CBSE Class 11 Economics Sustainable Development Worksheet

1 MARKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWER

Question: What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their regeneration?
Answer: When the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of their generation, then environment fails to perform its main function of life sustenance and it lead to the situation of environmental crisis.

Question: CFC stands for ……
Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons

Question: What are the major contributors of air pollution in urban areas?
Answer: Vehicles

Question: What does CPCB stands for? When was it set up?
Answer: Central pollution control board.1974

Question: Mention any one measure to control air pollution.
Answer: Promotion of cleaner fuel, like use of CNG, LPG

Question: Give two examples of overuse of resources.
Answer: i) Excessive exploitation of fossil fuel.
ii) Excessive tree felling.

Question: Give two examples of misuse of resources.
Answer: i) Use of wood as a household fuel.
ii) Use of rivers to dump industrial effluents.

Question: Why have some resources become extinct?
Answer: Some resources have become extinct because their extraction has been above their regeneration.

Question: The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of ……
Answer: Cotton

Question: Give the name of two movements which aimed at protecting forests.
Answer: i) Chipko Movement
ii) Appiko Movement.

Question: What is meant by biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity is the biological variety and variability of life on earth

Question: State different types of environmental pollution.
Answer: Air pollution, Water pollution, Noise pollution

Question: What is soil erosion and what are its causes?
Answer: Soil erosion refers to the removal of upper layer of the soil through excessive rain floods and winds. The main causes are deforestation and intensive farming.

Question: Which of the following is an impact of global warming?
A. Deforestation
B. Rise in sea level
C. Waste generation
D. Rapid increase in population
Answer: B

Question: Which of the following is a consequence of ozone layer depletion?
A. Skin cancer in humans
B. Lower production of phytoplankton
C. Hampers growth of terrestrial plants
D. All of the above
Answer: D

Question: Which of the following statements is correct about achieving sustainable development?
A. Sustainable development can be achieved by restricting the usage of renewable resources
B. Sustainable development can be achieved by controlling the growth rate of world’s population
C. Sustainable development can be achieved by controlling the menace of pollution
D. All of the above
Answer: D

Question: Which of the following statements is true?
A. Ozone depletion is one of the main reasons for soil erosion
B. Deforestation is one of the main reasons for soil erosion
C. Air pollution is one of the main reasons for soil erosion
D. Global warming is one of the main reasons for soil erosion
Answer: B

Question: Which of the following statements is true?
A. Economic growth is the modern concept for development
B. Political growth is the modern concept for development
C. Sustainable growth is the modern concept for development
D. Social growth is the modern concept for development
Answer: C

Question: Which of the following statements is correct?
A. The Chipko movement was about banning the use of chlorofluorocarbon, bromine and chlorine compounds
B. The Kyoto protocol was about banning the use of chlorofluorocarbon, bromine and chlorine compounds
C. The Appiko movement was about banning the use of chlorofluorocarbon, bromine and chlorine compounds
D. The Montreal protocol was about banning the use of chlorofluorocarbon, bromine and chlorine compounds
Answer: D

Question: Which of the following statements gives the correct meaning of absorptive capacity?
A. Absorptive capacity is defined as the ability of our environment to absorb degradation
B. Absorptive capacity is defined as the method of resource generation that is within the assimilating capacity of our environment
C. Absorptive capacity is defined as the average number of organisms that are living within a given environment
D. Absorptive capacity is defined as the minimum population that is currently surviving in the world
Answer: A

Question: When the term sustainable development was came in to existence?
A. 1979
B. 1980
C. 1981
D. 1982
Answer: B

Question: Which of the following is not used as a strategy for sustainable development?
A. Use of bio gas
B. use of solar power
C. use of thermal powe
D. use of hydel power
Answer: C

Question: Central pollution control board has identified -------- categories of large and medium industries as polluting industries
A. 15
B. 17
C. 19
D.13
Answer: B

Question: What does environment include?
Answer: all the biotic and abiotic elements that influence each other

Question: define Bio-composting
Answer: the process of converting organic waste of various types in to natural manure

Question: Define sustainable development
Answer: the development process that meets the need of present generation without compromising on the ability of the future generation to meet their needs

Question: The “Agenda 21 of Rio summit of 1992 is related to?
Answer: sustainable development

Question: What is meant by environment?
Answer: the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources

ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS

Read the following statements – Assertion (A) and reason (R). Choose one of the correct alternatives given below
OPTION A: Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
OPTION B: Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
OPTION C: Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false
OPTION D: Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true

Question: Assertion (A): Poverty leads to environmental degradation.
Reason (R): Affluence in living standard is causing environmental degradation.
Answer: B

Question: Assertion (A): The crude oil reserves are going down for the entire world and countries need to find substitute fuel for crude oil.
Reason (R): A country that is dependent on imports for crude oil will demand more crude oil in the future.
Answer:  B 

Question: Assertion (A): Global warming contributes to increased financial commitments for the govt.
Reason (R): Because of this the opportunity cost of negative environmental impacts are low.
Answer: C

Question: Assertion (A): In the past demand for environmental resources and services were much higher than their supply.
Reason (R): Reversal of supply and demand relationship is responsible for degradation of the quality of environment.
Answer:  D

Case Study Questions Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Economics

In recent years, awareness of the harmful effect of chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides on our health is on a rise. Conventional agriculture relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides etc., which enter the food supply, penetrate the water sources, harm the livestock, deplete the soil and devastate natural eco-systems.

Efforts in evolving technologies which are eco-friendly, are essential for sustainable development and one such technology which is eco-friendly is organic farming.
In short, organic agriculture is a whole system of farming that restores, maintains and enhances the ecological balance. There is an increasing demand for organically grown food to enhance food safety throughout the world. 

Question: Green revolution was a major reason of rise in productivity of farming. What are the advantages of conventional farming methods?
(a) Higher output
(b) Cost effective
(c) Wider range
(d) All of the above 
Answer: D

Question: Assertion (A) A country rich in natural resources has mainly relied on oil extraction for revenue generation. However, scientists predict that the country may become poor in the future if other means of generating income are not devised.
Reason (R) Oil is a non-renewable resource, and it is likely to get exhausted if not used judiciously.
Alternatives
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true
(d) Both the statements are false 
Answer: A

Question: In context of sustainable development, which of the following is/are strategies to achieve it?
(a) Use of sustained methods of farming
(b) Use of bio-pest
(c) Use of natural manure
(d) All of the above 
Answer: D 

Question: ………… is more popular non-farm activity after farming.
(a) Horticulture
(b) Pisciculture
(c) Plantation
(d) Animal husbandry 
Answer: B

Question: ……… helps in maintaining ecological balance.
(a) Organic food
(b) Conventional food
(c) Dairy
(d) Protein 
Answer: A 

Question: Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(i) Sustainable development is synonymous with the conservation of the environment.
(ii) The environment is able to perform its functions without any interruption as long as the resource extraction increases the rate of regeneration.
Alternatives
(a) Both are true
(b) Both are false
(c) (i) is true, but (ii) is false
(d) (i) is false, but (ii) is true 
Answer: A

 Sustainable development is synonymous in the minds of many with the colour green and for good reason. Twenty years ago, at the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, leaders set out what today is conventional wisdom human progress—both social and economic—cannot be divorced from environmental protection. Unless both are advanced together, both will flounder or fail.
Sustainable development is as much about health,education and jobs, as it is about ecosystems. It is about ever widening inclusion and movement away from decisions that erode democratic space and do not address social inequality, intolerance and violence. Sustainable development is about change that transforms impoverished peoples, communities and countries into informed, educated, healthy and productive societies. It is about wealth creation that generates equality and opportunity; it is about consumption and production patterns that respect planetary boundaries; it is about increasing tolerance and respect for human rights.
Building on the human development legacy that originated with Amartya Sen and Mahbub-Ul-Haq and was captured by the first human development report in 1990, UNDP has long promoted alternative approaches to measuring human progress, including with the human development index. Today, we are building on this legacy by exploring how to adjust the index to reflect environmental sustainability, so that governments and citizens might better track real progress towards truly sustainable development. This must be our collective objective.
Source UNDP Report, June, 2012

Question: Which of the following are ways to attain the goal of sustainable development?
(a) Use of cleaner fuels
(b) Use of traditional knowledge and practices
(c) Spreading awareness
(d) All of the above A
nswer: D 

Question: The word ‘Sustainable Development’ came in existence in ……… .
(a) 1980
(b) 1982
(c) 1987
(d) 1990 
Answer: A

