Environment is the total planetary inheritance, including all biotic and abiotic resources that support life and economic activity.
Important Questions Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development Chapter 7 help students revise environmental crisis, resource depletion and sustainable development.Economic development increases production, income and consumption, but it can also damage air, water, land, forests and biodiversity. Chapter 7 of Indian Economic Development explains how the environment supplies resources, absorbs waste, sustains life and provides aesthetic services. It also shows why India faces environmental pressure from rising population, industrialisation, urbanisation, poverty and affluent consumption. Students should revise renewable and non-renewable resources, carrying capacity, land degradation, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, sustainable development and eco-friendly strategies. These questions follow a board-style pattern for the 2026-27 exam.
Key Takeaways
- Environment: Environment includes biotic factors like plants and animals and abiotic factors like air, water and land.
- Four Functions: The environment supplies resources, assimilates waste, sustains life and provides aesthetic services.
- Water Pollution: About 70 per cent of water in India is polluted.
- Vehicle Growth: Registered motor vehicles increased from about 3 lakh in 1951 to 35 crore in 2022.
Important Questions Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development Chapter 7 Structure 2026-27
| Question Type |
Marks |
Best Answer Style |
| Objective Type |
1 mark |
Term, concept or correct option |
| Very Short Answer |
3 marks |
60-80 words with direct explanation |
| Short Answer |
4 marks |
80-100 words with 3-4 points |
| Long Answer |
6 marks |
100-150 words with analysis |
| Case/Data-Based |
4 marks |
Concept, data clue and interpretation |
Objective Type Questions from Important Questions Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development Chapter 7
Objective questions from this chapter usually test environment functions, renewable resources, carrying capacity, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion and sustainable development. Students should learn definitions and examples carefully.
Q1. Environment is defined as:
- Only forests and wildlife
b. Total planetary inheritance and totality of all resources
c. Only air and water
d. Only non-renewable resources
Answer: b. Total planetary inheritance and totality of all resources
Environment includes both biotic and abiotic factors.
Q2. Birds, animals, plants, forests and fisheries are:
- Abiotic elements
b. Biotic elements
c. Non-living elements
d. Artificial elements
Answer: b. Biotic elements
Biotic elements are living components of the environment.
Q3. Air, water, land, rocks and sunlight are:
- Biotic elements
b. Abiotic elements
c. Genetic elements
d. Social elements
Answer: b. Abiotic elements
Abiotic elements are non-living components of the environment.
Q4. Which of the following is a renewable resource?
- Coal
b. Petroleum
c. Fish
d. Iron ore
Answer: c. Fish
Renewable resources can regenerate when used within sustainable limits.
Q5. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
- Forest trees
b. Fish
c. Fossil fuel
d. Sunlight
Answer: c. Fossil fuel
Non-renewable resources get exhausted with extraction and use.
Q6. The ability of the environment to absorb degradation is called:
- Carrying capacity
b. Absorptive capacity
c. Globalisation
d. Afforestation
Answer: b. Absorptive capacity
Absorptive capacity means the environment’s ability to absorb waste and degradation.
Q7. Carrying capacity refers to:
- Maximum load the environment can support without damage
b. Total number of vehicles in a city
c. Quantity of exports in a year
d. Total tax collection by government
Answer: a. Maximum load the environment can support without damage
Carrying capacity class 11 economics questions often connect resource extraction with regeneration.
Q8. Global warming is caused mainly by:
- Increase in greenhouse gases
b. Reduction in population
c. Increase in forest cover
d. Decrease in fossil fuel burning
Answer: a. Increase in greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases trap heat.
Q9. Ozone depletion is mainly caused by:
- CFCs and halons
b. Organic farming
c. Solar energy
d. Wind power
Answer: a. CFCs and halons
CFCs and halons release chlorine and bromine compounds in the stratosphere.
Q10. The Montreal Protocol is related to:
- Ozone depletion
b. Land reforms
c. Import substitution
d. Poverty estimation
Answer: a. Ozone depletion
It restricts ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs.
Q11. The Central Pollution Control Board was set up in:
- 1950
b. 1965
c. 1974
d. 1991
Answer: c. 1974
The CPCB was set up to address water and air pollution.
Q12. Sustainable development means development that:
- Uses all resources immediately
b. Meets present needs without compromising future generations
c. Stops economic growth completely
d. Focuses only on industrialisation
Answer: b. Meets present needs without compromising future generations
Sustainable development class 11 economics focuses on present needs and future rights.
