🌿 The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role
✍️ By Nani Palkhivala
🧑🏫 About the Author – Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala (1920–2002)
Nani Palkhivala was a renowned Indian jurist, economist, and diplomat. He was one of the most respected constitutional lawyers in India and a passionate advocate for civil liberties and economic freedom. Apart from law, he was deeply concerned about the environment and the ethical responsibilities of humans toward the planet. His writings and speeches often emphasized sustainable development and the urgent need to preserve natural resources for future generations. “The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” reflects his concern for the deteriorating environmental condition of the Earth.
🌍 About the Lesson
“The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” is an essay adapted from an article written by Nani Palkhivala, published in The Indian Express on November 24, 1994. The essay draws attention to the condition of our planet, which is suffering due to human greed, deforestation, pollution, and over-exploitation of natural resources.
The author discusses the significance of the Green Movement, which began in 1972, emphasizing that humans must treat Earth not as a resource to exploit but as a “trust” to protect for future generations. He highlights how the Earth’s health is linked to the survival of all living beings and urges a shift in human attitudes from domination to cooperation with nature.
📖 Summary of the Lesson
The essay begins by describing how the Green Movement, which started in New Zealand in 1972, has become one of the most important movements to save our planet. This movement changed people’s perception of the Earth — from viewing it as a possession to be used, to recognizing it as a living organism that must be protected.
Palkhivala refers to the Earth as “The Ailing Planet”, meaning it is sick due to human exploitation. He explains that man’s greed and uncontrolled industrial growth have severely damaged the natural balance. Forests are disappearing, water and air are polluted, and wildlife is dying.
He quotes a report from the World Commission on Environment and Development, which states that the Earth belongs not only to the present generation but also to future generations. Therefore, we must act responsibly and ensure sustainable development — development that meets today’s needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The essay introduces the idea of “Four Principal Biological Systems” — fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These systems form the foundation of global economic and ecological stability. However, all these systems are under threat due to overuse.
Palkhivala emphasizes that the population explosion is the biggest threat to the environment. The uncontrolled increase in human population puts immense pressure on land, water, and food resources. He mentions that India, though rich in natural resources, faces a crisis due to overpopulation and misuse of resources.
The author appreciates countries that have realized the importance of environmental protection and population control. He appeals to the Indian government to take strict steps for environmental conservation and education.
In conclusion, Palkhivala calls for a change in human outlook — from careless exploitation to responsible stewardship. He warns that if humans continue to harm the planet, Earth’s future will be doomed. The essay ends with a powerful reminder that we are the “trustees of this planet” and not its owners.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. Which movement does Nani Palkhivala refer to?
Ans- Nani Palkhivala refers to the Green Movement. It started in 1972 to protect the environment and make people aware of the need to save the Earth and its natural resources for future generations.
Q2. “What goes under the pot now cost more than what goes inside it.” Explain it.
Ans-This means that firewood, which is used for cooking, has become more costly than food itself. It shows the shortage of forest wood and the growing environmental problem in our country.
Q3. What do we need to plant more forests in India?
Ans- We need strong laws, proper care, and public awareness to plant more forests. People and the government should work together to protect and increase forest areas in India.
Q4. How can over-fishing and decimation of forests prove harmful?
Ans- Over-fishing and destroying forests can disturb nature’s balance. It can harm animals, reduce food sources, and cause environmental problems like soil erosion and climate change.
Ans- Nani Palkhivala refers to the Green Movement. It started in 1972 to protect the environment and make people aware of the need to save the Earth and its natural resources for future generations.
Ans-This means that firewood, which is used for cooking, has become more costly than food itself. It shows the shortage of forest wood and the growing environmental problem in our country.
Ans- We need strong laws, proper care, and public awareness to plant more forests. People and the government should work together to protect and increase forest areas in India.
Ans- Over-fishing and destroying forests can disturb nature’s balance. It can harm animals, reduce food sources, and cause environmental problems like soil erosion and climate change.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q.1. Why does Nani Palkhivala call the earth ‘The Ailing Planet’? How can the ailing planet survive?