Question: As per United Nations, following is/are the broader issue(s) of human development?
(a) Education
(b) Public health
(c) Standard of living
(d) All of the above 
Answer: D

Question: Sustainable development and economic growth ………… proportional.
(a) directly
(b) increasing
(c) indirectly
(d) decreasing 
Answer: A 

Question: Assertion (A) Sustainable development is about changes that transform impoverished people,communities, and countries into informed, educated, healthy and productive societies.
Reason (R) Sustainable development advocates about wealth creation that generates socio-economic equality and opportunity.
Alternatives
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true
(d) Both the statements are false 
Answer: A

Question: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognise that all countries must stimulate action in the following key areas
(a) people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.
(b) people, planet, prosperity, plants and planning.
(c) people, planet, prosperity, plants and partnership.
(d) people, planet, prosperity, peace and planning. 
Answer: A  

Along with being a basic human need, water is also a basic constituent for the survival of eco-systems of which people and their cultures are important components. The water resources distribution in India, predominantly an agrarian economy, is highly asymmetric and has been accompanied by severe decline in per capita water availability during the past 50 years, with agriculture being the maximum water user, leading to over-exploitation of ground water and steadily depleting water tables along with a heavy energy bill.
Gujarat State falls in a water stressed zone of the country and is also the victim of intra-state asymmetric water availability leading to an unwanted socio-economic disparity, with the following results A poor literacy rate in water-deficit districts;concentration of industry and housing in regions with better water resources endowment; and demographic change, e.g. the shift of the prime workforce from drought-prone districts to water-surplus districts.
This in turn denies the right to life, development,health, food, education and work for these migrant communities.
To ensure a balanced development when there is less than one acre per capita of cultivable landholding and over 14,000 villages out of 18,563 are suffering from water scarcity, there is no other alternative but to transfer water from surplus to scarce areas of the state.

Question: Which of the following is/are not an objective(s) of sustainable development?
(a) Control over growth rate of population
(b) Maintain ecological balance
(c) Maintain a dynamic balance of water resources by reducing water consumption
(d) To bring about a gradual and sometimes,catastrophic transformation of environment 
Answer: D 

Question: Which of the following is not included in the strategies of sustainable development?
(a) Maintain carrying capacity of environment
(b) Maintain inter and intra-generation equity
(c) Bring gender disparity and diversity
(d) None of the above 
Answer: D 

Question: The ……… commission emphasises on protecting the future generation.
(a) Brundtland
(b) Mundell
(c) Indian
(d) French 
Answer: A

Question: Water is an important resource for all biotic components. Over use of water has posed a serious threat on the future generations. Which of the following measures can be taken to improve availability of water across generations?
(a) Encouraging rain water harvesting
(b) Check on overuse of ground water level
(c) Spreading awareness about water conservation
(d) All of the above 
Answer: D

Question: Assertion (A) Environmentalists have used the term sustainability in an attempt to classify the defined balance between economic growth and environment conservation.
Reason (R) A developmental path is sustainable if the stock of overall capital assets remains constant or increases over time.
Alternatives
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true
(d) Both the statements are false 
Answer: A

Question: Match the following   

Codes
         A    B    C     D      E
(a)   (ii)  (iv)  (i)   (v)    (iii)
(b)   (i)   (ii)  (iii)  (iv)    (v)
(c)   (iii)  (i)  (iv)   (v)    (ii)
(d)   (v)  (iv) (iii)  (ii)    (i) 
Answer: C

Read the following hypothetical text and Answer: the given questions:

Sustainable development is the synonymous in the minds of many with the color green and for good reasons. Twenty years ago, at the First Earth Summit at Rio de Janerio in Brazil, world leaders set out what today is conventional wisdom: social and economic human progress - cannot be divorced from environmental protection unless both are advanced together, both will flounder together. Sustainable development is as much about health, education and jobs, as it is about the ecosystems. It is about ever widening inclusion and movement away from decisions that erode democratic space and do not address social inequality, intolerance, and violence. Sustainable development is about changes that transform impoverished people, communities, and countries into informed, educated healthy and productive societies. It is about wealth creation that generates equality and opportunity. Sustainable development is about consumption and production patterns that respect planetary boundaries; it is also about increasing tolerance and respect for human rights at all levels. Building on human development legacy that oriented with economists like Amartya Sen and Mahbub Ul Haq and was captured by the first Human Development Report in 1990. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has long promoted alternative approaches to measure human progress, along with the Human Development Index (HDI). Today, we are building on this legacy by exploring how to adjust the index to reflect environmental sustainability, so that governments and citizens might better track real progress towards truly sustainable development. This must be our collective objective.

