Rising population in developing countries and affluent consumption and production in the developed world have placed a huge stress on the environment in terms of its first two functions. Which pair of results follows from this stress?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Many resources have become extinct and wastes are beyond the absorptive capacity
The first two functions of the environment are to supply resources and to assimilate waste. Stress on the first leaves many resources extinct. Stress on the second leaves wastes beyond the absorptive capacity.
Option (1) Fewer aesthetic services and a loss of genetic diversity — Incorrect. These belong to the fourth and third functions.
Option (2) Many resources have become extinct and wastes are beyond the absorptive capacity — Correct. One result for each of the first two functions.
Option (3) Many resources have become extinct and there is a loss of genetic diversity — Incorrect. Genetic diversity comes under the third function, life sustenance.
Option (4) Wastes are beyond the absorptive capacity and there is a loss of scenery — Incorrect. Scenery is an aesthetic service, the fourth function.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 Environment — Definition and Functions … Functions of the Environment: The environment performs four vital functions (i) it supplies resources: resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are the trees in the forests and the fishes in the ocean. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are those which get exhausted with extraction and use, for example, fossil fuel (ii) it assimilates waste (iii) it sustains life by providing genetic and bio diversity and (iv) it also provides aesthetic services like scenery etc. …” “… 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. The result — we are today at the threshold of environmental crisis. …” |