Class 12 Indian Economic Development Notes · CBSE
Causes of Environmental Degradation
Causes of Environmental Degradation — study seven causes: population growth, industrial pollution, urbanization, poverty, economic growth, vehicular pollution, and chemical fertilizer use. CBSE Class 12 IED notes.
Last updated: 1 Sep 2026
Notes
Seven Causes of Environmental Degradation
Environmental degradation in India stems from multiple interconnected causes — from population pressure to industrial and agricultural practices. Click each card to explore the details.
Consuming natural resources more than desirable
Releasing more waste than the environment can absorb
Industrial waste discharged into rivers, lakes, seas
Creates substantial health hazards
Infrastructural services under severe strain
Overcrowding led to slums and undesirable land-use changes
Deterioration of air and water quality
Reckless felling of trees by poor for fuel
Poor earn through gathering forest produce, collecting firewood
All activities lead to loss of natural assets
Emphasis on basic and capital goods industries depleted resources
Damaged ecosystem, contaminated water, air, and land
Increased road traffic and noise resulted in noise pollution
Causes soil erosion, land salinization, and loss of fertility
Connecting the dots
Think of your neighborhood — the local sabzi market generates waste that the municipality collects (urbanization). Your classmate's father runs a small factory that discharges dye into the river (industrial). Both are causing degradation, but through completely different mechanisms.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- India's population growth at ~2% annually puts immense pressure on natural resources and waste absorption capacity.
- Unplanned industrialization and urbanization are the two biggest contributors to environmental pollution in cities.
- Mass poverty forces the poor to exploit forests for fuel and livelihood, accelerating deforestation.
- The pattern of economic growth — emphasizing basic and capital goods industries — has depleted resources and damaged ecosystems.
- Environment-unfriendly farming methods like excessive chemical fertilizers cause soil erosion, salinization, and loss of fertility.