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NCERT Solutions

Class 11

Economics Indian Economic Development

Chapter 7 Environment And Sustainable Development

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 Environment And Sustainable Development - 2025-26

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Environment And Sustainable Development Class 11 Questions and Answers - Free PDF Download

You're about to explore NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Economics Chapter 7, focused on "Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Other Issues." This chapter is central to understanding India's workforce participation ratio, the trends shaping employment growth, and the reasons behind the expansion of the informal sector.

Table of Content

Here, every question connects directly with the CBSE exam mindset, offering step-by-step logic and concise key terms. If you've searched for "economics class 11 chapter 7 questions and answers," you'll find direct solutions that clarify data-based case studies and types of unemployment with up-to-date, board-approved explanations.

Since this chapter frequently appears for 3 to 5 mark questions and short case-based items in board exams, a thorough reading—combined with quick revision here—directly boosts your preparedness. Each answer is reviewed with care at Vedantu to help you build confidence for your exams using reliable, syllabus-mapped content.

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Economic Chapter 7- Environment and Sustainable Development

1. What is meant by environment?
The environment includes everything around us, such as air, water, land, plants, animals, and humans, along with their relationships.

2. What happens when the rate of resource extraction exceeds renews it?
If resources are used up faster than they can be renewed, those resources will run out and not be available for future use.

3. Next edit for renewable and non-renewable resources
(i) Wood (ii) Fish (iii) Fuel (iv) Coal (v) Metal (vi) Water
(i) Wood – Renewable
(ii) Fish – Renewable
(iii) Fuel – Non-renewable
(iv) Coal – Non-renewable
(v) Metal – Non-renewable
(vi) Water – Renewable

4. Two major environmental problems facing the world today and then.
Two major environmental issues today are global warming and ozone layer depletion. Both are caused by pollution and overuse of natural resources.

5. The following factors contribute to an environmental crisis in India and how? What problems do they pose for the government?
(i) Increasing number of people
(ii) air pollution
(iii) water pollution
(iv) Level of consumption of the rich
(v) Illiteracy
(vi) Industrial Establishments
(vii) urban migration
(viii) Reduction in forest area
(ix) Poaching
(x) Global warming.
Many problems like population growth, pollution, and deforestation lead to environmental issues in India, making it hard for the government to manage natural resources and protect public health.

(i) Population growth: More people means more pressure on natural resources, leading to their fast use and degradation. The government must control population size to ease this burden.
(ii) Air Pollution: Factories and vehicles release harmful gases, polluting the air. This causes health issues and makes the government spend more on health and cleaner technology.
(iii) Water Pollution: Waste from factories and farms pollutes rivers and lakes, leading to diseases. The government must invest in water treatment and stopping pollution at its source.
(iv) Rich people's consumption: Higher consumption by wealthy people means more resources used up and more waste generated. The government has to look for eco-friendly options and manage waste collection.
(v) Illiteracy: People with less knowledge might misuse resources or overuse them. Government needs to spread awareness and education to encourage wise use of resources.
(vi) Industrial Establishment: Industries use a lot of natural resources and can cause damage through pollution. The government needs to set rules and promote cleaner production.
(vii) Urban migration: More people moving to cities puts stress on city services and reduces natural spaces. Government needs to support jobs and life in villages to reduce this migration.
(viii) Reduction in forest area: Cutting trees for land or wood reduces forests, which harms wildlife and causes soil erosion and climate changes. The government should plant more trees and protect forests.

6. What are natural functions?
Nature does four main things for us:

Gives us resources for production (like water, minerals, and soil).
Keeps us alive by giving air, water, sun, and soil—basic needs for life and biodiversity.
Cleans up waste from production and everyday life by absorbing it.

7. Discuss the contribution of these six factors in land degradation in India.
Land degradation in India is caused by erosion, salt and alkalinity in the soil, deforestation, certain farming practices, and overuse of chemical fertilizers.

Erosion: Wind and floods strip away the topsoil, taking away nutrients and reducing soil quality.
Alkalinity and Soil Salt: Waterlogging makes the soil salty or alkaline, reducing its fertility.
Deforestation: Cutting trees removes forest cover, causing more soil erosion and affecting climate.
Transitional farming: Sometimes, farming practices don't allow the soil to rest or regain nutrients, leading to loss of fertility.
Excessive use of fertilizers: Using too many chemicals harms soil health and makes it less productive.

8. Explain how a negative environmental impact has an opportunity cost high.
When harming the environment, there is an opportunity cost because resources spent fixing the damage could have been used elsewhere. This makes environmental harm expensive for society.

9. Describe the steps involved in achieving sustainable development in India.
India works towards sustainable development by controlling population growth, using cleaner fuels, increasing renewable energy use, recycling, and enforcing pollution-related penalties.

Population control: Promoting family planning and spreading birth control awareness to manage population size.
Cleaner fuels: Supporting the use of CNG and LPG to reduce air pollution caused by traditional fuels like petrol and diesel.
Solar and wind energy: Encouraging use of renewable resources (sun and wind) for long-term energy needs.
Recycling and bans: Promoting recycling and banning single-use plastic bags to reduce waste and pollution.
Pollution taxes and penalties: Imposing fines on polluting factories and vehicles to discourage pollution and protect public health.

10. India has many natural resources – confirms this statement.
India is rich in many natural resources like coal, iron, water, forests, and sunlight, which help in meeting the needs of its people.

11. Why is the environmental crisis a phenomenon? If yes, Discuss why?
Yes, the environmental crisis is a global issue because pollution, resource exhaustion, and loss of biodiversity are affecting countries worldwide, not just one place.

