The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role | Lesson 4 | English | Class 11th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

0

 

The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role | Lesson 4 | Summary | Questions and Answers |

JANDKNCERT | Free NCERT Solutions |

English | Class 11th | Hornbill | NCERT

The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role | Lesson 4 | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

Short Summary

            "The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role" by Nani Palkhivala highlights the environmental degradation caused by human activities and emphasizes the urgent need for ecological conservation. The essay discusses the Green Movement, which began in 1972 and raised global awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. Palkhivala refers to Earth as a "patient" suffering from exploitation, including deforestation, pollution, and depletion of natural resources.

The essay stresses the shift in perception from viewing the planet as a resource for exploitation to recognizing it as a living organism that must be cared for. It calls for sustainable development, responsible resource management, and policies that prioritize ecological health over unchecked industrial growth. Palkhivala also stresses the need for population control and emphasizes the role of humans as trustees of the Earth, responsible for its future survival.

 

Understanding the Text

Question 1. Locate the lines in the text that support the title ‘The Ailing Planet’.

Answer: The lines that support the title *"The Ailing Planet"* include:

"The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health."

"The environment has deteriorated so badly that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the planet to support life."

These lines emphasize the declining state of the Earth due to environmental degradation, which justifies referring to the planet as "ailing."

Question 2. What does the notice ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?

Answer: The notice at the zoo in Lusaka, Zambia, which says *"The world’s most dangerous animal,"* refers to humans. Inside the cage is a mirror, reflecting the image of the person looking into it. This signifies that humans are responsible for much of the environmental destruction and are considered the most dangerous species for the planet due to their exploitative actions.

Question 3. How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?

Answer: The Earth's four principal biological systems—fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands—are being depleted by overuse. Overfishing has led to a collapse in fish stocks, deforestation is depleting forests at an alarming rate, overgrazing is turning grasslands into deserts, and unsustainable agricultural practices are eroding soil fertility. These systems, which provide food and raw materials, are under immense strain, threatening global ecological balance.

Question 4. Why does the author aver that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?

Answer: The author argues that the rapid growth of the world population is a major factor distorting the future because it increases pressure on the Earth's natural resources. With more people, there is greater demand for food, water, energy, and land, leading to overexploitation and depletion of the planet’s resources. This unsustainable growth worsens environmental degradation and compromises the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Palkhivala highlights that unchecked population growth exacerbates poverty, reduces the quality of life, and threatens ecological balance.

 

Talking about the text

Discuss in groups of four.

1. Laws are never respected nor enforced in India.

Answer: In discussing this statement, one can argue that India has a robust legal framework for environmental protection and resource management, such as the Environment Protection Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. However, the enforcement of these laws often falls short due to various factors:

Corruption: Bribes and political pressure often weaken the enforcement of environmental regulations.

Lack of awareness: Many citizens and industries are unaware of environmental laws or disregard them for economic gain.

Judicial delays: Legal proceedings in environmental cases often take years, diminishing the effectiveness of the laws.

Poor implementation: Authorities sometimes lack the will, resources, or infrastructure to implement and monitor laws effectively.

While India has good laws on paper, their respect and enforcement remain inconsistent, affecting efforts to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

2. “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?”

Answer: This question reflects concern over the current trajectory of environmental degradation. If present trends of deforestation, pollution, and resource depletion continue, future generations may inherit a planet with:

Desertification: Overuse of land and water resources can lead to desert-like conditions in previously fertile regions.

Impoverished landscapes: Deforestation and urbanization strip ecosystems of their natural richness, resulting in barren landscapes.

Ailing environment: Rising pollution levels, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity pose severe threats to the health of the planet.

The group can discuss the responsibility of current generations to act immediately through sustainable development, stricter environmental laws, and awareness to prevent such a bleak future for the next generation.

3. “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children”.

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the idea of intergenerational responsibility, suggesting that the earth is not a possession to be exploited but a shared resource that must be protected for future generations. The group can reflect on:

Stewardship: Humanity has a moral duty to preserve the environment for the well-being of future generations.

Sustainable practices: The need for practices that minimize harm to the environment and ensure that future generations can meet their own needs.

Global perspective: As a collective global community, all nations must take responsibility for reducing their ecological footprint and safeguarding natural resources.

The discussion could explore examples of sustainable and unsustainable practices, debating the balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.

