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Class-XII


                                 Economics (Indian Economic Development )


                                                       CHAPTER-9

                    Topic –Environment and sustainable development (Module- 56)




               State of India’s Environment
               India has rich quality of natural resources in plenty of amount.
               It is clear from the following points



                    India has rich quality of soil, hundreds of rivers and tributaries, lush green forests, plenty
                     of mineral deposits beneath the land surface, vast stretch of the Indian Ocean, ranges of
                     mountains, etc.
                    The black soil of the Deccan Plateau is particularly suitable for cultivation of cotton. It has
                     lead to concentration of textile industries in this region.
                    The Indo Gangetic plains spread from Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal are one of the
                     most-fertile, intensively cultivated and densely populated regions in the world.
                    India’s forests though unevenly distributed, provide green cover for majority of its
                     population and natural cover for its wildlife.
                    Large deposits of iron-ore, coal and natural gas are found in the country. India alone
                     accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s total iron-ore reserves.
                    Bauxite, copper, chromate, diamonds, gold, lead, lignite, manganese, zinc, uranium, etc
                     are also available in different parts of the country.


               Threat to India’s Environment
               Threat to India’s environment is poverty, pollution, rapidly growing industrial sector. Air
               pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife extinction are some of the
               most pressing environmental concerns of India. The developmental activities in India have
               resulted in pressure on its finite natural resources, besides creating impacts on human health and
               well-being.
               Out of them the priority issues are


                    Land degradation and solid waste management
                    Biodiversity loss
                    Air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities
                    Management of fresh water Some of these issues are discussed below


               Land Degradation in India
               Land in India suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation stemming mainly from
               unstable use and inappropriate management practices.
               The factors responsible for land degradation in India are
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