of CFC by the year of 2013.

iii) India's sign the Montreal protocol along with the London agreement on
17.09.1992.

iv) The Mount error protocol has significantly reduced the burden of CFC in
this status and help in ozone layer recovery.

7. GLOBALWARMING AND OZONE DEPLECTION

a)Global warming:-It is a gradual increase in the average temperature of the
earth’s lower atmosphere.
Global warming is caused by man-made increase in carbon dioxide (Co2) and other
greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Some of the long term results of global warming are as follow:
(i) Melting of polar ice with a resulting rise in sea level and coastal flooding.
(ii) Extinction of species as ecological niches disappear.
(iii) more frequent tropical storms and
(iv) An increased incidence of tropical diseases.

b)Ozone depletion:- It refers to reduction in the amount of Ozone (a protective

layer) in the stratosphere.
The problem of Ozone depletion is caused by high levels of CFC used as cooling

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substances in air conditioners and refrigerators or as aerosol propellants and CFC
used in fire extinguishers.
As a result of depletion of the ozone layer, more ultra violet (UV) radiation comes
to earth causing damage to living organism.

8. STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA

India has abundant natural resources in terms of the rich quality of soil,
hundreds of rivers and tributaries, lush green forests, plenty of mineral
deposits, vast stretches of the Indian Ocean, ranges of mountains, etc.

1. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cotton
cultivation, leading to a concentration of the textile industry in the
region.
2. The Indo-Gangetic Plain (from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal)
is one of the most fertile, intensively cultivated, and densely
populated areas in the world.
3. India’s forests provide green cover for most of its population and
natural cover for its wildlife.
4. There are large deposits of iron ore, coal, and natural gas in the
country.
5. India alone accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s iron reserves.
6. Bauxite, copper, chromite, diamond, gold, lead, lignite, manganese,
zinc, uranium, etc. are also available in different parts of the country.

9. THREAT TO INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT POSES A

DICHOTOMY
1. The threat of poverty-induced environmental degradation:- About
30% of the total population of India is below the poverty line (poor).
Poverty is causing environmental degradation through cutting down
trees, overgrazing of animals, pollution of water resources,
encroachment of forest land, etc.
2. The threat of pollution from rapidly growing industrial sectors:- India is
the 10th largest industrial country in the world. The rapid expansion of
the industrial sector causes air, water, and noise pollution leading to
environmental degradation.

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Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation, and natural
resources, and wildlife extinction are some of the most pressing
environmental concerns in India.

10. Challenges to India’s environment

1. Land degradation

Land degradation refers to a loss/ decline in the fertility/productivity of land

and the quality of the soil.

In India, land suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation

because of unstable use and inappropriate management practices. This
leads to loss of valuable nutrients and loss of fertility,

Causes of land degradation

It occurs mainly because of soil erosion (due to water and wind) and
waterlogging alkalinity and salinity).

Some of the other factors are:

1.Loss of vegetation due to deforestation.

2.Overgrazing and forest fire.
3.Encroachment of forest land.
4. Improper crop rotation.
5.Indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, such as fertilizers and
pesticides.
6. Improper planning and management of the irrigation system.
7. Shifting cultivation.
8. The poverty of the agriculture-dependent people.
9. Excessive extraction of groundwater.
10. Inadequate soil conservation measures.

About 174 million hectares (50% of total land area) are suffering from the
problem of land degradation. Out of 174 million hectares, 144 million
hectares suffer from soil erosion through water and wind.

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2. Deforestation

Deforestation refers to the continuous removal or destruction of forest

cover (area).

Deforestation in India has been continuing on a large scale since

independence but after independence, it is rising at a rapid rate that has
disturbed the ecological balance of the country.

At present, forest cover area is only 23.04% of the total land area which is
much less than recommended forest cover area 33% (1,000 lakh hectares)
of total land area.

The per capita forest land area in the country is only 0.08 hectares against
the requirement of 0.47 hectares to meet basic needs.

