Man And Environment

Environment can be defined as the sum of all physical, chemical, biological and social factors which form the surroundings of human beings. It has two fundamental components which are known as the physical and the biological components. The physical components consist of light, temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, land, water and air whereas the biological components comprise plants or forests, animals or wildlife and microorganisms. Both the components of the environment are essential for human existence.

Man and environment are interrelated and interdependent. Both grow in close association with each other. The environment provides everything that the human beings require. Water that human beings consume is the product of environment. Similarly, soil is the product of the environment. The soil forms the earth’s crust and makes availability of space for agriculture, shelter and other developmental activities. It provides vegetables, fruits, oil, nutrients, fiber, wood, food materials of all kinds, life sustaining water and minerals, fossil fuels and various important agricultural products. They all support human beings. Clearly, Human life is completely dependent on its environment.

Environment provides everything in a systematic and well established way. We know that plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil and synthesize organic matters by the process of photosynthesis. The organic matters synthesized by plants are used directly or indirectly as food by animals including humans. During this process life supporting oxygen gas is released and is utilized by all aerobic organisms. As functional unit, the environment performs the process of biomass production, decomposition, energy flow and cycling of nutrients. The environment, in this way, promotes human development as well as human welfare. Actually, it is the basis of survival. It directs the continued existence, growth and reproduction of the humans. It affects the distribution, structure, behavior, intra-specific and inter-specific relationship of man. It also regulates the metabolic activities of human beings. No doubt, the environment is the sacred and priceless human legacy.

Environment is not only complex and dynamic but also mutually reactive. With the development of human civilization environment has been dominated by humans. It results in the degradation of environment and creation of several environmental problems. These days, man has to face several environmental problems. Many anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, industrialization and developmental activities have adverse effects on the environment. The smoke from vehicles and factories has degraded the quality of air.  Cutting down of trees results in the loss of biodiversity. Now the rainfall is not regular. Some regions are facing the problems of the droughts and some other of floods. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers is altering the composition, quality and water holding capacity of soil. No doubt, human activities gradually spoil the environment. Hence, the Indian constitution has placed the protection of the environment in the class of fundamental duties of the citizens. June 5 of every year is celebrated throughout the world as environment Day. Its aim is to make people to think and act to protect and develop the environment.

As human existence depends on the environment, it must be protected. It is the moral duty of all humans to take care of the health of our environment. One should not forget that environment is older than man in terms of origin and growth. Man is the last species evolved on the earth. Man exists because the environment exists.