Given below are two statements:
Statement I: When resource extraction is above the rate of regeneration of the resource, the environment fails to perform its vital function of life sustenance.
Statement II: Absorptive capacity means the rate at which a resource renews itself through natural processes.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
Statement I: When resource extraction is above the rate of regeneration of the resource, the environment fails to perform its vital function of life sustenance. — True. Demand beyond the carrying capacity makes the environment fail in life sustenance, which leads to a crisis.
Statement II: Absorptive capacity means the rate at which a resource renews itself through natural processes. — False. Absorptive capacity is the ability to absorb degradation. Renewal through natural processes describes renewable resources.
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. …” |