The consequences of deforestation are:

1. Chances of more floods.

2. Soil erosion.
3. biodiversity loss and air pollution.
4. Negative effect on wildlife etc.
Causes of degradation

 To meet growing needs raw material for industrialization.

 Clearing forest for Construction of buildings (human settlement),
roads, development of a township, etc. growing urbanization.
 Construction of dams for multipurpose river projects.

3. Soil erosion

Deforestation is one of the major reasons for soil erosion and takes place
when the surface soil is washed away through excessive rains or floods
and wind.

Soil erosion refers to loss of the upper layer of soil which contains major
nutrients for the growth of plants leading to loss of fertility of the land.

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4. Biodiversity loss

Biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all

sources and ecology of our ecosystem of which they are a part;
conservation and sustainable use biodiversity crisis are fundamental to
ecologically sustainable development.

India has approximately 17% of the world population and 20% of the
livestock population on a mere 2.5% of the world’s geographical area.

The high density of population, livestock, and competing uses of land for
agriculture, forestry, pasture, human settlements, and industries exert
enormous pressure on the country’s finite land resources, which puts a
strain on the ecosystem resulting in the extinction of plants and animal
species. This is known as biodiversity loss.

5. POLLUTION

 Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and

control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
 Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention,
control or abatement of water and air pollution;
 Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among
them;
 Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and
sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air
pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement;
 Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the
prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
 Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme
on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
 Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water
and air pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention,
control or abatement;
 Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of
sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks
and ducts;
 Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air
pollution and their prevention and control;

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  Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Governments
concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the
quality of air; and
 Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of
India.

After independence, economic reforms caused rapid industrialization,

growing townships, and urbanization. This has led to the destruction of
habitats and biodiversity sites.

11. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

These Environment and sustainable development notes discuss
sustainable development as follows.

 Environment and economy are interdependent but development that

ignores its repercussions on the environment will destroy the
environment that sustains life.
 Present development strategies have serious followings implications;
1. Environment degradation and environmental pollution.
2. Rapid depletion of natural resources and reduction of availability of
resources for future generations implies a reduction in the production
capacity of future generations.
 There is an emerging challenge to the quality of life of the present
and future generations.
 Thus, this is very difficult to sustain the process of growth and
development due to depletion environment degradation of resources
and
 So, there is a need for a process of growth and development that can
be sustained over a long period without causing any damage to the
environment and fall in the quality of life of future generations.
The concept of sustainable development was first propounded by the world
commission on Environment and development (set up by the united nation)
in its report submitted in 1987,

According to the United Nations Conference on Environment and

Development, “Sustainable development refers to development that
sustains over a long period and meets the needs of the present

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generation without compromising the ability of the future generation
to meet their own needs.”

According to Edward Barbier Sustainable development is a development

that is directly concerned with increasing the material standards of living of
the poor. It can be measured in terms of increased real income. Increased
in educational services, increased in health care services, increased in
sanitation and water supply, etc. or fall in absolute poverty, environmental
degradation, cultural disruption, and social instability.

Sustainable development aims:-

i) To prevent further damage to our life support system.

ii) To conserve and nurture the biodiversity and other resources for lond-
term food security.

12. STRATEGIES OF SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT
i) Use of non-conventional sources of energy

India is largely dependent on thermal and hydropower plants to meet its

power requirements. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon
dioxide which is a greenhouse gas and also produces fly ash which causes
water, land, and the environment.

Hydropower plants inundate forests and interfere with the natural flow of
water.

Non-conventional sources like wind power and solar rays are cleaner and
greener technologies for producing power that can effectively replace
thermal and hydropower without any adverse impact on the environment.

ii) Establishing/ setting up mini-hydel plants

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In mountain regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. Most of
such streams are perpetual or perennial or flow all the year round Mini
hydel plants are set up to use the energy of such streams to move small
turbines for producing electricity/ power.

Such power plants are eco-friendly as they do not change land-use

patterns or do not interfere natural flow of water and generate enough
electrical power to meet local demand.

