Summary of Chapter 5 The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role Hornbill CBSE Class 11 NCERT English
Summary of the ChapterThis is an article written by Nani Palkhivala and published in The Indian Express on 24 November 1994. The issues that he raised regarding the declining health of the earth continue to have relevance. The green revolution started in 1972. First green party was formed in New Zealand 25 years ago.
The author explains the change in perception of people from materialistic view to comprehensive and ecological view of the world. This means people are now getting concerned about environment. In this view our earth is considered as a living organism. It is considered as a having its own metabolic processes as all living being have.
Then he explains the concept of Sustainable development of 1987. “Meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”, i.e., we should utilize our natural resources in such a way that we fulfill our present needs as well as conserve them for our future generations. Now the perception is that we consider ourselves as partner and not as a dominant member of this planet. We are partner with millions of species of the planet.
Mr. Lester R. Brown’s thoughtful book, The Global Economic Prospect, points out that the earth’s principal biological systems are four fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These contain virtually all raw materials of industries now a days running. An unsustainable utilization of these resources is taking place. This has caused loss of fisheries due to our protein conscious world, creation of barren lands, and crop lands deteriorate.
Then the author is concerned about reduction of forest land. It has been well said that forests precede mankind; deserts follow. The dung which should be used as natural fertilizer is mostly used for fuel. Thus soil is not getting natural fertilizer. Fivefold rate of planting of trees is required to meet the future demand of woods as fuel.
Then author has referred to Article 48A of the Constitution of India were it is stated state should protect and improve forest and wildlife. But as many other laws this is also not enforced properly. Then author has referred to a Parliamentary committee report which states decline of forest at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year. United Nations, warns that the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is ‘critical’ in many of the eighty-eight countries investigated.
Human population has been rising at very higher rate. Development is the most appropriate solution of human beings day to day problems, but with such a high rate of population, development is difficult to take place. It is thinking between poor uneducated populations that more children more hands to work. Because of such thoughts poor are getting poorer. A proper family planning is required to cope up the situation. There is a need to go for population control. Author at this point again repeat the positive change in view regarding ecology among people. Industries also need to take responsibility for a good ecosystem and should be good at environmental performances. All we have is a life tenancy. We need to preserve it for our future generations.
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