Question: Which of the following is not one of the ways to attain the goal of sustainable development? (choose the correct alternative)
a. Use of cleaner fuels
b. Use of traditional knowledge and practices
c. Spreading awareness
d. Sticking to methods to promote inequalities
Answer: D

Question: State whether the given statement is true or false: As per the UNDP Report education and health are the broader issues of human development.
Answer: True

Question: Sustainable development and economic growth are __________ (directly/indirectly) related. (choose the correct alternative)
Answer: Directly

Question: Read the following statements - Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Sustainable development is about changes that transform impoverished people, communities, and countries into informed, educated, healthy and productive societies.
Reason (R): Sustainable development advocates about wealth creation that generates socio-economic equality and opportunity. Select the correct alternative from the following:
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true.
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
Answer: B

Read the following text and Answer: the given questions:

As a visionary and forward-looking development paradigm, SD emphasizes a positive transformation trajectory anchored essentially on social, economic and environmental factors. According to Taylor (2016), the three main issues of sustainable development are economic growth, environmental protection and social equality. Based on this, it can be argued that the concept of SD rests, fundamentally, on three conceptual pillars. These pillars are “economic sustainability”, “social sustainability”, and ‘environmental sustainability

Question: The concept of sustainable development is related to----
a. Rural development
b. Growth rate of GDP
c. Human development
d. environment
Answer: D

Question: The economic development that we have achieved so far has come at a very heavy Price that is environment pollution (true/falls)
Answer: true

Read the following text and Answer: the given questions:

The concept of 'sustainability' is gradually gaining acknowledgement throughout the world. This concept involves the demand at present and in the future, sovereignty over countries, equity among nations, natural resources, ecosystem capacity, and the integration of environmental protection and development.
Sustainability originates from ecology. The term, which first appeared in fishery and forestry, refers to a resources management strategy. The strategy allows harvesting a reasonable portion of resources, as long as the availability of the resources would not be threatened and the resources would be replenished enough to compensate for the harvesting. The definition of sustainable development laid down by the World Commission on Environment and Development as:
The paramount concept of sustainable development is promoting the advance and development of the society and simultaneously upholding environmental protection principles. Sustainable development highlights protection and improvement of the ecology when we are promoting production. Sustainable is what resources should be, to the extent that the resources is available for human use for a longer period, or even forever, to avoid their exhaustion, which would surely undermine the life.

Question: Resources which get exhausted with extraction and use are known as------------?
Answer: non-renewable resources

Question: Identify the two major environmental issues facing the world
Answer: Global warming and ozone depletion

Question: The ability of the environment to absorb degradation is known as--------
Answer: absorptive capacity.

Read the following text and Answer: the given questions

In 1980, the International Union for Conservation of Nature published a world conservation strategy that included one of the first references to sustainable development as a global priority and introduced the term "sustainable development". Two years later, the United Nations World Charter for Nature raised five principles of conservation by which human conduct affecting nature is to be guided and judged. Since the Brundtland Report, the concept of sustainable development has developed beyond the initial intergenerational framework to focus more on the goal of "socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economic growth".[ In 1992, the UN Conference on Environment and Development published the Earth Charter, which outlines the building of a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. The action plan Agenda 21 for sustainable development identified information, integration, and participation as key building blocks to help countries achieve development that recognizes these interdependent pillars. Furthermore, Agenda 21 emphasizes that broad public participation in decision making is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving sustainable development The Rio Protocol was a huge leap forward: for the first time, the world agreed on sustainability agenda. In fact, a global consensus was facilitated by neglecting concrete goals and operational details. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) now have concrete targets (unlike the results from the Rio Process) but no methods for sanctions.

Question: What was the theme of world sustainable development summit 2021?
Answer: redefining our common future- safe and secure environment for all

Question: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) is also known as
Answer: Rio 2012

(3/4 MARKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWER)

Question: Define the term environment? What do you understand by study of environment?
Answer: Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources. It includes all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other. Biotic elements are all living elements — the birds, animals and plants, etc. Abiotic elements are nonliving elements like air, water, land, rocks, etc.
Study of environment means study of the interrelationship between biotic and
abiotic components of the environment.