Q13. Which fuel significantly lowered air pollution in Delhi’s public transport?
- Coal
b. Diesel
c. CNG
d. Kerosene
Answer: c. CNG
Compressed Natural Gas helped reduce air pollution from public transport.
Q14. Which of the following is an example of biocomposting?
- Using chemical fertilisers only
b. Converting organic waste into compost
c. Burning crop residue
d. Increasing pesticide use
Answer: b. Converting organic waste into compost
Biocomposting reduces waste and improves soil quality.
Q15. Assertion: Environment and economy are interdependent.
Reason: Development that damages the environment can destroy the natural base that sustains life.
- Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
b. Both are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
c. Assertion is true, Reason is false
d. Assertion is false, Reason is true
Answer: a. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
Economic activity depends on environmental resources and services.
Very Short Answer Questions from Class 11 Economics Chapter 7 Important Questions
Very short answers from this chapter usually ask for definitions, examples and direct explanations. Start with the term, then add one relevant example.
Q16. What is environment class 11 economics?
Environment class 11 economics means the total planetary inheritance and totality of all resources. It includes living elements such as plants, animals and forests and non-living elements such as air, water, land, rocks and sunlight.
Q17. What are biotic and abiotic elements?
Biotic elements are living parts of the environment such as birds, animals, plants, forests and fisheries. Abiotic elements are non-living parts such as air, water, land, rocks and sunlight.
Q18. What are renewable resources?
Renewable resources are resources that can be used without exhaustion when their use remains within regeneration limits. Forest trees and fish are examples of renewable resources.
Q19. What are non-renewable resources?
Non-renewable resources are resources that get exhausted with extraction and use. Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum and minerals such as iron ore are examples of non-renewable resources.
Q20. What is carrying capacity class 11 economics?
Carrying capacity class 11 economics means the maximum load the environment can support without losing its ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste. Environmental crisis begins when this limit is crossed.
Q21. What is absorptive capacity?
Absorptive capacity is the ability of the environment to absorb degradation and waste. When waste generation exceeds this capacity, pollution rises and the environment fails to sustain life properly.
Q22. What is environmental crisis class 11?
Environmental crisis class 11 means a situation where resource extraction exceeds regeneration and waste generation exceeds absorptive capacity. It leads to pollution, resource depletion, health problems and loss of biodiversity.
Short Answer Questions from Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Important Questions
Short answer questions from this chapter usually ask for functions, causes and Indian environmental concerns. Use 3-4 points and include examples.
Q23. Explain the functions of environment class 11.
Functions of environment class 11 include four major roles.
- It supplies renewable and non-renewable resources.
- It assimilates waste generated by production and consumption.
- It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity support.
- It provides aesthetic services such as scenery and natural beauty.
These functions continue smoothly only when demand stays within carrying capacity.
Q24. Why has environmental crisis become a recent phenomenon?
Environmental crisis became serious after population growth and industrialisation increased pressure on nature.
Earlier, demand for environmental resources was lower than supply. Waste generation was also within the absorptive capacity of the environment. With population explosion and industrial revolution, resource use exceeded regeneration and waste exceeded absorption.
This caused pollution, resource depletion and environmental degradation.
Q25. Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
Supply-demand reversal means demand for environmental resources has become higher than their available supply.
Earlier, nature supplied more resources and services than humans demanded. Today, overuse and misuse have reduced supply, while population growth and consumption have increased demand.
This reversal has caused water scarcity, pollution, degraded land and rising environmental costs.
Q26. How are opportunity costs of negative environmental impact high?
Opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high because society must spend resources to correct environmental damage.
Polluted water increases health expenditure. Degraded land reduces agricultural productivity. Exhausted resources require costly technology and research to find substitutes. Global warming and ozone depletion also increase public spending.
Money used for correction could have supported education, health or infrastructure.
Q27. What are India’s major environmental concerns?
India’s major environmental concerns include land degradation, biodiversity loss, air pollution, fresh water management and solid waste management.
Air pollution is severe in urban areas because vehicles and industries release harmful emissions. Water contamination causes water-borne diseases. Deforestation and soil erosion reduce land quality.
These issues affect human health and economic development.
Q28. Explain land degradation class 11 economics.
Land degradation class 11 economics means decline in land quality due to misuse and poor management.
