Which of the following statements are true?
(A) The environment can perform its functions without interruption as long as the demand on these functions is within its carrying capacity.
(B) Within the carrying capacity, resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resource.
(C) Within the carrying capacity, the wastes generated are above the assimilating capacity of the environment.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A) and (B) only
(A) The environment can perform its functions without interruption as long as the demand on these functions is within its carrying capacity. — True. Beyond the carrying capacity, the environment fails to sustain life and a crisis follows.
(B) Within the carrying capacity, resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resource. — True. Staying within the carrying capacity means that resources are not used up faster than they regenerate.
(C) Within the carrying capacity, the wastes generated are above the assimilating capacity of the environment. — False. Within the carrying capacity, the wastes generated stay within the assimilating capacity. Wastes beyond what the environment can absorb are a sign of an environmental crisis.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 Environment — Definition and Functions … The environment is able to perform these functions without any interruption as long as the demand on these functions is within its carrying capacity. This implies that the resource extraction is not above the rate of regeneration of the resource and the wastes generated are within the assimilating capacity of the environment. When this is not so, the environment fails to perform its third and vital function of life sustenance and this results in an environmental crisis. This is the situation today all over the world. The rising population of the developing countries and the affluent consumption and production standards of the developed world have placed a huge stress on the environment in terms of its first two functions. Many resources have become extinct and the wastes generated are beyond the absorptive capacity of the environment. Absorptive capacity means the ability of the environment to absorb degradation. …” |