Besides it, They do not need large-scale transmission towers and cables
and avoid transmission loss.

iii) Use of cleaner fuel in both rural and urban areas

In rural areas, households generally use wood, cow dung, and other
biomass as fuel. These practices/consumption of fuel have several adverse
impacts like deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle dung
and air pollution, etc.

To overcome this problem, LPG and natural gas are being promoted.
Subsidized LPG is being provided and natural gas plants are being
encouraged through easy loans and subsidies. These are eco-friendly and
cleaner fuels and help in reducing pollution to a large extent.

In urban areas, the Indian transport system is based on petroleum products

which emit huge carbon dioxide and pollute the environment. The use of
compressed natural gas (CNG) in place of petrol and diesel as
environmentally friendly and cleaner fuel has substantially reduced the
level of air pollution.

iv) Use of bio-compost

After the advent of the green revolution, Indian farmers have switched over
to the use of chemical fertilizers and neglected the use of compost to
enhance agriculture productivity and production.

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An increase in the use of chemical fertilizers or excessive use of chemical
fertilizers has not only adversely affected the fertility/ productivity of land
but also contaminated the water bodies including groundwater.

In recent years, due to the increase in demand for organic food farmers
have become aware of to use of compost and again have started using
compost made from organic wastes which maintain and enhance the
fertility of the soil and does not contaminate food.

In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only because they
produce dung which is an important fertilizer and soil conditioner.

v) Use of bio pest control

The advent of the green revolution has increased the use of chemical
pesticides for higher production which not only contaminates the food
products but also pollutes soil and water bodies including groundwater.

vi) To meet the challenge:

 Use of pesticides based on plant product:-Neem-based pesticides are

environment friendly and free from side
 effects.
 Creation of awareness among people about the use of various
animals and birds (like snakes, lizards, owls, peacocks, etc.) which
help in controlling pests.
 Mix cropping and growing different crops in consecutive years on the
same land.
vii) Traditional knowledge and practices

Traditionally/ in past, Indian people have been close to the environment or

used to be close to their environment. All practices/ activities relating to the
agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport, etc. were/ used
to be environment friendly. With modernization, we have drifted/ gone far
away from the traditional system.

It has caused large-scale damage to the environment and our rural

heritage. For example, India is well known for its traditional AYUSH

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treatment with about 15,000 species of plants, which have medicinal
properties and are very effective for treating chronic health problems.

These old systems are environment friendly, relatively free from side
effects, and do not involve large-scale industrial and chemical processing.
With the advent of the western system of treatment, we have ignored our
traditional system of medicine which has resulted in environmental
degradation and pollution.

In recent years/ time, people have started demanding organic and herbal
products like hair oil, toothpaste, body lotion, face cream, etc. These
products are environment friendly, relatively free from side effects, and do
not involve large-scale industrial and chemical processing.

viii) Awareness among people

Environmental degradation is a challenge to India’s environment which can

be solved only by the active participation of people.

At the micro-level/ family level, people do their best to preserve assets for
the future generation but at the macro-level/ national level, they do not think
about the conservation of natural wealth/resources for future generations.

There is an urgent need to create awareness among people about the

dangers of population or environmental degradation and rational use of
natural resources and how each can contribute his bit to check
environmental degradation.

It will certainly reduce further degradation of the environment and will lead
to sustainable development.

13. CHIPKO MOVEMENT

Sunderlal Bahuguna is one of the most famous and early environmentalists

of India. He was the leader of the famous Chipko movement. He has spent
a large portion of his life fighting for the preservation of forests in the

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Himalayas. The movement which was started in Reni village in Garhwal to
protect the trees by hugging them and not allowing cutting of these trees
was called Chipko Andolan.
The Chipko movement quickly spread across communities and media, and
forced the government, to whom the forest belongs, to rethink their
priorities in the name of forest produce. Due to the participation of local
people, it led to the efficient management of forests. Many people lost
their lives in this movement. This movement encouraged
planting of trees for timber, food, shelter and making
villages self-sufficient.

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