100 Difficult Words Meanings (in Hindi)
| No. | Word | Pronunciation (in Hindi) | Meaning in Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ailing | एइलिंग | बीमार, अस्वस्थ |
| 2 | Planet | प्लैनेट | ग्रह, पृथ्वी |
| 3 | Movement | मूवमेंट | आंदोलन |
| 4 | Ecology | ईकोलॉजी | पर्यावरण विज्ञान |
| 5 | Sustainable | सस्टेनेबल | टिकाऊ, स्थायी |
| 6 | Development | डेवलपमेंट | विकास |
| 7 | Environment | एनवायरनमेंट | पर्यावरण |
| 8 | Exploitation | एक्सप्लॉइटेशन | शोषण, दोहन |
| 9 | Degradation | डिग्रेडेशन | ह्रास, पतन |
| 10 | Commission | कमिशन | आयोग |
| 11 | Generation | जेनेरेशन | पीढ़ी |
| 12 | Conservation | कंजरवेशन | संरक्षण |
| 13 | Awareness | अवेयरनेस | जागरूकता |
| 14 | Organism | ऑर्गैनिज़्म | जीव, प्राणी |
| 15 | Biodiversity | बायोडायवर्सिटी | जैव विविधता |
| 16 | Deforestation | डिफॉरेस्टेशन | वनों की कटाई |
| 17 | Replenish | रिप्लेनिश | पुनः भरना |
| 18 | Erosion | इरोशन | अपरदन, कटाव |
| 19 | Depletion | डिप्लीशन | कमी, क्षय |
| 20 | Affluence | अफ्लुएंस | सम्पन्नता |
| 21 | Pollution | पॉल्यूशन | प्रदूषण |
| 22 | Stewardship | स्टीवर्डशिप | प्रबंधक की भूमिका |
| 23 | Crisis | क्राइसिस | संकट |
| 24 | Habitat | हैबिटैट | आवास स्थान |
| 25 | Population | पॉपुलेशन | जनसंख्या |
| 26 | Renewable | रिन्यूएबल | नवीकरणीय |
| 27 | Resources | रिसोर्सेज | संसाधन |
| 28 | Balance | बैलेंस | संतुलन |
| 29 | Species | स्पीशीज | प्रजातियाँ |
| 30 | Responsibility | रिस्पॉन्सिबिलिटी | जिम्मेदारी |
| 31 | Awareness | अवेयरनेस | जागरूकता |
| 32 | Forests | फॉरेस्ट्स | जंगल |
| 33 | Fisheries | फिशरीज़ | मत्स्य उद्योग |
| 34 | Grasslands | ग्रासलैंड्स | घास के मैदान |
| 35 | Croplands | क्रॉपलैंड्स | कृषि भूमि |
| 36 | Stability | स्टेबिलिटी | स्थिरता |
| 37 | Overuse | ओवरयूज़ | अत्यधिक उपयोग |
| 38 | Threatened | थ्रेटेन्ड | खतरे में |
| 39 | Exploited | एक्सप्लॉइटेड | शोषित |
| 40 | Pollution | पॉल्यूशन | प्रदूषण |
| 41 | Resources | रिसोर्सेज | संसाधन |
| 42 | Planetary | प्लैनेटरी | ग्रह संबंधी |
| 43 | Humanity | ह्यूमैनिटी | मानवता |
| 44 | Misuse | मिसयूज़ | दुरुपयोग |
| 45 | Coexistence | कोएग्ज़िस्टेंस | सह-अस्तित्व |
| 46 | Deprived | डिप्राइव्ड | वंचित |
| 47 | Endangered | एंडेंजरड | संकटग्रस्त |
| 48 | Decrease | डिक्रीज़ | कमी |
| 49 | Global | ग्लोबल | वैश्विक |
| 50 | Industrialization | इंडस्ट्रियलाइज़ेशन | औद्योगीकरण |
| 51 | Urbanization | अर्बनाइज़ेशन | शहरीकरण |
