NCERT Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development: Chapter 7 — ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This chapter, "Environment and Sustainable Development," from NCERT's Indian Economic Development for Class 11, explores the critical relationship between economic progress and environmental health. It begins by defining the environment as the sum of all resources and the interplay between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. The chapter highlights the environment's four vital functions: supplying resources (renewable and non-renewable), assimilating waste, sustaining life through biodiversity, and providing aesthetic services. It emphasizes that human activities, particularly with modern technology, can cause irreversible environmental changes. The text contrasts the unsustainable path of past development with the necessity of choosing sustainable development for future economic growth, setting the stage for discussions on India's environmental challenges and strategies for sustainability.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Economics |
| Book | Indian Economic Development |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 425 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of environment and its components.
- Analyze the causes and effects of environmental degradation and resource depletion.
- Identify the environmental challenges facing India.
- Relate environmental issues to the broader context of sustainable development.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Biotic elements | Living elements like birds, animals, plants, forests, fisheries. |
| Abiotic elements | Non-living elements like air, water, land, rocks, sunlight. |
| Renewable resources | Resources that can be used without depletion, like forests and fishes. |
| Non-renewable resources | Resources that get exhausted with use, like fossil fuels. |
| Sustainable development | A development path that meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. |
| Environmental degradation | The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil. |
| Resource depletion | The exhaustion of the supply of natural resources. |
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Practice questions
- What are the four vital functions of the environment? Answer: The four vital functions are: supplying resources, assimilating waste, sustaining life, and providing aesthetic services.
- Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources. Answer: Renewable resources can be used without depletion (e.g., forests), while non-renewable resources get exhausted with use (e.g., fossil fuels).
- Who is considered the most unstable element in the environment's scheme? Answer: The human species is considered the most unstable and potentially disruptive element.
Frequently asked questions
What is the definition of the environment according to the chapter?
The environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources, including all biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other.
What are the main components of the environment?
The environment consists of biotic elements (living things like plants and animals) and abiotic elements (non-living things like air, water, and land).
What is the role of the human species in the environment?
Human beings, with modern technology, have the capacity to bring about significant and potentially irreversible changes in the environment, making them a disruptive element.
What are the four vital functions performed by the environment?
The environment supplies resources, assimilates waste, sustains life through biodiversity, and provides aesthetic services like scenery.
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Renewable resources are those that can be used continuously without depletion (e.g., forests), while non-renewable resources get exhausted with extraction and use (e.g., fossil fuels).
Why is sustainable development important?
Sustainable development is important because past economic development has come at the cost of environmental quality, and a conscious choice of a sustainable path is needed for future growth without harming the environment.
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NCERT Class 11 Economics — Indian Economic Development — Chapter 7 — ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.