Page 165 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Activity: 1

Discuss with your parents regarding the status of environment now and then. List out
the changes they have observed. Prepare a report and present it in the class.

B. Human sources
Human beings are responsible for destruction of environment. Due to various human
activities, there is increase of pollution in environment as well as several negative impacts
are seen on human beings themselves. Some of the major human activities which affect
environment are described below.

a. Deforestation
With the increase of population, there is increase of
deforestation so as to extend the settlement areas,
cultivable land and other economic activities. As a
result, there is scarcity of fresh air, depletion of wildlife,
drying up of under ground water. Moreover, there
is depletion of ozone layer and entrance of harmful
ultra-violet radiation on the earth. As a result, there is
increase of soil, air, water pollution and spreading of Fig: 9
various diseases on animals and human beings. Deforestation

d. Construction works
With unmanaged urbanization, there is increase
of random construction works. The hydropower
generation, construction of apartments, housing and
colonies, roads, commercial buildings, industries,
hospitals, colleges, etc. are increased. During the
construction works, forest, water, soil and minerals
are excessively explored and utilized. As a result, air,
water, land and sound pollution are increased. Fig: 10
Construction of roads

c. Excavation
Various types of metallic and non-metallic minerals
are present inside the earth’s crust. Those minerals
are widely utilized during construction works. With
the increase of construction works, different minerals
are excavated a lot. During mining, crude mineral
ores are explored and are exposed to air and land.
Similarly, explosives are used to blast the rocks.
Ultimately, there is increase of air, water, land and Fig: 11
sound pollution in the environment. Excavation
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 165