Environment and Sustainable

Development Class 12 – Introduction

Environment and sustainable development class 12

notes start with a discussion on the primitive state of the Indian
environment.

Between the primitive and modern age, man has covered a long
distance. Man’s march from a primitive age to the modern age is
often viewed as a process of growth and development. Raped
growth and industrialization have led to the excessive
exploitation of natural resources which are scarce and also have
damaged the environment and ecology.

Thus, there are two following serious effects

1. Depletion of exhaustible natural resources leads to a

reduction of availability of resources for the future
generation.

2. Environmental degradation and ecological imbalance.

Environment – Definition, Functions
and Carrying capacity of Environment

Definition of Environment

Environment and sustainable development class 12

notes define environment as follows;

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.

• Therefore, the environment refers to all conditions,

resources, or environmental elements that affect human life
and existence.

Functions 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; Environment includes land,

water, oceans, seas, rainfall, mountains, desserts, etc. These
all elements make our surroundings beautiful and
refreshing. People enjoy these surroundings which help in
improving their quality of life.

Carrying capacity of the environment

The carrying capacity of the environment refers to the situation

when ;

• The exploitation of resources does not exceed the

regeneration of resources so that resources are not depleted
 • The generation of wastage does not exceed the absorption
capacity of the environment so that the environment is not
polluted.

Or

• Resource extraction should remain below/ less than the rate

of generation of resources.

• Generation of wastage should remain within the absorption/

assimilation capacity of the environment.

If these above two conditions are not fulfilled, then the

environment fails to perform its vital function of sustaining life
and results in an economic crisis.

Thus, an environmental crisis occurs when exploitation of

resources and generation of wastage exceed the carrying
capacity of the environment.

Reasons for environment crisis

According to Environment and sustainable development

class 12 notes, the following are the reasons for the
environmental crisis.

1. 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.

Besides it, increasing population is also generating more wastes

into the environment than the absorbing capacity

2. Poverty

Widespread poverty is also another cause behind environmental

degradation/ crisis. About 30% of total

The 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

 The massive use of chemical fertilizers and
5.

pesticides

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used to increase

agricultural productivity and production but agricultural
development based on these chemical fertilizers and pesticides
are not eco-friendly and adversely affects the environment by
causing soil pollution (loss of fertility) and water pollution.

6. 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.

7. 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.
Measures to control environmental
degradation

Population control: High rate/rapid rate of population growth

(known as population explosion) are one of the major causes of
environmental degradation/ crisis. There is a serious need to
control the growth rate of the population to a level within the
carrying capacity of the environment.

It will help in maintaining;

• The balance between extraction of resources and their

generation.

• Balance of generation of wastes and absorption capacity of

the environment.

• Ecological balance by reducing environmental degradation.

Eradication of poverty: -Widespread poverty is also another

cause behind environmental degradation/ crisis. The survival
needs of the poor force them to continue to degrade an already
degraded environment.

They exclusively depend on forests for living and for fulfilling

energy requirements or fuel. Removal of poverty is very
essential to protect our environment.
Creation of awareness and encouraging public participation;
Environmental degradation is a challenge to India’s environment
which can be solved only by the active participation of people.

There is an urgent need to create awareness among people about

the dangers of population or environmental degradation and how
each can contribute his bit to check environmental degradation.

It will certainly reduce further degradation of the environment.

Control on vehicular pollution; Rapid increase in the number of

motor vehicles has contributed significantly to about 60% of
total air pollution and about 80% in metro cities. Vehicular
pollution may be controlled by adopting the following
strategies:

• Expansion of public transport

• Tightening of emission norms.

• Promotion and use of alternative fuel like CNG/LPG/battery-

operated vehicles.

• Traffic planning and management etc.

Control over industrial pollution:-unplanned and uncontrolled
growth of industries led to air, water, and noise pollution. There
is a serious need to control pollution caused by industrial
development without affecting economic growth. It may be
controlled by the followings strategies;

• Promotion of cleaner technologies.

• Fixation of emission norms.
• Introducing economic incentives etc.

Control over agricultural pollution:- agricultural development

based on chemical fertilizers and pesticides

adversely affects the environment by causing soil pollution (loss

of fertility) and water pollution. Agricultural pollution can be
controlled by motivating farmers to avoid chemical-based
fertilizers and pesticides and to use eco-friendly fertilizers and
pesticides.

Management of solid wastes:-Strategies needs to be developed

to ensure scientific management of hazardous wastes. It includes
all the aspects of waste management, starting from the
generation of wastes to its handling, segregation, transportation,
treatment, and disposal.

Besides it, strategies need to be developed to minimize wastes

generation and proper arrangements should be made to dump
wastes.

