i. Environment: Meaning & Concept
Definition: Environment
The environment refers to the entirety of external conditions and surroundings in which an organism—be it a human, animal, or plant—exists and interacts. These conditions not only influence the organism’s survival but also its growth, behavior, and development.
In a broader sense, the environment encompasses both natural and man-made elements:
1. Natural Environment: These include elements that occur naturally and are not altered by human activities. They include the atmosphere, water bodies (rivers, oceans, lakes), forests,
mountains, plains, and the ecosystems that evolve within them.
2. Man-made Environment: These refer to the environments created or modified by humans. This includes urban areas, cities, infrastructure, roads, buildings, and industrial zones. Human activities such as agriculture, deforestation, industrialization, and urbanization significantly impact the natural environment.
Thus, the environment