Indian Economic Development

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REVISION OF KEY POINTS

inheritance and the totality of all resource
as the total planetary rces. It includes
Environment is defined
include all living elements like birds,
BioticElements
animals and plants,
ests, fieh.
forests
fisheries, etc..
include non-living elements like air, water, land, etc.
(i) Abiotic Elements
Functions of the Environment:
The environment performs four vital functions:
)Provides resources for production
(ii) Environment assimilates waste
(ii) Environment sustains life
(iv) t provides aesthetic services
Reasons for Environmental Crisis: The various reasons for environmental crisis are:
Population explosion and advent ofindustrial revolution.
(i) Intensive and Extensive extraction of both renewable and non-renewable resources.
(ii) Extinction of many resources.
(v) Affluent consumption and production standards of the developed world.
(V)Development process has polluted the atmosphere and has resulted in increasedincidencedf
respiratory and water-borne diseases.
(vi) Global environmental issues such as Global Warming and Ozone Depletion.
Global Warming is the observed and projected increase in the average temperature of earhs
atmosphere and oceans. The global warming is due to increase in the greenhouse gas concentrations,
like water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone in the atmosphere.
Ozone Depletion refers to destruction of ozone in the ozone layer due to presence of chlorine tom
manmade chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other forces. It is caused by high levels of chlorine and
bromine compounds in the stratosphere.
Montreal Protocol is a historical treaty designed by the members of United Nations to protectne
ozone layer by phasing out CFC, which is supposed to be main reason for ozone depletion. Underun
Montreal Protocol, all the signing members agreed to freeze the consumption and production ot r

by the year 2013.

estation
Challenges to India's Environment: Air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, delore
ioiy
and wildlife extinction are some of the most pressing environmental concerns of India. Ine
issues identified are:
Land Degradation
Degradation of Forests or Deforestation
Soil Erosion
Biodiversity Loss
Water Pollution
AirPollution vegetation ondition

LandDegradation refers to a decline in the overall quality of soil, water or

commonly caused by human activities. Vey g e n o u sf o r e s t s

Degradation of Forests or Deforestation involves the

and woodlands. permanent destruction