Question: Explain the followings
Answer: (a) carrying capacity of environment
(b) absorptive capacity of environment. Carrying capacity of the environment implies that the resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resources and the wastes generated are within the assimilating capacity of environment. Absorptive capacity of environment refers to Ability of the environment to absorb degradation.

Question: Distinguish between renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
Answer: Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resources becoming depleted that is a continuous supply of the resource remains available such as trees in the forest, fishes in the oceans etc. whereas Nonrenewable resources refer to those resources which get exhausted with extraction and use such as fossil fuel.

Question: What are the two major environmental issues facing the world today. Explain each.
Answer: (a) Global warming.
Global warming refers to gradual increase in the average temperature of earth’s atmosphere and ocean. It is caused by the emission of Green House Gases, particularly, carbon dioxide. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide raises the temperature of the earth surface, accelerating the melting of polar ice. This leads to the rise in the sea level. Thus, the disturbed ecological balance leads to increasing natural calamities, posing a threat to human survival.
(b) Ozone depletion
Ozone acts as a cover for the earth surface that is very essential for the sustenance of life. It prevents the harmful ultra violet radiations from penetrating the earth surface. But its depletion is becoming a global concern these days. This is due to the excessive use of cooling substances in the air conditioners and the refrigerators. As ozone gets depleted, the possibility of ultra violet radiations penetrating to the earth surface increases posing a threat to the life on earth.

Question: What are functions of Central Pollution Control Board?
Answer: The government set up central pollution control board (CPCB) in 1974. The main functions are as follows:
a) The board investigates, collects and disseminates information relating to pollution.
b) They provide technical assistance to the government in implementing the rules related to pollution control.
c) They carry out awareness program through mass media.
d) They prepare code and guidelines related to the control of pollution.
e) They assess air quality through regulation of industries.

Question: What are the four vital functions of the environment?
Answer: (a.) Environment Supplies Resources- Resources include both renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. In other words, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are trees in the forest and fish in the ocean. Non-renewable resources are those which get exhausted with extraction and use, E.g. fossil fuels.
(b). Environment Sustains Life- Environment includes sun, soil, water and air which are essential elements for the sustenance of human life. The carrying capacity of the environment implies that the resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resources and the waste generated are within the assimilating capacity of the environment. Carrying capacity of the environment helps to sustain life. Absence of carrying capacity of environments means absence of life.
(c) Environment Assimilates Waste-Production and consumption activities generate waste. This occurs mostly in the form of garbage. Environment absorbs garbage.
(d) Environment Enhances Quality of Life and it provides aesthetic services. Environment includes oceans, mountains, deserts, etc. Man enjoys these surroundings, adding to the quality of life.

Question: Give two instances of (a) Overuse of environmental resources (b) Misuse of environmental resources.
Answer: (a) Overuse of environmental resources
Drying up of Rivers: The increase in irrigation and construction of flood storage reservoirs are resulting in the drying up of rivers
Deforestation: The continuous increase in demand due to growing population has resulted in large scale deforestation
(b) Misuse of environmental resources.
Use of Rivers to Discharge the Waste: Water is essential for life. The misuse of water as a resource is responsible for its pollution and contamination. The factors responsible for water pollution are the discharge of domestic sewage, industrial waste,
Use of Wood for Cooking Food: Wood is a non-renewable source of energy. Using wood instead of eco-friendly alternative fuels for cooking purposes brings about deforestation.

Question: Define sustainable development. Mention the major aims of sustainable development.
Answer: Sustainable development is that process of development that will allow all future generation to have a potential average quality of life. The concept of sustainable development was emphasized by UNCED which defined it as development that meets the needs of present generation without reducing the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is a development without damaging the environment. The present development should not be at the expense of future generation. It is a development which meets the basic needs of all people to satisfy their aspirations for a better life. Major aims are as follows:
a) Equitable use of resources to meet the need of present and future generation without damaging our environment
b) Preservation of the regenerative capacity of the ecological system of the world
c) Avoiding the imposition of added costs or risk on future generation
d) Prevent the further damage to our life support system.
e) Conserve and nurture the biodiversity and other resources for long term food security

Question: Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.
Answer: Some of the factors responsible for land degradation are:
a) Loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation
b) Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction.
c) Shifting cultivation
d) Encroachment into forest lands
e) Forest fires and over grazing
f) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures. (briefly explain each)

Question: What is biodiversity loss and what are its causes?
Answer: Biodiversity loss means the extinction of life forms or loss of species in a certain habitat. The main causes are increase in population and over exploitation of natural resources. So, there is an immediate need for biodiversity conservation.

