Environment means the surroundings. Land, water, air, plants, animals, solid wastes and other things that are surrounding us constitute our environment. Man and environment are closely intertwined with each other, to maintain a balance or equilibrium in nature. Different groups of people working in different areas express it in various ways. When physical scientists talk about environment they generally refer to the physical environment that comprises the three inter locking systems the Atmosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Lithosphere. Biologists often refer to biological environment consisting of all living organisms of the Biosphere. Similarly social scientists refer to the social, cultural, economic and organizational environment.
Environment is the source of life. It not only directs but also determines the existence, growth and development of human being and all their activities. The quality of our social life depends mostly on the quality of the natural environment.
primitive man was solely dependent for its existence (food, water and shelter etc.) on the environment around him. from geographical point of view, environment includes the entire range of external influences-both physical and biological-that effects the life and death of an organism.
It has resulted into the following environmental problems:
* A rapid growth of population.
* The thinning of the ozone layer.
* Poisoning of rivers, seas and underground resources.
* The rising pollution of air and water.
* Vanishing of plants.
* The depletion of living organisms.