12. Give two examples of
(A) Excessive use of environmental resources
(B) Misuse of environmental resources.
(A) Overuse:

Rivers drying up due to too much irrigation and dam building.
Massive deforestation caused by population growth and higher demand for land and wood.

(B) Misuse:

Dumping sewage and industrial waste into rivers, polluting water.

13. Mention any four major environmental concerns of India. Corrections for environmental damage involve an opportunity cost. Explain.
Major concerns in India are air pollution, water pollution, land degradation, and deforestation. Fixing these problems costs the government resources that could be used for other needs, showing the opportunity cost of environmental harm.

14. Discuss the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources in brief.
India’s demand for natural resources has grown so much that it now exceeds nature’s ability to supply them, causing shortages and environmental damage.

15. Account for the present environmental crisis.
The current crisis is caused by rapid population growth, overuse of resources, pollution, and poor management of waste, all putting strain on nature.

16. Throw light on any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India's environmental problems present a dichotomy—they are driven by poverty and at the same time, because of the affluence in the standard of living. Is it true?
Land degradation and loss of biodiversity are two serious effects of development. Both poverty and wealth can cause environmental problems in India.

Land degradation: The fertility of soil decreases due to overuse, soil erosion, and pollution from chemicals.
Biodiversity loss: Destroying forests and natural habitats to make way for cities or growing more food reduces the number of plant and animal species.
Poverty: The poor may overuse resources to survive, causing harm.
Affluence: Wealthier lifestyles increase demand and waste, also harming the environment.

17. What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development means using resources carefully so that today’s needs are met without reducing resources for future generations.

18. Describe any one of the four sustainable development strategies to save your region.
Sustainable development means using resources smartly, growing the economy, and ensuring fairness between generations.

Use cleaner fuels like CNG and LPG to limit air pollution.
Rely on solar and wind energy, as these are renewable and don’t harm the environment.
Recycle and reuse household and industrial waste, using organic waste as manure and recycling plastics.

19. Explain the importance of generation equality in the definition of sustainable development.
Generation equality in sustainable development means ensuring that resources are fairly shared so both current and future generations can meet their needs.

FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 Environment And Sustainable Development - 2025-26

1. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 7 define a 'worker' in the context of the Indian economy?

A 'worker' is defined as any individual engaged in an economic activity that contributes to the Gross National Product (GNP). This includes not only people who are paid a salary but also self-employed individuals and those who assist in family businesses without receiving a formal wage. Understanding this broad definition is the first step in correctly solving problems related to the workforce.

2. What is the correct method to calculate the Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) as per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus?

The correct method to calculate the Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) involves using the specific formula provided in the NCERT textbook. The formula is:
WPR = (Total Workforce / Total Population) × 100.
The 'Total Workforce' includes all individuals who are actively employed. This ratio is crucial for analysing the proportion of the population contributing to economic production.

3. What are the key differences between the formal (organised) and informal (unorganised) sectors as explained in the solutions for Chapter 7?

The NCERT solutions for Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 distinguish between the formal and informal sectors based on these key points:

Regulation and Size: The formal sector includes all public sector firms and private establishments that employ 10 or more hired workers. The informal sector comprises all other enterprises and self-employed individuals.
Job Security: Formal sector employment offers job security, written contracts, and regular salaries. Informal sector jobs are typically insecure, temporary, and have irregular pay.
Social Security: Workers in the formal sector receive social security benefits like provident fund, gratuity, and health insurance. These benefits are absent in the informal sector.

4. What is meant by 'informalisation of the workforce', and why is it a significant issue in India?

‘Informalisation of the workforce’ refers to the increasing trend where a larger proportion of the working population is employed in the informal or unorganised sector. This is a significant issue because it means more workers are in jobs that lack social security benefits, legal protection, and stable income. As per the NCERT solutions, this trend poses a major challenge to achieving inclusive growth and decent work for all in India.

5. How does the concept of 'jobless growth' explain a key problem in India's employment situation?

'Jobless growth' describes a situation where a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases, but this economic growth fails to create a proportional number of new jobs. This means the economy is becoming more productive, often due to technological advancements, without absorbing the expanding labour force. This concept helps explain the paradox of why high unemployment persists in India despite a growing economy.

6. Why is it important to distinguish between the 'labour force' and the 'workforce' when solving NCERT problems on unemployment?

Distinguishing between 'labour force' and 'workforce' is essential for the correct calculation of unemployment statistics.

The Labour Force includes all persons who are currently working (the workforce) plus those who are unemployed but actively seeking a job.
The Workforce only includes those individuals who are actually employed.

The difference between these two figures (Labour Force − Workforce) gives the exact number of unemployed people. Using the wrong term in your calculations will lead to an incorrect unemployment rate.

7. How can a student structure an answer on the types of unemployment to score full marks in exams?

To correctly answer a question on the types of unemployment from Chapter 7, you should follow this step-by-step structure:

Begin by clearly defining each type. For example, Disguised Unemployment occurs when more people are employed in a job than are actually required.
Provide a relevant example for each type, such as disguised unemployment in family-run farms or seasonal unemployment in the tourism industry.
Briefly explain the context, particularly for the Indian economy where these types are prevalent.

This structured approach aligns with the CBSE marking pattern and demonstrates a clear understanding.

8. How do the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 help in preparing for final exams?

These NCERT solutions are a valuable resource for exam preparation for the 2025-26 session because they:

Provide step-by-step answers that align with the official CBSE evaluation criteria and marking scheme.
Clarify complex topics like informalisation, workforce participation rate, and types of unemployment with simple examples.
Help students understand the correct methodology for solving numerical problems and structuring theoretical answers to secure maximum marks.