Question: Keeping in view your locality, describe any four strategies of sustainable development.
Answer: a) Strategies of sustainable development in my locality can be:
b) Solar energy may be used
c) People should use less air conditioner.
d) People should use herbal cosmetics.
e) People should not use polythene bags, instead they must use bags made of paper.
f) Use of environment friendly fuel like CNG g) Recycling-the household waste should be separated as bio-degradable and non- Biodegradable (briefly explain any four)

Question: Mention some of the most pressing environmental concerns of India.
Answer: 
a) Land degradation
b) Biodiversity loss
c) Air pollution
d) Solid waste management
e) Management of fresh water (explain each)

Question: Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
Answer: Opportunity cost is the cost of next best alternative sacrificed or given up. The exploitation of both renewable and non-renewable resources has exhausted some of the vital resources and we are compelled to spend huge amounts on technology and research to explore new resources. Environmental crises are an aggregate outcome of excessive exploitation of natural resources and excessive generation of wastes. Moreover, environmental crises lead to greater incidence of respiratory and water borne diseases, necessitating higher health expenditures and investments. The costs involved in searching new alternative resources together with the greater health expenditures constitute the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact. Such opportunity costs are very high and require voluminous financial commitments for the government. The global warming and ozone depletion also contribute to increased financial commitments for the government. thus it is clear that the opportunity costs of negative environmental impacts are high.

Question: “It is our moral obligation to hand over the planet earth in good order to future Generation” do you agree?
Answer: If yes, what should be done to achieve sustainable development? Yes. I agree with the given statement. It is our moral obligation to hand over the planet earth in good order to future generation. According to Herman Daly, a leading environmental economist, to achieve sustainable development, the following needs to be done:
a. Limiting the human population to a level within the carrying capacity of the environment b. Technological progress should be input efficient and not input consuming c. renewable resource should be extracted on a sustainable basis d. Rate of depletion of non-renewable resource should not exceed the rate of creation of renewable substitutes e. Inefficiencies arising from pollution should be corrected.

Question: Explain the following in brief:
Answer: (a) Appiko movement –
The famous Chipko Andolan (Hug the Trees Movement) of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas inspired the villagers of the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka Province in southern India to launch a similar movement to save their forests. On 8th September 1983, when the felling of trees was started in salkani forest in sirsi district, 160 men, women and children of Salkani "hugged the trees" and forced the wood cutters to leave. They kept vigil in the forest over the next six weeks only after the forest officials assured the volunteers that the trees will be cut scientifically and in accordance with the working plan of the district did they leave the trees. (The local term for "hugging" in Kannada is appiko) Appiko Andolan gave birth to a new awareness all over southern India.
b) Environment Protection Act, 1986 –
In the wake of the Bhopal gas Tragedy, the government enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. Passed in May 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986. The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. They relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property. The Act is an “umbrella” legislation designed to provide a framework for central government coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous laws, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
c) Montreal protocol -
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). When released to the atmosphere, those chemicals damage the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Adopted on 15 September 1987, the Protocol is to date the only UN treaty ever that has been ratified every country on Earth - all 198 UN Member States. All the signing members agreed to freeze the consumption and production of CFC by 2013.

Question: How did Brundtland commission define sustainable development?
Answer: Sustainable development was defined in the world commission on environment and development’s1987 Brundtland report (our common future) as development that meets the basic needs of all and extending to all the opportunity to satisfy their aspirations for a better life. Meeting the needs of all requires redistributing resources.

Question: How has Edward Barbier defined sustainable development?
Answer: Edward Barbier defined sustainable development as one which is directly concerned with increasing the material standard of the poor at the grass root level. This can be measured in terms of increased income, real income, educational services, and health care, water supply etc. sustainable development aims at decreasing the absolute poverty of the poor by providing lasting and secure livelihood that minimizes recourse depletion.