| 52 | Deterioration | डिटीरियोरेशन | बिगड़ना |
| 53 | Irreversible | इरिवर्सिबल | अपरिवर्तनीय |
| 54 | Fossil Fuels | फॉसिल फ्यूल्स | जीवाश्म ईंधन |
| 55 | Commitment | कमिटमेंट | प्रतिबद्धता |
| 56 | Urgency | अरेजेंसी | आपात स्थिति |
| 57 | Degraded | डिग्रेडेड | गिरा हुआ, ह्रासित |
| 58 | Consumption | कंजम्प्शन | उपभोग |
| 59 | Perspective | पर्सपेक्टिव | दृष्टिकोण |
| 60 | Ethics | एथिक्स | नैतिकता |
| 61 | Vital | वाइटल | आवश्यक |
| 62 | Harmony | हार्मनी | समरसता |
| 63 | Interdependence | इंटरडिपेंडेंस | परस्पर निर्भरता |
| 64 | Overpopulation | ओवरपॉपुलेशन | जनसंख्या विस्फोट |
| 65 | Civilization | सिविलाइज़ेशन | सभ्यता |
| 66 | Greed | ग्रीड | लालच |
| 67 | Prosperity | प्रॉस्पेरिटी | समृद्धि |
| 68 | Balance | बैलेंस | संतुलन |
| 69 | Awareness | अवेयरनेस | चेतना |
| 70 | Humanity | ह्यूमैनिटी | मानवता |
| 71 | Environmentally | एनवायरनमेंटली | पर्यावरणीय रूप से |
| 72 | Equitable | इक्विटेबल | न्यायपूर्ण |
| 73 | Planetary | प्लैनेटरी | पृथ्वी संबंधी |
| 74 | Scarcity | स्कैरसिटी | कमी |
| 75 | Sustainability | सस्टेनेबिलिटी | स्थायित्व |
| 76 | Ecological | ईकोलॉजिकल | पारिस्थितिक |
| 77 | Forested | फॉरेस्टेड | वनों से आच्छादित |
| 78 | Perspective | पर्सपेक्टिव | दृष्टिकोण |
| 79 | Endangered | एंडेंजरड | लुप्तप्राय |
| 80 | Degraded | डिग्रेडेड | क्षीण |
| 81 | Drought | ड्रॉट | सूखा |
| 82 | Famine | फैमिन | अकाल |
| 83 | Ecosystem | ईकोसिस्टम | पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र |
| 84 | Plantation | प्लांटेशन | वृक्षारोपण |
| 85 | Natural Resources | नेचुरल रिसोर्सेज | प्राकृतिक संसाधन |
| 86 | Decrease | डिक्रीज़ | कमी |
| 87 | Afforestation | अफॉरेस्टेशन | वनीकरण |
| 88 | Disappearing | डिसएपियरिंग | गायब होना |
| 89 | Imbalance | इम्बैलेंस | असंतुलन |
| 90 | Future Generations | फ्यूचर जेनेरेशन्स | आने वाली पीढ़ियाँ |
| 91 | Pollution Control | पॉल्यूशन कंट्रोल | प्रदूषण नियंत्रण |
| 92 | Bio-sphere | बायोस्फीयर | जैवमंडल |
| 93 | Recycle | रीसायकल | पुनर्चक्रण |
| 94 | Reuse | रीयूज़ | पुनः उपयोग |
| 95 | Awareness Campaign | अवेयरनेस कैंपेन | जागरूकता अभियान |
| 96 | Overconsumption | ओवरकंजम्प्शन | अत्यधिक उपभोग |
| 97 | Responsibility | रिस्पॉन्सिबिलिटी | जिम्मेदारी |
| 98 | Trustees | ट्रस्टीज़ | संरक्षक |
| 99 | Urgency | अरेजेंसी | तात्कालिकता |
| 100 | Revival | रिवाइवल | पुनर्जीवन |
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