Environmental Science: Definition, Scope & Importance, Study Notes, Material

By Karishma Singh|Updated : July 18th, 2022

In this article, we should read related to the Environmental Sciences: Definition, Scope & Importance which is essential for the upcoming CTET, REET, HP TET and other TET Exams.

In CTET Paper 1 weightage of the EVS Subject is 30 marks and a total of 30 questions are being asked it. The level of questions is of moderate level. It is advisable to study the NCERT book of Class 3rd to 5th to gain more insights into the subject.

Environmental Science: Its Definition, Scope, and Importance

Environment: Water, Air, Earth, Animals, Vegetation, and Humans all combined to form the environment. The proportion of each of these elements is done in such a way to form uniformity on earth.

Environment word is formed from a French word called ‘Environ’ which means complete surroundings.

Its Definition

The environment means the surrounding external conditions which influence the development or growth of people, animals or plants; their living or working conditions, etc. Some important definitions of the environment are:

  1. Ross-Environment could be termed as an external force that affects or influences us.
  2. Douglas and Holland-‘The term environment is used to describe, all the external forces, influences, and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms.’

Kinds of Environments:

Generally, the environment could be of three types that affect the personality of humans:

1. Natural or Physical-It refers to geographical climate and weather or physical conditions wherein individual life. The human race is greatly influenced by climatic conditions. It constitutes the sky, air, water, vegetation, elements under the earth’s surface, and organisms.

  • The people belonging to European countries are white while those of Africa are of black complexion.
  • The physical environment also affects an individual’s physique.
  • The working efficiency of a human also depends on climatic conditions.

2. Social-An individual’s social, economic, and political condition comes under his social environment. It constitutes groups, communities, society, committees, and all other kinds of institutions formed by human relationships.

3. Cultural or Psychological-Psychological environment helps us to understand an individual’s personality. All the rituals, customs, morals, and legal and behavioural epitomes of society comes under this category.

Environmental Structure

The environment includes both living and non-living organisms. So, its structure is both physical and biological.

1. Physical Environment

It is classified into three:

(i) Solid which represents the Lithosphere (earth)

(ii) The liquid represents the Hydrosphere (water component).

(iii) Gas or the Atmosphere.

They could be further subdivided into smaller units such as plateaus, coastal, mountains, glaciers etc.

2. Biological Environment

It consists of:

(i) Flora (animals)

(ii) Fauna (plants)

Thus, all the organisms in this biotic environment work together to form their social groups and organization at various levels. This process gives rise to the economic environment.

Scope of Environmental Studies

The initialization of thinking towards the environment has occurred due to the occurrence of some major incidents. Today, when environmental hazards have put humans into serious trouble only the areas of learning environmental education are increasing. Its scopes are summarized as follows:

  • Preservation and Protection of Natural resources and their problems include water, soil, forests, minerals, electricity, and transportation.
  • The study creates awareness among the people to know about various renewable and nonrenewable resources in the region.
  • It also provides necessary information about the richness of biodiversity and the dangers to the species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in the environment.
  • It studies varieties of flora and fauna and their protection.
  • The study helps us to understand the causes and consequences due to natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, etc.,) and pollution and measures to minimize the effects such as radioactive pollution, noise pollution, soil, water, and social pollution.
  • Human-Environment relationship.
  • Social Issues are related to Environment.
  • Policies and Laws related to Environmental Issues.
  • Environmental Preservation, Protection, and Improvement.

Hence, it is important now to protect our environment by utilizing the available resources and building a sustainable future for our coming generation.

This article tends to be beneficial for the following exams - REET, UPTET, CTET, Online Classroom Program TET, DSSSB, KVS etc.

Suggested Read Books:

Serial No.Book NameAuthor Name
1.CTET Paper -1 Environmental StudiesSushil Saroha
2.Environmental Studies (EVS) Exam Goalpost for CTET & TETs, Class I-VWiley Publication

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FAQs

  • The environment literally means the surrounding of external conditions which influences the development or growth of people, animals or plants; their living or working conditions, etc. Some important definitions of the environment are-

    1. Ross-Environment could be termed as an external force that affects or influences us.
    2. Douglas and Holland-‘The term environment is used to describe, all the external forces, influences, and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms.’


    • Preservation and Protection of Natural resources and their problems include water, soil, forests, minerals, electricity, and transportation.
    • The study creates awareness among the people to know about various renewable and nonrenewable resources of the region.
    • It also provides necessary information about the richness of biodiversity and the dangers to the species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in the environment.
    • It studies varieties of flora and fauna and their protection.
    • The study helps us to understand the causes and consequences due to natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, etc.,) and pollutions and measures to minimize the effects such as radioactive pollution, noise pollution, soil, water, and social pollution.
    • Human-Environment relationship.


  • Biological Environment consists of-

    (i) Flora (animals)

    (ii) Fauna (plants)

  •  Physical Environment can be classified into three-

    (i) Solid which represents the Lithosphere (earth)

    (ii) The liquid represents the Hydrosphere (water component).

    (iii) Gas or the Atmosphere.

    They could be further subdivided into smaller units as plateaus, coastal, mountains, glaciers, etc.

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