Man and Environment

Man and environment are interdependent and interrelated. Environment means the conditions that have an effect on the behavior and development of somebody or something. It has two fundamental components i.e. the physical component and the biological component. The physical part of environment comprise of light, temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall, land, water and air or atmospheric gases. Actually it includes the non-living physio-chemical factors of environment. The other component of environment is biological factors which include plants, animals and micro-organisms. In other words, the environment is considered as the physical and biological conditions in which all things exist. It is the basis of survival. It directs the continued existence, growth, development and reproduction of the humans.

Humans and their environment can be considered as a closed system since a cyclic exchange of materials such as Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Minerals and water between them takes place. In fact, everything that we use is obtained from the environment. We are delimited by our environment from which we derive our requirements. It will not be an exaggeration to say that man obliges environment for his endurance as it supplies energy and resources for him. We depend on it for crucial requisites and hence, we interact with different components or factors of the environment. It affects the distribution, structure, behavior and inter-relationship of man. All basic needs are directly derived from the environment.Water that constitutes the part of physical elements of environment is essential for life. Not only humans but other organisms also have to face different problems of water insufficiency or objectionable loads as floods. A proper regulation of water cycle is required for the proper functioning of life. Soil that provides water, minerals and fossil fuels to man is also another important part of the environment. No doubt, we have been affecting the environment from the very beginning as nomads to the present day civilized forms. The environment satisfies human wants. Are water, air, sunshine, land, soil, forests, wildlife, fishes, minerals and power resources etc. not useful to us? The environment is our sacred and priceless legacy.

With the development of human civilization environment has been dominated by humans. We face several environmental problems today because we ignore our environment for our greed and needs. As soon as we get up in the morning, we start to consume our various environmental resources and add pollutants to it. Our daily activities such as bathing, washing, cooking food, using automobiles etc. gradually harm our environment. It is also true that we cannot stop utilizing those resources but it should also be kept in mind that we care for cleanness and protection of our environment. The limited use of resources is not harmful or worthless. It is the time to think on it. The environment is capable of purifying itself to a certain extent. But the pressure has increase on it. Many anthropogenic activities including urbanization, industrialization and development activities have adverse effects on it. The smoke from vehicles and factories has degraded the quality of air. We, all, are facing the environmental pollutions. We cut down mercilessly several trees which resulted in the loss of biodiversity. Now the rainfall is not regular. Some regions are facing the problem of droughts and some other of floods. The excess use of chemical fertilizers altered the composition, quality and water holding capacity of soil. The protection and conservation of the environment is related to our own protection. It is the moral duty of all humans to take care of the health of our environment. We must manage to retain the purity of air, water and fertility of soil. We must encourage the environmental protection and conservation plans.

Each component of environment is essential whether it is living or non-living. Knowledge regarding the importance of environment should be made the part of school text books. A constant interaction between man and his environment goes on to produce more from the latter and to conserve it longer. Environment is not only complex and dynamic but also mutually reactive. It is not only environment but man also is in danger. Forests check pollution to a great extent. According to Ashoka the king’s duty is not to protect only citizens of the country and to punish the wrong doers. A king’s duty is also to preserve human animal life and forest tree. It was only Ashoka who had ordered that animals should not be killed for food and sports. What does it indicate? We should grow up with a sense of kinship with nature. Biotic components and abiotic factors are components essential for our development.

The seriousness of the problem of environmental degradation is evident from the fact that 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 to make people think and act to protect and develop the environment. As our own very existence depends on it, we should keep the environment pure, clean and safe. We should set up many environment clubs, seminars and symposiums with a view to protecting and developing human environment. Clearly, our problems are anthropogenic; therefore, they can be solved by man. Man’s reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable problems, and we believe they can do it again. We should not forget that the environment is older than man from the angle of their origin and growth. Man is the last species evolved on the earth. However both grow in close association with each other. It is right that man exists because the environment exists. The struggle of man as regards his existence and survival has been very formidable and the man has to fight tooth and nail in order to come out victorious. The environment has ever supported the man in this respect. But at times there is conflict between both of them. Thus for man environment is the supreme factor to influence his survival. Hence, the two cannot be estranged.