Main causes include deforestation, overgrazing, excessive fuelwood extraction, shifting cultivation, forest fires, poor soil conservation, improper crop rotation, overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, faulty irrigation and over-extraction of groundwater.
Land degradation reduces productivity and increases pressure on natural resources.
Q29. Explain global warming class 11 economics.
Global warming class 11 economics means gradual increase in the earth’s average lower-atmosphere temperature.
It is mainly caused by rising greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Fossil fuel burning, deforestation, cattle production and industrial activities add these gases.
Its effects include melting polar ice, sea-level rise, coastal flooding, tropical diseases and extreme weather events.
Q30. Explain ozone depletion class 11.
Ozone depletion class 11 means reduction in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere.
It is caused by chlorine and bromine compounds released from CFCs and halons. These were used in air-conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol propellants and fire extinguishers.
Ozone depletion allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach earth, causing skin cancer and damage to plants and aquatic life.
Long Answer Questions from Important Questions Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development Chapter 7
Long answers from this chapter usually test environmental crisis, sustainable development and strategies. Include causes, examples and future-generation concerns.
Q31. Explain the state of India’s environment.
India has rich natural resources, but development has created serious environmental pressure.
India has fertile soil, many rivers, forests, mineral deposits, mountains and the Indian Ocean. The black soil of the Deccan Plateau supports cotton, while Indo-Gangetic plains are highly fertile. India also has iron ore, coal, natural gas, bauxite, copper, manganese and other minerals.
However, developmental activities have created air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion, deforestation and wildlife loss. India faces both poverty-induced environmental degradation and pollution caused by industrial growth and affluent consumption.
Major priority issues include land degradation, biodiversity loss, urban air pollution, fresh water management and solid waste management.
Therefore, India’s environmental challenge is linked with both poverty and rapid development.
Q32. Explain the causes of land degradation in India.
Land degradation in India is caused by unstable use and poor management of land resources.
Major causes include:
- Loss of vegetation due to deforestation.
- Unsustainable fuelwood and fodder extraction.
- Shifting cultivation.
- Encroachment into forest lands.
- Forest fires and overgrazing.
- Poor soil conservation measures.
- Improper crop rotation.
- Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides.
- Poor irrigation planning.
- Groundwater extraction beyond recharge capacity.
India supports a large population and livestock on limited geographical area. This creates heavy pressure on land, forests and water resources.
Q33. Explain sustainable development class 11 economics.
Sustainable development class 11 economics means development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The concept was emphasised by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. It focuses on basic needs, fair distribution of resources and protection of future generations.
Sustainable development requires conservation of natural assets, preservation of ecological regeneration and avoidance of extra environmental risks for future generations.
It also aims to reduce poverty by providing secure livelihoods, education, health care, sanitation, water, employment and energy.
Thus, sustainable development combines economic growth with environmental protection and social justice.
Q34. Explain Herman Daly’s suggestions for sustainable development.
Herman Daly suggested that sustainable development should remain within the carrying capacity of the environment.
His main suggestions are:
- Limit human population to a level that the environment can support.
- Make technological progress input efficient, not input consuming.
- Extract renewable resources at a rate that does not exceed regeneration.
- Deplete non-renewable resources only at a rate matched by renewable substitutes.
- Correct inefficiencies caused by pollution.
These principles help prevent overuse of resources and protect future generations.
Q35. Explain strategies for sustainable development class 11.
Strategies for sustainable development class 11 include cleaner energy, traditional knowledge and eco-friendly farming methods.
- Non-conventional energy sources: Solar energy, wind energy and mini-hydel plants reduce dependence on polluting thermal power.
- LPG and gobar gas: These reduce rural household pollution and deforestation.
- CNG in cities: CNG in Delhi’s public transport helped reduce air pollution.
- Solar power: Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity, especially in remote areas.
- Traditional knowledge: Ayurveda, Unani and folk practices use local knowledge and fewer chemicals.
- Biocomposting: Organic waste is converted into compost, improving soil health.
- Biopest control: Neem-based pesticides, mixed cropping and natural predators reduce chemical pesticide use.
These strategies reduce pollution while supporting development.
Q36. Explain why environment and economy are interdependent.
Environment and economy are interdependent because economic activity depends on natural resources and environmental services.
The environment supplies land, water, minerals, forests, fuel and raw materials. It also absorbs waste created during production and consumption. If development damages the environment, the natural base of production becomes weak.
