Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 8 “Impact of Development on the Environment” which is part of NBSE Class 11 Environment Education. However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
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Summary
Chapter 8 discusses the impact of development on the environment, highlighting the interconnectedness between economic growth and environmental health. It explains that development, while essential for improving living standards, often has detrimental effects on the environment. These impacts can be direct, where consequences are anticipated, or indirect, where they are unintended.
One significant consequence of development is the changing pattern of land use. Forests and fertile lands are cleared to build houses, industries, and infrastructure, leading to loss of biodiversity and displacement of people. This also results in soil erosion, decreased rainfall, and the conversion of productive land into wastelands.
The chapter also discusses land reclamation, a process where land is restored to its natural state after being used for industrial or commercial activities. This practice is essential to counter the negative impacts of development, such as the creation of slums and the loss of agricultural land.
Deforestation is another critical issue, driven by the need for more land for agriculture, livestock, and timber. It destroys habitats, causes soil erosion, and can lead to climate change. The chapter emphasizes how deforestation in places like Nagaland has reduced forest cover, affecting both local ecosystems and the broader environment.
Resource depletion is an inevitable result of development. The continuous use of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels leads to their gradual exhaustion. Although technological advancements can improve resource efficiency, the loss of resources like fossil fuels is permanent.
Environmental pollution and degradation are discussed as significant problems resulting from development. Pollution, including air, water, and soil contamination, poses serious threats to human health and the environment. Environmental degradation, exacerbated by both natural and human activities, leads to the long-term decline in the quality of the environment, affecting life on Earth.
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Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. In Nagaland
(a) 92% of the land is unclassified and is under the community ownership.
(b) 92% of land is under the ownership of state government.
(c) 8% of the land is under the community ownership.
(d) There is a 50-50% share of the land between state and community.
Answer: A. 92% of the land is unclassified and is under the community ownership.
2. The main reason for reclaiming coastal land is
(a) Constructing dam
(b) Agricultural purposes
(c) Making it a green-belt
(d) Constructing residential buildings
Answer: D. Constructing residential buildings
3. The main cause of deforestation is
(a) Overgrazing
(b) Population growth
(c) Economic development
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: D. Both (b) and (c)
4. Which of the following is not the direct effect of deforestation?
(a) Desertification
(b) Soil erosion
(c) Earthquake
(d) Habitat loss
Answer: C. Earthquake
5. A large farm where cows, horses, sheep, etc. are bred, is called
(a) Farmhouse
(b) Livestock
(c) Ranch
(d) Shed
Answer: C. Ranch
Short Answer Questions
1. What is the basic measurement of development?
Answer: Economic growth is the basic measurement of development.
2. Where are basic resources derived from?
Answer: All basic resources required for living beings come from the environment.
3. Define land reclamation.
Answer: Land reclamation is the process of restoring land to its natural setting after industrial and commercial activities are over.
4. What do you understand by ‘deforestation’?
Answer: The complete or partial removal of trees and vegetation from an area of forest land is called deforestation.
5. Can any development project be implemented without the use of resources?
Answer: No development can occur without the use of resources.
6. How can resources be preserved?
Answer: There can be saving on consumption of resources through reuse and recycling.
7. Name a few human diseases that are caused by air pollution.
Answer:
- Lung cancer
- Chronic bronchitis
- Eye irritation
8. Differentiate between intentional and unintentional impacts of development on environment.
Answer: Direct or intentional impact of our developmental activities on the environment is pre-planned and premeditated because man is aware of both the positive and negative consequences of a developmental programme. On the other hand, the indirect impact of a development programme on the environment is not preplanned or premeditated, such an impact is unintentional.
Long Answer Questions
1. Differentiate between ‘environmental pollution’ and ‘environmental degradation’.
Answer: Generally speaking, environmental pollution and degradation denote the lowering of the quality of the environment. But a distinction between these two aspects of lowering and deterioration of the quality of the environment can be drawn on the basis of causative factors and the scale of deterioration of the environmental quality in terms of magnitude, intensity and span of coverage of the area. Environmental pollution is the discharge of material, in any physical state, that is dangerous to the environment or human health. Environmental degradation, on the other hand, means the lowering of environmental quality at local, regional, and global scales by both natural processes and human activities. For instance, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, cyclones, forest fires, lightning, hailstorms, excessive snowfalls, landslides, and avalanches are the natural factors which cause destabilisation of ecosystems and thus cause environmental degradation. Lowering of environmental quality caused by human activities at a local level like the release of solid, liquid and gaseous pollutants from industries, homes, commercial complexes, and medical institutions into the environment is environmental pollution.
2. Mention the basic components of development.
Answer: The basic components of development include: (i) Increase in real income per capita. (ii) Opportunities to have a satisfying livelihood. (iii) Improvement in health and nutritional status. (iv) Improvement of educational status. (v) Access to resources. (vi) An equitable distribution of income. (vii) Assurance of basic human rights. (viii) Conservation of nature and natural resources.
3. What causes environmental degradation?
Answer: Environmental degradation is caused due to the developmental processes. In fact, if the present century is marked by socio-economic, scientific, and technological development on the one hand, it is plagued by serious problems of environmental degradation on the other. Environmental degradation caused by pollution and depletion of natural resources, the loss of habitats due to industrial, urban, and agricultural expansion, reduction and loss of ecological population due to excessive use of toxic pesticides and herbicides, and the loss of several species of plants due to the practice of monoculture and removal of habitats through forest clearance, has now become a global concern. All these activities are the result of the development process that man is following without the least concern for resultant consequences on the environment. The life of the common man is being adversely affected by environmental degradation caused by man himself.
