The threat to India’s environment is said to pose a dichotomy. What are its two sides?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Poverty-induced degradation and pollution from affluence
A dichotomy means a split into two opposite sides. India’s environment faces both: damage caused by poverty, and pollution caused by affluence and fast industrial growth.
The other pairs are real problems, but they do not form this rich-poor split. Global warming and ozone depletion are global issues; land degradation and biodiversity loss are two of India’s priority issues.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.3 State of India’s Environment … However, the developmental activities in India have resulted in pressure on its finite natural resources, besides creating impacts on human health and well-being. The threat to India’s environment poses a dichotomy —threat of poverty-induced environmental degradation and, at the same time, threat of pollution from affluence and a 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 priority issues identified are (i) land degradation (ii) biodiversity loss (iii) air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities (iv) management of fresh water and (v) solid waste management. …” |