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Geography Optional Paper II – Page 25

Environmental Geography, Climate Change & Sustainability in India

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1. Environmental Geography: Meaning & Scope

• Study of interaction between humans and natural environment
• Focuses on resource use, environmental degradation, and conservation
• Interdisciplinary in nature – geography, ecology, economics

2. Major Environmental Issues in India

• Deforestation and biodiversity loss
• Land degradation and desertification
• Air, water and soil pollution
• Waste management and urban environmental stress

3. Climate Change: Indian Perspective

• Rising temperatures and heat waves
• Changing monsoon patterns
• Increase in extreme events – floods, cyclones, droughts
• Glacial retreat in the Himalayas

4. Sector-wise Impacts of Climate Change

• Agriculture: Crop yield instability
• Water Resources: Glacier melt and groundwater stress
• Coastal Areas: Sea-level rise and erosion
• Human Health: Heat stress and vector-borne diseases

5. Environmental Degradation & Development

• Trade-off between growth and sustainability
• Industrialisation and urbanisation pressures
• Need for environmentally sound development models

6. Concept of Sustainable Development

• Development that meets present needs without harming future generations
• Based on economic, social and environmental pillars
• Promoted by Brundtland Commission

7. India’s Climate & Environmental Policies

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Renewable energy missions
• Afforestation and conservation programmes

8. Case Studies

• Solar and wind energy expansion
• Namami Gange Programme
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

9. Previous Year Question (Model)

“Examine the impact of climate change on India’s environment and evaluate the sustainability of current development strategies.”

10. Answer Writing Tips

• Use diagrams: carbon cycle, climate impact flowcharts
• Link environment with economy and society
• Quote policies, international commitments, and Indian examples

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🌱🌏 Shaktimatha Learning | Geography Optional – Environment & Sustainability