NCERT Book Class 7 Social Science (Geography) Chapter 1 Environment

1 Environment

After the long vacation, when Ravi started going to school
again, he noticed that the only playground next to his school
was dug up. People said that a huge building with many
flats will be constructed there. Ravi was almost in tears,
when he realised that the big playground with its soft
grass, marigolds and butterflies is gone for ever. He shared
his feelings with his classmates. In the assembly, the
Principal too sadly observed, “See how our environment
Environment is our
is changing.” basic life support
In the class Ravi asked his teacher, “What is system. It provides
environment?” “Whatever you see in your surroundings,” the air we breath, the
said the teacher. water we drink, the
Ravi thought aloud, “That means, the school building, food we eat and the
tables, chairs in the classroom, even that open field, the land where we live.
road, the garbage, my friends – all are parts of our How do human
environment”! beings modify this
“Yes” said the teacher, “but wait….. Some objects are natural environment?
The car fumes pollute
created by nature – for example, mountains, rivers, trees,
the air, water is
animals. Others are made by people – for example roads,
collected in a pot,
cars, clothes, books”. food is served in
Now work in pairs. Make a list with your classmate vessels and land is
sitting next to you, of the creations of nature and by used to build
human beings. factories.
Human beings
make cars, mills,
factories and
manufacture
containers. This is
how human beings
modify natural
environment.
Ravi, Paramjeet, Jessy, Mustafa, Asha were all excited
about making the list. “Why is our environment changing?”
asked Iqbal. “It’s all because of our needs. They are