4. Explain how development and environment are inter-related.
Answer: In quest of convenience, efficiency, and comfort, man is striving for development in different walks of life: agricultural, industrial, commercial, scientific, educational, and cultural, mainly through economic activities. Economic growth has generally been accepted as the basic measurement of development. Economic growth also facilitates human development by offering better opportunities for skill development through training, health, employment, etc. All basic resources required for living beings come from the environment. It is the environment that provides raw materials for our industries, food for our people, fuel for our transport, etc. The environment also absorbs the waste that our developmental activities create. In other words, the environment is both a source and a sink for developmental activities. For this reason, we cannot look at development in isolation from the environment which supports it. The impact of development is varied and highly complex as the transformation or modification of natural conditions and processes leads to a series of changes in biotic and abiotic components of the environment.
5. How can a brick kiln cause environmental pollution?
Answer: For constructing pucca houses or other buildings, brick kilns are established on cultivable lands, which turn the croplands into wastelands with no further use for cultivation. One brick kiln, on average, converts about 5 hectares of land into uncultivated land including shallow and deep depressions, which are always left unused and uncared for. In the process of brick making, the top fertile soil with the important microbial zone of the land also gets lost. A brick kiln, therefore, creates environmental problems.
6. What are the effects of air pollution?
Answer: Severe air pollution affects human health and causes many diseases such as lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, eye irritation, and so on. In many areas, air pollution causes harm to agricultural crops, livestock, and natural plant communities.
7. Explain how land reclamation is done after the completion of industrial and commercial activities?
Answer: Land reclamation is the process of restoring land to its natural setting after industrial and commercial activities are over. Due to developmental activities, land is reclaimed for a purpose other than its original use. This happens when agricultural land around a city is converted into dwelling units for providing housing facilities to workers employed in an industrial unit. After a surface mining operation is over, the land is restored to its natural form. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), USA, ensures that the land used for coal mining is reclaimed after coal has been removed as required by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977). For example, one of the largest producing coal mines, Kerr-McGee’s Jacobs Ranch Mine near Gillette, Wyoming, has reclaimed thousands of hectares of mined land and has returned the land to its previous use—cattle grazing and wildlife habitat for herds of deer and antelopes.
Think and Answer
1. Can you think how the establishment of a factory in your neighbourhood can prove harmful to your area? As a town planner, how can you solve those problems?
Answer: The establishment of a factory in a neighbourhood can lead to several harmful effects, including:
- Air Pollution: Factories often emit pollutants such as smoke, dust, and toxic gases, which can degrade air quality and cause respiratory problems among residents.
- Water Pollution: Industrial effluents may contaminate local water bodies, making the water unsafe for drinking, irrigation, or recreational purposes.
- Noise Pollution: The constant operation of machinery and the movement of goods can create significant noise pollution, disrupting the peace of the neighbourhood.
- Traffic Congestion: The movement of trucks and heavy vehicles associated with the factory can lead to increased traffic, road wear, and accidents.
- Decreased Property Values: The presence of a factory can lead to a decline in property values in the surrounding area due to the associated pollution and disturbances.
As a town planner, solutions could include:
- Zoning Regulations: Ensure the factory is located in an industrial zone, away from residential areas, to minimize the impact on local residents.
- Green Buffer Zones: Implement green buffer zones with trees and vegetation around the factory to absorb pollutants and reduce noise.
- Pollution Control Measures: Enforce strict pollution control measures, such as the installation of air and water filtration systems, to minimize environmental harm.
- Traffic Management: Plan and improve road infrastructure to manage increased traffic flow, and designate specific routes for heavy vehicles to avoid residential areas.
- Regular Monitoring: Set up regular environmental monitoring to ensure that the factory complies with environmental standards and does not exceed pollution limits.
2. When a surface mining operation is completed and the land is handed over to you, what would you like to do with the land to improve the environmental quality of the area?
Answer: Upon receiving the land after a surface mining operation, the following steps could be taken to improve the environmental quality:
- Land Reclamation: Restore the land to its natural state by filling in any depressions, leveling the ground, and ensuring proper drainage.
- Reforestation: Plant native trees and vegetation to stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and restore the local ecosystem.
- Creation of Wildlife Habitats: Establish wildlife corridors or sanctuaries to support local fauna that may have been displaced by mining activities.
- Water Management: Restore any affected water bodies or create new wetlands to support biodiversity and improve water quality.
- Sustainable Land Use: Develop the land for sustainable agriculture, community parks, or renewable energy projects such as solar farms, depending on the suitability of the land.
These actions would help mitigate the environmental impact of the mining operation and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the area.
Extras MCQs
1. What has generally been accepted as the basic measurement of development?
A. Education
B. Economic growth
C. Cultural advancement
D. Industrialization
Answer: B. Economic growth
16. What causes severe air pollution that affects human health?
A. Noise from cities
B. Emissions from automobiles and industrial plants
C. Release of pesticides and herbicides
D. Deforestation activities
Answer: B. Emissions from automobiles and industrial plants
Extra Questions and Answers
1. How is economic growth generally perceived in relation to development?
Answer: Economic growth has generally been accepted as the basic measurement of development. It also facilitates human development by offering better opportunities for skill development through training, health, employment, etc.
32. What is the direct or intentional impact of developmental activities on the environment?
Answer: The direct or intentional impact of developmental activities on the environment is pre-planned and deliberate. Man is often aware of both the positive and negative consequences of a developmental programme before it is implemented. For example, the construction of a large dam on a river is known to provide benefits such as water for irrigation and the generation of hydropower. However, it also comes with significant drawbacks, such as the displacement of a large number of people from nearby areas. This intentional impact is carefully considered in the planning stages, with a full understanding of the trade-offs involved. The direct impact of development is a result of calculated decisions aimed at achieving specific goals, even when the negative consequences are known.
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