Developing urban areas: – migration of rural population to

urban areas in search of jobs puts more pressure/ burden on land
and environment resources to meet the increasing demand of
settlement and other civic amenities in cities. This should be
handled by the following:

• By converting unutilized land and other resources of urban

areas to plan townships.

• By developing rural areas or creating job opportunities to

control migration from rural to urban areas.

• By controlling the increase in slums areas and adopting/

implementing alternative human settlements.

The negative opportunity cost of the environment.

• The inverse in health Expenditure

• The financial commitment of the government increases to

international issues.

• Government’s Expenditure on Health increases.

Government measures for environmental

protection

Environment Protection Act, 1986

According to this act, the environment includes water, air, and

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

The main objective of this act is to provide protection and

improvement of the environment and for matters connected
therewith. It provides power to make rules to regulate
environmental pollution and notify standard and maximum
limits of pollutants of air, water, and soil.

Pollution control board

To address water and air pollution in India, the government set

up the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1974. This
was followed by states establishing their state-level board to
address all the environmental problems. It has identified 17
categories of industries that pollute the environment.

Functions of pollution board

1. They investigate, collect and disseminate information

relating to water, air, and land pollution.

2. They lie down/ determine standards for sewage/ trade

 effluent and emissions.

3. These boards provide technical assistance to the government

in promoting cleanliness of streams and wells by
prevention, control, and abatement of water and air
pollution

4. These boards also carry out investigations and research

relating to problems of water and air pollution.
5. They also organize comprehensive awareness programs to
create awareness among people about the possible dangers
of environmental degradation.

6. They monitor the quality of water of 125 rivers including

tributaries.

7. These boards also periodically inspect every industry under

their jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of treatment

The forests (conservation) act 1980

The act has strict provisions to check the diversion of forest land
for any other purpose. Due to the implementation of this act, the
rate of diversion of forest land has declined to 6,500 hectares per
annum after 1980 from 1,50,000 hectares per annum between
1950-80.
National Afforestation and eco-development board (NAEB)

To promote afforestation, tree plantation, ecological restoration,

and economic development activities in The national
afforestation and eco-development board (NAEB) was set up in
August 1992.

Environmental education and awareness

To bring environmental awareness among the people, a scheme

named National Environmental Awareness Program was
launched in 1986. A center for environmental education was
established in Ahmedabad to frame educational materials and
curriculum.

State of India’s environment

Environment and sustainable development class 12

notes talk about the state of India’s environment as follows.

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. Indiaalone 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.

Threats to India’s environment

1. India
is the habitat of about 17% of the total world
population and 20% of the total livestock population but
occupies only 2% of the total geographical area.

2. Therising population and the economic growth and

industrialization have placed huge pressure on its finite
natural resources. Many resources are exhausted and wastes
generated are beyond the absorptive capacity of the
environment.
Threat to India’s environment poses a
dichotomy

1. Thethreat 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.

Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation,

and natural resources, and wildlife extinction are some of the
most pressing environmental concerns in India.

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.

2. Deforestation

Deforestation refers to a continuous and substantial decrease in

the forest area.

Or

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.

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.

After independence, economic reforms caused rapid

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

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 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

Features of Sustainable Development

1. Itaims at the potential average quality of life for both

present and future generations.

2. It emphasizes protecting the future generation.

3. Itemphasizes sustainable, equitable, and rational use of

resources to meet the needs of present and future
generations.

4. Itdiscards those activities which induce environmental

pollution or stresses upon the protection of the
environment.
Difference Between Economic and
Sustainable development

Economic development Sustainable development

1. It implies a long-term
increase in real per capita
income and economic
welfare.
2. It leads to environmental
degradation.
3. It neglects the exploitation equitable, and rational use of
of natural resources.
1. It implies an increase in real per
capita income and the economic
welfare of present and future
generations.
2. It emphasizes environmental
protection.
3. It emphasizes sustainable,
resources to protect the interest of
future generations.

Necessary conditions for sustainable

development

According to Herman Daly, the following conditions are

necessary for sustainable development:

1. Limiting the population to a level within the carrying

capacity of the environment.
2. Technological progression should be input efficient and not
input consuming. In other words, more should be produced
with a given amount of inputs. It will then reduce the
exploitation of resources.

3. Renewable resources should be extracted on a sustainable

basis. In other words, the rate of extraction of renewable
resources should not exceed the rate of regeneration.

4. Non-renewable resources are limited and are depleting

rapidly. The rate of depletion of non-renewable resources
should not exceed the rate of creation of renewable
 resources.

5. Pollutionshould be controlled/ limited to the absorption

capacity of the environment and inefficiency arising from
pollution should be corrected.

Strategies for sustainable development

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.

Establishing/ setting up mini-hydel plants

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.

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 gobar gas are being

promoted. Subsidized LPG is being provided and gobar 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.