NCERT Book Class 12 Geography (India People And Economy) Chapter 9 Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

Unit V Envir onmental P
vironmental
Envir ollution
Pollution
Chapter 9 Environmental pollution results from ‘the
release of substances and energy from waste
products of human activities. There are many
types of pollution. They are classified on the
basis of medium through which pollutants are
transported and diffused. Pollution can be
classified into (i) air pollution, (ii) water
pollution, (iii) land pollution and (iv) noise
pollution.

Water Pollution
Indiscriminate use of water by increasing
GEOGRAPHICAL population and industrial expansion has led
degradation of the quality of water considerably.
PERSPECTIVE ON Surface water available from rivers, canals,
lakes, etc. is never pure. It contains small
SELECTED ISSUES quantities of suspended particles, organic and
inorganic substances. When concentration of
AND PROBLEMS these substances increases, the water becomes
polluted, and hence becomes unfit for use. In
such a situation, the self-purifying capacity of
water is unable to purify the water.

Fig.9.1 : Cutting Through Effluent : Rowing through
a pervasive layer of foam on the heavily polluted
Yamuna on the outskirts of New Delhi

Though water pollutants are also created
from natural sources (erosion, landslides,
decay and decomposition of plants and
animals, etc.) pollutants from human activities
are the real causes of concern. Human beings
pollute the water through industrial,
agricultural and cultural activities. Among
these activities, industry is the most significant
contributor.