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Environment

                 'Environment' word is derived from the French word 'Environia' which means “to surround”. In simple terms, it refers
                 to our surroundings, consisting of physical, chemical, and biological elements that maintain a balance between the
                 living and non-living components. It also impacts the growth and development of any life in the surrounding area.
                 Our environment is classified into two basic categories:


                 Natural Environment
                 When all living and non-living elements occur naturally in our surroundings and affect life in its natural ways by
                 encompassing interaction of all living species and natural resources, it forms our natural environment. Plants and
                 animals living on land, in air, or water form our natural environment. It may be claimed as Abiotic and Biotic.


                 Man-Made Environment
                 It is the environment created by humans to create an atmosphere comfortable for him to interact and adjust to
                 the natural environment. For example, permanent human settlements like villages, towns, cities, transport and
                 communication facilities, factories, dams, etc.

                         Relationship Between Society and Environment

                 A group of people living together to form a tribe, village, or a city sharing common interests, and having constant
                 social interactions forms a society. The people living in society need to interact with the environment to obtain their
                 food, water, fuel, and many other things. They sometimes exploit the natural resources present in the environment
                 for their own benefits, thus causing pollution and environmental damage. For example, humans have been cutting
                 down forests to clear land to grow crops for centuries, and due to this deforestation there is a change in the
                 climatic conditions.
                 Humans interact with the environment in two different ways:

                    • By utilising natural resources such as land, plants, water, soil, minerals, food in terms of plants and animals.
                    • By modifying the environment through various activities such as industrialisation, deforestation, mining, building
                   dams, etc.


                              Brainy Fact


                       The  Constitution  of  India  contains  specific  provisions  for  the  protection  and  improvement  of
                       environmental quality. Article 48-A of the Constitution says that "the state shall endeavour to
                       protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country."



                         Natural Resources

                 The resources that exist without any intervention of humans and are present in abundance in our surroundings
                 are called natural resources. These are air, water, land, plants, trees, sunlight, etc. Living organisms are dependent
                 on these resources for their existence. The resources which are developed by human beings during the growth of
                 civilisation are called artificial resources. For example, biogas, thermal efficiency, plastics etc. There are four types
                 of natural resources:





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