4. The problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.

Answer: Overpopulation poses numerous challenges that directly impact daily life, especially in countries like India:

Resource scarcity: Increased demand for food, water, and energy strains natural resources, leading to shortages, higher prices, and conflicts over access.

Pollution: More people generate more waste, increasing air, water, and land pollution, which affects public health and the environment.

Unemployment and poverty: Overpopulation leads to a larger labour force, but not enough jobs, contributing to poverty and social inequality.

Overburdened infrastructure: Public services like healthcare, education, and transportation struggle to meet the demands of a growing population, resulting in lower quality and accessibility.

The group can discuss solutions like family planning, education, and government policies that can help manage population growth and reduce its negative impacts on everyday life.

 

These topics encourage a broader discussion about the interconnectedness of environmental issues, population dynamics, and the responsibility of individuals and societies to work toward a sustainable future.

 

Thinking about language

The phrase ‘inter alia’ meaning ‘among other things’ is one of the many Latin expressions commonly used in English.

Find out what these Latin phrases mean.

1. prima facie

2. ad hoc

3. in camera

4. ad infinitum

5. mutatis mutandis

6. caveat

7. tabula rasa

Answer:

Here are the meanings of the Latin phrases:

 

1. Prima facie: At first glance or on the face of it. It refers to something that appears to be true based on initial evidence, though it may be disproved later.

 

2. Ad hoc: For this or for a specific purpose. It refers to something created or done for a particular situation or task, usually temporary or improvised.

 

3. In camera: In private or in a closed session. It refers to a legal proceeding or discussion that happens privately, not in public.

 

4. Ad infinitum: To infinity or endlessly. It describes something that continues indefinitely without limit.

 

5. Mutatis mutandis: With the necessary changes having been made. It is used when comparing two situations, meaning that although the contexts may differ, the general principle applies.

 

6. Caveat: Let him/her beware. It refers to a warning or cautionary statement, often about a particular condition or limitation.

 

7. Tabula rasa: Blank slate. It refers to the idea that individuals are born without built-in mental content, and their knowledge comes from experience or perception.

 

These Latin expressions are frequently used in legal, philosophical, or academic contexts in English.

 

Working with words

I. Locate the following phrases in the text and study their connotation.

1. gripped the imagination of

2. dawned upon

3. ushered in

4. passed into current coin

5. passport of the future

Answer:

I. Connotations of the phrases:

 

1. Gripped the imagination of: 

Connotation: This phrase means to captivate or strongly influence someone's thoughts and ideas. It suggests that something has caught widespread interest or fascination.

  

2. Dawned upon: 

Connotation: Refers to the moment of realization or understanding. It suggests that something previously unclear or unknown has suddenly become clear or evident.

 

3. Ushered in: 

Connotation: This phrase means to introduce or mark the beginning of something new. It is often used to signify the start of a significant event or era.

 

4. Passed into current coin: 

Connotation: This phrase refers to an idea or term that has become widely accepted or commonly used in everyday language or understanding.

 

5. Passport of the future: 

Connotation: Refers to something that will provide access or opportunities in the future, often symbolizing advancement, security, or qualification for future success.

II. The words ‘grip’, ‘dawn’, ‘usher’, ‘coin’, ‘passport’ has a literal as well as a figurative meaning. Write pairs of sentences using each word in the literal as well as the figurative sense.

Answer:

II. Literal and Figurative Uses of the Words:

 

1. Grip 

Literal: She held the rope with a firm grip to avoid falling.  

Figurative: The suspenseful movie gripped the audience from start to finish.

 

2. Dawn 

Literal: The sun rose at dawn, bathing the sky in soft colours. 

Figurative: It finally dawned on him that he had been wrong all along.

 

3. Usher 

Literal: The usher guided us to our seats in the theatre.  

Figurative: The invention of the internet ushered in a new era of communication.

 

4. Coin 

Literal: He dropped a coin into the vending machine to buy a snack. 

Figurative: The author coined the term “social media” to describe online platforms.

 

5. Passport 

Literal: He showed his passport at the airport before boarding the flight.  

Figurative: A good education is the passport to a successful career.

 

Each of these words can take on both a physical, literal meaning and a broader, symbolic meaning, depending on the context.

 



Post a Comment

0 Comments

Leave your comment here.

Post a Comment (0)
To Top