This document summarizes an article written by Nani Palkhivala about the declining health of the planet and the role of the green movement. It discusses how perceptions have shifted from a materialistic view to an ecological view that sees the Earth as a living organism under stress. It outlines the concept of sustainable development and notes that unsustainable utilization of resources like fisheries, forests, and croplands is causing problems. It also discusses issues like deforestation, population growth, and the need for industries and society overall to preserve the environment for future generations.

1. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role
A story by: Nani Palkhivala
Class-XI Prose
A PowerPoint presentation by: Mrinal Ghosh, PGT (English)

2. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
• As
• A
Nani Palkhivala
Born: Jan 16, 1920
Death: Dec 11, 2002

3. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Nanabhoy "Nani" Ardeshir Palkhivala was an Indian Jurist and
Economist. His name is a byword in India's legal world. A man of
many and varied parts, he has crossed with ease the law's
narrow confines and has gone beyond into numerous other
fields. His life's work, as evidenced by history, and his several
writings and speeches, bears testimony to his passionate
commitment to public causes. He has given generously and
unsparingly of himself and his talents to the nation whenever the
occasion demanded
About the Writer

4. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
This is an article written by Nani Palkhivala and published
in The Indian Express on 24 November 1994. The issues
that he raised regarding the declining health of the earth
continue to have relevance.
The green revolution started in 1972.
First green party was formed in New Zealand 25 years ago.

5. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
The author explains the change in perception of people
from materialistic view to comprehensive and ecological
view of the world. This means people are now getting
concerned about environment.
In this view our earth is considered as a living organism. It
is considered as a having its own metabolic processes as
all living being have.

6. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Then he explains the concept of Sustainable development
of 1987. “Meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
needs”, i.e., we should utilize our natural resources in such
a way that we fulfill our present needs as well as conserve
them for our future generations. Now the perception is that
we consider ourselves as partner and not as a dominant
member of this planet.
We are partner with millions of species of the planet.

7. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Mr. Lester R. Brown’s thoughtful book, The Global
Economic Prospect, points out that the earth’s principal
biological systems are four fisheries, forests, grasslands,
and croplands. These contain virtually all raw materials of
industries now a days running. An unsustainable utilization
of these resources is taking place. This has caused loss of
fisheries due to our protein conscious world, creation of
barren lands, and crop lands deteriorate.

8. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Then the author is concerned about reduction of forest
land. It has been well said that forests precede mankind;
deserts follow. The dung which should be used as natural
fertilizer is mostly used for fuel.
Thus soil is not getting natural fertilizer. Fivefold rate of
planting of trees is required to meet the future demand of
woods as fuel.

9. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Then author has referred to Article 48A of the Constitution
of India were it is stated state should protect and improve
forest and wildlife. But as many other laws this is also not
enforced properly. Then author has referred to a
Parliamentary committee report which states decline of
forest at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year.

10. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
United Nations, warns that the environment has
deteriorated so badly that it is
‘critical’ in many of the eighty-eight
countries investigated.

11. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Human population has been rising at very higher rate.
Development is the most appropriate solution of human
beings day to day problems,
but with such a high rate
of population, development
is difficult to take place.

12. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
It is thinking between poor uneducated populations that
more children more hands to work. Because of such
thoughts poor are getting poorer. A proper family planning is
required to cope up the situation. There is a need to go for
population control.

13. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role
Author at this point again repeat the positive change in view
regarding ecology among people. Industries also need to
take responsibility for a good ecosystem and should be
good at environmental performances. All we have is a life
tenancy. We need to preserve it for our future generations.

14. The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s role