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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:
Green Skills-I 85

