The Ailing planet
1.Locate the lines in the text that support the title ‘The Ailing Planet’.
Ans: The line which supports the title 'The Ailing Planet' is - "The earth's vital signs
reveal a patient in declining health." This part of the text says that the chief systems of
the earth like natural resources and their productivity are being continually destroyed
and are now deprived of their ability to sustain life. The fisheries, croplands, grasslands,
and forests are so exhausted that the earth seems to be suffering from terrible
ailments and has no possibility to regain its health.
2. What does the notice ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at
Lusaka, Zambia, signify? (2017)
Ans: The noticeboard signifies that it was the cage of the world's most dangerous
animal but not a single animal is present inside as the species itself is extinct. Besides,
the mirror shows the person who goes there. This makes us aware that it is a man who
is the most dangerous in this world, man is so harmful that it has destroyed the signs of
endless species of living organisms in this world. His ways of living and fortune to
nature must be stopped now. The notice and the mirror in the zoo are enough for man
to realize that he must take up his vital responsibility to take care of all liver on this
planet and help others live as well, he must stop being dangerous.
3. How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?
Ans: The four major biological systems of the earth are - fisheries, forests, grasslands,
and croplands. These combine to become the basis of the world's economy. They
supply us not only with food but also raw materials for many purposes. But it is really
depressing that these are being continually depleted and very fast too. Forest is cut for
many purposes but plantations are so slow. Fisheries are destroyed by the demand
made by over-fishing. Grassland has turned to barren lands and croplands have lost
their fertility. So, The whole matter is of serious concern.
4.Why does the author aver that the growth of the world population is one of the
strongest factors distorting the future of human society?
Ans: The author gives us a definite estimate of the fast rate at which the world's
population has been increasing and crossed 5 billion. More population will require more
food, no more raw materials, and more resources are left to live on. This is a pressure
on the earth which is
already suffering from intolerable pressure and demands. Due to the increase in the
demands of mankind; the forest fisheries, grasslands, and croplands are continually
getting deprived of their sustainability and if this continues, the future generation will
have nothing left for survival. This makes it clear that the rise in the world population is
helping to the destruction of mankind's future.
Previous Years Questions Notes
1. When was the Green Movement started and where was it founded? (2014)
Ans: The Green Movement was started in 1972 and the first group was founded in New
Zealand.
2. What does the author mean by sustainable development in the essay? In which year
did the concept become popular? (2015)
Ans: The author says that the concept called sustainable development means
development that caters to the needs of the present without affecting the ability of the
future generation to fulfill their needs. In 1980 the concept become popular.
3. Explain the line "We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers, we have
borrowed it from our children.' (2015, 16, 18)
Ans: The author says that the natural resources of the earth is valuable and limited
also. We must preserve them, we cannot destroy them according to our wishes. But
sadly, that is what we are doing today, we are exerting too much pressure on the planet
to fulfill our needs. We are destroying forests, lands, fisheries, water life, etc. which have
killed many species of wildlife. This has destroyed the ecological balance of the
environment creating endless problems for life on earth - both for living beings and also
for the planet itself. The author says that the earth is not our patrimony to be used and
exhausted as we wish. It is rather an asset which we have borrowed from our future
generations and we must reform it to them in do condition. They must be something
left for our children to and from the earth.
4. What is Sustainable Development? (2015, 18)
Ans: Sustainable Development means development that caters to the needs of the
present without affecting the ability of the future generation to fulfill their needs.
5. What is the Green Movement and what are its aims? (2016)
Ans: The Green Movement is a movement that is organized to save environmental
degradation. Its aim is to create a holistic approach to safeguard the planet from
further degradation.
6. How is man the most dangerous animal in this world? (2016)
Ans: Man is the most dangerous animal in the world as he has posed dangers to the
other beings on earth. man is so harmful that it has destroyed the signs of endless
species of living organisms in this world. In order to satisfy the daily needs of material
life. We are exploiting all the natural resources of the earth and exerting too much
pressure on it. It has destroyed the ecological balance of the environment creating an
endless problem for life on earth. So man is the most dangerous animal in the world.
8. "The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health." Elucidate. (2017)
Ans: It is true that the earth looks like a patient in declining health. It is we human
beings who, for our comforts, modern lifestyle, and technological advancements have
greatly destroyed the natural resources of our planet. Forests, fisheries, cultivated
lands, air, croplands - everything has been polluted and diluted by our population
explosion and modern eating habits and lifestyle. Forests are destroyed for firewood,
furniture, and paper production, and fisheries are depleted as we are a protein-hungry
generation. Croplands are dying and losing fertility owing to excessive use of
fertilizers. Because of these factors, the earth is facing problems. There are abnormal
climatic changes and many diseases have come to us like respiratory problems, high
blood pressure, cancer, etc.
9. Discuss why it has been pertinently said that "forests precede mankind; deserts
follow". (2019)
Ans: The chapter 'Ailing Planet: the Green Movement's Role' by Nani Palkhiwala is an
enlightening treatise on environmental degradation, the causes behind it, and the
solutions needed to be implemented to save our ailing planet. The line from the chapter
'Forests precedes mankind deserts follow' has been written to bring people's attention
to the fact of how crucial trees are for mankind. This line means before God put man on
earth, he put trees on it to create wholesome and hospitable conditions for him and his
posterities; however, a man in his recklessness destroys trees and makes lands barren
like deserts; in such conditions, mankind also disappears. To sum up, the line means
trees are indispensable for mankind to survive; in their absence, mankind will dwindle
away.
Extra Question Notes
1. Why is the earth called a patient?
Ans: The present condition of the planet is really miserable, the environment has been
disturbed so badly that the health of the earth is not at all satisfactory, it seems to be
an ailing patient. So, the author says so.
2. Which is the biological system that is destroyed most by human beings? How?
Ans: It is the forest that is destroyed most rapidly by human beings. We cut down trees
to make houses, furniture to be used as firewood, etc.
3. 'Laws are never respected nor enforced in India'. Discuss.
Ans: The author says that the Indian Constitution has a provision in Article 48A for the
conservation of forests and wildlife in the country. But these always remain in official
documents never executed in action. So many acres of forest lands are destroyed even
officials help in this corruption. There is no law to stop this cutting of trees so their
protection of them is a far-off matter. So the author remarks thus.