6.MARKS QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER

Question: Outline the strategies involved in attaining sustainable development in India.
Answer: Steps or Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Development in India:
➢ Use of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
➢ Use of LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas
➢ Use of CNG in Urban Areas
➢ Use of Wind Power
➢ Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells
➢ Mini-Hydel Plants
➢ Traditional Knowledge and Practices
➢ Bio composting ➢ Bio-pest Control. (briefly explain each)

Question: On December 20, 2021, the following news was printed in Hindustan times and Hindu “Delhi air quality turns hazardous and government has imposed restriction on construction activities”. Under this context define what is air pollution? What possible steps can be taken to control air pollution?
Answer: Air pollution is the polluting of natural air by the presence of various pollutants such as toxic gases and chemicals. This form of contamination can be created by burning materials, gases emitted by vehicles, or hazardous fumes emitted as a byproduct of industry. According to experts, one of the most serious side effects of air pollution is global warming. Because of the high degree of industrialization, air pollution is a major concern throughout the world, particularly in large cities like Delhi. The release of such air pollutants in high quantities, such as smog, particles, solid materials, and so on, is settling over the city, generating air pollution and posing health risks to the population.
The following are some methods for reducing air pollution:
1) Promotion of public transport instead of private vehicles like use of Delhi metro
2) Promotion of cleaner fuels in vehicles like use of CNG instead of petrol and diesel
3) Industrial estates should be located away from residential areas.
4) Poisonous gases should be removed by running the vapors through a water tower scrubber
5) Control construction activities.
6) Attempts should be undertaken to produce pollution-free automotive fuels, such as alcohol, hydrogen, and battery power. Automobiles should have exhaust emission controls.
7) Growing plants that can metabolize nitrogen oxides and other gaseous pollutants,
8) Research and development of non-combustible energy sources, such as nuclear
9) In nations such as India, traditional fuel sources such as wood, coal, and so on should be reconsidered in favor of newly developed smoke-free furnaces. Filtering, settling, dissolving, absorption, and other methods of mitigating air pollution are examples.
10) Burning of leaves, plastic, trash etc., and burning of crackers should be avoided as much as possible.
11) Practicing recycling and reuse.

Question: Is environmental crisis a recent phenomenon? If so, why?
Answer: Yes, the environmental crisis is a very recent phenomenon; the sparks of such crisis were never visible in the past. In the early centuries before industrialization, the population growth was very slow. The demand of the environmental resources was much lower than its supply. Environment supported the world’s population in the past as the rate of usage of the resources was lesser. Also, the rate of regeneration of resources exceeded the rate with which the resources were exploited.
In other words, the threat of environment crisis was never felt in the past as the exploitation of natural resources was within the carrying capacity of the environment. So, environmental problems did not arise. But, with population explosion and with the advent of rapid industrialization, and urbanization, man has started exploiting nature to its maximum. The result was that the demand for resources for both production and consumption went beyond the rate of regeneration of the resources. Nuclear and industrial wastes being dumped into the water bodies, pollution of land and air has affected the environment. This trend continues even today.

Question: 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 to affluence in living standards. Is this true? Explain
Answer: Some of the serious adverse environmental issues or consequences of development in India are land degradation, deforestation and air pollution. etc. The developmental activities in India exerted tremendous pressure on the natural resources and also affected human health and wellbeing. • Land Degradation: The gradual but consistent loss of fertility of land is referred to as degradation of land. This is emerging as a serious concern in the context of environmental issues in India. The following are the factors that contribute to land degradation in India: Unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction. Shifting cultivation, Encroachment into forest lands, Forest fires and over grazing etc. • Air pollution: in India, air pollution is wide spread in urban areas where vehicles are the main contributors. Air pollution leads to health issues and causes serious damage s to the eco system. Air pollution is the polluting of natural air by the presence of various pollutants such as toxic gases and chemicals. This form of contamination can be created by burning materials, gases emitted by vehicles, or hazardous fumes emitted as a byproduct of industry.
The environmental problems point to the paradoxical situation or dichotomy (contrast between two things are called dichotomy) in the country.
(a) Poverty: is causing environmental degradation through cutting down of trees, over grazing of animals, Deforestation in India is a rapid consequence of population explosion and widespread poverty. The poor people in the rural areas are compelled to fell trees for earning their livelihood
(b) Affluence: in living standard is causing environmental degradation because with affluence, the demand for goods and service increase like anything. Higher demand necessitates the need for increase in production. For increasing the production, the demand for natural resources increases. The growing demand for natural resources to carry out production activity in the urban areas is also equally responsible for the present environmental degradation.