Polluted water raises health costs. Deforestation reduces rainfall stability and biodiversity. Soil erosion lowers agricultural productivity. Fossil fuel use contributes to global warming.
Thus, economic growth cannot last without environmental protection. Sustainable development is needed because it balances present development with future resource availability.
Case-Based Questions from Class 11 Economics Environment and Sustainable Development Important Questions
Case-based questions from this chapter usually connect economic activity with environmental impact. Identify the issue first, then link it with sustainable development.
Q37. Case Study: Polluted river near an industrial town
A river near an industrial town receives untreated waste from factories. People living nearby report more water-borne diseases, and the government spends more on water treatment and health care.
Q37(a). Which environmental problem is shown in the case?
The case shows water pollution.
Factory waste is contaminating the river and affecting public health.
Q37(b). Why does this create high opportunity cost?
It creates high opportunity cost because money is spent on health care and pollution control.
The same funds could have been used for education, infrastructure or poverty reduction.
Q37(c). Which environmental function has failed here?
The waste assimilation function has failed.
Waste has exceeded the absorptive capacity of the river.
Q38. Case Study: Excessive use of chemical fertilisers
Farmers in a region use large quantities of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to increase output. After some years, soil fertility declines and nearby water bodies become polluted.
Q38(a). Which environmental issue is shown here?
The case shows land degradation and water pollution.
Excessive agro-chemical use damages soil and contaminates water.
Q38(b). Which sustainable strategy can reduce this problem?
Biocomposting can reduce this problem.
Organic compost improves soil quality and reduces chemical dependence.
Q38(c). Which farming method can reduce chemical pesticide use?
Biopest control can reduce chemical pesticide use.
Neem-based pesticides, mixed cropping and natural predators can control pests.
Q39. Case Study: Public transport shift to cleaner fuel
A city shifts public buses from diesel to CNG. After some years, air quality improves and pollution from public transport decreases.
Q39(a). Which strategy is shown in the case?
The strategy is use of CNG in urban areas.
CNG is a cleaner fuel than diesel.
Q39(b). Which city is mentioned in NCERT for this example?
Delhi is mentioned for this example.
CNG use in Delhi’s public transport significantly lowered air pollution.
Q39(c). How does this support sustainable development?
It reduces air pollution while allowing transport services to continue.
This supports present needs and protects environmental quality.
Data-Based Questions from Environment and Sustainable Development Class 11 Important Questions
Data-based questions from this chapter usually test environmental indicators and resource pressure. Mention the data first, then interpret it.
Q40. What does the data on water pollution in India show?
The data shows that about 70 per cent of water in India is polluted.
This means water quality decline is a serious environmental concern. It raises the incidence of water-borne diseases and increases expenditure on health and water treatment.
This also shows that development without pollution control creates high social costs.
Q41. What does the vehicle growth data show about air pollution?
The number of motor vehicles increased from about 3 lakh in 1951 to 35 crore in 2022.
This rapid increase creates pressure on urban air quality. Two-wheelers and cars formed about 85 per cent of registered vehicles in 2022, making vehicular emissions a major source of air pollution.
This explains why cleaner fuels and public transport reforms are important.
Q42. What does India’s resource pressure show?
India supports about 17 per cent of the world’s human population and 20 per cent of livestock population on only 2.5 per cent of the world’s geographical area.
This shows heavy pressure on land, forests, water and biodiversity. It also explains why land degradation, deforestation and groundwater depletion are major concerns.
Sustainable management is needed to reduce pressure on finite natural resources.
Chapter-Wise Revision for Important Questions Class 11 Economics Indian Economic Development Chapter 7
Important questions class 11 economics indian economic development chapter 7 should be revised in five parts: environment, environmental crisis, India’s environmental concerns, sustainable development and strategies.
Start with environment class 11 economics. Learn biotic and abiotic elements, renewable and non-renewable resources and the four functions of environment.
Next, revise functions of environment class 11. Focus on resource supply, waste assimilation, life sustenance and aesthetic services.
Then revise environmental crisis class 11. Understand carrying capacity, absorptive capacity, resource depletion, pollution and opportunity cost.
After that, revise India’s environmental challenges. Focus on land degradation class 11 economics, air pollution, water contamination, solid waste, biodiversity loss and forest depletion.
Finally, revise sustainable development class 11 economics. Focus on intergenerational equity, Herman Daly’s suggestions and strategies for sustainable development class 11.
Useful Links for Class 11 Economics