Question: India has abundant natural resources - substantiate the statement.
Answer: India is fortunate enough to have abundant natural resources. It comprises of rich and fertile soil, plenty of rivers and tributaries, green forests, mineral deposits, mountains, etc. The Indo-Gangetic plains are the most fertile, densely populated and cultivated plains in the world. It stretches from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is suitable for the cultivation of cotton in the country.
India’s lush green forests serve as a natural cover for the majority of the population. India holds more than 20 % of the world’s total iron ore reserves. There are mountain ranges that facilitate the operation of the mini hydel plants. It also has vast variety of flora of 15,000 species of plants. The country is also endowed with numerous minerals that are found under the earth’s surface like coal, natural gas, copper, diamonds, etc.

Question: State any four pressing environmental concerns of India. Correction for environment damages involves opportunity costs. Explain.
Answer: Following are some of the most pressing environmental concerns for India.
a) Air pollution
b) Water contamination
c) Soil erosion
d) Deforestation
e) Wild life extinction etc.
It is true that Correction for environmental damages involves opportunity costs. Opportunity cost is the cost that is foregone when we make a choice or a decision. If a piece of land is to be used for wheat production then the production of say, rice, is to be sacrificed. The loss of rice production is the opportunity cost of producing wheat. In the similar way, the opportunity cost of correction for environmental damages refers to the huge amount of expenditure incurred on searching for new efficient alternatives. The heavy intensive and extensive extraction of both renewable and non-renewable resources demands expenditure for exploring new alternative resources in order to avoid an environmental crisis.
The discovery of such resources requires heavy investment by the government. Also, implementation and maintenance of these alternative resources involve very high cost. The best example is the advent of CNG in order to reduce the rising problem of pollution in Delhi. The government has incurred heavy investment to popularize CNG and to make the consumers aware regarding its uses. Therefore, the correction for environmental damages involves opportunity cost that is very high.

Question: Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
Answer: From the very inception of civilization till the advent of industrialization, the rate of extraction of the natural resources was far behind the rate of their regeneration. That is, in other words, the demand for resources falls short of the supply of the resources. The exploitation of nature by man was within the absorptive capacity of the environment.
But, in today’s scenario with population explosion and industrial revolution, the demand for resources for both production and distribution has risen at a much more rapid rate. However, the rate of regeneration of these resources is relatively much lower than the rate of their extraction. In other words, the rate of consumption (demand) of the natural resources exceeds that of their supply. This is beyond the absorptive capacity of the environment and has made environmental crisis more probable. This reversal in the demand and supply relationship is referred to as the supply-demand reversal of the environmental resources.

Question: “Recently Indians have drifted away from the traditional knowledge and practices that cause large scale damage to environment.” Explain how, adopting the traditional practices can be helpful in achieving the objectives of sustainable development.
Answer: Yes, recently we have drifted away from the traditional knowledge and practices and cause large scale damage to environment. Our developmental activities have resulted on environmental crisis. We were ignoring our traditional systems and practices in the name of development. the concept of sustainable development aiming at development without damaging the environment. No doubt, by adopting our traditional practices the objectives of sustainable developments can be achieved.
Traditionally Indians have been close to their environment. If we look back at our agriculture system, health care system, housing, transport etc., we find all that practices have been eco-friendly. It is time to go back. In India we have 15000 species of plants which have medicinal properties. About 8000 of these are in regular use in various systems of treatment. With the sudden onslaught of the western system of treatment we were ignoring our traditional health care systems like Ayurveda, Unani. These healthcare systems are in great demand for treating chronic health problems. Nowadays most of the cosmetic products are herbal in composition. These products are ecofriendly and are relatively free from side effect and do not involve large scale industrial and chemical processing.
Traditional farm practices relied on the use of organic manures. No doubt we have achieved in increasing productivity. But we should not forget that there has been a serious damage to the environment in terms of depletion of water table and pollution of water. etc. Hence, it’s high time that we revert back to our traditional practices, reduce environmental degradation and achieve sustainable development.